First Contact: Strings Attached by Paul J. Nelson

First Contact: Strings Attached by Paul J. Nelson is the first of three in a science fiction series. Zalk, the main character, is an scientist living on the orb, Zeon. He has discovered intelligent life on a sister orb, Arken. Buildings and green patches prove to Zalk that the possibility is very real that this intelligent life could change what the inhabitants of Zeon believe to be possible.

Craving respect and attention for his new findings, he allows a gorgeous field reporter named Gorja into his life to write feature articles regarding his work in astronomy: specifically, his work with a new, ultra enhanced telescope shining a light on Arken and exposing him to one of the powerful residents, Sorab.  Zalk entrusts his secrets about Arken and Sorab to Gorja, and doesn’t realize it, but Gorja, or G3, is told by her boss to distort the truth about Zalk’s findings to increase newspaper sales.

Guilt consumes Zalk, because he has turned over confidential information to Gorja. Zalk is also a “sensitive”, enabling him to speak to Sorab on Arken by way of telepathy. This discovery is sensationalized by Gorja’s newspaper, and the inability of Zalk to keep control, forces he and his wife Elfa to flee for safety and calm. Overcome with guilt, G3 quits her job working for the paper, however as the story unfolds Zalk and G3’s lives intersect again.

Throughout the novel, Zalk is driven by the monetary promises of his new friend Sorab. Sorab is motivated by his own special interests with Zeon and its inhabitants. Will this drive Zalk to his end? Will G3 ever stop suffering for her choices with her former employer?

The author creates an interesting plot line with many twists and turns, and provides a dictionary of his own so that readers can decode some of the language endemic to Zeon and Arken. The language is a bit complex throughout, which does impede readability at times; however, some of it is beautifully crafted leaving readers satisfied. Like many science fiction stories, there are hidden messages for reality. Nelson weaves these messages in the dialogue of his characters, “…a true act of forgiveness is simply forgiveness of yourself.” Check out First Contact: Strings Attached and find out if these characters are able to forgive themselves and persevere with their intentions.

For more information on this book, click here or visit OnlineBookClub.org.