I love alien stories, and I love first contact alien stories in particular - so when this also added "bizarre love triangle" in the mix I was hooked immediately. Unfortunately, there was neither "love" nor "triangle" in any shape or form - but thankfully still plenty of aliens and first contact shenanigans.

Content warnings include: death, injury, borderline slavery/loss of autonomy.

Despite all of the base hooks appealing to me, I was a bit wary of this as I was quite underwhelmed by another book by the author, Mickey7. I'm happy to say though, I enjoyed The Fourth Consort much more, though I can also see similarities in the author's style that are not my favourites.

I am not the biggest fan of flashbacks. This book had plenty, though they were (thankfully) kept rather short. They also made sense and tied directly into what was happening in the story, mostly at least (though I could have done without quite a few of them). I still wish the storytelling had been more linear overall.

The character work was quite weak. None of them really felt deep or truly fleshed out. I had no clue about the true motivations or feelings of any of the characters. Even the protagonist, Dalton, was sort of nothing - which, to be fair, is also a personality trait, I suppose. If nothing else, he was brave.

Unfortunately, that lack of character depth lead to a narrative that felt emotionally removed from the characters and events of the story. To be fair, that worked well with the comedic parts and tone of the writing, so maybe that was the intention all along.

While there is humor, I wouldn't say this is a funny book. It's mostly situational comedy, putting a human context on alien situations. Personally I found it almost too comical to the point of being distracting - I think that was at least partially because I find the subject matter of first contact stories and exploring alien cultures, combined with political intrigue and diplomatic negotiations so interesting. So to approach all that in a less than serious matter wasn't my favourite - or rather, I just wanted more from all of it. Instead, what I got only just scratched the surface.

I still enjoyed all those aspects of the story, as well as the plot twists, though I also would have enjoyed more of it. That said, I think some central aspects were criminally underutilized.
A small example is the sentient translator chip in Dalton's ear, which sometimes gives snarky commentary. It could have been used for so much more cool things!
A much bigger and more crucial example: the whole consort business. I still have no clue what exactly the purpose of it all was. Without going into too much detail or giving too much away, Dalton is simply declared consort of the head-alien, but there is no why or how or really what that even means, other than vague surface level "here are your new quarters" kind of stuff.
(I also wished the other consorts had been more relevant as characters, but alas, not like any other characters got more attention.)

What bothered me the most about this book was that it definitely was not an alien romance - that is fine! - but it almost sort of pretends that it is? But it reads like it also did not want to commit to that. I did not really expect a romance going it, and there was none, but some details almost made me think there would be some. I think the most egregious example both for that romance part, as well as the lack of commitment to is, is that at multiple points in the book the word "partner" is used... just to be switched to "friend" in the last chapter. The switch is not explained, but it's implied that it is because the sentient translator got better at translating over time. I found that almost cowardly, like come on, just commit to the bit at this point, don't chicken out! (Full disclosure though, I read an ARC so the choice of words may be subject to change in the final copy.)
On the other hand, the previously mentioned weak characters applied to the not-love interest as well, as well as to the relationship between him and Dalton, so maybe it was for the best. I would have loved to see more of their relationship, or even a second book about them, but this is advertised as a standalone.

Ultimately this is a fun, fast-paced alien first-contact adventure with dominant comedy elements and surface level intrigue and mystery plots. The advertising is not at all accurate with the "love triangle" bit, so beware, I definitely fell for it and was disappointed.

The Fourth Consort is an entertaining, fast-paced story on alien culture clashes, finding common ground, and the sometimes impossible task of communication and translation.

Our main character, Dalton, finds himself stranded on an alien planet with his (human) partner, Neera, after an accident on what was supposed to be a first-contact peace envoy to the local species, the minarchs. As part of the Unity group, Dalton and Neera plan to bring the minarchs into their fold for guidance as their civilization becomes more technologically advanced. Unfortunately for them a representative from their main rivals, whom Dalton names Breaker, is also stuck planetside trying to win this new species over with the same promises of enlightenment and protection from his employers, the Assembley. Meanwhile the minarchs, who are very nearly giant sentient praying mantises, have their own plans for leveraging their guests’ arrival for internal political gain. Throughout this game of tug-of-war, there’s consistent discussion on honor and morality across the different species involved.

Edward Ashton does a wonderful job of depicting the pitfalls in trying to navigate an alien world where the main characters share very little in the way of common experience, lifestyle, and even physiology. Dalton’s snarky translator AI explaining its interpretation and confidence intervals for various phrases was one of my favorite parts of the book. The different levels of (mis)understanding between Dalton, Breaker, and the minarchs created both humor and tension, depending on the circumstances. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a comedic story, Ashton still balances that tension well with lighthearted moments.

I would have liked more resolution of some smaller plot points introduced throughout the book; I was disappointed we didn’t get to learn more about the “secret language” the translators weren’t familiar with. This is currently a standalone novel, but it ends in a way that allows for a sequel. With that being said, the resolution was satisfying and I appreciate that it was overall more realistic/messy.

I’d recommend The Fourth Consort if you enjoy first-contact stories, thinking about translation and communication barriers, or just want sci-fi with more character development over abstract ideas. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Edward Ashton always creates character driven, compelling science fiction, from his Mickey7 to his Mal Goes to War his writing provokes the reader to explore perspectives and moralities they might otherwise not anticipate wrestling with in a quirky oddball SF tale. In the Fourth Consort Ashton
takes his readers on a journey to an unnamed planet populated with uncanny buglike aliens. Dalton Greaves is a human who has been enlisted to work with the ammies, snail-like spacefarers who claim to be working toward uplifting and protecting the Galaxy by saving nascent planets from themselves. The ammies are in direct conflict with a group of aliens who call themselves the Assembly and profess to have the same mission. Dalton and his human cohort Neera end up marooned on the planet of the minarchs and they not only have to survive but they have to secure the trust and loyalty of the minarchs, if they lose out to the stickmen, they might lose everything they've worked for. But when Dalton goes out to treat with the minarchs he quickly realizes things aren't so cut and dry and that being a human among a planet of aliens is going to be even harder than he'd anticipated. Really wonderful science fiction, I read absolutely everything Edward Ashton publishes.

In “the Fourth Consort,” Dalton and Neera, human representatives of a multi-world, multi-species consortium called “Unity” are sent to a planet populated by lobster like creatures called “Minarchs” to establish a relationship between the Minarch’s planet and Unity. Shortly after landing on the planet, the ship on which they came is destroyed when their pilot opens fire on the vessel of a competing entity called “the Assembly.” The Assembly ship is also destroyed in the process, leaving behind a representative which the Unity refers to as a “Stickman”. While Dalton, along with the Assembly’s representative, Breaker, treats with the various powers in the Minarchs’ hive like city, Neera stays behind on the lander.

Soon, Dalton is absorbed in what he suspects is political intrigue on the part of various planetary factions, a part of which includes Dalton being given the status of “Fourth Consort” to the ruling Minarch, the “First Among Equals,” which Dalton’s embedded AI interprets as the “Queen” of what is apparently a matriarchal society. As he fights for his life using nothing but his wits, Dalton forms an unlikely friendship with his competitor, Breaker.

Filled with witty dialog and well-drawn, multi-faceted aliens and fully realized alien worlds and structures, the Fourth Consort is a fun and entertaining read. Although at times the setting got a bit monotonous since Dalton was essentially trapped underground for most of the book, the Monty Python style banter and occasional violent encounters with the Minarchs more than compensates.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

This was my first book by the author, and probably won't be my last. Stand-alone sci-fi, with snappy, snarky dialogue which I much appreciated. Good premise, interesting locale and creatures, and use of translators to help with conversations was well done.

My only complaint, and it's not major, is that there is a lot of dialogue, and by a lot, I mean a loooooooooooot. Much of it is clever, but it's still a ton of talking. Dalton and Breaker's relationship is quite interesting, and to me, is the star of the show.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

This was adorable and so fun. I loved the MC and his friend? Lover? Reluctant ally turned platonic life partner? Who knows, but their relationship was fascinating and heartwarming. I also loved the unique element of the translation difficulties figuring into the plot! I actually wish the translator “spoke” more!

I didn't enjoy this as much as Mickey7, but it was still a great romp. Ashton's characters are hilarious and he puts a new spin on sci-fi storytelling.

This is filled with snide remarks and sarcastic humor. It feels refreshing at times to have a bleak sci-fi story about survival be broken up by some comedy. Ashton has created a winning formula.

I grabbed this book because I was a fan of Mickey7 and The Fourth Consort did not disappoint. It had some of the same elements I enjoyed about Mickey7, interesting aliens, communication issues, and a tense survival story mixed with questions of morality and honor. I appreciated how the alien culture itself put Dalton in danger and forces him to use his wits to survive. However, I think my favorite element was watching Dalton work with his Assembly rival to survive and watching as that relationship evolved despite the bumps in differences in their cultures. That plotline really let us explore the issues in communicating and understanding another species as well as who to count on when your neck is on the line. This felt a bit like a palace intrigue story, but with a sci-fi backdrop. Some of the honor talk was reminiscent of Klingons from Star Trek to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Dalton Greaves is a human with Unity that travels through space looking for sentient life. Unity is supposed to spread love and harmony but that's not always what happens. Unity's main competitor are the Assembly. When Dalton and his teammate Neera get stuck on the planet, Dalton works with the locals and his Assembly counterpart. Not an easy book to explain but it was entertaining.

Sci-fi is a genre I rarely read but I was intrigued by this book and glad I read it. It was funny, captivating, quirky and enjoyable to read.

I really liked how Ashton approached the concept of inter-planet colonialism throughout this novel. I think he perfectly demonstrated the sense of moral justification colonial actors can have when they have been indoctrinated into the belief that their way of life is inherently superior.

The book was a bit slow to start as relationships were established, but it really picked up for me in the second half, and I couldn't put it down by the end.

Thankyou to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this!!! This book was really just quite fun and kind of silly. The stakes are started super low and gradually get higher. Along with that, the characters are really interesting and bizarre.

Thank you so much for this ARC! Sections in [brackets] are not included in my public review.

The Fourth Consort is a fun read and a unique take on the spaceman's adventure, sort of a fusion with palace intrigue and the classic hero's journey. I really enjoyed how thorough and well-thought-out the alien interactions were -- the translation errors, the irreconcilable cultural and psychological differences, the physiologies. World building details that creative are such a breath of fresh air. The flashbacks were an interesting way to build a character as well.

I was a little unsatisfied by the ending, how parts of the mysteries remained unsolved [the second language, why First-Among Equals chose Dalton despite believing him inferior to the end]. Likely some readers prefer a more realistic ending that way, but I wish they would have been mentioned so it didn't just seem like the author forgot about them. For me, this book was 4 stars until the end.

[I'm pretty sure there is some editing error in Chapter 20. I read it several times and couldn't make sense of there only being one survivor at the camp, but then three men beating up another man.]

TLDR: A fun, fast-paced, super creative spaceman sci-fi; refreshing if not fully satisfying.

I am a huge fan of Edward Ashton’s writing. His take on sci-fi is one of my favorites. I jumped at the opportunity to read and review this. Admittedly, I was a little nervous based on the description. And in the end, I quite like it. While science fiction based, it was more a study of societal expectations and what is and isn’t honorable and moral, across all species. Both Dalton and Neera were two sides of the humanity coin, with Neera concerned with her place in the world above all else. I think, in the end, Dalton is who we should strive to be. He attempted to be a good person and take accountability. I would have taken more snarky translator though. Can’t have enough of that. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The book started off a bit slow for me, but picked up as it went. The present tense verbs in certain sections are not quite my cup of tea, but they do help with shifting perspective in the appropriate sections. I like the humor (perhaps best described as echoes of Guardians of the Galaxy or self-referentially, Hitchhiker's Guide) . The whole human-snail potential romance aspect was admittedly weird, but we're also weird for thinking aliens would be bipedal creatures about six-feet tall in height, but with odd coloring or appendages. I feel a sequel in the offing, which might be interesting.

Edward Ashton's latest sci-fi gem, The Fourth Consort, plunges Dalton Greaves into the heart of cosmic diplomacy. Dalton is humanity's ambassador to the mysterious Unity alliance, a seemingly benevolent confederation of alien species. Dalton soon discovers a web of deceit and intrigue lurking beneath Unity's cryptic facade. With Ashton's trademark darkly comedic tone and sharp wit, readers are treated to a thrilling tale of political maneuvering, alien encounters, and the precarious nature of interstellar trust.

Edward Ashton's sci-fi prowess continues to captivate readers. Following the resounding success of Mickey 7 (soon to be a major motion picture Mickey 17) and Antimatter Blues, his latest offering Mal Goes to War and the highly anticipated The Fourth Consort, solidify his status as a genre-defining author. Ashton's ability to blend thought-provoking concepts with engaging narratives and unforgettable characters has earned him a devoted fanbase. Without hesitation, I'm awarding The Fourth Consort a full five stars and wholeheartedly recommend it to any sci-fi enthusiast seeking a thrilling and imaginative adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Edward Ashton for this Advance Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This book was frustrating as it was extremely interesting and properly explored TRUE alien intelligence and society. And then the major plot threat was extinguished within five pages with a flashback to a completely introduced point about human biology and evolution that was a cop out.

While this is no Project Hail Mary or The Martian, this was a surprisingly good book (even for a non sci-fi reader like me).

A stand alone story that could very well be an awesome series. I had a great time on this escape to a different reality that embraces what true scifi was meant to be. Great movement and characterization within the bounds of intelligent life and those discoveries.

I hope the author takes us on another shoulder peering ride with Dalton.

I received this ARC for free in lieu of a review.

Rating: 4.8/5