The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton

I’m so glad I took a chance on this book! Ever since I joined NetGalley, I dreamed of the day when I would just be auto-approved for all of my favorite authors. So a few months back, when I got an email from NetGalley telling me I was auto-approved for a bunch of books by authors I had never heard of, I decided to say “what the heck!” And I downloaded all of them, thinking maybe I’d find something good, maybe I wouldn’t. So I was very pleased to be sucked right into The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton. I didn’t know anything about this book going in, it I quickly learned that it was a first contact style book. Humanity is linked up with a conglomeration of other species (although they are way down in the pecking order) and the protagonist is part of a first contact team for a low tech species of alien bug type people (I kept picturing them as mantis-like). There is a rival alliance of aliens who get into a shooting match in orbit with this conglomeration resulting in our protagonist stranded on this planet with one other human and a rival alien from a stronger, more violent and honor based culture. The book was a really fun page turner, hampered just a bit by the protagonist being a great guy who was pretty great at everything he tried. He read like a super-competent cis white guy Andy Weir- style main character and was the least interesting person in the story. But other than his bland super-competence, the book was a lot of fun! I would totally read something else by this author and I hope he continues these characters’ stories.

I enjoyed this book, but there were a couple discrepancies in Dalton's character. Or seeming discrepancies. Neera sees Dalton as muscle, and that is what comes across. The almost sterotypical guy in movies who is more muscles than brains. But Dalton worked in tech. Had a higher level degree. Wasn't just muscle. But he kept coming across as if he couldn't reason out results to actions. How what he did would affect outcomes. By the end, I didn't feel that way anymore and very much enjoyed how the book played out.

As with any Edward Ashton book I’ve read: I couldn’t put it down; it was engaging from the beginning to the end; I was forced to immerse myself in a different world than mine; and there was a satisfying ending.

This alien world was a stretch for me and I had a difficult time imaging the life forms with it. Not because of his descriptive writing, but I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I liked the humor of the AI interpreter tech and unfortunately can see a future where we think the way we run our world would be beneficial to all worlds in the cosmos.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

‘Dalton Greaves is 3 years into having been hired as a human envoy of the “Unity” organization. His job is to make contact with and recruit new alien species for inclusion in Unity, but soon finds himself into some thorny difficulties this time. Neera is his human team-member aboard the “Good Tidings” starship and both work for their very demanding alien boss, Boreau. Unity has a competitor, the Assembly.’ That whole premise is not easily ascertained from the first few pages of this Uncorrected Digital Gallery and needs to be re-worked and clarified for the benefit of future readers. This novel takes a fascinating SciFi deep dive into alien cultures, structure and ceremonies as opposed to traditional space opera battles. The mysterious Dalton finds himself with some support from his AI-based alien language translator in a topsy-turvy, dangerous world where trust may be a fleeting commodity. The end was yet another unexpected twist. I would really like to see this engrossing stand-alone storyline continue. Four TREACHEROUS Stars! 251 pages, from a NetGalley free ARC copy provided for an honest review.

The Fourth Consort
by Edward Ashton
Science Fiction
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 14+

After the death of his father, Dalton Greaves' life stops and he finds himself moving from day to day in a fog until his girlfriend dumps him and he gets a job offer a minute later from a woman, Neera.

Now he is working as a representative for Unity, a group of 'pan-species' working to bring all sentient life into a single 'benevolent brotherhood'. There is another group that calls themselves the 'Assembly' who also claim they are trying to do the same, and they do not like/trust humans.

Neera and Dalton find themselves visiting the same planet as an Assembly ship, and after an event in orbit, both teams find themselves marooned. With Neera staying in the ship, Dalton finds himself dragged into a political fight, becoming the fourth consort of the ruling queen.


I have the feeling this was intended to be a 'Mickey' story. There are so many similarities! I get that things like that happen, a story goes one way so a pending idea will no longer work, (though I can think of a few ways to merge the stories...)

There were some funnies, but I felt the story was a little flat. The characters, especially Neera, are not thought out in great detail, almost as if they are hurried replacements from an original idea. And none of them gave me a reason to care for them, though Breaker, I didn't/don't trust him.

It's not a bad story, though it could use a lot more world, character, and plot building, but it moved along at a decent pace.

If this becomes a series, which I can think of a few ways it could, I would be interested in reading the next.

Not a lot of violence or other questionable content so it's suitable for readers fourteen and older.

3 Stars

I adore Edward Ashton’s books! He’s so good at what I will call ‘cozy sci-fi’. There are always stakes, but Ashton expertly weaves peril with humor and heart . The characters in this story, even the AI translator, are all infused with their own personalities, which made for some really funny scenes. The Second and Third consorts were hilarious and had me laughing out loud several times. And Dalton was a fantastic MMC. Discovering his past and how he came to be where he is was fascinating, and watching his character development throughout the story was so rewarding. But my favorite thing about the story was the interactions between Dalton and Breaker, their unlikely alliance, and eventual friendship. It was just so wholesome and charming. If you enjoy the humor and heart of Andy Weir, Martha Wells or John Scalzi I highly recommend The Fourth Consort! 4.5/5 Stars 🌟

I can tell that this is a very well written sci-fi with different beings a species and aliens. I did enjoy the political aspects of the story and the vulnerability of the characters. But, I think this helped me realize that while I can appreciate it as a good book, sci-fi just isn’t for me.

It was an interesting storyline with unique characters, I especially like the insect-like characters. I think that the flashback parts could have been done a little better; they seemed not to flow very well with the story. Overall I really enjoyed it.

Edward Ashton has a beautiful way with words as he tells a story so outlandish YET so beautifully poignant and relevant to our humanity that one can’t help but follow along with no hesitation. Packed with wry humor, suspense, and some gritty action, I highly recommend this for fans of sci-fi genre.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a lot of books, but The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton might just be one of the most entertaining stories I’ve ever encountered. Edward Ashton has this incredible ability to blend dark humor, sci-fi action, and surprising depth into a narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for a wild ride that’s as thought-provoking as it is hilarious, this book is definitely for you.

The story follows Dalton Greaves, a human representative of Unity, a supposed intergalactic confederation that aims to unite all sentient life. Except, in true Ashton fashion, nothing is quite as it seems. Dalton quickly realizes that the so-called benevolent mission of Unity is far from what he's been told. The only other Unity members he encounters are more concerned with plundering than peace—specifically Boreau, a massive, shady snail-like creature, and Neera, his human sidekick who’s caught up in a dangerous game of survival.

The narrative takes a sharp turn when Dalton finds himself stuck between the Assembly—a mysterious, morally upright collective—and the chaos of alien worlds, where things are far from friendly. On top of that, he has to deal with Neera, who may just be more dangerous than the aliens or the political intrigue that surrounds him. The tension in this book is palpable, and it's a constant back-and-forth between humor and life-or-death situations that keeps you on your toes.

One of the things I appreciate most about The Fourth Consort is the blend of different genres. It’s not just a sci-fi adventure; it’s a dark comedy, a love triangle, and a first-contact story all wrapped up into one. The characters are complex and compelling, and the dialogue is sharp and witty. As Dalton navigates this bizarre and often dangerous world, you can’t help but laugh, even in the most tense moments.

Ashton’s writing is incredibly engaging, with moments of levity that make you genuinely care for the characters, even when they’re being swept up in the absurdity of their situation. Dalton, for all his flaws and confusion, is someone you root for, and Neera—well, she’s a force to be reckoned with. The chemistry between them is unpredictable, and watching their relationship evolve is one of the most interesting aspects of the story.

The book also raises a lot of philosophical questions about survival, morality, and trust. Dalton is put in situations where he has to decide how far he’s willing to go to make it out alive, and those decisions are often complicated by the fact that everyone around him is as self-interested as he is. The layers of intrigue and deception are fascinating, and they make you question what you would do in his shoes.

In short, The Fourth Consort is a brilliant blend of humor, heart, and hard choices. Edward Ashton has crafted a story that’s as unpredictable as it is entertaining, and I couldn’t put it down once I started. If you love sci-fi with a twist of comedy and a touch of romance (or danger, depending on how you see it), this book should be at the top of your list. The journey is wild, the stakes are high, and the laughs are plentiful—what more could you ask for?

I enjoyed the reflective humor and overall story. Different that what I typically read, but not without enjoyment. Definitely glad to have read it, and already recommended to a friend that I believe will enjoy it even more.

This book is irreverent and snarky in all the best ways. It drops you into an insane situation and somehow things keep getting weirder. I could absolutely see this being a series with The Fourth Consort as it's prequel, and I would absolutely read more to find out where these characters head next. This is absolutely a fun sci-fi romp and I found myself laughing, rolling my eyes and having heartfelt emotions all within one page. I recommend this for anyone who loves a quirky and weird plot, emotionally damaged ex-military characters, snarky AI and ambiguous world building. I'm usually all about lore, and I would've devoured every bit of it in this book if it were offered, but I did feel that the ambiguity fed the story and kept the plot moving, especially in a book that I imagine to be a standalone (or at the very least, is not a sweeping epic).

If you've enjoyed works by John Scalzi, find Col. Jack O'Neil endearing, and don't mind sympathizing with creatures that are essentially a giant cross between a beetle and a praying mantis (at least as I imagined them), I definitely recommend this one. If you are easily offended, prefer to avoid strong language and are new to sci-fi, you might want to skip it.

Edward Ashton has one favorite main character type, the seemingly incapable bumbling idiot, who is actually more capable then his self perception permits him to see. For The Fourth Consort our lead 'fool' is Dalton Greaves, a human who willingly joined the interstellar Unity with the task of finding other civilizations and convincing them to join with Unity.

Unfortunately for Greaves, his current mission has him stranded on the planet of the insect Minarchs. He's not alone, he has his fellow human Neera, who recruited him and Breaker. However, Breaker is from the stickmen race and part of the Unity competition, the Alliance. Highly reliant on technology to do the hard work of communication Dalton and Breaker are in competition to bring the Minarchs over to their side. This is not without risk or politics. Especially when the AI translator can only offer percentages on the accuracy of its language model.

The Fourth Consort is a story of first contact and learning about others. Dalton is frequently befuddled, and is our narrator. But his self deprecation and humor hide a keen intelligence with little hints scattered that sets the stage for a well delivered conclusion.

While intended as a standalone, I hope this universe is revisited.

Recommended for readers of science fiction, Star Trek away teams or political intrigue.

Fourth Consort is an adventurous trip to another world, where everything may not be as it seems. Whether it is the alien you are competing against or your co-worker, the qualities of a friend can be found in unlikely places. The dynamics of an alien society may not be as different from human interactions. Like all good science fiction, this novel presents opportunities for the reader to learn more about himself and his own world. With humorous as well as adventurous moments, I enjoyed reading this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

When I first started this book, I wasn't sure what I was in for. The premise seemed interesting, and I hoped for an entertaining read. This book was that and more. I've always liked books where the main character is faced with the challenge of learning and navigating a culture different from their own. In this case, the main character (a human) is faced with trying to understand and negotiate with an alien culture that he is currently stranded with. Add some not so accurate translating of alien communication to the mix, as well as another alien agent that happens to be the enemy of the company the main character works for and you've got a recipe for disaster. What follows is a fascinating and humorous story of survival, and how far you might go to do so. That aside, along with the humor, there was also a lot of political intrigue and even some action to keep things interesting. But I feel that the best part of the story were the characters. There was a lot of depth to them, not only for the main character, but also the aliens he interacts with. As the story goes on and the more you learn about them, the more real they feel. Honestly, I'm sad that this is just a standalone because I would really like to know what happens next. All the same, I'd recommend this for fans of John Scalzi, or those of the Murderbot series by Martha Wells. As a side note for those that enjoy audiobooks, I'd highly recommend this one for that as well. The narrator is clear in their narration, and does an excellent job of giving the characters different voices through the story. It made for an enjoyable listen.

A story with the perfect blend of humor and thoughtfulness that anyone will appreciate. This is sci-fi for sure but one doesn't get bogged down in technical jargon. No, this is a character study that is fresh and relatable. I loved the alien, Breaker, most of all and would love to see a continuation of this story. Edward Ashton has quickly become a must read author for me. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This story was not for me. It has a very interesting set up but my one book thing I can't get over are books written in present tense. It reads like a script and it was just throwing me off so much I couldn't enjoy the story. For that I give it 3 stars the layout for the story is well made and the characters are sarcastic and tense. It's an interesting layout with learning more about alien planets.

I’m rating this one almost simply for how hilarious it was that I misunderstood the true meaning of “consort’ in the title. It's not just a sci-fi term for 'diplomat'.


I really enjoyed Mickey7 when I read it, but I think I might like The Fourth Consort even better. Maybe because of how much I love Futurama, and imagine the main character Dalton as a more competent Fry and Beaker as Leela, and all of the minarchs as Zoidberg. It was a difficult image to erase from my head once it stuck.

This was laugh-out-loud funny, and made me think which is my favorite type of sci-fi. Edward, you have done it again with this one.

Edward Ashton is a really smart guy. I don’t mean just because he teaches quantum physics, but because he made bizarre, insectoid creatures completely relatable. He brings their absolutely alien world, culture and politics to life, delivering an immersive novel that goes in unexpected directions at every twist. I was trying to add a blurb summarizing the plot but it is so hard to describe that I refer you to the official synopsis. In a nutshell, Dalton has to figure out who are his friends, who are not, and how to get out of the situation that he finds himself in. Except for Dalton and his shipmate Neera, none of the characters are human. It is remarkable how I cared so much about the fate of what sounds like a gigantic tentacled ant. The details about their matriarchal society, again similar to ants’, their honor code and traditions only added to the plot. I loved the philosophical discussions between Dalton and Breaker, the other creature stuck in that world with him. The addition of the Queen’s two consorts, as well as the translator that Dalton relies on and that is not always accurate, bring some witty comic relief. The author doesn’t rely on coincidences or miracles and the characters only have their resourcefulness to survive (or not). Entertaining, funny and poignant.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press.

I'll start by saying that I enjoyed this more than Mickey7, which was a bit of a disappointment for me, so I'm overall happy with this book, though I was nervous going into it.

What I liked:
-The different alien biologies and cultures were explored well and were creative. I felt like the different races were unique enough from ourselves and each other to create good tension and interest. Their differences created interesting situations due to misunderstandings and creative physical engagements based on their physiology.
-I found the comments about humans being prey animals and how we don't exactly fit the mold for either predator or prey to be thought provoking.
-The main character was nice to follow. He was a bit passive but the situation he was placed in needed a character like that. I liked his humor and his growth over the course of the book.
-The humor overall in this book was a step up from Mickey7, which felt a little juvenile. The main character had some funny moments but most of the humor that I enjoyed was from the AI translator and the consort duo that he meets later in the book.

What I didn't like:
-Neera didn't really have any function in the story more than a plot device. She wasn't in it much after the beginning so this didn't bother me a lot.
-While I did enjoy the worldbuilding of the aliens, I would have liked a little more to get a better sense of the factions at play.