Did you know that April is indie author month? I definitely didn’t just discover that, like, two weeks ago.
In honor of all of those hardworking indies, this month’s pick is not one but the first three books in Rae Knightly’s Alien Skill series (probably better known as the Ben Archer books), read as audiobooks.
The setup is not unique in SFF stories (we’ll get to that later). What gives it a distinct feel — and what kept me engaged — is how it’s told. Short version: It’s very film/TV-like in structure, frequently jumping between points of view to show what’s happening from multiple angles — in particular what the main bad guy is doing.
As someone who wrote scripts for years, it’s a structure that feels liberating and immediately understandable. You want to have someone go off on their own adventure separate from the main character? Why wouldn’t you just follow them and see how it goes? Typically, books make this difficult. Adding multiple POVs is usually seen as a big choice, and there tends to be intense scrutiny over whether each POV feels real and individual enough.
But Knightly just does it… and somehow it works.
I have lots more to say, but before I stray too far afield, let’s give you the basics of the story:
Synopsis
As the story begins, Ben Archer is recovering from experiencing what everyone is calling “The Cosmic Fall” (a meteor hitting in Canada) while staying with his grandfather. He doesn’t remember anything about the event, his grandpa is missing, and the whole thing has left him mysteriously sick with a mild illness. After he gets better, hints of him possessing strange abilities begin to surface, and his life unravels fast. Suddenly, he’s on the run, with shadowy government forces pursuing him — along with something far less explainable. As the scope expands, so does the cast of characters around him, each with their own perspective on what Ben is, what he can do, and what should happen to him.
Why Adults Will Actually Like It
Clear, Accessible Sci-Fi. Whether you’re “not that into” science fiction or trying to find something entry-level for your kids, the concepts here are easy to follow, the stakes are clear, and the focus stays on momentum and intrigue rather than explanation.
Cinematic Structure. One of the reasons it feels so accessible, in my opinion, is the cinematic nature of the rotating POVs and storylines, allowing readers to follow along with both the hunted and the hunters. It’s a technique you see more often in TV than MG, and it works really well here.
That X-Files Energy. If you’re a parent or adult of a certain age (*raises hand*), The X-Files was probably formative to your sci-fi/horror experience growing up. With government pursuit, hidden truths, and things that don’t quite add up but feel like they will, there’s a definite “something bigger is going on here” vibe that carries across the first three books.
Momentum, momentum, momentum. The constant forward motion and shifting perspectives make it very easy to fall into a “just one more chapter” rhythm. Something is always happening, and the story rarely lingers long enough to lose momentum, which keeps the tension steadily building as the larger picture comes into focus.
In the mood for something fast-moving, accessible, and a little bit conspiracy-tinged? This is an easy recommendation.
Buy The Alien Skill Books 1–3 Audiobook Collection here.
Have you read (or listened to) the series? What’s your favorite part? Does the multi-POV style work for you, or do you prefer a tighter focus?