Aerospace tycoon Gordon Elliot Lee cannot stand idly by while a mysterious alien presence from Delta Pavonis bears down upon mankind’s only home. Shut out from NASA and military support, Gordon is forced to go it alone, to sow the seeds for an entirely new sort of planetary defense: a space-based naval force.
Joined by Nathan Kelley — a bloodied naval warrior, scarred by his own actions in the waters off North Korea — and Kris Munoz — an avant garde scientific genius with more ideas than sense — these three will scour the very edges of fringe science and engineering to attempt development of Earth’s first space navy in time to oppose the Deltan invasion.
Beset by ridicule, government obstruction, industrial espionage, and their own personal demons, it will take a miracle just to get off the ground. But the challenges on Earth are nothing compared to what awaits them in space. Against an unknown alien enemy with vastly superior technology, a handful of human scientists and warriors must become the sword that holds the darkness at bay.
Amazon.com rating: 4.5 of 5
5 stars
By William P. Mchale
Format:Paperback
Mr. Mays certainly seems to be familiar with his science fiction. This book appears to borrow ideas and themes freely from previous authors; Larry Niven and Robert A. Heinlein in particular. That being said, this book is not a rethread of those authors, but a truly original work that plots its own course.
Set in the near future, one man recognizes a change in the color of the star Delta Pavonis for what it really is, the signature of an alien star drive heading for Earth. Unable to convince the government, he sets out to do what he can. The early parts of the novel deal with developing the technology that will enable the Earth to do something about it (being that there is a spaceship on the cover, I don’t think I am giving away too much :)). From there things get interesting.
The space battles are tense, and to fans of pure military sci-fi, might go a bit quickly, but I don’t believe the author ever intended them to be the center of the action. Rather they are necessary to moving the plot forward. Tension is built and sustained in other ways. All of this makes for an enjoyable novel.
5 stars
By Michael Huston
Format:Kindle Edition
I’m a retired military engineer so this book hit me in my sweet spot. It probably would not appeal to those who think swords and sorcery is science fiction. The military characters act like real military people would act and the science was either right on or got you wondering if it might really work. It was a good vacation from what passes for science fiction these days. The true test of a novel is would you by the sequel; oh yes, and eagerly.