From the visionary author of the Inheritance, Legacy, and Heritage trilogies comes the first chapter of an exciting new science-fiction trilogy. Ian Douglas makes a huge boom with Earth Strike, book one of the new Star Carrier trilogy, chronicling the war between humanity and an alien menace looking to stall their technological advance.
The premise
As a former Navy corpsman, Douglas knows about military procedure and tactics (which he's drawn on in his previous works).
Such is the case again in Earth Strike, set in the twenty-fifth century. As you've probably already guessed, humans have reached beyond the boundaries of their own star system, making incredible technological advances.
There are nanites used in virtually everything, from starships to combat suits. Three-quarters of the world's population have implants that keep them constantly linked to cyberspace (with the exceptions of "primitives" living off of scraps in the Manhattan Ruins). Artificial singularities are used regularly in star travel.
The advancements of humans are seen as a threat by the entities known as the Sh'daar, who seek to rid the universe of technologies that 'transcend' evolution. Although the Sh'daar themselves make no appearances in this book, the Turusch, one of several of their 'servant' species, wage war against humanity on their behalf.
The human Confederation rival the Turusch in ships and weapons, but the aliens' sheer tenacity and numbers are a constant affront.
Synopsis
Earth Strike brings readers two-plus decades into the Human-Turusch war.
Set aboard the Star Carrier America, Earth Strike begins in the remote star system of colony Eta Bootis. With Marines and civilians alike on the surface, a Turusch fleet bombards Eta Bootis, until the America leads reinforcements to (just barely) thwart the attack. In the process, the human defenders capture two Turusch prisoners to better understand their "truly alien" foes.
However, once the defenders return home to Earth, they won't have long before the Sh'daar launch their most devastating attack ever - and only the truly fittest will survive.
Vivid Characters
Admiral Alexander Koenig, America's commanding officer, is the book's main character and your typical duty-driven Navy officer. Frustrated by the civilian politics that closely monitor Navy tactics, Koenig scolds individual agendas on more than one occasion when they threaten to compromise safety and security. While not a particularly original character, Koenig can still draw interest from readers.
Lieutenant Trevor Gray is the most explored character in Earth Strike. A starfighter pilot from the Manhattan Ruins, Gray is evaluated by America's psychiatrists after a docking accident. Gray is haunted by the "loss" of his wife before his joining the Navy, and starts to question his loyalties. The book later follows Gray to his old, broken down stomping grounds, where he looks to confront his past and decide his fate.
As mentioned above, with the exception of the Ruins, the humans of Earth are extremely connected in Douglas' intriguing society. It's not that far-fetched to think that Earth Strike's humanity could be linked with each other soon enough (maybe one day Blackberries will be replaced by implants? Just kidding).
Also, the use of nanites in virtually everything seems almost like a substitute for oil. After all, oil wells might be dried up by the twenty-fifth century, so why not?
Then, of course, there's the usual techno-babble that comes with military science-fiction and space travel, but that doesn't detract from the action and adventure of Earth Strike.Humanity's war of transcendence continues in Center of Gravity. First, though, indulge yourself in Earth Strike and hold on!
Douglas, Ian. Earth Strike. EOS Books, 2010
Ryan Greenham - Hi everyone! My name is Ryan Greenham. I am 24 years old, live in Ottawa, Ontario, and am an aspiring science-fiction writer. I have ...
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