E. S. Martell

This final installment for Gaea Ascendant Trilogy achieves still another level of improvement. With this third book, the series reaches the level of "Space Opera". In some ways I am reminded of Robinson's Mars Trilogy (Red Mars Green Mars, Blue Mars) by the amount of time spent discussing what I call theories on interstellar politics, but more along lines of Star Trek's Federation. Whereas Robinson's dealt exclusively with human politics, like Star Trek, Martell's focused on interspecies politics, but mainly from Earth's hero's viewpoint. Without giving away plot, the story ends up with three protagonist species working together, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, defeating the antagonist species and its enslaved ally. There's a hint of the possibility of a sequel with the revealing of still another, mysterious, interstellar species which likely had interfered with human politics on Earth. The discovery of advanced technology left behind by this unknown, potential enemy wraps up the trilogy but leaves open a continuation of the Gaea Ascendant storyline. The deeper development of more characters made this third book much improved over the first two. The plot also grew more complex and richer so altogether, this third book is the best of the trilogy.… (meer)

WARNING: Some of the plot is revealed in this review. This second book in the "Gaea Ascendant" trilogy is an improvement over the first book. The main characters are fleshed out more and the plot continues at a good pace. The twist at the end of the first book becomes foundational to the second book's plot. The twist? A victorious battle to death with a Pug Bear somehow grants our hero, Dec, with telepathic ability. In the second book, Dec discovers another alien species, the Sunnys, who are an advanced, non-telepathic, pacifist civilization, but were defeated by the Pug Bears. Pug Bears are violent telephathic aliens bent on conquering the universe. Then, Dec meets another telepathic alien civilization, the Sim Tigers, who were able to fight off the Pug Bears. Our hero Dec, from Earth, puts together an alliance to start fighting back. At the end of book two, the alliance is beginning to defeat the Pug Bears. What lies ahead in the concluding third book? I found the writing much improved in this second book over the first. Is the dialogue and plot equal to other writers like Cherryh? There are similarities, but it's not there yet. Perhaps the third book will show an equal improvement? Overall, the second book is a good, quick read.… (meer)

The author's own review will suffice for a story summary. I enjoyed the story's pace, but must confess sometimes it was hard to know which protagonist was telling the story. The story line is your basic Science Fiction Aliens Invade Earth, but it has a surprise twist at the end, and also delves into "Survivalist" considerations. Is it the end for humanity? So, in that way it mimics the sub-genre. There is now a complete trilogy with this book being the first of three. Despite the not-always-clear switching between storytellers, I probably will read the second book of this trilogy if only to follow the "twist" and find out what happens.… (meer)

Received all 5 star reviews to date. Since I'm the author I don't feel at ease praising the book, but I really enjoyed writing it. Here's a brief summary:

Caution! Do Not Enter! The other side of the door might be hazardous to your health!

Starting in NYC, Declan travels through a wild linkage of disguised matter transporters to rescue a beautiful woman from aliens. Together, Dec and Liz, helped by a stray tom cat named Jefferson, try to puzzle out and disrupt the invasion plans of the hidden invaders. The aliens have enlisted the aid of members of the government and pose a deadly threat to humanity. To forestall them, the matter transporter network must be destroyed before all is lost.

Desperately fighting their way across the solar system with captured weapons, Dec and Liz discover that the aliens' power is based on a horrifying symbiosis that is the foundation of the alien's strength, but which also creates an exploitable vulnerability. As a result of being captured by the alien leader, both Declan and Elizabeth gain unique mental skills that may help save mankind from destruction. Unfortunately, the invasion plot is multi-pronged and the aliens have set up a devastating final attack that can destroy human society, forcing the survivors into a survival lifestyle.

This book stands by itself and does not leave you hanging in the heat of the action, but it is the first of a series. The next story, "Second Wave" will be complete by the end of 2014.

Update on Second Wave: First draft is nearly complete as of mid-December and will be completed prior to year's end. However, editing will delay the publishing date until probably February, 2015.… (meer)