Alien Enigma

by Darrell Bain, Tony Teora

The Bolt Cluster is an area of close-knit stars that harbors a curious planet and deadly secret. Starships which enter the cluster never return. An alien enigma there has cost Wannstead Industries so many lives and ships that they finally decide to turn it over to the US Space Navy and its futuristic contingent of roughneck Marines. Captain Keane leads mankind's most lethal spaceship into unknown alien territory, fighting battles against a bizarre alien species that will never surrender. Keane and the crew of Doc Travis are now involved in mankind's first interstellar war, where the very existence of humanity may be at stake. The Bolt Cluster enigma must not only be solved but Keane and the Doc Travis also have to survive and return to Earth. Humanity must be warned of the threat or all the lives and ships lost so far will be in vain.

Genres: Science Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2010

About the author

I grew up in an extremely poor family that was dysfunctional in many ways. We lived in the old segregated south, an era many of my readers have no knowledge of. This and a hardscrabble existence as well as an addictive personality gene(s) that apparently runs in our family shaped my life and played a part in me finally realizing a life-long dream and becoming a writer when I was about fifty years old. This autobiography, now in print and ebook both was begun in response to fans wanting to know more about me, and eventually one of my publishers thought it might make an interesting book. Many members from Betty’s side of the family were amazed at all the things they hadn’t known about me. You can judge for yourself now whether my publisher had the right idea of me doing an autobiography. I hope you are both entertained and possibly that some of you will learn a number of life’s lessons that I discovered the hard way!

Reviews

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet again another great book by an author I haven't read much of before. This is a great space opera novel, and while some of it is pushing the limits of science and what is possible, it does make a good story. Yet another book can be written to follow this book if the author wishes. Again a great science fiction book and well worth the time and money.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging book that left me feeling pretty satisfied with the conclusion.

My only criticisms would be that Mr Bain has a tendency to repeat himself to the reader. We read about a situation as it happens to one character and then read about it again when the first character explains it to another.

Also I don't think the captain of a ship would be crying and hugging marines upon welcoming them back on board; especially one that had taken such care to project the image of such a confident and stoic captain.

Having said that I would love to see a sequel.

[Dan Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, but then, look at the author. He has one failing as far as I am concerned: He can't write them as fast as I can read them.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, leaves you hanging.... where's the rest of the series!