DESCENT is the first installment of Falaha's Journey, a xenocentric science fiction trilogy. Length: approx. 26 000 words. The books of the series are not stand-alone and should be read in numbered order.
When a seemingly simple rescue mission turns into a nightmare, Falaha, an ambitious Danna Commander Trainee with a power she can't use properly yet, has her skills put to the ultimate test as her world begins to collapse.
Danna are a species of humanoid aliens who share the Milky Way Galaxy with humanity. Unlike humans, they have been around for at least three billion years and are the oldest species in the Galaxy. Born with an alien artifact in their blood, they possess abilities surpassing anything any living creature can dream of. However, both their superb space technology and their unusual blood legacy have attracted danger no one expected. Abandoning their home Galaxy, the remaining population sets out in secrecy to their last resort, Kan Diona, the place to witness their victory or to become their grave.
Spacecraft Quennah and her crew are a part of those remnants, with a long journey of 100 days ahead of them to reach Kan Diona. But will any of them ever get there?
I'm a writer from Latvia, Northern Europe, with background in electronics engineering, computer science, and warehouse logistics. All my fiction is aimed at an adult audience. English is my third language.
Descent, the first part of Falaha's Journey trilogy, does a good job introducing some of the main characters -- and I say some, because I've got the feeling we will meet a couple more in the next book(s) -- and the main over-arching conflict. The characters (even the supporting cast) are well-developed and the main ones have plenty of room to grow during the course of the next two books.
The narrator and MC is a five-year-old girl, Falaha. Another main character is introduced later in (he even gets his POV time in the end), and this is where the story really picks up pace with plenty of tension and excitement.
Falaha is unique, interesting and complex character, and the male leads have some secrets up their sleeves. Every one of them is likeable in one way or another, and you'll get attached to the main cast by the end of this part, if not earlier.
The dialogue is always natural and believable.
The ending is unexpected and will leave you wanting to know what happens next.
This is fast-paced, multilayered story set in the tightly constructed universe. Every word counts, nothing is wasted. The story is episodic and some might feel uncomfortable with that, but the plot is imaginative and well thought out.
One more thing needs to be said here -- there are no humans in this story and not everyone might like sci-fi without human characters or any connections to the fate of humanity/Earth in some way.
I was provided a free copy of this book by Reader's Favorites to read and review for the author.
“Descent: A Novella” by Jeno Marz is the first installment of a SciFi trilogy. In it we are introduced to a number of characters, an interesting dichotomy of evolution, and the imminent extinction of potentially all humanoid life forms in a widely populated universe.
Under the ruthless assault of “the Hunters”, uneasy allies the Tue Nua of the Medan planet and the Danna must work together against all but insurmountable odds for their very right to exist. Answering a distress call in direct deviation from established law, the Dannan ship Quennah finds itself taken over by an unknown enemy. Nearly the entire crew is set adrift in a disabled spaceship, with a very limited supply of items necessary for their survival.
Meanwhile, those remaining aboard are rounded up one by one, with the intent being to simply expel them into space to face instant death. Who is this unknown enemy? What do they want with the Quennah? Are the Medans and the Danna doomed to extinction?
This first installment of the three-part story “The Falaha’s Journey Trilogy” provides a tantalizing setup for the two parts yet to come. Ending on a literal cliff-hanger, it left me wanting more; exactly what Part One of a trilogy SHOULD do! I was imbued with empathy for both the Dannan and the Medan people. The heartless cruelty of the unknown enemy, as well as the Hunters, left me with a slow-burning anger, yearning for retribution. I encourage fans of Fantasy and Science Fiction to check out this trilogy. It is shaping up to be a real winner.
If you are looking for an original story then look no further. This story is told from the point of view of a five year old, but don't let that fool you this definitely a book that is complex and interesting. This is not for the kiddies. The main character is smart and interesting and gives the bad guys a run for their money. Even though the main characer precocious, she still has moments of being a child, which adds to the believability. I loved the twists and turns of the plot and the relationships between the characters. If you like "Ender's Game" then give this one a try
Overall Feedback: At first I found myself confused about this one. I did not know if I was liking it or just reading it because I said I would. Though as I got further into the "Episodes" of this novella I found myself more and more wrapped up in the storyline. I feel that this novella is a great introduction to what should become a staple in Science Fiction. If you are a fan of Science Fiction you should really give this a try and remember that it should be the first of a long running series so long as the author agrees.
Point of View: The story is told from a single point of view but it is in episodes, so it feels as if you are reading a TV series.
Voice: The author is a fan of episodic science fiction but I do not think there is enough here to make a determination on voice.
Character Development: I found this area to be a bit choppy but in the end you do become attached to both the female and male lead.
Plot: As science fiction goes the author does well to tie in a plot but as an introduction into what shall become a great series I feel that there was to much that could not be told in such a short amount of time. Although it will peak the interest of the reader to read another in the series if just to find out more about the civilizations.
Dialogue: Not enough to make a determination one way or another. If I was to hazard an opinion it would be that the dialogue did not cause issues in the story.
Pacing: Fighting right out of the gate, like a good science fiction should.
Setting: I would like to know more about this, as I said there simply is not enough time to tell or set all of the needed facts to make a determination.
Continuity: I again think this is supposed to be the start of the series and I figure that the author has done a superb job of peaking the interest of the reader. The next shall be on my list of books to lookout for.
I'm not as well spoken(written?)as the other reviewers all I can say is I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading all three and following her career with interest. I really like her style and the universe she has created. I believe Jeno is an author to keep an eye on, she is going to be huge.