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The New World Order: Two Worlds, One Order
Only the completely original and unalloyed Jeapesian imagination could think of launching a full-scale alien invasion right into the middle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army, as well as a young King Charles II, face the full might of the powerful Holekhors as alien airships fly in the skies over 17th-century London.
This is an extraordinary and thrilling novel, entirely original, and based in one of the most interesting periods of English history. Read about what might have happened in the 17th century—life could have been very different for us all. . . .
This is an extraordinary and thrilling novel, entirely original, and based in one of the most interesting periods of English history. Read about what might have happened in the 17th century—life could have been very different for us all. . . .
434 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2004
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Ben Jeapes
32 books17 followersHis father's army postings sent them all over. At Dumpton, he "read his first Dr Who book (c. 1975), first suffered from hay fever (summer 1977) and first watched Blake’s 7 (January 1978). His parents also got the one interesting posting of his entire life, to Bangladesh. All these were to have effects on his life that still haven’t worn off.." After 12 years in publishing, Jan 2000 layoff started his writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 2, 2009
Have you ever thought that your life was average and unexciting? Well that’s exactly what a 17th century boy named Daniel thought growing up. He grew up in a small English town, raised by only a father because, like many other children in that time period, his mother died in a painful childbirth. Daniel was an amazing tobacco farmer even at a young age, and although everyone thought his future was going to be the boring life of a farmer and to never leave his hometown, he had a very different idea. He wanted to cross the ocean to America and become a rich tobacco industry owner in Virginia. All of this changed when he found out that the man he had been living with for 14 years was not actually his father and when his real father came to visit, things got even stranger.
This sci-fi masterpiece, The New World Order created by Ben Jeapes is only one of his great accomplishments. He also wrote another called Zenocide about a great misunderstanding between an innocent alien race and humans that leads to an all out war between the two. Jeapes’ great skill is that he always manages to keep your attention, by either an exciting, unexpected back-story, or sudden twists that make you keep reading because you need to know how the characters resolve the conflict. In this book he blends facts about 17th century England with staggering stretches of the imagination, which when combined, make the plot seem like this could have actually happened. The New World Order is fascinating in how the story starts off interesting, but not necessarily original, and then a completely original, unexpected plot twist is revealed.
According to the story, 20,000 years ago a wormhole opened up on Earth and two-thirds of the Neanderthal population accidentally wandered into it and were transported to a completely different world on the other side of the universe. Over time, these separate people developed higher levels of technology than their human counterparts on Earth, especially in weapons technology. Eventually, another wormhole appeared and the transported race, now called the Holekhor, took this as an opportunity to forcefully expand their culture and people onto Earth after turmoil occurred on their home planet. One of the awesome twists near the beginning of this book is when Daniel finds out that his long-lost father is not John Donder the weapon salesman, but is in fact Dhon Do, the highest-ranking general in the Holekhor army to invade England.
There were some Holekhor however that did not want to invade but had passed through anyway, so they sold Holekhor weapon technology to one side of a divided England in hopes of them taking over and then defeating the invasion. An interesting scenario occurred when, although one side of the English faction has machine guns and early bombs, while the other side has one shot muskets that take 30 seconds to reload, and they can still be evenly matched. Jeapes brings about this twist because the musketry people have trained with guns for years and are very good and accurate, while although the other side has far superior weapons, their lack of training with the weapons can still lead to their downfall.
The New World Order is an exciting action-filled, alien-packed, drama where one boy has to choose between two worlds, the one where he was born, and the one of his culture. Daniel is caught trying to stop the invasion and lead the invasion at the same time, and struggles to find the “right” side to be on. Throughout this novel Daniel teams up with many people at different times including his father, some rebel Holekhor, the French royal family, and he even fights along side the historical general Oliver Cromwell in a quest to find out who he really is and what he stands for, while simultaneously trying to survive in a war torn land.
~John Shapley
This sci-fi masterpiece, The New World Order created by Ben Jeapes is only one of his great accomplishments. He also wrote another called Zenocide about a great misunderstanding between an innocent alien race and humans that leads to an all out war between the two. Jeapes’ great skill is that he always manages to keep your attention, by either an exciting, unexpected back-story, or sudden twists that make you keep reading because you need to know how the characters resolve the conflict. In this book he blends facts about 17th century England with staggering stretches of the imagination, which when combined, make the plot seem like this could have actually happened. The New World Order is fascinating in how the story starts off interesting, but not necessarily original, and then a completely original, unexpected plot twist is revealed.
According to the story, 20,000 years ago a wormhole opened up on Earth and two-thirds of the Neanderthal population accidentally wandered into it and were transported to a completely different world on the other side of the universe. Over time, these separate people developed higher levels of technology than their human counterparts on Earth, especially in weapons technology. Eventually, another wormhole appeared and the transported race, now called the Holekhor, took this as an opportunity to forcefully expand their culture and people onto Earth after turmoil occurred on their home planet. One of the awesome twists near the beginning of this book is when Daniel finds out that his long-lost father is not John Donder the weapon salesman, but is in fact Dhon Do, the highest-ranking general in the Holekhor army to invade England.
There were some Holekhor however that did not want to invade but had passed through anyway, so they sold Holekhor weapon technology to one side of a divided England in hopes of them taking over and then defeating the invasion. An interesting scenario occurred when, although one side of the English faction has machine guns and early bombs, while the other side has one shot muskets that take 30 seconds to reload, and they can still be evenly matched. Jeapes brings about this twist because the musketry people have trained with guns for years and are very good and accurate, while although the other side has far superior weapons, their lack of training with the weapons can still lead to their downfall.
The New World Order is an exciting action-filled, alien-packed, drama where one boy has to choose between two worlds, the one where he was born, and the one of his culture. Daniel is caught trying to stop the invasion and lead the invasion at the same time, and struggles to find the “right” side to be on. Throughout this novel Daniel teams up with many people at different times including his father, some rebel Holekhor, the French royal family, and he even fights along side the historical general Oliver Cromwell in a quest to find out who he really is and what he stands for, while simultaneously trying to survive in a war torn land.
~John Shapley
August 22, 2016
I was really looking forward to trying a new SF author, but ended up being a bit disappointed by this read. It was ok, but I wasn't blown away.
The plotline centres around an alternative English Civil War, where the Roundheads and Cavaliers sort of end up on the same side fighting an alien invasion. The trouble I had with the story was that it was hard to know who to actually route for! Oliver Cromwell and Charles II are both annoying, whiney and unbelievably unlikable characters, whereas Jon, the leader of the invaders, is the first character you're introduced to and somehow 'nicer', even if he does let his master walk all over him. The 'twists' at the end weren't exactly a huge surprise and somehow felt a bit anti-climatic.
I did like the concept of the alien religion and the whole idea of them being what we consider Neanderthal man, but not a huge amount was made of these two facets of the story. And the whole idea of airships and machine guns being used at this time was interesting.
So overall, not bad, just not great. It wasted a few hours of 'spare' time, but wouldn't make me rush out to buy the author's back catalogue.
The plotline centres around an alternative English Civil War, where the Roundheads and Cavaliers sort of end up on the same side fighting an alien invasion. The trouble I had with the story was that it was hard to know who to actually route for! Oliver Cromwell and Charles II are both annoying, whiney and unbelievably unlikable characters, whereas Jon, the leader of the invaders, is the first character you're introduced to and somehow 'nicer', even if he does let his master walk all over him. The 'twists' at the end weren't exactly a huge surprise and somehow felt a bit anti-climatic.
I did like the concept of the alien religion and the whole idea of them being what we consider Neanderthal man, but not a huge amount was made of these two facets of the story. And the whole idea of airships and machine guns being used at this time was interesting.
So overall, not bad, just not great. It wasted a few hours of 'spare' time, but wouldn't make me rush out to buy the author's back catalogue.
December 23, 2019
A very enjoyable caper. 3.5 stars.
January 21, 2008
What could be cooler than Cromwell and his Royalist beating armies being suddenly swamped by an alien invasion? Nothing I thought! So I lapped up the premise of this book and started reading veraciously.
Unfortunately, the aliens ain't too alien, and they don't even have lazers! An interesting concept all in all, which offset 17th century English muskets with rifles and cannons, but not as cool as if they had been real conquering aliens blowing stuff up left, right and center.
Despite the low rating, I'm surpised I still finished this book. I didn't really feel much for the plot, setting or the characters.
Unfortunately, the aliens ain't too alien, and they don't even have lazers! An interesting concept all in all, which offset 17th century English muskets with rifles and cannons, but not as cool as if they had been real conquering aliens blowing stuff up left, right and center.
Despite the low rating, I'm surpised I still finished this book. I didn't really feel much for the plot, setting or the characters.
February 9, 2017
Would make a good film or TV series's. do not think it should be classed as SF more historical novel
March 20, 2016
This book wasn't at all what I was expecting. I found the plot to be very boring and not engaging at all. I'm not a fan of die-hard science fiction and much rather prefer fantasy. So I think that is why I was not a fan.
June 21, 2020
I started reading this on an airplane about 15 years ago, and forgot it in the back seat when we landed. Finally finished it.
Not a bad read, and quite enjoyable but I probably won't read it again.
Not a bad read, and quite enjoyable but I probably won't read it again.
July 9, 2008
I ejoyed this book. I plan on readig another of Jeapes books.
I love fantasy book that mix real history with some eliment of sci-fi. Jeapes did a very good job with this.
I love fantasy book that mix real history with some eliment of sci-fi. Jeapes did a very good job with this.
December 11, 2012
The blend of historical fiction and sci-fi/fantasy only partially works. The story is engaging but the blend of genres can feel forced and a little clunky. Still a good read however
February 20, 2013
Cromwell plus aliens! Fun.
September 20, 2014
Excellent alternative history taster.
June 12, 2015
I never finished this book. It was too weird and I didn't get it.
November 2, 2009
so far its alright but im gettin their
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews