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The Legend of ZERO #1
Forging Zero
The Legend of ZERO begins the epic journey of 14-year-old Joe Dobbs in a post-apocalyptic universe following a massive alien invasion of Earth. The oldest of the children drafted from humanity’s devastated planet, Joe is impressed into service by the alien Congressional Ground Force—and becomes the unwitting centerpiece in a millennia-long alien struggle for independence. Once his training begins, one of the elusive and prophetic Trith appears to give Joe a spine chilling prophecy that the universe has been anticipating for millions of years: Joe will be the one to finally shatter the vast alien government known as Congress. And the Trith cannot lie…
But first Joe has to make it through bootcamp.
But first Joe has to make it through bootcamp.
610 pages, ebook
First published March 12, 2013
1584 people are currently reading
4869 people want to read
About the author
Sara King
21 books788 followersAfter a long, twisted road, Alaskan Fury is my 15th book. The rest (aside from the first five or so ‘practice books’) spent the last 3-6 years languishing on my hard drive as I waited for some really cool editor at a big, traditional publishing house to notice me. It didn’t happen, even with a world-famous agent doing his damnedest to get my books out there.
So, because I’ve got a stubborn streak a mile wide—and some say because I’m a naïve, dumbass Alaskan—I’m striking out on my own and putting my books out there. Basically casting my dice to the Fates, and seeing what happens. If you like my books, please tell your friends. I don’t have a huge advertising team behind me, so word-of-mouth really helps.
On that note, my books never went through a copyeditor. What you see is the result of a few dedicated volunteers, all of whom have poured untold hours into the crafting of the book in your hands. They are awesome, steeped in awesome, sprinkled with awesome. Thanks, guys!
Further, I write fast. I can easily write 6 novels a year—8 if I don’t get distracted—and during those long years waiting for somebody to notice me, I was finding myself in the extremely frustrating position of watching my manuscripts pile up because traditional publishing companies can only take 1 or 2 novels by a single author a year. Keep an eye out for a bunch of new books from yours truly, as I've finally got an outlet for all that creative drive. :) Enjoy!
I can be reached at: kingnovel@gmail.com
Friend me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingfiction
So, because I’ve got a stubborn streak a mile wide—and some say because I’m a naïve, dumbass Alaskan—I’m striking out on my own and putting my books out there. Basically casting my dice to the Fates, and seeing what happens. If you like my books, please tell your friends. I don’t have a huge advertising team behind me, so word-of-mouth really helps.
On that note, my books never went through a copyeditor. What you see is the result of a few dedicated volunteers, all of whom have poured untold hours into the crafting of the book in your hands. They are awesome, steeped in awesome, sprinkled with awesome. Thanks, guys!
Further, I write fast. I can easily write 6 novels a year—8 if I don’t get distracted—and during those long years waiting for somebody to notice me, I was finding myself in the extremely frustrating position of watching my manuscripts pile up because traditional publishing companies can only take 1 or 2 novels by a single author a year. Keep an eye out for a bunch of new books from yours truly, as I've finally got an outlet for all that creative drive. :) Enjoy!
I can be reached at: kingnovel@gmail.com
Friend me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingfiction
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
March 16, 2013
I enjoyed reading this story very much. I found the first half to be a bit harrowing to poor Joe and the humans. After they arrived to their training planet, I felt the story got much more interesting, and from that point on, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I stayed up until 4am to finish it.
I loved the well rounded-characters, their personal growth, including their physical growth that did not match their mental growth. This was very realistic and well done. I liked that Ms. King included their sexual development as well, in a tactful way.
Ms. King did a great job of world building, and I loved all the cool, super-interesting alien races.
All in all, it was an awesome, harsh, and sometimes brutal coming of age story, where humans are treated like garbage, but they overcome overwhelming odds, and then come back and not only prove the aliens wrong, but also kick some alien butt, as well. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book in this series.
I loved the well rounded-characters, their personal growth, including their physical growth that did not match their mental growth. This was very realistic and well done. I liked that Ms. King included their sexual development as well, in a tactful way.
Ms. King did a great job of world building, and I loved all the cool, super-interesting alien races.
All in all, it was an awesome, harsh, and sometimes brutal coming of age story, where humans are treated like garbage, but they overcome overwhelming odds, and then come back and not only prove the aliens wrong, but also kick some alien butt, as well. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book in this series.
September 17, 2015
Forging Zero was the first book that I read based on the Kindle advertisement and high number of five star reviews on Amazon. I finished it and it kept me reading, but several times throughout I had the following feelings:
1) It seemed like a YA book, but was wasn't.
2) The writing was OK and character development wasn't bad, but it felt like a first novel from a promising author rather than a fully-fledged work.
3) The science fiction element was lacking in internal consistency in a way that left me thinking: This book is like a story someone wrote about life in military boarding school and then decided to change the names and turn people in to aliens in order to make it more interesting.
Bottom line: It was almost a good, 3 star book, but not quite. In the same genre, but clearly a five star, excellent work is Red Rising. If you like military science fiction with a slight YA lean, that is clearly the better work.
1) It seemed like a YA book, but was wasn't.
2) The writing was OK and character development wasn't bad, but it felt like a first novel from a promising author rather than a fully-fledged work.
3) The science fiction element was lacking in internal consistency in a way that left me thinking: This book is like a story someone wrote about life in military boarding school and then decided to change the names and turn people in to aliens in order to make it more interesting.
Bottom line: It was almost a good, 3 star book, but not quite. In the same genre, but clearly a five star, excellent work is Red Rising. If you like military science fiction with a slight YA lean, that is clearly the better work.
March 1, 2014
Fred recommended this to me, after going around explaining to me why furglings are worse than furgs - which told me he was really into it. I finally got around it to it - and now I'm going around calling things jenfurglings. The scary bit is that it sounds perfectly normal.
I'll be the first to admit - I love to champion character writers (finally! another author who admits that their characters hijack the book!) and small publishers. It was a pleasure to read a well written and well edited book with a highly unique perspective on what an alien invasion of Earth could really mean.
Forging Zero will challenge your view of the world and the possibilities you consider for the future. It may very well challenge your view of right and wrong. It will certainly hurt your ethics. And it will make you call people furglings.
I'll be the first to admit - I love to champion character writers (finally! another author who admits that their characters hijack the book!) and small publishers. It was a pleasure to read a well written and well edited book with a highly unique perspective on what an alien invasion of Earth could really mean.
Forging Zero will challenge your view of the world and the possibilities you consider for the future. It may very well challenge your view of right and wrong. It will certainly hurt your ethics. And it will make you call people furglings.
March 16, 2013
With all the political strife out there right now in real Earth time, this hits on what it means to be human; what we fight for, live for and die for. It contains rich, character driven plots, prophecies, and has enough twists and turns like a great mystery novel. Nothing is predictable. “The Legend of Zero” held me captive to the events, emotions and possibilities that unfold from the very first page, everything wanted when I read a really great book, here’s why.
Usually science fiction books take a while to settle into, not this one. Miss King’s visualization grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go. It begins with the numbness and mind-freeze that we all experienced at the devastation of 9-11. No, I am not trying to compare that to this book, just the FEELING. Earth is invaded; people glued to their TV’s, dumbstruck as their nations bow to this nightmare, this alien takeover. They call themselves Ooreiki, tens of thousands of the “War of the Worlds”, nasty kind. Fourteen year old Joe Dobbs in an attempt to keep his little brother from the aliens grasp finds himself captured; thrown onto an alien ship along with 98% of Earth’s children, then transported across the universe.
Forcibly recruited by the alien army, Joe is chosen to lead a ground-team band of misfits: Maggie, Monk, Lizzy, Elf and Scott. Everything they once knew is gone; mom, dad, home and fruit loops for breakfast. In its place is an alien army boot camp, where learning to work together as a team is a matter of survival.
The strong characterizations of both the children and their captors constantly evolve and shift. The fact that nothing is predictable makes it wonderfully unique. You KNOW them, FEEL for them, SEE them becoming adults before their time. It is dark at times, but when 5 and 10 year olds are taking on the lives and responsibilities of full grown adults, it would be. I was glad, however, that Miss King put in some of her classic milk-thru-the-nose moments where you do laugh, relate, and nod your head in approval of a sequence of events or the antics of childhood pranks. Such as this example of the children learning what’s for dinner in their new alien surroundings…
***
“The cafeteria itself was filled with rows of long ebony tables made of the same glossy black material as the rest of the ship. Ahead, dozens of kids stood in line to receive big white bowls of food an alien took from the nozzle of a humming metal box. The food machine was the first piece of furniture Joe had seen that wasn’t made of the strange black stuff, but it was creepy in its own right. The blue metal had an iridescent sheen to it, making it shimmer and glow like ice. It reminded him of the thing around his ankle.
“Everybody here?” Joe asked, glancing behind him.
Scott made a face. “Might as well not be. This stuff is gross.”
Joe eyed the alien serving the recruits their food. “I haven’t tasted it yet.” Too busy racking up extra time on my enlistment.
“It’s green,” Maggie said, atop his shoulders. “And it tastes like the dog bowl.”
Elf wrinkled his nose. “Ewwww.”
“Maggie drinks from the dog bowl!” Monk laughed.
“No she doesn’t,” Joe said, as they continued to shuffle slowly down the line towards the humming food-machine. He cocked his head up at her. “Do you, Mag?”
He could feel Maggie’s pout when she said, “It tastes better than the fish bowl.”
“Ewwww!” Elf screeched.
“Quiet!” Joe said, catching the eye of one of the aliens. “They’re watching us.”
That silenced the others immediately.”
Descriptions in the “The Legend of Zero” were incredibly vivid; I could see them in my mind very clearly, feeling as if I, too, were there. When they are stumbling in learning the new language, heck I related to that too, and have even called someone a “furg” since reading this book. They become the kids who could live down my street. This storyline was like a fine filament that kept unraveling more and more. Before I knew it, I had an alien tapestry before me drawn with rich characters both good and bad. At first I hated them, those Ooreiki, but as the story evolved I begun to see some of them not as aliens anymore. GASP! I liked them and even wanted to call a few friends by the end.
Usually science fiction books take a while to settle into, not this one. Miss King’s visualization grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go. It begins with the numbness and mind-freeze that we all experienced at the devastation of 9-11. No, I am not trying to compare that to this book, just the FEELING. Earth is invaded; people glued to their TV’s, dumbstruck as their nations bow to this nightmare, this alien takeover. They call themselves Ooreiki, tens of thousands of the “War of the Worlds”, nasty kind. Fourteen year old Joe Dobbs in an attempt to keep his little brother from the aliens grasp finds himself captured; thrown onto an alien ship along with 98% of Earth’s children, then transported across the universe.
Forcibly recruited by the alien army, Joe is chosen to lead a ground-team band of misfits: Maggie, Monk, Lizzy, Elf and Scott. Everything they once knew is gone; mom, dad, home and fruit loops for breakfast. In its place is an alien army boot camp, where learning to work together as a team is a matter of survival.
The strong characterizations of both the children and their captors constantly evolve and shift. The fact that nothing is predictable makes it wonderfully unique. You KNOW them, FEEL for them, SEE them becoming adults before their time. It is dark at times, but when 5 and 10 year olds are taking on the lives and responsibilities of full grown adults, it would be. I was glad, however, that Miss King put in some of her classic milk-thru-the-nose moments where you do laugh, relate, and nod your head in approval of a sequence of events or the antics of childhood pranks. Such as this example of the children learning what’s for dinner in their new alien surroundings…
***
“The cafeteria itself was filled with rows of long ebony tables made of the same glossy black material as the rest of the ship. Ahead, dozens of kids stood in line to receive big white bowls of food an alien took from the nozzle of a humming metal box. The food machine was the first piece of furniture Joe had seen that wasn’t made of the strange black stuff, but it was creepy in its own right. The blue metal had an iridescent sheen to it, making it shimmer and glow like ice. It reminded him of the thing around his ankle.
“Everybody here?” Joe asked, glancing behind him.
Scott made a face. “Might as well not be. This stuff is gross.”
Joe eyed the alien serving the recruits their food. “I haven’t tasted it yet.” Too busy racking up extra time on my enlistment.
“It’s green,” Maggie said, atop his shoulders. “And it tastes like the dog bowl.”
Elf wrinkled his nose. “Ewwww.”
“Maggie drinks from the dog bowl!” Monk laughed.
“No she doesn’t,” Joe said, as they continued to shuffle slowly down the line towards the humming food-machine. He cocked his head up at her. “Do you, Mag?”
He could feel Maggie’s pout when she said, “It tastes better than the fish bowl.”
“Ewwww!” Elf screeched.
“Quiet!” Joe said, catching the eye of one of the aliens. “They’re watching us.”
That silenced the others immediately.”
Descriptions in the “The Legend of Zero” were incredibly vivid; I could see them in my mind very clearly, feeling as if I, too, were there. When they are stumbling in learning the new language, heck I related to that too, and have even called someone a “furg” since reading this book. They become the kids who could live down my street. This storyline was like a fine filament that kept unraveling more and more. Before I knew it, I had an alien tapestry before me drawn with rich characters both good and bad. At first I hated them, those Ooreiki, but as the story evolved I begun to see some of them not as aliens anymore. GASP! I liked them and even wanted to call a few friends by the end.
Read
July 21, 2015Another youngsters in jeopardy, though this is children 5-12, except for 14 year old Joe. They are given hormonal treatments to make their bodies grow for the aliens who invaded earth and took the kids to serve in the army of Congress, which has thousands of species. (But the one that deals with the humans seems to have gender binary.)
Too much brutality to kids, one-dimensional characters, and uneven writing (imaginative bits alternating with overused plot points) and prophesies that foretell our hero's future plus random brutality to animals are not my cuppa. Add in grammatical mistakes, hints that rape is on the horizon for very underage kids, and I can't immerse. Setting aside.
Too much brutality to kids, one-dimensional characters, and uneven writing (imaginative bits alternating with overused plot points) and prophesies that foretell our hero's future plus random brutality to animals are not my cuppa. Add in grammatical mistakes, hints that rape is on the horizon for very underage kids, and I can't immerse. Setting aside.
July 16, 2015
This is one wow of a book. Not only is it 575 pages, but it is unique in almost every way. It's an alien invasion tale, but most of the action happens away from earth. It has dozens of fascinating characters - including the aliens. The main characters are children, but it is in no way a children's or a young adult book (in fact I wouldn't let anyone under 16 read it). It is extremely well written as the author invents an complete alien world including the most minor details and language.
For a long while I couldn't put it down and was more than ready to give it five stars and recommend it to all my friends. It is billed as the highest rated science fiction book on Amazon. But as I read on there were times I had to put it down and even loathed picking it back up.
In this day of hyper sensitivity, political correctness, and child protection (hell, mothers get arrested for letting their kids go to a park alone), I have no idea how this book got published or acquired a readership. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it did, but I am amazed.
The main reason the characters are children is because all the aliens seem to want from earth was all the children between 5 and 12, to draft into their army. Okay, that's risky but interesting. The problem is the aliens routinely humiliate, abuse, and torture them in the name of discipline and military training. And I don't mean torture like playing loud rock music everyone was so upset about at Abu Ghraib, I mean breaking bones, ripping off skin, clawing them, and eating them alive. And when they're not undergoing that, the kids are doing endless pushups, running a hundred laps, or cleaning a vast plaza with a rake through the night. The reason the aliens can do all this is that their technology heals the broken bodies so they can do it all over again.
They also feed the kids growth hormones so the five year olds soon have bodies like 16 year olds. Then of course we get the sex. Since the girls were given forced hysterectomies when they were 'drafted' sex is plenty much a free for all as soon as their bodies reach simulated puberty. Trouble is these are still 5 and 8 year old minds having sex with 12 year old boys. And for good measure there is plenty of rape thrown in because of the raging hormone diet.
All right, I could still take some of this, after all my own books are filled with violence and sex and monstrous serial killers, but it just went on and on and on to the point even I felt queasy.
I mean how many times do we have to get children ripped apart, raped, beaten, tongues cut out, overloaded with pain from an alien device, and even killed and brought back to life, to get the point?
What is the point anyway? Inhumanity? Break them down to build them up? No army on earth would do these things. The author doesn't just hit the reader over the head with this torture and abuse, she bludgeons us to death with it. The main character Joe Dobbs, a 14 year old, could not possibly have survived or remained sane with what he is put through in this book, no matter how tough you think a 14 year old could be.
So we get back to over a thousand five star reviews: yeah, this book has a lot going for it, but geez how to you overlook 575 pages of the worst torture and abuse you could ever imagine? If people hate me for this review so be it. At least I can say my human soul is still intact when it comes to children. By the way it was a toss up for me between two or three stars but the above mentioned problems force me to rate it a two.
Interestingly, I was not able to post this review on Amazon. It was rejected.
For a long while I couldn't put it down and was more than ready to give it five stars and recommend it to all my friends. It is billed as the highest rated science fiction book on Amazon. But as I read on there were times I had to put it down and even loathed picking it back up.
In this day of hyper sensitivity, political correctness, and child protection (hell, mothers get arrested for letting their kids go to a park alone), I have no idea how this book got published or acquired a readership. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it did, but I am amazed.
The main reason the characters are children is because all the aliens seem to want from earth was all the children between 5 and 12, to draft into their army. Okay, that's risky but interesting. The problem is the aliens routinely humiliate, abuse, and torture them in the name of discipline and military training. And I don't mean torture like playing loud rock music everyone was so upset about at Abu Ghraib, I mean breaking bones, ripping off skin, clawing them, and eating them alive. And when they're not undergoing that, the kids are doing endless pushups, running a hundred laps, or cleaning a vast plaza with a rake through the night. The reason the aliens can do all this is that their technology heals the broken bodies so they can do it all over again.
They also feed the kids growth hormones so the five year olds soon have bodies like 16 year olds. Then of course we get the sex. Since the girls were given forced hysterectomies when they were 'drafted' sex is plenty much a free for all as soon as their bodies reach simulated puberty. Trouble is these are still 5 and 8 year old minds having sex with 12 year old boys. And for good measure there is plenty of rape thrown in because of the raging hormone diet.
All right, I could still take some of this, after all my own books are filled with violence and sex and monstrous serial killers, but it just went on and on and on to the point even I felt queasy.
I mean how many times do we have to get children ripped apart, raped, beaten, tongues cut out, overloaded with pain from an alien device, and even killed and brought back to life, to get the point?
What is the point anyway? Inhumanity? Break them down to build them up? No army on earth would do these things. The author doesn't just hit the reader over the head with this torture and abuse, she bludgeons us to death with it. The main character Joe Dobbs, a 14 year old, could not possibly have survived or remained sane with what he is put through in this book, no matter how tough you think a 14 year old could be.
So we get back to over a thousand five star reviews: yeah, this book has a lot going for it, but geez how to you overlook 575 pages of the worst torture and abuse you could ever imagine? If people hate me for this review so be it. At least I can say my human soul is still intact when it comes to children. By the way it was a toss up for me between two or three stars but the above mentioned problems force me to rate it a two.
Interestingly, I was not able to post this review on Amazon. It was rejected.
August 9, 2016
When I read the little thing that the author wrote about her writing, I was honestly touched--- No, really I was touched. Even now I would be touched...
Joe Dobbs, an ordinary boy who will be forged from hero to soldier zero!!! This unassuming boy who has a prophecy foretold before even humans could make fire!!! Amazing! See him picking up fights with his saviors! Watch him back down and cower when he meets anyone with an edge over him, and in general, cower when he can't bully people into submission! Fantastic! Lust after young girls! Then have pedophilic sex with a young eight year old girl who has mummy issues! Be someone's pawn and get a medal for slaughtering people who he allied, but later betrays! Does this hero have no limits!!! How can you not resist this fun loving character? Can you?
When an author has to dumb down a character to make others seem smarter, it is either because he or she lacks enough intelligence or it it just from sheer plain laziness. Either way, it is a capital crime and should never be done.
Zero, is dumbed down to make Libby smarter. He is also made more immature to make her seem older. It doesn't really work, because instead your left with a really idiotical, whiney, protagonist .
I really don't know what the author was trying to do when she wrote this book. It felt like this was a really sexist book--- fourteen year old boys aren't just that dumb! Dumb yes, but not that dumb. The author constantly reminds you of the hero's short comings. Here is a short list of what he is a failure in:
1. A failure in brains. Zero constantly forgets to think. Acting on impulse and stupidity. He will charge in any position unprepared and only fueled by emotions.
2. A failure in courage. He will only attack someone who is smaller then him. Example A. He attacks Sasha only when she doesn't have knife and when she is smaller then him. When she has a knife he is terrified. While Libby, on the other hand will attack anyone. Whether with a knife or without a knife. As long as she believes she is doing right. While instead Zero will either grind his teeth and do nothing. Often watching while others suffer and he does nothing but cower in fear.
3. A failure in spiritually. When warned beforehand what his future will be, he scoffs and ignores it.
4. A failure in morals. Zero says they are family to his squad mates and then lusts after the females in his squad only to ultimately have sex with one of them. He says he makes a stance against on what Congress is doing, but does nothing after screaming and yelling. He says he will never be a slave but he gives in because he can't stare long enough and gives up.
How could anyone be so terrible? The answer lies in self-publication and thank goodness this is fiction.
Joe Dobbs, an ordinary boy who will be forged from hero to soldier zero!!! This unassuming boy who has a prophecy foretold before even humans could make fire!!! Amazing! See him picking up fights with his saviors! Watch him back down and cower when he meets anyone with an edge over him, and in general, cower when he can't bully people into submission! Fantastic! Lust after young girls! Then have pedophilic sex with a young eight year old girl who has mummy issues! Be someone's pawn and get a medal for slaughtering people who he allied, but later betrays! Does this hero have no limits!!! How can you not resist this fun loving character? Can you?
When an author has to dumb down a character to make others seem smarter, it is either because he or she lacks enough intelligence or it it just from sheer plain laziness. Either way, it is a capital crime and should never be done.
Zero, is dumbed down to make Libby smarter. He is also made more immature to make her seem older. It doesn't really work, because instead your left with a really idiotical, whiney, protagonist .
I really don't know what the author was trying to do when she wrote this book. It felt like this was a really sexist book--- fourteen year old boys aren't just that dumb! Dumb yes, but not that dumb. The author constantly reminds you of the hero's short comings. Here is a short list of what he is a failure in:
1. A failure in brains. Zero constantly forgets to think. Acting on impulse and stupidity. He will charge in any position unprepared and only fueled by emotions.
2. A failure in courage. He will only attack someone who is smaller then him. Example A. He attacks Sasha only when she doesn't have knife and when she is smaller then him. When she has a knife he is terrified. While Libby, on the other hand will attack anyone. Whether with a knife or without a knife. As long as she believes she is doing right. While instead Zero will either grind his teeth and do nothing. Often watching while others suffer and he does nothing but cower in fear.
3. A failure in spiritually. When warned beforehand what his future will be, he scoffs and ignores it.
4. A failure in morals. Zero says they are family to his squad mates and then lusts after the females in his squad only to ultimately have sex with one of them. He says he makes a stance against on what Congress is doing, but does nothing after screaming and yelling. He says he will never be a slave but he gives in because he can't stare long enough and gives up.
How could anyone be so terrible? The answer lies in self-publication and thank goodness this is fiction.
April 8, 2013
I didn't want to like this book, I didn't even want to get that deep into it. As soon as I saw that children were being used in the storyline I balked and tried to make myself put it down but the nagging thoughts of what if, would my child survive in that setting and I would so want my child to be like him made me keep going. To me this book was an Orson Scott Card meets Larry Niven or Isaac Asimov. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, sometimes laughing other times crying and lots of times cheering. I was one of those people who reported lost sleep and possibly a bit of brainwave activity while reading this one.
Sara does a great job of moving the story along and making the characters relate-able. I spent 2 days reading this story, soaking everything in, then I had to let it stew for a week before going back and rereading only to catch little nuances I hadn't noticed before. I love that. This is something I can read over and over and also recommend to my own kids.
Thank you Sara King.
Sara does a great job of moving the story along and making the characters relate-able. I spent 2 days reading this story, soaking everything in, then I had to let it stew for a week before going back and rereading only to catch little nuances I hadn't noticed before. I love that. This is something I can read over and over and also recommend to my own kids.
Thank you Sara King.
February 22, 2017
4.5 stars
Liam Owen did such a fantastic job narrating this one.
I just spent close to 19 hours listening to this incredible story. The whole time cringing and flinching from the gruesomeness and visciousness of the details.
This is not a YA novel
The characters are human children and alien species (monsters). However, do not mistake this for a YA novel. In no way does this read as YA. It is harsh. It is brutal. It is honest and it is emotionally draining.
I lived each of Joe's trials. I fretted over each of his decisions. I loved all of his friends.
I only had a problem with Joe's Mom. Her character seemed to be a little OTT. Libby's Mom was a little questionable too. But neither mom appeared too often in the story so they were relatively easy to overlook amidst all the crazy action and heart stopping scenes in this story.
I was so invested that when I finished, I felt (happily) drained.
If you enjoy reading science fiction involving alien species, this one is not to be missed.
Liam Owen did such a fantastic job narrating this one.
I just spent close to 19 hours listening to this incredible story. The whole time cringing and flinching from the gruesomeness and visciousness of the details.
This is not a YA novel
The characters are human children and alien species (monsters). However, do not mistake this for a YA novel. In no way does this read as YA. It is harsh. It is brutal. It is honest and it is emotionally draining.
I lived each of Joe's trials. I fretted over each of his decisions. I loved all of his friends.
I only had a problem with Joe's Mom. Her character seemed to be a little OTT. Libby's Mom was a little questionable too. But neither mom appeared too often in the story so they were relatively easy to overlook amidst all the crazy action and heart stopping scenes in this story.
I was so invested that when I finished, I felt (happily) drained.
If you enjoy reading science fiction involving alien species, this one is not to be missed.
August 15, 2014
An extremely talented writer
An extremely talented writer
This is my first book review despite being an avid reader. I had to chime in and thank the many other positive reviews that convinced me to try this author out because she is absolutely well worth it. This has been one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time and I'm very much looking forward to reading more in the series. Just keep in mind it is a war story so get ready to lose some characters you really will fall in love with.
An extremely talented writer
This is my first book review despite being an avid reader. I had to chime in and thank the many other positive reviews that convinced me to try this author out because she is absolutely well worth it. This has been one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time and I'm very much looking forward to reading more in the series. Just keep in mind it is a war story so get ready to lose some characters you really will fall in love with.
March 20, 2013
Falling Skies meets Ender's Game, The Legend of Zero is a coming-of-age story in a hostile alien landscape, where every alliance is critical and every mistake might be your last. It is an immersive whirlwind journey through youth, war, political intrigue, the resilient human psyche, and the fragile yet immutable bonds of friendship. It is breathtaking and beautiful, brutal and unforgiving, and I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for the next chapter in this amazing series.
March 25, 2013
OMG!! Why do all the good books keep you up all night?? I have to force myself to stop around 1 or 2 am just so I can get some sleep!
Zero is a wonderful book full of wonderful characters and amazing places. What does go on in Sara King's mind?? (kinda scary?!?!?) The ship, the planet, the ferlii and its spores - a vivid picture of what could be out there.
The characters are well written and believable. The story is gripping, intriguing, dark, funny, sad - the list goes on and on. Only a good (GREAT) book can give you everything you're looking for and leaving you wanting more...this is one of them.
Zero is a wonderful book full of wonderful characters and amazing places. What does go on in Sara King's mind?? (kinda scary?!?!?) The ship, the planet, the ferlii and its spores - a vivid picture of what could be out there.
The characters are well written and believable. The story is gripping, intriguing, dark, funny, sad - the list goes on and on. Only a good (GREAT) book can give you everything you're looking for and leaving you wanting more...this is one of them.
March 31, 2013
The first few pages will draw you in. I could not put this book down, and I am so thankful that there is a second book for me to read. I loved her book Outer Bounds (Parasite Publications), and I am surprised the characters in this book are even more interesting. Sara is really good at writing about aliens, and making you see what is being written. On to the next Zero book! I can't wait!
August 21, 2016
I just finished reading this book and I have no idea how to rate it. In some twisted way, I loved it but the thing is I also hated it.
Let me try to explain. The violence on the children was overboard. Some of the twists were...unbelievable—among other things, congress has a strange way to train their rookies. Although I had problems with the alien language and expressions at first, for the most part the writing was great and imaginative. Towards the end, I could not put the book down. I wanted to know what Zero would end up doing, which side he would choose. Yet...something felt so wrong about the whole thing. Character wise, I think they were solid (humans and aliens). And what is in the spoiler might be part of the many reasons I have mix feelings about it.
Will I read the follow up? No. To me, the story ends here. I don't think I can take more of it. Recommendation? Read if you want an action packed story and you are not against pure gratuitous violence done to children from 5 to 12 with bodies of teenagers 16+.
(I may rate this book if I can ever decide which side is stronger: Love or hate.) Maybe I should go for a 3*. I'll give myself a few days to decide...
Edited: I decided to go with a four. Although the many disparity, the violence, and some minor things, I still can't rate this book lower than a 4*. I don't think it would be fair to do so. The story was entertaining; however, I didn't change my mind. I won't continue with the series.
Let me try to explain. The violence on the children was overboard. Some of the twists were...unbelievable—among other things, congress has a strange way to train their rookies. Although I had problems with the alien language and expressions at first, for the most part the writing was great and imaginative. Towards the end, I could not put the book down. I wanted to know what Zero would end up doing, which side he would choose. Yet...something felt so wrong about the whole thing. Character wise, I think they were solid (humans and aliens). And what is in the spoiler might be part of the many reasons I have mix feelings about it.
Will I read the follow up? No. To me, the story ends here. I don't think I can take more of it. Recommendation? Read if you want an action packed story and you are not against pure gratuitous violence done to children from 5 to 12 with bodies of teenagers 16+.
(I may rate this book if I can ever decide which side is stronger: Love or hate.) Maybe I should go for a 3*. I'll give myself a few days to decide...
Edited: I decided to go with a four. Although the many disparity, the violence, and some minor things, I still can't rate this book lower than a 4*. I don't think it would be fair to do so. The story was entertaining; however, I didn't change my mind. I won't continue with the series.
January 14, 2014
4.5
It's been a few days and I'm still thinking about this book. This book was phenomenal. It kind of left me speechless. I decided to wait until after I listened to Ender's Game before I commented on this. The two don't even compare. This one was much more brutal and compelling.
Aliens show up and demand 98% of all children ages 5-12 be given to them to form a human division of their congressional army. Joe (aged 14) is taken when he sets his brother and several hundred other kids free before they are taken. He's meant to be killed as an example to the other children, but one alien commander decides to keep him. Joe discovers a prophecy that says he will be the one to destroy Congress (the alien conglomerate in charged)
The abuse these children go through is horrible, beatings, surgeries, not knowing the alien language, being eaten. They are taken to an alien planet to begin 3 years of grueling training. I was riveted, horrified, and at times amused.
The various aliens and the planet were described so well that I was had no trouble picturing things. Well developed characters and an intricate plot. Thumbs way up!
It's been a few days and I'm still thinking about this book. This book was phenomenal. It kind of left me speechless. I decided to wait until after I listened to Ender's Game before I commented on this. The two don't even compare. This one was much more brutal and compelling.
Aliens show up and demand 98% of all children ages 5-12 be given to them to form a human division of their congressional army. Joe (aged 14) is taken when he sets his brother and several hundred other kids free before they are taken. He's meant to be killed as an example to the other children, but one alien commander decides to keep him. Joe discovers a prophecy that says he will be the one to destroy Congress (the alien conglomerate in charged)
The abuse these children go through is horrible, beatings, surgeries, not knowing the alien language, being eaten. They are taken to an alien planet to begin 3 years of grueling training. I was riveted, horrified, and at times amused.
The various aliens and the planet were described so well that I was had no trouble picturing things. Well developed characters and an intricate plot. Thumbs way up!
December 7, 2014
This book deserves more than 5 STARS!
I don't know about you, but when I find an exceptional writer in sci fi, I feel like I struck gold. Too much? Well, I challenge you to take a read and prepare to follow the greatest adventures a young men from earth can make. Well, actually, in the universe! We are introduced to a very interesting "what if". What if these totally very highly technical space aliens arrive, establish their government and takes children from their homes to serve in their army? And to make it even more interesting, one of the boys is a character who is prophetically the one to collapse the entire invading government? The dialog is awesome, full of action and I just found 1 typo. There may be more, but I didn't notice. The story really moves and we find that the aliens have similar headaches with politics and evil people. They also have honorable people and both are at play within our hero's adventure. His name is Joe but the aliens numbered him zero since he rubs some the wrong way and thoroughly ticks off others. So, if you're looking for a great new series, I would give this a try. I think you will find it a fun read!
I don't know about you, but when I find an exceptional writer in sci fi, I feel like I struck gold. Too much? Well, I challenge you to take a read and prepare to follow the greatest adventures a young men from earth can make. Well, actually, in the universe! We are introduced to a very interesting "what if". What if these totally very highly technical space aliens arrive, establish their government and takes children from their homes to serve in their army? And to make it even more interesting, one of the boys is a character who is prophetically the one to collapse the entire invading government? The dialog is awesome, full of action and I just found 1 typo. There may be more, but I didn't notice. The story really moves and we find that the aliens have similar headaches with politics and evil people. They also have honorable people and both are at play within our hero's adventure. His name is Joe but the aliens numbered him zero since he rubs some the wrong way and thoroughly ticks off others. So, if you're looking for a great new series, I would give this a try. I think you will find it a fun read!
Read
July 16, 2016I'm not going to rate this book simply because I don't know whether to give it one star or five! Fast-paced, action-packed, gratuitous violence, aliens, dragons, torture, .... this is not a book for the faint of heart, but the writing is good and the characters believable. I loved the way the author slips in details without making them info-dumps, but the over-use of italics made some sections difficult to read.
I had a feeling I had read something like this before but I can't place it. There are some very troubling moments in it, and also some wonderful scenes and I do want to continue the series - I think ;)
I had a feeling I had read something like this before but I can't place it. There are some very troubling moments in it, and also some wonderful scenes and I do want to continue the series - I think ;)
April 14, 2015
I made it through 140 pages before surrendering to frustration. Judging by the positive reviews and strong sales, I am missing something. Forging Zero is pointlessly cruel with shoddy world-building and annoying characters. If the book was meant to be a spoof of some kind, it wasn't funny or clever. Somehow, it has found an audience out there that enjoys it.
Forging Zero tells the story of Joe, a teenager who survives a devastating alien invasion at the hands of a octopus-like race called the Ooreiki. As part of the terms of surrender, humanity must hand over its children ages 5 to 12. Joe is older than 12 but is taken by mistake. The aliens take him across the galaxy to become a soldier in their army to protect the Congress, an interstellar empire. The first 140 pages were mostly about his early training and experiences on an alien spaceship.
Imagine Peter Pan in a dark, cruel Neverland, with a collection of lost boys and girls that are the most obnoxious children imaginable. Joe is a sad Peter Pan. His leadership is based on being the biggest kid, nothing else. Rather than pick a more relatable guy, King chose the equivalent of the captain of the football team who is really just a ringer.
The influence of John Scalzi, Suzanne Collins and James Dashner is evident but the themes here are much less compelling. Forging Zero, at least the first third, seems to be more about bullying and abuse. The hero is the biggest kid on the playground, nothing more.
King's world-building is also hysterically weak. It is as if she is poking fun at the pulp classics that used letters like Z, X, and Q in combination with double vowels.
The gratuitous torture and cruelty is what made it frustrating. The children are constantly beaten and demeaned by their alien overlords, and later endure barbaric, dehumanizing medical procedures. Their parents are cold and loveless, more concerned with their own losses from the war rather than the fact their children are being abducted. One even brings a film crew when she hands over her daughter to the squid-like aliens. If you have to give up your kid, might as well make it a PR stunt.
As a sci-fi fan, I am disappointed at the unserious use of the invasion and military conscription tropes. The aliens are nothing more than slimy bullies spouting out threats and posturing like wrestlers at Wrestlemania.
Either Sara King doesn't take science fiction seriously, or was writing for a really young demographic. Even so, it is hard to see the appeal for younger readers. I suppose those that have had a rough upbringing might relate to it, especially those who have suffered abuse at the hands of their parents.
I am in the minority when rating Forging Zero but I have to give 1 star. I do not want to read about kids being tortured in some cheesy pulp sci-fi story. This is YA science fiction that is strongly weighted towards the youngest section of the YA audience, ages 12-18. If you are in this age group and love cheesy sci-fi, you'll like this. Otherwise, avoid Forging Zero.
Forging Zero tells the story of Joe, a teenager who survives a devastating alien invasion at the hands of a octopus-like race called the Ooreiki. As part of the terms of surrender, humanity must hand over its children ages 5 to 12. Joe is older than 12 but is taken by mistake. The aliens take him across the galaxy to become a soldier in their army to protect the Congress, an interstellar empire. The first 140 pages were mostly about his early training and experiences on an alien spaceship.
Imagine Peter Pan in a dark, cruel Neverland, with a collection of lost boys and girls that are the most obnoxious children imaginable. Joe is a sad Peter Pan. His leadership is based on being the biggest kid, nothing else. Rather than pick a more relatable guy, King chose the equivalent of the captain of the football team who is really just a ringer.
The influence of John Scalzi, Suzanne Collins and James Dashner is evident but the themes here are much less compelling. Forging Zero, at least the first third, seems to be more about bullying and abuse. The hero is the biggest kid on the playground, nothing more.
King's world-building is also hysterically weak. It is as if she is poking fun at the pulp classics that used letters like Z, X, and Q in combination with double vowels.
The gratuitous torture and cruelty is what made it frustrating. The children are constantly beaten and demeaned by their alien overlords, and later endure barbaric, dehumanizing medical procedures. Their parents are cold and loveless, more concerned with their own losses from the war rather than the fact their children are being abducted. One even brings a film crew when she hands over her daughter to the squid-like aliens. If you have to give up your kid, might as well make it a PR stunt.
As a sci-fi fan, I am disappointed at the unserious use of the invasion and military conscription tropes. The aliens are nothing more than slimy bullies spouting out threats and posturing like wrestlers at Wrestlemania.
Either Sara King doesn't take science fiction seriously, or was writing for a really young demographic. Even so, it is hard to see the appeal for younger readers. I suppose those that have had a rough upbringing might relate to it, especially those who have suffered abuse at the hands of their parents.
I am in the minority when rating Forging Zero but I have to give 1 star. I do not want to read about kids being tortured in some cheesy pulp sci-fi story. This is YA science fiction that is strongly weighted towards the youngest section of the YA audience, ages 12-18. If you are in this age group and love cheesy sci-fi, you'll like this. Otherwise, avoid Forging Zero.
March 22, 2015
Wow, this book was a gem. I kind of hate that Amazon seems to know what books I'm going to like in all the emails it sends me, but for $2 I'm willing to overlook the shameless mind-reading efforts of theirs because Forging Zero was worth the $2 (and the $4 I'll spend on every subsequent book in the series I'm sure).
Joe Dobbs is your ordinary 14 year old boy, until the congress occupies Earth and forces the military recruitment of every child between 5 and 12. Joe, because of his unfortunate tendency to defy authority, ends up pissing off some monstrous aliens and getting sent away as well. The story that follows is the bonding of Joe and several other children of varying ages that form his squad; the trials and tribulations they go through; and the unwinding of a mysterious prophecy that seemingly guides everyone's actions with an invisible hand.
Sara King appears to be a master of character development, each of the main characters had deep personalities and back stories that logically contributed to the plot. Joe's interactions with them, and their interactions amongst one another are real in ways that many authors would do well to observe.
Death and destruction occur in this story, if you are not a fan of GRRM development and subsequent killing of loveable characters, this book may not be for you.
Aside from that, this book is a tour de force that will be appreciated by space opera or military sci-fi fans alike. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Joe Dobbs is your ordinary 14 year old boy, until the congress occupies Earth and forces the military recruitment of every child between 5 and 12. Joe, because of his unfortunate tendency to defy authority, ends up pissing off some monstrous aliens and getting sent away as well. The story that follows is the bonding of Joe and several other children of varying ages that form his squad; the trials and tribulations they go through; and the unwinding of a mysterious prophecy that seemingly guides everyone's actions with an invisible hand.
Sara King appears to be a master of character development, each of the main characters had deep personalities and back stories that logically contributed to the plot. Joe's interactions with them, and their interactions amongst one another are real in ways that many authors would do well to observe.
Death and destruction occur in this story, if you are not a fan of GRRM development and subsequent killing of loveable characters, this book may not be for you.
Aside from that, this book is a tour de force that will be appreciated by space opera or military sci-fi fans alike. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 16, 2013
Sara King takes first contact through the eyes of the young. The premise of "Forging Zero" is that Congress, a conglomerate of alien races lands on Earth and makes the following demand: "Join or die. And guess what? Give us your kids so we can forge them into the fiercest fighters the universe has ever seen." The hero is Joe Dobbs, who's too old to be chosen. But he ends up rescuing his younger brother and 900 other kids and is taken as a consolation. He and the other recruits, who are all 5 to 12 years old, are subjected to constant terror and mistreatment. They're feed fast-grow food and trained to be tough and fight. The aliens are nasty, but first impressions are misleading. Subsequent aliens are far worse. Don't get too attached to characters. They tend to die. Or get pissed off and feel betrayed. That was irritating to me, especially as the tale reached conclusion. But it's a page turner and full of action. I enjoyed the tale. I'm currently pondering getting into the next in the series over concern of where the story will go.
February 24, 2014
I can't get past the violence toward children. Maybe because I can't help but imagine my own kids in their place. Either way, it's not for me. I'm out.
June 3, 2016
Much like Ender's Game, but better IMO.
January 1, 2019
I'm only about 25% of the way through this book, and I'm having a hard time staying interested in it. I bought this book (and audiobook version) on sale after having Amazon constantly pushing it on me. Plus it had thousands of five star reviews. I had a feeling it wasn't for me, but figured I could give it a shot for $1.99.
I should have stuck to my intuitions. This story was written squarely in the YA category (rife with emotional outbursts and lunchroom bullies). I have read all three "Hunger Game" novels and never really felt talked-down to in them, but this one feels like a teenager wrote it. And why would they keep Joe alive? He's too old, stronger than the rest of the kids, very rebellious, and a loose canon. One of the main aliens even recalls a psychic reading that foretold his death at the hands of someone with a tattoo exactly like Joe's. The alien jokes about killing Joe to thwart his own fate, but of course, doesn't. It feels like "Battlefield Earth" where the captors let the most dangerous prisoner live... because plot devices. They even give him additional knowledge and make him a leader of his squadron. WTF master alien race?
As far as the sci-fi aspects go, this one is definitely on the soft side of the genre. We get first encounter, total world domination, submission of all of Earth's children ages 5-12, and are in deep outer space in the first couple of chapters. The author doesn't spend any time explaining these massive shifts from our current reality. I very much prefer harder sci-fi; so the departure here made my interest level descend rapidly.
On a side note, the audiobook version is nearly awful. The audio quality jumps from OK to sounding like sections were recorded in a foam-lined soda can. It's quite jarring. Also, there are times (seemingly random) when this little chime jingle plays. It scared the hell out of me the first few times it happened. Do not waste your money on it!
I'm not quite sure if I'll finish this book. Listening to the audiobook is an easy time investment, but I find my mind wandering away from the story quite a bit already. Reading other reviews-where they talk about even more gratuitous child brutality and 80% of the book dwelling in bootcamp-makes me even less inclined to bother. *sigh*
I should have stuck to my intuitions. This story was written squarely in the YA category (rife with emotional outbursts and lunchroom bullies). I have read all three "Hunger Game" novels and never really felt talked-down to in them, but this one feels like a teenager wrote it. And why would they keep Joe alive? He's too old, stronger than the rest of the kids, very rebellious, and a loose canon. One of the main aliens even recalls a psychic reading that foretold his death at the hands of someone with a tattoo exactly like Joe's. The alien jokes about killing Joe to thwart his own fate, but of course, doesn't. It feels like "Battlefield Earth" where the captors let the most dangerous prisoner live... because plot devices. They even give him additional knowledge and make him a leader of his squadron. WTF master alien race?
As far as the sci-fi aspects go, this one is definitely on the soft side of the genre. We get first encounter, total world domination, submission of all of Earth's children ages 5-12, and are in deep outer space in the first couple of chapters. The author doesn't spend any time explaining these massive shifts from our current reality. I very much prefer harder sci-fi; so the departure here made my interest level descend rapidly.
On a side note, the audiobook version is nearly awful. The audio quality jumps from OK to sounding like sections were recorded in a foam-lined soda can. It's quite jarring. Also, there are times (seemingly random) when this little chime jingle plays. It scared the hell out of me the first few times it happened. Do not waste your money on it!
I'm not quite sure if I'll finish this book. Listening to the audiobook is an easy time investment, but I find my mind wandering away from the story quite a bit already. Reading other reviews-where they talk about even more gratuitous child brutality and 80% of the book dwelling in bootcamp-makes me even less inclined to bother. *sigh*
October 21, 2014
Yesterday I finished Outer Bounds: Fortune's Rising (Outer Bounds, #1) by this author and was completely sold on her. It was the third book I'd read by her (I've also read the 2 Guardians of the First Realm books), and I gave all three books 5 stars. So I immediately bought this book, the first in her Legend of ZERO series, but at 12% into the ebook, I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped reading and returned the book to Amazon. Why? Cruelty to children. It's a hot button for me. The set up is dystopian, which I dislike generally, but the premise of this book is that Earth is invaded and nearly all the children between ages 5 and 12 are conscripted to serve as soldiers for the next 30 years. The invaders methods are cruel, even brutal, and I couldn't stand it. I hate that this is Ms. King's most developed series. I wish so much that one of the other books I love had more installments. There are still a couple more out there for me to sample, and I fully intend to. Maybe only ZERO will rank low for me.
April 3, 2013
This is honestly one of the best books I've read in a very long time - and I read LOTS of book. I've read all of Sara King's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, which is why she's an automatic buy for me. She's written paranormal romances, fantasies and sci-fi and I've loved them all. Forging Zero is very dark in places and will make you cry several times, and even though I usually prefer books that make me laugh, I can't recommend this one enough.
March 21, 2013
This is the first in a new series of books by this great author. This book isnt for the fainthearted, as the first half of the book contains some unpleasant scenes. Its well worth closing your eyes for the gory bits and pressing on, because this is a fantastic story, which shows the true spirit of being human. Following Joe as he matures and achieves far more than he ever thought possible, we learn a lot about human nature.
If you like sci-fi/fantasy you will enjoy this series of books.
If you like sci-fi/fantasy you will enjoy this series of books.
June 30, 2013
I couldn't put this book down, I stayed up all night reading all 610 pages. Must read for fans of a good alien, space story!
March 29, 2015
Loved it...
I absolutely loved this book. It is a very fast read with characters that you will fall in love with. I cannot wait to start the next book.
I absolutely loved this book. It is a very fast read with characters that you will fall in love with. I cannot wait to start the next book.
June 18, 2015
can't make it through the book, characters too one dimensional, maturity level off all characters equal to that of the 14 year old main character.
April 2, 2017
This book had promise but there are a few problems that pulled me out and made it worse and worse for me. The first is the length. This book doesn't need to be as long as it is. I ended up skipping most of the third arc and could figure out what was happening in the climactic battle scene in the end. There are flashbacks, needless fights, Joe being placed into situations where he has no reason to be in and being forced to confront things that don't make sense, and the government doesn't make sense. (Spoilers ahead)
Here's some things that are not explained: the inconsistent technology level (they can cause people to be able to see ultraviolet and infrared through drugs but require surgery to make someone sterile? We can make sterile people right now with drugs), Congress' motivation (we need an army. Why? In case if there is a rebellion. Yes, but then why is the army made up of three species, ONE THAT NORMALLY REBELS?), the lack of understand humanity (you are a spacefaring species that is conscripting a new species into your army. You'd think they'd learn enough to manipulate humanity without relying on pointless brutality), purposefully not telling the recruits important information (hey, we're going to torture you if you give up would have been a nice line), why they can patch someone up from almost dead but can't bring back a life, why Congress charges their recruits for medicine, really what are the motivations for anything and why are the kids where they are, and finally if Congress knows about a prophecy that predicts its downfall from a new species THEN WHY ARE THEY CONTACTING AND FORCING NEW SPECIES TO JOIN THEM? If there was an outside power that would make sense but there really isn't and the entire army is just kind of there to have an army.
This book had some promise but the author can't seem to decide on how to make things consistent. There are some good ideas there that aren't actually thought out and no-one's motivations make a lick of sense outside of the recruits. Leave this book behind and read something that has an actual plot (which doesn't start until the 2nd act) or characters who act like sentient creatures.
Here's some things that are not explained: the inconsistent technology level (they can cause people to be able to see ultraviolet and infrared through drugs but require surgery to make someone sterile? We can make sterile people right now with drugs), Congress' motivation (we need an army. Why? In case if there is a rebellion. Yes, but then why is the army made up of three species, ONE THAT NORMALLY REBELS?), the lack of understand humanity (you are a spacefaring species that is conscripting a new species into your army. You'd think they'd learn enough to manipulate humanity without relying on pointless brutality), purposefully not telling the recruits important information (hey, we're going to torture you if you give up would have been a nice line), why they can patch someone up from almost dead but can't bring back a life, why Congress charges their recruits for medicine, really what are the motivations for anything and why are the kids where they are, and finally if Congress knows about a prophecy that predicts its downfall from a new species THEN WHY ARE THEY CONTACTING AND FORCING NEW SPECIES TO JOIN THEM? If there was an outside power that would make sense but there really isn't and the entire army is just kind of there to have an army.
This book had some promise but the author can't seem to decide on how to make things consistent. There are some good ideas there that aren't actually thought out and no-one's motivations make a lick of sense outside of the recruits. Leave this book behind and read something that has an actual plot (which doesn't start until the 2nd act) or characters who act like sentient creatures.
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