Missions

by Mark Needham

The year is 2017, the American Empire has fallen and landed in the hands of a few willing men. War has raged for years amongst the American people as their country dissolved into desolation. Desperate for resolution, three factions mercilessly fight to take what they believe is rightfully theirs. In this first installment of this Science Fiction Epic we are placed on a speeding locomotive of fate as our hero, General Saul Rivers is running out of time. Saul along with the Anti Federalist Army must make a decision that could mean the end of their honor or the end of their lives. But all is not what it seems. There is a game being played. Many players are involved. Someone is in control. These men don't know who it is, but they have their suspicions. In search for answers, these are their Missions.

92 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2013

Reviews

[Mandi Lyness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most truthfully, I was leery about the book at first. (I'm not one for science fiction.) I must laugh, though. This is one of the most interesting books I've ever come across. It captured my attention from the first paragraph and I did not physically put the book down until I had read it in its entirety. The characters, the plot, everything just captures your attention immediately. As I was reading this book I felt as though I was in it, I was in the Community. Fighting for peace, the truth.. These are our Missions.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written with a great story line. i had to finish the book in its entirety after i had begun reading.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself a well-read person. I love to read, but find it difficult at times to find new authors that are creative and can keep my attention... there are just sooo many of them! So when I discovered this book, I really thought I would give it a cursory glance, give some words of encouragement to the young man that penned it, and move on...Man was I wrong!
Before I even finished the introduction - I was hooked. The author is a master at using metaphors, similes, and other literary devices so craftily that you feel like you are sharing the experience with the character.
The introduction pulled me right in! The way the author describes the dream in this sequence is nothing short of brilliant. Instead of waxing on in a rambling commentary of what this dream is about, he relates it to the reader in short bursts of detail so that the reader has the opportunity to analyze it himself. Also, by relating it in this way, you can actually feel the excitement of L. as he awakens from the dream, I am almost breathless at the telling. My next thought goes to - who is the other person in the dream? Now I have to read more! I'm in!
The author now weaves his story in a unique and intriguing way. In a cleverly twisted style, he tells the story of two brothers - but he tells it from how one brother perceives the other to be experiencing it! What a impressive feat! He completely develops two characters separated by a generation or two, and tells the same story from two totally different perspectives.
One brother was born into an era of peace and experiences a developing war. The younger brother however, is born into a world at war, and has never known peace. One brother considers killing a necessary evil, on the pathway to peace, while the other considers it simply necessary.
This is an incredibly rich story, with beautiful prose interspersed within the text, that I would enthusiastically recommend to EVERYONE who reads this review. Hell, I would recommend this story to everyone that reads!! It's just that good!
Bravo Mr. Needham, don't make us wait too long for the next missions now!

[Don Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missions was a very different book from the ones I am used to reading. I love it for that among many reasons. I love how the author placed them in upstate New York, because this is where I am from. I also like it because the author created two characters with completely different beliefs, ethics, and overall personalities. Yet I feel like he mastered each of them so well to the point where each character could back up his argument with his beliefs shown in the text. I also like how he used these beliefs to create two characters who were fundamentally different, but yet because of their differences they make an unstoppable duo. Each one perfectly complementing the other one and one keeping the other grounded. The author, Mark Needham, did such a great job mastering this concept. I hate it when an author is biased and he only gives one side of the story and the other characters get a third person view. This is definitely not one of those books. Overall this is probably one of the top 5 books that I have ever read. And that's saying something because I have read a lot of books over the years. I highly recommend it.

[Mark Needham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read it a few times now, and even as I read it now, it is hard to put it down. As I begin writing the next one, my main goal is to make good on all the things I thought weren't good the first time around and give my readers a longer book, so they can enjoy the experience for a longer period of time. I am very excited to continue this story that means everything to me, because it is a book about everything, through my eyes to yours. Thank you.

[Julie Yaghy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read, the author captures your attention immediately, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. His way with words is impressive. I absolutely loved it and would reread it. It's a fast read with promises of more to come :)

[Mac Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than a few grammatical errors, I felt that this was a very good read. I felt that the pacing was well thought out and really helped to accentuate the story as a whole. Mark did a very good job at creating a world full of situations and emotions very reminescent of the civil war of 1861. The introduction of the "Assassins" at the end of the book reminds the reader that this is set in modern times and really makes the story come alive.

[Krzysztof · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible read. It was like a rollercoaster ride! The author did a great job with pace. One second everything is going 100 miles an hour, and in the next moment he slows it down to a point of stillness, as he focuses in on the individual leaves of a fern plant and describes them with perfect elegance. What a great story. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I can't wait for the new one to come out! "These are my Missions" I love that line.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missions; although a short book, does a wonderful job at grabbing the attention of the reader and keeping it as well. Each scene is described beautifully, and you can really get a sense of being there. The author masterfully twists the plot in ways that baffle you and leaves the book in a way that makes you want more. Definitely a must read.

[Tyler Lavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting and quite fascinating. The amount of skill, intelligence and heart put into this book is outstanding. Very action packed. I don't read very many books but if I had to pick my number one book, it'd be this one, no doubt about it. I highly recommend for people to check it out, it's totally worth it.

[Brenda Perritano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the normal read for me but I enjoyed this book. Like that the setting was Upstate NY and the mention of landmarks in our area. The author did a great job keeping my interest and I ended up sitting and reading the entire book one afternoon.