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UNSEASONAL WAR
Clark Jackson’s travels, for the first time, put him in touch with an intriguing species remarkably human-like. He becomes instantly fascinated with the Fronents and envious of their advanced technology. Striving to befriend them and learn more, his uncontrolled enthusiasm forsakes the use of appropriate caution and suspicion. Could their cold reception be a byproduct of their war with a vile species in this corner of the universe, or something else?
The magnificent splendor of an unexplored galaxy, new species to encounter and the adrenalin rush of space battle feed Clark’s awestruck hunger for exploration and adventure. Unfortunately, the more he learns the more he questions; including the wisdom of his entangled involvement in their war.
Meanwhile, back home in Des Moines, Iowa, Clark attempts to maintain an inconspicuous lifestyle to avoid attracting the attention of a certain relentless federal agency. His girlfriend’s own secret, however, could unravel it all.
The magnificent splendor of an unexplored galaxy, new species to encounter and the adrenalin rush of space battle feed Clark’s awestruck hunger for exploration and adventure. Unfortunately, the more he learns the more he questions; including the wisdom of his entangled involvement in their war.
Meanwhile, back home in Des Moines, Iowa, Clark attempts to maintain an inconspicuous lifestyle to avoid attracting the attention of a certain relentless federal agency. His girlfriend’s own secret, however, could unravel it all.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2013
7 people want to read
About the author
David Englund
6 books94 followersDavid is a storyteller (science fiction author) and teaches economics at North Dakota State University. His first two titles, Upsetting the Tides and Unseasonal War, are available on Amazon.com. Camouflaged Encounters is due out in 2014 and a fourth and fifth book are in progress.
David's blog/web site is davidjenglund.blogspot.com and he can be reached at davidenglund7@gmail.com.
His interests include reading, writing, baseball, cooking Italian food, and walking/jogging. David currently lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
David's blog/web site is davidjenglund.blogspot.com and he can be reached at davidenglund7@gmail.com.
His interests include reading, writing, baseball, cooking Italian food, and walking/jogging. David currently lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 10, 2014
Clark Jackson has discovered a portal to other worlds in his backyard in the first book of this series and has spent some time getting to know some of the worlds he's encountered while, at the same time, living his daily routine dull life as an accountant in Iowa.
This book is the second in the series and the reader is dropped right into the action. Although the author says it can be read as a standalone, I believe a reader would be much more comfortable with the work if she had more of the background and got to know them a little first.
The story is told in first person from Clark's point of view, and so we get to see and know what he does. There's no backstory to ease you into who these people are and there are times he's switching from place to place without any transition--which got a little confusing.
I did manage to figure out what was going on, although I never felt as connected to the characters as I could have--again, I think, due to the fact that I have not read the first book.
Even with that, though, I became interested enough in the action that I wanted to continue to read the book. I enjoyed learning about the two different races Clark encountered and the lessons he learned in that. The space battle scenes were full of action--and I could actually see this as a movie, filmed from the hero's POV.
There are some surprising developments that I did not see coming, and there's another book coming. I'm interested enough in the series, even with the difficulties caused by not having read the first book, to want to know what happens next. And, I will make sure I've read the first one before that time comes.
This book is the second in the series and the reader is dropped right into the action. Although the author says it can be read as a standalone, I believe a reader would be much more comfortable with the work if she had more of the background and got to know them a little first.
The story is told in first person from Clark's point of view, and so we get to see and know what he does. There's no backstory to ease you into who these people are and there are times he's switching from place to place without any transition--which got a little confusing.
I did manage to figure out what was going on, although I never felt as connected to the characters as I could have--again, I think, due to the fact that I have not read the first book.
Even with that, though, I became interested enough in the action that I wanted to continue to read the book. I enjoyed learning about the two different races Clark encountered and the lessons he learned in that. The space battle scenes were full of action--and I could actually see this as a movie, filmed from the hero's POV.
There are some surprising developments that I did not see coming, and there's another book coming. I'm interested enough in the series, even with the difficulties caused by not having read the first book, to want to know what happens next. And, I will make sure I've read the first one before that time comes.
October 4, 2014
Clark is just an accountant with a love for science fiction, but in David Englund’s Unseasonal War he's traveling to strange new worlds through a portal and facing dangers unknown. Hiding his secret, he becomes rather like a downbeat Superman, and tries his best to profit from science through trade. Oh, and he got chased by an alien through downtown Des Moines, but that was in an earlier novel.
The worlds in these tales are imaginative and well detailed, with a sort of Lost in Space feel and old fashioned innocence. "That sounds so cool, a galactic war," Clark thinks to himself during a Twins/White Sox game, but cool may be in the eye of the beholder.
Story and characters have the feel of those early-days adventure games, when computers were young. Characters collect resources, persuade allies, solve a mystery or two... It's all fairly light hearted with visually detailed environments, informative dialog, plenty of humor, and a main character who simultaneously amuses and annoys. And there’s sure to be more.
Disclosure: I was given an early free copy and I offer my honest review
The worlds in these tales are imaginative and well detailed, with a sort of Lost in Space feel and old fashioned innocence. "That sounds so cool, a galactic war," Clark thinks to himself during a Twins/White Sox game, but cool may be in the eye of the beholder.
Story and characters have the feel of those early-days adventure games, when computers were young. Characters collect resources, persuade allies, solve a mystery or two... It's all fairly light hearted with visually detailed environments, informative dialog, plenty of humor, and a main character who simultaneously amuses and annoys. And there’s sure to be more.
Disclosure: I was given an early free copy and I offer my honest review
August 5, 2016
David Englund's 2nd book, "Unseasonal War", is a great young adult sci-fi adventure that takes you to other worlds where you join Clark on his adventures with new people, new places an wonderful battles. I enjoyed how realistic David wrote the characters and the scenes. I felt transported to each area and could really feel the emotions and intensity that Clark and others were experiencing. Really enjoyed this book which speaks volumes to Endlund’s writing style and all the twists and turns his book took, since I am not a sci-fi reader normally. The story line is well written and the characters are real and easy to relate to and understand. Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and need to go read his first one!
May 23, 2014
This is a very good young adult read that will coax both genders, but especially many reluctant male readers into the story. From the interesting worlds Clark visits through invisible "stargates" to the unusual aliens and subplots, this is a book anyone who enjoy Star Trek, Stargate, or Star Wars is going to love this story.
Englund does a good job developing likeable characters readers will relate to. He also creates fascinating altnerate worlds that will spark the imagination of young readers and help them develop a lot of reading they so desperately need in this video age. Well done.
Book Bling gives this story 4 stars!
Englund does a good job developing likeable characters readers will relate to. He also creates fascinating altnerate worlds that will spark the imagination of young readers and help them develop a lot of reading they so desperately need in this video age. Well done.
Book Bling gives this story 4 stars!
November 17, 2013
Unseasonal War is an amazing book. I could not get enough of it. The character set-up is great and the plot was easy to follow. I loved how there were different twists to the story that kept it unpredictable. The book is a fast read and it really captures your attention. It has just enough details to help you comprehend what’s happening but not too many to make you annoyed. All in all, I give this book five stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews