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Beyond The Line
Patrick Hewitt had never thought of himself as any kind of hero or saviour, rather just a pretty relaxed and ordinary guy. A former-soldier-turned-linguist, he was on assignment to the lonely research station orbiting planet Delphi, situated far beyond the recognised galactic boundary line of human colonisation. Here his duties were routine, mostly involving interaction with the android human-lookalikes who, as humans were forbidden direct contact with the indigenous inhabitants for fear of 'contaminating' their medieval-era society, carried out all the surface study and exploration.But when a bunch of ruthless mercenaries arrive and take control of the space station, Hewitt finds himself flung into a desperate escape bid followed by a gruelling fight for survival amidst an unforgiving desert. Can he defy the odds and rally the native Delphinians against all the raw power of human avarice and technology. Does he really have what it takes to become a latter-day Lawrence of Arabia way out here - Beyond The Line?
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2015
Beyond the Line pops up in the Science Fiction, Military and War categories. I’m the first to admit these aren’t generally top of my reading list, but this is a strongly character-driven book that doesn’t rely on technology – although the technology and weaponry is certainly there for those who do like that.
Patrick Hewitt is on assignment on a research station orbiting Delphi, but when mercenaries arrive Patrick manages to escape to the surface of the planet where he meets the locals - android human-lookalikes - he has been studying from the space station.
The story moves to the desserts of Delphi and to one of its most important cities Valadana. The mercenaries soon arrive on the planet to mine and take the valuable resources under the city.
Patrick is saved by a nomadic tribe, and one of the delights of the book is the strong female character Eri’tha who is tasked with looking after him. Eri’tha’s warrior husband is dead, but he has taught her all his fighting skills! Patrick has his work cut out with Eri’tha!
There are battles, plots and secrets but through it all runs a dry humour which I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated.
I’m not really into vampire stories either (although that doesn’t appear to be the popular thing to admit), but having enjoyed this book by Christopher Pope I’ll be reading his other novels.
Patrick Hewitt is on assignment on a research station orbiting Delphi, but when mercenaries arrive Patrick manages to escape to the surface of the planet where he meets the locals - android human-lookalikes - he has been studying from the space station.
The story moves to the desserts of Delphi and to one of its most important cities Valadana. The mercenaries soon arrive on the planet to mine and take the valuable resources under the city.
Patrick is saved by a nomadic tribe, and one of the delights of the book is the strong female character Eri’tha who is tasked with looking after him. Eri’tha’s warrior husband is dead, but he has taught her all his fighting skills! Patrick has his work cut out with Eri’tha!
There are battles, plots and secrets but through it all runs a dry humour which I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated.
I’m not really into vampire stories either (although that doesn’t appear to be the popular thing to admit), but having enjoyed this book by Christopher Pope I’ll be reading his other novels.
March 7, 2016
Beyond the Line is the tale of Patrick Hewitt, ex-British-soldier-turned-scientist. He’s assigned to a research station that orbits a planet named Delphi. The world is the home to a primitive human civilization that’s oblivious to their space age visitors. Patrick longs to walk among the natives and experience the culture first-hand. But, Delphi is off limits because the UN has strict protocols forbidding any act that would contaminate the Delphi culture.
So, Patrick Hewitt, an ex-military man settles into the comfortable routine of station life. He shuns the station’s high school-like social scene for the warm intimacy of his girlfriend, Maggie Chen. She’s younger and less reclusive than Patrick. And there’s a feeling that they might not have found each other under difference circumstances, but their relationship has real warmth and affection.
That all goes out the window when the station’s tranquil, almost boring existence is shattered by the arrival of some very bad guys. Hewitt’s soldier instincts serve him well, and (after a combat chase scene that calls back to the original Die Hard movie) he escapes to the planet below.
He is taken in by the Ja’Jinga (an indigenous tribe of desert-dwelling nomads) and is assigned a ravishing widow from the Unattached women of the tribe named Eri’tha. The two have real and believable chemistry that evolves into a potential love triangle.
Of course, the mercenaries haven’t come to Delphi as tourists. This is a business trip, and it’s time for them to get to it. They descend on the planet in all their futuristic glory, burning and shooting as they go. Patrick uses his limited understanding of Ja’Jinga language and culture now bridge the chasm between him and the Delphi if he is to help overthrow the space-age invader with compound bows and scimitars.
The Ja’Jinga are well drawn out and more sophisticated than meets the eye. They are far from the helpless primitives looking for the great Patrick L’all to rescue them. They’re strong, resourceful, and dangerous without Patrick. In fact, it’s the clever and resourceful Ja’Jinga chief who figures a primitive countermeasure to the mercenaries’ hi-tech sensors.
This story boasts a great cast of characters, including a rogue android (think more Data, than HAL), a villainous cyborg, her vicious mercenary side-kick, and whole host of indigenous humans. Eri’tha is a tough, stubborn, and independent woman with a warrior’s heart. Her growing relationship with Patrick and the chief has just the right blend of mischief, humor and danger.
I’d have liked to have spent a little more time with the villains, but doing so might have taken time from the other great characters or messed up the excellent pacing of this tale. So, that’s really a nit-picky complaint.
I finished this novel on a bike at the Y and was really sad to see it end. But, the old saying goes: “Leave them wanting more.” Well, Mr. Pope, mission accomplished. I can’t wait for your next story.
So, Patrick Hewitt, an ex-military man settles into the comfortable routine of station life. He shuns the station’s high school-like social scene for the warm intimacy of his girlfriend, Maggie Chen. She’s younger and less reclusive than Patrick. And there’s a feeling that they might not have found each other under difference circumstances, but their relationship has real warmth and affection.
That all goes out the window when the station’s tranquil, almost boring existence is shattered by the arrival of some very bad guys. Hewitt’s soldier instincts serve him well, and (after a combat chase scene that calls back to the original Die Hard movie) he escapes to the planet below.
He is taken in by the Ja’Jinga (an indigenous tribe of desert-dwelling nomads) and is assigned a ravishing widow from the Unattached women of the tribe named Eri’tha. The two have real and believable chemistry that evolves into a potential love triangle.
Of course, the mercenaries haven’t come to Delphi as tourists. This is a business trip, and it’s time for them to get to it. They descend on the planet in all their futuristic glory, burning and shooting as they go. Patrick uses his limited understanding of Ja’Jinga language and culture now bridge the chasm between him and the Delphi if he is to help overthrow the space-age invader with compound bows and scimitars.
The Ja’Jinga are well drawn out and more sophisticated than meets the eye. They are far from the helpless primitives looking for the great Patrick L’all to rescue them. They’re strong, resourceful, and dangerous without Patrick. In fact, it’s the clever and resourceful Ja’Jinga chief who figures a primitive countermeasure to the mercenaries’ hi-tech sensors.
This story boasts a great cast of characters, including a rogue android (think more Data, than HAL), a villainous cyborg, her vicious mercenary side-kick, and whole host of indigenous humans. Eri’tha is a tough, stubborn, and independent woman with a warrior’s heart. Her growing relationship with Patrick and the chief has just the right blend of mischief, humor and danger.
I’d have liked to have spent a little more time with the villains, but doing so might have taken time from the other great characters or messed up the excellent pacing of this tale. So, that’s really a nit-picky complaint.
I finished this novel on a bike at the Y and was really sad to see it end. But, the old saying goes: “Leave them wanting more.” Well, Mr. Pope, mission accomplished. I can’t wait for your next story.
September 18, 2016
From the blurb I wasn't sure that this would be my kind of book, as I'm not overly into Sci-Fi but I've really enjoyed Chris Pope's other books so I thought I should set aside my doubts.
From the start I felt connected to the hero, Patrick, and actively felt myself willing him on when things got tough. I found the alternate world surprisingly believable, and got quite lost in the descriptions, able to transport myself there easily. I loved the fact that there were words and phrases from the alien civilization (being interested in languages myself), and I loved the strong women in this book - no wimpy females at all.
Chris manages to convey real depth of emotion without recourse to schmaltzy language, and it is a testament to his skill that I most definitely had a few watery eye moments, about what, I won't say - spoilers - but overall I was extremely satisfied when I finished the story.
Also, has to be said, great cover!
From the start I felt connected to the hero, Patrick, and actively felt myself willing him on when things got tough. I found the alternate world surprisingly believable, and got quite lost in the descriptions, able to transport myself there easily. I loved the fact that there were words and phrases from the alien civilization (being interested in languages myself), and I loved the strong women in this book - no wimpy females at all.
Chris manages to convey real depth of emotion without recourse to schmaltzy language, and it is a testament to his skill that I most definitely had a few watery eye moments, about what, I won't say - spoilers - but overall I was extremely satisfied when I finished the story.
Also, has to be said, great cover!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews