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The Evox Chronicles #1
The Alliance
**AN ALTERNATE COVER EDITION CAN BE FOUND here.**
NOTE : As of 12-Feb-2019 the book has undergone edits. Please update through your Amazon purchases page if you have bought the book from Amazon or PM me for an updated version of the book.
Short Summary:
Individuals from different walks of life—and regions of the Milky Way—go head to head with an alien tyrant and his conquest, unaware that they have become pawns of omniscient entities and drawn into an elaborate ploy of universal proportions.
Long Summary:
Earth's greatest military powers have been crushed to a shadow of their former glory. Invasion has plagued entire continents, throwing surviving societies into turmoil, famine, disease. Mankind's legacy has been reduced to ruins of rubble and rust. The future seems bleak for the isolated pockets of resistance, and what lurks in the skies will not rest until it has claimed every single one.
But all is not lost for the despairing humans. In the infinitude of the universe, there may be hope, so long as humans can learn to trust those who claim responsibility for this calamity, who claim their rescue plan will rock the very foundations of both worlds. Nearing extinction, do they have a choice?
Salvation rests on the shoulders of two men who are more than what they appear: Ethan Alexander Colt is a resistance fighter expected to make the ultimate sacrifice; the other is the tormented Cpt Donovan Ford, who must conquer his ghosts and embrace his destiny as a soldier.
Outnumbered and outmatched, two species will have to depend on the Conduits, ancient combat suits once operated by the infamous Scientists. But humans were designed with flaws, and Ethan and Donovan are no different. Will they see beyond their own aspirations and fight for the greater good? Or will they threaten the endurance of the Galactic Alliance and stability of the cosmos?
NOTE : As of 12-Feb-2019 the book has undergone edits. Please update through your Amazon purchases page if you have bought the book from Amazon or PM me for an updated version of the book.
Short Summary:
Individuals from different walks of life—and regions of the Milky Way—go head to head with an alien tyrant and his conquest, unaware that they have become pawns of omniscient entities and drawn into an elaborate ploy of universal proportions.
Long Summary:
Earth's greatest military powers have been crushed to a shadow of their former glory. Invasion has plagued entire continents, throwing surviving societies into turmoil, famine, disease. Mankind's legacy has been reduced to ruins of rubble and rust. The future seems bleak for the isolated pockets of resistance, and what lurks in the skies will not rest until it has claimed every single one.
But all is not lost for the despairing humans. In the infinitude of the universe, there may be hope, so long as humans can learn to trust those who claim responsibility for this calamity, who claim their rescue plan will rock the very foundations of both worlds. Nearing extinction, do they have a choice?
Salvation rests on the shoulders of two men who are more than what they appear: Ethan Alexander Colt is a resistance fighter expected to make the ultimate sacrifice; the other is the tormented Cpt Donovan Ford, who must conquer his ghosts and embrace his destiny as a soldier.
Outnumbered and outmatched, two species will have to depend on the Conduits, ancient combat suits once operated by the infamous Scientists. But humans were designed with flaws, and Ethan and Donovan are no different. Will they see beyond their own aspirations and fight for the greater good? Or will they threaten the endurance of the Galactic Alliance and stability of the cosmos?
455 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2016
9 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Chris G. Wright
1 book58 followersChris G. Wright was born in Corfu, Greece in 1988 to a Greek father and an Irish mother. His parents were the owners of a humble cocktail bar close to the seaside, back in the day when ABBA were still big and neon lights and hairspray were still "in".
He has a track record of doing things completely unrelated to writing, a hobby inspired by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, and steered towards sci-fi by Peter F. Hamilton and John Scalzi. Instead of joining the Air Force, which had been his ultimate dream as a teenager with a bad haircut, he studied Marketing. He even worked nights shaking up cocktails to pay for his student expenses. But he always found time to read, even for academic purposes.
Chris now lives in England with his other third, his fiancée Meaghan, and the other third, his Triumph Bonneville. He pays the bills by working as a Search Marketing specialist at day, and by night he fights against time to write his space opera series. He also hopes that one day he'll live in a cabin in the woods and write full time.
He has a track record of doing things completely unrelated to writing, a hobby inspired by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, and steered towards sci-fi by Peter F. Hamilton and John Scalzi. Instead of joining the Air Force, which had been his ultimate dream as a teenager with a bad haircut, he studied Marketing. He even worked nights shaking up cocktails to pay for his student expenses. But he always found time to read, even for academic purposes.
Chris now lives in England with his other third, his fiancée Meaghan, and the other third, his Triumph Bonneville. He pays the bills by working as a Search Marketing specialist at day, and by night he fights against time to write his space opera series. He also hopes that one day he'll live in a cabin in the woods and write full time.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 8, 2018
A great book set in a not so distant but dystopian world. The start of a great series for me. I can not wait to see what happens next. This book is more of an introduction to the main characters of this series, world building and choosing a side.
The aliens have arrived, the came and they destroyed. Now humanity is an endangered species. However humanity is not dead yet! One of the things I really liked about this book is that as much as the humanity has come together in the aftermath, our dark nature and emotions are still active in the select few bad apples. Also the aliens might not be as together as the human think. There is good and bad on both side. Heroes will rise no matter the costs, villains with go deeper into their greed nature.
The action passages are great but I would have liked more of then, but I understand that this book is more about introducing the readers to the world and characters. The only complaint I do have in this book is the same complaint I have about Chris G Wright’s inspiration/mentor R A Salvatore’s recent books. This is a personal peeve of mine. I hate battle scenes that are broken up to check up on what the other characters are doing. Eg in the middle of a batter see what is going on elsewhere, then go back to the battle. For me as good as a battle scene is I find this a bit distractingĺ. However that is my only complaint.
If this is the quality of the series I will be here for the long haul. I can’t wait to see what happens next. With the characters, and battle lines drawn I am expecting the war to be in full swing on all fronts.
The aliens have arrived, the came and they destroyed. Now humanity is an endangered species. However humanity is not dead yet! One of the things I really liked about this book is that as much as the humanity has come together in the aftermath, our dark nature and emotions are still active in the select few bad apples. Also the aliens might not be as together as the human think. There is good and bad on both side. Heroes will rise no matter the costs, villains with go deeper into their greed nature.
The action passages are great but I would have liked more of then, but I understand that this book is more about introducing the readers to the world and characters. The only complaint I do have in this book is the same complaint I have about Chris G Wright’s inspiration/mentor R A Salvatore’s recent books. This is a personal peeve of mine. I hate battle scenes that are broken up to check up on what the other characters are doing. Eg in the middle of a batter see what is going on elsewhere, then go back to the battle. For me as good as a battle scene is I find this a bit distractingĺ. However that is my only complaint.
If this is the quality of the series I will be here for the long haul. I can’t wait to see what happens next. With the characters, and battle lines drawn I am expecting the war to be in full swing on all fronts.
May 11, 2018
This story just grew and grew, there was some immense world building by the author!
I have to say it started off a little slow for me and it took me a bit to get into, but continuing was well worth it as the story then hooked me.
The relationship between Ethan and Skye was fascinating as was Douglas' battle with himself and his past. The war between the two alien races and the intrigue within their factions has set the stage for a fascinating series.
I look forward to reading more about Jeravi and Zai and where the many various plot lines end up leading!
I have to say it started off a little slow for me and it took me a bit to get into, but continuing was well worth it as the story then hooked me.
The relationship between Ethan and Skye was fascinating as was Douglas' battle with himself and his past. The war between the two alien races and the intrigue within their factions has set the stage for a fascinating series.
I look forward to reading more about Jeravi and Zai and where the many various plot lines end up leading!
July 24, 2018
A sci-fi masterpiece that gets it right, balancing a post-apocalyptic war-ravaged Earth and a space opera/adventure. Vivid descriptions of vistas of a post-apocalyptic Earth painted with as much verve like so many fantasy stories. Colorful characters with depth and entertaining relationships, no matter which part of the galaxy they're from. A fluctuating pace that speeds up when it needs to and slows down almost courteously so that you can soak up the twists and turns and the glue that binds them.
For a sci-fi, it has an nontraditional, almost apostate, beginning, but the prose and concept make it very intriguing, and nothing I've encountered before, which is why this one belongs in my FAVORITES shelf, and it's the only, thus far, indie book in that shelf. The opening scene is shrouded in ambiguity, taking place in some part of the universe, in the dead of space or some dimension tucked away in space-time. Two beings made of pure energy are discussing the intricacies of a "project," what I feel is a cross between a chessboard and a universal plot that seems to involve toying with inferior civilizations. No further mention is made, so I assume I'll be seeing more of those two in following books. It's probably quite safe to assume as there is a line-up of six volumes.
The premise...
Mankind has met its match and is staring down the road to extinction. Fingers don't point at the humans and their self-destructive ways, but to an adversary that caught them sleeping on the job, destroying satellites and collapsing the entire communications network, taking pot shots at the capitals, then at smaller settlements until the entire planet has deadly quiet. The Sky Tyrants (or Rabast) are an adversary who knows no equal, as they have already one war under their belt. Their motives remain unclear for the first maybe 10 chapters, during which our human friends (and some not so human) are making assumptions and trying to figure out the best strategy for survival. These 10 chapters uphold the element of mystery and speculation and that blends in nicely with the plot in a pace that lets you absorb the chaos, the misfortune and the consequences of two (yes, two) civilizations should they make all the wrong decisions. You get various vantage points: Humans, aliens and more aliens, each with its own set of agendas and characters, each character with his/her pursuits, conscience and principles that give each one a good sense of depth and some insight into the greater picture. There's quite a range of characters throughout, so make sure you pay close attention when the scenes shift between, usually, what I believe to be 3 (seldom 4) characters, each with their own goals and pathways. This novel knows how to bring the entertainment to you and it constantly pumps you with intrigue by giving you the POVs of its diverse cast. I think this is done because, after all, this is war, and war is fueled by more than faction, each with its own outlook. This adds a layer of authenticity that needs to be respected.
After 100 or so pages, things really start to fire up. We get a clearer view into each person's/civilization's wants and needs, the dilemmas they face, their personal ventures clashing with the benefit of the greater good (or evil) etc. The 3 protagonists: Ethan Alexander Colt, Captain Donovan Ford and Princess Zai, though one could argue that Jeravi is worth a mention. There's a side story of Ethan in the beginning, which gives you both some insight into the overall human predicament and the impression that it will somehow tie in to a sequel (nothing feels coincidental with the author's writing style). Donovan and Zai are two entirely different animals, so to speak. The first is a soldier commanding a surviving platoon in the Middle East and fighting through the obstacles of a torn world to reach Morocco, where the last humans are rallying one final attempt to get their planet back. The second is an alien warrior-princess, destined to one day rule her people but set with the great responsibility of taking the Earth back from the Rabast and the tyrant leading them. Orbiting around these three are the secondary characters (who we very rarely get a POV out of) and then some less important faces who are used by the author as extra weight whenever he puts his foot on the pedal. Every face is there to carry the plot through immersive dialogue, action and beautiful narrative.
The scenes shift constantly between fast-paced action to drama to adventure to dialogue (and backstory) to action again and to brief scenes where the characters go through internal conflict. The battles put you on your toes and give your heart a faster beat with lots of humans vs aliens, aliens vs aliens and... man vs himself. The writer takes an interesting approach with his action scenes, putting his descriptions somewhere between technical accuracy of combat/weapons/physics/astrophysics and a fantasy-like prose. It's unique and balanced, never straying too much from the action with too much description. The action takes you on a bouncy ride full of humans vs aliens, and aliens vs aliens, and man vs himself and so on.
Although predominantly post-apocalyptic, there are enough elements of space opera that give its post-apocalyptic tropes an added freshness. By the end of the book, I'm quite confident that the sequel will be predominantly space opera (I can't say more without adding spoilers).
There was some emotion in some chapters that are reminiscent of the movie Interstellar. You get very attached to the characters by the time these chapters make their apperance, so when the emotional dials are turned up, you get hit straight in the chest. Apart from the emotion, it also takes into perspective the mindset of Man today, how we behave like "apes" when we face situations beyond our perception. And even when facing extinction and a war that outmatches the SUM of all wars, Man has a funny way of dealing with it. Again, I can't say too much here, just that there's yet another layer of authenticity.
The writer takes his time with building the setting, drip-feeding you more with what you should know and less of what you want to know until you get to about halfway through. For the impatient, that might be frustrating, yet who wants the ending of a movie halfway in, eh? I was rewarded with answers to some of the questions that swam around my mind in the first 10-12 chapters, and when the events shifted into 6th gear, it was well-worth the wait. The Alliance is beyond a doubt, a thrilling, enthralling and refreshing take of a post-apocalyptic/space opera/adventure.
One of the best science fiction reads I've had in my hands for a while. Reading this book has been a fantastic journey and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.
For a sci-fi, it has an nontraditional, almost apostate, beginning, but the prose and concept make it very intriguing, and nothing I've encountered before, which is why this one belongs in my FAVORITES shelf, and it's the only, thus far, indie book in that shelf. The opening scene is shrouded in ambiguity, taking place in some part of the universe, in the dead of space or some dimension tucked away in space-time. Two beings made of pure energy are discussing the intricacies of a "project," what I feel is a cross between a chessboard and a universal plot that seems to involve toying with inferior civilizations. No further mention is made, so I assume I'll be seeing more of those two in following books. It's probably quite safe to assume as there is a line-up of six volumes.
The premise...
Mankind has met its match and is staring down the road to extinction. Fingers don't point at the humans and their self-destructive ways, but to an adversary that caught them sleeping on the job, destroying satellites and collapsing the entire communications network, taking pot shots at the capitals, then at smaller settlements until the entire planet has deadly quiet. The Sky Tyrants (or Rabast) are an adversary who knows no equal, as they have already one war under their belt. Their motives remain unclear for the first maybe 10 chapters, during which our human friends (and some not so human) are making assumptions and trying to figure out the best strategy for survival. These 10 chapters uphold the element of mystery and speculation and that blends in nicely with the plot in a pace that lets you absorb the chaos, the misfortune and the consequences of two (yes, two) civilizations should they make all the wrong decisions. You get various vantage points: Humans, aliens and more aliens, each with its own set of agendas and characters, each character with his/her pursuits, conscience and principles that give each one a good sense of depth and some insight into the greater picture. There's quite a range of characters throughout, so make sure you pay close attention when the scenes shift between, usually, what I believe to be 3 (seldom 4) characters, each with their own goals and pathways. This novel knows how to bring the entertainment to you and it constantly pumps you with intrigue by giving you the POVs of its diverse cast. I think this is done because, after all, this is war, and war is fueled by more than faction, each with its own outlook. This adds a layer of authenticity that needs to be respected.
After 100 or so pages, things really start to fire up. We get a clearer view into each person's/civilization's wants and needs, the dilemmas they face, their personal ventures clashing with the benefit of the greater good (or evil) etc. The 3 protagonists: Ethan Alexander Colt, Captain Donovan Ford and Princess Zai, though one could argue that Jeravi is worth a mention. There's a side story of Ethan in the beginning, which gives you both some insight into the overall human predicament and the impression that it will somehow tie in to a sequel (nothing feels coincidental with the author's writing style). Donovan and Zai are two entirely different animals, so to speak. The first is a soldier commanding a surviving platoon in the Middle East and fighting through the obstacles of a torn world to reach Morocco, where the last humans are rallying one final attempt to get their planet back. The second is an alien warrior-princess, destined to one day rule her people but set with the great responsibility of taking the Earth back from the Rabast and the tyrant leading them. Orbiting around these three are the secondary characters (who we very rarely get a POV out of) and then some less important faces who are used by the author as extra weight whenever he puts his foot on the pedal. Every face is there to carry the plot through immersive dialogue, action and beautiful narrative.
The scenes shift constantly between fast-paced action to drama to adventure to dialogue (and backstory) to action again and to brief scenes where the characters go through internal conflict. The battles put you on your toes and give your heart a faster beat with lots of humans vs aliens, aliens vs aliens and... man vs himself. The writer takes an interesting approach with his action scenes, putting his descriptions somewhere between technical accuracy of combat/weapons/physics/astrophysics and a fantasy-like prose. It's unique and balanced, never straying too much from the action with too much description. The action takes you on a bouncy ride full of humans vs aliens, and aliens vs aliens, and man vs himself and so on.
Although predominantly post-apocalyptic, there are enough elements of space opera that give its post-apocalyptic tropes an added freshness. By the end of the book, I'm quite confident that the sequel will be predominantly space opera (I can't say more without adding spoilers).
There was some emotion in some chapters that are reminiscent of the movie Interstellar. You get very attached to the characters by the time these chapters make their apperance, so when the emotional dials are turned up, you get hit straight in the chest. Apart from the emotion, it also takes into perspective the mindset of Man today, how we behave like "apes" when we face situations beyond our perception. And even when facing extinction and a war that outmatches the SUM of all wars, Man has a funny way of dealing with it. Again, I can't say too much here, just that there's yet another layer of authenticity.
The writer takes his time with building the setting, drip-feeding you more with what you should know and less of what you want to know until you get to about halfway through. For the impatient, that might be frustrating, yet who wants the ending of a movie halfway in, eh? I was rewarded with answers to some of the questions that swam around my mind in the first 10-12 chapters, and when the events shifted into 6th gear, it was well-worth the wait. The Alliance is beyond a doubt, a thrilling, enthralling and refreshing take of a post-apocalyptic/space opera/adventure.
One of the best science fiction reads I've had in my hands for a while. Reading this book has been a fantastic journey and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.
February 17, 2017
‘We won’t last until nightfall, Caleb thought.’
The strikingly handsome British author Chris G. Wright was born in Corfu, Greece, the son of a Greek father and Northern Irish mother. He grew up in Greece, served in the army as part of Greece's national military service, then studied Business & Management at Aberystwyth University, Wales and committed to a career in Digital Marketing as a daytime job. Chris now lives in Bath, England where he writes and dreams of a world that could become a better place. THE ALLIANCE is Volume I of what is promised to be a six part series.
Chris takes a giant leap in presenting his debut novel for publication, but immediately upon opening his book the sense of conviction that he is a competent science fiction author is readily apparent. He makes a Timeline (very important to understanding the sequence of events of the novel), a definitive list of characters who populate not only this volume but will appear in future volumes, and sets the tone for his dystopian dream in a very fine Prologue: ‘The entity had no name. It had no flesh, no bones, no beating heart. Nothing about it was organic. It was energy, pure energy brought together as a semi-transparent, lanky humanoid form. Its title was ‘Director,’ its universal purpose to stimulate the amusement of its superiors. ‘Have you finished your project?’ said the Aide as it stepped into the void. The supernova in the starry background highlighted the Director’s lithe silhouette with a prism effect, making it easy to spot within its vibrant domain. ‘The Spectators are eager to see what you are preparing.’ ‘They will have to wait.’ The Director’s tone was abrupt, the outline of its transparent body flashing a bright purple with agitation. It kept its unseen eyes on the projection of war weaved by a myriad of beams, but it sensed the Aide approach with caution. ‘They simply cannot get enough of your work. You cannot blame them for being impatient.’ The Aide drifted across and stepped next to its boss. ‘I can blame them for not understanding the complications of the algorithm, the passing of time as perceived by the mortals … and the effect of consequence on the material world.’ The Aide watched the ensuing warfare between two civilisations with mounting intrigue. It could almost guess what sort of material the Director was preparing. ‘Are you incorporating the Evox Cores into your theme?’ ‘So far, they have been a success. Their absence from my new project would be unwise.’ The Director waved its lanky hand across the projection, causing it to shift to a different region of the planet during the same time instance. ‘Have you found a protagonist as I requested?’ The Aide, much smaller in size from its superior, expressed its contentment with a glow equal to that of a star. ‘Yes. A most interesting find.’ ‘Show me.’ Although the Director’s voice was stern, the Aide sensed its curiosity. It took control of the projection and focused on a particular scene. It glided out of the way and waited for the customary modest feedback. The Director’s interest piqued when the protagonist pushed through a sea of human refugees, a determined face swimming in the terror and utter disarray of two worlds at war. ‘An interesting choice,’ said the Director, already scheming, calculating. Not surprised by the expected modest feedback, the Aide said, ‘I believe he is perfect for this project.’ ‘And have you run the algorithm?’ ‘The probabilities, should you choose him, are three times the amount of any other human. He will provide a variety of designs to choose from. Keep the one you see fit,’ said the Aide. The Director searched through the billions of scenarios in the span of a millisecond. A brief orange blush in its translucent head expressed its approval. ‘Have you found a probability?’ asked the Aide. ‘I have,’ said the Director. ‘The Spectators will be most pleased.’ etc into November of 2014.
But where to begin in describing the plot? Chris offers that for us also: ‘Human extinction has been decided and the alien invasion shows no signs of abating. City ruins will be the only proof that Humans ever existed on Earth. For mankind, hope dies along with the mounting casualties. But survival is still possible for the pockets of dystopian societies scattered across the globe. Humans must look to the stars for help, for the Alliance, for salvation from the alien invasion. Driven by ambition, the malicious Sky Tyrants use the Humans as bait to lure out their nemesis hiding in the stars. The alien invasion was not a coincidence or conquest, but an age-old vendetta between two civilizations from the other side of the Milky Way. To find salvation, the Humans must trust in the promise of an ambiguous ally who claims to know their species better than they think. Outnumbered and outmatched, two civilizations from different parts of the galaxy must learn to coexist and collaborate to save Earth from a conflict that knows no boundaries. However, the Alliance doesn't only depend on their coexistence as one, united colony in the shadow of a mothership, but on the shoulders of two men who have the potential to turn the tide against the Sky Tyrants. But Humans have their flaws, and Ethan Alexander Colt and Donovan Ford are no different. Will they be able to see beyond their own aspirations and keep the Alliance afloat? Or will they jeopardize a plan that has been three centuries in the making? To overcome their limitations and lead the Alliance to victory, Ethan and Donovan must solve the universe’s greatest mystery. One will need to make the ultimate sacrifice and carry out a plan he does not agree with. The other must conquer his ghosts and embrace his destiny as a soldier.
Splendid is the first word that comes to mind after closing the last page of this hefty book. Chris G. Wright clearly has a solid career in following his dream. Well painted stagecraft, credible characters, and a pace that leaves the reader breathless. Highly Recommended.
The strikingly handsome British author Chris G. Wright was born in Corfu, Greece, the son of a Greek father and Northern Irish mother. He grew up in Greece, served in the army as part of Greece's national military service, then studied Business & Management at Aberystwyth University, Wales and committed to a career in Digital Marketing as a daytime job. Chris now lives in Bath, England where he writes and dreams of a world that could become a better place. THE ALLIANCE is Volume I of what is promised to be a six part series.
Chris takes a giant leap in presenting his debut novel for publication, but immediately upon opening his book the sense of conviction that he is a competent science fiction author is readily apparent. He makes a Timeline (very important to understanding the sequence of events of the novel), a definitive list of characters who populate not only this volume but will appear in future volumes, and sets the tone for his dystopian dream in a very fine Prologue: ‘The entity had no name. It had no flesh, no bones, no beating heart. Nothing about it was organic. It was energy, pure energy brought together as a semi-transparent, lanky humanoid form. Its title was ‘Director,’ its universal purpose to stimulate the amusement of its superiors. ‘Have you finished your project?’ said the Aide as it stepped into the void. The supernova in the starry background highlighted the Director’s lithe silhouette with a prism effect, making it easy to spot within its vibrant domain. ‘The Spectators are eager to see what you are preparing.’ ‘They will have to wait.’ The Director’s tone was abrupt, the outline of its transparent body flashing a bright purple with agitation. It kept its unseen eyes on the projection of war weaved by a myriad of beams, but it sensed the Aide approach with caution. ‘They simply cannot get enough of your work. You cannot blame them for being impatient.’ The Aide drifted across and stepped next to its boss. ‘I can blame them for not understanding the complications of the algorithm, the passing of time as perceived by the mortals … and the effect of consequence on the material world.’ The Aide watched the ensuing warfare between two civilisations with mounting intrigue. It could almost guess what sort of material the Director was preparing. ‘Are you incorporating the Evox Cores into your theme?’ ‘So far, they have been a success. Their absence from my new project would be unwise.’ The Director waved its lanky hand across the projection, causing it to shift to a different region of the planet during the same time instance. ‘Have you found a protagonist as I requested?’ The Aide, much smaller in size from its superior, expressed its contentment with a glow equal to that of a star. ‘Yes. A most interesting find.’ ‘Show me.’ Although the Director’s voice was stern, the Aide sensed its curiosity. It took control of the projection and focused on a particular scene. It glided out of the way and waited for the customary modest feedback. The Director’s interest piqued when the protagonist pushed through a sea of human refugees, a determined face swimming in the terror and utter disarray of two worlds at war. ‘An interesting choice,’ said the Director, already scheming, calculating. Not surprised by the expected modest feedback, the Aide said, ‘I believe he is perfect for this project.’ ‘And have you run the algorithm?’ ‘The probabilities, should you choose him, are three times the amount of any other human. He will provide a variety of designs to choose from. Keep the one you see fit,’ said the Aide. The Director searched through the billions of scenarios in the span of a millisecond. A brief orange blush in its translucent head expressed its approval. ‘Have you found a probability?’ asked the Aide. ‘I have,’ said the Director. ‘The Spectators will be most pleased.’ etc into November of 2014.
But where to begin in describing the plot? Chris offers that for us also: ‘Human extinction has been decided and the alien invasion shows no signs of abating. City ruins will be the only proof that Humans ever existed on Earth. For mankind, hope dies along with the mounting casualties. But survival is still possible for the pockets of dystopian societies scattered across the globe. Humans must look to the stars for help, for the Alliance, for salvation from the alien invasion. Driven by ambition, the malicious Sky Tyrants use the Humans as bait to lure out their nemesis hiding in the stars. The alien invasion was not a coincidence or conquest, but an age-old vendetta between two civilizations from the other side of the Milky Way. To find salvation, the Humans must trust in the promise of an ambiguous ally who claims to know their species better than they think. Outnumbered and outmatched, two civilizations from different parts of the galaxy must learn to coexist and collaborate to save Earth from a conflict that knows no boundaries. However, the Alliance doesn't only depend on their coexistence as one, united colony in the shadow of a mothership, but on the shoulders of two men who have the potential to turn the tide against the Sky Tyrants. But Humans have their flaws, and Ethan Alexander Colt and Donovan Ford are no different. Will they be able to see beyond their own aspirations and keep the Alliance afloat? Or will they jeopardize a plan that has been three centuries in the making? To overcome their limitations and lead the Alliance to victory, Ethan and Donovan must solve the universe’s greatest mystery. One will need to make the ultimate sacrifice and carry out a plan he does not agree with. The other must conquer his ghosts and embrace his destiny as a soldier.
Splendid is the first word that comes to mind after closing the last page of this hefty book. Chris G. Wright clearly has a solid career in following his dream. Well painted stagecraft, credible characters, and a pace that leaves the reader breathless. Highly Recommended.
March 5, 2018
I will admit, I’m a sucker for sci fi. I fall even harder for post apocalyptic stories and the dismal gray of dystopian dramas. And when you put all that together, you get a perfect nuclear storm that has me hooked chapter after chapter. That’s exactly what Chris Wright did with The Alliance: The Evox Chronicles Volume 1.
I enjoyed following Ethan (my favorite) and the variety of other characters through their intense journey. Wright does a fantastic job of never letting up the pace. There’s always a twist or character shift to keep things interesting. Wright has the perfect balance of description and character development as well. I never found myself getting bored and the characters were very likeable. I look forward to reading more from the Evox Chronicles.
I’d recommend this to any sci fi fan, especially those who enjoy stories like Mass Effect.
I enjoyed following Ethan (my favorite) and the variety of other characters through their intense journey. Wright does a fantastic job of never letting up the pace. There’s always a twist or character shift to keep things interesting. Wright has the perfect balance of description and character development as well. I never found myself getting bored and the characters were very likeable. I look forward to reading more from the Evox Chronicles.
I’d recommend this to any sci fi fan, especially those who enjoy stories like Mass Effect.
February 2, 2017
A story about human origins and destiny, painted upon a vast and wonderful canvas.
This is a big story, the first of a six-volume series that looks like it's going to be quite an epic. The author has combined many tried and true tropes of the genre creating a blend of space opera and sci-fi action adventure, with melodramatic conflict between opponents who have advanced abilities, weapons, and other technologies. There are battles and skirmishes in quantity and lots of explosions. Quite dynamic in theme, it starts as a dystopian drama, moving into human-alien first contact and growing into the large scale space opera that it really is.
Things kick off here on Earth, which has been invaded and overrun by hordes of alien raiders, who destroy anything and everything in their path. At first the invaders' motivations aren't clear and we soon learn that there is more than one extraterrestrial species taking an interest in Earth. It appears that there are things here that galactic factions greatly desire, devices that can give those who posses them an upper hand in their conflict. Underlying this is the mystery of the originators of the devices, and we catch a glimpse of them at the beginning in the Prologue. Somebody or something is manipulating events through these devices. The author draws a faint outline of the overarching story and gives clues to more detail as the story unfolds. I'm guessing that some incredible things are going to be revealed as the saga evolves.
Pockets of humans survive in communities which are fiercely defensive and insular, a typical post-apocalyptic scenario. It is from within these groups that we get our human protagonists, who are destined to become part of a grand plan to overcome the invaders. They will also hopefully aid in the restoration of a Galactic Alliance, once-powerful but now in disarray. What follows is a rapid progression of events. Mysterious forces cause the human race semi-willingly into a pivotal role, caught between evil forces bent on conquest and other benevolent species who will help them in return for service and allegiance to their Alliance. As the story gets into full swing, there are hints of conspiracy among the factions, subtle hints of another level to the drama.
I absolutely loved the mother ship! A massive city ship, in the form of an inverted pyramid over forty thousand feet in height. A technological marvel unlike anything mankind has seen before. That's what is shown hovering above the hill on the book cover. Things like this are one of the reasons why I love sci-fi, they fill me with a sense of wonder which leaves me in awe. This book is full of impressive techno stuff.
The book is written in an easy chronological style, but it gains complexity from the scenes jumping dramatically from one to another. I got a little lost at times and found myself having to pause and take stock of events at various points along the way. The speed of the story is the cause of this, but it wasn't difficult to catch back up again. The author keeps his foot on the pedal, and the prose and dialogue is quite raw which makes for an engaging read.
There is a large cast of characters with many different titles and roles, and the story is driven evenly by characters and events, and it's just as much about the action as the players themselves. I found the characters to be believable and their dialogue is suitably unpolished (but without unnecessary profanity) which made it easy for me to relate to them. They have reasonable depth and you learn enough about who they are, the key figures being examined to a moderate extent in this early stage of the saga.
In summary, this is an excellent addition to the massive array of indie science fiction books, one that thoroughly deserves every bit of praise it gets. I've been left breathless by the sheer scale of the story. I give it a solid 4.5 stars, only losing that last little half for slightly jumbled arrangement. I'll be watching this series and this author, he's a refreshing and exciting prospect.
This is a big story, the first of a six-volume series that looks like it's going to be quite an epic. The author has combined many tried and true tropes of the genre creating a blend of space opera and sci-fi action adventure, with melodramatic conflict between opponents who have advanced abilities, weapons, and other technologies. There are battles and skirmishes in quantity and lots of explosions. Quite dynamic in theme, it starts as a dystopian drama, moving into human-alien first contact and growing into the large scale space opera that it really is.
Things kick off here on Earth, which has been invaded and overrun by hordes of alien raiders, who destroy anything and everything in their path. At first the invaders' motivations aren't clear and we soon learn that there is more than one extraterrestrial species taking an interest in Earth. It appears that there are things here that galactic factions greatly desire, devices that can give those who posses them an upper hand in their conflict. Underlying this is the mystery of the originators of the devices, and we catch a glimpse of them at the beginning in the Prologue. Somebody or something is manipulating events through these devices. The author draws a faint outline of the overarching story and gives clues to more detail as the story unfolds. I'm guessing that some incredible things are going to be revealed as the saga evolves.
Pockets of humans survive in communities which are fiercely defensive and insular, a typical post-apocalyptic scenario. It is from within these groups that we get our human protagonists, who are destined to become part of a grand plan to overcome the invaders. They will also hopefully aid in the restoration of a Galactic Alliance, once-powerful but now in disarray. What follows is a rapid progression of events. Mysterious forces cause the human race semi-willingly into a pivotal role, caught between evil forces bent on conquest and other benevolent species who will help them in return for service and allegiance to their Alliance. As the story gets into full swing, there are hints of conspiracy among the factions, subtle hints of another level to the drama.
I absolutely loved the mother ship! A massive city ship, in the form of an inverted pyramid over forty thousand feet in height. A technological marvel unlike anything mankind has seen before. That's what is shown hovering above the hill on the book cover. Things like this are one of the reasons why I love sci-fi, they fill me with a sense of wonder which leaves me in awe. This book is full of impressive techno stuff.
The book is written in an easy chronological style, but it gains complexity from the scenes jumping dramatically from one to another. I got a little lost at times and found myself having to pause and take stock of events at various points along the way. The speed of the story is the cause of this, but it wasn't difficult to catch back up again. The author keeps his foot on the pedal, and the prose and dialogue is quite raw which makes for an engaging read.
There is a large cast of characters with many different titles and roles, and the story is driven evenly by characters and events, and it's just as much about the action as the players themselves. I found the characters to be believable and their dialogue is suitably unpolished (but without unnecessary profanity) which made it easy for me to relate to them. They have reasonable depth and you learn enough about who they are, the key figures being examined to a moderate extent in this early stage of the saga.
In summary, this is an excellent addition to the massive array of indie science fiction books, one that thoroughly deserves every bit of praise it gets. I've been left breathless by the sheer scale of the story. I give it a solid 4.5 stars, only losing that last little half for slightly jumbled arrangement. I'll be watching this series and this author, he's a refreshing and exciting prospect.
June 8, 2018
This is quite a meaty sci-fi novel which took a bit to get going but then really got interested. There is a lot of groundwork laid for what I think is going to be an exciting series. Great characters and an interesting plot line.
July 27, 2020
A sci-fi with innovative touches. The perfect combo of a post-apocalyptic Earth and the very best of Space Opera in the 1st installment of a 6-volume sci-fi series. From its beginning as a dystopian Earth to its final scenes, it has all the fast-paced action adventure, nail-biting clashes between humble heroes and fearsome adversaries, Interstellar-equivalent melodrama, and the colorful transition from Earth to space scenes, that make this book quite a visual journey. It does demand that you pay close attention to the plot as there's so much going on, and there are plenty of characters to keep your eyes on.
Earth has been invaded by the Sky Tyrants (aka Rabast) and there are legions and fleets of these aliens swarming every corner of the planet. They are on a destructive path, but their presence on Earth isn't just for resources, but some supreme being, a universal puppeteer of some sort, has is pulling the strings of this story. Nearing extinction, humans are surviving as pockets of resistance in city ruins. I'll not elaborate more, as I think I've provided enough info. There is an overarching story, which I'm assuming is the core of this entire series, but the reader only gets clues. The author seems to be saving himself for the sequels, so you get a partial picture, yet I still reached the last page with a few questions I can't wait to discover the answer to. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that a a self-published author has written this. No offense to self-published authors. I mean it in the best way possible, which is why this is the longest review I've ever written.
Earth has been invaded by the Sky Tyrants (aka Rabast) and there are legions and fleets of these aliens swarming every corner of the planet. They are on a destructive path, but their presence on Earth isn't just for resources, but some supreme being, a universal puppeteer of some sort, has is pulling the strings of this story. Nearing extinction, humans are surviving as pockets of resistance in city ruins. I'll not elaborate more, as I think I've provided enough info. There is an overarching story, which I'm assuming is the core of this entire series, but the reader only gets clues. The author seems to be saving himself for the sequels, so you get a partial picture, yet I still reached the last page with a few questions I can't wait to discover the answer to. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that a a self-published author has written this. No offense to self-published authors. I mean it in the best way possible, which is why this is the longest review I've ever written.
July 17, 2017
Outstanding – A Must Read!
Finding new science fiction authors that are great is very difficult and I’m very happy that Great Britain has yet again produced an outstanding new author; The Alliance by Chris G. Wright is a new Sci-Fi-series that will take the reader to a new concept when it comes to; science fiction, space opera, action, adventure, mystery, and some fantasy.
The story is very well written and the author's voice is very intriguing (for me as a reader the most important thing in any story is the author voice.) Chris G. Wright might be a young and new author but he definitely has an excellent author voice that will draw “you” into his story.
New heroes and villains are introduced and they will keep the reader on his/her toes with the “wanting” to read more. Chris G. Wright takes his time to build up the story introducing the reader to new concepts and ideas that are new (and needed) in Sci-Fi.
I didn’t need much imagination when I read this story because the author had provided them for me with excellent detailed descriptions. The feelings and emotions from the characters in the story are so well written that “you” the reader will also feel and sense them. This post-apocalyptic story is something I would enjoy very much on the big screen.
If you’re looking for a great new read with many surprises then you will enjoy this new story. The Alliance is a story any one can read, and if you don’t like Sci-Fi then you definitely will after you read this book.
(Disclaimer; I do my best avoiding spoilers about the story itself because I hope that the next reader will be as happily surprised as I was.)
Finding new science fiction authors that are great is very difficult and I’m very happy that Great Britain has yet again produced an outstanding new author; The Alliance by Chris G. Wright is a new Sci-Fi-series that will take the reader to a new concept when it comes to; science fiction, space opera, action, adventure, mystery, and some fantasy.
The story is very well written and the author's voice is very intriguing (for me as a reader the most important thing in any story is the author voice.) Chris G. Wright might be a young and new author but he definitely has an excellent author voice that will draw “you” into his story.
New heroes and villains are introduced and they will keep the reader on his/her toes with the “wanting” to read more. Chris G. Wright takes his time to build up the story introducing the reader to new concepts and ideas that are new (and needed) in Sci-Fi.
I didn’t need much imagination when I read this story because the author had provided them for me with excellent detailed descriptions. The feelings and emotions from the characters in the story are so well written that “you” the reader will also feel and sense them. This post-apocalyptic story is something I would enjoy very much on the big screen.
If you’re looking for a great new read with many surprises then you will enjoy this new story. The Alliance is a story any one can read, and if you don’t like Sci-Fi then you definitely will after you read this book.
(Disclaimer; I do my best avoiding spoilers about the story itself because I hope that the next reader will be as happily surprised as I was.)
May 4, 2017
This is a story of epic proportions that will span across six books, and the first one is quite a dynamic read. It’s a space opera from the middle onwards, but most of it is basically a dystopian Earth ravaged by an alien nation, so there’s enough melodrama and action to grip you. It stands out for its unconventional prologue, as no sci-fi I’ve so far read has started off like that.
There are a LOT of characters, and the most important ones are described in a list in the beginning, which I sometimes went back to in order to remind myself (I’m just over 50, so my mind is what it used to be). The characters were realistic and moderately described, even the alien ones, and their dialogue was also realistic, which carried the plot nicely. I personally don’t want to know everything about the characters in a single book of a saga as I like surprises and history to be revealed later on.
Although there’s so much going on due to a chaotic war and many key players, all in all, it’s an excellent read by a debut author. A true diamond in the rough, and one who promises a thrilling journey and a wonderful canvas of mystery, adventure, drama and plenty of action for fans of the sci-fi genre. For the prose, the story and world he created, the amazing effort of a first-time writer, the emotions it inspired, I think this book deserves 5 stars.
There are a LOT of characters, and the most important ones are described in a list in the beginning, which I sometimes went back to in order to remind myself (I’m just over 50, so my mind is what it used to be). The characters were realistic and moderately described, even the alien ones, and their dialogue was also realistic, which carried the plot nicely. I personally don’t want to know everything about the characters in a single book of a saga as I like surprises and history to be revealed later on.
Although there’s so much going on due to a chaotic war and many key players, all in all, it’s an excellent read by a debut author. A true diamond in the rough, and one who promises a thrilling journey and a wonderful canvas of mystery, adventure, drama and plenty of action for fans of the sci-fi genre. For the prose, the story and world he created, the amazing effort of a first-time writer, the emotions it inspired, I think this book deserves 5 stars.
December 17, 2016
A sci-fi that grips you with powerful writing and immerses you into a probable future. There is a mixture of space opera in the mix,plenty of mystery that keeps you hungry and a variety of characters that contribute with their ideals and attitudes, altering the plot where you least expect it. There are twists and turns in almost every chapter and the storyline is slowed methodically to prepare for the next unexpected event. It keeps enthralled and adds a sense of reality thanks to descriptions where needed to built a picture. The words carry lots of expression and you feel what the heroes and villains feel.
June 1, 2017
Let me start by saying that this book would make an awesome TV series! There is so much plot and world building, and so many interesting species in this story that I think it would translate great on screen. The Alliance is the first book in a to-be series of 6 novels about alien invasion on Earth. The story begins two years into a war against humans and a species of aliens called Rabasts. Along the way the humans meet some unexpected allies of another alien species, the Pleodians, and the story progresses from there. The story is told in third person and jumps around from group to group many times throughout the book. I don't often read sci-fi books (I usually stick to Fantasy) but I decided to pick this one up because it sounded interesting and I love watching sci-fi movies and TV shows. I am generally a much larger fan of character-driven stories as opposed to plot-driven stories. The Alliance turned out to be very plot-driven. And while the plot is very solid, there were times where I was craving more character interactions...more emotion and feelings and bonding and internal struggles from the characters. The human characters in this story felt cold and distant, almost like robots on autopilot, for the first half of the book which made it hard for me to connect with them at times. As the story progressed this did improve, however, and we started to see the more "human" side to the humans. I loved the moments when they let their guard down. My two favourite scenes in the story are when Skye and Ethan attempt to have an anniversary celebration despite the war going on around them and when Ethan visits his childhood house in Greece searching for his parents. I loved these scenes because I was able to connect with the characters and it made me more invested in their stories - I even cried at one point!
Overall, I thought that The Alliance was a solid read and am curious as to what happens next!
Overall, I thought that The Alliance was a solid read and am curious as to what happens next!
March 6, 2017
I don't usually say much but this book definitely deserves five stars. I am not going to talk about the well-written characters or the truly engaging story, as it has been mentioned before. But just the dedication of the writer for his book, from the dialogues to the additional characters information, is enough to impress the reader. An amazing sci-fi adventure, wonderfully and professionally written.
January 17, 2018
A fantastic post-apocalyptic/alien invasion story to discover, written with lots of heart and depth.
I'll start with the characters: each one contributes with his/her unique characteristics. Theres a full cast of both human and alien characters that give the story an intriguing composition.
The story: Although a sci-fi, it's pretty grounded. It reminds me of The Forever War, because the story's actually probable. It's not too far-fetched and not too bland. It has a perfect balance of narrating the events that are happening on Earth, with an extra-terrestrial influence and a hint of fantasy/adventure that adds colour. It challenges humanity with the possibility of utter annihilation and gives you a vantage point from various key players and how they deal with the situation.
The pace: the first part of the book takes it slow and steady, whilst the reader familiarises him/herself with the characters, their interests, their importance, their origin, their purpose and how they MIGHT affect the storyline. Halfway through the book, you feel the pace quickening with rapid succession of shifting events and human vs alien conflict. Theres plenty of action to keep the blood pumping (a full-blown war of very angry Humans taking a stand against their ultimate adversary) and enough emotion between you and the characters to keep the pages turning.
Love discovering new authors with talent and this one should certainly not go overlooked! A must read.
I'll start with the characters: each one contributes with his/her unique characteristics. Theres a full cast of both human and alien characters that give the story an intriguing composition.
The story: Although a sci-fi, it's pretty grounded. It reminds me of The Forever War, because the story's actually probable. It's not too far-fetched and not too bland. It has a perfect balance of narrating the events that are happening on Earth, with an extra-terrestrial influence and a hint of fantasy/adventure that adds colour. It challenges humanity with the possibility of utter annihilation and gives you a vantage point from various key players and how they deal with the situation.
The pace: the first part of the book takes it slow and steady, whilst the reader familiarises him/herself with the characters, their interests, their importance, their origin, their purpose and how they MIGHT affect the storyline. Halfway through the book, you feel the pace quickening with rapid succession of shifting events and human vs alien conflict. Theres plenty of action to keep the blood pumping (a full-blown war of very angry Humans taking a stand against their ultimate adversary) and enough emotion between you and the characters to keep the pages turning.
Love discovering new authors with talent and this one should certainly not go overlooked! A must read.
November 19, 2016
I can't recommend this book enough! The suspense kills me. This book is full of so much character, depth and once you pick it up, you never want to put it back down. Characters were fantastic, each and every one added to this great read. I'm going to read it and read it until the next one is out, I can't wait! The world needed an author like Mr. Wright.
July 6, 2018
What a fantastic first book! Like the layers of an onion every chapter slowly reveals an ambitious framework for a potentially wonderful classic space opera.... there really is a lot going on here, so just read it :-) ..oh and somebody please write a screenplay for this too, cos it'd make a great (set of) film(s)! ..and/or HBO miniseries... ta.
Read
January 11, 2017not normally my type of read but I can honestly say I more than enjoyed this book. well written great characters brilliant story line. it was a page turner for me 10 out of 10 Mr wright great book looking forward to more from you in future.
November 13, 2016
Not going to say much except that it deserves more than 5 stars.
Excellent storytelling, engaging characters, highly recommended.
Definitely worth a read!
Excellent storytelling, engaging characters, highly recommended.
Definitely worth a read!
Read
April 16, 2017I can't read this.
May 26, 2017
I was impressed by the clear, concise diction in the story. I was able to follow along the characters, as well as their thought processes in a good manner. What's more, I enjoyed the depth that the characters had psychologically; seeing the different types of governments humanity has salvaged after the invasion, as well as the relationships after, was what was most interesting to me about this book. It also brought together very real questions in human morality. What exactly does it mean to fight for survival? How could two different species help one another, especially after the antagonistic relationship presented in the book? I particularly liked Ethan in this story; the author showed his development well, along with the relationships the characters around him had.
March 3, 2018
Ambitious, original, keep going, I found this on a goodreads list, author recommended his own work, glad he did, now I have another series to wait for. Unlike most of the shite on kindle, this guy had good editing
Based on authors comments this story could go in some really cool directions, if u liked Eden plague, this will work 4 u
Based on authors comments this story could go in some really cool directions, if u liked Eden plague, this will work 4 u
October 6, 2018
I really, REALLY wanted to like this book. I'm a sucker for dystopian sci-fi and the fact that this is the first book of a 6-volume series led my to believe that this book was a sure bet. However, I had to put it down after 100 pages. I just couldn't bring myself to care about the characters, and the overuse of narrative summary made it a very tedious read - events that were supposed to be emotional or really important for the plot just didn't feel as relevant or as shocking as the author seemingly intended them to be.
The plot would totally work for a movie, though.
The plot would totally work for a movie, though.
January 14, 2018
I'm not really a fan. This book was dystopian drivel that I had a hard time getting into. After reading 10% or so, I just decided it wasn't worth finishing. Might be the cup of tea for some, but I'm sorry to say I found it really hard to get into. As reading shouldn't be a chore, I'm putting it on my "Couldn't Finish" shelf. :/
November 10, 2018
Seriously one of the worst books I ever read. Characters are flat, predictable and boring. Plot is incredibly boring too.
December 12, 2019
DNF, couldn’t take the writing style
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