Trials

by Thane Keller

Trials is a fast-paced science fiction thriller that explores the roots of human nature through the characters of Jonah and Evie Shepherd. Jonah and Evie watch their lives and marriage disintegrate as Jonah is wrongly arrested and found guilty of treason during a midnight military tribunal. Accompanying this devastating news is the reality that Evie will never see her husband again as he is exiled to a penal colony on Mars. Jonah, a retired and tormented soldier, realizes that things aren't as they seem when he lands on Mars to find two camps fighting for power, with the convicts in complete control of one side of the colony. To make the situation more difficult, Jonah learns that researchers on Mars have unlocked the future of human survival at the terrible cost of human experimentation and sacrifice under a scientist named Jillian Jaspers. Jonah is forced to confront the nightmares of his past with the help of a young girl named Zoe as the two seek to survive under the harshest circumstances in the solar system.

On Earth, Evie Shepherd and her three children do their best to survive as they are faced with yet another separation from their beloved husband and father. As she implores congressmen and governors to consider her husband's trial and bring him back from his exile, she learns that Jonah was not as innocent as she once thought and is forced to finally take a stand when she learns the truth about the underground movement aimed at overthrowing the totalitarian government under which they live. On the brink of war, Evie finds herself in the middle of a rebellion that threatens to tear the country apart; but her strategic partnership with Governor John Wilkes is also her greatest hope to unite the country and bring Jonah home again.

Motivated by power and greed, antagonists Jillian Jaspers - a mad scientist whose goal is to further the human race, Malek - a self-crowned megalomaniac of the convict camp on Mars, and a shadowy technology and mining company named Unicore will do anything further their personal agenda. As Jonah and Evie fight for survival in the hopes that they will one day be reunited, they are forced to explore their commitment to each other and their commitment to morality; no matter the cost.

276 pages, ebook

First published October 7, 2015

About the author

Thane is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in psychology and a minor in English. Following college, Thane married his high school sweetheart Sarah and started his career as a cavalryman in the United States Army. Over the course of his career, he has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was personally engaged in ground combat. His service has thus far earned him two Bronze Stars and numerous other awards and decorations.

Relying on his background in psychology, military experience, and Christian faith, Thane writes novels that seek to explore human nature under dire circumstances, the reality of pain and suffering, and the resilience of individuals to accomplish superhuman feats. Thane’s hopes are that as readers experience his character’s journey through the gift of reading, they will be greater equipped to endure the inevitable ups and downs in life itself and dream to accomplish grander things.

In addition to his wife Sarah, Thane is blessed to have four wonderful children that do all they can to keep him from pursuing his love of writing.

Reviews

[Rhys Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I come across a book that I don't want to put down. Trials, Book 1, is a ticket to Mars, but not the Mars I expected to find, nor the Earth I expected to leave. Author Thane Keller has created a riveting space for any reader to become lost and consumed in. The dark depravity of human intentions are lifted, if ever so subtly, by the heroic and self-sacrificing Jonah - a soldier far removed from the conventional war he was trained to fight, thrust into a political nightmare of choosing which side is the lesser evil, all the while being relegated the caretaker of all human weakness. Is Jonah so different from us as we hold to a mustard seed of faith and morality as we navigate the dark tunnels of worldly evils? Or do we more resemble Jillian, a scientist that captures conceptual justification - the greatest good being all that matters? One thing is for certain, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel. You won't regret letting yourself be immersed in the world of Trials.

[James Griffes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm lucky I got to have the opportunity to read this book before most as it was recommended by a friend. Trials has an original premise and produces a very realistic take on Planet colonization/nuclear war/ social response to apocalypse. I very interested in seeing any future work that the author or any sequels/prequels in this series.

[Katie Babbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book about a former Soldier ending up on Mars, but once I started...I was hooked. Thane's characters are interesting and compelling. You like them or hate them and for me, that makes for the best books.

[robert a bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good read for any science fiction lover. Author paints a picture that is easy to visualize. Already purchase his other books.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trials was a jarring tale of a man who was wrongfully convicted by a corrupt government and sent to Mars to serve his time.
I really enjoyed this novel for many reasons:
1) The characters were likable
2) The plot is strong and holds a lot of promise
3) It's straight to the point

I appreciate Keller's style of writing. There isn't any extra "fluff" and characters are quietly developed while seeing things from their personal point of view. With that being said, I wish each chapter was a little longer in order to savor the time with individual characters.
I think it's important to note that Trials is the first book in a projected series-- this is important to the plot. Towards the end of the book (I had 10 pages left) I was wondering how the story lines besides Jonah's were going to wrap up in such a short span of the book, but! They did not. And that's okay, because we get to find out what happens next when book two rolls out.
It's also very clear that despite this book having a sci-fi feel to it, there was a notable amount of research done to complete this novel. Personal military experience by the author is obvious in military references and characteristics portrayed.

Worth picking up and checking out, and definitely looking forward to the sequel(s)!

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*