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Earth Interstellar: Proxy War
When the XSS Cousteau makes First Contact with the Rheas, a pre-space flight alien race, it creates an opportunity for an economic windfall for Earth. After 300 years of paying tribute to their "protector," the Vrene, humanity can use the relief.
Only the Chzek already have a claim on the Rheas, who they want to enslave to serve their empire. And unknown to the humans, the Chzek are long-time enemies of the Vrene.
With little choice, humanity and a Chzek vassal race are made proxies of the more advanced races and are compelled to fight Earth’s first interstellar war.
Questions arise as Commander Kree and others learn the Vrene were preparing Earth to fight a war with the Chzek for hundreds of years. Were they set up to fight a war they do not want and cannot afford? Or did the Vrene do them a favor, preparing them for a war they were already destined to fight as the Chzek expand their empire?
Earth Interstellar is an engaging, fast paced, and intense story of interstellar war in space.
Prologue
“What can I expect to find in the charts?” asked Vrene Chancellor Sevairne.
“The humans have explored to within thirty light years of Chzek space,” said the Rool ambassador to the humans as he explained their Exploration Service’s rapid expansion of star systems they have visited. He was impressed with their commitment.
“So soon?” the Vrene asked, concerned.
“Yes, Chancellor. They have an aggressive exploration program.”
“How much longer then, do you think?”
“Estimates are no more than twenty revolutions,” the Rool replied.
“How far from Earth will that be?” asked the chancellor, starting to believe the humans may be worth their cost for the last three hundred years of protection the Vrene had provided to their protectorate.
“Sixty to seventy light years.”
“Excellent. And, how long will it take for the humans to transition to a war economy once they engage the Chzek’s proxies? How many ships will they be able to deploy per revolution?”
The Rool took a moment to consider his answer before replying, “Within a year, but it will take time before they fully understand they are in a fight for their continued existence enough to make a full transition to a war economy. They currently have a modest manufacturing program for spacecraft they will be able to expand upon when the time comes.”
“That could be acceptable. With a sixty light year buffer, they will have time. The humans may gain us an additional twenty revolutions to prepare before they are exterminated.”
Only the Chzek already have a claim on the Rheas, who they want to enslave to serve their empire. And unknown to the humans, the Chzek are long-time enemies of the Vrene.
With little choice, humanity and a Chzek vassal race are made proxies of the more advanced races and are compelled to fight Earth’s first interstellar war.
Questions arise as Commander Kree and others learn the Vrene were preparing Earth to fight a war with the Chzek for hundreds of years. Were they set up to fight a war they do not want and cannot afford? Or did the Vrene do them a favor, preparing them for a war they were already destined to fight as the Chzek expand their empire?
Earth Interstellar is an engaging, fast paced, and intense story of interstellar war in space.
Prologue
“What can I expect to find in the charts?” asked Vrene Chancellor Sevairne.
“The humans have explored to within thirty light years of Chzek space,” said the Rool ambassador to the humans as he explained their Exploration Service’s rapid expansion of star systems they have visited. He was impressed with their commitment.
“So soon?” the Vrene asked, concerned.
“Yes, Chancellor. They have an aggressive exploration program.”
“How much longer then, do you think?”
“Estimates are no more than twenty revolutions,” the Rool replied.
“How far from Earth will that be?” asked the chancellor, starting to believe the humans may be worth their cost for the last three hundred years of protection the Vrene had provided to their protectorate.
“Sixty to seventy light years.”
“Excellent. And, how long will it take for the humans to transition to a war economy once they engage the Chzek’s proxies? How many ships will they be able to deploy per revolution?”
The Rool took a moment to consider his answer before replying, “Within a year, but it will take time before they fully understand they are in a fight for their continued existence enough to make a full transition to a war economy. They currently have a modest manufacturing program for spacecraft they will be able to expand upon when the time comes.”
“That could be acceptable. With a sixty light year buffer, they will have time. The humans may gain us an additional twenty revolutions to prepare before they are exterminated.”
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2018
53 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Scott Olen Reid
3 books26 followersScott is a California native born in Northern California, but grew up moving to a new state every few years in an Army family with his brother and two sisters.
After high school, Scott spent five years in construction before joining the U.S. Coast Guard where he served for five years as a Fire Control Technician (weapon systems electronics). Scott married and completed his bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Cal State then began a career in commercial real estate where he today works in Southern California for a national auction firm as one of the firm's brokers.
Scott is a part time author and full time lover of science fiction and fantasy novels.
Scott's next work, his fourth, is the third in the Nova Academy series, Nova Academy: Natural & Artificial, due out in early-2020.
For information on Scott's current and upcoming books go to www.threehelmets.com or @threehelmets on Twitter.
After high school, Scott spent five years in construction before joining the U.S. Coast Guard where he served for five years as a Fire Control Technician (weapon systems electronics). Scott married and completed his bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Cal State then began a career in commercial real estate where he today works in Southern California for a national auction firm as one of the firm's brokers.
Scott is a part time author and full time lover of science fiction and fantasy novels.
Scott's next work, his fourth, is the third in the Nova Academy series, Nova Academy: Natural & Artificial, due out in early-2020.
For information on Scott's current and upcoming books go to www.threehelmets.com or @threehelmets on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 4, 2018
A fascinating book. I really enjoy the world building and technology in this book. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
With humanity being used as a proxy against another star nation by the Vrene it is interesting to see how they interact, with the political complexities, technological differences and callous attitudes of the aliens. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
With humanity being used as a proxy against another star nation by the Vrene it is interesting to see how they interact, with the political complexities, technological differences and callous attitudes of the aliens. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
April 4, 2018
Earth Interstellar is the first science fiction space war novel that I have read in a long time that is really original. From the technologies, to the manner in which space battles are conducted, to the aliens' behavior toward less advanced species, the author has brought new and fresh ideas and put them together in a well written and excellent to read book. 5 Stars - Recommend
June 28, 2018
Excellent read
I have been trying to find a book like this for years and it just so happens that i downloaded this book by mistake and i am so happy i did.
It is unique as it shows all the character perspectives during alien encounters and engagements.
I highly recommend this book and cant wait for the next one.
I have been trying to find a book like this for years and it just so happens that i downloaded this book by mistake and i am so happy i did.
It is unique as it shows all the character perspectives during alien encounters and engagements.
I highly recommend this book and cant wait for the next one.
February 26, 2018
Awesome
I am always cautious of authors I have never read before but I have no regrets. I can not wait for the next book in this series.
I am always cautious of authors I have never read before but I have no regrets. I can not wait for the next book in this series.
March 6, 2018
Good
A good book and I hope for more to come in the future as long as the story progresses with each book.
A good book and I hope for more to come in the future as long as the story progresses with each book.
April 2, 2018
excellent read , well built story and loved the technical detail.
Can't wait until the next chapter in this story.
Can't wait until the next chapter in this story.
July 8, 2018
Enjoyable
Enjoyed this book. A different approach to space travel and war. Some grammatical issues but nothing to douse the mood of the book.
Enjoyed this book. A different approach to space travel and war. Some grammatical issues but nothing to douse the mood of the book.
February 25, 2020
I was given a free review copy of this audio book, at my request, and am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
This is a fairly interesting story, that borrows heavily from other similar books, but gets a little too bogged down in details rather than trying to have us make an emotional connection or excitement through action.
The characters are fairly forgettable, but not totally unlikeable. They are well enough while they are in the story, however, once they exit the story (even if it's briefly) I found myself forgetting they existed, and when they came back into the story having to try and remember who they were.
This is definitely a hard military sci fi, and is full of well thought out scientific principles and space combat battles. This does leave the story fairly dry and emotionless, as none of the characters are given the same level of detail as, for example, the method of traveling through space.
My other problem with this type of story is the space flight and combat are done with current level of scientific knowledge. Humans in several hundred years, and even the more advanced species are throwing objects at each other over the space of a solar system, and waiting hours and hours to see results. Now I know things like star trek are not scientifically sound, but there should be some intermediate between 20th century science and technology and FTL travel and combat situations.
This is also a heavily Americanized book, with flimsy excuses why America is controlling the world, and when its not its put back in charge. The space military is also using feet and miles. I found my eyes rolling so many times I had to stop listening to give my eyes a break.
All this, however, is unfortunately not new to me. I'm used to American stories where America rules the world, the metric system is ignored and 20th century military ideas and ranks are used hundreds of years in the future. What ruined the story for me was the voice acting. Well, in fact, it wasn't acting and that was the problem.
The narration by Joshua Saxton was very poor. There was little inflection on his voice, no difference between characters, narration, species, or genders. He took a dry book and dropped it in a desert. I found it, at times, hard to follow along, as he rolled one sentence into the next with no pause, voice change or tonal accent.
All in all, the story was OK, a little too much like some other books I've read, at times. However, interesting enough to keep going. The voice acting was terrible, though, and for that reason, I will not continue with this series.
This is a fairly interesting story, that borrows heavily from other similar books, but gets a little too bogged down in details rather than trying to have us make an emotional connection or excitement through action.
The characters are fairly forgettable, but not totally unlikeable. They are well enough while they are in the story, however, once they exit the story (even if it's briefly) I found myself forgetting they existed, and when they came back into the story having to try and remember who they were.
This is definitely a hard military sci fi, and is full of well thought out scientific principles and space combat battles. This does leave the story fairly dry and emotionless, as none of the characters are given the same level of detail as, for example, the method of traveling through space.
My other problem with this type of story is the space flight and combat are done with current level of scientific knowledge. Humans in several hundred years, and even the more advanced species are throwing objects at each other over the space of a solar system, and waiting hours and hours to see results. Now I know things like star trek are not scientifically sound, but there should be some intermediate between 20th century science and technology and FTL travel and combat situations.
This is also a heavily Americanized book, with flimsy excuses why America is controlling the world, and when its not its put back in charge. The space military is also using feet and miles. I found my eyes rolling so many times I had to stop listening to give my eyes a break.
All this, however, is unfortunately not new to me. I'm used to American stories where America rules the world, the metric system is ignored and 20th century military ideas and ranks are used hundreds of years in the future. What ruined the story for me was the voice acting. Well, in fact, it wasn't acting and that was the problem.
The narration by Joshua Saxton was very poor. There was little inflection on his voice, no difference between characters, narration, species, or genders. He took a dry book and dropped it in a desert. I found it, at times, hard to follow along, as he rolled one sentence into the next with no pause, voice change or tonal accent.
All in all, the story was OK, a little too much like some other books I've read, at times. However, interesting enough to keep going. The voice acting was terrible, though, and for that reason, I will not continue with this series.
May 24, 2018
Bad
DNF. I bailed at page 73, about 19% of 366 pages. The premise was flawed and parts unclear.
The U.S. dominates a world government and located it in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C. It seems that the aliens contacted all countries and the U.S. just decided to replace the U.N. with this new body. The aliens didn't appoint the U.S. or single it out as representative of the human race. The U.S. President just told the world that that's how it will be and everyone said "Wow, what a good idea".
If that were even remotely possible, it would be frightening. Presidents who range from clueless in foreign relations (while laughing in front of the cameras of the world press about thousands of black bodies floating in New Orleans) to a cartoon reality show host, who has alienated most non-totalitarian countries in the world (while becoming The global hero for white supremacy, ethnic cleansing, military rule and publicly stated that the U.S. would be better if presidents served for life).
The U.S. can't even pressure China enough to rein in North Korea or limit this backward country's nuclear arsenal. But the world is asking? the U.S. to rule the world? Right!! This is the same world that has begun creating new reserve currencies (which is a pain), increase their military spending (which no one really wanted to do) and distance themselves from U.S. policy because of its erratic and unreliable decision making from using its military to paying its foreign debt.
I wasn't very excited about the book which seemed to be a showcase of the writer's familiarity with VR technology or at least the terminology. The Seventh Consortium seemed to morph from one type of relationship to another from chapter to chapter. The characters had no character. The plot was something? Humans are pawns in a war that they seem to want and are rushing into a war with a new species despite being encouraged to not by their alien overlords? protectors?
It was a weird book but by the time that the world government was described, I was done. Simplistic, contradictory, murky background, implausible politics and a plug for U.S. supremacy. It has it all.
Unfortunately, it's nothing that I wish I'd ever read.
DNF. I bailed at page 73, about 19% of 366 pages. The premise was flawed and parts unclear.
The U.S. dominates a world government and located it in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C. It seems that the aliens contacted all countries and the U.S. just decided to replace the U.N. with this new body. The aliens didn't appoint the U.S. or single it out as representative of the human race. The U.S. President just told the world that that's how it will be and everyone said "Wow, what a good idea".
If that were even remotely possible, it would be frightening. Presidents who range from clueless in foreign relations (while laughing in front of the cameras of the world press about thousands of black bodies floating in New Orleans) to a cartoon reality show host, who has alienated most non-totalitarian countries in the world (while becoming The global hero for white supremacy, ethnic cleansing, military rule and publicly stated that the U.S. would be better if presidents served for life).
The U.S. can't even pressure China enough to rein in North Korea or limit this backward country's nuclear arsenal. But the world is asking? the U.S. to rule the world? Right!! This is the same world that has begun creating new reserve currencies (which is a pain), increase their military spending (which no one really wanted to do) and distance themselves from U.S. policy because of its erratic and unreliable decision making from using its military to paying its foreign debt.
I wasn't very excited about the book which seemed to be a showcase of the writer's familiarity with VR technology or at least the terminology. The Seventh Consortium seemed to morph from one type of relationship to another from chapter to chapter. The characters had no character. The plot was something? Humans are pawns in a war that they seem to want and are rushing into a war with a new species despite being encouraged to not by their alien overlords? protectors?
It was a weird book but by the time that the world government was described, I was done. Simplistic, contradictory, murky background, implausible politics and a plug for U.S. supremacy. It has it all.
Unfortunately, it's nothing that I wish I'd ever read.
February 24, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"When wars become too expensive to be fought ... "
A magnificent book for lovers of near none stop military in space actjon, the reader is taken through numerous individual confrontations between ships from Earth and those of the race subservient to the Chzeck. Just one of many interstellar life forms, for three centuries, the human race had been dominated by the Vrene, old enemies of the Chzeck and had been groomed for just such a confrontation. This began when an exp!doing Earth vessel discovered other intelligent !ife and sought to claim it for their own.
The book is a fresh approach to intergalactic war, with rules which have to be followed, overlords who plan for the future even if they interfere rarely, long term strategies unknown to the combatants, as well as developments for deep space travel. But what makes the story truly human are the stories from within individual battles, from both sides: the Captains and crews of the ships are real and their voices ring out after their tasks are over.Narration by Joshua Saxon is good, clear, fast paced and with excellent intonation. So much so that he faced from this reader's hearing, leaving only the story to enjoy.
My thanks to the rights holder of Earth Interstellar: Proxy Wzr, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. There were times when I became confused over which side was being featured at that moment but it mattered little and was soon resolved. The concept of the enormity of space really dominates the backdrop, too. Another book to come? I hope so. After all, 'The war has only just begun'.
"When wars become too expensive to be fought ... "
A magnificent book for lovers of near none stop military in space actjon, the reader is taken through numerous individual confrontations between ships from Earth and those of the race subservient to the Chzeck. Just one of many interstellar life forms, for three centuries, the human race had been dominated by the Vrene, old enemies of the Chzeck and had been groomed for just such a confrontation. This began when an exp!doing Earth vessel discovered other intelligent !ife and sought to claim it for their own.
The book is a fresh approach to intergalactic war, with rules which have to be followed, overlords who plan for the future even if they interfere rarely, long term strategies unknown to the combatants, as well as developments for deep space travel. But what makes the story truly human are the stories from within individual battles, from both sides: the Captains and crews of the ships are real and their voices ring out after their tasks are over.Narration by Joshua Saxon is good, clear, fast paced and with excellent intonation. So much so that he faced from this reader's hearing, leaving only the story to enjoy.
My thanks to the rights holder of Earth Interstellar: Proxy Wzr, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. There were times when I became confused over which side was being featured at that moment but it mattered little and was soon resolved. The concept of the enormity of space really dominates the backdrop, too. Another book to come? I hope so. After all, 'The war has only just begun'.
March 3, 2020
5 Stars for
Earth Interstellar
By: Scott Olen Reid
Narrated by: Joshua Saxon
This was the best space story of 2020 for me. This book has ailen politics that the humans have to live and die under. A lot of thought and planing went into the space battles as they were totally realistic. I can not wait for the second book, just to start with this book again. This book was given to me at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Earth Interstellar
By: Scott Olen Reid
Narrated by: Joshua Saxon
This was the best space story of 2020 for me. This book has ailen politics that the humans have to live and die under. A lot of thought and planing went into the space battles as they were totally realistic. I can not wait for the second book, just to start with this book again. This book was given to me at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 15, 2020
This book made my “Recommend” list which I reserve for books that I think someone who does not read that specific genre constantly would enjoy. It is definitely a war book based in space, but it also has lots of character development, politics (on an interstellar scale) and a decent amount of science/exploration.
The science portion of the book reminds me a lot of the Bobiverse series by Dennis E Taylor. (To be clear the humor seen in that series is not present in this book). Scott Olein Reid does a good job of taken into account how the speed of light can impact warfare as well as the advantages certain alien advantages can have a significant impact on a battle and a war. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The narration from January Saxon did a lot to add to the story, The inflection he was able to produce helped put you right in the middle of the story and there was never a point where the audio took you out of your willful suspension of belief.
TLDR: If you like Space/war or political stories you will enjoy this book. I cannot wait for the second in the series to come out. There is a lot we still do not know.
The science portion of the book reminds me a lot of the Bobiverse series by Dennis E Taylor. (To be clear the humor seen in that series is not present in this book). Scott Olein Reid does a good job of taken into account how the speed of light can impact warfare as well as the advantages certain alien advantages can have a significant impact on a battle and a war. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The narration from January Saxon did a lot to add to the story, The inflection he was able to produce helped put you right in the middle of the story and there was never a point where the audio took you out of your willful suspension of belief.
TLDR: If you like Space/war or political stories you will enjoy this book. I cannot wait for the second in the series to come out. There is a lot we still do not know.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews