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Saving Paludis
Finalist in the Readers’ Favorite 2018 International Book Awards.
At the very edge of mankind’s cosmic reach, a small planet threatens Earth with extinction…
Stefan Lattanzis never expected his planet to become a battlefield, nor Earth for that matter. But when scientists from Paludis share a technological breakthrough with the mother planet, peace swiftly turns into deadly conflict. The downtrodden alien population, mistreated for centuries, seize their chance, and a desperate human cult has a sinister agenda of its own.
To save his precious home world, Stefan must team with two strangers, a botanist and a mysterious seer. They must trust in each other to prevent the newly-emerged forces from destroying Paludis, and forging a dystopia from which they could never return. But how will they defeat the might of Earth?
Saving Paludis is an electrifying sci-fi thrill-ride. If you like futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and high-octane, paranormal action, then you’ll love this incredible interstellar adventure!
Saving Paludis is a wonderfully intelligent, creative and superbly written book. Quite often I struggle with the ‘world building’ element that accompanies this genre. But not in this case. The author is clearly highly skilled in bringing alien races, otherworldly technology and distant planets to life with such clarity that the reader cannot fail to be impressed.
Lynne Barnes: Barnsey’s Books
This is a thought provoking book on many levels, who has intrinsic rights, what makes one superior over another, who really has control? There is a lot to ponder in this well-conceived and exciting story. Highly recommend.
Vine Voice
At the very edge of mankind’s cosmic reach, a small planet threatens Earth with extinction…
Stefan Lattanzis never expected his planet to become a battlefield, nor Earth for that matter. But when scientists from Paludis share a technological breakthrough with the mother planet, peace swiftly turns into deadly conflict. The downtrodden alien population, mistreated for centuries, seize their chance, and a desperate human cult has a sinister agenda of its own.
To save his precious home world, Stefan must team with two strangers, a botanist and a mysterious seer. They must trust in each other to prevent the newly-emerged forces from destroying Paludis, and forging a dystopia from which they could never return. But how will they defeat the might of Earth?
Saving Paludis is an electrifying sci-fi thrill-ride. If you like futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and high-octane, paranormal action, then you’ll love this incredible interstellar adventure!
Saving Paludis is a wonderfully intelligent, creative and superbly written book. Quite often I struggle with the ‘world building’ element that accompanies this genre. But not in this case. The author is clearly highly skilled in bringing alien races, otherworldly technology and distant planets to life with such clarity that the reader cannot fail to be impressed.
Lynne Barnes: Barnsey’s Books
This is a thought provoking book on many levels, who has intrinsic rights, what makes one superior over another, who really has control? There is a lot to ponder in this well-conceived and exciting story. Highly recommend.
Vine Voice
- GenresScience Fiction
435 pages, ebook
Published June 8, 2018
32 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Clayton Graham
10 books298 followersAs a youngster Clayton read a lot of science fiction. He loved the ‘old-school’ masters such as HG Wells, Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov, and John Wyndham. An award-winning author of science fiction novels, he has received many book awards including Author’s Show ‘50 great writers you should be reading’, Readers’ Favorite International Award finalist, and Book Excellence Awards finalist.
A background in aerospace engineering encourages his thoughts to surge skyward well beyond our universe. He delights in creating fantastic new worlds and the intriguing beings that inhabit them.
Clayton loves animals, including well-behaved pets, and all the natural world. He would likely love well-behaved alien animals, too!
You can follow Clayton on Facebook, X or Bluesky and check out his books and blog on his website.
A background in aerospace engineering encourages his thoughts to surge skyward well beyond our universe. He delights in creating fantastic new worlds and the intriguing beings that inhabit them.
Clayton loves animals, including well-behaved pets, and all the natural world. He would likely love well-behaved alien animals, too!
You can follow Clayton on Facebook, X or Bluesky and check out his books and blog on his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 20, 2020
I'd like to thank the author for the ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Striving, Sacrifice, Dedication, Revenge, Dominance, Power... so very human!
A very solid world building with realism and a plausible reflection of human dominance within an alien planet, it’s in their genes, to colonize and dominate, in this case isolate the aliens, treat them disrespectfully, a concept well known in our history. The story building in the early stages of the plot, the many different scenes and outcomes from the humans and aliens side moves forward at a slow tempo...a sudden human discovery, the mystic appearance of the aliens, their stories intertwines with exciting twists and impressive and surprising turns, building up a crescendo not expected at all. The characters' in-depth within their surroundings brings up very thoughtful philosophical questions. I enjoyed reading it tremendously, fast paced, lots of action/ adventure, loved the bridge travel concept, the technology described effectively and comprehensive.
A novel for readers who like to think, and not only for the intrepid action. I definitely recommend this book!
Striving, Sacrifice, Dedication, Revenge, Dominance, Power... so very human!
A very solid world building with realism and a plausible reflection of human dominance within an alien planet, it’s in their genes, to colonize and dominate, in this case isolate the aliens, treat them disrespectfully, a concept well known in our history. The story building in the early stages of the plot, the many different scenes and outcomes from the humans and aliens side moves forward at a slow tempo...a sudden human discovery, the mystic appearance of the aliens, their stories intertwines with exciting twists and impressive and surprising turns, building up a crescendo not expected at all. The characters' in-depth within their surroundings brings up very thoughtful philosophical questions. I enjoyed reading it tremendously, fast paced, lots of action/ adventure, loved the bridge travel concept, the technology described effectively and comprehensive.
A novel for readers who like to think, and not only for the intrepid action. I definitely recommend this book!
August 1, 2022
A ground-breaking start to what could be an extremely popular series. The end is almost unlimited for this story. A smart streaming service would be lining up now to ink this project for a long-term series. Few first books provide such a basis of a story that this does.
The world-building is incredible. The author not only creates an entirely new world but a new world order. It is interesting to see Earth as the interstellar bad guy. The mind doesn't have to wander far to see a parallel to man simply destroying his own planet to Earth destroying galaxies for their own wants and needs.
The detailed description of what happened to the people of Paludis is eerie. A mind cannot help but see the similarity to how 'The West Was Won'. The Muskans were once millions of people but now barely 200,000 and live in a tiny cordoned-off area. The Natives of North America were in the millions before disease arrived to devastate them. Then as America moved West, their numbers dwindled and they ended up on tiny reservations. Without meaning to, the author has genuinely created a world that mirrors 19th century US.
A powerful beginning that will capture the attention of all readers of sci-fi. This book will appeal to any outer space fiction fan whether you are solo or JLP camp. Once you start reading, you have to keep going to see what will happen next. The world will be eager for book two.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
The world-building is incredible. The author not only creates an entirely new world but a new world order. It is interesting to see Earth as the interstellar bad guy. The mind doesn't have to wander far to see a parallel to man simply destroying his own planet to Earth destroying galaxies for their own wants and needs.
The detailed description of what happened to the people of Paludis is eerie. A mind cannot help but see the similarity to how 'The West Was Won'. The Muskans were once millions of people but now barely 200,000 and live in a tiny cordoned-off area. The Natives of North America were in the millions before disease arrived to devastate them. Then as America moved West, their numbers dwindled and they ended up on tiny reservations. Without meaning to, the author has genuinely created a world that mirrors 19th century US.
A powerful beginning that will capture the attention of all readers of sci-fi. This book will appeal to any outer space fiction fan whether you are solo or JLP camp. Once you start reading, you have to keep going to see what will happen next. The world will be eager for book two.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
August 12, 2018
This is the second book I've read by this author, and I must say, he does not disappoint. The writing style was top-notch, the world-building fascinating, and the characters likeable.
And like all good science fiction, it got me thinking about the future of mankind. If you don't mind too much, I think that's where I'll focus my attention in this review.
This book, being futuristic sci-fi, envisions a future in which technology has expanded beyond what we, in our current world, can even imagine. And that technology has had an impact on the culture of the times. There were parts of the book in which I found myself agreeing with the author's vision, and there were parts in which I disagreed. Don't get me wrong. I don't consider the parts I disagreed with to be plot holes. This is a well-thought-out book. It's just that the future can go in many different directions, and the one I picture is, in some areas, a little different from what the author shows us in Saving Paludis.
First of all, I sincerely hope that we have learned enough from our own history to avoid tragic situations like the one that exists on Paludis with regard to relations between the humans and the Muskans. I hope that, should we ever encounter other intelligent life out there in the universe, we can treat it with dignity and respect, rather than seeing an enemy to be conquered. But, of course, we are only human, and humans are flawed by nature, so its highly possible that history could repeat itself.
I also found myself thinking a great deal about the use of technology in everyday life, particularly with regard to nutrition and reproduction. A lot of the sci-fi that came out in the 20th century envisioned a high-tech future, much like the one in this book, in which humanity has removed itself so far from the natural world that people have nearly forgotten how to live naturally. It's understandable that 20th century authors would see the future in that way. After all, it was a century of unprecedented technological advancement. However, in recent years the pendulum seems to be swinging in the opposite direction. Let me explain.
I was a kid in the 80s. I like to joke that 80s kids grew up in a science fiction movie. Our soup came out of a can. Our waffles came from the freezer. We drank Kool-Aid more often than we drank juice. For most of my life I thought I hated ravioli because I had only tasted the canned version. It wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I finally tasted the real thing and realized I actually loved the stuff.
Today, we're a lot more health-conscious than I think a lot of people were back then. We don't want to feed our kids three canned meals a day. We want to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. We intentionally seek out free-range eggs. The locavore movement has spawned it's own counter-culture. I can't help but wonder if this trend will continue as we go forward, with people turning away from technology and toward the natural when it comes to what we put in our mouths.
Likewise, human reproduction. While I don't doubt that many women would choose to avoid the pain of childbirth, I somehow doubt all of womankind would forego the unique experience of getting to carry a child inside their very own bodies. And some women (I was one of these) actually choose the pain of childbirth over the drugs and interventions available today. The natural birth movement is much like the natural food movement. It began as a reaction against some of the unhealthy practices which became popular in the 20th century, like drugging women to the point of unconsciousness and delivering babies with forceps. We took a huge swing in the assisted birth direction, and now the pendulum is moving back the other way. My natural inclination is the see the trend continuing far into the future.
Again, do not misunderstand me. None of this is meant as a critique of the book. Actually, the fact that the book got me pondering all these things is a testament to the quality of storytelling. Saving Paludis is much more than a light-hearted romp through the cosmos. It's a well-drawn book with a level of depth that took me pleasantly by surprise.
And like all good science fiction, it got me thinking about the future of mankind. If you don't mind too much, I think that's where I'll focus my attention in this review.
This book, being futuristic sci-fi, envisions a future in which technology has expanded beyond what we, in our current world, can even imagine. And that technology has had an impact on the culture of the times. There were parts of the book in which I found myself agreeing with the author's vision, and there were parts in which I disagreed. Don't get me wrong. I don't consider the parts I disagreed with to be plot holes. This is a well-thought-out book. It's just that the future can go in many different directions, and the one I picture is, in some areas, a little different from what the author shows us in Saving Paludis.
First of all, I sincerely hope that we have learned enough from our own history to avoid tragic situations like the one that exists on Paludis with regard to relations between the humans and the Muskans. I hope that, should we ever encounter other intelligent life out there in the universe, we can treat it with dignity and respect, rather than seeing an enemy to be conquered. But, of course, we are only human, and humans are flawed by nature, so its highly possible that history could repeat itself.
I also found myself thinking a great deal about the use of technology in everyday life, particularly with regard to nutrition and reproduction. A lot of the sci-fi that came out in the 20th century envisioned a high-tech future, much like the one in this book, in which humanity has removed itself so far from the natural world that people have nearly forgotten how to live naturally. It's understandable that 20th century authors would see the future in that way. After all, it was a century of unprecedented technological advancement. However, in recent years the pendulum seems to be swinging in the opposite direction. Let me explain.
I was a kid in the 80s. I like to joke that 80s kids grew up in a science fiction movie. Our soup came out of a can. Our waffles came from the freezer. We drank Kool-Aid more often than we drank juice. For most of my life I thought I hated ravioli because I had only tasted the canned version. It wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I finally tasted the real thing and realized I actually loved the stuff.
Today, we're a lot more health-conscious than I think a lot of people were back then. We don't want to feed our kids three canned meals a day. We want to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. We intentionally seek out free-range eggs. The locavore movement has spawned it's own counter-culture. I can't help but wonder if this trend will continue as we go forward, with people turning away from technology and toward the natural when it comes to what we put in our mouths.
Likewise, human reproduction. While I don't doubt that many women would choose to avoid the pain of childbirth, I somehow doubt all of womankind would forego the unique experience of getting to carry a child inside their very own bodies. And some women (I was one of these) actually choose the pain of childbirth over the drugs and interventions available today. The natural birth movement is much like the natural food movement. It began as a reaction against some of the unhealthy practices which became popular in the 20th century, like drugging women to the point of unconsciousness and delivering babies with forceps. We took a huge swing in the assisted birth direction, and now the pendulum is moving back the other way. My natural inclination is the see the trend continuing far into the future.
Again, do not misunderstand me. None of this is meant as a critique of the book. Actually, the fact that the book got me pondering all these things is a testament to the quality of storytelling. Saving Paludis is much more than a light-hearted romp through the cosmos. It's a well-drawn book with a level of depth that took me pleasantly by surprise.
June 19, 2018
Publishing Date: June 2018
Publisher: Books Go Social
ISBN:9780994495631
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher’s Description: To keep his home world alive, Stefan must team with two strangers, a botanist and a mysterious seer. As embattled factions vie for control of the universe, the trio must trust in each other to keep the new technology from ripping time and space apart. Saving Paludis is an electrifying sci-fi thrill-ride. If you like futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and high-octane, paranormal action, then you’ll love Clayton Graham’s interstellar adventure!
Review: This was some hard SciFi where it embraced the premise of alien life on a conquered world and the technology used to overcome interstellar distances. Initially, the aliens played well in this universe as the perspective was rendered as it should be….wholly without humanistic forms of expression. The native life on Palludis was interesting but never wandered far from the Earth norm. The characters evolved nicely with the movement (generally) and the few that stood out were entertaining.
“So why you no give 5 stars!!?”. The aliens became not that “alien” as the novel progressed and reverted to brandishing humanistic reactions to emotionally charged situations. They just dd not come off as alien as the story line progressed. The flora and fauna were not expounded upon to lend the planet the “alien-ess” that it needed. A big lizard that can be tamed and some kelp just about rounded up the all the weird that the planet had to offer.
What really nose dived this novel from 4 to 3 stars was Clare. Oh my fuk, what a turkey. She is not only speshul by way of brains and hotness level, she was singled out by the evil empire to spy on Palludis unbeknownst to, well …herself. Captain Stefan has a space boner for her and she wants to be compliant but is/was currently having her brain purged while fending off various men from raping her (because she is so hot). She is in a constant state of helpless bewilderment but seems to find her spine when there is no man to cling to. She starts to snivel and whine when guns are either mentioned or brandished and always manages to muster the strength for action when in this enduring state of frailty. So good job author of tanking a really promising piece of work with one lame character.
You can read all of my reviews, here.
Publisher: Books Go Social
ISBN:9780994495631
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 3.2/5
Publisher’s Description: To keep his home world alive, Stefan must team with two strangers, a botanist and a mysterious seer. As embattled factions vie for control of the universe, the trio must trust in each other to keep the new technology from ripping time and space apart. Saving Paludis is an electrifying sci-fi thrill-ride. If you like futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and high-octane, paranormal action, then you’ll love Clayton Graham’s interstellar adventure!
Review: This was some hard SciFi where it embraced the premise of alien life on a conquered world and the technology used to overcome interstellar distances. Initially, the aliens played well in this universe as the perspective was rendered as it should be….wholly without humanistic forms of expression. The native life on Palludis was interesting but never wandered far from the Earth norm. The characters evolved nicely with the movement (generally) and the few that stood out were entertaining.
“So why you no give 5 stars!!?”. The aliens became not that “alien” as the novel progressed and reverted to brandishing humanistic reactions to emotionally charged situations. They just dd not come off as alien as the story line progressed. The flora and fauna were not expounded upon to lend the planet the “alien-ess” that it needed. A big lizard that can be tamed and some kelp just about rounded up the all the weird that the planet had to offer.
What really nose dived this novel from 4 to 3 stars was Clare. Oh my fuk, what a turkey. She is not only speshul by way of brains and hotness level, she was singled out by the evil empire to spy on Palludis unbeknownst to, well …herself. Captain Stefan has a space boner for her and she wants to be compliant but is/was currently having her brain purged while fending off various men from raping her (because she is so hot). She is in a constant state of helpless bewilderment but seems to find her spine when there is no man to cling to. She starts to snivel and whine when guns are either mentioned or brandished and always manages to muster the strength for action when in this enduring state of frailty. So good job author of tanking a really promising piece of work with one lame character.
You can read all of my reviews, here.
June 4, 2018
Firstly, let me state for the record that Science Fiction isn't something I particularly read a lot of. I tend to dip my toes in sporadically when I'm approached for a review in this genre. Which is exactly what happened with Clayton Graham's first book, Milijun, back in early 2017. I was so enamored with his stunning debut that I readily agreed to review his second full-length novel, Saving Paludis.
Saving Paludis is a wonderfully intelligent, creative and superbly written book. Quite often I struggle with the 'world building' element that accompanies this genre. But not in this case. The author is clearly highly skilled in bringing alien races, otherworldly technology and distant planets to life with such clarity that the reader cannot fail to be impressed.
The book deals with many issues but namely conflict, camaraderie, coexistence, tragedy and loss. The plot moves along at a good pace and each character is given depth and personality. Descriptions are detailed and beautifully written. In fact, by the end, I felt as if I'd witnessed an interstellar adventure of truly epic proportions.
* My thanks to author Clayton Graham for providing me with a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2kLWdqN
Saving Paludis is a wonderfully intelligent, creative and superbly written book. Quite often I struggle with the 'world building' element that accompanies this genre. But not in this case. The author is clearly highly skilled in bringing alien races, otherworldly technology and distant planets to life with such clarity that the reader cannot fail to be impressed.
The book deals with many issues but namely conflict, camaraderie, coexistence, tragedy and loss. The plot moves along at a good pace and each character is given depth and personality. Descriptions are detailed and beautifully written. In fact, by the end, I felt as if I'd witnessed an interstellar adventure of truly epic proportions.
* My thanks to author Clayton Graham for providing me with a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2kLWdqN
November 13, 2018
Entertaining and fun to read
This is a scifi adventure built around a distant planet, Paludis, colonised by aliens (humans) facing a destructive war. It reminded me of the movie 'Avatar' in which the humans decimated the indigenous population of Pandora to mine unobtanium, and a small group of humans help the locals to fight back. If you liked 'Avatar' and I did, you'll like this story. The story is well written and well-described world that explores issues around man's inhumanity to others. There are a lot of interesting characters to keep a hold of so I had to concentrate a bit more. The story is a little confusing to begin with but soon settles down to provide a great read. Recommended.
This is a scifi adventure built around a distant planet, Paludis, colonised by aliens (humans) facing a destructive war. It reminded me of the movie 'Avatar' in which the humans decimated the indigenous population of Pandora to mine unobtanium, and a small group of humans help the locals to fight back. If you liked 'Avatar' and I did, you'll like this story. The story is well written and well-described world that explores issues around man's inhumanity to others. There are a lot of interesting characters to keep a hold of so I had to concentrate a bit more. The story is a little confusing to begin with but soon settles down to provide a great read. Recommended.
August 5, 2018
"Saving Paludis" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Clayton Graham (https://claytongraham.com.au). Mr. Graham has published two novels.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future where humanity has spread across the stars. The primary character is Police agent Stefan Lattanzis.
The scientists on the planet Paludis have made a discovery that will affect all of mankind - a drug that will put humans to sleep for days, even months at a time, and which will slow down aging while they sleep. Now as Paludis begins to grow in power, Earth begins to see it as a threat to its domination human space.
Lattanzis and a few close friends must try to save the planet both from their own politicians who want to take advantage of the power the drug brings Paludis, as well as the Earth forces sent to bring Paludis to heel. Complicating this, and acting as an excuse for Earth to take action, is a series of attacks on Earth that have been traced back to Paludis.
I thought that his was an interesting 10+ hours spent reading this 435 page science fiction novel. The story has a much broader scope than most, covering several months of time. While I like the basic plot, I really felt that the implementation was a little weak and the characters mostly one dimensional. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future where humanity has spread across the stars. The primary character is Police agent Stefan Lattanzis.
The scientists on the planet Paludis have made a discovery that will affect all of mankind - a drug that will put humans to sleep for days, even months at a time, and which will slow down aging while they sleep. Now as Paludis begins to grow in power, Earth begins to see it as a threat to its domination human space.
Lattanzis and a few close friends must try to save the planet both from their own politicians who want to take advantage of the power the drug brings Paludis, as well as the Earth forces sent to bring Paludis to heel. Complicating this, and acting as an excuse for Earth to take action, is a series of attacks on Earth that have been traced back to Paludis.
I thought that his was an interesting 10+ hours spent reading this 435 page science fiction novel. The story has a much broader scope than most, covering several months of time. While I like the basic plot, I really felt that the implementation was a little weak and the characters mostly one dimensional. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
November 9, 2018
Saving Paludis was a sci-fi novel unlike any other I'd read. Earth has been settling on various planets for the past few hundred years, their relations with the natives of the planet Paludis (called Musk by the natives) being poor indeed.
War begins to breaks out between Paludis and Earth and it's difficult to tell who to blame.
A variety of intriguing characters settle on the pages, my favourite being Claire. I found her to be really brave despite the difficult circumstances she found herself in.
If you're looking for unmatched world-building, then the author has you covered. They've put so much thoughtful detail into the world of Paludis that it's hard not to imagine it as a real place.
This is a wonderful novel for sci-fi fans that will hopefully kindle your imagination.
War begins to breaks out between Paludis and Earth and it's difficult to tell who to blame.
A variety of intriguing characters settle on the pages, my favourite being Claire. I found her to be really brave despite the difficult circumstances she found herself in.
If you're looking for unmatched world-building, then the author has you covered. They've put so much thoughtful detail into the world of Paludis that it's hard not to imagine it as a real place.
This is a wonderful novel for sci-fi fans that will hopefully kindle your imagination.
February 28, 2019
Saving Paludis by creative author Clayton Graham is a well designed and developed science fiction novel.
The story is based sometime in the distant future. Paludis is a planet colonized by Earth.
A technological breakthrough provides the Paludis' earth dwellers with an additional source of income. However, a desperate human cult, and other negative factors threaten to disrupt the entire planet with a war between Paludis and Earth.
The cast of characters is a diverse lot and the author does a good job of showcasing their strengths and weaknesses.
If you are an ardent science fiction lover, you’ll love Saving Paludis with its futuristic technology and alien political intrigue.
The book was a Finalist in the Readers’ Favorite 2018 International Book Awards.
The story is based sometime in the distant future. Paludis is a planet colonized by Earth.
A technological breakthrough provides the Paludis' earth dwellers with an additional source of income. However, a desperate human cult, and other negative factors threaten to disrupt the entire planet with a war between Paludis and Earth.
The cast of characters is a diverse lot and the author does a good job of showcasing their strengths and weaknesses.
If you are an ardent science fiction lover, you’ll love Saving Paludis with its futuristic technology and alien political intrigue.
The book was a Finalist in the Readers’ Favorite 2018 International Book Awards.
July 20, 2018
Saving Paludis begins the futuristic tale of a planet we have taken over and began to strip of its inhabitants and natural resources. As one coveted mineral is becoming limited, officials decide to harvest a kelp that induces a natural sleep. Clayton Graham skillfully designs a web of events that lead to a central plot. People and aliens are disappearing. Equipment is being misplaced. And a police agent, botanist, and an alien seer team together to unfold the mysteries, hopefully before a war breaks out.
I found Clayton Graham a master of details and mystique. He keeps this science-fiction going at a fast pace while building up the intensity. Saving Paludis has everything a Sci/Fi reader is looking for and will not disappoint those who are just looking for an adventure.
I found Clayton Graham a master of details and mystique. He keeps this science-fiction going at a fast pace while building up the intensity. Saving Paludis has everything a Sci/Fi reader is looking for and will not disappoint those who are just looking for an adventure.
October 26, 2025
Five Stars – A Captivating Sci-Fi Adventure You Won’t Forget!
I absolutely loved Saving Paludis! From the very first page, the story pulled me into a thrilling world at the edge of humanity’s cosmic frontier. The plot is gripping, with high stakes as Paludis faces possible extinction and Stefan Lattanzis is swept into an intense battle to save his home. The author masterfully weaves together futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and paranormal elements into a truly electrifying adventure.
What really stands out is the world-building. It’s vivid and immersive—every alien race and distant planet jumps off the page. The characters, especially Stefan and his unlikely allies, are well-developed and relatable. Their journey is filled with action, suspense, and moments that made me stop and think about deeper issues like power, control, and the rights of different civilizations.
This book isn’t just a fast-paced sci-fi thrill ride; it’s also thought-provoking and intelligently written. If you enjoy stories with complex societies, surprising twists, and creative technology, you’ll love this one. I highly recommend Saving Paludis to any science fiction fan. It’s an unforgettable read and definitely deserves five stars!
I absolutely loved Saving Paludis! From the very first page, the story pulled me into a thrilling world at the edge of humanity’s cosmic frontier. The plot is gripping, with high stakes as Paludis faces possible extinction and Stefan Lattanzis is swept into an intense battle to save his home. The author masterfully weaves together futuristic technology, alien political intrigue, and paranormal elements into a truly electrifying adventure.
What really stands out is the world-building. It’s vivid and immersive—every alien race and distant planet jumps off the page. The characters, especially Stefan and his unlikely allies, are well-developed and relatable. Their journey is filled with action, suspense, and moments that made me stop and think about deeper issues like power, control, and the rights of different civilizations.
This book isn’t just a fast-paced sci-fi thrill ride; it’s also thought-provoking and intelligently written. If you enjoy stories with complex societies, surprising twists, and creative technology, you’ll love this one. I highly recommend Saving Paludis to any science fiction fan. It’s an unforgettable read and definitely deserves five stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2018
Saving Paludis by Clayton Graham is a perfect example of science fiction done right. This is what you look for when searching for the perfect science fiction; it simply has it all, tension, aliens, colonization, and classic science fiction elements that wrap neatly together to create a cohesive book. In the far off future, Earth is looking to further explore and colonize. With new discoveries come advancements of all kinds, new medicines, and frontiers that beckon. There is plenty of turmoil as Earth's ships are ravaged from the sky, and war begins. Paludis is the planet taken over by humans, while the native Muskans must protect themselves. This is somewhat a reversal of a typical alien takeover, whereby here, the humans are the ones invading, and can be seen as being alien to Paludis. A different spin, and wholly unexpected. This is a thought provoking book on many levels, who has intrinsic rights, what makes one superior over another, who really has control? There is a lot to ponder in this well conceived and exciting story. Highly recommend.
June 4, 2018
Full disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author, however, have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Saving Paludis is scheduled for a June 8, 2018 release
Colonization or Invasion?
In a distant future with a united Earth branching out to into the universe for exploration and settlement, a discovery is made on a distant planet that could revolutionize life. Having established a settlement on distant Paludis, the scientists at Tanberg university start to develop a sleeping pill mined from the kelp in the planet’s ocean. With endless possibilities for good and ill, tensions mount when Earth ships start being shot out of the sky. As the mother planet retaliates, the residents of Paludis find themselves perilously close to an intergalactic war that they will not survive. With the danger escalating and more acts of aggression are perpetrated, a small group of people set out to locate a pair of missing scientists and a native Muskan that could hold the answers to saving Paludis from utter destruction.
Saving Paludis is the new book by author Clayton Graham and definitely fits the description of a Science Fiction Adventure. With the main action taking place on Paludis, a distant planet that has been colonized by Earth, the reader experiences a world that is similar enough to the mother planet that the humans can move freely. As the Earthlings branch out in this new planet, their advancements come at the expense of the native Muskan species who have all but been relegated to an isolated peninsula. I got the distinct impression that Saving Paludis could easily also be called an "alien invasion" type of novel, only the humans are the aliens doing the invading. This definitely puts a new perspective on the story. On the surface, Saving Paludis is what I would consider heavy Science Fiction, and I’ll admit that it took me a bit to settle in and really start to enjoy this novel. With talk of Einstein Rosen bridges, light years and other terminology that is best found in a Star Trek episode it took me a while to wrap my “non-Trekkie” brain around the concepts. Even with the additional challenge of reading a title slightly out of my genre, I still enjoyed the story and will definitely recommend it to my harder Science Fiction inclined friends.
Saving Paludis is scheduled for a June 8, 2018 release
Colonization or Invasion?
In a distant future with a united Earth branching out to into the universe for exploration and settlement, a discovery is made on a distant planet that could revolutionize life. Having established a settlement on distant Paludis, the scientists at Tanberg university start to develop a sleeping pill mined from the kelp in the planet’s ocean. With endless possibilities for good and ill, tensions mount when Earth ships start being shot out of the sky. As the mother planet retaliates, the residents of Paludis find themselves perilously close to an intergalactic war that they will not survive. With the danger escalating and more acts of aggression are perpetrated, a small group of people set out to locate a pair of missing scientists and a native Muskan that could hold the answers to saving Paludis from utter destruction.
Saving Paludis is the new book by author Clayton Graham and definitely fits the description of a Science Fiction Adventure. With the main action taking place on Paludis, a distant planet that has been colonized by Earth, the reader experiences a world that is similar enough to the mother planet that the humans can move freely. As the Earthlings branch out in this new planet, their advancements come at the expense of the native Muskan species who have all but been relegated to an isolated peninsula. I got the distinct impression that Saving Paludis could easily also be called an "alien invasion" type of novel, only the humans are the aliens doing the invading. This definitely puts a new perspective on the story. On the surface, Saving Paludis is what I would consider heavy Science Fiction, and I’ll admit that it took me a bit to settle in and really start to enjoy this novel. With talk of Einstein Rosen bridges, light years and other terminology that is best found in a Star Trek episode it took me a while to wrap my “non-Trekkie” brain around the concepts. Even with the additional challenge of reading a title slightly out of my genre, I still enjoyed the story and will definitely recommend it to my harder Science Fiction inclined friends.
June 2, 2018
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
Saving Paludis by Clayton Graham takes are far into the future and far out into the cosmos. Man has developed a device known as, an Einstein-Rosen bridge, which finally allows him to conquer the vast distances of the Universe. With this, technological advancement human-kind has spread out across the cosmos and conquered many planets, for their own resources, including Paludis. Paludis, which has mainly been used for mining bauxite, has now come up with a fantastic new invention, a sleeping pill that will allow humans to explore even deeper into the cosmos, whilst the pioneers sleep away the immense time and distance. When Earth is attacked and the source of the attack is pinpointed as Paludis, the logical assumption is that this is about control of the most important discovery of the generations – the sleeper. Nobody suspects the subjugated and technologically deprived natives of Paludis, the Muskan’s, to be responsible for the attacks on earth – but could they be?
I found Saving Paludis to be good, solid, Science Fiction fare, with some interesting and relevant comments to be made on issues such as inter-species breeding, man’s natural arrogance, and indeed man’s inherent greed and sense of entitlement. Perhaps it's just me, but I could almost picture some of the characters wearing a MEGA (Make Earth Great Again) cap, I thought Clayton Graham presented us with a fast-moving, action-packed adventure that shied away from being too technical, or too geeky, which is exactly how I prefer my Science Fiction. At its core this novel is an action/adventure and as such had a complicated and twisty plot that at times threatened to drown the reader in its intricacies. The fast-paced nature of the story left less room for character development than I would have liked, however I accept that is the nature of the beast. If you are a fan of Science Fiction, of strange worlds, with fantastic inhabitants and aliens, then Saving Paludis will be a really satisfying read for you. It is nothing pretentious, just a good old-fashioned space adventure, set on a foreign world.
Saving Paludis by Clayton Graham takes are far into the future and far out into the cosmos. Man has developed a device known as, an Einstein-Rosen bridge, which finally allows him to conquer the vast distances of the Universe. With this, technological advancement human-kind has spread out across the cosmos and conquered many planets, for their own resources, including Paludis. Paludis, which has mainly been used for mining bauxite, has now come up with a fantastic new invention, a sleeping pill that will allow humans to explore even deeper into the cosmos, whilst the pioneers sleep away the immense time and distance. When Earth is attacked and the source of the attack is pinpointed as Paludis, the logical assumption is that this is about control of the most important discovery of the generations – the sleeper. Nobody suspects the subjugated and technologically deprived natives of Paludis, the Muskan’s, to be responsible for the attacks on earth – but could they be?
I found Saving Paludis to be good, solid, Science Fiction fare, with some interesting and relevant comments to be made on issues such as inter-species breeding, man’s natural arrogance, and indeed man’s inherent greed and sense of entitlement. Perhaps it's just me, but I could almost picture some of the characters wearing a MEGA (Make Earth Great Again) cap, I thought Clayton Graham presented us with a fast-moving, action-packed adventure that shied away from being too technical, or too geeky, which is exactly how I prefer my Science Fiction. At its core this novel is an action/adventure and as such had a complicated and twisty plot that at times threatened to drown the reader in its intricacies. The fast-paced nature of the story left less room for character development than I would have liked, however I accept that is the nature of the beast. If you are a fan of Science Fiction, of strange worlds, with fantastic inhabitants and aliens, then Saving Paludis will be a really satisfying read for you. It is nothing pretentious, just a good old-fashioned space adventure, set on a foreign world.
June 8, 2018
Scientists from Paludis share a technological breakthrough with the Earth authorities the planet becomes a battlefield which is quickly escalating. Plus there is local aliens with their own agenda and a secret human cult is also planning to exploit the technology. Suddenly the planet becomes a battlefield. Stefan Lattanzis is a police agent and he needs to team up with a botanist and a seer in order through trust to stop the parties ripping space and time apart.
There was some serious world building in this story which painted a detailed picture of the places, characters, situations and emotions involved in this complex tale of worlds, technology and human nature. It was a salutary tale of what greed can do to people and the extent their behaviour will either sink low or become something of legend. I think so many of the themes in this story have equivalents in today's world and is like the modern science fiction version of a morality tale. It was very well written and enjoyable.
There was some serious world building in this story which painted a detailed picture of the places, characters, situations and emotions involved in this complex tale of worlds, technology and human nature. It was a salutary tale of what greed can do to people and the extent their behaviour will either sink low or become something of legend. I think so many of the themes in this story have equivalents in today's world and is like the modern science fiction version of a morality tale. It was very well written and enjoyable.
June 6, 2018
This was an interesting read. Humans have created space bridges to travel further around the universe and this book concentrates on the planet of Paludis, called Musk by the natives, which has been colonised by humans and other species. The natives of Paludis, called Muskans, have been forced to just one small area of the planet by man and are not exactly happy with the situation. The natives are restricted by walls and ocean and live a very basic life.
Humans can travel back to Earth or to the planet’s moon, where mining for minerals is undertaken. An important discovery is found by scientists working on the planet and this starts a war, with others wanting what has been developed on the planet. Those in charge of the new technology have shared it with Earth and then disappeared.
Police agent Stefan is sent to investigate matters and gets mixed up with a Martian botanist, Clare, and a Seer, Serpentine, who lives in isolation out in the wilds. The son, Pas-Elno, of a local native, who went against their own rules and was exiled for a year from the native side of the planet, has also joined in the search as his father, Tak-Elno, has disappeared, when his exile was ended, he never came home!
This small group find themselves in great danger and are the targets from lots of different factions, from Earth, the moon and those on Paludis itself. Those with the technology could change the face of the universe and take total control of travel throughout the planetary systems.
Ancient teachings from the Muskan elders, help the Seer to find out more about the Muskan history and discover what they have also been doing. Why has Earth sent warships to Paludis, what has happened on Earth to start this war?
An interesting book, with the tales of colonisation and its effects on both the natives and those who colonise the planet or country. History has shown what has happened all over our world, where land has changed hands multiple times and countries defeated by those with the most power and strongest weapons. Lots happens in this book and you have a strange mix of different races coming together to save the planet, lots of intrigue, planetary politics and shows of power.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above. I would love to read more about Musk and the Muskans. A great read that I would recommend to others.
Humans can travel back to Earth or to the planet’s moon, where mining for minerals is undertaken. An important discovery is found by scientists working on the planet and this starts a war, with others wanting what has been developed on the planet. Those in charge of the new technology have shared it with Earth and then disappeared.
Police agent Stefan is sent to investigate matters and gets mixed up with a Martian botanist, Clare, and a Seer, Serpentine, who lives in isolation out in the wilds. The son, Pas-Elno, of a local native, who went against their own rules and was exiled for a year from the native side of the planet, has also joined in the search as his father, Tak-Elno, has disappeared, when his exile was ended, he never came home!
This small group find themselves in great danger and are the targets from lots of different factions, from Earth, the moon and those on Paludis itself. Those with the technology could change the face of the universe and take total control of travel throughout the planetary systems.
Ancient teachings from the Muskan elders, help the Seer to find out more about the Muskan history and discover what they have also been doing. Why has Earth sent warships to Paludis, what has happened on Earth to start this war?
An interesting book, with the tales of colonisation and its effects on both the natives and those who colonise the planet or country. History has shown what has happened all over our world, where land has changed hands multiple times and countries defeated by those with the most power and strongest weapons. Lots happens in this book and you have a strange mix of different races coming together to save the planet, lots of intrigue, planetary politics and shows of power.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above. I would love to read more about Musk and the Muskans. A great read that I would recommend to others.
June 4, 2018
Many light years from Earth, a colony planet, Paludis, is racked by economic instability in the aluminum market. At the same time, the indigenous native population has been marginalized by the fear and ignorance of humans and forcefully confined to a small isolated peninsula. This is the way Paludis has been for more than three-hundred years.
The natives are considered to be primitive “lizards” without appreciable technology. While the natives are not particularly sophisticated in terms humans would normally understand, they nevertheless possess deep spiritual roots and beliefs in the natural powers of their planet…to the point of limited interdimensional travel. The human population is clueless…until they develop a new product that will revolutionize space travel…but at the expense of the natural ocean ecosystem of Paludis.
As Earth becomes dependent on Paludis’ new product, it is suddenly racked by explained attacks that appear related to commerce with Paludis. Suddenly, Paludis finds itself facing war with Earth; accused of atrocities on Earth without any hint of how or why they should be blamed.
What follows is a rousing adventure full of personalities, heroes and people with dark agendas. An adventure where a whole planet faces destruction with no understanding why it stands accused. It is a story of madmen and madwomen parading as political leaders; and of faith and friends…and the destruction that can come from entrenched posturing between adversaries.
The characters are generally well developed for their roles and believable. The book is well written and the story well told…except that for the first few chapters I was enormously confused as the backstory was taking shape. Bear with the confusion, things eventually gel into an understandable storyline. It has been months since I sat up far into the wee hours of the morning reading, but I did so with this book.
Saving Paludis will definitely please sci-fi fans, many fantasy fans and just about anyone who loves action thrillers. Besides, it has an interesting twist that leaves a reader begging for a future story…at least it left me that way.
This book was provided free by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The above review represents my honest opinion of the book.
The natives are considered to be primitive “lizards” without appreciable technology. While the natives are not particularly sophisticated in terms humans would normally understand, they nevertheless possess deep spiritual roots and beliefs in the natural powers of their planet…to the point of limited interdimensional travel. The human population is clueless…until they develop a new product that will revolutionize space travel…but at the expense of the natural ocean ecosystem of Paludis.
As Earth becomes dependent on Paludis’ new product, it is suddenly racked by explained attacks that appear related to commerce with Paludis. Suddenly, Paludis finds itself facing war with Earth; accused of atrocities on Earth without any hint of how or why they should be blamed.
What follows is a rousing adventure full of personalities, heroes and people with dark agendas. An adventure where a whole planet faces destruction with no understanding why it stands accused. It is a story of madmen and madwomen parading as political leaders; and of faith and friends…and the destruction that can come from entrenched posturing between adversaries.
The characters are generally well developed for their roles and believable. The book is well written and the story well told…except that for the first few chapters I was enormously confused as the backstory was taking shape. Bear with the confusion, things eventually gel into an understandable storyline. It has been months since I sat up far into the wee hours of the morning reading, but I did so with this book.
Saving Paludis will definitely please sci-fi fans, many fantasy fans and just about anyone who loves action thrillers. Besides, it has an interesting twist that leaves a reader begging for a future story…at least it left me that way.
This book was provided free by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The above review represents my honest opinion of the book.
October 12, 2018
This straightforward sci-fi story is about a handful of individuals who eventually come together to try and rescue a planet (Paludis) from a combination of factions that are working towards its destruction. The narrative is somewhat unfocused at first, mostly due to the need to introduce most of the main players separately. However, aside from the occasional typo or odd word choice, it was a fairly readable book.
The aliens and their culture were very interesting, but they weren't really the story's main focus. They actually seemed to take a backseat to human issues throughout the story. Many of the characters are also a bit stereotypical, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I only had a problem with Clare because she acted a bit too wimpy and whiny for my tastes.
While she does (at least) attempt to get herself out of problematic situations, she is generally not responsible for her own rescue. She also spends too much time crying rather than kicking butt and taking names. I additionally found it a bit odd that she seemed to be a magnet for creepy, lecherous guys (with the designated hero Stefan being the one exception, of course).
I also kept expecting there to be a second set of aliens at play, underwater dwellers who were recently angered by the assault on the seaweed and subsequently behind the attacks on Earth. It would also make a logical reason that the local deity told the Muskan people to avoid going into the water. Unfortunately this was not the case, which was a little disappointing. The lack of any sort of plot twist does detract a bit from the story, but not significantly.
All in all, it really is a decent tale that's well worth the $3 Kindle price.
The aliens and their culture were very interesting, but they weren't really the story's main focus. They actually seemed to take a backseat to human issues throughout the story. Many of the characters are also a bit stereotypical, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I only had a problem with Clare because she acted a bit too wimpy and whiny for my tastes.
While she does (at least) attempt to get herself out of problematic situations, she is generally not responsible for her own rescue. She also spends too much time crying rather than kicking butt and taking names. I additionally found it a bit odd that she seemed to be a magnet for creepy, lecherous guys (with the designated hero Stefan being the one exception, of course).
I also kept expecting there to be a second set of aliens at play, underwater dwellers who were recently angered by the assault on the seaweed and subsequently behind the attacks on Earth. It would also make a logical reason that the local deity told the Muskan people to avoid going into the water. Unfortunately this was not the case, which was a little disappointing. The lack of any sort of plot twist does detract a bit from the story, but not significantly.
All in all, it really is a decent tale that's well worth the $3 Kindle price.
November 4, 2018
I didn’t like Saving Paludis, I loved it!
The book is about an intelligent reptilian indigenous species on a trade route planet that is conquered, interned, and discriminated against. Humans kill mass numbers of the native population when first arriving on the planet 300 years in the past and moved the survivors to a preserve in order to exploit the planet’s natural resources and to make way for human habitation. The plight of the American Indians came to mind as I read.
Later, with Paludis growing in economic importance, Earth attacks based on trumped-up charges and devastates the Paludis human population and their cities. Driving this attack was Earth’s fear of losing control over human Paludins. The war is ultimately won thanks to native reptilian Paludin ingenuity. The way to recovery from the planet’s scorched-earth damage now require the native Paludins and the human Paludins to work together.
While the storyline as basic as described, the book is not basic. It is filled with breathless suspense, puzzling mystery, and human emotion. One night, the suspense prevented me from putting the book down. Looking at the 1:30 am reading on the bedside clock display and reminding myself of upcoming next business day obligations, I closed the book. Putting ‘Saving Paludis’ down felt like giving up a race with the goal in sight.
Saving Paludis is not a quick read, but the pace of the writing belies its length. On finishing the book, I found myself wishing it were longer as I’m curious as to the struggles ahead when the natives and humans try to put aside their differences in order to build a more inclusive society. Hopefully, the author, Clayton Graham, has a sequel in the works.
The book is about an intelligent reptilian indigenous species on a trade route planet that is conquered, interned, and discriminated against. Humans kill mass numbers of the native population when first arriving on the planet 300 years in the past and moved the survivors to a preserve in order to exploit the planet’s natural resources and to make way for human habitation. The plight of the American Indians came to mind as I read.
Later, with Paludis growing in economic importance, Earth attacks based on trumped-up charges and devastates the Paludis human population and their cities. Driving this attack was Earth’s fear of losing control over human Paludins. The war is ultimately won thanks to native reptilian Paludin ingenuity. The way to recovery from the planet’s scorched-earth damage now require the native Paludins and the human Paludins to work together.
While the storyline as basic as described, the book is not basic. It is filled with breathless suspense, puzzling mystery, and human emotion. One night, the suspense prevented me from putting the book down. Looking at the 1:30 am reading on the bedside clock display and reminding myself of upcoming next business day obligations, I closed the book. Putting ‘Saving Paludis’ down felt like giving up a race with the goal in sight.
Saving Paludis is not a quick read, but the pace of the writing belies its length. On finishing the book, I found myself wishing it were longer as I’m curious as to the struggles ahead when the natives and humans try to put aside their differences in order to build a more inclusive society. Hopefully, the author, Clayton Graham, has a sequel in the works.
July 3, 2018
Intriguing, thought-provoking, insightful and entertaining
Saving Paludis is the masterful report of our possible future history. Centuries from now, when Earth has become over-exploited and over populated, humans do what they always have done - colonized new places. Paludis, now an Earth colony, sits on the far reaches of human exploration, orbiting a sun in the constellation Pisces. It's native sentients, Muskans, are a mere remnant of their former numbers, defeated, segregated behind a huge wall in their own "reservation." Humans think them inferior, stupid, primitive, and an obstacle to human hegemony on Paludis. Humans, of course, are wrong on all points - except the last. Clayton Graham tells this tale of history repeated and social evolution through the eyes of multiple characters - Muskan, Earth human, and Paludis human. Readers work a mental 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, as bits of information, snapshots of characters, video clips of events, and a pastiche of predictably conflicting goals and motivations finally coalesces into a coherent mural - the history of humanity redux, with a surprise twist at the end. Graham challenges us to raise our sights above our own species' well-trodden path, to see a future where the survival of humanity on other worlds may involve more adaptation of our species than we are comfortable with. This isn't a beach-read. It's riveting, it's puzzling, its hold on the reader is insidiously seductive - fans of speculative fiction/SF (as opposed to hard SF) will enjoy it to the max. I must thank AXP and the author for the ARC, and this 5-star review and recommendation is independent and uncompensated.
Saving Paludis is the masterful report of our possible future history. Centuries from now, when Earth has become over-exploited and over populated, humans do what they always have done - colonized new places. Paludis, now an Earth colony, sits on the far reaches of human exploration, orbiting a sun in the constellation Pisces. It's native sentients, Muskans, are a mere remnant of their former numbers, defeated, segregated behind a huge wall in their own "reservation." Humans think them inferior, stupid, primitive, and an obstacle to human hegemony on Paludis. Humans, of course, are wrong on all points - except the last. Clayton Graham tells this tale of history repeated and social evolution through the eyes of multiple characters - Muskan, Earth human, and Paludis human. Readers work a mental 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, as bits of information, snapshots of characters, video clips of events, and a pastiche of predictably conflicting goals and motivations finally coalesces into a coherent mural - the history of humanity redux, with a surprise twist at the end. Graham challenges us to raise our sights above our own species' well-trodden path, to see a future where the survival of humanity on other worlds may involve more adaptation of our species than we are comfortable with. This isn't a beach-read. It's riveting, it's puzzling, its hold on the reader is insidiously seductive - fans of speculative fiction/SF (as opposed to hard SF) will enjoy it to the max. I must thank AXP and the author for the ARC, and this 5-star review and recommendation is independent and uncompensated.
September 16, 2018
"Saving Palidis" will appeal to science fiction fans who are more interested in story than explaining the science behind it. In this far future, humans use 'bridges' to cross space and colonize new worlds with a vengeance, wreaking havoc on the native populations. Paludis is one such world. Its lizard-like inhabitants have been decimated, the survivors confined to a small isolated portion of the planet. These seemingly primitive spiritual people live in harmony with nature. However, unbeknownst to the humans occupying Paludis for the last 300 years, in exploring the underground caverns of the area to which they've been confined, the natives have happened upon a crystal-driven technology that bends time and space, which they use to launch unexplained destruction on Earth. Earth assumes the humans on Paludis are the cause and war ensues.
I found the opening chapters a bit confusing, but the concepts were intriguing enough to keep me reading and I'm glad I did it. The book is well-written with interesting and believable characters. Some of them are well-worth despising, others admirable. Humanity on a whole is painted darkly, with aliens who are far more human than most of the humans. A recommended read.
I found the opening chapters a bit confusing, but the concepts were intriguing enough to keep me reading and I'm glad I did it. The book is well-written with interesting and believable characters. Some of them are well-worth despising, others admirable. Humanity on a whole is painted darkly, with aliens who are far more human than most of the humans. A recommended read.
August 26, 2018
The most important component of any book is a story that you want to finish. Saving Paludis starts out by describing a planet where technically superior humans have been the aggressor, subjugating the natives in order to plunder the mineral wealth of the planet. It introduces a series of characters that appear somewhat separate, but their situations describe the state of play across Paludis.
From there we see how the humans (on Earth and on Paludis) spiral into a competition to see who can display the worst examples of the greed and stupidity that human's have repeatedly shown in the past, and, apparently will show in the future. It is this greed and stupidity is the weakness that can be manipulated by others for their own advantage.
There are a lot of characters to follow, and it takes some concentration to keep up with them all, but they all come together as the story comes to its conclusion.
Its a story that will keep you reading to find out what will happen, and who will come out of it alive.
From there we see how the humans (on Earth and on Paludis) spiral into a competition to see who can display the worst examples of the greed and stupidity that human's have repeatedly shown in the past, and, apparently will show in the future. It is this greed and stupidity is the weakness that can be manipulated by others for their own advantage.
There are a lot of characters to follow, and it takes some concentration to keep up with them all, but they all come together as the story comes to its conclusion.
Its a story that will keep you reading to find out what will happen, and who will come out of it alive.
November 13, 2018
“The new star will shine in the sky for many, many years, but it will not shine forever. When it becomes dust, only then will the Muskan people be free.”
As a reader who cut her teeth on Asimov, I was amazed at the story in Saving Paludis. This is true sci-fi that reflects our contemporary greed mentality: that humankind can just take what it needs and to heck with the consequences.Earth scientists have discovered a form of kelp on Paludis that can be used to make a sleeping pill. Their goal is to harvest all of it, and to heck with the indigenous species- the Muskan. Finally, someone decides this isn’t such a good idea and a small group of Earthers attempt to find two scientists and a Muskan in hopes of learning just what is going on.
A reverse “ethical”invasion sci-fi story? Count me in. This was a wonderful book, and I hope to see Clayton Graham in my queues for a long time to come. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
As a reader who cut her teeth on Asimov, I was amazed at the story in Saving Paludis. This is true sci-fi that reflects our contemporary greed mentality: that humankind can just take what it needs and to heck with the consequences.Earth scientists have discovered a form of kelp on Paludis that can be used to make a sleeping pill. Their goal is to harvest all of it, and to heck with the indigenous species- the Muskan. Finally, someone decides this isn’t such a good idea and a small group of Earthers attempt to find two scientists and a Muskan in hopes of learning just what is going on.
A reverse “ethical”invasion sci-fi story? Count me in. This was a wonderful book, and I hope to see Clayton Graham in my queues for a long time to come. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
February 28, 2019
Saving Paludis is a futuristic novel where people of the Earth are the colonizers and the native aliens are the oppressed. To some extent, the tale reminded me of Middle Age England. The English were the colonizers who invaded different countries and continent only to steal all the natural spoils, while the offenders were transferred and confined to Australia to serve their sentence on an unfriendly and rustic land. In the same manner, the earthen people travel to Muskan only to exploit the natural resources of the planet and any defaulters were punished by sending them to the moon. The natives were confined to a limited area and the clever earth people used the native's faith system to have a prison-like effect on them. However, when a particular native starts questioning this belief system which leaves the Earth people free to oppress them, then this initiates discontent and war. The book has many good people and bad people and ample space have been given to character development. It is thought-provoking, adventurous, and interesting. Saving Paludis is also a long book to read.
June 18, 2018
This was a different read than normally done for me, but it opened up a new genre for me. I received this book for an honest review and thought that I'd give it a try.
This is a futuristic sci-fi tale concerning Earth colonists 2000 years in the future and the battle with the indigenous "aliens" of the planet. The characters were well formed and I could really feel for the aliens that were suppressed and had no choice but to push back as well as the underprivileged earthlings who suffered the consequences, unbeknownst to them. This almost felt like the political atmosphere many are facing today with "good vs evil", depending on your POV. I won't get into regurgitating the story, but leave it up to readers to discover for themselves the perils that may be faced if we develope technology enabling us to travel light-years in only a few days or years.
I feel a sequel in the making and will definately look out for it.
This is a futuristic sci-fi tale concerning Earth colonists 2000 years in the future and the battle with the indigenous "aliens" of the planet. The characters were well formed and I could really feel for the aliens that were suppressed and had no choice but to push back as well as the underprivileged earthlings who suffered the consequences, unbeknownst to them. This almost felt like the political atmosphere many are facing today with "good vs evil", depending on your POV. I won't get into regurgitating the story, but leave it up to readers to discover for themselves the perils that may be faced if we develope technology enabling us to travel light-years in only a few days or years.
I feel a sequel in the making and will definately look out for it.
July 30, 2018
Technologically advanced colonists/invaders go to a place, subjugate the natives, broadly succeed, but face a rebellion in which side-switchers and mixed loyalties play a part.
It’s true that it’s not a very new premise; it’s been done from Pocahontas to Avatar. But Graham does it well here.
There��s a fair collection of paradoxes at hand in this work; we’re very far in the future and very far away, but culturally speaking very much is exactly as on Earth in the current timeframe; and wormhole-travelling spaceships aside, technology isn’t a main feature, with a lot of things being just slightly sci-fi versions of what we have already.
So, readers will feel immediately very much at ease in the world; there’s no steep initial learning curve as is found in a lot of sci-fi, and the prologue provides more than enough background to get going.
All in all, good easy reading in a simple scenario that nevertheless stays engaging from start to finish.
It’s true that it’s not a very new premise; it’s been done from Pocahontas to Avatar. But Graham does it well here.
There��s a fair collection of paradoxes at hand in this work; we’re very far in the future and very far away, but culturally speaking very much is exactly as on Earth in the current timeframe; and wormhole-travelling spaceships aside, technology isn’t a main feature, with a lot of things being just slightly sci-fi versions of what we have already.
So, readers will feel immediately very much at ease in the world; there’s no steep initial learning curve as is found in a lot of sci-fi, and the prologue provides more than enough background to get going.
All in all, good easy reading in a simple scenario that nevertheless stays engaging from start to finish.
August 16, 2018
What happened when an alien police officer and a botanist get together to save the world? No, it's not a joke, but a deadly serious reality for Officer Stefan Lattanzi and Martian botanist Clare fighting to stop advanced technology on Musk (as the native inhabitants call it), or Paludis as everyone else does, falling into the wrong hands and being used as a lethal weapon.
Clayton Graham's intense sci-fi drama will keep you on the edge of your seat, as the high stakes ratchet up the tension in Saving Paludis - the tale of an approaching Armageddon created by rival alien factions, that could destroy civilisation as we know it.
Topics covered are war/peace, love/friendship, loyalty and betrayal, tragedy, loss and redemption plus Alien politics, that have created the current situation. Saving Paludis is a fast-paced book, with plenty of action that will keep you turning pages long into the night to finish it. Buy your copy soon!
Clayton Graham's intense sci-fi drama will keep you on the edge of your seat, as the high stakes ratchet up the tension in Saving Paludis - the tale of an approaching Armageddon created by rival alien factions, that could destroy civilisation as we know it.
Topics covered are war/peace, love/friendship, loyalty and betrayal, tragedy, loss and redemption plus Alien politics, that have created the current situation. Saving Paludis is a fast-paced book, with plenty of action that will keep you turning pages long into the night to finish it. Buy your copy soon!
February 15, 2019
Exciting new SciFi adventure that will keep you on the edge of the “What ifs?” Earth has colonized an alien planet called Paludis and Police Officer Stefan Lattanzis is an ordinary guy. He goes to work and comes home and tries to be a decent and honorable person. When the scientist on Paludis start sharing their advanced technology, people all over immediately try to exploit the technology. Stefan is charged with saving the political balance as well as the entire time-space continuum and must work with some mysterious beings to do so.
I did like the plot and the worldbuilding in this novel. The author was able to bring us to paludism where things are alien and exotic while avoiding seeming too fantastical. Stefan was a good main character, and I was able to emphasize with him on his quest. I also liked the complexity of Clare’s character and how she interacted with Stefan throughout the book
I did like the plot and the worldbuilding in this novel. The author was able to bring us to paludism where things are alien and exotic while avoiding seeming too fantastical. Stefan was a good main character, and I was able to emphasize with him on his quest. I also liked the complexity of Clare’s character and how she interacted with Stefan throughout the book
July 11, 2018
Sci-fi battle for survival
Saving Paludis is a sci-fi thriller about the planet of Paludis which is a colony created by earth. The native species to Paludis have been relocated to a small area of the planet. In this reverse alien invasion, earth is trying to take over and force control to the new command on the planet. The battle begins and the natives will fight back. This is a fast paced suspense filled story as the battle escalates and you will keep reading to see what happens and who will be the ultimate successor. The characters are developed and the storyline keeps you on edge wondering what will happen. If you like sci-fi supernatural adventures you will enjoy this one. I found this story to be a refreshing new take on a space invasion. Check this one out people it is a good time for sure.
Saving Paludis is a sci-fi thriller about the planet of Paludis which is a colony created by earth. The native species to Paludis have been relocated to a small area of the planet. In this reverse alien invasion, earth is trying to take over and force control to the new command on the planet. The battle begins and the natives will fight back. This is a fast paced suspense filled story as the battle escalates and you will keep reading to see what happens and who will be the ultimate successor. The characters are developed and the storyline keeps you on edge wondering what will happen. If you like sci-fi supernatural adventures you will enjoy this one. I found this story to be a refreshing new take on a space invasion. Check this one out people it is a good time for sure.
August 27, 2018
Power, control, revenge and greed.
An all out battle for Paludis is taking place in this gripping outer space tale. As you read you are not sure at first who is responsible or why. It is a full length book that takes you on a roller coaster ride with the many plots and sub plots going on. Some of the players just want power others believe the greater the suffering the greater the peace. It weaves you around many different characters and left me really trying to figure it out as it went along. There are so many different agendas going on and they all come to a collision of sorts as the individuals who do not have an agenda get caught up with the various plots. Just as I thought I was getting it figured our, along comes another twist that takes you in another direction. Highly recommend to read. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
An all out battle for Paludis is taking place in this gripping outer space tale. As you read you are not sure at first who is responsible or why. It is a full length book that takes you on a roller coaster ride with the many plots and sub plots going on. Some of the players just want power others believe the greater the suffering the greater the peace. It weaves you around many different characters and left me really trying to figure it out as it went along. There are so many different agendas going on and they all come to a collision of sorts as the individuals who do not have an agenda get caught up with the various plots. Just as I thought I was getting it figured our, along comes another twist that takes you in another direction. Highly recommend to read. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
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