Fallen Arrow

by Marshall Ross

When Humanity is tested, it knows how to fail.

The Kalelah finds herself under the sway of a hardened purist who’ll let nothing come between the ship and its sacred duty to the ancient commands of the Plan. And Earth finds itself facing a death sentence.

World leaders respond, but politics, religion and panic do their usual damage to the prospects of peace. Even in the face of extinction, humanity can’t seem to get it together.

Plunged into the center of the crisis – crazily and accidentally – are Sarah and Trin who have to rise to an impossible occasion. The gun is cocked, the battle is about to begin, and the world needs a miracle.

But can it ever agree on where to find one?

John Blades, fiction editor of Chicago Quarterly Review and retired literary editor of the Chicago Tribune says, “Ross writes with impressive skills. He reminds me of James Cameron, in laying the groundwork (or in this case the waterwork) for his vividly and credibly imagined plunge into unexplored depths."

Other books in The Kalelah Series:

Lost Arrow, Book I of The Kalelah Series
Jagged Arrow, Book III of The Kalelah Series

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars rounded up

I received a copy of Fallen Arrow through BookishFirst in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Fallen Arrow is the sequel to Lost Arrow. It’s part of a three part series, though I’m seeing the set come in bundled form as well, so you may not have to worry about tracking all three down. I’m actually pretty happy that they’re coming out in bundled formats, as I’ve found the first two to be relatively quick reads (and I’ve been anxious to just move on to the next one and see what happens).
The series has been interesting so far, in that while it’s centered on the subject (and search) for religion, it isn’t trying to push any one particular religion on the reader. I find that a refreshing change.



Fallen Arrow wasn’t quite as strong as its first part, but then again, the intrigue has fallen away thanks to the big reveal, so that was to be expected. Still, it was interesting, and I really enjoyed some of the views and points that were made during the course of the novel.
This novel had more perspectives than the first book. It jumped around a lot between religious leaders, political leaders, characters from the ship Kalelah, and named characters we’ve already met. It’s clear that we were being shown a broader perspective of the reaction to the news that humanity had been seeded be an alien race.
Some of the perspectives were interesting, like the religious leaders debating on what sort of proof the elders were seeking, and of course arguing about which religion was the true religion (I think it only occurred to one or two of them that the ‘true’ religion was the one the elders believed in, and not one that this round of humans had come up with).
I wanted to enjoy the political perspectives, and while I appreciated their devious nature and the threat they posed…it all just felt too heavy handed to me. I don’t think we needed full chapters from any of those characters, a couple of summed up lines from different characters would have sufficed.
In the last book three characters from the Kalelah ship had gone to the surface to try and help save humanity. One of them didn’t make it through that book. The other two split up, with one staying up above to talk to the leaders of the world and try to convince them, while the other went back to start working on their mysterious backup plan. Part of that plan involved bringing a human, Sarah with him.
I think we can all guess what happened to the guy that stayed above. I’m not sure if I’m happy with how predictable that is, or disappointed. I do get a bit tired of the whole ‘humans are horrible creatures’ plot, though I can’t argue with its accuracy at times (sadly).
Trin and Sarah’s plot was probably my favorite of the stories being told. I also suspect it’ll become the lynchpin for saving humanity. Or not. I’ll have to read the third book to be sure of that!
Next in line for me is Jagged Arrow, the third and I believe last book in the series. So I should be seeing everything wrapping up shortly. I’m looking forward to seeing how Marshall plans to resolve the plot he’s created.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Ralph Gerbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Arrow takes the reader to DEFCON three in this page turning technothriller, also known as Book II of the Kalelah Series by Marshall Ross. It provides all the excitement that Book I - Lost Arrow did, and guides us rapid-fire through unexpected plot complications, engaging philosophical subtext and delicious shadings of both heroes and villains. We’re introduced to new characters too – both important and engaging. Best of all, we’re never quite certain of who might be considered friend, and who might be foe. Buckle-up.

We easily accepted the writer, Marshall Ross, as our trusted narrator from the outset of Book I, but after his heart-stopping conclusion to that first installment… well… we’re no longer sure of what he might pull next. Thankfully, we do remain certain of one thing – we’re in the capable hands of an assured storyteller. But now we’re a bit more guarded… wary even… because Ross has proven himself to be utterly unpredictable.

This second book of the trilogy takes us down unexpected literary roads as well, with notes of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code percolating in the philosophical backstory. The writing remains highly visual, and the dialogue crackles nicely, deftly matching character traits and context to anchor the believability of a wide range of players – monks and rabbi’s, sheikh’s and sailors, even southern reverends and... unexpected surprises. A love interest is subtly developed – and thankfully, it’s unforced and believable, adding quiet fuel to the fire.

The Kalelah Series is shaping up to offer a classically hearty sci-fi stew by using a literary structure proven over centuries of successful drama. In Book I - Lost Arrow – a setting is developed, heroes and enemies are identified, and the writer “gets them up a tree.” In Book II - Fallen Arrow – plot and characters are developed, and once we care about them, the writer “throws rocks at them.” A lot of rocks. And he throws hard.

Now, I’m dying to read the third act - Book III – Jagged Arrow – I’ll start tonight. I expect the writer will find a way to “get them down from the tree,” thus completing the classic form. But given what I’ve learned from such an enjoyable adventure through the first two books, the third installment will likely make for a truly unforgettable white-knuckle ride. But maybe not. I have learned to expect the unexpected.

[Angela Kreais · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do NOT read this if you have not read book one yet. I received an eBook of The Kalelah trilogy from BookishFirst for review purposes. This product was provided to me at no cost. Whether positive or negative, my review is my own and may differ from others opinions.

Fallen Arrow continues after the murder of alien Captain Argen at the end of Lost Arrow with a meeting of all the major world religious leaders at the Vatican to discuss a unified plan about God. When this meeting gets leaked to the press, alien Chief Ganet tries to fulfill Captain Argen's dying request traveling around Earth under the United State's escort spreading his message about their arrival and agenda. Russia makes a plan to take out the ship and the US.

Meanwhile back on the Kalelah analyst Trin hides Sarah in plain sight until he can figure out a way to show the crew Earth's progress. XO Laird assumes the Captain position by force without knowing anything about what has happened on the surface.

Fallen Arrow is OK. Again its a slow build up and not much happens besides a couple new character introductions and plot development. I don't understand why this 100 page story is its own book?

[Debra Chiaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just heating up?!?

I suppose a kiss is just a kiss sometimes! But here we have a few crazy kids who are falling in love and yet there will be so much complicated stuff due to the alien factor and the earthly human factor. It's definitely made me curious to see how this will end.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent follow up

Excellent follow up to the mind blowing concept of the first book, Ross definitely put in a cliff hanger at the end