Milijun

Milijun #1

by Clayton Graham

First Contact is imminent, but it comes with conditions…

Laura and Jason are on vacation when their lives are turned upside down by otherworldly creatures that fall to Earth in the dead of night.
Frightened and bewildered, they become trapped in a dark and mysterious conflict between clandestine Earth forces and the alien wave—and Laura’s world starts to unravel.
But everything may not be as it appears. Could the aliens have an ulterior motive? And do they have a mission for Jason?
The world may not be ready for alien communication, but it may have little choice in the matter.

If you like Close Encounters, Contact, and Arrival, then you’ll love Milijun, the first novel of a gripping new alien interaction series from Clayton Graham.

"Captured my interest from the very beginning, and never once let go." Jenna – Indie Book Reviewers
"If you love the genre, read this gem." Julius Zon – Self Publishing Review
"This is a must-read for science fiction fans who appreciate a hard scientific foundation, in the tradition of Asimov, Niven, or Heinlein." Patrick Dent

Genres: Science Fiction, Aliens

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2016

About the author

As 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.

Reviews

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** 5 Cranky Stars *****

Science fiction isn’t my usual genre since every time I read them I end up feeling rather common and lacking much needed brain cells, especially when the story takes you into quantum physics and the likes.



When I picked up Milijun, I was a bit uneasy and thought I would get disoriented early on and end up getting bored with the book. Instead, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how well-written and readable Milijun was. Yes, the ever present “big-science-words” were there but everything had been explained and elaborated in such a way that even younger readers could understand it (although younger readers will probably understand it better than me!)



The story centered on Laura and her son, Jason who were on a holiday to the Australian outbacks. The world had gone through another great war and conflicts, and we are facing a new world set in the future. While driving up to their destination, mother and son chanced upon a strange sight in the sky which resembled a flock of birds yet obviously something they had never seen before.



Jason took photos and captured images that were so alien in nature they must be not of this earth. In doing so, he unwittingly became the “First Seen” on the planet by the aliens. The next events forced the two to run for their lives with hopes of finding refuge somewhere safe...only they found the town of Milijun.



What followed reminded me of The X-Files and Star Trek.



Page after page flew by and I found myself drawn more and more into the story. The world building is amazing. The story fast paced and well-defined. Although I didn’t finish the book in one sitting as I normally do when I fall in love with a story, Milijun is something that needed to be pondered. Stepping away from it helped me figure out a few crucial things only to find myself diving back into the story for more.



Secrets were revealed and the book ended without a cliffhanger. But what an ending it was! If ever aliens come for a visit, I hope to God I won’t be the First Seen or else the future of mankind will be so bleak and hopeless!



There is an epilogue which closed up loops with the characters as well as opened up new questions leading to a follow-on story. Methinks I wouldn’t mind so much picking up another sci-fi book by Clayton Graham.



With thanks to Lilac Reviews for the opportunity.

http://twistedbookcur.blogspot.ch/201...

[Marta Tandori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milijun, by talented Australian author, Clayton Graham, gives us an interesting sci-fi tale, somewhat reminiscent of Wyndham’s classic, The Midwich Cuckoos. Graham’s tale begins in 2179 AD on Mare Moscoviense, on the Lunar Far Side. A miner, Simon Cordell, is drilling in a cave when he comes upon what appears to be a glass-like table atop a slim pedestal on which sits a sphere, the size of a football. He involuntarily touches it but nothing happens. Turning, he suddenly sees alien beings in the cave wall, hundred arranged in neat horizontal rows. Thinking that he come upon a morgue, graveyard or a storage center, he quickly calls for help and help arrives in the form of a medico and a paleontologist who tries to carbon date the specimens but there are no Carbon 14 atoms in any of the subjects from which samples had been taken. Shaken up, yet excited, they decide to take one of the specimens back to the lab for an autopsy. Having sequestered their subject in the lab, the comm center is thrown into chaos hours later when they discover that a max exodus of the aliens is taking place from the cave. It’s while they’re trying to sort out what exactly is happening that their autopsy subject practically annihilates everyone in his radius before leaving to follow the rest of his pack down to Earth, with Simon, the only survivor, on his heels. Back on Earth, Laura Sinclair and her fourteen-year-old son, Jason, are on their way to the Cocklebiddy campsite in West Australia, a tourist destination known for its caves, when they witness pale, flickering lights in the distance. Laura becomes unwound when two of these things, which she believes to be large bats at first, almost make her lose control of the camper before they fly off, leaving her and her son justifiably rattled. Little does she know that this unexpected encounter is about to change their idyllic little holiday in ways she couldn’t possibly have imagined…

Graham’s writing is solid. His prose exudes confidence and a passion for his subject matter – hardly surprising given his former career as an aerospace engineer. I particularly like this type of science fiction where the interaction between aliens and humans is still new and vulnerable and where anything can happen – and usually does. However, what makes this type of sci-fi particularly appealing is that it’s not so ‘out there’ that all sense of familiarity is lost for the reader. Milijun has the planet Earth and it still has its cast of humans; the elements we, as readers, are familiar with. Milijun also has aliens and the concept of impregnating human females with hybrid embryos; in other words, a nice balance of familiar with heapin’ helpings of right out there! If you’re a fan of John Wyndham and The Midwich Cuckoos, then you’ll love Milijun.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a subterranean chamber of hibernating aliens is accidentally unearthed on the moon; Laura and teenage son Jason unwittingly become embroiled in plot to breed hybrid alien-human children. Laura and Jason flee to the safety of Milijun, a secretive facility in the Australian outback. Laura soon becomes aware that all is not what it seems....

One thing is certain - Laura will stop at nothing to save her son from the extraterrestrials' grasp.

WOW, what an amazing book from author Clayton Graham. It was excellent and genuinely captured my imagination. The writing was superb and it hurtled along at a thrilling pace. This is a prime example of how to write an outstanding debut novel and I can't wait to read more.

Thanks to author Clayton Graham for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.”[Leonardo Da Vinci]
“The duty of all cosmic intelligence is to fuse the universe, to create harmony from discord. From the many the one.”
An overpowering story and events with quasimetaphysical questions, the portent of distruption, the emergence of distrust, beliefs, life saving situations, a never ending persecution and action from the very beginning! A very realistic plot, with a great character building, twists and turns at every corner, plenty of paranoia made me be immersed in the book completely, catapulting me from one crazy encounter to another!
A definite recommendation.
And I heard there’s going to be a sequel! Yay!

[Viking Jam · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://koeur.wordpress.com/2017/08/1...

Publisher: Books Go Social

Publishing Date: January 2016

ISBN: 9780994495600

Genre: SciFi

Rating: 2.5/5

Publishers Description: Laura Sinclair and her son, Jason, witness aliens descend to Earth. The extraterrestrials endeavor to form a symbiotic relationship with humankind, and choose Jason as a genetic link in a bizarre trial involving the mystical impregnation of human females with hybrid embryos.

Review: This was at times really un-interesting do to Laura Sinclair’s constant refusal to recognize the reality of a multitude of situations. The only reason I can come up with as to why, is that it creates scene tension through the process of negative denial of all things evident. As a result her character halts good movement and drags the story line down to a screeching halt.

Although Laura Sinclair sucks, there are some major redeeming qualities to this novel. The question of whether the aliens are good or bad and from where they ultimately come from is tantamount to an ideal (how’s that for b.s.). This process seesaws its way through your mind from one page to the next with an ever evolving perspective. This sits right in the middle of the numerical rating. Some good characters, some bad. Great movement then derailed. Overly long scene descriptors and consistent repeated phrasing also did this novel no favors. Good aliens though.

[Connie Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read an article on the advisability of sending messages into space to reach out to aliens in other galaxies. Stephen Hawking advises against it, saying any intelligent life form that could respond to our messages would likely arrive like Cortes did when he basically annihilated the Aztecs. In Clayton Graham’s novel, “milijun,” the aliens arrive not like conquistadors, but like a suitor looking for a compatible mate to sire strengthened offspring. A fascinating take on aliens arriving on Earth.

Interesting also that the two main characters are mother and son. Gradually that took on more meaning for me as a reader. Although there were times when I thought Jason’s mother, Laura, was a tad naïve.

Most of the story takes place in Australia – a very isolated Australia. And, surprisingly to me, there’s no reaching out to other countries when it becomes apparent what’s going on.

Graham is a good writer and his take on how first contact might play out held my interest from beginning to end. His descriptions of the creatures is vivid and there’s enough introspection among the characters to make them sympathetic.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was a time to feel sorry for an alien race, it would be now.

Conspiracies, double agents, technological advancements, greed, and self-preservation are in abundance – and that’s just the humans.

Aliens, frozen in time, have accidentally been discovered deep inside the moon. Finally, proof of life beyond our own. Scientists race at the chance to study this rare find. Unknowingly, this initiates a series of events nobody could have predicted. The capabilities of these creatures are shocking!

Milijun - an underground facility located in the middle of nowhere. Shrouded in mystery. Trustworthy? Difficult to say. My adventurous side wouldn’t mind a tour of the enormous complex, but I can wait until certain occupants have removed themselves.

I enjoyed reading this story. This type of interaction between humans and aliens is new to me. Rather fascinating, really. Bonds are formed. Alliances are questioned. Ethics are challenged. Nobody is left unaffected.

[Adam Collings · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of sleeping aliens are discovered hidden below the surface of the moon. Once disturbed, they awake, and hea to Earth, to carry out a plan known only to them.

first of all, I love that the aliens landed right here in Australia. Aliens usually land in America, so this was a nice change. This story is set in the late 22nd century, but aside from some political upheval, the world is reasonably familiar, and almost felt like present day. This provides an anchor point for those who may not read a lot of sci-fi.

The aliens in this story were intruiging, and were nicely world-built. I liked how they had folds of skin that essentially acted as solar sails, allowing the beings to hover and fly.

The plot of this book was driven by mystery. The read is kept wondering what the aliens are up to, and what this mysterious Milijun place is all about.

At the centre of it all, are a mother and son, who never quite know who to trust. This novel provides a complete story, but offers the promise of a larger world to explore.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

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(Thank you to the author for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review).

2.5 stars.
It's been a long time since I read a science fiction novel and since I've liked them in the past, I was eager to accept a copy from the author when he offered it to me.
Unfortunately, it wasn't as enjoyable as I was hoping it would be.


The language was repetitive. A number of phrases were very overused, and this became more and more frustrating as I read on.
The writing wasn't concise. There were too many words, the sentences were frequently too long, and much of what was said or described could've been drastically shortened; which in addition would have made a stronger point. I was unable to reap very much information or emotion from the overwrought sentences, and I frequently lost my train of thought because of them.
There were some lovely descriptions. Every scene was described in detail, and while this did get a bit much at times, it was ultimately vivid and tantalizing.

It was very action-packed, which I loved. The last quarter of the book was exciting and gripping, and not a single chapter went by without some physical action or fight or battle.
There was a lot of science and scientific terminology. This was a very heavy science fiction book, and unfortunately much of the science terminology, etc, was lost on me. It was definitely intelligent and detailed, but I found it very confusing. I think a science buff would be able to get more from it than I did.
I also really struggled to suspend disbelief and buy into Clayton's world. And this brings me to: the world-building was lacking; but not in the usual sense. The place of Milijun and its inhabitants was very detailed and intricate, but I wanted to know more about the outside world. I wanted to know about people's everyday lives and what jobs they worked at and how their families lived, but that - the world outside of Milijun and Laura and Jason's experiences - was incredibly vague. I was desperate for some "humanity", if I can call it that. I wanted to know how people lived and how the "normal" world operated. Instead, the focus was on the community of Milijun and its scientific aims. I was frustrated.

The book started off with a very cluttered cast, but they did become easier to keep track of as the story went along. Still, I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I found Jason annoying and weak, and Laura frustrating. Her character arc and development were very good, but I didn't like her personality. She was an irritating character who constantly acted without thinking, and while this could be attributed to her situation and undying love for her son, she was still hard to love.
The rest of the cast were left with vague personalities that I never quite got a grasp on. They could've been much stronger.


If you love science fiction and all things science-related, I am positive you'll love Milijun.
I like science fiction but I'm not mad about it, so I found the negative aspects of the book hard to ignore. It was a strong idea, but I thought the execution could've been better.

[Micah Till · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are three main categories of science fiction: stories that seek to tell us about ourselves, stories that seek to tell us about science, and stories that seek to provide us an escape from reality. Milijun falls squarely into the third category, a fantasy story with technobabble and robots instead of magic and elves. I tend to heavily prefer the first, but if escapism is what you want from your sci-fi, you may be very pleased indeed with Graham’s creation. Even given the fantasy nature of the story, I cannot give it more than two stars though.

The plot feels forced and unnecessarily isolated throughout the novel. None of the three laboratories visited use the scientific method or standard protection procedures for potentially hazardous material. Government and military hierarchies simply do not exist. No one knows how to use the internet. Beyond all this though, Graham has stated “I also hope [Milijun] makes readers treasure their personal relationships; they are the most important things in our lives.” Realistically though, the only way personal relationships come to the forefront in this story is through their absence. Every adult character is either single, divorced, or estranged. Almost none of them (excepting the female protagonist) have children. Very few seem to have even a single friend or confidant. Those that do have chosen poorly. Relationships are not celebrated, they are approached with a sense of fatalism verging on despair. If that was a conscious decision, it could make for an interesting narrative, but the novel does not truly explore the topic and so it awkwardly becomes the elephant in the room.

It would be easy to raise this novel from fantasy escapism to philosophical treatise. As an example, when an alien is directly asked, “Are you good or evil?” it responds with a couple paragraphs of sophomoric nonresponse. How much more powerful to simply reply, “Which are you?” The characters never truly become reflective or self-aware; they simply exist. Their actions (I hesitate to call them choices) are all the worse for it.

Even given all this, I would rate Mailijun four stars if not for the lead protagonist. She is petty, selfish, and willfully blind. Using “nanobots” to explain her character growth and plot armor is a poor decision. Additionally, the fact that none of the soldiers could neutralize an untrained civilian holding a simple blaster frustrated me to no end. Graham can clearly write well, but I am not sure he can write characters whose adventures I want to follow.

I received this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Clayton Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milijun actually started as a short story. The birth of the alien RNasia occurred in the short story, and when they decided to wing their way to Earth I knew it could not end there. They seemed to want their universal journey to be worth something; they wanted their mission fulfilled. So I decided to oblige them.
The book is about more than an alien incursion into the Australian outback. It asks questions about our place in the universe, or multiverses (as we are now led to believe may be a possibility).
The novel explores the relationship between a mother and son. How far can it be stretched before the links break? How far would a mother go to save her son? Would she be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, or undertake actions she would never have deemed possible prior to the alien incursion?
Above all, Milijun explores the question what would mankind do when faced with an intelligence it cannot understand? It's a good question, for it may happen someday. We are not currently prepared, of course, we are light years away from understanding how we should behave in such a circumstance. Milijun challenges our mindsets through the eyes of a mother and son, and as such is perhaps more powerful and meaningful than if that challenge was through the eyes of the United Nations or the President of theUnited States.
In the end, Milijun probably asks more questions than it answers. But it does raise the questions. We cannot relax on Earth forever, ignorant of our cosmic surroundings, idling our time away, creating a mirage of prosperity, which appears to create an equally ferocious misery.
Writing Milijun was a labour of love. It was not easy, but neither was it hard. Science Fiction is a love of mine, has been since I was a teenager, escaping to new worlds in the back streets of Stockport, England, where I grew up as a child. Halcyon days, when education and school milk were free, and summers were real summers. We didn't have much, but we had enough.
Milijun is my debut novel, and for me the realisation of a dream.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a genre I read a lot of. Perhaps it was the promise of 'alien interaction' instead of the more common 'alien abduction' that had me intrigued. Whatever it was I was keeping my fingers crossed that, written by a retired aerospace engineer, Milijun wasn't going to be bogged down in technicalities as had another book of the genre I'd read not so long ago.

Alas no need to worry. Milijun is very readable. Hugely compelling. Just what are these aliens and just what do they want? Are mother and son, Laura and Jason (the 'First Seen'), able to trust Major General Ord of the Australian Defence Force or the mysterious Uriel, enigmatic head of Milijun, a reclusive research facility in the outback?

A well written 'extraterrestrial' novel and yet at its heart is the very human story of a mother whose strength and resolve is tested time and time again as not only the future of her son but indeed everything she knows is turned on its head.

Initially alternating between several different threads, the characters and their stories eventually entwine, coming together to reveal all in a wonderfully thought provoking ending that doesn't disappoint.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Received for review from the author, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.

[Clayton Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 17, 2016: Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite *****
The novel is set in the future, our protagonist Laura Sinclair is living in Australia with her son, Jason. This very well written novel is all about female empowerment and tells us that there is a hero within all of us. Clayton Graham portrays the very essence of fear, despair, and dread. Your heart will be racing, your hands will be sweating, and you will get a pure adrenalin rush by just reading this novel and visualizing the story. This is the coolest sci-fi novel I have read in years!

[Sdan12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced sci-fi adventure
The year is 2179 and Laura Sinclair is on holiday with her 14 year old son, Jason. The Australia they are living in is very different from the Australia of today and I enjoyed the changes. Their peaceful holiday is interrupted by the arrival of an alien race. The consequences of this are devastating, and the story revolves around Laura and Jason simply trying to survive as they discover more about the aliens. This is a well-conceived plot, with credible characters. It will keep you gripped from the very first page.

[Jennifer Tooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Alien invasion from a unique perspective

It is the year 2179. Man has successfully harnessed the surface of the moon for mining and research. In one such cave, miner Simon Cordell stumbles across an interesting anomaly seemingly embedded in the cave walls. Possibly hundreds of never before seen beings are nestled in this lunar cavern. Soon after reporting this strange possible alien life form and obtaining a specimen for research, the entire lunar research facility falls prey to a massacre with Simon the only survivor. Simon needs to get to the main lunar base with the life form intact or risk being blamed for the slaughter of his colleagues.

At the same time on the Nullarbor in Western Australia, Laura and Jason Sinclair are en route to a much needed camping vacation. On the final leg of their journey, Jason photographs a curious formation in the night sky. When he attempts to view his discovery closer at the ranger station, he is abducted. Laura frantically searches for her son and is able to recover him but in the process, finds herself and Jason implicated in several murders by the local police officer who, also seems to be acting very strangely.

Now on the run, prime suspects of a double murder Laura and Jason find themselves tirelessly hunted, not sure who to trust. Finding possible allies in a strange underground complex of scientific researchers Laura and Jason, with their assistance, attempt to work with a local military unit to prove their innocence while at the same time attempting to convince those in charge of a possible alien invasion. Throughout their trials, Laura and Jason find themselves traveling all over Australia and beyond in this unique take on alien encounters and interactions.

Milijun, is the first novel by author Clayton Graham and I for one hope it is not his last. Having read only a handful of science fiction novels where aliens were the focus, I must say that Milijun tackled this from a very interesting angle. What if the alien invasion wasn’t meant for domination, but for another reason entirely? What if the alien lifeforms weren’t acting in aggression, but in defense of human actions?

Considering technological advancements currently and in the future created by Graham it makes the reader ponder if there is more out there than just us. In Graham’s world, we see a depth of technological advancements within the military and the Miljun center that speaks to the advancing technology of the future. At the same time, there is talk of a last “Great Conflict” that has yet again divided the world and the country of Australia specifically which goes to show that for the more things change, the more they stay the same. As the narrative progresses and story lines come together it becomes apparent that Jason and Laura may play a much bigger role in the survival of the human race than they had ever imagined. While the story does leave a few loose ends, it is more of a thought provoker than it is a cliffhanger but still leaves the reader curious to learn what happens next with Jason, Laura,the other survivors and the Earth.

If you like Science Fiction, alien invasion and futuristic reads, Milijun is a definite recommend.

[Charles Remington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milijun by Clayton Graham opens with the discovery by off-planet miner Simon Cordell of a strange cave deep in the Moon’s strata - a discovery which is to have a devastating effect on his base station and which launches an extraordinary chain of events, away from the moon and centred mainly in the rugged landscape of southern Australia. Laura Sinclair and her son Jason are on holiday and driving a campervan to a coastal campsite when Jason spots a cloud of luminous flying creatures heading towards them. Snatching up his camera, he quickly snaps some images of the strange bat-like creatures. Unable to identify them in any way, he posts the images on the internet and this, coupled with the discovery on the moon, embroils them in a spurious case against them by the local police and some unwelcome interest from the military authorities. Beating a hasty retreat across the desert they discover an eerie hi-tech complex called Milijun where they are given shelter. It is here that Laura finally becomes convinced that what Jason photographed were aliens from another planet. The objective now is to discover what they are and why they have arrived on our planet. Joining the personnel at Milijun and co-operating with the military, Laura and Jason find themselves caught in a web of deceit and double-dealing, and when Jason is abducted by the aliens Laura is desperate to know who to trust. Determined to rescue her son, she will not let anyone stand in her way - neither the police, the military or the strange denizens of Milijun.

Milijun is excellent science fiction of the alien invasion kind, set slightly apart by the author’s innovative approach and quite unexpected concepts forming the narrative. The aliens are imaginative and well- described and their motivation for visiting our planet neatly plotted. The main characters are solid and believable, though I felt that Laura tended to get a bit over-emotional at times. The narrative is imaginative, exciting and full of twists and turns. It moves along at a brisk pace and leads to a thrilling denouement. Clayton Graham has also taken the trouble to finish the book with an epilogue which clarifies some of the issues, and describes where the characters find themselves after their various battles. Milijun is a well-crafted novel and Mr Graham is a welcome new voice in the sci-fi genre. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Clabe Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Simon Cordell’s drill rig broke through the crust on the Moon’s dark side opening the hidden lunar cave system, he had no clue what his discovery would mean to Earth.

A swarm...leaving the cave like bees leaving a hive. But what were they? Where were they going? Where had they come from? Most importantly, what were they doing?

Laura and her son, Jason, were on a camping vacation. They’re in the wrong place at the wrong time when things begin to get truly crazy and they’re caught squarely in the middle…between the police, the military, a mysterious and secretive group of scientists and, oh yes…a group of alien entities dedicated single-mindedly to a mission. Their mission becomes the guiding force for Laura and Jason’s life for some time as they are battered back and forth between competing agendas. Imagine their surprise when they find that Jason’s fate may well have been genetically bound to the fate of mankind in future generations.

Jason, a young man of fourteen, steps up into a role that very few adult males would fulfill in the same circumstances. His character displays maturity and initiative so far beyond his years that his performance was not believable to me. Nevertheless, this lack of believability did not detract from the story; rather, his initiative enhanced it…in a way similar to otherwise unbelievable superheroes with specific vulnerabilities. His mother, Laura, is very believable, however, displaying the type of behavior that would be expected of her character. The other characters are sufficiently developed and fit their roles as expected. The aliens display abilities and a lack of vulnerability that might keep some readers up at night.

The story is extremely entertaining, well written and full of twists and turns. It is a masterpiece of imagination that takes us from the immediate danger and fear of alien invasion to a startling vision of the future.

Milijun would appeal to any action oriented sci-fi reader and to anyone else that loves a good action cliff-hanger.

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.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milijun by Clayton Graham Book Review

An alien threat will test one mother and her quest to protect her teenage son in Milijun by Clayton Graham. Showing an alien incursion and
analyzing philosophical questions involving spirituality and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. Here is the official synopsis:

It is Australia in 2179. On a moonlit Nullarbor night, Laura Sinclair and son, Jason, witness aliens descend to Earth. The extraterrestrials
endeavour to form a symbiotic relationship with humankind, and Jason is chosen as a genetic link in a bizarre trial involving the impregnation
of human females with hybrid embryos and exploration of spiritual compatibility. Laura crosses swords with Major General Sebastian Ord from the
Australian Defence Force, Eucla and Uriel, the enigmatic head of Milijun, a reclusive research facility in the outback. Following a disastrous
armed attempt to capture aliens at Cocklebiddy Cave and a fierce confrontation at Eucla, Jason is abducted by an alien swarm. What follows tests
the resolve of Laura to the core. Caught in a relentless web of frightening new technologies and alien mystery, spurred by the undying love of
her son, she gains a strength of character she never thought possible. All she has to do is save herself, Jason and several women and unborn
children from the scheming plans of man and alien alike ...

This book does an excellent job of fusing futuristic sci-fi storytelling with themes of spirituality and questioning mankind's place in the
universe. The struggle for Laura to hold onto some sense of normalcy while the world around her begins to get more complicated and more chaotic
is a great way to humanize such an epic science fiction adventure. Exploring a future version of Australia, this book features creepy,
mysterious aliens and government operatives with hidden agendas all their own. As the story progresses, the audience will be on the edge of their
seat as they must ask themselves: are the aliens invaders, or friends?

This was a well written sci-fi thriller with complex, developed characters, profound themes that need to be explored, and an exciting plot that
continuously keeps the reader on edge as they read through this layered story. By the end of the story, readers will be confronted with a shocking
end, one that can either be seen as the beginning of a journey, or the end of one. You must decide for yourselves. Be sure to check out Clayton
Graham's Milijun, available for purchase now!

Rating: 9/10

[Phillip Urmson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One and a half centuries in the future, strange alien beings are discovered in a cave on the moon. They awaken and cause devastation before flying to Australia (because it's there or for some special reason?) and cause yet more devastation. But what is their true intention? A straight-up invasion or something more deviant (in every sense of the word)? Or do they just have a funny – and violent – way of saying "hello"?
Graham's story is set in a familiar future, where technology has moved on, but is still recognizable, and the clichéd impact of planetary warfare has proven that mankind will never learn its lesson. At the same time, individual human beings retain their hope for a better future, and fight against the portents of doom.
The third-person narrative follows multiple characters:
– the luna-naut who discovers the aliens and fears what his superiors will do to him if they don't believe his fantastic story.
– the divorced mother who fears the designs the aliens seem to have on her teenage son.
– the policewoman who fears that her new alien friend will leave her, more than the fact that it infested her body in the first place.
– the military commander who fears invasion and the genocide of all humanity.
– the reclusive scientist, and his cult-like followers, who fears that the opportunity for scientific discovery and evolutionary advancement will be lost if peaceful first contact cannot be established.
Everyone's afraid, and they all end up fighting each other, aliens and all.
The mood is creepy and the science takes a back seat to the action. If you're willing to accept that freaky transcendental things are possible, even in a broadly conceivable future, Milijun is more than just a diverting read. You'll be wishing someone would make a movie out of it, if only they had the imagination of the author.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved finding a sci-fi book that started off in the moon and then spent the rest of the book mostly in Australia and not America - nothing against America but it’s nice to have somewhere else in the world set as the main location

You are left wondering what is happening at the start of the story, set somewhat into the future after mankind has destroyed most of the world, when a strange encounter takes place on the moon - sorry, but I don’t like to give away any plot points - that’s for you to enjoy and make the most of yourself as a reader !

The story then continues with a single mum and her son travelling in a camper van across one part of Australia, trying to have a bit of a relaxing holiday

Soon, she and her teenage son are embroiled in sightings of alien beings and then being hunted ...

The story moves along slowly at times, but has plenty to keep your interest and can be quite deep and mildly confusing if you let your mind wander

Swarms of alien beings take over human bodies and leave women implanted with spliced genetic embryos - as they try to co-exist with humans souls and carry on their experiments across their travels through the universe

Some people have prior knowledge of these beings and want the technological advances that they can provide - but should know by now - that never turns out well

There is a quick shift as the end of the book is trying to tie up all the loose ends and this leads us to expect another book or two in the series

I look forward to seeing what happens with the main characters and how our inner beings exist or not with the aliens and where else this has been tried

I received a free review copy of this book from the author and the above is my own freely given opinion

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Miljun was such a well-crafted sci-fi/thriller that I am still thinking about. It was so original, and I was hooked from the first page.

The world building is breathtaking. Clayton Graham knows how to use description. He never over does it, but gives us enough to feel as if we are watching a movie, more than reading a book. His writing is beautiful. I was captivated by every sentence and it is clear, Graham is a step above in his writing abilities.

The story is epic, yet believable and different than any alien story I’ve read. It is fast paced, and realistic, which is always nice when you’re reading a sci-fi. I love when an author has an ability to make you feel like something so crazy and unblieveable could actually happen.

I enjoyed the maternal relationship between Laura and Jason. It answers the question, “how far would a mother go to protect her son.” That concept alone is fascinating, and then add in aliens and it becomes so much more.

I could go on and on about Milijun. I highly recommend it to sci-fi fans, and I recommend it to someone who might not know the genre well but would like to read something in it. It’ll be a book you won’t want to put down.

Blog Tour: https://jessicarachow.wordpress.com/2...

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Australia in 2179 Laura Sinclair and her son Jason see aliens arrive on earth. The aliens try to connect to humans in a symbiotic way and Jason is chosen by them to contribute genetics in an experiment to prove the spiritual compatibility between them and humans by impregnating human females with embryos that are hybrids of the alien race and Jason. Laura ends up arguing with Major General Sebastian Ord from the Australian Defence Force and Uriel who is head of a strange research facility called Milijun in the outback. Following some fights Jason is then abducted the aliens which pushes Laura to the limits of her sanity (or so it feels at times). Somehow she has to be able to save herself, Jason and a group of women with unborn children from both humans and aliens.

I loved the basic story of the aliens coming to earth and doing their experiment. The research facility was a nice addition and made the story pleasantly different to similar stories in the genre. There was a good level of detail and the technical side of things was definitely well covered. I found the character of Laura more than a little annoying which may have just been me but her dilemmas and thoughts/hesitancy just felt too much after the first few times.

[Guadalupe Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different sort of sci-fi

I have been introduced to a lot of sci-fi in recent months, and it has been a bit hard to get into, I have encountered some interesting stories. "Milijun: What would an alien interaction really be like?" by Clayton Graham was one of the more exciting ones. In sci-fi, the reader does not normally encounter "normal" people as the "heroes". Usually, they have been in some sort of profession that directly deals with space, at least in some way. But in this case, Laura and Jason are just the average mother and son living in Australia even if it is set in the next century. The description of the aliens was intriguing and I loved how their design serves a purpose. The book, while more plot-driven than character-driven, is an interesting concept, but it still did not take away from the fact that Laura and Jason are important. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. If there are more, I would like to read them as well.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first contact novel is a well written adventure that held my interest throughout the book. It starts out as two stories, one on earth and one on the moon. The stories, one involving a miner on the moon and the other involving a mother and son on vacation in Australia, tell of the arrival of aliens from two very different perspectives and through different encounters.
The book is a convoluted tale with many turns and surprises that follows the arrival of the aliens and what occurs after their contact with different people. The mystery of what the aliens' goals are and what effects they will have for humankind is intriguing. The characters are interesting and diverse, which contributes to the course of the story as it progresses. If you enjoy this book as much as I did, you will have to read the sequel, Alien Whispers, in order to find out what stage 2 of the aliens' plans are. I'm doing that right now.

[Gordon Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and entertaining

This is a very well imagined and fresh take on the well-trodden SciFi story of how humans respond to first contact with interstellar aliens. This story is set in the future and mostly in Australia and the author has done an excellent job to create an image of what Australia would be like in 160 years. It is well written and moves along at a great pace, which kept me turning the pages. I liked the main protagonists, Laura and her son, Jason who added a strong human context to the story. This story got me thinking. Nasa's Voyager probe left our solar system in 2013 on its outreach mission. After reading this book, let's hope it doesn't find any advanced civilisations. Can we expect an alien civilisation to travel an enormous distance through challenging space just to come here and say 'hello, how are you doing?'

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A batty way to start a holiday ...
A mining detail on the moon discovers a cave, the sides of which seem to hold hundreds of strange, alien looking beings, frozen into the sides and one is removed for examination. Shortly after, all of the personnel, apart from a single pilot, are dead, the bat like creatures, now animated, heading in a great swarm towards earth. In Australia, Laura and her teenaged son, Jason, are heading out in their camper van in the first stage of a much needed recuperative holiday together when they see, and Jason photographs, a glorious display of strange lights in the sky. Their holiday was about to become something very unexpected ...
This intriguing book of first contact is fresh, exciting and contains some rather uncomfortable ideas. Sadly marred by frequent little spurts of repitition, this is still a science fiction story well worth reading.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read!. A fantastic book that has it all!

I happily endorse this story to any and all who are looking for a fiction enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. The plot of this book was driven by mystery. The read is kept wondering what the aliens are up to, and what this mysterious Milijun place is all about. The editing was done very well and the chapters moved quickly and smoothly from one to the next. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys the science fiction genre.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore fantasy novels because they challenge the reader and this one in particular did it in an extraordinary way. The author, Clayton Graham, paints very well described scenes and fantastic characters that are worthy of holding attention through to the end. They are really great protagonists with unique personalities, each of them with their own quirks and memorable characteristics.
The story blew my mind as it is an interesting mix of science fiction, conflict, aliens and clandestine Earth forces filled with details. Anyway, the narrative is really easy to follow because the writer did a sublime work introducing the reader to the story by making them part of it.
I would recommend this piece of work to anyone who enjoys this kind of reading. It will fulfill any reader’s expectation in the same way it completed mine.

[Patrick Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alien Invasion on an Entirely Different Level - Literally

Milijun is an incredibly well imagined alien invasion, unlike any first contact story I have ever read or seen in a movie. The scientific research that went into this book is impressive. Graham’s concept of how completely “alien” an alien could be is astonishing. Gone are the assumptions of “life as we know it”. Graham has conceived of life as we could not possibly imagine it.

The story opens with action, then takes a step back and steadily builds a head of steam while the key characters are deeply developed, then pitted against an unimaginable foe, as well as each other.

This is a must-read for science fiction fans who appreciate a hard scientific foundation, in the tradition of Asimov, Niven, or Heinlein.

[Nela · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Milijun” is the first novel of a new science fiction series about alien interaction from author Clayton Graham.
The cover already anticipates the question delved by the book: What would alien interaction really be like? And this spellbinding novel develops different topics surrounding this phenomenon: the hidden reasons, the missions of each one, the communication between both worlds, and many other questions. All of these experienced by entertaining characters, in an intricate and engaging plot. As a plus, I was fascinated by the creative and imaginative world building, and the resourceful easy-reading storytelling. I think it was masterfully written by Graham.
To sum up, I strongly recommend this book to all the science fiction lovers.