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The Burns #3
Shale
Never give in. Never. Not even when the Earth is given away. Not even when there’s no hope.
Year 250. The Accord of Nations Era. Things couldn’t be worse for the people of the Accord. Octavia has landed her invasion force. The politically correct government has welcomed them in the names of tolerance and harmony. In their delusion, they have even offered Octavia a leadership role. All is lost and destruction, if not annihilation, is at hand.For Lieutenant Burns, the chance to fight back is almost gone. He languishes in a navy prison, half-mad from the Accord's attempts to 're-orient' him. In his future lies a show trial and decades in jail. That’s if the earth lasts that long. That’s if his sanity doesn’t break.But when all seems lost, help comes from the most unlikely source imaginable, and Lieutenant Burns suddenly finds himself aboard an alien ship crossing the galaxy to a dusty planet the size of the sun. There he finds a curious, glittering metal that could change everything.If only he can find his way back.If you loved the adventure of ‘Fifty Degrees South,’ and seethed with outrage at the future world of ‘Protocol,’ you must read ‘SHALE,’ the story of the Burns family’s fightback against invasion and political correctness gone mad. Click ‘BUY’ to download your copy now, while they still let you.
Year 250. The Accord of Nations Era. Things couldn’t be worse for the people of the Accord. Octavia has landed her invasion force. The politically correct government has welcomed them in the names of tolerance and harmony. In their delusion, they have even offered Octavia a leadership role. All is lost and destruction, if not annihilation, is at hand.For Lieutenant Burns, the chance to fight back is almost gone. He languishes in a navy prison, half-mad from the Accord's attempts to 're-orient' him. In his future lies a show trial and decades in jail. That’s if the earth lasts that long. That’s if his sanity doesn’t break.But when all seems lost, help comes from the most unlikely source imaginable, and Lieutenant Burns suddenly finds himself aboard an alien ship crossing the galaxy to a dusty planet the size of the sun. There he finds a curious, glittering metal that could change everything.If only he can find his way back.If you loved the adventure of ‘Fifty Degrees South,’ and seethed with outrage at the future world of ‘Protocol,’ you must read ‘SHALE,’ the story of the Burns family’s fightback against invasion and political correctness gone mad. Click ‘BUY’ to download your copy now, while they still let you.
618 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2020
About the author
M.M. Holt
6 books19 followersM.M. Holt is a mysterious figure who lives partly in the real world, but more often in his imagination.
He writes science fiction, horror and adventure novels, often involving a Navy lieutenant named Alex Burns who struggles to keep his sanity in a future world gone mad with political correctness. This same Alex Burns also fights alien invaders. Sometimes Burns's great seafaring ancestors also appear in the books. They are also named Alex Burns, and in their own times, they also battled invaders from beyond the stars. Battling aliens and dystopian regimes is like a family tradition.
M.M. Holt is relentless traveler. He can usually be found writing in cafes by the sea, or in a bar on the edge of a crowded street, usually in far flung cities. If you see him, he'll be the handsome yet enigmatic stranger pounding the keyboard of his laptop, pausing only to sip black coffee and glance warily over his shoulder. He knows the Accord Of Nations is always one step behind.
He writes science fiction, horror and adventure novels, often involving a Navy lieutenant named Alex Burns who struggles to keep his sanity in a future world gone mad with political correctness. This same Alex Burns also fights alien invaders. Sometimes Burns's great seafaring ancestors also appear in the books. They are also named Alex Burns, and in their own times, they also battled invaders from beyond the stars. Battling aliens and dystopian regimes is like a family tradition.
M.M. Holt is relentless traveler. He can usually be found writing in cafes by the sea, or in a bar on the edge of a crowded street, usually in far flung cities. If you see him, he'll be the handsome yet enigmatic stranger pounding the keyboard of his laptop, pausing only to sip black coffee and glance warily over his shoulder. He knows the Accord Of Nations is always one step behind.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 6, 2021
Page turner!
Amazing continuation of the Burns Series. Must read especially considering current events. Science fiction on the path of becoming Science Fact.
Amazing continuation of the Burns Series. Must read especially considering current events. Science fiction on the path of becoming Science Fact.
March 8, 2024
Finally finished the long third book in the Burns series. Time not well spent, actually. I think the premise was good but the protagonist kept being put in more and more dire situations, which seemed to me to be overly contrived. Throughout all his battles, he also displayed an ever-present lack of confidence, which added to the negative vibes the book created. I guess the author intended to have closure at the end but he didn't really. The main problem still stands. Glad to have this one behind me. I do not recommend this one at all.
July 4, 2021
A riveting fast-paced story. Holt's appraisal of the direction of our "politically correct" social order presents as satire but presents a foreboding of the direction our society is heading.
The virtues revealed by the honest "salt of the earth" character of Lieutenant Burns, restored some hope as to the direction our social order should be heading. Cleverly written in an exciting Sci-Fi over the top adventure with dark humour subtly presented.
I look forward to the next book Mr Holt, so please keep pounding that laptop and go easy on the black coffee!!
The virtues revealed by the honest "salt of the earth" character of Lieutenant Burns, restored some hope as to the direction our social order should be heading. Cleverly written in an exciting Sci-Fi over the top adventure with dark humour subtly presented.
I look forward to the next book Mr Holt, so please keep pounding that laptop and go easy on the black coffee!!
August 15, 2024
I think it's great that it's so anti-woke.
There's a fair bit of fantasy involved and a few blatant non-scientific errors, but hey, it's fiction.
Also because it shows how people's beliefs can override the facts before their eyes.
And how the masses can be brainwashed, as the ABC news is trying to do today.
I wish I could get my wife to read it too!
5 stars
There's a fair bit of fantasy involved and a few blatant non-scientific errors, but hey, it's fiction.
Also because it shows how people's beliefs can override the facts before their eyes.
And how the masses can be brainwashed, as the ABC news is trying to do today.
I wish I could get my wife to read it too!
5 stars
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January 28, 2024Even more badly edited than Holt’s previous work ‘Protocol.’ Also even more blatantly and crudely anti-“woke” than that book.
There is too much ‘magical thinking’ in here for a credible author. Aliens than can not only shapeshifter, but increase their individual physical size and mass on command and essentially instantly? My five year old believes stuff like that, and maybe that works in X-Men comics, but it’s too much of a pill to swallow for an adult. Also, the number of times that ‘just the right thing happened to save the plot’ got old quick.
The story is contiguous, and mildly entertaining, but again I’m not recommending it.
There is too much ‘magical thinking’ in here for a credible author. Aliens than can not only shapeshifter, but increase their individual physical size and mass on command and essentially instantly? My five year old believes stuff like that, and maybe that works in X-Men comics, but it’s too much of a pill to swallow for an adult. Also, the number of times that ‘just the right thing happened to save the plot’ got old quick.
The story is contiguous, and mildly entertaining, but again I’m not recommending it.
March 22, 2026
One of the most frightening stories I ever read.
Its close to a satire of political correctness taken too far. So far that it becomes repressive. In many ways similar to Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead. This will either be banned or go down as one of history's classics.
Its close to a satire of political correctness taken too far. So far that it becomes repressive. In many ways similar to Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead. This will either be banned or go down as one of history's classics.
April 2, 2022
Best book in the series.
The latest episode in Alex’s battles with the alien and the Accord is the best yet. I hope the struggle against T.E.D. continues….
The latest episode in Alex’s battles with the alien and the Accord is the best yet. I hope the struggle against T.E.D. continues….
July 27, 2024
Really Good Plotline!
I was glued to my Kindle, flipping through pages at warp speed.
Okay, Lt. Alex Burns went from the kettle into the fire in this book. He got to travel across the galaxy and back again. Did he learn anything that would help his fight against Olivia? It's well worth the read to find out.
I was glued to my Kindle, flipping through pages at warp speed.
Okay, Lt. Alex Burns went from the kettle into the fire in this book. He got to travel across the galaxy and back again. Did he learn anything that would help his fight against Olivia? It's well worth the read to find out.
April 29, 2021
Great storytelling
I have read all three books. Not a dull moment. Excitement in every page. Is this the future? Highly recommended.
I have read all three books. Not a dull moment. Excitement in every page. Is this the future? Highly recommended.
April 20, 2021
Wow
I really hope this isn't the end I really enjoy the paradigm challenges and would like to see a conclusive outcome for the Accord.
I really hope this isn't the end I really enjoy the paradigm challenges and would like to see a conclusive outcome for the Accord.
November 30, 2025
I can't say it any better but the story at time seems to be like a cross among a fairy tale, horror story and pure science fiction. That being said, it was nevertheless a very interesting story. The author has done an excellent job of merging several types of story telling into a compelling piece of writing.
January 29, 2025
Brilliant read
Just finished book 3 in the Burns series what a brilliant read I thoroughly recommend this to other readers 👏👏👏great author
Just finished book 3 in the Burns series what a brilliant read I thoroughly recommend this to other readers 👏👏👏great author
December 13, 2020
Worth the wait
This is 3rd book in Burns series, and second where action is taking place in the future during Accord Of Nations politically correct dystopian future.
It’s been about 2 years since other books were published, and I’m happy to say that this one doesn’t disappoint. The action is amazing, most of the questions are answered, although few remain - here is hoping for more action and more answers in next book in series, preferably soon.
This is 3rd book in Burns series, and second where action is taking place in the future during Accord Of Nations politically correct dystopian future.
It’s been about 2 years since other books were published, and I’m happy to say that this one doesn’t disappoint. The action is amazing, most of the questions are answered, although few remain - here is hoping for more action and more answers in next book in series, preferably soon.
December 30, 2020
Interesting book good series
So a glimpse into the near future if things keep progressing the way they are. Not with the aliens...but with people. I think this book should be required reading for the warning it presents.
So a glimpse into the near future if things keep progressing the way they are. Not with the aliens...but with people. I think this book should be required reading for the warning it presents.
September 13, 2023
Did the Good Guys Win?
I am wondering if this is the end of the Alex Burns story? If so, who won and who lost?
Is Earth free? Is the Galaxy free? Is there only the Earth and Rome? I have too many questions for this story to be done with!
I am hoping for more!!!
I am wondering if this is the end of the Alex Burns story? If so, who won and who lost?
Is Earth free? Is the Galaxy free? Is there only the Earth and Rome? I have too many questions for this story to be done with!
I am hoping for more!!!
April 16, 2022
a must read
A very entertaining and skilled takedown of the WOKE movement engendered by one political group. Could this be a potential future.
A very entertaining and skilled takedown of the WOKE movement engendered by one political group. Could this be a potential future.
June 2, 2024
More please Mr. Holt!
October 9, 2025
I read this book after the first two in the series and felt myself losing the will to live. The underlying premise is fine and the Accord values can easily be generalized into an example of any proscriptive religion / regime where all arguments can be summarized as "Aiee, we are not allowed to [enter text] Aiee!" However the author endlessly repeats the Accord dogma and in so doing doubles the number of words used (or so it feels) and bores the reader. Also, the text reads like a non stop series of contrived perilous situations for Burns and again a bit more concision would have transformed things. So, if you like that kind of read then you may well enjoy the book (or the TV series that it is so obviously a precursor for) but for me condensing the three texts into one would have made for a more enjoyable romp. Sorry to be so negative but its really was unrelenting and more than a little cliched.
December 13, 2020
Protocol was an poignant satire on political correctness , but lighter on the Sci Fi action and drama.
Shale is action packed , the accord continues to i poison the world , and Burns will not relent in waging his war against it’s absurdity.
The Burns character continues to develop, he is the futuristic Jack Reacher only tougher , Tom Cruise will never be able to play Alex Burns
Bravo MM Holt
Shale is action packed , the accord continues to i poison the world , and Burns will not relent in waging his war against it’s absurdity.
The Burns character continues to develop, he is the futuristic Jack Reacher only tougher , Tom Cruise will never be able to play Alex Burns
Bravo MM Holt
April 27, 2024
Finished the three book series. Descent SciFi.
Good cast of characters. Interesting take on how our woke world goes off the rails.
Will anxiously await the fourth book because the door was left open!
Good cast of characters. Interesting take on how our woke world goes off the rails.
Will anxiously await the fourth book because the door was left open!
March 7, 2021
Not far from the truth!
This book is amazing! Read it and the last one! P.C.is getting worse so be afraid chaps! It is all our fault
This book is amazing! Read it and the last one! P.C.is getting worse so be afraid chaps! It is all our fault
March 1, 2024
Shale
Loved the book. Cannot wait for the next one. In was a good break from my normal reads which was history related.
Loved the book. Cannot wait for the next one. In was a good break from my normal reads which was history related.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews