Versatile Layer Books 1-3: The Origins Collection

by Thomas Davis

The Red Versatile Layer book 1
Jake Takeda is a high school student living a quiet life on Lhasa space colony. He has a genius level I.Q. but not much in the way of common sense. When he discovers an alien pod in his father's salvage yard, he does what any sensible person would do. He opens it up and befriends the beautiful alien girl who emerges from it (Adeola). She just so happens to be an Arez, a warrior race with red skin that humans have warred with for centuries. It’s a desperate race for Jake and Adeola to stay ahead of Station Security. All the while, in the shadows, a team dispatched by the Arez conducts a violent search for the red girl.

The Glass Versatile Layer book 2
It’s been 10 years since the unprovoked Arez attack on Lhasa Space Colony. The war between humanity and the Arez is in full swing with no end in sight. Countless heroes have been struck down by the alien hordes. The orbital cannon on the moon of Titan is the only thing keeping the Arez armada from penetrating further into Terran space. The courageous Captain Jake Takeda has been dispatched to Titan along with the rest of his elite Strike Team. Their mission is to defend the orbital cannon from the vicious Arez ground forces stationed on the exotic moon and to defeat their cruel leader. The dreaded general known only as The Crimson Death.

Trial by Versatile Layer book 3
The M’falme tribe has ruled the Arez empire for over 8 decades. They are a proud tribe that hold fast to duty and tradition. Princess Adeola M'falme has finally healed from the wounds she suffered at the hands of the humans. But her soul has still not healed from the loss of her mother. She embarks on a journey to find herself and assert her independence from the royal family. This puts her at odds with First Mother, Oyodiin who is the lead queen and first wife of her father. Her quest leads her to a hermit who has created a mysterious martial art known as Broken Cup. When someone she loves is imprisoned for a crime they did not commit. Adeola will have to use what she has learned to save them in a trial by combat. New challenges and adversaries await Adeola as she is pulled into political machinations and adventure. Get a deeper look at the Arez's unique alien culture. Explore the world of Samael and learn the epic history of the royal family, the M'Falme Tribe. Are you prepared to lay it all on the line in a Trial by Combat? I believe you are.

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2022

Reviews

[R.L.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweeping space opera follows a number of stories of people stuck in the center of a conflict between civilizations. The action is fast paced, the characters well-drawn, and the political intrigue complex.

I particularly like that the "bad guys" in this are never one-dimensional, but complex people with their own stories and passions. It's easy to understand nearly all of them.

My favorite character is probably Adeola, a woman of the Arez, who is a gifted warrior and politically powerful (a literal princess), but also true to her principles. This collection is worth reading to meet her alone, though there are plenty of other great characters to meet in here (especially Jake Takeda).

Though I was occasionally thrown off balance by shifting verb tenses, POV shifts that I wouldn't have made, and other small things that annoy me (I'm a bit of a grammar nerd, I'm afraid), the story here was strong enough for me to usually sail past these things.

Truly enjoyable read. If you like scifi, you should try this one.

[Sherrie Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Versatile Layer Books 1-3 drew me in and held my attention throughout. When a simple misunderstanding sets a deadly war into play, the ramifications are chilling and world-altering. I loved the characters and descriptions of the worlds reperesented. The mounting tension and ultimate explosion between the two cultures was captivating and heartbreaking and sadly, so similar to what goes on in our own world. Surprise twists kept me reading. Presenting both Jake and Adeola's somewhat parallel stories and thoughts about each other over the years was genious and led to understanding of both sides from their unique perspectives. Supporting characters were complex and well-draw and at times, just evil and hateful enough to give the story the punch it needed. I am very imprssed by this author and will come back to read more from him.

[T R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, poignant questions open Book 1 and he story begins with a summoning then search for relics and data on Jophiel-a 5th planet from the sun, closest to neutral territory. The Red Girl centers around a beautiful girl with red skin from a race humans warred with; a search for her. The action is intense, moving the story along at a fast clip, allowing no boring downtime for the reader up to ten years later in Book 2 with Space conflicts the theme taking place center stage. The tight writing continues to Book 3, and without giving away spoilers or retelling the story line, suffice it to say that it is the good writing and believable characters that propel the story scene after scene. Where the author shines is in the juxtaposition of bringing out the dichotomies in his characters, specifically good vs evil, and how easily the scales tip from good to bad as is true to life.

[A.A. Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a saga reminiscent of Dune, set in a universe where Terrans and Arez have been fighting each other for so long that they can't remember why. Thomas Davis spares no punches in showing the horrors of war, but he also cleverly highlights the positive too. As families are torn apart, orphans find solace in the camaraderie of serving in the forces. And ultimately, although his characters ask themselves what it means to be human, it's clear that they aren't too battle-hardened to show friendship, love and mercy. It's a story that makes you alternately cry, laugh and gasp in shock.