Colony: A Science Fiction Novel

by Scott Reeves

In the thirtieth century, Earth is dangerously overcrowded and on the verge of ecological collapse. To ensure the survival of Mankind, people are chosen by lottery and shipped off to the stars to colonize other solar systems. Shiploads of colonists are dropped off on unexplored worlds and left to their own devices. Jorge Leever and Meesha Androva are the only survivors of one such failed attempt to colonize a distant planet. For twenty years, they’ve been alone, unable to communicate with Earth. Now, another cargo ship arrives and discharges a new group of would-be colonists. Jorge and Meesha intend to guide the development of the new colony, since they’ve accumulated twenty years worth of knowledge about the planet. Bannock, a brutal, criminal slumlord back on Earth, has other plans. He intends to reestablish his crime syndicate on this fledgling colony world and eventually return to Earth as a conqueror. But Jorge and Meesha stand in his way.

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2000

Reviews

[David Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good yarn.

This is a good yarn but it sometimes reads a little like it should have gone through another draft or two. There are good ideas but they could have been developed a bit more. The resolution feels just a bit rushed, a little too convenient and predictable. But that's just my opinion, of course.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Earth is over populated so they send people into space. It’s not an original idea and at first it doesn’t seem like this story is going to be anything new. But as you go along and the story starts to take shape little pieces and ideas all begin to add up to an original spin. Some of the characters are slightly one dimensional but they still manage to be interesting. The aliens are interesting and original as well. There is action, suspense and a little bit of romance. The danger of the terrain and of the struggle within the group keeps you wondering who will survive and who will win. There are small twists along the way that keep you from figuring out how the whole thing will turn out so the story keeps your interest until the end. I like that Reeves gives the colonists the hope of the new life that they can make for themselves but at the same time doesn’t let them just escape all the troubles of Earth but has some of those troubles follow them. Unfortunately there are typos that are distracting at times and interrupt the story slightly. But as a whole it’s a solid and entertaining story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a mix of action and quieter moments intertwined. While the women did not get to take part in the physical action, they were still a key point in the resolution to the tale. I liked how the native flora and fauna of the new world played into the tale. Bannock’s play for power has been in motion for years, and wasn’t simply something he acted upon once setting down planet-side. This made for a more complex plot, which enjoyed in a short audiobook.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, entertaining read. Some interesting ideas and believable characters.