In the late 21st century, humanity left Earth due to multiple resource shortcomings aggravated by an acceleration in climate change. They settled Echo, a planet that was nearly a carbon copy of Earth except for being devoid of all but the most basic life forms. Fast forward 1200 years later. Echo has endured over a thousand years of dark age. Corporations and government merged early on, becoming … becoming the oppressive authority known as the Regime. Military and police merged into the Department of Enforcement, their only mission to crush the huge network of rebels known as the Dissidents. Over half the planet is covered by decaying cityscapes and the elite live high above, removed and remote from the greater populace on the moon-city of Ascension. Hope lies in one man, a former Enforcer named Atriya. But before he can break the cycle of darkness and ignorance on Echo, he has to do it within himself.
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An interesting look at a futuristic version of humanity. Global warming has made Earth uninhabitable, and now humans live on similar planet called Echo. Governments and corporations have merged and created the Department of Enforcement to crush the Dissident rebels who are fighting to make their lives better. Much of Echo is in a rapidly deteriorating state. but the elite live up in the sky where they can ignore the chaos threatening to destroy Echo.
The main character, Atriya, is one of the Department of Enforcement’s highly-trained Enforcers. As a good soldier, he follows orders. However lately, he has been having second thoughts and strange ideas. He wonders about things that he shouldn’t and wants to do something, but is unsure of what path to take. This is the source of the story’s conflict and the narrative unfolds from there.
I do not usually read a lot of science fiction, but I do like military fiction, so I took a chance on it. This book was pretty darn good because it is not just about the action. It also explores the ideas of humanity, courage, strength, bureaucracy run amuck, war, and even religion.
I have one comments. I’ve always loved westerns, especially Louis L’Amour. But I could never get into Zane Gray. That was because Zane Gray included way to much detail. I have an imagination. Let me use it. Echo 1 is kind of that way. Maybe not as bad as Zane Gray!
I haggled over 4 or 5 stars for this book for a few days, and settled in on 4.5 … which rounds off to 5 anyway. Military science fiction readers will love it!
This book sets up the life and troubles of one Atriya, an elite warrior on a bleak, futuristic world with ancient roots on Earth. It’s a world ruled by war, military politics and the shadow of a moon on which the privileged live unnaturally long lives in aloof comfort.
I liked Atriya. He is the ultimate warrior, a killing machine, but has a contemplative side that isolates him from his peers and causes him to doubt what others around him accept without question. This sense of something-not-right grows as the book progresses, creating tension and driving Atriya to some rash decisions — which land him in a political trap.
The author’s knowledge of the military mindset and an appreciation for the intricacies of futuristic technology, particularly weapons, are striking. This includes the shortcomings of said technology and its effect on soldiers, which in some cases is frightening in and of itself. The level of detail, while a bit daunting in places, gave this story an air of authenticity. There were some issues with point of view, passive voice, wording that can put readers at a distance, but I found this minor. The author has a strong, incisive way of describing things.
Do be warned: this story ends abruptly. The author does a nice job setting Atriya up in a nasty situation — and then drops you right there. Fortunately, when I finished this, the second book was already out and it picks up where this one leaves off.
This is an absorbing read and I enjoyed it. I almost abandoned the book after the gruesome first chapter, but I’m glad I didn’t. Once I brought myself to pick it up again I was hooked.
The protagonist, Atriya, is a compelling character and the world-building is both intriguing and convincing. Atirya is an elite fighter in the military whose doubts and inner conflicts are revealed as the story unfolds. Lengthy descriptions of the military hardware held up the action for me at times, but otherwise the pacing is good.
I was torn on how to rate the book since it finishes leaving us completely in mid-air. Where’s the rest of it? Well, volume 2, of course.