
(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Maxx Powr published the novel “The Promise” in 2019. This is the first novel in the “Piecer Chronicles” series and his first publication.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of violence, mature language, and mature situations. The story is set in 2173. The primary character is twenty-two-year-old Chase 523.
The alien species, the Klix, had tried to conquer Earth years before but they had been beaten off. Suddenly when most everyone thinks it is safe they are back. Chase 523 has just graduated from Piecer Academy. He would be in the last graduating class. The Piecer Corp was being disbanded. When the Klix first attacked Earth the only way Earth could respond was with genetically engineered soldiers. Chase was in batch 523.
The graduation ceremony hadn’t even ended when the Klix attack came. It was devastating. The Klix targeted Piecer facilities, families, and homes. Many died in the attack and the survivors took what refuge they could.
Chase joined with a few other Piecer Cadet survivors. They steal space vessels that had been placed in museums. They agree to meet at a remote location in the Solar System. The Piecers gather new allies and eventually bring the fight back to the Klix.
Along the way, Chase encounters Sheen, an android Courtesan, and becomes her Commander. He also encounters Max 325. Max has been genetically engineered to be a ‘fixer’. He is a master of all things mechanical and electronic. Chase also encounters Eve again. She had been the love of his life while he was at the Academy.
All does not go well for the Piecers and their allies. They find that a human traitor has been behind the Klix attack. Their struggle against the Klix puts them all at risk more than once.
I enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 280-page science fiction novel. There were a lot of ‘details’ that were ignored in this novel. That said, I enjoyed it. It was a fun read. It reminded me of the kind of science fiction written in the 50s and 60s. The plot wasn’t complex and the action kept the story moving along. The cover art isn’t the greatest, but it is OK. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
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