Humanity’s First Intergalactic War is over but only after testing the resolve, patience and skill of a civilization.
The Aquillians have been defeated, but their threat has not been eliminated.
Commander Prime Jefferson Grant’s life has been spared, but only in exchange for a life of servitude.
No sooner had the dust settled and the dead buried before the last of the Aquillians would emerge. Allied with a strange, new enemy and armed to the teeth, these are not the creatures that allowed their race to be destroyed by the humans in years past.
They’re attacking Earth and her colonies without method or mercy, leaving the leaders of the United Space Corps scrambling to react. The best hope lies with the soldiers, tradesmen and service members in the field, thrown into the fire to survive or otherwise.
Driven by forces he does not understand, Commander Prime Grant must lead his forces through the assault, to a goal even he doesn’t believe.
Assessment:
An fantasy set mostly on the surface of Mars, this book follows a disgraced former Commander who was stripped of his rank and sent to the front lines, as he helps defend Mars colonies against an alien threat. A redemption story set amid humanity's fight for survival, what White's novel lacks in polish and character development, it makes up for in non-stop action and gritty episodes of military heroism that many readers will find enthralling.
Date Submitted: July 13, 2016
MissionSRX: Ephemeral Solace by Matthew D. White picks up where it left off in the first MissionSRX novel. This is a sequel, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The Aquillians have finally been defeated and the human race is free, or are they? Sure, Commander Prime Jefferson Grant and his people defeated the enemy, but are they really gone? They have skill on their side; however, their enemy has firepower and allies on their side. The Aquillians are not that easily defeated. They are back and they are back with an ally so strong and powerful that humans and their colonies are almost defenseless against them. Their only hope is Commander Prime Jefferson Grant and his force. They are the ones standing right in front of the line of fire and protecting humanity against all. However, how can Grant help his people focus and lead them when he does not believe in what he is doing?
This is my first experience reading White's work and, I have to be honest here, I was not expecting much from this novel. Since I have read so much in the sci-fi genre, I was expecting something very similar to what I have read before. This was different. I was pleasantly surprised by it; the characterization is strong and so is the development. The dialogues were also nice and everything was well connected. I enjoyed reading about Grant and how he transformed from being defeated to a leader. That was wonderful. This book is really good.
