Empire - Michael J Hicks
This is probably the first book I picked up that I could truly place within the modern SFR genre - that is, since my reading of Anne McCaffrey's novels. It is free on Amazon, and if I could put my reading of it into a single word, it would be 'Wow!' The book is arguably a war story, but it focuses on the brutal military training of Reza Gard, a human captured by the Kreelan Empire (yup, aliens, and about as alien as they can come) and a very unlikely romance.The vision of this book is incredible, though I must admit I have yet to pluck up the courage to read further in the series. That should not detract from this recommendation, though. It's that one becomes so immersed in the alien mindset and world that coming back to reality almost induces culture shock! An excellent escapist novel - but don't expect it to be a pleasant read, necessarily. The Kreelans are brutal!
Author site: Author Michael J Hicks
Laurel, I'm a big fan of the first two books in the In Her Name series--especially the second! I highly recommend books #1 and #2. The world- and culture-building is exquisite, and Reza is a hero that has stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteMan am I awful at keeping track of comments. I have yet to pick up the second book. I'll have to do that now. Sometime!
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy military SFR, book #2 is especially good.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I can't recommend the entire trilogy.
Book #3 has some surprises and is also well-written, but I didn't care for the wrap of the story--I wouldn't call it a bad ending so much as a "then what was the whole point of the struggle?" kind of pre-ordained close.
One thing that really ruined the experience for me in #3 was the horrible brutalization of an important secondary character that seemed unnecessary and unwarranted for the resolution.
Right. I'll have to take that into account - thanks for the warning!
ReplyDeleteI have one or two more of his books, but I don't know which ones they are, if they're even the follow-ons.