Review of The Rhysu Alternative
Posted: 12 Oct 2023, 10:34
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Rhysu Alternative" by P.D. Blackwell.]
Bev Colli regains consciousness to find herself encircled by the Rhysu, her mind incessantly echoing that they are the enemy. Are they? Who planted the thought, and how did they do it? The revelation of her consciousness residing in a form devoid of flesh and blood is nothing short of shocking. Why did they transfer her consciousness? As she continues to live with them and reconstruct the events leading to her current state, Bev becomes aware of the profound interconnectedness of everything in the universe and the importance of the Rhysu's mission to secure their survival by eliminating the Compression Drive, an action that jeopardizes humanity and civilization's progress. In parallel, the Shoku, another group of energy sea creatures, is on a different mission — the annihilation of the human race.
Meanwhile, Arlud, armed with intelligence, orchestrates arrests during a critical delegation assembly aimed at forging a new alliance. In his homeland, very far away, rising political tensions and propagandist efforts threaten his ascent to the high regency, a position he is rightfully poised to claim as the son of the former High Regent, his father, Armand Erstallius. Questions abound: will Arlud and his family survive these machinations? What were the traitors attempting to achieve, and how did Arlud uncover their plans? Will the nascent alliance hold strong in the face of imminent challenges and formidable forces?
The Rhysu Alternative: The Erstallius Chronicles, Volume Two by P.D. Blackwell unfolds as a captivating installment in this enthralling science fiction trilogy. It delves into the gradual disintegration of the former Alliance, a series of brutal retaliatory attacks by vengeful clans bent on destruction, and the pivotal role of Bev Colli, a former sapi, in the struggle to save humanity from total extinction. The narrative, refreshingly unpredictable and relatively free from heavy-handed authorial influence, flows naturally, making it a classic choice for those who appreciate seamless plots. The unpredictability of Bev's growth and the deployment of her newfound abilities adds an engaging layer of intrigue and suspense, which I liked.
I found nothing to dislike in or about this exceptional book. The extraordinary plot, brilliantly developed characters, and vivid settings collectively create a remarkable and memorable reading experience. However, I rate it four out of five stars due to the minor errors I encountered while reading, but the book generally deserves a perfect rating. The cliffhanger ending, certainly, piques curiosity and leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Most loose ends are adeptly tied up, leaving room for a seamless narrative continuation in the sequel. One thing is for sure — The Rhysu Alternative stands as an incredible science fiction novel that captured my curiosity and attention from the moment I grasped its premise, as I had not read the previous installments.
******
The Rhysu Alternative
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bev Colli regains consciousness to find herself encircled by the Rhysu, her mind incessantly echoing that they are the enemy. Are they? Who planted the thought, and how did they do it? The revelation of her consciousness residing in a form devoid of flesh and blood is nothing short of shocking. Why did they transfer her consciousness? As she continues to live with them and reconstruct the events leading to her current state, Bev becomes aware of the profound interconnectedness of everything in the universe and the importance of the Rhysu's mission to secure their survival by eliminating the Compression Drive, an action that jeopardizes humanity and civilization's progress. In parallel, the Shoku, another group of energy sea creatures, is on a different mission — the annihilation of the human race.
Meanwhile, Arlud, armed with intelligence, orchestrates arrests during a critical delegation assembly aimed at forging a new alliance. In his homeland, very far away, rising political tensions and propagandist efforts threaten his ascent to the high regency, a position he is rightfully poised to claim as the son of the former High Regent, his father, Armand Erstallius. Questions abound: will Arlud and his family survive these machinations? What were the traitors attempting to achieve, and how did Arlud uncover their plans? Will the nascent alliance hold strong in the face of imminent challenges and formidable forces?
The Rhysu Alternative: The Erstallius Chronicles, Volume Two by P.D. Blackwell unfolds as a captivating installment in this enthralling science fiction trilogy. It delves into the gradual disintegration of the former Alliance, a series of brutal retaliatory attacks by vengeful clans bent on destruction, and the pivotal role of Bev Colli, a former sapi, in the struggle to save humanity from total extinction. The narrative, refreshingly unpredictable and relatively free from heavy-handed authorial influence, flows naturally, making it a classic choice for those who appreciate seamless plots. The unpredictability of Bev's growth and the deployment of her newfound abilities adds an engaging layer of intrigue and suspense, which I liked.
I found nothing to dislike in or about this exceptional book. The extraordinary plot, brilliantly developed characters, and vivid settings collectively create a remarkable and memorable reading experience. However, I rate it four out of five stars due to the minor errors I encountered while reading, but the book generally deserves a perfect rating. The cliffhanger ending, certainly, piques curiosity and leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Most loose ends are adeptly tied up, leaving room for a seamless narrative continuation in the sequel. One thing is for sure — The Rhysu Alternative stands as an incredible science fiction novel that captured my curiosity and attention from the moment I grasped its premise, as I had not read the previous installments.
******
The Rhysu Alternative
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon