Customer Reviews

7 Scorpions, Book 1: Rebellion

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

7 Scorpions Rebellion is a novel set in an apocalyptic world ruled by the Zodiac who brought the end of civilization in one day. Although the novel never directly explains how the Zodiac did bring about the end, it is implied that he worked behind the scenes to enact his plan. The ideas of the erosion of civil liberties, justice for those in power or with wealth, the rise of domestic terrorism all feature prominently in the novel. What's scary is that such concerns are a reality now and the subtle implications of such things helping the Zodiac scared me. This novel actually scared me, and I can't say that with hardly any books out there. When a writer is able to elicit such strong emotions from the reader, it speaks volume to the piece of work the author has constructed and is commendable as well as entertaining.

Regarding the characters, none of them can be categorized as a cliche. Vincent, aka Night Viper, is one of the main characters and is a superhuman soldier. One might expect such a character to be moody or dark, Vincent is neither. He is a dynamic individual who expresses emotion just like any of the other characters. He doesn't believe himself better or superior than anyone: he's simply a product of what's happened to him. Lexi, on the other hand, acts like she's a superhuman and she doesn't even have any powers (except for not feeling fear). Despite her limitations, especially when working with Vincent, Lexi shows confidence and courage.

Even the 'evil' or 'bad' characters are not one dimensional beings. Commander Jade has committed atrocities and is the very definition of sinister, but we learn this was a woman horribly abused in her life and who is really far from the evil commander she displayed herself to be. I was touched by the humanity explored within her, something I never expected after the character was first introduced. Even Dr. Erinyes, with his superiority complex and disdain for the lesser intellect, was a character I enjoyed and genuinely cared for, particularly after his attempt to protect Andromeda from Carl.

The country was lost until word of one man, Vincent Black, rallied people to join together and rebel. Such an ideal has been around for years, but it is that ideal that brings depth to the story and encourages the reader to rally around the characters. Josh, John, Eve, Talbot, Maria, and the others...all became people who I hope live to see the rebellion succeed because they want so much to make the world a better place.

There is just enough hints about what precipitated the Flash Storm (which ended civilization) that I'm anxious to learn more. How were things allowed to get to the point where someone like Zodiac could swoop in? History is replete with such individuals and this novel illustrates that someone will always be waiting in the darkness to take advantage for their own end.

This is just not a sci-fi novel, it's a warning that modern day society isn't as secured as most people believe it to be. But it's also a testament to the human spirit to endure even the bleakest of situations. I look forward to the second novel and what these characters who I care about do to fight back against Zodiac. And I hope they kick his ass to the moon!!!

When I had purchased 7 Scorpions Rebellion, It was my first Science Fiction novel and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. But after reading it, I realized this is definitely a genre I can stick to. So before I tell about the story and characters a little bit, I'd like to congratulate Mike on a well written and entertaining novel. Great Job! Now, into the story.

On May 7th, an event named the Flash Storm devastated the world when it destroyed every major city and military base on the planet. However, this wasn't a natural disaster, it was caused by the new ruler named Zodiac. A powerful and evil man who sometimes claims that his Flash Storm was for the better, as it eliminated the majority of the corruption. Due to the disastrous event, the world is plunged into complete chaos and hope less than dwindles on a thin string. Zodiac's Grand Army, made up of human slaves in special suit's are seemingly unstoppable and a rebel rebellion seems impossible. All until a small group make's it's appearance and gives new hope to the remaining of mankind. Vincent, a powerful and tough man who has a thing for killing Seekers and spreading hope. Alexis, who I call the woman version of Vincent, is a fearless and impressive sidekick who I think sub conciously spreads just as much hope. And Josh, a computer geek who is too smart for you not to have confidence in. And these three, seem to be gathering an army of their own, quietly and effectively.

This book doesn't just give you a one character point of view, but actually a lot of character's point of view. And Mike write's it so well that it doesn't bother you because you're forming relationship's with characters that help's establish emotion and concern for them. Vital importance when writing a series like Mike. But to take it a step further, he actually gives you a point of view from the enemy commanders and even Zodiac himself. So you really get a feel for everything that's going on and it help's create suspense. Another thing I felt when reading, was Mike's intelligence. You think to yourself 'This guy know's his stuff' and that really help's bring the story to life because it help's build confidence in the writer. So it was really a great story and I recommend it to any Sci-Fi fan or anyone who is looking for something new, but too scared to explore it. You won't be disappointed.


Cedric Cross, Author of "The Black Eagle"

For those who grew up on Sci-Fi movies... stories... novels and are looking for something new, original, and exciting... then this is the book you are looking for!
Remember the shock and surprise when Vader turned out to be Luke's dad... For the 80s, that was a unique WOW that all other sci-fi stories set their standards by... this book will be setting new levels of expectations for the years to come...
The author got the idea for the story all from him dreams....
Using real locations set to back drops familiar to us all with a unique Sci-Fi twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more... AND THERE WILL BE. This is book 1 of 3!

Check out the author's site...

I definitely recommend this purchase.

I just finished reading 7 Scorpions rebellion and the only problem I have with it is,I have to wait till sometime in the spring to get the second installment.This book was very well written with likable characters.Vincent of course is my favorite,he's like a futuristic cross between spiderman with his sixth sense,wolverine with his healing abilities,and Flash with his super speed.Can't wait to read book two.For anyone reading the reviews,I highly recommend the book.Mike Saxton is an up and coming great!

7 Scorpions:Rebellion - Reviewed by Uta Christensen, Author

Talk about an apocalyptic scenario! You will find it in Mike Saxton's riveting science fiction, fantasy and doomsday novel 7 Scorpions: Rebellion. Saxton's book had me in its thrall. I could not stop reading or, better said, devouring it.

7 Scorpions: Rebellion has two fiercely opposing protagonists--Zodiac, the dark, hatred-filled and ruthless dictator who is determined to rule the world and has already destroyed all major cities around the globe with his Flash Storm; and Vincent Black, formerly known as the Night Viper. As one enters the novel, the Flash Storm has already happened and billions of people have been killed worldwide. All major cities have been destroyed and chaos reigns around the globe. Zodiac's commanders are directing his Grand Army of dark warriors. They are responsible for flushing out rebel militias hidden in dense forests and old underground fortresses and bunkers. They are succeeding in wiping out these rebel groups, whose members, when caught, are killed or turned through secret high-tech procedures into dark fearsome warriors, known as Seekers, or into lowly slaves. Zodiac strives to become the absolute, unassailable ruler of the world; and, ironically, his vision is a new, more peaceful world order. This new world order will consist, beside Zodiac, of a group of leaders, such as the equally ruthless and hatred-filled General Callous and the vicious Commanders Triton and Jade. These leaders have been allowed to retain their free will and can think for themselves. All other humans, herded into secret "Farms," are converted to seekers or slaves by being lobotomized. The result of the conversion is that these converted humans will obey without emotions and without a will of their own.

Opposed to these dark violent forces is one man, Vincent Black, the former Night Viper and controversial Los Angeles vigilante. He is a super human being because he was changed by scientists of a top-secret U.S. government program, called the Scorpion Project, which tried to create super soldiers with super human qualities and abilities. Vincent Black had originally been picked up by agents of the U.S. military and was literally converted against his will into a virtually unbeatable "Super Soldier." The conversion had been tried on seven men. The first six died in the process, only Vincent survived. He later fled from the secret facility and led a solitary life until he drifted up to Connecticut where Zodiac's fear inspiring army was operating. At that time, this army was rounding up and killing large groups of rebels and often converting them on "Seeker Farms" into robot-like creatures. By coincidence, Vincent was joined by Alexis Hera, a young fearless and heroic woman. Ultimately, it is Alexis and a cast of loyal and gifted people who join Vincent, adhere to him and eventually accept him as the leader of a formidable rebel force that will heroically fight Zodiac's dark forces.

This is a simple outline of the novel's complicated plot. The entire fast-paced novel is filled with emotion-gripping incidences and actions of hatred, ruthlessness, destruction, oppression, exploitation, neglect, loathing, distrust, but is also filled with compassion, redemption, heroism, trust, human will power and ingenuity that puts the reader on an emotional roller coaster which is impossible to get off until the novel's ending. Some happenings are utterly inhuman whereas others are filled with the best traits humanity possesses. Michael Saxton is obviously a gifted and highly imaginative writer. Like no other he can draw the reader into a world of his imagination that seems to become reality while one is literally absorbed into the novel's world.

I am normally an extremely picky reader. Very rarely am I able to pick up a book and NEVER put it down. 7 Scorpions: Rebellion was a book that I just could not stop reading. Mr. Saxton's attention to detail with the environment and character development are amazing. Being from Connecticut it was really easy to instantly visually the locations that are mentioned in the book such as Southern Connecticut State University and Backus Hospital, but for the reader who doesn't know these locations the descriptions can place you right there. The character development is one that is driven by each characters motive and drive and really gives you the feel that the characters are coming to life in front of you instead of behaving like they are in a B rate Movie and you can guess there moves four pages ahead of time. It creates a a drive of what will happen next, and have you guessing as to how the characters will responded and react with each other. It was been said in other reviews that fans of Star Wars will like this series. I fully agree and would add to that if you were a fan of futuristic weaponry such as the flying hunter-killers (Flying HKs) from the Terminator series you will also be rewarded as Mr. Saxton has created such new age weapons that are just as interesting as the plot.

It's very seldom that I read a nonromance novel. I'm very glad that I read this book though. I loved how most of the characters had tragic pasts but overcame them. Vincent Black a man that had been kidnapped and genetically altered by the government overcame more than most and used his abilities to help. Along with Alexis Hera who had brain damage due to cancer and was unable to feel fear.

The story contained murder on a genicide level and a dictator that robbed everyone in his grasp of their free will and ability to think for themselves. I hated every time I had to put it down. It reminded me of the determination of humanity to persevere through anything. It was thrilling and made me want to see what they were going to do next. This is a book I will definately recommend to others.

Wow, "7 Scorpion: Rebellion" is an awesome novel. I'm generally not a big fan of science fiction novels that are set on fantastic and impossible technology. Although this novel has a few areas that border on the technically impossible, the author does an incredible job of giving the characters such human and realistic personalities that you find yourself accepting the situation and becoming a part of the action. The novel is a very exciting and fast moving thriller. I've read a few thrillers that I have read in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. This novel has a very different affect. You have to put it down for two reasons. First, the novel has 443 pages. It is like reading two standard novels. Secondly, you have to come up to catch your breath. You need to put it down to assess your world to assure yourself that you are not in the middle of the ensuing terror. Your heart needs to rest from the terror of being one step from annihilation with the rest of the people around you. This novel would make a fantastic movie.

The monstrous leader, who calls himself Zodiac, is different from the typical dictator. He waited until he had control of the most advanced technology of the world, some still in the experimental labs. He obtained control of the greatest scientists of the world. With their knowledge, he created soldiers he called Seekers. They are captured people, whom he converted by inserting an electronic chip in their brains. This chip not only placed them under his control but it also broadcast a signal that induced a fantastic fear in anyone that was near them,reducing them into sniveling cowards. The only hope humanity has is in two people. One a young man, Vincent Black, known as the Night Viper, and a young woman called Lexi. The young man was the result of a government experiment, perpetrated against his will, to create a supper soldier. The woman, Lexi, had just survived brain sugery. The result is that both are not affected by the fear transmission. That made them great leaders of the rebellion. A must read novel.

When a tyrannical dictator who calls himself Lord Zodiac makes the world bow down to its knees to him, who can stand against him and his forces' immense power? How about Vincent Black, a man who represents one of the signs of the zodiac, the scorpion, and who was kidnapped against his will by a government agency and was transformed, becoming super-strong and super- fast? That's the basic scenario of the edge-of-your-seat, page-turning SF novel, 7 Scorpions: Rebellion, the first in a planned trilogy, by author Mike Saxton.

It's difficult to imagine anyone standing against the Darth-Vader-like Lord Zodiac, at least not for very long. The Flash Bombs he detonated simultaneously in every major city around the globe was an impressive display of his powers, and the fight was over almost before it started. Then, the Seekers took over, Lord Zodiac's own immense private army of lobotomized humans controlled by a mechanical spider-looking device implanted in their skulls. They feel no pain nor fear, and carry out whatever orders Zodiac and his generals give them. Also, they send out waves of fear towards anyone who dares to resist them, which is a very intimidating deterrent to rebels attempting to form an alliance.

Still, pockets of rebels do organize in Connecticut (the setting of the novel). Unfortunately for them, the SATs are controlled by Lord Zodiac, and the satellites are able to pinpoint the rebel bases and eliminate them, one by one. Vincent Black, also known as the Night Viper, is reluctant to talk about his past, and what the government did to him, other than to say: "I'm what happens when the government plays around with things they shouldn't." Black had once had cancer, but the governments' experiments on him got rid of it, besides making him into a super soldier. His eyelid is tattooed with the number 7, The first 6 people the government experimented on didn't survive, but somehow, Vincent Black did. The project was called Project Scorpion, so after Black escaped, he had a scorpion tattooed around the same eye as a "kind of memorial to the six people I never met who died perfecting a procedure which would save my life."

The fear-inducing waves that Lord Zodiac, his generals, commanders, and Seekers send forth have no effect on Vincent Black. They also have no effect on Alexis Hera, who teams up with him, along with other rebels trying to escape the Seekers and Apocalypse Dozers trying to destroy them. Alexis is a woman who, like Black, had cancer, and had to have an operation on her brain stem to remove a tumor "near the amygdala, a walnut-sized portion of the brain that controls fear." She is an expert marksman, and has considerable hand-to-hand fighting skills. Other than Vincent, Alexis is the only other person who has ever managed to kill a Seeker commander.

The Apocalypse Dozers are one of the cooler weapons of mass destruction at Lord Zodiac's disposal. They have whirring, spinning blades that destroy everything in their paths, including trees, buildings, vehicles, and people. Lord Zodiac has those under him, like the evil and sadistic Commander Jade, direct the Apocalypse Dozers towards rebel headquarters, which makes short work of them. Then, any survivors are either made into slaves or new Seekers, zombie-like soldiers used to find and annihilate any other rebels foolish enough to go against them.

The experiments the government performed on Black left him strong enough to lift a car over his head and throw it, or to leap incredible distances even if he is carrying someone. Many aspects of the novel 7 Scorpions: Rebellion seemed almost to be the stuff of super hero comic books or computer games. I'm a fan of both, so that played into my enjoyment of the novel. Though Black, Alexis, and rebels like the computer techie Josh have some success against Lord Zodiac, I am anxious to read the next novel in the series, 7 Scorpions: Revolution, when it comes out.

7 Scorpions: Rebellion is an exhilarating, high-octane adrenaline rush of a novel that anyone who loves military science fiction owes it to themselves to check out. The unfolding origin tale of Vincent Black was interesting and plausible, though it was reminiscent to movies like Universal Soldier. It was still pretty cool, and Alexis Hera is a good foil for him. For being a human who was not directly involved in Project Scorpion, she is one bad-ass and then some. This is a great start by Mike Saxton, and I hope that the other two novels in his trilogy are as fantastic or more so than this one!

7 SCORPIONS: REBELLION - Reviewed by Howard Bryant, Author of Murder in Cahill

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 7 Scorpions: Rebellion. It was packed with action and excitement from the first page to the very last. I was particularly impressed by the way the author vividly described the events taking place in the story. It makes one wonder whether something like that could actually happen. If it did, I would suspect that we would pretty much respond in a similar fashion as the rebels.

Zodiac, his commanders and seekers were a total destructive force to reckon with. People in the general population were slaughtered without feeling or mercy. With death and confusion at every turn, no one had the means to stand up to such a powerful enemy. In crafting the story, the author injected a man who would turn hopelessness into optimism, and ultimately victory. Vincent Black, once known as the Night Viper, changed everything. He gave the rebels, through his own abilities, the courage to stand up and fight. He gave them determination and the will to face the enemy or die trying. Vincent Black showed them that by working together they could overcome the tremendous odds they were facing.

Also, the author ingeniously included all facets of human emotions in the story which kept it interesting as well. The varying degrees of interactions among all of the characters made the story seem realistic.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read action oriented books.