Customer Reviews

Defeated (Darkness Among the Stars)

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

 

 

"Darkness Among the Stars" is a fitting title for the beginning of what will be a hugely successful series. The author cleverly begins the book in somewhat familiar environments to permit the reader's entrance into a completely original, unpredictable, and imaginative story.

To say this story is dark is an understatement. When finished reading, I was glad that the book is fiction because of the awesome, crushing forces that are used against our planet. I couldn't have imagined what I read but I could believe it. I like this book and recommend it.

This book left me wanting MORE! I regularly check the author's website for a glimpse at the next installment; nothing there yet, but I'm patient.

It's 2271, and Jonathon Quinn is having a bad day - and I mean a bad day of intergalactic proportions. It was supposed to be a banner day in the history of Earth and the Intrastellar Coalition of Planets, the day that Operation Giant Leap opened up the entire universe for travel and exploration. As captain of the ICS Intimidator, the fleet's flagship, Quinn was there to oversee the operation as scientists on the lunar base created a wormhole and launched a probe through it to get their first close-up look at a world millions of light years away (they had already solved the problem of communication across untold light years of distance). Not only did the wormhole work, providing all concerned with a glimpse into the distant Polaris system, it revealed the undeniable existence of an alien civilization. Before any kind of true first contact could be made, however, the wormhole began fluctuating, the head scientist pushed his luck, and then, suddenly - disaster. And I do mean disaster in every sense of the word. And, while it's not Quinn's fault per se, guilt hits him like a ton of bricks. Then, when things can't possibly get any worse, the full scope of the disaster is made clear. The devastating consequences of the accident on this side of the wormhole, as terrible as they are, do not even begin to compare to the tragedy experienced on the other side.

Within hours, the reeling forces of the Intrastellar Coalition of Planets find themselves at war with a vastly superior alien force. And so begins one of the most thorough and complete ass kickings any futuristic Earth has ever taken. The alien technology and firepower allows the new enemy to cut through Earth's forces like a hot knife through butter. Author S.D. McKee gives the Earth forces some rather ingenious weapons, such as a solar laser that stores up energy from the sun and then unleashes it in a most deadly form, but nothing can stop the onslaught of the alien forces. Even as the fleet is crippled and Earth itself under full attack, the worst is yet to come - but only Jonathon Quinn knows it. For reasons he can't comprehend, an alien presence has established some kind of mental link with his own mind, sending him dream-like visions of the horrors to come and warning him of the approaching Darkness.

McKee really lets his imagination run wild with the alien technology, giving readers some of the most memorable space ships ever dreamed of. Not only are the alien starships huge, they seem to be made of some type of organic material. Black shadows roil across their dark surfaces in the most chilling of manners, and they sport huge talons and Medusa-like tentacles all over their surfaces. They prove just as impressive in action as they do in appearance, making for some thrilling scenes of military warfare in space.

There are many likeable characters scattered throughout this story, but don't expect Jonathon's crew to follow the protocol of Starfleet. No crewman ever responded to an order from Captain Kirk by asking if he was nuts, and Kirk never slept with one of his officers. Let's just say that there is a lot of informality among the crew of the ICS Invincible. In one sense, this is a weakness, but in another sense it makes the main characters much more likeable and approachable to the reader.

Toward the end, though, a major shift in the story takes place. Personally, I wasn't all that enthused about this new direction, as I think it takes away from the integrity of the story somewhat. It certainly does set the stage for the next entry in the Darkness Among the Stars series, though, and I still plan on following the storyline along through future installments. As a reader, I have no right to dictate my own terms to the writer, and there's no reason to think that other readers will react the same way I did to events as they unfold.

The bottom line, though, is that Defeated is a really engaging work of science fiction, and I really enjoyed reading it. S.D. McKee has a very creative imagination that serves him well in this particular genre, and his ability to create characters readers like and care about should serve him well as this particular series progresses. There is every reason to believe that McKee has quite a successful science fiction career in front of him.

Defeated is a dark Sci-fi adventure with plenty of twists and plot turns (though initially the story deceptively seems predictable). When you couldn't think it could get worse for the human race, invariably it does. But out of the darkness a true hero emerges and an unexpected turn of events that sets the human race on a path that changes their outcome forever.

The author does well in describing this alternate future of the human race. The battle sequences are intense and the confrontations within are compelling. The story could stand alone by itself, but Defeated is part of what looks to be a great series and I, for one, am looking forward to the sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The story's well written and starts building excitement early as it counts down to a wormhole-creation experiment that turns tragic (on a surprisingly grand and destructive scale). And things only get more interesting and more intense from there. I particularly enjoyed the organic-tech aspects of the alien race that's introduced. I don't want to give away too much, so let's just say there's plenty of action and intrigue to keep you reading.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought that it was well written and intriguing. His description of alien culture and technology is imaginative and spellbinding. The character development is personal and multi-layered.

I went into this novel with high hopes but the sad fact is that
any science fiction fan with basic education and critical thinking
skills will find "Defeated" to be a painful sojourn into a television
style nonsense plot filled with techno babble and silly characters
that do nothing to engage the adult reader.

This book might be more enjoyable for young readers, that are able
to utterly suspend disbelief and give no thought to plot, but I would
not recommend this book to any adult.

I found the story to be pedestrian and uninteresting. The whole time I read it-admittedly I gave up after chapter five-all I could think of was, "Clearly McKee knows nothing about the military that he didn't learn watching Stargate: SG-1" He also misuses words and abuses his thesaurus. I was not interested in any of the characters, least of all our protagonist. An insubordinate officer is not an interesting character. I got this book for free with my registration at a convention. I still felt cheated.

I ordered this book as part of a package deal and ended up liking it a lot.

It's got a lot of surprises, some humor, great military action, and it's sci-fi. What more could you ask for?

I honestly tried to finish reading Defeated so that I could write an objective review. But about two-thirds of the way through, I asked, why am I punishing myself? The book immediately went into my recycle bin.

I love sci-fi, and especially space opera. Quite possibly, that is why I was so disappointed. The characters are shallow, clichéd and absurd. The general commanding Earth's defenses chooses to lead by example and commands a SQUAD in the invasion of Earth. The plot is predictable. The writing style is that of a high school essay.

I wish Mr. McKee the best of luck in his future efforts, but his first leaves a lot to be desired.

I didn't like this book. I just couldn't get into it and did not finish it. Not worth your money.