Customer Reviews

Terror Occulta

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Humanity is at the top of the food chain, but will this fact remain so in the future? "Terror Occulta" is a science fiction story of the future; humanity seems to have met its match in a species of predator out to eliminate them from existence. One man alone holds the power that will return humanity to prosperity - or accelerate their extinction. "Terror Occulta" is worth considering for any sci-fi fan.

Victor Paletta first novel is a story that combines elements of several SciFi genres: Military Science Fiction, Future Dystopias, Space Opera, and Allegorical Theodicy. His protagonist is Corporal 1412, a warrior trained to protect the last vestiges of humanity against a rapacious, demonic enemy bent on the subjugation and destruction of the human race. To do so successfully Corporal 1412 must tap into the depths of his own animal nature for the power to fight without losing what makes him human. The ravaged world in which this conflict is waged is populated with robots, cyborgs, humans, and monsters who all add complexity to the struggle. Corporal 1412 finds his destiny at the leading edge of the struggle, but can he defeat his enemy without destroying himself? Can he preserve human values and dignity in his fight for freedom or must he compormise them in order to win?

"Terror Occulta" is the first book in a proposed trilogy. The rich tapestry of this thrilling dystopia is ripe for further story telling. There are many more battles yet to be fought in this war and we eagerly wait for future volumes in this series.

The passion, intelligence, and consideration for humanity present in Victor Paletta's first (of hopefully many) novel(s) pulls the reader into this future reality that may be revealed to be more 'science' than 'fiction'. The theme of a changed world leaves the reader with much more to digest than the story itself. Several open-ended questions stuck with this reader and led to an examination of the human consciousness itself. Highly recommended for anyone that likes to be challenged into new thought processes and consideration of issues that have yet to be answered.

Is this writer foretelling the fall of Western Civilization as we know it? Will humankind have to go into hiding in "Terra Occulta" to escape the "Terror Occultus"? Will some day unknown species of predators result from scientific experimentation and roam the Earth unchallenged? Could a new race also emerge from experimenting with DNA and/or stem cell research?
The reader can't help thinking that what started as a fantastic tale may actually turn into reality just a few decades away.
How would humankind react to a changing world? Paletta offers a couple of choices. Some will seek survival into the bowels of Earth, train for war from an early age in a Spartan society devoid of color, imagination or any art form. Some will look to the stars, seek freedom of choice and surround themselves with color and hanging gardens....
It appears that the author enjoys taking the reader for a journey into the future, while at the same time keeps reminding him also of his roots, as the use of Latin links generations to their history and lessons learned from it.
While the young reader will enjoy the fast paced, action packed tale of soldiers, war machines and inventions, a more mature reader might be more intrigued by the subtlety of the various open-ended questions and possibilities open to humanity. I definitely recommend this book.