The Forsaken Planet (Power of the Stars #1), by Bryan Wilson
The Book
Synopsis:
When mysterious aircraft wreak havoc across Earth’s skies, it is revealed that there are clusters of other planets where humankind resides, distant worlds where the people wield the power of the stars themselves. It is an energy force that can bring about miracles or, as the alien fleet’s ruthless leader displays, unleash horrors beyond imagination.
After experiencing a loss during the onslaught, Colton Samson, an ordinary college student, vows to protect his loved ones at any cost. But to learn the power to do so, he must enlist into the Army of the Universal Throne—a second alien force with its own agenda.
With the revelation of a secret prophecy foretelling humanity’s demise and Colton’s improbable role in preventing it, he embarks alongside a diverse group of friends to the Throne’s capital, the planet of Vintara. There he faces prejudice from supposed allies, lifelike combat simulations that test him to his core, and the looming threat of a universal war. Only by embracing his true potential can Colton hope to secure the safety he seeks, in a universe that views him as nothing more than Forsaken.
My Review
The Forsaken Planet is the first book in the Power of the Stars series, a military sci-fi space opera novel written by Bryan Wilson, and which acts as the introduction to a series of epic scope. An intriguing prologue leads us to the main story, following a college student, Colton, the day the Earth discovers they are not alone in the universe.
But that's not the only discovery of that night, as humanhood is inhabiting other planets, all of them wielding a sort of force, the Solara, except for the Earth. While being with his friends, they see a ship near Colton's parents' house, and their first reaction is to go and defend them, finding some strangers claiming they have killed Colton parents, taunting them; in the fight that follows, one of his friends is killed, while Colton manages to survive wielding an unexpected force that acts as a shield. The arrival of another ship with the forces of the Army of the Universal Throne puts a end to the fighting, reducing the hostile, and saving Colton and their friends.
After some things are explained to our group, they decide to enlist in the Army of the Universal Throne, where they will learn to wield Solara and help in the fight that is threatening to destroy the universe and imply those beloved by them.
With this premise, Wilson has created a plot that feels quite familiar but giving his own kind of twists to many of the tropes; once this long introduction has happened, our humans get into the immensity of the Universal Throne, passing a big process of learning to be part of the Army of the Throne, demolishing many barriers and finally becoming the first Earthlings that wield Solara (not counting Colton).
At the same time, the world building is quite extensive, with a full system of planets where humanhood exists, with some changes, and with its own mythology which remembers to the best of spaces operas (and that mythology will end being important for the plot). It's interesting how Wilson introduces xenophobia and racism in the poblation of other planets, as they are scared/think the Earthlings are inferior, a reaction that seems to be just a byproduct of fear and propaganda.
Personally, what I find not working for me at points is the pacing, which is irregular, and especially, really slow in the first quarter, picking after that mark, and progressively accelerating towards the end. While I was immersed the pages just flowed, it is true that the first part can be felt a bit dry for many tastes.
Said that, The Forsaken Planet ends promising an exciting sequel, and seeing the quality of Wilson's writing, I'm quite eager to read it; if you like space operas/military sci-fi, I think this is a book you should try, especially with The Son of the Prophets coming soon.
The Author/s
Bryan Wilson
I was in my late teens when I started jotting down notes for THE FORSAKEN PLANET. That was twenty years ago that I sat inside the full-service gas station I worked at, writing on any scrap of paper I could find during the slow hours before closing.
Colton and company have followed me through most of my adult life, performing some writing here and a whole lot of self-editing there. During that process, I earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics, started my own construction company, met my lovely wife, married, built our house, and had two beautiful baby girls.
Luckily, writing Colton’s second installment didn’t take as long.
It has been my dream to publish this series. And I hope it garners enough attention to help speed up the telling of the rest of our Forsaken friends’ journey through the multiple books I have planned.
For now, I will continue crafting this saga as fast as possible while dealing with life and enjoying my wonderful little family in the process.