Nephilim War: Shadows Within the Empire (Book 1)
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An ancient alien race from humanity’s past has awakened after thousands of years and they have decided humanity’s fate. Extermination.
Imperial Death Dealer Ethan Wolfe has been dispatched to kill a terrorist at the edge of the galaxy. It was a simple mission until the Emperor and his Lord Commander marked him for death, but as he goes on the run, a former smuggler. Ethan learns that his dead father was not an archaeologist but an agent of the Empire with a terrible secret. And that secret will lead him on a quest to find an ex-Imperial soldier and a being called the Guardian. Little does he know that he has a big role to play in the coming Great War with the Fallen.
Meanwhile, Lord Jonas Ares, hero of the Machine War and Lord Commander, has been aware of the Fallen for some time but before he can engage them. He must root out the human traitors. As he mobilizes his entire war machine, he realizes that the infiltration of these traitors is deeper than he could ever have imagined. And the problem is that time is running out….
He is guided by an entity of light called Michael, and with his help the Lord Commander has the element of surprise-but not all things go according to plan.
In his obsession to find the human traitors working with the Fallen, he discovers that there is an ancient relic known as the Gateway that is about to be activated in a world known as Hades. And worse of all, it appears that the Church of the Crusaders is working with the Fallen.
It's up to Lord Ares to figure out how to deal with the Fallen and their human allies before it’s too late.
Praise for this book
I dug this story a lot. The world is gritty and uses a lot of UFO lore which was very cool. The allusions to Star Wars, Dune and Starship Troopers was apparent but nicely done as it didn't steal from them, just tipped the hat to those stories, which is always nice in sci-fi imo. Ethan Wolfe was a classic protagonist but the one who really stole the show was Jonas Ares. The reader can easily be fooled into thinking he's a basic character when they're first introduced, just to find out that there are layers to him.
Overall, a solid and fun read! Full disclosure, there are some editing issues but nothing that takes away from the storytelling which is the main purpose. If you're looking to get swept up into an action epic that spans a galaxy, this is probably your ticket.
Very unique book. Well written, except that everyone speaks "dryly". It is star wars versus satan. Characters are biblically accurate, the action is fast paced and the characters are complex and flawed. I have to give the author kudos for the w concept. I hope to see more and soon.
Instagram out this book in front of me 4 days ago and it has been a ride. Maldonado has written a sci-fi winner that evokes epic novels like Dune, the Star Wars Heir to Empire saga and Enders Game. His narrative style and pacing, however, reminds me of Clive Cussler adventure novels--there is not a wasted chapter, plotline or character. Every word and sentence is crafted to deliver a punch of excitement and adrenaline. The weaving in of elements of Christian/biblical mysticism is an intriguing element that I am excited to see developed as the series progresses.