Review: A Quick, Breathtaking Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 13, 2013
Imagine aliens with advanced technology suddenly appearing on the horizon and systematically destroying all metallic objects on Earth--imagine for a moment what happens to a civilization that has been heavily dependent on iron in their daily life, and maybe you'd find it difficult to picture that bleak scenario. But this is the premise of John Kilmerstone's `Alien Invasion--Life As We Know It'--easily one of the most interesting science fiction stories I've read recently.John Kilmerstone's `Alien Invasion' provides an interesting take on the alien invasion science fiction genre. The substance of contention is iron--you know, that stuff used in constructing those skyscrapers, guns, cars, almost everything in the modern world--and the aliens called Krions, for some unknown reason, just started pulverizing metals into dust. The utter devastation that the alien drones leave in their wake makes your blood boil and leave you crying out for revenge. And at the center of mankind's descent into darkness is Sam Bolein--the only one who can actually turn the table on mankind's favor.`Alien Invasion' happens at an almost dizzying speed, but enough to make you care about the characters. The author expertly has followed the rule of "show, don't tell" through crisp, witty dialogue and interesting character development. Kilmerstone also deftly paints the devastation in chilling detail.My only gripe is that `Alien Invasion' is actually a long-ish short story--hence the fast pacing. I would love to see this in an expanded form (or maybe a sequel), with the author fleshing out Sam's character and his relationship with his daughter, as well as longer treatment of how modern society breaks down when an important, yet taken for granted, element of their daily lives is taken away from them--and taken by aliens, at that! But as it is, this book is a highly entertaining read--you start reading it and I guarantee you won't stop until you reach the very last page. It's a delicious rollercoaster ride, and one I'd highly recommend to any science fiction/action adventure fan.Five stars.