Review: The only hope for Earth is for humans and supernaturals to join forces
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 26, 2014
As said before, VG Harrison is as much a mystery as the novels that comprise the triptych PROJECT SOLSTICE (SECTION 51 is Book 1, DEPARTMENT 51 is Book 2, and UNIT 51 is Book 3). Searching for Harrison's biography only gives bits and pieces of inspiration for the novels; we do know that Harrison lives in North Carolina, has a day job, and writes books in spare time. Gender: not designated, though the Facebook page refers to VG as `him' - and perhaps that ups the ante on the mystery that pervades this little work that adroitly mixes supernatural/paranormal, science fiction and horror. Now we have a word from the author about the concept of his current novels: `Project Solstice is a top secret initiative that explains why the government spends $20,000 on toilet seats and $49,000 on cuff links. The extra money has to go somewhere and this secret organization has been on the receiving end for decades, long before the Roswell Incident. But if you're looking for information about that or Area 51, you won't find it here. The "aliens" have lived in our fairytales as skinwalkers, vampires, and nymphs as far back as anyone can remember. Unfortunately, they're real. But, that's not what Project Solstice is about. It's about what the government has been doing with the technology that brought them here.'VG Harrison's gift with words is by now established and appreciated. He is able to open Book 3 UNIT 51 with this quote form one of the characters: `Space epics involve the hero wanting to be the best fighter pilot in the fleet or captaining a starship. I just wanted to survive my insane science-fiction world. The easiest way to do that was to put some distance between myself and the catalyst: an enormous government conspiracy that involved the supernatural world's alien origins. Even though the year was 2014, I had seen things that would say we were about four hundred years into our future. Too bad the rest of the human population didn't about know it. Too bad the supernatural world did and wanted to do something about it. They want their ancestral technology back.' And with writing like that on the first pages we know that this volume is at least the equal to the other two parts, and in many ways better.So much happens in this novel that its is appropriate to offer the author's summary: The aliens have attacked one of the most advanced weaponry bases on the planet with a series of pinpointed EMP attacks on Earth and one of their targets is empathy Ava Frost. Ava can help, but she learns just how vulnerable she is after another EMP strike not only cuts her off from Ian 2, but crashes her plane. Her only hope for rescue is a small, Canadian town where the residents are werewolves. First she has to wind her way through the complex supernatural world that has banded together to confront Project Solstice. Bigotry and fear are ripe on Unit 51. Keeping everyone focused on who the real enemy is the least of Ava's problems, after she mentally links with the alien attack ship.Harrison writes so convincingly that even those who do not usually seek out fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal novels will be seduced by this series. As bizarre as the characters and actions are, they become part of our psyches - polished writing such as this is a gift. Grady Harp, February 14