Waging a covert war that ranges from a subterranean complex in the desert to a forgotten colony on the moon, former magistrate Kane, brother-in-arms Grant and archivist-turned-warrior Brigid Baptiste find themselves pawns in a stunning strategy of evil. A beautiful hybrid carries an unborn child -- a blueprint for hope in a dark world. She seeks Kane's help, unwittingly leading them into a trap from which there may be no escape....
In the Outlands, the shocking truth is humanity's last hope.
When the world blew out in 2001, the secrets locked in its darkest corridors became the answer to humanity's survival. Now, more than tow centuries later, a mysterious Imperator prepares to seize his birthright from the nine hybrid barons fighting each other for domination of the planet. All that stands between freedom and extinction is a renegade force of exiles who are prepared to challenge the ancient warring entities thrusting mankind into a horrifying future....
This is an interesting book, and also full of sexual energy as well. The developments around Quavell at the Cerberus base is what the story moves its focus on more as the pages go by. I enjoyed Kane and Grant's introductory scene at area 51, but they are not really much a part of the overall novel. The women instead get center stage, and it was kinda cool to see them have their own chance to get the job done.
While much of this book is really an Outlanders series review, there are many fascinating developments between the various characters, the most interesting being the presence of Shizuka at Cerberus. I was also left wondering what Grant is going to do concerning a major decision he makes. And with new personel at the base taken from the moon, I liked the idea of new people working with the Cerberus crew.
The ending in this book I thought was anti-climactic compared to most of the books in this series. The aborigine Yindi was an odd ally for the women, and I wasn't sure how it was that he seemed to know how the interphaser worked.
The epilogue really was cool, I guessed right who was going to be in the cave, and I am eagerly looking forward to all the loose ends from this story to be revealed in future books. An enjoyable character-driven sci-fi read, but I don't consider this episode among the very top levels of the series.
The book was a well needed rest from the Epic level adventures the author has been giving us for quite some time now. Believe me, I'm not complaining about the sheer magnitude of the adventures that the Cerberus Exiles have been facing as of late, quite the contrary. They need a rest, a break from saving not only humanity, but the world, and, in the case of the Dragon King's, the whole solar system. As people have come to expect with the series, the book is about change, and quite significant changes at that, which will be mentioned below. The novel begins in the Australian Outback, at a base that has been constructed inside a powerful natural energy location, that has been worshiped by the Aboriginals since time immorial. The aboriginals are not at all pleased with the intrusion, and make their displeasure known to Sam's forces. Kane and Grant are testing out the air to surface capabilities of the Manta craft, which they have taken from the moonbase. They attack AREA 51, and end up destroying a number of Magistrates. They're quite happy with the way the craft perform. It is here that Grant informs Kane that he's leaving, to go to New Edo to be with the woman who's captured his heart. This is just the first of the major changes occuring in the series. Cerberus is changing as well. Survivors from the moonbase are starting to trickle back Earth, and are taking up residence in the redoubt. For the first time in years, new personnel are walking the halls of the base. Kane and Grant, especially Kane, is something of a legend amoung the newcomers, not only because of saving the entire Solar system, but the fact that he went toe to toe with Maccan and not only survived, but defeated the last Danaan. Things are tense between Kane and Quavell. He uses any excuse that he can to stay away from her. Grant brings Shizuka with him back to Cerberus, to meet with the personel, yet another change taking place. The original idea was to return to the moonbase to get the medical equipment they needed to help Quavell during her pregnancy, and this leads not only to her kidnapping, but it also incapacitates both Kane and Grant, leaving the rescue mission up to Brigid, Domi and Shizuka. Despite the tension between Domi and Shizuka, they travel to the Outback, using Lakesh's Phase Transducer. During the voyage, they encounter the Dreamtime, and when they awaken, they're guests of the Aboriginals, who attacked Sam's base. While she is captive, a great deal is learned about Quavell, and the hybrids as well, including the fact that Quavell had a human lover before Kane, and the other humans who were forced into 'service' at Cobalts demand. With their help, they are able to infiltrate the facility, locate and rescue Quavell. As I mentioned earlier, there are a significant number of changes to the series, many of which are going to have long term effects as the series goes on. Keep the changes coming, all that can happen is more and more readers get attracted to it.