Book Review: The Clone Empire

"Marines don't speculate. They always speck you right on time." --Wayson Harris

Steven L. Kent's 6th novel in the Wayson Harris Clone series, The Clone Empire, is an action-packed thrill ride. Marooned after nearly dying on Terraneau, all Harris wants is to get back into action and carry out vengeance against the UA now that the Avatari have apparently left their galaxy alone. Ellery Doctorow is making Harris's life on Terraneau difficult enough as it is, but Ava Gardner, his stunning clone girlfriend, just wants to settle down.

Harris is tested as he attempts his escape from the planet and discovers an energized, enlarged, and infiltrated Enlisted Man's Empire. Adding insult to injury, the Avatari return and bring incomprehensible destruction with them. Harris is tired and his drive to survive clashes with his desire to die. Teaming up yet again with Ray Freeman brings its own challenges while each mystery "solved" seems to bring more questions than answers.

Featuring hand-to-hand combat, naval space battles, and cataclysmic destruction, Kent's brash brand of military science fiction aims to please, but Kent doesn't stop there. Just the right amount of humor keeps things enjoyable while the humanity portrayed through the clones and other galactic misfits like Ray Freeman offers an interesting counterpoint to the malignancy of many of the natural-borns in Kent's universe. The Clone Empire is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and thoughtful setup for the final as-yet-unnamed book in the Wayson Harris Clone series.

Buy The Clone Empire here!

Short Story Snippet: Marker

Marker by Geoffrey Baxter

Acrid smoke hung in the cold, sterile air as bright green blood began to form rivulets on the diamond plate floor. Her aim was true and this Raven would tell no tales. As the adrenaline began to wear off, she felt the shakes on the edge of her consciousness. She holstered her pistol and looked the Raven over. She almost retched at the smell. The smallish form, black as the deep, lay splayed out on the deck. There were no signs of life.

The ringing in her ears and the mental haze overpowered her radio. She finally realized that the bridge was trying to reach her. She composed herself and reported in. "Sizemore here. Raven's down and out."

"Good job, Randi. We're towing in the ship now," responded the Captain. "Let's wake everyone up. Break out the scanners."

"Aye, sir." Lance Corporal Randi Sizemore shook her head in vain. The ringing would be there for a few days. She sighed. They would be scanning the whole exterior of the ship, not an easy operation, and dangerous. She cursed. Randi got out a tarp, a mop and a bucket from a closet down the hall as the Captain opened a ship-wide channel.

"Attention all passengers and personnel, attention all passengers and personnel: We have a matter that requires your urgent attention. Please join me in the mess in five minutes. Repeat: the presence of all passengers and personnel is required in the mess in five minutes."