Apex

This is a great story, a great beginning, and unlike many of Aer-ki Jyr's shorter novellas, this book gives the characters and situations room to fully grow without making everything seem rushed. Although the end seems to get that way just to wrap up some of the dangling story threads. And it stops abruptly, leaving room for this storyline to grow to monstrous proportions since the enemy Riax must face is apparently extra-galactic.Sometimes during reading his books, I don't know whether Aer-ki Jyr is a genius, forcing us the readers to take a long look inside ourselves to recognize our inherent superiority complexes and arrogance in the face of any opposition both good or bad, or if he truly believes he's above everyone around him. And this theme doesn't just permeate this book, but every single one of his that I've read. In some books, this theme is muted in favor of the action or driving the plot arcs forward, but it's always lurking in the background, ready to strike and leave a bad taste in our mouths when we least expect it. That's why I'm divided on how to pigeonhole Aer-ki Jyr into only one category.But back to the story in general instead of the author's predilection for sermonizing his personal ideologies through his characters. There are a few points that I think are fair to conclude that this book deals with a far-flung future for the Star Force series, like in the millions of years instead of the few hundred thousand the other series is currently set on.For one is Riax's unusual powers, much like what the Archons of Star Force use, but it's odd to me that, when the story is focused on Riax's point of view, Aer-ki Jyr doesn't automatically start using the terms such as Haemra, Jumat, Pefbar, Lachka, Nakane, Rentar, and etc. Perhaps he simply doesn't want to confuse new readers with such unfamiliar terms, which he would then have to also describe within the text to keep his newest readers up to date on such things. Secondly is his use of the word Kayna for the dreklors. Anyone who has read the Star Force series knows that this term is used for enhanced canids from Earth, most particularly the domesticated pets we call dogs. Third, is the term 'Empire' for the lost human civilization, which many among Star Force used for their holdings among the galaxy, and it apparently was a truly galactic civilization, encompassing everything except the deep core. And lastly, most of the technology is based on corovon, an elemental particle smaller than protons or neutrons yet stronger when bonding to other atoms than both of those, while lachar technology is prevalent among the many enemies Riax and the Cres face in battle.On the flip side, however, Riax makes no mention in his musings about such things as Hadarak, V'kit'no'sat, Zak'de'ron, the Knights of Quenar, or such weapons as Tar'vem'jic, Bra'hems, Drem'o'dons, Yeg'gor armor, or anything else we've seen to date among the Star Force Universe series. Does that mean that the human empire outgrew such things and found new armor or weapons to replace those I mentioned above? Does this also mean that the Hadarak, V'kit'no'sat, &etc. went extinct or were outright destroyed before the humans were? Or are the V'kit'no'sat some of the unnamed allies Riax briefly mentioned, but under a different name? The Provacat he mentions a few times sound eerily like the Protovic of the Star Force Universe series.Until another book follows this one and clears up the lingering confusion, however, I guess we'll be left scratching our heads and picking over every single clue we can find to piece something of an answer together, no matter how unsatisfying that thoughts might be for some at the moment. Aer-ki Jyr, I think after all, is concentrating more on the main Star Force series than this one for the foreseeable future. I might be wrong on this, but that's what I think he's aiming for with his monthly novella releases.

If Apex were made into a movie by George Lucas, the opening scroll would read something like "In the far distant future the Human Empire is a distant memory and the galaxy has fallen into chaos. The remaining races struggle for existence while seeking artifacts from that ancient society to give them an advantage over their peers..." This intriguing novel is set in another galaxy far, far away and is populated by characters that could have sprung from the mind of George Lucas. It traces the many adventures and escapes of an alien freighter captain who has taken aboard her vessel another set of aliens with a human artifact coveted by various other alien races. Unknown to the captain and her new crew, the artifact contains a 12,000 year old human in a stasis pod. He is awakened by a battle taking place on the ship and from that point forward is intent on helping the good aliens survive and then on keeping old but advance human technology from falling into the hands of the bad aliens. A really fantastic read that rates two thumbs up. I cannot wait for the sequel to arrive!

The author dropped us, unprepared, into a reality that presumed you knew, who, what where and when. As I kept asking these questions the author did a Deus Ex Machine maneuver by dropping in the sole surviving human. Now the central character of his work was asking and finding answered to those very same questions. Quite an achievement for such a seemingly young author. I totally enjoyed the way he did not over explain. As part of his world you should have already known. It was enough to keep me following each character in hopes of getting answers for questions of the obvious. Obvious, that is to the works characters. He treated and described the different sentient life forms perfectly. They were different but never two dimensional. I have a feeling this slice of galactic history has a way to go. I will be curious and willing to rejoin the journey. As always, Richard C LaBella

Apex is the first book of a new series. While I am still reading and absorbing Star Force this book has been a pleasant break. I suspect that it is a different universe than Star Force although it doesn’t have to be, just a future that’s tens if not hundreds of thousands of years in the future. It’s so comfortable reading Apex that I can’t wait to read the next book. ***Update - Evidently there was never a follow on book. Which I do not understand as this one was great.***I honestly think that Aer-ki Jyr is another HEINLEIN or Asimov (or another author from 50, 60 years ago), that I believe was the golden age of science fiction.Til the next review!

Humans are frail and very warlike. (in the real world, right now)This book assumes that the Human race became sort sort of godlike race with super human powers in the galaxy; terminated by unknown nasty aliens for being just too clever for their own boots. You got to agree on the whole.One damaged human is discovered who immediately starts to re-build technological marvels from scrap metal in a dull technologically depressed and greedy universe populated by mostly mercenaries.About 75% way through I had this thought: "The constant - referrals by the main character as to how wonderful he is and how he can restore everything is becoming very tedious - get on with the 'bleeping' story."Its an interesting read; but a bit expensive for what seems to be a self published book.The typos don't help!

Didn’t know whether I would enjoy this as much after reading Star Force but I kneed not have worried. I really am looking forward to the continuation in future volumes.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, it has a compelling and intriguing plot. A great deal of imagination and creativity is evident and the author has set a great stage for what promises to be an excellent series. I eagerly await the next installment! My only real criticism is that the book could do with a better editor. Other than that, great work.

This is a great start for a series but the author seems to have decided not to continue with it.If the author does read this please continue with the story.

Have been a follower of this author over his various formats, his ability to imagine and convey the books universe is astonishing. Story flows throughout, have RE read twice now, still engages me. I really hope Apex 2 makes it to the shelves (via a different publisher of course).