I recently finished reading Legacy: Emergence, the first installment in a promising new science fiction series by Bradley Elliott, and I have to say, it was quite an engaging journey. As a fan of military science fiction and action-packed narratives, I was naturally drawn to this book because of its intriguing premise: the story of Lieutenant William Jackson, a soldier pulled from Earth in the year 2023 and thrust into a distant future where he discovers an extraordinary genetic ability that enables him to activate ancient alien technology. This unique twist on the familiar time travel trope captured my attention right away.
Characters and Storyline:
William Jackson is a compelling protagonist who is forced to adapt to an entirely new reality while living a guarded life as a covert operative in an alien military. Many readers, including John M Huzinec, noted how interesting William’s character is and how the concept of being yanked from one timeline to another presented a refreshing twist. Throughout his military training, we see Jackson grapple with his new abilities and the moral implications of wielding advanced technology that could either save humanity or lead to its destruction.
One of the highlights for me was the seamless integration of action with military training. The writing style is engaging and captivating, effectively drawing readers into this expansive, yet perilous, future. Eddie’s review captures this sentiment perfectly—immersive prose compelled me to keep turning the pages. I found myself engrossed in the well-paced narrative, and I nearly devoured the book in just two sittings!
Positives:
One of the book’s strongest points is its world-building. Elliott sets up a universe filled with rich lore and conflict, as highlighted by other readers who enjoyed the engaging storyline and action sequences. The balance of military training and space opera vibes creates some intense moments, especially during combat scenes. I appreciated that the stakes felt genuinely high; the threat of Jackson’s abilities falling into the wrong hands created a palpable tension throughout.
Moreover, the AI character Bits serves as both a comic relief and a helpful companion, which adds a layer of depth to the narrative. The rapport between William and Bits is reminiscent of classic sci-fi duos, and it provides lighthearted moments to contrast the intense situations they face.
Drawbacks:
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. Some readers, like Peter F. Jones, mentioned that it had a slow start and that character development occasionally felt shallow. I found this sentiment reflected in my own experience as well; while the pacing picked up significantly in the latter half of the book, certain sections felt bogged down by exposition.
Additionally, some might be put off by the heavy focus on military training and procedures. While I enjoyed the military aspect, I can understand why others might find it tedious, awaiting the more thrilling moments found later in the story.
Another critique I noted was the repetitiveness of certain phrases, such as William’s frequent use of "Thanks, Buddy" towards Bits, which some readers found to be excessive. As a fan of nuanced dialogue, I agree that this phrase could have been used more sparingly to avoid becoming somewhat irritating.
Conclusion:
Overall, Legacy: Emergence has set a solid foundation for future installments in the series. While it may not have been perfect, the strong world-building, engaging storyline, and fascinating character dynamics kept me invested from start to finish. If you’re someone who enjoys deep explorations of the consequences of power within a thrilling military sci-fi setting, I would recommend diving into this latest adventure. Like many readers, I am eager to see what William Jackson will face next, and I look forward to the continuation of this story!
In summary, I rate this book a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s an adventure worth taking, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!