The IX by Andrew P. Weston
For these soldiers snatched out of time, death is just the beginning of the fight. Faced with total destruction from an relentless foe, the inhabitants of the planet Arden created a rip in space-time to bring in reinforcements. An sophisticated AI system scours the history of Earth finding skilled fighters on the brink of death. Granted a second-chance, these warriors must find a way to save the failing Arden. When the ninth intake, comprised of Rome’s lost Ninth Legionnaires, U.S. Calvary from the 1860s and the Cree nation people they were fighting, and a special forces group trying to thwart environmental terrorists, arrives on Arden, an opportunity arises to finally take the fight to their enemy, the Horde. But the outcome turns out to be something neither side could anticipate. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was original and action-packed. Andrew Weston has created a gripping sci-fi world. There was a lot of jumping around to different characters and places but I never felt lost. I could have used a map of Arden because I had trouble visualizing where some of the action was in relation to the main city but overall, the planet of Arden was both alien and familiar. Mr. Weston’s writing was above average with only a few errors and punctuated with some beautiful, elegiacal descriptions. I recommend The IX as an engrossing, sci-fi adventure.
*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*
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