THE TRACEVERSE SAGA
The Shattered Gate &
The Two Gates
The Shattered Gate &
The Two Gates
by
ERIC R. SWANSON
Categories: Science Fiction / Genetic Engineering
Publisher: Eric R. Swanson, LLC.
Date of Publication Book 1: March 22, 2020
Number of Pages: 394 pages
Date of Publication Book 2: May 1, 2021
Number of Pages: 394 pages
Date of Publication Book 2: May 1, 2021
Number of Pages: 402 pages
The Shattered Gate
They selfishly pillaged Earth and made him a hybrid. Will his split nature spell the end of intergalactic abduction?
Half-human, half-Ceran, Micah Trace yearns for something more. Though the repetition and isolation of living as a body double for the King of Ceres is crushing, he’s grateful to be treated better than the other genetically engineered humans. But when he discovers the ailing plight of his ancestors, he heeds the calling and cleverly insinuates himself into a dangerous mission across the galaxy.
Fearing their plan to repair a failing transportation gate might lead to disaster, Micah uses his experience mimicking the king to steal the forbidden authority he’s assumed for so long. But with ulterior motives darkening the depths of space, he may not survive to see the centuries-old connection between the planets repaired.
Can the royal mimic win control of the ship before they’re lost to the vacuum’s void?
The Shattered Gate is the thought-provoking first tale in the science fiction Traceverse Saga. If you like character-driven action, high-tech military defense systems, and intriguing political powerplays, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s interstellar adventure.
The Two Gates
Born to serve. Trained to lead. Can a man of two species bridge the critical gap between his peoples?
2454. Micah Trace’s half-human heart races as his expedition approaches Earth. Taking leadership of a one-way-trip from Ceres, he fears the memory of a centuries-old mass abduction means they’ll face a hostile reception. And his desperate claim of a shared ancestry falls on deaf ears when the traumatized Earthers greet them with suspicion, capture, and interrogation.
With relations treading a knife’s edge, the offworld ambassador finally proves his genetic roots and convinces the nervous population to repair the stargate and reconnect their worlds. But some resent alien interference in the planet’s affairs, and Micah suspects that they may be willing to kill to ensure his mission’s doom.
Can the hybrid herald unite his two species before the past destroys their future?
The Two Gates is the thrilling second novel in the science fiction Traceverse Saga. If you like complex interplanetary politics, stunning character revelations, and pulse-pounding action, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s galactic tale.
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THE TRACEVERSE SERIES!
THE TRACEVERSE SERIES!
The Shattered Gate, Book 1
│Amazon│
The Two Gates, Book 2
│Amazon│
I know what you are thinking, dear reader. Does Lynn read anything besides Sci Fi? Lately, it is a very high percentage of what I’ve been reading (and watching). What can I say? I find comfort in the vastness of space. This time around finds me in the TRACEVERSE universe from Eric Swanson, on a planet with a fading sun and bioethical discussion questions.
The feature of THE SHATTERED GATE which I found the most intriguing is the dichotomy between the Cerans and the Hybrids. Ceran society needed an influx of new genetic material to survive on their planet. How did they acquire said genetic material, you ask? They stole it. From Earth. In the form of 100,000+ people. What a great premise!
This novel is set 400 years after this atrocity. True Cerans consider the Earth\Ceran Hybrids second class citizens (or even lower status if that’s possible). The hybrids are to be used solely for their genetic material. (This begs the question of how can there be ‘true’ Cerans after 400 years of using humans for genetic material. But that’s a whole other discussion.) This is a skillful reflection of our own society by Mr. Swanson. An example of this dichotomy can be seen in two friends, Po and Lahm. Po wants to see the Hybrids integrated into Ceran society. Lahm, on the other hand, is a separatist.
“This has never been our home, Po,” Lahm pointed at himself, then Po. “This is no more our home than a cage is home for some poor creature in a zoo. We live here, they feed us, they use us. That’s it.”
Wow. Powerful stuff there from Lahm! Even though they are on opposite sides of the same coin, these two characters remain close friends. That, dear readers, is the power of books!
Characters in THE SHATTERED GATE cross all aspects of Ceran society, from the royals to politicians, sports professionals, scientists, security guards, spacefarers, religious leaders, and more. There are characters we can root for, like Micah, genetically manipulated to be the king’s body double, and Garreous, the lead scientist in the novel. And of course, there are characters we can loathe, like Sanballat, the politician, and his toady, Tobiah. The novel is told in third person with multiple narrators. Reading differing points of view drives the storytelling and helped me connect as a reader.
To be completely straightforward, I struggled to read the first 60% of THE SHATTERED GATE. The focus of the novel is immense world building and setting up the story for what’s to come in book 2, THE TWO GATES. I can appreciate the world building to an extent. But for me, I’d rather have some epic (pew pew) space battling. Or even a B-Plot romance story. The opening scene showcases some amazing and scary action. But there were few other similar scenes. As an example, there are many paragraphs in the novel exploring the three different religions on Ceres and how the different followers of each religion fit into society. But by the end of the novel, I couldn’t recap what the names of those religions were, let alone which characters believed in which religion.
If you are a science fiction reader who is captivated by world building and clever discussions on class, race, and discrimination, check out THE SHATTERED GATE. And follow along on the tour schedule below for reviews of book 2, THE TWO GATES. I know I’ll be reading those reviews to see what happens next in the series!
Thanks to author Eric Swanson and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity to review THE SHATTERED GATE. I received the novel free in exchange for my honest review.
Eric Swanson was born in September of 1981 in Chicago, IL and his entire life has been spent engrossed in stories. Growing up in a Minneapolis, MN suburb, Eric developed a deep appreciation for stories with a wide scope. From being frightened by Stephen King’s IT to being enthralled by Orson Scott Card’s Ender Wiggin stories, the written word of others grabbed Eric and often refused to let go… Even after he finished the first reading of a book. Several of his personal copies of favorite novels have endured many many readings. From an early age, Eric was a fan of all things science fiction with a leaning toward the dystopian and post-apocalyptic. The future fascinates Eric to no end, be that a realistic or wild-eyed and farfetched future. While he annually binges Battlestar Galactica (04), he dreams of worlds, people and happenings yet to be written. Eric lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, two children and a pair of Goldendoodles. They sometimes Tweet for him…
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
| 3/22/22 | Kick-Off Promo | Sybrina’s Book Blog |
| 3/22/22 | Review Book 1 | Shelf Life Blog |
| 3/22/22 | BONUS promo | Hall Ways Blog |
| 3/23/22 | Book Trailer 1 | The Page Unbound |
| 3/23/22 | Review Book 1 | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 3/23/22 | BONUS promo | LSBBT Blog |
| 3/24/22 | Review Book 2 | Forgotten Winds |
| 3/25/22 | Bonus Story | It’s Not All Gravy |
| 3/26/22 | Review Book 2 | Rox Burkey Blog |
| 3/27/22 | Book Trailer 2 | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 3/28/22 | Review Book 1 | The Plain-Spoken Pen |
| 3/29/22 | Review Book 2 | Missus Gonzo |
| 3/30/22 | Bonus Story | All the Ups and Downs |
| 3/30/22 | Review Book 1 | Writing and Music |
| 3/31/22 | Review Book 2 | Book Fidelity |
| 3/31/22 | Review Book 2 | Reading by Moonlight |
| 04/01/22 | Review Book 1 | Jennifer Silverwood |
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I have just recently started reading science fiction books and this would be a great addition.
Sounds like it was worth sticking with the book! Thanks for an honest review — I’m with you: that premise!
Thanks, Kristine!
Great review! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Lisa!