Thanks Reviewers!
In this section you can find some of the reviews received for the first Italian version of 17 Planets - The Captain. You will find the link to the website or social platform they were posted on. It is my thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to share their thoughts with me.
For the moment, there are only Italian reviewers (translated), so I hope to have English speaking reviewers soon.
"Homo homini lupus" (Man is wolf to another man): the initial quote of the book is, in my opinion, the key to reading, the backbone and anticipation of the themes most represented in the novel. Everyone exploits others for their own objectives, rarely clear, especially those of Captain Lee. A fascinating figure cloaked in mystery whose far-sighted intuitions engulf everything and everyone into all sorts of adventures. And as a reader I may be the last victim of her seduction: who is she? What are her interests? Those who find themselves in her crosshairs fall in her traps and those who are ignored beg for her attentions; a complex woman who reveals herself gradually page after page.
This character has a past that cannot be healed which pushes her to keep going. Her sense of duty makes her take on issues such as social inequalities and protecting the underdog, however her many burdens lead her to a solitary and lonely life. A shoulder to lean on for her most closest friends, she does not however accept the invasion her personal space. It’s only when she meets Cohen that something changes.
This novel has as many characters as it has locations: each planet has social, economic and political stratification that recall eras such as feudalism or nineteenth century's pomp. Whilst the planets boast advanced technologies, the legacy of these historical periods remains in the language: governors and executives address each other with the titles of Lord, Lady. In some planets, clothing as well as etiquette echo those times. The social stratification is undermined by internal struggles due to the class differences; the most extreme fringes unite in rebel groups but even in this case nothing is ever what it seems.
Throughout the book, the plot will follow the events and intrigues of the Kappa Corporation, the Alliance, the Union and the Empire. I was impressed by the power games in the Imperial Court and salons which are the preserve of women, wife of dignitaries and dukes. Skilled and fine strategists, they use every weapon in their arsenal, including beauty seduction to reach their objectives. The women steal secrets and information, are trained at the Court and can manipulate the opinion of their husbands, those who decide the fate of the inner and outer planets. The mixture of space, futuristic technology and dynamics that go beyond time limits won me over. There are planets that do not have primary goods and those who are trying to gain power by pitting factions against each other. The situation is complex, with internal struggles and external challenges, and truths which are difficult to accept: will the powerful people in charge be able to understand who is the real enemy and how to deal with them?
The author draws on the genre of reference in regard to narrative patterns and suggestions on which she grafts her own originality, guided by maturity and awareness, managing to describe a world in turmoil. The settings are varied and detailed: in this first volume, a great importance is given to the construction of the world created by the author, with descriptions and many moments that help reconstruct the history of the various planets, their social hierarchy and the past of the various characters. The protagonists gradually reveal themselves, some appear more kind and compassionate, others are ambitious, career-driven and ruthless. Cohen and Captain Lee stand out among everyone else, but they are not the only ones: I enjoyed David, Michael, Prince Max, characters that certainly intrigued me; since the political game is the focus of the plot, there are fewer moments of intimacy or leisure for these protagonists, but in those few, the glimmer that the author opens on them and on the world they live makes them believable and compelling characters. Even in seemingly stasis moments, these characters can never quite relax, they are always vigilant and make sure that any situation never degenerates; fun is short lived. Yet, I could not help but wonder: who really is Elizabeth underneath her armour? It’s easy for her to take her clothes off, since sex is also a mere tool in her skillful hands, but what if she was really naked? A woman who fights against the "slavery of thought and action", but has an internal wound hurting due to a personal loss? What did she really go through?
In the last chapters, the threat to integrity, to the core of identity as a species, unites all the factions involved and is unsettling: a truth that cannot be divulged, or the collapse of society is certain. Nothing is ever what it seems. With a style capable of recreating a new world and a new humanity that address important issues, the author takes us into her science fiction novel, the first volume of a series that promises to be exciting.
"17 Planets ‐ The Captain" is a science fiction novel written by A. R. Alexander. It is the first chapter of a five‐book saga set in star systems other than the solar system with their own 17 planets occupied by the human race. Four coalitions rule over these planets: Empire, Union, Alliance and Corporation. It is a book where the political and economic component have a strong impact. The factions are organised in a similar fashion as the feudal system, where entire planets are fiefs granted to prominent people (somewhat reminiscent of Frank Herbert’s book Dune).
Political clashes among different factions - and within the same factions - are common place and are presented in a convincing and exciting way. The technologies are cleverly detailed, you can see that there is great research behind this book. The Ajna is a very interesting technology: a system implanted in the brain (or rather its biotechnological filaments infiltrate the brain) that allows the host body to heal itself from all illnesses and ailments, ensuring a very long and disease‐free life. Virtually the Ajna is inviolable. However the Corporation, through a drug, and unknown to those who acquire it, has succeeded to alter this system in order to break the will of people, turning them into addicts and perfect slaves. There are also other interesting technologies that perfectly succeed in their intent to create a good ambience, at times giving a cyberpunk feel. The book flows wonderfully. Political upheaval and action alternate each other at a perfectly balanced pace. The political phases are described in depth but they are never too complex. The writing is impeccable and the management of the characters is very accurate, both on the personal and psychological level (the writer is a psychologist, after all!). Some of the characters stay with you long after you finish reading the book, like the protagonist Elizabeth, or General Cohen, just to name a couple. Towards the end of the book there is an unexpected twist that opens a second major narrative strand. The ending marks an important point for the plot of the saga. Personally I would have preferred a cliffhanger ending, although cliffhangers can be frustrating as you know you will have to wait a long time before finding out how the story unfolds. Last but not least: it is A. R. Alexander’s first book (I think) and the first of this genre (I know that for sure). If this is the start, I can't wait to read her next books!
Have you ever thought what might happen if humankind left Planet Earth in order to live on other planets? The author tried to do just that when writing this book. At the beginning of the novel is a brief introduction describing the events that caused humans to leave the Earth, and the places where the story is set, which are described in a meticulous way, so that the reader does not have difficulty picturing the events.
After around a thousand years since the "transfer" to these new planets, men have reached their own equilibrium, supervised and also managed by competent bodies, such as the Union, the Alliance, the Corporation and the Empire. On some of the planets - where oxygen, water and all basic raw materials are available -people lead a comfortable life, however on other planets where these resources are lacking, life is much harder. It is in this climate that the first rebellions break out, quelled by the police and hardly ever in a peaceful manner. These events will be described throughout the book, we will discover what is really going on behind this apparent balance, which in reality turns out to be very precarious. Captain Lee, expected by everyone to be a man, will try to get to the bottom of this and will attempt to understand the political logics and choices that will affect the fate of all. There is someone who is threatening the freedom of the inhabitants of these planets, using a particular drug able to modify and act on the Ajna (a small 3D triangle placed on the forehead which acts on the brain defending the organism against disease) and gain control of the masses. At the same time there are those with expansionist ambitions, those who are power thirsty and those who are easily manipulated by powerful men. In short, we may find ourselves on new and different planets, but men's behaviour and way of thinking have not changed.
These are the main events that unfold in this novel, with the introduction of new characters, new technologies and new twists; for these reasons we can not define "17 Planets ‐ The Captain" as a static novel, on the contrary it is very eventful, an aspect I particularly appreciated, it never bored me, it held my attention and above all it did not slow down my reading .
The characters of "17 Planets ‐ The Captain" with their feelings and thoughts are presented to us in the third person by an omniscient narrator: in my opinion this gives the characters a deeper, more complete and objective analysis, allowing the reader to fully understand them, both the "good" and the "bad" ones. Not only we have similar characters, we also have different types: there are manipulators and manipulated, rebel and submissive, leaders and subjects, brave and hesitant, undecided and determined. The "cast", therefore, is very heterogeneous and so are their emotions which remain consistent throughout the whole book. As for the setting, it literally amazed me. The author has shown great mastery in the description of places, cultures and technology inserting them in the right context during the unfolding of events throughout the book. This characteristic is often taken for granted in other genres, however it hardly ever happens in science fiction novels. I was particularly fascinated by the new technologies described throughout the book. The editing of the novel has been very accurate, there are also maps for the reader to refer to whilst
reading.
First of all picture science fiction, then dystopia, and adventure: the end result is "17 Planets ‐ The Captain". A.R. Alexander draws from Asimov, Orwell and Twain (to name but a few), blends them together and writes a complex and engaging book, in which the political‐economic component is master. Intrigue, power games, conspiracies and vendettas follow and alternate each other. A novel thought to be the first of a rich and juicy series. In the synopsis the author shows us the guidelines for navigating it: the map of the galaxy to find your way through a crazy universe is fundamental. The world-building is perhaps the thing that surprised me the most, it is a construction at the same time complicated and detailed: 17 planets where four different factions coexist (Independent Alliance, Alpha Union, Empire Cardian, Corporation Kappa) at war and are organised with a system very reminiscent of the feudal one. A classic theme that refers to the colonization of space and military science fiction.
Planet Earth was abandoned and humanity redistributed among other planets where, with difficulty and after hundreds of years, finds a new balance far from fair, new inequalities and social classes separated by an ever-growing gap. A people that is however united by the Ajna, a system implanted in the brain that allows the host body to regenerate itself from any disease, thus ensuring a very long and healthy life. It should be inviolable but the Kappa Corporation manages to alter it through a drug that, unbeknownst to the subjects, clouds their will turning them into slaves.
This is just one of the countless technologies introduced by Alessandra Rapetti in her book, and although I am ignorant in the matter I never had the feeling of being a stranger or being out of place, indeed I felt immersed in an exquisitely cyberpunk atmosphere. I am not a voracious reader of science fiction and I thought I would struggle a lot with this reading but I still wanted to try it when I received the offer. The book is not very light, following the dynamics required concentration and memorising, I often read some passages several times and I went back to recover others to better understand certain situations. This shows once again how hard the author has worked. A book with a thousand themes ranging from the manipulation of the human mind to the limitation of personal freedom, a fascinating novel that must not only be read but understood and contextualized beyond words and events. The characterization of the characters is incredible. They are all presented in the third person, as are their feelings and emotions. A heterogeneous and winning narrative choice that provides an objective analysis of the characters, contrary to what would happen using the first person. Perhaps it deprives the reader of empathy but it gives them the opportunity to understand a wide range of personalities: good and bad, sovereigns and subjects, manipulative and manipulated. One above all: Elizabeth, Captain Lee, a glacial and beautiful woman, with a strong character forged by a dark and mysterious past. With her recklessness and intelligence she accompanies the reader into a distressing and uncertain future.
"17 Planets - The captain" is an amazing book where places, technologies and cultures are combined in what is hardly an obvious aspect of science fiction. We find ourselves in a totally different universe and outside any other literary genre.
Hat off to A. R. Alexander, an author able to give shape to a plot with classic roots but completely revisited, unique, well thought out and able to satisfy even the most attentive and demanding reader.
Hello Dear Readers,
we are finally back to talk about a book published by one of our favorite publishers, Bookabook.
"17 Planets - The Captain" is a sci‐fi book, a genre that we rarely review on our channels, but when we do we certainly appreciate it, especially when we bump into such treasures.
We thank the author for having placed her trust in us and for sending us a copy of her novel.
It is not easy to enter this extremely articulate and controversial universe. Reading "17 Planets - The Captain" you find yourself in an atmosphere full of details that the author takes care to reveal gradually over the whole book, a bit like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, creating an intricate game of mechanisms that initially may bewilder the reader.
In "17 Planets" the author keeps us on a razor edge, conveying a sense of pressing curiosity. The result is binge reading for sure.
Thank God for this book!
Around page 250 (worry not, I won't spoil it for you!) we run into a particularly impressing phrase which we are going to quote verbatim:
"As freedom involves the possibility of taking the wrong turn, it can be scary, and it’s better to leave that responsibility to someone else. [...] Once people reach the point of no return and the majority of them would do anything to entrust
that burden to a higher body, individual and collective freedom is lost[...]"
This sentence is yet another proof that we can find food for thought in any reading, regardless of its intent or genre. A universe created from scratch makes us reflect on the behavior of the masses, those of yesterday, those of today and, sad to say, probably also those of tomorrow.
Talking about a more technical aspect of the novel, we can say that we have greatly appreciated the narrative style of the author, raw, sharp and energetic. We love when the dialogues generate adrenaline, something certainly this book does not lack. The growth of the characters is palpable, and their characterization is perfect.
Be prepared for plot twists, you will be lucky not to fall from your chair.
I would like to start talking about this book from the very first pages, where we find the maps of the planets within the galaxy they are in, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed and made the world‐building process in my own mind very easy.
Not to mention the historical context preceding the first chapter that introduces the structure of the community and history, with special footnotes that make the reading easier avoiding going back and forth to the end of the book to read each note.
The notes are very interesting, in particular that of Kant's writings regarding the Enlightenment.
The story unfolds in the year 1368. One of our characters, General Ed Cohen of the Alliance must go on what looks like a suicide mission to Echuazi, and it is here that his adventure begins and so does ours, taking us through twists, traps and ingenious plans.
On the surface, A. R. Alexander has presented us with a universe in balance, without any plotting nor subterfuge, but is it really so? Is it possible that none of the alliances is working towards achieving hegemony over the others?
And here I would like to bring to your attention the phrase that Alexander uses to start her novel "Homo Homini Lupus", "Man is wolf for the other man", this phrase contains the whole book, it is the keystone.
The characters are sublime, I mention as an example Captain Lee, a very exceptional woman, with a difficult past, with a great sense of duty, equality, a defender of the under dog, as well as having a great sense of strength, of friendship and their importance. Also I would like to say a few words about the character I have previously mentioned: Ed Cohen. The encounter between them and the development of their rapport perfectly relates to the true essence of the characters without sounding overly hasty and inconsistent. There are indeed multiple characters that you get to know and appreciate in all their nuances.
The setting, in my opinion, is very well organized so much so that in some moments I completely lost the sense of reality and I completely immersed myself in the book. From the explanation of the various planets to their social, economic and even political stratification the author has really done a great job.
The exciting story, the strong and important themes, the characters that emerge through the pages will make you fall in love with them and their complexity.
A breathtaking end which heralds, as you gather from my review, a very interesting sequel.
I want to say immediately that this is much more than an ordinary science fiction novel. The author has built a complex and congenital story that takes us from Planet Earth to new planets, where people have settled and continue their lives.
Many years have passed and people have almost achieved a comfortable life, but not all planets meet the needs and reserves needed to live. A series of rebellions break out that will lead to clashes with law enforcement.
Although mankind has moved to new planets, their way of doing things remains the same: power‐hungry, selfish and opportunist. Nothing has changed when they left the Earth in order to colonise other planets with the mere aim of achieving wealth. Here is one of the fundamental themes of this novel.
The character who attracted me the most is Captain Lee, who turns out to be a woman. I really liked her strong character, despite the fragility she never shows. There is someone who wants to deprive men of their freedom, implanting biotechnological filaments at birth to preserve the body from disease. She will be the one to warn General Ed Cohen of the terrifying plan that will endanger the life of the community.
A series of events and twists will keep us glued to the pages of this book, we will get to know new characters, and the fact that the narration is in third person allowed me to better understand their behaviour, also because they are very different people, from manipulators to rebels, to manipulated and submissive. I was also fascinated by the settings, the way the author describes the places, but also the technology. It’s a novel that should be read slowly, in my opinion, because the events are many and to understand them better you have to pay attention and focus. Inside the book you will find a map for the reader to refer to. A story that definitely makes us escape, transports us to distant places and makes us live a fantastic adventure. The struggle between good and evil, always present when it comes to men, because power manipulates their minds and economic inequalities. These and many other important issues will be approached with great skill by the author who intrigues us from the very first book of a pentalogy.
First chapter of a pentalogy, which promises to be substantial, magmatic and extraordinarily dense with details, in which the author, far from creating an artwork, gave life, if anything, to an entire star system (or a real "mythology", if you will), with laws, traditions, peculiar mentality, a thick and varied humanity, and complex political interests that clash with each other, between plots and precarious alliances.
And if the matrix is classically sci‐fi, and sometimes almost "comic‐strip", there are elements of distinctiveness, which often strike not only for their inventive strength, but, above all, for the conceptual implications and for the extremely fascinating reflections that can trigger (the Ajna above all, able to permanently defeat disease, but also to be exploited for dark purposes)...
Unique ideas are plentiful, and indeed there are so many that bundle up and end up hypercondensing, creating a wealth of plots, technologies and really admirable characters.
I advise, however, to focus and pay attention whilst reading, because it is not a novel of mere entertainment: the number of themes and plots can be confusing, not to mention the multiple, and sometimes daring, mixture of genres (espionage, fantapolitical, even a hint of eroticism and a bit of romance, which, for once I appreciated as a diversion from the more cerebral intrigues), as well as meticulous psychological insights, at a social and individual level. The characters, especially the main ones, arouse deep emotional reactions, of antipathy or dislike, but they will definitely not leave you indifferent... (For the record, Elizabeth gets on my nerves, although I'm kind of attracted to her, and I adore General Cohen).
Guys, I'm warning you: don’t underestimate the importance of reading the Historical Context. The price would be the struggle to understand the social, political and economic ties between the 17 Planets (and believe me, there are many), as well as the inability to follow and fully enjoy the storyline, rich with complex intrigues, full of technicalities and subterfuges, that make this book a page turner.
And what is an intricate plot without good characters? Well, the answer to this question will have to wait until next book, because the characters created by A. R. Alexander are multifaceted, complex, profound and well articulated, giving us the opportunity to easily tune into their personalities.
In this first novel the attention is focused in particular on the Captain, Elizabeth, highlighting the strength and courage, reckless to say the least, as well as her unparalleled ingenuity: I would describe her a Irene Adler with a love for technological devices and witty jokes. She obviously became my favourite within ten pages.
Thanks to the fast pace and multiple points of view, we witness the progress of the plot on multiple fronts through enemy rows ‐ and friends ‐ to discover their plans and their mentality. The scenes of action and adrenaline interspersed with those dedicated to politics and economics, give the book a perfect pace, without ever slow or boring moments.
Between revenge and evil plans, best quality espionage , inhabited bubbles and using space as a battlefield, you will find yourself in front of a complex and adrenaline-fuelled novel, full of sub‐plots and characters with names and high‐sounding titles, ready to do anything to get power from them: it will require all your attention - do not forget this crucial detail - which will be worth keeping in mind.
When a saga starts with a bang
"That evil witch was making fun of him and all of them! It was unbelievable!"
Good morning reader,
Today I want to talk to you about a novel that is a bit of a mix of science fiction, dystopia and adventure that initially intimidated me, then gradually and in small daily doses it became a special appointment.
REVIEW
I start with a premise: I was intimidated and curious at the same time about this reading and I’ll explain why. I was immediately captured by the cover with those prominent blue eyes and a strange device branching out from the third eye area, with the total darkness of the universe in the background. Something special was waiting for me, I already knew it, but I was a little afraid that we were talking about 17 planets and that in the first pages the reader finds the various maps with the names of the worlds and the main features. There I admit I panicked a bit for fear of getting confused with places and characters. I tell you all this to reassure you and tell you not to feel discouraged, if I could read it so can you! The author's style is very clear and exhaustive.
Readers will find themselves absorbed by the adventures of a group of human descendants who managed to escape from what had become the Planet Earth of the XXXIII century. You will find yourself in a mix of technology, military actions, power games, subterfuge. There are no robots in this book, but you will read instead of the Ajna or a metal triangle between the eyebrows with filaments that branch out into the brain. What’s this device for? This is a very important element in the events that are skillfully told in these pages. A world certainly perfectly created, very credible and supported by descriptions and details that make you picture the scenes you read about
This novel is not autoconclusive, we do not find the writing "End" in the last page because it is part of a series that will gradually reveal all the commercial, political interconnections and more that blend perfectly with the story of redemption and revenge of a charismatic and elusive Captain.
THE CHARACTERS
The characters are numerous, as are the locations, but they are not too many and fortunately it does not confuse you. They are all well‐structured and incisive characters, even the secondary ones. The thickness of the characters can be seen from the fact that the events never feel fake and dull, but each has its own reason to be there. They are fascinating and with different goals. Bold and ambiguous relationships are told, but the relationships are not too controlled. Fortunately, the female figures are not weak and overshadowed by their male counterpart, they are characters who know how to stand out and I really liked this. Elizabeth is the character that has intrigued me the most, a strong and brave woman, one who can see and think long term and understand how to act without much hesitation!
“For instance, we invest talents and resources in creating technological wonders and then we turn them against our fellow human beings. Humans, after all, are just animals, neither good nor bad. Sometimes we are generous, and other times selfish, but, in the end, we are just human. Isn’t that right?”
“Longaram sized him up. “Obviously, two rejects like us can only do things that a professor like you doesn’t approve of! But if those things benefit you, then, they aren't so bad, right?”
“Why do you people from Kadefen feel rejected by the rest of the Community? After all, you are not that inferior...”, Liasura teased him, chuckling.
Longaran almost jumped on him. “You cocky white ape, who do you think you are?”
STRUCTURE
The story is divided into fairly short chapters, about 10 pages each, so reading is smooth and pleasant.
The world-building is stratified and structured, nothing is left to chance and nothing is elusive.
Everything is nicely explained, without boring or dull moments.
The plot of this first volume is complex, but certainly unique and promising, revealing things a little at a time. The narrative is therefore solid and rich. The pace is also fast and the dialogues captivating with various exchanges that will lift your mood a little and make everything more dynamic.
The author has chosen to use the third person probably to give the reader the opportunity to analyse everything well from the outside, objectively, without taking sides. The novel has a meticulous, precise, multi‐level writing that is perfectly suited to a novel full of events and personalities.
Inside we also find important issues such as manipulation, freedom and drugs, all topics difficult to cover, so I think it is a text that in addition to making you spend a few pleasant and relaxing days, can also give you a lot to think about.
I recommend it to all those who love science fiction and dystopian novels, but it is definitely a novel suitable for a wide range of readers, young and adult.
I would have preferred a more in-depth analysis of Elizabeth even if the aura of mystery that surrounds her is definitely intriguing. She’s a tough, reckless, extremely intelligent woman. She has become cold and calculating for a reason, but this façade of tough commander begins to give way when she meets General Cohen, who, however, is on the opposite side to Elizabeth. Between the two there is an undeniable chemistry, but this will have to withstand the rigidity of her and the doubts of him. Cohen is the other main character of our story, and I must say that it is very easy to identify with him, he is intelligent, good and talented, with a strong sense of justice. I'm looking forward to know more about him in the following books.
The strong point of the story is the political intertwining. Discovering the plots that make up the various events was what led me, voraciously, to finish the book. It is all about building strategies to eradicate or implement plans to destroy the hierarchy set so far.
The writer has a narrative style that is based very much on the psychological aspect of the characters (as the author is a psychologist, you will find this aspect very well built) and on the management of the plot, dwelling, in this first book, especially on political strategies and action.
If I have to find a flaw to the book is the lack of deep analysis of the events that revolve around our characters, I would have preferred more details in order to be able to immerse myself more in the novel.
It’s the first book of five, so it’s normal to be very introductory. Action takes second place to political and military strategy, but all this suggests that there will be a lot more to follow. The ending was an unexpected bomb. Elizabeth validates my opinion that she is one of the smartest women I have ever read about, and I hope that in the sequels is deepened much more!
It is not a book for everyone, as the narration requires a lot of concentration because of the many characters, places and "futuristic" terminology (I recommend to always keep an eye on the maps at the beginning of the book, where the various planets are introduced), but, despite these, it s still smooth and compelling.
It is a game of continuous power, where the female minds rises over male power.
The conditions for something great are there, now we just have to wait for their development in the sequels!
We are in a futuristic world consisting of 17 planets divided into four factions (Empire, Alliance, Corporation and Union), where humanity lives in habitable bubbles in order to survive. The first character introduced to us is Elizabeth, a figure wrapped until the end in deep mystery, whose goal is to stop the spread of a substance that is being introduced in the 17 planets, capable of damaging the Ajna, technology implanted in the brain of people to prevent disease and genetic damage. This "drug", could become the means for the control of the masses and the submission of all. The population is divided into a strict hierarchy of power, but there are those who want to destroy this system to rule over everyone, and will try to do so through the spread of the substance that can ruin the Ajna.
“Everyone would kneel before him, willingly or unwillingly. He would be like a god and exercise his power over everybody[…]”
Elizabeth, known as Captain Lee, will need several collaborators to accomplish her goal: eradicate the Corporation’s plans.
“Governments that regulate everything, even when they pretend to act in the name of justice, take away people's freedom to decide for themselves based on their intellect and conscience. Citizens become like children, unable to make autonomous decisions because their parents have always made choices for them. As freedom involves
the possibility of taking the wrong turn, it can be scary, and it’s better to leave that responsibility to someone else.”
Themes, history and setting
I’m not used to read science fiction books, I thought I would struggle but I didn't at all.
The 17 Planets is a book (not autoconclusive) that addresses the issue of politics, power games, revenge, justice. At the beginning we find a synopsis entitled "Historical Context", which is a must or you will struggle to understand the universe created by the author: the 17 planets and the organisation into four factions.
It has thirty chapters, most of them brief, which helped me with what I would have otherwise found heavy reading.
The story itself isn’t that light. It’s definitely not the classic book to read before you sleep, it requires a lot of concentration. At times I found it difficult to follow certain dynamics, I had to read some sentences several times in order to better understand the following events.
The characters
The author lingers a lot in analyzing the characters, I found it difficult to remember all their names. Some I found interesting, some less so. However they are all necessary and important for the development of the storyline, and the common thread is The Captain.
There is much work behind the construction of the character of Captain Lee. This woman possesses a very strong and determined personality. She’s smart, outspoken, sometimes mysterious and elusive. But what I loved the most is her sarcastic sense of humour. Behind all this lies a fragile woman, with a tormented past to discover (I hope to read more about her in the next books).
My favorite quote:
“Always pay close attention to those who don't talk much but are present where conversations are most interesting. They are good listeners and collect more information than those who steal the show. They say the right things at the right time and use words sparingly as
they know that the more people talk, the more they risk."
“Always pay close attention to those who don't talk much but are present where conversations are most interesting."
This phrase, my favorite throughout the book, is proof that we can find food for thought in any reading, regardless of genre. Having the ability to listen is a great virtue, because the more we listen to people the more we can understand them, to see who we are facing. We live in a society where people talk, all at once. What if we stopped for a moment and listen? It’s obvious that the presentation of all these characters, the many settings and dynamics are the basis of the following books, because the end of this book is just the beginning of the story. Complex and stimulating, I recommend it to all lovers of this genre, less so to those who have never read anything like this (but you can always try).
PLOT:
An interplanetary conspiracy threatens to subjugate the population to the rule of a few. A complex intrigue of power unravels in the course of the adventures that Elizabeth, a beautiful and skilled fighter, will find herself living, in an attempt to prevent the plan from being put in place.
Multiple characters and various powerful organizations will interconnect throughout the pages of "17 Planets", outlining a very multifaceted political situation and a delicate balance of power, taking part in the plots that alliances, conspiracies and betrayals will develop.
My Opinion:
Already writing the book’s plot in a linear way and without revealing too much was pretty complicated. I think, in fact, that the main characteristic of "17 Planets" is its complexity. The novel, while clearly resorting to science fiction, is much more than a science fiction novel.
It’s a book that deals with and describes power games, political plots, and aims to analyse real life and feelings through what happens to its characters. In fact, it is not uncommon for the author to focus on analysing some typical problems or dynamics of existence during the course of events that develop in the storyline.
In my opinion, the propensity to dwell on the political aspect of the story is a strong point of the novel, which demonstrates the great intelligence of the author and allows the novel to offer insights and stimulate the reader.
However, I would have preferred the complexity of the plot to have been compensated by a more dynamic narrative and pace, with more frequent action scenes and a greater focus on the protagonist, Elizabeth. In fact, if I have to find a flaw in "17 Planets" I find it in the excessive ambition of the author. She has created an extremely complex novel structure, with many characters and many different settings, inevitably focusing strongly on the descriptive sequences that end up greatly expanding the dynamics of the narrative.
#Tissybook
More than a simple science fiction novel, but a story with a complex, multifaceted, interesting protagonist: the Captain.
The meticulous introduction of the historical, social, political and economic context allows us to understand the starting point of this story. I’m not ashamed to admit taking notes initially in order to keep track of the rich plot, however I was soon sucked into the compelling and intriguing story.
Beautiful setting, excellent pace that alternates scenes of actions with strategies, plots, and analysis of the many characters that appear in the book. Despite abandoning Planet Earth humans did not abandon their flaws, their thirst for power and malice. The characters are outlined in depth, with their contradictions and complexity. Captain Elizabeth stands out strong, tenacious and fragile at the same time.
The story is told by an external, omniscient narrator, who also analyzes the feelings behind each character’s choice. I also appreciated the careful study that the author did before writing, nothing is left to chance or without foundation.
The book ends at the most beautiful cliffhanger and leaves craving for the next volumes of the saga.
“Everyone would kneel before him, whether they liked it or not.”
With such a quote from the book on the cover, I was already intrigued.
17 Worlds ‐ The Captain is the first novel in a saga, born from the pen of A. R. Alexander. I am not an expert in science fiction, but I have always been fascinated by this genre in movies such as Interstellar. We find ourselves in the dystopian reality of life on 17 new planets and their many well defined
characters. I had some trouble identifying with each of them as I don't find the writing in the third person easy, plus the abundant details slowed down the reading. However everything was necessary for the creation of a story that
combines - in my opinion - stellar wars, political intrigue and catastrophic scenarios.
The author created a unique novel and what helped me memorise all the details of the story was that it is arranged into short chapters. The captain, wanted in all galaxies, rescues the General of the Alliance for a specific purpose: unmask the shady plans of the Kappa Corporation which intends to use new technology to destroy the masses. But that’s not all. Behind it is an even more complex and dangerous scenario.
If you want to take an interstellar journey through thousands of galaxies, make yourself comfortable and enjoy this unpredictable adventure from a front row seat.
#unamoredicarta
#reineliber
WHEN YOU WISH A BOOK DIDN’T END JUST AT THAT POINT!
Yep, the book comes to a close at the most tense time, when action starts, events pick up speed and gather momentum!
Readers beware: this story is not so easy to follow, we are after all dealing with 17 worlds and an infinity of characters that appear over the chapters, some are friends some are enemies, and others in between. In short, it takes commitment to fully appreciate the reading.
Once you overcome the large number of characters and planets the story is really addictive albeit descriptive. I would have liked a bit more action, however this is the first volume of a saga and I understand that the action is distributed sparingly throughout the entire adventure. The first part is definitely a good foundations been laid for an excellent story.
The descriptive nature allows the reader to understand where the story takes place and what happened to reach that moment, it would be otherwise harder to have an immersive reading at 360 degrees. The work done by the author is truly admirable, nothing has been left to chance and there is certainly a lot of work behind the scenes.
The presence of an omniscient narrator, excellent choice in order to help the reader understand the events more easily, is an additional added value for the purposes of the plot. The main character, Captain Lee, an intergalactic pirate who manages in her own personal way very complex operations with an ultimate purpose, has a vision understandable only by few and for this reason she has many bounties on her head.
The end result is a very interesting story with an admirable protagonist waiting to be discovered, one I can’t wait to get to know better in the next volumes.
Brief review of "The Captain", by A.R. Alexander @i_17_mondi
A.R. Alexander’s science fiction is very close to the classic strand of space colonization and military science fiction, creating a universe of 17 planets divided into four camps whose commercial and political relationships intersect with a story of redemption and revenge by a Captain as charismatic and legendary as she is elusive and arrogant. There is no doubt that the author has worked a lot on the characterization of Captain Lee, a woman with a very strong character, intelligent, sarcastic and unscrupulous who pursues her personal and mysterious goal. The rest of the (many) characters are also interesting, although I found a few of them somewhat 'stereotyped' but never superficial. It’s clear how the author, psychologist by profession, feels at home when playing with their psychology. The plot of this first novel of the pentalogy "17 Planets" (it is not autoconclusive, it is important to know) is well balanced and, recalling important authors of these narrative strands I read in my youth (Robert Heinlein, Paul Anderson, Asimov, etc.), they are quite unique and well studied, making it therefore auspicious for the rest of the series. Extraordinary technologies, political plots, military action, subterfuge, revenge and, last but not least, eroticism! I’d say there’s a lot of good stuff going on.
@salvochilegge
#lennyverga
I read this novel for the first time when it was only a pdf file. Reading it again as a published book delights me and confirms the positive impression I had two years ago when I first read it. Targeting not only die-hard science fiction and fantasy fans, “17 Planets. The Captain” by A. R. Alexander is a wisely conceived embryonic work of a new series with high potential. Setting, characters, plot and subplots are convincing as is the scientific and technological aspect. An excellent start.
A journey among the stars: is there anyone who never wanted to launch themselves into orbit and discover the unknown? For those who find Planet Earth too limited and stifling for their wandering, "17 Planets" is the perfect answer.
In a not too distant future, with a much more advanced technology, a small group of human beings left the blue planet, looking for a new beginning, and new resources.
Over the generations, in a galaxy far away, they managed to colonise 17 planets, divided into four formations. And as we all know, when there are different camps... things never turn out well.
At the center of scheming, a kaleidoscope of characters, and fluid (and unapologetic) allegiance shifting there she is, Elizabeth, The Captain. A bit pirate, a bit smuggler; but also vigilante, and cold‐blooded murderer. Brilliant and deadly, she is the real beating heart of the action, around which politicians, soldiers, spies, scientists, scammers and criminals revolve. All involved in an exhausting struggle for the maintenance of an ever‐shaking peace ‐ or in the hope of bringing it all into utter chaos.
Will our heroes avoid the spread of a drug capable of enslaving everyone? Will the balance be maintained in this enormous bubble where very little balance is left? Packed with action, upheavals and well thought‐out plans, "17 Planets" is great entertainment for stellar travellers. A rich and cinema-like adventure.
#cuba_libri
Review by Peg Fly for scrittorindipendenti:
Thus begins the first chapter of the first book of the pentalogy: "Homo homini lupus ‐ Man is for other
men a wolf", wrote Hobbes, in his work De cive, to designate the state of nature in which men,
subjugated by selfishness, fight each other in order to survive, a principle that seems to be extremely relevant even today, after more than 2,300 years. And why should things be different in 3,000 years from now? What if what saves us from all physical and mental ills, becomes our worst nightmare? Isn’t that what happens all the time? Human beings are able to build wonderful things and then turn them against their fellow men. Man remains basically an animal, neither good nor bad, sometimes selfless, sometimes selfish; but, in the end, simply human. Don't they?
Reading this sci‐fi novel with its full‐fledged Manga features, I can argue that the author has built a
complex and well thought out story that takes us from Planet Earth to other planets, where men will try to
settle and continue their lives.
First of the pentalogy is "17 Planets‐ the Captain", a book of fascinating complexity and at the same time
deep, engaging and full of that special charm that only great stories can convey.
The author, thanks to her engaging and refined style, manages to get the reader immersed in the story
and in the seventeen fantastic worlds, masterfully described, so much so that you are immediately taken
into a considerable plot where the mystery of sentences left incomplete, of doubts that creep into the
minds of the characters, which readers can make their own.
However, the story should not be considered simply a fantasy genre, because we are faced with a
mixture of history, politics, strategy, adventure, science fiction and, why not, an engaging love story.