Science fiction lovers rejoice; there is a fresh science fiction series that will actually excite you. It is unfortunate that a genre with unlimited possibilities falls into the trap of repetitive tropes like most science fiction stories do. Of course, there are certain aspects in this book that you would expect, like space travel, and futuristic weapons and shields. However, author F. Jay Falone creates an interesting paradoxical world with alien species that are recognizable – yet unique in their design. Interesting species and unique story ideas are only the beginning of what makes The Saromen Empire a must-read for sci-fi lovers.
The story begins with a race of humanoid dinosaurs called the Tarsi which lives on their spaceship in Earth’s solar system. These evolved dinosaurs were saved by humans who were capable of time travel, who went back to save the dinosaurs before they went extinct. Everything is peaceful until another race of aliens known as the Saromen makes its way into the solar system, looking to set up camps on some of the moons that would be habitable to their race. The Saromen are a bug-like species that works as a hive mind and are more interested in conquering than diplomacy. Despite their best efforts, the Tarsi and Saromen are involved in a conflict that ends in an eons-long ceasefire where both races are holding their breath for the next move. Little do the Tarsi know the Saromen are busy creating both the future and past of the entire Tarsi race.
It appears F. Jay Falone has struck the perfect balance of high-concept science fiction and the reading level of the everyday reader. There are some interesting and sometimes complex ideas in this book, including time travel. However, the author manages to explain all these concepts in a way that is easy to digest for people without a scientific or science fiction background. I am also enamored with the way he describes the alien species with just enough description for your mind to create an outline but allows the readers to fill in the blanks. Other details, like the Saromen’s communication methods or Captain Lozer’s knowledge of human war tactics, combined to create a vivid idea of the races without an exasperating amount of detail.
The only thing more exciting than the book itself is that it is part of a series, so there is even more great F. Jay Falone writing to enjoy. The Saromen Empire checks pretty much everything off the list of what science fiction readers want out of their stories. There is even a bit of an Easter egg surprise at the end of the book that readers will enjoy. Imaginative storytelling and fantastic writing combine to make one in a hopefully long list of books we’ll get to enjoy from the Time Messenger Series. Book 2 of the Time Messenger Series amps up the stakes in this gripping sci-fi saga.
