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Dead Planet #1
Exodus
Samantha Martinez’s life has been turned upside down. After surviving an encounter with serial killer Cason Letum, her family was torn apart. Ten years later she still has survivor’s remorse and is haunted by the memory of that night and the tragedy that followed; the murder of her sister Sarah. With revenge in her heart she becomes obsessed with settling the score in order to quiet the torment in her mind, even if it costs her everything. But sometimes revenge isn’t enough.
139 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
105 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Drew Avera
93 books167 followersDrew Avera is a Navy veteran, musician, and the bestselling author of the Dead Planet series and the Alorian Wars.
He was born and raised in rural Mississippi and grew up with a deep affection for comic books and science fiction movies and television shows. At one point he boasted a comic book collection with more than 1,000 issues. His love for comics inspired him to pursue a career as a comic book artist, but an injury to his hand ended that dream permanently.
Still, he was inspired to create in one medium or the other. He picked up a guitar at fifteen years old and began writing songs almost immediately. That “obsession” as his parents called it put him on the path to rock stardom…in his bedroom.
It was when he turned sixteen and bought the novel “What Savage Beast” by Peter David (The Incredible Hulk) that he caught the bug to be a writer. Unfortunately, it would not come to fruition until fourteen years later.
Drew enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Electricians Mate at seventeen years old. He served twenty years and deployed on four combat deployments to the Persian Gulf. During those deployments he would spend his free time reading books. He loved reading books in a series and that inspired his journey to becoming a fiction author.
In November 2012, at the age of thirty, Drew began his journey as an author by participating in national Novel Writing Month (NANoWriMo). He published his first book in March of 2013 and the rest, as they say, is history. With more than twenty books published in the space opera, military science fiction, cyberpunk, and dystopian genres, he has built a backlog with something for everyone who enjoys science fiction adventures.
After retiring from the Navy, he began an exciting new career in the simulation field. Drew is now focusing his efforts on building upon what he learned in his first eight years of publishing. He has plans for an all-new space opera and military science fiction series as well as new collaborations with other writers.
The best is yet to come!
To learn more about Drew and his books, visit www.drewavera.com.
Subscribe to Drew’s newsletter for updates on new releases, or follow his Amazon Author Page to receive updates directly from Amazon.
The Alorian Wars (Space Opera/Military Science Fiction Series)
Broken Worlds
Deadly Refuge
Mutiny Rising
Shadow Empire
Regime Change
The Dead Planet Series (Cyberpunk/Dystopian)
Exodus
Verity
Endgame
The Syndicate Series (Cyberpunk)
Rise of the Syndicate
Eye of the Syndicate
Other books
Traitor
Skye Byrn
He was born and raised in rural Mississippi and grew up with a deep affection for comic books and science fiction movies and television shows. At one point he boasted a comic book collection with more than 1,000 issues. His love for comics inspired him to pursue a career as a comic book artist, but an injury to his hand ended that dream permanently.
Still, he was inspired to create in one medium or the other. He picked up a guitar at fifteen years old and began writing songs almost immediately. That “obsession” as his parents called it put him on the path to rock stardom…in his bedroom.
It was when he turned sixteen and bought the novel “What Savage Beast” by Peter David (The Incredible Hulk) that he caught the bug to be a writer. Unfortunately, it would not come to fruition until fourteen years later.
Drew enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Electricians Mate at seventeen years old. He served twenty years and deployed on four combat deployments to the Persian Gulf. During those deployments he would spend his free time reading books. He loved reading books in a series and that inspired his journey to becoming a fiction author.
In November 2012, at the age of thirty, Drew began his journey as an author by participating in national Novel Writing Month (NANoWriMo). He published his first book in March of 2013 and the rest, as they say, is history. With more than twenty books published in the space opera, military science fiction, cyberpunk, and dystopian genres, he has built a backlog with something for everyone who enjoys science fiction adventures.
After retiring from the Navy, he began an exciting new career in the simulation field. Drew is now focusing his efforts on building upon what he learned in his first eight years of publishing. He has plans for an all-new space opera and military science fiction series as well as new collaborations with other writers.
The best is yet to come!
To learn more about Drew and his books, visit www.drewavera.com.
Subscribe to Drew’s newsletter for updates on new releases, or follow his Amazon Author Page to receive updates directly from Amazon.
The Alorian Wars (Space Opera/Military Science Fiction Series)
Broken Worlds
Deadly Refuge
Mutiny Rising
Shadow Empire
Regime Change
The Dead Planet Series (Cyberpunk/Dystopian)
Exodus
Verity
Endgame
The Syndicate Series (Cyberpunk)
Rise of the Syndicate
Eye of the Syndicate
Other books
Traitor
Skye Byrn
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 21, 2016
I made it to the one-hour mark in the audible version of this and that’s it, I’m done.
What killed the read for me:
1) RUE (resist the urge to explain). When RUE is not enforced the reader is left with several, “Thanks Captain Obvious” moments. Being talked down to is annoying, and in general it makes a read very self-conscious. Explaining a culture, a place we’ve never seen before, or the way an unknown technology works is fine. Explaining that a character loves his sister because she’s his sister is just a waste of word count.
2) One dimensional characters. Using exposition narrative/exposition internal dialog to tell the reader x,y,z about a character is fine, however using this as the only way to define a character makes them one dimensional. The tricky thing about a character telling the reader how super cool and smart they are in a first person narrative, is the reader will assess how big of a liar the character is based on their actions over the course of the book. If actions are not witnessed to support most of the characters super cool and smart claims, then the reader will feel detached from the character and the ongoing plot.
3) The futuristic cultural elements failed to meet my common sense thresh hold. Mars has been colonized but its run by a tyrannical government. There’s no crime because if you commit a crime assassins will be sent to kill you. Wow, how does that work? The people selected for assassin roles are removed from their families and not allowed to get married or have close relationships with anyone. They also can’t own property and are rigorously tortured before being given a role that makes them the social pariah’s of their society. Why do these guys want to participate in life at all? It goes against some pretty basic fundamental facts about human phycology, and I couldn’t listen toJason Bourne Serus Blackwell try and rationalize why he was motivated to do anything anymore.
This is the kind of read where I sit amazed at the writers willing to figure out how to self publish and promote a book to the masses, but aren’t willing to fund a basic copy edit or read a few books to improve their writing craft.
What killed the read for me:
1) RUE (resist the urge to explain). When RUE is not enforced the reader is left with several, “Thanks Captain Obvious” moments. Being talked down to is annoying, and in general it makes a read very self-conscious. Explaining a culture, a place we’ve never seen before, or the way an unknown technology works is fine. Explaining that a character loves his sister because she’s his sister is just a waste of word count.
2) One dimensional characters. Using exposition narrative/exposition internal dialog to tell the reader x,y,z about a character is fine, however using this as the only way to define a character makes them one dimensional. The tricky thing about a character telling the reader how super cool and smart they are in a first person narrative, is the reader will assess how big of a liar the character is based on their actions over the course of the book. If actions are not witnessed to support most of the characters super cool and smart claims, then the reader will feel detached from the character and the ongoing plot.
3) The futuristic cultural elements failed to meet my common sense thresh hold. Mars has been colonized but its run by a tyrannical government. There’s no crime because if you commit a crime assassins will be sent to kill you. Wow, how does that work? The people selected for assassin roles are removed from their families and not allowed to get married or have close relationships with anyone. They also can’t own property and are rigorously tortured before being given a role that makes them the social pariah’s of their society. Why do these guys want to participate in life at all? It goes against some pretty basic fundamental facts about human phycology, and I couldn’t listen to
This is the kind of read where I sit amazed at the writers willing to figure out how to self publish and promote a book to the masses, but aren’t willing to fund a basic copy edit or read a few books to improve their writing craft.
July 7, 2019
Exodus - a review by Rosemary Kenny
With a nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Total Recall, and The Hunger Games, Drew Avera's Dead Planet trilogy introduces MC Servus, indoctrinated by the ruling Syndicate on Mars, as a 'Policeman' (ie an assassin'/ killing 'machine'). Yet when he's given a hit on his whistleblowing scientist sister, Kara, by his Agency, the previously loyal killer snaps.
Unknown to the general population, Mars' micro-climate machines are fast failing through lack of maintenance - and those who stay will die horribly.
Can Servus use this knowledge to bring down Pontiff White's Palace regime and save Kara and himself, as well as thousands of others, or find a way on to the 'Arks' taking the wealthy and the ruling elite back to Earth (a la WALL- E) and save those who deserve, (rather than have bought) the right to survive?
Get your copy of Exodus by Drew Avera and find out for yourself!
With a nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Total Recall, and The Hunger Games, Drew Avera's Dead Planet trilogy introduces MC Servus, indoctrinated by the ruling Syndicate on Mars, as a 'Policeman' (ie an assassin'/ killing 'machine'). Yet when he's given a hit on his whistleblowing scientist sister, Kara, by his Agency, the previously loyal killer snaps.
Unknown to the general population, Mars' micro-climate machines are fast failing through lack of maintenance - and those who stay will die horribly.
Can Servus use this knowledge to bring down Pontiff White's Palace regime and save Kara and himself, as well as thousands of others, or find a way on to the 'Arks' taking the wealthy and the ruling elite back to Earth (a la WALL- E) and save those who deserve, (rather than have bought) the right to survive?
Get your copy of Exodus by Drew Avera and find out for yourself!
January 15, 2017
For me the plot was good and so was the narration, this book does leave a lot of questions unanswered. To have come so far to live on Mars but not having a lot more than they had on earth is a little too much to believe. I expected it to be more advance but the only where I saw this was in their weapons. I found a lot that was hard to believe from the Mob not being able to keep track of their soldiers (hit men). If you are going to go as far as program humans I would have thought you would have put a device in them to know where they are and a way to kill them if they were to out step the line. This hit man was going to the hospital to visit a friend with no worries of being caught didn’t change his look at all even with a price tag on his head. This is how it goes through out the story. He doesn’t change his look until later at the end of this one or the beginning of the next one. Running around looking like a policeman is fine why he is on Mars but not so cool when on a space ship with a price on your head. It was way to easy for him to get in and out even when there were soldiers waiting for him on the outside. The members of the mob knew him, knows what he is doing but they let him get on the ship without stopping him even when he comes face to face with one. So much of this makes no sense to me but it does make a action pack read.
Mr. Kessel does a good job of narration at first I thought his tones were a little off but as he goes along he does get better with a few places sounding a little off. His character voices were not but when the female were angry they seemed a little too soft. At times it seems like he is pushing the emotion with other times hitting them right on the money. His different characters have nice pleasure voices. The voice he gave to the mob members were strong, deep and full of power. His performance for the most part was good he did make this a more pleasurable listen. A little more work is needed to make this come across more easy flow. At times if felt like the narrator was as lost as I was at times. If this is the case it would have a big effect on his narration. I did not hear any background noise. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. The music used at the beginning and end fits the story went well with the story wasn’t over powering and was very smooth as you go into the story. With not having enough information given and at times too much I thought this narrator did a great job. I have listened to the next one in this series and plan on listening to some more of his work to get the full impact. I really think with the right book this narrator would be outstanding. I just really felt he felt as lost as I was at times trying to understand all the pit falls of a story that leave so much out. I feel it was a 3.5 but giving him a 4 until I listen to more of his work.
The author does a wonderful job explain why Mars is falling and that the people haven’t learn must from the past using up it resource never looking to the future. I do understand why they would want to move on and why maybe earth might be the better place since so many years have passed it might have refueled itself. I understand why they picked who they picked to take back and why they tried to ease the peoples mind with the lies they told. To me this was just too unrealistic and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. We may find the answers in the next book or we may not. This book needs more development with more information given to make the reads understand the full impact the author is trying to give us. I did think it was entertaining and at times an interesting read but was very lacking. This is just my thoughts please give it a read or listen and see what you think. It has some major good and bad points. There were parts I really liked and many others that left me confused.
Mr. Kessel does a good job of narration at first I thought his tones were a little off but as he goes along he does get better with a few places sounding a little off. His character voices were not but when the female were angry they seemed a little too soft. At times it seems like he is pushing the emotion with other times hitting them right on the money. His different characters have nice pleasure voices. The voice he gave to the mob members were strong, deep and full of power. His performance for the most part was good he did make this a more pleasurable listen. A little more work is needed to make this come across more easy flow. At times if felt like the narrator was as lost as I was at times. If this is the case it would have a big effect on his narration. I did not hear any background noise. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. The music used at the beginning and end fits the story went well with the story wasn’t over powering and was very smooth as you go into the story. With not having enough information given and at times too much I thought this narrator did a great job. I have listened to the next one in this series and plan on listening to some more of his work to get the full impact. I really think with the right book this narrator would be outstanding. I just really felt he felt as lost as I was at times trying to understand all the pit falls of a story that leave so much out. I feel it was a 3.5 but giving him a 4 until I listen to more of his work.
The author does a wonderful job explain why Mars is falling and that the people haven’t learn must from the past using up it resource never looking to the future. I do understand why they would want to move on and why maybe earth might be the better place since so many years have passed it might have refueled itself. I understand why they picked who they picked to take back and why they tried to ease the peoples mind with the lies they told. To me this was just too unrealistic and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. We may find the answers in the next book or we may not. This book needs more development with more information given to make the reads understand the full impact the author is trying to give us. I did think it was entertaining and at times an interesting read but was very lacking. This is just my thoughts please give it a read or listen and see what you think. It has some major good and bad points. There were parts I really liked and many others that left me confused.
April 25, 2019
Poorly written - a waste of time
This story is poorly done with lots of holes. In a society controlled by despots, is unthinkable to consider that our hero could go any
without being watched. The visit to the Palace tells the reader that the Pontiff was warned of Serus arrival and that he later head to sneak into the building. The security of an advanced technology would have locked Serus out. The same problem occurs with police being killed so easily and Serus escaping every time. Walking through the city unimpeded we the reader are given the impression that a busy city was empty. In today's modern world of cameras on every corner it is inconsistent with Big Brother not to expect a police investigation with death that occurs in this plot. Our heroine is a whistle blower scientist who would have been removed by The Syndicate being all powerful. Also, no way would Mars government have transport ships outfitted, just waiting to return to earth.
😖😵😬😩
This story is poorly done with lots of holes. In a society controlled by despots, is unthinkable to consider that our hero could go any
without being watched. The visit to the Palace tells the reader that the Pontiff was warned of Serus arrival and that he later head to sneak into the building. The security of an advanced technology would have locked Serus out. The same problem occurs with police being killed so easily and Serus escaping every time. Walking through the city unimpeded we the reader are given the impression that a busy city was empty. In today's modern world of cameras on every corner it is inconsistent with Big Brother not to expect a police investigation with death that occurs in this plot. Our heroine is a whistle blower scientist who would have been removed by The Syndicate being all powerful. Also, no way would Mars government have transport ships outfitted, just waiting to return to earth.
😖😵😬😩
January 25, 2015
This was a great story. From the beginning to the end.
Drew described the use of future technology, told as everyday items, "what?, this? nothing special, we fire a gauntlet with our mind every day since I can remember"; the kind of communicators they use, the media devices that are like holographic TVs, and the Serum, which is some kind of medicine that allows you to not feel pain, to go days without sleep, and to not feel hungry, I could use some serum sometimes!
The main character Serus, is described on a way that makes you think you know him, as a friend. The fact that the story is told in first person adds a special connection with him. You want to kill his enemies and save the ones he loves.
I even yelled on my mind "I knew it!" when something-that-I-wont-tell-because-it-is-a-spoiler happened.
It had some minor grammatical errors and that's why I dont give it 5 stars, nothing that can't be fixed in the future.
I really liked this book and I will read the second part, because I want to know what happens next.
Drew described the use of future technology, told as everyday items, "what?, this? nothing special, we fire a gauntlet with our mind every day since I can remember"; the kind of communicators they use, the media devices that are like holographic TVs, and the Serum, which is some kind of medicine that allows you to not feel pain, to go days without sleep, and to not feel hungry, I could use some serum sometimes!
The main character Serus, is described on a way that makes you think you know him, as a friend. The fact that the story is told in first person adds a special connection with him. You want to kill his enemies and save the ones he loves.
I even yelled on my mind "I knew it!" when something-that-I-wont-tell-because-it-is-a-spoiler happened.
It had some minor grammatical errors and that's why I dont give it 5 stars, nothing that can't be fixed in the future.
I really liked this book and I will read the second part, because I want to know what happens next.
May 16, 2013
I began reading this book yesterday and I couldn't put it down. Drew has created an epic story here and I can honestly see this as either the next SciFi series or a movie. The storyline is gripping and told through the voice of Serus and you can't help but like him. He's not charming or anything like that, he knows what he wants and he gets it. He's loyal to those he cares about especially his sister Kara, who developes from this victim into a real rebel. The main characters are strong, all of them. I found it easy to picture the story in my head and loved description of how the guantlet is attached to the nervous system, that was genius. Like it made my hand twitch!
If you like science fiction, action and excitment, blended with a compelling storyline then this is a must read. Excellent Drew, looking forward to part 2.
If you like science fiction, action and excitment, blended with a compelling storyline then this is a must read. Excellent Drew, looking forward to part 2.
March 26, 2019
The enforcer that breaks his training to save his family
Life on Mars where the rich get richer on others sweat. It would be endless toil, but their running out of resources. The poor are going to be left their to die, while the rich return to earth. Only one of the enforcers can do something to help his family. The story is a bit choppy, and the plot is a frequently simple story of the enforcer breaking his training to save his family.
Life on Mars where the rich get richer on others sweat. It would be endless toil, but their running out of resources. The poor are going to be left their to die, while the rich return to earth. Only one of the enforcers can do something to help his family. The story is a bit choppy, and the plot is a frequently simple story of the enforcer breaking his training to save his family.
January 22, 2018
Great read
This is not my usual genre but I love reading it it was a great story and I cannot wait to see how it continues to unfold I will be definitely looking forward to reading more books
This is not my usual genre but I love reading it it was a great story and I cannot wait to see how it continues to unfold I will be definitely looking forward to reading more books
March 27, 2019
Exodus is the first book in the Dead Planet series. This should not be read as a standalone. There is violence. While the book was okay (though it needs some editing work) it wasn't anything spectacular. It was worth reading but I'm not yet sure I will read more of the series.
March 14, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It takes place on Mars in 4500. It is all run be the Syndicate which has control of the Agency which are policemen that are sent to execute certain people. Serus ,the main character worked for the agency but they reprogrammed him so he would forget a lot of things that had been done, such as the person who had his father killed and was having him reprogrammed. They were on Mars now because too many resourced they needed on earth were being used up by over population. Serusr who narrates the entire book also has a sister named Kara, when he finds out the syndicate has a hit out on Kara he starts trying everything to keep that from happening. Now Mars is loosing its Magnetic Field and once it is gone then the people of Mars will die along with the planet. You really need to read this book to see why it is named Exodus. There are more more books in ‘this series that I also plan to read . Drew Avera has really made the characters stand out, there are some you will love, others you will hate. There are several twists and turns. Dean Avera is very good at SciFi. I would recommend this book to anyone. I am glad I finally got to it on my TBR list.
March 29, 2019
This might be a good story for an early-years teen, or a sci-fi novice, but it lacks the depth of "feeling" that I have come to associate with Mr Avera's work. Much of the action is totally unrealistic...ie: waltzing into the office of the head bad guy, and coming out alive, shooting uniformed "police" willy-nilly and then just walking away, (no witnesses, no video surveillance, no massive man-hunt?) And the gauntlet...again totally unrealistic. I could understand and accept a story line where certain people are selected and trained to be the government's enforcers/assassins. I could also accept the gauntlet idea as their special weapon, but how in the heck (spoiler alert) is he allowed to board the transport craft while wearing this weapon in plain sight. "Oh, here is my get-out-of-jail-free lottery card, and even though I have been killing cops and Syndicate members, and my sister is also a wanted person, I still get to board and there's nothing you can do about it...neener neener!" Nuh-uh just doesn't work that way.
June 2, 2020
I'm giving this book 3 stars but it probably only deserves 2. I didn't feel that it was written particularly well; it could have done with a bit of editing. The version I read was actually full of punctuation and spelling errors which took me away from the story quite a bit.
I did feel some parts of the plot didn't make sense, and some of the characters actions and emotions seemed strange at times. Also the plot wasn't laid out gradually, instead taking sudden turns which left me disorientated.
So after all of this criticism, why have I given it 3 stars instead of 2? Quite simply, I enjoyed it.
I really liked the character Serus, and I thoroughly enjoyed the technology in the book (although I do wonder why the gauntlet wasn't properly explained until 2/3rds of the way through).
The book captured my imagination in a great way, and had me visualising a futuristic Mars with strange technologies.
Will I continue with the trilogy? Possibly, but probably not. I enjoyed this book and despite its flaws I found that each chapter left me wanting to read more.
I did feel some parts of the plot didn't make sense, and some of the characters actions and emotions seemed strange at times. Also the plot wasn't laid out gradually, instead taking sudden turns which left me disorientated.
So after all of this criticism, why have I given it 3 stars instead of 2? Quite simply, I enjoyed it.
I really liked the character Serus, and I thoroughly enjoyed the technology in the book (although I do wonder why the gauntlet wasn't properly explained until 2/3rds of the way through).
The book captured my imagination in a great way, and had me visualising a futuristic Mars with strange technologies.
Will I continue with the trilogy? Possibly, but probably not. I enjoyed this book and despite its flaws I found that each chapter left me wanting to read more.
Read
June 11, 2019Like rats leaving a sinking ship.
Drew Avera has created a dystopian view of Mars as a police state ruled by the Syndicate which is made up of the richest most powerful families on Mars. Their rule is enforced by the Agency, a police force of brainwashed men conditioned to obey implicitly. We follow Serus Blackwell, from his indoctrination to his daily duties of eliminating real and perceived threats to the Syndicate. Agent Blackwell’s indoctrination was only 75% effective meaning he still remembers his family, and the fact that his father was eliminated by the Agency. Five years later a hit is ordered on his sister, Kara and Serus intervenes. The novel is based on what Kara has discovered about Mars’ atmosphere and what Serus uncovers about the Syndicates nefarious plans.
Mr. Avera has created a nonstop action packed novel and laid the groundwork for the second book in this thrilling Dead Planet trilogy.
Drew Avera has created a dystopian view of Mars as a police state ruled by the Syndicate which is made up of the richest most powerful families on Mars. Their rule is enforced by the Agency, a police force of brainwashed men conditioned to obey implicitly. We follow Serus Blackwell, from his indoctrination to his daily duties of eliminating real and perceived threats to the Syndicate. Agent Blackwell’s indoctrination was only 75% effective meaning he still remembers his family, and the fact that his father was eliminated by the Agency. Five years later a hit is ordered on his sister, Kara and Serus intervenes. The novel is based on what Kara has discovered about Mars’ atmosphere and what Serus uncovers about the Syndicates nefarious plans.
Mr. Avera has created a nonstop action packed novel and laid the groundwork for the second book in this thrilling Dead Planet trilogy.
May 10, 2020
Another book that is a decent read but over the top for my taste. The story premise is that evil corporations flee the earth when the earth becomes uninhabitable because of nuclear war and climate change. They flee to Mars with their followers and set up shop there under an electrical field powdered by enriched nuclear power which after 2,500 years is failing and there is no replacement available in time to prevent the destruction of the field and the deaths of millions. A scientist discovered the truth and is marked for assassination by the agency - the shadow army that controls the population at the behest of the syndicate. The corporations to abandon Mars and return to earth. Her brother, a policeman, discovers the truth and fights back. I won't discuss the rest so you have to read it yourself. To sum up a bit over the top and from a left wing perspective, often these sorts of dystopian books are written from a right wing perspective so it is nice to see it from the other side.
July 15, 2022
This was a truly excellent read. The Syndicate rules Mars. If a policeman comes to you, he is not there to help. But what happens when everything starts to fall apart? With the threat of the gravity they've artificially created is about to end, everyone goes into panic mode. The Syndicate come up with a lottery system to leave Mars. But look at the names on the list and you see that it's mostly Syndicate members and those of the upper echelon of society who are actually on the list. Typical, right? But let's not forget about our policeman hero of the story, Serus. His sister, Kara, is the one to discover the gravity problem, and now, a policeman has been sent to kill her. Serus saves her, but doesn't know who to trust anymore. It was a very interesting read to find out who survives and who doesn't. I can't wait to read the sequel to this story.
August 12, 2017
I would describe Exodus, the first Dead Planet novel, as a mix of mystery/sci-fi noir and action story. The setting is really interesting and well exploited by the author and the writing is clean and straight forward. The pacing is on par with a mystery/detective story. I like the approach taken by the author in regards to the political ploy use by the Syndicate concerning the exodus of the planet. The story as real potential for characters development and (even) stronger world-building. I hope for more details action sequences in the follow-up novels, but otherwise I liked the series enough to continue reading it.
March 19, 2020
A new plan for humanity!
With Earth's natural resources failing, humanity has populated Mars but the old earth-side governments are abolished and civilization is governed by The Syndicate. Justice is swift and always fatal. It is carried out by the Agency who employees a force of trained assassins. Serus is one such assassin but when he discovers The Syndicates' new plan for humanity he decides it is time to take a stand. The plot is excellent and I really liked the characters. The story has plenty of suspense and action and I look forward to reading more books in the series.
With Earth's natural resources failing, humanity has populated Mars but the old earth-side governments are abolished and civilization is governed by The Syndicate. Justice is swift and always fatal. It is carried out by the Agency who employees a force of trained assassins. Serus is one such assassin but when he discovers The Syndicates' new plan for humanity he decides it is time to take a stand. The plot is excellent and I really liked the characters. The story has plenty of suspense and action and I look forward to reading more books in the series.
November 13, 2022
The story follows the career of an assassin in a dystopian Mars of the far future, whose career intersects violently with the hidden threat that will end all life on the planet. I wasn’t enamored by the book, finding it hard to maintain my interest and immersion and so skipped quite a bit. This may not have been just me -- looking around on Goodreads, I found a much shorter version or excerpt from 2014 called The Policeman, clocking in at 27 pages and a 3.97 star average -- a third of a star higher than the 198 page version I didn’t completely read.
March 29, 2021
One main character weaves throughout the story, showing the impact wrought by life's circumstances. Mars has a well established, failing civilization. As Mars descends into chaos, Sirus rushes to save his sister and get her aboard a transport back to Earth, only to find his nemesis is traveling on the same transport!
May 21, 2023
Strong Start
A cruel syndicate rules Mars society with an iron fist. The policeman are just legal assassins who carryout there wishes. But when the sister of one of their number is threatened he must make a choice. What follows is a rollercoaster of tension and adventure great start to a new series
A cruel syndicate rules Mars society with an iron fist. The policeman are just legal assassins who carryout there wishes. But when the sister of one of their number is threatened he must make a choice. What follows is a rollercoaster of tension and adventure great start to a new series
July 8, 2023
Exodus (Dead Planet #1), my ninth read from author Drew Avera. Enjoyable police detective science fiction adventure read. I was given a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. The story was well-written & flowed smoothly & quickly. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
January 3, 2018
Nothing special. The type of book to read when you have nothing better to do.
November 8, 2019
Another great story from Drew ,well written with good characters and plot. Will definately be reading rest of series!
dnf-not-for-me
March 23, 20211/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.
October 25, 2021
Decent start to an ongoing series, interesting characters and premise. Feels a bit unfinished at the end but is a good set up for the books to follow.
July 10, 2023
kinda poorly written but a fun read
December 17, 2023
I want to like everything I read but this one just doesn't do it for me.
February 11, 2025
Simplistic action, dialogue and interior monologue. Bare bone depiction of plot. Spend more time fleshing out the rationale and details.
More Mitchner and less e.e. cummings;
More Mitchner and less e.e. cummings;
March 29, 2019
DNF 50%. The book is naive, without depth, sociologically, politically, technologically, characters, plot, etc.. These powerful laser gauntlets are a weapon no one would use. Laser physics is such that they probably kill 50 miles away: if you miss, you still have a good chance of killing someone you do not even see, even behind light walls (well, the planet curvature is probably the only range limit). The gory descriptions of killings do not add much to the story, and feel rather sick. The style is sometimes awkward, and some words misused (e.g., allegiance for alliance). I was wondering how the author would finish the book, but I decided not to read further: I have so many books to read, some of which are great. I hate not to finish a book. But I can understand this one appeals to some people, as it maintain some narrative rythm.
After a while I forced myself to finish the book, fast reading it, but it did not change my view of it. Too bad. I recall reading short stories by the author that were much more worth reading.
After a while I forced myself to finish the book, fast reading it, but it did not change my view of it. Too bad. I recall reading short stories by the author that were much more worth reading.
April 21, 2015
I was given a code for this book by the author in return for an honest review, so here goes. I enjoyed this book, which is set on Mars 2500 years after a large, rich chunk of humanity left a dying earth. The rich oligarchs that financed the exodus, Known as the Syndicate, rule Mars with an iron fist, with a puppet pontiff controlling the masses spiritual lives, and the Policemen, basically political assassins, keeping the peace through fear. The story revolves around one of these policemen, Serus Blackwell.He is assigned to kill a member of the Syndicate. As he is about to kill the man, the man orders the death of Serus's sister, in a move that was not actually related to Serus. After he kills the man, Serus races off to save his sister. He kills the 3 Policemen assigned to kill her, and they start a race against time to save their lives. His sister is a scientist with shocking information: Mars is dying. The Artificial Magnetic field which keeps the atmosphere in and the meteors out is going to fail, since the nuclear reactors are out of enriched uranium. So begins a race against time to save their lives, and somehow find a way onto the transports going back to a primitive level Earth, where the Technologically superior Mars Humans will dominate. Through an exciting series of events, they manage to get onto the ships, where Serus and his sister have a final Showdown with the leader of the Syndicate.After that is resolved, Serus continues on to Earth, where he plans to put down the rest of the Syndicate, whatever the cost.
The story has a good pace, moving from place to place, fight to fight, without a huge lag in time. It has interesting characters, although the Syndicate leaders seemed a bit one dimensional, but then again, I imagine Oligarchs would be, so thats a wash. The technology is advanced without getting too techie, so its fun to imagine using it. Al Kessel did a decent job of narrating, using different tones and accent to differentiate the characters, although his accents seem to fall a bit flat, but not in any jarring or off putting way.Overall, a good read that I would recommend to any fans of Sci fi, and I will be waiting for book 2.
The story has a good pace, moving from place to place, fight to fight, without a huge lag in time. It has interesting characters, although the Syndicate leaders seemed a bit one dimensional, but then again, I imagine Oligarchs would be, so thats a wash. The technology is advanced without getting too techie, so its fun to imagine using it. Al Kessel did a decent job of narrating, using different tones and accent to differentiate the characters, although his accents seem to fall a bit flat, but not in any jarring or off putting way.Overall, a good read that I would recommend to any fans of Sci fi, and I will be waiting for book 2.
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