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Pillars of Fire and Light #1
Fall to Earth
A desperate athlete. A super-soldier experiment. Will cutting-edge technology change the world or destroy it?
Indiana Beckham’s lifelong goal has just been cut down. Banned from competing in Olympic fencing, she jumps at the chance to join a research project that could make her the best. But to unlock the promise of her unlimited potential, Indiana must endure a risky, life-altering transformation…
Lieutenant Arthur MacGabran has a mission: advance humanity in a single generation. Eager to prove his neuro-technology, he ignores the dangers and recruits his first live test subject. But when Indiana’s enchanted abilities turn deadly, he’ll have to keep a shocking secret to fuel his twisted dream…
As Indiana harnesses her super-skills, the project and its subjects teeter on the edge of termination.
Will the fencer’s attempt to better herself end up destroying her instead?
Fall to Earth is the first book in the action-packed Pillars of Fire and Light military sci-fi series. If you like high-stakes technology, intriguing characters, and super-human soldiers, then you’ll love Ken Britz’s thrilling novel.
Indiana Beckham’s lifelong goal has just been cut down. Banned from competing in Olympic fencing, she jumps at the chance to join a research project that could make her the best. But to unlock the promise of her unlimited potential, Indiana must endure a risky, life-altering transformation…
Lieutenant Arthur MacGabran has a mission: advance humanity in a single generation. Eager to prove his neuro-technology, he ignores the dangers and recruits his first live test subject. But when Indiana’s enchanted abilities turn deadly, he’ll have to keep a shocking secret to fuel his twisted dream…
As Indiana harnesses her super-skills, the project and its subjects teeter on the edge of termination.
Will the fencer’s attempt to better herself end up destroying her instead?
Fall to Earth is the first book in the action-packed Pillars of Fire and Light military sci-fi series. If you like high-stakes technology, intriguing characters, and super-human soldiers, then you’ll love Ken Britz’s thrilling novel.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2017
1438 people are currently reading
1167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 4, 2019
“ Burning bridges means you cannot return the way you’ve come, but there are other options, other directions to go.”
A slow story building but worth it, to understand the bio tech behind the wave blades, genetic marker, cerebral enhancements..incredible power source! I was wowed from the beginning! An exciting glimpse of what's to come by this author in the SciFi genre, hardcore science, high tech of a near future combined with fantastical powered swords, government deceits, lies and deceptions, The story building is slow, with a necessary high tech description that really overwhelmed me, to the point of going above my understanding sometimes, -it took me more days than needed to read this installment-, but it’s worth the effort to comprehend.
It hits all the things that I love about Sci-fi.
Rich developed characters meet vivid descriptions and a twisted plot that keeps you turning the pages...an enthralling start to a promising and powerful series worth following!
A slow story building but worth it, to understand the bio tech behind the wave blades, genetic marker, cerebral enhancements..incredible power source! I was wowed from the beginning! An exciting glimpse of what's to come by this author in the SciFi genre, hardcore science, high tech of a near future combined with fantastical powered swords, government deceits, lies and deceptions, The story building is slow, with a necessary high tech description that really overwhelmed me, to the point of going above my understanding sometimes, -it took me more days than needed to read this installment-, but it’s worth the effort to comprehend.
It hits all the things that I love about Sci-fi.
Rich developed characters meet vivid descriptions and a twisted plot that keeps you turning the pages...an enthralling start to a promising and powerful series worth following!
August 22, 2017
I liked this book. The mixture of historical fiction with sci-fi, the enthralling past with high-tech was fun to read about.
Moreover, Indiana is a strong character and all she wants is to be the best swordsman but since her chance at the Olympics has been taken, she must find another way to prove herself.
The book started off pretty intriguing but when it came to Commander Jeri brand, I just wasn't that interested. My attention spun out of the book and I started getting bored.
The build-up was necessary but the pace was a little too slow for me. Yet the plotline was what kept me reading and in the end, I was all the more glad for it.
This is one unique book that defies genres and the writing is pretty good.
Moreover, Indiana is a strong character and all she wants is to be the best swordsman but since her chance at the Olympics has been taken, she must find another way to prove herself.
The book started off pretty intriguing but when it came to Commander Jeri brand, I just wasn't that interested. My attention spun out of the book and I started getting bored.
The build-up was necessary but the pace was a little too slow for me. Yet the plotline was what kept me reading and in the end, I was all the more glad for it.
This is one unique book that defies genres and the writing is pretty good.
August 5, 2019
DNF - About 20% into the book I just could not, it was such a scattered story. There were multiple story lines and the story jumped from one to another to another, you had no connection to ANY of the characters as there was little to no character development. This is typically the type of story I am really drawn to so I was pretty disappointed.
July 31, 2019
After reading the first couple of paragraphs, I had high hopes as the writing style seemed really good.
However, after struggling through the first chapter I lost interest and gave up. The basic premise seemed awfully lame - an Olympic-class fencer being recruited for a top-secret military project that utilized some weird, high-tech yet metaphysical weaponry.
I had to re-read the section that introduced this weaponry as I didn't understand what it was. I felt like I was missing something - maybe I should have read a previous novel by the author to get some backstory?
I skimmed chapters 2 and 3 then removed the book from my Kindle, wondering if different authors had written these chapters.
The author should have invested in some substantive editing before releasing what might have been a good story.
However, after struggling through the first chapter I lost interest and gave up. The basic premise seemed awfully lame - an Olympic-class fencer being recruited for a top-secret military project that utilized some weird, high-tech yet metaphysical weaponry.
I had to re-read the section that introduced this weaponry as I didn't understand what it was. I felt like I was missing something - maybe I should have read a previous novel by the author to get some backstory?
I skimmed chapters 2 and 3 then removed the book from my Kindle, wondering if different authors had written these chapters.
The author should have invested in some substantive editing before releasing what might have been a good story.
November 22, 2017
I read to page 53 or 17%.
I rated this story a 4 because it’s well written, easy to follow and a decent read. However, I shelved it, because it’s not the kind of story I desire. It’s a hard science story, but the conflict is caused by human lying, cheating, killing, contempt and worst of all government politics and evil wo/men.
I like hard science, space oriented escape literature where the conflict is caused by adventure, new worlds, aliens, challenges of the unknown, discovery, imagination, etc. The kind of book where I can bond with the main character(s) and get so involved that I don’t want to put the book down.
I rated this story a 4 because it’s well written, easy to follow and a decent read. However, I shelved it, because it’s not the kind of story I desire. It’s a hard science story, but the conflict is caused by human lying, cheating, killing, contempt and worst of all government politics and evil wo/men.
I like hard science, space oriented escape literature where the conflict is caused by adventure, new worlds, aliens, challenges of the unknown, discovery, imagination, etc. The kind of book where I can bond with the main character(s) and get so involved that I don’t want to put the book down.
September 1, 2020
So three very different narratives with a ton of names that eventually start overlapping. Then there is the dream sequences of past events that get mixed in along with an Oracle who predicts future events that people are either trying to control to their benefit or to fight against. Confusing dialogue and banter that seems superficial but then is given weight. It ends up being a good read but I was about to give up on it 170 pages in. If it was a movie maybe it would have flowed better. But in book form I tended to get lost in the futuristic tech talk and all the twists and turns in the narrative and character development.
January 21, 2019
Secret government agency recruits an Olympic medal winning fencer to test out a secret new weapon. A . . . Lightsaber! Clunky prose. Cardboard characters. Silly dialogue. B-grade sci-fi. Quick, easy read.
August 3, 2020
Not for me. This book isn’t badly written but it also didn’t flow quite right for me either. I never fully got my head around what the story actually was and as the book progressed I just wanted it to be finished. I never felt anything for any of the characters and was never involved with this.
November 11, 2018
This is a new take on the Arthurian legend. Set in the near future high tech science and military tech meet with esoteric levels of the old myth of King Arthur. A very fun read.
August 3, 2019
A slow start but worth it in the end. A science fiction about Indiana Beckman, a world class fencer augmented to become much more than human. The story weaves several subplots that become one story by the end.
September 18, 2019
Dry
The store is interesting.And compelling enough to keep me reading. There were several parts that I was bored but the quest to know the story kept me going. It's a dryer book than my normal taste. Good enough that I just bought the rest of the trilogy.
The store is interesting.And compelling enough to keep me reading. There were several parts that I was bored but the quest to know the story kept me going. It's a dryer book than my normal taste. Good enough that I just bought the rest of the trilogy.
September 18, 2019
This book is totally great.
July 29, 2021
This story sweeps the central character from a low point in her career as a fencing champion to a new job that snares her attention with access to sword-like weapon that she wants to wield. There are plenty of heroes, villains, sci-fi effects, and even mythology. The plot remains the high point in this book, although it takes a while for the pieces and characters to fall into place.
July 29, 2019
Most well done, grabs you at page 1 and never lets you go.
July 26, 2022
Arthurian retelling in a sci-fi setting? Featuring an Olympic fencer as protagonist? Why hello there, irresistable premise!
Unfortunately, the book itself didn't prove anywhere near as amazing and engrossing as I'd hoped. The Arthurian aspects felt more like gimmicks than the point of the story, at least thus far, the pace dragged, and I just didn't care about any of the characters. I took an instant dislike to Indiana, needlessly bitchy, abrasive, arrogant and possessed of a ginormous chip on her shoulder as she is, and that first impression didn't improve much over the course of the book. She and Arthur had zero chemistry that I could see. There were some interesting ideas behind the technology used, and the pace finally picked up somewhat towards the end, which raised this from two to three stars for me, but I doubt I'll be back for the sequel.
Unfortunately, the book itself didn't prove anywhere near as amazing and engrossing as I'd hoped. The Arthurian aspects felt more like gimmicks than the point of the story, at least thus far, the pace dragged, and I just didn't care about any of the characters. I took an instant dislike to Indiana, needlessly bitchy, abrasive, arrogant and possessed of a ginormous chip on her shoulder as she is, and that first impression didn't improve much over the course of the book. She and Arthur had zero chemistry that I could see. There were some interesting ideas behind the technology used, and the pace finally picked up somewhat towards the end, which raised this from two to three stars for me, but I doubt I'll be back for the sequel.
October 11, 2018
It's not terribly written, but nearly impossible to get into. Indiana is hard to take seriously, the interpersonal interactions don't ring true, there are little spots where an editor should have noticed that things didn't line up, and there are logical holes in the setup that I can't seem to get past. Unfortunate, because I loved the idea of all the women we've met so far.
October 23, 2017
Fall to earth is a Sci-fi fantasy novel written about Indiana Beckam. Her life ambition and dream is to be the best swordsman. She joins Arthur Macbabran, a scientist that has invented a device that can make or break the world. Indiana transforms so she can enter the energy course Arthur has created. However, just like every story, Cornwall Marks, the bad guy, wants to have power and is determined to do anything to keep it.
The first thing I noticed in the story was its strong background story. This book is part of a sequel and therefore, needed a strong foundation, and I believe, the author did the job justice.
The plot surrounding the work and the scenes were beautifully executed. What I preferred was a little more character development and express of emotion. However, I don’t believe that the lack of it, took away much from the experience. Instead, the casting crew was likable.
The pace of the story was semi-slow, but I believe that was necessary to provide a solid foundation for the next books to come.
The literature standard was suitable for its genre and kept its professional style one would expect. I believe this book would be suitable for people that enjoy outer space stories and Sci-fi fantasies.
The first thing I noticed in the story was its strong background story. This book is part of a sequel and therefore, needed a strong foundation, and I believe, the author did the job justice.
The plot surrounding the work and the scenes were beautifully executed. What I preferred was a little more character development and express of emotion. However, I don’t believe that the lack of it, took away much from the experience. Instead, the casting crew was likable.
The pace of the story was semi-slow, but I believe that was necessary to provide a solid foundation for the next books to come.
The literature standard was suitable for its genre and kept its professional style one would expect. I believe this book would be suitable for people that enjoy outer space stories and Sci-fi fantasies.
August 19, 2019
DARPA Black Projects, fencing, and much, much more.
The main leading characters are all female. And because Britz has done a great job of bringing these characters to life, it provides a solid base for his story about individuals who have psychic powers that provide a nice take on the Jedi Light Sabre concept, as well as a fascinating concept of gravity-driven space flight.
I immediately ordered Apollo Burn (#2 in this series) and am stalling regarding getting the Kindle version of Matrix Trigger ($9.99, which is a bit outside my budget these days).
While reading Fall to Earth, I was reminded of Adam Roberts’ “Gradisil”, which I read several years ago, and which had an equally interesting story with strong female leads and a clever concept of launching space craft that was quite different from Fall to Earth, but showed creativity and skill on the part of another author I have decided to follow
The main leading characters are all female. And because Britz has done a great job of bringing these characters to life, it provides a solid base for his story about individuals who have psychic powers that provide a nice take on the Jedi Light Sabre concept, as well as a fascinating concept of gravity-driven space flight.
I immediately ordered Apollo Burn (#2 in this series) and am stalling regarding getting the Kindle version of Matrix Trigger ($9.99, which is a bit outside my budget these days).
While reading Fall to Earth, I was reminded of Adam Roberts’ “Gradisil”, which I read several years ago, and which had an equally interesting story with strong female leads and a clever concept of launching space craft that was quite different from Fall to Earth, but showed creativity and skill on the part of another author I have decided to follow
September 9, 2019
An engaging mix of science and mythos
It is difficult to write a review of this book because to do it justice would require too many plot giveaways - so you'll just have to read the book yourself.
I will say that the science is explained in a very logical manner. The mythos is low keyed and woven into the storyline so well it is almost easy to miss - but take your time to ferret it out, you'll be glad you did.
And to be honest, I received a free copy for a honest review - which this is.
It is difficult to write a review of this book because to do it justice would require too many plot giveaways - so you'll just have to read the book yourself.
I will say that the science is explained in a very logical manner. The mythos is low keyed and woven into the storyline so well it is almost easy to miss - but take your time to ferret it out, you'll be glad you did.
And to be honest, I received a free copy for a honest review - which this is.
August 26, 2020
A case of "good writing isn't a story".
The author knows how to string words together - a skill so many storytellers get wrong. In this day and age, we are bombarded with weak prose, but decent storylines. This is the polar opposite. Which gives it a slight edge over the weaker writers.
That being said, with a weak plot it makes the story impossible to get into. I unfortunately gave up on the overly described fencing moves and overly explained technology that makes little to no sense.
It is truly a pity, as Britz can write! Will most certainly check some of his other work out and hope that the storytelling is better than this one.
The author knows how to string words together - a skill so many storytellers get wrong. In this day and age, we are bombarded with weak prose, but decent storylines. This is the polar opposite. Which gives it a slight edge over the weaker writers.
That being said, with a weak plot it makes the story impossible to get into. I unfortunately gave up on the overly described fencing moves and overly explained technology that makes little to no sense.
It is truly a pity, as Britz can write! Will most certainly check some of his other work out and hope that the storytelling is better than this one.
September 16, 2020
Pillars of Fire and Light
This is an intriguing story with good character development. Very interesting development of technology and personal interaction. I found it difficult to follow who's who, and the purpose and intent of the various organizations. The author's intent seems to have been to portray the mysterious nature of government security organizations, but I found the approach to be too obscure to follow. Anger was a focal point of characters, but it wasn't really clear to me why. Overall was a good read.
This is an intriguing story with good character development. Very interesting development of technology and personal interaction. I found it difficult to follow who's who, and the purpose and intent of the various organizations. The author's intent seems to have been to portray the mysterious nature of government security organizations, but I found the approach to be too obscure to follow. Anger was a focal point of characters, but it wasn't really clear to me why. Overall was a good read.
April 7, 2020
Gripping with something for every avid Sci-fi fan
Great Sci-Fi action with very believable (to this uneducated reader) scenarios. Good strong female characters met with equally interesting male characters. Just about every area has been covered. Science advances in human enhancement, with power and engineering of space travel. And, of course, a touch of warfare.
Working out who the good guys are certainly keeps it intriguing.
Great Sci-Fi action with very believable (to this uneducated reader) scenarios. Good strong female characters met with equally interesting male characters. Just about every area has been covered. Science advances in human enhancement, with power and engineering of space travel. And, of course, a touch of warfare.
Working out who the good guys are certainly keeps it intriguing.
October 17, 2020
An interesting start to a series with some interesting characters. I enjoyed the story overall but found it difficult to follow at times with the number of different things going on. Everything ties together in the end though there are so many questions left unanswered. Presumably things will be explained further in subsequent books. I’m definitely curious to find out what has happened with a bunch of the characters. A good start.
August 21, 2019
King Arthur meets Star Wars.
A modern day Arthurian retelling with light sabres, strong heroines, futuristic military technology and spacecraft
So modern, it's not even written from Arthur's point if view or about Arthur at all but from the perspective of Indiana Beckham, Olympic fencer. I'll let you speculate on which member of the legend she represents.
Enjoyable enough that I will look for the sequel but it didn't set me on fire, so to speak
A modern day Arthurian retelling with light sabres, strong heroines, futuristic military technology and spacecraft
So modern, it's not even written from Arthur's point if view or about Arthur at all but from the perspective of Indiana Beckham, Olympic fencer. I'll let you speculate on which member of the legend she represents.
Enjoyable enough that I will look for the sequel but it didn't set me on fire, so to speak
September 17, 2019
Interesting read
Interesting book with a complex good vs evil plot containing multiple subplots and groups on either side. A mixture of fantasy and sci-fi with a mix of ancient mythology. The hero and heroine are identified but their link does not draw you into the story. Probably it is in second volume.
Interesting book with a complex good vs evil plot containing multiple subplots and groups on either side. A mixture of fantasy and sci-fi with a mix of ancient mythology. The hero and heroine are identified but their link does not draw you into the story. Probably it is in second volume.
January 31, 2020
This was not a good book or me, I feel that it jumped around quite a bit and the science dumps were not well explained. The characters also seemed to take massive leaps of development when I wasn't looking so that they almost seemed like completely different people. This isn't one that I will be keeping up with, although the concept was brilliant.
Read
March 4, 2020A great story. Loved it.
Thank you! Lots of mystery and intrigue. Interesting juxtaposition after reading what the Arilion Knights could do in The Gateway to the Galaxy Series by Jonathan Yanez and JR Castle.
Possible spoiler. But i just don't get the purpose of them going into space, Ken
They had to try? Seems like a waste.
Thank you! Lots of mystery and intrigue. Interesting juxtaposition after reading what the Arilion Knights could do in The Gateway to the Galaxy Series by Jonathan Yanez and JR Castle.
Possible spoiler. But i just don't get the purpose of them going into space, Ken
They had to try? Seems like a waste.
September 2, 2020
Great read
This was a great mix of sci fi and reality. It was a truly original read. I loved the twists and turns especially in the characters relations and who doesn't want to wield flaming energy swords. Already on to the next in the series cause frankly Indiana really is a pain in the behind with righteous anger as her shield. I loved her.
This was a great mix of sci fi and reality. It was a truly original read. I loved the twists and turns especially in the characters relations and who doesn't want to wield flaming energy swords. Already on to the next in the series cause frankly Indiana really is a pain in the behind with righteous anger as her shield. I loved her.
October 1, 2020
Technology, history and scifi
A unique premise and an eclectic mix of fencing, augmented humans, ancient societies make Fall to Earth a great read. A good cast of strong characters who develop over this complex plot of revenge and betrayal. Lots of very technical descriptions to support the story, and some interesting relationships to balance that out. Convoluted threads eventually came together to race the book to its action packed conclusion.
A unique premise and an eclectic mix of fencing, augmented humans, ancient societies make Fall to Earth a great read. A good cast of strong characters who develop over this complex plot of revenge and betrayal. Lots of very technical descriptions to support the story, and some interesting relationships to balance that out. Convoluted threads eventually came together to race the book to its action packed conclusion.
March 2, 2021
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 "a book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads."
Who knew I would get emotionally connected to a science fiction story? The characters in this novel are written to be so relatable that I became emotionally affected by the events at the end of the story. So much so that I feel like I need to continue the series. Pulling in both the science-fiction aspects and mythology aspects - though the mythos is modernized with the accepted or assumed scientific applications - Britz's story seems a perfect blend for what I most enjoy in sci-fi, without going too technical.
Who knew I would get emotionally connected to a science fiction story? The characters in this novel are written to be so relatable that I became emotionally affected by the events at the end of the story. So much so that I feel like I need to continue the series. Pulling in both the science-fiction aspects and mythology aspects - though the mythos is modernized with the accepted or assumed scientific applications - Britz's story seems a perfect blend for what I most enjoy in sci-fi, without going too technical.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews