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The Burns #2
Protocol
The invaders are one enemy. Political correctness is the other.
We were defenseless. The invaders could take the planet without a shot being fired. Not that the government would try to defend us. Not on your life. They were in a centuries-long state of denial. They were so blinded by political correctness, they called the invaders "visitors" and named the destructive beams "cultural displays."
For a Navy guy like me, it was heartbreaking. I was ready to fight. But the military had been reduced to nothing but a stage for social experiments. Half the personnel couldn't fire a weapon. Only a few of could actually hit anything. Not that they wanted to.
But then the "visitors" did something strange. Parked up there beside the moon, they ignored all requests for "cultural exchange." Instead, they demanded a meeting with just four ordinary people. One of these ordinary people was me, Lieutenant Alex Burns. Until then, I'd languished on shore leave, without prospects. Now, I was on my way to the moon and the "friend ship" itself. But I was also headed for trouble so bad and so totally bizarre that I can't describe it, not without ditching the government "protocol."
So, you better let me explain in my own words.
Click to download your copy of this thought-provoking new novel today.
We were defenseless. The invaders could take the planet without a shot being fired. Not that the government would try to defend us. Not on your life. They were in a centuries-long state of denial. They were so blinded by political correctness, they called the invaders "visitors" and named the destructive beams "cultural displays."
For a Navy guy like me, it was heartbreaking. I was ready to fight. But the military had been reduced to nothing but a stage for social experiments. Half the personnel couldn't fire a weapon. Only a few of could actually hit anything. Not that they wanted to.
But then the "visitors" did something strange. Parked up there beside the moon, they ignored all requests for "cultural exchange." Instead, they demanded a meeting with just four ordinary people. One of these ordinary people was me, Lieutenant Alex Burns. Until then, I'd languished on shore leave, without prospects. Now, I was on my way to the moon and the "friend ship" itself. But I was also headed for trouble so bad and so totally bizarre that I can't describe it, not without ditching the government "protocol."
So, you better let me explain in my own words.
Click to download your copy of this thought-provoking new novel today.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2018
526 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
M.M. Holt
6 books19 followersM.M. Holt is a mysterious figure who lives partly in the real world, but more often in his imagination.
He writes science fiction, horror and adventure novels, often involving a Navy lieutenant named Alex Burns who struggles to keep his sanity in a future world gone mad with political correctness. This same Alex Burns also fights alien invaders. Sometimes Burns's great seafaring ancestors also appear in the books. They are also named Alex Burns, and in their own times, they also battled invaders from beyond the stars. Battling aliens and dystopian regimes is like a family tradition.
M.M. Holt is relentless traveler. He can usually be found writing in cafes by the sea, or in a bar on the edge of a crowded street, usually in far flung cities. If you see him, he'll be the handsome yet enigmatic stranger pounding the keyboard of his laptop, pausing only to sip black coffee and glance warily over his shoulder. He knows the Accord Of Nations is always one step behind.
He writes science fiction, horror and adventure novels, often involving a Navy lieutenant named Alex Burns who struggles to keep his sanity in a future world gone mad with political correctness. This same Alex Burns also fights alien invaders. Sometimes Burns's great seafaring ancestors also appear in the books. They are also named Alex Burns, and in their own times, they also battled invaders from beyond the stars. Battling aliens and dystopian regimes is like a family tradition.
M.M. Holt is relentless traveler. He can usually be found writing in cafes by the sea, or in a bar on the edge of a crowded street, usually in far flung cities. If you see him, he'll be the handsome yet enigmatic stranger pounding the keyboard of his laptop, pausing only to sip black coffee and glance warily over his shoulder. He knows the Accord Of Nations is always one step behind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 9, 2024
There are definitely nods towards George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 in this book (and the follow up) but it's bang on point. In a society where normal greetings of 'Good morning' have been replaced by 'T.E.D.' (Tolerance, Equality, Diversity) everything is about not offending or 'othering' people and things like 'mansplaining' are illegal. It follows one mans strict adherence to the 'Accords' rules (think world government) to where he begins to question them, and then outright defy them. Without going into detail, and giving you spoilers - there are parts of the story that really make me annoyed - not because of the way its written - far from it - but the fact that this could actually happen one day. That we all might become so afraid of offending someone, or calling someone by the wrong pronoun that new rules are invented to stop persecution, marginalisation and oppression that are then enforced to the point were they become the new persecutors and oppressors. Even when the people who devotedly believe in the 'Accord values' can plainly see that they are wrong, or being used against the very people they are meant to protect, their blind faith in 'values' will not stop them from persecuting people they believe are in violation of those rules. There's also a good story going on within the pages of this book.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I'm now on book 3 - lets hope its not an accurate view of things to come.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I'm now on book 3 - lets hope its not an accurate view of things to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
Protocol.
These books just keep getting better. Weird, but brilliant; I couldn't put it down. A mixture of Fleming and Cornwall rolled into one.
These books just keep getting better. Weird, but brilliant; I couldn't put it down. A mixture of Fleming and Cornwall rolled into one.
March 28, 2021
Book three here I come
Loved the way this book kept challenging my paradigm of normal thought and behaviour.
Can't wait to continue with the story
Loved the way this book kept challenging my paradigm of normal thought and behaviour.
Can't wait to continue with the story
May 18, 2024
Aliens vs Political correctness run amuck! Guess who wins this round?
January 31, 2025
Woke’s Up?!
Set on an Earth where “Woke” has won - big time.
Which is fine until the Latin speaking aliens arrive…….
A definite page turner with many a question left to be answered in the follow up.
I hope
Set on an Earth where “Woke” has won - big time.
Which is fine until the Latin speaking aliens arrive…….
A definite page turner with many a question left to be answered in the follow up.
I hope
May 19, 2019
Highly recommended.
This is a very unusual book. It’s dystopia, with a twist.
The dystopia is SJW wet dream - a world where patriarchy is a sweat world, where toxic masculinity is beaten out of everyone, where tolerance, equality and diversity (T.E.D.) is used as a greeting, where people, already slave to a system, would rather die because explain away the destruction of their civilization by aliens as diversity.
It also amazingly good read, and a real page turner.
I will definitely read the next book in series, and everything else author had wrote.
Mr. Holt, you got yourself a follower.
This is a very unusual book. It’s dystopia, with a twist.
The dystopia is SJW wet dream - a world where patriarchy is a sweat world, where toxic masculinity is beaten out of everyone, where tolerance, equality and diversity (T.E.D.) is used as a greeting, where people, already slave to a system, would rather die because explain away the destruction of their civilization by aliens as diversity.
It also amazingly good read, and a real page turner.
I will definitely read the next book in series, and everything else author had wrote.
Mr. Holt, you got yourself a follower.
November 17, 2018
Protocol is a clarion call warning us against extremists in this case the political correctness police.
It has strong parallels to Brave new world and Animal farm , where the military is more focussed on tolerance, equality , diversity “TED”than defending a nation. Alex Burns seems the only one brave enough to confront the insanity of the overbearing Accord of Nations (imagine the UN running our world)
It is also very well written, a real page turner. I also enjoyed the prequel 50 degrees South, although protocol has the strong and important message.
It has strong parallels to Brave new world and Animal farm , where the military is more focussed on tolerance, equality , diversity “TED”than defending a nation. Alex Burns seems the only one brave enough to confront the insanity of the overbearing Accord of Nations (imagine the UN running our world)
It is also very well written, a real page turner. I also enjoyed the prequel 50 degrees South, although protocol has the strong and important message.
September 8, 2019
Political Correctness Run Amock
Alex fights both alien invaders and his myopic politically correct government. They can't grasp that the aliens may actually be invaders and not friends to be included in their dogma. This book is a sequel to "Fifty Degrees South". His ancestors from a previous age show up in his dreams. I like the action and the satirical humor of brainwashing to the extent of not seeing or believing what is in front of their eyes. What will become of Alex? Will his heroic Naval line be ended. I look forward to another book.
Alex fights both alien invaders and his myopic politically correct government. They can't grasp that the aliens may actually be invaders and not friends to be included in their dogma. This book is a sequel to "Fifty Degrees South". His ancestors from a previous age show up in his dreams. I like the action and the satirical humor of brainwashing to the extent of not seeing or believing what is in front of their eyes. What will become of Alex? Will his heroic Naval line be ended. I look forward to another book.
July 26, 2024
Strange. Intense. Mesmerizing.
M.M. Holt has a crazy imagination. The characters are shallow and one dimensional - by design. Except for Burns and Octavia. Even before the aliens show up, Burns is different from other people. His character is more driven and more contemplative than his peers.
Protocol is also a commentary on the direction of today's liberals, taken to the extreme. At what cost is peace? Is it worth losing personal liberties to the thought police? Behind all the sci-fi, this book asks that question.
This book deserves a spot on your reading list.
M.M. Holt has a crazy imagination. The characters are shallow and one dimensional - by design. Except for Burns and Octavia. Even before the aliens show up, Burns is different from other people. His character is more driven and more contemplative than his peers.
Protocol is also a commentary on the direction of today's liberals, taken to the extreme. At what cost is peace? Is it worth losing personal liberties to the thought police? Behind all the sci-fi, this book asks that question.
This book deserves a spot on your reading list.
February 28, 2025
Anti-DEI diatribe
In this second book, the author creates a world of such extreme DEI that it I found it impossible to believe in.
I felt that the author was so intent on making a political or cultural point that the created world was 1-dimensional and it made it difficult to care about the story line.
In this second book, the author creates a world of such extreme DEI that it I found it impossible to believe in.
I felt that the author was so intent on making a political or cultural point that the created world was 1-dimensional and it made it difficult to care about the story line.
September 4, 2019
What happens when political correctness, including feminism and gender-fluidity, are taken to the ultimate.The military has become more of an opression olympics. Warfare and fighting are frowned upon as symbols of the patriarchy and punished. And then, the aliens show up...
I loved this book!
I loved this book!
December 28, 2019
There are none so blind as those that cannot see.
Very good rebel training himself for himself and becoming the hero despite everyone’s attempts to stop him, I hope that this is a future we never see but the world appears to be heading in this direction.
Very good rebel training himself for himself and becoming the hero despite everyone’s attempts to stop him, I hope that this is a future we never see but the world appears to be heading in this direction.
April 20, 2020
An excellent tale
Whether you agree with the premise or not, it’s an excellent read and I loved the story.
I loved the idea of looking at the extreme end of political correctness gone mad and it made me think about how we are moving as a society.
Whether you agree with the premise or not, it’s an excellent read and I loved the story.
I loved the idea of looking at the extreme end of political correctness gone mad and it made me think about how we are moving as a society.
July 12, 2021
Well ze
So far a very good series. The identity of characters involved remind me of our political atmosphere today, which is scary as hell, but also humorous. Just ordered the next book to see if the accord will fail. Good job M.M. Holt.
So far a very good series. The identity of characters involved remind me of our political atmosphere today, which is scary as hell, but also humorous. Just ordered the next book to see if the accord will fail. Good job M.M. Holt.
March 30, 2023
not a waste of time
This book takes the modern day views on gender and racial equality to the limit of what it’s headed towards. But with interesting characters it is worth the time to read.
This book takes the modern day views on gender and racial equality to the limit of what it’s headed towards. But with interesting characters it is worth the time to read.
September 5, 2023
Interesting
As the story goes on, it gets more interesting. Who are the Romans? Why is Earth important? How is Burns able to move in his dream .World
I hope that more of these questions get answered in the next book? ?
I have to say that I have big hopes
As the story goes on, it gets more interesting. Who are the Romans? Why is Earth important? How is Burns able to move in his dream .World
I hope that more of these questions get answered in the next book? ?
I have to say that I have big hopes
November 23, 2018
Pc gone mad(er)
A must read for lots of reasons not to mention brilliant! The world seems to be heading this way right now! Be afraid be very afraid says the white hetro male!
A must read for lots of reasons not to mention brilliant! The world seems to be heading this way right now! Be afraid be very afraid says the white hetro male!
July 15, 2020
Protocol review
I really enjoyed this book. Cannot wait for next one. It is a good read. Couldn't put the book down!
I really enjoyed this book. Cannot wait for next one. It is a good read. Couldn't put the book down!
April 6, 2021
Wow
An highly unusual book that made my eyes open about certain subjects but also a ton of adventure, fighting, and growing up by the main character a most excellent read.
An highly unusual book that made my eyes open about certain subjects but also a ton of adventure, fighting, and growing up by the main character a most excellent read.
August 6, 2022
rubbish
this book vol2/3. is so stupid it defies belief. it is so absurdly Politically correct as to make it unbelievable. vol 1/3 read well but this one is one to miss
this book vol2/3. is so stupid it defies belief. it is so absurdly Politically correct as to make it unbelievable. vol 1/3 read well but this one is one to miss
November 26, 2023
So close to the road we are on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2021
Having read the prequel "Fifty Degrees South", "Protocol", set 600 years later was a must read. This futuristic novel also has Alex Burns the protagonist, a young Naval Lieutenant in a world government, Accord of Nations, with strict protocols. He is a Burns descendant from the prequel and seems to be the only one aware of an attack on Earth by galactic aliens. Space ships, goth monsters, asexual beings, an obsessed alien "heroine" Octavia, are interwoven in a science fiction bonanza, literally out of this world. My persuasion is not science fiction and yet have found myself entwined as if in a spider web, by this action packed saga. This book, like "Fifty Degrees South", has Mr. Holt's craft stamped on it with the shorter intriguing chapters teasing us to want to know more. A real page turner. His imagination and penchant for detail seem limitless. Will a future Alex Burns manage to survive the ubiquitous Octavia in this remarkable Burns series?
Read
December 21, 2024Gee I wonder if this author a white guy...
And I wonder if he's butthurt about all the mean shit he's "not allowed" to say to all the snowflake people of color...I can't figure it out because he's been suuuuuuper subtle about it.
Anyway, since I came upon this by accident, I'm really not the person who should be rating it. I just couldn't believe that this book was so transparent. I've actually read a lot of books where the matriarchy rules an alternate future world, and it's never good, because why would it be? I was thinking it was just playing with the fears of the right-wing as a parody? But it seems like they just wanted a poor, persecuted white guy (slash successful military officer) to be the hero. A white guy certainly never has been the protagonist of anything, right? More Jack Bauer, less....uh...other stuff.
And I wonder if he's butthurt about all the mean shit he's "not allowed" to say to all the snowflake people of color...I can't figure it out because he's been suuuuuuper subtle about it.
Anyway, since I came upon this by accident, I'm really not the person who should be rating it. I just couldn't believe that this book was so transparent. I've actually read a lot of books where the matriarchy rules an alternate future world, and it's never good, because why would it be? I was thinking it was just playing with the fears of the right-wing as a parody? But it seems like they just wanted a poor, persecuted white guy (slash successful military officer) to be the hero. A white guy certainly never has been the protagonist of anything, right? More Jack Bauer, less....uh...other stuff.
January 28, 2024
A poorly edited book.
It is a follow-up to the much better 50 Degrees South.
Unfortunately, Holt uses the book as a screed against ‘wokeness.’ In the author’s defense, the wokeness against which he attempts to tilt is an extreme parody. That said, it reads like a far-right ideological textbook than much else, as I believe 50-60 percent of the book is devoted to belittling ‘weak’ people who Holt clearly thinks are trying to destroy society.
TL;DR: trash that’s poorly edited, even if the story is passably written. Not recommended.
It is a follow-up to the much better 50 Degrees South.
Unfortunately, Holt uses the book as a screed against ‘wokeness.’ In the author’s defense, the wokeness against which he attempts to tilt is an extreme parody. That said, it reads like a far-right ideological textbook than much else, as I believe 50-60 percent of the book is devoted to belittling ‘weak’ people who Holt clearly thinks are trying to destroy society.
TL;DR: trash that’s poorly edited, even if the story is passably written. Not recommended.
July 14, 2025
I’m so utterly disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and had high hopes for a great romp through time. What I got in this book was a political harangue based on all the most extreme caricatures possible. There’s no reason to keep reading.
November 23, 2018
Not my cup of tea - didn't find it entertaining enough.
April 6, 2019
Strong anti-leftist, liberal, and socialist theme showing just how flawed can be and perceive. Good book that helps define and contrast the ever growing ideology.
August 1, 2022
the future
If you want to see what our future could be in fifty years read this!
The accord has already started,we just don’t realise it!!!
If you want to see what our future could be in fifty years read this!
The accord has already started,we just don’t realise it!!!
November 26, 2024
Too much Wokeism
I liked the first a lot. But a dozen pages in I had to quit due to all of the woke BS.
I liked the first a lot. But a dozen pages in I had to quit due to all of the woke BS.
August 9, 2025
Don't waste your time with this. No plot, just stream of mind BS.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews