Milijun – by Clayton Graham
FROM AMAZON’S BOOK DESCRIPTION:
“It is Australia in 2179.
On a moonlit Nullarbor night, Laura Sinclair and son, Jason, witness aliens descend to Earth. The extraterrestrials endeavour to form a symbiotic relationship with humankind, and Jason is chosen as a genetic link in a bizarre trial involving the impregnation of human females with hybrid embryos and exploration of spiritual compatibility.
Laura crosses swords with Major General Sebastian Ord from the Australian Defence Force, Eucla and Uriel, the enigmatic head of Milijun, a reclusive research facility in the outback. Following a disastrous armed attempt to capture aliens at Cocklebiddy Cave and a fierce confrontation at Eucla, Jason is abducted by an alien swarm.
What follows tests the resolve of Laura to the core. Caught in a relentless web of frightening new technologies and alien mystery, spurred by the undying love of her son, she gains a strength of character she never thought possible.
All she has to do is save herself, Jason and several women and unborn children from the scheming plans of man and alien alike …
Some would call Laura a reluctant heroine, but she is a heroine, nonetheless.”
FIRST SENTENCE:
“Simon Cordell turned his floater’s light to maximum, opened the access door, and dropped to the cavern floor.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
(38% into the Kindle version) “Was he witnessing a subtle invasion of the planet, an attack totally unlike the plots depicted by film directors in their fictional creations for public viewing? The thought scared him. People could better understand an all-out violent assault.”
MY THOUGHTS:
Alien interaction. As I began this book, I was reminded of another that sat on my shelf for years. I have no idea what inspired me to get Communion by Whitley Strieber, but the alien picture on the cover (which might have been on the spine of the paperback, too) totally creeped me out! I can’t find it anymore, so I must have finally gotten rid of it, unread. Anyway…I hoped this story wouldn’t give me nightmares!
It did not. In fact, I found it to be a fascinating and compelling story. It raised a lot of “what if” questions and I couldn’t help but empathize with Laura as she and her son dealt with their situation. It kept me engaged throughout and, even though I learned in the afterward that there is a planned second book, I was totally satisfied with the ending. Not just a run-of-the-mill alien story, it also touches on human relationships and how they might react and respond to other-worldly encounters. I can see it appealing to those who might not otherwise enjoy the hard science of typical sci-fi books.
Another book chosen as the result of a review at Tracy’s blog, Tracy also posted an excellent guest post by the author. This counts as another step upward in the Mount TBR Challenge.
Kelly
Kelly's Thoughts & Ramblings 
Interesting… there was a time I read a lot of Sci-Fiction, but not recently. Have you read Childhood’s End?
http://www.sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com
By: sagecoveredhills2 on April 10, 2017
at 10:50 am
I read very little sci-fi in my younger days, but have gotten where I enjoy it quite a bit now. I’ve not read that (or any of his) and think I’ll add it to my wish list. I’m trying to acquaint myself with some of the better works from the “classic” authors. I’ve read a little Heinlein, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. I read I Robot years ago, but Asimov’s Foundation books are gathering dust on my shelf. Too little time!
By: Kelly on April 10, 2017
at 2:03 pm
Not sure about this one – I’ll take a note and think about it!
By: frayedattheedge on April 10, 2017
at 12:41 pm
I found it a bit more thoughtful than some sci-fi I’ve read. Maybe not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
By: Kelly on April 10, 2017
at 2:04 pm
Not in my genre wheelhouse, so I will pass on this one. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. 😉
By: Kimberly on April 10, 2017
at 9:49 pm
I’ve been surprised by how many books I’ve enjoyed that I normally wouldn’t have considered reading. This one wasn’t for book club, but several we have read there have fallen into that category for me.
By: Kelly on April 11, 2017
at 2:02 pm
Kelly,
Both your- and Tracy’s enthusiastic
review convinced me to add this book
to my list. As it sounds like a very
interesting and compelling book.
As well as that I read the sympathic
guest post from the author which Tracy
shared last year at her blog.
Raven
By: stardustraven on April 10, 2017
at 11:25 pm
I know you like some from the fantasy genre and as sci-fi is very much related to that, you probably would enjoy this one. It’s not “sciency” at all, leaning more towards thought and relationships.
By: Kelly on April 11, 2017
at 2:04 pm
Hi Kelly,
You know how well science-fiction and I mix!! – so this one is definitely not for my own reading list.
However the cover art is great and I do enjoy a good guest post,so I found Clayton’s (Graham’s) article as published by Tracy, really interesting.
You also know what a nerd I am about words and I just had to know where the book’s title ‘Milijun’ might have come from. Apparently it means ‘million’ in Croatian, so now I’m happy!
Isn’t it great news that Tracy is finally out of hospital and back in her own home. I’m sure that a few nights in the comfort of her own bed will aid her recovery no end 🙂
Yvonne
By: Fiction-Books (@Fiction_Books) on April 12, 2017
at 12:02 am
I knew this wasn’t your cup of tea, Yvonne, but hey…. you never know what you might enjoy if only there was unlimited time to read it all! 😉
Ooo, I’m glad you did that research on the title. Hmmm… I can see that (maybe) having a play in the storyline..
I’m so glad Tracy is back home. I’ve always believed the best recuperation takes place there. 🙂
By: Kelly on April 12, 2017
at 11:04 am
I’m so glad you found this so engaging. Yet another book we have in common 🙂
By: Tracy Terry on April 28, 2017
at 7:31 am
My husband read it, too, and I’ve also recommended it to both of my brothers.
By: Kelly on April 28, 2017
at 9:41 am