#BookReview: The Gate
by D L Cross (also known as Staci Troilo)
Book Blurb:
He lost his job. He lost his girl. Now it’s all he can do not to lose his life. Landon Thorne is a disgraced archaeologist, a laughing stock in his field because of his unconventional beliefs – he’s an ancient astronaut theorist. No one takes him seriously. Until an alien armada targets Earth. Now Landon’s in high demand – by the US government and someone far more sinister. They race across two continents to the Gate of the Gods, the one place on Earth that might give humans an advantage over the aliens. But no one is prepared for what they’ll find. And not everyone will make it out alive. Fans of action, intrigue, and aliens will love The Gate, the first book in the Astral Conspiracy series. Pick up your copy now.
My Review:
Having read other books by this author (Staci Troilo/D L Cross), I grabbed my copy of The Gate as soon as it went on pre-order, and I haven’t been disappointed. What a fantastic fast-paced read.
We meet Landon Thorne, long ridiculed for his outlandish beliefs. Then we meet the agents of AATIP, who pull us into a world of betrayal, back-stabbing, ambition, lies, and intrigue.
Meanwhile, an Astral App has alerted everyone on Earth that Aliens are coming. All of a sudden, Landon Thorne is the man everyone wants. And while he’s happy his beliefs and life’s work have, finally, been recognised and vindicated, he’s less than thrilled at the mess and complications he gets pulled into.
While the author has obviously done lots of research for this book, she doesn’t bore the reader with it, but uses it to enhance an already gripping tale of Aliens, conspiracies, government secrets, and betrayals.
While this first episode in the series does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, it also rounds off many of the preceding threads nicely and leaves you wanting more. I’m eagerly awaiting the second book in the Invasion Universe (Astral Conspiracy) series.
If you’re a fan of ancient-alien theories, thrown together with modern conspiracy theories and plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue, then you’re bound to love this book. I can’t recommend this first book in the series highly enough. It gets a solid 5 stars from me. Go out and buy it now.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Amazon Sales Links:
©2019 Harmony Kent–All Rights Reserved
I have this one on my kindle! Once a book makes it to my kindle it gets read and reviewed… Just a couple more reads to go before I get to it. 🙂
Oh, I’m tickled, Kevin. Thank you. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
That’s fantastic to hear, Kevin. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one 🙂
Thank you for sharing your awesome review, Harmony! Congrats, Staci! I think you’ve got another winner!!!
Thanks, Jan! It’s a fantastic read 🙂
Thanks, Jan. I’ve been humbled by all the kind things people have been saying. I hope the rest of the series lives up to the first book!
Great review. I’ve read this one and highly recommend it too.
I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you, Craig.
Thanks, Craig 😊
I loved this book! Not only did the story move at a blistering pace, but the varied group of characters are utterly enthralling. I’m eagerly looking forward to the continuation of the series.
Congrats to Staci!
Thank you so much. That means the world to me.
Me too. Thanks, Mae 😊
Harmony, thank you so much for the wonderful review. And for sharing it in both the usual places and on your site. I really appreciate it, and I’m over the moon that you enjoyed it so much.
Thanks, Staci. You did a fantastic job with The Gate! 😊
Fantastic review, Harmony! I loved this book and I’m not much into science fiction. Staci weaved enough elements in that made an interesting plot with a twinge of suspense. I too look forward to the next of the series.
I loved it so much, Joan. I do like Sci-Fi, and this is one of the best I’ve read in a while. Glad you like the review 🙂
Harmony, that means so much to me. Thank you!
I think it comes down to characters, Joan. I had a somewhat-famous author in the western genre contact me and ask me to write a short story for an anthology he was putting together. I told him I didn’t write westerns, and he told me I write stories; if I focus on that, the setting didn’t matter. I ended up not doing it, but that advice always stuck with me. Every genre requires some world-building and some tropes, but that’s background stuff. If you’ve got interesting characters in impossible situations, it doesn’t matter what the genre is.
All that aside, I’m delighted you enjoyed the book. Thanks.
What a great review! I loved this book and I’m eagerly waiting for the second installment, too!
Thanks, Denise. 🙂
That’s music to my ears, Denise. Thank you!
Wow, incredible review. I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Gwen! It truly was a great read 🙂
Thanks so much, Gwen. 🙂