Stars and Scorpions (After Eden #2)

Stars And Scorpions is the latest political, sci-fi thriller by Austin Dragon—a dramatic mix of politics, religion, and intrigue set over 75 years in the future.

The saga continues in the year 2088. “Wonderful” Tek World with its looming glass and steel towers, A.I. controlled cars and roadways, and net-enhanced residents under the watchful eyes of the Grid.

There is a conspiracy in Washington DC—to purge religiosity from the nation by, of all people, the president. Some say it’s his reaction to seeing the Fall of Western Europe to the Supreme Islamic Caliphate decades ago. Others say his motives are far more sinister.

But the Resistance grows.

In America, the paramilitary leader of a secret Jewish group has set in motion a series of events. In Mexico, a young Catholic priest becomes a mythic leader, but will he live long enough to join the resistance?

It all leads to the explosion of the first global war of the tek age—World War III—a hell we have never seen before.

“We're going to meet a lot of lonely people in the next week and the next month and the next year. And when they ask us what we're doing, you can say, We're remembering. That's where we'll win out in the long run. And someday we'll remember so much that we'll build the biggest goddamn steamshovel in history and dig the biggest grave of all time and shove war in it and cover it up.”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“The past is not dead. In fact, it's not even past.”
― William Faulkner

History is doomed to repeat. This has been the theme throughout history. Why? What can cause the human race make the same mistakes? Do we not learn? 

Is it power?

Money?

Sex?

Ignorance?
Material possessions?

Religion or lack of? 

Empires rise and empires fall. This is lesson that history has taught us. However, will we ever learn?

This book is the second in a series about what could happen. This is purely fiction, lined with a subtle undertone of, "what if". No one knows what will happen to America. One can assume that one day, we will meet the same fate as Rome, England, Persia, or the Mongols. There are many people that consider our country an empire. 

America is riddled with a overwhelming sense of ignorance and a perception that tech will protect them. The government takes advantage of this and continues to spread, persecute and experiment with destructive ways to deal with the Jew-Christian threat.   

Throughout history, wars have been fought over religion. 

Here are a few...

1. Thirty Years War-Holy Roman Empire. This caused over 11 Million deaths. 

2. The Crusades-Up to 3 Million Deaths.

Then there are genocides...

1. The Holocaust.

2. Rwanda

And the list could go on....

People react to fear. The "unknown". My opinion is that Austin has developed a great plot that shows how even the smallest drop of fear can escalate into mass discrimination and death. 

This book is about the "coming together" of several factions of the religious order in the United States. We see the formation of both Jewish and Christian faction into one group that's sole purpose is survival and the preservation of the faith. 

Yes, the government uses some tactics that tickle the fringes of one's imagination, but Austin delivers it in amazing clarity to the plot. 

Why Religion? Governments of history have used this tactic. Fear drives paranoia. Paranoia drives ignorance. Ignorance drives evil in the form of leadership.

The seeds of disorder, war, and possible genocide have been planted in the hearts of many Americans in this book. 

Second Austin takes us on a journey to Mexico, where we meet, in my opinion, the best character of the series to date. Father Marco. A man driven by purpose, finds a creative way of dealing with the cartels south of the border. We follow a journey of redemption, love, and utter destruction of the enemies of Mexico. 

Third, while we, as the reader, are thinking and enjoying the formation of the Orders of Religion, Austin has cleverly developed a game of Axis and Allies. 

We finally get a picture of the scope of power the Americas, and The Islamic caliphate have along with the Fall of Israel.  

Finally, the science fiction element is so well written that it seems natural. Clones? Who doesn't enjoy that? Giant scorpion sent to destroy possibly the only threat to the American dream? Nah, that's everyday stuff! 

“Humans are capable of so much more. Power mongers like you have stripped away what is most valuable to us, the importance of our heritage and family values. We have been robbed of this, blinded by your authority, while you encourage us to burry ourselves in debt and rely on our corrupt governments. Men and women around the world have been forced to work long hours to keep up with inflated debts, all the while abandoning the families they struggle to support. History repeats, and repeats. It’s time to break the cycle and start anew.”
― Aaron B. Powell, Doomsday Diaries IV: Luke and the Lion

Rating: 

Amazing! 

Until Next Time,