Review: The Promise (Book 1 of the Piecer Chronicles) by Maxx Powr

In The Promise, a futuristic new thriller by Maxx Powr, readers are dumped onto an Earth of the future, where the scars of an attempted alien takeover 20 years earlier have barely stopped bleeding. When that same threat returns in even more devastating style, a young band of unexpected heroes must rise up in defense of the only home they know.

After the human population was nearly destroyed by an alien invasion, recovery has been slow, but promising. Birth rates are rising, the militarized nature of life is beginning to shift, and there is even talk of ending the Piecer program, which was responsible for creating the super-soldiers who finally fought back the alien invaders.

As the final class of those soldiers graduates, the protagonist of this story, Chase 523, is wondering what place he’ll find in this brave new world. Unfortunately, the tenuous peace of the past two decades is shattered in an instant, and the old enemy returns. Chase and a group of his Piecer companions are forced to do what they do best – fight and survive.

With a plot that initially seems simple, but grows in complexity, The Promise presents a richly developed new sci-fi world in which fans of this genre will eagerly get lost. The world-building alone deserves applause, as Powr effectively destroyed the Earth and rebuilt it just as exposition, then went on to introduce a unique alien species and fascinating future tech. The scope and detail of the writing is impressive, as are the human moments between the core characters. These kids aren’t only out to save the world, but also take the time for some romance and youthful whimsy, giving the book a few lighthearted moments that keep the pace moving.

The character development happens slowly, in most cases, but readers will gradually invest in the main players. There isn’t a great deal of insightful description when it comes to personalities, however, nor is the narration focused on creating a vivid picture of these warriors. Their actions are more important, as is the exposition in which they all fit, so it does take Powr a while to make readers genuinely care about this band of heroes. There are occasional moments of deep and meaningful interaction, supported by good and believable dialogue, but there are also trite, cliché exchanges that don’t strike an authentic note.

An intense editing sweep could help to flesh out some scenes and descriptions, adding a bit more descriptive flair to bland passages, while more backstory could help with character depth and reader investment. All of that being said, Powr has created a compelling canvas as a start to this series, and with a strong foundation of characters and a firmly established reality, the future of the Piecer Chronicles looks bright.

Bringing modern-day questions of robots and genetic engineering into a dramatic space adventure packed with action and youthful heroics is a recipe for a great read, and this author has made this first installment very close to perfection.