Review: Eternal Shadow (Fall of Gods Book 1) by Trevor B. Williams

Across the vast landscape of alien invasion stories on screen or the page, most writers take a geocentric approach, where Earth is the target and the immediate stage for the extraterrestrial conflict. In Eternal Shadow, the stunning and far-reaching space thriller by author Trevor B. Williams, the sense of impending doom is only heightened as an alien force begins destroying the outer planets of our solar system, creeping inexorably towards our pale blue dot.

When SETI researcher Jennifer Epstein is woken up by a phone call from her high-strung colleague Sam, she could never have prepared herself for the history-shaking news. An alien spacecraft capable of moving at a pace approaching the speed of light had sent a radio signal from Pluto… and shortly after, Neptune.

At face value, this is one of the most remarkable events in human history – first contact with another intelligent life form. However, as satellites focus on the source, it becomes quickly apparent that the gigantic spacecraft – five times larger than Earth – has not reached the solar system to talk, but rather to drain the planets of mineral, gas and power, destroying moons and wreaking havoc.

Explicating technology that almost defies conception, this space thriller is a dense and attention-demanding read, creeping forward at an ever-increasing pace, as the damning threat to Earth becomes more apparent. Jennifer and Samantha, an incredible pair of female protagonists, become central figures in the plan to save Earth from destruction, with an estimated countdown clock of less than a decade before the aliens arrive.

As is often the case in apocalyptic stories, the behavior and response of humanity to the crisis is where the action really happens. Once the alien approach is revealed to the world, the seeds of chaos begin to sprout. Death cults emerge, extreme political factions slip out from the woodwork, and society starts to fray at the edges. Not only are the intrepid heroes of this story seeking ways to defend against a possible alien attack from space, but they must also keep their eyes peeled for the madness and mischief of their own species.

Williams does a remarkable job of maintaining the tension over the course of this lengthy book, despite the extensive timeline between Chapter 1 and the projected arrival of the Leviathan. The peripheral storylines and supporting characters, both good and bad, carry the plot along wonderfully, while the astronomically ambitious plan to save the planet makes perfect fodder for sci-fi futurist fans. The scale and scope of the novel is impressive, flexing from remote research facilities to global summits where the fate of humanity is openly discussed.

Williams is clearly confident in his narrative voice and the direction for this series. The writing is precise, yet flexible, giving every scene an important sense of authenticity. The science also feels legitimate, and even the theoretical elements are grounded in reality, making the danger and excitement far more accessible and relevant to readers – laymen and experts alike. While there are some expositional sections that drag, there are very few aspects to critique.

Cleanly edited and meticulously penned, Williams has delivered a unique and unpredictable titan of a novel, a bold launchpad for his Fall of Gods series.