Oblivion Awaits: Infinita, Book 1

Oblivion Awakes is one of those stories that weeks later, you are still thinking about it as it is such a fascinating story, with some of the best SCI-FI Characters I have read this year. Hopper’s character writing is gritty, powerful and utterly captivating as he brings to life these people with such raw and charismatic intensity. The two main characters, Jericho and Evelyn are brilliant, whilst at times almost overshadowed by their sidekicks Sam and Kit.This is a story set in a future in which the world has undergone a serious climate event, one that has impacted the Earth, and humanity, wiping out a large part of life on Earth. Those left have divided into a multitude of what are known as Politicasts – Factions that dictate a person’s belief on how humanity should spend its resources, there are the Solum Terram, who think that everything should be put back into saving Earth and humanity should remain on Earth, or the flip side, there are two factions, NUESSA and Viatoribus who reach for the stars, one who seeks Alien life to help humanity and one who just looks to the stars as a means to further humanity. There is of course the Tantum Terrae, the faction who not on believe in the sanctity of Earth, but do not want anyone reaching out, and will do anything to stop it, including violence.The world building is so in-depth, so rich, you can lose yourself in this place that Hopper has created, with an alternate Earth, full of a complex and multi-faceted political system. On top of that, there is so much intricate detail of the civilisation and Earth that we now live on, and even more exciting, the space stations that orbit above. Hopper has created this world that is so full of comprehensive detail that you can walk on the world as the Characters talk about it, or stand on the station and see what they see, as they visualise it. It is both extraordinary and breathtaking.The Politicasts in this story are fascinating, you belong to your cast, and have it tattooed on your hand. People have so much passion about their casts, it is almost like a Religion for them. But this is about ‘belief’, believing in something, whether that be in the Earth, in exploration, or in Alien life, it doesn’t matter, what matters is that you have your beliefs, and you stick to them.The quality and the depth of the world building relating to aspects such as the Politicasts is what makes this story so astonishing.The story is split into two main arcs, one that follows Jericho Fox, and the other that follows Evelyn Parks.Jericho Fox is a pilot with a past, and the weight of the entire galaxy on his shoulders. We learn pretty quickly (No spoilers), that he has been involved in some sort of incident, an accident, that has seen him cast out of not only his job, but his former Politicast as well, and that for a lot of the human race, he seems despised. So it is a shock to him when he starts a new job, and finds a young Engineer, Kit, who doesn’t really know him and is grateful to work with him. Kit to has been cast out due to a misadventure in life, and the pair work on shipping Uranium on a hauler.There story arc is one that sees them sent to investigate a crash, and what they find will not only change their lives, but the lives of many others.Dr Evelyn Parks is probably the best character in the book, and one of the best characters I have read all year. She is just so much fun. Not only is she highly intelligent, being the lead Astrophysicist onboard the Astrea space hab, a station in space that houses more than 375,000 humans all researching the future of humanity in space or looking to connect humanity with an alien civilisation. Evelyn ‘Evie’ Parks, and her friend, and co-worker, Dr Samantha ‘Sam’ Collins, work at trying to locate extrasolar intelligence that could help humanity further themselves, repair the Earth, or reach into the stars. At the start of Evelyn’s story, she finds herself confronted with not only her research in trouble, but for the first time ever on Astrea, something horrific has happened, and she has been tied to it, and now must work out what has happened. The story on Astrea is utterly intriguing, fast paced, gritty and intelligent. It has so many twists and turns, that you won’t see the last twist smack you in the face, let alone the two new ones that have just appeared. Evie and Sam’s tale is intense, at times almost brutal, but it is always gripping and it is exceptionally well written.The other really extraordinary part of this story is the dark character we get to read about every now and then, Jack, this elusive predator that is stalking our main characters. He is an assassin lurking in the shadows and seeking to cause mayhem, but is so well done. These little elements in the story are not only captivating, but utterly fascinating.There are several other characters I won’t mention to avoid spoilers, but Hopper continues to prove why he is so good at character driven storytelling. Oblivion Awakes is a masterclass in gritty, intelligent and thrilling Sci-fi and regardless of the genre you love, Mil Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Alien Invasion, Exploration, even Hard Sci-Fi, there is something for everyone in this book.This will be one of those series that is long remembered into the future, so get onboard now.

I found this book was a lot of fun. The readers did an excellent job. The orbital mechanics of the main plot...and some of the nukes in space physics were bad enough to be distracting. Not, like, Star Wars, or even Star Trek bad, but not handwaved and not near order correct. Still, looking forward to the next one.

Ok, first a disclaimer:I beta read for Chris Hopper and I loved both of his "Ruins" series.Now for this book.... Short version? As I said, it's the hard science of a huge radio telescope listening for extra-terrestrial life until there's an explosion and a murder on the station. It is amazingly well told. BUY IT!Longer version: The first time I read it, I missed some clues and explanations of some answers to my questions. Upon a second reading I saw that what I was looking for was right there in Black & White but I dismissed as not being important to the story. MY GOOF. This is an incredibly well thought out and told story. The details are important!Jericho is a disgraced space pilot and project manager for a faster-than-light spacecraft that explodes during a test. He takes the fall. He then takes a menial flight job mining ore. And is part of a heroic rescue of another ship. That's one of the two tracks in the book. The other, as I said is a giant space radio telescope with a saboteur and a murderer on board!Buy the book! It's really good!

I am already a fan of Christopher Hopper, having read his co-authored books, ROTG/E ( Ruins of the Galaxy/Earth), so I knew when I picked this one up on my Kindle app that I most likely wouldn't be disappointed. I wasn't wrong! Mr. Hopper is a master of creative science fiction enginuity.This world - this alternate Earth he has created - feels real enough that when you open to the first page - you're drawn right into the story and don't want to leave until you turn the last page.Luckily, Parallax Rising - #2 in the Infinita series let's you stay in this universe with even more action, intrigue, and mystery! I'm eagerly awaiting awaiting book # 3 so I can see what happens next!

I don't have time to sit and read so I have my Kindle read to me while I do other stuff (like drive). Even with the goofy mechanical Kindle voice this was a terrific "listen." Christopher Hopper is able to grab your eyeballs and hold them for page after page! Jericho Fox is a combination of Christopher Pine's Captain Kirk and MacGyver. But underlying everything is his stubborn determination to just do the right thing. You just keep rooting for the guy and reading on to see what he does. Hopper heroes often have an ornery streak and Evelyn Park is gutsy, brilliant, and ornery as heck. You will like her a lot! But at times the villains are even more complex than the heroes. Just really good writing.

Christopher Hopper's return to solo writing starts off with a great book. Oblivion Awaits marks the start of a new series and shows just how much Mr. Hopper has matured as a writer.Without foregoing the fast-paced action that marks both "Ruins" series, he continues to build even deeper characters (as in the Ruins of the Earth books) that captivate the reader for their very normal failings and feelings. This book spins up a totally new universe that offers an amazing well of possibilities.

If you want to read the next best sci-fi opera here it is!Christopher Hopper takes you on a ride unlike any other you have read before. This is by far the best book I have read this year. This book had me laughing out load one minute and weeping the next, I can’t say enough about this. If you are debating the next book you want to read the debate is over buy this one and read it. You will thank yourself afterwards. Absolutely Outstanding!!!

Hopper has another great sci-fi series going here. I just finished book one and am going right into book two. Future earth sci-fi with action, political intrigue, and good character development. Thanks Christopher!

There is a trend in books at the moment of characters running into action, running away from the action or receovering from action until they are needed again 3 pages later.Well, this book bucks that trend and then some! It is a proper 'verse building story. Each chapter is written from a specific characters standpoint and over the book their stories interleave until the final Earth shattering events overtake them all.I think they will have to invent a new Genre for this series as its Hard Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Murder Mystery/Conspiracy/Geo Political/Buddy Series!Dive in and enjoy.

This was a brand new series so I found the first chapter a bit of finding my feet but after that the book exploded into one of the best books I’ve ever read, fast paced, brilliant characters, lots going on, and a really well written story, loved it! thank you!

If you like any of Hoppers other books, you'll LOVE this. More hard sci-fi, than military sci-fi, it still has everything you expect from his story telling, but it's even better as it's all Hopper. His sense of humour shines through this book.  Expect well thought out characters you can get behind, brilliant dialogue both between characters and internally, and plenty of action. Definitely your next series to get obsessed over.

Chris has written some awesome Sci-fi series and this is another better.Great characters, interesting plot and lots of twists.I can't wait for book 2!!

I was hooked for the start with such well crafted characters and a story line that keeps you wanting more - can't wait for the next instalment!