The Traceverse Saga by Eric Swanson

The Shattered Gate

They selfishly pillaged Earth and made him a hybrid. Will his split nature spell the end of intergalactic abduction?

Half-human, half-Ceran, Micah Trace yearns for something more. Though the repetition and isolation of living as a body double for the King of Ceres is crushing, he’s grateful to be treated better than the other genetically engineered humans. But when he discovers the ailing plight of his ancestors, he heeds the calling and cleverly insinuates himself into a dangerous mission across the galaxy.

Fearing their plan to repair a failing transportation gate might lead to disaster, Micah uses his experience mimicking the king to steal the forbidden authority he’s assumed for so long. But with ulterior motives darkening the depths of space, he may not survive to see the centuries-old connection between the planets repaired.

Can the royal mimic win control of the ship before they’re lost to the vacuum’s void?

The Shattered Gate is the thought-provoking first tale in the science fiction Traceverse Saga. If you like character-driven action, high-tech military defense systems, and intriguing political powerplays, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s interstellar adventure.

The Two Gates

Born to serve. Trained to lead. Can a man of two species bridge the critical gap between his peoples?

2454. Micah Trace’s half-human heart races as his expedition approaches Earth. Taking leadership of a one-way-trip from Ceres, he fears the memory of a centuries-old mass abduction means they’ll face a hostile reception. And his desperate claim of a shared ancestry falls on deaf ears when the traumatized Earthers greet them with suspicion, capture, and interrogation.

With relations treading a knife’s edge, the offworld ambassador finally proves his genetic roots and convinces the nervous population to repair the stargate and reconnect their worlds. But some resent alien interference in the planet’s affairs, and Micah suspects that they may be willing to kill to ensure his mission’s doom.

Can the hybrid herald unite his two species before the past destroys their future?

The Two Gates is the thrilling second novel in the science fiction Traceverse saga. If you like complex interplanetary politics, stunning character revelations, and pulse-pounding action, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s galactic tale.

They selfishly pillaged Earth and made him a hybrid. Will his split nature spell the end of intergalactic abduction?

Half-human, half-Ceran, Micah Trace yearns for something more. Though the repetition and isolation of living as a body double for the King of Ceres is crushing, he’s grateful to be treated better than the other genetically engineered humans. But when he discovers the ailing plight of his ancestors, he heeds the calling and cleverly insinuates himself into a dangerous mission across the galaxy.

Fearing their plan to repair a failing transportation gate might lead to disaster, Micah uses his experience mimicking the king to steal the forbidden authority he’s assumed for so long. But with ulterior motives darkening the depths of space, he may not survive to see the centuries-old connection between the planets repaired.

Can the royal mimic win control of the ship before they’re lost to the vacuum’s void?

The Shattered Gate is the thought-provoking first tale in the science fiction Traceverse Saga. If you like character-driven action, high-tech military defense systems, and intriguing political powerplays, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s interstellar adventure.

Author Eric Swanson builds a world filled with sights, sounds, and scents that pulls the reader into the story. I only read a synopsis of the first book in the Traceverse Saga, but I appreciated the way the author shared enough of the prior book in this one to help a reader beginning on The Two Gates. The details used for character development extended from the beginning.

Every part of the story feels possible as this talented author builds upon a framework readers can easily relate to. For example, in the following area which occurs early, I realized the enormity of the multi-generational problem and wanted to know the future of Kurt and his son Zack.

“Unity Day isn’t…” Kurt stopped for a moment and turned to face his son. “Zack, what is Unity Day meant to celebrate?”

“The day we told the aliens they couldn’t take any more of us!” Zack’s tiny voice took on as much steel as he could muster, and he held a fist in the air. He shook his small fist at the ceiling, and the aliens he imagined lived high above it.

Kurt smiled and laughed a little. He tried to laugh as little as possible at the more adorable things his son had done throughout childhood. Early in life, his son reacted to the laughter that usually follows cute things small children do with a swift “Don’t laugh at me!” admonishment for his audience. Kurt reined in his chuckle and cleared his throat to buy a moment of composure.

Micah Trace, half-human has the most complex layers of characterization. The author exposes these with the interactions and throughout the dialogue. The conversations between characters gently teases out the personalities, both good and bad of each. Not only is this story engaging but easy to follow through the twists and turns with surprising action that kept me guessing. One cannot read this without emotional investment.

I highly recommend this brilliant book to those who think about the possibilities of life outside of our world and even our galaxy. Are we alone, but more importantly have we always been alone? I think those who enjoy science fiction are in for a treat to the senses. This is a story that will haunt you and surprise you with the ending. In my case, I ended up snagging book one to read the start and reread this one. Thank you, Eric for the possibilities.

│Amazon│

The Two Gates

│Amazon│

Eric Swanson was born in September of 1981 in Chicago, IL and his entire life has been spent engrossed in stories. Growing up in a Minneapolis, MN suburb, Eric developed a deep appreciation for stories with a wide scope. From being frightened by Stephen King’s IT to being enthralled by Orson Scott Card’s Ender Wiggin stories, the written word of others grabbed Eric and often refused to let go… Even after he finished the first reading of a book. Several of his personal copies of favorite novels have endured many many readings. From an early age, Eric was a fan of all things science fiction with a leaning toward the dystopian and post-apocalyptic. The future fascinates Eric to no end, be that a realistic or wild-eyed and farfetched future. While he annually binges Battlestar Galactica (04), he dreams of worlds, people and happenings yet to be written. Eric lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, two children and a pair of Goldendoodles. They sometimes Tweet for him…

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