Saturday, June 30, 2012

Review of Defenders of the Covenant by Angie Lofthouse

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Defenders of the Covenant by Angie Lofthouse is a science fiction action-adventure novel chronicling humanity’s resistance against alien invaders that have destroyed Earth’s cities and societies while enslaving most of humanity.
 
The story is mainly told through the eyes and actions of youths after they mistakenly emerge from a hidden sanctuary.
 
While novels of alien invasions are nothing new, Defenders of the Covenant has its own unique twists and takes, offering pages filled with wonder, treachery, bravery, growth and, most of all, examples of faith.
 
I will point out that this isn’t a novel for readers who scoff at religious faith or God’s potential influence in the world, as most of the characters rely on and grow in their faith during the struggle against the aliens. In some respects the story harkens back to the ancient Israelites in the Old Testament warring and resisting oppression, with God on their side.
 
Although the main plotline depicts the struggle against the alien invaders, Defenders of the Covenant isn’t a military SF novel in the vein of John Ringo’s Posleen War series, but closer to Harry Turtledove’s World War series. There is less descriptive violence and focus on military tactics and hardware than in Ringo’s works. Defenders of the Covenant’s focus leans more toward the main characters, Hannah, Derek and McKenzie, and the varying parts they play striving for humanity’s liberation. Comparing with Turtledove’s series, political maneuvering is largely absent in Lofthouses’s novel (except with respect to the aliens), and questions of faith fills that potential void.
 
I enjoyed reading Lofthouse’s novel. The aliens and their world were interesting and unique. I enjoyed following the primary and most of the secondary characters through their struggles and adventures.
 
If you give Defenders of the Covenant a read, chances are you’ll enjoy it too.

Here are a few links of interest:
Angie Lofthouse's Website
Angie's Blog: Notes from the Writing Chair

Defenders of the Covenant at:
AmazonBarnes & NobleDesert Books
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