Product Overview
Sensor ‘The Turning’
By: Kevin Pierce
Kirkus Review
Combat-ready New East Texans valiantly defend their planet from vicious, dimension-hopping creatures in Pierce’s SF sequel.
Earth has been under threat ever since WARPs (Winged Appendaged Rapacious Predators) began attacking. Some of these apex predators, having breached the veil between “coexisting dimensions,” are invisible, and only human “sensors” have the natural ability to detect them immediately. Humans have rallied together, forming “battle packs” of trained individuals who’ve vowed to protect innocent civilians. In Texas, Cherokee County has inexplicably suffered an unusually high number of WARP assaults. The locals’ defense, heavily shielded, armed tractors, is the newest strategy for fighting the otherworldly creatures. Cherokee’s “Saber,” or battle-pack leader, assigns farmer Hans Berger the task of overseeing design of “battle tractors” and training drivers. In the meantime, WARP strikes show no sign of slowing down, and analysts such as Zoe Marie Best continually study the enigmatic monsters to better understand them; perhaps humans can devise a weapon to take out the WARPs for good. Pierce’s follow-up to Sensor (co-written by Alvino Hernandez, 2020) deftly reintroduces the series’ dystopian world. Although it’s likely a global invasion is underway, this streamlined plot centers on the people of Cherokee and a few surrounding areas. There’s a hearty batch of heroes, most notably Hans and his wife, Anakai (the namesake of his revered battle tractor), brothers Jude and Luke McLendon, and the brilliant Zoe. They fuel a story that builds to a significant battle, teased in the prologue.... there are intermittent burst of action, and nice touches along the way, from the packs’ “battle jackets,” complete with patches awarded for kills, to the Governor’s Mansion, an abandoned high school turned into housing. A terrific open ending allows for further sequels.
An often-engaging series installment with a smartly detailed plot. - Kirkus Reviews
About the Book
It was a time when an act of cowardice had consequences worse than death. The new age was marked by the rise of the battle packs, fierce community fighting groups, led by their Sabers in the battle against Winged Appendaged Rapacious Predators,…the WARPs. The survivors were the ones that grasped one singular principle; each encounter could only be approached with the understanding that there was no place to hide and no such thing as a safe place. If you could not kill the enemy, the enemy would kill you. The packs referred to this as ‘gladiator rules’. Once the battle started, it raged violently until there was but a single victor.
This is the story of the Sabers, the battle packs, their sensors, their battle machines, and all the researchers who lived with one solitary goal in mind,…to kill WARPs. The people of Cherokee County in New East Texas credited the leadership of one Saber for their success. That Saber, however, credited the victory to the packs, the people, and their sacrifices. He had overseen the battle of legend that would be known as ‘The Turning’. It was the encounter where discoveries would give humankind the upper hand and turn the tide of all future battles. History would record the names of many men and women, the true heroes. In the end, the history books would add one final name to the list. It was the name of a machine,…a battle tractor. Her name was ‘Anakai’.
About the Author
Kevin Pierce co-authored the original book, SENSOR, which was the first in the series. He continues to chronicle the stories of the scourge that befell mankind since the advent of the WARP. Kevin is many things, among them,….a storyteller.
(2022, paperback, 422 pages)
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Reviews
SENSOR “The Turning” by Kevin Pierce
5 STARS
Worth the wait. The best yet.
Amazing writing. The narrative flows and the conversations and characters are well crafted. After reading “SENSOR”, the first book in the series, I had been watching for a follow on. This story is captivating, plain and simple. Sensor ‘The Turning’ was definitely worth the wait. Kevin Pierce hit one out of the ballpark with this one. The story and characters are believable as this author weaves what I believe was one of the most exciting and realistic science fiction books I have ever immersed myself into. I loved the post-apocalyptic “New East Texas” setting and the blend of male and female heroes and heroines. (Loved the quirky Zoe). The author combines intense action with personal challenges as humankind battles a horrific foe. The struggles felt real. The romance was amazing, and the spattering of a unique humor left me laughing and crying as I devoured this story. Apparently, the author isn’t afraid to go places other writers might shy away from when developing his unique cast of characters. I rarely give a five star rating but this one is a definite six. Hope to see more.
