Title: The Apocalypse Troll
Author: David Weber
First published January 1, 1999
320 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780671318321 (ISBN10: 0671318322)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
In the midst of the vast and empty ocean, Richard Ashton relished his solitude in his sailboat. But everything changed when a fleet of extraterrestrial ships arrived from the unknown depths of space.
These strange vessels flew at impossible speeds, shooting at each other and the US Navy’s carrier group. As the conflict escalated and nuclear weapons were unleashed, Richard watched from afar as a damaged alien spacecraft descended towards him.
Inside lay a wounded warrior, a stunningly beautiful female who would soon rock his world. Richard had no idea what he was getting into, but one thing was certain – his peaceful days at sea were over.
The Apocalypse Troll began, and he was about to be thrust into the fight of his life.
About the Author
David Mark Weber, an author of science fiction and fantasy, was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952. Weber’s writing often features military themes, particularly naval, which places his work in the military science fiction genre.
He is known for breaking gender norms in his writing, frequently featuring female leading characters in traditionally male roles.
One of Weber’s most beloved characters is Honor Harrington, whose name is an homage to Horatio Hornblower and a fleet doctor in C.S. Forester’s novels. Harrington’s story and the world, known as the “Honorverse,” have been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies.
Weber donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University in 2008.
Readers can access many of Weber’s books online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or through sample chapters of his more recent works (usually the first 25-33% of the book).
Editoral Review
David Webers The Apocalypse Troll is a thrilling and action-packed science fiction novel that showcases the author’s command over the genre. First published on January 1, 1999, the book follows the story of Stewart Raikes, a time-traveling navy SEAL who is sent into the future to prevent an apocalypse.
Weber is a well-established author of science fiction and fantasy novels and is best known for his epic space opera series, Honor Harrington. In The Apocalypse Troll, he displays his prowess in the genre, creating a world that is both intriguing and terrifying.
The plot of the book opens in the year 2019, with a US naval battle group battling it out with a formidable enemy. In the midst of the fight, a mysterious ship appears and destroys the entire battle group.
Fearing the worst, the government sends Raikes, a highly skilled and experienced soldier, to the future to stop what appears to be an impending apocalyptic doom. The central themes of the book are redemption, responsibility, and sacrifice.
The author masterfully portrays the weight of the responsibility that Raikes carries and the sacrifices he makes to save humanity. Raikes character is well-developed, and readers can easily empathize with his struggles and emotions.
The pacing of the book is excellent, with the right balance of action, suspense, and drama. Weber’s writing is descriptive, and he creates a vivid and compelling setting that immerses the reader into the story.
One of the positive aspects of the book is that it stays true to the genre, providing readers with a clear and coherent story. However, some readers might find that the writing style is dense, and the book can be challenging to read at some points.
Overall, The Apocalypse Troll is a remarkable novel that speaks to the human condition and explores the consequences of our actions. It is an excellent read for fans of science fiction and a great introduction to Weber’s work.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a gripping and entertaining sci-fi novel, The Apocalypse Troll is a great choice for you. Reading this book is an immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The Washington Post highly recommends this book for science fiction lovers and rates it 4.5/5, as an excellent example of the genre.