Jeff Walker

Author Jeff Walker (writer of the Outer Red series and The Mysterious World Of Professor Darkk And Miss Shadow) takes you on a journey into the farthest reaches of space. Far beyond Earth, clone soldiers are in a constant struggle against colonial separatists trying to break free of the oppressive government, Earth Core United. John 999801, a lowly ranked clone solider, feels the war has dragged on forever and wishes it would end soon. But while this futile battle rages on, John has also repeatedly dreams of a fantasy woman he’s never met before, yet desperately wants to find and be with her. Endless thoughts plague his mind. Who is she? Does she exist? And more importantly, can one clone soldier make a difference? How long can a war like this last? His answers to those questions might prove hard to find. John is forced to join his fellow troopers to the surface of the planet they’ve been battling over for thousands of years. A planet his fellow clones have nicknamed—Hell.

The Long Lost War

I received this novella to judge for SFINCS. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this on audible, as I am busy, and audiobooks are helping me keep up. The narration is very solid.

Right off the bat, this novella hits us with a group of clone soldiers. They’re used to wage someone else's war, never given a choice. And while there are many of them, it’s obvious that they come from only a couple of original sets of genes, only changing certain aspects based off desired jobs in the military. John, seemingly just another clone, gives us unique thoughts and personality. It makes me think of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and how it humanized and personalized the clones.

When wanting more is a death sentence, John might just find out that there really is more to life than what he’s been offered, but will he live to get it?

I just felt like it was lacking a little bit in lore, building and description of what the world is. This partially works because as a clone, John would not be privy to everything, but I do think there are ways that more could have been included.

Personally 3.5/5*, an enjoyable quick read!

C. J. Daley 

I received this novella to judge for SFINCS. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this on audible, as I am busy, and audiobooks are helping me keep up. The narration is very solid.

Right off the bat, this novella hits us with a group of clone soldiers. They’re used to wage someone else's war, never given a choice. And while there are many of them, it’s obvious that they come from only a couple of original sets of genes, only changing certain aspects based off desired jobs in the military. John, seemingly just another clone, gives us unique thoughts and personality. It makes me think of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and how it humanized and personalized the clones.

When wanting more is a death sentence, John might just find out that there really is more to life than what he’s been offered, but will he live to get it?

I just felt like it was lacking a little bit in lore, building and description of what the world is. This partially works because as a clone, John would not be privy to everything, but I do think there are ways that more could have been included.

Personally 3.5/5*, an enjoyable quick read!

The Long Lost War

Reviews