Title: The Drakos Effect
Author: Joe Sharcoff
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 294
ISBN: 978-1-5320-35272-2
Genre: Science Fiction, Alien Invasion
Reviewed by: Jennifer Weiss

Read Book Review

In a world where people live in fusion-powered cities, Earth is playing host to the Cephians. Cephians are aliens that resemble plants and want to determine the readiness of Earth’s citizens to join a galactic community. While the Cephians are gentle and friendly creatures, humans are getting annoyed and impatient with their consistent presence for roughly forty years, at times humanity has turned violent against their alien guests. Dr. Shana Savarino admires the calm demeanor and wisdom of the Cephians. With growing concerns for the environment and distaste for humankind, Savarino prefers the company of the visitors. New discoveries of an object buried within Mexico raises greater concern about the origins of mankind. The new object has been awakened by continuous nuclear explosions. Once awakened the device bonds with Dr. Savarino and struggles to control its war-oriented instincts. Could Shana have what it takes to save all of mankind and the Cephians?

Who doesn’t love a good alien invasion story? As a society, we are intrigued with the idea of alien lifeforms and Joe Sharcoff does a phenomenal job at bringing the intrigue and some fear to life in his novel The Drakos Effect. Many people speculate what would happen if a humanity is presented with the possibility of co-habitation with alien life forms and possible access to advanced technology. How would we act, what would do? Sharcoff gives readers a scenario which is highly realistic and plausible. He holds the reader’s attention from the very first sentence describing how the crater was formed, and why mankind is not as advanced as other life such as the Cephians. The way he describes his characters and settings is like a painter painting a masterpiece. Everything about this novel is beautifully written and filled with vivid and vibrant descriptions and expressive dialogue.

Sharcoff weaves a tale which has the feel of being true or a scenario that could become true. His tale of alien invasion is slightly different than other novels out there and will make a name for himself in this genre. He leaves the story’s ending feeling complete, but also leaves it open for another book as if this could become a series, and many science fiction fans would eat a series like this up.

This is a fast-paced, engrossing tale sure to keep readers addicted with its twists and turns while they wholeheartedly root for Dr. Shana and her companions. When you read this book you will be on a thrill ride that you never want to get off of, sleep will be lost, and everything else will be forgotten. Joe Sharcoff knocked it out of the park with this novel. While delivering a compelling story he contemplates morality and ethics through the actions of Savarino, the Cephians and even the object. It is a novel where the characters are forced to face the consequences of their actions. These are well-developed, deep characters with defined goals and achievements. The way the story unfolds makes the reader think about their own moral and ethical decisions. Other authors in the science fiction realm have met their match in Joe Sharcoff.