Title: Enlistment
Author: Jodie M. Swanson
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 979-8-88622-517-4
Pages: 382
Genre: Science Fiction
Reviewed by: Manik Chaturmutha
Hollywood Book Reviews
Jodie M. Swanson’s Enlistment is a beautiful futuristic story of a headstrong woman, her re-enlistment in the military, and her experiences with “them”. The prologue introduces the main character Marie Peterson, as she describes her recollections in the form of memoirs of her time in the military and her re-enlistment to deal with some entity she mentions as “them”.
“My military career started as a way for me to grow, expand my opportunities, and leave my tiny rural hometown in Wisconsin. Who am I trying to fool? I was a broke farm girl trying to get an education. Everything after that just happened. But you’re not here to read my sappy teenage memoirs. You’re here to learn about “them” and how I was selected. And what happened?”
For Marie Peterson, a prior member of the US Air Force, the time spent in the military was a treasured possession. A single mother trying to make ends meet, she missed the action and wanted to return to her time in the military. The news stories and the threat of a comet awaken her sense of patriotic duty, and she strives to dive back in. Eventually, her wishes come true through a military agent named Dave, who gives her a chance to be a part of something bigger than herself.
The shocking revelation of extraterritorial life comes crashing down on Marie and her family and spirals their lives out of control. An alien species called the QarKannik has made its way into the life of humans and prevented a cataclysmic event by changing the comet’s trajectory by launching a missile from the moon’s dark side. Amidst all the confusion and conspiracy theories about extraterritorial life, Marie strives to understand if this re-enlistment is a part of something much more significant or sinister. As Marie’s life gets entangled with theirs, all the safety and security of her monotonous civilian life turns chaotic, and she is forced to go into hiding. Nevertheless, one thing is sure, her life will never return to how it was.
This book takes a unique approach to explaining the characteristics of a new and strange species, far from what a layman can think of. The out-of-the-box theme and equally astounding storytelling are commendable. The fact that the book is narrated by the protagonist in the first person makes it easier to understand the character’s motivations and emotions. The beautiful and engaging storyline with a futuristic theme makes it an exhilarating read. Enlistment is the perfect dream for anybody who loves myths about aliens and life beyond earth. I recommend this book to sci-fi fans and people who love knowing about UFOs and conspiracy theories. It will surely entice readers with shocking twists and new revelations.