The Darwin Elevator - Book Review & Shameless Plug

Okay, this post doesn't have anything to do with family, children or being a military spouse.

I'm going outside my normal topics to share something amazing.  For the past few years my brother in law (who used to be just a computer guy) up and decided to write a novel.  To my knowledge, he's never undertaken anything to this scale.  He just wanted to start writing, as a hobby.  Who does that?  I get picking up gardening, knitting or even computer gaming as a hobby but you don't really hear people deciding to write novels.  I've always know Jason to be very talented but thought like all other hobbies it would just be that, a hobby.

Fast forward six years and he's not only completed his first novel but he was signed on with Dey Ray Publishing to continue the trilogy and completed THREE novels.  The plan was to release each novel a month apart in July, August and September.  Ten days ago the first book, The Darwin Elevator in Jason Hough's series Dire Earth Cycle was released and it hasn't stopped growing in popularity.  It's been a whirlwind for my sister's family from guest appearances to rave reviews by best sellers like Kevin Hearne and is now making his own appearance on the New York Time's Best Sellers List.  How amazing is that for a first time writer to make the best sellers list?

I've read The Darwin Elevator myself and I didn't put it down for a day and a half until I finished it.  It had everything I came to love in books.  It has the villain you can't help but hate from his greed to how he treats everyone else in the way.  There is are a few kick ass women characters that even seasoned military men are wary to deal with.  The main character in the book Skyler Luiken looses everything home, money, friends and still finds a way to go on.  You also see the transformation in Dr. Tania Sharma when she realizes her reality has turned upside down and struggles to find the inner strength to continue. Here's the official description.

In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet’s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator—created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders—emits a plague-suppressing aura.

Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow “immunes,” he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura’s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped—along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma—to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity.

But don't just take my word for it, check out all the reviews on amazon.  Read the reviews from the professionals like Kevin Hearne. Bottom line, check it out for yourself and spread the word.  I'm so happy for my brother in law for his accomplishment and I can't help but spread the word!