Book Review – Gray Wrath by Terrence Poppa

Being a fan of sci-fi stories that revolve around the mythos of alien grays, government conspiracies, shadowy organizations, and the like, Gray Wrath was right up my alley. Wherein it reminds me a bit of my favorite sci-fi series by Bob Mayer, Area 51, the story is told in a slightly odd format. The book takes part pretty much in the final 3rd arc of a traditional story. An exposition dump telling you everything you need to know about the aliens, shadow organization, the end game scenario, and the rebellion by our main character to stop them takes part at the start of the story. Being a fan of the genre, I know the tropes so I didn’t mind it. But I do miss the unfolding of seeing how the author would unpack and reveal everything. The one part where I think it hurts the story is at the conclusion. However, I didn’t mind bing thrust it almost to the end. The story is listed at about 350 pages and that seems like a lot for a story that is on the final part at the beginning. The story moves along quickly, however.

Our main character, Kendon and focusing on three other supporting characters is fine. Again, not getting to travel the entire story with him makes you have to like him right at the start and since he’s rebelling against the shadow government that helps, although his initial introduction is a bit iffy considering his first major decision. I don’t know if I ever really fell in love with the character as a result. However, Kendon does make some good and smart decisions while running from both aliens and government alike. His relationship with Laura Meller works until romance scenes play out. It’s really a decision that doesn’t lend support from what’s introduced to either character and in the time crunch they’re under. The relationship feels more what the characters in the movie Speed have and also call out as being superficial due to being placed in a high-drama situation. The relationship with the last two characters of astronomer Tepler and his teacher friend seem way more cohesive and I tended to root for Tepler’s character a bit more being the underdog in a number of ways.

The story introduces a main evil villain. Yes, there are the aliens and the government organization but this villain doesn’t maintain a real presence and the main threat seems to come from either unmarked helicopters or men in black like agents. Here, the conclusion encounter with main alien guy is an odd encounter that doesn’t hold the impact as the entity is a non-entry right until then.

The plot points move along well and switching between Kendon and Tepler adds some good change of pace and exposition options. The missing elements is surprising a lack of aliens or alien hybrids throughout. The shady government agent seem the biggest threat here and the sci-fi element really only happens at the end section of the story.

Overall, I liked the story. It moves well in pace and information. The characters make logical decisions even if the bad guys are a little weak in threat level. Having the third arc of the story being the entirety of the story was a decision I didn’t think I would like but if you’re knowledgable in the tropes of this genre, you’ll be all set.