Ephialtes

Gavin E Parker

Sep 2015 · parcom entertainment

About this ebook

When Earth’s colonists on Mars vote for independence the enormous military spacecraft Ephialtes is sent to pressure them into reconsidering. The Martians take some countermeasures of their own. Politics turns to brinkmanship. As each side seeks to avoid conflict they are both inexorably drawn toward it and, with Ephialtes closing in on Mars, time is running out.

In 2241 the dominant superpower on Earth, the USAN, successfully concludes the fourth world war. The nation breathes a sigh of relief and looks forward to the resumption of elections.

Across the solar system the leading industrialist in the USAN’s small colony on Mars is thinking about independence. When the Martian population votes in favour Mars secedes from the union.

It seems to be a fait accompli until it’s suggested that a massive dropship carrying spacecraft, Ephialtes, built to patrol the Earth, could be refitted for interplanetary spaceflight. Maybe the USAN could use its military might to persuade the colonists to reconsider.

With an enormous instrument of war heading toward them the Martians resolve to defend their independence. Limited resources force them to rely on wit and ingenuity as they prepare their defences. Can they prevail against the mighty Ephialtes?

Political intrigue, heart-pounding action and page-turning drama abound in this gripping opening to the Ephialtes Trilogy.

Ratings and reviews

Terrific book, nice interplay of people,politics, and space. How can you not love it?

A well written idea about possible future events, if we go to Mars, then this could happen.

Truly captivating! An easy and enjoyable read from start to finish.

About the author

Gavin E Parker is from the Isle of Thanet in southern England, where he has lived and worked his whole life. He has dabbled in music, film and video in the past and is currently writing novels, short stories, and blogs.

Inspired by the rapidly expanding possibilities open to publishers in the twenty-first century, in 2014 Gavin set about writing his debut novel, Ephialtes. Ephialtes is the first of a trilogy of books chronicling the war between Earth and its former colony on Mars. A series of shorter pieces - the Ephialtes codices - set in the same fictional universe complement the main trilogy.

Having worked in healthcare, local government and education he has a mildly jaundiced view of the human condition, but still maintains good humour about it. Things could be worse, right?