The Great Reset has begun.
Fourteen years ago, Peter saved the world. Now, his sister Emily and two strangers receive coded invitations to return to the hidden village of Templewood, where Peter faces a new, terrifying threat.
Templewood is home to the Sect, a secretive organisation intent on global power. They have infiltrated many Governments and are collaborating with the Visitors: alien invaders who have brought gifts of advanced scientific and genetic discoveries. These gifts will potentially provide enormous benefits for humanity and facilitate the Sect's bid for power.
But at what cost and what is the Visitors' motive? Why are they taking, then retuning, increasing numbers of the local population? Peter, Emily, and their friends must uncover the truth before their worst fears are confirmed.
It's my pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for The Visitors today. Many thanks to Owen W. Knight, Burton Mayers Books and Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me and for my advance copy of the novel.
Ever since I read The Iron Man as a child, I've loved speculative fiction – particularly when it involves contact with visitors from elsewhere. I was fascinated, therefore, to find out whether the Visitors of Owen W. Knight's novel would be benign guests or the start of a malevolent invasion, heralding a new War of the Worlds.
This is really a book that examines humanity, however, and what the First Contact response might look like if kept secret from most of the global population. It's quite a chilling premise and although clearly fiction which explores 'what if?' scenarios, it is only too easy to believe, especially the suggestion that there have always been individuals and groups manipulating the apparent leaders and governments of the day. The Sect are a secretive organisation who claim to be a force for good, only intent on global power because they want to achieve laudable aims such as eradicating poverty, reversing climate change and stopping wars.
The start of the book introduces three women; Rachel, Lisa and Emily who are all frustrated in their respective careers when they receive unusual messages which contain instructions they all decide to follow. It soon transpires that as a teenager, Emily lived in a mysterious hidden village called Templewood. She realises she has been summoned to return by her brother, Peter. Meanwhile, Rachel and Lisa are hoping for an adventure. Throughout the novel there are references to the Templewood Summer which occurred fourteen years ago when Peter, Emily and their friends were able to save the world by stopping a terrifying plot by some members of the Sect. The description of what occurred back then is so detailed and I wasn't surprised to learn of previous books by this author, also set in Templewood. It isn't necessary to have read them but it does explain why the scene setting is so rich here.
I was gripped by the first half of The Visitors which gradually reveals some of astounding truths about Templewood and the incredible scientific advancements being developed there. It also becomes obvious that despite the genuinely philanthropic aims of many Templewood inhabitants, there may be considerations they have ignored or overlooked. There's a growing sense of foreboding that by willingly giving up their freedoms to a benign dictatorship, they are in no position to prevent something terrible happening which could change the Earth – and indeed humanity – forever. The second part of the novel is slower paced but this allows for some intriguing philosophical ideas to be explored, perhaps most notably (and presciently) regarding power and how the pursuit of it inevitably leads to corruption. The conclusion didn't pan out as I expected at all and I'm hopeful that there is more to come because there are certain aspects of the story I would like to see more of; how the Visitors and humans communicate is absolutely fascinating, for instance.
The Visitors is contemporary speculative fiction for our times, with several thought-provoking elements within the enjoyable storyline to ponder upon.
The Visitors is published by Burton Mayers Books and can be purchased here.
Follow the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
He creates worlds based on documented myths, with elements of dystopia, mystery and science fiction, highlighting the use and abuse of power and the conflicts associated with maintaining ethical values.
His previous books include Another Life, subtitled 'It's a Wonderful Life for the 21st Century' and The Invisible College Trilogy, an apocalyptic, dystopian, conspiracy tale for young adults, described as '1984 Meets the Book of Revelation'.
Owen lives in Essex, England, close to the countryside that inspires his writing.
Thanks for the blog tour support x
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