"WWIII is that rarest of sci-fi creations: a hugely innovative tale both smart and entertaining.
Colossal effort and colossal fun."
Kirkus Discoveries
(click to read full review)
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"...an eerie, monumental novel. Friar skillfully blends history, and social theory with scientific imagining to portray the rise of the new republic, which has been planned down to the tiniest details. Geiseric's regime, the Apex, employs high tech bio-mimicry to create war chariots that hover like humming birds, ships that move like sea creatures and tanks that gallop on all fours. The Juggernaut, a giant tentacle machine ravages the coasts of resisting nations. Geiseric's armored warriors look much like ancient knights as they cruise above battlefields in airborne Kolibri war chariots. All the war technology is lavishly illustrated in a high sci-fi style that will appeal to military science fiction fans."
BookReview.com
(click to read full review)
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"Friar dazzles readers with big battles and saucy science, all driven by an astute sense of history and human motivation. Given the pace of Geiseric's blitzkrieg one suspects that the chinks in his armour might begin to show in the next eagerly anticipated volume."
Sci-Fi Lists Online, Best of Sci-Fi
(click to read full review)
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"When war spins to every corner of the globe, a conflict escalates to the state of World War. 'The Keepers: Part I WW III' is the first novel in The Keepers series telling of the Apex Empire and its desire to bring the entire world under a single banner, wishing to neutralize the chaos of the world through despotic control. Conflict remains all around as the few who could stand against the Apex are slow to do so. A gripping political SciFi thriller, 'The Keepers' is a must."
Midwest Book Review
_________________________________________________________________________________"The battles were especially top notch, on the order of Ender's Game...
Seriously, they were that good."
Charles Horn - Emmy Nominee, Robot Chicken: Star Wars
_________________________________________________________________________________"Friar has an inventive alternate future for the planet. He capitalizes on historical social issues to develop a plausible reality, populating it with intriguing characters... The technical leaps forward required to reach this future seem tantalizingly close."
B. Pierce - Cyber Ops USAF
_________________________________________________________________________________Richard Friar's near future drama The Keepers reinvents the dynamics of fascism rising again in the world for a new generation. Tirelessly, he weaves historical and political background (often left out by the watered down educational systems of our current day) so even the most pop-culture fed of fans gets some grounding in political science. He manages to cover that ground, and the events of the near future without missing a beat.
A fine read for the young, and a refreshing review for us a little older, of some of the lessons of history in a clear, prosaic style reminiscent of classic 50s sci fi.
Dante D'Anthony - Contributor, Space Age Magazine, Author: Tales from the Pandoran Age
_________________________________________________________________________________Richard,
I don’t know if you remember me, we met at your Barnes and Nobel book signing in Dublin. We got into a discussion on your book
for a few reasons. I am a history buff and it was timely because I had discussed similar subjects over a poker game the night before. I had you sign a poster “Peak Oil Rocks” for a friend of mine as a joke. I really enjoyed the discussion, you had said that your book is probably right up my alley if I am a history buff, and you had asked that I reach out with thoughts on your book.
I have to really compliment you on the books. I travel quite a bit for my job and as such get to read quite a
bit. Mainly non-fiction, history primarily, and rarely science fiction. I am having a hard time putting your books down because, on top
of being well written, it has so many references to historical fact to form the basis of your fiction. Everything from recent events to ancient history is presented as the foundation of your proposed future. Very exciting for a history buff like me.
I must say that the historical references are so well thought out. The references to different Nations and how they have reacted in the past to events within their countries, how these events have caused them to interact with different countries, and have formed their culture are all very accurate and well documented. Your references to everything from Isolationist tendencies, such as those taken by the US prior to entering WWII, to references to the rise and fall of Imperialism within Europe, to Ancient Civilizations, are peppered throughout the book. The references to different religious views and how Germania used them to further their religious practices were so well thought out. You must have studied quite a bit to come up with these connections because you speak on each religion you touch with a deep analysis on how they are manipulated via the practices, fears, and the promises each have provided to their constituents.
The references to technology are very good. I was very intrigued by your information on Bio-Mimicry. I have seen and read about this field of study before. I remember when NASA was looking for the best approach to their Mar’s Rover and the argument behind wheeled or articulated limb vehicles. I think that there is much to learn from this field and that we are seeing a lot of new research come out not only for mechanical applications but other fields. I just recently saw an article on a jellyfish they suspect can start a reverse aging process.
The narration on Geiseric’s oratory strategies are very interesting. I get to speak in front of crowds
as part of my job and I always find other speakers strategies to be interesting. The character of Geiseric’s oratory skills, your
description of them, are very believable. Even more so, they again tie to a historical precedent.
I also like how you commented on not only historical events but also on general populace opinion on them. You have
brought in recent events, those fresh in our collective memories, into the book. Topics such as Environmentalism and Organic Farming are all very fresh and top of mind, and you have them within your book. While the character empire of Germania used them to further a Nationalistic agenda, they are subjects that should be of interest to us all especially with all the news that is coming out as of late.
I hope that these comments are well received. Your combination of true reference and your writing style is very engaging. You present a look at a fictional future for mankind, backed by many various historical facts, all packaged up as an entertaining thrill ride. As much as I liked the first book, I thought the second was even better. The battle scenes of the first book were exciting, but the references and character development in the second were even better. The character Geiseric was well done. In some ways, you can admire his courage and vision. However, as all know, a strength overused is often a weakness. That comes through in his decisions to quelch the rebellions in Japan.
I look forward to the third installment. I am wondering where the story goes now that Logan is so close to Geiseric. I wonder if Kassian is actually going to take the role of a world utopian leader. Lots of questions here, again my compliments on your work.
Thank you for a great read.