E.A.R.T.H. is a Phi-Sci-Fi (philosophical science fiction) about two childhood friends who grow up with the joint desire to become quark management engineers for their race; a race of Ethereans who think quite highly of themselves. Quark management engineers are citizens who prepare barren planets for occupation of citizens as the race continues to grow by changing them from barren objects in space into livable environments. As the two friends are completing their education for their careers Yazu Clynx quits without explanation and takes up a career that would be usually be assigned to someone of lesser talents. The main character, Zyvwek Repook, goes on with what was once a joint dream with Yazu and soon forgets his friend. Years later upon the death of Zyvwek’s supervisor whom happens to also be his father-in-law, Zyvwek is offered promotion to Galaxian Supervisor in the Qanlan Galaxy. Upon receiving the offer for promotion, Zyvwek receives a message from Yazu asking that they meet for a meal and talk. Zyvwek agrees out of curiosity and upon meeting up with his old friend tells him to turn down the promotion and request a different galaxy. With that Yazu returns to his job leaving Zyvwek perplexed. The story then goes back to bring the reader up to speed on the formative years and career of Zyvwek up to the present. Once caught up on the backfill, the story continues in the present with Yazu kidnapping Zyvwek. He keeps him sedated long enough to give the Bureau of Life Assignments the chance to think that Zyvwek had turned the assignment down. When Yazu realizes that Zyvwek will not turn down the position, he decides to show him why he quit his pursuit of becoming a quark management engineer in hopes of getting Zyvwek to change his mind. In doing so, he shows Zyvwek how their lives are not what they seem and neither is everything else they have known about their race.
It looks like a great story Iowa V. I'm one who enjoys reading science fiction. Were I your editor however, I would have suggested that you make your characters names more easily pronounceable. It's more difficult to identify with, or relate to, characters whose names you can't pronounce. Apparently this knowledge about some secret challenge to their society is going to challenge their friendship as well. I'm assuming there will be a conflicted love interest of some kind in order to ramp up the appeal to us chicks.
That's funny, Yazu I have seen in eastern Asia before and Zyvwek (although I don't know the proper spelling) was an army buddy's first name.
It really is an awesome read. At times I found myself literally LOL'ing which rarely happens when I read a book. The story has several unexpected turns and will truly command you to think about things. At times I found the book reminding me of "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" which FTR is one of my all time favorite Sci-fi books. Maybe because EARTH makes you also think about life, the universe, and everything as you absorb, contemplate, and accept. lol I also just read "As I See It", by Mr. Cooper. If you want a fun, easy, humorous, and even at times, educational read check it out. I even learned I love a Gook... who'd a thought? Even mentions a misfit or two from this forum, although one of which doesn't play much anymore....
If you run around telling everyone that you love a gook, sooner or later your wife is going to find out and then what? Next you'll tell us about putting stars on the calendar on days you are executing various plans. TJ, the manifesto must remain secret.
