When Heaven Fell
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| When Heaven Fell | |
 Cover of the first edition |
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| Author | William Barton |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Sean Beavers |
| Country |  United States |
| Genre(s) | military science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Warner Aspect |
| Publication date | 1 March 1995 |
| Media type | Print (mass market paperback) |
| Pages | 343 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-446-60166-7 |
When Heaven Fell is a 1995 military science fiction novel by William Barton.
Human mercenary Athol Morrison returns to Earth after serving in the legions of the Master Race. It’s been 20 years, and his friends, and Earth, have changed.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Earth is taken over by a computer hive mind, and the best of Earth’s survivors are recruited into the armies of the Master Race. Athol Morrison has served for 20 years, and heads back to Earth for a brief vacation. There, he runs into old friends, and finds it easy to give into his old feelings with his childhood girlfriend, Alexandra (Alix) Moreno.
However, Alix and the rest of Athol’s friends are involved in a rebellion against Earth’s Master. They ask Athol to help and to join them, and so he helps to train them. He cannot give up all that he has, and so betrays the group to the police.
Conflicted about what he has done, but feeling as if there was no choice, Athol rejoins up with his new command. After a series of battles against the most advanced race yet encountered, the Hu, Athol takes a break and joins his friend Shrêhht on her home planet. There, he is invited into another rebellion, one composed of all of the slave races.
[edit] Characters in "When Heaven Fell"
- Athol Morrison – Human soldier with the Master Race legions
- Alexandra (Alix) Moreno – Earthling, childhood sweetheart of Athol
- Davy Intäke – Childhood friend of Athol, member of Earth rebellion
- Link Morrison – Priest and brother to Athol
- Shrêhht – Kkhruhhuft soldier and friend of Athol
- Kaye Moreno - Daughter of Athol and Alix
[edit] Major themes
- Alien takeover of earth.
- The lesser of two evils principle when Athol has to decide between betraying his rebel friends or letting the whole human race be wiped out.
- Human sexuality and human sexual behavior are key to the main character.
- Death, sex, and violence.
- Athol Morrison as an anti-hero, even though we are shown his childhood and recent adulthood.
- Master/slave relationship between Master Race and subject races
[edit] Trivia
The ranks within the legions resemble those of the Indian or Pakistan Army.
[edit] Release details
- 1995, USA, Aspect books, ISBN 0-446-60166-7, Pub date 01 March 1995, Paperback
[edit] Sources, references, external links, quotations
- Review of ‘’When Heaven Fell’’ at The Quern
- Paired review by James Nicoll
- Paired review by Peter D. Tillman
- When Heaven Fell publication history at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
