EVE: Templar One

If you like your space operas large and bold;If you like despicable characters that grow on you;If you want multiple fleets trying to kill each other in space and on planets;If you like technologically enhanced beings almost unrecognizable as a human;If you like a secret group doing oversight on all the characters and controlling what they do behind the scenes you WILL LOVE THIS BOOK.Part of the EVE series this book stands on it's own for plot and character development. No need to read previous books in the series - although I recommend highly that you do.The story line is that consensus exists that an immortal warrior would decrease the human toll in the many wars, both civil, planetary and star system wide. At least it's consensus within the framework of the book. The combatants include Empress Jamyl of the Amarr, Mordu's Legion of mercenaries for hire, the Federation Fleet, the Ashkone and the Caldari.Everyone is out for themselves and to stop the others from creating an immortal warrior. When one of the groups suceed the race is on to capture the immortal warrior, called Templar One, and reverse engineer the process for personal gain.Of course the group that created Templar One knows there is a significant problem associated with the process and is determined to stop the other groups from stealing their technology, regardless of it's flaws.It all comes to a shocking conclusion in an epic battle in space and on Make System - Planet II: Pikes Landing .Finally, as a technological bonus to you, the book has QR Code Content built in. Just use your smart phone and additional information becomes available to you. This is not necessary to read the book but just an added bonusVERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Fantastic.To explain why, first consider that most science fiction tends towards the "shock and awe" category, leaning heavily on advanced technological concepts (or gimmicks) to tickle the reader's imagination... sadly, this usually falls into unrealistic story world environments, which makes the story far less believable, and therefore destroys that crucial ability to immerse oneself in the story.Now, despite the high-science atmosphere of the EVE universe, Tony Gonzales maintains that crucial element of believability, using the technological concepts to the fullest WITHOUT relying on them to make the story for him. He pays a lot of attention to key elements in economy, sociocultural behavior, politics, historical context, and the interplay between these things... an attention which is key to breathing life into a universe so vast and open as the one he writes his stories within.Even better, he does all this without abandoning the development of individual characters. Note that this is plural: he fully explores the behavior, development, and occasional introspection of each both separately and interactively.Finally, all of the science in the universe is developed believably. All of it is based on actual (not hypothetical) science and scientific phenomenon, with real applicability towards how it may be used. I say this as a physicist, who appreciates a hearty dose of REAL science in his science "fiction." -- However, Tony Gonzales does not get much credit for this part, since most of it was developed within the game's universe (EVE Online) before he wrote the story. What he does get credit for, though, is for applying it correctly, without fantasizing, exaggerating, or over-emphasizing any of it.Well done overall. He's now one of my favorite authors. :)

As an avid EVE player and SF buff in general (Cherryh, Ringo, Bujold, Webber etc) I've read the EVE novels and most of the CCP dev published fiction. It's ranged from the level of "professional fan-fic" to pretty dang good SF.Templar One is great EVE fiction and I think it's best so far. Empyrian Age was good I thought. Gonzales' Burning Life was. . .OK. I have to admit, as a matter of fact, I really didn't care for Burning Life. I found the plot kind of a "grand tour" of EVE settings and the characterization thin at best. The plot in that one was a bit schitzy and disorganized.Gonzales actually hits his stride as a writer in this novel. Old characters from Burning Life return and their stories are iterated on. I'm not sure that i "like" any of his characters yet, but the story is fine space opera and (spoiler alert) the action scenes are well done, such as the multi-sided fleet scrum over a planet nobody wants.A pity that Gonzales was part of the "20%" lay off at CCP. If this book is any indication of his actual talent as a writer, I think he'll be be doing fine if he decides to stick with this as a profession.

This is not merely a book based on a video game, it is a fictional work that elevates itself and it's subject matter, Eve Online, to an accessible and thrilling form of art. You do not need to play the game to enjoy the book, but doing so has an element of enrichment to it. Likewise, you don't have to read this book if you play the game, but again, the experience will add depth to your online experience.Although independent of each other, I highly suggest reading the first novel, The Empyrean Age before this.Tony Gonzales manages to create high political drama, space opera tragedy and amiable characters into a tale that moves a very pleasant pace. It is Eve, and the reality at play here are cruel, so if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, maybe pass. But if you've accepted the fact that life in space would be harsh on those attempting to carve out a deeper life, you'll appreciate Gonzales' firm plot direction and his ability to wrap up the story with all the melancholy befitting his characters' lives which are marked by startling brilliance and bitter woe.

as a eve online player i have enojyed tony gonzales once again. like empyran age, templar one is involving and really an enjoyable reading for either a eve online player or a random reader. focused on dust 514 more than eve online to be honest, but definetaly i would recommend this book anyway.fly safegianluca palloni

Exciting and well written, but I sort of lost interest in Eve. I'm sure I'll revisit when I revisit eve again.

If your a fan a sci-fi then this book may just be a book for you to read.Tony Gonzales paints an extermemly good picture via his written words of the large dark universe of New Eden and the political struggles for power and underhanded ways from all the races of people who live within it.There are some really interesting characters in this book where not just one view of theirs is shared throughout the book.

It was awesome EVE Online Novel, great dramas and deep characters stories. But some things like a revelation drifting on planet out of warp is impossible to EVE Online and some things that shouldnt be possible either.But still good overall.