Format read: Hardcover
Number of pages: 376 pages
Publisher: BCH Fulfillment & Distribution
Formats available: ebook, Hardcover
Release Date: January 1st, 2011
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon


Book Blurb:

The year is 2035. America’s preeminence has withered. Global warming, scarce resources, and conflict have pushed the world to its breaking point. Throughout the increasing turmoil, a rogue group called The Revolution has risen to prominence seeking domination over humanity.

Shadows of the Past explores the adventures of a NATO Counter-Revolutionary (CONTRA) Strike Force as it battles against the mysterious organization. Elite Special Forces operators use advanced military technology to hunt The Revolution, finding its feared wickedness is worse than imagined. When secrets of the enemy’s origin threaten accepted reality, dangers intensify.

Disturbing evidence exposed by CONTRA uncovers stunning truths about the galaxies. A covert faction of extraordinary messengers race to save Earth. Legends of the past and visions of the future collide when a long-dormant evil resurfaces to challenge the most powerful space alliance in the universe. The course of human history irrevocably alters, setting the world on an unforeseen path.

When Time Unlocks The Truth to History . . . The Epic Begins.

My Thoughts:
What is to be done when the greatest threat of all times looms on the horizon? Who can stop the mysterious “The Revolution” with it’s most highly advanced technology? Here we enter the story of the top secret elite NATO force called CONTRA. I started this book with absolutely no expectations whatsoever.
Reading ContraAlliance – Shadows of the Past was a very interesting experience. After finishing the first chapters I was intrigued by the hinted storyline. The story progresses slowly but that’s absolutely fine as the many characters with their different code-names and backgrounds need a little getting used to.

The atmosphere is full of action and mystery and sadly (to me) with a little too much military-code-of-honor-talk. Many abbreviations that are unknown to the average reader as well as the many characters can make reading the first two or three chapters a bit challenging.

After getting used to this the book finally showed what it has to offer. We dealing with two different CONTRA teams so the end of every chapter is a tantalizing cliffhanger when the next one starts the story of the other team. This is the first book of the Contra Alliance trilogy and at first I was afraid that there would be too much time spent with introducing all the main characters – did I mention there are a lot? – but the amount of time is just about right to attach yourself emotionally but not get bored. Kolega balances every thing out with an ease I didn’t expect.

ContraAlliance – Shadows of the Past may appear as just another good-versus-evil story with the usual trademarks of superhero-comics and other science-fiction material and of course this is partially true, but with his imagination and enthralling style of writing Tom Kolega lays the foundations of a truly interesting universe which I’d very much like to see continued. What else is there to say? Read this book and you will be engulfed in the world Tom Kolega created, don’t read it and you will miss the first work of a truly promising new author in the Scifi genre.

I give ContraAlliance – Shadows of the Past “only”  4 out of 5 bookies as I must leave myself room for improvement…

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Susi

Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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