"Saving Paludis" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Clayton Graham (https://claytongraham.com.au). Mr. Graham has published two novels. 

I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future where humanity has spread across the stars. The primary character is Police agent Stefan Lattanzis. 

The scientists on the planet Paludis have made a discovery that will affect all of mankind - a drug that will put humans to sleep for days, even months at a time, and which will slow down aging while they sleep. Now as Paludis begins to grow in power, Earth begins to see it as a threat to its domination human space. 

Lattanzis and a few close friends must try to save the planet both from their own politicians who want to take advantage of the power the drug brings Paludis, as well as the Earth forces sent to bring Paludis to heel. Complicating this, and acting as an excuse for Earth to take action, is a series of attacks on Earth that have been traced back to Paludis.  

I thought that his was an interesting 10+ hours spent reading this 435 page science fiction novel. The story has a much broader scope than most, covering several months of time. While I like the basic plot, I really felt that the implementation was a little weak and the characters mostly one dimensional. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

This is an Author new to me …………………..the book is complex , with great world building , diverse characters . showing what can happen when lands change hands multiple times '

Humans have created space bridges to travel further around the universe - the events in this book take place on the planet Paludis , called Musk by the natives . The natives are kept in restricted areas by an ocean and walls - life is basic leading to resentment .

An important discovery has been found on the planet and shared with Earth ………. those in charge have vanished .
Police agent Stefan is sent to investigate matters and gets involved with a Martian botanist, Clare, and a Seer, Serpentine, who lives in isolation out in the wilds . Pas-Elno, of a local native has also joined in the search as his father, Tak-Elno, has also disappeared .
This small group find themselves in great danger and are the targets from lots of different factions . Their path is fraught with danger …….who is the enemy , can all out war be prevented
Whoever has the technology could change the face of the universe and take total control of travel throughout the planetary systems .

This was an interesting book with many different strands - reflecting the problems that can occur with colonisation both on the local inhabitants and the colonisers .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own .

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