"This book reaches back to the brio and speculation of Engdahl's classic books of the Seventies. . . . The reader will be taken on an exciting and suspenseful ride. . . . With an admirable protagonist and many interesting and well-drawn characters major and minor, Defender is satisfying on multiple levels. . . . I expected to like this book; I was startled that I loved it. A must read!" --Literary critic Nicholas Birns),
Amazon.com, June 10, 2013
"I was engrossed in it: could not put it down. . . . It raises thoughtful questions of science/logic/reason versus the paranormal and intuition, the state versus individual freedom, and conscience, but is not preachy, and the characters were real people I cared about and liked." --Laurie Pollack,
Amazon.com, April 25, 2013 (Verified Purchase)'
"Another wonderful book written by the remarkable author Sylvia Engdahl. I was hooked from page one and found myself so completely engrossed that I could not put it down until I finished this novel. . . . The only negative critique I have is that I wanted it to go on forever." --Don,
Amazon.com, May 8, 2013 (Verified Purchase)
"Compelling and a must read for anyone who loves quality SF. . . . Technology is the tool Sylvia uses to put her characters where they need to be. The real story is the choices they make and why. If you love SF for the questions it makes you ask you won't be able to put this book down." --Chris Zenchenko,
Amazon.com, May 17, 2013 (Verified Purchase)
"The things that happen to the hero of this book are heart-wrenching. But that's what the best hero stories are made of . . . . I've read a ton of sci-fi and this trilogy is up there among the best -- fun to read, thought-provoking, exciting plot twists, and big in scope." --Robert Haven,
Amazon.com, May 18, 2013 (Verified Purchase)
"This is fun reading, about a starship captain facing many tough choices. . . . If you choose to think more deeply about the view of humanity's future, that's icing on the cake. Enjoyable and thought-provoking reading.." --Sondra Eklund,
Sonderbooks, August 5, 2015
"A fabulous twisting outer space thriller that will keep readers wondering what next will happen to the protagonist."
--Harriet Klausner,
Alternative Worlds, May 2013;
MBR Bookwatch, July 2013
"The book profits from Engdahl’s long experience as a professional writer, assuring an engaging read. The story is thoughtful and balanced in its treatment of questions pertaining to human nature. It gives material to think about, besides providing some hours of leisure in a convincing sci-fi environment."
--Simon Brenncke's Book Review Blog (Germany), August 23, 2013
"The book had a very elegantly written ending." --Jo Jones,
Mixed Book Bag, August 22, 2013
"A futuristic ride that has many parallels in today’s society. This is a ‘thinking man’s’ science fiction book – the type we need more of today!" --The Feathered Quill, November 2014
"A terrific timely futuristic thriller as deniers in charge persecute those with abilities they fear leading to equality and subsequent loss of power."
--Harriet Klauser,
Alternative Worlds II, November 17, 2014
"This book is as interesting and mind bending as the first book that this author wrote. I consider it to be a must read for anyone that likes science fiction that verges on possible science fact."
--Don,
Amazon.com, November 1, 2014 (Verified Purchase)
"Engdahl's books are torches that light a flame of hope that we may have a future beyond the clouded one on Earth."
--Laurie Pollack,
Amazon.com, November 7, 2014
"These novels are not so much genre ';Romance' or even just ';Science Fiction' as they are Literature. These are novels about life. "
--Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Alien Romances: Reviews 14, May 2015
"This engrossing book explores the powers of mind (psi), alien contact, and a little romance, all with an optimistic view of humanity's future. A very good read!"
Amazon reader review, June 2, 2021 (Vine Voice reviewer)
"Sylvia Engdahl . . . gives us the complete payoff we have all been expecting since the covert First Contact of humanity with the advanced Galactic Civilization. . . . Now the unique Flame Series can be welcomed into this [Science Fiction Romance] field as it furthers the discourse on how the capacity to love defines humanity, regardless of the bodily appearance."
Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Goodreads, September 1, 2021
"A fitting completion to Earth’s place in the universe of the Service. As always, it is a book full of big ideas, strong emotions, and lots of inspiration."
Amazon reader review, June 30, 2021
"Good addition to a remarkable series of sci Fi Books. Ephasizes Sylvia Engdahl's interest in ESP and emerging interplanetary civilizations. Strong female lead character."
Amazon reader review, June 10, 2021
