Departure


Fiction - Science Fiction
229 Pages
Reviewed on 11/21/2022
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

A Dyson Sphere built around a star named Elnath, humankind's biggest technological achievement, becomes its biggest curse as the drones that constitute the sphere gain ability to self-replicate and turn against humans. Torn apart by a violent conflict, the world of Corina-189 is in grave danger. Lieutenant Hinds was only nineteen when he met Paige Lehman to save her life on a battlefield. Soon after, they participate in the daring plan of saving humankind from the Infinite Enemy with the help of the enormous cosmic fleet built by a brilliant engineer, Anirban Acharya. What fate awaits them and brave Commander Kelsey Cochran in the infinity of the cosmos? Departure by Philroy A. Hinds is an epic tale of the battle for the survival of humans with destiny against all odds.

Departure is a fast-paced and highly entertaining read. At the same time, I appreciated very much that Philroy A. Hinds touched on a burning theme of human responsibility regarding technology, for the drones starting to self-replicate is a human mistake. Also, Departure speaks about the other kind of responsibility - the one to fellow human beings in the face of enormous calamity that requires making difficult moral choices. Hinds shows with almost brutal honesty what comes after making such decisions. His descriptions of the cosmic prison are horrifying on an apocalyptic scale, giving Departure dark features of dystopia. Hinds reveals the social problems that arise in a closed society, making predictions. Departure is about friendship. Hinds and Lehman, like no one else, know that a real friendship requires big sacrifices. For me, their relationship is the centerpiece of this magnificent story. Also, I would like to praise the realism of the military scenes described in the book. I highly recommend Departure to fans of the sci-fi genre, military-themed novels, and character-driven stories.

Pikasho Deka

If you're a fan of sci-fi space operas, grab a copy of Departure by Philroy A. Hinds. Set in a distant future, the book follows a war amongst the factions of Those Against and Those For on Corina-189. However, a far larger threat looms as the Dyson Sphere around the parent star Elnath is on the verge of collapse due to out-of-control self-replicating drones set to destroy humanity. After putting their lives on the line in the war, TA Lieutenants Paige Lehman and Hinds find themselves tasked with the evacuation of humans from the planet. As the survivors travel toward the very edge of the galaxy, the rogue drones chase them all the way. Decades pass, and now humans once again find themselves in the throes of extinction. Will they repeat their past mistakes or fight for the greater good?

A captivating odyssey through the cosmos, Departure is a treat for sci-fi lovers. With likable characters and a fast-paced plot, author Philroy A. Hinds tells a gripping tale about the fight for humanity's survival. All the characters have distinct yet relatable personalities, and it makes you sympathize with their plight as they risk their lives. Lehman and Hinds' relationship plays a crucial role in the narrative. Despite their differences, each brings the best out of the other. The book is divided into two parts, separated by a time gap. There is a similarity in the tone of the narrative that may remind sci-fi readers of James S.A. Corey's bestselling series, The Expanse. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Departure and can't recommend it enough.

Maria Victoria Beltran

Departure by Philroy Hinds is a science-fiction novel about humanity's battle against their creation — self-replicating drones. What starts as something perfect in a futuristic world ends up as an endless struggle for the existence of humankind as the self-replicating drones malfunction and go on a frenzy, destroying everything in their path. With civilization breaking down and on the brink of life and death, it is up to a young commander to make things right and put an end to an endless menace. Page after page we are immersed in a world of intrigue, betrayal, chaos, space action, hope, and love. The threat of death is always hanging over the horizon. Will human civilization be able to unite together and fight for the future of humankind? Or will our creation claim victory and devour whatever is left of the galaxy?

Departure by Philroy Hinds is a breathtaking epic space opera that immediately pulls you into its universe from the beginning till the end. The idea of humans fighting against self-replicating drones wouldn't be too far-fetched if humanity makes a few more bad decisions. Hinds gives us a perspective of a possible future — one that might spell the end of humanity. His prose is pretty consistent in constructing complex characters and balancing them with an equally complex narrative that includes human relationships and civil rivalries between different factions. His world-building helps expand an already expansive universe of conflict. The way the drones think and interact is a stark contrast to humanity's situation, bleak and slowly breaking apart. With tear-jerking final chapters, I am in awe at what Philroy Hinds has created, which is something that we can ponder on in our reality.