A soldier fights to keep youngsters safe from his elite, genetically enhanced paramilitary unit in Pearse’s debut SF novel, the first in a series.

In the 24th century, the people of Earth continue to struggle after World Wars III and IV wiped out most of the population. A paramilitary group protecting the North American Continental Bloc’s only inhabitable city of Avalon launches the Independent Initiative, a military defense program. Irishman Sloan Whelan, one of the Independent unit’s 10 “genetically manipulated” soldiers, regenerates quickly and never gets sick. While trekking across the NACB’s so-called deadlands he runs into meek 19-year-old Chase. He vows to safeguard the boy and other child survivors whom the government has inexplicably targeted. Once it’s clear Sloan has abandoned his post to help the kids, the Avalon Police Force and the other equally skilled Independents come after him as well. Avalon may be the last place Sloan and the young survivors should go, but that’s also the location of his family, whom the APF will surely threaten next. Pearse masterfully sets an unwavering pace. The narrative rarely strays from Sloan, Chase, and the kids, who constantly move for better shelter or to elude enemies. In between the action scenes, which come in bursts, details about this future Earth and the Independents (what’s in those body-enhancing injections?) gradually come to light. At a glance, Sloan is the muscular, irresistibly handsome hero that readers have seen before (“Sloan didn’t have a scar or blemish; every inch of his body was perfectly defined, and his physique was flawless”). But this curious man has ties to the Irish mob and the Yakuza, and his bond with Chase is both believable and endearing. Unfortunately, the others in Sloan’s unit, who hail from around the globe, have little time to shine. But as this is a first installment, and sequels may offer opportunities for their further development. To ensure the appeal of those forthcoming books, the author ends this opener with a superb cliffhanger.

A sharply defined future world elevates this energetic SF adventure.