The Drakos Effect

Under extraterrestrial surveillance, the human race grapples with an ancient, deadly threat in this sci-fi novel.

In the year 2120, aliens called the Cephians arrive in Earth’s solar system. Representing a band of spacefaring species called the Plexus Mosaic, the Cephians are on a mission to evaluate whether humanity is ready to be admitted to the group and have access to its vast store of knowledge. But after 40 years of observation, the Cephians haven’t made a decision, and some people are starting to chafe under the scrutiny. Not astrobiologist Shana Savarino—one of her closest friends is a Cephian colleague who goes by the nom de terre Charles Darwin. Then a team of scientists studying an asteroid crater in the Yucatán discovers a mysterious artifact miles below the Earth’s surface. Awakened by subterranean nukes, the underground object stealthily studies humanity’s technology and psyche, eventually emerging in New York City in the terrifying form of a dragon; the resulting conflict will kill millions worldwide. The Cephians reveal that it’s an Archmage Sequencer, planted eons ago by a race of beings “beyond space, matter, and ordinary awareness.” Originally designed to protect Earth, not destroy it, the Sequencer was damaged by a long-ago galactic war—now, it’s fighting an internal battle between annihilating rage and the “indomitable bright point” of its true purpose. Humanity, too, must choose: between trust and xenophobia, between violence and empathy—and Shana, already able to find friendship across species, may be the only human who can tame the Sequencer and save the world. Sharcoff’s (Draconis, 2000) artfully crafted novel is both action-packed—full of epic battle sequences and the highest of stakes—and quietly philosophical, paralleling the “flaw” of the Sequencer with humanity’s own innate propensity for violence. His worldbuilding is often skillful, although culture and character receive less attention than technology (“With compact fusion pods and artificial intelligence,” the Global Defense Force “skycruiser in all its variety—including its top-dog cousin, the voidfighter—became the backbone of humanity’s military might”). But when he provides glimpses of the smaller picture, the details are intriguing enough that readers will likely want more—for instance, Shana’s “Mandarin skirt suit” and the Cephians’ nonhumanoid bodies, resembling giant leaves with “starfishy fingerlegs.”

A well-written, imaginative tale of humans, aliens, and the choices they face.

In Joe Sharcoff’s captivating and polished The Drakos Effect, an enthusiastic astrobiologist and an unusual alien work
to secure humanity’s place in the universe.
In the early 2100s, humanity draws the attention of a conglomerate of intelligent species. A race of plantlike aliens
known as Cephians serve as emissaries; they intend to judge Earth’s readiness to join their peaceful community.
Astrobiologist Shana Savarino forms a unique bond with the Cephians. She never doubts the conglomerate’s
intentions, even as she struggles with ensuring the positive outcome of the judgement process. But the process
stretches out for more than forty years. Human beings splinter into factions that grow restless. Terrorist attacks
increase in number.
Then an object is discovered in a dinosaur-era impact crater. It predates the conglomerate and holds troubling
information about an ancient race. As humans and Cephians examine it, the object awakens and threatens
Earth—and, potentially, all of life. Savarino wants to protect and uplift humanity, and must work in consideration of the
object to do so; her struggle is engaging.
The object—a probe/guardian robot programmed with sentience and a directive to protect its charges—bonds with
Savarino. With a fractured consciousness, the object wars with itself; it finds itself unable to control its war-oriented
side. The device proves to be a flawed and sympathetic character in its own right—one that propels the plot forward
compellingly.
While the book’s main conflict arises between humans and the unseen conglomerate, the most captivating sections
focus on the divisions on Earth, between those who are inclined to trust distant aliens or those prepared to wage war
to protect the planet.
Through the perspectives and actions of the Cephians, Savarino, and the object, the narrative contemplates issues of
morality and ethics. As humans are examined by outside beings, characters have to consider their actions through the
lens of the unknowable conglomerate. When the object forces events to a dramatic conclusion, the outcome hinges
on the greater good and the price of doing what’s right.
Prose flows wonderfully, marked by sharp and varied sentences of pleasing lengths. Pacing is rhythmic, and scenes
are appropriately laid out. Characters are built well; the goals of each are clearly drawn, even when they threaten
disaster. Science fiction concepts are either explained in context, not at all, or in breezy explanations, all of which
keep the narrative on a even keel throughout. A cliffhanger ending resolves the main conflict while opening the door to
tantalizing mysteries about the conglomerate and those who came before it.
The Drakos Effect is an absorbing science fiction parable examining the importance of action versus inaction. It
unfolds with heart, action, and thoughtfulness.