When Heaven Fell [Mass Market Paperback]

I have read six or seven of Barton's novels, and all are very good, this one is no exception. It is based in a world in which a Master Race has subdued Earth and also controls most of our galaxy. Mercenaries are hired by the Master Race, aliens and humans alike, Athol Morrison being one of them. The book centers around Athol and his adventures and personal life. I found this book simply fascinating, a rare page turner. William Barton writes with adult content and themes, so beware if you are easily offended, however, I find this writing style very refreshing and honest, in regards to true human nature and instincts that few if any other SF writers ever touch. I understand this novel is out of print, but it would be worth it to locate a used copy somewhere.

WHF is one of the few SF novels to consider what would happen if hostile aliens *really* invaded Earth, which is to say it would be like 16th century Aztec warriors vs. the 21st century US Army. Not much doubt about the outcome -- although Barton has humans inflict 600,000 casualties on the invaders, who killed 8 billion humans. So a better comparison would be Zulus vs. British, or Apaches vs. the USA: no hope of victory for 'our' side, but we're strong enough to inflict casualties and win skirmishes. After conquest, it got nastier than any of these examples -- the Congo under King Leopold comes to mind. This is not a cheerful book.

It turns out that the invaders, the Kkhruhhuft, sentient velociraptors (+/-), are mercenaries, janissaries really, conquered long ago by the Master Race. The Masters appear to be some sort of emergent AI's -- their hosts/companions/creators(?) are a group-mind made up of carnivorous, UV-loving, blue froggy 'poppits'. The Masters' taste for galactic conquest is inexplicable, but they're very good at it. Evil Overlords, yes, but inscrutable, *alien* EO's. Perhaps conquering planets is how they keep score.

Rigorously-selected humans can join the Masters' janissary armies. Since Earth's civilization has been smashed, volunteers aren't hard to find. The viewpont character is a successful merc officer, coming home on leave for the first time since his enlistment

These are pretty pampered mercs. Between mass-killing campaigns, they live in comfortable bases on nice planets. The officers have personal servants, cooks, sexual consorts -- Athy has three burdar bedservants, a cook and a batman. The burdars enlist for a fixed term, are payed well and get a sizeable bonus for completing their enlistment -- they will return home rich, by local standards. There's a queasy fascination to this, and to the whole setup. The mercs try to maintain good training and discipline, but are under no illusions as to their role, which is brutal conquest and enforcement of Master rule. This usually involves smashing the local civilization, and killing 99% of the planet's population.

The book is matter-of-fact throughout, and is less depressing than it sounds. Life does go on, through the most awful circumstances, and people cope as best they can (or die). There's even a thread of hope that the Evil Overlords will someday get their comeuppance. The bad news is, the conquered races are likely to be exterminated too...

The bottom line: The first & second time I read WHF, I thought it was terrific. I didn't like it as much this time, but it's still a good, and unusual, book. Recommended, but not for the squeamish.

Note: Google Groups for a parallel review (by James Nicoll) and a discussion.


Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman

"Surviving the slaughter of the human race by the cybernetic Master Race, mercenary Athol Morrison and a group of desperate resistors return to an alien-occupied America in a daring attempt to overthrow the dark rulers of the universe."

Yeah, right.

Barton is one of the few (and perhaps the only) SF writer who has the nerve to write realistic and truly _adult_ SF. _When Heaven Fell_ is not happy wish-fulfillment stuff--it is a starkly realistic depiction of coping in a world without hope.

You won't like this book the first time you read it. But I guarantee you will read it more than once.

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