First Elite by Emmanuel M. Arriaga is an immersive and emotionally charged sci-fi journey that plunges readers into a vast galaxy rife with personal loss, betrayal, and the remnants of ancient power. At its core is Neven Kenk, a human elite soldier mourning the brutal murder of his wife, Zun Shan. The story opens with a striking scene of Neven, who is consumed by grief and helplessness as he watches Zun’s body undergo complex, futile medical procedures. This tragic moment sets the tone for the emotional weight Neven carries throughout the story, underscoring the depth of his pain as he grapples with his haunting memories and thirst for justice. The plot follows Neven and Tashanira, a trusted companion, as they embark on a perilous mission to track down Zun's killer, Entradis. The narrative quickly ramps up the stakes as their quest derails, forcing them to abandon the hunt and face disgrace.

With action spread across multiple galaxies and even planes of existence, readers are taken on an expansive journey, rich with sci-fi elements like interstellar travel, advanced technology, and complex power systems like Enesmic weaving. The story is layered with elements of mystery and rediscovery as Neven and Tashanira uncover long-buried secrets about the First Elite, a figure whose legacy is intertwined with the immortality of the ruling Huzien Empire. Emmanuel M. Arriaga excels in building a richly detailed world where the characters’ personal struggles mirror the larger galactic conflicts. Neven's growth is compelling; he starts as a broken man driven by vengeance but evolves as he begins to rediscover his purpose in a universe full of dangerous unknowns. Fans of the genre will appreciate the vivid descriptions of futuristic tech and the imaginative portrayal of political intrigue within the galaxy. With its gripping opening chapter and deep character development, First Elite is sure to captivate readers who enjoy high-stakes space operas with a strong emotional core.

First Elite by Emmanuel. M. Arriaga explores the compelling journey of Neven, a young human scientist and Huzien soldier who lost his wife in a battle against a formidable antagonist, Entradis. Driven by grief and rage, Neven assembles a small team consisting of Tashanira, a catlike Uri, and Ellipse, an AI who occupies an android body. In the hope of tracking and observing Entradis, the trio boards a shuttle and travels to Darbol Border Space, where they go head-to-head with the enemy. They are forced to crash land on an ice planet to evade death. Having to survive in this almost uninhabitable world together results in a forbidden passion between Neven and Tashanira. Their joy in being rescued is short-lived as Neven and Tashanira have to give an account of their actions to Lanrete, a powerful immortal. How will their riveting story transpire in light of Tashanira's unplanned pregnancy and her mysterious encounter with an Eshgren, a body-possessing being?

Emmanuel. M. Arriaga's First Elite is an intriguing space opera that spans two galaxies yet to be fully explored. The story is well-written, exciting, and engaging. It is filled with multiple character narratives where each one explores the plot through their unique outlook on the events unfolding around them. Thus readers get a broader understanding of the characters, their roles, the setting, and the underlying plot. This allows the author to delve into multiple storylines, for example, ones that occurred over 20,000 years ago, while staying connected to present-day storylines. I love how Arriaga develops and portrays the various races. Each race has its own distinct culture that will both fascinate and stun readers. I think immortals like Lanrete and his adopted son, Uriel, are the most intriguing characters of all. These mysterious beings attain immortality through Enesmic energy and outlive their loved ones, making their gifts both a blessing and a curse. If you love movies like Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, you will certainly love this captivating read.

The third book in Emmanuel M. Arriaga's Foundra Series, First Elite takes readers on a perilous universal journey where survival, justice, and devotion clash. The narrative centers on Neven Kenk, a member of the prestigious Huzien Empire, and delves into a mission involving treachery, cutting-edge technology, and intricate relationships. Neven's mission, set against a backdrop of epic battles and wonderfully depicted planets, combines professional responsibility and personal sorrow as he navigates grief and the obligations of his elite status while facing formidable foes like the mysterious Entradis. With a cast of varied characters and engaging world-building, the story examines issues of justice, sacrifice, and the moral difficulties that arise when seeking revenge.

Emmanuel M. Arriaga skillfully blends dramatic action scenes with deeply reflective moments in his emotionally driven and cinematic writing. The plot develops with a deftly controlled tempo, switching between gentler, character-driven sequences and heart-pounding battles. Detailed depictions of futuristic technology and combat add to the action's dynamism and suspense. The multifaceted characters, particularly Neven, reflect deep personal issues, which makes their struggles understandable. The recurring themes of devotion, resiliency, and the fallout from retaliation give the action-packed journey more nuance. I was so intrigued by the complexity of the characters and their internal conflicts, which added depth to the fast-paced narrative. A fascinating addition to the Foundra Series, First Elite demonstrates Arriaga's ability to craft a fully textured universe and tell an engaging and thought-provoking tale. This book is a must-read for epic space opera and science fiction fans.

In First Elite, Emmanuel M Arriaga introduces readers to Neven, a young engineer whose wife is brutally killed while Neven and his fellow Huzien fighters are engaged in combat with Entradis, a dangerous enemy. Some of Neven's associates, including his mother-in-law, caution him to relinquish his desire for revenge. But consumed by hatred for his wife's killer, Neven and his associates, Ellipse and Tashanira, pursue Entradis in outer space near a lookout point in the Nex’Rav’Ni Corridor. During a confrontation with Entradis, their spaceship crashes on an unknown planet. As the months pass in isolation for the three, Neven and Tashanira pursue a romantic relationship, which results in severe consequences when confronted by their other Huzien associates and Lanrete, the immortal. With new changes, Neven and Tashanira embark on a voyage across the Twin Galaxy.

First Elite is an expansive and intricate space-centered novel on an epic scale. This fascinating story unfolds in a carefully crafted world. It is a combination of action, adventure, suspense, and romance. Even though a longer read, fans of sci-fi novels will devour this engaging adventure in a few sittings. Emmanuel M Arriaga's skillful writing shines as he weaves a magnetic plot with intriguing characters. These characters are diverse and relatable in many ways. Each one comes to life as they confront their foes, mourn the loss of their loved ones, search for greater meaning in life, and support each other throughout their breathtaking journey. Even though Neven and Tashanira's relationship dynamic is at the forefront of this captivating tale, Lanrete, the immortal, is without a doubt my favorite character. Lanrete is like Gandalf The Grey in this novel. His calm demeanor and never-ending wisdom will take root in your heart. Fans of action-driven sci-fi novels will enjoy this sensational read.

First Elite is book 3 in Emmanuel M. Arriaga's Foundra Series. This installment follows events from the previous two books. The story opens with Neven overlooking a medical operation on his wife, Zun. Unfortunately, before she can make a recovery, her assailant, Entradis, shows up, leaves her brain dead, and escapes. Our protagonist, Neven, is devastated to find out that Zun's will is to have the plug pulled on her rather than go on living in that state. Enveloped by sorrow, Neven asks a friend to engage in an unethical science project to use Zun's brain scans as the foundation for a Self-Sustaining Intelligence (SSI). SSIs combine high-level artificial intelligence with a life-like android body. His current SSI, Ellipse, is concerned that she will be replaced. However, Neven assures her that will not be the case and shifts all his focus to avenging his wife.

First Elite by Emmanuel M. Arriaga is a well-thought-out continuation of an exciting science fiction series. Not having read the first two installments, I appreciated the various planet maps, ships, and building blueprints provided. Additionally, the appendix gives detailed information on a cast of characters including their organizational affiliations, race, and, class, as well as other miscellaneous information. What I really enjoyed about Neven is how flawed he is as a person. He is hailed as a genius in his field. Yet, he allowed himself to be involved in an affair. There are some very sexually charged scenes, but they all serve to further the plot and develop characters. I believe that avid science fiction readers would enjoy this series. However, I recommend that to fully enjoy First Elite, it is important to read the Foundra Series in order.