Mylea is a small planet similar to Earth, inhabited by an advanced, human-like civilization. However, their harmonious life is suddenly threatened by a disaster that will completely destroy them and their planet. When it looks as though they surely are doomed, their most respected scientist, Tanaka Tainaikai, proposes a plan to save Mylea and all its inhabitants. His plan is outrageously daring, but it could be their only hope for survival.

Mylea: The Journey Begins by Philip C. Elrod is quite ambitious and imaginative in its scope. The Myleans’ search for a new solar system and the continuity of their civilization is fascinating to read. The two supercomputers, MAXX and MCM, are interesting ‘characters’, particularly MAXX, who’s quite human-like and shows emotions from the beginning. The conundrum that prevents MAXX from completing his mission, given by the late Tanaka and his fellow scientists, is one of the great twists in the story. As for Tom, aka Tanaka II, I didn’t completely understand some decisions that he made. On the other hand, his significance drives the plot forward, no matter how ambivalent I am about his personality. Also, Mitch the dog is adorable, even though she is not quite a well-behaved pet.

The narration is straightforward, perhaps the most straightforward style that I’ve ever read in the sci-fi genre, and I like it. The clear cut prose makes the plot flows swiftly. I also appreciated the humor element that is incorporated into the story. All in all, Mylea is an imaginative and enjoyable read.

Mylea: The Journey Begins by Philip C. Elrod is partly an alien fight for survival. The story feels scarily like our future when one day a black hole might swallow up our whole solar system. The story follows the planetary civilization of Mylea. The planet is about to be sucked inside a black hole and, in order to save themselves, the Myleans take up residence on a spaceship to secure their future and get to Earth before it is too late. However, they want to keep their contact with humans to a minimum. The earthlings have noticed the Mylean spaceship in the sky and are reluctant to believe that they are here in peace. All the Myleans want is a place they can restart their race and live in peace, or do they?

At first glance, the story seems very interesting and you feel that this is bound to be good. Despite that the pace of the story was a little slow in some places, I was not able to put it down. I HAD to read it till the end to know what happens. I really liked the details about the Mylean civilization. It was fascinating and detailed and I liked that every much. MAXX is also a mystery and an enigma which I would like to know a little more about. All in all, a great first effort by a new writer.