The Zebonites’ Stronghold by Kenneth Tucker is a science fiction tale that follows the adventures of the Zebonites from a distant star who arrive in a decadent America tottering towards insurrection and offer their help. The deal is simple—the Zebonites offer astonishing medical and scientific solutions in exchange for permission to set up their military base in Florida’s Everglades. It is an attractive deal, one that any sane government can’t refuse. The only problem is that the Zebonites are not what they pretend they are and what starts as a simple agreement quickly develops into conflict because the strangers want to remain mysterious and they think they are superior to humans. Can anyone oppose them? Anti-Zebonite sentiments are growing and President Hardy’s popularity declines from day to day. Can the US be saved from alien imperialism?

The writing is colorful and atmospheric, filled with descriptions that paint the setting in vibrant colors and images that stick in the mind right from the very first paragraph. Notice the attention to detail and the overpowering sense of storytelling that captures elements of the setting and how the characters relate to it: “The last act began that sweltering August night, but I didn’t know the curtain was rising. I stood on the cement landing, built into the side of civilian apartment T-S-38, slapped away a mosquito, and gazed out past the distant fence and the jungle beyond, toward their dome—even though it was more than thirty-five miles away, beyond clusters of tropical trees, quicksand pits, and swamp.” The characters are wonderfully developed and the narrative, related by Joe, one of the leading characters, is impressive and gripping. The Zebonites’ Stronghold is filled with action and powerful plot points and readers will love to follow the characters and watch as the conflict escalates. This is an interesting sci-fi story with unpredictable twists.

The social and political landscape in the US is deteriorating with uprisings looming on the horizon. It is at this time of dire need that the Zebonites, alien descendants from a distant star, arrive with the irresistible offer of technology with stellar developments in medicine. In return, they want to establish a military base in Florida's Everglades. And therein lies the whole problem because the Zebonites don't look like people who can accept no for an answer and the population is already divided because of their offer, with their mysterious ways and ruthlessness towards those who resist them. From every indication, they have the power to impose their will and it seems it's what they want to do. Can anyone stop them from colonizing the United States?

The Zebonites' Stronghold by Kenneth Tucker is a fast-paced, action-packed science fiction tale with good doses of drama and intense conflict. The novel features themes of patriotism, the lure of science, the game of power, and alien imperialism. Joe Tanner is one of the characters that are well developed and readers will keep reading to see if they can unveil the mystery about this powerful race of aliens that only communicate through robots and mutated beings. The sense of helplessness and the flickering hope in the characters hit home hard. Kenneth Tucker gives readers a good sense of setting and the character arcs are impeccable. I loved how the characters, especially Tanner, develop through the conflict. The Zebonites' Stronghold is filled with surprises, an intelligently plotted novel with a strong conflict and skillfully developed characters.