Book Review
Summoning the Darkness
by Christopher Scott
On the front page of his author website, Christopher Scott has a bulleted list of the key themes in his novel. "Hair-raising backcountry bush flying in Alaska. Unbridled zealotry of rogue military officers. A secret plot of government officials willing to defy the constitution and harm American citizens for what they believe are justifiable ends. A killer virus overwhelming the nation's medical resources. American Intelligence services powerlessly watching Iran purloining the last elements it needs for nuclear warhead rockets. An American led military land invasion of Iran that's too late to stop." Judging from this list of included themes, it's remarkable to me that the entire finished product is only 256 pages long. Yet more noticeable than this is that each theme in his list has either occurred already, is happening now, or has graced the minds and imaginations of the public more than once as a distinct possibility. Anyone who resides on the planet--and wishes to remain so--will find something of interest in Scott's ideas and the information he presents.
"I started writing Summoning the Darkness back in 2001 without a specific plot in mind," writes Scott on his author website, www.christopherscottnovels.com. "It was born from a collection of interesting scenes structured loosely after my military experiences and flying adventures, and spiced up by my over-active imagination." Scott soon realized the potential of his novel to develop an accurate and intriguing political edge, an approachable feat with Scott's personal background. A former Army Intelligence officer, Scott was a Master Army Aviator and was promoted through various U.S. Government, military, and aerospace industry positions, receiving a Legion of Merit award. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Computer Resources. An experienced pilot with a current Air Transport Pilot rating, Scott flies both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, and has a personal collection of three aircraft including a Stinson 108 that he proudly features in the pages of Summoning the Darkness.
With his experiences and knowledge fueling the substance behind his creativity and well presented imagery, Summoning is as disturbing as it is riveting. The lead character, former military sniper Clarke Eastbourne struggles to earn a decent living as an Alaskan bush pilot, finds himself entangled yet again with his unusual past. As improbable as it first sounds, the seemingly powerless individual becomes heavily entwined and influential in the relations between Iran, the U.S. Government, and the U.S. civilians. By far the most interesting aviation fiction I've reviewed this year, I recommend it as not only an entertaining thriller, but also as a possible eye-opener to current events.