“Under a dimming sun, extinction is our future and a lone scientist our only hope.”
Usurper of the Sun takes place mostly on Earth. In the beginning of the story it is the year 2006. As the story progresses, so does time. It is not a book that takes place in a short period of time. Usurper of the Sun takes place over many, many years. Finally, the book ends in the future, in the year 2041.
But what I think is more interesting and unique about the setting of this book is how it takes place mostly in a pre-apocolyptic America, and in Space. An alien species begins to build a tower on the planet Mercury, and soon begin to construct a big ring around the sun. Eventually it becomes known that the alien species, that soon become known as The Builders, are planning on harnessing the sun’s energy for their own use. The ring casts a great shadow on Earth, and soon sends the people of Earth into a crazy state of mind. The author goes into detail about how his view on America’s reaction to aliens invading Earth, or something similar, may play out. He talks about peoples’ different reactions about the possibility of the world coming to an end, and how much damage it does to the economy, among other things.
The other interesting and unique part about the setting is how the main character is given the privilege of traveling in space and exploring another species’ space ships. Aki, who is the main character, is one of the few people to come into contact with The Builders. She and a team of experts are launched into space and eventually make direct contact with The Builders. The author does a fantastic job of describing how an alien species may look. As Aki and her team make their way through The Builders’ space ship, you learn how The Builders look, and are shown what kind of environment they prefer to live in.
Aki Shiraishi is the main character of Usurper of the Sun. She is introduced as a high schooler, the same grade and age as I am now. That is the first thing that makes Aki easy to relate to for me. The one thing that really stood out though, is he love for astronomy, and science in general. She is the leader of her schools astronomy club. Astronomy has always been a major interest of mine, so becoming attached to Aki was really easy for me. The fact that she grew up and became a very intelligent and famous scientist and astronaut only made me love her more.
I would most definitely recommend this story to anyone who is interested in science fiction books. Not only is it a wonderful adventure story, but it also touches on the main characters love life. I absolutely loved Usurper of the Sun, and it will always be one of my favorite books.
