TRIDENT'S FORGE is Book 2 of the engrossing Far Future Science Fiction Trilogy CHILDREN OF A DEAD EARTH. In Book 1, THE ARK, the Generation Ship flying to Tau Ceti star system over the duration of 2.5 centuries, prepares for imminent orbit over their chosen planet, and landing to found a new Colony. (I guess Colonization is intrinsic in human evolution, and apparently Manifest Destiny too.) In TRIDENT'S FORGE, the Tau Ceti Colony has been in existence now for 3 years; the Unbound, the group of independents on the Ark who concealed themselves on the lower levels, eschewing the prenatal brain implants the Ark's test-tube generations all received, have formed their own Village, then 6 months earlier migrated to a Village of a native tribe (yes, Virginia, a sentient species on a planet in Tau Ceti's system, called by the human colonists "Atlantians").

Our Feckless Hero, Bryan Benson, formerly Chief Constable on The Ark, is now Director of Recreation; his wife Theresa is now Chief Constable. A diplomatic mission from the humans' Colony to an Atlantian village (where the Unbound have emigrated) and a meeting with emissaries from other villages suddenly erupts in violence from without, fatalities, and the beginning of unraveling a conspiracy which reaches back in Ark's history and intends to permanently affect this entire planet.

This Trilogy is exciting, adventurous, and highly suspenseful, filled with creatively designed world-building, intriguing aliens, fauna, and flora; and plenty of satisfyingly constructed conspiracies to keep enthralled readers alert and guessing.

The second novel in Tomlinson's Children of a Dead Earth series. (I've also read, enjoyed, and reviewed the first novel - THE ARK.)

Three years have passed since the events of the first novel. The generation ship (the Ark) has reached its destination, Tau Ceti G, and the remnants of the human race are going about establishing their new home/colony. The local inhabitants of the settled world are also having to adjust to the arrival of the humans - who they think are their long lost gods.

Bryan Benson returns, selected to investigate a catastrophe when the humans and the natives meet. Tomlinson does a great job of writing the interactions between the species, mixing in bit of humour. There's plenty of action, and it's an engaging read.

The third novel in the series, CHILDREN OF THE DIVIDE, is also out now, and I hope to read it soon.