Finding the Vanguard: Colony Ship Vanguard Book 1

Product Description The Colony Ship Vanguard was one of seven colony ships launched from a damaged Earth in a desperate plan to carry human settlers to Earth equivalent worlds. The voyages would take generations, and the people on board, as well as the flora and fauna in huge biological habitats had to be stable. But something happened on the way. Now, over one hundred years later, Earth is all but dead. People survive only in Dome 17. Gretchen and Paul are one of the teams who partake in a risky and dangerous mission to try to recover a colony ship. They will be using two unproven technologies: faster-than-light travel and teleportation. Each of those have significant limits. But the missions to the colony ships are humanities one hope for long term survival. What will Gretchen and Paul encounter while they are trying to find the Vanguard? Book One of the Colony Ship Vanguard series: a stand alone, but parallel series to the Colony Ship Eschaton book series. Review Review from Chris Fischer of "Finding the Vanguard"  First off, I need to say that I love science fiction. It is truly my favorite genre to read. Secondly, I also need to say that I have been getting somewhat burned out reading it. So many authors, especially new authors, seem to be following the same formula for their books, and sometimes it feels like the books are all the same except for the character names. Not so in John Thornton's new novel, Finding the Vanguard. In this refreshing start to The Colony Ship Vanguard series, we find our lead characters, Gretchen and Paul, willing to undertake a dangerous mission to recover a colony ship. On an Earth that is all but dead, this may be humanity's only chance at survival. With a complex relationship already underfoot, and a highly stressful and dangerous mission ahead, the journey to potential salvation is fraught with intrigue. Add in a corrupt government and a deadly virus and you've got a real hum-dinger of a situation.I very much enjoyed Finding the Vanguard. The book is exciting, full of adventure, and kept me turning the pages throughout. The descriptions of the situations and environments are extremely well drawn, and I felt like I was directly in the story. There were some grammar and spelling issues, but not enough to make me lose interest in John Thornton's storytelling. I was happy to see that this story will be made into a series, and excited to see that there is a parallel 'sister story,' so to speak, the Colony Ship Eschaton series, which I will be sure to check out. Finding the Vanguard will appeal to any lover of science fiction or action adventure, and is definitely a book you should check out!--Chris Fischer.