"Storm Clouds Gathering, the first act of the Sentience Trilogy, finds the human race of the 39th Century has left the Earth far behind. But while most of human history has been forgotten, many of the issues that plagued humanity in the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries remain very much in the forefront of human life nearly two millennia later.
Gibson Michaels weaves a wonderful page-turning tale that draws you into a universe where a sentient computer actively works behind the scenes with the son of its creator to help a fledgling confederacy of planets break away from the corrupt tyranny of the Northern Alliance.
As this first act draws to an explosive conclusion, the two sides have formally separated and engaged in the opening conflict this one of spaceships and missiles instead of bayonets and canon fire in what promises to be a protracted Civil War. And all under the watchful eyes of ancient race that has warily monitored humanity since the dawn of mankinds Nuclear Age.
Also gathering on the horizon are the Raknii, an intelligent, space-faring feline race that view all other intelligent species as their prey. A fierce species, that has overwhelmingly subjugated every race they have encountered, the Raknii live under the shadow of a dire prophecy.
There is an ultimate predator awaiting the Raknii, a predator who will dominate them even more so than they have their prey and teach the Raknii how to survive as a civilized race but only after devastating conflict. And now, finally, the Raknii have a name for their ultimate predator Humans.
Michaels world-building and his many webs of wheels-within-wheels intrigue in the Sentience Trilogy remind the reader of Frank Herberts classic Dune series. A truly enjoyable read for any fan of science fiction."
-- Richard Paolinelli, author of MAELSTROM