Agamemnon Volume 1: Palisade by L. B. Duke presents a bold exploration of humanity’s place in the stars. Set in a richly imagined future, the novel follows Commander Barnes and his crew aboard the AGAMEMNON III as they investigate new planets for colonization. What begins as a routine mission soon reveals ancient legacies and threats lurking in the void. One of the central mysteries includes remnants of human ancestors, long-lost to alien experimentation, which reveals a dark but intriguing backstory of galactic human dispersion.
The novel dives into complex themes such as leadership under pressure, identity, and the ethical dilemmas of space exploration. Bale Jackson, an augmented soldier, provides a raw and physical viewpoint of warfare and loyalty, while Sana Abbicon offers the emotional perspective of a displaced pilot from a forgotten human colony. Their arcs collide with revelations about the enigmatic Enki—aliens who once abducted early humans—and a dangerous species called the Wolverines.
Duke skillfully balances action, world-building, and character depth, creating a narrative that feels as much like a military sci-fi epic as it does a philosophical reflection on human evolution and resilience
