In Hrum by Austin Davis, the story is set in the years 3324 – 3325 in outer space, strategically within easy flying distance to Earth. The various planets and asteroids have been utilized and turned into viable homes for families leaving Earth after its near destruction. But wherever man goes there is war. For eight years the new nations have been fighting the Hrum, an unknown alien entity that will not accept or engage with the human race. Here the author leaves it up to the reader's imagination as to why they will not engage and talk with humans (I don’t really blame them).

The main characters each show their true potential in different parts of the Armed Forces. These include Jaxton, Ryan and Natalie Drake, Lt Stephanie Johnson, Captain Greg Brewster, Staff Sgt Turner, Staff Sgt Meeks, Captain Dixon, and Monarch Izabella St. Claire. These characters lead the reader through the ups and downs of the war that rages around Earth with the Hrum, a race that is hard to define. But whether in the army or a civilian, the Hrum hate humans with a passion, even the children. This is a well-written book that would appeal to the science–fiction buff as well as the mechanical and engineering buff. It is fast-moving and gripping and you will find yourself reading it at least twice, just to make sure you have the facts in place, and to see if you can decipher the unexpected twist in the tail. I enjoyed this exciting story. It's a good read.

Hrum is a work of fiction penned by author Austin Davis in the science fiction, action, and adventure subgenres, and forms the opening book of the Drake Chronicles. The work is intended for young adult readers. This fantastic tale thrusts readers into a gripping military science fiction saga where the Drake family battles the relentless Hrum on the outskirts of the universe. Stranded on a remote rock, the Drakes fight to protect their home from these ruthless aliens. The Wrigley battlecruiser is their sole stronghold, and after six years of relentless attacks, the crew is weary but determined. The narrative weaves an epic adventure as the Drake family confronts wave after wave of Hrum assaults. As they gain the upper hand, the mystery deepens—why are the Hrum attacking, and is there more to their motives than meets the eye?

Author Austin Davis has crafted a sci-fi blockbuster that’s a true rollercoaster of action, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and the mysteries of interstellar conflict. Davis crafts a rich and immersive world that will certainly be easy for YA readers to imagine themselves in, exploring the outer edges and encountering vivid and eerily drawn alien lifeforms. The plot is well-paced and always builds to the next exciting action scene, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next truly unpredictable moment in this thrilling journey. I also felt that the dialogue work was superb, moving the plot forward naturally and offering some realistic family dynamics that readers will recognize from their own relationships. Overall, Hrum is a riveting exploration of the lengths one family will go to protect what is rightfully theirs in the vast expanse of the universe, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of YA science fiction adventure everywhere.

No one knows much about the Hrum but one thing everyone agrees on was that they started the war. The NIS has had several engagements with this alien race without making headway in an outright victory. Though it is painfully obvious that the Hrum have the technical advantage in weapons capabilities, they prefer the archaic method of running headlong into a fight without any consideration for the odds of survival. The NIS believes they have a plan that will eliminate this threat once and for all but some preach caution. Jaxton Drake is one of those people. Drake believes there is a method to the Hrum madness and implores his superiors to find out why before it is too late in Austin Davis's Hrum.

The first book of The Drake Chronicles follows the exploits of one family as they bravely attempt to defend what remains of the human race from alien aggressors. Austin Davis gives the reader a very clear idea of just how expansive his series will be by creating as much diversity as possible between the scenarios the Drake family members have to face. The attention to detail is simply on a completely different level. Battle strategies and weaponry are given a complete rundown in an amped-up storytelling style that makes the reader expect the unthinkable at any moment. An example of this is the reaction to Jaxton’s progress in the fleet. The characters are built up well with detailed origin stories to aid the reader’s understanding. The Hrum has an aura of mystery and suspense capable of completely immersing the reader in this impressively told story. Davis’s Hrum will have you eagerly anticipating who comes out on top in this spine-tingling adventure. I enjoyed reading this novel.

As he walked into the meeting, the Grand Admiral Marshall relied on a wooden cane, having lost his leg when he was younger. He had refused the doctor's offer to regrow a new leg for him, saying that the lost limb reminded him of the cost of war. The current war started eight years ago when the colony of St. George was ruthlessly attacked by Hrum. The Hrum luckily do not use tactics in war and have characteristics inconsistent with an advanced civilization. In the final battle, Jaxton has to take command from the acting admiral of Task Force Bravo and turn a possible defeat into victory. What happens after the war is won? Will humans figure out what the reason behind the attack was since the Hrum were not interested in looting? To find out, get a copy of Hrum: Book I of the Drake Chronicles by Austin Davis.

I would love to see Hrum by Austin Davis adapted into a movie. The keen attention to detail and the vivid descriptions of the battles, formations, and different events captured my imagination from the first chapter to the last. The plotline flows seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion for the reader. Austin also utilized suspense to great effect, and the tension in some scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, and readers will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes it accessible to all kinds of readers. I cannot wait to read something else by this talented author.