The Alien Years

Robert Silverberg's *The Alien Years* plunges humanity into a devastating new reality when colossal, indifferent alien "Entities" arrive, establishing impenetrable enclaves and crippling Earth's infrastructure with a telepathic "PUSH." This act ushers in a grim Dark Age, stripping humans of their technological dominance and reducing them to a subservient existence. However, amidst this despair, the spirit of resistance flickers. The novel chronicles the Carmichael family, led by a colonel steadfast in his defiance, and the diverse group of rebels he inspires—a former hippie, a deadly assassin, a prodigal son, and a gifted hacker. United by a shared will to reclaim their planet, these individuals embark on a perilous mission to assassinate the Entities' leader, the Prime Entity, and shatter their oppressive reign. *The Alien Years* firmly establishes its place among Robert Silverberg's finest works by showcasing his masterful ability to craft compelling, high-concept science fiction with profound thematic depth. The novel excels in its visceral depiction of societal collapse and the subsequent struggle for survival and dignity, a recurring strength in Silverberg's bibliography. Furthermore, his exploration of disparate characters forced together by an existential threat, each with their own motivations and skills, resonates with the complex character studies found in his other acclaimed novels. The sheer scope of the alien invasion, coupled with the intimate portrayal of human resilience against overwhelming odds, makes *The Alien Years* a powerful and unforgettable testament to Silverberg's enduring talent for envisioning both the awe-inspiring and the devastating possibilities of the future.