Jack Palmer: A New Order by Dan Batchelor-review & guest post

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 24, 2025

Planet Earth has existed for 4.5 billion years
For 200,000 of those years, humans have been the apex species
That is all about to change…

Jack Palmer had seen the movies: when aliens invade, humans will come together to save the world.

But when an alien species delivers a message to Earth, that humans have been considered worthy enough to know the secrets beyond their own star, an event that was supposed to make history only alters it forever.

An occasion that was meant to answer questions only raises more.

But one question is stuck in Jack Palmer’s head…

Why did this happen?

•••••

REVIEW: JACK PALMER: A NEW ORDER is the first instalment in Dan Batchelor’s young adult ,sci-fi series focusing on the invasion of Earth by an extraterrestrial race.

Told from first person perspective (Jack Palmer) A NEW ORDER follows in the aftermath of the invasion of Earth by an alien race. A few weeks earlier, NASA made contact with an alien species, and in the interim prepared for their introduction to the human world but all did not go according to plan, and as only humans will do, appeared to have destroyed any possibility of a peaceful cohabitation. Resisters were eliminated, the survivors were enslaved and imprisoned, and the people of Earth find themselves working for a species they know nothing about. Three years later, one of Jack’s friends goes missing and is presumed dead, and the now eighteen year old Jack Palmer finds himself the confident of one of the Elders, a being who is willing to reveal all, with the help of our story line hero.

The world building focuses on the invasion of Earth by a species who are determined to rule absolutely. From a peaceful introduction to a potential for war, humanity is about to find themselves enslaved by an alien civilization who are resolute and single-minded in their need to take control.

The secondary and supporting characters including several alien beings who have all assigned themselves human names. We are introduced to several of Jack Palmer’s family members and school friends, Michael Anderson, and alien commander Dr. Lewis.

JACK PALMER: A NEW ORDER is a young adult sci-fi story line about power and control, betrayal and vengeance. The premise is interesting and entertaining but reads like a middle-grade story with childlike characters, language and text. The characters are numerous as the remaining humans are ordered to rebuild a world that is no longer their own. JACK PALMER: A NEW ORDER ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

My name is Dan Batchelor, I am 34 and a teacher. I have had an interesting journey into getting my story – Jack Palmer: A New Order – published so thought I would share the brief version!

I began thinking of the concept whilst working in a sales and marketing job back in 2012. Whilst lying in my bed, after a long (and boring day) my mind began to wonder and I asked myself ‘How would humans react to the news aliens existed?’

This started out as a question, which grew into a thought, then a story and finally to an obsession. 

Although my background is not in literature- reading, film and being creative have always been a passion of mine and I decided to give it a go. 

Over the next couple of years, I changed career into teaching and my writing slowed down, however I knew I would always come back to it. Finally, I finished my first draft and shared the story with very close family to help edit (I am dyslexic so knew I would need help). Writing fiction can be quite vulnerable and, like anyone would be, I was nervous about the feedback. However, my confidence grew after my twin brother was quoted saying ‘It’s better than I thought it would be,’ which is the best review it could get! 

I think the voice of my title character – Jack Palmer – is relatable to many people. The book is Science Fiction (based on Earth), however the story is rooted in the believable, but also playful. There are elements of the unknown in a real world setting, which I believe will keep the reader engaged.

It tells the story of a traumatic life changing event unfolding slowly through the eyes of an everyday person. I believe readers will find it easy to connect with the different characters and their interrelationships for which I have taken inspiration from people in my own life.

Despite being proud of the story, I didn’t realise (naively) how difficult it would be to get published. I had to get used to hearing no, or more often than not, nothing at all. But, 13 years after the idea began, I am finally here and in June this year Jack Palmer will be out in the wild for everyone to enjoy! 

The reason I wanted to share my story for was a number of reasons:

1. Don’t put yourself in a box, I studied sports science at university and never thought I could be a published author – if you’ve got an idea just go for it – you never know, it might be good!

2. I’m dyslexic and although I am very proud of the book, as a teacher, I also hope my journey into getting a published book might motivate others in my position or, at the very least, give them the confidence to try. 

I hope you get a chance to enjoy Jack Palmer: A New Order.

Preorders and information can be found here:

www.jackpalmerseries.co.uk