Eclipse Trilogy

"The Eclipse Trilogy" (also referred to as "A Song Called Youth" trilogy) is a series of three science fiction English language cyberpunk novels by John Shirley, ("Eclipse", "Eclipse Penumbra", and "Eclipse Corona").

Like most cyberpunk novels, the books depict a dystopian future, set in a hypothetical early 21st century where the Soviet Union did not fall, and by the time of the action in the novel, has invaded Western Europe, causing massive disruption and destruction. Their armies are only repelled by the (unseen) use of tactical nuclear weapons, resulting in a stalemate, somewhat like the middle years of World War I.

To keep order behind the lines of battle and free up troops for actual fighting, NATO has hired the Second Alliance Security Corporation (SA), a right-wing, private security company of mercenaries who have a hidden (fascist) agenda unbeknownst to most of those who hired them. The heroes (or anti-heroes) of the series are the New Resistance, who are fighting to expose and defeat the SA's attempt to grab power and racist policies.

The scope of the story is world-wide, but the main action mostly takes place in Europe, on a small Caribbean island and on humanity's first space colony.

The SA is led/inspired by a charismatic American preacher/televangelist named "Smiling" Rick Crandall. The New Resistance (NR) has several main figures, including Steinfeld (a former Mossad agent who organizes and leads the NR), Hard-Eyes (the NR's best fighter), and Jack Brendon Smoke (a former professor and the public face of the NR).

The novels are very graphic in their depictions of sex, violence and gore, adding to the bleak view of the future common in cyber-punk fiction.