tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53011010274900809412024-03-18T22:32:31.742-05:00Jim's Sci-Fi BlogThis is a blog of all things Sci-Fi. Please feel free to comment on any and all content.Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-26323895816418912082024-02-13T10:51:00.001-06:002024-02-13T10:59:51.126-06:00City Of Orange By David Yoon - A Post-Apocalyptic Story Of Self-Discovery<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx4Q8bSaS5MOYdxtaszxOZQCL8JXJNcSKrTjhyphenhyphenG2EjRWcOWpyWvtzO7U-6iMAcT6kfJ52-UDiaIozW792oHCJtHNdRqHwa4-UzGpF222WDt_Sy7ZE4meyPU1_0xR9BWUJdEe2G7-VJglVdS3zbXxZamv4AV9GpF7PNICmm2EkA4hjMcTbhIhazyi0BHM/s400/City%20of%20Orange%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx4Q8bSaS5MOYdxtaszxOZQCL8JXJNcSKrTjhyphenhyphenG2EjRWcOWpyWvtzO7U-6iMAcT6kfJ52-UDiaIozW792oHCJtHNdRqHwa4-UzGpF222WDt_Sy7ZE4meyPU1_0xR9BWUJdEe2G7-VJglVdS3zbXxZamv4AV9GpF7PNICmm2EkA4hjMcTbhIhazyi0BHM/s320/City%20of%20Orange%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">City of Orange by David Yoon</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This book sat on my Kindle for quite a while before I finally opened it up
and started reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This story grabbed my attention immediately from the beginning and wouldn't
let me go until I finished it. It is fast paced, brilliantly written, and there
are surprises on nearly every page. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>City of Orange</i> is a post-apocalyptic fiction about a man who wakes up
and has no memories about anything before the moment of his awakening. In the
place he finds himself, it appears everyone has abandoned their homes and moved
away. As he moves through his unfamiliar world, he slowly gets his memories
back thanks to an old man, a young boy, and a crow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The principal character awakens in the bright sunshine, afraid to open his
eyes. He is injured and alone and has nothing to remind himself of who he is,
or what he even looks like. He sees he is near a kind of river, lined with
concrete and measuring about a hundred meters wide, - most likely the Los
Angeles River - and he slowly tries to piece his life back together. Where he
is at the time seems safe, but he knows he needs more to survive. As he
explores, he happens upon a makeshift shelter under an overpass, and from
there, he expands his range and recovers his memories. Some of those are very
good memories, others are horrifying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine what it would be like!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The object of the story is not an adventurous sort. As a matter of fact, he
is rather timid as he moves about his immediate environment. As he gets his
memories back, he also regains some of his self-confidence. But what he learns
is not always pleasant and gives him no comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">We meet a few other characters along the way, some helpful and some not so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite plot point of <i>City of Orange</i> is how the story of the
man's life is revealed slowly through the entire novel. Each and every memory
the man recovers is painstakingly gained. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Another favorite point is what the cause of the setting is never really
revealed. It isn't really important to the man's story, but there are hints of
what might have happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to leave it at that because nearly anything further I can say
might be considered spoilery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>City of Orange</i> is one must be careful who one trusts
when one finds themselves in unfamiliar surroundings and situations. There are
those who may seem like they want to help, but then turn out to be someone who
only wants to take advantage of a situation. Then there are those who will
help, but only if you are willing to open yourself up to them. Finally, though,
one needs to trust themselves and their instincts to make their way through an
uncertain world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>City of Orange</i> is a story full of twists and turns through days of
confusion and self-discovery. It opens with no preamble and offers no obvious
moral when it ends. The reader will need to decide what this story has to offer
them. From the first paragraph, the action is nonstop, but it isn't
overwhelming. I wouldn't label this a Science Fiction book. The principal
character is more on a journey to rediscover who he is and how he can move
through his world with caution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The quality of the writing and the story are great, and I recommend it to
anyone who would enjoy a story of discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY3bycvrAd4l5zoToGy0WrqrMmBJkwo8zEcItlxjx4Yg0ccKNH5YR_hn2jIamUCLXasroMOVlW0BnDU45YFhsic82rvHMnoHdJJsn3n7FT3bsEHiJaK-eK752wU3_mKhkEBCFjtZRFdQwMVnXgxb9z0bpHXTuKar3sheujXCrLU9YIKCxZO7o_Nt-Ua0/s450/David%20Yoon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY3bycvrAd4l5zoToGy0WrqrMmBJkwo8zEcItlxjx4Yg0ccKNH5YR_hn2jIamUCLXasroMOVlW0BnDU45YFhsic82rvHMnoHdJJsn3n7FT3bsEHiJaK-eK752wU3_mKhkEBCFjtZRFdQwMVnXgxb9z0bpHXTuKar3sheujXCrLU9YIKCxZO7o_Nt-Ua0/w191-h133/David%20Yoon.jpg" width="191" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">David Yoon is the New York Times bestselling author of <i>Frankly in Love</i>,
<i>Super Fake Love Song</i>, and for adult readers, <i>Version Zero</i> and <i>City
of Orange</i>. He's a William C. Morris Award finalist and an Asian/Pacific
American Award for Young Adult Literature Honor book recipient. He's
co-publisher of <i>Joy Revolution</i>, a Random House young adult imprint
dedicated to love stories starring people of color. He's also co-founder of
Yooniverse Media, which currently has a first look deal with Anonymous Content
for film/TV development. David grew up in Orange County, California, and now
lives in Los Angeles with his wife, novelist Nicola Yoon, and their daughter.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-25165756998334584392024-01-27T13:04:00.000-06:002024-01-27T13:04:26.440-06:00The Forever War By Joe Haldeman - A Soldiers' Story That Stands The Test Of Time<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucdKmuexAjlRJ8h8jj6fBywlxRUSTu_Pd15NlTEGTsMSVE3zjc6A4fwdO9ZFH-9XGZM8mBna5FgZfFkdwS4ZCzejP_kb0sqUpFpSuPUhX68zjcd5VN2g2NTC-thPoL2bvaxiKweYsrxkqCaVYI2HFzq36FRsmWmdGHNHzXsBGnXv1q60vluB-0f-uguk/s1500/Forever%20War%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucdKmuexAjlRJ8h8jj6fBywlxRUSTu_Pd15NlTEGTsMSVE3zjc6A4fwdO9ZFH-9XGZM8mBna5FgZfFkdwS4ZCzejP_kb0sqUpFpSuPUhX68zjcd5VN2g2NTC-thPoL2bvaxiKweYsrxkqCaVYI2HFzq36FRsmWmdGHNHzXsBGnXv1q60vluB-0f-uguk/s320/Forever%20War%20Cover.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">The Forever War by Joe Haldeman</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Prior to reading <i>Forever War</i>, I had only read one other of Joe
Haldeman’s novels. I'm afraid I didn't care for that one, and to avoid further
discussion, I will decline to reveal the title. However, when I talked about
that book with a friend, he told me I shouldn't give up on the author because
he is an amazing writer and teller of stories. My friend recommended <i>Forever
War</i> as an example of great Sci-Fi writing. So, as I was between books, I
thought it would be a good time to take care of an obligation to myself and to
my friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">From the moment I opened this book and all the way through to the end, I was
mesmerized by the story, the characters, and the sheer excellence of this
amazing work of Science Fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">If you are a Sci-Fi fan and haven't read this, you are doing yourself a
disservice. This novel, nearly fifty years old, is a classic work. It follows
the military life of a physics student turned soldier, William Mandella,
through his training and combat experience as a member of the UNEF Army. It is
a compelling tale of a man who wants to go home but may not be able to continue
to live his life the way he expects. While he serves a total of four years of
his life, the travel from assignment moves at relativistic speeds and as we
know, when someone travels at those speeds, time passes very quickly for those
who are not along for the ride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Physics student William Mandella is conscripted as a member of a task force
for the United Nations Exploratory Force to fight in a war against an alien
race known as Taurans after presumed attacks by them on human colonist ships.
Mandella undergoes intense training and is deployed to numerous places in the
galaxy. While the ships that transport soldiers from one battle to another are
very fast, traveling at relativistic speeds means that a lot of time passes off
the ship than onboard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The first deployment for Mandella's group lasts two years from his point of
view, but for the return to Earth, 27 years pass. In those times, there are
drastic developments in technology, but there are also societal changes that
are shocking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Mandella is part of the war for only four years of his life while centuries
pass at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The principal character, William Mandella, is an intelligent man who is made
into a warrior. He isn't obsessed with killing but is merely doing a job he’s
been trained for. He is quite resilient in that he understands his situation
concerning time dilation, and what it might do to him. However, the time he
spans outside his relativistic travel changes so drastically, he sometimes has
a hard time keeping up with all the changes. He takes everything in stride as
he moves forward, but still maintains his own identity. He wants all the things
a professional soldier wants, but most of all, to come home alive to a world
and to the woman he loves. We see most of the story through Mandella's eyes and
the thoughts he has and so we get a combat veteran's view of life in and out of
the military and observations of the social and political situations as they
evolve over the period of a thousand years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in <i>Forever War</i> is how it illustrates the
changes society goes through over a period of time. At one point, Mandella goes
home and has a difficult time recognizing nearly everything he encounters. The
changes are so extreme and bizarre that he finds he no longer can exist. He
finally returns to the military because it is what he has become familiar with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It is no spoiler to say this tale is a metaphor for the Vietnam War. The
author himself is a veteran of the Vietnam era, so the story is sad and tragic,
but there are also moments of hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Personally, the theme that stood out the most was how soldiers were regarded
when they returned home. In the book, they are not treated well as they return
to an Earth that has become a social and political ruin. Many are just trying
to survive in an economy that is in shambles. When he feels as if he has been
alienated from his home planet, Mandella, along with Marygay, re-enlists. As is
typical of the military, after being promised to be assigned as instructors on
Luna base, they are switched back to a combat unit and sent off to fight once
again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Another thing that stood out to me was how <i>Forever War</i> and <i>Starship
Troopers</i> (the book by Robert A. Heinlein, not the film) have some things in
common. Both are a soldiers’ story that can give one a better understanding of
what it means to fight in a war and then try to survive, not only in combat,
but when returning home and having to adapt to all the changes one faces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>The Forever War</i> is to show how one can never return
home. Nothing stays the same and life is full of change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Forever War</i> is a classic work of sci-fi that holds up well and will
speak to readers today. If there is a must-read list, this book should appear
at the top. It has everything a fan of military sci-fi would enjoy, and I think
many of those who have served would also appreciate what is in these pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Mandella's tale is great on every level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It is brilliantly written because it is easy to understand and relate to. It
is a fairly fast read at 236 pages, but at the same time, there is a lot of
amazing story packed into that small space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I found <i>Forever War</i> to be entertaining, engaging, and emotionally
charged.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Highest Recommendations!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvQ_PkjJr0agN2u4l9HqorrssugFGpAMYOweYupLGDbMuAw39ruemlW96FTwyT0_vnWKK8Jow4QmuoOvHs6iY4ae5yzKNKUF9MOOS-1_XxhVocJMd4iN0mqmOmLl1I8R_l6lAO1Ot2anQAudpZV80syf0O0emWg3hMcU3nKwiO-hCZqnmA1YW8a4fBPw/s300/Joe%20Haldeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvQ_PkjJr0agN2u4l9HqorrssugFGpAMYOweYupLGDbMuAw39ruemlW96FTwyT0_vnWKK8Jow4QmuoOvHs6iY4ae5yzKNKUF9MOOS-1_XxhVocJMd4iN0mqmOmLl1I8R_l6lAO1Ot2anQAudpZV80syf0O0emWg3hMcU3nKwiO-hCZqnmA1YW8a4fBPw/w200-h200/Joe%20Haldeman.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Joe Haldeman began his writing career while he was still in the army.
Drafted in 1967, he fought in the Central Highlands of Vietnam as a combat
engineer with the Fourth Division. He was awarded several medals, including a
Purple Heart. Haldeman sold his first story in 1969 and has written over two
dozen novels and five collections of short stories and poetry. He has won the
Nebula and Hugo Awards for his novels, novellas, poems, and short stories, as
well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, the Locus Award, the Rhysling
Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the James Tiptree, Jr. Award. His works
include <i>The Forever War</i>, <i>Forever Peace</i>, <i>Camouflage</i>, <i>1968</i>,
the <i>Worlds</i> saga, and the <i>Marsbound</i> series. Haldeman recently
retired after many years as an associate professor in the Department of Writing
and Humanistic Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He and his
wife, Gay, live in Florida, where he also paints, plays the guitar, rides his
bicycle, and studies the sky with his telescope.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-50582402800270000382024-01-13T14:38:00.001-06:002024-01-13T15:05:37.594-06:00Ares by Jayson Adams - The First Expidition To Mars Is Plagued With Strife<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU84n0jiSbiZmdiX3Q7NPk0e1t-6Eky_JRDSPnj89ZwWiFYYTE9SPz6Jq1YtwOzoBpS2u-DmYSKk0Y9oiwOlMWQhBxRQWEbfaAKTdpry1_ARIBbF_JhyphenhyphenCn2TaAW_nojgGh163OCsY2zOCOT2J2dyqdU1KsMrPDm2RcfBQKVYGNA4xz5Hn3t6CQ0583D0o/s500/Ares.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU84n0jiSbiZmdiX3Q7NPk0e1t-6Eky_JRDSPnj89ZwWiFYYTE9SPz6Jq1YtwOzoBpS2u-DmYSKk0Y9oiwOlMWQhBxRQWEbfaAKTdpry1_ARIBbF_JhyphenhyphenCn2TaAW_nojgGh163OCsY2zOCOT2J2dyqdU1KsMrPDm2RcfBQKVYGNA4xz5Hn3t6CQ0583D0o/s320/Ares.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Ares by Jayson Adams</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I learned about Ares from a Facebook ad that kept popping up on my timeline.
I was further spurred on to read by the book's description. It promised a
fast-paced tale of murder and intrigue on the first mission to Mars. No less,
it promised a story set in the Cydonia region of the Red Planet, a place of
much controversy and speculation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I read this book in just a few days, finding it to be an amazing story that
moved so fast, I just did not want to stop reading. It is a great tale with
well-developed characters. There are moments of great tension and several fun
and scary plot twists. Anyone who loves Sci-Fi space opera or a really good
mystery story would enjoy this story. It is full of political corruption,
starting at the top levels of two space agencies driven by greed. Nothing is
certain in the plot and there are surprises on nearly every page.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The first mission to Mars is led by Commander Kate Holman, that is until she
is unexpectedly relieved of command and replaced by the mission's security
officer as ordered by a NASA deputy director. This happens almost as their
vessel is descending for a landing on Mars. Kate learns that their mission has
gone from one of exploration and discovery to one with a military objective.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Kate and most of her crew are a little perplexed by the security officer,
who makes a trek to the "face on Mars" to retrieve something. What he
finds could be anything, evidence of life, alien artifacts, or maybe a rare new
element previously unknown. Kate can only speculate about what the officer has
found.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Astronauts are killed and their habitat begins to experience malfunctions.
One crew member says the mishaps result from a Martian curse that will continue
to plague the mission until whatever the security officer has found is returned
to its original resting place. Kate continues to seek more plausible
explanations for the problems that keep cropping up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When she finally learns the nature of what has been retrieved, she
understands why some would kill to protect the secret. It is decided her, and
what is left of her crew must return home to expose the corruption she has
uncovered. Unfortunately, the odds are against her as she is forced to fight
against some very powerful forces, determined to keep the secrets in the
darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Kate is a great, strong female character who has studied, worked, and
sacrificed much to earn her position, commanding the first Martian mission only
to have it ripped away from her. But she doesn't just step aside quietly and
relinquish. She knows she is in the right and is determined to get her command
back and lead a successful mission. This is very important to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">She does have a few skeletons in her closet, and she has a hard time
stopping the old bones from rattling. Much of what causes her pain is some
misconceived ideas she has of an incident that occurred on previous mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Her determination and her ability to survive the obstacles in her path are
all she has, and she takes full advantage of her resources to thwart the plans
set against her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The author has created a great character in Commander Kate Holman, and I
would enjoy reading more about her exploits in future books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite plot point in <i>Ares </i>was how Commander Kate was able to find ways
to deal with her problems so well. She had a lot stacked against her. She had
personal problems, family problems, problems with the mission, problems with
the crew, and, of course, there was the nearly insane way the antagonist just
wouldn't give up. I couldn't imagine balancing everything she faced, but the
author did a fine job getting his principal character through it all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Ares </i>is how it demonstrates perseverance can take one a
long way to deal with seemingly impossible situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ares is a great story. I was fascinated and entertained all the way through.
The action is pretty well non-stop through the entire book and there are
several twists and turns in the plot to hold the reader's attention. The
science, for the most part, is plausible, and the spaceflight depicted is also
to be admired. There is intrigue involving both space agencies that exist now.
I recommend <i>Ares </i>for anyone who enjoys a good, fast-paced sci-fi tale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc145bus1bAHIOQALKClbWmjn82uvL71LKUIsr571311Wx0I1qsDlchpAr3rGWeuKIq9lQyOMdlPN2s7ZpJ-0g0nckG31M5tg5Ai6SNV_fOXIXyvnKI8lkpMQCPuv8rdbpxGtGP6ksBOQcxIKWFXe1GJnkFZPhYSwywXFDsORSog02N696cbX8ZVEFm0/s700/Jayson%20Adams.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="700" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc145bus1bAHIOQALKClbWmjn82uvL71LKUIsr571311Wx0I1qsDlchpAr3rGWeuKIq9lQyOMdlPN2s7ZpJ-0g0nckG31M5tg5Ai6SNV_fOXIXyvnKI8lkpMQCPuv8rdbpxGtGP6ksBOQcxIKWFXe1GJnkFZPhYSwywXFDsORSog02N696cbX8ZVEFm0/w200-h51/Jayson%20Adams.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>At age sixteen, Jayson dreamed of starting a software company and retiring
by twenty-five. He achieved his dream just before thirty, working for the likes
of Steve Jobs and selling one of his start-ups along the way. Five years later,
he returned to computers with another start-up. He currently works at Google.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Computers were always Jayson's creative outlet, the screen a "blank
slate." He now channels his creative energies into writing compelling
science-fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-68805475991185906742024-01-10T06:46:00.000-06:002024-01-10T06:46:10.163-06:00The Kuyper Rogue by C.P. Schaefer - Sci-Fi Adventure Worth Reading!<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMWq7E9KGSoEaAou2by6k-6Xkzud0dvgxvoq3FX6Imp1BW_BkFULUqqIP1slVimNaQ4Isb03WBsigFhp_EFZprZUOgpP0LYqUXlAZL8EfYpZFIJPHsK8rZk6MkkSKfvwOUEKQa0VuKDkLimRX31b8Tp6JZ_SgyhX_CJEYdbp_7qWEf3RnxccAFm3baO0/s1499/Kuyper%20Rogue%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMWq7E9KGSoEaAou2by6k-6Xkzud0dvgxvoq3FX6Imp1BW_BkFULUqqIP1slVimNaQ4Isb03WBsigFhp_EFZprZUOgpP0LYqUXlAZL8EfYpZFIJPHsK8rZk6MkkSKfvwOUEKQa0VuKDkLimRX31b8Tp6JZ_SgyhX_CJEYdbp_7qWEf3RnxccAFm3baO0/s320/Kuyper%20Rogue%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Kuyper Rogue by C.P. Schaefer</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What attracted me to read <i>The Kuiper Rogue</i> was the book's
description. The author set the story on Saturn’s moon, Titan. I don't recall
ever reading a story set on that particular world. The concept of a large
research station, in this case, Gaia 3, got my attention and spurred me to
download and read this book. I enjoyed the story for the most part. It is a combination
of several concepts, including Hard Sci-Fi, Post Apocalyptic, Space Opera,
Thriller, and Adventure. The action starts in the very beginning and as the
story unfolds, the tension ramps up to a fever pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I enjoyed this story and recommend it for those who are looking for an
entertaining story. The characters, for the most part, are believable and well
written.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Astronomer Will Vandolah, is part of a crew who live and work in a living
ecosphere known as Gaia 3. It is a delicately balanced environmental microcosm
that requires constant attention to details to sustain life. When that balance
starts to break down, numerous problems arise, and the crew works feverishly to
analyze and solve the problems. As they work, Will discovers a very large comet
moving toward Saturn. As the comet approaches, it has properties that cause
mayhem with Saturn's rings, and causing the release of deadly radiation causing
even more problems in Gaia 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Will finds that the object, a very long-period comet, will pass close to
Earth. In the meantime, Gaia 3's crew begin to show signs of delirium that
grows into all-out insanity as the effects of the strange radiation manifest.
The comet not only affects the people in the biosphere, but it also causes
problems with communication with Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Gaia 3 commander and what is left of the crew decide that they must
leave Titan and travel to Earth to warn them of the effects it will have on the
population.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I enjoyed the characters Schaefer created for this story. They are
developed well enough to feel like I was reading about real people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Will is an astronomer who is searching for celestial objects, but not
having a lot of luck. Then he stumbles on to the find of enormous size, moving
through the solar system. He determines the object has come unusual properties
and, in his research, determines it is a long-period comet that has passed
through the solar system before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Soon, he finds himself facing situations he has no previous experience
with and has to use his wit and creativity to survive and save as many of his
crew as he possibly can.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fortunately, he has the help of his mother, Gaia 3's commander, to
help. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Margaret Vandolah seemed to be the principal character in this story,
even more so than Will. She is tough, smart, and knows her business. While the
problems mount in the station, she not only has to make sure the crew take care
of their specialties, but she also has to do a lot of improvisation and keep
those who are still functioning alive and doing their jobs. The breakdown of
the biosphere and the radiation make her tasks almost impossible, and she has
to come up with creative ways to solve the problems.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in <i>Kuyper Rogue</i> is the world building
the author used as the backdrop for the characters. Gaia 3 is an amazing place,
but it also depends on everyone doing their part to keep the delicate balance
needed to sustain life. If one person doesn't take care of their system, other
systems begin to breakdown and fall like dominoes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Therefore, my takeaway from this story is how everyone needs to do their
part to protect the environment they live in. In the case of this tale, it is a
small, delicately balanced place that requires constant attention. But I think
that perhaps, the author was also addressing not only the microcosm of Gaia 3,
but he also wants the reader to think about the environment in the macrocosm of
the planet we live on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>The Kuyper Rogue</i> is a solid and entertaining story. I think any Sci-Fi
Fan would enjoy. Part of the blurb from the back of the book describes it as a
"high-octane techno-sci-fi adventure rooted on sound, hard science. It is
a stellar showcase of the terrible power and the sublime complexity of the
human experience."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I look forward to C.P. Shaefer's future novel, <i>Western Lights</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rI1lc6i-aXwThoPQ2yOQDYMmJsLUyFDHBkGzfofRtqRZJsrJQC_yC6Io3Ylj3CgYHnQRNCg-FO1y99XaMF3MzRjct9jcg3ijy3M34aTc_AaFznlkAY6r-Rc8zYTBVsaOp0tYm8-unlA9nBMLMR3Guvb9JuSd0BC5f9JivRdD8RD7Vvy-Gl-M6hnY13w/s450/CP%20Schaefer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rI1lc6i-aXwThoPQ2yOQDYMmJsLUyFDHBkGzfofRtqRZJsrJQC_yC6Io3Ylj3CgYHnQRNCg-FO1y99XaMF3MzRjct9jcg3ijy3M34aTc_AaFznlkAY6r-Rc8zYTBVsaOp0tYm8-unlA9nBMLMR3Guvb9JuSd0BC5f9JivRdD8RD7Vvy-Gl-M6hnY13w/w107-h107/CP%20Schaefer.jpg" width="107" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">C.P. Schaefer is an American writer and Engineer. He has been a
Structural Engineer in private practice for over forty years and written two
science fiction novels called <i>The Kuyper Rogue</i> and <i>Western Lights</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-82551784250402161912023-12-03T12:35:00.000-06:002023-12-03T12:35:23.720-06:00Echo: A Space Opera Duology (Book 1) By Michael Listen - This Story Has It All - Great Space Opera<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HtV-kfIWW4jDxhF_oLILeh7ocjmiQL45dPGmIe4qLTl5yyEA_bMcsneLZsFdSzS4VN_-B0X8D3rvWKreVAQb1z-_rCcvrXUcCdWPJif1vk1fLtpzABxTLxRLFujs-j_DapDoN8YtL_VJ4f9SVGsYWefdd7mm9CGLUC9WJNO74XoI9-Dp1sM3OCJsxvo/s1500/Echo%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="937" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HtV-kfIWW4jDxhF_oLILeh7ocjmiQL45dPGmIe4qLTl5yyEA_bMcsneLZsFdSzS4VN_-B0X8D3rvWKreVAQb1z-_rCcvrXUcCdWPJif1vk1fLtpzABxTLxRLFujs-j_DapDoN8YtL_VJ4f9SVGsYWefdd7mm9CGLUC9WJNO74XoI9-Dp1sM3OCJsxvo/s320/Echo%20Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Echo: A Space Opera Duology (Book 1) By Michael Listen</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Every now and then, I discover a story that is so compelling, I cannot stop
reading for hours at a time. Such a story unfolds in my mind like a movie and
is filled with characters who jump off the page and become like real people I
care about and invest in. I've been told there should be a surprise in every
chapter, on every page, in every paragraph, and in every sentence. This work by
Michael Listen is just such a novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This story is supercharged with a full range of emotion, from gut-busting
laughter at the humor to an evil character so appalling. I cannot wait to see
him getting his due.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In this time when anyone can publish their work in the blink of an eye, this
is an example of a story that will rise to the top and scream, "Read Me
Now!" I cannot imagine any fan of sci-fi space opera that wouldn’t enjoy
this story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It finally happened. All the fossil fuels on Earth were all used up, and
humanity had to move away and live among the stars. In the galaxy's vastness,
factions arose, and wars broke out and there were those who did their best to
make a living. Such was the lot of Kai Randal, the master of a small shuttle.
He, along with his apprentice, Parri Hasana, travel around moving small cargos
from one place to another, and they also seek opportunities to earn a living
and keep their small ship running.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Shreya Nova is a scientist and soldier in the Ursae Dynasty who, along with
her husband, are working under a deadline to develop a propulsion system that
will allow ships to travel vast distances quickly. She is used to living very
well, but when a test fails to provide the desired results, Shreya's husband is
lost when the test vehicle is destroyed on the return trip. The failure results
in Shreya being ruined and doomed to indentured servitude to a despotic
commander who bankrolled the project.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Kai and Parri are on hand for the events as they try to steal the files from
the tests. Kai becomes the unlikely hero, saving Shreya from death in the
vacuum in space and so begins a precarious relationship where survival is
uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The characters in Echo are amazingly well developed, interesting, and are
what drives this story. They all have personalities and flaws as one would
expect in reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Kai is a forty-something veteran of the Unified Corporate Colonies (UCC)
Navy. Retired from the military, he makes a marginal living providing services
as he moves between systems. He has a sense of justice and is strongly opposed
to slavery, his big motive for working so hard to keep Shreya safe. It also has
a moral center that seems quite sound. As he travels with Parri, a young woman
who is half his age, he knows his boundaries and sticks to them even though
Parri often makes it difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Parri wants to be a pilot. She is in her early to mid-twenties and can be
brattish and one gets the impression she is used to getting her way most of the
time. But she is also smart and tough. Parri is a very dynamic character, and
one cannot help but like this kid. She has a quick wit and is constantly on
Kai's case about one thing or another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">These two characters are a source of humor in the story and are brilliantly
written. Their relationship is full of tension, but through it all, Kai loves
her as a mentor, but Parri wants more from their relationship, maybe more than
Kai is willing to give. Parri seems to be in too much of a hurry to grow up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Shreya Aurelia is on a quest to learn the fate of her lost husband. She
refuses to believe he is dead and will not give up until she knows his fate for
certain. Shreya has a strong personality and bounces back even in the worse of
situations. She has an aristocratic tendency to take charge of things because
that is the way of her culture, which often clashes with Kai's culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The evil antagonist in the novel is Prefect Marcus Ovius of the Ursaen
Legion. He is a despotic commander in charge of getting a new faster-than-light
drive built and running, and he has used his own funds to complete the project.
This character has no redeeming qualities, and it isn't long before the reader
will find him downright despicable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At one point in the story, Kai, Parri, and Shreya pay a visit to Parri's
home planet. Without going into too much detail, Parri displays a desire to
take her and Kai's relationship to a new level. This point of the plot allows
for a major relief in the tension the author has built in the story and is a
source for numerous surprises and a lot of hilarity. While it is a break in the
action, it also serves to build tension between our heroes. It gives the reader
a chance to catch their breath before the tension builds to the end of the
book, which ends in a cliffhanger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another plot point I enjoyed is the extensive world building. Listen does an
amazing job of setting the scene all the way through this tale and the reader
can easily visualize the backdrops behind the story. The details are astounding
but not overstated. It is obvious the author has put in a lot of thought to
build a universe in which the action can unfold naturally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from Echo is how it demonstrates that all glory is fleeting. No
matter how powerful or wealthy one becomes, it can all be lost in the blink of
an eye. There is a very thin line between wealth and poverty, freedom and
slavery, and benevolence and despotism. While Shreya learns this as a member of
a system that allows for it, Kai and Parri see it from the outside. Kai is
appalled by what he deems unjust and is willing to fight it, even though it may
cost him his life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Echo Book 1 is an excellent first novel from author Michael Listen. I hope
for more in the future. He has a real handle on writing sci-fi including great
world building and characters one can enjoy reading about. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I loved this first book and will be reporting back with a review of the
second book soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is one that space opera fans should not pass by. It is fun,
entertaining, hilarious, and appalling (in the right ways). There are
characters to love and some to hate. The science isn't too farfetched for those
who can take a little time and suspend their disbelief. I give Echo #1 my
highest recommendations for some great Sci-Fi!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you are interested in further information on this book, go to
https://authormichaelliste.wixsite.com/authormlisten for more material,
histories, maps, and behind the scenes information related directly to this
book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D65T0EnHbDOKyc4Zgb50WaDrmjKbrVUNtcF7j7X1CAHfuREGod9b6CKh_-TsJ3XdA4b2GXyC9pyTZ71UX4BR8bW5gws5nXAQ8xv_EuWGCSeUs_jUfkz2lLj_kGi2fLxFZQLmjE6z7AGCFksLx0x6AJxGlruvwTPzCztwE7-MdmU6Gfu1EPL71zaHFqI/s599/Michael%20Listen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="599" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D65T0EnHbDOKyc4Zgb50WaDrmjKbrVUNtcF7j7X1CAHfuREGod9b6CKh_-TsJ3XdA4b2GXyC9pyTZ71UX4BR8bW5gws5nXAQ8xv_EuWGCSeUs_jUfkz2lLj_kGi2fLxFZQLmjE6z7AGCFksLx0x6AJxGlruvwTPzCztwE7-MdmU6Gfu1EPL71zaHFqI/w200-h200/Michael%20Listen.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Michael Listen lives in Oklahoma with his wife and two children. After his
time in the Navy, he moved into the Information Technology profession. However,
Michael has always had a passion for art and creativity. He enjoys crafting
stories for role-playing sessions with friends or writing short stories for his
wife. His first full-length published book was a two-part science fiction space
opera titled Echo.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-87437220268877120712023-12-02T19:04:00.002-06:002023-12-02T19:04:33.903-06:00The Defector (The Apollo Murders Series Book 2) By Chris Hadfield - A Russian Pilot Delivers A Gift Too Good To Be True<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIWDIh0nRhCOnFFHh3QVDd-ZD2ICpKQVJ7Eu1WEXK65HKe3wiYp-y53-DhG6yVp42AbvhAArUOozIXyxxUxQkrPEpu146-nG9WTGEHxnAQPh9zqXLmroCKQxTBzPl3Tenv41gqHQwkbiVi2urw0Eq7vpz1_s1hzjb2CkUjYCS8hTLA_2BPqccYklfr34/s1500/816wN+XIMIL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="967" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIWDIh0nRhCOnFFHh3QVDd-ZD2ICpKQVJ7Eu1WEXK65HKe3wiYp-y53-DhG6yVp42AbvhAArUOozIXyxxUxQkrPEpu146-nG9WTGEHxnAQPh9zqXLmroCKQxTBzPl3Tenv41gqHQwkbiVi2urw0Eq7vpz1_s1hzjb2CkUjYCS8hTLA_2BPqccYklfr34/s320/816wN+XIMIL._SL1500_.jpg" width="206" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Defector (Book 2 of the Apollo Murders Series) by Chris Hadfield</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It has been nearly two years since I read Hadfield's first novel, The Apollo
Murders, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. While scrolling through the Kindle store,
<i>The Defector</i> showed up on the list of books I might also like. Outside
of the book being written by Hadfield, I was attracted by the cover art.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I got into this story and found it to be a lightening paced tale of intrigue
in a fascinating setting. It grabbed me from the opening and didn't let me down
at all. Hadfield's writing style is like authors I enjoyed who wrote books
during the 1970s and 1980s when I was deep into reading military Science
Fiction. Set during the Cold War, a time when tensions were high between the
world's superpowers, it feels plausible. It is written to be a believable idea
with solid characters who the reader can care about. The backdrops used to
paint pictures in the mind's eye provide completeness to the story, and I think
this is a must read for those who enjoy stories of espionage and intrigue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As Israel prepares for the Yom Kippur war of October 1973, a Russian pilot
stationed in Syria climbs aboard his MiG 25 Foxbat on an apparent routine
flight. Celebrated Soviet pilot, Alexander Vasilyevich Abramovich, known as
Grief, flies his MiG to the Lod Airport (now known as the Ben Gurion
International Airport) and lands creating quite a stir. To top that off, he
pops the canopy and announces his desire to defect to the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Former fighter pilot and astronaut candidate, Kazimieras (Kaz) Zimeckis of
the US Navy is brought in to aid in discovering if Grief's claim to defect is
legitimate When it is determined Grief is telling the truth, he and his
aircraft are taken to Groom Lake, Nevada, which is also known as Area 51, as
well as many other names.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There the plane is deconstructed and Grief shares secrets about his craft
with the scientists and engineers. Grief also learns about other aircraft and
happenings at the top-secret airbase and becomes friends with several personnel
there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It isn't long before things start to go a little sideways and problems
arise. Discoveries are made, and not all of them are good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There are two principal characters in this story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First there is Kazimieras Zemeckis commonly known as Kaz. In Hadfield's
first novel, <i>The Apollo Murders</i>, we met Kaz, a test pilot and astronaut
candidate. In that story, Kaz lost sight in one eye when he struck a bird that
came through his canopy. He continues working as a commander in the US Navy
without flight status. He is a levelheaded man who likes to get to the bottom
of problems. When he is assigned to keep an eye on the Soviet defector, he
takes on the job with vigor. After all, there are numerous secrets to be
learned from both the defector and his aircraft. One of Kaz's best qualities is
to stay cool under fire and work problems until he finds solutions. This
character reminds me a lot of Dirk Pitt, one of Clive Cussler's favorite
characters, but Kaz is far more believable as a real human being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The defector, Alexander Vasilyevich Abramovich is identified in the book
going by his call sign, Grief. He is a Soviet top pilot, well respected by his
peers in the service. It would seem unlikely he would be one to defect, but
according to his story, he just wants to go to the United States and fly the
best planes in the world. That's his story, but he has a much deeper story he
isn't telling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The funny thing about Grief is, he is a likable guy, and he gets along well
with the engineers at Groom Lake. But we also learn he has a stone-cold,
ruthless side to him, and when that is revealed in the book, it's weird, but
one might almost find themselves rooting for his success, but only to a point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in this story is how the author uses the Yom
Kippur War of 1973. It was a conflict in which a coalition of Arab states led
by Syria and Egypt made it their goal to take back Israeli held lands on the
border between Egypt and Israel on the Sinai Pennsula and the Golan Heights. In
this story, the Israelis are monitoring troop buildups along their held
territories and are planning their response. Things are thrown into chaos when
Grief lands his MiG in a major airport on Israeli soil. I this story, we get a
close look at the Prime Minister Golda Meir and her Minister of Defense, Moshe
Dayan. I remember hearing those names in 1973 when I was much younger, still in
my teens. There isn't a great deal about the war in the rest of the story, but
for those who remember those days and the tensions in the world, it did well in
setting the attitudes of the characters in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>The Defector</i> is to remember that a gift can
sometimes be a Trojan Horse. A Soviet pilot gives his advanced fighter to the
enemy and wants nothing more than to fly the US's most advanced aircraft in
return. Well, as the story unfolds, Grief wants much more than the freedom to
fly, he has been sent on a mission of espionage, and he has some support, but
mostly has to rely on his own wits, which he seems to have in ample supply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This was a great spy story written much like those I read in the 1970s by
Cussler and others in the genre. The characters are realistic and there are
relevant historical references to help shape them and their attitudes. The
action in this book starts with the first page and continues through the entire
book to the end. I read this in just a few days because I couldn't put it down.
This story is intense on various levels, with many humorous moments, and there
is also plenty of violent action. While I wouldn't call this a purely Science
Fiction novel, there are numerous elements of science and advanced engineering.
From the author, as a former astronaut, test pilot, and fighter pilot, we get a
lot of factual perspective, but it is presented in a way that the technical
aspects don't get in the way of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is the second book of The Apollo Murders Series, but it reads very well as a stand alone novel.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All in all, this story was a satisfying and fun read. I recommend <i>The
Defector</i> to those who enjoy Military Sci-Fi as well as stories of
espionage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkgJ3Vdt1pqzlkyow8JS902ss_86BuItV34kdiKRZ7lWuRf9HH5a2RJp-mS3s6y-4XY5z5mCWX0Yr-rCjpmYS5BKoQqI0By8E_9710MDjV0yzVddmiglOascDgVe4TAuY3Exno6m72c2al3JWKa03wEd5k_Or0-_BbkUX_nxcqaiEnSlqCg_DpXqRtD0/s1500/1200px-Chris_Hadfield_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkgJ3Vdt1pqzlkyow8JS902ss_86BuItV34kdiKRZ7lWuRf9HH5a2RJp-mS3s6y-4XY5z5mCWX0Yr-rCjpmYS5BKoQqI0By8E_9710MDjV0yzVddmiglOascDgVe4TAuY3Exno6m72c2al3JWKa03wEd5k_Or0-_BbkUX_nxcqaiEnSlqCg_DpXqRtD0/w160-h200/1200px-Chris_Hadfield_2011.jpg" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Chris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in
the world. He was the top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy,
and a Cold War fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in Canadian air
space. A veteran of three space flights, he served as capsule communicator -
CAPCOM - for 25 shuttle missions, as NASA's director of operations in Russia,
and as commander of the International Space Station. Hadfield's books, <i>An
Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth</i>, <i>You Are Here</i>, and <i>The Darkest
Dark</i> have all been international bestsellers, and topped the charts for
months in Canada. His debut novel, <i>The Apollo Murders</i>, became an instant
#1 bestseller in his homeland.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-30989087949633533972023-11-07T08:02:00.002-06:002023-11-07T08:03:40.289-06:00The Little Blue Log Book by Roman Lando - A Teaser Novelette For An Upcoming Novel<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM2RHw_y2v3R_I6XHB6-QEEmEeGUO7XCheLSCWsq5ZcwLQv5SAOEySglwmKnJ0iAyK2nFoo1JhD2TdUvxathT6x2bQMf1bIAywgGcKVxBCYIrFXUI2hbsjuSF13cuJcv_a4NQa4eWP6BAE63bQrNjWRSrjbwQNysOk9twVaEVB8DRHpjJjCqnTjrnR34/s1500/Little%20Blue%20Log%20Book%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="938" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM2RHw_y2v3R_I6XHB6-QEEmEeGUO7XCheLSCWsq5ZcwLQv5SAOEySglwmKnJ0iAyK2nFoo1JhD2TdUvxathT6x2bQMf1bIAywgGcKVxBCYIrFXUI2hbsjuSF13cuJcv_a4NQa4eWP6BAE63bQrNjWRSrjbwQNysOk9twVaEVB8DRHpjJjCqnTjrnR34/s320/Little%20Blue%20Log%20Book%20Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Little Blue Log Book by Roman Lando</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I was alerted to this novelette through an email because I follow the author
on Amazon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Nearly a year ago, I was introduced to Roman Lando when he offered me the
opportunity to enjoy his first novel, <i>Progress Report</i>. It is the story of a guy
who gets caught up in a mission to prevent a devastating nuclear war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>The Little Blue Log Book</i> is a teaser for what is a planned second novel and
stand-alone sequel to <i>Progress Report</i>. If this novelette is any indication of
what is coming in the next book, it promises to be another great story worth
waiting for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Crack Air Force pilot Vince Ortega faces the end of his brilliant career. He
is being replaced by Artificial Intelligence. His choice is either to leave the
service or become a pilot in a top-secret government program. Since he will be
allowed to continue flying, he takes the second choice and works to get himself
ready for a flight in a special craft that will take him to investigate a
strange situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He finds himself in a competition with fellow pilot, Val, who can fly as
well as he can. Vince edges Val out because of his combat experience. Soon, he
finds himself in control of an amazing flying headed to a place one only reads
about in Sci-Fi novels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I mentioned, this is only a small teaser from a much larger story, and
you can bet the rent, I'll be first in line to grab this one when it becomes
available. It is going to be a great story full of twists and turns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can download <i>The Little Blue Log Book</i> for the Kindle at
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Blue-Log-Book-ebook/dp/B0CK55SR14?ref_=ast_author_dp" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Little-Blue-Log-Book-ebook/dp/B0CK55SR14?ref_=ast_author_dp</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You cannot beat the price for this one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8sdssF35YNsvLy-TDT-Ut7wLKoTE4FazoDG0dvar6aEkvQ6spsvXU8cPHQRywvUMUNqaYVdiikNbuNzvzCfi8w3rQ6SRKWeBKSsSB_Nwu7YtmHrP1d1QTpQlqqvrykCSCKkQ81u2xOuYV6BV0To1h8WiuTFKS-x-hpeWoUZ25UAz2HsHLktCygjSg7E/s1080/Roman.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8sdssF35YNsvLy-TDT-Ut7wLKoTE4FazoDG0dvar6aEkvQ6spsvXU8cPHQRywvUMUNqaYVdiikNbuNzvzCfi8w3rQ6SRKWeBKSsSB_Nwu7YtmHrP1d1QTpQlqqvrykCSCKkQ81u2xOuYV6BV0To1h8WiuTFKS-x-hpeWoUZ25UAz2HsHLktCygjSg7E/w200-h200/Roman.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Roman, the author of the <i>Little Blue Log Book</i> and a sci-fi thriller novel,
<i>Progress Report</i>, is a composer, musician, and web and new media designer, and
positively has too many passions, interests, and hobbies in his life.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When he's not writing books or music, he can be found sailing, playing keys
in a prog rock band, flying his drones, building crazy flight simulation rigs,
and LARPing. His lifelong love and passion for hard sci-fi take a special place
in his heart. Reading was never enough. The only way to satisfy this obsession
was to write his debut novel. He hopes to share his love for true science
fiction, along with his interest in history, science, philosophy, and
technology with his readers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After living in three countries on three continents and speaking three
languages, Roman has finally settled in Toronto where he lives with his wife
and two daughters. No dogs or cats are involved - his drones are his pets. He
is now working on his second novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can get in touch with Roman and subscribe to his mailing list at the
Progress Report website: <a href="https://progressreport.romandesign.ca" target="_blank">https://progressreport.romandesign.ca</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-45903403634884845252023-11-06T17:17:00.001-06:002023-11-06T18:44:39.774-06:00WIne Dark Deep (Book 1) By R. Peter Keith - A Hard Sci-Fi Novella Packed Full Of Greatness!<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg-TMlzOQYSz505TkCpvkwQBzhS8rU3kIL5mfpDXq579S_tHkZn0nyMBc3d_JFKYlLtmjZmlmCt0jqZQP8GspJ8d8wnnyiQewDalhq4-mida3q7W_iotzqkt8x-Dvh_yxlTsjZ2OGKs3keq3igx7H7AM-qjl4U3SXbV-YUQdjOaaN8mBZrdxnMEpjGwo/s1500/wine%20dark%20deep%20covrt.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg-TMlzOQYSz505TkCpvkwQBzhS8rU3kIL5mfpDXq579S_tHkZn0nyMBc3d_JFKYlLtmjZmlmCt0jqZQP8GspJ8d8wnnyiQewDalhq4-mida3q7W_iotzqkt8x-Dvh_yxlTsjZ2OGKs3keq3igx7H7AM-qjl4U3SXbV-YUQdjOaaN8mBZrdxnMEpjGwo/s320/wine%20dark%20deep%20covrt.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Wine Dark Deep: Wine Dark Deep Book 1 By R. Peter Keith</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I downloaded this book for free from Kindle Unlimited and am leaving this
review voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, I realized I actually had a little time to read
something that I wanted to read for a change. I had no promises for reviews and
was between Honor Harrington books for the podcast, so I could just read for
fun. I searched through my Kindle library to see if there was anything there
I’d been putting off. I found this one that has been sitting on my reader for a
few months. Seeing it was only 144 pages, decided to give it a look.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wine Dark Deep</i> is the first of a set of three novellas and is the story of a
mission commander working to avert disaster for his ship and crew. There is a
lot in this story, and it moves at a breakneck pace. It is full of easy-to-understand
hard science and focuses on the main character's exploits to keep from being
marooned in our solar system’s asteroid belt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I read it in two sittings, loved it, and am looking forward to the next two
installments of the series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ulysses </i>mission commander, Calvin Scott, awaits a delivery of fuel as his
ship runs dangerously low. He learns that the crew of the Ceres mining station,
where his fuel is expected to arrive from, is no longer serving Earth-based
ships. It seems the people who live and work on the asteroid have decided they
are not being properly represented back home and are making their point by
taking over from their bosses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Whether Cal agrees with the dissenters or not, he has a ship and crew
depending on him for their survival in deep space, and far as he is concerned,
failure is not an option. His solution is to take the <i>Ulysses </i>to Ceres and get
the fuel he needs by any means necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The principal character of <i>Wine Dark Deep</i>, Calvin Scott, is a take charge
commander who puts the safety of his ship and crew above all else. When the
fuel wouldn't come to him, he knew he needed to go and get it to complete the
mission as well as simply survive. What I liked most about him was how cool he
was under fire. He understands that launching into a panic will not solve the
problem. He would prefer not to get into a squabble with the rebellious workers
on the asteroid but is quite capable of doing so if necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I am hoping for more development of this character as we revisit him in
future novellas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot for this story is how well the technology is
handled. This is hard sci-fi, but any reader should be able to access what is
contained in this novel easily enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Wine Dark Deep</i> is to remember that sometimes, if a job
needs doing, one must do it themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I immensely enjoyed this opening story of the <i>Wine Dark Deep</i> trilogy. There
isn't a lot of fluff in the book and the fast pace of the story will drive a
reader to finish it quickly. The blurb states the story is inspired by <i>The
Expanse</i>, <i>Star Trek</i>, and <i>The Martian</i>. It is clear to see the influences of all
three of those franchises contained in these pages. Cal is as professional as
Kirk, the workers on the asteroid seek the equality enjoyed by everyone else as
in the <i>Expanse </i>novels, and the element of survival in an extremely hostile
environment comes from <i>The Martian.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">As mentioned before, it is a fast read and most will want to read this in
one sitting. It is available to borrow on Kindle Unlimited, and if one chooses,
it is available for the Kindle for $1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I recommend <i>Wine Dark Deep</i> for fans of Science Fiction and Space Opera.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBaROmYyUz5u2d9JeQKbGH-mtd7Cn56ci-CoghuqAZW9LylC3217NMQUoWFN4E_2kUzjcmfpUHMZliySNSyb5zrnafYVAyRONWme8qFW2EcPIxNg08qAGXKgkCtKPzzU3QDhtgOy1bq-hnixekzQ4HvJS5fyiccAdwkxoyeNNixeGCAo9s-96lPKAJMc/s700/R.%20Peter%20Keith.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="700" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBaROmYyUz5u2d9JeQKbGH-mtd7Cn56ci-CoghuqAZW9LylC3217NMQUoWFN4E_2kUzjcmfpUHMZliySNSyb5zrnafYVAyRONWme8qFW2EcPIxNg08qAGXKgkCtKPzzU3QDhtgOy1bq-hnixekzQ4HvJS5fyiccAdwkxoyeNNixeGCAo9s-96lPKAJMc/w200-h149/R.%20Peter%20Keith.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">R. Peter Keith is the creative director of a NASA Space Act Agreement
partner company that specializes in the design, fabrication, and exhibition of
museum exhibits and interactive experiences. He's flown the NASA-Langley Lunar
Lander Simulator to a landing in front of the Moon McDonalds (there really is a
McDonalds on the moon in that NASA simulator, he has pics) and has spent
time inside an original Apollo LM and the Orion Spacecraft with one of its
engineers.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Keith collaborated with NASA to produce a simulation-Based exhibition that
focused on the basic concepts of spaceflight and their possible application in
the colonization of our solar system. On its premier, the exhibition broke all
attendance records for Space Center Houston, the official NASA Visitor Center
for the Johnson Space Center, home of the astronaut program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The many long, thoughtful, and technical conversations with NASA experts and
advisors from Houston, Langly, and JPL that occurred during the creation of
this exhibition and its seven simulators and related programs provided the germ
of the idea that became the <i>Wine Dark Deep</i> series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Keith lives in Vermont with his wife, kids, and dogs. He has hung on to an
old car for so long it has become cool again and has done the same with a few
pairs of pants. He has an unreasonable love for all speculative fiction, having
grown up with both classic literary and film works as well as the wonders of
Marvel Comics, Star Trek, and Star blazers. He's an avid video game fan as well
as a voracious reader.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-3938127324547793582023-10-14T08:01:00.000-05:002023-10-14T08:01:23.603-05:00Josh and Sen Save The Multiverse Book 1: The Path of One by D.P. Behling - First Installment of a Fun Story!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ERrf8np29wDQ8bWdp9MnsJkyXKznxqwEITXCvTcX8O4dJr0U1vYH0Es1BdTiuh_ElxUBm3d4Yoi5LPYqpz9T5aBFsmqQgIwfja1M2K9sIOSvocaHnzcoGJ2ws08iUvZCRIzGb2c38F2MUNEkQB-afcL4Oa89ZWyUjzdoJes_77F850htgPLqXvDIFHE/s1500/Josh%20and%20Sen%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ERrf8np29wDQ8bWdp9MnsJkyXKznxqwEITXCvTcX8O4dJr0U1vYH0Es1BdTiuh_ElxUBm3d4Yoi5LPYqpz9T5aBFsmqQgIwfja1M2K9sIOSvocaHnzcoGJ2ws08iUvZCRIzGb2c38F2MUNEkQB-afcL4Oa89ZWyUjzdoJes_77F850htgPLqXvDIFHE/s320/Josh%20and%20Sen%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Josh and Sen Save The Multiverse Book 1: The Path of One by D.P. Behling</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What is the nature of the multiverse? Well, you never know what is going to
happen next. You never know who you are going to meet. You never know who your
enemies might be; even a little old lady in an elevator can be very dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The book "Josh and Sen" tells the story of an unlikely pair of
characters who have different goals but are forced to work together. There is
some violence in the story, but the reader cannot help but laugh now and then.
The humor in the story is a tad not unlike that of Douglas Adams’ style. One
should read carefully to get it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I will admit, at the opening of this story, I almost set the book aside. The
prologue was loaded with jargon and big words I didn't understand, and I was
confused with what this book was about. I didn't stop reading and as I got into
the first chapter, things became clearer. Following the opening, Josh and Sen
quickly became a book that I didn't want to put down, and I read it in a couple
of days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Terran, Joshua Tanner, has had a spotty past, but he is working hard to get
his life together and be able to be with his daughter, Sophie, again. Working
to be responsible, he studies to be an attorney. While riding an elevator, he
begins hearing a voice in his head warning him he is about to be attacked by an
old woman on an elevator. It turns out the voice is correct when the old woman
pulls out a knife from her shopping bag and goes after josh in that small
space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Josh is no stranger to fighting and, thanks to the use of his briefcase, he
defends himself, and he stops the old woman's relentless attack by beating her
to death with the valise that saved his life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Senyak Marztanak fails his grandfather's examinations to gain his family's
ruling seat. Zenyak, his grandfather, strips Sen of his immortality and starts
him in a re-training program, administered by himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Josh and Sen are joined in the multiverse by Karma and have to work together
to achieve their individual goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All the while, the Oblivion comes closer, threatening to end everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">While Josh and Sen, along with Zenyak, are the center of the story, I
enjoyed the immortal characters the two protagonists meet along the way. None
of them behaved as one expects as they, and we meet them. Zenyak challenges the
protagonists to gain their powers and abilities by performing tasks. Some tasks
include defeating dangerous enemies, other tasks allow the pair to meet
immortal figures who are not at all as they are portrayed in mythology and
literature. This brought an interesting dimension to the book that fascinated
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot is how the characters face some impossible odds as
they go on their various quests, but they use their observations to adapt to
the various obstacles in their way. The author's video gaming influence is
apparent in that, after each success, the protagonists experience they get a
report on the increase of their abilities in a very gaming sort of way. They
grow stronger as they complete tasks and acquire items.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from this book is, no matter how weird life can seem, it can
always get weirder - take nothing for granted!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After my initial confusion at the very beginning of the story, once I
settled in, I found Josh and Sen an enjoyable read that mixes fantasy with
science fiction in a satisfying way. The characters are interesting, and the
story unfolds by ramping up the tension and then giving release. The story is
full of twists and turns and the solutions to problems are not always obvious.
We get a look at the thought processes of the protagonists that add depth to
the story. This is the first installment of a series, and I can only think that
the stakes are going to continue to rise as the character's challenges become
more difficult. I recommend this story for its straight to the point approach
after a rather confusing introduction that almost didn't hook me. Your milage
may vary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMhtmTelGrudFvcsPWnp_phqubDyZlNXJ_TyGFGqx0Xd5F3rZc1sVbWxUvmgNVkB8okp0WTv1coDeowHQFZJCgKdYXrZl5-GEdVmrriCOJWIy0OMQSYtPZJ0pvb-L_IElI932N-M8T4qjGENiFKDa4KmkdskyFPwekSbJt-sF3DYVNmj3hFG32eMPhZE/s600/DP%20Behling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMhtmTelGrudFvcsPWnp_phqubDyZlNXJ_TyGFGqx0Xd5F3rZc1sVbWxUvmgNVkB8okp0WTv1coDeowHQFZJCgKdYXrZl5-GEdVmrriCOJWIy0OMQSYtPZJ0pvb-L_IElI932N-M8T4qjGENiFKDa4KmkdskyFPwekSbJt-sF3DYVNmj3hFG32eMPhZE/w200-h200/DP%20Behling.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David Behling is a Chicago born sci-fi, fantasy author, and a video game
admirer. When he was younger and stronger, he was able to fight off his
infatuation long enough to work as a Honolulu-based plaintiff's malpractice
lawyer for five years before attending med school and residency. Now he treats
his patients on Oahu, where his office has been for the last fifteen years.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He has trained in several fields of martial arts over the year, including
Tae Kwon Do, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Older now, he would rather be surfing,
snowboarding, and skating when he is brave enough!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Most importantly, he is the proud father of four amazing children: Indigo,
Tristan, Kireina, and Nina. They even text him sometimes. He is also the lucky
owner of the world's cutest chihuahua, Rosie.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-3146448703849910112023-07-02T15:14:00.001-05:002023-07-02T20:10:50.201-05:00The Age Of Heroes By Mikhail Gladkikh - Historical Sci-Fi Adventure To Stimulate The Imagination<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OOyBKFYsJF7lZlBTwRroD4Rv_AVBgQ6TcOB5FyD9p9y4vZDq87XJ6Oq3nmHU0Mr3fk5wnSh50D4rS8uCWcs8iR5YmI_ARKEqJ1xQAQeZ_VTvMywiux8lmggb_rpfRZ256a6kz3h4uD6TjppjiwXyM8MN2JTc0DZxiVZp4cakWDKBbPR5WTm68zPytGk/s500/Age%20of%20Heroes%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OOyBKFYsJF7lZlBTwRroD4Rv_AVBgQ6TcOB5FyD9p9y4vZDq87XJ6Oq3nmHU0Mr3fk5wnSh50D4rS8uCWcs8iR5YmI_ARKEqJ1xQAQeZ_VTvMywiux8lmggb_rpfRZ256a6kz3h4uD6TjppjiwXyM8MN2JTc0DZxiVZp4cakWDKBbPR5WTm68zPytGk/s320/Age%20of%20Heroes%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">The Age of Heroes by Mikhail Gladkikh</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After reading this author's first novel, <i><a href="https://jimsscifi.blogspot.com/2022/05/out-of-time-by-mikhail-gladkikh.html" target="_blank">Out of Time</a></i>, I wanted more
from him. I was thrilled when he contacted me, telling me about his new novel, <i>The
Age of Heroes</i>. I was surprised to learn it is a sci-fi tale set in the late
Bronze Age, a time when people explained events they didn't understand through
mythology rather than science.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What I kind of expected was a retelling of the ancient stories of
destruction retold for a more modern audience, i.e., the story from Homer's <i>Iliad</i>.
Although the siege and sacking of Troy is included in the tale, it is not
simply a retelling of Homer's epic. <i>The Age of Heroes</i> is a completely
new story covering the strife in locations all around the Mediterranean.
Constant conflict was the order of the day, including the sacking of cities,
starvation, and the dispersion of large populations reduced to having to be
hunter-gatherers, as in even more ancient times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Out of this tale, heroes arise, but everyone seems to know that their age is
coming to an end and will give way to a new age, and those not willing to
embrace change will be condemned to oblivion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have always been fascinated with mythology and how people reasoned in
ancient times. As stated in the Foreward, this book is not intended to be a
retelling of history, nor is it intended to be an alternative to actual events.
It is intended to be entertaining and thought provoking. It is a speculative
story of imagination and adventure and a fun read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What the populations of several city-states perceive as their gods is
actually a group of aliens who are on a mission to survey and learn about the
people of the earth. The gods, who are an alien race called Soarers, have made
their presence known in numerous cultures and are worshipped and feared by the
people. When the commander calls the group together to decide how to proceed
with their relationships with Earth's population, an argument breaks out. Some
see the humans as a growing society to be nurtured into the future, while
others see humans as a dangerous race who, if allowed to grow and explore the
stars, would bring death and destruction with them, maybe even causing the
extinction of the Soarers themselves. The council splits and the commander of
the alien crew loses control, and the gods start using their vast technology to
cause even more mayhem among the already constantly warring population.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One aspect that stands out for me is the character development of the major
players in this story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are numerous characters to keep track of, with many diverse cultural
roots and beliefs who clash along the way. Some are quite compassionate, while
others set themselves up as oppressors of their people and cause much strife
for others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Soarers all have different jobs in the crew and have different ideas
about what to do. Whether to actively interfere or stand back and observe the
lively happenings among the humans. Their leader, known to the Greeks as Zeus,
is a kind of sad figure who wants the mission to succeed. He is powerful, but
so are his fellow crew members. They all have vastly advanced technology at
their command. I felt sad for Commander as he worked to keep his group in
order, but ran into failure at every turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The greatest hero of the story was Echelaos, the Achaean Prince of Pylos,
who goes on a quest. He is driven to be reunited with his beloved Helen, who,
while betrothed to him, is also promised to the prince of Troy. It is a journey
he pursues through the entire tale and illustrates how heroism often comes with
a lot of pain and suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in <i>The Age of Heroes</i> is the colorful
descriptions of the places we get to visit. I also found the characters
remarkable in how well we get to know them early in the story. They are human
in every way, quite vulnerable, and have to rely on their wits to keep going,
especially Echelaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are numerous scenes of battle that capture the brutality of the age.
Those are also well described and can be disturbing to readers sensitive to
descriptions of battle, destruction, and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For me, my takeaway was in the theme of how hubris can play both a positive,
but more often a negative, role in the affairs of humans. Commander is
surrounded by beings who have been manipulating people with great success for
so long, they begin to believe in their human-given roles as gods. Even with
their immense power, they think themselves beyond what they really are and
sometimes overstep their bounds. Many become corrupted by the self-perceived
power leading to the downfall of them all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This makes <i>The Age of Heroes</i> worth reading if for no other reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I give high recommendations for <i>The Age of Heroes</i>. As a fan of
mythology and sci-fi, it is an excellent story that will provide fodder for
thought. It is a fascinating tale of speculation on a period of history we are
still exploring and learning about. There are great characters in a story that
moves along at a good pace and is loaded with vivid descriptions of people,
places, and events that will trigger the imagination. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVvWLbOcDCgn85uAC5URw2nSwXb2IT5B33tV2sEAaGa42irNosBm23wSSS34lmPf7Xhz6VXDf3WV-eqazOZ8i4XkRUo0VThVCS2MD3TKtRxUohpx-5rLVxDVFXOPgZXr8VJV0totzkK2efFxOch-9ecN87ohoW--QwVdmOHgdkHnCLquz604SGTQUQpg/s448/Photo_Mikhail-Gladkikh-1140x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVvWLbOcDCgn85uAC5URw2nSwXb2IT5B33tV2sEAaGa42irNosBm23wSSS34lmPf7Xhz6VXDf3WV-eqazOZ8i4XkRUo0VThVCS2MD3TKtRxUohpx-5rLVxDVFXOPgZXr8VJV0totzkK2efFxOch-9ecN87ohoW--QwVdmOHgdkHnCLquz604SGTQUQpg/w200-h200/Photo_Mikhail-Gladkikh-1140x640.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">About Mikhail...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm a technologist and a science fiction author.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My professional career provides me with a unique perspective on the technologies of the future. I am working at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution, advancing 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Supply Chain, and Energy Transition. You can read my fiction and connect with me at my website, mikhailgladkikh.com.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Join me in my quest to imagine the future world!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, there it is...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Qapla!</span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-63357301993354169992023-06-30T19:28:00.000-05:002023-06-30T19:28:32.259-05:00Betrayal of Hope (Star Marked Series Book 3) By Justin Doyle - A Great Wrap-Up To An Amazing Series!<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OvORMjxmwDTQPojaWS66dKQTTnjkgo1zU0o8-Ungx5HnC42z8iTJltvWXMSMuj1C-UVlBrfO2pptgk6gtJqOre0h-6FrR0A-zEas7XjPsrbuS6Lhzrp-3fhsggvuM85dQeWBLAo5B3h23-3cNYYkfFUGPxO_wxhpoQMT-4J5SoiMqts1rFlNAyXCWUs/s1800/Betrayal%20of%20Hope%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1161" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OvORMjxmwDTQPojaWS66dKQTTnjkgo1zU0o8-Ungx5HnC42z8iTJltvWXMSMuj1C-UVlBrfO2pptgk6gtJqOre0h-6FrR0A-zEas7XjPsrbuS6Lhzrp-3fhsggvuM85dQeWBLAo5B3h23-3cNYYkfFUGPxO_wxhpoQMT-4J5SoiMqts1rFlNAyXCWUs/s320/Betrayal%20of%20Hope%20Cover.jpg" width="206" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Betrayal of Hope (Star Marked Series Book 3) by Justin Doyle</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Note: This book will be released on July 21, 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Choices. We all have to make them on a daily basis. Some are pretty easy,
and some are more difficult. But to make choices to actually go in the complete
opposite direction from what one believes in are the most difficult of all.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">In this, the third book of Justin Doyle's Star Marked series, choices are a
major theme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Justin is growing as an author and his first books show this with incredible
world building and character growth. With those two elements, he has penned a
Sci-Fi/Fantasy mashup that is not to be missed. I enjoy the fast pace and how
he shows his story that unfolds as a movie might with each page turn. His books
can be read as standalone volumes, but at the same time, there are threads that
tie all three books together to create some great reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the blurb from the back of the book...Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa have
solved the gods' mysteries. But how can they unveil the secrets to save the
starving Olan-Har without unleashing chaos upon Vastire?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A war they are handily losing with long-time adversary Erodia delays their
decision. With few options left, Commander Aseus turns to Darynn to attempt a
daring mission to infiltrate Erodia, just like his grandfather did 80 years
ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The trio and a small team agrees to the treacherous mission across the
dangerous, wild continent filled with powerful enemies. But he’s conflicted.
Not only does magical power rampage within, but he starts to wonder who he’s
fighting for: royalty and the clergy, or the people? That question will drive
him to make impossible choices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">If he chooses correctly, he can end the war and save the Olan-Har, but at a
great cost. If he doesn’t, the Erodians will rule Vastire and the secrets of
the gods will be lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">SECRETS SPARK WARS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa have been through a lot together. Their teamwork
has solved various issues as time has passed, and they have grown as
characters.Darynn, the consummate hot head, has learned to think things through
before he acts. He possesses a devastating power that will cause utter destruction
if he unleashes it. It has happened before with mixed results. While he still
gets angry, and his weapon gets very near the surface, he has learned to back
away and reign in his impulses. This is thanks mostly to Fyra.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Fyra is the logical thinker of the trio. But she is learning that not
everything can be approached from a logical point of view. Sometimes passion
must guide one when making decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Then there's Kaylaa, a great warrior who has also learned to govern her
passions and pick her battles wisely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">While the entire story, as well as the three-book saga, has been adventure
upon adventure, the real adventure for me, as a reader, has been to watch how
these three have developed as people as they mature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Along with character development, my favorite point of plot is Justin's
world building. Right from the start, in the first book, we find an oppressed
people, and Darynn takes it upon himself to help his people, the Olan-Har, to
achieve a status to allow them to grow and prosper. In this world, there are
constant obsticles to achieving the goal. There is always some despotic foe, or
an ambitious indiviual, or even the lay of the land itself trying to foil our
heroes. Darynn is winning battles, but it is uncertain he will win the war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">As time marches on, Darynn finds himself having to make an extremely
difficult choice. Is he willing to betray his core beliefs and join the enemy
to win the final battle? His mission is clear, but his path to victory is not.
The story winds through obstacles at a breakneck pace, with brief places to
allow the reader to step back before the next conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It is an old cliché, but my takeaway from Betrayal of Hope is, "If you
can't beat 'em, join 'em." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">If I elaborate too much, this would be a major spoiler of a turning point in
the tale. In my first year of teaching, I received a piece of sage advice from
my principal. He said "fight the battles you can win." The decision
Darynn makes is my favorite section of this story and you're just going to have
to read the book to see the complex process the character goes through in this
plot-twist. It is brilliantly written and emotionally charged!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Betrayal of Hope is a fun read with an amazing mixture of Science Fiction
and Fantasy that is seamless. The mixture of the two genres is so smooth that
fans of either will appreciate what the author has done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The ending is very satisfying and the journey to get there is
engaging. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Highest recommendations for Betrayal of Hope, as well as Embargo of Hope,
and Assassination of Hope!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgU-LGXlyORvdU8O6cAGuGEypep8rlJijQVuemRsCY7IxlelJZlWCxVLpZZED_Bloc036HT3RmUfw4vSjT8sGGWUPf-g46UKP4WtSE2TEQdb3fYOlf1W_M96Lowt2w_dCvKaKVrfTU5YXUKomJDnelD9DJLgPojlGnTxMl8tHn__G1dnGSEuVjEZ_P0w/s600/Justin%20Doyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgU-LGXlyORvdU8O6cAGuGEypep8rlJijQVuemRsCY7IxlelJZlWCxVLpZZED_Bloc036HT3RmUfw4vSjT8sGGWUPf-g46UKP4WtSE2TEQdb3fYOlf1W_M96Lowt2w_dCvKaKVrfTU5YXUKomJDnelD9DJLgPojlGnTxMl8tHn__G1dnGSEuVjEZ_P0w/w133-h200/Justin%20Doyle.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Justin was born in Galveston, TX and raised in the Houston area. In middle
school, he fell in love with two life-long pursuits: space and writing. He knew
he wanted to work at NASA and write science fiction / fantasy on the side, and
lo and behold, that’s exactly what he ended up doing.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">He now works for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, who
manages the International Space Station National Laboratory. He lives in the
Houston area with his wife, daughter, and various small mammals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Qapla!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-53815986063045589642023-06-29T19:38:00.001-05:002023-06-29T19:39:24.723-05:00Grave Cold By Shannon Knight - This Review Includes An Interview With The Author! - Great Book!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniI1TCw_vja_FGDwaoi2qmysKS1c26ff4YCYKihx77bvK6qNpQAJp0zVmITt9KfjO3wdacGbKcCtPQCDbyF4nzd7OCZoUPZX63_VKkVvLKX5MUX0I1IFWsfhYLG3UqypwwfU1mRM2xWBMAzbKSoZy3q05DFXm3DIXF5aONWM_RQdSJrf81G6nj0s_Uno/s500/Grave%20Cold%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniI1TCw_vja_FGDwaoi2qmysKS1c26ff4YCYKihx77bvK6qNpQAJp0zVmITt9KfjO3wdacGbKcCtPQCDbyF4nzd7OCZoUPZX63_VKkVvLKX5MUX0I1IFWsfhYLG3UqypwwfU1mRM2xWBMAzbKSoZy3q05DFXm3DIXF5aONWM_RQdSJrf81G6nj0s_Uno/s320/Grave%20Cold%20Cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Grave Cold by Shannon Knight</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I received a copy of <i>Grave Cold</i> for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">After reading Shannon's second remarkable book, <i><a href="https://jimsscifi.blogspot.com/2023/04/insiders-by-shannon-knight-twists-and.html" target="_blank">Insiders</a></i>, she contacted me
and told me about <i>Grave Cold</i>. She said it might not be something fitting my
usual reading material. She was right only because <i>Grave Cold</i> is not a space
opera; it is set right here on a future Earth where cities are no longer
accessible by just anyone. There are some strange goings on in the District of
Portland, the setting for this tale. The book might fit into Dystopian Sci-Fi
and Urban Fantasy classifications, but no matter how one describes it, it is a
fine story that moves along at a fast pace with characters one will care about.
The world building is colorful and more than a little scary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Nyle is a Raven. He travels the world when he is called by the dead to
release their… I'm not sure what to call it. Consciousness? Life force? Soul?
In any case, the energy that exists in a person's body is trapped until someone
like Nyle comes along to release them and allow them to pass into the next
plane of existence. This is not a simple job, and it comes with perils. The
raven can be killed if he/she tries to do too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Caitlin, known to her friends as Cait, is a young woman who struggles as a
hairdresser to make a living. The only stable thing in her life is her cat. She
thinks herself to be genetically altered, as many are in the District, but
thanks to Nyle, she learns she is a necromancer. She can speak with the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Together, they learn of a group of nefarious individuals who have learned
how to use the life force of the dead to create energy used to power systems in
the District. They make it their mission to stop this abuse to allow the dead
to rest as they should.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Nyle and Cait are an interesting pair. Their relationship is a unique one
that, as the tale unfolds, becomes borderline romantic. But before that, Nyle
only wants Cait to be safe and does his best to make sure she is. Nyle's
problem is, anytime he gets near the dead, he is inundated with spirits who
want to be released, and they deplete his energy in doing so. Fortunately, Cait
is on hand most of the time to make sure Nyle doesn't do too much and puts
himself in jeopardy, at least most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Cait is a young woman living as a, more or less, free spirit. She has deep
feelings about things, and will do whatever it takes to make sure the right
things are done for those who have passed on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Both are interesting characters with a lot of depth revealed as the story
moves along. We get to know them both well enough to want them to be safe and
successful. Cait is especially endearing because of her chaotic lifestyle. I
enjoyed watching her try just to pay her rent, and being late nearly everywhere
she went. Descriptions of the hairstyles she prefers were among the lighter
moments in the story, and I found them enjoyable, although they wouldn't be for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Along with the characters, my favorite point of plot was the world building.
The District of Portland is surrounded by a wall, making it an island-like
place. Apparently, all large cities are similarly separated. Getting into a city
is difficult if one is an outsider. Governance is handled by corporations and
many live in luxury, while others, such as Cait, live by barely subsisting on
some go-nowhere job paying just enough to live, but not enough to afford even
the simplest pleasures of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, Districts come into conflict with each other, and the results are
disastrous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Grave Cold</i> is when someone is forced to live in loneliness,
one must learn to get by as best they can. But one should never set aside their
sense of what is right and wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Both the characters in this story are lonely people because of their roles
in their lives. They cannot share who they are without compromising what they
have to do. This theme is explored throughout the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The theme of loneliness is so present in this story, the reader can almost
taste it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I admire Shannon's writing style and wanted to get her thoughts about her
motivations and about her as a person. The following is an interview I
conducted with her. I love the depth of her answers and hope you do also, and I
also hope you will read her books...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What inspired you to become an author?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: Oh, this feels like an impossible question because I’ve
always wanted to be an author. Stories inspired me. The world inspired me. I
realize now how unique my childhood was compared to so many people’s today
because not only did I grow up before the Internet, but I grew up in the deep
backwoods of the Ozarks. There weren’t other kids to play with besides my
siblings. There were three TV channels available with scarcely any shows for
kids. The libraries didn’t have many sci-fi or fantasy books, either. Still, I
read a lot. I played in the woods. I also spent an enormous amount of time with
my own imagination. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What kind of books, movies, and/or television shows played a part
in your decision to write?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: When I was a child, my dad subscribed to a science fiction
and fantasy book club. My dad, siblings, and I all loved reading those books. I
read anything on those home library shelves many times. My big brother Seamus
made a deal with me that he would read my first book, which I’d handwritten in
journals, if I first read <i>The Dragonbone Chair</i>. Not only was that a chonker
divided into two mammoth hardcover copies (with gorgeous Michael Whelan
covers), but the book was the last in a series. I was in grade school, but I
happily read those books. Seamus read my “book” and told me to keep writing,
which was about the nicest thing he could have said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I also remember picking up <i>Lioness Rampant</i> by Tamora Pierce at some point.
It was deeply amazing to me because I was accustomed to reading books aimed at
an adult audience, and I adored understanding every word of a story aimed at
young girls. The feeling was so huge. That’s when I decided my dream was for
someone someday to read one of my books and feel the way I felt then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">For movies, the original <i>Star Wars</i> trilogy was a big influence. I also loved
<i>Dark Crystal</i>. I rewatched them many times. My brothers and I were latchkey
kids, and after they got in trouble too many times with how they chose to spend
their time, we were instructed to turn on a movie when we got home from school,
and an adult would be there before it ended. This resulted in the endless
back-to-back viewing of the <i>Star Wars</i> trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What book is on your nightstand right now?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I am reading <i>Renia</i> by Karl Forshaw.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Do issues people face today affect what you write?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: Absolutely. I think the heart of sci-fi and fantasy is the
issues we face today. When you pick up great classics in the genre, you see a
timestamp of issues the author found important.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Pantser or Plotter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I plot where I’m starting and where I’m ending, and I pants
the rest. I make sure I know my characters first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Have you had any formal training in writing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I have a B.A. in English. I’ve also taught English,
including writing. Teaching children to write is an incredible way to learn
more about writing because you need to be able to explain why something does or
does not work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: How did you deal with the COVID pandemic and did it help your
writing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I got COVID in the spring of 2020, and I did not get better.
Instead, I experienced a series of changing and worsening symptoms. After about
two and a half years mostly bedbound, one of the tests resulted in a treatment
that allowed me to sit up throughout the day. During the worst periods, I could
not even think. I existed in a liminal space that felt separate even from my
own mind. My ability to self-reflect came and went. During moments of clarity,
I vowed to myself to self-publish the three books I had previously completed
that my agent hadn’t sold. Since I’d gone through such a life-changing
experience, I had a new perspective as I revised my books. This new perspective
is incredibly important. However, I also have new disabilities that make daily
life more difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What are you doing when you're not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: COVID has limited my activities and productive hours. I
teach English online a few hours per week. I have been busy with other aspects
of self-publishing. For instance, I just got a new cover completed for
<i>Insiders</i>, which is very exciting, and I’ve been updating distributors with new
files and sending out for the proofs of the hard copies. Meanwhile, another
artist is painting a new cover for my fantasy novel, <i>Wish Givers</i>. I’m also
connecting with book reviewers, like you. In the evenings, I like to read. When
I can’t read, I watch Korean dramas. My kitty hangs out with me most of the
day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: If you could travel to any time, future or past, what period
would you go and why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I would go to a time in the future when there was a
treatment for Long COVID. When you lose your health in such an enormous way,
the situation causes a whole new awareness. I lost parts of myself that I
didn’t know it was possible to lose. I would gladly go to a time where I could
get those back. Going back in time, prior to my infection, doesn’t seem like a
good solution because earlier adoption of a respirator might not be sufficient,
and I might simply experience the same horror twice, but the second time, I
would not be able to go through those years with the naive aspiration that
tomorrow I would be well. Sci-fi tells me the future has great medical
solutions. I also think we writers can help create that future because the
first step is to imagine the scientific solution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: I've read two of your books. Are there any characters in <i>Insiders</i>
or <i>Grave Cold </i>that are you, or people you know?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: No. Unless they are all me, which is a weird thought, but…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What takeaways would you like readers of <i>Insiders</i> to take with
them after they finish reading?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: We are all in this together. That’s my biggest, single theme
for Insiders. We all have our unique ways that we can contribute, and together
we can make amazing things happen. Also, we should help and protect each other
as best we can, especially our most vulnerable. Sachi’s role as a teenage girl
is one where I wanted readers to see that she should be guided and protected,
but I also wanted readers to see her as powerful and heroic, even as she’s
figuring things out. Our society tends to look down on teenage girls,
trivializing their interests and abilities, but teenage girls are amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I also hope people can feel connected to the characters as they read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Same question for <i>Grave Cold</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Shannon: Life has enormous power. Death is partially why life is so
powerful. The fact that life is limited–that it can end at any moment–creates
an urgency that highlights our every moment. A big part of the beauty of life
is our interactions with others. A single person can make a big difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I explored a lot of other ideas, too. Death is not the end of someone.
Villains feel justified in taking anything they can from those less powerful
than them, while heroes will take a stand to protect those less powerful than
them. ME is a terrifying illness that many people are unaware of. No one should
be ostracized for their differences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I also hope people feel entertained while reading an adventure story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">(Note: <i><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html#:~:text=Myalgic%20encephalomyelitis%2Fchronic%20fatigue%20syndrome%20(ME%2FCFS)%20is,is%20not%20improved%20by%20rest." target="_blank">ME refers to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(ME/CFS)</a></i>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Have you read a book that has changed your life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: All books change my life. Some more than others. Some in
different ways than others. Books are incredible. They let us see other
people’s perspectives. They teach us new things. They give us hope and
laughter. They connect us to other times and places. Books are marvelous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Is there a book, other than your own, you think everyone should
read?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: My bookish opinion is that not every book is for every
person. Some books are best at certain points in a person’s life. It’s also
good to read outside of your comfort zone. As a rule, though, I want to know
more about what someone wants to read before offering a book suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: Is there a book you wish you would want to read again for the
first time?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: COVID does wild things to your brain and memory. I had lots
of memory problems. There were times I couldn’t speak or understand language. I
had memory gaps, too. Unsurprisingly, I couldn’t read for a long time, but I’d
try anyway. I held the latest <i>Murderbot</i> volume in my hands while I was sick.
Just to hold it. Some days I’d read a sentence or a paragraph over and over.
Murderbot is a wonderful character to hang out with. After I could genuinely
read again, I read the book. I’d laugh, which hurt a lot. But I guess I wasn’t
really up to it, because later I read it again, as if for the first time–I had
no memory of it at all. When I really (really!) had improved, I read the entire
<i>Murderbot </i>series again, including the book that wasn’t staying in my memory.
Third time’s a charm! The series is mostly novellas. It all felt brand new,
like I’d never read any of it before. After that, I took another favorite
series, the <i>Mercy Thompson</i> books by Patricia Briggs, and read the entire
series. Rereading feels a bit like a visit with my past self, because I
remember my initial impressions along with my new ones. It felt like a good way
to remember and remind myself of who I am. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What was your favorite book as a child?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: <i>Lioness Rampant</i> by Tamora Pierce. Alanna was so cool. I
wanted to be a knight, too. (And now I am!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What is your favorite part of the writing process? What is your
least favorite part of the writing process?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: My favorite part is writing. My least favorite part is
marketing. Too bad Doyle (from <i>Insiders</i>) can’t do it for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What is a question you wish someone would ask you, but never has?
What is your answer?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: This is a clever question. I’m not longing for any
particular questions, but I’ll take this opportunity to tell you how wonderful
my cat is. Wow. He lets me put my face in his fluffy belly fur, and it is not a
trap. I think he’s having a Totoro experience every time he sleeps on my torso.
He’s excellent company. He stayed right by my side for those super sick years,
and he would purr so happily. He has a kitty bed on the desk so he doesn’t
lounge on the keyboard, and he can hang out while I write. We’re buds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What are you currently working on? Tell us what you can, if
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: Mostly, I’m working on the non-writing side of self-pub, but
I’m marinating multiple story ideas. There are so many stories to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me</b>: What are the best ways to learn more about you and your work?
Social media? Blog? Website? Newsletter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b>: I’m still figuring things out, but I’ve got a website
started, and I’m on some social media. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My website: https://shannonknight2.wordpress.com/<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Shannon_Knight<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyshannonknight/ </span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Grave Cold</i> is a marvelous story about life and death, and perhaps afterlife.
It features great and well-developed characters set in a future where energy
can be derived from strange places, including the departed. It is set at a time
when people can be genetically manipulated, and there is extreme prejudice that
doesn't allow for people's growth. I enjoyed this story and the sci-fi included
in the story is accessible to any reader, the fantasy aspects are not
over-the-top, and there are some lighter moments to allow the reader time to catch
their breath between some well-paced action. I look forward to Shannon's future
work with eagerness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGTxVzPEKW1K8Lx4kiJtemiveVgXyDEtlwHgUeoU0px5ipUx_qTTaYSsalA7Qal_shhwpF8X761bry9bkpmqJrJcgS8XhAYjh7iIt4V2gGd_mdB2BOoxvnGWEuixiKbdveTSadZYo8Xa2Q0KX1f9kDsDfeokQzNEx1biC3StB7Nh5a6eLh6zXfCQBk2c/s300/Shannon%20Knight.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGTxVzPEKW1K8Lx4kiJtemiveVgXyDEtlwHgUeoU0px5ipUx_qTTaYSsalA7Qal_shhwpF8X761bry9bkpmqJrJcgS8XhAYjh7iIt4V2gGd_mdB2BOoxvnGWEuixiKbdveTSadZYo8Xa2Q0KX1f9kDsDfeokQzNEx1biC3StB7Nh5a6eLh6zXfCQBk2c/w107-h107/Shannon%20Knight.jpg" width="107" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Shannon Knight lives in the Pacific Northwest with her faithful feline, the
best cat on this planet, and a spectacular view of the galaxy and beyond. In
the spring of 2020, Shannon fell ill with the novel COVID-19 virus and became
primarily bedbound for about 2.25 years.</span><o:p></o:p><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-54517765288024352262023-06-19T18:55:00.000-05:002023-06-19T18:55:33.105-05:00Sentinel By Seb Woodland - A Sc-Fi Action/Adventure Story With A Heart<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6vzj37I2T1DzkaW4vrw4PbYgjToc5m2U9LYeU1oJ4FZHBnHEoZ3tmwXG-u6ZE4aXS-NN-4hZ2BJ4DjlqPLwptcBSnR1T1EbYfwyrUUg7Hxg1oBeGBWX-byiAV32E7-EXIg-ShF1xLFXRg2qWmTFqPmuivV68uTC92hk7oqtnPcEMk9SHu3aPmszjvsc/s1800/Sentinel%20Cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6vzj37I2T1DzkaW4vrw4PbYgjToc5m2U9LYeU1oJ4FZHBnHEoZ3tmwXG-u6ZE4aXS-NN-4hZ2BJ4DjlqPLwptcBSnR1T1EbYfwyrUUg7Hxg1oBeGBWX-byiAV32E7-EXIg-ShF1xLFXRg2qWmTFqPmuivV68uTC92hk7oqtnPcEMk9SHu3aPmszjvsc/s320/Sentinel%20Cover.jpeg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Sentinel by Seb Woodland</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing that attracted me to reading <i>Sentinel</i> was the book's
description. It promised to be a sci-fi adventure and space opera that would be
new and refreshing. The second thing that caught me was the cartoonish cover
promising a diverse cast of characters. I was not disappointed on either score.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sentinel</i> is a well-told tale within a tale. The characters are
dynamic and fun while the plot and how it unfolds in the pages is engaging and
will keep a reader turning pages. I was hooked from the beginning and could not
help but read on to see just what would happen next.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I relished this story and hope there will be more to come from this author. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Skyther Prince Osax is being interviewed for information surrounding a plot
to reduce planet Earth to cinders. A mysterious investigator wants the facts of
the diabolical act and the perpetrator, Duhrnan, all of which Osax is only too
happy to share, however, he will only divulge what he knows by telling the
entire tale from his own point of view. The impatient investigator has no
choice but to listen while Osax spins his epic, and detailed, account.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Osax meets others along his way, gaining support from a genetically enhanced
being bred for war. He also meets a commander from Earth Forces, and a
scientist with unclear motives. Together, this quartet more or less bonds as
they face adventures that include extreme danger and threats of destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Duhrnan declares through the galaxy's communication network his intention to
destroy the Earth. He has the means to do it and is known to have destroyed
other planets for his own nefarious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">First, Osax and his friends must learn to get along with each other before
they can unite to stop Duhrnan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It is a struggle on numerous levels as they face their own interpersonal
difficulties and obstacles thrown in their way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The story is told from the point of view of Osax, a Prince of the skythers.
He is next in line to become the ruler of his people after the Queen, his
mother, is gone. Osax is traveling to get away from pressure placed upon him,
and to learn more about the universe. He is a curious person who loves to learn
and meet new people. He is patient and tries to never rush into situations.
When he meets Kay, a genetically enhanced human warrior, he learns about her
and finds her to have low self-esteem. He likes her and offers encouragement
and helps Kay grow to me more than just a weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This is my favorite plot point in the book. There is plenty to give
enjoyment in this tale, but I enjoyed the Osax/Kay relationship above all. Kay
does not feel she is worthy of anyone's friendship. She makes mistakes and is very
hard on herself, however she experiences a lot of growth as the relationship
between her and Osax unfolds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Sentinel</i> is it is hard to make good friends, and
even harder to keep them. Kay has issues with self-confidence and esteem. What
Osax does to help her is not to point out her mistakes - she already knows when
she messes up. She picks herself apart and tears herself down throughout the
story. Osax, instead, doesn't focus on her mistakes, he teaches her to learn
from them and move forward. The interactions between Osax and Kay were some of
the best in the book and added a sense of authenticity to the entire work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Along with Osax's patient treatment of his teammate, <i>Sentinel</i> is a
great Sci-Fi, space opera, and adventure tale that is full of epic battles,
well-paced action, humor, and compassion. I hope that Seb Woodland continues to
write. He has a fine sense of humanity and can spin an amazing story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATEKgX97w0VEAmG0xyzsQLLZiCcO_HG0AUu6jXVy4f9fRQdrBxTQ0CSuVlyiU6HUpy1iqaPRMudLlZBYGAFP-3gO_rdT5BxpqClbX4Duj-nwTJeu7R2gdB7MMBJkJX4kzkumZYFfRvHzWVrxFU6d28W83qZZgdQ0laQqYkFi1MmvC2IgD2QUe7s6OVSk/s986/Seb%20Woodland.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="986" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATEKgX97w0VEAmG0xyzsQLLZiCcO_HG0AUu6jXVy4f9fRQdrBxTQ0CSuVlyiU6HUpy1iqaPRMudLlZBYGAFP-3gO_rdT5BxpqClbX4Duj-nwTJeu7R2gdB7MMBJkJX4kzkumZYFfRvHzWVrxFU6d28W83qZZgdQ0laQqYkFi1MmvC2IgD2QUe7s6OVSk/w200-h138/Seb%20Woodland.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Seb Woodland is a writer, musician, artist, video game developer, and the
author of Sentinel. Born in Victoria BC, on the west coast of Turtle Island, he
grew up inventing stories and roleplaying games with his siblings. Inspired by
authors such as Kenneth Oppel and Michelle Paver, Seb dreamed of becoming an
author since childhood. He achieved that dream in 2021 when he published his
first book, <i>Sentinel</i>. His creativity goes far beyond just writing, and
he always has at least a couple of art projects on the go. </span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-81190761627885214182023-05-28T15:40:00.000-05:002023-05-28T15:40:27.136-05:00Twist: A Novel by Dr. Alan Kolok - If You Think being A Researcher Is Boring, Read This!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP78CBvyntAQmni_GT3V3D4u1GosiW1Czzbt_VT5bn5xZDwlqCr6x1je3-YbsEpSCnTa0XD9IJxUX8WOB00_MKQDhWPitoFCcY4OMrFNAr2U6nXjYbeinYeSudZ1GRBtcoZD8u5wYGqqWJxVB33w5cebxZ2py7KTgFrvAQBXBu-oF2JPqFHexd_eG/s500/Twist%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP78CBvyntAQmni_GT3V3D4u1GosiW1Czzbt_VT5bn5xZDwlqCr6x1je3-YbsEpSCnTa0XD9IJxUX8WOB00_MKQDhWPitoFCcY4OMrFNAr2U6nXjYbeinYeSudZ1GRBtcoZD8u5wYGqqWJxVB33w5cebxZ2py7KTgFrvAQBXBu-oF2JPqFHexd_eG/s320/Twist%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Twist: A Novel by Dr. Alan S. Kolok</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I learned about Twist while in a Zoom meeting that Dr. Kolok was also
attending. I purchased the Kindle edition after reading the book's blurb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Twist is a short novel that hooked me right from the beginning and lever let
me down through its entirety. Everything about it was engaging. The writing was
clear and concise; the plot was easy to follow, and the characters were
interesting and felt like real people. In short, an excellent book overall
based on science fact stretched just enough to feel plausible, if not a little
scary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A professor from Iowa State University learns about an incident in Stockton,
California, where several people are killed when a driver plows his pickup
truck into a group of students at a local high school football game. When he
learns the assailant is not known as a violent person, he wonders if the
problem might be caused by prions, proteins that cause mad cow disease. During
his investigation, the professor discovers a new form of the prions that may be
directly responsible for an increasing number of incidents in and around
Stockton.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">He continues his research with colleagues and investigates ways to stop
further spread, but when he becomes infected himself, he fears it might be too
late.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The principal character in Twist is Dr. Alex Pendergraf. His main area of
interest is to study the prions that cause mad cow disease. He has a piece of
ground where he has several buried dead bovines and takes samples to his lab,
where his graduate assistant performs testing and helps to analyze results.
When the opportunity arises that he can study prions up close, his scientific
curiosity gets the better of him. He travels from Ames, Iowa, to Stockton to
gather blood samples and make firsthand observations. The danger is real, and
Alex finds an answer that is quite alarming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">One cannot but help liking Alex. He is an unassuming man who immerses
himself in his work. I admire Alex's focus and his dogged quest for
answers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The other characters that appear in Twist all come off the page as real
people one can find. There's the Stockton police officer who listens and makes
informed decisions. There is a lab assistant who is dedicated, but has some
personal issues she is dealing with, but she sets those aside to do her job
well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I felt the character development was appropriate for the character's role.
While I was rooting for Alex and his colleagues, I also felt bad for the
characters that would otherwise have been horrible criminals, but because of
the prions, they are as much victims as those unfortunately hurt by them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in Twist is how focused the principal character is
as he searches for answers to his questions. It appears Alex is very close to
being obsessed, but not quite. I would call him a true scientist because he is
more driven about discovery than he is about the rewards he might earn through
his work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A theme that stood out most for me is how it takes cooperation between
numerous individuals to find answers. People setting their need for personal
gain aside to solve a problem came through to me in this story. Alex is the
leader of a team, and he can bring others together to uncover important answers
to difficult questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from Twist is how one character works to encourage and help
another through difficult times. When a new graduate assistant joins the lab,
he feels unsure of himself even before he has really started working. He
appears to be contemplating quitting because he feels so overwhelmed. The world
of academia can be a very competitive place, making it seem hostile, and the
new assistant seems to be feeling all of that. Tori, Alex's assistant, sees
this struggling student and takes time to help and encourage her struggling
colleague. She gives him advice based on her own experience that culminates in
a quote I really like...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Just one more thing, Smitty," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">"Yeah?" Smitty looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">"Swim like a duck," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">"A duck?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">"You know, calm and collected on the surface, but below the surface,
Smitty, paddle like hell."</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This is advice I would give anyone starting out in college, or in a new
employment situation. Brilliant!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I found Twist a fascinating look into the world of scientific research with
a sci-fi twist. It has everything a fan might want in a great story, including
solid characters, a few humorous situations, and some very intense situations.
It is a fast-paced story that will keep the reader turning pages eager to see
what happens next. It is entertaining and fun to read. The science jargon used
is not overwhelming, making it easy for the layperson to understand. If you are
looking for a nice diversion, at 240 pages, Twist is accessible and can be read
in a sitting or two.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzOGwQdnmfkbmFbEgvaQJxsrYxaGIY4Kr3S-YbWDQokYW1hEieLoNPNcDBvvAxJ_0ej-vGlf0pSltw6InZFMy8AQzgy_-TfshX-vnYgNy_wf70zbWY3o3641DVLqEPQe17JE3yCaPjNx-ZIdsjN1bKKVXzFjrUc_Hr_aOq48dPXdHVChhOCmNmxge/s700/Alan%20Kolok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzOGwQdnmfkbmFbEgvaQJxsrYxaGIY4Kr3S-YbWDQokYW1hEieLoNPNcDBvvAxJ_0ej-vGlf0pSltw6InZFMy8AQzgy_-TfshX-vnYgNy_wf70zbWY3o3641DVLqEPQe17JE3yCaPjNx-ZIdsjN1bKKVXzFjrUc_Hr_aOq48dPXdHVChhOCmNmxge/w320-h240/Alan%20Kolok.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Alan S. Kolok is an environmental toxicologist with a PhD from the
University of Colorado. A prolific writer, he has written scientific articles,
newspaper columns, and blogs on toxicology and environmental epidemiology. He
is passionate about connecting the non-scientific audience to ideas and ways of
understanding, and recently authored Modern Poisons: A brief Introduction to
Contemporary Toxicology, a nonfiction book that makes modern toxicology
accessible to the lay-science audience.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-53582990260749244862023-04-29T18:58:00.002-05:002023-04-29T18:59:28.998-05:00Lives In Time Part 1 By J.D. Ray - Want An Amazing Story? Here's One You'll Love!<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOli5NfbVQJpwl_-K3vL-_jp_4THiYSE8BMPL3m9qq55nSiNJ-z3_vREoqFHQq2sB2frekOKZ_cdVfCMm-FX5f_JBPY1ZSEQLGXvCAvtkB59R_0xEbUw86Z_Q8IaMQOLerq5msDdvE2OHCwfR8WSpermiUvz4969eYHY7eCYG7vu_pp88Pjq0kgJ2/s2560/Lives%20in%20Time%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOli5NfbVQJpwl_-K3vL-_jp_4THiYSE8BMPL3m9qq55nSiNJ-z3_vREoqFHQq2sB2frekOKZ_cdVfCMm-FX5f_JBPY1ZSEQLGXvCAvtkB59R_0xEbUw86Z_Q8IaMQOLerq5msDdvE2OHCwfR8WSpermiUvz4969eYHY7eCYG7vu_pp88Pjq0kgJ2/s320/Lives%20in%20Time%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Lives in Time (Part 1) By J.D. Ray</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I learned about Lives in Time in a Zoom meeting, including the author and
several other people. I enjoy reading work by new authors and when J.D.
mentioned his work, I went to Amazon, purchased a copy, and downloaded it to my
Kindle. Little did I know what I was in for when I dove in to this tale of time
travel and low-tech adventure. I was hooked from the very opening of this and
stayed that way all the way to the end. This book was fascinating and just
plain fun to read. I cannot give Lives in Time a better endorsement than to
say, I WANT MORE!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">We start the tale in the year 2285. The place is on the coast of Croatia. It
is a peaceful time where everyone seems to enjoy the advancement of technology
and medicine. Lives are vastly extended, and people are happy. The story
focuses on a young couple, both are twenty years of age, and they are
developing a closer relationship as they spend time together. Celeste and Marko
decide they want to spend some time together away from their parents and other
people. They are both from wealthy families and want for very little.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">During their walk, they come upon a cave and decide to explore. When Celeste
tries to take a photo of a carving on the cave wall, there is a bright flash of
light and the couple feel a little dizzy. When they recover, they find they
have been transported back in time to the 14th century!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, imagine two young adults in t-shirts and shorts wandering the
countryside trying to figure out how they are going to fit in to an alien
society starting out with nothing! They have to start by depending on the
charity of others and eventually understand how to make it work on their own
until they can learn how to go home. What an adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Celeste and Marko are a pair that complement each other amazingly. Celeste
is a brash young woman who exudes self-confidence. She can think on her feet
and readily adapt to situations. Her major strength is in how she can relate to
people. She is likeable and friendly when the situation calls for it. At the
same time, she is secretly a little unsure of the world around her. But even at
that, she is quite capable of defending herself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Marko is strong, yet agreeable. He is a fast learner and follows Celeste's
lead whenever necessary. He quickly learns skills to help the couple survive in
the unfamiliar landscape of 14th Century Croatia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Together, they make friends and live in the past, but always think about
getting back to their home in the 23rd century. Both are very strong characters
and are good people. But great characters is only one aspect of this story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Another strong point is the world-building J.D. treats the reader to. The
writing of the times and events in the 14th century feel utterly authentic. I'm
sure there was no small amount of research into what the lives, times, and
events of establishing this story. Nevertheless, I felt as though I had been
transported into the past myself, experiencing the tastes, smells, and feelings
of the people in this tale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">There is also a full spectrum of emotional content woven into the tapestry
of Lives in Time that adds even more to the enjoyment of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from Lives in Time is, when in Croatia in the 14th century, do
as the Croatians do. When one finds themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, it
is better to be quiet and observe. Pay attention to all happenings around you
and follow the examples you see.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Lives in Time is a stunning story that is more about people than it is science
fiction. Sci-Fi is the vehicle that transports the principal characters into
the past, but it just takes common sense and a keen wit to get along and even
prosper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This is a well-written, well researched, and masterfully crafted story feels
so plausible. It seems real to me. All the characters, whether major or
supportive, are real. The situations and settings feel authentic and make me
want to explore the beautiful landscapes used as the backdrop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The ending is a cliffhanger wide open to a sequel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Eminently entertaining and well worth the time to read, I give my highest
recommendations to Lives in time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Don't miss this one, it's a gem!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfjHL7jtJOWm2oQM4YIzDv0xRYInwBmnOI_4yXJyCGG49ODktkZGGBeC6wIkxB2tOWZI0V4UAUoW8E5Cu9xW-u62zVSH0kQzz0z3ggeedUBGwqx4JDK_b6xN8N45PRqgPdQx9-IMDFo4j8KHdgEcGxzBSkNssbpYdxWXK-2clITB-wvSuYlh1Ewhh/s150/JD%20Ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="150" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfjHL7jtJOWm2oQM4YIzDv0xRYInwBmnOI_4yXJyCGG49ODktkZGGBeC6wIkxB2tOWZI0V4UAUoW8E5Cu9xW-u62zVSH0kQzz0z3ggeedUBGwqx4JDK_b6xN8N45PRqgPdQx9-IMDFo4j8KHdgEcGxzBSkNssbpYdxWXK-2clITB-wvSuYlh1Ewhh/s1600/JD%20Ray.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">A Pacific Northwest native, J.D. lives in Portland with his wonderful wife
Jennifer and usually some cats. Aside from various adventures and escapades,
he's made a career of technological sorcery while writing short fiction as a
hobby. His mentionable other hobbies include cooking, cheese making, travel,
and spending time with his wife, who - as mentioned - is wonderful. His debut
novel, Lives in Time Part One, is the first in a series of three set in a
universe that leaves room for more.</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-58944930322106132552023-04-29T18:39:00.005-05:002023-05-17T07:13:45.411-05:00Bloodstained Skies: The Core Of Rage By Dagmar Rokita - Dark Sci-Fi Space Opera That May Remind You Of Halo And Star Wars<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFCt1PbWLuv2ZTgj7IbHWL0bcQfPkdTeXlUpbbcEgnsLiwg0Tz1h2CHaasu7ltDcSq2MysZgO4U1BT6JNpSi8HXcWsM0qPdp6Q3wC0nutJW1dQ-MjQpVPTx8cyPuerHzwA91xlJvAiNyc4heQa_HAimYrgq3tSqeAWjN76FNPcrASan2xQYQTHazV/s2560/Core%20of%20Rage%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFCt1PbWLuv2ZTgj7IbHWL0bcQfPkdTeXlUpbbcEgnsLiwg0Tz1h2CHaasu7ltDcSq2MysZgO4U1BT6JNpSi8HXcWsM0qPdp6Q3wC0nutJW1dQ-MjQpVPTx8cyPuerHzwA91xlJvAiNyc4heQa_HAimYrgq3tSqeAWjN76FNPcrASan2xQYQTHazV/s320/Core%20of%20Rage%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Bloodstained Skies: Core of Rage by Dagmar Rokita</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Core of Rage is a dark, sci-fi space opera that is good for readers who
enjoy Dune, Halo, Star Wars, and Warhammer. That is, according to Dagmar Rokita,
the author of this tale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I found it a little difficult to get into at first. I kind of missed the
background, but what I got from context is there is a faction calling itself
the Union that has taken over governance of numerous worlds, much as the
Galactic Empire of Star Wars fame. However, the Union's grip is slipping to a
very well-armed rebellion as they fight to take back what they have lost. There
isn't a lot of detail about the Union. I can only assume there will be more
detail about them as the series moves forward with details.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The strength of this book for me was in the principal character, Cerridwen
Felvennis. Another strength I enjoyed was the battle scenes, both in space and
hand-to-hand in nature. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the synopsis from the back of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">After years of tension, war has finally come to the Union worlds. Hordes of
rebels, seeking revenge for their lost worlds, ravage the Peripheral Zones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">One of the leaders of the rebellion is Charon Antares, a strict and shrewd
warrior who doesn't accept any weaknesses or cowardice. He has been struggling
for years to liberate his planet, Zetherion, from Union control. When another
one of his braver missions ends in disaster, the rich and powerful sovereign
plans to deprive him of his authority. To save his status, Antares agrees to
execute her insane order that may cost the lives of thousands of his people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A young and easy-going girl named Cerridwen lives in a peaceful world. One
day, by accident, she comes in Antares way. When she finds out about the
tragedy that happened to her family, she vows revenge, but without
collaboration with Antares and the rebels, she cannot fulfill her plan. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, a group of the Union scientists decides to end the rebel's
invasions, once and for all - they build a deadly, inhumane weapon out of sight
of the government.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The principal character, Cerridwen, is a twenty-year-old female character
who is secure in her situation and in herself. She possesses skills that allow
her to take care of herself and lives on with her father, who is a politician
in the Union. She is captured and taken off planet where she is being held by a
rebel who wants all the information she might have. When she learns her father
has been murdered, she has a strong suspicion about who may be responsible and
becomes obsessed with avenging herself upon the offending party. The problem is
that she must allow herself to be used as she uses the rebels to achieve her
goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The best point in the plot occurs later in the book when Cerridwen thinks
her way out of an impossible situation to survive and continue her quest. I
thought this was a brilliant bit of writing and I couldn't stop reading until
the situation was resolved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">There is a devastating weapon introduced in the story that was also very
interesting. A brutal killing machine that seemed unbeatable. It was an
invention of the Union and designed to end the rebellion forever. If you're
thinking Death Star, forget it. The ultimate weapon in this story is far more
believable than any of those introduced in Star Wars, and it is on a much
smaller scale, but nonetheless dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from Core of Rage is to remember no matter how one thinks they
may know the answer, one must also consider they may be wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I would have to further say that the main theme that came to me from the
book is obsession. It can sometimes be tragic when one throws caution to the wind
and is willing to continue to chase a goal by compromising one’s own ideals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed Core of Rage for the most part. There were a few times I found
myself a little confused because there are a lot of different factions to keep
track of. Once in a while, I had trouble keeping track of just who was who in
the story. Outside of that, I was engaged and entertained as I read. I look
forward to more stories in this series as the author continues to grow and
develop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Dagmar Rokita is a Polish writer and an artist. She writes and illustrates a
dark sci-fi series called Bloodstained Skies. There are two things that inspire
her: imaginary world of geek culture and the deepest corners of human
psychology. Huge doses of heavy metal and history are her creative fuel. She
wants to become a famous artist because she needs money to buy sophisticated
food for her cat.</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-91933324837665025282023-04-22T06:42:00.003-05:002023-06-29T13:40:03.993-05:00Insiders By Shannon Knight - Twists And Turns Galore In This Space Opera<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRMzbIttAnp5fjD3yFoMVz_R6gwGjqQqA0zaTxHYg4subhsVs-7JkOrCm0g8OSeRJ87R7EgqtKK0AzlM1l_iYOuWjwj11hxv_mTMXrHOm2hQi3-Ek_Z2itGvxECiC-xpyRWt2apRYAH3SHcNLTQrCEFc97cuOADnefU5eUG7Lgyn-BI5hGX-Th6dCE1w/s1000/Insiders%20Cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRMzbIttAnp5fjD3yFoMVz_R6gwGjqQqA0zaTxHYg4subhsVs-7JkOrCm0g8OSeRJ87R7EgqtKK0AzlM1l_iYOuWjwj11hxv_mTMXrHOm2hQi3-Ek_Z2itGvxECiC-xpyRWt2apRYAH3SHcNLTQrCEFc97cuOADnefU5eUG7Lgyn-BI5hGX-Th6dCE1w/s320/Insiders%20Cover.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>Insiders by Shannon Knight</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I received a copy of </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Insiders</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Insiders</i> is a science fiction space opera story revolving around a small
ship in the business of long-distance hauling of materials over vast distances,
even between galaxies. As with any great story, Insiders is heavily character
driven with a cast of diverse individuals. Characters are developed over time
in the tale by the changing of point of view - each chapter is a snapshot of
the activities and thoughts of the players. I wasn't long before I began caring
about the people on the small ship who, through no fault of their own, became
entangled in a series of life-threatening events presented in multiple
situations focusing on one character in particular who turns out to be the
unlikely hero.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed this book. It was engaging right from the opening and the action
never lets up until the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">The universe is being overrun by a deadly virus, and everyone has to be very
careful. The Hibravian virus is robust. It spreads easily and kills quickly. A
planet touched by this plague can be wiped out almost instantly. Those who are
infected are promised a painful and swift death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Onboard the Jacks, a small, long-haul vessel, a "barnacle" is
discovered to have attached itself to the hull after departing a deep space
station. When the crew investigates this, they find they have taken on a young
girl and an unusual companion in the form of a sentient plant. The crew of the
Jacks soon establishes that the girl's plant guardian may be the key to a cure
for the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">There are others who believe the plant to be the path to a cure, and they
all head for the Jacks to claim the lucrative prize to be had.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It is a race for wealth and health, and there are numerous sacrifices and
many deaths along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This tale is heavily character driven. Each chapter is from the point of
view of a single character, and that is how we get to know them. The crew of
the Jacks are a collection of diverse people who each have their own talent.
The reader will soon learn that each crew member is a vital part of the story.
Particularly enjoyed how the author developed each character from the inside
out and did a fine job of giving each their own voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite character was the captain of the little ship, Karasi. She is a
strong character who knows how to lead. She is clever and knows how to get out
of a bad situation and land on her feet. Her leadership style is to allow her
crew to do their jobs, and they are all very capable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in <i>Insiders</i> is just how much the crew of the Jacks
is facing. They have to evade an empire, mercenaries, and the virus itself to
survive, and on top of all that, there are obstacles in space itself that get
in the way. Each crewmember brings their special talents to the table, and it
is fascinating how they work together while also fighting their own personal
demons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Insiders</i> is that no matter how many obstacles stand in the
way of reaching a goal, perseverance and imagination will win in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Insiders is a great space opera that has a flavor reminiscent of <i>Firefly</i>.
Each crew member contributes to the whole, but each also has their own
identity. The action starts from the beginning and doesn't let up until the
last page. I found the ending quite satisfying and was entertained all the way
through. There are several scenes of death some readers may find disturbing,
but they are not over the top or gratuitous in any way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to future sci-fi books from this author! Her command of
creating characters to care about and the use of voice is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7UDQEAl4FLP_qBlrUqWdK4kFCF5ghDjsBXw-WkRgYxKhNysbMVIO7zFNA5bHq9E6gYJVvhM41REfrVpQRocKkO49W7IA2TTr1JD7rXZKQxwZ6AWjn-j5LusY_TTD05V6zFuTz6KtcraiP4hxYmm_HoyDDfUKogd6FWksfBFGJu0BaPnEsfBCLdPS/s300/Shannon%20Knight.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7UDQEAl4FLP_qBlrUqWdK4kFCF5ghDjsBXw-WkRgYxKhNysbMVIO7zFNA5bHq9E6gYJVvhM41REfrVpQRocKkO49W7IA2TTr1JD7rXZKQxwZ6AWjn-j5LusY_TTD05V6zFuTz6KtcraiP4hxYmm_HoyDDfUKogd6FWksfBFGJu0BaPnEsfBCLdPS/w97-h97/Shannon%20Knight.jpg" width="97" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Shannon Knight lives in the Pacific Northwest with her faithful feline, the
best cat on this planet, and a spectacular view of the galaxy and beyond. In
the spring of 2020, Shannon fell ill with the novel COVID-19 virus and became
primarily bedbound for about 2.25 years.</span><o:p></o:p><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-7068474465506935982023-03-11T15:58:00.001-06:002023-03-11T15:58:48.564-06:00Dune: The Heir of Caladan By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson - This Lead-Up To Dune is Incredibly Good<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzu8INoPmxSwFKg8tjxIBx6uhoHzcmNdbMkhFJqQQqGyWrWp4-UYNwSWsHaKg0JZ3wjNLrfZdN9Mj0WYEDSlZV6vVdVzf5GpyoyCI3oJwPTGby0Kf4p3pEdOq83MUVVZ7v_a0H546HTNrUR07WCSV4M79sjTjxikJWEAJFGrjhHSL-5MSVsMv8sp7/s500/Heir%20of%20Caladan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzu8INoPmxSwFKg8tjxIBx6uhoHzcmNdbMkhFJqQQqGyWrWp4-UYNwSWsHaKg0JZ3wjNLrfZdN9Mj0WYEDSlZV6vVdVzf5GpyoyCI3oJwPTGby0Kf4p3pEdOq83MUVVZ7v_a0H546HTNrUR07WCSV4M79sjTjxikJWEAJFGrjhHSL-5MSVsMv8sp7/s320/Heir%20of%20Caladan.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Dune: Heir of Caladan (The Caladan Trilogy Book 3) By Brian Herbert and
Kevin J. Anderson</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'm always on board when Herbert and Anderson release a new Dune tale. I
have read them all and love every one of them. <i>Heir of Caladan</i> is no exception
to the rule for me. It is a great ending to the trilogy that leads directly to
the events of the original <i>Dune </i>novel by Frank Herbert. I've always wondered
about the events leading to <i>Dune</i>. Why is there such a vicious feud between
House Harkonnen and House Atreides? How did House Atreides come into control of
Arrakis? Why does Shaddam IV seem to not trust his cousin, Duke Leto?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Heir of Caladan, we get an idea of the answers to those questions and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This segment rounds out the trilogy that also includes <i>Dune: The Duke of
Caladan </i>and <i>Dune: The Lady of Caladan</i>. All three books are excellent and well
worth the time for fans readers who enjoy the books written by Brian Herbert
and Kevin J. Anderson.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is busy in the known universe ruled by Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino
IV.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jaxson Aru, son of the CHOAM director, has made it his mission - or
obsession - to free the universe from Corrino rule once and for all. He has
made it clear he will stop at nothing to accomplish this mission and he has the
attention of Shaddam. As a matter of fact, Shaddam is equally determined to rid
the universe of Aru, and any of those who are in league with him. The Emperor's
Sardukar troops are going to be busy making examples of those who dare to
associate with the traitor Aru.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Duke Leto Atreides of Caladan plays a dangerous game. His mission is to
infiltrate Aru's organization and attempt to bring it down from within. He has
dispatched Gurney Halleck to Kaitain with a message for Shaddam, letting him
know he is loyal and what his intentions are. The only problem here is that
Gurney has been captured on his way to deliver the message by the Harkonnens.
No one knows he hasn't delivered his message.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Lady Jessica has been taken away from Caladan by the Bene Geserit and
reassigned to the planet Elegy to be the new bound concubine of Viscount
Giandro Tull. Jessica is on a mission that she hopes is successful, will allow
her to go back to Caladan to be with her Duke and her son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Ducal heir, young Paul Atreides, is left on Caladan to assume the duties
of his father. He faces numerous challenges and hopes to be successful thanks
to his mother's training, and the advice of Mentat Thufir Hawat and Swordmaster
Duncan Idaho. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And, if that isn't enough, The Baron Harkonnen plots to see that Leto is
left with nothing, not even a home. Hasimir Fenring investigates the spice
situation on Arrakis, and the Bene Geserit think they are close to producing
the Kwisatz Haderach they have long been searching for. One of the problems
Paul must solve, once and for all, is the illicit production of the Caladan
Drug thought already to have been eradicated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All the characters are in play in this story of intrigue and plots within
plots. As always, they are recognizable as who they are and each unique in
their own voice and thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is difficult to choose a single point of plot in <i>Heir of Caladan</i> because
it is all just that good, but if I was forced to choose one, it would have to
be Paul's trials filling in as Duke. He faces quite a few challenges, but young
as he is, he appears quite capable of making the hard decisions and isn't
afraid to take advice from the advisors surrounding him. Paul faces a few
situations, but there is one which tests him at the highest lever because the
stakes are the existence of Caladan itself!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Heir of Caladan</i> is that no matter what one's plan is, no
matter how carefully one plans, there is always the possibility of failure. In
this tale, everyone has a goal they want to achieve, and it seems some come
close to seeing those goals become successes, that is, until some random,
unplanned element is introduced. It happens through this entire story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have read everything in the <i>Dune </i>universe (as far as I know) and enjoyed
all of it. It is rich and full of splendid story and things to think about in
every single volume. I first read Frank Herbert's <i>Dune </i>in 1984 after being
sparked by viewing the David Lynch movie. The Caladan Trilogy continues
chronicling the events that lead to that first amazing novel and is every bit
as entertaining as all the others. Heir, this latest installment is no
exception. It is loaded with heroes, villains, and people in-between. I give my
highest recommendations to the trilogy and its conclusion. The characters jump
off the page and when you get to the end, you'll want more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWeTelMDyIS5wh2aoVmGx94vpJmeFh4DyiK4l9Mq0KzCaGH2EMhqBhaHrgBK4WkkdW5Is-j3pyTsk3ZC6bQxuV1YB1AAwg-H8LMt0RFcmolhHCbxoYkTYe48FpBuLiVUVZ6QhTDLdOAG-kg-JSJqk0o48ywBFsGl1M0RABCUm1YsuXxIKwFXHQiae/s620/brian%20herbert%20y%20kevin%20j.%20anderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="620" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWeTelMDyIS5wh2aoVmGx94vpJmeFh4DyiK4l9Mq0KzCaGH2EMhqBhaHrgBK4WkkdW5Is-j3pyTsk3ZC6bQxuV1YB1AAwg-H8LMt0RFcmolhHCbxoYkTYe48FpBuLiVUVZ6QhTDLdOAG-kg-JSJqk0o48ywBFsGl1M0RABCUm1YsuXxIKwFXHQiae/w200-h150/brian%20herbert%20y%20kevin%20j.%20anderson.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Brian Herbert, son of Frank Herbert, wrote the definitive biography of his
father, <i>Dreamer of Dune</i>, which was a Hugo Award finalist. Brian is president of
the company managing the legacy of Frank Herbert and is an executive producer
of the motion picture <i>Dune</i>, as well as of the TV series <i>Dune: The Sisterhood</i>.
He is the author or coauthor of more than forty-five books, including multiple
New York Times bestsellers, has been nominated for the Nebula Award, and is
always working on several projects at once. He and his wife, Jan, have traveled
to all seven continents, and in 2019, they took a trip to Budapest to observe
the filming of Dune.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Kevin J. Anderson has written dozens of national bestsellers and has been
nominated for the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the
SFX Readers' Choice Award. His critically acclaimed original novels include the
ambitious space opera series <i>The Saga of Seven Suns</i>, including <i>The Dark Between
the Stars</i>, as well as <i>Wake the Dragon</i> epic fantasy trilogy, and the <i>Terra
Incognita</i> fantasy epic with its two accompanying rock CDs. He also set the
Guinness-certified world record for the largest single-author book signing, and
was recently inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-89844166469640169772023-02-06T16:35:00.000-06:002023-02-06T16:35:12.456-06:00Sandorn's Prison: A Military Space Opera (Sandorn's Allegiance Book 2) By Thom Bedford<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahGfNMepfE4Zi-HOC7AC3RDICjdfxyPz75FJf5-6mER06phnqXxtQiJz0sVEqBbE7oMOaSCv3qmIz7-C9iMYuQ7WAkX6Zo7h7jQw6Bo6gLP6NU3nIYRH8tZqMHvW47NUp5SofssxpaK6GjvW9RlhYSmonYZXL0PyQfNKclkfT3dxis5D5nxvFbueo/s450/Sandorn's%20Prison%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahGfNMepfE4Zi-HOC7AC3RDICjdfxyPz75FJf5-6mER06phnqXxtQiJz0sVEqBbE7oMOaSCv3qmIz7-C9iMYuQ7WAkX6Zo7h7jQw6Bo6gLP6NU3nIYRH8tZqMHvW47NUp5SofssxpaK6GjvW9RlhYSmonYZXL0PyQfNKclkfT3dxis5D5nxvFbueo/s320/Sandorn's%20Prison%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">Sandorn's Prison: A Military
Space Opera (Sandorn's Allegiance Book 2) by Thom Bedford</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book
for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Note: <i>Sandorn's Prison</i>
is due to be released on March 11, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sandorn's Prison</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is the second book in the <i>Sandorn's
Allegiance</i> series by Thom Bedford. The first book in the series, <i>Sandorn's
Command</i>, introduces the reader to several compelling characters who find
themselves caught up in the middle of a war between two factions, the Alliance,
and the Union.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tanic Sandorn, former spacer,
finds himself turning from a life of cargo runs to becoming an important player
in the early days of the war on the side of the Alliance. He is joined by
nearly all his crew, but one holds out, claiming the Alliance isn't all it's
made out to be, and the union has been unjustly vilified.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love space opera and Thom
Bedford's offerings are some of the best I've read. He writes superior
characters set in a backdrop of amazing ships, space stations, and impossible
situations requiring cleverness to resolve. Along with epic battle scenes,
there are political situations, intrigue, and romance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sandorn's Prison</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is the amazing continuation of the saga
in which the principal character finds himself torn between following orders,
or doing what is right and best for the most people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Exeter Station, Commander
Tanic Sandorn works his daily routine until he is tapped to command an updated
warship, the <i>Leonidas</i>. He gathers his command crew, a group of
dependable people he has worked with in the past, and is attached to a fleet
charged with the rescue of a large number of prisoners being held on a prison
station.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fleet commander, Commodore
Flynn, is a glory-seeking, cowardly officer who has no problem sacrificing
others to achieve his goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sandorn disobeys Fynn’s orders
to reduce the losses to the fleet. What's more, he is forced to make a
monumental personal sacrifice, leaving someone very important to him behind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the brig, heartsick and
feeling like he's let everyone down, he has to find a way to pull himself
together and make a second trip to the prison station before it's too late.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tanic Sandorn is a good man. He
is a good soldier and a superb commander respected by his direct commanders and
those he is chosen to command. But he is not the man to follow orders blindly.
When he sees an injustice, he acts on it by doing the right thing, consequences
be damned. In the pages of the two books in this series, Sandorn is the hero
who doesn't set out to be the hero. He doesn't seek glory or laurels; he just
wants to get his job done while minimizing the loss of life. As one reads, he
becomes a real person one can admire and take as an example to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in
this tale is how there is a problem brewing behind the scenes that hasn't been
revealed so far. In both books in the series, it is mentioned in a roundabout
way, but not pinpointed. This is just one of the aspects of this series that
keeps me coming back for more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another plot point I enjoyed
are the twists and turns. While we know the hero is going to triumph, it is in
no way predictable how Sandorn is going to achieve his goals, and it isn't
guaranteed he will. His ultimate solution to the problem put in his way was
completely unexpected, yet so simple, it could have been child's play. His
solution also gives the reader some insight into the leadership of the
much-maligned Union faction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thom is an avid sci-fi fan, and
it really shows itself in his writing. Occasionally, I had to smile as I came
across winks and nods to various other sci-fi franchises. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Sandorn's
Prison</i> is no matter the consequences, a person of good character must stand
by their principles and do what is right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I give my highest
recommendations for <i>Sandorn's Prison</i>. It is an entertaining read that
runs a full gamut of emotions. This (as well as <i>Sandorn's Command</i>) is
space opera at its best. It seems so plausible that it feels real as one reads
it, and the story will stay with the reader long after the book is closed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY1Ag9NDEWJlL19o8ZMxD94_1Is4Ab2v_bhTr5tNDjfx3bnJGWyjR-GWXiwn4nmKYGWQ09kp3LMUyJJhye3GiwfK9KYpTCpFIrBn4qy4euBgPCa-SVj3bO_lDu3pOUxMm-OXOm2HRiRE3JrcRLhdsKliuMLuWn5PtGcT24ccWCMo5w142RTzo67BN/s700/Thom%20Bedford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY1Ag9NDEWJlL19o8ZMxD94_1Is4Ab2v_bhTr5tNDjfx3bnJGWyjR-GWXiwn4nmKYGWQ09kp3LMUyJJhye3GiwfK9KYpTCpFIrBn4qy4euBgPCa-SVj3bO_lDu3pOUxMm-OXOm2HRiRE3JrcRLhdsKliuMLuWn5PtGcT24ccWCMo5w142RTzo67BN/w200-h200/Thom%20Bedford.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Thom grew up in Cheshire,
England, with his parents and brother. Since childhood, he has had a propensity
for creativity, whether it be writing, building models, painting, designing
graphics and technology, or programming.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After studying computer science
at The University of Manchester, he started working as a Software Developer.
Following in his father's footsteps, he worked as a Technical consultant in
London for several years, then in data warehousing back in Manchester.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In his spare time, Thom still
writes, builds models, paints, and programs, but nowadays he also listens to a
lot of music, watches a lot of films, reads, and enjoys playing video games.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His love for science fiction
comes from blockbuster films like <i>Starship Troopers</i>, <i>Star Wars</i>,
and <i>Star Trek</i>. B-movies like <i>Wing Commander</i>, <i>Pitch Black</i>,
and <i>Iron Sky</i>. TV shows like <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, <i>The Expanse</i>,
and <i>Stargate</i>. Video games like <i>Homeworld</i>, <i>EVE-Online</i>, and <i>Stelaris</i>.
Books Like Jack Campbell's <i>Lost Fleet</i> series, Jasper T. Scott's <i>Dead
Space</i> series, and David Weber's <i>Honor Harrington</i> series. In other
words, sci-fi - particularly space opera - in any media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thom currently lives in
Cheshire, England with his wife, Helen, and their two cats.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-16354918689608065312023-02-05T21:05:00.000-06:002023-02-05T21:05:03.312-06:00Cryptid Killers By Allister Hodge - A Chilling Winter's Tale Of Murder And Mayhem<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1o3F3iHbf-tonzHkZUqHnoeyTPpywHBZVweqKJJWMDFXlWdNcXrs6-XH7m1cDSR8QFxMS9qYeY4zAHEgo4FWjyLdGoQIxmBamizKUD9Zn3LKAvNHDA9rsY2wyS5fb38jdh1zgWsdzEiBeW3By2iqUzerLl5XxKPQuzatMakk8k_4t56l9ANZK37V/s346/Cryptid%20Killers%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1o3F3iHbf-tonzHkZUqHnoeyTPpywHBZVweqKJJWMDFXlWdNcXrs6-XH7m1cDSR8QFxMS9qYeY4zAHEgo4FWjyLdGoQIxmBamizKUD9Zn3LKAvNHDA9rsY2wyS5fb38jdh1zgWsdzEiBeW3By2iqUzerLl5XxKPQuzatMakk8k_4t56l9ANZK37V/s320/Cryptid%20Killers%20Cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial;">Cryptid Killers by Alister Hodge</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I borrowed a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited and am leaving this
review voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When I see the name Alister Hodge on the cover of a book, I will probably
read it. I didn't learn about this one until I saw it come across my Facebook
feed recently. I was looking for something a little different and decided to
take this one on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Cryptid Killers</i> is a short and fast-paced story set at a ski resort
somewhere in Australia. When I say fast paced, I mean reading this book is a
lot like hopping a ride on a roller coaster in motion. The action begins on the
opening pages and never lets up until the very end. It has a pair of great
characters as heroes, as well as a pair of nefarious characters who are so
buried in their own self-interest, they cannot see the danger they are
unleashing to the resort's guests, who have paid a large premium to have a
holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At 149 pages, I was impressed by how Al crammed so much story into such a
small space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Cryptid Killers</i> is a story that could cause one nightmares. The monsters in
this tale are vicious and relentless, and there are too many to count. Al's
descriptions of the horror caused by these creatures may be a trigger point to
some readers, but for those who can take descriptions of injury and
dismemberment, it is an entertaining read that might have one sleeping with the
lights on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I enjoyed this book, as I have everything I've read from Al Hodge, and I
continue to look forward to his future work as an author.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When a skier is lost at a resort, Agent Rylan of the Cryptid Investigation
Unit and her new partner, Eoin Carter, find themselves in a battle for their
lives against an army of creatures who are rapidly emerging from hibernation.
When they appear, they are ruthless, murderous, and very, very hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As Rylan and Carter do their best to keep the resorts guest from becoming a
hot meal in the frozen tundra, they also have to fight against the resort’s
greedy owner and his henchman, who harbor ulterior motives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One of Al's major strengths as an author is the characters he writes. While
there wasn't a lot of background information given in this story, there is
enough to help one become invested in their successes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Agent Rylan knows her business. She is intense about her work, and she knows
how to get the job done. I will not go into too much detail and spoil a plot
twist. I want to know more about this character. Hopefully, there will be
future books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Eoin Carter is a former soldier who has seen his share of violence and
death. He is pretty good at keeping his cool while he assesses and acts in
situations. I don't think he was prepared for what he found on the mountain
above the resort. Carter is a well-trained, tough ex-soldier. He and Ryland
butt heads occasionally, but they actually work well together and are a great
team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jacob Freidman is the villain of the tale. He, along with his henchman, make
things miserable for Rylan, Carter, and just about everyone else on the
mountain for their holiday. He is very rich and powerful; he has an ulterior
motive and the consequences to others be damned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite plot point is also a major spoiler, and the thing about the
story that makes me want more. It is also a major spoiler, so I will leave it
by saying Agent Rylan has a lot of experience with cryptozoology.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Cryptid Killers</i> is to warn others to be wary of things that
come in pretty packages, like the ultra-modern resort. Sometimes those who are
in the business of providing amazing experiences may have amazing ambitions and
are willing to spend huge amounts of money to make even more money.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have never been disappointed by anything I've read from Alister Hodge. He
is an amazing writer who, through his characters, spins tales that are the
stuff of nightmares. If you are looking for something that will thrill and give
you the heebie jeebies, this is the book for you! <i>Cryptid Killers</i> is a story
that runs at breakneck speed, don't blink, or you might miss something. Al
includes things he has experienced in his profession working in the emergency
room, and sometimes the reality of his descriptions can make one cringe. If you
cannot handle such scenes, this might be one to avoid. But if you like horror
with graphic scenes of mayhem, this is one you might want to dive into.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Highest Recommendations for a shorter read that moves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR9AzWlLqYLvutAJ0NFV5NISOF6NY1ScGeR7yGpB_NAVX8yQehmbiU7iWEuUMqqoIZD73QKd8KZZjHPrQSyo1UIchXbwnN0QyLhAFbT1aFQHFWlwFV0QixC0VH_DtlmydDgNCfxQjUTUm_8rqYEp2wfZU576wUWfWiHDirKbSqQVqWq9WeF2ZjA1E/s600/Alister%20Hodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR9AzWlLqYLvutAJ0NFV5NISOF6NY1ScGeR7yGpB_NAVX8yQehmbiU7iWEuUMqqoIZD73QKd8KZZjHPrQSyo1UIchXbwnN0QyLhAFbT1aFQHFWlwFV0QixC0VH_DtlmydDgNCfxQjUTUm_8rqYEp2wfZU576wUWfWiHDirKbSqQVqWq9WeF2ZjA1E/w150-h200/Alister%20Hodge.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Alister Hodge is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, who lives in Sydney with
his wife and two daughters. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of
Sydney, the author of numerous journal and textbook publications, and the
co-creator of an app to support triage nurse development in Australia.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As a mental break from providing healthcare in a busy Emergency Department,
Alister leaves behind the everyday traumas and horror of the real world, by
creating new ones for a post-apocalyptic landscape.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-26446738697414178342023-01-03T20:07:00.001-06:002023-01-03T20:07:18.093-06:00Progress Report By Roman Lando - Fast Paced And Humorous With Serious Overtones<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW8F72r44_yFA1O_09u-oNU3Bvqkgqdn7zw8FubUV1W3BE__ybUO1WXLJrNUTjgmWypBQRWnGPk_h1cXuhhoetcjFKCil-_3uhZJQLy8uPtooncF09KlD_RVCHgjiSudYEopA0I5x-TnJPraIdikTiD7pkmeC6Yud9T-APT2t6OlRCrBik4zJ8upN/s500/Progress%20Report%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW8F72r44_yFA1O_09u-oNU3Bvqkgqdn7zw8FubUV1W3BE__ybUO1WXLJrNUTjgmWypBQRWnGPk_h1cXuhhoetcjFKCil-_3uhZJQLy8uPtooncF09KlD_RVCHgjiSudYEopA0I5x-TnJPraIdikTiD7pkmeC6Yud9T-APT2t6OlRCrBik4zJ8upN/s320/Progress%20Report%20Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Progress Report by Roman Lando</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I received a copy of <i>Progress Report</i> for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I received an email from the author who offered me a copy of <i>Progress Report</i> and asked if I would consider reviewing it on my blog and other places I leave reviews. The first thing that got my attention was the cover design, and the synopsis sealed the deal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Progress Report</i> is a sci-fi adventure technothriller that is full of twists and turns and is written with a sense of humor approaching that of Douglas Adams, author of the H<i>itchhiker's Guide</i> books. While it is not as bizarre as Adams' work, I found myself smiling all the way through it, and occasionally laughing out loud. There are numerous references to today's pop-culture making it a fun book to read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But don't be fooled by the humor. There are some serious implications included in the text that will make one think, should one desire to do so.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Progress Report</i> is well written and easy to follow. It is entertaining and is a fun rollercoaster ride. The characters are people I found myself caring about. Should one read between the lines, there is a story that should be taken seriously, and some commentary that is worth a second look. I especially appreciated how the author put so much of himself in this tale of intrigue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Art, an ordinary guy, he just wants to be left alone to do his own thing. He enjoys flying his drones and taking life one day at a time. Unfortunately, for him, one of his older quad-copters encounters an invisible barrier and crashes. The incident gets the attention of some advanced aliens who immediately begin a life-threatening chase. He barely escaped with his life and soon finds himself charged with becoming an unlikely hero on a mission to save humanity. With the use of an alien artifact, he has the adventure of a lifetime with a mission ahead of him, and aliens with nefarious intent behind him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I like Art. Just a regular, if not somewhat reclusive, character who knows his technology. He is unsure of himself, especially when it comes to female companionship. He also seems to be a bit clumsey, but has solid survival instincts. He is comfortable with artificial intelligence, which is very much to his benefit in P<i>rogress Report</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Along the way, he meets Tia. I cannot write too much about this character because it would be a major spoiler. I'll just say she is the embodiment of people are often not what they seem to be. She is, in a word, fascinating. Art also thinks she is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot is the angle the story comes from. The first chapter is titled "74%," indicating the amount of battery life in a cell phone that Art is using to chronicle the events that follow. All the chapters are percentages of battery life and I feel it is a race for art to complete his story before the phone goes dead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also enjoyed how Art injected humor into the story. It drove the plot forward and was never over the top. He has a unique way of seeing the world and I appreciated it immensely.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Progress Report</i> is how a hero can emerge from a character, especially when they aren't looking to be a hero. Does anyone wake up in the morning and say to themselves, "I'm going to do something heroic today?" That's not the way it works. Super heroes don't exist in the real world. In Art's case, he was just out minding his own business, flying his drone, and he was forced into being a hero by the circumstances. He learned there was a situation and did what was needed to resolve it to everyone's benefit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I give my highest recommendations to <i>Progress Report</i> as a fast-paced sci-fi adventure story with great characters. If you enjoy tales, including futuristic technology and first contact scenarios, this is the book for you. I look forward to future work from this author. His debut novel is full of swerves and surprises. It is engaging from the very first page with just a few places where the action slows a little to give the reader a chance to catch his/her breath. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is the first book completed in 2023, and it was a great start to my year of reading.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTvXhgfHiYE4XwbEt5DmWFhSc_hTc7qyvhx-sqXUrYBCuX4Zk09yEXDLJVEbVBAYKPZewp6a_eFPsy9XCw2l9kqT8MLp-dtYDnFsnUvkymzHpUhHYTtn7ybb2q31Hqkk_WkwJ-fStCv31rTfzn6Ee750PG6IjnCwnw24lWkgA-_j_uTYZ18NpQZMk/s1080/Roman.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTvXhgfHiYE4XwbEt5DmWFhSc_hTc7qyvhx-sqXUrYBCuX4Zk09yEXDLJVEbVBAYKPZewp6a_eFPsy9XCw2l9kqT8MLp-dtYDnFsnUvkymzHpUhHYTtn7ybb2q31Hqkk_WkwJ-fStCv31rTfzn6Ee750PG6IjnCwnw24lWkgA-_j_uTYZ18NpQZMk/w200-h200/Roman.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Roman Lando, author of P<i>rogress Report</i>, is a composer, musician, web and new media designer, and positively has too many passions, interests, and hobbies in his life.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When he’s not writing books or music, he can be found sailing, playing keys in a prog rock band, flying his drones, building crazy flight simulation rigs, and LARPing. His life long love and passion for hard Sci-Fi take a special place in his heart. Reading was never enough. The only way to satisfy the obsession was to write his debut novel. He hopes to share his love for true Science Fiction, along with his interest in history, science, philosophy, and technology with his readers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After living in three countries on three continents, and speaking three languages, Roman has finally settled in Toronto, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. No dogs or cats are involved - his drones are his pets. He is now working on his second novel.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You can get in touch with Roman and subscribe to his mailing list at the Progress Report website: <a href="https://progressreport.romandesign.ca" target="_blank">https://progressreport.romandesign.ca</a></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-19561747239935414872022-12-18T08:47:00.000-06:002022-12-18T08:47:04.018-06:00Entropy By Michael McGinty - A Hard Sci-Fi Look At A Grim Future For Humanity<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9k1uKPSSMwXMT7joO7s0hxZ0jh2NBah1jepu429dZx7tXDrImrndm8l3ubmRXNSjmQc9_JEoDOC-a1CPWLowRZeQU51V8OuracabBY8gzVetJcPvBFL40Go1HpveWoNhNLFDfzzzd8xfP-l970QgC5DPy3FETOpkvSxEpgFPazO6hA04MHbI0QG5/s500/41lBSHx7srL._AC_SY780_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9k1uKPSSMwXMT7joO7s0hxZ0jh2NBah1jepu429dZx7tXDrImrndm8l3ubmRXNSjmQc9_JEoDOC-a1CPWLowRZeQU51V8OuracabBY8gzVetJcPvBFL40Go1HpveWoNhNLFDfzzzd8xfP-l970QgC5DPy3FETOpkvSxEpgFPazO6hA04MHbI0QG5/s320/41lBSHx7srL._AC_SY780_.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Entropy: A Novel by Michael
McGinty</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book
for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The story in Mike McGinty's
debut novel, <i>Entropy</i>, is an attention-grabbing tale of a future when
things have gone from comfortable to terrible for principal character Bill Bartles,
as well as the world he lives in. It is a fast-paced story of a man who is
charged with looking at past events, stripping away all the static, and
uploading what he filteres to a database contained in a space no bigger than a
shoebox.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Entropy</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is a hard sci-fi, dystopian look at a
grim future for humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I began reading <i>Entropy</i>,
I found it commanding my attention. I was mesmerized by the story in its pages
and whenever I had time to pick it up, I was drawn into a nightmarish world
where chaos rules, and it's everyone for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed <i>Entropy</i>. It
ran me through an entire gamut of emotions, from being horrified, through
sadness, and even some triumphant moments. It is an intense look into the
future where there might be danger lurking around every corner. I had to pay
attention because there were a few things I knew little about - at the same
time, everything was adequately explained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bill Bartels lives in a city
where life is strictly regulated. As long as one follows the rules, everything
seems to work well, but going against established procedures have consequences.
His life is quite comfortable - he lives in a nice apartment, has a girlfriend,
and nearly everything he needs to live. He works near the bottom of a corporate
ladder that goes very high. His job is to gather all human knowledge, sift it
to be sure there is no spin left to taint the information, and finally store it
on a device called the Infinity Drive. Bill does his job so well, he expects a
promotion soon, but something goes wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During a session taking a deep
dive into the archives of the Infinity Drive's controller, he finds something
disturbing. Outside the city is death and devastation, the result of numerous
man-made disasters. In effect, Bill discovers a state of social entropy
existing outside the city, and he is compelled to investigate. What compels him
is that he is caught discovering forbidden information and the corporations do
not want it to become common knowledge. He escapes the city and enters a world
the likes of which he had no idea existed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along his journey, he discovers
many disturbing facts and learns that humanity is doomed to end in the
not-too-distant future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For much of the tale, Bill is
accompanied by an antisocial curmudgeon, simply known as The Thinker, who helps
Bill with his decision if saving the dregs of humanity is worth the loss of the
Infinity Drive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Thinker takes Bill on a
tour of the ruined world and presents him with some disturbing looks into the
realities of Social Entropy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot is
the author’s illustration of the extremes between strict social control, and
the lack thereof. It shows what can happen in two different worlds on the same
planet when things are out of balance. It made me think of a lot of the things
I witnessed during the height of the recent COVID Pandemic. How panicked people
were hoarding supplies. How people began making their own rules and ignoring
established laws. How people were behaving irrationally in general. Had things
not calmed down, what might our world look today? I shudder to imagine it. We
got a glimpse looking into an abyss, but <i>Entropy</i> takes it the rest of
the way. It is not a world I would want to live in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another favorite point of plot
was how the mood of the story changed in the blink of an eye. As the story
opened, I felt as though I were reading a comedic story. There were things that
struck me as being funny, but that didn't last long as the life of the
principal character became unhinged as he became more aware of the realities of
the world he lived in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The overarching theme of <i>Entropy</i>
is Social Entropy, as outlined by the second law of thermodynamics. My takeaway
is an understanding of the concept of Social Entropy. When the constructs of
living in communities break down, when there are no longer laws, in the absence
of institutions that maintain order, society descends into chaos. It is a point
at which irrationality rules and survival is the rule of the day. The strong
survive at the expense of the weak. One example cited in my reading was what
happens during war.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Entropy</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> will make one think. It has a very
familiar flavor in the light of headlines presented in the last few years. It
takes the themes we have witnessed in reality and projects them into a future
where it wasn't pulled back from the brink of tipping into disaster. We are
still healing from the chaos witnessed during the pandemic, but this story
gives us a look into what might be if some disaster, or combination of
disasters, is left to follow its course. I see Entropy as a warning to
societies telling us to take care of each other or we may face our own
extinction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recommend this book to
readers who like hard sci-fi and who enjoy post-apocalyptic and dystopian
themed books. It is well thought out and disturbing. It caused me to have a few
nightmares. While that may seem like a bad thing, perhaps it is just what we
need to keep humanity moving in a positive direction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMisOJxS3KKNCHUX4wD8LY-oDWjEs9LmGfn6IugYGn4LHuLoBbJDqu830hCLZKkf1GyIs7OFRMrKGw3jJ7IR-2_O8qr8WyBQnuJNXH-h2UwQOVisysBgSZ9sU7_hMAdVinQt85MH1MHlLaKKSycfzXtv2vLvG4Xxm5gi4UVfpXnCZkVhxCNutdTlO/s676/Mike%20McGinty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="676" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMisOJxS3KKNCHUX4wD8LY-oDWjEs9LmGfn6IugYGn4LHuLoBbJDqu830hCLZKkf1GyIs7OFRMrKGw3jJ7IR-2_O8qr8WyBQnuJNXH-h2UwQOVisysBgSZ9sU7_hMAdVinQt85MH1MHlLaKKSycfzXtv2vLvG4Xxm5gi4UVfpXnCZkVhxCNutdTlO/w200-h200/Mike%20McGinty.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Mike was born and raised in
Kalgoorlie, in the goldfields of Western Australia, before moving to Perth to
complete a degree in Electronic Engineering. With a good science fiction book
in hand and a lifelong passion for innovation, Mike has always imagined a
future where technologies that are improbable today might be possible tomorrow.
When not writing, Mike runs a software development company at
cyinnovations.com, loves 1970s heavy rock music, and cheers on his beloved West
Coast Eagles AFL team. And he often goes fishing in the Australian never-never.
Together with his wife, Mike lives in an empty nest with their black Labrador,
Louie.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-63450818496252376032022-11-24T19:43:00.000-06:002022-11-24T19:43:08.385-06:00The Road By Cormac McCarthy - One Of The Greatest Post-Apocalyptic Stories I Have Ever Read!<p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7npDZBWl_TrVnq5GrsodJduKnCwa9FJxFHW3dAXXZGO2xyMDPrh6SzrEebois1EijRMqoUOj5fdUo_hs5gNRofbps0Zq_kyKEsqDsg09KlYeAu44IstlW_Qc3DJLxo_EqSrqbF8zwX6yMKCcN-ElyIRMVwlUSCwbeXwtdMYw0wT3nFq8KIO5dpma/s500/9780307387899-us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7npDZBWl_TrVnq5GrsodJduKnCwa9FJxFHW3dAXXZGO2xyMDPrh6SzrEebois1EijRMqoUOj5fdUo_hs5gNRofbps0Zq_kyKEsqDsg09KlYeAu44IstlW_Qc3DJLxo_EqSrqbF8zwX6yMKCcN-ElyIRMVwlUSCwbeXwtdMYw0wT3nFq8KIO5dpma/s320/9780307387899-us.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">The Road by Cormac McCarthy</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One morning at work, I was
visiting with one of my co-workers about good books. My coworker is not a
sci-fi fan, but we were discussing one of my favorite post-apocalyptic books.
She asked me if I had ever read <i>The Road</i>, and I said I hadn't. She just told me
I needed to read it and left it at that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I bought it for the Kindle and
started reading and was hooked from the first line, and I read the entire book
in a day. It is one of the best books I have ever opened, and I will read it
again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It took me several pages to get
into it because I was temporarily distracted by the writing style. There were
no quotation marks to set the dialog apart from the prose, and no apostrophe in
the contractions. The punctuation was absolutely minimalist. After a few pages,
I got used to that and the text flowed well. As I think back, this aspect of
the writing added to the way the story felt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed this take of
post-apocalyptic adventure and survival. It was terrifying, triumphant,
depressing, and intense all at the same time. The relationship between the man
and the boy was great and so well written. Their feelings for each other were
always at the surface of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A man and his young son take to
the road on a journey of survival in a world that has gone all wrong. It is
cold, and they follow the roads to find a more habitable place. Along the way,
they run into various things that can either help or harm them. Unfortunately,
there is far more that can harm them, mostly the other people, or as the boy
thinks of them, the "bad guys," who will not only take what little
they have for survival but will also take their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The principal characters are
the man and the boy. We never get their names because names are no longer
important in the world of <i>The Road</i>. The thing that keeps them going is they are
carrying "the fire," which I took as meaning the living spirit. The
man is knowledgeable of the ways of survival, which he teaches to his son as
they move along. The man is sick and tries to get the boy to understand they
must do whatever it takes to continue living, but the boy will not set his
innocence aside. He holds on to his compassion and caring for others. When the
pair encounter those less fortunate than they are, the boy wants to share what
they have, even when they are faced with having almost nothing for themselves.
This creates a compelling dynamic between the two characters to create tension
between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of the plot
is how this tale unfolds with almost no background given on the characters or
what created the situation they live in. One can guess what it might have
been given the described conditions, but there aren't many clues how widespread
the catastrophe is. Assuming this story is set in the US, there are hints that,
at least, our country has been hit hard. Background on the characters is sparse
and mostly as flashback scenes of the man's life before his and the boy's time
on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While the overall theme of the
story is survival against impossible odds, there are other supporting themes.
One is how one must be as ruthless as one's enemies to ensure their own
survival. Another theme is how one needs to hold on to their compassion to
remain human. Therein is my takeaway from <i>The Road</i> - no matter how bad the
situation is, one should never let go of one's humanity lest we degenerate to
the level of being subhuman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recommend <i>The Road</i> as one of
the best stories I have ever read. As a matter of fact, I downloaded the
audiobook to listen to as I drove back and forth from work, enjoying it a
second time. Were I to rate all the books I have read, I would number this in
at least the top ten, if not the top five greatest modern stories I have ever
read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rZ-OdBhz9zfCtacVtI0PfsJW1CVw0VmiXpCnPvd4NRREV5xM00EC3SdPmpqYK0SfJIW3PdVqaXUK5QOpGcbCLzBqppAB7ltrdHgUQmSwu0pjmhYMO2b7DaU46Z31d4dxkBVIrB2liD5HX3jXF_gdFIRWC4H4e9JwpZXZ-X3tyshUQBrLt5bjHXbp/s259/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rZ-OdBhz9zfCtacVtI0PfsJW1CVw0VmiXpCnPvd4NRREV5xM00EC3SdPmpqYK0SfJIW3PdVqaXUK5QOpGcbCLzBqppAB7ltrdHgUQmSwu0pjmhYMO2b7DaU46Z31d4dxkBVIrB2liD5HX3jXF_gdFIRWC4H4e9JwpZXZ-X3tyshUQBrLt5bjHXbp/w200-h150/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cormac McCarthy is an American
novelist and playwright. He has written ten novels in the Southern Gothic,
western, and post-apocalyptic genres and has also written plays and
screenplays. He received the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for <i>The Road</i>, and his 2005
novel <i>No Country for Old Men</i> was adapted as a 2007 film of the same name, which
won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. His earlier <i>Blood Meridian</i>
(1985) was among <i>Time</i> Magazine's poll of 100 best English-language books
published between 1925 and 2005 and he placed joint runner-up for a similar
title in a poll taken in 2006 by The <i>New York Times</i> of the best American
fiction published in the last 25 years. Literary critic Harold Bloom named him
as one of the four major American novelists of his time, along with Thomas
Pynchon, Don DeLillo, and Philip Roth. He is frequently compared by modern
reviewers to William Faulkner. In 2009, Cormac McCarthy won the PEN/Saul Bellow
Award, a lifetime achievement award given by the PEN American Center.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-74736512808235961382022-11-13T14:50:00.000-06:002022-11-13T14:50:07.873-06:00Sandorn's Command By Thom Bedford - Fun Action Packed Military Space Opera<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b4W57vHzpVySvCvZTiYuuFtIFMlAeoRGffJUeHR7VU9ikNJDW7REW6YX2hVpYV8zu87kMyF8_j17Np5lrtfE0kEwQTQGY8mjFkTkTj9geJEfzP0YU5n7cEa5o92LalfafElfZLtL4-F6aAJeXKhAeAPv5dC77s-0Kxk1sYmd256aNjt3HY0v5WFM/s2700/Sandorn's%20Command%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b4W57vHzpVySvCvZTiYuuFtIFMlAeoRGffJUeHR7VU9ikNJDW7REW6YX2hVpYV8zu87kMyF8_j17Np5lrtfE0kEwQTQGY8mjFkTkTj9geJEfzP0YU5n7cEa5o92LalfafElfZLtL4-F6aAJeXKhAeAPv5dC77s-0Kxk1sYmd256aNjt3HY0v5WFM/s320/Sandorn's%20Command%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Sandorn's Command by Thom
Bedford</span></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received a copy of this book
for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sandorn's Command</i> is a military
sci-fi space opera story following the exploits of Tanic Sandorn during a time
when war breaks out between two factions in the galaxy. It is an original story
that has flavors from several various influences in science fiction and are
brought together in a well written, entertaining, and intriguing story that
will - I hope - become a series of novels. I learned about this tale when the
author contacted me via email, inviting me to review his work. It is an easy
book to read and unfolds as a film might and is told mostly from Sandorn's
point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tanic Sandorn commands his
small shuttle as it plies among the stars delivering items between planets and
space stations. An accident aboard his vessel, the <i>Kadpass</i>, forces him to put
in at Exeter Station, a huge orbital space station in where goods and services
are offered. The station also hosts a military contingent from the predominant
governing body of its area of space known as the Combined Systems Alliance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sandorn and his crew of three
disembark their ship to Exeter, where they enjoy the amenities while their
shuttle undergoes repairs. They soon learn that another opposing faction, the
Free Planetary Union, is making headway as they bid to overthrow the Alliance.
The Alliance's resources and personnel are wearing thin as the Union continues
to gain strength while taking over in system after system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sandorn, a former officer in
the Alliance Navy, is reinstated at his former rank of commander if he will
serve. After some soul-searching, he rejoins the Navy, and two of his three
crewmembers - one he has an intimate relationship with - also sign on. The
fourth member of the crew refuses the offer and has sympathies for the Union.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When it is known the Union has
a fleet headed for Exeter, preparations are made and plans are drawn up for a
defense. The Alliance need a decisive victory against the Union. Exeter Station
could be an immense turning point in the war for dominance in the galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed the characters in
<i>Sandorn's Command</i>. They are all very human, with strengths and weaknesses that
brought them to life for me and quickly became people I could care about.
Sandorn himself is a person I want to get to know better. He is a good person
who knows his business and understands his role as a commander. As a civilian,
Sandorn is a laid-back character who is enjoying life as a shuttle commander
with his small crew, but when the time comes for him to step up and command, he
does so with an even-handedness that immediately endeared him to me. He is of
good character and believes himself to be on the right side of the conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sandorn is surrounded by
characters who enjoy various degrees of development depending on their
importance to the story. There is still a lot of character development to be
made as the saga continues in future stories, which I am looking forward to
with great enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearly every character in this
story is heroic, but they aren't looking to be so. They are just doing their
jobs as best they can, using what little they have to work with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot is
very short, it almost seems insignificant considering the surrounding action
taking place. But it is something I cannot get out of my mind after reading,
and I think it will be a huge part of future installments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Story is told from the
Alliance point of view, so far. We really learn little about the Union in this
opening novel, but there is a point that some doubt is cast when Sandorn visits
with the former shuttle crewmember. Maybe all isn't what it appears to be, and
the Union isn't all wrong in their goals for unseating the Alliance as the
dominant governing body in the galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That particular plot point
haunts me and I really want to learn more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway from <i>Sandorn's
Command</i> is to beware of what one believes. Beliefs aren't facts, and there are
always three sides to every story. In this case, there is the Alliance's story,
the Union's story, and somewhere in between, there is the truth. We have yet to
get the Union story, and the truth is clouded for the time being.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The themes in this book have
many influences of the author’s fandoms, and it really moves the story along. I
recognized elements borrowed from many of my own favorite franchises, making
this book a fun and interesting read. I didn't want to set it aside for even a
minute and was disappointed only in that it had to come to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sandorn's Command</i> is a great
story with familiar themes, but done in an original way that is comforting to
read. It is full of fast-paced action, good character development, leaving room
for future discovery. I recommend this book as fine sci-fi for any fan,
particularly those who love space opera, as I do. I also think that anyone
would enjoy this book, sci-fi fan or not. It isn't overly cluttered with jargon
or difficult technical things to veil an outstanding story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My highest recommendations for
an immensely entertaining read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtRlyJk7hYLVs-sRECF6ntBtuA0E9LignZQN3pb6sITzhuPPPT3incjbr54yedSxiDzAGbkiF5YhC4CYWIfXYxQVf3KaeRlpKOMEHuymKSZxnJ5kNDmxz9tt5g6ARrUEkszMxTkW8N2deeBRiJAE8J2jQhgmd-W7Pkt5JjrXXCqxA3cQkNI1wM_tt/s700/Thom%20Bedford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtRlyJk7hYLVs-sRECF6ntBtuA0E9LignZQN3pb6sITzhuPPPT3incjbr54yedSxiDzAGbkiF5YhC4CYWIfXYxQVf3KaeRlpKOMEHuymKSZxnJ5kNDmxz9tt5g6ARrUEkszMxTkW8N2deeBRiJAE8J2jQhgmd-W7Pkt5JjrXXCqxA3cQkNI1wM_tt/w200-h200/Thom%20Bedford.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thom grew up in Cheshire, England,
with his parents and brother. Since childhood, he has had a propensity for
creativity, whether it be writing, building models, painting, designing
graphics and technology, or programming.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After studying computer science
at The University of Manchester, he started working as a Software Developer.
Following in his father's footsteps, he worked as a Technical consultant in
London for several years, then in data warehousing back in Manchester.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In his spare time, Thom still
writes, builds models, paints, and programs, but nowadays he also listens to a
lot of music, watches a lot of films, reads, and enjoys playing video games.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His love for science fiction
comes from blockbuster films like <i>Starship Troopers</i>, <i>Star Wars</i>, and <i>Star Trek</i>.
B-movies like <i>Wing Commander</i>, <i>Pitch Black</i>, and <i>Iron Sky</i>. TV shows like
<i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, <i>The Expanse</i>, and <i>Stargate</i>. Video games like <i>Homeworld</i>,
<i>EVE-Online</i>, and <i>Stelaris</i>. Books Like Jack Campbell's <i>Lost Fleet</i> series, Jasper
T. Scott's <i>Dead Space</i> series, and David Weber's <i>Honor Harrington</i> series. In
other words, sci-fi - particularly space opera - in any media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thom currently lives in
Cheshire, England with his wife, Helen, and their two cats.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301101027490080941.post-3028393899853057082022-10-22T07:44:00.001-05:002022-10-22T07:46:08.855-05:00Deathly Waters: Harper's Landing (Occult America Book 1) By Shoshana Edwards - A Superior Horror/Occult Story Set In The Midwest<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1G1-Tlb0_D_w9lLu8kfSylybr7bKYp3eo_u9Y6jYddf3e7VHRndJI8A0Cmo9zPKSFMFkTJssBAWTK47J_LKPAgdCuuLssTI41iUgPm-HSzdLHV5OoahLSo6xUEzfEEmQ5B7lHGZxW0pth40TiaSnU07LQ-A6YR5lDPx_juD_DdiN-_cKfJHV6JE8/s500/51koKsdUikL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1G1-Tlb0_D_w9lLu8kfSylybr7bKYp3eo_u9Y6jYddf3e7VHRndJI8A0Cmo9zPKSFMFkTJssBAWTK47J_LKPAgdCuuLssTI41iUgPm-HSzdLHV5OoahLSo6xUEzfEEmQ5B7lHGZxW0pth40TiaSnU07LQ-A6YR5lDPx_juD_DdiN-_cKfJHV6JE8/s320/51koKsdUikL.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Deathly Waters: Harper's
Landing (Occult America Book 1) by Shoshana Edwards</span><p></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I discovered this novel through
my association with the author via social media. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Shoshana released the third in
book in this series under the title <i>Easy as Pie</i>. So, when I saw there
were two previous installments in the series, I dove in with both feet to read <i>Deathly
Waters</i>. It is a story about a sleepy little town in the Midwest featuring
some bizarre events taking place. I loved the setting and the characters, but
what I most enjoyed is the dialog in the story. Shoshana is a master at
bringing characters to life and they were all people very much like those I
have known. As far as the town of Harper's Landing is concerned, her
description of the place and the people make me want to visit there again, and
I would not be opposed to living there despite the danger lurking in the wells,
lakes, and ponds in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I found this story believable,
easily accessible, well researched, and entertaining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Harper's Landing is a peaceful
town where the residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle where everyone gets along well
and supports each other in difficult times. The town is alive and growing
slowly and has a personality all its own. The people of Harper's landing are
friendly and open to strangers, giving it a welcoming atmosphere where visitors
often feel compelled to take up residence permanently. One such member of the
community is former big-city police detective Jim Burch, who took on the role of
town's sheriff following the death of his predecessor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jim enjoys being a part of the
community. He especially the enjoys food from the diner and the apple pie in
particular. All is well until a dismembered body turns up in one of the local
fishing holes. He will need every bit of his instincts and training to solve
the mystery and must accept paranormal explanations to understand what is
happening around the community. It won't be easy, but he has the support of the
people in Harper's Landing to back him up along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The most developed character in
the story is Sheriff Jim Burch. He came to Harper's Landing as a tourist,
seeking a place to rest from a brief career as a detective, where things
weren't going well for him. During a stop at the local diner, he discovered the
best apple pie he had ever eaten, accompanied by a wedge of cheddar cheese.
When he was told the town had recently lost their sheriff, he surprised himself
by volunteering to take on the position without even thinking about it.
Satisfied he had done the right thing, he soon found himself fitting in as a
member of the community as though born there. During his tenure, he grows into
someone who has learned "the meaning of community, of compassion, of
caring, and of love." Jim became a real person to me and is someone I wish
I could know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The other character in the
novel I enjoyed was the town of Harper's Landing itself. It isn't often I read
a story where the setting becomes a living character to me. There is one other
author I can think of that does this as well as Shoshana, and that is Stephen
King. The town has a unique personality that seems to attract people needed to
take care of business. Everyone in Harper's Landing fits into their place. It
has a palpable vitality. Even with the danger, I found the town a comforting place
to spend time. The setting is written so well, I couldn't wait to get back
there to continue reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My favorite point of plot in <i>Deathly
Waters</i> is how well everyone worked together as various situations presented
themselves. Everyone had a part to play, and they did so with care and
compassion. Even when things are their darkest, everyone continues to do their
part to contribute to the whole.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My takeaways from <i>Deathly
Waters</i> are...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be aware, no matter how calm
things seem on the surface, there may be insatiable evil lurking just below the
calmness. Be careful and take a long look before you dive in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A piece of superb apple pie may
seem like just a piece of pie, but it might also be your key to happiness. Slow
down and take in your surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I loved this story. It has
excellent characters, a pleasant setting, and the story moves at a good pace.
There was never a point at which I was taken out of the story for any reason.
There was also some tension along the way as the characters moved in and out of
danger, but for every moment of stress, there was relief. Shoshana did her
homework to make the story feel authentic. There were a few descriptions of
some graphic details, but they were not over-the-top with gore, and were
appropriate to advance the story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">While the niche it fits into is
Horror Occult Fiction, there are several elements of Science Fiction involved
in the investigative procedures used.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">All in all, I would recommend <i>Deathly
Waters</i> to anyone who enjoys a well-paced, fun, and entertaining story. I
look forward to reading future work from Shoshana Edwards, including the second
book in the <i>Occult America</i> series, <i>Madness of Trees</i>, as well as
the third, <i>Easy as Pie</i>. Here's a tip though, I heard Shoshana recommend
reading <i>Easy as Pie</i> first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2dOR_CF6uKwtIgn5QT0GAmucvA8Nqq1GcxmD46-f5j_I2Ht6ykzuxi_lYZ4N1KzpyeWanxctqgwyxdnAkJYXSF4jOMdjsBNi3YUZJa-jTvFzNdfN2ECSiX5rxKV4wnSbiEHgdn-P6DiXu4ixcxYYiPPWjf0aSRsvfq7C749SJ92B7kf_FYPRqIP7/s450/Shoshana.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="450" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2dOR_CF6uKwtIgn5QT0GAmucvA8Nqq1GcxmD46-f5j_I2Ht6ykzuxi_lYZ4N1KzpyeWanxctqgwyxdnAkJYXSF4jOMdjsBNi3YUZJa-jTvFzNdfN2ECSiX5rxKV4wnSbiEHgdn-P6DiXu4ixcxYYiPPWjf0aSRsvfq7C749SJ92B7kf_FYPRqIP7/w130-h113/Shoshana.jpg" width="130" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Shoshana Edwards is a retired
teacher and jury consultant. She lives in suburban Oregon, west of Portland,
where she and her husband tend a lush rose garden, grow their own vegetables,
and enjoying reading and board games. The <i>Occult America</i> series is
Shoshana's first venture into the mystery/horror genre, and she admits to
loving every minute of it.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Well, there it is...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Qapla!</span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim's Sci-Fi Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213683352970680535noreply@blogger.com0