Lives In Time Part 1 By J.D. Ray - Want An Amazing Story? Here's One You'll Love!

Lives in Time (Part 1) By J.D. Ray

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ending is a cliffhanger wide open to a sequel.

Eminently entertaining and well worth the time to read, I give my highest recommendations to Lives in time.

Don't miss this one, it's a gem!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

Bloodstained Skies: The Core Of Rage By Dagmar Rokita - Dark Sci-Fi Space Opera That May Remind You Of Halo And Star Wars

Bloodstained Skies: Core of Rage by Dagmar Rokita

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.

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.

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. 

Here is the synopsis from the back of the book.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

Insiders By Shannon Knight - Twists And Turns Galore In This Space Opera

Insiders by Shannon Knight

I received a copy of Insiders for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Insiders 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.

I enjoyed this book. It was engaging right from the opening and the action never lets up until the end.

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.

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.

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.

It is a race for wealth and health, and there are numerous sacrifices and many deaths along the way.

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.

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.

My favorite point of plot in Insiders 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.

My takeaway from Insiders is that no matter how many obstacles stand in the way of reaching a goal, perseverance and imagination will win in the end.

Insiders is a great space opera that has a flavor reminiscent of Firefly. 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.

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.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.