The Alcuin Rift: Cosmic Science Fiction by Charleston Lim - This Debut Novel Deserves A Look

The Alcuin Rift: Cosmic Science Fiction by Charleston Lim

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

The Alcuin Rift is the title of a debut novel from Charleston Lim. It is a hard science fiction space opera that presents readers with something to think about. I enjoyed this tale of scientific discovery and a first contact situation, but there are no aliens revealed in this story. It is a fast read. I got through it in three sittings. While I have one reservation, mostly, I found it a solid story and I look forward to reading his next novel. Alcuin Rift is a complete story in itself, but it leaves room for a sequel, should the author choose to write one.

The following is the blurb describing the plot...

"An experiment in quantum reality draws the attention of something vast, unknowable, and indifferent."

"Dr. Elena Kade spent her life unraveling the mysteries of the universe. But when her experiment sends an unexpected signal into the void, the answer that returns is beyond comprehension—and devastating."

"Time is running out. If Kade cannot find a way to communicate—to make them understand—then humanity’s reality may cease to exist."

"The Alcuin Rift is a gripping debut science fiction novel written by a Filipino author exploring hard science, cosmic horror, and first contact. It's perfect for fans of science fiction books such as The Arrival and The Three-Body Problem."

The above description greatly simplifies what is between the covers. The story itself is far more complex, but is within the grasp of the average reader.

The only problem I had with this tale is with the characters. They felt one dimensional and stereotypical. There were scientists that included a lead scientist and an ambitious scientist who thought they knew better than the lead and was a little jealous. There were a few military persons who asserted themselves as one might expect commanding officers would. My problem is that I wanted to learn more about the people involved and find at least one character I could care about. For me, I found myself not really caring about what happened to the people in the story.

My favorite point of plot in Alcuin Rift was the science. I'll be the first to admit, I know very little about quantum physics or the properties of gravity waves. I do know they are phenomena that exist. Author Lim made it obvious he had done his homework to prepare for the writing of the story. I cannot tell where the real science versus made-up science - if there was any made-up - begins and ends. But my hat is off to Lim for his use of either type of science in the story! It made it a fun story to read and added elements of suspense and surprise to the tale.

There are numerous themes woven into the tapestry of this narrative. One that stood out to me is how solving problems on a universal scale must be very carefully thought out before they are executed. Who knows, in the distant future, we may run into some situations presented in Alcuin Rift, and lives, or even the entire existence of the universe as we know it, could be at stake.

My takeaway is to remember that it isn't a good thing to play around with things we don't understand. It's not nice to try to fool Mother Nature!

The Alcuin Rift is a fine, accessible first effort from author Charleston Lim and worth the time to read. I will be watching his future work and am eager to see growth in this writer. I recommend this book to those who enjoy some heavy-duty science content intermixed with high stakes risks in the exploration of the unknown.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charleston Lim was born and raised on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Charleston has a deep passion for storytelling, science, and exploration - both in the real world and the vast expanse of fiction.

A Computer Science graduate, he has worked across multiple fields, including web development, design, news writing, and marketing, each experience shaping is perspective on technology and human creativity. Beyond his work in the digital space, he is also a photographer and musician, constantly seeking new ways to capture emotion and atmosphere, whether through images, music, or the written word.

Writing science fiction in the Philippines presents a unique challenge. In a country where mythology and folklore dominate popular storytelling, and where religious beliefs often shape public perception of science, speculative fiction that explores hard scientific concepts struggles to find mainstream acceptance.

Science fiction is often seen as a Western genre, associated with Hollywood blockbusters, superhero films, or anime, rather than a serious form of literature. Despite this, Charleston believes that science fiction has a place in Philippine storytelling - not as an outsider's genre, but as a means to explore the future of humanity, technology, and our place in the cosmos.

The Alcuin Rift is Charleston's debut novel. It blends hard science fiction with the mystery and the unknowable depths of first contact.

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Guilty But Aberrant: Hard-Boiled Sci-Fi by Michael Listen - A Must Read Novel Of Horror, Noir Crime Drama, and Humor!

Guilty but Aberrant: Hard-Boiled Sci-Fi by Michael Listen

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

Guilty but Aberrant is the third full-length novel by Oklahoma based author, Michael Listen. This story covers a wide range of subgenres under Science Fiction, including Noir, Horror, Crime Drama, and Humor. All of these combine to make what I found to be an amazing work of fiction that jumped off the pages and seized my attention from the first paragraph. In his two previous novels, and one novella, I have come to look forward to Michael's work as I eagerly await his next effort. Guilty but Aberrant is an excellently crafted story about a pair of detectives who go in search of suspects with seemingly supernatural abilities that are both horrific and deadly to those who come into contact with them. This story will always have the reader guessing what will happen next. Then there's the plot twist near the end! It blew my mind and left me wanting more! This book is a masterpiece, and it's only this author's third novel!

Detectives Costal Crux and his young, energetic partner, Leanna Daylee of the Aberrant Crime Unit, are charged with tracking down and apprehending Displacers - rare young people who have a dangerous ability to manipulate any material or substance they touch. They can touch an object and mutate it into other shapes, or they can touch flesh and cause bizarre changes in people, usually resulting in debilitating injuries or death. They are outcasts who are subjected to life in a "rehabilitation" facility that usually becomes a life sentence. 

Together, Costal and Leanna work in and around Crescent City where they discover crimes that will make the reader shiver as they pursue a string of murders committed by perps who can perform seemingly impossible feats. One has to wonder if they haven't bitten off more than they can chew.

The characters in Guilty but Aberrant are among some of the best developed I have ever read! Their backgrounds are woven into the story and revealed over time, giving the reader a sense of getting to know and care about them over time. Even the antagonists have backstory to help the reader not only loathe their activity, but to also understand what made them how they are. Character development is one of the major strengths Michael displays as he spins this tale.

Costal and Leanna are complete opposites in their approaches to solving the mysteries presented in this story. Costal is an old-fashioned kind of gumshoe detective in the noir style. He likes to plod along, gathering information as he gets it to track his progress, bringing him closer to a conclusion. His methods are proven to be tried and true, and they work well for him. On the other hand, Leanna relies heavily on technology and her idealism to get results. While they are both excellent at their jobs separately, their skills mesh well, even when their personalities don't.

One thing they do have in common is things that happened in their pasts haunting them. Neither one wants to revisit the events that cause them pain, but the nature of their job often takes them back to recall painful memories, but those memories also spur them to continue on.

One plot point that stands out to me is the humor in the story. It often gives some comic relief to the otherwise gruesome aspects of the narrative. Costal and Leanna are partners, and as such, they get to know each other than most people in a typical workplace. Their situation also makes room for them to get on each other's nerves occasionally. In the story, they exchange a lot of friendly as well as not so friendly barbs back and forth. There were numerous times in the story I found myself laughing out loud at their clever remarks, but I also felt a lot of tension between them, mostly on a philosophical level. It was fun to read their exchanges, which added to their depth as people.

There are numerous pop-culture references in the narrative that caused me amusement as well.

Another aspect standing out for me were the descriptions of the crime activity. It was detailed and quite macabre at times, and some readers who don't care for graphic scenes depicting violence might take warning. At no time were any of those violent scenes or descriptions of crime scenes gratuitous, nor did I think they didn't add a feeling of horror to the narrative.

The theme of friendship was the most palpable to me in this tale. The two principal characters are friends who agree, disagree, and show a lot of tolerance for one another, but they also genuinely care about one another. 

There is also a thematic aspect of what causes someone to behave in ways they do. While that cannot be an excuse for someone to do harm to others, it can help with understanding, and perhaps intervention. All the principal characters in this story appear to suffer from some level of PTSD, and there are different ways each deals with their trauma.

My takeaway from Guilty but Aberrant is to remember that what we see in a person at the superficial level isn't that person's entire story. Everyone carries some level of baggage from their past. Some a lot more than others.

I give Guilty but Aberrant my highest recommendation for a stupendous Sci-Fi novel that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat with the action. The characters are marvelously developed and jump off the page feeling like one is reading about real people. It is a complex story so masterfully written that it flows into the mind like a movie. The scene descriptions are vivid and clear and provide an excellent backdrop for the characters to play in.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I should also point out, there is a novella written in this universe one should read. It introduces the characters and gives one an insight into what to expect going forward. It is entitled Displacer: A Novella From The World Of Guilty But Aberrant. You can find more information on the novella from Michael's website, or on Amazon and Goodreads.

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.

You can connect with Michael at https://authormichaelliste.wixsite.com/authormlisten, or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

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The Aftermath: Terra (The Aftermath Series Book 3) By Bradley James - Entertaining High Adventure Sci-fi

The Aftermath: Terra (The Aftermath Series Book 3) By Bradley James

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

The third installment of the Aftermath series is every bit as good as the previously two published works by Bradley James. Those previous works are The Aftermath: Lunar, and The Aftermath: Titan - click on the title to see my reviews of those books. The big difference with this third story is how the author has ramped up the intensity of the story.

This segment of the ongoing story picks up where the previous one leaves off. It hits the ground running and does not let up until the end, and is wide open, begging for a fourth book.

I eagerly await the next one!

While on the surface of the moon, astronaut Elliot Adams witnessed an asteroid strike on Earth, and that single event would have been enough to send him on a quest to survive in the harsh Lunar environment. But no, that wasn't enough. He discovered there was a permanent underground base on Earth's only natural satellite he knew nothing about. Then he discovered there were people living in that idyllic settlement. It was idyllic until he further discovered it was built and operated by a people calling themselves the Telvanni, who seem to want to take over Elliot's home world.

The Telvanni, and their leader, the General, have plucked yet another asteroid from its natural orbit and sent it hurdling toward Earth. Elliot and his Lunari friend, Mayto, hijack a Telvanni ship and head to Earth to stop that catastrophe, while Ava and her daughter remain on the Moon to once again face the General.

It's going to take some clever thinking, hard fighting, and the willingness to sacrifice to bring an end to the General and his gang of henchmen's attempt to rule what's left of the human race.

Aside from writing some amazing adventure tales, Bradley's strength as an author is bringing great characters to life.

Elliot and his friends are people a reader will come to care about. They all have their own special skill sets and work together to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Along with their problem-solving skills, they also have a sense of humor that made me laugh out loud while reading. 

Less appealing is the General. He has no redeeming qualities and has no reservations about torturing and killing people on a whim.

The characters in Aftermath: Terra are worth the price of the book.

My favorite point of plot in Aftermath: Terra is the description of what Elliot finds in the aftermath of the first asteroid strike. There are pockets of survivors who are just trying to live as best they can, and others that prey on them, almost seeming to help their antagonists. Adding to the intensity of the story is how the stakes have risen. Not only is Elliot trying to save a group of people trapped on the Moon, now he has taken on the responsibility for everyone left on Earth, too. It is no small task, and Elliot faces some huge obstacles to overcome.

There are two major themes that stood out to me in this segment of the story. The classic tale of good versus evil is prominent. With no other apparent purpose than conquering Earth, the Telvanni kill massive numbers of people. The General is cruel and seems to enjoy playing with his prey before going in for the kill. The second theme is it seems good cannot exist without evil. Even when evil is apparently stopped, it comes back with a vengeance and is even worse the next time around.

My takeaway is, when fighting evil, its defeat is not final - one must remain vigilant, always.

The Aftermath: Terra is an excellent sci-fi adventure story. It is full of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing. Take nothing for granted if you enter Bradley's imaginary universe. 

I am recommending those interested in reading this series to start at the beginning and read all three books in order. Each subsequent book opens at the minute the previous one ends. The three novels are well worth the time to read. I've found the entire series highly entertaining and a fun rollercoaster ride into a saga with heroes to love and villains a reader will love to hate.

Highest recommendations for this book, as well as the entire series.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bradley James published his debut novel, The Aftermath: Lunar, in early 2024, realizing a long-held dream. Since then, he has been irreversibly bitten by the writing bug, immediately embarking on his next literary adventure without looking back. When not immersed in crafting narratives, Bradley can be found indulging in long runs, losing himself in books, consuming copious amounts of coffee, or passionately cheering on his favorite football team. Though born in London, he now resides in Southwest England, where the lush landscapes often serve as a backdrop for his creativity.

You can connect with Bradley on his website, https://bradleyjamesauthor.com/.

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The Blackheart: A Space Opera Novella by Thom Bedford - An Excellent Short Story In The Sandorn's Allegiance Series

The Blackheart: A Space Opera Novella by Thom Bedford

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

The Blackheart is a novella following the first two books in the Sandorn's Allegiance series of novels. The series' novels include Sandorn's Command and Sandorn's Prison. I have read and enthusiastically enjoyed both stories, and the same sentiment applies to The Blackheart.

In the novels, Thom introduces the exploits of Tanic Sandorn, a man who finds himself caught up in an escalating conflict between two factions, the Combined Systems Alliance, and the Free Planetary Union. The Blackheart takes a detour in the Sandorn Universe and follows Tanic's older sister, Felysta Sandorn, the captain of the Alliance's naval ship, Blackheart.

The quality of the stories in this series is top-notch, and the characters are believable. They are intelligent and resourceful but are also flawed in the same ways that normal humans are. The universe the author has created feels real and the descriptions of the places his characters move in are colorful and fit the story well.

Overall, I have found the entire series to be of superior entertainment value

War is coming.

Following a failed sabotage attempt on her home port, Felysta Sandorn is sent into another system to put down pirate activity. She leads a small group of fast ships into the system where surprises await her, and none of them are pleasant or wanted. The situation is not what she was expecting, and she finds betrayal and the pirates she was sent after are the least of her problems.

There aren't overly many characters to keep track of in this short story, but it introduces Felysta. She is the captain of the Blackheart and there is no doubt she is in command. She is tough when she needs to be but appears also to be compassionate enough to be a good person. I like this character because of her being complete. The reader will get enough background on Felysta to give her quite a bit of depth. She is fiercely loyal to the Alliance and believes in what she does in her service.

Along with Felysta, my favorite point of plot in this story are developments in the political situation between the Alliance and the Union. It isn't completely clear who the "good guys" are in the saga yet. There are differences of opinion that arose in previous books and carries into Blackheart. While politics are not overly belabored, they are present and add a dimension that makes the characters even more interesting and real for me.

My takeaway from Blackheart is to remember when you are in command of a group of people, take nothing or no one for granted. You may think you know someone, but you cannot always know what's in their heart.

The Blackheart is an excellent addition to the Sandorn's Allegiance series, and it left me wanting more. A lot more. Thom Bedford is an excellent writer and tells a hell of a story. He packs a huge amount of story in a small space in this novella and I cannot help but think that Felysta and the other characters from this story will figure into the more novels going forward (a la David Weber in the Honor Harrington series). There is no space wasted in Blackheart and the action is nonstop. It is a fast read and I recommend it. However, one should read the first two books in the series before this one. They are both excellent as well.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thom grew up in suburban Cheshire, England with his parents and a brother. Since childhood, he has had a propensity for creativity, whether it be writing, building models, painting, designing graphics and technology, or programming.

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.

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.

His love for science fiction comes from blockbuster films like Starship Troopers, Star Wars, and Star Trek. B-movies like Wing Commander, Pitch Black, and Iron Sky. TV shows like Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, and Stargate. Video games like Homeworld, EVE-Online, and Stellaris. Books like Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet series, Jasper T. Scott's Dead Space series, and David Weber's Honor Harrington series. In other words, sci-fi - particularly space opera - in any media.

Thom currently lives in Cheshire, England with his wife, Helen, and their two cats.