Slaves to the Stars by Nuell Martin
One thing I have found in reading books by independent authors is that there
are a lot of people out there writing some amazing stories. Every now and
again, there are a few of those books that rise above others, defying my
ability to come up with adequate superlatives to describe a high level of
excellence in creativity - Slaves to the Stars is one of those.
Nuell Martin is a multi-talented individual who is especially amazing at
telling a good tale. There isn't one single thing I didn't love about this
story. There are several great characters who a reader can become invested in.
The story is paced so well it just flows off the page. The settings are
colorful and easy to visualize. The science is easy to understand. And finally,
the story will challenge one to question conventional scientific and religious
thought.
If you only read one sci-fi book this year, Slaves to the Stars would be an
excellent choice.
At an Asian Orthodox church in Montenegro, a humble priest discovers ancient
writings describing a celestial event that he witnesses in his telescope.
Father Igor Grgic must get what he has learned to his superior.
The world enters a global energy crisis that threatens to collapse the
planet's entire economy.
Scientists around the world puzzle over a message from an object that has
appeared above the planet Jupiter.
The people of Earth face a challenge. The question is, can humanity rise to
the occasion?
The characters in Slaves to the Stars are mostly ordinary people, many of
them posses a high level of intelligence and extraordinary analytical minds.
They learn as they work to solve the problems placed in front of them. Most of
the principal characters are well developed and become people the reader can
invest in.
My favorite plot point is the chapter where we learn about the nature of the
object that has taken up position over Jupiter. In that chapter, we learn about
the origins of the object and its purpose. It is an entity that is alive and
sentient, but it is not organic. This section is pure science fiction that
reads as scientific fact. The author goes into painstaking detail that reveals
his skill as a writer and his vivid imagination. It is not only science; it is
art! The detail is gripping, and the world-building is colorful and
fascinating.
The theme that stood out to me the most in this tale was the line between
truth and belief. As the characters discover the nature of the object, they
learn that often belief becomes truth in the minds of humans. But this is not
always the case. Belief is a tricky thing that can shade truth, and there are
those who, despite solid evidence, continue to deny the truth in favor of
belief. This can be a very controversial area of an individual's philosophy. I
admire the courage of Nuell Martin's willingness to take this challenge on and
putting it in writing.
In my life, I have learned that the distance between what I know and what I
think I know are often separated by vast distances. Slaves to the Stars had me
thinking about this all the way through.
My takeaway from this book is to remember to question everything. A line
from Hamlet seems appropriate here: "There are more things in heaven and
earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
In case you haven't guessed by now, I am impressed by Slaves to the Stars
and number it among the best books I have ever read. It is a work of science
fiction, but I think anyone who enjoys a great story would enjoy it. The only
thing I would caution the reader about is that there are some violent scenes
therein.
It is a well-written and professionally edited book that moves at a good
pace. The characters are compelling. The world building is top-notch. From the
moment I opened it, I was spellbound until the end. There are twists and turns
all the way through, and the ending is one of the best plot twists I have ever
encountered!
Highest Recommendations!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nuell Martin, a creative and restless mind with a penchant for
out-of-the-box thinking, has emerged as a distinctive voice in the realm of
science fiction literature. His journey into the arts began with a 25-year
dedication to music, specifically ambient music, which set the stage for his
later pursuits. It was in the past five years, in the coastal city of La
Coruna, Spain, that Nuell's passion for writing took flight, culminating in his
debut novel, Operation Bifrost. A graduate in biology, Nuell's academic
background infuses his writing with a unique blend of scientific authenticity
and imaginative flair. His work is characterized by a relentless quest to shed
light on the mysteries of the world, offering new and logical perspectives on
age-old human questions. This approach has resonated deeply with adult readers
of hard science fiction, earning Operation Bifrost critical acclaim and a slew
of positive reviews, particularly noted on Amazon.
Nuell's creative process is fueled by his need for continuous innovation and
his interactions with diverse cultures and ideas from around the globe. As a
musician and a photographer, he harnesses these artistic avenues to enrich his
narratives, weaving intricate stories that captivate his audience. His readers
find themselves immersed in worlds where science and imagination intertwine,
creating a tapestry of thought-provoking and engaging narratives. Currently,
Nuell is channeling his energies into thinking up new ideas for his upcoming
works, promising to keep delivering to his fans the kind of intellectually
stimulating and imaginative storytelling they have come to expect. As he
continues to explore the boundaries of science fiction, Nuell Martin stands as
a rising star in the genre, an apprentice of everything, and a master of his
craft.
As mentioned, Nuell is also a creator of music. The soundtrack he composed
for the book is at https://nuellmartin.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-to-the-stars and can be found on
Apple Music as well.
Well, there it is...
Qapla!
