Showing posts with label Science fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science fiction. Show all posts

Monday 8 January 2018

A Stitch in Time by Senan Gil Senan

So I finished 2017 having read and reviewed 52 books. Soon as it is the 8th of January I'd better get a review posted! This writer I liked a lot but it took me a while to get back to his work. I enjoy short stories as I mostly read in my lunch break. This bundle was great; 5 stars.



I’ve read a full length novel by this author before; Beyond the Pale; A dystopian fantasy with some very well written characters, thrown in with a good dose of humour. When I saw this bundle of shorts I was hoping to find more of the same but in bite size pieces. There is a strong common thread binding these stories together; time.
I loved how the writer used a number of genres (Sci-Fi, Horror, dystopian) to play with time in the narrative. I’m not normally a fan of Sci-Fi but I loved ‘Hold the bridge’ and it claustrophobic and tense atmosphere, as a space travelling officer wakes up from stasis before her crewmates do. Disoriented and with just one other crewmember awake she sets to work finding out why. The development and conclusion of this story was one of my favourites.
‘Hello Friend’ was also excellent, a satire of our reliance on technology but taking it a little step further into the future. The last story I was less keen on. Like the others it is narrated in the first person, but this one was told by a more advanced alien. I think this muddied the waters a little as we first had to get our head around this being, before we could get into the real story. I found myself drifting off a bit midway, but I did like the ending.
Altogether a bundle of stories that had a strong voice and a coherent theme. I enjoyed it and would recommend.

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Adventure to Destiny: The Unity Objective Series by Sandra Golden

I normally don't review books that are send to me by the author. Firstly I don't like reading on my computer and prefer kindle. Also I prefer to leave a verified review. But hey this indie writer needed some help and she asked nicely. This one is for the younger reader among us.
Click on the picture to take you to Amazon.



In the Unity objective we get to meet Helaina and J.R; two fifteen year old cousins. It soon becomes clear to their family and Unity corporation elders that these two children have some special gifts. Unity is not a normal corporation, but a company founded by Aliens that came to our planet many generations ago. Even though the plot is quite complex and there is a lot to find out about the world of Unity, Sandra Golden writes in an easy to follow style that will let even the younger reader enjoy this adventure. Helaina and J.R have some special gifts but deep down they are normal teenagers that like to hang out with their friends and go to the beach. The two characters are likable and you can easily relate to them. If I had one quibble it would have been that I felt hungry while reading this book as the Unity family does like to cook and put on meals and treats. The detailed descriptions did lead me to my fridge once or twice! A promising start to the series, that leaves plenty to be discovered and explored. This is a YA Sci-fi adventure that will suit a younger reader.  I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.

Friday 18 August 2017

Red Dust and Bones by Timothy Masters

I'm not a huge fan of Sci-fi as it can get a bit serious at times with the techno babble. This book however didn't complicate things with too much technical details. It was more about the intrigue and company politics. I prefer that, it makes you relate to the story if it is not too far fetched. So a 5 star from me.
Click on the pic. to take you to Amazon.



This was a tense Sci-fi thriller that had enough surprises and originality to keep me hooked. Marie and John Hellman are separated by thousands of miles as he leaves on a mission for mars while she works on the science that might save them and maybe mankind itself. The part of the mission to mars reminded me a little of Alistair Maclean as a cast of characters is cut off from the rest of the world and they suspect that they might have a murderer in their midst. The part on earth reads more like a political thriller as Marie is made aware by her Colleague Tom that they might be in danger from forces high up the command chain that have more sinister uses for the science than they do. Both parts are tense, full of twists and turns and well written. I really liked the end where Marie starts experimenting with some unknown Martian stuff. I don’t want to give any plot away but my nails got a lot shorter during that chapter! If you like Sci-fi and or thrillers I can highly recommend this.

Monday 17 April 2017

Rebel Lexis (Rings Of Polaris Book 1) by Paul Alan

I'm not normally a big fan of Sci-fi but I really enjoyed this book. A five star read.
Rebel Lexis (Rings of Polaris Book1) by Paul Alan on Amazon.com

What I liked best about this book is the sassy on board computer that flirts shamelessly with Captain Jason Bjorn. He had SOPHIA installed as an upgrade to his ship. Her personality was meant to keep him sane. He is starting to doubt the wisdom of his decision as he agrees to take a load of contraband on his ship to the Vril, a secretive cult. Even though this is a scifi thriller with some great action and nail biting tension, I enjoyed the comedy of the sassy computer and the reluctant captain Bjorn best. The book ends with Jason Bjorn taking on a new assignment, which sets us up for book 2 and a new adventure. Well written and very enjoyable even for a non-scifi fan like me. Great start to a series.