Thriller Thursday: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin
Posted on November 12, 2020 21 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Ballantine Books | Random House Audio (August 11, 2020)
Length: 352 pages | 10 hrs and 34 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Ten years ago, on a strange and fateful night, a small Texas town was rocked by the disappearance of popular high school cheerleader Trumanell Branson and her father. The only clue is a bloody handprint, left behind by the teenager on her house’s front door. Rumors quickly spread that it was murder, perpetrated by Trumanell’s own younger brother Wyatt, who spent years institutionalized afterward, though no one could prove he had any involvement. Another possible witness, Wyatt’s girlfriend Odette, was also gravely injured in a car accident that night, resulting in the loss of her leg. Soon after that, she fled the town, hoping to leave all the trauma and tragedy behind.
However, nearly a decade after the vanishing of Trumanell, Odette finds herself back in town after getting the news of her father’s death. Now a police officer, new developments have motivated Odette to pursue Trumanell’s case and find the truth of what happened. Most still believe that Wyatt is guilty, and the recent rumors of him kidnapping a teenage girl certainly haven’t helped. A trucker by trade, Wyatt insists he had found the young woman dumped by the side of the road in a field of dandelions, and that he had only been trying to help. While Odette isn’t sure what to think, one thing is for certain: there is more to this strange girl than meets the eye, and against all odds, her story may be the key to unlocking the mystery of Trumanell Branson.
This was a haunting novel, with an almost gothic atmosphere in a way. The small-town vibe is all pervasive, made even more claustrophobic by the presence of suspicious neighbors and some of the open hostility towards Wyatt. The story also featured some huge twists—which readers who have read the book will know is a severe understatement. I will not spoil anything here, but I will say there was a rather significant gamechanger about halfway through which sends the plot in an entirely new direction, so I have no doubt this event will be polarizing, though there was also this sense of exhilaration not knowing what’s going to happen next.
The characters were also well done. Odette is cast as a sympathetic figure, made to face the ghosts of her past, but duty demands her to stay resolute and strong. Although she is a good and competent cop, that hasn’t stopped the town’s enmity for Wyatt spill onto her, and to her frustration, she can’t completely deny the soft spot she still has for her old boyfriend either. Even when her work threatens her already rocky marriage, she cannot stop digging for the truth—a tenacity that ultimately proves dangerous and to be a double-edged blade. Yet you can’t help but feel for her, because of the lengths she goes to for Angel, the lost teen who was found in the field.
The author Julia Heaberlin strictly controls how much she wants to give away. Her writing also reflects this in the deliberate way her prose is constructed, with imagery and descriptions carefully chosen to create a certain atmosphere, injecting so much feeling into the setting and not just to the characters. Perhaps the pacing could have been more even, since it did get a bit jerky in places but sluggish in others, but overall Heaberlin did a great job building the mystery and making the suspense and danger feel even more real.
Unfortunately, this is the kind of book where revealing any kind of detail is like stepping onto a minefield of potential spoilers, so I hesitate to say any more. But if you’re wondering what my final verdict is, I’ll end with this: if you can accept the huge gamechanger that drops about midway through, and handle the murky aftermath that comes in its wake, then We Are All the Same in the Dark may well work for you.
#SciFiMonth Waiting on Wednesday 11/11/20
Posted on November 11, 2020 14 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Dead Space by Kali Wallace (March 2nd, 2021 by Berkley Books)
Science fiction and thrillers are an irresistible combination, and I also enjoyed Kali Wallace’s Salvation Day last year, so I’m really looking forward to this one.
“An investigator must solve a brutal murder on a claustrophobic asteroid mine in this tense science fiction thriller from the author of Salvation Day.
Hester Marley used to have a plan for her life. But when a catastrophic attack left her injured, indebted, and stranded far from home, she was forced to take a dead-end security job with a powerful mining company in the asteroid belt. Now she spends her days investigating petty crimes to help her employer maximize its profits. She’s surprised to hear from an old friend and fellow victim of the terrorist attack that ruined her life–and that surprise quickly turns to suspicion when he claims to have discovered something shocking about their shared history and the tragedy that neither of them can leave behind.
Before Hester can learn more, her friend is violently murdered at a remote asteroid mine. Hester joins the investigation to find the truth, both about her friend’s death and the information he believed he had uncovered. But catching a killer is only the beginning of Hester’s worries, and she soon realizes that everything she learns about her friend, his fellow miners, and the outpost they call home brings her closer to revealing secrets that very powerful and very dangerous people would rather keep hidden in the depths of space.”
#SciFiMonth Sci-5 Tuesday: Generation Ships
Posted on November 10, 2020 38 Comments
To celebrate science fiction during the month of November, I’ve put together a series of posts I’ll be doing every Tuesday to highlight the sci-fi tropes or themes that I find simply irresistible! I’ve also been fortunate to read some great books in the genre over the last few years, and to give them some extra attention, each week I will also be featuring five titles that I recently enjoyed or thought were pretty special.
This week’s topic is GENERATION SHIPS. Sci-fi has long featured stories about the human dream of traveling across the galaxy to settle in faraway star systems. But what if you can’t travel fast enough to get there within a single lifetime? The solution: build entirely self-sustaining world ships or interstellar arks that will carry everything you and your descendants will possibly ever need for the journey. Even if you yourself will never reach your destination, future generations will continue on after you die.
Arkwright by Allen Steele
Okay, one might argue that Arkwright isn’t a true generation ship story, per se, because so much of it takes place on Earth. But at its heart, this book is about the enormous undertaking of a team of scientists and researchers coming together to overcome the technological challenges posed by long-distance space travel. The story also spans several generations, beginning with one man’s dream. Concerned about humanity’s future in the event of any extinction-level threats to the world, Nathan Arkwright had decided many years ago that building an interstellar world ship is the only hope our species has for survival. Not trusting to the bureaucracy of government agencies to make this happen, he established his own non-profit organization to do the research and work required, and left the foundation his entire fortune plus all future royalties earned from his books. Once he is gone, it will be up to his family and friends to carry on his vision. Let’s face it, generation ship stories are seldom happy stories, but Arkwright is a very different kind of generation ship story, a truly inspirational family saga about people overcoming personal crises, political roadblocks, technological limitations and many other seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve a common goal. (Read the full review…)
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
We all know the basic premise of the generation starship: while the original occupants might not live to see their final destination, they know their descendants likely would, and that potential alone holds much room for the pioneer spirit. But what happens if it all goes wrong? What if, after all the time and lives invested, you and your group reach the end of your journey to find that your destination is not as it seems, and now all your hopes are dashed to pieces, your hard-made plans gone to shit? This is the tale of Aurora, a book about a starship launched carrying two thousand of the Earth’s best and brightest, all on their way to find humanity a new home in the Tau Ceti system fourteen light years away. Thus to get there will take many generations, and indeed more than 150 years have passed when the novel actually begins. The story follows Freya, our main protagonist, though almost the entire narrative is told in the perspective of the ship itself, a vessel equipped with an intelligent and self-aware A.I. Freya’s mother Devi, the Chief Engineer of sorts, has charged the ship to construct a historical narrative detailing the lives of the people aboard, using her own daughter as the central focus. Aurora is a very beautiful and powerful novel, thought-provoking and deep. It’s a very different breed of generation ship story, infused with more misery than optimism, to tell the truth. Nevertheless, it is a feast for the mind, full of descriptive wonders, interesting personalities, and engaging relationships. (Read the full review…)
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Long ago, when Earth was on its last legs and humanity feared it could go no further, scientists were sent out beyond the solar system to find and terraform new planets to ensure the future of our species. One of them, the brilliant but megalomaniacal Dr. Avrana Kern was successful in locating such a world, but just as she was about to implement a nanotech virus to accelerate the development process, sabotage occurred. Kern’s monkeys that were intended for biological uplift were not deployed on the planet because they were all killed in the attack on her ship. Kern herself was forced to be transformed, reduced to an AI mind and a body preserved in stasis. However, her nanovirus, the one intended to speed up evolution in the monkeys, did in fact make it onto the planet, imbedding itself into—wait for it—a species of spiders. Years and years go by. Earth is no more. Desperate humans take to the stars in generation ships like the Gilgamesh to find these terraformed planets their ancestors supposedly prepared for them, but instead of a welcoming home, they find Kern’s World and the repercussions of her genetically engineered virus. For generations, the planet’s inhabitants have been evolving as well, the uplifted spiders developing their own cultures, civilizations and knowledge. It is their world now, and they don’t take kindly to the assumptions of these strange looking humans who think they can just take over and live on their planet. Don’t think you can ever bring yourself to root for a giant spider? There’s a really good chance this book will change your mind. Children of Time is one of the smartest, most remarkable and innovative science fiction novels I’ve read, and I highly recommend it. (Read the full review…)
Way Down Dark by J.P. Smythe
Way Down Dark begins the way many generation ship stories start—with descriptions of a mass exodus from Earth, whose living conditions are no longer suitable for large populations of humans for whatever reason. It is a tale seventeen-year-old Chan knows well, having been passed on for generations onboard the starship Australia where she lives. One day they will find a new home, but until then, our protagonist and thousands of others remain packed within the crowded berths and decks, trapped in a hellish existence filled with danger and violence. Long ago, the ship’s occupants divided themselves, and now a savage group called the “Lows” have become a persistent threat, venturing out of their own territory near the Pit to invade and take over other areas of Australia. One thing holding them back from attacking Chan’s home in the Arboretum had been her mother Riadne, a well-respected woman rumored to have fearsome, mystical powers. But now Riadne is dead, and Chan is left alone with the truth of how she died, along with a deathbed promise to her mother to keep her head down, be selfish, and stay alive. However, one day she makes a remarkable discovery, learning about a possible way to return to Earth. Unfortunately though, this just increases the tensions on the ship, elevating the brutality and violence in the gangs of murderous fanatics. This being a YA-crossover novel, expect some predictable developments and conflicts, but overall I enjoyed myself. (Read the full review…)
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
Record of A Spaceborn Few might be my favorite Wayfarers novel yet. Structurally and thematically, it is quite unlike either of its predecessors, exploring the evolution and development of human society with particular focus on the shipborne descendants of the last people to leave a dying Earth. This time, Becky Chambers welcomes us to the Exodus Fleet, a collection of ancient ships home to the largest population of humans found outside the Sol system. Since their departure from Earth, generations have been born and raised here. And while some have left for greener pastures, never to return, others have chosen to stay and carry on the way of life. The Exodans have long abandoned their original goal of finding the perfect planet upon which to settle, deciding on space as their permanent home. The many centuries, however, has taken its toll on the fleet’s deteriorating hulls. In the novel’s prologue, an accident aboard the Oxomoco causes a catastrophic breach and decompression, killing tens of thousands. As the rest of the fleet rushes to provide aid, the aftermath of accident is related through the eyes of our main characters, who are still affected by memories of the horror years later. Like the previous novels, Record of a Spaceborn Few is celebration of life, love, and hope. Each character is someone you can relate to, someone you can come to care deeply about. (Read the full review…)
What are some of the tropes and themes you enjoy reading about in sci-fi? Are you also a fan of generation ship stories? Let me know your favorites and recommendations!
#SciFiMonth Audiobook Review: The Original by Brandon Sanderson & Mary Robinette Kowal
Posted on November 9, 2020 23 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Original by Brandon Sanderson & Mary Robinette Kowal
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Recorded Books (September 14, 2020)
Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
Author Information: Brandon Sanderson | Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrator: Julia Whelan
I’m a big fan of Brandon Sanderson, and I’ve also enjoyed the Mary Robinette Kowal’s work in the past, so you can imagine my excitement for their futuristic sci-fi action-thriller collaboration. There’s a couple things you need to know, however. First, this is novella-length story, and second, it is only available as an audiobook, and both these factors have the possibility to influence your enjoyment as it did mine.
The Original starts with protagonist Holly Winseed waking up in a hospital room with no recollection of how she ended up there, surrounded by government agents waiting to interrogate her, and based on their questions, her heart immediately fills with a sense of dread as she realizes what must have happened. She is a Provisional Replica, a clone that is created only in cases where their Original had committed a serious crime. In this case, the real Holly had murdered her husband Jonathan in cold blood and is now on the run, evading all attempts to track her down. The task now falls to replica Holly to find and kill her. If she succeeds, she will be given the opportunity to assume her Original’s place and petition for Jonathan to be revived. But if she fails, her life-sustaining treatments required by replicas will be halted, and she will die.
But the government had underestimated Holly’s persistence for answers. As a clone, she has all her Original’s memories and emotions, and she cannot fathom any scenario in which she would ever want to kill her husband. With her new combat implants and enhanced abilities, replica Holly sets out to find her Original, convinced of her innocence. But as the trail of clues takes her closer to her goal, Holly comes under attack by terrorists and other shadowy enemies, forcing her to confront some uncomfortable truths.
Sad to say, despite the incredible premise and some of the very cool ideas here, I can’t say I enjoyed this one as much as I wanted to. The good news, however, is that the world-building is fantastic. There was definitely some of that Sanderson magic shining through, especially the points about injectable nanite technology allowing humans to essentially choose eternal life should they want it. Those who decide to live on the edge and “checkout” of this system become the ones that go against the prevailing norm for a variety of reasons, which can range from risk-taking to the preservation of personal privacy. This creates the basis for further exploration—from social, moral, and emotional standpoints and more—quite typical for Sanderson stories, if you’re familiar with his work.
Unfortunately, the world-building is about the only aspect I found to truly stand out. This was a relatively a short novella, so that might a restricting factor, limiting development to the characters and plot. As for Holly, I didn’t feel much sympathy towards her, and felt like there may have been slight overwriting and too much telling-not-showing when it came to her feelings and motivations (which incidentally is a weakness I’ve noted in Kowal’s books in the past). I also could have done with more action and thrills, and less time spent in Holly’s head watching her bemoan her situation and wallow in self-pity.
All in all, The Original was enjoyable enough, but I have to say I’d expected a bit more from a collab project between these two powerhouses of SFF. It’s still a good listen and worth your time, but it didn’t wow me, and on top of that, there were a few things about the audiobook I found irritating. Narrator Julia Whelan delivered a fantastic performance, as she always does, but I had no idea what the production team were thinking when they added in the sound effects, which came in at the most random times. Instead of adding to the atmosphere and immersion, they were just plain annoying, and is definitely not usual for an audiobook.
Audiobook Review: The Cabin on Souder Hill by Lonnie Busch
Posted on November 8, 2020 23 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Cabin on Souder Hill by Lonnie Busch
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing (September 29, 2020)
Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
Author Information: Website
Narrator: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
The Cabin on Souder Hill was a weird book, but in a good way—for the most part. I’m just glad that I came prepared for some of that strangeness, otherwise I probably would have been more nonplussed, because not gonna lie, this one was a very different kind of mystery.
At the heart of this story are Michelle and Cliff Stage, a married couple whose eighteen-year marriage is now on the rocks. Trying to repair the relationship after finding out her husband has been unfaithful has been hard, but Michelle is hoping that spending time together—just the two of them, without their teenage daughter Cassie—will do the trick. Hence, their new vacation cabin in the isolated mountains of North Carolina. One freezing night though, Cliff notices a mysterious light in the woods, and goes out to investigate. When he fails to return hours lately, a frantic Michelle contacts the sheriff’s department about his disappearance but gets no help. She decides to take matters into her own hands, venturing out into the woods to search for Cliff on her own. However, when those efforts eventually come to naught, Michelle staggers back to the cabin, worried and exhausted, only to come home to a reality she doesn’t recognize.
For one thing, Cliff is there to greet her with relief, claiming that she had been the one who was missing. He had contacted the sheriff, who now stands in their home, having no memory of speaking to her earlier about Cliff’s disappearance. To Michelle’s astonishment, her husband is also a changed man. No longer the brash and controlling brute who had cheated on her, he has become gentler and more sensitive. And he is missing a finger. When pressed on it though, Cliff is reluctant to explain, thinking that shock and exposure had affected her memory. Panicked with confusion, Michelle demands answers, and her whole world is shattered when he finally explains that he been in a car accident over a year ago—an accident that also killed their daughter.
Deep down, Michelle knows that can’t be true. She had just spoken to Cassie on the phone earlier that day. But apparently there had been a funeral, and Michelle is even shown the grave. Still, she refuses to accept that Cassie is gone, or that this is even her world. Michelle knows that it must have something to do with what happened to her in the woods that night. Returning to mountains, she seeks out the help of realtor Pink Souder (who had supposedly built their cabin), as well as his family of Wiccan practitioners who may hold the key to the mystery of their shifting realities.
I’ve tried to keep it as straightforward as possible, but this is a tale that grows more twisted and complicated by the second. I’ll tell you right now, if you are looking for a logical explanation by the end of this whole mess, you’re not going to get it. The first half of the book was easy enough to understand at least, but past the halfway point, the plot really turns into a quagmire which takes some effort to follow.
In spite of that though, I had quite a bit of fun with this one. The element of magic and Wicca was a welcome addition to the story, even if it didn’t feature as prominently as I expected. The mystery was what really mattered, with Michelle’s terrifying situation carrying most of the momentum, though we also had sections where other characters’ perspectives took over. One of these belongs to Pink, though by the end of the book, I couldn’t help but wonder just how relevant these other POVs were. Not going to spoil anything here, of course, but it really didn’t take long to figure out how everything would go down—even if you didn’t know the details, you could determine the mood. There was a sense of futility and hopelessness to it all, and ironically, accepting that was what ultimately made it easier to let go and simply let the story take me where it wanted.
Again, sorry for being vague, but The Cabin on Souder Hill was just a very odd book. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no question that it’s an interesting read if you’re in the mood for a weird journey or are into mind-bending speculative mysteries.
Audiobook Comments: The Cabin on Souder Hill is the kind of audiobook that could have used multiple narrators to make it a more immersive, but Sarah Mollo-Christensen carried a great performance, nonetheless. Her portrayal of Michelle was incredible, where she was able to convey the full range of thoughts and emotions going through the character’s mind as she lived through her ordeal. It was a good listen overall.
Bookshelf Roundup 11/07/20: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on November 7, 2020 20 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
Kicking off this roundup with the latest batch of books from the awesome folks at Orbit! First up, The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie sounds so creepy, and it’ll also be my first book by the author so that’s double the excitement! As well, I’m looking forward to tackle Call of the Bone Ships by RJ Barker, the sequel to The Bone Ships. I enjoyed the first book a lot, and I just can’t wait to return to the amazing world of The Tide Child. Speaking of sequels, I’m also looking forward to read The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter, the follow-up to his runaway hit The Rage of Dragons. And because Orbit just loves to spoil me, earlier this week I also received a surprise ARC of The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick, which had me jumping up and down like a giddy schoolgirl. It’s one of my most anticipated releases in the new year!
And finally, with thanks to Minotaur Books for sending me an ARC of Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. This was completely new to me, and at first I wasn’t sure if it’ll be my kind of book based on the cover. After doing some research though, I found out it is the first book of a new mystery series, one that’s supposedly full of wry wit and humor, so who knows, maybe it’ll turn out to my thing after all 🙂
In the digital haul this week, I snagged a trio of listening copies. With thanks to Macmillan Audio for The Survivors by Jane Harper, a crime mystery set in a small Australian town on the coast of Tasmania. I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about the author and this book, and it made me curious to try. Also thank you to Tantor Audio for a review copy of The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill (because YAY for maritime fantasy!) as well as A Chorus of Fire by Brian D. Anderson, the sequel to The Bard’s Blade. Last but not least, my thanks to Penguin Audio for a ALC of We Hear Voices by Evie Green. It’s a dystopian horror-thriller, and from the reviews I’ve been seeing, apparently it’s terrifying.
Reviews
The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin (4 of 5 stars)
Machine by Elizabeth Bear (2 of 5 stars)
This Week’s Reads
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!
Friday Face-Off: Planets
Posted on November 6, 2020 19 Comments
Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.
This week’s theme is:
“You’re on Earth. There’s no cure for that.”
~ a cover that features PLANETS
Mogsy’s Pick:
Embers of War by Gareth L. Powell
Embers of War by Gareth L. Powell is a sci-fi military space opera following a handful of characters in the aftermath of a bitter violent war fought in a galaxy rife with political tensions. Disgusted with the part she played, the sentient warship Trouble Dog has decided on a new course for her life, joining the House of Reclamation, an organization that answers the calls of distressed starships, in the hopes of atoning for the atrocities she committed. Sal Konstanz, who once fought against Trouble Dog, now finds herself on the same side as the ship as her captain. Together with their crew of medics and rescue workers, they follow a signal from a downed vessel to a touristy but disputed area of space called the Gallery, a system whose planets have all been carved into gargantuan intricate shapes by an ancient alien race.
Let’s take a look at the covers to see how well they capture the tone and scope of the story:
From left to right:
Titan Books (2018) – Italian Edition (2019) – French Edition (2019)
Russian Edition (2020) – Croatian Edition (2019) – Czech Edition (2019)
Winner:
I found it difficult to choose a favorite this week, and it’s not for of the lack of pretty covers because several of these are actually quite nice. However, there’s only so much you can do with the good old “ships in space with some planets in the background” motif (very popular when it comes to military sci-fi covers), so a lot of these come off as a bit generic. Still, the Russian edition stuck out for me the most on account of its brilliant hues and color contrast, so that’s the one I’m going with.
But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?
#SciFiMonth Review: Machine by Elizabeth Bear
Posted on November 5, 2020 27 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 2 of White Space
Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press (October 20, 2020)
Length: 496 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I really wanted to like this one, but unfortunately it just didn’t work out for me. While I’ve enjoyed Elizabeth Bear’s work in the past, for some reason Machine failed to capture my attention, and even from the start the story and main character struggled to make an impression, though I tried my best to give the book a fair shake.
At first, I thought it might have something to do with the fact it is a sequel, and that I haven’t read its predecessor, Ancestral Night. However, it soon became clear that was not the case, because although Machine takes place in the same White Space universe, it is written to be experienced as a standalone, featuring a new story and a different protagonist. Dr. Brookllyn Jens is her name, a rescue specialist working on a first responder ship dispatched to investigate a distress signal originating from a generation ship which left Earth hundreds of years ago. Upon arrival, Dr. Jens finds the ship’s crew and passengers still sealed inside their cryogenic space pods, with only an android named Helen as the only conscious caretaker active onboard.
Thus, a tantalizing mystery emerges: What could have happened to the ship to leave its ten thousand souls in such a state? And what might have caused Helen, an A.I. who doesn’t appear to be all together there, to be left in charge by herself? Even more disconcerting is the discovery of a modern vessel attached to the centuries-old generation ship, and the strange machine inside of it, dubbed a craboid because of its resemblance to the crustacean. Everyone is baffled as to its purpose, though Jens might have a few guesses. As she works hard to rescue as many of the passengers as she can by transporting them to the state-of-the-art hospital at which she is employed, even more problems begin to arise, including an unknown illness, computer viruses, and even malicious sabotage. As much as Jens wants to get to the bottom of all of it, she worries the answers will come at a steep price—and she isn’t sure she will like what she finds.
To be fair, Machine had quite a few strengths, even if they weren’t enough to win me over. For example, I liked that our protagonist was a doctor, and the medical angle of her narrative provided this space opera with a fresh and interesting perspective. I also enjoyed the author’s vision for her futuristic setting, one populated by humans, aliens, and A.I. There’s wonderful interaction between the characters, creating opportunities for compelling relationships as well as plenty of room to grow them.
Unfortunately though, Dr. Jens winds up being the weak link in all these scenarios. For one thing, she can’t seem to stop with the aggravating internal monologues, rambling on and on in a completely different line of thought than whatever was happening on the page. While it’s probably in her character’s nature to be inquisitive and examine every single tiny thing from all possible angles, as a reader trying to follow her often long-winded and digressive spiels it was absolute torture. It’s a shame, really, for I’m sure this novel could have been one hell of a sci-fi mystery page-turner, if only the main character could’ve shut up long enough for the exciting parts of the story to actually come through.
Perhaps it is not surprising then, that pacing was also an issue. Due to all the frequent interruptions and tangents, the plot never really manages to find its rhythm, and to be honest, there were too many moments I found myself bored and tempted to skim or skip ahead. I tried to sympathize with Jens, because she really does have quite an intricate and poignant backstory, but the narrative style simply made it far too difficult to engage. I also didn’t like her over-the-top self-criticism especially towards the end of the book, which didn’t help her likeability one bit, and only served to make me even more annoyed with her.
Overall, I can’t say I had a good experience with Machine, even though the novel’s premise with its mystery and intrigue should have been right up alley. Regrettably, I just couldn’t get onboard with the main character and the stop-start pacing of the story, when what I really wanted was less talk and more emphasis on the mystery aspect and the action elements. Ultimately, I was left unsatisfied and disappointed.
#SciFiMonth Waiting on Wednesday 11/04/20
Posted on November 4, 2020 20 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (May 4th 2021 by Ballantine Books)
In honor of Sci-Fi Month, I’m featuring sci-fi picks for my Waiting on Wednesday posts for the whole of November. First up is Project Hail Mary – I’m so excited for this, because you just know anything from the author of The Martian will be so much fun.
“A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.
Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.
All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.
Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian–while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.”
#SciFiMonth Sci-5 Tuesday: Colonization Sci-Fi
Posted on November 3, 2020 36 Comments
To celebrate science fiction during the month of November, I’ve put together a series of posts I’ll be doing every Tuesday to highlight the sci-fi tropes or themes that I find simply irresistible! I’ve also been fortunate to read some great books in the genre over the last few years, and to give them some extra attention, each week I will also be featuring five titles that I recently enjoyed or thought were pretty special.
This week’s topic is most certainly one of my absolute favorites! Today we look at COLONIZATION SCI-FI: stories about the colonization of space and the indomitable human spirit in the face of extreme adversity that ranges from alien aggro to environments that want to kill you!
Dark Eden by Chris Beckett
Dark Eden isn’t really the kind of book you can take at face value. In many ways, it’s almost like a hypothetical social experiment, exploring the possible outcomes if a society were to emerge on its own, completely cut off and free of influences from the rest of humankind. The story’s premise begins with a scenario that sees five human beings stranded on a dark and icebound planet they dubbed Eden. Three decided to leave, while two remained behind. They were Angela and Tommy, who eventually settled down and raised children. 160 years later, the story officially beings and the population of Eden has grown from 2 to 532. Collectively calling themselves “Family”, all this time their group has stayed together living in a small area dubbed Circle Valley. However, with their numbers ever increasing, their home is becoming far too small and the surrounding resources are becoming depleted. One teenager named John Redlantern changes everything when he proposes Family abandon their old ways to seek new expansion beyond the forest and over the mountains of Snowy Dark. (Read the full review…)
Planetfall by Emma Newman
Planetfall opens on a world far from Earth, where protagonist Renata Ghali is called urgently to the colony boundary when a mysterious figure is spotted heading towards the settlement. As the stranger approaches, even though Ren doesn’t recognize him, she sees that he bears a striking resemblance to her friend Suh-Mi, also known as the Pathfinder—the woman who had led their group here to this planet all those years ago to escape a polluted and over-populated Earth. But then, more than two decades have passed since they first arrived, and Suh-Mi had entered the gargantuan alien structure they found when they made planetfall, never to emerge again. So, just who is this mysterious newcomer? He claims to be the grandson of Suh-Mi, but few people know why this information would be dangerous if it got out. It would mean the end of the colony’s way of life, which they have spent years cultivating into their own little utopia. Long story short: I loved Planetfall…except the ending. But if you’ve ever enjoyed a great book that you nonetheless had some issues with, then you’ll probably understand why I still found this book fascinating and fun to read. In its finer moments, the novel is a thought-provoking narrative about the fear of the unknown, and how in times of uncertainty, those around you can be a comfort…or a strain. (Read the full review…)
Outpost by W. Michael Gear
Outpost opens on Donovan, a planet settled by colonists who arrived a mere few decades ago to establish a mining operation on behalf of the Corporation. What they hadn’t expected, however, was the lack of support they would receive from their employers. Of course, some of this also had to do with the unavoidable perils of space travel. Almost half a dozen Corporate ships have gone missing, never reaching their destinations. So when news arrives that the Turalon has been sighted in orbit, it is almost like a miracle. The people of Donovan are relieved but some are also quite fearful. With space travel being such a risky business these days, what will happen to their colony? And for those who want to return to the Solar System, is it worth the chance that they will become lost forever? Or would it be better simply to remain on Donovan, where most of the colonists have deeds to their own land and control over their own lives? There’s a lot going on in this book: survival, politics, romance, mystery, action and adventure with high drama mixed with intrigue and suspense. I enjoyed every moment. (Read the full review…)
Semiosis by Sue Burke
Semiosis is a multi-generational story that takes place over the course of many years, following a group of human colonists who have settled on a planet they dubbed Pax. The first pioneers hoped to start over and establish a peaceful society on this newly discovered planet. However, they were wholly unprepared for the alien environment and the surprising ways Pax’s bizarre flora and fauna interacted with their surroundings. Many of the settlers died within a matter of weeks, but through hard work and perseverance, the colony managed to hang on and give rise to the next generation. Still, their difficulties were far from over. Despite the settlers’ lofty goals to live in harmony with the land, with every new generation also came new challenges, both biological and social. The colony adapted to the planet, but Pax adapted in turn. It was a joy watching the society on Pax evolve over the years, even when the settlers themselves struggled and dealt with some difficult obstacles and brutal conditions. Overall, I found the book to be a very realistic depiction of human colonization on an alien planet, and I also admired many of the characters for trying to uphold their values even in the face of danger and despair. (Read the full review…)
Cibola Burn by James S. A. Corey
The most accurate way to describe Cibola Burn is part space colonization story and part space disaster thriller. This fourth installment of The Expanse sequence is also, in my opinion, the turning point where the series went from good to great. With the massive ring structure created by the mysterious proto-molecule determined to be a gateway leading to thousands of new worlds, corporations have been scrambling to get first dibs on exploration and harvesting rights. To their chagrin, however, a ship of refugees have also made it over and settled on the first of the habitable new planets, starting up their own mining operations. Violence erupts when the company with claims to the planet arrives to protect what they think of as their property, with the colonists pushing back. Protagonist James Holden is tasked to mediate the conflict before both sides end up killing each other, but even the system’s best known peacekeeper can only do so much. It is no secret that I am a big fan of the Expanse, and Cibola Burn captures many of the reasons why. Of course, you’ll have to catch up with the first three books if you haven’t read them yet, but they, this is a series that should be on every sci-fi fan’s TBR anyway! (Read the full review…)
What are some of the tropes and themes you enjoy reading about in sci-fi? Are you also a fan of space colonization stories? Let me know your favorites and recommendations!
The BiblioSanctum 