Dark Space, by Jasper T. Scott is a rollicking space opera that kicks off a series of books in high adventure fashion.  This review is based on the Kindle edition, this book is also available in paperback.

The Dark Space Story

Ethan Ortane is captain of a badly beat up space freighter, he already owes crime boss Alec Brondi a lot of money for previous repairs and now Ethan and his female sidekick are on the run.  But you can’t hide from Brondi.

When Brondi catches them he forces Ethan into a deal he doesn’t want.  A deal that would mean he would be responsible for the loss of a great many lives.

Our setting is a place called Dark Space, a galaxy within a shell of black holes.  Once used as a dumping ground for convicts it is now the final refuge of humanity’s remnants as they flee a merciless invasion by the Sythians who are bent on the extinction of all humankind.

There are several sub-plots that wind around one another to propel the events of the story.  There are surprises and twists too. Continue reading “Book Review: Dark Space”

Foreign Identity, by Becca J. Campbell is quite probably the strangest alien abduction story I have read:  “strangest” as in unique and imaginative.  It is also a genre-melding story that brings together elements of romance, fantasy, mystery and Sci-Fi.

A note on the romance angle: I tend to avoid modern romance novels because so many of them are a cape of pornography hung on a wireframe of plot.  The primary thrust of the story (pun intended) is graphically described sex.  Foreign Identity is not one of those. 

The story begins with a man and a woman chained to opposite ends of a strange room.  They awaken to discover that they have no memory of who they are, where they are, or how they got there.  The room is a puzzle, a puzzle they must work together to solve.  But it is also just the first step in a long series of challenges that are before them as they get to know one another and try to discover who they are, what is happening to them and how to get back “home”. Continue reading “Book Review: Foreign Identity”

Alien Empire, by Anthony Gillis, is an interesting read that disappoints in only one way.

Alien Empire: The Story

The central character is history professor, Haral Karden, who specializes in first contacts between cultures.  When a fleet of alien ships appears at the edge of the solar system, heading inward, he is included in a group of leaders who are assembled to greet them.

Upon their arrival, the ambassador for The Elders; an ancient, spacefaring race,  tells the world of The Galactic Protectorate, where hundreds of thousands of worlds enjoy peace, plenty and prosperity.  He invites them to join this union of worlds and offers to share amazing Elder technology that will provide cheap clean power, improved manufacturing and brotherhood among the nations.

Politicians attempt to use the event to bolster their own power.  Much of the populace embraces the invitation.  Professor Karden asks himself, “What do they want in return.”

Together with a quirky pair of scientists, a manufacturing mogul, and a linguist, Karden answers that question, along with the related concern of “What happens if we decline?” and unwittingly set themselves up as leaders of a revolt. Continue reading “Book Review: Alien Empire”

The Story

Scat, by Jim Graham is an imaginative and intriguing story set in the far future that follows Sebastian Scatkiewicz, a.k.a. Scat – an American in the US Marine Corps and decorated war hero. After ‘retiring’ from the Marines he finds himself on a distant planet working in a mine. He gets caught up in a riot there, and is shipped to another planet where he is unwillingly swept up in a planetary rebellion. The major players in the war that ensues are not governments so much as mega-corporations, a regulatory commission and the people of the planet he’s on. All he wanted was to do his tour of duty in the mine, get paid and buy a patch of dirt to settle on. Now he’s embroiled in a war and he has to choose a side.

Mr. Graham employs some unique science and offers a very dark view of corporate domination that may appear all too realistic given the way things are going. The story undergoes several convolutions that turn the plot on its head and leaves you guessing where it will end up, and I love the twist at the end that serves up retribution for the villainous. All of the villainous. Continue reading “Book Review: Scat”

Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge is the second book in Mary Pax’s Backworlds series about bio-engineered human life forms that were created to be able to thrive in the harsh environments of planets that are not exactly, “Earth Normal”.

The Story

In this tale we find Craze and his new-found friends from the first book encamped at Pardeep Station, a sort of rest stop along the galactic interstate system, except Pardeep is out in the sticks, galactically speaking, and not an especially inviting place to go.

Continue reading “Book Review: Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge”

The Cowchip Café (Cowchip, Al) by Norman Morrison.  Reviewed in Kindle format. Book length is listed as 45 printed pages. Price: $0.99 at Amazon.com.

The Story

The Cowchip Café by Norman Morrison is a delightful novelette set mostly in the only restaurant in the small rural town of Cowchip Alabama.  The cast of characters include:

• Lewis Stubbs: the restaurant owner, rebel, idealist.
• Port Love: the cook. An older black man living in a typical southern town and dealing graciously with the prejudice that entails.
• An assortment of “old farts” having their weekly get-together for coffee and tale swapping. Included is the former town mayor.
• And a nutty alien who orders a burger and triple hash browns before threatening to destroy the planet.

Along the way we learn something of the town of Cowchip Alabama’s quirky history, how Lewis came to own the restaurant, and some interesting background on Port Love. The “old farts” discussion includes a flash of light seen the night before and their experiences (real or imagined) with alien visitation.  The Mayor’s diplomatic background comes into play in resolving the current instance of otherworldly invasion. Continue reading “Book Review: The Cowchip Café (Cowchip Al)”