alternate history – The Spine View

Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis

I adore a good Sci-Fi book and I was not disappointed with Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis. It is a look at what first contact with an alien race might be like. It was an entertaining, fascinating read and it made me stop and think about how first contact might really go. A total pleasure to read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Caro Sabino is a young college dropout. She is just trying to find her footing in the real world. Her estranged father is the CEO of the equivalent of WikiLeaks and he has just released the leak of a lifetime. The evidence he presents purports that the US government has made first contact with an alien race. However, the facts suggests they have not been able to communicate with them. That is until Caro unwittingly steps into the picture.

The story was outstanding. It is creative, well thought through and has a great cast of characters with just enough suspense and twists to keep you engaged. The plot moved quickly and I was engaged throughout the entire book. However, the relationship between Ampersand and Caro is what really made me enjoy this so much. The connection and eventually trust that developed between the two was well done and I loved the path it took in the book.

I also liked how the author handles the government cover ups. It explored some interesting ideas and made me think about the lengths government will go to keep people in the dark. Also the reoccurring theme of truth being a human right brings up whole host of ideas on that topic. In short, besides being a good story (which it is) it raises some interesting questions about morality, compassion and what it means to be human.

This is a great book for those true lovers of the Science Fiction genre. I would like to be able to recommend it to others but I doubt, for example, a person who is a Historical Fiction fan would like it. Yet, for you Sci-Fi people like me, you have to read this one!

I received an ARC, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Fated Sky is the second book in The Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal. It is as great an adventure as the first book. It cemented my respect for the author as a great writer and I am most definitely a fan.

The International Aerospace Coalition (IAC) is now making regular trips to an established colony on the moon. The Lady Astronaut, Elma York, now regularly pilots these shuttles between the colony and earth. It has become almost routine. For Elma, she has realized her dream of getting to space and now she dreams bigger. She wants to go to Mars!

The IAC is now planning that all important first mission to Mars. Unfortunately for Elma, the mission is deemed too dangerous for women. Yet, if you want a colony on Mars there will have to be women. After all, the whole point of going is to insure the survival of the human race. Then the IAC also has the problem of needing a human computer during the trip to Mars. The question is, Will Elma get her wish?

I loved how the author handled real questions and problems that would arise if this was the reality we lived in. The continuing prejudice against people of color and women, especially women of color, that was a central theme in the first book, and I might add is spot on, is still present in book two. In addition, how the author imagined the zealous religious factions would react to the need to move humanity to the stars was also realistic and grounded in facts. In short, she convinces the reader, for the time they are reading, that it is a real history and not just an alternate they are reading. Many kudos for that!

Then her characters were just so human, flawed but done flawlessly. By that, I mean flawed but never in a way that it felt forced. For example, Elma grappled with her desire for getting to Mars with her desire to have a family. Also, I noted that her reactions to the various situations presented were not always elegant and that is exactly how humans react at times. What I am sure took the author many hours to develop seemed to be effortless and authentic. So, so well done.

This is one of those books that is, and will continue to be, loved by fans of various genres. The science parts are not heavy handed in a way that would turn off readers of say historical fiction, women’s fiction, etc. Therefore, I am comfortable in recommending this book to everyone.

The Philosopher’s Flight by Tom Miller

Title: The Philosopher’s Flight
Author: Tom Miller
Pub. Date: 13-Feb-2018
Rating: 5 Stars

The Philosopher’s Flight by Tom Miller is an alternate history/fantasy work set in the early 20^th century. It is a stunning debut novel and appears to be the first book in a series.

In this alternative history, Philosophy, or Empirical Philosophy as it is better known as, is a relatively new branch of science. Those people, mainly women, who are born with this innate ability can move or shape energy to transport people hundreds of miles, send messages instantly across thousands of miles, and fly, among other things, by drawing a sigil. Of course, leave it to the government to turn it into a weapon for war. Continue reading “The Philosopher’s Flight by Tom Miller”