Title: The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2017 Author: John Joseph Adams Pub. Date: 3-Oct-2017 Rating: 4 Stars
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2017 edited by John Joseph Adams and Charles Yu is an anthology of short stories that embraces all varieties of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. It is an interesting and diverse compilation.
It opens with Head, Scales, Tongue and Tail by Leigh Bardugo a story about a young girl who falls in love with a boy that is not really human. It was probably my favorite and set my expectations high for this anthology. Another favorite of mine was Everyone from Themis Sends Letters Home by Genevieve Valentine a story about the repercussions of a world in which everyone is plugged in and what are the rights of people in that type of world. Continue reading “The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2017 edited by John Joseph Adams and Charles Yu”
Artemis by Andy Weir is the story of the struggle for control of the first lunar city and how a young smuggler got caught up in the deadly fray. There is lots of action and a main character I loved but would get so exasperated with. I have to give lots of kudos to Mr. Weir for another great story.
Jasmine, aka Jazz, immigrated to the moon with her father when she was just six years old. She is a bright young woman but suffers from poor life choices. She currently works as a porter, though she could have chosen almost any career path given her intelligence. Being a porter allows her to smuggle in contraband from Earth with the help of her friend Kelvin. But Jazz has standards, no guns or drugs, just a few harmless items to make a bit of extra cash on the side. A girl has to make a living. Right? Continue reading “Artemis by Andy Weir”
Retrograde by Peter Cawdron is a sci-fi novel with the emphasis being on science. In addition, it is intensely suspenseful and it contains some of the elements of a thriller novel. Though it is a work of fiction, I could easily see the events described occurring within the next one hundred years.
The story is about the first human colony on Mars. The colonists consist of scientists and support personal, from a variety of countries, working together as a team to study Mars. They are almost an equal mix of male and female and represent a wide range of ethnic groups. Therefore, when the unthinkable occurs on Earth and the colony is left essentially to fend for itself it will be easy for individuals to think of themselves first and their country of origin next and not as a Martian. They will need to set aside their differences and think like Martians and use their collective intelligence if they are going to survive what is to come. Continue reading “Retrograde by Peter Cawdron”
Infinity by Tabitha Lord is the second book in the Horizon Sci-Fi series. It can be read as a stand-alone, though the reader would benefit from having read the first book prior to tackling this one. The second book is the continuation of Caeli and Derek’s story as they return to Almagest in a covert attempt to overthrow the ruthless dictator Marcus.
The Alliance has discovered that Marcus is involved in human trafficking of the Novali people, who are empathic, as a means to purchase advanced technology. The planet is vulnerable to falling into the hands of the Alliance’s enemies who would love to use the Novali as a weapon in the war against the Alliance. Since Almagest is not a member planet, the Alliance is almost powerless to prevent this from happening hence the mission. Once a democratic government is installed, Almagest can then apply for membership in the Alliance. Continue reading “Infinity by Tabitha Lord”
I love discovering new, or new to me, authors. I get especially excited about indie authors. I am always amazed at some of the great stories these authors write and publish. Therefore, after I read Pursuing Dreams by M. K. Clark, I knew this was the next author I wanted to interview.
ME: What motivates you to write?
Clark: I’m probably going to go against the grain here and say nothing really motivates me to write. I think, right now, it’s more that I’ve started to go down a certain road, and I refuse to quit. I’m going to keep going and I’m going to be successful, because that’s what I decided to do. Apart from that, I just really enjoy writing. It’s why I have a tech writing day job. I just really love to write. Sometimes it’s a lot of work and I have to talk myself into it, but it’s worth it in the long run.
ME: Why did you choose to write a Sci-Fi novel?
Clark: I didn’t intentionally sit down to write a sci-fi novel when I got started with The Young Soldier Series. Back then, I didn’t even consider myself to be a sci-fi person –hindsight being what it is, I totally was– I just had a story I wanted to write and it happened to be sci-fi. I’m much more intentional about my work now.
ME: Do you think it is harder for a female writer of Sci-Fi to get recognized?
Clark: This is a hard question to answer. I think it’s much easier now than, say, ten years ago. It’s like the science and tech industries, the female population is growing and becoming more respected. So I’d like to think that no, it isn’t harder, but on some level, I also accept there is still probably a cultural bias. It’s why I publish under the name MK Clark. It sounds more androgynous than my actual name.
In this same vein, I think there are other challenges to being a female sci-fi author that aren’t as actively discussed as the struggle of being recognized.
I get a surprising amount of comments from other authors and reviewers wondering why I don’t focus more on women in my book. There’s an assumption that, as a woman, I would want to or should want to write about strong female characters to provide the next generation with good role models. I find these comments to be odd. I don’t mind this idea. In some of my other works, the main character is a female character. In this case, that’s just not what this story is. The assumption that this story should have focused on a strong female character, because of my gender, sometimes makes me feel like I am being put in a creative box.
ME: What is the most rewarding thing about writing for you?
Clark: Hearing from people that enjoyed my work. I’m not talking about the “it was good” comment, but the ones where I get to hear what they loved specifically. Like, I wrote a short story and someone told me that the emotion captured in the opening letter was beautiful. I worked hard at making the emotion believable. To hear that I was successful in my goal, that is what makes my day.
ME: Are there any authors that have helped you along the way?
Recently, I’ve gotten a lot of support from the indie community, and that has been great. I’m also part of a close-knit group of writers, there’s about ten of us, and their help has been priceless.
ME: Is there a place you like to write that makes you feel the most creative?
Clark: About two cities ago, I had a writing room that was the best. I had a solar system that hung from the roof, papers and notes tagged on the wall, a huge whiteboard for scribbling things out… It was wonderful. That was where I felt most creative. I’ve not been able to recreate that, sadly.
ME: What are your long-term writing goals?
Clark: I’ve told my husband that my long-term goal is to be able to go from tech writing full-time to part-time so that I can write what I want the rest of the week. I really love my day job, so I don’t want to give it up entirely.
ME: Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Clark: Of course! I think everyone does from time to time. I’ve found the best way for me to “get over it” is to work through it, so if I’m ever in a slump, I force myself to write one sentence at a time. Eventually, I’ll one sentence my way out of the block.
ME: Is there anything you can share about your next book?
Clark: The first book of The Young Soldier series introduces the idea that Don betrays the Council, but readers never really get more than a glimpse of why that is. In book two, readers will be able to really grasp what those reasons are. At the same time, book two plays with the concept of identity, reality, and perception. So, in the end, one of the questions that readers will have to answer is whether or not Don’s perception can be trusted.
ME: How many books are you planning on for the Young Solider series?
Clark: I’ve outlined three books in The Young Soldier series. These books complete Don’s character arch and story. I’ve played with the idea of doing one-off novels with some of the other characters that show up throughout the series. There are two that are floating around in my head, but, at the moment, there are three planned books.
ME: What do you think is the most memorable about the main character Don?
Clark: My husband would say it’s that he’s spoiled. Of course, he’s only read part 1 and Don is a bit spoiled in the beginning. I think what makes Don stand out for me as a memorable character is that he is flawed. He’s human, and he makes bad decisions sometimes and has to face the consequences.
ME: Do you identify strongly with the main character?
Clark: Not particularly. I think I probably identify more with one of the minor characters, Roberto. I’m much more practical about things.
ME: Do you have any advice for someone just starting out as an author?
Clark: It’s the age of the internet. There is so much information and so much advice out there that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to listen to and what to do. I think the biggest thing is that you have to understand who you are and what your personality is. You have to do what works for you. Also, a little bit of googling goes a long way. What writers in writing groups hate more than anything is when a new writer asks a simple question that a little bit of googling could answer.
ME: Is there any question you feel I should have asked?
Clark: I get a surprising amount of comments from female authors and reviewers that it’s surprising that I don’t focus more on women in my book. I think there’s an assumption that as a woman myself, I would want to or should want to write about strong female characters to provide role models for the next generation. I always find these comments to be a little odd. I don’t mind this idea. In some of my other works, the MC is a female character. That’s just not what this story is. This story is about Don, and he’s always been a guy.
About the Author:
MaryKate Clark is an author and tech writer based out of Austin Texas. She has produced multiple children’s plays for community theatre groups, published an undergraduate thesis, and received an Honor’s B.A. in English and Literature from the University of Texas at Arlington. MaryKate currently lives in Austin Texas with her husband and her two fur-babies and works full-time as a technical writer. She is currently working on the second book in the Young Soldiers Series.
Title: Pursuing Dreams Author: M. K. Clark Pub. date: 30-June-2017 Rating: 5 Stars
Friends and Enemies are made in war… But sometimes… it’s hard to make the distinction.
Don O’Hara was lucky. At least, that’s what everyone else said. Born the son of a General, with a guaranteed ticket to Commander’s School, Don had his future laid out for him. Only, he didn’t want that future. All he ever wanted was to be a Space Jumper. Lucky for him, he never lacked guts. Defying his father and sneaking off to Basic was an easy decision; a decision that forever changed the course his life would take, and not entirely the way he expected.
Pursuing Dreams is an action packed, Sci-Fi, Young Adult novel that takes the reader on a wild ride as Don fights for his dream and stumbles upon the truth about his family and the O’Hara Legacy. With his life turned upside down and unable to shake the feeling that he is being watched, Don does the only thing he can: he keeps moving forward not knowing that every step takes him closer to becoming the most hated man alive.
Title: Pursuing Dreams Author: M. K. Clark Pub. date: 30-June-2017 Rating: 5 Stars
Pursing Dreams by M. K. Clark is the first installment in a young adult sci-fi series that had me engaged from the very beginning. Hidden gems like this book are the reason why I accept review requests from debut and little known authors. The synopsis was enough to peak my interest and I am so very glad I choose this book to read and review.
The story is about Don O’Hara, in a lot of ways a typical sixteen year old, who just happens to be the son of a general. His father, who as a single parent, is domineering and has run Don’s life like he was one of his military subordinates. Don has always known that his father would insist that he go to Commander’s School even though all he wants is to be a Space Jumper. Continue reading “Pursuing Dreams by M. K. Clark”
Title: The Grid Author: Paul Teague Pub. Date: 28-Nov-2015 Rating: 3.5 Stars
The Grid by Paul Teague is a dystopian sci-fi story of a post-apocalyptic society that chills the reader. However, before you start reading this book I must forewarn you of the massive cliff hanger. Not just one small thread is left hanging for the next book. The story just stops, as if someone has taken a sword and chopped off the ending.
The plot, at its most basic, is nothing new. A few elite, wealthy individuals have easy lives, as long as they play by the rules, the vast majority are repressed and live in horrid conditions. I know, sounds just like The Hunger Games. At least the similarities, for the most part, stop there. What is different is that the characters lack the depth you find in truly great dystopian stories. Oh, the world is different; don’t misunderstand me on that point. There is lots of action too and the plot moves along rapidly, more like an action/thriller novel. Continue reading “The Grid by Paul Teague”
Horizon by Tabitha Lord is the first in a series, of at least one more book, and ends with a cliffhanger. While it is a sci-fi story, it is also heavy on the romance but nothing sappy (thankfully). Actually, the romantic scenes were well done and therefore nothing for me to quibble about.
The story opens from Caeli Crys’s point of view as a ship crashes on her planet. She is empathetic and she feels the terror of the crew in the moments before the actual crash. When she goes to investigate she finds that, of the two people on board, only one has survived, Commander Derek Markham. As empathetic, Caeli possesses the skill to heal with her mind and she quickly sets about saving Derek’s life. Continue reading “Horizon by Tabitha Lord”
Title: The Tourist Author: Robert Dickinson Pub. Date: 18-Oct-2016 Rating: 2 Stars
The Tourist by Robert Dickinson is a time travel novel that left me wanting. I did manage to get to the end, but it was a struggle at times. The tidbits of information that were supposed to move the plot along were few and far between and ambiguous at best. I love books that make me think and put all the puzzle pieces together in order to have that climatic moment where I can sigh with relief because I get it. That did not happen for me with this book. There were too many puzzle pieces missing for me to get a complete picture. Therefore, I was left wanting in the end.
Then to make matters worse the plot jumps around in time, to various places and different people. Making it more difficult to keep up with what was going on and whose time line I was reading about. I especially did not care for the use of second person for one of the characters. I have read other books were that technique worked well. Its use here turned murky waters to muddy. Continue reading “The Tourist by Robert Dickinson”
Title: Hannah’s Moon Author: John A. Heldt Pub. Date: 8-Feb-2017 Rating: 5 Stars
Hannah’s Moon is the last book in the American Journey series. Do not worry if you have not read any of the other books in the series, because this one can be read as a stand-alone and you will not feel lost. In fact, I have only read one other in the series, September Sky, which is the first one. The entire series is based on a sci-fi, time travel theme. Expect also to get a little romance, suspense and WWII history with this one.
Claire Rasmussen wants nothing more than to have a child. After numerous attempts with the last one ending in a still birth she and Ron, her husband, decide to adopt. They soon discover that in 2017 this route is difficult and a very long process. Fortunately for them, a distant relative enters into the picture. Professor Bell, a relative of Claire’s, does have a solution and offers to send them back to 1945 where adoptions are much quicker and red tape a lot less. Continue reading “Hannah’s Moon by John A. Heldt”
