Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Song of Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus #1)

by Sara Creasy (Goodreads Author)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 1,273 ratings · 235 reviews

Trained since childhood in advanced biocyph seed technology by the all-powerful Crib empire, Edie's mission is to terraform alien worlds while her masters bleed the outlawed Fringe populations dry. When renegade mercenaries kidnap Edie, she's not entirely sure it's a bad thing . . . until they leash her to a bodyguard, Finn—a former freedom fighter-turned-slave, beaten dow...more

Paperback, 354 pages

Published April 27th 2010 by Eos

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romance

12th out of 463 books — 623 voters

Best Adult Sci Fi Romance & Sci fi with Romance

4th out of 154 books — 76 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 03, 2010 new_user rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Linnea Sinclair, Sirantha Jax fans

Shelves: romantic-scifi

Okay, these timid, fainthearted reviews gave me no clue what I was in for! I loved this book!

If you've watched the trailer, then you know Sara Creasy's Song of Scarabaeus follows prodigy Edie Sha'nim -it's not a fantasy without apostrophes- as she confronts her greatest failure with the help of your friendly neighborhood kidnappers.

Yes, I saw shades of Gabriel's Ghost and Grimspace , but unlike the heroines of those novels, Edie Sha'nim isn't immediately chummy with her kidnappers (OMG, BFFs 4e...more

47 likes · like · see review

Apr 28, 2011 Lyndsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-sci-fi-romance, 3rd-person-limited, pov-primarily-female, pov-flashbacks, reviewed-4-stars, reviewed-2011, about-space-colonies-or-colonizing, about-terraforming, about-living-plants-or-symbiosis, song-reviews, my-top-spec-fic-or-sci-fi, made-me-turn-pages-complusively, about-brains-and-wires

A BOOK ABOUT SPACE BANDITS?! HELL YES!

Fergie Ferg, back me up here.

We're Space Bandits! Here we come... We're coming for ya.
Space Bandits! Here we come... We're taking ya higher.

I think that's high enough, crazy. Why don't you come back down now?

Why you might be interested:

It takes cues from Battlestar Galactica - large cast of interesting characters and similar wardrobe (gold flight suits for pilots, tank tops with cargo pants, etc...)

Uses similar tech and future speak from Grimspace - using te...more

45 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Keertana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-favorites, kick-ass-heroines, rainy-day-re-reads, swoooon

Fine, I'll admit it: I lost faith in the science-fiction genre. I did. Completely. Granted, I haven't read all that much science-fiction in the past two years as I may have wanted to, but the ones that I have read have been disasters of monumental proportions. As such, I was a little skeptical about Song of Scarabaeus when I went into it. I was more than a little eager to read a duology (for once!), but I was not keen to be burned by science-fiction, yet again. Sara Creasy's debut, thankfully, i...more Fine, I'll admit it: I lost faith in the science-fiction genre. I did. Completely. Granted, I haven't read all that much science-fiction in the past two years as I may have wanted to, but the ones that I have read have been disasters of monumental proportions. As such, I was a little skeptical about Song of Scarabaeus when I went into it. I was more than a little eager to read a duology (for once!), but I was not keen to be burned by science-fiction, yet again. Sara Creasy's debut, thankfully, is science-fiction done right; a masterful blend of world-building, action, and romance that leaves your heart beating erratically, the wheels in your brain turning to keep up, and a smile of relief plastered on your face by the end.

Song of Scarabaeus starts out with a kidnapping and from there, it only gets better. Edie is a cypherteck working for the Crib, an international space company. Edie is the best-of-the-best and her job entails terraforming new planets for habitation. Yet, Edie is a slave for Crib. As a native Talasi, Edie cannot leave her planet without a certain toxin. Ironically enough, though, she is only half-Talasi and the same planet she is tied to is full of people who despise her for being a half-breed. It is because of her estranged childhood that she entered into a contract with the Crib - one that she now sorely regrets. As such, when a gang of mercenaries threaten to kidnap her, planning to use her talents for their own profit, she becomes stuck between a rock and a hard place. And, to make matters worse, her life is tied to that of a serf, Finn. Finn has been assigned as Edie's bodyguard and, to give him incentive to keep her alive, he will die if she does or if he travels out of a certain range. If Edie thought things couldn't get worse, though, it turns out they could, for Edie's first mission aboard the merc ship? Scarabaeus.

What makes Song of Scarabaeus so instantly compelling is its rich world-building. Although Sara Creasy never tells us what became of our own planet, Earth, it isn't difficult to surmise that extenuating situations forced mankind to look to space for habitation. And, with terraforming capabilities, any planet with minimal complex life forms could be transformed into habitable areas for human survival. In addition to this entirely unique idea, though, Creasy's world is full of spaceships and advanced brain technology. With each passing chapter, our understanding of the world deepens and it is shocking to take a step back, re-read your page, and wonder how you are able to understand pages and pages of complex terminology with such ease. Honestly, that is the degree to which Creasy enables her reader to enter her world and, just when you think you know it all, a curveball still manages to surprise you.

Yet, Song of Scarabaeus didn't garner 5 Stars from me based solely on its unique exploitation of science-fiction capabilities, or its thrilling plot line. Instead, what makes me such a huge fan of this debut is Edie herself. Edie is not made of the same stuff that fist-punching, pelvis-kicking heroines are. Instead, her power lies in her talent, which in turn renders her quite vulnerable. As a pawn in the game of space politics, alone and without anyone to turn to, Edie is easy to view as a weak heroine. Yet, her strength comes from within, from her stubborn refusal to treat Finn as a serf, instead treating him as another human being. From her moral values of never usurping the power she has over Finn. From the manner in which she puts the well-being of Fringe planets, whose are under the controlling thumb of the Crib, before herself.

In all this, Edie is a good, righteous protagonist, one whose cunning and stealth we cannot help but root for. As the story unravels, so does Edie's own past and her strange connection to the planet Scarabaeus. Thus, by the end, we have not only allowed Edie into our hearts, but find ourselves additionally marveling at the clever manner in which everything has been brought together. Finn, unlike Edie, is not as vulnerable or see-through. Instead, he's the typical strong-and-silent type who we cannot help but fall for - every time. Although he initially distrusts Edie, their gradual companionship develops over time and is heart-warming to see unfold. Moreover, the sexual tension between the two is practically palpable, ricocheting off the page in heady waves and forcing us to wait in anticipating. Obviously, it's the best type of medicine for a masochist like me who thrives on putting my heart through high patient zones.

While Song of Scarabaeus is one of those books I cannot find fault with, I know plenty of other readers who can, have, and will. Unfortunately, I doubt it is for everyone. Edie is the type of heroine you will either love or find yourself irritated by and the plot of this novel, focusing mostly on time spent on a spaceship before delving into the planet of Scarabaeus itself, is another decision some readers may find to be grating. Yet, for me, every aspect of this novel melding together perfectly, from Edie, to Finn, to the score of other characters gathered in this sparkling debut as well. Scarabaeus, too, as a planet is breath-taking to behold, reminding me of the very first time I saw "Jurassic Park." It is a dangerous place, but one with beauty side-by-side with death. As such, it piqued my interest almost at once and simply never let go. Sara Creasy, mind you, is an author to watch out for, as her debut most certainly proved, and by the end of this installment, I find myself already scrambling to get my hands on the sequel.

You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 AH rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-in-series, zzread-april-2011, science-fiction

Song of Scarabaeus started off slowly for me. I was bombarded by all sorts of technological terms to keep track of. Words like cypherteck, datastream, wet-teck interface, and biocyph retroviral automated terraformer (or BRATs for short) were thrown at me, making me wonder why I had picked up this book. But suddenly, around page 30 or so, the story took over. I was mesmerized. I could not put this book down.

One of the reasons why I loved this book was the main character Edie. Edie is a cypherteck...more Song of Scarabaeus started off slowly for me. I was bombarded by all sorts of technological terms to keep track of. Words like cypherteck, datastream, wet-teck interface, and biocyph retroviral automated terraformer (or BRATs for short) were thrown at me, making me wonder why I had picked up this book. But suddenly, around page 30 or so, the story took over. I was mesmerized. I could not put this book down.

One of the reasons why I loved this book was the main character Edie. Edie is a cypherteck, a kind of computer programmer. Cyphertecks are extremely rare. Edie’s computing capabilities make her integral to the mission and she is made an offer she can’t refuse – literally. I loved how Edie constantly put others’ needs before her own. When Finn was brought on board with Edie, Edie insisted that his voice snag (a device to inhibit speech) be removed before she would cooperate with the crew. Edie also vowed to disable his proximity chip so that he could be free of her. Edie’s compassion and sincerity made her a realistic character.

The interactions between Finn and Edie were interesting. I loved how they could practically read each other’s thoughts. There was a very slow build up to an attraction. To say that this book is a science fiction romance would probably be inaccurate – I found that Edie and Finn’s relationship was more of a symbiotic relationship. I enjoyed their work as a team. Edie did not want Finn to stay with her because he had to, but because he wanted to.

It kind of seemed that every character in this book was out to get the other. You never really knew where each character’s allegiances lay. I was surprised several times.

This is truly an original book. It is a world where computer programmers are able to get inside any type of programming using their minds. The various layers of computing is made into a kind of music that needs the fine tuning or a computer maestro to make it work well. It is also a world where the space ships are beat up, rickety, and slightly dented. The spaceship’s name had a touch of humor in it – The Hoi Polloi. There are even ecological radicals wreaking mayhem wherever needed.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series Children of Scarabaeus.

Favorite quote: "Nodespace. It was beautiful. Serene in its monotony, and terrifying."

Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.

(less)

16 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2011 Ilona Andrews added it

Shelves: sf

This will be the oddest review I’ve written to date, so bear with me.

Is it a good book? Yes.

Should you read it? Absolutely. It’s that rare beast of accessible hard SF and action that doesn’t turn into fantasy in space. Neither is it a rehashing of Honor Harrington. It’s unique, it’s SF, it has a female protagonist. We don’t get many of those.

Did I like it? That’s where things get a little more complicated. First, the writing is lovely. I dissolved into the narrative, which is a rare thing for me...more

16 likes · like · see review

Feb 14, 2013 rameau rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi, read-in-2013, recommending, scoundrels

It’s really difficult for me to improve on what’s been said about this book already. Just go look at Anachronist’s or AH’s reviews and you can consider yourself fully informed.

For me, the difficulties in the beginning of the book weren’t due to the language fitting for science fiction. I could adjust well enough to cyphs, tecks and streams, but I objected to the undefined acronym jargon. Throw BRAT’s and CCU’s at me all you want but tell me what they mean—Biocyph Retroviral Automated Terraforme...more It’s really difficult for me to improve on what’s been said about this book already. Just go look at Anachronist’s or AH’s reviews and you can consider yourself fully informed.

For me, the difficulties in the beginning of the book weren’t due to the language fitting for science fiction. I could adjust well enough to cyphs, tecks and streams, but I objected to the undefined acronym jargon. Throw BRAT’s and CCU’s at me all you want but tell me what they mean—Biocyph Retroviral Automated Terraformer and Crib Colonial Unit respectively by the way. It’s one of the first Finnish lessons about analytic writing I remember from school: Define your acronyms. I imagine something similar has been taught to native English speakers around the globe.

I appreciate that Creasy was avoiding infodumping by revealing these critical details later within the story. I appreciated the full on immersion to the world-approach but I do think she took it a step too far with the acronyms. For everything else it worked just fine. The fresh angle on familiar scifi concepts such as terraforming and cyborgs as well as the limited third person voice from Edie’s point of view kept the story focused on the events and gave just enough clues about the other characters for me to fill in the rest. Active imagination does have its perks.

Being someone as close to anti-musical as it is possible for a human being to be, I loved Creasy likening coding to composing. Edie talks about making notes and creating harmonies like a true virtuoso would. It was just another aspect of interconnectedness this author utilised.

In her review, Anachronist mentions the episodic nature of the adventure. While I can see why she would, it didn’t bother me at all. It felt like the natural rhythm of someone who needs to rest between periods of extreme activity. She also mentions the romance being practically non-existent and it being a compliment, and I have to agree. What evolves between Edie and Finn feels organic and real, and the obstacles Creasy sets for them towards the end are enough to feed the UST (Unresolved Sexual Tension) hungry readers for a long time.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 16, 2011 Erica Anderson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, science-fiction

Loved this book and can't wait for the next installment, Children of Scarabaeus. While Song has created a buzz among SFR readers, it isn't really a romance, though there are certainly romantic elements. Creasy sets up readers in this first book for what promises to be a multi-book adventure in which the H/H's relationship develops gradually.

Finn, the hero, is the strong silent type--enigmatic and intriguing (the cover artist for the book did a great job with him). Finn and Edie, the heroine, ar...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 08, 2010 CJ - Secret Charm marked it as own-to-read

/edit - So I have this book, got it early and how is this for odd - this is the third book that I've bought within the last two years that features that same woman on the cover. She's from the MM edition of the Elantris book, The Reckoners and now this book. I'm pretty convinced that the guy model is on the Mistborn books and pretty damn sure he's on the Reckoner's novels...weird.

6 likes · like · see review

Nov 03, 2011 Heidi Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a lover of SF Romance, I can't believe I never read this book before now! I fell in love with the characters and the world. So much so, I went out and bought CHILDREN OF SCARABAEUS immediately--and I'm seldom excited enough about a story to do that.

The cyberpunk and biopunk blended nicely with the romance between Edie and Finn. This is a smart book with an intriguing concept.

Dear, dear Finn. I am such a sucker for an emotionally wounded man who refuses to show he's hurting and still manages...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of the Sirantha Jax series

Shelves: sci-fi, adult

I wanted to like this book. I want this sort of "urban fantasy in space" genre to be a thing, but so far I have been utterly underwhelmed by the books I've read that qualify.

In Song of Scarabaeus (Side note: Who okayed this title? That's a terrible title!), most of the book's interpersonal tension comes about between Edie, our heroine, and Finn, her bodyguard/slave who will die if a) she dies or b) he gets too far away from her. Or, rather, there's supposed to be tension. There should have been...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 06, 2011 Kindle-aholic rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

This was a good read. Not what I was expecting (I was expecting a romance as I'd heard it was a sci fi romance), but that's not a bad thing. It reminded me of some of my favorite UF series, but with space travel, tech gadgets and genetic mutations instead of vamps and witches. There were some romance-y bits, but if you are looking for steam then you will be disappointed.

I liked the main characters (and Cat is a very intriguing secondary character), but there were so many (almost) nameless second...more

1 like · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Amanda Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-packed, scifi-steampunk-dystopia

This is definitely not my genre because I'm having a hard time understanding and remembering all the scifi terms and I can't even recall the actual spelling of the heroin's status as that is driving element in the entire book. Is that cybertech or cyberteck? Oh shit.

The heroin Eddie, who works for the Crib (some kind of controlling government) got kidnap by the Rovers (freedom fighters group) with the help from some serfs (human slave after they are being convicted). The hero, Finn, is one of th...more This is definitely not my genre because I'm having a hard time understanding and remembering all the scifi terms and I can't even recall the actual spelling of the heroin's status as that is driving element in the entire book. Is that cybertech or cyberteck? Oh shit.

The heroin Eddie, who works for the Crib (some kind of controlling government) got kidnap by the Rovers (freedom fighters group) with the help from some serfs (human slave after they are being convicted). The hero, Finn, is one of the serf that assist in kidnapping Eddie for a promise of freedom by the Rovers. Unfortunately, once they got hold of Eddie, they assign Finn as her bodyguard by leasing him to her with a device implant in their brain that connects them together. Finn will die if he gets out of range from Eddie or if she got killed herself.

Eddie had a rare talent that the Rover needs and they are ready to pay her a hefty reward upon completion. However, threatening her with Finn's life is not helping the matter as she form a strong attachment to him. After witnessing Finn got brutalized by the Rover, she decided that staying will only get him killed and they plan for an escape together.

The mission gets really techno and half the time I don't know what they are actually doing. After their escape plan got thwarted, Eddie and Finn decided they will complete the Rover mission and collect the reward and then find out how to cut the leash that connects them. The relationship that both Eddie and Finn had is not much of a romance, but is something deeper. Imagine your very survival is depended on another person. It will definitely trigger some deep emotional connection. They both needed each other to survive. But after learning what happen to both her friends, Bethany and Lucas, she decided that keeping things professional with Finn is for the best.

I really wanted to read the next book to know how everything will end for Eddie and Finn, but is also seems hard for me to go through another mind spinning techno jargon that I can't seems to understand. I had wishful thinking that there is another dummy version for me minus all the jargon.(less)

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Sharon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, science-fiction, vaginal-fantasy-bookclub, romantical, lemmed-it

I hate that I did it...but I lemmed it.

Why couldn't I finish the book? I dunno... I mean, the concept was interesting enough. The characters had potential. The romance had potential - I like romances that slowly build rather than the whole "Wham! Bam! Thank you, ma'am!" that you find in a lot of romances.

I think my downfall started with all the tech talk. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a good science fiction novel. I think developing the world's science is critical to the movement of the plot...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Anachronist rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I liked

I have to admit Song of Scarabaeus started off slowly. It was sometimes difficult to wade through all sorts of technological terms to keep track of. Words like cypherteck, datastream, wet-teck interface, and biocyph retroviral automated terraformer (or BRATs for short) were thrown at me, making me wonder why I had picked up this book and whether it was switched with a tech nerd vocabulary. Then I adjusted and my reading was progressing more smoothly. Mind you it didn't feel like info...more What I liked

I have to admit Song of Scarabaeus started off slowly. It was sometimes difficult to wade through all sorts of technological terms to keep track of. Words like cypherteck, datastream, wet-teck interface, and biocyph retroviral automated terraformer (or BRATs for short) were thrown at me, making me wonder why I had picked up this book and whether it was switched with a tech nerd vocabulary. Then I adjusted and my reading was progressing more smoothly. Mind you it didn't feel like infodumping but there was a LOT to know.

The concept is intriguing as well – a human who can change planets with a mere thought, mentally chained to a killer who must protect her or die. Brilliant.Finn and Edie, the heroine, are tied together by a "leash" that will cause Finn's head to explode if he gets too far from Edie. It was an amazing plot device, making all those silly insta-love or insta-lust twists unnecessary. Still don't let yourself be swayed by the blurb or the cover art, describing this one as a sci-fi romance of a kind. Let me assure you that the romance was practically non-existant(it is a compliment). The characters did share a strong bond, they cared for each other, and they occasionally had some real moments of heat, but the closest thing to a romantic interlude in the first 150 pages quickly got shut down by the heroine.

Also Scarabaeus the planet and its creepy inhabitants were excellently portrayed. It would be quite a challenge for any ambitious sci-fi movies director but the results could be astounding.

Finally I found Ms. Creasy's storytelling ability really gripping - I was able to finish the novel in two evenings despite the initial problems.

What I didn't like:

The structure of the novel is somewhat episodic - to the point that it seems like reading a script for an television series. No, it is not a compliment in my view. Kidnapping – one episode. Coming to on the ship – another episode. Lag escape – another episode. And so on. Not to mention those blasts from the past that happen in Edie's dreams or rather nightmares.

Because we only got one POV, I felt we spent a lot of time in the heroine's head, as she navigates what's happening to her and what's going to happen. I felt like the relationships she formed with other characters, not only with Finn, were only superficially developed if developed at all.

Apart from that the world building which at first promised me exotic planets and aliens didn't deliver, nor really. You see, two thirds of the book takes place on the ship called Hoi Polloi. The problem is that it’s a very plain ship, in full accordance with its name (meaning 'ordinary, simple people, the commoners' in Greek). It has no odd aspects, it’s never bombarded by asteroids, it never loses propulsion. It’s just a ship. The rover crew of the ship had potential, but just like the main characters, neither Haller nor the captain ever mature into the full fledged villains.

Finally one more carping: Song of Scarabaeus? Really? In my humble opinion that's a terrible title! When I looked at the book first without seeing the cover I was sure it would be actually about Egypt!

Final verdict:

This book will totally do it for you if you like SF with biotech elements and evolutionary biology. It’s unique, it’s SF, it has a female protagonist. We don’t get many of those.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 23, 2012 Laurie Green rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Science Fiction/SFR fans who love techie plots

I found Song of Scarabaeus well-crafted, imaginative and techie enough to satisfy many purist (and male) SF buffs. The world building was rich, layered and appropriately dark, with the biology, politics and counter-culture elements realistic, with a well-rounded cast of characters. The vocabulary was particularly cutting-edge, and some of the descriptions were pure genius. For me, the Science Fiction really ticked all the boxes.

But I'm not sure this novel could be labeled SFR. Perhaps SF with ro...more

like · see review

May 14, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always preferred to read my dark urban fantasy and watch my SciFi (i.g. SG1, SGA, SGU, Farscape, BSG, etc.). While I am a huge scifi fan, I would consider this my first official scifi book.

Besides my favorite selected authors, I feel like urban fantasy is spiraling down into a bit of a repetitive rut. Needing something new and inspiring, I decided to give this book a chance. I am so glad I did because this book was spectacular! It was exciting, imaginative, full of action and completely e...more

like · see review

Apr 29, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: futuristic-romance, cyber-crime, dark-sci-fi, hero-is-a-slave, series, strong-heroine

I would have given the book four stars (possibly five) if I knew that the story was a cliffhanger and if Ms. Creasy had a sequel published at the same time. Then, I would have ordered the two books at the same time and read them. SONG OF SCARABAEUS is a sci fi fantasy first with a dash of romance. Our heroine, Edie, is written as a strong female. She has managed to stay alive at a time when the world as we know it no longer exists. She has a gift; an ability that the ruling regime wants to explo...more

like · see review

Dec 23, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, I read this book for a few reasons. Firstly, because I really like the blog by Kristin Nelson (the author's agent), and since said agent represents some of my favorite adult series (most obviously the Parasol Protectorate) I was interested, and secondly, I've been meaning to read some more serious Sci-Fi since the summer. Therefore, when Ms. Nelson announced that one of her clients had been nommed for a Philip K. Dick award, and that the client was Sara Creasy who wrote Song of Scarabaeus, I...more So, I read this book for a few reasons. Firstly, because I really like the blog by Kristin Nelson (the author's agent), and since said agent represents some of my favorite adult series (most obviously the Parasol Protectorate) I was interested, and secondly, I've been meaning to read some more serious Sci-Fi since the summer. Therefore, when Ms. Nelson announced that one of her clients had been nommed for a Philip K. Dick award, and that the client was Sara Creasy who wrote Song of Scarabaeus, I had my eye on getting the paperback.

Now, in summary, this is the story of highly specialized programmer, Eddie, but she's not any type of programmer, in a futuristic universe where planets are "terra-formed" for Human life, really advanced biological and ecological programmers called "biocyphs" are needed to get the job done. Eddie, our girl, is one of these Biocyphs. And since she's a really good biocyph--she's valuable, and the story begins with her kidnapping by a big sexy serf named Finn and a group of smugglers. They're going to go lift a bunch of big ecological terra-forming pod thingies (called BRATS) from a failed terraformed planet--but of course, it's not just any planet--it's the very first planet that Eddie worked on, and the only planet she ever failed at.

Anway, what I liked: the sexual tension between Eddie and Finn is continuously interesting even if it never goes into a full fledged romance; the plot was really well paced; and for a sci fi novel, the terminology was kept to the point of realism and world-building but not needless verbal garbage. This was definitely an easier read than Paolo Bacigalupi's The Wind up Girl, and that was set on earth.

What I didn't Like: The characters were a little flat-seeming at times. Cat was definitely the most real to me besides Evie. Finn--I needed more from Finn.

That all being said, I'm realllly looking forward to the next novel. This story in many ways cuddled in the empty spot left over from Joss Whedon's FireFly, and for that tv series, it took me a while to get into some of the more stoic characters (Oh, you, Mal), but eventually became one of my favorite things, and I'm hoping this series really goes places in the next book.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, romance-spans-multiple-books

SONG OF SCARABAEUS is a winner. I don't usually like sci-fi, so I cottoned onto the book despite its genre, not because of it.

It's got some killer twists and turns, and Creasy set up her two leads - Edie and Finn - as opposites in every way. That makes the development of their relationship interesting as they feel one another out, and makes them a very strong team when they work together.

The plot sets off like an avalanche, and the pace is quick and exciting all the way through. But Creasy mak...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Liz B rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, sciencefiction

I liked this fine. The main character is a reluctant employee of the culture that's dominating this area of space; she has enhancements that allow her to manipulate biological matter, and helps her employers terraform planets. She's kidnapped for her talents (and is ambivalent about it; doesn't like her employers or the kidnappers), is linked to a bodyguard/ slave, and brought back to the planet of her first (failed) terraforming mission. At that point (about halfway through the book, or thereab...more

like · see review

Mar 21, 2011 Silver James rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sara Creasy's SONG OF SCARABAEUS is a SciFi novel with romantic elements though I read it very much as a love story. Ms. Creasy's storytelling ability is gripping. I read a page here or there whenever I could grab a spare moment, and when I had a block of time to indulge in reading her prose, I fell deeply into the story. It helps if you have some interest in SciFi, though this book is so compelling I can recommend it to anyone who enjoys a chilling tale. Her world-building is first class, her c...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 18, 2011 Jill Myles rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

AAAH THAT ENDING. Good thing the next one comes out really soon.

So for the first fifty pages or so, I felt like this book was too smart for me. There were all kinds of worldbuilding I didn't understand, and the technology (or teck) was a little baffling on my end. I struggled to stay afloat. The writing was good - I just had no idea what was going on.

Somewhere around page 50, though, it sank in. And I'm glad I stuck with it, because this book is AWESOME. I'm not a huge SF reader (the bulk of my...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-uns, scifi

I am, well, there's no other way to put it, distressingly late in finding this absolute gem of a book. I don't know how it slipped under my radar until now. I'm not complaining too loudly, of course, because I discovered and devoured it just in time for the sequel to come out at the end of this month. And that, my friends, is nothing to sneeze at. I'm used to waiting years for books. A couple of weeks will not kill me. At least, that is what I tell myself so I can sleep at night. I am, in fact,...more I am, well, there's no other way to put it, distressingly late in finding this absolute gem of a book. I don't know how it slipped under my radar until now. I'm not complaining too loudly, of course, because I discovered and devoured it just in time for the sequel to come out at the end of this month. And that, my friends, is nothing to sneeze at. I'm used to waiting years for books. A couple of weeks will not kill me. At least, that is what I tell myself so I can sleep at night. I am, in fact, positively pining away for Children of Scarabaeus as I type this. But it is just a tad embarrassing how long it took me to discover Sara Creasy's debut novel. After all, some of my favorite reviewers featured it back when it came out last year. Clearly, my head was not where it should have been. But I am happy to say that I've spent the last two nights rectifying the situation and that, if scifi adventure with an enticing hint of romance is even remotely your thing, you need to run out and read SONG OF SCARABAEUS right now so that you, too, will be able to snatch up the sequel the moment you can get your feverish little hands on it.

Edie Sha'nim is the best there is. A trained cyphertech, she works for the mighty Crib empire terraforming new worlds. In other words, she's the girl they take to a barely formed planet in order to remake it in the Crib-approved image. Taken away from her home world as a young girl, Edie has been trained and tested to within an inch of her life. A life that resembles indentured servitude more than anything else. She's held all her defiance and all her rage inside all these years, only once letting it out in a burst of independence and refusal to submit to the Crib's all-encompassing will. But that was years ago, and the only memento she keeps to remind herself of that moment of defiance is the small shell of a beetle, embedded in her skin. Then one day, Edie is confronted by a gang of mercenaries determined to kidnap her and put her considerable (and lucrative) abilities to their own purposes. Longing to escape, but unsure of the right thing to do, it is a fellow captive and serf named Finn who changes her mind. And before she knows it, the mercs have leashed her (quite literally) to the mysterious former slave. His mind is connected with hers. He is to serve as her bodyguard and ensure no one else intent on stealing their new biocyph expert has a chance to do so. And just to make it that much more threatening, if Edie dies, so does Finn. Or if the two are separated by too much distance, the leash will sever, and Finn will be destroyed in the process. And so the two unlikely allies must stick together long enough to figure out a way to break the leash and escape. But then Edie realizes just what planet they're headed for, and the past comes back to haunt her in a truly horrifying way.

So good. This book is just so very good. It reminded me why I have always loved science fiction so much and it did so in such a seamless and readable way that I have to give it up for Sara Creasy and her mad, debut writerly skills. Sometimes a scifi book tries and fails to walk the line between tech-term/infodumping extravaganza and drippy/emotional hot mess. This is so not the case here. Rather, SONG OF SCARABAEUS is like a primer on how to combine excellent characters who capture your heart with a detailed and fascinating look at the ethics of exploration and the treatment of humankind on a grand scale. And how nice it is to have a relationship that doesn't start with insta-sparks the moment two hotties lay eyes on each other. *insert eye roll* This book has been highly recommended for fans of Linnea Sinclair and Ann Aguirre, and I do absolutely think it will appeal to those readers. I love both authors myself. But I do feel I should mention here that it stands entirely on its own merits. And that, in addition to having endearing characters and an utterly compelling and heart-racing relationship unfolding between them, SONG OF SCARABAEUS is the real deal as far as science fiction goes. And holistic storytelling. The truly elaborate and organic world building blew me away and kept me engrossed from beginning to end. Edie and Finn's foray onto Scarabaeus is the thing of nightmares and the cringeworthy factor is pretty high in certain parts. But it only serves to impact the reader's experience and expand the themes of the story. That said, I am all in when it comes to the relationship, and I will shamelessly beg for more development between these two in future installments. Because the romance is in early stages here, but what's there is choice. And I, for one, am ready for more. This one kept me up late, guys. No finer recommendation. Also--major points for a perfect last line. I do so love those.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Jane Litte rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lovely story in a futuristic setting about a bio engineer who has an uncommon skill in fostering new growth on uninhabited planets, allowing those new planets to be colonized for humans. Edie is the prized possession of the current ruling intergalactic power but she is stolen and offered an opportunity to be free if she assists fringers develop new planets unencumbered by obligations to the intergalactic power. She soon learns that this freedom is illusory but she is no longer fettered by a gove...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 11, 2011 AmyBeth Inverness rated it 4 of 5 stars

After reading The Call of Duty--Solfleet: The Timeshift Saga (The Excalibur Trilogy, Book 1), I dove into Song of Scarabaeus. When I was pregnant in 2007, I gave up on my beloved Science Fiction to read nothing but Romance Novels! I love both dearly, but Romance definitely requires less thinking ;)

This novel kept moving forward and held my interest to the end. I had good timing for finding it, because the sequel Children of Scarabaeus is coming out in just a few weeks! I love the way Sara wound...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2011 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

I had lowish expectations for this paperback original SF novel. It was marketed as SF/Romance, and although it does have a bit of romance in it, I think that might scare off a lot of SF fans who would really enjoy this title. Basically this is a great adventure story with some really interesting world-building. Edie is a tech who works with biocyph (biological + cypher), which is apparently a rare ability where you can tell biological software what to do. The company/government body she works fo...more

like · see review

Oct 18, 2010 Dena Landon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book. Soft science fiction and space opera combined, complete with an oppressive government (the Crib), a mysterious and sexy bodyguard (Finn), rebellions and romance.
Edie is a cypherteck, she can plug in and manipulate the biological tools that the Crib uses to terraform new worlds. When a group of rovers kidnaps her they want her skills to help them salvage material from the planet Scarabaeous. What they don't know is that it's the sight of her worst failure and deepest secret....more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 02, 2010 Sobia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, so I have to admit I really only picked this up since her majesty, the queen of SFR, Ms Linnea Sinclair recommended it on here , on goodreads.

Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this was. Definitely a strong, well written story that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the very last pages.

However, I did have a few qualms: One, we only get the heroines point of view. As a romance reader, I'm used to, and love getting, both the Hero's and the heroines point of view,...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 25, 2010 Jacqueline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, sci-fi, sci-fi-romance

I really liked this book. It was good solid sci fi with ethical dilemmas. Written in 3rd person from the the POV of the main character, Edie Sha'nim, a woman whose job is to terraform worlds. I liked the plot and that terraforming was a problem and not a panacea for expanding into space. In that there was plenty of conflict for the characters to overcome. I like characters who are not all powerful but who have to struggle to overcome their obstacles.

The only problem was that in places the scienc...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2010 Tez rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Vaginal Fantasy H...: * Official Discussion Thread for Song of Scarabaeus SPOILERS	93	452	May 06, 2013 05:50am

combine
Other Editions (2)

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Genres

Science Fiction

151 users

Romance

70 users

Fantasy

26 users

Romance > Science Fiction Romance

17 users

Adult

12 users

Science Fiction > Space Opera

8 users

Adventure

8 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

8 users

Space

7 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

7 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Sara Creasy

Sara Creasy grew up in a tumbling-down Victorian house in England, where she tapped out her first stories on a tiny blue typewriter. After moving to southeastern Australia as a teenager, her love of all things fantastical hooked her on science fiction. Meanwhile, in real life, a biology degree led to work as an editor in the educational publishing industry. Creasy was associate editor of Australia...more

More about Sara Creasy...

Books by Sara Creasy

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Song of Scarabaeus

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Song of Scarabaeus

“Finn?"
"Edie."
"Don't let me out of your sight.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Song of Scarabaeus
avg rating	preview: Song of Scarabaeus Goodreads rating: 3.66 (1273 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7077917-song-of-scarabaeus?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327131240l/7077917.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7077917-song-of-scarabaeus?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy[/url]

Song of Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website