SPSFC 4: First Chapter Reads Part Two

A Dirge for Cascius by Calum LottBlurb

Chaos seeps into the Valsollas Galaxy.

Cascius Carcyde is on the brink of letting his addiction to reliving his sorrows claim his mind. When the Sages demand he take a new partner, Cascius must forfeit his old ways in order to solve the twisted Red Hand murders.

To unravel an interstellar mystery and stop the Red Hand, Cascius must pull himself from the very depths of despair and learn to change before the entire Velutra falls into oblivion.

Stare too long into the abyss, and the abyss peers back.

True Detective meets Hyperion in this epic space opera debut, perfect for fans of James S.A. Corey and Christopher Ruocchio.

First Impressions

The cover was eye catching, but on a thumbnail, I was unable to make out any details of the character. But then, I have really bad vision, even with glasses, so that could be why. I liked the blurb, even though the stakes aren’t too clear, and I’m assuming the partner in the blurb does not mean romantic partner because nothing else makes sense.

The first chapter was strong, providing backstory without expositions, and I enjoyed the writing and the feelings evoked. The fight scenes were described well, and enough of the world comes through that makes me curious to know more.

If you like epic space operas with different civilizations, you will enjoy this book.

Wilderness Five: Hard Science FictionBlurb

‘JURASSIC PARK AS SPACE OPERA – INCREDIBLE.’ Reader review

‘MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, AND COSMIC DREAD. A MUST READ FOR FANS OF PETER F HAMILTON OR ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY.’ Reader review

From Cambridge planetary scientist and award-winning author C. R. Walton comes a spectacular new space opera that sees the ingenious creation of new ecosystems throughout the System turn into a living nightmare. Extinction is only the beginning . . .

Accelerated evolution ‘Manifold’ technology has changed everything – dead worlds and asteroids bloom with strange new life.

People flocked to colonise the new wilderness only barely to survive obliteration by a Manifold experiment gone wrong. Like so many others, Bryn watched his people burn that day. Unlike the rest, Bryn finds himself hailed as the lone hero who saved his species. Only he knows better.

Bryn’s grim new life of solitude in the depths of the wilderness is shattered when the past comes calling. His presence is requested on the ringworld Wilderness Five.

There, at the edge of inhabited space, the oldest and richest man in the System has expended every drop of his money and influence to launch the most daring Manifold experiment ever attempted.

Bryn’s moment has come. Plunged back into a world of faceless corporations, hell-bent scientists, and terrifying engineered species, he must learn to finally live up to his reputation. Otherwise, nature will take its course with humanity once and for all.

On Wilderness Five, the fate of the species comes down to one question: whom to trust and whom to kill?

‘Following in the tradition of modern Sci-fi greats.’ – Amazon reviewer

‘A mutant hybrid of Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey – inventive and thrilling.’ – Reader review

‘A massive hard sci-fi adventure with a complex story and world-building.’ – Goodreads reviewer

‘Going to keep an eye out for more from Walton.’ – Amazon reviewer

First Impressions

The cover doesn’t stand out, but it doesn’t confuse the reader. It’s the cover of a Sci Fi book that fits its genre. I liked the blurb, but when it says extinction is only the beginning, I’m sceptical, because what is left after that anyway? Also the sub title, Hard Science Fiction did put me off. So, let me begin with the caveat that I’m not the target audience for this book since hard sci fi and I don’t get along.

That said, I liked the opening. It’s a prologue, but since it’s the opening of the book, I’m reading only that. I liked the only character we meet there but since that’s something that happens in the past, I doubt she’ll make a reappearance. The writing is crisp and I was able to follow most things. There was no info dumps as happens sometimes with hard sci fi. If you like hard sci fi with epic stakes, you might like this one.

A Quiet Universe by  Kay F. AtkinsonBlurb

CERHA is a fabricant, and her job is simple: keep Annalise Fletcher safe, a role she performs dutifully and without fail, as she was designed to. Neither she nor her charge expected that this routine assignment could lead to love, but when feelings begin to bloom, neither see fit to stand in their way, and the two find themselves leading a shared life where both must walk a tightrope, precariously balancing between duty, and what domestic bliss is woven into the spaces remaining. For a time, they are as close to happy as they can manage.

Then Annalise vanishes away to the embattled starship ‘Upon Silver Tides’, leaving a cryptic warning in her wake, and CERHA finds herself frantically in pursuit, on an illegal mission to save her objective-turned-lover and bring her home alive. She isn’t sure what she’ll find. But what awaits is a web ensnaring both wayward lovers, far more tangled than either could possibly know, and lurking upon this forsaken vessel is a descent into insanity that will force CERHA to confront the bleak truth at the heart of her function.

First Impressions

The cover intrigued me and I liked the blurb. I still had questions like how is CERHA’s mission illegal if she’s tasked to protect Annalise? But the first chapter answers that question.

The writing is immersive, the descriptions vivid and the voice! I adored it. The only complaint has nothing to do with the book itself, but the way the sample on amazon seems to start midway through the chapter, so it took a minute to orient myself and realise where I was.

I enjoyed it, and plan to read more. If you like mysteries and space operas with queer rep, you will love this.

Whiskey and Warfare by E.M. HamillBlurb

“This is the story we all need now — filled with so much love and respect and genuinely fun adventure.”

KD Edwards, author of The Last Sun

“Every element of it just SANG. The story was *chef’s kiss*. This book is truly special.”

Sarah Chorn, author of The Necessity of Rain
Running on caffeine and spite with nothing left to prove. GOLDEN GIRLS meets FIREFLY in this rollicking space opera adventure.

Maryn Alessi retired from mercenary service after her last assignment went horribly sideways and settled down on a quiet planet with the love of her life. Unexpectedly widowed, Maryn must fulfill a promise to return her mate’s ashes to zer home planet for funeral rites, but a brutal civil war has destabilized space travel.

Former Artemis Corps sisters-in-arms and their sassy ship, the Golden Girl, are up to the task, counting on luck and their rather sketchy cargo business to get Maryn passage through the contested star lanes. But when the crew of the Girl rescues survivors of a ruthless war crime, Maryn and her ride-or-die friends must take up their old profession to save the lives of innocents from a genocidal dictator.

First Impressions

Again, before even the cover or blurb, the author’s name was what made me sit up. I adored her Dalí Tamareia series so freaking much, so I was already looking forward to this.

The cover and the blurb work well together, and a group of friends having an adventure is like my favouritest thing ever, so I am already on board the Golden Girl.

The first chapter was incredible and once again, the voice!  Not to speak of the queer rep and the world building. I haven’t read anything yet with ze and zem pronouns, so I’m enjoying that a lot. I have already added this book to my wish list to buy when my pension is credited this month. Needless to say, I will be reading this in full.

If you like space operas, adventures, alien civilisations and queer rep, you’re in for a treat!