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Psionic Frequency #1
Signal to Noise
It's been three years since the Incursion; three long years since Bastian and his twin brother Theo became the sole survivors on the planet Noise. Their distress calls have gone unanswered, and they are running out of supplies. They have no one but each other. And when the long-awaited rescue finally arrives, it brings with it complications that make being alone and forgotten look easy.
WARNING: Please note that this story features incest.
WARNING: Please note that this story features incest.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2012
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402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 3, 2014
yo quierooooooo... quería.
pero ahora no me gusta.
this is dull, senseless, and poorly executed on a macro level. i found the prose irksome, and the promises of the plot are not delivered until too far into it to matter.
for example: the team arrives on what they think is a derelict mining colony on a lifeless planet, and then are shocked—shocked!—to discover there is only one working shower maintained by the unexpected survivors.
and what good is suspense if it isn't hinted at or teased until the reader is dead of boredom anyway?
abandoned by chapter ten.
pero ahora no me gusta.
this is dull, senseless, and poorly executed on a macro level. i found the prose irksome, and the promises of the plot are not delivered until too far into it to matter.
for example: the team arrives on what they think is a derelict mining colony on a lifeless planet, and then are shocked—shocked!—to discover there is only one working shower maintained by the unexpected survivors.
and what good is suspense if it isn't hinted at or teased until the reader is dead of boredom anyway?
abandoned by chapter ten.
September 28, 2014
The premise of this book is nothing short of amazing.
Twincest? Not-too-hardcore sci-fi? A tiny bit of horror? Sign me up.
I'm happy to say the execution mostly lived up to the novel's promise.
This can't be a long review, because the book is short and the story is full of small and big twists. All I'm going to do is talk about the some of the things I liked and about a few I didn't.
To start with, I loved the characters. They are all easy to distinguish and have a very characteristic personality. From the twins to Captain Bane, from Lucky to Ventura (oh, Ventura), Striker, Millena; despite the shortness of this book, I grew to love them all – and mourn some of them, as was expected, because you can't put a dozen people in the middle of what is virtually an alien minefield waiting to mass-explode and have them all get out of it unscathed, can you?
They're well-rounded and ambiguous, and they had me second guessing myself and them and biting my nails, fearing their actions almost as much as I did the Armors'; their personalities are basically one large swathe of grey, with little almost-white corners of compassion in the hearts of the most ruthless of them and tiny black holes of prejudice where compassion is supposed to reign. Their dynamics are rich and varied, also due to the fact that they're essentially cooped up together in a relatively small space for days on end, creating friction and tensions.
The twins' character development, weirdly, is the most lacking. Both Theo and Bastian have clearly defined and extremely likeable personalities, but the reader ends up spending more time with the “rescue” (yes, I am so teasing you) team than with the people who are supposed to be the main characters. Their romance is already in full swing and most definitely not unstable when the story begins, so it is far from being the focus of this novel.
On to the sci-fi part of the equation. People, the Armors? I won't say they scared RL-me, but book-me was quaking in her boots, particularly since I might have a tiny smidge of entomophobia. These creatures have all the repulsiveness and numerousness of insects, but they're also big and possessed of actual decent-sized brains. Think it can't possibly get any more horrific? That's what I thought too, at the beginning. But they can, and they will.
So it's all good, really, not counting some minor niggles. Except for the sex scenes.
I never thought I'd do this, but I skimmed.
Why were they so cringe-worthy? Was it the purple prose? (Possibly.) Was it the artery-clogging sweetness? (Just as probable.) Was it the incongruousness of frantic, hormonal teenage loving in the middle of a Planet Federation-proportioned alien invasion? (Very likely.) Whichever of these it was, I just. Couldn't. Do it.
Apart from that, the romance itself is not fleshed out – it just is, was for years, and will be for years to come. There's no question as to why, or how (though both are quite obvious, considering how Theo and Bastian spent their early adolescence). The twins' protectiveness of each other is heartwarming, particularly since it's easy to see how young they are, yet how battle-hardened, but short scenes showcasing exactly that are pretty much all there is to their love story.
One last complaint I have is that there were scenes, feelings, situations that would have made for a much more satisfying experience had they been explored more in depth – and there was plenty of space to do that, given the length of this book.
Summing up, this is not a romance. It's a short sci-fi story with a colourful cast, nerve-wrecking tension and horrific baddies, with a minor subplot involving a gay couple. Don't go into this expecting a grand love story, because you won't get that. What you can expect is entertainment and tension – which I enjoyed immensely, which in turn is why this 3.5 star rating will be rounded up to 4. And I'm not usually that generous.
Originally reviewed for The Blog of Sid Love, which is now dead.
---
Upon further reflection, and considering that I rated Living With Lycanthropy 3 stars (random comparison), this 3.5 rating will be rounded down to 3.
Yes, I changed my mind. Yes, I'm flighty.
Twincest? Not-too-hardcore sci-fi? A tiny bit of horror? Sign me up.
I'm happy to say the execution mostly lived up to the novel's promise.
This can't be a long review, because the book is short and the story is full of small and big twists. All I'm going to do is talk about the some of the things I liked and about a few I didn't.
To start with, I loved the characters. They are all easy to distinguish and have a very characteristic personality. From the twins to Captain Bane, from Lucky to Ventura (oh, Ventura), Striker, Millena; despite the shortness of this book, I grew to love them all – and mourn some of them, as was expected, because you can't put a dozen people in the middle of what is virtually an alien minefield waiting to mass-explode and have them all get out of it unscathed, can you?
They're well-rounded and ambiguous, and they had me second guessing myself and them and biting my nails, fearing their actions almost as much as I did the Armors'; their personalities are basically one large swathe of grey, with little almost-white corners of compassion in the hearts of the most ruthless of them and tiny black holes of prejudice where compassion is supposed to reign. Their dynamics are rich and varied, also due to the fact that they're essentially cooped up together in a relatively small space for days on end, creating friction and tensions.
The twins' character development, weirdly, is the most lacking. Both Theo and Bastian have clearly defined and extremely likeable personalities, but the reader ends up spending more time with the “rescue” (yes, I am so teasing you) team than with the people who are supposed to be the main characters. Their romance is already in full swing and most definitely not unstable when the story begins, so it is far from being the focus of this novel.
On to the sci-fi part of the equation. People, the Armors? I won't say they scared RL-me, but book-me was quaking in her boots, particularly since I might have a tiny smidge of entomophobia. These creatures have all the repulsiveness and numerousness of insects, but they're also big and possessed of actual decent-sized brains. Think it can't possibly get any more horrific? That's what I thought too, at the beginning. But they can, and they will.
So it's all good, really, not counting some minor niggles. Except for the sex scenes.
I never thought I'd do this, but I skimmed.
Why were they so cringe-worthy? Was it the purple prose? (Possibly.) Was it the artery-clogging sweetness? (Just as probable.) Was it the incongruousness of frantic, hormonal teenage loving in the middle of a Planet Federation-proportioned alien invasion? (Very likely.) Whichever of these it was, I just. Couldn't. Do it.
Apart from that, the romance itself is not fleshed out – it just is, was for years, and will be for years to come. There's no question as to why, or how (though both are quite obvious, considering how Theo and Bastian spent their early adolescence). The twins' protectiveness of each other is heartwarming, particularly since it's easy to see how young they are, yet how battle-hardened, but short scenes showcasing exactly that are pretty much all there is to their love story.
One last complaint I have is that there were scenes, feelings, situations that would have made for a much more satisfying experience had they been explored more in depth – and there was plenty of space to do that, given the length of this book.
Summing up, this is not a romance. It's a short sci-fi story with a colourful cast, nerve-wrecking tension and horrific baddies, with a minor subplot involving a gay couple. Don't go into this expecting a grand love story, because you won't get that. What you can expect is entertainment and tension – which I enjoyed immensely, which in turn is why this 3.5 star rating will be rounded up to 4. And I'm not usually that generous.
Originally reviewed for The Blog of Sid Love, which is now dead.
---
Upon further reflection, and considering that I rated Living With Lycanthropy 3 stars (random comparison), this 3.5 rating will be rounded down to 3.
Yes, I changed my mind. Yes, I'm flighty.
April 13, 2014
I liked it. This is a thriller with elements of horror, and I appreciate finding non romance fiction that includes m/m ships (especially twinsex, yum). The relationship between Bastian and Theo was excellent; there was a clear attraction and mutually interdependent relationship.
I liked the fresh, contemporary feel of the writing, with its emphasis on visualizing scenes.
The plot is basically Aliens with a spoonful of X-Files and a pinch of Starship Troopers but with aforesaid twinsex. Delicious twinsex. All caring and gentle and snuggly.
A pleasant read.
I liked the fresh, contemporary feel of the writing, with its emphasis on visualizing scenes.
The plot is basically Aliens with a spoonful of X-Files and a pinch of Starship Troopers but with aforesaid twinsex. Delicious twinsex. All caring and gentle and snuggly.
A pleasant read.
March 11, 2013
Guys, this is not romance. This is horror of the Event Horizon variety. Not that I actually watched Event Horizon; I stopped watching after no more than 10 minutes in.
I don't do well with horror.
Anyways, since this is in book form, I handled it accordingly; I ignored the graphic descriptions before I gave myself nightmares and my subconsciousness forces me to make light of either the situation or peripheral situations.
But these jumps...they remind me of this:
But I mean, the interactions between Bastian and Theo...
And in addition to all of that, there's peripheral intrigue.
And there's suspense. I mean, seriously.
Okay, that's not exactly what happened, but the actual is nice. Cuts down on melodrama.
And omg but I thought they were going to die there O_O
The ending scene was a bit cheese-tastic, but other than that, I think I'm satisfied with the ending.
I can easily see this being developed into a series even though there's no conscious series set-up. Bravo.
Final note:
This was good. Quite well-conceived and nicely developed.
Nonetheless, it is definitely not my genre, despite the delicious little twincest twist.
*shrug.
Well, I still enjoyed it, for all that these Armors might well give me nightmares for weeks to come.
I don't do well with horror.
Anyways, since this is in book form, I handled it accordingly; I ignored the graphic descriptions before I gave myself nightmares and my subconsciousness forces me to make light of either the situation or peripheral situations.
But these jumps...they remind me of this:
But I mean, the interactions between Bastian and Theo...
And in addition to all of that, there's peripheral intrigue.
And there's suspense. I mean, seriously.
Okay, that's not exactly what happened, but the actual is nice. Cuts down on melodrama.
And omg but I thought they were going to die there O_O
The ending scene was a bit cheese-tastic, but other than that, I think I'm satisfied with the ending.
I can easily see this being developed into a series even though there's no conscious series set-up. Bravo.
Final note:
This was good. Quite well-conceived and nicely developed.
Nonetheless, it is definitely not my genre, despite the delicious little twincest twist.
*shrug.
Well, I still enjoyed it, for all that these Armors might well give me nightmares for weeks to come.
November 1, 2014
A fun and thrilling sci-fi/action/romance about twin brothers who are the only survivors of an alien attack on the planet Noise, and have been living alone for three years, hoping for rescue, and developing a close, loving, and devoted relationship to each other. When rescue finally happens, it’s not for what they hoped for, and they have to navigate who is friend and who is an enemy, along with facing the real threat of the aliens returning for them.
What I liked:
This novel feels very much an homage to sci-fi classics like Alien, Aliens, and The Thing, but in a good way. The story is action-packed, and I found myself sitting in the bath for two hours last night, water going from hot to lukewarm, as I finished it.
The brothers, Theo and Bastian, are compelling characters, 16 and both forced to learn to survive on their own in an empty compound. (Heads-up--The twins are *together*, and have formed a loving, sexual relationship during their isolation.)
I thought the incest would squick me out, and I avoided this book for a while because of it, but Andor made it believable and fitting for the characters, and she added a few touches that hit my buttons.
1- I’m a SUCKER for mind bonds, and Theo and Bastian have a little something extra that ties them together, a talent that has helped them survive. You can find out the rest of the extras if you read it. :-)
2- Very Devoted – They LIVE for each other, and are each other’s worlds. Codependency like that can be off-putting, especially in real life, but it worked for this story as Theo and Bastian did whatever was in their power to protect each other from the many real threats around them.
This is mostly an action/sci-fi adventure story with some dollops of romance and sexy times. The romance fan in me was not left wanting since I found Bastian and Theo’s strong connection to each other compelling.
What was harder:
There were a few threads not completed, so I wondered about those. Also, and this may be heresy, but I almost wish some of the sex scenes had been trimmed down. Not because they weren’t good, but I found they slowed down the pace in an overall very fast-moving story. I wished that pace had been consistent throughout.
It ends well, for those who are nervous readers like me. No cliffhanger to worry about, but I’m also ready now to jump into the sequel, Klaxon at the Core, and see how things have progressed.
If you like movies like Alien and Aliens, and can be okay with for-real brotherly love, then this could be a fun read for you. I’m definitely glad I read it.
What I liked:
This novel feels very much an homage to sci-fi classics like Alien, Aliens, and The Thing, but in a good way. The story is action-packed, and I found myself sitting in the bath for two hours last night, water going from hot to lukewarm, as I finished it.
The brothers, Theo and Bastian, are compelling characters, 16 and both forced to learn to survive on their own in an empty compound. (Heads-up--The twins are *together*, and have formed a loving, sexual relationship during their isolation.)
I thought the incest would squick me out, and I avoided this book for a while because of it, but Andor made it believable and fitting for the characters, and she added a few touches that hit my buttons.
1- I’m a SUCKER for mind bonds, and Theo and Bastian have a little something extra that ties them together, a talent that has helped them survive. You can find out the rest of the extras if you read it. :-)
2- Very Devoted – They LIVE for each other, and are each other’s worlds. Codependency like that can be off-putting, especially in real life, but it worked for this story as Theo and Bastian did whatever was in their power to protect each other from the many real threats around them.
This is mostly an action/sci-fi adventure story with some dollops of romance and sexy times. The romance fan in me was not left wanting since I found Bastian and Theo’s strong connection to each other compelling.
What was harder:
There were a few threads not completed, so I wondered about those. Also, and this may be heresy, but I almost wish some of the sex scenes had been trimmed down. Not because they weren’t good, but I found they slowed down the pace in an overall very fast-moving story. I wished that pace had been consistent throughout.
It ends well, for those who are nervous readers like me. No cliffhanger to worry about, but I’m also ready now to jump into the sequel, Klaxon at the Core, and see how things have progressed.
If you like movies like Alien and Aliens, and can be okay with for-real brotherly love, then this could be a fun read for you. I’m definitely glad I read it.
April 13, 2014
Entertaining read.
I loved that Bastian managed to keep up not only his studies, but fashion sense--dude had guy liner! Loved their dedication to survival and each other. Not thrilled with the more-than-a-passing-resemblance to Aliens in terms of the plot, but i adored the twincest. Guys definitely felt like siblings and they were absolutely devoted to each other and comfortable with their relationship. And the ending was great.
I loved that Bastian managed to keep up not only his studies, but fashion sense--dude had guy liner! Loved their dedication to survival and each other. Not thrilled with the more-than-a-passing-resemblance to Aliens in terms of the plot, but i adored the twincest. Guys definitely felt like siblings and they were absolutely devoted to each other and comfortable with their relationship. And the ending was great.
July 24, 2016
AUDIOBOOK PRODUCTION 5 STARS
I really enjoyed this, it was a great sci-fi that whisked you away to another world, especially when your not in the mood to be in the one you currently occupy, it made for a great fit. The 2 MC are twins who were the only people on the planet to survive an alien attack at age 13.
So by the time they're 16 (which is the age of consent in my country and MANY others) there's a bit of twincest going on. That is not the focus of the book however and the storyline is great.
It was an excellent set up novel for book #2 which I'm about to read.
I really enjoyed this, it was a great sci-fi that whisked you away to another world, especially when your not in the mood to be in the one you currently occupy, it made for a great fit. The 2 MC are twins who were the only people on the planet to survive an alien attack at age 13.
So by the time they're 16 (which is the age of consent in my country and MANY others) there's a bit of twincest going on. That is not the focus of the book however and the storyline is great.
It was an excellent set up novel for book #2 which I'm about to read.
January 18, 2018
4.1 Stars
Oh, hey! I really really liked this one! It was a little bit Falling Skies plus Starship Troopers with a hint of Aliens...but only enough to remind me of those SciFi movies/shows, not enough to overwhelm an interesting story about trying to survive an alien invasion while also being betrayed with a hefty dose of Corporate Greed and abuse of power.
I'm definitely gonna read the next one to see how the twins acclimate to society after having been marooned alone for so long...plus the struggle to stay together (if they even do) will be interesting. Not to mention those psionic abilities they're developing. Will they exhibit more? How strong is their influence and will TPTB try to manipulate them to control them?
(Be prepared to suspend disbelief for a few things, or at least think outside the box. It's hard to imagine how 2 kids kept everything up and running for so long - like the showers, cameras & other electrical systems - plus leave them time to get a complete education & sex each other up every day while fighting off regular incursions from the Armors. But with no other extraneous distractions it's possible. Maybe? IDK. Also, the issue of food/supplies lasting for 3 years...I guess if the colony had been recently supplied when it was attacked then the drop meant for over 600 people probably would hold out.)
Michael Stellman did a decent enough job with the narration...but it felt a bit flat. No character differentiation and even during dramatic scenes that tension didn't come across in his performance. So, that was bit disappointing...even if it was serviceable.
Oh, hey! I really really liked this one! It was a little bit Falling Skies plus Starship Troopers with a hint of Aliens...but only enough to remind me of those SciFi movies/shows, not enough to overwhelm an interesting story about trying to survive an alien invasion while also being betrayed with a hefty dose of Corporate Greed and abuse of power.
I'm definitely gonna read the next one to see how the twins acclimate to society after having been marooned alone for so long...plus the struggle to stay together (if they even do) will be interesting. Not to mention those psionic abilities they're developing. Will they exhibit more? How strong is their influence and will TPTB try to manipulate them to control them?
(Be prepared to suspend disbelief for a few things, or at least think outside the box. It's hard to imagine how 2 kids kept everything up and running for so long - like the showers, cameras & other electrical systems - plus leave them time to get a complete education & sex each other up every day while fighting off regular incursions from the Armors. But with no other extraneous distractions it's possible. Maybe? IDK. Also, the issue of food/supplies lasting for 3 years...I guess if the colony had been recently supplied when it was attacked then the drop meant for over 600 people probably would hold out.)
Michael Stellman did a decent enough job with the narration...but it felt a bit flat. No character differentiation and even during dramatic scenes that tension didn't come across in his performance. So, that was bit disappointing...even if it was serviceable.
March 10, 2019
This was an ok 👌read for me that was picked for me to read. I loved the idea of this book and I am not bothered by the twin sex but I just couldn't get into it. The book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
November 10, 2012
I loved this book - it's a must-read in my opinion. I felt such empathy for these twins and their situation. The sci-fi element and universe was beautifully written (I want to know where in the hell you get these ideas?) and I could easily see every scene as if it were playing out in front of me. I'm pretty much in love with Bastian, even though it's not reciprocated. *sigh* This is a true love story, with action, adventure, mystery, science fiction, horror, and so many other fantastic elements. But the love story rings through the loudest. I was rooting for those boys the whole way, and even though I knew/hoped for a HEA, I was always worried about what would/could happen next. Thank you for saving them, Talya!
You are an amazing writer. AMAZINK. ;)
You are an amazing writer. AMAZINK. ;)
August 2, 2013
This is a retelling of the movie Aliens plus Heinlein's The Puppet Masters.
It mainly serves as a background to twin MMR incest. It's readable, has some interesting plot points, but IMO, trivial.
It mainly serves as a background to twin MMR incest. It's readable, has some interesting plot points, but IMO, trivial.
January 28, 2013
I loved the action and pace of this book, along with the characters who really made me care about them. Signal to Noise is a fantastic sci-fi adventure in an incredible world created by Talya Andor. I loved how she wrote the slow reveals about the world and its secrets because it kept me on the edge of my seat. She doesn't disappoint when it comes to making a fascinating world that seems real, along with characters I feel like I know. I would have loved to have seen even more build up of the twins and their relationship, but that would have only bogged down the quick pace of this story which keeps the tension rising all the time. I really loved this book, and it kept me riveted the entire time. It's perfect for those looking for an action-filled, sci-fi read packed with interesting characters.
October 20, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book, as I do any story by Talya. She has a way of bringing the characters to life and making them seem so real, that it is always difficult putting the book down until it's finished.
This story in particular is quite interesting in that it has a sci-fi/thriller/romance appeal to it that you don't tend to find much today. In a way, it reminds me of the Hive in the "The Rowan" series by Anne McCaffrey, but in a much darker, creepier way. The intriguing background story also almost begs for a prequel, if not a sequel, since there is so much potential there for expansion.
I'm looking forward to future books, whether they be in this 'verse or another!
This story in particular is quite interesting in that it has a sci-fi/thriller/romance appeal to it that you don't tend to find much today. In a way, it reminds me of the Hive in the "The Rowan" series by Anne McCaffrey, but in a much darker, creepier way. The intriguing background story also almost begs for a prequel, if not a sequel, since there is so much potential there for expansion.
I'm looking forward to future books, whether they be in this 'verse or another!
Read
October 20, 2012To be fair, I'd give something between 3.5 and 4 stars for the book.
But some parts of the story I'd classify with some "horror" aspects (not really exaggerated but and ) which left me uncomfortable and were just not for me.
But some parts of the story I'd classify with some "horror" aspects (not really exaggerated but and ) which left me uncomfortable and were just not for me.
December 15, 2022
2019 Re-Read:
It was fun to revisit this one. On audio this time! The narrator's repeated inability to pronounce the word "conscience" grated on my nerves, nevertheless I wish the second one was on audio as well. Guess I'll have to read that one the "old fashioned" way . . . as an ebook, lol.
It was fun to revisit this one. On audio this time! The narrator's repeated inability to pronounce the word "conscience" grated on my nerves, nevertheless I wish the second one was on audio as well. Guess I'll have to read that one the "old fashioned" way . . . as an ebook, lol.
March 29, 2022
This was really, really good. The plot was extremely interesting and intriguing and the twins were quite compelling. I really enjoyed it and I think I'll check out more of this authors work.
March 23, 2016
Gotta love the twincest!
July 28, 2018
Absolutely fantastic and unique! Hits all my buttons for romance, action, scifi drama, etc. Fabulous book and I love the series. Second book was even better!
August 13, 2019
This was quite daring, audacious, interesting sci-fi/fantasy story with incestuous gay elements. Take what you want from it :)
April 17, 2014
POV: Third Person
Kisses: 4.5 Kisses—very good. You liked it and would recommend it. Stronger plot and interesting characters
Review:
Firstly, this is a twincest story, so if that’s not your thing, stop now. Secondly, although the boys are only sixteen, they are legally considered adults. Rather than a romance, “Signal to Noise” is more of an adventure story, although there is a relationship between the twins that contains sex.
The twins are the only survivors on Noise, a planet that was once home to over six hundred humans and many more animals. The only other creatures on the planet are the “Invaders”, the alien species that wiped out the settlement and continues to attack their safe base. It has been three years since the invasion and, from what they can find on the galactic net, Noise was only one of the first planets taken in a war that, after three years, shows no sign of stopping.
Noise is a barely habitable planet only settled for the fuel that could be mined there. In the three years since the invasion, the human worlds have been rapidly depleting their stores of the rare mineral in their fight against the aliens, and so a “rescue” mission is sent to rescue any survivors, evaluate the readiness of the mine, and hopefully bring some of the fuel back. Survivors are not expected, which throws a few wrenches in the works.
I really like the boys and the way their story develops. The characters are all realistic, fully formed, and the scenarios extremely likely. But I’m afraid my favourite was actually Lieutenant Daniel Bane, the commander of the elite team of FPO special forces sent for the “rescue mission”. A few of the scenes are from his POV, and his cynical understanding of human politics and business really helps to add dimension that you wouldn’t get if the story were only told from the twins’ POV.
I think the best thing about “Signal to Noise” was the way the author managed to give the story a hopeless, depressed, dystopian feel even as Bastian and Theo have a chance of being rescued. Due to this atmosphere, I probably won’t be reading the story again in a hurry, because I tend to read for the hopeful, positive feeling. You will likely find it on my ereader though.
“Signal to Noise” would be best enjoyed by dystopian lovers. Classic science fiction fans should also take a look.
The only other book I’ve read by this author is “Body Option”, which is staying on my ereader, but I am considering the sequel to “Signal to Noise” which will be coming out soon.
Reviewed by Alison
Buy Link:
http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/boo...
Kisses: 4.5 Kisses—very good. You liked it and would recommend it. Stronger plot and interesting characters
Review:
Firstly, this is a twincest story, so if that’s not your thing, stop now. Secondly, although the boys are only sixteen, they are legally considered adults. Rather than a romance, “Signal to Noise” is more of an adventure story, although there is a relationship between the twins that contains sex.
The twins are the only survivors on Noise, a planet that was once home to over six hundred humans and many more animals. The only other creatures on the planet are the “Invaders”, the alien species that wiped out the settlement and continues to attack their safe base. It has been three years since the invasion and, from what they can find on the galactic net, Noise was only one of the first planets taken in a war that, after three years, shows no sign of stopping.
Noise is a barely habitable planet only settled for the fuel that could be mined there. In the three years since the invasion, the human worlds have been rapidly depleting their stores of the rare mineral in their fight against the aliens, and so a “rescue” mission is sent to rescue any survivors, evaluate the readiness of the mine, and hopefully bring some of the fuel back. Survivors are not expected, which throws a few wrenches in the works.
I really like the boys and the way their story develops. The characters are all realistic, fully formed, and the scenarios extremely likely. But I’m afraid my favourite was actually Lieutenant Daniel Bane, the commander of the elite team of FPO special forces sent for the “rescue mission”. A few of the scenes are from his POV, and his cynical understanding of human politics and business really helps to add dimension that you wouldn’t get if the story were only told from the twins’ POV.
I think the best thing about “Signal to Noise” was the way the author managed to give the story a hopeless, depressed, dystopian feel even as Bastian and Theo have a chance of being rescued. Due to this atmosphere, I probably won’t be reading the story again in a hurry, because I tend to read for the hopeful, positive feeling. You will likely find it on my ereader though.
“Signal to Noise” would be best enjoyed by dystopian lovers. Classic science fiction fans should also take a look.
The only other book I’ve read by this author is “Body Option”, which is staying on my ereader, but I am considering the sequel to “Signal to Noise” which will be coming out soon.
Reviewed by Alison
Buy Link:
http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/boo...
August 9, 2016
This was so good. It's sci-fi with a little horror. Well-paced, well-written, and action-packed. Suspense factor was cranked up deliciously high. The Armors scared me to death and my heart was racing for Bastien and Theo near the end. I absolutely loved their interactions-and previously I've been very disappointed by the two other twincest books I've tried. Then again, those were solely just written as meaningless sexual escapades, and this is definitely not.Their physical and mental connection was forged from desperation and only as the book progresses do you see the true depth of their bond. But the focus is on the plot. I definitely recommend this even if you're not normally a sci-fi fan because you'll still be getting a great, spine-tingling story (though I'm not sure I would classify this as "romance" as it is already an established relationship).
This is something that you can expect I will definitely enjoy re-reading a couple more times in the future. :)
I suppose this is futile to hope and it's not actually needed, but I would love some sort of continuation so we can see more of Bastien and Theo...
Edit: It's not a perfect book, but rounded up because I've re-read this a couple more times :S And I personally didn't mind the purply sex, but if that's important to you, you probably will not like this as much as I did....but I wouldn't let that stop you from reading the book and still recommend it if you're just interested in this particular subgenre. @.@
This is something that you can expect I will definitely enjoy re-reading a couple more times in the future. :)
I suppose this is futile to hope and it's not actually needed, but I would love some sort of continuation so we can see more of Bastien and Theo...
Edit: It's not a perfect book, but rounded up because I've re-read this a couple more times :S And I personally didn't mind the purply sex, but if that's important to you, you probably will not like this as much as I did....but I wouldn't let that stop you from reading the book and still recommend it if you're just interested in this particular subgenre. @.@
January 11, 2013
A fabulous read. The aliens are horrific, even if I picture them as giant woodlice, and seem to have no redeeming features. Theo and Bastian are very mature teens most of the time with good reason. The secondary characters are real people both good and bad.
I did expect a later scene with Jake, but I wasn't upset not to have to read it.
I have shelved this as 'romance' although it isn't strictly a romance as the relationship already exists and does not really change through the story; although the true depth is revealed slowly as the story progresses.
One question that wasn't answered was: does Bastian dye his hair? Other than that the plot and resolution were handled with an expert touch. The horrific aspects of the aliens are left mainly to the reader to extrapolate from information supplied, which makes them more horrific rather than less.
More from this universe would be appreciated. Lassiter could possibly do with his own story or something from the other side of the galaxy with all new characters would be equally welcome.
I did expect a later scene with Jake, but I wasn't upset not to have to read it.
I have shelved this as 'romance' although it isn't strictly a romance as the relationship already exists and does not really change through the story; although the true depth is revealed slowly as the story progresses.
One question that wasn't answered was: does Bastian dye his hair? Other than that the plot and resolution were handled with an expert touch. The horrific aspects of the aliens are left mainly to the reader to extrapolate from information supplied, which makes them more horrific rather than less.
More from this universe would be appreciated. Lassiter could possibly do with his own story or something from the other side of the galaxy with all new characters would be equally welcome.
November 23, 2012
Loved, loved, loved this sci-fi story.
If you don't mind twincest (and there was a good reason for this, well, two really - their isolation and their mental bond), I'm pretty sure you'll love it too.
If you don't mind twincest (and there was a good reason for this, well, two really - their isolation and their mental bond), I'm pretty sure you'll love it too.
June 27, 2016
Not great but fun to read for the idea of twincest in space. Well, but of course what are two gay teenage brothers going to do trapped alone for three years on a mining colony in space with no chance of rescue?
April 12, 2014
Not what I thought it would be but still enjoyable. I'd love to see Bastian and Theo in another story.
January 28, 2017
This book could have had it all, I swear. The plot and plot devices were actually really good as far as my tastes are concerned, including some (maybe unintentional) Battlestar Galactica vibes.
It sure had a shit ton of things I love, including a form of space zombies (sort of, I won't say more). I am always down for any forms of space zombies.
But.... it failed short because of the writing style.
You know when you read ALL the good fanfics of your OTP and then you have to go try the ones you didn't want to go through at first? That's how this book felt like.
The characters, with no exception, were cut outs of every 90's soldier movie with cliche one-liners and banter, spiced up by basically every anime (twins or not) lovers I have ever seen, and that's what bothered me the most and made the book hard to appreciate.
More editing should have been in order, as well as more background on the universe the book takes place in. Initially I assumed it was still out world but a very distant future, but most of the dialogue told me otherwise, though not much. I would have enjoyed knowing more.
But I appreciate the writer's attempt at working with hard science-y ideas, even if she did not go in depth with them; but I do understand hard science was not the interest here.
I am giving the book two stars for the plot idea and devices though, written differently, it could have been awesomeness on another level, I know it. I hope she will re-write it sometime in the future, because I think it has potential.
It sure had a shit ton of things I love, including a form of space zombies (sort of, I won't say more). I am always down for any forms of space zombies.
But.... it failed short because of the writing style.
You know when you read ALL the good fanfics of your OTP and then you have to go try the ones you didn't want to go through at first? That's how this book felt like.
The characters, with no exception, were cut outs of every 90's soldier movie with cliche one-liners and banter, spiced up by basically every anime (twins or not) lovers I have ever seen, and that's what bothered me the most and made the book hard to appreciate.
More editing should have been in order, as well as more background on the universe the book takes place in. Initially I assumed it was still out world but a very distant future, but most of the dialogue told me otherwise, though not much. I would have enjoyed knowing more.
But I appreciate the writer's attempt at working with hard science-y ideas, even if she did not go in depth with them; but I do understand hard science was not the interest here.
I am giving the book two stars for the plot idea and devices though, written differently, it could have been awesomeness on another level, I know it. I hope she will re-write it sometime in the future, because I think it has potential.
August 17, 2017
This is a fucked up book with an interesting world and an interesting story. If you love gay incest horror-sci fi, then this one's for you!
December 30, 2014
Jesus Christ - pardon me - Holy Pantheon, I beg you, give me a good twincest novel!
This is going to be a long one. I’m trying to hide major spoilers, but I can’t guarantee that all of this will be spoiler-free. So read at your own risk.
First of all, I really wanted to love this book. I tried, okay? I like sci-fi. I like horror (since a lot of people mentioned it would be really scary). I like psi powers. I really like twincest.
Although this seemed like the perfect book for me, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. At all.
Let’s start with the good things. It won’t take long, I promise.
The world building is well done, one gets a good impression of the setting without being overwhelmed by too many details, the writing is okay if you overlook some odd expressions.
And…uhm…just one second… Oh yes: some of the supporting characters do have a recognizable personality.
That’s it. I’m done.
What did I not like?
Let’s put this into categories.
Characters:
First up, the Kautzer twins. Is it just me or does Kautzer sound a lot like Kaulitz? I see what you did there. If you think the names can’t get more awkward, let me introduce you to Bastian. Sebastian is not a bad name, but Bastian…ugh.
Time for an experiment.
1) Go to google.com
2) Type in “Bastian”
3) Look at the pictures
Do you feel me? If not, maybe our taste in men is just different.
Okay, let’s get real. Those guys were thirteen (THIRTEEN. 13!) when they were left alone on a deserted planet inhabited solely by highly dangerous aliens. Even though they have very special psionic abilities including , and I somehow doubt that two thirteen year olds have a realistic chance of surviving. Sorry, didn’t buy that.
Second, the Deuce Quad. (Funny, right? No? Sorry.) The FPO Elite. Did I mention that they’re the ELITE?I surely feel sorry for the FPO.
Ten little soldiers went to the planet Noise. One was a , the other one was religious, the third was just there to get killed…
I’m not going to loose to many words on that lot, just a little example on how elite they really are:
Writing:
Do you know many teens who say “couple” instead of “f*ck”? I don’t. Maybe that’s outdated Terra Prime slang. I don’t know. What I know is that every single time one of the boys said the word “couple” (I’m pretty sure it was 5 and yes, I counted) I was squirming in discomfort. “I want to be coupled with you tonight.” Guuuys.
After I’d read one sex scene I had enough and when I saw a reviewer who mentioned she was skimming over the sex scenes I was like there’s more than one?
Plot/things that happened:
There are two sex scenes between the twins which are described in detail. And both are enjoyed not only by our lovely Kautzers but also by smaller or bigger parts of the Deuce Quad. Because Bastian and Theo are vocal and don’t give a sh*t. Twice.
I mean…teenage hormons, but…ugh. That was one reason why I didn’t really like those scenes. Can’t you just couple quietly? Without everyone else hearing how hard you want it? Please?
Spoilery thing:
A more general issue of mine is that I found it neither exceptionally scary nor gripping. Everything just…happened and since I couldn’t connect to any of the characters I was very indifferent to the dramatic stuff going on. I mean, okay, the aliens are a bit disgusting but even if I picture it in my head…I might have seen to much gore on TV, but to my taste horror has to be a bit more subtle.
To sum it up: Didn’t enjoy this one, sorry. Wouldn’t recommend.
This is going to be a long one. I’m trying to hide major spoilers, but I can’t guarantee that all of this will be spoiler-free. So read at your own risk.
First of all, I really wanted to love this book. I tried, okay? I like sci-fi. I like horror (since a lot of people mentioned it would be really scary). I like psi powers. I really like twincest.
Although this seemed like the perfect book for me, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. At all.
Let’s start with the good things. It won’t take long, I promise.
The world building is well done, one gets a good impression of the setting without being overwhelmed by too many details, the writing is okay if you overlook some odd expressions.
And…uhm…just one second… Oh yes: some of the supporting characters do have a recognizable personality.
That’s it. I’m done.
What did I not like?
Let’s put this into categories.
Characters:
First up, the Kautzer twins. Is it just me or does Kautzer sound a lot like Kaulitz? I see what you did there. If you think the names can’t get more awkward, let me introduce you to Bastian. Sebastian is not a bad name, but Bastian…ugh.
Time for an experiment.
1) Go to google.com
2) Type in “Bastian”
3) Look at the pictures
Do you feel me? If not, maybe our taste in men is just different.
Okay, let’s get real. Those guys were thirteen (THIRTEEN. 13!) when they were left alone on a deserted planet inhabited solely by highly dangerous aliens. Even though they have very special psionic abilities including , and I somehow doubt that two thirteen year olds have a realistic chance of surviving. Sorry, didn’t buy that.
Second, the Deuce Quad. (Funny, right? No? Sorry.) The FPO Elite. Did I mention that they’re the ELITE?
Ten little soldiers went to the planet Noise. One was a , the other one was religious, the third was just there to get killed…
I’m not going to loose to many words on that lot, just a little example on how elite they really are:
Writing:
Do you know many teens who say “couple” instead of “f*ck”? I don’t. Maybe that’s outdated Terra Prime slang. I don’t know. What I know is that every single time one of the boys said the word “couple” (I’m pretty sure it was 5 and yes, I counted) I was squirming in discomfort. “I want to be coupled with you tonight.” Guuuys.
After I’d read one sex scene I had enough and when I saw a reviewer who mentioned she was skimming over the sex scenes I was like there’s more than one?
Plot/things that happened:
There are two sex scenes between the twins which are described in detail. And both are enjoyed not only by our lovely Kautzers but also by smaller or bigger parts of the Deuce Quad. Because Bastian and Theo are vocal and don’t give a sh*t. Twice.
I mean…teenage hormons, but…ugh. That was one reason why I didn’t really like those scenes. Can’t you just couple quietly? Without everyone else hearing how hard you want it? Please?
Spoilery thing:
A more general issue of mine is that I found it neither exceptionally scary nor gripping. Everything just…happened and since I couldn’t connect to any of the characters I was very indifferent to the dramatic stuff going on. I mean, okay, the aliens are a bit disgusting but even if I picture it in my head…I might have seen to much gore on TV, but to my taste horror has to be a bit more subtle.
To sum it up: Didn’t enjoy this one, sorry. Wouldn’t recommend.
December 22, 2012
Review originally published here: http://joyfullyjay.com/?s=signal+to+n...
When I realized that the next book I had chosen to review was a sci-fi book that involved twincest, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. But as has been happening lately, my expectations were shattered and I enjoyed this story a lot more than I ever thought I would. I will admit that sci-fi isn’t usually my thing, but a well-written story is. In Signal to Noise, Andor creates a fascinating world that is desolate and grotesque. Then she fills the world with some evil villains and endearing heroes and a few that are morally ambiguous enough to make it interesting. In the end, she created a story that will appeal to sci-fi enthusiasts as well as those of us who just want to be entertained.
Theo and Bastian Kautzer are 16-year-old twins who have been living on the planet Noise for the past three years. They were the only survivors when the planet was attacked by alien forces in what is now referred to as the Incursion. Planet Noise is the main supplier of hydronium, which is valuable to other planets since it fuels almost everything. The Kautzer twins expected to be quickly rescued once the Federated Planet Organization (FPO) arrived for another supply of hydronium. They never did come, however, and the boys have been trying to contact the FPO for a rescue for three years. When the FPO and Pangalactic Corp, a mega-congolomerate who requires hydronium, unite to return to Noise, it is to secure the mine that provides the hydronium, something in which Pangalactic has a huge vested financial interest.
Lieutenant Daniel Bane has been assigned to lead a crew of eight to Noise to secure the colony, not expecting to find any survivors. When the crew discover that the Kautzer twins have survived three years of attacks on their own, they are impressed. What they find when they try to extract the hydronium, however, is the stuff of nightmares. The army of Armors that led the Incursion three years ago has become something much more horrifying than they could ever imagine. The crew and the twins soon find themselves fighting for their lives long enough to get off the planet for good.
The Bastian twins have been together, all alone, for three years. They have a bond as twins, but they are also powerful Psions, which means they have a psychic connection as well. So while, yes, there was a graphic element of twincest here, it was balanced by two tough, frightened boys who love and protect each other above all else. They were adorable. I mean, there’s no other way to say it. It’s very difficult to find any fault with their relationship. When the rescue crew arrives, they do experience anxiety about the way their relationship will be perceived, but their behavior in their world is not illegal, just looked down upon by people with religious objections. What I’m saying here is that even if you get a bit squicky when there is incest involved in a story, you should still give this one a chance.
The most impressive feat that Andor achieves in this novel is the creation of her world. It was detailed and easy to visualize, while at the same time setting you on edge with it’s creepy unknown alien force. The description of the Armors was wonderfully disgusting, and the encounters that the crew has with them keep you on the edge of your seat. I could definitely see this book as a very successful movie.
If I’m being nitpicky, there are probably a few flaws that could be pointed out. I found the insistence that Bane had on waiting for direction from above before they evacuated the planet to be frustrating. And it had tragic consequences. The whole Psion powers thing seemed a little convenient in the second half of the book, and I would’ve liked to have known more about it.
Other than that, I think your enjoyment of this book will be mainly influenced by your personal taste. I’m sure sci-fi fans would enjoy it even more than I did, but it’s also accessible to those of us who are kind of dumb when it comes to these sort of things. I recommend it as something different from the norm.
When I realized that the next book I had chosen to review was a sci-fi book that involved twincest, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. But as has been happening lately, my expectations were shattered and I enjoyed this story a lot more than I ever thought I would. I will admit that sci-fi isn’t usually my thing, but a well-written story is. In Signal to Noise, Andor creates a fascinating world that is desolate and grotesque. Then she fills the world with some evil villains and endearing heroes and a few that are morally ambiguous enough to make it interesting. In the end, she created a story that will appeal to sci-fi enthusiasts as well as those of us who just want to be entertained.
Theo and Bastian Kautzer are 16-year-old twins who have been living on the planet Noise for the past three years. They were the only survivors when the planet was attacked by alien forces in what is now referred to as the Incursion. Planet Noise is the main supplier of hydronium, which is valuable to other planets since it fuels almost everything. The Kautzer twins expected to be quickly rescued once the Federated Planet Organization (FPO) arrived for another supply of hydronium. They never did come, however, and the boys have been trying to contact the FPO for a rescue for three years. When the FPO and Pangalactic Corp, a mega-congolomerate who requires hydronium, unite to return to Noise, it is to secure the mine that provides the hydronium, something in which Pangalactic has a huge vested financial interest.
Lieutenant Daniel Bane has been assigned to lead a crew of eight to Noise to secure the colony, not expecting to find any survivors. When the crew discover that the Kautzer twins have survived three years of attacks on their own, they are impressed. What they find when they try to extract the hydronium, however, is the stuff of nightmares. The army of Armors that led the Incursion three years ago has become something much more horrifying than they could ever imagine. The crew and the twins soon find themselves fighting for their lives long enough to get off the planet for good.
The Bastian twins have been together, all alone, for three years. They have a bond as twins, but they are also powerful Psions, which means they have a psychic connection as well. So while, yes, there was a graphic element of twincest here, it was balanced by two tough, frightened boys who love and protect each other above all else. They were adorable. I mean, there’s no other way to say it. It’s very difficult to find any fault with their relationship. When the rescue crew arrives, they do experience anxiety about the way their relationship will be perceived, but their behavior in their world is not illegal, just looked down upon by people with religious objections. What I’m saying here is that even if you get a bit squicky when there is incest involved in a story, you should still give this one a chance.
The most impressive feat that Andor achieves in this novel is the creation of her world. It was detailed and easy to visualize, while at the same time setting you on edge with it’s creepy unknown alien force. The description of the Armors was wonderfully disgusting, and the encounters that the crew has with them keep you on the edge of your seat. I could definitely see this book as a very successful movie.
If I’m being nitpicky, there are probably a few flaws that could be pointed out. I found the insistence that Bane had on waiting for direction from above before they evacuated the planet to be frustrating. And it had tragic consequences. The whole Psion powers thing seemed a little convenient in the second half of the book, and I would’ve liked to have known more about it.
Other than that, I think your enjoyment of this book will be mainly influenced by your personal taste. I’m sure sci-fi fans would enjoy it even more than I did, but it’s also accessible to those of us who are kind of dumb when it comes to these sort of things. I recommend it as something different from the norm.
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