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FlashWired
Cal Paxton and Jeeze Madrid are the top scouting team on the Pathfinder-class starship, the Carson, on the very outer edge of Earth's expansion across the galaxy. They're wingmen, best friends and lovers. When Jeeze is shot down over a planet inhabited by a race Earth has never before encountered, what will Cal find when the Carson can finally mount a rescue mission? (Science Fiction. M/M romance)
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2013
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 2, 2020
This book took my breath away. Not just because its story takes place in an interesting future, with puzzling aliens, and a real threat to the main characters' lives and happiness, but mainly due to the ending. Man, that got me shaken up! My jaw literally dropped and I was unable to write the review right away because my emotions were all over the place. So, I took a few hours to let things settle and to decide if I liked it or not. The thing is, the story is a really good one: great science fiction combined with a deeply emotional love story. Some of it was mind-bending and gruesome, and I cannot say it was a comfortable read. But it was a great read, and, now that I have a little more perspective, the ending is actually exactly right for the story.
Cal Paxton is a man with a bit of a reputation with both women and men. He has recently seen the light, so to speak, and is madly in love with his best friend, a fellow pilot named Jeeze. They are the top scouting team, looking for new colonies for humans to settle, and work well together both on and off the job. Jeeze is recently divorced, and not so sure he's ready for another commitment but Cal is unstoppable; he will not be deterred.
There is only one problem: theirs is a dangerous job and not all aliens they encounter are friendly. And that is about all I can ay without giving too much of the story away. Let me just say that if you do go for this book, be ready for an emotional roller coaster ride, confrontation with some scary situations, and an ending that will probably leave you just a bit unsettled.
If you like science fiction that challenges the way you think about the future and any aliens we may one day encounter, is you enjoy reading about tough men who love each other deeply, and if you're looking for a read that is scary-entertaining but definitely not a typical romance story, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Cal Paxton is a man with a bit of a reputation with both women and men. He has recently seen the light, so to speak, and is madly in love with his best friend, a fellow pilot named Jeeze. They are the top scouting team, looking for new colonies for humans to settle, and work well together both on and off the job. Jeeze is recently divorced, and not so sure he's ready for another commitment but Cal is unstoppable; he will not be deterred.
There is only one problem: theirs is a dangerous job and not all aliens they encounter are friendly. And that is about all I can ay without giving too much of the story away. Let me just say that if you do go for this book, be ready for an emotional roller coaster ride, confrontation with some scary situations, and an ending that will probably leave you just a bit unsettled.
If you like science fiction that challenges the way you think about the future and any aliens we may one day encounter, is you enjoy reading about tough men who love each other deeply, and if you're looking for a read that is scary-entertaining but definitely not a typical romance story, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 17, 2015
Above and beyond the ending that isn't, there are a lot of other things that feel unresolved. In some places the story development and world building are really great, but then other times too many details are glossed over in order to move the plot along. I liked (mostly) what was here, but I need more to be able to really enjoy the experience.
January 8, 2020
Well, that was disappointing. Not at all the same caliber as the Taking Shield series, which is excellent. This...... reads like a draft that should have been worked on before publication.
January 23, 2017
This is great sci fi. It features spaceships, creepy alien societies, vivid characters, detailed world-building, a nice love story, an exciting plot, great writing, and things that challenge the reader. I am a huge fan of Anna Butler's work and her Taking Shield series is one of my most favourites. This is one of her earlier offerings and it's a cracking good read. The ending is fascinating and slightly unsettling and was quite surprising when I came to it. It's sci fi, not romance, and though there is a love story, the ending is not a traditional romance ending, so if you're reading for romance you may be left unsatisfied. It might be worth noting that the end came at about 70% in my ebook, which made me raise my eyebrows. For a novella, there is an amazing amount of depth here, both in the characters and the story. This author always manages to pack a lot in without it ever being overwhelming, which I love. This is short, but awesome.
February 14, 2015
This story is intriguing, with an original and well thought out plot. There's a lot to it, too, with the many strands whose focus is Cal's relationship with Jeeze. Both characters are likable, though I would have loved to know more about Jeeze, as it's Cal who is more fully drawn.
And the world-building! I love the different aliens, and the glimpse we are given of a future Earth. It's just an all-around well written book.
All that said, I was very disappointed with the ending. While I do not need happily-ever-after, I did expect a resolution to at least some of the story lines. Too much was left up in the air, not just the relationship, but the "action" part of the story. Could a sequel be in the works? I most certainly hope so. I'll be on the lookout!
And the world-building! I love the different aliens, and the glimpse we are given of a future Earth. It's just an all-around well written book.
All that said, I was very disappointed with the ending. While I do not need happily-ever-after, I did expect a resolution to at least some of the story lines. Too much was left up in the air, not just the relationship, but the "action" part of the story. Could a sequel be in the works? I most certainly hope so. I'll be on the lookout!
June 16, 2013
This was a well written story with interesting characters and a very unusual alien encounter but.. and it's a big but... it wasn't really a good ending for me, hence the mark down to a 4*. On the other hand I would love to read something a little longer from this author as she definitely has a way with words and that makes for an interesting and intriguing read.
July 9, 2017
Wow. Just... Wow.
I don't know how to describe how I feel about this short story, but I'll try. First off, Anna Butler sure knows how to rise the temperature when she gives us a "love" scene. The British may be thought of as reserved, but don't ever think that means passionless. I was worried that the sex aspect was going to be the main, pardon the pun, thrust of the story, but I was wrong. It is there as an accent to the character's relationship.
This is not a story of sex, but a story of love between a former sexual "butterfly" and a man newly divorced with an angry ex and a child. One is ready to go all in, and the other has some reservations. I could almost see myself in the story as I think we have all played one of the parts at some point in our lives.
The sci-fi in the story was fairly basic until we get further along. That's when Anna Butler gets creative. I can't say that her plot device was exactly fresh and new, as to me if felt a little familiar, though I can't quite put my finger on it as to why. That is not to say that it wasn't exciting to read. Because I though it was very much an exciting read. The thoughts and feelings of her characters come through loud and clear and quite believable. Her aliens are.. well... alien. I realize that this is a short story, so there wasn't time or space to fully develop the other cultures. But with any luck, they'll be around in other stories with more life and history written into them.
This is my first encounter with Anna Butler's writing. I know I will be reading more of her work, and I would highly recommend that you give it a try too. Be warned. this story does include a highly descriptive scene of physical intimacy between two men. It may not be your cup of tea, but it is also a section you can easily skip over and still enjoy the rest of Ms. Butlers offering.
I don't know how to describe how I feel about this short story, but I'll try. First off, Anna Butler sure knows how to rise the temperature when she gives us a "love" scene. The British may be thought of as reserved, but don't ever think that means passionless. I was worried that the sex aspect was going to be the main, pardon the pun, thrust of the story, but I was wrong. It is there as an accent to the character's relationship.
This is not a story of sex, but a story of love between a former sexual "butterfly" and a man newly divorced with an angry ex and a child. One is ready to go all in, and the other has some reservations. I could almost see myself in the story as I think we have all played one of the parts at some point in our lives.
The sci-fi in the story was fairly basic until we get further along. That's when Anna Butler gets creative. I can't say that her plot device was exactly fresh and new, as to me if felt a little familiar, though I can't quite put my finger on it as to why. That is not to say that it wasn't exciting to read. Because I though it was very much an exciting read. The thoughts and feelings of her characters come through loud and clear and quite believable. Her aliens are.. well... alien. I realize that this is a short story, so there wasn't time or space to fully develop the other cultures. But with any luck, they'll be around in other stories with more life and history written into them.
This is my first encounter with Anna Butler's writing. I know I will be reading more of her work, and I would highly recommend that you give it a try too. Be warned. this story does include a highly descriptive scene of physical intimacy between two men. It may not be your cup of tea, but it is also a section you can easily skip over and still enjoy the rest of Ms. Butlers offering.
January 5, 2022
This has been sitting on my ereader for ages and ages. I finally decided to dig through all the oldies I hadn’t read yet and found this gem.
And what a gem it was.
The writing, with the exception of a few extra words here and there, was great. The story flowed well and the emotions were powerfully communicated. Loved Cal and Jeeze and their dynamic.
The end felt quite abrupt, glossing over what I felt should have been one of the major action scenes to tumble into a gut-punch finish. But overall, I really enjoyed this sci-fi story.
And what a gem it was.
The writing, with the exception of a few extra words here and there, was great. The story flowed well and the emotions were powerfully communicated. Loved Cal and Jeeze and their dynamic.
The end felt quite abrupt, glossing over what I felt should have been one of the major action scenes to tumble into a gut-punch finish. But overall, I really enjoyed this sci-fi story.
Read
April 20, 2014I never write reviews. Seriously. The last one I can recall writing was more than a dozen years ago. I finished FlashWired, though, and was perturbed enough that I had to put my thoughts down somewhere.
You might notice that I haven't provided a rating. There's a good reason for that. For most of the story, I'd have said it should get 4 stars. In my book, that means more or less that I really liked it, but that it wasn't a favorite. The writing was good, and the characters and setting were interesting, despite the fact that such a short story doesn't leave room for a whole lot of detail.
Then I got to the rescue. I noticed that I was about 66% of the way through the book, and was all set for Jeeze's recovery (or at least the beginnings thereof) and for he and Cal to start making their way toward their HEA. Then, at 70%, I hit the end. I was shocked, and not pleasantly so. I immediately wanted to go and give it one star, a rating I almost never use, because it means I absolutely hated a book.
<rant>
Intellectually, I understand the reasoning behind having such an ending. It's certainly a valid choice, to leave the reader wondering what happened after. Or to let the reader imagine an aftermath of his own. Unfortunately, that just didn't work for me. When I read fiction, it's because I want to be entertained. I'm generally not looking for anything particularly thought provoking or that requires a whole lot of effort on my part. When I want to exercise my creativity, I don't do it by pulling out someone else's fiction.
When I read a romance, I generally want an HEA. I'm OK with the occasional HFN or even a lack of resolution pending a sequel. Having none of the above does not make me happy. Not having any warning that there's no HEA doesn't help. Compounding that by having the last 30% of the file be a preview of an unrelated book? That just pissed me off.
Every genre has its own conventions. When I read high fantasy, I expect a somewhat medieval setting with swords and armor and maybe magic. If I start seeing guns and computers, I tend to get upset--unless I've been warned that I'm not getting a straightforward high fantasy. Then I can decide if I want to hold off on that book for the time being or if I'm in the mood for something a little different. The same holds true for romance. I expect an HEA. (Heck, the HEA is, to an extent, the point of reading romance.) If I'm not going to get one, I want some sort of clue beforehand, so that I can make an educated decision about whether that's the book I want to be reading at that moment. Posing questions in the blurb that remain unanswered in the book does not constitute such a clue.
</rant>
At any rate, I couldn't decide between the 4-star rating and the 1-star rating. I was going to compromise and give it 3-stars, but that just wouldn't be accurate, so I figured not rating it at all would be most honest.
You might notice that I haven't provided a rating. There's a good reason for that. For most of the story, I'd have said it should get 4 stars. In my book, that means more or less that I really liked it, but that it wasn't a favorite. The writing was good, and the characters and setting were interesting, despite the fact that such a short story doesn't leave room for a whole lot of detail.
Then I got to the rescue. I noticed that I was about 66% of the way through the book, and was all set for Jeeze's recovery (or at least the beginnings thereof) and for he and Cal to start making their way toward their HEA. Then, at 70%, I hit the end. I was shocked, and not pleasantly so. I immediately wanted to go and give it one star, a rating I almost never use, because it means I absolutely hated a book.
<rant>
Intellectually, I understand the reasoning behind having such an ending. It's certainly a valid choice, to leave the reader wondering what happened after. Or to let the reader imagine an aftermath of his own. Unfortunately, that just didn't work for me. When I read fiction, it's because I want to be entertained. I'm generally not looking for anything particularly thought provoking or that requires a whole lot of effort on my part. When I want to exercise my creativity, I don't do it by pulling out someone else's fiction.
When I read a romance, I generally want an HEA. I'm OK with the occasional HFN or even a lack of resolution pending a sequel. Having none of the above does not make me happy. Not having any warning that there's no HEA doesn't help. Compounding that by having the last 30% of the file be a preview of an unrelated book? That just pissed me off.
Every genre has its own conventions. When I read high fantasy, I expect a somewhat medieval setting with swords and armor and maybe magic. If I start seeing guns and computers, I tend to get upset--unless I've been warned that I'm not getting a straightforward high fantasy. Then I can decide if I want to hold off on that book for the time being or if I'm in the mood for something a little different. The same holds true for romance. I expect an HEA. (Heck, the HEA is, to an extent, the point of reading romance.) If I'm not going to get one, I want some sort of clue beforehand, so that I can make an educated decision about whether that's the book I want to be reading at that moment. Posing questions in the blurb that remain unanswered in the book does not constitute such a clue.
</rant>
At any rate, I couldn't decide between the 4-star rating and the 1-star rating. I was going to compromise and give it 3-stars, but that just wouldn't be accurate, so I figured not rating it at all would be most honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 22, 2017Kept skipping the sex in chapter one. No patience / not in the mood for this one.
March 5, 2015
This was almost really good. After a jerky first few paragraphs it smooths out into a pleasant story. Cal's love for Jeeze is really sweet and you definitely feel it. Jeeze you don't get much of a feel for, but he's an understandable object of affection for Cal. You get the start of an interesting world/universe and even some interesting side characters. Noah and Veronica especially caught my attention.
Unfortunately, however, after all that initial set up, the story peters out in more ways than one. The rescue went FAR too smoothly, involving too many contrivances and conveyances. Then it ends without concluding in any manner. It's not so much a cliffhanger as a sense of waiting. But all of the threads are left open.
Perhaps this is the first in a series. I don't know. The writing was strong enough that I'd be willing to follow the story, but I'm not fond of the serial format of publishing a story.
Unfortunately, however, after all that initial set up, the story peters out in more ways than one. The rescue went FAR too smoothly, involving too many contrivances and conveyances. Then it ends without concluding in any manner. It's not so much a cliffhanger as a sense of waiting. But all of the threads are left open.
Perhaps this is the first in a series. I don't know. The writing was strong enough that I'd be willing to follow the story, but I'm not fond of the serial format of publishing a story.
April 10, 2015
The main characters and their relationship were quickly well developed. They were both engaging and sympathetic. A tragedy crashes down on them, leaving one character missing and another grieving and uncertain. Finally some good news comes to them and a rescue is looking possible. So far, the writing itself was quite good and enthralling. It is the last two pages of the story that left me disappointed and confused. It felt like a page or two had been removed, because the story leaves the POV character in a grim situation just waiting, with no resolution one way or the other. It seems like the author intended this, which is aggravating. It's left my emotions fluctuating between anger and grief on behalf of the characters.
May 1, 2013
A well-written novella about space explorers set in the far future. Good worldbuilding and an interesting exploration of an alien city. More of a science fiction story than a romance, though feelings are discussed and some hot sex is involved. I look forward to reading a longer story by this author.
February 15, 2019
A short story with a nice build-up that abruptly ends, leaving this reader disappointed. Disappointed because I was totally enthralled with the author's Taking Shield series. I don’t need an HEA ending to enjoy a story. But this one left me cold and cheated. A story idea that the author lost interest in? Sure felt like it. Why publish it then?
May 1, 2015
Great Sci-Fi novella!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews