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Psionic Frequency #2
Klaxon at the Core
After surviving alone on Noise for years, twins Bastian and Theo are exhilarated and terrified by the thriving chaos of Central. Even in the middle of civilization, they stand apart, bound together by their years of isolation. Central is their chance to change that and find the ordinary lives they never knew on Noise. Long, lonely days struggling to survive are firmly in their past.
But the present proves to hold conflicts of its own, and if Bastian and Theo hope to survive to enjoy their new lives, they may have to return to the hard lessons of their nightmarish past ...
This story features a relationship between Bastian and Theo.
But the present proves to hold conflicts of its own, and if Bastian and Theo hope to survive to enjoy their new lives, they may have to return to the hard lessons of their nightmarish past ...
This story features a relationship between Bastian and Theo.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2014
3 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 4, 2014
Theo and Bastian finally have left Noise behind and all the horrors of the last three years of solitude as they fought to survive against the Armor incursion. But all those dreams of luxury and peace are smashed when the politics of power come to play.
And Theo and Bastian are power--as it's never been seen before.
With their emergence other powers jockey for position and peace falls beneath the onslaught of allegiances and greed. The twins closer than ever find they must make a decision about how they want to live... and die.
I loved how Theo and Bastian's relationship strengthened further as they experienced more. Through psionic testing, meeting new people and challenges. They were both still beautiful, dedicated and strong. No wasted time with petty personal conflicts as the story is driven by external conflicts.
So, I have one gripe about this story. There are these nods to other science fiction stories that while intended to be cute or a nod are extraordinarily distracting from this story I don't need characters' names to automatically trigger me into thinking about some other plot and rip me out of reading this one. Admiral Olmos (Battlestar Galactica) and Jane Stewart (Star Trek mash) really just aggravated me by interrupting my reading experience. You will also note that the Armors really begin to resemble another foe from sci-fi. While in book one it read very much like an Aliens homage, the sequel has a definite Borg quality to it.
But, the end... Great job. Nicely done, exciting, and sacrifice. The strong conclusion leaves the reader with a better impression and pulled my rating from somewhere around 3-3.5 stars to 4.
Favorite quote:
GUEST Review:
And Theo and Bastian are power--as it's never been seen before.
With their emergence other powers jockey for position and peace falls beneath the onslaught of allegiances and greed. The twins closer than ever find they must make a decision about how they want to live... and die.
I loved how Theo and Bastian's relationship strengthened further as they experienced more. Through psionic testing, meeting new people and challenges. They were both still beautiful, dedicated and strong. No wasted time with petty personal conflicts as the story is driven by external conflicts.
So, I have one gripe about this story. There are these nods to other science fiction stories that while intended to be cute or a nod are extraordinarily distracting from this story I don't need characters' names to automatically trigger me into thinking about some other plot and rip me out of reading this one. Admiral Olmos (Battlestar Galactica) and Jane Stewart (Star Trek mash) really just aggravated me by interrupting my reading experience. You will also note that the Armors really begin to resemble another foe from sci-fi. While in book one it read very much like an Aliens homage, the sequel has a definite Borg quality to it.
But, the end... Great job. Nicely done, exciting, and sacrifice. The strong conclusion leaves the reader with a better impression and pulled my rating from somewhere around 3-3.5 stars to 4.
Favorite quote:
He could feel Bastian's deep delight now that it was their choice that bound them together rather than uncertain fate.
GUEST Review:
September 22, 2014
3.5 for a good review, and analysis see Vivian Archer's review.
This is a plot heavy book, at times, maybe too heavy because at heart I'm more a Scyfi Romance (emphasis in the Romance) than a Scify reader. The characterization and romance between the twins, Bastian and Theo, was there, but it was not the main focus by far. This dealt with corruption and betrayals by a greedy corporation and by the psionic entity that's supposed to protect them. In this the book shines because it's obvious that the only means of support, and the only people that they can trust implicitly is themselves, especially because of the total intimacy that the twins share which is also the source of a power, the likes no one has seen before: the power of the omega psionic.
But wait, there's more! Apart of the threat of a corporation, a military that wants to use or kill them, the political core, and the psionic institute that might find them a threat--they also have still to contend with the vicious Armors, the parasitic monsters that have been decimating worlds. But don't worry, through this all, Bastian and Theo find the time to have sex.
Like a reviewer previously mentioned, the nod to scify shows was a "not-appreciated" distraction, and I'll leave it at that.
This book will be appreciated by those that love scify stories, especially those that enjoy Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek fiction.
This is a plot heavy book, at times, maybe too heavy because at heart I'm more a Scyfi Romance (emphasis in the Romance) than a Scify reader. The characterization and romance between the twins, Bastian and Theo, was there, but it was not the main focus by far. This dealt with corruption and betrayals by a greedy corporation and by the psionic entity that's supposed to protect them. In this the book shines because it's obvious that the only means of support, and the only people that they can trust implicitly is themselves, especially because of the total intimacy that the twins share which is also the source of a power, the likes no one has seen before: the power of the omega psionic.
But wait, there's more! Apart of the threat of a corporation, a military that wants to use or kill them, the political core, and the psionic institute that might find them a threat--they also have still to contend with the vicious Armors, the parasitic monsters that have been decimating worlds. But don't worry, through this all, Bastian and Theo find the time to have sex.
Like a reviewer previously mentioned, the nod to scify shows was a "not-appreciated" distraction, and I'll leave it at that.
This book will be appreciated by those that love scify stories, especially those that enjoy Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek fiction.
July 25, 2016
Book #2 in this series is very different from book one, the major storyline that retains the MC's changes dramatically but I found I liked it even more
July 10, 2014
This is a rarity - a sequel that's just as good, if not better, than the original. I was quite excited when I heard there was going to be a trilogy, and was really anxious to see how Bastian and Theo's relationship changed/grew/was challenged when they returned to a more "normal" society. This book did not disappoint! The plot brought in new cast of believable and sympathetic characters, while continuing to tell the story of the twins' love and relationship, and also showed their growth as individuals as well as a couple. The story was tightly woven, and a great follow-up to the first installment - no spoilers here, you'll just have to trust me. :) Although I am seriously into the main couple, the ancillary characters are well fleshed out, and their stories were interesting and vital to the total plot. I'm actually looking forward to the continuation of a couple of characters' stories in the third installment almost as much as Bastian and Theo's! Almost. :)
I had no idea what to expect with this second installment. It would have been easy to let this book get out of control and go all over the place, but this story is very tightly plotted and flows beautifully.
Action, adventure, angst, love, hot sex, interplanetary travel, alien battles, CRAWLY CRITTERS, you name it, this book has it. Here's the funny part - I would not even characterize myself as a sci-fi fan, but this author just might have turned me into one. Her ability to tell a story is just unparalleled, and I have never been disappointed with her work. The world she has imagined and put on paper is fantastic.
Read Signal to Noise, then read Klaxon at the Core. You won't be sorry. So exciting, it's almost like cardio.
I had no idea what to expect with this second installment. It would have been easy to let this book get out of control and go all over the place, but this story is very tightly plotted and flows beautifully.
Action, adventure, angst, love, hot sex, interplanetary travel, alien battles, CRAWLY CRITTERS, you name it, this book has it. Here's the funny part - I would not even characterize myself as a sci-fi fan, but this author just might have turned me into one. Her ability to tell a story is just unparalleled, and I have never been disappointed with her work. The world she has imagined and put on paper is fantastic.
Read Signal to Noise, then read Klaxon at the Core. You won't be sorry. So exciting, it's almost like cardio.
August 20, 2014
This is the sequel I've been longing for ever since I read Signal to Noise for the first time, and it was well-worth the wait.
Bastian and Theo may have been saved from the alien horrors on Noise, but now they have to face new struggles to adjust to life on Central. They will have to figure out exactly what they are and how they are going to use their powers, but they have hope as long as they can do it together.
This novel showcases all of Talya Andor's strengths as a writer. She has created a fascinating world filled with unique and interesting people and places and rich with a history all its own. The scope of the world she has fleshed out is amazing with its technology and psionic powers, and she details it enough to make it come alive without ever getting confusing or bogging down the narrative.
But even more than her incredible imagination and ability to share it, is Andor's talent at creating characters that make you love them and worry for them. Bastian and Theo struggle with their new lives and show all the signs of stress and anxiety that would be expected after what they've gone through. Through every word they say and every reaction they demonstrate, Andor shows them as real people. Her storytelling is amazing, her dialogue is always sharp and in-character, and her writing is simply perfect.
It was such a pleasure to read this; it kept me on the edge of my seat. In my opinion, it's one of her best. The only thing that could top it would be to make this series a trilogy.
Bastian and Theo may have been saved from the alien horrors on Noise, but now they have to face new struggles to adjust to life on Central. They will have to figure out exactly what they are and how they are going to use their powers, but they have hope as long as they can do it together.
This novel showcases all of Talya Andor's strengths as a writer. She has created a fascinating world filled with unique and interesting people and places and rich with a history all its own. The scope of the world she has fleshed out is amazing with its technology and psionic powers, and she details it enough to make it come alive without ever getting confusing or bogging down the narrative.
But even more than her incredible imagination and ability to share it, is Andor's talent at creating characters that make you love them and worry for them. Bastian and Theo struggle with their new lives and show all the signs of stress and anxiety that would be expected after what they've gone through. Through every word they say and every reaction they demonstrate, Andor shows them as real people. Her storytelling is amazing, her dialogue is always sharp and in-character, and her writing is simply perfect.
It was such a pleasure to read this; it kept me on the edge of my seat. In my opinion, it's one of her best. The only thing that could top it would be to make this series a trilogy.
July 26, 2014
If you loved Signal to Noise and wanted to see more of the twins then you should definitely read this. They experience Central, interact with people not their twin, and try to fit into a non-Incursion infested world. And there is corporate/political/military hoopla to deal with at the same time. I absolutely adore her the twins. They are still as much as unit, loving and depending on one another as they were in Signal to Noise. I love the way Talya writes, I get totally immersed in her worlds. I know what the characters are thinking, feeling, experiencing. She makes this alien world come to life, and seem as normal and real as if you could look out the window and see it.
The first part of the book has the twins arriving on Central and acclimating to this new place. The second part is a return to fighting the Incursion. I'm not going to give away what happens at the end, but it is something that seems entirely plausible to me, but one of those things that if the character expected it or counted on it then it might not have been possible. If you ever read The Sword of Truth series, it was like when the main character wasn't affected by her confessor power because he loved her completely (if he had expected his love to save him, then he would have held part of himself back and it wouldn't have worked). Maybe I've given something away just a wee bit - but you're the one reading the reviews! ;)
The first part of the book has the twins arriving on Central and acclimating to this new place. The second part is a return to fighting the Incursion. I'm not going to give away what happens at the end, but it is something that seems entirely plausible to me, but one of those things that if the character expected it or counted on it then it might not have been possible. If you ever read The Sword of Truth series, it was like when the main character wasn't affected by her confessor power because he loved her completely (if he had expected his love to save him, then he would have held part of himself back and it wouldn't have worked). Maybe I've given something away just a wee bit - but you're the one reading the reviews! ;)
July 4, 2023
2023 Re-Read:
Nothing new from this author in quite a few years now, which is really sad. She tells a good tale. Luckily, this book does have a satisfying ending. I'll always wish there had been more, but at least it didn't get left with a cliffhanger.
Original 2015 Review:
That was edge-of-my-seat exciting. I love these boys, I love this series, and I sure hope there's more in the future.
Nothing new from this author in quite a few years now, which is really sad. She tells a good tale. Luckily, this book does have a satisfying ending. I'll always wish there had been more, but at least it didn't get left with a cliffhanger.
Original 2015 Review:
That was edge-of-my-seat exciting. I love these boys, I love this series, and I sure hope there's more in the future.
October 12, 2014
I liked the first book just freaky & weird enough for me,
One final remark! There had better be a third book!
One final remark! There had better be a third book!
March 17, 2015
Not great. Lost the plot about midway through. Waffly.
May 16, 2015
Whow! Awesome follow-up of the first book!
Had everything, sci-fi, wonderfully portrayed twin love relationship, horror, quite the gruesome at that and an extremely tense finale!
Had everything, sci-fi, wonderfully portrayed twin love relationship, horror, quite the gruesome at that and an extremely tense finale!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews