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Aneka Jansen #7
Hope
Since the end of the Herosian War, the galaxy has seen almost thirty years of peace and quiet.
And then Ella went and had an affair…
And then Ella went and had an affair…
ebook
First published March 31, 2015
36 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books293 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 15, 2022
Hope is the 7th and final book in the Aneka Jansen series. Alas, the book falls flat, 2 bill-stars.
Nuts to #7 here, I really enjoyed this book series overall. The writing is pulpy, but better than that. The books are a unique combination of sci-fi and raunchy fun. When asked, I always got a kick telling people that I was reading a book about hot bisexual cyborgs. (ha) There's a real positivity in these books that made them very enjoyable to read. Kudos to author N Teasdale. It's great to see that he is writing full-time now: "Dreams, occasionally, come true." (positivity, see?)
QOTD
She was not especially tall, and she was blue. Her skin was blue, her tail was blue, and her hair was a slightly darker blue. And she was naked aside from an array of belts which held knives and cartridges for the shotgun she had strapped across her back. Her nose was flattened but Human in shape, and she had yellow, almost golden, irises. Ella guessed that she was a Felix: a transgenic subspecies of Human with cat DNA mixed in.
- Hope, Aneka Jansen #7
The biggest problem here: some of the positivity I mentioned is missing in Hope. The bad guys are a group called "The Pinnacle". But these guys are far less advanced than Aneka and the AI's around her. So, how do they deal with these less-advanced Pinnacle guys? Aneka and the lads just kill them all. OK, not all, but a lot (thousands). Aneka and Ella talk about how backward the Pinnacle is, but for some reason a less lethal solution (disable their ships?!?) isn't even considered. I guess what I'm saying: the plot is kind of dumb.
There's a silver lining here. This shows how much I like the Aneka and Ella characters and everyone around them in the series. In book #7, I was bummed to see them cast in a less positive light.
OK, so this book isn't a good read. But more importantly, the Aneka Jansen series overall is definitely worthy!
thanks...yow, bill
October 8, 2023
I am one among what I am sure is many people who have read this series! I don't know how many have inquired in to when there will be a book#8?
Personalizing the ships advanced intelligence plus Anekas artificial intelligence Al plus the advanced technology done too Ella and Aneka.
Not to mention adding additional extended characters such as Mizzy the young that you took great care in telling your readers about her importance in the future?
I think not continuing this well established story is for me a disappointment!
My rating of this series is 12 doz 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
😍
Personalizing the ships advanced intelligence plus Anekas artificial intelligence Al plus the advanced technology done too Ella and Aneka.
Not to mention adding additional extended characters such as Mizzy the young that you took great care in telling your readers about her importance in the future?
I think not continuing this well established story is for me a disappointment!
My rating of this series is 12 doz 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2015
Who wants a new story arc? Well if you like space opera, cyborg superpowers, or sexy women, the answer in this case should be a definitive ‘yes’.
A time-hop down the road, our main characters have split up, pursuing their own lives. This book serves as a nice introduction to most of the major characters in the series, as everyone took a level in badass and went off to pursue solo gigs.
Also, since galactic assholery is apparently normal for this world, it serves to establish the new big threats stepping up.
Seeing as how Hope is essentially season two episode one, the book moves a little slowly. This is especially the case because there are two A-plots to follow. That said, this is a very good time and a very fun read — highly recommended.
(This review cross-posted to Smashwords)
A time-hop down the road, our main characters have split up, pursuing their own lives. This book serves as a nice introduction to most of the major characters in the series, as everyone took a level in badass and went off to pursue solo gigs.
Also, since galactic assholery is apparently normal for this world, it serves to establish the new big threats stepping up.
Seeing as how Hope is essentially season two episode one, the book moves a little slowly. This is especially the case because there are two A-plots to follow. That said, this is a very good time and a very fun read — highly recommended.
(This review cross-posted to Smashwords)
July 23, 2015
The ending went by a little too quickly, but I liked how we got to see Ella operate in a more assertive and aggressive manner. Unlike when she was surrounded by Chucks (zombies), she's acting proactively even when she's in a bad position.
I'm hoping there's more to the Pinnacle than what we've seen so far. They were played up to be a serious threat in the previous books, but they seem like Nazi 3rd stringers in this one.
It would be nice to see Aneka and company forced into a situation where their technological and physical superiority doesn't always win the day. The story lines are starting to run into the "Superman Problem": nothing poses much of a challenge for them as they can simply overpower their foes.
I'm hoping there's more to the Pinnacle than what we've seen so far. They were played up to be a serious threat in the previous books, but they seem like Nazi 3rd stringers in this one.
It would be nice to see Aneka and company forced into a situation where their technological and physical superiority doesn't always win the day. The story lines are starting to run into the "Superman Problem": nothing poses much of a challenge for them as they can simply overpower their foes.
June 26, 2016
A fun romp through space with this pulpy sci-fy adventures.
It has Pirates!
Everyting is better with pirates and so is this novel. The story moves on for 30 years and the federation has stabilized. meanwhile Aneka and Ella have been drifting apart a bit. Time and distance can do that. And then Ella had an affair... (as much as you can have one in a open relationship :/)
Aneka goes to find her. But before she can find her Ella is kidnaped... (Again Heheh).
Things are not quite as serious as the premise sounds and Ella gets to shine a bit in this nove. So no worries things will be alright. Ohh and did i mention there are Pirates! Pirates wit swords and ruffled shirts in space!!!
Geeky space adventure. A bit over the top, but a good continuation of the series.
(For adults only)
It has Pirates!
Everyting is better with pirates and so is this novel. The story moves on for 30 years and the federation has stabilized. meanwhile Aneka and Ella have been drifting apart a bit. Time and distance can do that. And then Ella had an affair... (as much as you can have one in a open relationship :/)
Aneka goes to find her. But before she can find her Ella is kidnaped... (Again Heheh).
Things are not quite as serious as the premise sounds and Ella gets to shine a bit in this nove. So no worries things will be alright. Ohh and did i mention there are Pirates! Pirates wit swords and ruffled shirts in space!!!
Geeky space adventure. A bit over the top, but a good continuation of the series.
(For adults only)
May 22, 2015
Good continuation of a great series
I always like returning to the adventures of Aneka and Ella because of the wit in the dialog and wry humor. The last couple of books have seemed staid and more of a place holder than a continuation of the story line. Not any real conflict that makes you want to stay engrossed because Aneka and the Collective are the biggest, meanest and most destructive force around. Niall needs to come up with some real challenges with real life or death consequences; an antagonist that can really challenge the group.
I always like returning to the adventures of Aneka and Ella because of the wit in the dialog and wry humor. The last couple of books have seemed staid and more of a place holder than a continuation of the story line. Not any real conflict that makes you want to stay engrossed because Aneka and the Collective are the biggest, meanest and most destructive force around. Niall needs to come up with some real challenges with real life or death consequences; an antagonist that can really challenge the group.
June 30, 2015
This may be my favorite book of this series so far. It is a good example of the law of unintended consequences. After 30 years of peace, Aneka's best friend goes and has an affair with someone whom she shouldn't have. The consequences are to place the Federation on the brink of war again. Of course, with her usual cunning and heroics, Aneka saves the day. There are the usual pauses for sexual trysts along the way, but one comes to expect that as the series has unfolded. A must read for series' fans. Highest recommendation!
May 25, 2016
Good addition to the series
A little more of a mystery tied into a scifi story. Overall the usual writing. Good writing good story. If you have read the series this far you should know what you are getting.
A little more of a mystery tied into a scifi story. Overall the usual writing. Good writing good story. If you have read the series this far you should know what you are getting.
April 9, 2015
Another wonderful book, I loved some of the new characters. And enjoyed the story very much so.
April 9, 2015
Fun romp
Hurry up and get the next 20 in progress OK? These are like great mysteries and thrillers and just very fun reads. I hope you keep them coming.
Hurry up and get the next 20 in progress OK? These are like great mysteries and thrillers and just very fun reads. I hope you keep them coming.
June 17, 2015
Light reading, good to have the characters back.
June 11, 2015
Would make a decent TV series at this point.
April 7, 2017
Of the entire Aneka Jansen series, this is the one that I didn't like as much as the rest. Aneka is still kicking butts, in fact she kicks the butt of an entire empire, but the space pirates Hope and Co. are just a bit too twee for my liking.
Still, it is a shame that Niall Teasdale is not writing any more Aneka Jansen books and I will miss them.
Still, it is a shame that Niall Teasdale is not writing any more Aneka Jansen books and I will miss them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews