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Extension
Suffering from work-related anxiety is bad enough, but what if your job involved a mission to rescue your entire world from extinction? Meet Ayathesti-compassionate, perfectionist, loner-the geneticist undergoing this stressful plight.
With planet Naratu dying, the only thing keeping the Mujai people from extinction is aerosolizing gold into the atmosphere. The Council has identified a planet abundant in the metal and has selected a team to gather preliminary information. Ayathesti accompanies the team on the eighty-seven-year flight. Her task? To collect and isolate DNA from an indigenous species to gene splice with their own. To create a hybrid species. The purpose? To establish a localized colony to supply gold as needed. But having a compassionate heart leaves Ayathesti with an inner show mercy and prevent the enslavement of a new species or ensure her people's survival?
Things grow even more complicated with Tiamet as mission leader. His intelligence, confidence, and drive are exactly what make him perfect for the position. But they are also why he's a perfect distraction for Ayathesti. Being in charge has challenges of its own, including making sure everyone is moving toward the same goal. And keeping up with changes as they arise has him juggling priorities. Given his history with Ayathesti, he's confident he can get her on board to do her part.
If Naratu is to survive, they both need to fill the demands of their roles. While Ayathesti wrestles with her sense of right and wrong, Tiamet faces the pressure of leading a successful mission, and both struggle to fight the pull drawing them together. Will Ayathesti compromise her morals and go through with her duties? Can Tiamet stay focused and return everyone home safely? Will there be enough time on the brief visit of this foreign land-a world to save their own-a planet they call Earth?
With planet Naratu dying, the only thing keeping the Mujai people from extinction is aerosolizing gold into the atmosphere. The Council has identified a planet abundant in the metal and has selected a team to gather preliminary information. Ayathesti accompanies the team on the eighty-seven-year flight. Her task? To collect and isolate DNA from an indigenous species to gene splice with their own. To create a hybrid species. The purpose? To establish a localized colony to supply gold as needed. But having a compassionate heart leaves Ayathesti with an inner show mercy and prevent the enslavement of a new species or ensure her people's survival?
Things grow even more complicated with Tiamet as mission leader. His intelligence, confidence, and drive are exactly what make him perfect for the position. But they are also why he's a perfect distraction for Ayathesti. Being in charge has challenges of its own, including making sure everyone is moving toward the same goal. And keeping up with changes as they arise has him juggling priorities. Given his history with Ayathesti, he's confident he can get her on board to do her part.
If Naratu is to survive, they both need to fill the demands of their roles. While Ayathesti wrestles with her sense of right and wrong, Tiamet faces the pressure of leading a successful mission, and both struggle to fight the pull drawing them together. Will Ayathesti compromise her morals and go through with her duties? Can Tiamet stay focused and return everyone home safely? Will there be enough time on the brief visit of this foreign land-a world to save their own-a planet they call Earth?
322 pages, Hardcover
Published April 17, 2020
About the author
Melody Kepler
6 books51 followersMelody Kepler writes emotionally intense romance where love collides with darkness, science, and the unknown. Her debut—seven years in the making—sparked a passion for tragic, character-driven stories that blend science fiction with haunting romance. When she’s not exploring the fragile line between monster and man on the page, she’s at home in Utah with her husband, kids, and two dogs, always searching for new ideas and the psychology that makes characters feel real.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 25, 2023
The planet Naratu is dying. Right off the bat, the premise had me.
Dive in, head first into a scientifically stimulating story riveting with deep character development and delicate romantic tension.
Ayathesti is a brilliant sympathetic scientist over-whelmed by her own feelings for a confident, somewhat-cocky at times, mission leader. The conflicts within herself and pain are so real and true, most readers will definitely relate to it. Oh and Nineveh is an absolute doll. Her quirky uplifting personality is a perfect addition to the introverted Ayathesti. Kepler writes each character as if they are so real, you could have a conversation with them.
I loved every moment between Ayathesti and Tiamet. If those two were talking, I was captivated. I just wanted so badly for Ayathesti to get the courage to express her feelings and for those two to be together. Keplar does an amazing job keeping you engaged.
The main premise reminds me of something you'd see in the best of the Star Trek Next Generation episodes, which brought its own nostalgia to this Sci Fi fan, of sitting by the TV every week with her dad. Its got good, well thought out story and science, which is hard to find these days.
I definitely plan to buy the next book and all the books in this series.
Dive in, head first into a scientifically stimulating story riveting with deep character development and delicate romantic tension.
Ayathesti is a brilliant sympathetic scientist over-whelmed by her own feelings for a confident, somewhat-cocky at times, mission leader. The conflicts within herself and pain are so real and true, most readers will definitely relate to it. Oh and Nineveh is an absolute doll. Her quirky uplifting personality is a perfect addition to the introverted Ayathesti. Kepler writes each character as if they are so real, you could have a conversation with them.
I loved every moment between Ayathesti and Tiamet. If those two were talking, I was captivated. I just wanted so badly for Ayathesti to get the courage to express her feelings and for those two to be together. Keplar does an amazing job keeping you engaged.
The main premise reminds me of something you'd see in the best of the Star Trek Next Generation episodes, which brought its own nostalgia to this Sci Fi fan, of sitting by the TV every week with her dad. Its got good, well thought out story and science, which is hard to find these days.
I definitely plan to buy the next book and all the books in this series.
April 26, 2020
This novel is brimming with atmosphere and character development! Ayathesti's struggle with indecisiveness and self-doubt rings true here, and confuses and enrages her coworkers, which only makes it seem more real. I really enjoyed my time with this book, it gave me serious Mass Effect vibes, (and I love Mass Effect). I'm very excited to read more by this author!
August 15, 2020
Review originally posted here, at Reedsy Discovery: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/ext...
A science fiction romance story, involving scientists sent on a questionable mission to save their planet from environmental destruction.
Suffering from work-related anxiety is bad enough, but what if your job involved a mission to rescue your entire world from extinction? Meet Ayathesti--the main character of Mily Ketchum's relationship-driven science fiction novel Extension--a geneticist of the Mujai people who is undergoing this stressful predicament.
Aya has been struggling since her dad passed away: she aggressively focuses on her work, often drinks in the evening to calm her nerves, and doesn't get along very well with people. Even worse, she has a huge crush on her co-worker Tiamet, but she never seems to be able to say the right thing around him. Tiamet is leading the expedition Aya's going on to save the planet, so she'll need to learn how to reconcile her feelings if The Extension Project is going to succeed.
Aya and Tiamet's home planet, Naratu, needs gold dust in the atmosphere to avoid destruction; the world's governing body, The Council, has determined a solution to maintaining the gold supply. The Mujai will collect DNA from a compatible species on a planet called Earth and splice the DNA with their own to create a genetic hybrid. These new creatures will work to supply gold for Naratu.
Even though Aya is the lead geneticist on this mission, she doesn't agree with The Council's decision. It seems like the Mujai are creating slaves to solve their problems, instead of working out a solution on their own. Despite Aya's reservations, she has to go along with this plan in order to ensure her planet's survival. Tiamet and Aya (along with other work companions, including their friends Nineveh and Latif) must set off on a lengthy journey to Earth quickly, as the atmospheric situation on Naratu is rapidly deteriorating. On Earth, the team will encounter unfamiliar environments--and bipedal creatures that could be friend or foe. Will Aya go along with the mission and get along with Tiamet, or will she align with the beings of Earth instead?
Extension is mostly focused on the relationships between the main characters, their arguments and potential romances, as opposed to the machinations of the larger science fictional world in which they occur. Ketchum smartly switches back and forth between Aya and Tiamet's narrative voices, highlighting tensions and misunderstandings along the way as the plot develops. I'd recommend this book for readers looking for a complicated psychological romance taking place on a different planet, with a dangerous space journey as the backdrop and setting for character development.
A science fiction romance story, involving scientists sent on a questionable mission to save their planet from environmental destruction.
Suffering from work-related anxiety is bad enough, but what if your job involved a mission to rescue your entire world from extinction? Meet Ayathesti--the main character of Mily Ketchum's relationship-driven science fiction novel Extension--a geneticist of the Mujai people who is undergoing this stressful predicament.
Aya has been struggling since her dad passed away: she aggressively focuses on her work, often drinks in the evening to calm her nerves, and doesn't get along very well with people. Even worse, she has a huge crush on her co-worker Tiamet, but she never seems to be able to say the right thing around him. Tiamet is leading the expedition Aya's going on to save the planet, so she'll need to learn how to reconcile her feelings if The Extension Project is going to succeed.
Aya and Tiamet's home planet, Naratu, needs gold dust in the atmosphere to avoid destruction; the world's governing body, The Council, has determined a solution to maintaining the gold supply. The Mujai will collect DNA from a compatible species on a planet called Earth and splice the DNA with their own to create a genetic hybrid. These new creatures will work to supply gold for Naratu.
Even though Aya is the lead geneticist on this mission, she doesn't agree with The Council's decision. It seems like the Mujai are creating slaves to solve their problems, instead of working out a solution on their own. Despite Aya's reservations, she has to go along with this plan in order to ensure her planet's survival. Tiamet and Aya (along with other work companions, including their friends Nineveh and Latif) must set off on a lengthy journey to Earth quickly, as the atmospheric situation on Naratu is rapidly deteriorating. On Earth, the team will encounter unfamiliar environments--and bipedal creatures that could be friend or foe. Will Aya go along with the mission and get along with Tiamet, or will she align with the beings of Earth instead?
Extension is mostly focused on the relationships between the main characters, their arguments and potential romances, as opposed to the machinations of the larger science fictional world in which they occur. Ketchum smartly switches back and forth between Aya and Tiamet's narrative voices, highlighting tensions and misunderstandings along the way as the plot develops. I'd recommend this book for readers looking for a complicated psychological romance taking place on a different planet, with a dangerous space journey as the backdrop and setting for character development.
February 10, 2023
Extension by Melody Kepler is an intellectually-invigorating science fiction novel that takes science to some imaginative ends while still remaining grounded in the science process. In Naratu, gold is precious, but the planet is dying without it. The people of Naratu need workers to mine for their precious gold, but the method they propose is questionable and unethical. Ayathesti, a geneticist and a perfectionist, is selected to join a special mission: travel to a strange planet, Earth, to find suitable specimens to create a hybrid species. Tiamet, the mission leader, further complicates the matter by causing conflict between Ayathesti and her feelings for him.
With Ayathesti as the lead geneticist on a mission to Earth, she must adapt to the long, harsh journey to another world, with harsh elements unlike her own, while achieving her goals and avoiding them at all costs. Tiamet only adds further challenges to the mission, which may risk Ayathesti’s focus. I enjoyed how Kepler brings the reader into Ayathesti’s head and into a more intimate, rarely seen side of humanity in science fiction. The first in a series, I found the story exciting, and a definite page-turner, as I constantly wondered what would happen next.
In her debut novel, Melody Kepler has created a whole new world inhabited by a species called the Mujai, which is impressively detailed, as well as her knowledge of genetic science and processes. This knowledge helps the reader enter the story with a solid understanding of the mission and the characters’ risks. I especially liked how the author shows the perspective of Earth from another planet, and its people, which is intriguing and entertaining.
Extension by Melody Kepler is an exciting story, and I thoroughly enjoyed her view expressed through another species and how they view humans. It’s an excellent sci-fi book, worth 4 out of 5 stars, and an excellent read for science fiction fans looking for compelling science with a touch of romance.
With Ayathesti as the lead geneticist on a mission to Earth, she must adapt to the long, harsh journey to another world, with harsh elements unlike her own, while achieving her goals and avoiding them at all costs. Tiamet only adds further challenges to the mission, which may risk Ayathesti’s focus. I enjoyed how Kepler brings the reader into Ayathesti’s head and into a more intimate, rarely seen side of humanity in science fiction. The first in a series, I found the story exciting, and a definite page-turner, as I constantly wondered what would happen next.
In her debut novel, Melody Kepler has created a whole new world inhabited by a species called the Mujai, which is impressively detailed, as well as her knowledge of genetic science and processes. This knowledge helps the reader enter the story with a solid understanding of the mission and the characters’ risks. I especially liked how the author shows the perspective of Earth from another planet, and its people, which is intriguing and entertaining.
Extension by Melody Kepler is an exciting story, and I thoroughly enjoyed her view expressed through another species and how they view humans. It’s an excellent sci-fi book, worth 4 out of 5 stars, and an excellent read for science fiction fans looking for compelling science with a touch of romance.
May 25, 2026
I don't think I'm going to be able to finish this book. The characters are emotionally constipated and way too anxious to be in charge of a world-saving mission. Especially the scientist lady. How did she even graduate college much less become the foremost genetics expert on this planet with the crippling levels of self-loathing anxiety that she has? It's not believable and she's annoying as hell. There has not even been any science in this book because it's nothing but ruminations and her head and this other guy's head about how much they're in love with each other but can't do anything about it because they're both too anxious to talk to the other one for the first half of the book. Then when he does try to talk to her she blows him off and even though the reader knows that she wants to be with him (I think because I'm still not sure about that), the words coming out of her mouth are variations of "no" and he's not taking a hint which is pissing me off even more. No wonder this society is dying out. Do not recommend this book if you're here for scifi. There is none. I only gave it a two star because the best friend is actually a pretty good character if a bit young (still in college) to be assigned as the lead doctor on the mission.
August 5, 2020
Really loved this book! Great character development throughout and characters are always what makes a story for me. I loved the world-building and enjoyed the different perspective of viewing earth through the eyes of an alien race trying to save their own homeworld.
I like sci-fi but I tend to skip a lot of the over-descriptiveness of the science aspect to the stories. This was beautifully done from a 1st person POV and I did not really find myself skipping at all.
I won’t go into too many details to avoid spoilers, but I can’t wait to read the next one when it comes out!!
I like sci-fi but I tend to skip a lot of the over-descriptiveness of the science aspect to the stories. This was beautifully done from a 1st person POV and I did not really find myself skipping at all.
I won’t go into too many details to avoid spoilers, but I can’t wait to read the next one when it comes out!!
September 1, 2021
A Story of Love and Exotic Exuberance
A scifi story unlike anything I've ever read before. The journey was exciting meeting all the characters and learning more about their emotions and interactions with one another. The love story between the two many characters felt real! This is definitely an excellently well written piece of work and I look forward to ready more by the author!
A scifi story unlike anything I've ever read before. The journey was exciting meeting all the characters and learning more about their emotions and interactions with one another. The love story between the two many characters felt real! This is definitely an excellently well written piece of work and I look forward to ready more by the author!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews