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Apocalypto #1
Space Junque
(also known as Samael's Fire)
The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both.
At the end of the 21st century, civilization is at the brink of collapse. When hydroponics agronomist Char Meadowlark is warned of an impending attack by the eco-terrorist group Defenders of Gaia, she flees to the airport hoping to get off planet. The DOGs strike in the midst of Char’s escape, and pilot Jake Ardri offers her only hope of survival. He takes her to the orbiting Imperial Space Station, the seat of world government.
When the conflict goes global and the planet threatens to implode, ancient gods return to take control of humanity and impose a new world order. Char and Jake are caught up in a divine plan to save the world - but first they have to get through the apocalypse alive.
The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both.
At the end of the 21st century, civilization is at the brink of collapse. When hydroponics agronomist Char Meadowlark is warned of an impending attack by the eco-terrorist group Defenders of Gaia, she flees to the airport hoping to get off planet. The DOGs strike in the midst of Char’s escape, and pilot Jake Ardri offers her only hope of survival. He takes her to the orbiting Imperial Space Station, the seat of world government.
When the conflict goes global and the planet threatens to implode, ancient gods return to take control of humanity and impose a new world order. Char and Jake are caught up in a divine plan to save the world - but first they have to get through the apocalypse alive.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
36 people are currently reading
1249 people want to read
About the author
L.K. Rigel
36 books179 followersLK Rigel is the author of the Apocalypto series:
Space Junque, Spiderwork, and Firebird; and the Wyrd and Fae series: Give Me, Bride of Fae, Fever Mist, and A Glimmering Girl.
Her My Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre Retold) a retelling of the Gothic novel set in a future utopia.
Her short story Slurp is included in Deadly Treats, an anthology edited by Anne Frasier from Nodin Press. Rigel's writing has also appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.
She lives in California.
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Space Junque, Spiderwork, and Firebird; and the Wyrd and Fae series: Give Me, Bride of Fae, Fever Mist, and A Glimmering Girl.
Her My Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre Retold) a retelling of the Gothic novel set in a future utopia.
Her short story Slurp is included in Deadly Treats, an anthology edited by Anne Frasier from Nodin Press. Rigel's writing has also appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.
She lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 28, 2011
I usually do not read novellas because I run into the problem I did with Space Junque......the story was GREAT and I didn't want it to end!
This adventure/romance story and it's characters pull you in quickly and won't let go. I will be recommending this book and and all of L.K.Rigel works to my Book Worms group.
I can't wait to pick up Spiderwork!!!!
This adventure/romance story and it's characters pull you in quickly and won't let go. I will be recommending this book and and all of L.K.Rigel works to my Book Worms group.
I can't wait to pick up Spiderwork!!!!
May 19, 2012
this is gonna be pretty short, because I just don't really know what to say...
This was the weirdest story I've read in ages...it starts up as a pretty decent SFR with the majority(90%) of the story coming from the heroine's perspective , with imperial forces, nuclear weapons, mysteries, space ships ( yay!) an alright heroine, a better hero, and a pretty decent if a bit vague story....then some god like character gets introduced and everything goes to hell...a really weird hell. I'm not even sure where the god like character came from, it was just so...weird really is the only word I can think of to describe her....and then a bunch of little girls are introduced to be future breeders...then the story pretty much ends...I guess to be picked up in book 2 of the series.
I will say this is a somewhat short short story, if you'd like to give it a try, you won't have to devote too much time to it, and hey who knows, maybe it'll be a new favorite?
For me though, it's a 2.5 star read: 3 stars for the first bit, 1.5 for the bit after the god lady comes into it)
This was the weirdest story I've read in ages...it starts up as a pretty decent SFR with the majority(90%) of the story coming from the heroine's perspective , with imperial forces, nuclear weapons, mysteries, space ships ( yay!) an alright heroine, a better hero, and a pretty decent if a bit vague story....then some god like character gets introduced and everything goes to hell...a really weird hell. I'm not even sure where the god like character came from, it was just so...weird really is the only word I can think of to describe her....and then a bunch of little girls are introduced to be future breeders...then the story pretty much ends...I guess to be picked up in book 2 of the series.
I will say this is a somewhat short short story, if you'd like to give it a try, you won't have to devote too much time to it, and hey who knows, maybe it'll be a new favorite?
For me though, it's a 2.5 star read: 3 stars for the first bit, 1.5 for the bit after the god lady comes into it)
January 28, 2014
I gave this book 3 stars when I first read it a couple years ago. After rereading it just now, I have to say it only deserves 2 stars. And I'm not even sure about going that far.
Space Junque is the first part of the Apocalypto series. And I use the word "part" because it's not really a complete story. You're obviously supposed to read the next 2 books if you want to understand what the hell is going on. The only thing you can really take away from it is "not everyone dies"... And that's about it.
Too many things are unexplained. Not in the cliffhanger sense, but in the sense that you have no idea how things happened. People are in this speshul city, but it's never explained how they got there. Or how it's safe in comparison to the rest of the planet that has pretty much been nuked to nothing. I reread a few paragraphs about a dozen times before giving up on understanding what was going on. The author does a poor job of segueing from one scene to another. And by "poor job", I mean "none at all"...
Since I haven't read (nor do I have any plans to) the next 2 books, I can't fully comment on the plot. It floundered for a bit at the beginning and I really couldn't figure out where it was going. About the time I got to the "give up or give in" point, things took a turn for the wacky and suddenly it's a mythological story. Not the space opera it was pretending to be. Then it got even weirder with little 8 and 9 year old girls being breeders. And then it was over.
I wouldn't recommend this. It doesn't really make sense.
Space Junque is the first part of the Apocalypto series. And I use the word "part" because it's not really a complete story. You're obviously supposed to read the next 2 books if you want to understand what the hell is going on. The only thing you can really take away from it is "not everyone dies"... And that's about it.
Too many things are unexplained. Not in the cliffhanger sense, but in the sense that you have no idea how things happened. People are in this speshul city, but it's never explained how they got there. Or how it's safe in comparison to the rest of the planet that has pretty much been nuked to nothing. I reread a few paragraphs about a dozen times before giving up on understanding what was going on. The author does a poor job of segueing from one scene to another. And by "poor job", I mean "none at all"...
Since I haven't read (nor do I have any plans to) the next 2 books, I can't fully comment on the plot. It floundered for a bit at the beginning and I really couldn't figure out where it was going. About the time I got to the "give up or give in" point, things took a turn for the wacky and suddenly it's a mythological story. Not the space opera it was pretending to be. Then it got even weirder with little 8 and 9 year old girls being breeders. And then it was over.
I wouldn't recommend this. It doesn't really make sense.
May 2, 2015
This book was weird. There were tons of characters, lots of acronyms to learn, and a plot that went by at almost whiplash speed.
And yet, somehow, I still really, really enjoyed it.
I picked this up awhile ago. I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but the cover art on its sequel, Spiderwork, drew me in. (Yeah, sad, I know. But it's the truth.) Today I was looking for a shorter read (this is a novella), so I decided to finally give it a try.
And yeah. Wow. It's actually difficult for me to express in words how I felt about this story. It was weird, like I said, but in an interesting and wow-I-wanna-know-what's-going-on sort of way. Just try it. You'll see what I mean.
And yet, somehow, I still really, really enjoyed it.
I picked this up awhile ago. I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but the cover art on its sequel, Spiderwork, drew me in. (Yeah, sad, I know. But it's the truth.) Today I was looking for a shorter read (this is a novella), so I decided to finally give it a try.
And yeah. Wow. It's actually difficult for me to express in words how I felt about this story. It was weird, like I said, but in an interesting and wow-I-wanna-know-what's-going-on sort of way. Just try it. You'll see what I mean.
February 17, 2012
Original and gripping sci fi read... although it was pretty short, novella-length, and I found myself gasping in shock when it ended because it was SO GOOD and I didn't want it to stop. The latter half of the story did take a turn I was NOT expecting, although I won't spoil anyone with what that turn was.
May 17, 2011
Sci-fi is still a new genre to me so I try to easy myself gently into it. Space Junque is a short sci-fi romance novella, which despite its length constrictions managed to excel on several levels.
I found the science fiction aspect of the story engaging, the unique world created by L.K. Rigel is exciting and original, without being overwhelming even for sci-fi newbies like me. L.K. Rigel created a different society, another species and a specific hierarchy but despite all the new and extraordinary elements of this universe the reader does not feel lost as we are given enough explanation and guidelines to understand how this world works.
The characters are interesting but unfortunately due to the length limitations of the story, it is mostly Char (the heroine) who is well developed and given enough background and history to make her a well fleshed out character. Char is an outstanding, strong heroine and I loved how much L.K. Rigel let us readers in to understand her character's feelings and motivations. I would have liked to learn more about the hero too to elavate him from his supporting character rank, but hopefully maybe there will be time for that in Book #2. I enjoyed reading about the other secondary characters, and hope to see a few of them again in later books.
The plot of Space Junque is surprisingly complex and layered considering its shortness, and I found the unveiling and the resolution of the mystery satisfying.
My only complaint concerning Space Junque (besides its shortness) is that I found the romantic storyline rushed and not as detailed and developed as I would have liked it to be.
What I loved the most about Space Junque is that despite the thrilling action, the romantic subplot it had a deeper meaning and made the reader experience a wide range of emotions.
Verdict: Space Junque is an engaging space travel novella with an exciting premise, interesting characters and an intriguing 'bigger picture'. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next instalments of the Apcalypto series, and lucky for me Book #3 has been released recently, so I can continue my reading :-)
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Ending: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Cover: 9/10
I found the science fiction aspect of the story engaging, the unique world created by L.K. Rigel is exciting and original, without being overwhelming even for sci-fi newbies like me. L.K. Rigel created a different society, another species and a specific hierarchy but despite all the new and extraordinary elements of this universe the reader does not feel lost as we are given enough explanation and guidelines to understand how this world works.
The characters are interesting but unfortunately due to the length limitations of the story, it is mostly Char (the heroine) who is well developed and given enough background and history to make her a well fleshed out character. Char is an outstanding, strong heroine and I loved how much L.K. Rigel let us readers in to understand her character's feelings and motivations. I would have liked to learn more about the hero too to elavate him from his supporting character rank, but hopefully maybe there will be time for that in Book #2. I enjoyed reading about the other secondary characters, and hope to see a few of them again in later books.
The plot of Space Junque is surprisingly complex and layered considering its shortness, and I found the unveiling and the resolution of the mystery satisfying.
My only complaint concerning Space Junque (besides its shortness) is that I found the romantic storyline rushed and not as detailed and developed as I would have liked it to be.
What I loved the most about Space Junque is that despite the thrilling action, the romantic subplot it had a deeper meaning and made the reader experience a wide range of emotions.
Verdict: Space Junque is an engaging space travel novella with an exciting premise, interesting characters and an intriguing 'bigger picture'. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next instalments of the Apcalypto series, and lucky for me Book #3 has been released recently, so I can continue my reading :-)
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Ending: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Cover: 9/10
July 25, 2011
Char Meadowlark is being rushed up to the Imperial Space Station by her friend Mike to avoid a pending eco-terrorist attack. Unfortunately, her timing is a bit off, and the attack occurs while she is at the airport. Saved by Jake, the pilot of the Space Junque, he flies her to her destination. Amidst the terrorist attacks, ancient gods appear to take control. Will Char survive the attacks, an encounter with the newly emerged goddess and the two men suddenly competing for her attention?
This is a fast-paced novella. It covers a lot of ground without feeling rushed. The world is a very different place, and is in the midst of great upheaval, and yet all the changes are easily followed and understood.
Char is an interesting character who is easily understood. She is the strongest, most defined character in the story. As such, she is the most memorable. The relationships Char engages in feel a bit rushed, but make sense given the tremendously difficult situations she finds herself in. A word of caution, they are a bit steamy.
This is an exciting start to the series. I can't wait to read more about Asherah and the Empanii.
This is a fast-paced novella. It covers a lot of ground without feeling rushed. The world is a very different place, and is in the midst of great upheaval, and yet all the changes are easily followed and understood.
Char is an interesting character who is easily understood. She is the strongest, most defined character in the story. As such, she is the most memorable. The relationships Char engages in feel a bit rushed, but make sense given the tremendously difficult situations she finds herself in. A word of caution, they are a bit steamy.
This is an exciting start to the series. I can't wait to read more about Asherah and the Empanii.
October 30, 2010
Loved this novelette. The writing is pretty tight, and it's an interesting story of near-future eco-disaster, eco-terrorism, and space adventure. Woven through the story is a small romance. There's a lot of good story here, and I wish it had been developed more slowly, fleshing out some of the background, such as the Defenders of Gaia, the Talibanos Unidos, and the various orbiting stations. It's almost as if this story is written as an interlude (one can hope?) Clearly, the other unexplained elements, such as Durga and Corcovado, that show up late in the story, will be addressed in the next installment (please!)
I'm a little confused about whether this has elements of fantasy, or if it is meant to be straight-up science fiction, and have to admit (as a personal preference,) I'm hoping for a sci-fi explanation for the latter 25% of the story.
edit: the author has noted that this is a "paranormal" story, which (I think,) answers the query above. (Somehow I missed that in my first glance over the Amazon description.) I'm good with that, and looking forward to Spiderwork.
I'm a little confused about whether this has elements of fantasy, or if it is meant to be straight-up science fiction, and have to admit (as a personal preference,) I'm hoping for a sci-fi explanation for the latter 25% of the story.
edit: the author has noted that this is a "paranormal" story, which (I think,) answers the query above. (Somehow I missed that in my first glance over the Amazon description.) I'm good with that, and looking forward to Spiderwork.
September 25, 2013
Just read Space Junque for the second (third!) time. I loved it the second time around just as much as the first. There was a lot of politics, back story, and plot in a relatively short amount of space, but L.K. Rigel kept it interesting and flowing. There were a few paragraphs I had to read twice, wondering if I'd missed something, but with all the info contained in those pages I feel that is to be expected. I thought the characters had depth, and were utterly believable. Overall, a great story, and one I've recommended to my sci-fi and paranormal loving friends.
January 25, 2011
A fun adventure story, a little space opera, a little post-apocalyptic earth, a little romance, and lots of action. It's a novella so not a long read, but offers a good introduction to the author's work. I look forward to seeing more!
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March 22, 2020🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (3/22/2020)! 🎁
October 31, 2011
Wow. Just WOW. That's about all I can say about Space Junque.. The end.
You know how I rail against how badly Indies are regarded by the publishing industry? Well, I'm going to tell you a secret. I do a little of it too. I have read so many Indie books that I don't put up here which are unedited and un-thought-through. Someone's mom told them it was good so they hit "publish" on smashwords. Uggh.
This one though? This one was everything I could have ever wanted a sci-fi novel to be and then you add the romance and man, I was captivated.
Space Junque. is different from the sci-fi I usually rave about. The world building is slow and presented to the reader in a matter of fact manner. It works because the author has empowed the main character, Char, to completely own her reality. The details about the word are dolled out in sparce and enticing pieces, making you want to know more about this world and how it got this way. As you read along you realise you understand more than you thought you did because this future isn't so different from our own.
Using pieces of current day politics and some very possible scientific possibilities Rigel manages to create a world our children might find to be real: The icecaps have melted bringing the water levels up and destroying entire cities, The oil spill of 2010 was much worse (or was it and we just don't know the ramifications yet?), fertility is dwindling and genetic enhancements are the norm.
Around our main character the world is filled with
* "Ghosts" (mutated humans who have lost all will to live or thrive but exist none-the-less and seem to have unnaturally long lives)
* Hairless mutants who haven't "gone ghost"
* Eco-terrorists called DOGs (Defenders of Gaia)
* Religious fanatics called the TU (Talibanos Unidos)
* Raptors (mutations within the animal kingdom)
* An Emperor
* Inhabited Space Stations
* Oh and there's something called the "vault" which I'm not entirely clear on but I don't think I'm supposed to be.
There are two more books in the series and I definitely got the sense that this was a lead in. I'm dying to download the 2nd in the series but I'm making myself wait. I have too much going on right now to loose myself in another book but I really really want to. Seriously, I had this on my phone and I would sneak away from the kids to read a few more pages whenever I could.
The romance between Char and the endearing and passionate lead, Jake was somewhat glossed over. I can't decide if this is a problem or not though. I got their connection and their attraction, but I like a little more lemon in my lemonade. Since not everyone is a perv like me, this is perhaps not a real problem but I did want some more hot lovin'. It was nice to see a relationship in a romance that was equal and respectful and where the woman didn't just whine. I liked Char and Jake together and hope to see more of them.
About 2/3 of the way through Space Junque. we are introduced to a character, Asherah, who claims to be a God. There's a lot of mythology and innuendo, but basically it seems that Asherah is an incantation of the iconic fertility goddess - Isis, Inanna, etc. Another God, Samuel, is mentioned but we don't know anything about him yet.
Rigel does a delightful job of weaving the mythology aspect of the plot through the entire story, so when Asherah appears it's not completely out of the blue. In fact, much like the world building, Space Junque. manages to present these situations in such real terms that the expected Wait, now there's Gods? reaction doesn't occur.
Space Junque. is free. To me this is utter insanity. It's so good you should have to pay for it. So do yourself a favor and click on any of the 962 links in this post and download your copy now. It's short, it's fun, it's sexy and action packed and you are going to love it.
You know how I rail against how badly Indies are regarded by the publishing industry? Well, I'm going to tell you a secret. I do a little of it too. I have read so many Indie books that I don't put up here which are unedited and un-thought-through. Someone's mom told them it was good so they hit "publish" on smashwords. Uggh.
This one though? This one was everything I could have ever wanted a sci-fi novel to be and then you add the romance and man, I was captivated.
Space Junque. is different from the sci-fi I usually rave about. The world building is slow and presented to the reader in a matter of fact manner. It works because the author has empowed the main character, Char, to completely own her reality. The details about the word are dolled out in sparce and enticing pieces, making you want to know more about this world and how it got this way. As you read along you realise you understand more than you thought you did because this future isn't so different from our own.
Using pieces of current day politics and some very possible scientific possibilities Rigel manages to create a world our children might find to be real: The icecaps have melted bringing the water levels up and destroying entire cities, The oil spill of 2010 was much worse (or was it and we just don't know the ramifications yet?), fertility is dwindling and genetic enhancements are the norm.
Around our main character the world is filled with
* "Ghosts" (mutated humans who have lost all will to live or thrive but exist none-the-less and seem to have unnaturally long lives)
* Hairless mutants who haven't "gone ghost"
* Eco-terrorists called DOGs (Defenders of Gaia)
* Religious fanatics called the TU (Talibanos Unidos)
* Raptors (mutations within the animal kingdom)
* An Emperor
* Inhabited Space Stations
* Oh and there's something called the "vault" which I'm not entirely clear on but I don't think I'm supposed to be.
There are two more books in the series and I definitely got the sense that this was a lead in. I'm dying to download the 2nd in the series but I'm making myself wait. I have too much going on right now to loose myself in another book but I really really want to. Seriously, I had this on my phone and I would sneak away from the kids to read a few more pages whenever I could.
The romance between Char and the endearing and passionate lead, Jake was somewhat glossed over. I can't decide if this is a problem or not though. I got their connection and their attraction, but I like a little more lemon in my lemonade. Since not everyone is a perv like me, this is perhaps not a real problem but I did want some more hot lovin'. It was nice to see a relationship in a romance that was equal and respectful and where the woman didn't just whine. I liked Char and Jake together and hope to see more of them.
About 2/3 of the way through Space Junque. we are introduced to a character, Asherah, who claims to be a God. There's a lot of mythology and innuendo, but basically it seems that Asherah is an incantation of the iconic fertility goddess - Isis, Inanna, etc. Another God, Samuel, is mentioned but we don't know anything about him yet.
Rigel does a delightful job of weaving the mythology aspect of the plot through the entire story, so when Asherah appears it's not completely out of the blue. In fact, much like the world building, Space Junque. manages to present these situations in such real terms that the expected Wait, now there's Gods? reaction doesn't occur.
Space Junque. is free. To me this is utter insanity. It's so good you should have to pay for it. So do yourself a favor and click on any of the 962 links in this post and download your copy now. It's short, it's fun, it's sexy and action packed and you are going to love it.
May 11, 2011
Space Junque
Author: L.K. Rigel
Genre: Science Fiction novella with Fantasy elements
Rating: 4 Stars
Space Junque is a swiftly paced and engaging adventure starring both a world and a character in transition.
Summary:
The world is dying. Ecological destruction and mutation run rampant. Many of the wealthy have fled the planet and live in orbital stations, aloof from the concerns of the suffering people below them. All the while, the genocidal Defenders of Gaia continue their plan to save the planet by eliminating all humans. When Char Meadowlark, a scientist, attempts to flee into orbit to escape a Gaian attack, she gets caught up in an adventure both terrifying and thrilling.
Review:
Though the above summary is accurate in terms of describing what happens in Space Junque, it does not perhaps get across the true tone of this story. While this is most definitely not a comedy, it does maintain a light enough atmosphere at many points that the rather dark events permeating the plot don't overwhelm the story and turn it into some sort of depressing mess. In that way, the atmosphere and a story defined by both a wounded world and emotionally wounded characters first brought to my mind not other books, but instead shows like Firefly and Cowboy Bebop. In addition, at the center of much of the darkness is the hint of hope that helps prevent a total emotional disengagement from the storyline.
With only a brief introduction to the main character before throwing her into the middle of action, Space Junque sets its tempo right away. While the entire book isn't defined only by breathless action, this is definitely not a story anyone would accuse of being slow. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters weaving in and out of the narrative. By the time I reached the end, I was rather surprised by just how much had occurred in the span of only 28,000 words. Both the reader and Char Meadowlark don't get much of a chance to catch their breath between crises.
Despite the often furious pacing, the author manages to craft a compelling, developed world. What I found particularly interesting were the various small background details she often employed instead of pace-killing exposition to give us a very clear insight into the kind of place the Earth had become. This novella actually packed more world building in its short length than many full-length novels I've read recently.
The importance of the world crafting was made obvious by the inclusion of fantasy elements in the story. In a less well-developed and actualized world, the introduction of such elements might have seemed forced or unnatural, but in this story they came off as a natural outgrowth of the themes and setting that were already being explored. They also turn what appears to be a mere dystopia science fiction story into something a bit more unusual.
A large and diverse cast of characters made their way in and out of the story. Sometimes, however, the cast was perhaps too large. The same pacing that kept the story from ever dragging also limited the amount of time available for character development and engagement. I felt a strong connection to Char while reading the story. She is a woman who is forced to deal with many emotional scars and new wounds to her heart, but all the while manages to keep from collapsing into complete self-pity. On the other hand, many of the secondary characters danced in and out of the story quickly enough that it was hard for me to really develop a connection to them. The end result of this issue is that certain character events, including the romantic subplots, lacked some of emotional power they might otherwise have otherwise managed in a longer story with more build-up.
Although the slight issues with character engagement somewhat weakened the story, overall Space Junque was an engaging read set in an interesting setting.
4 Stars
Author: L.K. Rigel
Genre: Science Fiction novella with Fantasy elements
Rating: 4 Stars
Space Junque is a swiftly paced and engaging adventure starring both a world and a character in transition.
Summary:
The world is dying. Ecological destruction and mutation run rampant. Many of the wealthy have fled the planet and live in orbital stations, aloof from the concerns of the suffering people below them. All the while, the genocidal Defenders of Gaia continue their plan to save the planet by eliminating all humans. When Char Meadowlark, a scientist, attempts to flee into orbit to escape a Gaian attack, she gets caught up in an adventure both terrifying and thrilling.
Review:
Though the above summary is accurate in terms of describing what happens in Space Junque, it does not perhaps get across the true tone of this story. While this is most definitely not a comedy, it does maintain a light enough atmosphere at many points that the rather dark events permeating the plot don't overwhelm the story and turn it into some sort of depressing mess. In that way, the atmosphere and a story defined by both a wounded world and emotionally wounded characters first brought to my mind not other books, but instead shows like Firefly and Cowboy Bebop. In addition, at the center of much of the darkness is the hint of hope that helps prevent a total emotional disengagement from the storyline.
With only a brief introduction to the main character before throwing her into the middle of action, Space Junque sets its tempo right away. While the entire book isn't defined only by breathless action, this is definitely not a story anyone would accuse of being slow. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters weaving in and out of the narrative. By the time I reached the end, I was rather surprised by just how much had occurred in the span of only 28,000 words. Both the reader and Char Meadowlark don't get much of a chance to catch their breath between crises.
Despite the often furious pacing, the author manages to craft a compelling, developed world. What I found particularly interesting were the various small background details she often employed instead of pace-killing exposition to give us a very clear insight into the kind of place the Earth had become. This novella actually packed more world building in its short length than many full-length novels I've read recently.
The importance of the world crafting was made obvious by the inclusion of fantasy elements in the story. In a less well-developed and actualized world, the introduction of such elements might have seemed forced or unnatural, but in this story they came off as a natural outgrowth of the themes and setting that were already being explored. They also turn what appears to be a mere dystopia science fiction story into something a bit more unusual.
A large and diverse cast of characters made their way in and out of the story. Sometimes, however, the cast was perhaps too large. The same pacing that kept the story from ever dragging also limited the amount of time available for character development and engagement. I felt a strong connection to Char while reading the story. She is a woman who is forced to deal with many emotional scars and new wounds to her heart, but all the while manages to keep from collapsing into complete self-pity. On the other hand, many of the secondary characters danced in and out of the story quickly enough that it was hard for me to really develop a connection to them. The end result of this issue is that certain character events, including the romantic subplots, lacked some of emotional power they might otherwise have otherwise managed in a longer story with more build-up.
Although the slight issues with character engagement somewhat weakened the story, overall Space Junque was an engaging read set in an interesting setting.
4 Stars
September 14, 2011
"The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both.
The world is on the brink of ecological cataclysm set off by the Oil Spill of 2010 and the Great Sea Level Rise of 2070."
I love sci-fi books, so I was prepared to love this story, and I wasn't disappointed! It is a novella, and the pacing was very good, so it was a really quick read for me. There are 3 main characters: Char, Jake and Mike. And then a fourth kind of mini-MC is Jake's sister, Rani. I really liked Char because she was just so real, down to earth, and honest. The same goes for Jake. Rani was a "mutant", but she was a straight talker, so I could still relate to her, which was nice. Mike, who is Char's sister's fiance, was a conundrum, but then, as you keep reading, he becomes clearer, as do his intentions.
Although this was set way in the future and in space, the fact that all the trouble started with the Gulf oil spill in 2010, which really happened, made the story seem like an acceptable conclusion of that, and that made the story much more personal.
The world building was very good. You knew exactly what was happening in space, where they were, and why they were there. It was very clear, which helps move the story along at a good pace. The characters were well developed, or as well developed as they can be in a novella. The fact that there was character growth in such a short amount of time tells you that the story was well written.
I was a little put off by the "stranger sex" that happened almost right away in the book because I thought it was just a plot device, but then the characters do grow from there, so I could understand it a little better.
I feel like this review is a bit choppy, but I think that's because SO much happened in such a short time! I don't want to give anything away, but I want to get across why I liked the story!
In summary, this was a novella, a very quick read, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
The world is on the brink of ecological cataclysm set off by the Oil Spill of 2010 and the Great Sea Level Rise of 2070."
I love sci-fi books, so I was prepared to love this story, and I wasn't disappointed! It is a novella, and the pacing was very good, so it was a really quick read for me. There are 3 main characters: Char, Jake and Mike. And then a fourth kind of mini-MC is Jake's sister, Rani. I really liked Char because she was just so real, down to earth, and honest. The same goes for Jake. Rani was a "mutant", but she was a straight talker, so I could still relate to her, which was nice. Mike, who is Char's sister's fiance, was a conundrum, but then, as you keep reading, he becomes clearer, as do his intentions.
Although this was set way in the future and in space, the fact that all the trouble started with the Gulf oil spill in 2010, which really happened, made the story seem like an acceptable conclusion of that, and that made the story much more personal.
The world building was very good. You knew exactly what was happening in space, where they were, and why they were there. It was very clear, which helps move the story along at a good pace. The characters were well developed, or as well developed as they can be in a novella. The fact that there was character growth in such a short amount of time tells you that the story was well written.
I was a little put off by the "stranger sex" that happened almost right away in the book because I thought it was just a plot device, but then the characters do grow from there, so I could understand it a little better.
I feel like this review is a bit choppy, but I think that's because SO much happened in such a short time! I don't want to give anything away, but I want to get across why I liked the story!
In summary, this was a novella, a very quick read, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
July 10, 2011
This is probably going to be one of the most disjointed reviews I've ever written because I honestly can't figure out whether I liked this book or not. So, yeah. Be warned.
One of the things that really pulled me out of the story was that there was a TON (a literal ton. I was crushed by it) of worldbuilding within the first part of the book. It wasn't like when I go "A ton of worldbuilding! Yay!" It was more like, "Oh, holy pancakes! I don't know what's happening here!" There are ghosts (mutant humans), mentions of raptors (mutated birds that everyone thinks are myth), eco-terrorist groups, cities on fire, a bad ass space station where people like to engage in public acts of lewdness... I just couldn't keep up.
This isn't a terribly long novella so the action moves along quickly. I can accept that but I never felt like we got to let the different experiences sink in before the next catastrophe hit. The plot felt disjointed as if the author was trying to cram all these pieces of story in before they ran out of words.
Here's the thing: As soon as I finished this novella I jumped online and downloaded the second, which says to me that there was something here that captured my fancy in a big way. I didn't necessarily like this book but I can see the bones of something intriguing in it. Does that make sense? I liked the elements the author created and I liked the idea behind it I was just overwhelmed by all the different concepts that were thrown at me left and right. If this had been a longer novel I really think these concepts would have had time to come to life naturally instead of firing at us in a barrage of information. Yet, once again, I've already queued up book 2 on my Kindle and I'm trying to decide if it's going to be the next book I read.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
One of the things that really pulled me out of the story was that there was a TON (a literal ton. I was crushed by it) of worldbuilding within the first part of the book. It wasn't like when I go "A ton of worldbuilding! Yay!" It was more like, "Oh, holy pancakes! I don't know what's happening here!" There are ghosts (mutant humans), mentions of raptors (mutated birds that everyone thinks are myth), eco-terrorist groups, cities on fire, a bad ass space station where people like to engage in public acts of lewdness... I just couldn't keep up.
This isn't a terribly long novella so the action moves along quickly. I can accept that but I never felt like we got to let the different experiences sink in before the next catastrophe hit. The plot felt disjointed as if the author was trying to cram all these pieces of story in before they ran out of words.
Here's the thing: As soon as I finished this novella I jumped online and downloaded the second, which says to me that there was something here that captured my fancy in a big way. I didn't necessarily like this book but I can see the bones of something intriguing in it. Does that make sense? I liked the elements the author created and I liked the idea behind it I was just overwhelmed by all the different concepts that were thrown at me left and right. If this had been a longer novel I really think these concepts would have had time to come to life naturally instead of firing at us in a barrage of information. Yet, once again, I've already queued up book 2 on my Kindle and I'm trying to decide if it's going to be the next book I read.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 16, 2011
I'm not normally into Sci-Fi type books. Or movies. Or... anything really (or books that just happen to take place in space). Ok, Star Wars and Star Trek: The Next Generation are exceptions to that rule. But can you really pass up either of those? Yeah, me neither.
So, when LK Rigel contacted me to review her book, my first thought was "Nuh-uh". But then I read the blurb and thought "Hmm, this sounds interesting. And maybe it's time to expand my horizons a bit..."
Hero Material pulled me in from the get-go and held me there until the very end. There's drama, some intrigue, and characters I ended up caring very much for.
Char is called up to the space station by her sister's fiancé. She's to be moved off earth immediately. Because we didn't get any details as to why she's being moved off earth NOW and there's no time to go through the proper channels, it piqued the hell out of my interest. Let's face it: I'm a nosy bitch and I wanna know everything about everything.
The chemistry between Char and Jake is instantaneous and doesn't stop. I was rooting for them from minute one.
I did see one plot twist coming, but I didn't see another part of that twist, which was a very pleasant surprise. Not the twist, because that part was actually kinda sad, but the part about me not seeing it coming. I hate being able to predict a book & LOVE when a book can keep me on my toes.
I've received the sequel to Hero Material, and I'm sorely tempted to skip through my requests list to read it. I guess I'd better get on top of reading more before I give into temptation!
So, when LK Rigel contacted me to review her book, my first thought was "Nuh-uh". But then I read the blurb and thought "Hmm, this sounds interesting. And maybe it's time to expand my horizons a bit..."
Hero Material pulled me in from the get-go and held me there until the very end. There's drama, some intrigue, and characters I ended up caring very much for.
Char is called up to the space station by her sister's fiancé. She's to be moved off earth immediately. Because we didn't get any details as to why she's being moved off earth NOW and there's no time to go through the proper channels, it piqued the hell out of my interest. Let's face it: I'm a nosy bitch and I wanna know everything about everything.
The chemistry between Char and Jake is instantaneous and doesn't stop. I was rooting for them from minute one.
I did see one plot twist coming, but I didn't see another part of that twist, which was a very pleasant surprise. Not the twist, because that part was actually kinda sad, but the part about me not seeing it coming. I hate being able to predict a book & LOVE when a book can keep me on my toes.
I've received the sequel to Hero Material, and I'm sorely tempted to skip through my requests list to read it. I guess I'd better get on top of reading more before I give into temptation!
February 12, 2014
1.5*
So where to start? Well, it was interesting, but confusing at first. Futuristic society with major pollution issues. The "haves" live in space with the other peons stuck on earth. Crazy environmentalists are blowing shit up and setting off nuclear bombs in order to "save the earth." The tech was intriguing. Interesting, yes? Just as I was liking what I was reading it went to shit. Go figure.
"Char's body flung itself to the floor, prostrate and trembling like some novice waiting for god.
God?"
then a page later:
"You may call me Asherah. Or goddess. I have chosen you to receive my revelation."
Yep. I finally was starting to "get it" and then the book goes in a completely different direction. One that doesn't make much sense. At all. And it gets worse.
"Asherah. She called the fertile females her chalices......They're just little girls." "Getting the place ready to house breeders for the world's elite families"
Keep in mind the "chalices" are girls 8 to 10 years old. They are excited at being "chosen" cause they get extra long life. All the more to pop more kids out to repopulate the earth! (Never mind what the girls would chose).
I am more then willing to buy into the story even if it doesn't make much sense (the super clean and "wonderful" place they find even though the rest of the planet has been nuked) if I like it. However, there are things that just are eh, or more appropriately: what the fuck?
Not reading the other 2 books. Hell will freeze first.
So where to start? Well, it was interesting, but confusing at first. Futuristic society with major pollution issues. The "haves" live in space with the other peons stuck on earth. Crazy environmentalists are blowing shit up and setting off nuclear bombs in order to "save the earth." The tech was intriguing. Interesting, yes? Just as I was liking what I was reading it went to shit. Go figure.
"Char's body flung itself to the floor, prostrate and trembling like some novice waiting for god.
God?"
then a page later:
"You may call me Asherah. Or goddess. I have chosen you to receive my revelation."
Yep. I finally was starting to "get it" and then the book goes in a completely different direction. One that doesn't make much sense. At all. And it gets worse.
"Asherah. She called the fertile females her chalices......They're just little girls." "Getting the place ready to house breeders for the world's elite families"
Keep in mind the "chalices" are girls 8 to 10 years old. They are excited at being "chosen" cause they get extra long life. All the more to pop more kids out to repopulate the earth! (Never mind what the girls would chose).
I am more then willing to buy into the story even if it doesn't make much sense (the super clean and "wonderful" place they find even though the rest of the planet has been nuked) if I like it. However, there are things that just are eh, or more appropriately: what the fuck?
Not reading the other 2 books. Hell will freeze first.
May 12, 2011
I lost some sleep reading this book. I loved the SF and the Romance. I liked all of the characters and the way the relationships, even the non-romantic, developed. I loved the humor and the way the romance felt so right. This story rocked!
The only part that threw me was the paranormal threads. I didn't read the full description before I started so it's my own fault. I was only vaguely familiar with the ancient gods chosen and still don't really understand how they fit in other than a little popping in to save the day. But paranormal's not my cuppa. I even gave up on the Dark Hunters series.
Still, I found this story oddly compelling. I know for certain I want to read the rest of the series to find out what happens to the characters because I like Char and Jake so much. I finished this hours ago and keep thinking about the world and the characters. I love the extrapolation from current events and how this is a plausible scenario to me, sans ancient gods of course.
This book is a keeper for me. On the SFR scale it's definitely over on the SF side, though I think the Romance was very important and natural.
The only part that threw me was the paranormal threads. I didn't read the full description before I started so it's my own fault. I was only vaguely familiar with the ancient gods chosen and still don't really understand how they fit in other than a little popping in to save the day. But paranormal's not my cuppa. I even gave up on the Dark Hunters series.
Still, I found this story oddly compelling. I know for certain I want to read the rest of the series to find out what happens to the characters because I like Char and Jake so much. I finished this hours ago and keep thinking about the world and the characters. I love the extrapolation from current events and how this is a plausible scenario to me, sans ancient gods of course.
This book is a keeper for me. On the SFR scale it's definitely over on the SF side, though I think the Romance was very important and natural.
July 19, 2011
Very good ebook about the end of civilization as we know it starting with the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010. I thought it was a nice touch to bring the use of dispersants used there into the mix of the story.
By 2095 there is one world government, the Imperium, ruled by a corrupt emperor. Space stations offer vacations to the rich or well-connected. Hydroponic stations grow food.
But corporations really rule the world. The biggest is Garrick - the only one still allowed to drill for oil.
DOGs, the world-wide environmentalists, try to force the world to their way of thinking through terrorism. That's after they have defeated the Talibanos Unidos.
Mutants appear in the population and, consequently, almost all births are now through artificial gestation.
The gods are dead...or are they? And will they save the world?
Not a pretty picture of the world but it makes for a very good story. The writing was excellent, well thought out and executed.
Looking forward to reading "Spiderwork," the sequel.
By 2095 there is one world government, the Imperium, ruled by a corrupt emperor. Space stations offer vacations to the rich or well-connected. Hydroponic stations grow food.
But corporations really rule the world. The biggest is Garrick - the only one still allowed to drill for oil.
DOGs, the world-wide environmentalists, try to force the world to their way of thinking through terrorism. That's after they have defeated the Talibanos Unidos.
Mutants appear in the population and, consequently, almost all births are now through artificial gestation.
The gods are dead...or are they? And will they save the world?
Not a pretty picture of the world but it makes for a very good story. The writing was excellent, well thought out and executed.
Looking forward to reading "Spiderwork," the sequel.
July 29, 2011
This one was a rough start, as you immediately jump into a situation where you don't understand any of the lingo being used and it is slowly fed to you as you get further into the book. Just give it a little bit and you'll like it more and more the further you get into the book. By the end, I was so spellbound that I was incredibly grateful that I had already downloaded the second book in the series to my Kindle so that I could jump straight into it. It's a little far out in some senses, but I enjoyed it.
May 12, 2012
I normally do not like short stories/novellas because just when I'm really getting into it it's over. However, this a great introduction to the Apocalypto series. It's very well written. It's definitely not a slush pile indie book. I love indie ebooks, but there is a lot of crap out there. It can be hard to find a gem in all the crap. But this is a gem for sure. The pacing was excellent and the plot intriguing. I've already started Spiderwork.
January 15, 2013
Not very good character development, story line advanced too fast. SPOILER---within 20 minutes of reading Char went up to the space station, had sex on the way with a guy she knew for 5 minutes, became a vessel for a god and then back to earth. I am debating paying for the 2nd of the trilogy just because the teaser chapters at the end of this book on the Kindle were a little more promising, but it just may not be worth $3.99. Maybe the price will drop, I would buy at $1.99 or less.
July 16, 2013
I started off thinking this is an apocalyptic/sci-fi book, then there's a goddess thrown in which kind of threw the whole story into another direction for me and not in a good way. I could maybe come to terms with the goddess but the male fairies with erections on her shoulders holding her dress up? Not so much. Without them I'd probably rate this book higher.
January 16, 2016
Sometimes I felt the writing was scattered in parts, but in the end, the story came together beautifully.
I thought it would be a little hotter in the romance department, but ws also fascinated by the sci-fi aspect of the book too.
Can't wait to read book 2!
I thought it would be a little hotter in the romance department, but ws also fascinated by the sci-fi aspect of the book too.
Can't wait to read book 2!
September 13, 2011
Got this free for my kindle and loved it. The next morning I had to buy the sequel. A little romance , a little sci fi. Funny and fast paced. The only fault , I wish it had been longer. Try it out.
December 4, 2014
So this was a very short read.
It has its interesting points, but I guess the super quick romances contained here isn't quite my thing.
And the lame jokes. Ha ha. *shrug*
It has its interesting points, but I guess the super quick romances contained here isn't quite my thing.
And the lame jokes. Ha ha. *shrug*
March 3, 2023
Book number 21 for 2023.
This is a fun little science fiction story, coming in at just under 200 pages. The book takes place in the future, at the end of the 21st century. Civilization is in a big mess, and a terrorist organization, Defenders of Gaia (DOGs) is threatening multiple attacks on major cities.
Our main character is Char Meadowlark, a hydroponics agronomist. She escapes the planet with Jake, who will soon be her love interest. She is also "friends" with Mike Augustine, who was once engaged to Char's sister, Sky, who is believed to be dead.
These relationships get complicated as the story goes on. The book is too short, though to really get much character development. This is mostly, in my opinion, about the story. And it's a pretty good science fiction story. Not "hard core," though, as we get some fantasy thrown in about two-thirds of the way through.
This is the first in a series, but it does have an ending of sorts. At this point, I don't know if I will continue the series.
This is a fun little science fiction story, coming in at just under 200 pages. The book takes place in the future, at the end of the 21st century. Civilization is in a big mess, and a terrorist organization, Defenders of Gaia (DOGs) is threatening multiple attacks on major cities.
Our main character is Char Meadowlark, a hydroponics agronomist. She escapes the planet with Jake, who will soon be her love interest. She is also "friends" with Mike Augustine, who was once engaged to Char's sister, Sky, who is believed to be dead.
These relationships get complicated as the story goes on. The book is too short, though to really get much character development. This is mostly, in my opinion, about the story. And it's a pretty good science fiction story. Not "hard core," though, as we get some fantasy thrown in about two-thirds of the way through.
This is the first in a series, but it does have an ending of sorts. At this point, I don't know if I will continue the series.
September 7, 2025
I really struggled with rating this story. It had potential to be really good but in some ways it seemed like a prequel that was written after the fact filling in some area of a story that would help a series but of course this was the first book and was a bit disjointed. It seemed a bit of a mashup of dystopian end of the world, sci-fi and fantasy with Gods returning and don't forget the touch of romance novel.
I think it could have been filled out a bit more which would have made it a better story.
I think it could have been filled out a bit more which would have made it a better story.
November 13, 2020
One world ends, another one begins.
Author freebie. A story about a sci fi world that is ending. The change to a science fantasy happens quickly. It could be a good series.
Author freebie. A story about a sci fi world that is ending. The change to a science fantasy happens quickly. It could be a good series.
July 13, 2012
Expect my review Friday, January 14 2011 on my blog: http://reenajacobs.com/blog/2011/01/n...
There was so much happening in a short period of time, I feel the need to break this review up in categories.
Plot: This was a wild ride. I have to be honest. I started this book not knowing what it was. I didn’t even read the blurb. The cover looked all sci-fi like, so I was expecting straight sci-fi, which isn’t a genre I read. However, the first few pages caught my interest with the ghosts and all. They kind of reminded me of zombies, but I never really got a full description of them or what the big hoopla was. Then the romantic elements hit, which threw me off guard. No more judging a book by the cover. I looked up the book to find out what I was getting into. Anyway, here’s what I thought Space Junque.
Sci-fi: This is only the second sci-fi romance I’ve read. The first was Touched by an Alien by Gina Koch (see review here). Now Space Junque was completely different. The setting was decades in the future, after the earth had experience several ecological disasters. Ms. Rigel even threw in the oil spill of 2010. Very cool. One thing I can say about Ms. Rigel is she doesn’t waste words. There were a lot of unfamiliar terms in Space Junque, and I think a few could have benefited from additional explanations. Even so, all the elements were there to give the work a great sci-fi feel to it. I felt left out of the loop at times. This could be due to my lack of familiarity with the sci-fi genre though.
Space Opera: I had to look up Space Opera to find out what it meant, but I think I have a vague grasp on the genre, so don’t fuss too much if I mess up. In terms of the Space Opera aspect (government versus the DOGs), Ms. Rigel did excellent in this area for such a short span of time. I understood what the government (aka empire) wanted. Of course with all governments, there’s always the threat of corruption. I do wonder what the DOGs hoped to accomplish with their destructive path. I’m thinking this will be revealed in the next novella Spiderwork. Really, I see Space Junque as an intro to a potential epic saga. Could Space Junque simply be Act One?
Romance: The romantic aspects were rather low key. Char and Jake had very little face-to-face time together, making it hard to call Space Junque a romance. However, it did meet the happy for now (HFN) requirement, kind of. Again, I’m thinking more will be revealed in Spiderwork.
Paranormal: This was another aspect which blew me away. How in the world do you mix paranormal into Sci-fi? Simple: Space Junque. Now I’m not going to go into detail with this, cause I don’t want to ruin any surprises. But from looking at the cover of Spiderwork (yeah I’m still judging books by them even though I said I wouldn’t ), the paranormal aspect gets a lot of play in the next novella. In Space Junque we seem to get the intro… a lot of great leading info. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this one.
So, my summary of the plot: Basically, it seemed to be the intro of a bigger picture. This book drew me in but left me wanting more. Spiderwork is definitely one to add to my reading list, just to read the rest of this saga. My reclassification of this genre would be Space Opera/Sci-fi with romantic and strong paranormal elements.
Characters: The main star of the show was Char. For the most part, she was well-developed. I understood her motivates and even understood the rational behind her spontaneous behavior. She surprised me a few times, that’s for sure, but she was definitely realistic. Well done! Her co-star was Jake. I think there was only one chapter in his POV. So calling him co-star is a stretch. Let’s call him a strong supporting character, since I could have done without his POV. I got the feeling his chapter was thrown in to offer back story the reader couldn’t obtain from Char. From Char’s POV, I think we only touched on his personality. It’ll be interesting how he develops in the next book.
3.5 stars
There was so much happening in a short period of time, I feel the need to break this review up in categories.
Plot: This was a wild ride. I have to be honest. I started this book not knowing what it was. I didn’t even read the blurb. The cover looked all sci-fi like, so I was expecting straight sci-fi, which isn’t a genre I read. However, the first few pages caught my interest with the ghosts and all. They kind of reminded me of zombies, but I never really got a full description of them or what the big hoopla was. Then the romantic elements hit, which threw me off guard. No more judging a book by the cover. I looked up the book to find out what I was getting into. Anyway, here’s what I thought Space Junque.
Sci-fi: This is only the second sci-fi romance I’ve read. The first was Touched by an Alien by Gina Koch (see review here). Now Space Junque was completely different. The setting was decades in the future, after the earth had experience several ecological disasters. Ms. Rigel even threw in the oil spill of 2010. Very cool. One thing I can say about Ms. Rigel is she doesn’t waste words. There were a lot of unfamiliar terms in Space Junque, and I think a few could have benefited from additional explanations. Even so, all the elements were there to give the work a great sci-fi feel to it. I felt left out of the loop at times. This could be due to my lack of familiarity with the sci-fi genre though.
Space Opera: I had to look up Space Opera to find out what it meant, but I think I have a vague grasp on the genre, so don’t fuss too much if I mess up. In terms of the Space Opera aspect (government versus the DOGs), Ms. Rigel did excellent in this area for such a short span of time. I understood what the government (aka empire) wanted. Of course with all governments, there’s always the threat of corruption. I do wonder what the DOGs hoped to accomplish with their destructive path. I’m thinking this will be revealed in the next novella Spiderwork. Really, I see Space Junque as an intro to a potential epic saga. Could Space Junque simply be Act One?
Romance: The romantic aspects were rather low key. Char and Jake had very little face-to-face time together, making it hard to call Space Junque a romance. However, it did meet the happy for now (HFN) requirement, kind of. Again, I’m thinking more will be revealed in Spiderwork.
Paranormal: This was another aspect which blew me away. How in the world do you mix paranormal into Sci-fi? Simple: Space Junque. Now I’m not going to go into detail with this, cause I don’t want to ruin any surprises. But from looking at the cover of Spiderwork (yeah I’m still judging books by them even though I said I wouldn’t ), the paranormal aspect gets a lot of play in the next novella. In Space Junque we seem to get the intro… a lot of great leading info. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this one.
So, my summary of the plot: Basically, it seemed to be the intro of a bigger picture. This book drew me in but left me wanting more. Spiderwork is definitely one to add to my reading list, just to read the rest of this saga. My reclassification of this genre would be Space Opera/Sci-fi with romantic and strong paranormal elements.
Characters: The main star of the show was Char. For the most part, she was well-developed. I understood her motivates and even understood the rational behind her spontaneous behavior. She surprised me a few times, that’s for sure, but she was definitely realistic. Well done! Her co-star was Jake. I think there was only one chapter in his POV. So calling him co-star is a stretch. Let’s call him a strong supporting character, since I could have done without his POV. I got the feeling his chapter was thrown in to offer back story the reader couldn’t obtain from Char. From Char’s POV, I think we only touched on his personality. It’ll be interesting how he develops in the next book.
3.5 stars
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