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Confluence #3
Inheritance
Darcy has a ten-thousand-year-old secret buried in her genetic code.
As a second year medical student, her life revolves around classes, studying, and her boyfriend Adam—until she treks through the desert, touches some mysterious stacked stones, and a network of glowing blue lines radiates under her skin.
Then she saw the spaceship. And it was coming for her.
She faces impossibly bad choices and a missing boyfriend.
Darcy struggles to accept her heritage and master her newfound powers as she navigates deception, betrayal, and danger in order to prevail in the galaxy’s most dangerous game—and survive to save Adam.
This new series also takes place in the Confluence Universe.
This book was previously titled The Druid Gene.
As a second year medical student, her life revolves around classes, studying, and her boyfriend Adam—until she treks through the desert, touches some mysterious stacked stones, and a network of glowing blue lines radiates under her skin.
Then she saw the spaceship. And it was coming for her.
She faces impossibly bad choices and a missing boyfriend.
Darcy struggles to accept her heritage and master her newfound powers as she navigates deception, betrayal, and danger in order to prevail in the galaxy’s most dangerous game—and survive to save Adam.
This new series also takes place in the Confluence Universe.
This book was previously titled The Druid Gene.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2016
384 people are currently reading
1285 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Foehner Wells
18 books1,318 followersAs a child growing up in rural Illinois, I had the wild outdoors, a budding imagination, and books for company. My interest in science fiction was piqued early on when a family friend loaned me a Ray Bradbury compilation, among loads of other wonderful scifi books.
Learn more about Jen at:
www.jenthulhu.com
Learn more about Jen at:
www.jenthulhu.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 11, 2016
This was great fun. I'll compare it to The Martian in that there is a lot of science, but it doesn't overwhelm you if you're not extraordinarily science literate. If you ARE extraordinarily science literate, it probably enhances everything and you'll get a kick out of it. But for the liberal arts nerds like me, the science was mainstream enough that I could understand it, and didn't prove to be a barrier to enjoying the characters, story, or pacing.
I would recommend this to fantasy readers who might normally shy away from what they consider "Hard SF" and, of course, to SF readers. The world building is interesting, the story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are engaging. Well done!
I would recommend this to fantasy readers who might normally shy away from what they consider "Hard SF" and, of course, to SF readers. The world building is interesting, the story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are engaging. Well done!
November 23, 2017
It took me 12 days to tear through every last book and short story written by Jennifer Foehner Wells so far. The majority of her books and stories are in an interconnected world. In the short story, The Grove, we get the origin story of Hain who is one of the major characters in this book. And we encounter characters from the series that begins with Fluency in the final chapter of this book.
I found this book to be predictable, but it was still enjoyable. It's only after Darcy is abducted by a slaver spaceship that she discovers that she inherited alien druid genetics from both of her parents. This makes her a highly sought after prize because her genetic inheritance brings with it special physical abilities she's never known that she had. For some reason, I started out reading the title of this book as "The Druid Games". I think it would have been an apt title because it shares some qualities with The Hunger Games. To say more would be a spoiler. But if you're looking for a self-capable, kick-@$$ female heroine in a sci-fi novel, you need to look no further. If you like forest survival tales (especially on other planets with strange flora and fauna), then this is also a book you'd enjoy.
If you want to get started with this series, I suggest the following order for maximum effect:
1.Fluency
2.Remanence
3.The Grove
4.The Druid Gene
Reading 3, 4, 1, 2 would also work.
So now I'm experiencing a little bit of Series Letdown Syndrome where I'm sure that nothing I could read could possibly be as interesting as the world I've left behind. I'm just crossing my fingers that the next book in the Fluency series comes out within the next couple of months as originally planned. It's almost unheard of for me to enjoy a series past about book #2, so this is a rare author for me.
I found this book to be predictable, but it was still enjoyable. It's only after Darcy is abducted by a slaver spaceship that she discovers that she inherited alien druid genetics from both of her parents. This makes her a highly sought after prize because her genetic inheritance brings with it special physical abilities she's never known that she had. For some reason, I started out reading the title of this book as "The Druid Games". I think it would have been an apt title because it shares some qualities with The Hunger Games. To say more would be a spoiler. But if you're looking for a self-capable, kick-@$$ female heroine in a sci-fi novel, you need to look no further. If you like forest survival tales (especially on other planets with strange flora and fauna), then this is also a book you'd enjoy.
If you want to get started with this series, I suggest the following order for maximum effect:
1.Fluency
2.Remanence
3.The Grove
4.The Druid Gene
Reading 3, 4, 1, 2 would also work.
So now I'm experiencing a little bit of Series Letdown Syndrome where I'm sure that nothing I could read could possibly be as interesting as the world I've left behind. I'm just crossing my fingers that the next book in the Fluency series comes out within the next couple of months as originally planned. It's almost unheard of for me to enjoy a series past about book #2, so this is a rare author for me.
October 12, 2016
Warning! Do not read "The Druid Gene" if you have a job, a family or any other responsibilities, or if you ever sleep. You will hate putting this book down to tend to such trivial activities.
Jennifer Foehner Wells delivers a solidly entertaining novel here (I'll forgo a summary to let the work speak for itself) that blends Science Fiction with drama, humor, action, and a decent dose of (fascinating) hard science.
The characters are original and believable, the plot moves along steadily and the balance of action, tension and emotion is perfect.
Wells also offers some wildly original SF ideas that I enjoyed as much as other works by such innovators as Neal Stephenson and Joe Haldeman.
In short, check this one out; you won't regret it (until you have to stop reading before it's finished).
Definitely my favorite of this year.
Jennifer Foehner Wells delivers a solidly entertaining novel here (I'll forgo a summary to let the work speak for itself) that blends Science Fiction with drama, humor, action, and a decent dose of (fascinating) hard science.
The characters are original and believable, the plot moves along steadily and the balance of action, tension and emotion is perfect.
Wells also offers some wildly original SF ideas that I enjoyed as much as other works by such innovators as Neal Stephenson and Joe Haldeman.
In short, check this one out; you won't regret it (until you have to stop reading before it's finished).
Definitely my favorite of this year.
December 13, 2016
An OK read.
May 29, 2017
Another Story in the Amazing Confluence Universe
I read Fluency and Remanence and thoroughly enjoyed them. I like how this novel tied into them at the end and how we were given a deeper glance into Hain, the character from the short story The Grove.
Also, as a mixed-race individual I found Ms. Foehner-Wells' understanding of our plight dead on. Thank you for that.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the other three stories. I found that, for my tastes, there was too much back story and exposition, especially during action scenes. I also thought that as I am an Ohio native, I'd like Darcy. Unfortunately, I didn't. She struck me as a person who preferred to run from reality when in situations that she couldn't control based on her fears and limited understanding of life in general.
As Ms. Foehner-Wells has an excellent imagination, great word building, and plotting skills, I do look forward to reading more stories within the Confluence universe.
I read Fluency and Remanence and thoroughly enjoyed them. I like how this novel tied into them at the end and how we were given a deeper glance into Hain, the character from the short story The Grove.
Also, as a mixed-race individual I found Ms. Foehner-Wells' understanding of our plight dead on. Thank you for that.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the other three stories. I found that, for my tastes, there was too much back story and exposition, especially during action scenes. I also thought that as I am an Ohio native, I'd like Darcy. Unfortunately, I didn't. She struck me as a person who preferred to run from reality when in situations that she couldn't control based on her fears and limited understanding of life in general.
As Ms. Foehner-Wells has an excellent imagination, great word building, and plotting skills, I do look forward to reading more stories within the Confluence universe.
May 13, 2018
3,5/5
May 23, 2022
Šī daļa gan lika vilties. Pirmkārt jau pilnīgi citi tēli un situācija, nevis turpinājums 2.daļai. Otrkārt vairāk atgādināja tīņu action gabalu, kur daudz kas pievilkts aiz matiem. 😕
August 25, 2018
Darcy is blessed/cursed with the Druid gene, genetics left over from a race that populated the earth years ago, but have died out. This special gene is what gets her abducted by aliens. It also gives her unusual abilities that she must learn to control and use. But that takes time. In the mean time, she is one of many captives of various races, held on a space ship by the insect-like hymenoptera.
Why they are captive is unknown, though it is generally thought they will all be sold as slaves. It will become clear that the captors have more than a passing interest in Darcy though.
Darcy will develop an unusual relationship with Raub, who ends up in a cell with Darcy after she attacks her captors. He will teach her to fight and to defend herself. All along, she wonders why he would do this. Why does he want her on his ‘team’? The truth is, no one on the ship can be trusted, as much as she really wants to see the good in people.
Tesserae71, a hymenoptera and two fellow prisoners, Nembrotha and Selpis are secondary characters that also fall into that can-they-be-trusted? category. But they end up working with Darcy and Raub in an escape attempt, which makes them a permanent part of the ‘team’. The addition of three different aliens to the core group serves to remind you that Earth is very far away. And aliens are not human.
Raub’s motives will be revealed in the tense, climatic last few chapters. I really like the way this story was told. Despite the nastiness Darcy endured, the telling of the tale has Darcy developing from a sweet medical student who only wants to help people to a kick-butt heroine who doesn’t take crap. And she can still help people.
Inheritance is part of the Confluence series, but does read as a stand alone. The other books Fluency, Remanance, and Valence need to be read in series order.
I am very intrigued with this character and how she will play into the continuing Confluence series, and how she might interact with the characters I came to know in the first two books. Confluence is continued in Valence, which is most definitely on my TBR list.
Why they are captive is unknown, though it is generally thought they will all be sold as slaves. It will become clear that the captors have more than a passing interest in Darcy though.
Darcy will develop an unusual relationship with Raub, who ends up in a cell with Darcy after she attacks her captors. He will teach her to fight and to defend herself. All along, she wonders why he would do this. Why does he want her on his ‘team’? The truth is, no one on the ship can be trusted, as much as she really wants to see the good in people.
Tesserae71, a hymenoptera and two fellow prisoners, Nembrotha and Selpis are secondary characters that also fall into that can-they-be-trusted? category. But they end up working with Darcy and Raub in an escape attempt, which makes them a permanent part of the ‘team’. The addition of three different aliens to the core group serves to remind you that Earth is very far away. And aliens are not human.
Raub’s motives will be revealed in the tense, climatic last few chapters. I really like the way this story was told. Despite the nastiness Darcy endured, the telling of the tale has Darcy developing from a sweet medical student who only wants to help people to a kick-butt heroine who doesn’t take crap. And she can still help people.
Inheritance is part of the Confluence series, but does read as a stand alone. The other books Fluency, Remanance, and Valence need to be read in series order.
I am very intrigued with this character and how she will play into the continuing Confluence series, and how she might interact with the characters I came to know in the first two books. Confluence is continued in Valence, which is most definitely on my TBR list.
October 8, 2016
Very enjoyable book. Wells does a good job with both the main characters and secondary characters. While most of the secondary characters don't get a lot of explicit background they don't feel flat either. The story is fast paced without unnecessary distractions, and leaves plenty of space for future sequels.
The world it takes place in is the same as from Fluency, which means that some of background about the universe was introduced more explicitly in that book. In the Druid Gene they are still explained, but with less detail and exposition so we can focus on the story instead. I feel that's a good choice as they're not as essential to this story, but having them mentioned still fleshes out the world.
All in all, highly recommended.
The world it takes place in is the same as from Fluency, which means that some of background about the universe was introduced more explicitly in that book. In the Druid Gene they are still explained, but with less detail and exposition so we can focus on the story instead. I feel that's a good choice as they're not as essential to this story, but having them mentioned still fleshes out the world.
All in all, highly recommended.
November 19, 2016
I'm trying not to gush. I love this so much!! I read JFW's first two books as well as the short stories The Grove and Symbiont Seeking Symbiont, and not at any point does any of it flag or become boring. I started reading The Druid Gene just a few days ago and could hardly put it down until I was finished. I love the way she writes women, strong and smart and sexy, and how she incorporates real science with science fiction, and how interesting and relatable all the characters are. Consider me hooked.
November 3, 2016
Read it
Great book yet again strong female lead and creative imagery. You will want this one on your must read list
Great book yet again strong female lead and creative imagery. You will want this one on your must read list
April 7, 2018
After reading this one and the next installment, I discovered that this is an earlier work by Wells, slightly modified to fit into the Confluence series. It shows, as there is almost no linkage between this book and books 1, 2 and 4. If you liked the first two, you could skip to Valence (4) with little lost.
This book is a bit slow, with nearly all action coming at the end. The plot skews from unlikely to silly, but I never found myself wanting to put it down. Indeed, when I started book 4 I was annoyed that it did not continue the story of the characters from this book.
This book is a bit slow, with nearly all action coming at the end. The plot skews from unlikely to silly, but I never found myself wanting to put it down. Indeed, when I started book 4 I was annoyed that it did not continue the story of the characters from this book.
March 11, 2018
Awesome sauce
This was an awesome read. This is one of the best main characters that I've ever encountered. She's surrounded by aliens for the entire book and she learns, struggles, makes allies and is determined to free herself.
The variety and and descriptions of aliens, both physical and social reminds me of CJ Cherryh. She really is that good. The writing is great, sitting on a plot that does not disappoint.
I'm definitely reading more of this author and this series.
This was an awesome read. This is one of the best main characters that I've ever encountered. She's surrounded by aliens for the entire book and she learns, struggles, makes allies and is determined to free herself.
The variety and and descriptions of aliens, both physical and social reminds me of CJ Cherryh. She really is that good. The writing is great, sitting on a plot that does not disappoint.
I'm definitely reading more of this author and this series.
April 20, 2018
Fantastic SciFi reading!
January 5, 2018
Not bad but wish it was at the same level as the others, seems to have the mid-series dip. Motley crew assemble is what I got out of it.
February 4, 2018
Darcy is an obsessed medical student on a hike with her boyfriend when they're abducted by aliens in the Arizona desert. It turns out that Darcy is part alien herself, and her rare genetics make her a valuable commodity on the slave market. After trying to stay a revolt, she's separated from all but one of the other prisoners. She spends her time training in combat with her lone companion, but she never suspects what he's really training her for. This was a pretty good book, and I don't think any of the characters was badly written or flat. I also appreciate the way the end sets up her quest and also found a way to tie in the other books in the series.
September 24, 2017
Jennifer Foehner Wells never does what you expect... and this book proves just that. But this is an interesting addition to the Confluence Universe. The Druid Gene introduces a whole new set of players... I think that in the first 2 books I was so fixated on the kuboderan, that I wasn't paying all that much attention to the broad diversity of sentient life the series offered... Well the Druid Gene brings this concept to the fore... As Darcy along with her boyfriend are abducted by The Vermachten a slave ship. The ship is seemingly at full capacity, alien species of all kinds and colors. Slaves in confinement waiting until they are sold. And Darcy well she is special in ways that she had no idea of... Darcy has to learn fast if she is going to survive. And as she learns she makes allies.
So climb on board and discover a realm of new possibilities, as Jennifer weaves her storylines together... the Confluence is going to need all the allies it can find to stop the Swarm...
Addendum... I just listened to Robin Miles audio version of this book and I gotta say that it is brilliant... She gave voice not just to Darcy but to several other creatures introduced in this story and I was captivated... I think Jennifer Foehner Wells made a enlightened decision by getting a different narrator for this new story thread in her series...
So climb on board and discover a realm of new possibilities, as Jennifer weaves her storylines together... the Confluence is going to need all the allies it can find to stop the Swarm...
Addendum... I just listened to Robin Miles audio version of this book and I gotta say that it is brilliant... She gave voice not just to Darcy but to several other creatures introduced in this story and I was captivated... I think Jennifer Foehner Wells made a enlightened decision by getting a different narrator for this new story thread in her series...
October 9, 2016
The Druid Gene takes place in the Confluence Universe. This is another first contact story like Fluency, but it’s also so much more than that.
Darcy Eberhardt is a second year med student who has struggled throughout her life to understand her mixed heritage. Her grandmother Harriet often reminded her “You’ve got to be your own person, Darcy. Whatever that means to you. Be that.” Her boyfriend, Adam, is multiracial as well but it’s his Native American legacy that brings them on the hike where everything begins. He has heard stories of a place in the desert with strong geomagnetic energy and wants to share that with Darcy.
This is a journey of someone finding out who they really are, and how that person fits into the universe with it’s diverse creatures and preconceived ideas. Darcy finds she is capable of much more than she ever though possible.
I really enjoy this universe and the ideas around it. Jennifer is writing books that I’ve always wanted to read, science fiction with actual emotions and real character development!
Darcy Eberhardt is a second year med student who has struggled throughout her life to understand her mixed heritage. Her grandmother Harriet often reminded her “You’ve got to be your own person, Darcy. Whatever that means to you. Be that.” Her boyfriend, Adam, is multiracial as well but it’s his Native American legacy that brings them on the hike where everything begins. He has heard stories of a place in the desert with strong geomagnetic energy and wants to share that with Darcy.
This is a journey of someone finding out who they really are, and how that person fits into the universe with it’s diverse creatures and preconceived ideas. Darcy finds she is capable of much more than she ever though possible.
I really enjoy this universe and the ideas around it. Jennifer is writing books that I’ve always wanted to read, science fiction with actual emotions and real character development!
December 23, 2017
While the story is good overall, it was not a book 3 in Confluence. It was a book to introduce a new character in the series. Then while she added a couple of believable abilities, she just had to add superpowers also. Come on, grab a lightning bolt, and redirect it to blow a hole in some one? She would have been more believable to act like an electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), or some other animal, not adding the ability to blow holes in organic bodies. Why use a gun? Knife? Or any other weapon? Make me upset and I will blow a hole in you, and your space ship, boat, or what ever else I want. Totally messed up the book and series in my opinion. While overall I would rate the story in the book a 3* or maybe a low 4*, I rate it a two because of not being a part of the series it was advertised. In fact, I am so upset, I don't know if I will ever read another book by this author again.
October 25, 2016
A new series set in the same universe as JFW's ongoing Fluency series, but don't let worries of 'not knowing what's going on' put you off, this really only becomes apparent pretty much in the epilogue so although this is a self contained story, it's also set that it can be taken as either its own series or something that will slowly be interwoven into the older series.
The story resolves around a young woman abducted by aliens, supposedly to be sold for profit. About the fellow captives she meets onboard and the eventual plan.
Found the story itself very enjoyable, although JFW could do with getting someone from her publishers to go through the Kindle edition as there's several instances of obviously missing words so it could do with a tidy up (not these aren't so frequent as to ruin enjoyment but they are noticeable)
The story resolves around a young woman abducted by aliens, supposedly to be sold for profit. About the fellow captives she meets onboard and the eventual plan.
Found the story itself very enjoyable, although JFW could do with getting someone from her publishers to go through the Kindle edition as there's several instances of obviously missing words so it could do with a tidy up (not these aren't so frequent as to ruin enjoyment but they are noticeable)
September 29, 2017
Jennifer's heroine, Darcy, is spectacular--an unlikely G.I. Jane or Ripley. She starts out hardly able to complete a hike with her boyfriend and ends up being trained and then hunted by a powerful predator. When the hunt begins, it's almost like the Hunger Games, but one on one. Jennifer creates a fabulous universe populated by aliens as diverse and unusual as in the Star Wars bar scene. But, the humanity that she confers upon them is both believable and touching, as are the parallels she draw between them and humankind. What a fantastic book! Wildly enjoyable. I can't wait for the continuing saga.
September 23, 2018
This book is where the Confluence series world goes from polished to glistening. Darcy is a main character you’re desperate to cheer for, not because she’s special nor because bad things happen to her but because she’s vibrant, present, and forceful, and you can’t help but want her to succeed. The world she finds herself in is thick with old tragedies and new discoveries and questions of how to accept the two together. The overall plot is fairly straightforward, but the characters make this book breathe.
July 25, 2017
I find it impossible to believe that Darcy did not explore her druidic powers before the final confrontation with Raub. Really? You have superpowers and you ignore them for months? Also, Darcy is an incredible whiner. Get over yourself! yeah, you want to help people and not hurt them. I get it. Time to shut up about it and quit flagellating yourself.
The Nembrotha made it all worthwhile though. A snail as a chemist!
The Nembrotha made it all worthwhile though. A snail as a chemist!
March 1, 2021
Heads up: New protagonist, new villain, new journey.
Although the last chapter hints that Jane Halloway is possibly nearby, this is not a direct continuation for the main protagonist in the first two books. But judging by the high general rating for Jennifer Foehner Wells’ third installment of the Confluence series on both Goodreads and Amazon, the change in main character and story doesn’t seem to be putting anyone off from the creativity and passion the author has for space-faring adventures.
My take away?
This was solid with interesting elements. But after Remanance it’s hard to dive into a new Wells novel without the expectation of getting the freaking rug pulled out from under me and like having the story and characters slam me on my ass. But this was still good.
Story
Brief, non-spoiler, summary: Inheritance follows the story of Darcy, a human who finds herself abducted and separated from her boyfriend as they are placed in intergalactic slavery, but Darcy finds she isn’t completely who she thought she was and must learn to adapt to her situation in order to survive.
I know I should keep this story seperate from the previous books, but I can’t help myself because I love them so much. Wells keeps the world-building basic by using the same method of having most of Inheritance from a human’s point of view like with the first two in the series, but I think this was necessary because this is a whole new situation with new species and a new conflict that needs to be explored. That being said, Inheritance’s plot is much more condensed with stakes isolated strictly to Darcy and her survival. There’s nothing wrong that.
When I realized that was it for this book I had to keep telling myself to lower my expectaions. Remenance was like one of the epic, high-stakes films of the Star Trek franchise that just built up speed the closer it got to its conclusion. Inheritance was more like a three-part episode of Star Trek with an intense final showdown. Also like with the first two books, this was an origin story for the main character. Darcy discovered something strange and incredible about herself that I only got a sample of here and was left wanting very badly to see where her story goes.
Characters
Female characters who are written to be tough and extremely lucky because...you know...feminism, really get on my nerves. It’s hard for me to find a strong female character that I don’t find annoying--and my feelings about that range in both the young adult and adult genres. But thank God Darcy is not one of those kinds of characters. Wells knows how to write characters that are strong because they had to earn it for the right reasons and I’m here for it.
I haven’t seen Darcy’s ethnicity mentioned much in reviews for this book, but I thought that was one of the coolest pieces of intrugue for me because Darcy draws on the words of her grandmother for strength and uses that drive to fight and survive even when she’s pushed to the brink of death. Darcy is African American and can’t help but compare her kidnapping situation to her family history, thinking back on how her grandmother explained to her what slavery was. Darcy’s newfound power could be an allegory, or it could just be a hell of a cool element to a character who organically has to learn to adapt if she is to be victorious. Darcy fights for her freedom and I freaking love it.
As for the other characters, I have to admit that I haven’t read Wells’ novellas that actually explain the backstory for a few of the races Darcy encouters. But I’m glad I didn’t because that would have spoiled one of the reveals regarding the relationship between Darcy and her antagonist. We get to see a whole ship-ful of new alien species which I thought was really cool, the most interesting to me being a character named Selpis who Dacry befriends. The tone of that whole situation of Dacry being a human who is imprisoned by aliens and adapts to fight her way out reminded me so much of the animated series of Samuri Jack, just thinking of all the times Jack interracted with alien races and robots but adapted to his environment was a distant vibe for me while reading this.
Conclusion
I am really enjoying this series so far, and even though this was a different kind of direction in story, I am REALLY looking forward to the moment when all of these characters converge to save the galaxy or something.
To inifinity, and the fourth book!
Although the last chapter hints that Jane Halloway is possibly nearby, this is not a direct continuation for the main protagonist in the first two books. But judging by the high general rating for Jennifer Foehner Wells’ third installment of the Confluence series on both Goodreads and Amazon, the change in main character and story doesn’t seem to be putting anyone off from the creativity and passion the author has for space-faring adventures.
My take away?
This was solid with interesting elements. But after Remanance it’s hard to dive into a new Wells novel without the expectation of getting the freaking rug pulled out from under me and like having the story and characters slam me on my ass. But this was still good.
Story
Brief, non-spoiler, summary: Inheritance follows the story of Darcy, a human who finds herself abducted and separated from her boyfriend as they are placed in intergalactic slavery, but Darcy finds she isn’t completely who she thought she was and must learn to adapt to her situation in order to survive.
I know I should keep this story seperate from the previous books, but I can’t help myself because I love them so much. Wells keeps the world-building basic by using the same method of having most of Inheritance from a human’s point of view like with the first two in the series, but I think this was necessary because this is a whole new situation with new species and a new conflict that needs to be explored. That being said, Inheritance’s plot is much more condensed with stakes isolated strictly to Darcy and her survival. There’s nothing wrong that.
When I realized that was it for this book I had to keep telling myself to lower my expectaions. Remenance was like one of the epic, high-stakes films of the Star Trek franchise that just built up speed the closer it got to its conclusion. Inheritance was more like a three-part episode of Star Trek with an intense final showdown. Also like with the first two books, this was an origin story for the main character. Darcy discovered something strange and incredible about herself that I only got a sample of here and was left wanting very badly to see where her story goes.
Characters
Female characters who are written to be tough and extremely lucky because...you know...feminism, really get on my nerves. It’s hard for me to find a strong female character that I don’t find annoying--and my feelings about that range in both the young adult and adult genres. But thank God Darcy is not one of those kinds of characters. Wells knows how to write characters that are strong because they had to earn it for the right reasons and I’m here for it.
I haven’t seen Darcy’s ethnicity mentioned much in reviews for this book, but I thought that was one of the coolest pieces of intrugue for me because Darcy draws on the words of her grandmother for strength and uses that drive to fight and survive even when she’s pushed to the brink of death. Darcy is African American and can’t help but compare her kidnapping situation to her family history, thinking back on how her grandmother explained to her what slavery was. Darcy’s newfound power could be an allegory, or it could just be a hell of a cool element to a character who organically has to learn to adapt if she is to be victorious. Darcy fights for her freedom and I freaking love it.
As for the other characters, I have to admit that I haven’t read Wells’ novellas that actually explain the backstory for a few of the races Darcy encouters. But I’m glad I didn’t because that would have spoiled one of the reveals regarding the relationship between Darcy and her antagonist. We get to see a whole ship-ful of new alien species which I thought was really cool, the most interesting to me being a character named Selpis who Dacry befriends. The tone of that whole situation of Dacry being a human who is imprisoned by aliens and adapts to fight her way out reminded me so much of the animated series of Samuri Jack, just thinking of all the times Jack interracted with alien races and robots but adapted to his environment was a distant vibe for me while reading this.
Conclusion
I am really enjoying this series so far, and even though this was a different kind of direction in story, I am REALLY looking forward to the moment when all of these characters converge to save the galaxy or something.
To inifinity, and the fourth book!
December 20, 2019
Just when I had settled into the adventures of Jane Holloway, her meeting different alien races, and learning about the dreaded Swarm, the series takes an abrupt turn.
In books one and two, the main protagonist was Jane, a trained NASA astronaut on an official mission to explore an alien ship. In book three, Jennifer Foehner Wells decides to shift mid-series into an entirely different plot and cast of characters. Enter Darcy Eberhardt, a third year medical student, barely aware of the NASA mission, who is abducted by aliens.
Let’s start with the negatives of this series from my point of view. First and foremost it is a Space Opera. There are hostile aliens, a terrifying threat to the universe, and I’m sure there will be a major battle somewhere along the way. There is also a lot more romance and sex that in most of the other Science Fiction Books I read. I like a lot of hard science in my science fiction books and there is precious little in this series.
Okay, now that I’ve listed my complaints, let me say that Wells’ books are exciting, creative, unusual, and the action hooks you right from the beginning. I am throughly enjoying reading the Confluence series and cannot wait to read the next book!
The main thing that Jennifer Foehner Wells gets right are her characters. Darcy and Jane are intelligent, capable, creative women who also have a lot of self-doubts and fears - just like the rest of us. The alien species (and there are a lot of them) are all well thought out and quite different from Homo Sapiens.
Wells has borrowed two ideas from previous science fiction books. Interspecies communication is dealt with by the use of a Standard Galactic Language. I am not sure what writer first came up with this idea but it means Google can do away with their universal translator development department. She also employs wormholes to allow “faster than light” space flight. With these two major obstacles out of the way, Wells can concentrate on a very creative plot and great character development. Throw into the mix some excellent writing and you have one of the most entertaining science fiction series I have read in quite some time.
As before, I’m light on details in this review so that I don’t spoil anything for you. While this book could be read as a stand alone, do yourself a favor and read Fluency (Confluence #1) and Remanence (Confluence #2) first. I can’t linger as I’m off to read Valence (Confluence Book 4).
In books one and two, the main protagonist was Jane, a trained NASA astronaut on an official mission to explore an alien ship. In book three, Jennifer Foehner Wells decides to shift mid-series into an entirely different plot and cast of characters. Enter Darcy Eberhardt, a third year medical student, barely aware of the NASA mission, who is abducted by aliens.
Let’s start with the negatives of this series from my point of view. First and foremost it is a Space Opera. There are hostile aliens, a terrifying threat to the universe, and I’m sure there will be a major battle somewhere along the way. There is also a lot more romance and sex that in most of the other Science Fiction Books I read. I like a lot of hard science in my science fiction books and there is precious little in this series.
Okay, now that I’ve listed my complaints, let me say that Wells’ books are exciting, creative, unusual, and the action hooks you right from the beginning. I am throughly enjoying reading the Confluence series and cannot wait to read the next book!
The main thing that Jennifer Foehner Wells gets right are her characters. Darcy and Jane are intelligent, capable, creative women who also have a lot of self-doubts and fears - just like the rest of us. The alien species (and there are a lot of them) are all well thought out and quite different from Homo Sapiens.
Wells has borrowed two ideas from previous science fiction books. Interspecies communication is dealt with by the use of a Standard Galactic Language. I am not sure what writer first came up with this idea but it means Google can do away with their universal translator development department. She also employs wormholes to allow “faster than light” space flight. With these two major obstacles out of the way, Wells can concentrate on a very creative plot and great character development. Throw into the mix some excellent writing and you have one of the most entertaining science fiction series I have read in quite some time.
As before, I’m light on details in this review so that I don’t spoil anything for you. While this book could be read as a stand alone, do yourself a favor and read Fluency (Confluence #1) and Remanence (Confluence #2) first. I can’t linger as I’m off to read Valence (Confluence Book 4).
August 27, 2020
Jennifer Foehner Wells’ Inheritance (Confluence Book 3) (also available in a collection of the first 3 books in the series plus 3 short stories: Confluence Codex 1: An Omnibus of the Scifi Series, Books 1-3) moves away from the adventures of Jane and her crew, and introduces us to Darcy, who’s been abducted by aliens. Apparently she has a genetic inheritance from an alien race, some members of which hid on earth and interbred with humans. That inheritance makes her very valuable, and the aliens plan to sell her as a slave. Darcy is mixed-race, so the idea of being a slave is even more personal to her than it would be for some others. Another prisoner, Raub, who seems to have a little pull with their captors, plans to escape–and he trains Darcy to fight so she can help him.
I am white, so I have no idea how reasonable the material on slavery is, or how well Darcy is depicted on that front. If anyone knows of a review by a POC, please feel free to drop a link to it in the comments section so folks can get other opinions that might be more informed about this aspect of the book. There are a number of parallels drawn to things on earth, such as eugenics programs.
I like Darcy quite a bit better than Jane. Jane just always felt kind of prim and proper, and eternally sad, and as a linguist she really isn’t an action-oriented character, so the books featuring her were slower and more ponderous. It also came across as a bit weird whenever she did get into action scenes, because it seemed so counter to her nature. Darcy on the other hand is bold and fierce, and when Raub starts teaching her to defend herself, sure, she whines internally a bit, but she knows this is her only chance and she grabs onto it with both hands.
There’s more action in general in here. First in an easily-thwarted early escape attempt, then in dealing with Raub’s training, and finally… well, I’m not going to spoil that. Suffice it to say, this book definitely held my interest the best of these first three books.
Content note for sexual assault: at least in this volume it’s not in any way portrayed as funny or otherwise non-problematic, possibly because in this case it’s the more “standard” male-on-female assault.
Original post on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/08/r...
I am white, so I have no idea how reasonable the material on slavery is, or how well Darcy is depicted on that front. If anyone knows of a review by a POC, please feel free to drop a link to it in the comments section so folks can get other opinions that might be more informed about this aspect of the book. There are a number of parallels drawn to things on earth, such as eugenics programs.
I like Darcy quite a bit better than Jane. Jane just always felt kind of prim and proper, and eternally sad, and as a linguist she really isn’t an action-oriented character, so the books featuring her were slower and more ponderous. It also came across as a bit weird whenever she did get into action scenes, because it seemed so counter to her nature. Darcy on the other hand is bold and fierce, and when Raub starts teaching her to defend herself, sure, she whines internally a bit, but she knows this is her only chance and she grabs onto it with both hands.
There’s more action in general in here. First in an easily-thwarted early escape attempt, then in dealing with Raub’s training, and finally… well, I’m not going to spoil that. Suffice it to say, this book definitely held my interest the best of these first three books.
Content note for sexual assault: at least in this volume it’s not in any way portrayed as funny or otherwise non-problematic, possibly because in this case it’s the more “standard” male-on-female assault.
Original post on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/08/r...
January 22, 2022
I liked the first two books in this series well enough, but suddenly in this one we have a new main character and while it’s the same universe, the tone has changed substantially. The scope or scale of the story also felt different, because that character is kept locked up and in the dark for the majority of the book.
I found the treatment of the primary subject matter, namely: slavery - to be incredibly distasteful. The whole book was cringy in how it dealt with this topic. Mainly it was that it really didn’t deal with it at all, just used as a flimsy and poorly drawn backdrop.
I guess another thing I really disliked was how there was a super interesting and sympathetic character introduced in a short story before the book (Hain), who is then turned into a villain in this book. Oh sure, there are hints that she’s being forced to act as a henchman for the true villain, and then at the end her actions are described to have been the result of blackmail. But her actions were to directly participate in (and in fact help run!) a galactic slavery ring. I cannot believe for a second that she should be redeemed or forgiven for them. She clearly had plenty of freedom on the ship and opportunity to act against her “master”. If this character returns (and is trusted at all), I will be upset about it.
I also have a general dislike for the trope where magic or super powers exist in some percentage of humans, we just don’t know how to unlock or access it. This is such a fantasy cliche that I often have to forgive it or get over it to enjoy a book. It was just slightly more annoying to find it in science fiction. :P
I found the treatment of the primary subject matter, namely: slavery - to be incredibly distasteful. The whole book was cringy in how it dealt with this topic. Mainly it was that it really didn’t deal with it at all, just used as a flimsy and poorly drawn backdrop.
I guess another thing I really disliked was how there was a super interesting and sympathetic character introduced in a short story before the book (Hain), who is then turned into a villain in this book. Oh sure, there are hints that she’s being forced to act as a henchman for the true villain, and then at the end her actions are described to have been the result of blackmail. But her actions were to directly participate in (and in fact help run!) a galactic slavery ring. I cannot believe for a second that she should be redeemed or forgiven for them. She clearly had plenty of freedom on the ship and opportunity to act against her “master”. If this character returns (and is trusted at all), I will be upset about it.
I also have a general dislike for the trope where magic or super powers exist in some percentage of humans, we just don’t know how to unlock or access it. This is such a fantasy cliche that I often have to forgive it or get over it to enjoy a book. It was just slightly more annoying to find it in science fiction. :P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2018
Somewhat disappointed. This story does not fit in the Confluence series, and from I've found out, it was an earlier work she modified to fit in. The story has nothing to do with the earlier books and is plagued by the author's attempt to jump on the SJW bandwagon. Someone else said it, it seems like a bait and switch. The author used the success of the earlier two installments in the series to bump up the sales for a much lesser book.
The use of the gender-neutral pronouns was thrown in the readers face rather than simply used as appropriate. Along with the references to micro-aggression and all the other SJW buzzwords of the day, it was more political than her previous two books in the series. A bit preachy for me. None of this was an issue in the earlier works. Female heroes in sci-fi are fine, as are people of mixed heritage. When you make it the MC's only distinguishing attribute, you've lost me.
Outside of the series, I would never have chosen this book to read. The story is mostly a rehash of many others out there, and it isn't written that well. The whole super-powers/super-warrior race trope is badly done. I could spend hours tearing it apart, but I won't. This story adds nothing to the series but the introduction of new characters and in the end, they are probably not needed. I am only hoping the rest of the series isn't going to fall into the same hole as this installment. If it does, I'll stop following this series. As I said, it's disappointing after how well the author did with the first two books.
The use of the gender-neutral pronouns was thrown in the readers face rather than simply used as appropriate. Along with the references to micro-aggression and all the other SJW buzzwords of the day, it was more political than her previous two books in the series. A bit preachy for me. None of this was an issue in the earlier works. Female heroes in sci-fi are fine, as are people of mixed heritage. When you make it the MC's only distinguishing attribute, you've lost me.
Outside of the series, I would never have chosen this book to read. The story is mostly a rehash of many others out there, and it isn't written that well. The whole super-powers/super-warrior race trope is badly done. I could spend hours tearing it apart, but I won't. This story adds nothing to the series but the introduction of new characters and in the end, they are probably not needed. I am only hoping the rest of the series isn't going to fall into the same hole as this installment. If it does, I'll stop following this series. As I said, it's disappointing after how well the author did with the first two books.
August 4, 2024
Notes from 2016:
This novel takes place in the same universe that the Confluence series does, as well as reintroducing the character of Hain from the short story "The Grove."
But wow: what a galloping, exciting ride of a story! (Even with the leading quote from "The Most Dangerous Game," I didn't see the denouement coming.) I love Darcy (and not just because of who she was named for!)—love her transformation, love that she comes to own her power.
What some see as a slow start, I see as careful foundation building. I'm always so impressed by the attention to scientific detail that the author puts into her work, this work included. Scratch that—not just scientific detail, but all the details, diversity and gender self-identification chief among them.
All in all, I am very much looking forward to the follow-up (I hope there's a follow-up!), and to seeing exactly how this is going to slot in to the Confluence story (if at all).
Possible spoilers, but an important distinction (and a bit of a trigger warning):
Note from THE FUTURE (Jan 2023): The original title of this book was The Druid Gene, thought changing it here would be useful if anyone decided to go looking for it.
This novel takes place in the same universe that the Confluence series does, as well as reintroducing the character of Hain from the short story "The Grove."
But wow: what a galloping, exciting ride of a story! (Even with the leading quote from "The Most Dangerous Game," I didn't see the denouement coming.) I love Darcy (and not just because of who she was named for!)—love her transformation, love that she comes to own her power.
What some see as a slow start, I see as careful foundation building. I'm always so impressed by the attention to scientific detail that the author puts into her work, this work included. Scratch that—not just scientific detail, but all the details, diversity and gender self-identification chief among them.
All in all, I am very much looking forward to the follow-up (I hope there's a follow-up!), and to seeing exactly how this is going to slot in to the Confluence story (if at all).
Possible spoilers, but an important distinction (and a bit of a trigger warning):
Note from THE FUTURE (Jan 2023): The original title of this book was The Druid Gene, thought changing it here would be useful if anyone decided to go looking for it.
June 6, 2018
It was ok. 4 stars is probably strong because it was just ok, but it is a quick beach read and the hunting storyline between Raub and Darcy was pretty good. Definitely, not comparable to some of the more complex sci-fi series out there but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
************Spoilers Below************
In the same universe as the prior two books but starting a new storyline.
-Druidii(sp?) = an ancient alien species that came to earth and blended in with early humans. They were a warrior race but were exterminated. There only traces remains in the genes of their ancestors.
-Darcy = The main character. She is a soft medical student in the beginning and a hardened warrior by the end. Starts on earth with her boyfriend Adam and she changes physically (blue light under her skin) when she is hiking one day near an area of high magnetic resonance. She and Adam are captured by aliens. She is taken prisoner and through an elaborate ruse is trained by the captain only to be hunted on the planet. During the training she hones her skills and is able to kill the captain (Raub - a species that has ritualistically hunted and killed druidii and their descendants). After killing Raub she takes possession of all his ships and wealth.
At the end of the book we realize that she is in the same universe as Jane Halloway from the other books. I expect them to meet up in the next one.
************Spoilers Below************
In the same universe as the prior two books but starting a new storyline.
-Druidii(sp?) = an ancient alien species that came to earth and blended in with early humans. They were a warrior race but were exterminated. There only traces remains in the genes of their ancestors.
-Darcy = The main character. She is a soft medical student in the beginning and a hardened warrior by the end. Starts on earth with her boyfriend Adam and she changes physically (blue light under her skin) when she is hiking one day near an area of high magnetic resonance. She and Adam are captured by aliens. She is taken prisoner and through an elaborate ruse is trained by the captain only to be hunted on the planet. During the training she hones her skills and is able to kill the captain (Raub - a species that has ritualistically hunted and killed druidii and their descendants). After killing Raub she takes possession of all his ships and wealth.
At the end of the book we realize that she is in the same universe as Jane Halloway from the other books. I expect them to meet up in the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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