Dancing With The Dead in Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie

May 17, 2017 Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) rated it really liked it

I found this to be both an exciting and philosophical science-fiction action-adventure story set far into the future. The diverse alien, paranormal, and human characters are vividly described and the world-building is excellent.

For me, the main focus of the story is one man's struggle between good and evil, or love and duty. Though I feel the outcome is satisfactory, I would prefer it ended in the way Fahd wanted. He had learned so much and come so far and did the right thing in those final mome ...more

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Apr 10, 2017 Karen Eisenbrey rated it really liked it

Shelves: action, fantasy, thriller, science-fiction, supernatural

In Dancing with the Dead, Charles Freedom Long has successfully wedded a tense techno-thriller plot to the deliberate pace and detailed world-building one expects in epic fantasy, including supernatural elements. As if that weren't enough, he has woven in a great deal of philosophy on what it means to be human.

Set in the future, the story finds Earth—Terra—in active contact with technologically advanced beings from several planets. Humanity is on probation until we can demonstrate that we've go In Dancing with the Dead, Charles Freedom Long has successfully wedded a tense techno-thriller plot to the deliberate pace and detailed world-building one expects in epic fantasy, including supernatural elements. As if that weren't enough, he has woven in a great deal of philosophy on what it means to be human.

Set in the future, the story finds Earth—Terra—in active contact with technologically advanced beings from several planets. Humanity is on probation until we can demonstrate that we've gotten over our violent ways. Meanwhile, there's a populated mining base on the moon, with plans afoot for Mars colonization. Aerospace engineer Fahd al-Sharfa has trained for 12 years to carry out a secret terrorist plot to destroy the moon base and two space stations. When he falls in love with an alien, he sees he has been led astray, but if he doesn't follow through, he and his entire clan will be killed. It's a dilemma he can solve only by keeping a new secret.

When the plot is discovered, an interspecies team (including the dead of several worlds and Terran psionics with thought-reading and teleportation abilities) must overcome conflicts and work against the clock to prevent the attack and capture the real mastermind without giving away what they know or suspect. The fate of the planet may be at stake. This third-person thriller plot is interspersed with first-person scenes from the afterlife of one of the participants; an unusual touch that Long makes work and uses to set up a possible sequel.

If I have a complaint about this book, it's that these characters are memorable enough that it seems unnecessary to constantly remind the reader of their hair or eye color. But that's a tiny nitpick. Throughout the book, details of culture and language ground the story in a universe that feels real. A helpful glossary provides English translations for terms in existing and invented languages, though most of these are made clear in context as well. It all comes together in a satisfying, even uplifting, read. ...more

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Sep 20, 2019 Joshua Grant rated it it was amazing

Charles Freedom Long presents a gripping sci fi moral plot with Dancing with the Dead! Fahd has been training his whole life for a suicide mission on the moon, but when he falls in love he must decide whether to follow his training or follow his heart. I love the depth that Long always laces his stories with and the realism he presents them through. This novel is meaningful and exciting, perfect for all you sci fi lovers out there!

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Jan 30, 2016 J. rated it liked it

This book was uneven for me, at times the author gave me too much detail and at other times the details were so thin that I didn't fully understand what was going on. Probably the best aspect of the book was the explanation of the "afterlife". It was unique and thought provoking. Also there were a couple of spots where the time line jumped around and that threw me a little as well. I'd recommend it just to see what the author has to say about being dead. ...more

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Feb 24, 2016 Steve Harrison marked it as to-read

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