Science Fiction Books

Reviews and sales of science fiction books and series.

Midnight at the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker

 

Sci-Fi Worth Reading!

My husband gifted me this book for Valentine’s Day, saying my stories always remind him of Chalker. So he made sure I read some Chalker.

This story is a wild ride from start to finish. Imaginative, creative, and well put together, Well of Souls is interesting, fun, and a page-turner. The stuff Chalker comes up with sometimes is mind-blowing. It’s also well plotted and had me emotionally invested in many of the characters.

I don’t think there was such a thing as a boring scene or chapter in this novel. There were twists and turns everywhere. Definitely my kind of story.

I liked this book so much, I ordered book 2 in the series. And a signed copy! I’m excited.

Plus, I find myself thinking of Chalker when writing. If a scene is boring or too predictable, I pause and wonder, What would Jack L. Chalker do?

If you don’t like the same old, run-of-the-mill story, read Chalker.

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Space Hitched Is Almost Here!

The Countdown is on! Only 14 days until launch!

science fiction series

Launch is so close, and I have something truly special for you.

Space Hitched (Squad 51, Book 2.5) is a limited release available only through my Kickstarter campaign.

Here’s what makes it special:

  • Digitally signed ebook with bonus content at the end of every chapter.

  • Full-color print editions exclusive to Kickstarter, packed with extras and featuring an original solar system map created by an artist.

  • A true collector’s edition—once they’re gone, they’re gone.

What’s it about?

Nikili Echols broke everything—her wedding, her family, her friendships—and now she has to fix it.

To win it all back, she must:

  • Survive a humiliating game show on live TV.

  • Follow the outrageous wisdom of Rhea’s most glamorous queens.

  • Face last-minute wedding chaos and her own broken heart.

This isn’t a cosmic disaster. It’s personal. And Nikili has to put it all on the line before the credits roll.

Exclusive. Limited. Collector’s edition. That’s Space Hitched.

The Kickstarter launches September 30th—don’t miss your chance to grab this one-of-a-kind release.

SPACE HITCHED

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A Tale of Two Colonies by Aurora Springer

 

Sci-Fi Worth Reading!

A Tale of Two Colonies by Aurora Springer delivers a richly imagined world and an exciting adventure that’s perfect for sci-fi lovers who enjoy immersive settings and survival stories. Aurora Springer is a gifted author well worth finding. Her words flow like silk and weave a delicious, creative world I enjoyed getting lost in.

💫 What I loved
The worldbuilding in this book is top-notch. The story starts on an overcrowded Earth, where people are desperate to escape. Lily, the main character, trains hard to secure a spot on a spaceship to a distant colony planet. The journey isn’t easy, and there’s no guarantee that the team will survive the mission—or that the original colonists will still be alive.

The alien planet they travel to is fascinating. I especially loved the discovery of the lost colony’s descendants, who have completely forgotten their Earth origins. The planet is teeming with strange creatures (including ant people!) and unexpected dangers. The exploration aspect was a highlight, and I really enjoyed how the world and its mysteries unfolded.

🧪 Themes to enjoy
If you’re into:

  • Sci-fi with rich, detailed alien worlds
  • Survival stories with high stakes
  • A mystery about lost colonies and their secrets

…then A Tale of Two Colonies is definitely worth checking out.

A Tale of Two Colonies is available now. Here’s the official blurb:

Fight for freedom. Fight to survive. For refugees from an overcrowded Earth, dreams of a better life on an alien planet transform into a terrifying battle for survival.

Nothing will stand in the way of Tiger Lily’s dream of escaping the subterranean slums of Terra and visiting the stars. She enters the fierce competition for a place in the scout team on the next spaceship to the remote planet of Delta, where an earlier colony disappeared. Before the ship departs, a mysterious message from Delta suggests the descendants of the first colonists may be alive.

A risky mission to seek the lost colony exposes the team to unexpected dangers, and they encounter a grim warrior in the isolated valley. Has Tiger Lily met her match in the tortured man? Where is he leading them? And who are the real rulers of this strange world?

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The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst

 

Fantasy worth reading!

Cozy fantasy is my favorite fantasy genre (along with weird stuff), and this book did not disappoint. The main character, Kiela, is rather grumpy, but I could relate to her introverted tendencies. Lots. She also loves books. Her BFF, Cal, a betwitched spider plant, balances her out.

There is romance, but the story is so much more. I wouldn’t have liked it so much without the more, and this is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Every day, I enjoyed returning to these pages and getting lost in this charming world populated by mostly charming characters.

Found family, a little bit of magic, true friendship, a quaint island with quaint people, and a lot of heart, this novel has a lot going for it. This quiet book with a happy ending is a great balm for these trying times. The character arcs are satisfying, and the plot is entertaining. I was never bored (and I am easily bored).

This was a library borrow. I love my library.

 

 

 

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A Peek at the Ridiculous Side of Squad 51

 

Some of what Makes Squad 51 Ridiculous Space Fun…

Space Squad 51

If you’re into cosmic chaos, ridiculous disasters, and aliens who can’t quite get their time travel right, Squad 51 might just be your new favorite series. Here are a few reasons why I can’t stop laughing (and writing):

1️⃣ Disasters so ridiculous, they’re almost believable.
2️⃣ Organic plastic—because why should space junk be boring?
3️⃣ Singing plastic daisies that really steal the show.
4️⃣ Time-farting aliens (yes, you read that right).
5️⃣ Jumping the shark in the best possible way.
6️⃣ Wedding chaos that could outdo any Earth ceremony.
7️⃣ Space Charades—where even the stakes are high and the guesses are wild.

Want more space silliness? The Space Weed Kickstarter launches September 30. Buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride!

Sign up for prelaunch to be notified the second the campaign goes live!

Squad 51 Prelaunch

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Numbercaste by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne

 

Numbercaste by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne.

While I loved The Salvage Crew and admire Wijeratne’s writing skills (he’s an excellent and skilled writer), Numbercaste didn’t quite work for me. The novel flows like a dream and is expertly plotted. I appreciate the author’s smooth, immersive style and how he never jerks me out of the story.

Set in a near-future world where social media and data analytics determine a person’s worth, Numbercaste explores what happens when a tech company gains unchecked power. It’s a fascinating and all-too-plausible premise, but it was too realistic for me. I should have known from the blurb this wasn’t my kind of story, but my appreciation for The Salvage Crew convinced me to give it a shot. That book, set in space with a strong mystery element, was much more my speed.

That said, if you enjoy dystopian sci-fi with sharp social commentary, you’ll likely find Numbercaste an engaging and thought-provoking read. My review is purely based on personal preference rather than any flaw in the book itself, and I’ll be reading more books by this author.

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