en-US Sat, 29 Mar 2025 05:28:50 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 133286915 A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she's assigned to a small exploration crew, she's eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer's hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by�� and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.]]> 381 S.A. Barnes Erin 4 3.76 2024
author: S.A. Barnes
name: Erin
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/29
date added: 2025/03/29
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, horror
review:

]]> 101127034
The Metagalactic Grand Prix—part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of the wars of the past returns and the fate of the Earth is once again threatened. The civilizations opposed to humanity have been plotting and want to take down the upstarts. Can humanity rise again in this sequel to the beloved Hugo­ Award–nominated national bestselling Space Opera by New York Times bestselling author Catherynne M. Valente?]]> 384 Catherynne M. Valente 1534454527 Erin 0 3.59 2024
author: Catherynne M. Valente
name: Erin
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/23
shelves: outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy, humour, lost-interest
review:

]]> 52913020
In the future, the war against aliens from the dark reaches of space has taken a critical turn. Once we approached the salamanders in peace... and they annihilated us. Now mankind has developed the ultimate killing machine, the Providence class of spaceship.

With the ships' frightening speed, frightening intelligence and frightening weaponry, it's now the salamander's turn to be annihilated... in their millions.

The mismatched quartet of Talia, Gilly, Jolene and Anders are the crew on one of these destroyers. But with the ship's computers designed to outperform human decision-making in practically all areas, they are virtual prisoners of the ship's AI. IT will take them to where the enemy are, it will dictate the strategy in any battle, it will direct the guns....

The crew's only role is to publicize their glorious war to a skeptical Earth. Social media and video clips are THEIR weapons in an endless charm offensive. THEIR chief enemies are not the space reptiles but each other, and boredom.

But then everything changes. A message comes from base: the Providence is going into the VZ, the Violet Zone, where there are no beacons and no communications with Earth. It is the heart of the enemy empire - and now the crew are left to wonder whether this is a mission of ultimate destruction or, more sinisterly, of ultimate self-destruction...]]> 303 Max Barry 0733643019 Erin 4 sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
I found the time skips to be a bit jarring and the writing to be a bit more tell than show, but as the plot took off and I settled into the narrative style, I discovered that I could set aside my apprehension and just enjoy the story. ]]> 3.73 2020
author: Max Barry
name: Erin
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/07
date added: 2025/01/07
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
You, know, in the early pages of this book, I wasn’t so sure about it.

I found the time skips to be a bit jarring and the writing to be a bit more tell than show, but as the plot took off and I settled into the narrative style, I discovered that I could set aside my apprehension and just enjoy the story.
]]> 212946606
Neil Armstrong, speaking from the lunar surface, described his small step as a 'giant leap' for humanity. Back on earth, women were asking Is This All?]]> 320 David Dyer 1761343491 Erin 4
In This Kingdom of Dust, Dyer turns this on its head and explores a machine that, in reality went right, but fictionalises the micro and macro ramifications of ‘what-if�� it went wrong.

The 1969 moon landing is quite possibly the world’s biggest moment in history. ‘One giant leap for mankind�� is a phrase that many of us in adulthood know well, regardless of whether we were alive to watch it back then or not. The Apollo program was huge and despite its failures - it put 2 men on the moon. But the thing is, despite some hiccups, the mission was a success.
Buzz and Neil landed on the moon, did an EVA, and then the Lunar Module lifted them off the Moon to reunite with Mike in the Columbia, and they all returned to Earth as heroes.

But, what if it didn’t. What if something - a single point of failure - failed, and there was no way to fix it?

Dyer shows his excellent research skills once more and through the eyes of a fictional journalist named Aquarius (a nod to Norman Mailer), Buzz, his wife Joan, and Neil, the reader explores such a failure and learns about the human, mechanical, and humanity reactions to a moon landing disaster, or more accurately a moon ascension disaster and the very real Protocol/contingency - Unbeknownst to many - for this very event. And let me assure you, it was no The Martian/Mark Watney ‘Bring him Home�� moment.

Hearing Dyer talk about this book at the recent Queenscliffe Literary Festival, it became clear that he added numerous parallels, symmetries, and positions but the one that resonates with me the most is the hopelessness, of slowly suffocating - as an astrowife and deprived of oxygen - and there’s nothing that anyone can do about it.

Many thanks to David Dyer, Penguin Random House Australia, and NetGalley for an arc of this fascinating historical fiction story. I eagerly await to see what after comes up with next. ]]> 3.97
author: David Dyer
name: Erin
average rating: 3.97
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/21
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: historical-fiction, netgalley-arcs, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
In David Dyer’s first book, The Midnight Watch, he explores a machine that went wrong and uses an incredible amount of research to put forth a plausible theory as to why The Californian did not go to the Titanic’s aid the night she sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of my favourite books, not because it sparked an obsession with the Titanic disaster, but because Dyer’s narrative is just so beautiful and emotive. It puts you in that water right along those boats.

In This Kingdom of Dust, Dyer turns this on its head and explores a machine that, in reality went right, but fictionalises the micro and macro ramifications of ‘what-if�� it went wrong.

The 1969 moon landing is quite possibly the world’s biggest moment in history. ‘One giant leap for mankind�� is a phrase that many of us in adulthood know well, regardless of whether we were alive to watch it back then or not. The Apollo program was huge and despite its failures - it put 2 men on the moon. But the thing is, despite some hiccups, the mission was a success.
Buzz and Neil landed on the moon, did an EVA, and then the Lunar Module lifted them off the Moon to reunite with Mike in the Columbia, and they all returned to Earth as heroes.

But, what if it didn’t. What if something - a single point of failure - failed, and there was no way to fix it?

Dyer shows his excellent research skills once more and through the eyes of a fictional journalist named Aquarius (a nod to Norman Mailer), Buzz, his wife Joan, and Neil, the reader explores such a failure and learns about the human, mechanical, and humanity reactions to a moon landing disaster, or more accurately a moon ascension disaster and the very real Protocol/contingency - Unbeknownst to many - for this very event. And let me assure you, it was no The Martian/Mark Watney ‘Bring him Home�� moment.

Hearing Dyer talk about this book at the recent Queenscliffe Literary Festival, it became clear that he added numerous parallels, symmetries, and positions but the one that resonates with me the most is the hopelessness, of slowly suffocating - as an astrowife and deprived of oxygen - and there’s nothing that anyone can do about it.

Many thanks to David Dyer, Penguin Random House Australia, and NetGalley for an arc of this fascinating historical fiction story. I eagerly await to see what after comes up with next.
]]> 23395680
The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra �� who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents �� including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more �� Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.]]> 608 Amie Kaufman 0553499114 Erin 4
It had never really crossed my mind to read one as I just wasn’t sure that it was my thing
I mean it had all the right ingredients, Sci-fi, action/adventure, Young Adult, great story telling (the dossier stuff was really cool!) and space! So it should have been my thing

Then a reading challenge came along, a Jay Kristoff themed reading challenge. I planned 4 books and Illuminae as the bonus 5th one, then immediately had a panic attack at committing to that many books in one month when 2021/2022 have not been kind to me - reading wise, then got on with the task of reading and seeing how far I got.

Today is September 12th, and I’ve finished the lot.

Back to Illuminae, it was cool. It was really cool. I know this isn’t the most eloquent, verbose or articulate of reviews. But it’s what I’ve got and what I’m going with. Awesome twist at the end that I did not see coming.

May eventually go back to read the rest of the series one day. ]]> 4.23 2015
author: Amie Kaufman
name: Erin
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2022/09/12
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult, outer-space, epistolary, dystopian
review:
I’ve seen these books in bookstores hundreds of times, and that’s even before I began working in one.

It had never really crossed my mind to read one as I just wasn’t sure that it was my thing
I mean it had all the right ingredients, Sci-fi, action/adventure, Young Adult, great story telling (the dossier stuff was really cool!) and space! So it should have been my thing

Then a reading challenge came along, a Jay Kristoff themed reading challenge. I planned 4 books and Illuminae as the bonus 5th one, then immediately had a panic attack at committing to that many books in one month when 2021/2022 have not been kind to me - reading wise, then got on with the task of reading and seeing how far I got.

Today is September 12th, and I’ve finished the lot.

Back to Illuminae, it was cool. It was really cool. I know this isn’t the most eloquent, verbose or articulate of reviews. But it’s what I’ve got and what I’m going with. Awesome twist at the end that I did not see coming.

May eventually go back to read the rest of the series one day.
]]> 20775702 Robinson Crusoe on Mars

**Andy Weir's second novel Artemis, a high concept thriller set on the moon, is out now**

A survival story for the 21st century and the international bestseller behind the major film from Ridley Scott starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain.

I’m stranded on Mars.

I have no way to communicate with Earth.

I’m in a Habitat designed to last 31 days.

If the Oxygenator breaks down, I’ll suffocate. If the Water Reclaimer breaks down, I’ll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I’ll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I’ll eventually run out of food and starve to death.

So yeah. I’m screwed.

Andy Weir's second novel Artemis is now available ]]> 369 Andy Weir Erin 5
I once read it twice in 2 months, and have also listened to the amazing R.C. Bray Audible version. I read it at an average of once a year, and seen the movie...oh countless. For my fifth read I decided to try out the repackaged Audible version with Wil Wheaton. I still think Matt Damon will always be Mark Watney, but Wil does a very impressive narration!

Mark Watney is a brilliant botanist, a hilarious hater of disco, and a magnificent space pirate, and though the hard science can be a little difficult to get through, Weir explains everything in such a way that even the most scientifically-challenged person would grasp some of it.

This book, while being decidedly science fiction, perfectly encapsulates the will of the human spirit, the determination to survive, and the way in which people come together during a crisis.

The movie is also brilliant, Matt Damon’s portrayal of Mark Watney was on point. The only negative in the adaptation I have is that they didn’t include Beck’s line of ‘don’t tell anyone I liked it�� when Beth kisses his helmet, though now I’ve just taken to saying it myself.]]> 4.47 2011
author: Andy Weir
name: Erin
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2020/04/10
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, favourites, fb-book-club-2019, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks, epistolary
review:
Oh how I love this book!!

I once read it twice in 2 months, and have also listened to the amazing R.C. Bray Audible version. I read it at an average of once a year, and seen the movie...oh countless. For my fifth read I decided to try out the repackaged Audible version with Wil Wheaton. I still think Matt Damon will always be Mark Watney, but Wil does a very impressive narration!

Mark Watney is a brilliant botanist, a hilarious hater of disco, and a magnificent space pirate, and though the hard science can be a little difficult to get through, Weir explains everything in such a way that even the most scientifically-challenged person would grasp some of it.

This book, while being decidedly science fiction, perfectly encapsulates the will of the human spirit, the determination to survive, and the way in which people come together during a crisis.

The movie is also brilliant, Matt Damon’s portrayal of Mark Watney was on point. The only negative in the adaptation I have is that they didn’t include Beck’s line of ‘don’t tell anyone I liked it�� when Beth kisses his helmet, though now I’ve just taken to saying it myself.
]]> 59124891 A thrilling standalone science fiction space adventure from Philip K. Dick award-winning author S.J. MordenStrange radio signals are coming from Jupiter's largest moons. A natural phenomenon, or something else?Commander Mariucci and his hand-picked research team know they will have to muster all of their expertise, creativity and teamwork to survive the very harshest of conditions in orbit around the king of planets. But when they intercept a peculiar radio transmission, they have to investigate. Nothing should work in these impossible conditions, so what is sending the signal . . . and why? With a degrading ship and crew at breaking point, there's every chance they will tear themselves apart before they ever find the answer to the ultimate question - are we alone in the universe?And more importantly - what do we do if we aren't?]]> 326 S.J. Morden 1473228603 Erin 2 outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy
I liked Gallowglass and still occasionally think about it.

Unfortunately, I really struggled with this one. I found myself unable to keep my attention in the page. To warm to the characters. To get involved in the story. Sorry, but this wine was not for me. ]]> 3.75 2022
author: S.J. Morden
name: Erin
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2023/03/26
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves: outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy
review:
I absolutely loved SJ Morden’s One Way and No Way duology. Maybe it’s the Mars thing, or the vying for redemption thing.

I liked Gallowglass and still occasionally think about it.

Unfortunately, I really struggled with this one. I found myself unable to keep my attention in the page. To warm to the characters. To get involved in the story. Sorry, but this wine was not for me.
]]> 57577697
Commander Maryam “May�� Knox awakes from a medically induced coma alone, adrift in space on a rapidly failing ship, with little to no memory of who she is or why she’s there.

Slowly, she pieces together that she’s the captain of the ship, Hawking II; that she was bound for Europa—one of Jupiter’s moons—on a research mission; and that she’s the only survivor of either an accident—or worse, a deliberate massacre—that has decimated her entire crew. With resources running low, and her physical strength severely compromised, May must rely on someone back home to help her. The problem is: everyone thinks she’s dead.

Back on Earth, it’s been weeks since Hawking II has communicated with NASA, and Dr. Stephen Knox is on bereavement leave to deal with the apparent death of his estranged wife, whose decision to participate in the Europa mission strained their marriage past the point of no return. But when he gets word that NASA has received a transmission from May, Stephen comes rushing to her aid.

What he doesn’t know is that not everyone wants May to make it back alive. Even more terrifying: she might not be alone on that ship. Featuring a twisting and suspenseful plot and compelling characters, Across the Void is a moving and evocative thriller that you won’t be able to put down.]]> 469 S.K. Vaughn 0751570737 Erin 2
I love spacey sci-fi and The Martian and Project Hail Mary are right up there with the best that the genre has to offer.

This book, while hitting marks from both aforementioned stories, does not quite capture the desperation, the emotion, the human elements of those books. Much like Project Hail Mary, our protagonist opens the story with severe memory loss. Unlike Project Hail Mary it was incredibly difficult to empathise with the character. I couldn’t gel with her.
Which is a such a shame because female, woman of colour, bucks a lot of trends for leadership roles in the genre.

I want to explain that I didn’t hate this book. It just didn’t reach the same heights as other space dramas I have loved and re-read multiple times. I wanted to like this book more. I really did. But the writing held me at arm’s length, preventing me from really engaging with story.

Also - I’m pretty sure that NASA would test for pregnancy in its female astronauts to ensure they’re not giving birth in outer space - much like Ken Mattingly was prevented from flying with the Apollo 13 crew simply because he had been exposed to the measles. Read exposed, not positive.
They just don’t want medical emergencies in space.

It’s one thing to suspend belief for long distance space travel, it’s quite another to suspend practicalities too.

All of all, the space side of things were good. The AI was kind of fun. The rest was just okay. I feel like I should be apologising or something.]]> 3.13 2019
author: S.K. Vaughn
name: Erin
average rating: 3.13
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2023/04/15
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves: outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy, xmas-2022-from-shayla
review:
This was a blind date with a book gift from a dear friend.

I love spacey sci-fi and The Martian and Project Hail Mary are right up there with the best that the genre has to offer.

This book, while hitting marks from both aforementioned stories, does not quite capture the desperation, the emotion, the human elements of those books. Much like Project Hail Mary, our protagonist opens the story with severe memory loss. Unlike Project Hail Mary it was incredibly difficult to empathise with the character. I couldn’t gel with her.
Which is a such a shame because female, woman of colour, bucks a lot of trends for leadership roles in the genre.

I want to explain that I didn’t hate this book. It just didn’t reach the same heights as other space dramas I have loved and re-read multiple times. I wanted to like this book more. I really did. But the writing held me at arm’s length, preventing me from really engaging with story.

Also - I’m pretty sure that NASA would test for pregnancy in its female astronauts to ensure they’re not giving birth in outer space - much like Ken Mattingly was prevented from flying with the Apollo 13 crew simply because he had been exposed to the measles. Read exposed, not positive.
They just don’t want medical emergencies in space.

It’s one thing to suspend belief for long distance space travel, it’s quite another to suspend practicalities too.

All of all, the space side of things were good. The AI was kind of fun. The rest was just okay. I feel like I should be apologising or something.
]]> 39878518
Once every cycle, the civilizations gather for the Metagalactic Grand Prix—part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of the wars of the past. Instead of competing in orbital combat, the powerful species that survived face off in a competition of song, dance, or whatever can be physically performed in an intergalactic talent show. The stakes are high for this new game, and everyone is forced to compete.

This year, though, humankind has discovered the enormous universe. And while they expected to discover a grand drama of diplomacy, gunships, wormholes, and stoic councils of aliens, they have instead found glitter, lipstick, and electric guitars. Mankind will not get to fight for its destiny—they must sing.

A band of human musicians, dancers, and roadies have been chosen to represent Earth on the greatest stage in the galaxy. And the fate of their species lies in their ability to rock.]]> 10 Catherynne M. Valente Erin 5
5 stars for the story
5 stars for the narration
5 stars for Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes. And E. And Road Runner. And Capo - who’s the most cat who ever catted. ]]> 3.42 2018
author: Catherynne M. Valente
name: Erin
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/10
date added: 2023/10/10
shelves: audiobooks, humour, outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy
review:
This Eurovision meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is 5 stars.

5 stars for the story
5 stars for the narration
5 stars for Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes. And E. And Road Runner. And Capo - who’s the most cat who ever catted.
]]> 57007683 An exceptional debut thriller and “exciting journey�� into the dark heart of the Cold War and the space race from��New York Times��bestselling author and astronaut Chris Hadfield (Andy Weir, author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary).
��
1973: a final, top-secret mission to the Moon. Three astronauts in a tiny spaceship, a quarter million miles from home. A quarter million miles from help.

NASA is about to launch Apollo 18. While the mission has been billed as a scientific one, flight controller Kazimieras "Kaz" Zemeckis knows there is a darker objective. Intelligence has discovered a secret Soviet space station spying on America, and Apollo 18 may be the only chance to stop it.

But even as Kaz races to keep the NASA crew one step ahead of their Russian rivals, a deadly accident reveals that not everyone involved is quite who they were thought to be. With political stakes stretched to the breaking point, the White House and the Kremlin can only watch as their astronauts collide on the lunar surface, far beyond the reach of law or rescue.
��
Full of the fascinating technical detail that fans of��The Martian��loved, and reminiscent of the thrilling claustrophobia, twists, and tension of��The Hunt for Red October,��The Apollo Murders��is a high-stakes thriller unlike any other. Chris Hadfield captures the fierce G-forces of launch, the frozen loneliness of space, and the fear of holding on to the outside of a spacecraft orbiting the Earth at 17,000 miles per hour as only someone who has experienced all of these things in real life can.
��
Strap in and count down for the ride of a lifetime.]]> 480 Chris Hadfield 0316264539 Erin 0 3.86 2021
author: Chris Hadfield
name: Erin
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/05/26
shelves: mystery-thriller-suspense, outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy, lost-interest
review:

]]> 59415048
On the fringe of a broken civilization, a robot awakens with no memories and only one directive: find his creator. But in the village of Korthe, Beetro finds only radioactive pestilence, famine, and Miree—a tormented thief with dreams of retiring after her final score. Meanwhile, the fiefdom is plunged further into chaos when a new warlord seizes control, recasting serfs as refugees and leaving derelict robot peasants in his wake. With a shared interest in survival, Beetro and Miree team up to pull off an impossible castle heist: steal a single flake of dark matter, the world’s most valuable and mysterious ore.

But as they trek through the feudal wasteland in search of answers, they realize the true extent of the chaos surrounding them: the stars are disappearing from the sky and the entire galaxy is unraveling. As he uncovers his origin, Beetro discovers he may be the key to the salvation of the cosmos—or its destruction. Time, space, and loyalty become relative as he learns the real reason he was created.

A mind-bending science fiction epic with the bones of a fantasy traveling quest, Dark Theory unfolds through a journey of betrayal, identity, and unlikely friendships in a world of darkness set at the edge of space and time.]]> 796 Wick Welker Erin 0 3.98 2022
author: Wick Welker
name: Erin
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/03/21
shelves: netgalley-arcs, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, lost-interest
review:

]]> 58920062
Then Paul succeeds his father, and he becomes a catalyst for the native people of Dune, whose knowledge of the ecology of the planet gives them vast power. They have been waiting for a leader like Paul Atreides, a leader who can harness that force...

DUNE: one of the most brilliant science fiction novels ever written, as engrossing and heart-rending today as it was when it was first published half a century ago.]]> 722 Frank Herbert Erin 2
Still, Dune’s length, and the time it would take to commit to getting through it was a draw back for me.

Then I saw the 2021 movie and thought ‘why not?��

21 days later and I’ve finally finished it. Not for lack of trying, but working 2 jobs, Christmas obligations, and a book moving at a snail’s pace does not make for binge-reading.

The world building was really cool, and I can see why it’s held to such high esteem for Sci-Fi writing, but it’s just so damn wordy. And it reads like an acid trip.
I know there’s more in the series, and they’re much shorter than this Everest of a book, but I don’t feel the need to continue.

I’ll stick to the movies on this one.
]]> 4.37 1965
author: Frank Herbert
name: Erin
average rating: 4.37
book published: 1965
rating: 2
read at: 2021/12/27
date added: 2021/12/27
shelves: outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy, kindle
review:
This was one of those books that I always knew of but had never been sure that I wanted to read it. Like Jane Eyre or Don Quixote, it’s a pivotal book for its genre, and one that has had cult status for many years.

Still, Dune’s length, and the time it would take to commit to getting through it was a draw back for me.

Then I saw the 2021 movie and thought ‘why not?��

21 days later and I’ve finally finished it. Not for lack of trying, but working 2 jobs, Christmas obligations, and a book moving at a snail’s pace does not make for binge-reading.

The world building was really cool, and I can see why it’s held to such high esteem for Sci-Fi writing, but it’s just so damn wordy. And it reads like an acid trip.
I know there’s more in the series, and they’re much shorter than this Everest of a book, but I don’t feel the need to continue.

I’ll stick to the movies on this one.

]]> 386162
Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!]]> 193 Douglas Adams Erin 5
Re-read it this time on Audible. Stephen Fry is a narration God! Looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman’s narration. ]]> 4.28 1979
author: Douglas Adams
name: Erin
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1979
rating: 5
read at: 2018/08/15
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks, humour
review:
Love this book! Love this series!

Re-read it this time on Audible. Stephen Fry is a narration God! Looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman’s narration.
]]> 8694
“Wild satire . . . The feckless protagonist, Arthur Dent, is reminiscent of Vonnegut heroes.”�� Chicago Tribune

The unhappy inhabitants of planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky above their heads—so they plan to destroy it. The universe, that is. Now only five individuals stand between the killer robots of Krikkit and their goal of total annihilation.

They are Arthur Dent, a mild-mannered space and time traveler who tries to learn how to fly by throwing himself at the ground and missing; Ford Prefect, his best friend, who decides to go insane to see if he likes it; Slartibartfast, the indomitable vice president of the Campaign for Real Time, who travels in a ship powered by irrational behavior; Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed ex-president of the galaxy; and Trillian, the sexy space cadet who is torn between a persistent Thunder God and a very depressed Beeblebrox.

How will it all end? Will it end? Only this stalwart crew knows as they try to avert “universal�� Armageddon and save life as we know it—and don’t know it!

“Adams is one of those rare an author who, one senses, has as much fun writing as one has reading.”�� Arizona Daily Star]]> 224 Douglas Adams 0345418905 Erin 5 4.20 1982
author: Douglas Adams
name: Erin
average rating: 4.20
book published: 1982
rating: 5
read at: 2019/12/18
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, humour, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks
review:
My gosh, I’d forgotten how funny this book is!!! I listened (re-read) whilst out walking or on public transport and I swear people around me must have thought I was barking mad! Doesn’t help that my hair can cover my wireless headphones...
]]> 68355
“A madcap adventure . . . Adams’s writing teeters on the fringe of inspired lunacy.”—United Press International

Back on Earth with nothing more to show for his long, strange trip through time and space than a ratty towel and a plastic shopping bag, Arthur Dent is ready to believe that the past eight years were all just a figment of his stressed-out imagination. But a gift-wrapped fishbowl with a cryptic inscription, the mysterious disappearance of Earth’s dolphins, and the discovery of his battered copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy all conspire to give Arthur the sneaking suspicion that something otherworldly is indeed going on.

God only knows what it all means. Fortunately, He left behind a Final Message of explanation. But since it’s light-years away from Earth, on a star surrounded by souvenir booths, finding out what it is will mean hitching a ride to the far reaches of space aboard a UFO with a giant robot. What else is new?

“The most ridiculously exaggerated situation comedy known to created beings . . . Adams is irresistible.”�� The Boston Globe]]> 214 Douglas Adams 0345479963 Erin 4
Martin Freeman’s narration was on point again! ]]> 3.77 1984
author: Douglas Adams
name: Erin
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1984
rating: 4
read at: 2019/12/24
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, humour, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks
review:
Not my favourite of the trilogy of five, but still funny enough.

Martin Freeman’s narration was on point again!
]]> 569429
“Hitchhiker fans rejoice! . . . [Here’s] more of the same zany nonsensical mayhem.”�� The New York Times Book Review

It’s easy to get disheartened when your planet has been blown up and the woman you love has vanished due to a misunderstanding about space/time. However, instead of being disheartened, Arthur Dent makes the terrible mistake of starting to enjoy life a bit—and immediately all hell breaks loose.

Hell takes a number of there’s the standard Ford Prefect version, in the shape of an all-new edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a totally unexpected manifestation in the form of a teenage girl who startles Arthur Dent by being his daughter when he didn’t even know he had one.��

Can Arthur save the Earth from total multidimensional obliteration? Can he save the Guide from a hostile alien takeover? Can he save his daughter, Random, from herself? Of course not. He never works out exactly what is going on. Will you?

“Douglas Adams is a terrific satirist. . . . He is anything but harmless.”�� The Washington Post Book World]]> 288 Douglas Adams 0345379330 Erin 3
The last few chapters bring it back up. But having read Eoin Colfer’s continuation in book 6 - I’m not as awestruck and despondent as the first time when reading this book.

I kind of feel like I should watch the movie again...]]> 3.99 1992
author: Douglas Adams
name: Erin
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1992
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/31
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, humour, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks
review:
And that’s it. I’ve made it though Adam’s trilogy of five. This instalment most certainly dropped the ball a bit, and the earlier chapters sounded like even Martin Freeman had lost interest.

The last few chapters bring it back up. But having read Eoin Colfer’s continuation in book 6 - I’m not as awestruck and despondent as the first time when reading this book.

I kind of feel like I should watch the movie again...
]]> 35098715 Ever had a bad day? Try having one on the moon...
'Fascinating' Tim Peake, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ask an Astronaut

WELCOME TO ARTEMIS. The first city on the moon. Population 2,000. Mostly tourists. Some criminals.

Jazz Bashara is one of the criminals. She lives in a poor area of Artemis and subsidises her work as a porter with smuggling contraband onto the moon. But it’s not enough. So when she’s offered the chance to make a lot of money she jumps at it. But though planning a crime in 1/6th gravity may be more fun, it’s a lot more dangerous...

What everyone's saying about this smart, high concept thriller:
'A smart, fun, fast-paced adventure that you won't be able to put down' —Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player One
'Artemis does for the moon what The Martian did for Mars' ��Guardian]]> 322 Andy Weir Erin 3
Artemis is also very diverse, from the main character to extras in the background, there’s a richness about it - not everyone is male or white (yay!). Jazz, our main character, is a smuggler, she’s a criminal with morals, she’s the type who you’re barracking for, even though she probably deserves to be punished. She’s Saudi Arabian and a non-practising Muslim - tough feat for a white American man in his 50’s. But somehow he’s pulled it off and created a strong, independent, and likeable character.

Weir’s dry humour comes through in Jazz, and while I’ve read some reviews disapproving of her personality, her sexual activity, and her mind-in-the-gutter humour and that maybe she’d be better off being a man (because it’s more socially acceptable for a man to behave that way right??!!), but I’m glad she’s a woman. I know plenty of women who speak and think just like her - and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The heist: this is where the story lost a star for me. It was incredibly built up throughout the book leading to this moment and suspense was palpable, but to me the final execution was a little anticlimactic, it lost a bit of the suspense and momentum, it was a little too neat.

Overall it was an enjoyable story, but don’t go in expecting The Martian. Artemis is not The Martian, nor is it a sequel, it’s a completely different story. It does not do either book justice to draw comparisons.]]> 3.91 2017
author: Andy Weir
name: Erin
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2017/11/18
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, kindle
review:
Artemis has a very interesting premise, colonisation on the moon - it’s something the sci-fi genre in both film/television and literature have often alluded to. What makes this work for me is Weir’s research and explanations. Sometimes the science can become a little overbearing, but the fact that Weir puts that much research into his work is certainly commendable.

Artemis is also very diverse, from the main character to extras in the background, there’s a richness about it - not everyone is male or white (yay!). Jazz, our main character, is a smuggler, she’s a criminal with morals, she’s the type who you’re barracking for, even though she probably deserves to be punished. She’s Saudi Arabian and a non-practising Muslim - tough feat for a white American man in his 50’s. But somehow he’s pulled it off and created a strong, independent, and likeable character.

Weir’s dry humour comes through in Jazz, and while I’ve read some reviews disapproving of her personality, her sexual activity, and her mind-in-the-gutter humour and that maybe she’d be better off being a man (because it’s more socially acceptable for a man to behave that way right??!!), but I’m glad she’s a woman. I know plenty of women who speak and think just like her - and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The heist: this is where the story lost a star for me. It was incredibly built up throughout the book leading to this moment and suspense was palpable, but to me the final execution was a little anticlimactic, it lost a bit of the suspense and momentum, it was a little too neat.

Overall it was an enjoyable story, but don’t go in expecting The Martian. Artemis is not The Martian, nor is it a sequel, it’s a completely different story. It does not do either book justice to draw comparisons.
]]> 30008713 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Go beyond the film with a novelization featuring new scenes and expanded material.

As the shadows of the Empire loom ever larger across the galaxy, so do deeply troubling rumors. The Rebellion has learned of a sinister Imperial plot to bring entire worlds to their knees. Deep in Empire-dominated space, a machine of unimaginable destructive power is nearing completion. A weapon too terrifying to contemplate . . . and a threat that may be too great to overcome.

If the worlds at the Empire's mercy stand any chance, it lies with an unlikely band of allies: Jyn Erso, a resourceful young woman seeking vengeance; Cassian Andor, a war-weary rebel commander; Bodhi Rook, a defector from the Empire's military; Chirrut Imwe, a blind holy man and his crack-shot companion, Baze Malbus; and K-2SO, a deadly Imperial droid turned against its former masters. In their hands rests the new hope that could turn the tide toward a crucial Rebellion victory--if only they can capture the plans to the Empire's new weapon.

But even as they race toward their dangerous goal, the specter of their ultimate enemy--a monstrous world unto itself--darkens the skies. Waiting to herald the Empire's brutal reign with a burst of annihilation worthy of its dreaded name: Death Star.

Praise for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

"One of the best movie adaptations yet."--Cinelinx

"Rogue One bridged characters and elements of the prequels and original Star Wars trilogy in a visually stunning ride, but there are even more rich details hiding in the film's novelization, [which] reveals and expands with inner monologues and character insights, political knots, and nuance." --The Daily Dot

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novelization deepens a tale of hope. . . . [Jyn Erso] proves to be even more fascinating here than she was in the movie."--New York Daily News]]> 323 Alexander Freed 0399178457 Erin 4
]]> 4.16 2016
author: Alexander Freed
name: Erin
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/28
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: play-screenplay, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, kindle
review:
This is probably one of my favourite Star Wars stories!


]]> 39290775
Source: douglasadams.com]]> 256 Douglas Adams 0345418921 Erin 5
Re-read it this time on Audible. I was looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman narrating, though I was unsure how it would it go, when Stephen Fry set such high expectations with Book 1.

Well, uncertainty be gone! Freeman (whom I absolutely adore!) did an amazing job and now I’m looking forward to continuing even more. ]]> 3.89 1980
author: Douglas Adams
name: Erin
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1980
rating: 5
read at: 2019/05/26
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, humour, outer-space, kindle, audiobooks
review:
I love this series!

Re-read it this time on Audible. I was looking forward to continuing the Audible series with Martin Freeman narrating, though I was unsure how it would it go, when Stephen Fry set such high expectations with Book 1.

Well, uncertainty be gone! Freeman (whom I absolutely adore!) did an amazing job and now I’m looking forward to continuing even more.
]]> 52164914
Twenty years after leaving the planet, Lieutenants Laurel Kelly and Silas Mack are directed to fly down for an unscheduled visit to Earth, what they witness there sets in motion a chain of events that will make them question everything they thought they knew about their lives, and forces them to consider what they're willing to risk in order to find the truth.]]> 120 Erin A. Mitchell Erin 5 4.60
author: Erin A. Mitchell
name: Erin
average rating: 4.60
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/02/27
date added: 2021/10/04
shelves: dystopian, mystery-thriller-suspense, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
I loved this book. But then again, I wrote and published it myself, so I *may* be a little biased...
]]> 55313155 A lone astronaut.
An impossible mission.
An ally he never imagined.

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery-and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could imagine it, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian -- while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.]]> 482 Andy Weir Erin 5
Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship. He doesn’t know it’s a spaceship, nor does he know that he’s Ryland Grace. It’s not a great position to be in for someone who’s on a mission to save Earth from an extinction-level event!

Andy Weir has this incredible knack of making hard science and technological discussions not only palatable for the non-scientific community, but also, dang enjoyable. This latest offering from Weir returns us to the excellently written. hard science, humour, and desperation to survive that’s reminiscent of The Martian. Only this time, instead of working to save himself, Grace is trying to save a whole planet. If only he could remember what from...

Project Hail Mary is a drama fuelled, action-packed, spacey sci-fi that I think will entertain new and existing Weir fans alike!

It might be hard for readers not to compare Project Hail Mary with The Martian. I am huge fan of the latter (I mean, I’ve read it 5 times & seen the movie countless more). Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Artemis, but the story was very different and it didn’t pack the same emotional punch.

Readers: prepare for Project Hail Mary. It’s got some serious walloping emotional bruising going on, and it is completely worthy of comparison. I am super pleased to announce that, folks, Project Hail Mary Measures. Up!

Fist bump to Weir for making me care once again about a fictional character in space. Both of them. He’ll know what I mean.

Will never be thankful enough to Andy Weir, Random House UK, Cornerstone, and NetGalley for making this fan-girl’s dream of being able to read an arc before publication come true. My glowing opinions are my own.]]> 4.56 2021
author: Andy Weir
name: Erin
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/04/09
date added: 2021/08/21
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, netgalley-arcs
review:
Hail Mary: a plan or project with little chance of success.

Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship. He doesn’t know it’s a spaceship, nor does he know that he’s Ryland Grace. It’s not a great position to be in for someone who’s on a mission to save Earth from an extinction-level event!

Andy Weir has this incredible knack of making hard science and technological discussions not only palatable for the non-scientific community, but also, dang enjoyable. This latest offering from Weir returns us to the excellently written. hard science, humour, and desperation to survive that’s reminiscent of The Martian. Only this time, instead of working to save himself, Grace is trying to save a whole planet. If only he could remember what from...

Project Hail Mary is a drama fuelled, action-packed, spacey sci-fi that I think will entertain new and existing Weir fans alike!

It might be hard for readers not to compare Project Hail Mary with The Martian. I am huge fan of the latter (I mean, I’ve read it 5 times & seen the movie countless more). Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Artemis, but the story was very different and it didn’t pack the same emotional punch.

Readers: prepare for Project Hail Mary. It’s got some serious walloping emotional bruising going on, and it is completely worthy of comparison. I am super pleased to announce that, folks, Project Hail Mary Measures. Up!

Fist bump to Weir for making me care once again about a fictional character in space. Both of them. He’ll know what I mean.

Will never be thankful enough to Andy Weir, Random House UK, Cornerstone, and NetGalley for making this fan-girl’s dream of being able to read an arc before publication come true. My glowing opinions are my own.
]]> 52257262 The Earth is in environmental collapse. The future of humanity hangs in the balance. But a team of women are preparing to save it. Even if they’ll need to steal a spaceship to do it.

Despite increasing restrictions on the freedoms of women on Earth, Valerie Black is spearheading the first all-female mission to a planet in the Goldilocks Zone, where conditions are just right for human habitation.

The team is humanity's last hope for survival, and Valerie has gathered the best women for the mission: an ace pilot who is one of the only astronauts ever to have gone to Mars; a brilliant engineer tasked with keeping the ship fully operational; and an experienced doctor to keep the crew alive. And then there's Naomi Lovelace, Valerie's surrogate daughter and the ship's botanist, who has been waiting her whole life for an opportunity to step out of Valerie's shadow and make a difference.

The problem is that they’re not the authorized crew, even if Valerie was the one to fully plan the voyage. When their mission is stolen from them, they steal the ship bound for the new planet.

But when things start going wrong on board, Naomi begins to suspect that someone is concealing a terrible secret -- and realizes time for life on Earth may be running out faster than they feared . . .

Goldilocks is a bold and thought-provoking new thriller for readers of The Martian and The Handmaid's Tale.]]> 352 L.R. Lam 1472267648 Erin 0 3.69 2020
author: L.R. Lam
name: Erin
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/05/28
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space, lost-interest
review:

]]> 56173016 376 S.J. Morden 1473228549 Erin 3
I really liked the beginning of this book; the attempts to escape Earth and settling in with the crew on the mining ship. But the second half of the novel didn’t grab me as much as the first did.

Still it was an enjoyable read, and I’d be happy to read any spacey sci-fi this author writes.

As an aside, I’m not sure what to make of this, but it appears that the astronaut image on the cover of this book is exactly the same as the one that appears on Andy Weir’s forthcoming novel Project Hail Mary...]]> 3.53 2020
author: S.J. Morden
name: Erin
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2021/02/11
date added: 2021/02/11
shelves: mystery-thriller-suspense, outer-space, sci-fi-fantasy
review:
I really enjoyed SJ Morden’s Frank Kitteridge books and Gallowglass has much of the same well-researched hard science, high stakes, do or die scenarios, and flawed but cheerable humans.

I really liked the beginning of this book; the attempts to escape Earth and settling in with the crew on the mining ship. But the second half of the novel didn’t grab me as much as the first did.

Still it was an enjoyable read, and I’d be happy to read any spacey sci-fi this author writes.

As an aside, I’m not sure what to make of this, but it appears that the astronaut image on the cover of this book is exactly the same as the one that appears on Andy Weir’s forthcoming novel Project Hail Mary...
]]> 40241694
MANUFACTURED.

EXPENDABLE...

The Overseers may call it Hell, but for Leila and the other clones, the mining base on asteroid Mizushima-00109 is the only home they've ever known. But then Leila's sister Lily is murdered, and the Overseers seem less interested in solving the crime than in making their mining quota and returning to Earth.

Leila decides to find the murderer, just like the heroes of her old detective novels would. But Hell is a place of terrible secrets, and courage and determination—and a love of mysteries—may not be enough to keep Leila from ending up like her sister.


REVIEWS

"There's enough mystery here to keep you turning pages, and enough pathos and other emotional weight to make you feel each revelation like a kick in the gut."
�� SfandF Reviews

"This book is completely unlike anything I've read lately. Not only is the murder mystery completely unique, the characters are a lot different than any other I've read about, and not just because they're clones�� It's easy to read, and easy to imagine."
�� Radioactive Book Reviews

"A twisty-turny crime story, but also one that will break your heart when you learn the truth."
�� Strange Alliances]]> 272 Alex Thomson 1786181452 Erin 4
“We were brought into existence for this express purpose.��

Leila and her fellow clones on Mizushima-00109 don’t remember what came before, they only know they have jobs to do, and that the work is important to their Overseers. But when Leila’s sister, Lily, is found murdered, her interest in quotas wains as she set out to investigate whom in their tiny Asteroid colony killed Lily, and more importantly, why.

I love a good space drama and this book did not disappoint! It was easy to read, with a good cast of characters, and a thrilling, delicious side-dish of a twist. It was also decidedly human. Leila’s ‘voice�� was almost childlike in its naivety, but it was incredibly fierce, and stubborn, and independent - she’s my kind of character!

Death of a Clone, is not just a sci-fi, mystery/thriller. It raises philosophical questions about existence, needs, desires, and human rights. And that no matter how much ‘selective breeding�� science can give us, you “can’t stop the human spirit taking over. You can’t create personality.��

Thank you to Alex Thomson, Rebellion Publishing, and NetGalley, for an ARC of this compelling book, in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!]]> 4.07 2018
author: Alex Thomson
name: Erin
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2018/07/03
date added: 2021/01/16
shelves: netgalley-arcs, sci-fi-fantasy, mystery-thriller-suspense, outer-space
review:
When Earth’s precious metals are mined into extinction, the Corporations, and the people who run them, decided to head out to the Asteroid Belt and mine there. But sending a human workforce would be costly and dangerous, so they created the workforce instead...

“We were brought into existence for this express purpose.��

Leila and her fellow clones on Mizushima-00109 don’t remember what came before, they only know they have jobs to do, and that the work is important to their Overseers. But when Leila’s sister, Lily, is found murdered, her interest in quotas wains as she set out to investigate whom in their tiny Asteroid colony killed Lily, and more importantly, why.

I love a good space drama and this book did not disappoint! It was easy to read, with a good cast of characters, and a thrilling, delicious side-dish of a twist. It was also decidedly human. Leila’s ‘voice�� was almost childlike in its naivety, but it was incredibly fierce, and stubborn, and independent - she’s my kind of character!

Death of a Clone, is not just a sci-fi, mystery/thriller. It raises philosophical questions about existence, needs, desires, and human rights. And that no matter how much ‘selective breeding�� science can give us, you “can’t stop the human spirit taking over. You can’t create personality.��

Thank you to Alex Thomson, Rebellion Publishing, and NetGalley, for an ARC of this compelling book, in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!
]]> 36461778 Perfect for fans of Madeleine Roux, Jonathan Maberry, and horror films like 28 Days Later and Resident Evil, this pulse-pounding, hair-raising, utterly terrifying novel is the first in a duology from the critically acclaimed author of the Taken trilogy.

After receiving a distress call from a drill team on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is sent into deep space to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

When they arrive, they find the planet littered with the remains of the project—including its members�� dead bodies. As they try to piece together what could have possibly decimated an entire project, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CONTAGION:

“Gripping, thrilling and terrifying in equal measures, Contagion is the perfect intersection of science fiction and horror—I couldn’t look away.”—Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae and Unearthed

“Few understand the true horror that lies in the empty unknown of space, but Erin Bowman nails it in Contagion. Read this one with the lights on!”—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe series and Star Wars: Rebel Rising

“Erin Bowman’s Contagion is everything I want in my science fiction: a cast of smart characters on a desperate rescue mission forced to confront an elusive and unstoppable enemy. I absolutely loved this layered and thrilling adventure and can’t wait to dive back into this world again.”—Veronica Rossi, New York Times bestselling author of the Under the Never Sky series]]> 425 Erin Bowman 0062574140 Erin 4
Contagion starts with a bang and keeps going with a quick and unrelenting pace right up until the finale! It is non-stop action from the get go, and even the slower moments are just a way to pause before building up the thrill and suspense again.

Very easy to read; great characters; practically consumed it in one sitting!

And that ending!

Literally cannot wait to read the sequel! ]]> 3.94 2018
author: Erin Bowman
name: Erin
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/24
date added: 2021/01/16
shelves: horror, sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult, outer-space
review:
From the very moment I laid eyes on the premise of this story, I knew it was going to be a good read! A mixture of horror and spacey sci-fi was just what I was looking for, and in return, I got a whole lot more than I initially anticipated.

Contagion starts with a bang and keeps going with a quick and unrelenting pace right up until the finale! It is non-stop action from the get go, and even the slower moments are just a way to pause before building up the thrill and suspense again.

Very easy to read; great characters; practically consumed it in one sitting!

And that ending!

Literally cannot wait to read the sequel!
]]> 46009566 384 S.J. Morden 1473222605 Erin 4
I had no idea that it even existed until August this year, when organising a copy of One Way for a Book Club read. I had already read the first book and was very keen to continue the story.

It did not disappoint. Most interesting was watching how Frank Kittridge adapted to his new environment and crew. And the shocking realisation that he may not have been as alone on the red planet as he had thought.

Perfect for fans of The Martian, No Way is a rollicking space story about survival, hope, and finding your place in the world. ]]> 4.09 2019
author: S.J. Morden
name: Erin
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/08/29
date added: 2021/01/16
shelves: mystery-thriller-suspense, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
I don’t know if S.J. Morden intends this to be the final book in the series or not, but either way it is an epic instalment.

I had no idea that it even existed until August this year, when organising a copy of One Way for a Book Club read. I had already read the first book and was very keen to continue the story.

It did not disappoint. Most interesting was watching how Frank Kittridge adapted to his new environment and crew. And the shocking realisation that he may not have been as alone on the red planet as he had thought.

Perfect for fans of The Martian, No Way is a rollicking space story about survival, hope, and finding your place in the world.
]]> 35063237 330 S.J. Morden 1473222567 Erin 4
There are many aspects that are similar to Andy Weir’s The Martian, which admittedly is what initially drew me to this book, but without the fun science explanations and hilarious Mark Watney-isms. However, had I not read The Martian previously, I might not have understood a lot of the hard science in this one.

The book really doesn’t take off (pun intended) until the crew lands on Mars, which isn’t until about 100 pages in. Then the real action begins. If you can get through the set up, it’s a great read from then onwards.

One Way, while providing an entertaining space caper and an enjoyable murder mystery (albeit a little predictable), also subtly explores the notion of corporate greed and society’s perception of criminals, and the fixation on the behaviour/s that led to incarceration, rather than looking at the circumstances that lead people to commit crimes in the first place.

And the ending, without giving away any spoilers, was very satisfying!

Update 27/08/20 - This book is even better upon re-reading! My original rating was 3 stars, and I’ve raised that now to 4, but I loved it so much during this second read that I’m calling it 4.5.
Perhaps it was my frame of mind that inhibited better enjoyment when I read it the first time. Whatever the case, I struggled to put it down this time and I am so excited to get into the sequel! ]]> 3.50 2018
author: S.J. Morden
name: Erin
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2020/08/26
date added: 2021/01/16
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, mystery-thriller-suspense, fb-book-club-2020, outer-space
review:
This book was slow to start, but eventually gained enough speed to pique and maintain interest.

There are many aspects that are similar to Andy Weir’s The Martian, which admittedly is what initially drew me to this book, but without the fun science explanations and hilarious Mark Watney-isms. However, had I not read The Martian previously, I might not have understood a lot of the hard science in this one.

The book really doesn’t take off (pun intended) until the crew lands on Mars, which isn’t until about 100 pages in. Then the real action begins. If you can get through the set up, it’s a great read from then onwards.

One Way, while providing an entertaining space caper and an enjoyable murder mystery (albeit a little predictable), also subtly explores the notion of corporate greed and society’s perception of criminals, and the fixation on the behaviour/s that led to incarceration, rather than looking at the circumstances that lead people to commit crimes in the first place.

And the ending, without giving away any spoilers, was very satisfying!

Update 27/08/20 - This book is even better upon re-reading! My original rating was 3 stars, and I’ve raised that now to 4, but I loved it so much during this second read that I’m calling it 4.5.
Perhaps it was my frame of mind that inhibited better enjoyment when I read it the first time. Whatever the case, I struggled to put it down this time and I am so excited to get into the sequel!
]]> 31625996
At the same time, Mission Specialist Sullivan is aboard the Aether on its return flight from Jupiter. The astronauts are the first human beings to delve this deep into space, and Sully has made peace with the sacrifices required of her: a daughter left behind, a marriage ended. So far the journey has been a success, but when Mission Control falls inexplicably silent, Sully and her crew mates are forced to wonder if they will ever get home.

As Augustine and Sully each face an uncertain future against forbidding yet beautiful landscapes, their stories gradually intertwine in a profound and unexpected conclusion. In crystalline prose, Good Morning, Midnight poses the most important questions: What endures at the end of the world? How do we make sense of our lives?]]> 256 Lily Brooks-Dalton 147460059X Erin 5
Specialist Sullivan is aboard the spacecraft Aether, with a crew tasked to learn more about Jupiter and her moons. When they lose contact with Mission Control and Earth, the crew have no idea what's happening on their home planet, and can only speculate whilst sliding into uncertainty and depression as they make their way back home.

Augustine has spent his career studying the stars and shunning relationships with his fellow humans. When a mysterious event forces his colleagues to abandon their post in the Arctic, Augie chooses to stay and finish his research. But as his career and life come to their final chapters, and with only his thoughts to keep him company now that he too is cut off from the outside world, he begins to feel regret for the choices that have led him there.

Each perspective leads into the main focus of the story, what has happened on Earth?]]> 3.96 2016
author: Lily Brooks-Dalton
name: Erin
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2020/10/10
date added: 2020/12/23
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, outer-space
review:
In this book, Lily Brooks-Dalton beautifully weaves two perspectives surrounding a mysterious and possibly apocalyptic event on Earth.

Specialist Sullivan is aboard the spacecraft Aether, with a crew tasked to learn more about Jupiter and her moons. When they lose contact with Mission Control and Earth, the crew have no idea what's happening on their home planet, and can only speculate whilst sliding into uncertainty and depression as they make their way back home.

Augustine has spent his career studying the stars and shunning relationships with his fellow humans. When a mysterious event forces his colleagues to abandon their post in the Arctic, Augie chooses to stay and finish his research. But as his career and life come to their final chapters, and with only his thoughts to keep him company now that he too is cut off from the outside world, he begins to feel regret for the choices that have led him there.

Each perspective leads into the main focus of the story, what has happened on Earth?
]]> 36491465
For Leo, the prospect of traveling to Europa—Jupiter’s moon—to help resettle humankind is just the sense of purpose he’s been yearning for since losing his entire family in the flooding of Rome. Naomi, after learning of a similar space mission that mysteriously failed, suspects the ISTC isn’t being up front with them about what’s at risk.

As the race to the final six advances, the tests get more challenging—even deadly. With pressure mounting, Naomi finds an unexpected friend in Leo, and the two grow closer with each mind-boggling experience they encounter. But it’s only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.]]> 338 Alexandra Monir 0062658948 Erin 0 3.85 2018
author: Alexandra Monir
name: Erin
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/09/16
shelves: dystopian, sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult, outer-space, lost-interest
review:

]]> 25786523
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.]]> 404 Becky Chambers 1473619807 Erin 2 sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
But it wasn’t what I was expecting, in the end it was okay enough for me to finish it, but not enough for me to want to read the stand-alone sequel. I’m sure it’s me and not the book, but I didn’t really enjoy it. ]]> 4.18 2014
author: Becky Chambers
name: Erin
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at: 2017/12/24
date added: 2020/08/19
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
I love a good space drama, and going by the blurb this one had so much promise.

But it wasn’t what I was expecting, in the end it was okay enough for me to finish it, but not enough for me to want to read the stand-alone sequel. I’m sure it’s me and not the book, but I didn’t really enjoy it.
]]> 40529400
Initially, he’s detached from the brutality of his instructors and the Machiavellian tactics of the other students there, but after he sticks up for his only friend he makes himself a target of the most feared cadet on the station, Caelus Erik. Unsure of whom to trust and worried that anything he does will make others on his flight team targets as well, Aaron retreats deeper and deeper inside himself. However, when he discovers that officer training is not the station’s only purpose, it becomes increasingly clear that risking everything is the safest thing he can do.

Contains: Strong language and some violence]]> Merritt Graves 1949272001 Erin 4
Aaron’s small world has been obliterated, he’s lost everything, and rather than end up on the front line of suicidal war mission, he is transferred to a prestigious military school and discovers that the world is much larger, and more sinister, than he originally thought.

I’m a big fan of space related science fiction and Lakes of Mars did not disappoint! It started well; you’re immediately thrown into the story, and it sets up a list of questions and a lot of intrigue. I quite enjoyed Aaron’s narration and the cast of characters were well-developed. The writing was easy to read and very engaging.

The story slows and deviates just a little during the middle, but the ship rights itself in the end. And what an ending! Fast-paced, intense, eyes-glued-to-the-page and do-not-disturb!

Good science fiction lies within the realm of possibility, Lakes of Mars is science fiction done well, and has a little of everything thrown into the mix. I loved this book and I cannot wait to see how the events unfold in this series!

Many thanks to Merritt Graves and NetGalley for an ARC of this exciting book in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.72 2018
author: Merritt Graves
name: Erin
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/06
date added: 2020/08/19
shelves: netgalley-arcs, sci-fi-fantasy, outer-space
review:
“When your world’s small, everything that moves in it matters; but when it’s larger, you get to pick out the important parts.��

Aaron’s small world has been obliterated, he’s lost everything, and rather than end up on the front line of suicidal war mission, he is transferred to a prestigious military school and discovers that the world is much larger, and more sinister, than he originally thought.

I’m a big fan of space related science fiction and Lakes of Mars did not disappoint! It started well; you’re immediately thrown into the story, and it sets up a list of questions and a lot of intrigue. I quite enjoyed Aaron’s narration and the cast of characters were well-developed. The writing was easy to read and very engaging.

The story slows and deviates just a little during the middle, but the ship rights itself in the end. And what an ending! Fast-paced, intense, eyes-glued-to-the-page and do-not-disturb!

Good science fiction lies within the realm of possibility, Lakes of Mars is science fiction done well, and has a little of everything thrown into the mix. I loved this book and I cannot wait to see how the events unfold in this series!

Many thanks to Merritt Graves and NetGalley for an ARC of this exciting book in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 32469736
But Nax’s one-way trip back to Earth is cut short when a terrorist group attacks the Academy. Nax and three other washouts escape—barely—but they’re also the sole witnesses to the biggest crime in the history of space colonization. And the perfect scapegoats.

On the run and framed for atrocities they didn’t commit, Nax and his fellow failures execute a dangerous heist to spread the truth about what happened at the Academy.

They may not be “Academy material,�� and they may not get along, but they’re the only ones left to step up and fight.]]> 352 M.K. England 0062657674 Erin 3 3.68 2018
author: M.K. England
name: Erin
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2019/07/09
date added: 2020/08/19
shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult, outer-space
review:
Not quite what I was expecting, but it was still a fun spacey-sci-fi adventure
]]>