Tag: romance

Review: Ascending the Hourglass by Anthony Dean

~ likelystory18 ~ 5 Comments

Synopsis:

There are great deserts in space…

So began The Voided Man.

Prisoner Number One has survived in the void. He has even thrived there. But the question remains, can he ever leave there?

If so, by what possible method? And at what risk to himself and others?

Return to the void, and learn if it offers the possibility of escape to those who master the art of Ascending the Hourglass.

Favorite Lines:

“For the past 83 years, I had missed Father as an idea. Mother had missed a man. Her man.”

“Holy Moly! Pete has nukes?”

“I had freedom. I had peace. I had love.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the second book in Dean’s The Voided Man trilogy, you can find my review for the first one, The Voided Man, here. Where the first book really only followed Prisoner Number one, who is exiled to the depths of space with a promise of a lonely eternity ahead of him, this book gives us a new narrator in the form of Cassiopeia – which I found to be refreshing and enjoyable to see a new perspective in this series.

Dean continues to create and expand upon a unique sci-fi world in this series and this book takes it to the next level. I found the character writing to be well done and Dean somehow managed to outdo himself with the intricacies of multiple plot points throughout. I admit that I wasn’t sure it could get more perplexing than the first book in this series but Dean pulls it off in a tasteful and creative way. I think my favorite part of this series so far continues to be Dean’s writing voice which is uniquely distinctive and I think is a major contributor to what sets this series apart from others in the sci-fi genre. 

Summary: 

Overall, this was an excellent follow up to the first book and I am excited to see where Dean is taking this series for its conclusion. Classified as a sci-fi, I would also say this book could fall into the YA category and could be for anyone who is a fan of quirky and humorous science fiction. Happy reading!

Check out Ascending the Hourglass here!

 

Review: Too Much to Lose by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

DON’T MISS YOUR SECOND CHANCE.

It’s not often that we get to try again, cuz life very seldom deals a second chance.
Most people don’t even notice when they get one dropped in their lap like a miracle.
But I noticed.

I’ve lost Cassidy once, and come hell or high water, I won’t make the same mistake twice.
Turning a losing hand into a winner might take the whim of Lady Luck herself, but I’m up for the challenge.

However, fate is not always kind, and sometimes overcoming the evil in this world comes at a terrible price.

Cassidy has a monster to face down, but I’m not going anywhere. When it comes to the love between us, there’s simply too much to lose.

Favorite Lines:

“Must of used up all his brain cells in law school, ’cause he sounds like an idiot.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Wyatt and Cassidy who had a history in Montana before Cassidy went off to college in California. This history seems to have been forgotten because while she is away, she ends up getting engaged. They are reunited when she comes back to her hometown because she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Not knowing what to do next, she is hoping to lay low for awhile and collect her thoughts. Little does she know that Wyatt and his friends had made a bet that required Wyatt to ask out the next eligible woman to walk through the door and you guessed it… that woman was Cassidy. Now they are faced with what could have been and what could still be but they have to balance the fact that Madison’s ex-fiancé comes to town to try and take her back, and the little part where she is Wyatt’s best friend’s sister. Nothing too complicated…

I though this was a cute, second chance at love contemporary romance. I really enjoyed Carson’s writing style as I found it to be an easy to follow story that was especially easy to get addicted to. The conversations amongst the characters really shined through and I though that the plot had a perfect amount of suspense, action, intrigue, and romance. I do want to give a trigger warning that there are some mentions of domestic violence and abuse so this book may not be suitable for everyone.

Summary:

Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring second chances at love in a small town, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Too Much to Lose here!

Review: My Un-Handyman by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

IT NEVER HURTS TO HELP.
At least that was the motto I’d always gone by up until meeting Emily.

But then again, no good deed goes unpunished. There’s that one, too.
She needed a hand, and I had the time.
What was the harm in pretending to be a handyman if it helped my pretty ranch owner neighbor out?
Besides, how hard could it be?
But now I’m realizing that there are certain things even a billionaire like me can’t pull off. Like knowing how to rewire the lighting on an entire barn. Or even lay water pipe. (And who’s Allen, and why would I want his wrench?)

Worse yet, I’m starting to really like Emily and realize that she isn’t going to take this little ruse very well when I tell her the truth. That I’m not-so-handy after all.
But her legacy—and Emily—are in danger. And even if I could forget about the hottest kiss of my life, there’s no way I can back down from protecting the woman who gave it to me. Or the ranch that was rightfully hers.
Defending what and who I love is one of the things I’m good at, after all

Favorite Lines:

“Don’t really feel like getting murdered today.”

“Money was just paper. With Emily as my wife, I finally understood what it was to be a truly rich man.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a small town romantic comedy featuring a case of mistaken identity and a secret billionaire. Jake and Emily are the main characters that we get duel PoVs from – which I love. Emily was left a ranch by her aunt who has passed away and when she moves into it, she realizes she may be a bit over her head with the amount of work that needs to be done to fix it up so she hires a handyman to help out but what she gets is Jake who is most definitely not the handyman and who finds that he likes to help Emily out so he doesn’t bother correcting her mistake.

This book is full of witty banter and sarcastic humor that had me chuckling throughout. I was also a huge fan of the golden retriever guy, black cat girl energy that Carson instilled in this book – I thought it made for an interesting and humorous dynamic. One thing to note about this book is that it was only 162 pages long on my Kindle so I would classify it as a pretty quick and easy read. If you are looking for a more drawn out romance story, you won’t find that here.

Summary:

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a quick and easy romantic comedy full of humorous banter, enemies-to-lovers, and secret billionaires who find that they enjoy handyman work. Happy reading!

Check out My Un-Handyman here!

 

Review: Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption by Anna Marteen

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Adriana, a fearless voyager moves through the realms of passion, dances with shadows and addiction. Amidst the moonlit encounters, she meets Gabriel, a mysterious orchestrator of destiny, challenging her detachment.

Romantic symphony harmonizes with a melody of emotions. As their love deepens, Gabriel proposes a commitment that Adriana never thought she would entertain. Adriana must confront her demons and decide if she is willing to take the risk of losing herself to find a love that is both passionate and enduring. Gabriel and Adriana embark on a journey of self-discovery and emotional awakening.

But wait,

Secrets from Adriana’s past unravel the carefully woven fabric of their romance, challenging the foundation of their connection.

Favorite Lines:

“Two dreamers chasing passions bigger than ourselves. Lonely souls seek understanding from someone who just gets it.”

“It’s a choice, consistently showing up for someone no matter what.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Adriana Costa, an incredibly independent 25 year old who prides herself in not getting too close to avoid getting hurt. That is…until Gabriel Alexander walks in. A brooding musician that checks all the tall, dark, and handsome boxes, Gabriel slowly chips away at Adriana’s walls and challenges her views on partnership and love until she is questioning everything she has done to seemingly protect her heart.

If you have been following Likely Story for awhile, you know that I am a sucker for anything romance related – it is the guiltiest of my guilty pleasures. Marteen does a great job at writing likable characters who are also realistically jaded and who come with some flaws. This book was an addicting read that I finished in one sitting. The emotional twists and turns had my heart hurting in the best way because who doesn’t love a little angst. But in the end, this book reminds us that love can be worth it. Be warned, this book is spicy!

Summary:

A spicy contemporary romance full of passion, soulmates, and second chances love, this book is for anyone who adores romance at least half as much as I do. Happy reading!

Check out Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption here!

Monthly Features – August

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:  One day, they silently drifted down through our skies. We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong.

They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.

Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?

Summary: Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation
Purchase here

 

Post Traumatic Growth by Jesse Hewitt

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This book is an account of the journey following encounters of trauma and taking steps towards personal growth. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years, with 5 years serving as a Close Protection Operator undertaking multiple operations in high-conflict environments – both domestically and overseas. Having completed there missions, I witnessed first-hand the damages of war and having experienced the consequences of combat.

This is a tale of a torment and tribulation but is also the story of reparation and recovery. A story of surviving trauma and overcoming the wounds war inflicted upon my mind. Within this book, you will read about these traumas. Personal crises and living in a state of mind that is unwell will be shared. The approach to conquering my personal mental health struggles was multi-faceted, and details of this journey will be disclosed in order to hopefully empower others to take the first steps in their own recovery. Things such as various treatment styles, inter-personal connections and the accidental introduction to Equine Therapy were all supports to becoming a healthier me.

It is my hope that through sharing the intricacies of what I faced and how I committed to treatment to find meaning, purpose, and strength once again, will help others rediscover their own fortitude, resilience, and resolve as they endeavor into the emotional trenches of recovery and emerge healthier, happier, and having taken their own steps towards Post Traumatic Growth.

Summary: Overall, if you are interested in inspiring, real life stories about overcoming mental health challenges especially as it relates to PTSD, depression, substance abuse disorders, and eating disorders, then this book could be for you. 

See the full review here: Post Traumatic Growth
Purchase here

 

The Voided Man by Anthony Dean

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average. For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. There are no galaxies within the voids, no stars, no planets, and no moons. Scientists have theorized that anyone at the center of such an empty space would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest objects, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.

I got a chance to test that theory firsthand. I am the most distant exile in human history.

My name is Prisoner Number One. This is my story.

Summary: Overall, I went into this almost completely blind and was pleasantly surprised with this one. This is a great example of going outside of your comfort zone and managing to find some diamonds in the rough. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of quirky science fiction stories that feature romance and touch on what it means to be human. 

See the full review here: The Voided Man
Purchase here

 

The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Jan Ericson spends his days on the campus of the Corpo Academy participating in sports and playing games. The Academy has never formally taught Jan, or any of its 42 students, to read or write. Jan looks forward to moving to New London, where he will live with his father and start his career. That day will be his 18th birthday after a celebration known as the renaissance.

Dr. William Osler works at the Academy and considers himself an amateur philosopher and would-be comedian. He befriends Jan and sees the boy’s keen desire to learn. Quietly in the background, the doctor teaches his student to read. Dr. Osler knows that the 17-year-old boy will die, the same way his older brother died, in less than two weeks. However, addicted to a designer drug, the doctor is constantly high as he tries to fight his own demons.

Tre Ericson is Jan’s father. He sees his son four times a year but feels no love for him. While desperately trying to please his father, Jan discovers a tunnel that runs under the school. The tunnel contains a dark secret, which initiates a chain of events that might save Jan’s life!

The Gemini Project is must-read coming-of-age novel that deals with a dystopian future and the world of neurology. The story of Jan Ericson will take you to unpredictable places in a battle of life and death

Summary: Overall, I found this to be an intriguing and thought provoking science fiction thriller set in a dystopian world and would recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi, dystopian worlds, thrillers, suspense, mystery, and philosophical dilemmas.

See the full review here: The Gemini Project
Purchase here

 

Claimed by a Cowboy by Melody Carson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: I HATE SURPRISES.
Even a surprise that comes with designer heels and killer curves.
What I needed at the end of a long day in the saddle was a cold brew – not a hot tempered reporter who was intent on getting on my last nerve.
Worse, Madison was asking too many questions and getting too close to the truth. Too close to me.

My real identity as heir to the billion dollar Rising Star Ranch was at stake, and I had to keep Madison at arms length.

Until that first unforgettable kiss.

Now, I’m wondering how I can, not only keep Madison at Rising Star Ranch, but also protect her and claim her as my own.

Summary: Overall, if you like cowboy romances full of enemies-to-lovers troupes, mystery, suspense, a bit of danger, and a cowboy saving the day, then this book could be for you!

See the full review here: Claimed by a Cowboy
Purchase here

 

 

Review: The Grave Digger by William Baer

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Polly Kinnell is a renowned chocolate taster for many of the world’s most famous chocolatiers (Ghirardelli’s, Godiva, Hershey, etc.). When her father dies on the Island of Skye, the distraught Polly travels to Scotland for his funeral where she has several unsettling encounters with a peculiar gravedigger, Ian MacIan.

Ian, like his ancestors, “buries the dead” as a religious vocation, and he seems to be rewarded with certain privileges for his total commitment. Although initially upset by her powerful attraction to Ian, Polly eventually has to make crucial decisions after a terrible car crash leaves Ian in a deadly coma.

How much does Polly really love him? Can she save him?

What sacrifices would she have to make?

Favorite Lines:

“Chocolate was once known as ‘the food of the gods. It makes us happy, reduces stress, and gives us energy. It’s one of the most perfect things on earth. Like snowflakes, roses, diamonds, baseball, and love.”

“God gives us a life of trials.”

“Then be with each other as much as you possibly can. Life’s too short for anything else.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. 

This story follows Polly Kinnell, a chocolate taster from New York that falls for a mysterious Scottish gravedigger. The result is a story full of star-crossed love, lose, and the lengths we would go to to save those that we love. When we first meet Polly, she is living in New York sampling mouth watering chocolates. But when  her father passes away on the Island of Skye, Polly’s life turns upside down and she must travel to Scotland for the funeral. There she meets the handsome gravedigger, Ian Maclan (did I I mention that he is Scottish?). Bad luck continues to touch Polly as Ian is left in a coma after a car crash and Polly struggles with what she is willing to sacrifice for a chance at love with Ian.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book due to the mysterious synopsis but was pleasantly surprised. At its core, this book is a romance book through and through. Baer sweeps us up in a vivid world full of lively characters and takes us on a journey of loss, grief, redemption, and love. 

I found the description of the landscapes to be so well done that it had me wishing that I was in Scotland right along with Polly. Additionally, I thought that the character writing was crafty and refreshing. Polly wasn’t immediately swept up in Ian and I appreciated that there was some depth to her character in that regard. Baer certainly did his homework thoroughly and translated it beautifully to the page because this book is full of sacred traditions, superstitions, and a lot of chocolate and Gaelic.

From page one, this book had me chuckling and that was a theme that remained throughout. Baer brought a warmth and sense of humor to this book that really shined. However, I will warn you to have a box of tissues next to you because just as Baer was able to evoke joy, he also did a great job at evoking feelings of pain and sadness which may result in other parts likely bringing tears to your eyes.

Summary:

Overall, this was a delicious read that I would recommend to any chocolate fanatics, anyone who wants to read about life-changing love that is worth fighting for, and/or anyone who has a soft spot for Scottish male leads. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Baer in the future! Happy reading! 

Check out The Grave Digger here!

 

Review: Claimed by a Cowboy by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

I HATE SURPRISES.
Even a surprise that comes with designer heels and killer curves.
What I needed at the end of a long day in the saddle was a cold brew – not a hot tempered reporter who was intent on getting on my last nerve.
Worse, Madison was asking too many questions and getting too close to the truth. Too close to me.

My real identity as heir to the billion dollar Rising Star Ranch was at stake, and I had to keep Madison at arms length.

Until that first unforgettable kiss.

Now, I’m wondering how I can, not only keep Madison at Rising Star Ranch, but also protect her and claim her as my own.

Favorite Lines:

“She was on private property. That was her first crime. The second crime was the outfit. Who the hell wore hells and a skirt that short? A city girl, that’s who.“

“‘What’s your name?’ I persisted. He shook his head. ‘No thanks.’ ‘Clever name.'”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve been on a cowboy romance kick lately and this book fit right in. Coming in at 87 pages on my Kindle, this is a short and sweet contemporary romance that somehow manages to take on many of the popular themes/troupes that make me squeal including enemies-to-lovers, cowboy romances, and heroes saving the day all while being full of mystery and suspense. 

This story follows a duel point-of-view between the main characters Madison and Luke. Luke is hiding out as a ranch hand on his own ranch while he is trying to decide if he wants to even keep the ranch that was rightfully bestowed upon him in his father’s will and after his crazy twin brother, Logan, was disinherited. Madison is an investigative reporter from the city that caught wind of a missing heir and thought it would be a great story but the last thing that Luke needs is someone sniffing around to blow his cover. It’s a cowboy romance so of course they fall in love – no spoilers there.

I thought this was a very quick and easy read full of sarcastic and witty humor that had me aggressively exhaling from my nose (you know exactly the type of laugh I am talking about). I actually liked that this was like fast-forwarding a full length romance novel but will warn that if you are looking for a long, drawn out romance story full of angst, you won’t find it in these 87 pages. 

Summary:

Overall, if you like cowboy romances full of enemies-to-lovers troupes, mystery, suspense, a bit of danger, and a cowboy saving the day, then this book could be for you! Happy reading!

Check out Claimed by a Cowboy here!

 

Review: The Voided Man by Anthony Dean

~ likelystory18 ~ 7 Comments

Synopsis:

There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average. For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. There are no galaxies within the voids, no stars, no planets, and no moons. Scientists have theorized that anyone at the center of such an empty space would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest objects, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.

I got a chance to test that theory firsthand. I am the most distant exile in human history.

My name is Prisoner Number One. This is my story.

Favorite Lines:

“The thing about purgatory is that it wears on you. About ten years into my exile, my focus shifted from what I had to what I didn’t have, and that sent me into a gradual spiral that touched everything.”

“The far future was weird.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I received the request to review this book, I was intrigued mostly from the fact that the synopsis is so mysterious. I had no clue what to expect other than that this was some sort of science fiction tale and that Prisoner Number One has to be in some sort of void (whatever that could even mean). I was actually very pleasantly surprised.

Prisoner Number One is exiled to the depths of space to spend the rest of eternity with only a chess playing AI and library of books to keep him company.  Somehow this tale manages to spin into a love story between two individuals who spend years apart. I won’t spoil what happens in the story but rest assured, Prisoner Number One doesn’t stay alone in the void forever.

While this story slightly reminded me of the 2016 film Passengers, Dean has crafted a unique sci-fi world that somehow feels both similar to our own reality and vastly different at the same time. As an avid reader and someone who dabbles in writing themselves, I can honestly say that I have not seen nor do I think I could come up with some of the creative concepts that Dean features in this story.

I found the characters to be well written, the plot to be refreshingly unique and well thought out, and Dean’s writing voice to be humorous, warm, and distinct. This book blends romance and sci-fi while posing the question of what it means to be human. As part of a series, I am excited to see where Dean takes us next!

Summary:

Overall, I went into this almost completely blind and was pleasantly surprised with this one. This is a great example of going outside of your comfort zone and managing to find some diamonds in the rough. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of quirky science fiction stories that feature romance and touch on what it means to be human. Happy reading!

Check out The Voided Man here!

 

Monthly Features – July

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Pigs in Paradise by Roger Maxson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Pigs in Paradise opens on a group of animals on a farm in Israel. Julius is a wise-cracking non-religious parrot. In other words, he is a non-domesticated farm animal. His is the small voice of reason, tinged with humor, and cynicism while the others, domesticated farm animals, are being led to religion by Mel, a mule, and the spiritual leader. Later, Mel becomes Magnificent when he elevates himself to Pope. Priests are celibate and mules are sterile; therefore, a Catholic pope was the obvious choice.

When Blaise, a Jersey cow, gives birth to Lizzy, a “red calf,” two American evangelical ministers arrive. As events unfold, the evangelicals buy the group and have them shipped to America.

Once in America, the animals are transported by tractor-trailers across the country to a “Christian” farm in Kansas, where seven television monitors are tuned to 24/7 church sermons and juxtaposed with scenes from a barn, a real circus. Even though they are animals, they can only take so much before they chase Mel from the barn, and Stanley, Manly Stanley, the black Belgian Stallion, kicks out the TV monitors for a moment of silence, giving peace a chance, however short-lived.

Summary: Overall, if you enjoyed Animal Farm and are a fan of satirical literature especially that which explores religious and political issues in today’s society, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Pigs in Paradise
Purchase here

 

The Gates of Yoffa by J. Brandon Barnes

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BEYOND BELIEF. John Lewis is a computer scientist recruited for a covert mission in the deepest regions of space.

When he makes a seemingly critical error during a test flight, the operation’s only orbiter crashes on a lush, highly classified planet. This leaves John, his boss Dirk, and exobiologist Ruth stranded, with few supplies and little chance of rescue.

Their best hope for escape is a lost landing craft that detached during their descent. To find it, they must search an unknown world while infiltrating the first extraterrestrial society human beings have ever encountered.

But this isn’t their greatest challenge. It’s something else. Something far more profound. Revealed through the aliens’ storytelling culture is a secret that could destabilize Earth and civilization as we know it.

And that secret is about to be exposed.

Summary: Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and am interested to see if Barnes has anything more up his sleeve. If you like sci-fi full of exploration, survival, friendship, and storytelling with a touch of romance and religion, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: The Gates of Yoffa
Purchase here

 

Review: The Gates of Yoffa by J. Brandon Barnes

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BEYOND BELIEF. John Lewis is a computer scientist recruited for a covert mission in the deepest regions of space.

When he makes a seemingly critical error during a test flight, the operation’s only orbiter crashes on a lush, highly classified planet. This leaves John, his boss Dirk, and exobiologist Ruth stranded, with few supplies and little chance of rescue.

Their best hope for escape is a lost landing craft that detached during their descent. To find it, they must search an unknown world while infiltrating the first extraterrestrial society human beings have ever encountered.

But this isn’t their greatest challenge. It’s something else. Something far more profound. Revealed through the aliens’ storytelling culture is a secret that could destabilize Earth and civilization as we know it.

And that secret is about to be exposed.

Favorite Lines:

“The only foreign language I speak is mathematics.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story primarily follows John Lewis, a computer scientist who is offered a chance to become a member of a team going to space on a secret mission. When something goes wrong during a test flight, John, along with his colleagues Dirk and Ruth, finds himself stranded on a strange planet determined to survive.

This story doesn’t waste any time! With a quick introduction to John and his team, readers are pulled into a unique world of Barnes’ creation. I thought that the new planet that the characters find themselves stuck on was very creative while still managing to feel realistic. I also found the alien civilization that they encounter to be really interesting especially with their culture revolving around storytelling.

Towards the end of the book, it becomes apparent that there are a lot of religious parallels/themes being drawn. Looking back, they were hinted at and scattered throughout the story but the ending really brings it all together. I thought that the parallels that Barnes draws here were well done and I was quite impressed in his ability to weave this story together in the way that he did.

While I found this to be a really creative and refreshing sci-fi tale, if I had to be nitpicky about something, it would be that sometimes everything worked out a bit too well. Perhaps I am just a pessimist but despite the fact that they are trapped on a foreign planet, even when they end up in a sticky situation, everything seemed to almost always work out in the end.  I also wasn’t a huge fan of how sometimes I felt like I was reading a story within a story. I think that Barnes’ storytelling abilities and writing techniques are fantastic but sometimes trying to sort out what storyline I was in was a bit much.

Summary:

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and am interested to see if Barnes has anything more up his sleeve. If you like sci-fi full of exploration, survival, friendship, and storytelling with a touch of romance and religion, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Gates of Yoffa here!