August Science Fiction

Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
My babies all grown up with babies. Must protect.
I will protect Pax with literally everything in me. He soft boi.
Darrow is raising him right, even if he's never there. Like. His name means Peace. 
624 Pages

Star Bringer by Tracy Wolff and Nina Croft
It's not the Crave series. 😭
There was potential, but meh.
608 Pages

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

 *realizes that Red TV could totally be a song for this…or at least for the first book….
and my brain is hearing Fly by Nicki Minaj and See You Again by Wiz Khafia
Hey look at the racism.
Mustang is amazing. I love her. People make assumptions about her and like.. sigh
And of course it has more Hunger Games vibes.
I like...was expecting a thing to happen at the end and it didn't, and I feel like...There's probably a reason why it didn't
464 Pages

Dead Endless by Dave Galanter

 

Yassssssssss! Finally a novel about the Mycelial Network!! (It's my favorite part of Discovery, don't judge) At first, I thought this was an odd retelling of the episode where Paul finds and rescues Hugh from the network, and it kinda... is? That does happen, but it's a different Paul in a different universe (yay Star Trek tropes!), and it basically makes a time-space paradox, because now this Paul is falling for Hugh, and they're both trying to figure out how to make things work while another Hugh is flying around their universe. Oh, and there's a giant tardigrade that talks like the Cheshire Cat... Yeah, it's weird. And cheesy. But it's fun! Fun reads are what I need right now. (Again, don't judge)

342 pages

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book is not like the first book. This book, in my opinion, is better. Harrow is now a Lictor, an immortal necromancer with the power to kill entire planets and enter the River of the dead. But she can't seem to fully grasp her new powers. A brilliant bone witch, she now has to contend with spirit magic, blood wards, and a fellow Lictor who is determined to kill her. To top it all off, her transformation has made her completely insane. She sees the dead, is allergic to her sword, and is in love with a corpse-okay, so she actually fell in love with the corpse before she went crazy.

This series is sooo good. The world-building is great. The characters are amazing. And the story is phenomenal. It's the best aspects of science fiction, fantasy, humor, drama and thriller all wrapped up in one!

512 pages

Read Harder Challenge #16

Earth at Night: Our Planet in Brilliant Darkness by NASA

Awesome night photography from our own satellites and astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Hurricanes, forest fires, and volcano eruptions are visible alongside highways, gas flares and holiday lights. I think it's so cool that you can watch human development overtime just from aerial and now satellite photography. NASA's satellites are so advanced they can even see a single street lamp from space!

Amazing display of technology and the natural world.

200 pages

Planetfall: New Solar System Visions by Michael Benson

I love space photography. Imagining traveling to new worlds and planets is why I love Science Fiction, but space photography makes all the imagination seem more real. This is top notch work. Benson takes raw data and photo composites from NASA and the ESA (yay gov docs!) and polishes them up to give them life as beautiful glimpses. The images of Saturn's rings and Mars landscapes are especially breathtaking.

Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!

208 pages

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

 "Lesbian Necromancers in Space..."

As an avid reader of Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres, I am always looking for new creative worlds to get lost in. I knew the instant I saw this description, I had to read this book. And it does not disappoint! Dazzling sword fights, creepy bone servants, a mysterious locked tomb, and that's just in the first few chapters. It was exciting to learn about each house's unique flavor of necrotic magic, and of course we get the lovely yet tragic character of Dulcinea Septimus. *swoon* Gideon is snarky and all around badass, and the final plot twist provides an exciting lead into the books that will follow.

This is the best book I have read in a while, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! The audiobook is also excellent.

448 pages

Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino

Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a stellar read! This was so unexpectedly inspirational and motivational. It's clear Mike Massimino is just a good human, regardless of being an astronaut. I was utterly charmed and captivated by his journey. Some moments were touching, others were terrifying. I was on the verge of tears so many times that I was a complete emotional wreck after finishing this book, but in a good way.

I always say I'm not the world's biggest fan of memoirs, but I think I've changed my mind across the course of the past couple of years. It has to be the right person, and the right story, and then I'm just all the way in. This is one of those absolutely right reads for ever so many reasons.

The added bonus on this one is that I accidentally learned all kinds of fascinating things I didn't know or never thought about, in regards to the journey to becoming an astronaut.

Pages: 320

Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody

Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a YA space Sci-Fi that is a reimagined and futuristic take on Les Miserables. Let’s just appreciate that strange meshing of worlds for a moment.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel, including the multiple POVs and the fascinating world/universe. Occasionally, it felt a big sluggish, and I think in this instance, the story would be better if it was tighter and the pacing faster. Probably the 3 POVs ended up slowing the story down, though I found them quite interesting and necessary to showing the depth of the world.

This story is also a bit rambling at times, and I did zone out occasionally and have to force myself to refocus. It’s occasionally guilty of throwing too many unnecessary details at you at once, which becomes too much to absorb, but then it recovers pretty quickly. In addition, the plot lingers at times, when it should just press forward, so instead of an action-packed adventure, it sometimes feels like more of a character study.

Despite some of those issues, I enjoyed the character building and growth, though with a novel of this size, I do wish it had run even a bit deeper than it does. I’m happy this is a series, because I think this is a good step in the right direction, and I’m curious to see what comes next. I remain very hopeful that this is one of those series where the first book is busy laying the groundwork, but it’s the later books that make you love the world beyond compare.

OTHER FUN PERKS:
---the French influences
---the wildly different worldviews of the 3 POVs
---the social hierarchy

WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN THE FUTURE NOVELS:
---more diversity
---more twists and surprises
---more complex relationships between characters

This is a great pick for YA Sci-Fi and fantasy fans, as well as for those that like unique retellings/reimaginings, and/or multiple POVs.

Pages: 592


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Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an adorable MG Sci-Fi murder mystery. I was frequently amused by this story, though the characters aren’t nearly as developed as I wanted. Also, the pacing is off at times, which makes the story feel like it is dragging a bit, even though it is short. It has some fun world building, but you will have to suspend disbelief a few times.

Overall, it’s a decent read that would appeal to young middle graders, especially those in 4th- 6th grades. It may be just a bit too childish for some of the upper middle graders, though many may still enjoy it. It’s a simple read (4th grade level) with easy to consume sci-fi concepts.

Book 2 read in 2019

Pages: 352

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

First of all - holy beautiful cover art, Batman!  :)

This is an odd review for me.  I enjoyed both characters, and I was interested in what happened to them.  The issue is that I just didn't feel really engrossed or invested in what was going on.  I kept waiting to feel the action - to react with the characters.  It just didn't happen.  Was this a good book?  Yep.  I finished it in a couple of days and would recommend it to those who enjoy this kind of thing.  It just didn't grip me in any meaningful way. 

4/5

384 pages

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files 01) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations 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.

I am totally into this kind of novel.  The unique formatting and storytelling is refreshing, especially when done well.  I did audiobook this, and I wish I hadn't.  I did get a full cast performance, but I think I missed something by not reading it in print.

This is an emotional, deep story with some serious plot twists and turns.  Highly recommend.

5/5

608 pages

Artemis by Andy Weir

 Artemis
by Andy Weir
Pages: 305
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

From the author of The Martian comes a totally different science fiction adventure. Besides being set on a planet in space this novel is quite different from The Martian, much more adventure and less science. Artemis is a settlement on the moon owned by a corporation.

The main character Jazz Bashara was born on the moon and is just as tough as the atmosphere. While being smart and talented Jazz is often her own worst enemy and is still paying for some mistakes she made as a teen. Jazz is trying to make a fast buck but ends up in the middle of a conspiracy to take over the control of Artemis. But Jazz will need more than her brains and daring to commit the perfect crime, she's going to have to learn how to deal with her past and forgive herself and others to succeed.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel like an idiot, and I suspect I have retained, at best 3% of this book. I’m not even sure I deserve credit for having read it, as if put on the spot to spout back a space-science fact, or any fact at all, I’m not sure I could do so. I feel panicky inside trying to even figure out what I would say to this imaginary interrogator, so all signs point to inevitable failure.

Still, it’s important to deal with my own ignorance and try to correct it, so I’m happy that I read this book, despite how little I believe I truly grasped. I guess, perhaps, if I listen to it over and over again, eventually it all might stick.

In my defense, there are no required space science courses for many people. I have a Master’s degree, and I’ve never in my life taken a space science course, though some space science was covered in other courses, just at a much lower level (and probably about 20 years ago, which means more than half of what I did know is now probably wrong, inaccurate, or disproven).

In light of one of my new projects at work, it probably would be good for me to reread this one, as well as other books on this topic. That way I start to curb my own knowledge gap, and also, because space science is rather fascinating, even when it’s confusing and overwhelming.

From an outside perspective, it’s reasonably well-written, though often has a textbook feel, and in some sections, a new fact is spouted at you in almost every sentence, which makes it even harder to consume it all and find a place for it in your mind before the next bit of new information arrives. However, it’s not Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s fault that I’m ignorant about astrophysics, and I believe he did try to dumb it down for me as much as possible, without being scientifically vague or inaccurate.

My favorite part was the end, which is not to say I was happy that it ended. I just enjoyed how he kind of brought everything together and talked about what it might or might not mean to people in the last portion of the book. That was finally a section I could easily follow along with and found captivating.

Book 39 read in 2018

Pages: 222

Alien: Out of the Shadows by Tim Lebbon

Alien: Out of the Shadows by Tim Lebbon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received the full cast audio production free through Audible, and it was interesting enough. This would not be something I could read in print, as the story is entirely dialogue (so the characters discuss back story and world building). I assume it’s also available in print, though I doubt that would be the recommended way to experience it, unless everything but the dialogue was just cut out for this reproduction. If someone more informed reads this review and can answer that, please leave a comment.

The sound effects were actually helpful, and normally I hate excess sound in an audio format. However, this is the exception, since this story isn’t about the writing but about dramatic effect.

Apparently, this somehow fits into the storyline between some films, but I know nothing about that and haven’t seen the films. Regardless, I was able to follow along. Looking back, it probably would have been good to know that in advance, so I could watch/listen in order.

I occasionally had trouble understanding some of the dialogue in the recording, due to they synthesized sounds of some of the voices. Also, I spent a good chunk of the time mixed up about who was who, but it turned out to not really matter all that much. I could still follow the story, even without having a clue whose voice I was listening to. I just learned the characters more by their voices than their names.

Pages: 352

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide, #1)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is sci-fi novel is clever, amusing, and full of voice. I was taken with it from the first moment and listened devotedly until the last second. The contrast between characters and their personalities, even the robots, is so well done and adds a lot of humor and variety to the story.

I have to confess that I didn't know this was a series, and I can't believe I haven't read it before now. Anyway, I thought I would just knock this off my list fast, but as it turns out, I now want to read the next 5 books in the series, which increased my TBR, instead of decreasing it as planned. But oh well. I can't be unhappy about such a stellar series.

Pages: 193

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy. Wow. I love when a second book stands up and delivers. YA Sci-Fi is so wickedly delightful these days.

Nemesis should be my new bestie (sorry Laurie!). I mean she's absolutely ruthless when it comes to protecting Tyrus, and I love that. At the same time, for being considered as something less than human, she's so painfully human that it's almost uncomfortable at times.

And that ending. It was like plot twists upon plot twists upon plot twists. My brain is still swirly from how many unexpected moments occurred in just the last few chapters.

I am in love with this series. The only negative is that I have to wait another year to get my hands on book 3, and I'm desperate for it right now.

Pages: 378

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I absolutely loved this YA space Sci-Fi. This story is exciting, fast-paced, and it has a well developed world--no--universe, that's embroiled in interstellar war. The storyline includes visits to several interesting planets, all with unique side characters.

The story is told from 2 POVs. One is a human girl, Noemi, a flyer sworn to protect her low-tech planet of Genesis by sacrificing her own life for the good of all. The other is a mech boy (artificial intelligence), created by a brilliant earthling. The mech has been stranded in space for 30 years, due to an unexpected chain of events. I won't say more, because spoilers, but the story is captivating from the first moment.

The audiobook is fantastic, with 2 readers, one for each POV.

Pages: 503

Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

Summary: "When professional mercenary Deviana Morris took the security guard job aboard the Glorious Fool, all she wanted was a fast route into the Devastators -- the elite league of armored fighters entrusted with the most important duty on her home planet of Paradox. But this security job isn't just twelve-hour patrols, armor-polishing, and whiskey. The supposedly-cursed Captain Caldswell keeps sending Devi and her partner into unimaginably dangerous situations."

I've been in the mood for an awesome, adventure-packed space novel, and Fortune's Pawn fit the bill! The first installment in the Paradox series was fun, suspenseful and interesting. I loved Devi as a brave and determined heroine. She was well-rounded, clever and still flawed. I can't wait to read the next one!

340 pages