After a five year sabbatical following the tragic death of his wife and fellow agent Alysha, Keona Rause returns to the distant colony world of Magenta to resume service with the Magentan Intelligence Service. With him he brings an artificial recreation of his wife’s personality, a simulacrum built from every digital trace she left behind. She has been constructed with one purpose – to discover the truth behind her own death – but Keona’s relationship with her has grown into something more, something frighteningly dependent, something that verges on love.
Cashing in old favours, Keona uses his return to the Service to take on a series of cases that allow him and the artificial Alysha to piece together his wife’s last days. His investigations lead him inexorably along the same paths Alysha followed five years earlier, to a sinister and deadly group with an unhealthy fascination for the unknowable alien Masters; but as the wider world of Magenta is threatened with an imminent crisis, Keona finds himself in a dilemma: do his duty and stand with his team to expose a villainous crime, or sacrifice them all for the truth about his wife?
As a reader who has a passion for Science Fiction, I was thrilled to have come across this book. Not only does the synopsis above tell us that it is going to be a thrilling ride, it also tells us that it will be a thought-provoking one. As soon as I read that Keona – our protagonist – had created an artificial version of his deceased wife Alysha, I was sold! I mean come on book lovers, this is incredible and so intriguing! Upon finishing this novel just now I can honestly say that it is one of my favorite science-fiction novels I have ever read and that takes a lot for me to say because I have read a hell of a lot of Sci-Fi! Now let me tell you a little bit more about the story.
Nobody wants to witness a loved one die, and nobody wants to see that person be gone forever. This is predominately what From Darkest Skies is about… What happens when somebody you love tragically dies…somebody you thought you knew everything about; and what if you were able to take all of the memories, thoughts, and feelings of that person and install them into an Artificial Intelligence who can talk to you exactly how your loved one would have. So that really, this person has not left your life and is still beside you. What would you do?  Would this Artificial Intelligence help you to grieve or stop you all -together from moving on and recovering? These are some very important questions From Darkest Skies asks you and to say it starts to make you think is an understatement.
Agent Keona Rause has been mourning the death of his wife and fellow agent – Alysha Rause – for five long years with no indication that he is ready to heal and move on. So instead of doing just this he does the opposite and doesn’t accept her death but rather, has her memories transferred into an Artificial Intelligence which talks to him and acts exactly how his wife would have. He has created a false version of his deceased wife in a bid to unlock her memories and the secrets of her mind which could in turn help solve the tragic murder that took her life.  Just as he is shipped back to his old planet, Magenta – which was where his wife was killed – he must try to uncover her murder to find out what truly happened and who his wife truly was all whilst working as an agent with his fellow colleague and trying to avoid the detection of his AI – which is in fact, illegal.
Science Fiction as a genre can be one of two things. It can either be an intricately layered novel filled with enough information to blow your mind or it can be a simplistic novel with just enough information without the danger of overloading you. From Darkest Skies is one of those Science Fiction novels which is intricately layered and intense with a lot of information but just the right amount and never too much. Peters manages to balance all of the information and themes in this novel so perfectly that it makes him the master of space; this book is simply a work of art.
The world of From Darkest Skies is a vibrant and alternative one… a world like nothing I have read before. It is subtle too, Peters takes his time to build this world inventively and intricately and build the characters this way expertly also. The story itself follows many different avenues, its main focus is the crime however we get great insight into an alien race which has carved its mark into the world we live in and take over. Shipping huge amounts of humans to other planets for no apparent reason. In other words, this novel is shrouded in great mystery, a mystery which so elegantly and beautifully unravels that you can’t help but read more and more.
To summarise my thoughts on this novel I would say that I definitely recommend it and implore you all to read it! Peters has created a masterpiece here with his eloquent writing and fascinating characters and plot lines. It is a wonderful Sci-Fi thriller and I think all of you would really adore it! The book gets Four Stars from me.
As always thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate it. Please do comment below and let me know your thoughts on From Darkest Skies and whether you could see yourself reading it. Also, let me know whether you adore Science Fiction and what you think of the premise of the novel. Could you take all of those memories of a lost loved one and put them into an Artificial Intelligence? Let me know below I would love to know your thoughts!
P.S. Here is a preview of the book for all of you lovely readers to enjoy! Please have a read of the preview and if you find that you have loved what you have read then all you need to do is click the Buy on Amazon button and it will take you straight to the book on Amazon USA! If you are in the U.K. then below I have attached a link to the book for the Amazon U.K. website. I have also attached some links about the author and this wonderful book! Thank you so much again for reading book lovers, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this book!  Â
Amazon U.K. / Goodreads / Book Depository / Publisher; Orion – Gollancz
Thank you so much again for reading!
New to wordpress and had to say that your blog is awesome and so is this comment! Agree with what you said 100%. follow my blog for when its ready. Keep BOOK ROCKING!
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!
I really do appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment, so thanks again!
What is your name by the way and where are you from in the world? I would love to know!
I look forward to your reply!
Sounds interesting. Great review.
Thank you so much again for commenting! and for your kind words, that is so lovely of you!
Do you think you could see yourself reading this book? (:
I’m always on the lookout for something truly original that breaks the cookie cutter mold of what’s out there. This looks to be exactly that kind of book. Great review.
Firstly thank you so much for commenting! I really appreciate it.
I am so happy that you love the look of this book it is truly wonderful! It is definitely an original story like you described and I think you would love it!
Do you read much Sci-Fi? (:
Off and on. These days it’s more non-fiction with Star Wars or Star Trek tossed into the mix.
Tough call. Star Wars opening day was my first memory. Trek was there for me when the original trilogy ended and expanded my horizons. I don’t think I can make that choice.
That’s how to grow a geek! Nice
lol.
That one is easy. The Empire Strikes Back.
No worries. It happens sometimes. I’m cautiously optimistic about the sequel trilogy, but Rogue One impressed me to no end. It’s a different era now. I’m hoping they can Branch out and stay true to the core. That’ll get harder as they go.
Rogue One I thought was much better and that scene at the end with Darth Vader was incredible! What did you think? I couldn’t get enough of it I wanted more!
Let’s just say I’ve watched that ending a couple hundred times now. That’s Vader as we always understood him to be. It was glorious to see him unleashed like that!
What do you think will happen to Luke?
I figure he’ll be killed off, but hope not.
What did you think of Kylo Ren?
Right now, he’s Darth Vader lite, and that bugs me. But the fact that he’s actively fighting his inherent Light Side is interesting to me, if they can develop that journey adequately. Right now, he’s very much a rough sketch of a character. Time will tell.
I think we’ll all have that anger. It’s natural. Ultimately, whatever Luke’s going through, I want him to rise again as the hero we know him to be before he becomes one with the Force. That’s the problem with continuing the saga, though. The characters that earned their happy endings no longer get happy endings. That sort of thing becomes a moving target.
Thank you. I wish it weren’t true. I think whatever happens, it’s the middle chapter… somebody’s going to scream. It’s got to happen.
I think so too but I just really wish that it didnt have too! So I am curious have you ever read any of the Star Wars books? (: Sorry for my delayed response by the way!
No worries on delays. We all have lives. lol. I’ve read some of the novels. Reviewed some too. I tend to cherry pick by character. Anything with Vader, I’m there.
I haven’t read any of the novels but if some of them focus on Vader then I would love to read that! Can you please let me know a great Star Wars book that features Vader? I would love to know!
If you’re all about Vader, you need to read Dark Lord: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader and Lords of the Sith. The first one from before the Disney buyout, picks up right after Ep. III, so you see the transition of Anakin inside the armor into the Vader we know. Lords of the Sith is Disney era, so it’s “new canon” (if that matters). It’s smack in the middle of the Dark Times and all that implies.
Thank you so much for telling me all this information! I have made a note and will go on Goodreads shortly to add them to my reading list!
My pleasure! Hope they work as well for you.
I am all about Vader though so these books sound incredible so thank you again for letting me know! I real;y appreciate it!
Anytime. Feel free to hit up the contact page and ask directly if you need more. There’s always more. lol
Haha great! Thank you so much. You are so lovely to speak too!
Back at you. 🙂
I just realized I wrote “The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader.” I’ve been reading a lot of Rise and Fall type material lately, sorry. The book is Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. We all know the fall doesn’t happen until ROTJ. lol
Thank you so much for letting me know I will check this book out on Amazon ASAP! (:
Enjoy!
Thank you!!
lol. You really have no need to apologize. I’m based in Dallas, TX. You?
Depends on what part you’re in. Mostly it’s just hot, and you need a car because everything’s 20 miles in any direction. lol
Around here, you need a car. And as much as traffic jams suck, there is something to be said for the freedom a car can bring. You need to change routes? No problem. You decide you need to stop for food or random toy shopping? Done. Want to sing along with the music without annoying other passengers? Kick the passengers out. lol. I kid…!
I could not agree more, and I am jealous. I grew up in the country. I’m only in the city now because that’s where the job is. Given the chance to move back, out where I can see stars? I’d be there in a heartbeat.
If only we didn’t need to work…
Ah, Merry Ol’ England. Someday I hope to go visit there and absorb the history.
I grew up with American history. It, and really all history, fascinates me. Thing about American history… you can’t understand it fully without knowing British history. Most Americans will never understand that, but it’s true. The path to what we have here started with Magna Charta, goes right through the Reformation, comes to a head in the Revolution, and continues on through two World Wars alongside England and the Allies. The two countries are joined at the hip as I see it.
Would that more did.
Well, the potential is still there, certainly. I worry about the US more and more all the time. But that’s another story. The wheel will turn again eventually.
I haven’t yet, actually. Is it good?
I’ve been there once. A friend of mine used to live in Fort Collins, so I went out there to spend a week, did some hiking in the foothills of the Rockies. Gorgeous area.
The closest I’ve been to Canada is I’ve seen it from the American side of Niagra Falls. I’d love to see more of it. Beautiful country. My means of travel are severely limited by money and circumstance, otherwise there’s SO much I’d want to see and do. Still… that’s what books are for, to fill in the gaps.
Yes I agree! Books are always there and they are far cheaper lol.
I totally did. It rocked.
Nope, it was the end of June. Perfect weather for a dash in the waves.
I want to be. As I say, I’m cautiously optimistic about the numbered saga films. I see a lot of problems, I see a lot of potential, and I’m just hoping for the best.
I hope for the best too! What other popular movie series do you enjoy? (:
The list gets smaller all the time. Up until it just ended, Planet of the Apes was a big one for me. James Bond and Indiana Jones are priorities. As much Disney / Pixar content as I can get my paws on. I cherry pick Marvel. I could probably go on and on, but that’s what my blog is for. 😛 You?
I love both of those movie series you have talked about! So have you seen the last planet of the apes? What did you think of the ending I am curious!
I have, just recently! I even blogged about it.
http://knightofangels.com/2017/08/17/apes-together-strong/
Thank you so much for linking this I am going to have a read now, thank you! I am interested to hear your thoughts (:
May it live up to any perceived hype. 😛
Oh! And what marvel movies do you adore? (:
I’m in the minority on this, but I can’t sit through Guardians of the Galaxy or Ant-Man. And I’m not real keen on Iron Man 3 or Thor 2. Beyond that, they do pretty well, all in all. Really looking forward to seeing Black Panther. It’s got potential.
Do you enjoy the DC comics movies? (:
I used to follow the comics religiously for years, then they rebooted, twice in 5 years. The films went even further. I don’t recognize those characters anymore. Not for lack of trying. Give me 90s animated DC any day.
Yes definitley! Vintage is always better. I am obsessed with the old comics and think the artwork is simply stunning so I am so happy you agree with me!
I am curious do you enjoy reading comics? For example The Walking Dead or Hellboy? Please let me know as I love talking with you!
I used to read Hellboy back when it was new. Back in the day, I read nearly everything released. These days… money talks, and I have little of it, so I don’t keep up very well.
So what did you think of Hellboy when you read it and have you heard about the new movie adaptation? (:
Hellboy was one of the best comics Dark Horse ever produced. Clever, fun… if you ever get the chance to read the originals, do so. The new movie? I’m all over this. I’ll miss Perlman, but it looks like they’re staying true to form so far.
Fight Club was a good movie. It’s a better novel (go figure, right?). Can’t say I’ve heard about Fight Club 2, but admittedly I’ve been out of the loop on comics for about a decade now.
So have you read the novel? I couldn’t tell by your message. Dare I say it though, but I didn’t like the book that much! I know, I’m terrible lol.
I did, and I liked it, but it was more about the way it was written than the story itself. The movie made more of an impact on the story.
Can’t say I have, no. I’ll check into it.
I believe you. I have an entire mountain of books on my list like that… I have the attention span of a 5 year old sometimes, and the laser focus of a robot other days, so things get lost in the shuffle as I bounce down rabbit holes. lol
Is there one book on your list that you are desperate to read? (:
One? Oh, that’s funny… I don’t even have only one series waiting on me that I want to burn through.
Sounds familiar. *nods*
Oh yes. I’ve been following him since Beauty and the Beast. He’s an amazing voice actor as well. Speaking of Hellboy, he and his cast for those did two animated Hellboy features as well. They are awesome.
There’s a time limit? I was not informed. lol. Don’t worry about such things.
Haha thank you for understanding!
No problem at all. 🙂
I like the first IM, but they kind of fall apart after that. Ah well, still love the character.
I think she offered up the counterpoint she needed to. She’s more grounded, so it contrasts with the things that drive Stark to do what he does in the suit. It’s sometimes hard to appreciate those kinds of characters, the ones that hold the stars back. But it does serve the purpose of pushing them forward. Something in the chemistry didn’t quite gel, I think, but the idea was there.
For some reason I read this as “abhor.” Apparently I need more coffee. Ok, let me try again. I love Captain America, the first Iron Man, Avengers… those are the ones that I tend to come back to time and again.
Chris Evans did for Cap what Chris Reeve did for Superman. He’s perfect for the role. I’m all in for Avengers!
I agree! Damn we really do have too much in common lol.
Chris Evans is perfect as Captain America though, looks the part and everything!
He really is. I had him pegged first from Fantastic Four, because he was a little too good at Human Torch, so when they cast him for Cap, I was skeptical. He proved me wrong! The man’s got acting chops.
He does! He makes a fantastic Captain America. What is your favourite Captain America film?
The First Avenger is my favorite one, but I love Winter Soldier for completely different reasons. Quality wise, the two are very close in my book.
Also, I am not sure if I have asked you this but have you ever watched the x-men movies? (:
Hasn’t everyone? lol. They’re kind of hit and miss for me, much like the comics of old, but they’re fun. I think X2 and First Class are probably my favorite ones. You?
Haha that I am true! Everybody loves and has seen x-men!
I adore X2 and first class, I actually love them all actually. Even the first three but I am loving the prequels.
I can’t claim them all, but when they nail it, it’s something special.
Do you like the wolverine movies? I thought Logan was incredible!
Logan was probably the best of the bunch. It’s also closest to the comic, which is why it worked so well. Fantastic performances all around.
Oh really? So are a lot of the movies different from the comics then? It really was incredible though (:
Most of the movies barely scratch the ideas behind the characters. You can say that about most comics-to-films translations, but in the case of X-Men, it’s particularly watered down by necessity. It would be like trying to capture the entire Lord of the Rings in half an hour, depending on which story you try go with.
I feel your pain on that one. As long as they can get the characters right, I’m more forgiving, but only to an extent. That’s the problem with adaptations: they are somebody else’s version of a better story.
But of course! It’s not perfect, but this goes back to what I just mentioned about adaptations. There’s a lot in the book that wouldn’t translate, and other things that had to be streamlined for screen. Visually and musically… I couldn’t have asked for better.
Bucky. That is one tragic storyline…
So tragic! I loved how we got to see him go from good to bad to good lol. Marvel really are great at portraying characters!
Character has always been their mandate. Their heroes are relatable.
That’s always been my argument. The concept of the superhero was born in the Depression and the years leading to WWII. No matter how much they adapt to modern times, they’ll never recapture the magic or the sense of purpose of that era. And visually, stuff just looks cool.
Oooh… tough one. Rural England? Or maybe Tuscany? Some place with little noise, open spaces, and stars. I ask for so little. What sounds good to you?
Astronomy, yes! Astrology… I don’t see how anyone can classify the entire human race into 12 ready-made categories and make that work. It’s fun to think about though.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s fascinating stuff. I picked up on some of it studying medieval mysticism. It’s more fun in context. I just have a difficult time reconciling it with modern information.
It’s amazing how many do though. Astrology is one of the oldest “sciences” in human history.
Sometimes it works out.
Some of the traits do make sense. Capricorn – I head up the mountain in the most difficult way imaginable, but I’ll get there in the end. But there are things that don’t fit in either. I have no head for numbers, I love music and the arts, and so on. Caps are known to be stodgy accountant types on some level, successful in business. 😛
Just enough to know that I do everything the exact hardest way possible on the path that others can’t or won’t tread. Sadly, it makes perfect sense for me too.
.
I don’t doubt it.
Capricorn – I guess I jumped the gun answering these. lol
You? No… lol
Amazing, isn’t it? It’s the like the more we know, the less we understand.
Exactly. That’s the logic behind all megalithic art and architecture too. Every giant statue, every cathedral and castle, ever skyscraper… all designed to assert dominance. The tallest buildings represent the most important aspect of civilization throughout time. And yet… the stars are always there bearing silent witness to our smallness.
Oh my god you are so poetic! This is so incredible lovely, you should be a writer!
I see no reason not to. Everything we know points pretty solidly to it.
Another one for the list, I’m afraid. And I have to be honest… after Nolan killed Batman for me 3 times, he’s not really on my priority list. My understanding is the science in this film doesn’t make sense either. It’s like they learned it, then ignored it to fit the story, which is what you sometimes have to do in film.
I’m sure it made sense. Any good writer can make it work for those in the audience who don’t deal with this stuff. It’s one part science, one part salesmanship. I love some good technobabble.
That sounds right. Lines up with what I know about it, which admittedly isn’t much.
In the end, that’s what matters most. Movies like that have merit if they can entertain me and give me something new to think about.
Well done!
Aww thank you!
😛
Haha, yeah, it’s changed a lot since then!
Picking my favorite Bond is just impossible. lol. I like them all for a variety of reasons. Craig is a ball of awesome though. I have to give the man points for giving it everything he has and then some. No one can accuse him of phoning it in.
Actor, no. The only films I’m not so keen on are Diamonds are Forever and A View to a Kill. Even then, there’s something on them I enjoy. Nostalgia…
I am still yet to watch all of the James Bond films but I need to watch them soon!
Sounds like perfect excuse for a box set purchase and some movie marathons!
Haha yes! Just what I was thinking!
Are you looking forward to the new James Bond films with Daniel Craig? I think they will be great!
Craig said he wanted to go out on a high note, and I have nothing but faith that they’ll find a way to pull that off. The wait is already killing me.
Yes the wait is always the worst, I want to see the movie NOW!
Right there with you. The media has trained me to expect things yesterday.
If I had to pick at gunpoint, I’d alternate between Casino Royale and Skyfall. CR is back to old school Fleming, and Skyfall just hits all the right chords for me.
Do you have a favourite James Bond villain? (:
Tough one. Traditionally, I’d be forced to say Blofeld, but there are so many. And then if you count henchmen too… how do you make that choice? These are the characters that make those films so much fun!
I could not agree with you more it is such a hard choice!
Who would you pick?
It’s really hard to argue that. Judi Dench and Javier Bardem pretty much steal that film.
What do you think of Bardem and his work, do you like him ?
He’s amazing. I watched him in Goya’s Ghosts, and he just blew me away. Everything I’ve seen him in since, he’s pretty much stolen the film.
I haven’t seen this movie and I haven’t actually heard of it! I am so ashamed of myself lol.
Can you please tell me more about this movie? (:
It’s an indie movie about the painter Francisco Goya (played by Ian Holm – Bilbo in LOTR). Bardem plays an inquisitor in the Spanish Inquisition, and Natalie Portman… well, you have to see this performance to believe it. This movie needed far more recognition than it got. I first saw it on Netflix, so you might check there.
You’ll love it. It’ll really put his art into perspective.
Omg now I really do desperately need to watch this movie. Thank you so much for letting me know!
My pleasure!
Do you like art at all? I am curious (:
I actually majored in fine art and animation in college. Art and music go hand in hand for me. Twin muses.
Oh wow how incredible!
So much fun. 🙂
My college career was a spectacular disaster. I learned far more on my own than in a classroom. The learning never stops, in fact. The list of faves is as long as your arm. Renaissance era, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the Impressionists are my tops, but I pretty much run the entire spectrum.
Me too. This is part of why I have so many movies in the backlog. 😛
Who hasn’t? I’ll be waiting for home video, but I am curious. I mean, it’s Harrison Ford. I’ll see pretty much anything he does. Report back with a review!
Speaking my language! Leonardo, Raphael, Botticelli…
They depicted what they thought was the world around them, just as Christianity in the Middle Ages or really any other time and place. Art elevates concepts for people in a way nothing else really can. I envy your travels, let me tell you.
Seems wrong somehow. You might try classical music. Much of the repertoire is like the classic novels and the classic works of art. Many of them go hand in hand and play off one another. For example, Impressionism. Listen to Claude Debussy while gazing at Claude Monet.
Some do, some don’t. If we were all the same, life would be boring. Still, you don’t know what you’re missing. 🙂
When did you really start to love music? (:
I’m pretty sure it was hardcoded into my DNA from the start.
I agree with him. My Dad doesn’t get music either. I’m convinced he’s not human. Music is our first human language. Go outside in nature…. it’s there all around you, in the animals, the insects, the trees, the wind…
Nice pick. Maybe that’s where you should start. Go pick up some Yo-Yo Ma. The man is incapable of a substandard performance.
There you go! Redeemed my music!
I’ve heard of it, but I’ve not seen it yet. One more for the list!
Nice. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it.
I’m fascinated by Britain as a whole. I cut my teeth on stories about King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Paddington Bear. It sort of went from there.
Sadly, no. On my budget, I’m doing good to leave my own city once in a while. There are so many places I’d love to see though. In the meantime, to help tide me over and dream bigger there are books, videos, and Google Earth.
Star Wars was always written with kids in mind. The problems were far deeper. I have to hold final judgment until I see 8 and 9. I’m trusting the process at this point.
Of course, I just felt that it didn’t feel as raw as the originals. It was still good though!
Nothing feels as raw as when it’s brand new. As long as I’m entertained and it all makes sense, that’s pretty much all I ask.
I replied, but an error occurred. Trying again. I was there when Star Wars began, and Trek filled the void when it was gone. I don’t know that I could make that choice.
I hate it when that happens! I got your message though and replied (:
Also thank you for your kind words !
My pleasure.
Am I following you (:
WP is my only social media, aside from a Goodreads account I barely use… so, probably not. 😉
Haha ok! No problem, I will just keep up with all of your posts here (:
Probably not. I’m not on any other platforms. 😉
Apologies for multiple replies. The WP app is showing errors, but the site says awaiting moderation. Feel free to delete duplicates.
No problem at all! WordPress can be pretty annoying sometimes!
Yeah, no system is perfect.
Not at all (:
I’m not really a fan of the sci-fi genre – but you just may have sold me on this one!
Thank you so much for commenting I really appreciate it. I love interaction with fellow book lovers so this is great!
I can see on your sub title that you love romantic fiction so this would be a little out of the norm for you but I truly think you would adore it!
Plus! There is romance within this novel so you wont be completely without it! I am so happy I could convince you to read it though (:
Do you have any great romance recommendations for me to read?! (:
Hi – sorry I’m not getting notifications so I’ve missed your messages. Are you on Goodreads? If so, it’s easier to make recommendations in there. That way I can see what kind of romance reads you like 🙂
…and on checking, I realise it’s in my TBR pile awaiting to be read and reviewed for later this month. Yippee! I’m REALLY looking forward to this one, now:)).
Awww I am so glad! It is amazing, please do come back and let me know what you think of it or write a review on it. I always love knowing peoples thoughts on stories that I adore!
Do you read much Science Fiction at all? (:
Yes! I read a fair amount of science fiction – it’s my favourite genre. The anthology is called ‘While the Morning Stars Sing’ and my short story is called Hit the Button – about a chap who was continually playing over his holographic home movies featuring his dead wife.
I am so happy that you adore Science Fiction too! I did to my shame go off the genre for a few years because the books I read just seemed to be cliches and full of cheap thrills but now there are so many wonderful sci-fi books out there and I love that!
This sounds amazing! I am going to go and have a look at this now and get back to you (: You are such a wonderful writer as it is so I know I will adore this and it sounds so interesting!
That’s very kind of you to say so! Thank you…
You are so welcome! (:
Oh! And if you love Science Fiction then you are going to adore the review I have lined up. I have reviews for Beyond the Aquila Rift, which is short stories from Alastair Reynolds (I believe thats his name?) reviews for the New Moon series and a few more! (:
Looking forward to reading these:)).
I cant wait to read more of your stuff too! (:
Thank you!
(:
I have added the book to my amazon wish list so that I can read your short story!
Thank you:)
Do you have any other published work? (:
I have a short story ‘Miranda’s Tempest’ featured in an anthology Eve of War and online you can read my short stories ‘Picky Eaters’ and ‘Damned Flies’. I’ve recently signed a publishing deal with Grimbold Books for my post-apocalyptic science fiction novel Netted, which will be published in 2019.
I am so impressed! This is incredible and congrats on your book deal!
Thank you – it is a very recent development and I’m delighted. They are small publisher, but with a great track record of producing a steady stream of quality, quirky reads – and they are also lovely, lovely people!
Aww this is so lovely! I truly am delighted for you. You must have to be writing an awful lot now or have you already wrote quite a bit? (:
I’ve been writing for quite a long time – but when the family commitments popped up, while I continued to write I didn’t do all that much submitting. And now I’m determined to get more organised and professional about that side of things – as well as going for a traditional career, I’m also hoping to self publish some of my work this year.
Huge respect!
Of course you are – and I think it’s great:)).
It’s the strangest feeling… so intense. I didn’t expect to be swept by such HUGE emotion. From the moment I first held each one, they ambushed me and the flood of love I felt is overwhelming. But it is very different. They are not mine, so I get to hand them back, but I’ve been so lucky to spend lots of time with them and enjoy them. This time around, I know the battles I need to win – and the ones to let slide by, so I’m more relaxed and have FUN with them.
It really is an emotional time, isn’t it?
You’re so right – some of my most vivid memories…
I was a teacher and finally stepped down when the admin just became crazy and didn’t allow me time to write – but I did miss the children. I loved the teaching bit… Luckily I still get to teach – though it is adults these days:).
I didn’t train until my mid-30s when the children were older – it’s a great profession, though in this country there is a great deal of admin, these days. Which is a real shame…
Yes – that’s a great idea.
Thanks for reminding me of it all again! (:
Quite right, too:)
My daughter is 33 and my son is 30. My granddaughter is 12 and my grandson is now 7 ,which is the one that still winds me – when did he stop being ‘little’??
Oh my word!
That’s lovely for you, then:)). So glad for you!
Thank you! (:
Initially, I looked after my grandchildren a lot, as grannies so often do, which means I have a lovely relationship with both of them. And the icing on the cake is the knowledge I am also able to help my best bright bonny girl…
No
Blimey!
Well you’re certainly in the right part of the world to be able to get a home with plenty of land – here you’d need to be a millionaire to achieve that! Best of luck with all your plans:).
Yes
No, sadly not. I’m quite tethered at present. During the term time, I cannot go too far afield and during the school holidays we look after the grandchildren a fair amount of the time.
Aww that is still so lovely though!
Oh yes
Awww so cute!
Yes, we’re very lucky
Yes –
It was very rundown and rather a sad place when we first moved here over 20 years ago, but a lot of improvements have taken place and it is now a great town
I know its so wonderful! Small world (:
Yes! It I wrote a story where someone I chatted to online about my books had lived half an hour up the coast, an editor would be shaking her head and telling me it was unrealistic…
Haha, that is so funny.
…
Oh that’s marvellous
That’s great
No wonder we get on so well. Himself is also red-haired – although these days his red is fast fading to white – and he also has a lovely red beard:). My son was born with beautiful auburn hair and I was thrilled – and devastated when it all fell out when he was 10 days old and grew back again blond! You’re right – culture and where you’re from and who you are matters. I was brought up by my grandparents, who would talk a lot about their families and tell me stories of the past. I always thought… Read more »
Ah, but they won’t be suffering from a lack of identity, though, will they?
Exactly! I will have to tell them that you will thank me one day lol.
It’s interesting… I was always desperate to hear the ‘old stories’ in the family and have loved history – Himself and I met at college studying History – but my children have never been that interested. Though as they gone on growing older, I hope they might become more so.
What a lovely story, Aimee:). I always loved the passage in Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ when Gabriel Oak is proposing to Bathsheba and talks about sitting across the fireside reading and looking up and there she’ll be… We quite often turn the TV off and just read our books together. It’s lovely!
How lovely!
Exactly! It is a wonderful colour – and while blonde hair can easily be replicated by hair dyes, that glorious blazing red colour simply can’t. I think it is because it was so rare – and also several of the Scots clans were red-haired – that it became something to tease people about. Good for you to stand your ground:).
I’ve always felt very lucky to have blonde hair – it was golden blonde until I had the children and breast-fed, when it suddenly went a shade darker. It lightened up again after Rebecca was weaned, but stayed very dark after Robbie – a line that looked like I’d dyed it and it was growing out… I found it very upsetting and every time I looked in the mirror, it seemed a stranger was staring back at me. So I went to the hairdressers and had it highlighted. It only needs doing 3 times a year as it brightens naturally… Read more »
Yes – he shaved it off once and we all immediately demanded he grow it back again – it didn’t look like him!
Phew – yes, we were all mightily relieved and so was he. He grew a beard as a very young man, found it suited him and has had one all his adult life – he’s now quite cross it’s become fashionable.
I will definitely be buying this when it comes out, a post apocalyptic AND science fiction novel! These are my two favourite things.
That’s great news:). Thank you so much!
No thank you! You are the one who is going to write a great novel for readers enjoyment (:
Jo, the commissioning editor described Netted as ‘a tale of family love, rivalry and cybernetic implants, with some kick-ass older women and a dark undertone of repression and obsession.’ There is also some humour in there as well, alongside the grimmer stuff.
Haha that sounds amazing! I love the description of kick-ass older women. That makes sense though! All these heroines we have in books today are young and inexperienced. Why not have an older women who can kick ass? lol
There is also a younger women – but her mother and mother-in-law have major heft and survivability.
That is amazing! I love novels with strong woman and it sounds like it will have a few so I am looking forward to this.
What inspired you to write the story? Sorry if I am asking too many questions I am just interested *:
I wanted to write about a society trying to heal itself after years of chaos and misery – what would be the biggest challenges and how could they be overcome? So what if you developed neural nets that would be able to allow you to read the intentions of the people around you? Just to prevent cannibal gangs infiltrating your settlement, of course. And what if some people were far more neurally powerful than others, so the nets altered their consciousness? What if that genetic trait was spread through a tight-knit isolated community – what then? And then I dreamt… Read more »
Yes – I know what you mean. Though I’ve plenty of other projects keeping me busy just now…
That sounds exciting! I will definitely be stalking your page even more so from now on (:
That you for your wonderful enthusiasm – you have made my day:)).
Aww bless! This is so adorable (:
I love the sound of this one! I wrote a short story about this very subject that was published in an anthology a few years ago, so it is a subject I am particularly drawn to – many thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for commenting! I am so glad you love the sound of this book it is so brilliant and I think you will adore it!
I must have missed this post of yours could you send me the link? This sounds fascinating! It is such an interesting subject and it could be our future one day and so it is important to be aware for it! I would love to read your short story (:
Ok, I’m sold. This sounds AWESOME!!
Thank you so much for commenting! I am so glad I could convince you about this novel.
You did! Unfortunately it’s not available in the US. 😞
Oh no! I think it will be soon though when it is published over there. I put a link at the bottom of the page for the Amazon US link, hopefully that will help you!
It did but it said the book wasn’t available in the US. Physical copies can be preordered from the U.K., so I’ll keep my eye on it, or grab it from BD. Something will work!
Haha ok! You definitely need to read it though because it is so great (:
To say it is awesome is an understatement! It is so thrilling and so brilliant, I could honestly not put it down.
I might have to get it off BD so that I can read it!
Yes that’s what I meant. 😊 That would be wonderful, if you do find out. I’ll always be here and my interest in this book isn’t going anywhere!
Do you read much science fiction at all? I went off the genre for a few months but this book has made me hooked again!
Oh yes I love science fiction a lot! Usually just YA but I’m a big fan of the genre.
This is so wonderful! Do you have a sci-fi novel you could recommend that you love so much? (:
Hmm. I love Under The Never Sky…it’s one of my all time faves. I also like a lot of indie titles, though. So I’ll have to get a feel for what titles you like first bc I don’t want to recommend something you might find icky, lmao! 😂🙌
I have never read under the never sky or heard anything about it. What is it about? (:
Also have you read the 5th wave? Your mention of YA made me think of it!