Cassastar (Cassastar #1) by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The Blurb

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard. Much to Byron s chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential. As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

My review

I’m a Star Trek fan (I’m only talking about The Next Generation and Deep Space 9, though). One thing I’ve never done until now was read a sci-fi set in space. Now I don’t know why I waited so long. It was amazing.

The book was full of more than I had expected. The action was well paced and kept me flipping the proverbial pages. Byron broke my heart with how difficult a time he had with forming friendships. Bassa stole the show for me. A gruff man initially, who ended up being Byron’s savior.

I expected the excitement of flying through space and risking their lives. What surprised me was how much emotion was packed into the novel. I refused to cry, but swallowing became tough in a couple of scenes.

My one issue with this book was that women played no role in it at all (other than his not so nice sister). I kept expecting to see a female pilot or navigator at some point, but nope. I know it’s the author’s prerogative, but it didn’t make me a very happy feminist at all.

I give this book five out of five space ship shaped (see the cover to envision it) chocolate bars.

I won a copy of this book as a giveaway but it can be purchased at Amazon.

Prah, Constantine, and Baryeh Review: Pop Travel by Tara Tyler

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. This week we decided to go the Science Fiction route. I’m a lover of the genre when it comes to television and movies, but this is the first time I’m reading it.

Remember to head over to Constantine and Baryeh’s blogs once you’ve read my review to find out what they thought.

The Blurb

In 2080, technology has gone too far for J. L. Cooper. He thinks he can avoid pop travel teleportation, until he stumbles onto a video of a pop traveler who turns to dust.

Sparking a series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother, Cooper wants to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone. And who would believe him?

With help from the neurotic genius “Creator” of pop travel and a beautiful Southern charmer, Cooper must expose the deadly glitch and shut it down or die trying. No problem.

My Review

Similar to the Sci Fi shows and movies I’ve watched, Pop Travel stayed true to the science. Something that could totally exist, but I didn’t completely understand even though I wanted experience it.  All except for the turning into the dust.

Adding suspense, action, and a little bit of romance into the mix made this book a winner.

Cooper was a fabulous hero. Intelligent, handsome, physically fit (with his rusty karate moves), and loyal to humanity. He risked his life to ensure others wouldn’t die because of the secret which had been thrust upon him.

I’ll warn you that some of the dialogue was corny, but it fit right into the story, making me laugh in spite of my eye roll. All in all the book moved along at a fast pace taking me all over the world (I love that).

I bought my copy from Amazon.

I give this book five out of five bags of chocolate chips (to represent the dust).

Spotlight with a $75 Amazon GC #Giveaway: Sky’s End by Lesley Young #ScienceFiction #Romance

Ms. Young will be awarding a $75 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

BLURB:

A secret she must never share. A secret that two warring species are determined to control. A universe’s future at stake.

Twenty-year-old Cassiel Winters joins Earth’s new space academy in hopes of finding her brother, one of Command’s top pilots and her only family, who’s been reported MIA. But she quickly realizes she may not be cut out for life in space, where female cadets are outnumbered, competition’s fierce, and she’s already failed her hand-to-hand combat test once.

Even the station’s most respected officer, Lt. Damian King, probably can’t help Cassiel pass the second time around – so why is he so interested in her progress? If only one of her freaky déjà vu visions would offer an answer instead of mysterious messages like hide.

When Cassiel’s manipulated into a perilous mission, she encounters a warrior species bred to protect the universe from an even greater threat. And she learns that her secret visions are at the heart of it all.

Now Cassiel must fight to control her own destiny and race to save her brother – even if it means pretending to be the pawn of Prime Or’ic, the cold-as-steel Thell’eon leader. Even if it means risking her life, facing hard truths, and making the ultimate sacrifice.