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Aerodance: A Neon Space Opera- Episode 1: Pilots

By Brett Herman

Genre: Science Fiction

A dangerous group of rebels and anarchists is ready to strike at humanity from the fringes of the void.

Out beyond the Prime System, Earth’s colonies are defended by a legendary group of starfighters. Tyto, a young pilot, is enrolled in an elite training program that will put him in the cockpit of one of these near-invincible ships. His training takes a difficult turn when he finds himself unable to grapple with the modifications that his own body must undergo to earn his wings.

Captain Mira Holt runs freelance cargo and passengers on the fringes of the colonial Net. A routine scan of her ship reveals a cryogenically frozen marine illegally stowed away in her hold, and she takes the risk in waking the soldier up. When she goes looking for answers about how he came to be cargo, Mira finds her ship and very way of life put in jeopardy.

Out in the dark of space, Davis Goodwin leads the militant band of exiles. At the helm of an ancient dreadnought, Mate Goodwin sets into motion a plan that would see the end of humanity’s efforts to colonize the stars.

Inspired by episodic stories like Cowboy Bebop and Firefly, Aerodance is a monthly series of novels.

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Author’s Bio

Brett Herman is a writer and comedian living in Southern California.  With a lifelong obsession with video games, comic books, tabletop gaming, role-playing and pretty much every other hobby that keeps his head up in the clouds with dragons and star fighters, Brett has been making up stories and testing the patience of anyone who will listen for decades.  When he’s not writing or immersed in some new game or book, Brett can be found performing improv comedy throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, or wandering around with his wife and his dog Penny enjoying the outdoors.

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My Review

5 stars

This is the first in a series of space opera stories. We learn of several events happening relating to the human colonization of space. Follow along with several people and how they are surviving in this new world. But although the colonies are doing well, there are those that want to stop humanity dead in its tracks.

I liked how we learn about each person and how eventually they all link together. I really enjoyed how the bad guy was not just wanting to destroy everything. He had a point, purpose, and a plan. It made him more understandable and believable.

Of course when you have books that are going to be episodes like this you are left with a semi-resolution but things are still left open for a continuation into the next story. I did like how everything started to come together and become something bigger than just the individual struggles.

I really enjoyed this story and will gladly read the next volume. If you like sci-fi stories and space operas I think you should check out this book.

I received Aerodance from Sage’s Reading Room for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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My Review

4 Stars

Holly O’Rourke has been through two failed marriages and is stuck in a stale relationship with James Macklin. She can feel the distance between the two of them the last couple years but cannot figure out what is going on. A chance meeting with a co-worker has given her feeling for him and she is torn between Charlie and James. So Holly decides to visit a psychic to figure out what to do and begins a journey through her past lives. She learns that many evens and people have affected her throughout time and she is hoping that this time she gets her happily ever after.

This was an interesting story. Holly has the troubles of learning about James and his wanderings which causes a whole fresh set of drama in her life. But the part I really enjoyed was when she would visit her different past lives. It was really fascinating how she would keep running into the same people in her lives and not just the romantic area. She seems to keep dealing with the same issues so it was about time that she come out on top.

This book is not one of my usual reads but I’m glad that I decided to read it. This is one that I recommend checking out, you may be pleasantly surprised.

My Review

5 stars

Amber Macklin is having a hard time dealing with the loss of her husband and then her daughter and moves in with her cousin Bryce Decker until she can get on her feet. There is clearly some attraction between the two of them but they have to keep a distance. When they learn that they are not blood relations that distance disappears. An old college friend of Bryce’s shows up to wish them the best but bad things start happening. Amber is starting to have visions and drawing scenes of Mike torturing and killing her. It seems that Mike has wanted Amber for a long time and is rather upset that Bryce is with her.

This is a great story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Amber and Bryce have been through so much but it was great to learn that they had each other. Mike is a creep on so many levels. I felt for Amber as she was having these visions and creating these horrible drawings. Then when he kidnaps her, I was hoping she could get away or Bryce get there in time.

I loved the paranormal additions to this story. We have the previous lives but also some astral projection and psychic abilities. They made this already intense story better. Now I admit the whole cousin love thing gave me a touch of the creeps so I was glad that they were not blood related even though it is still a little odd.

I really have enjoyed both books in the Karma series and I can’t wait to see what Laura Simmons comes up with next.

I received both Little Bits of Karma and Tough Karma from Silver Dagger Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of these books.

 

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