Book Review: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Need a quick SciFi fix? This is it. I enjoyed #2 as much as I did #1 and I really want to buy the whole series to sit on my shelf so I can touch it affectionately when I'm feeling down.

But seriously, these quick reads are perfect little episodes with just the right amount of fun. Where else can you find a deadly murderbot who sighs at the idiotic and suicidal decisions of humans?

Martha Wells builds a convincing and effective world through the eyes of a "rogue murderbot," otherwise known as a security model that has hacked its governor module and uses its spare time to watch too much TV while trying to figure out humans. The first-person perspective is perfect and I have no trouble relating to this bot. I imagine most SciFi fans have similar opinions of most humans. Wells' writing style is easy to read and very clean. I cannot think of a single thing I would complain about in this book.

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I read this book as part of my SpaceTime Reading Challenge. To view my progress or sign up, visit the post.

March IWSG - Scenes and Rings

It's March.

I spent February working constant overtime. It was brutal. Some days I had up to 15 employees call out. Two new employees quit after only a week. Childcare is not for the weak. 

And my personal in-progress list seems to enjoy growing. Nothing gets marked off, but I still keep adding things. I just can't help it. I want to do it all! Besides, this list is for me! So I am doing a six-week workout challenge, slowly making my way through yoga teacher certification, taking an online course, starting a new garden from scratch, and trying to do plenty of writing and reading.

While my blog content is lacking, I assure you there is plenty going on behind the scenes. Speaking of scenes, this month's question is about conflicting feelings regarding scenes. I am still in the editing phase for my novel, and I can't say there is a particular scene I have felt conflicted about for a specific reason. Mostly, I just keep questioning each scene and trying to make sure the plot keeps moving forward.

I'm fueling my inspiration with as much reading as I can! I signed up for the Space/Time Reading Challenge. If you haven't been by to sign up, you should! While you are there, read a little bit about the creator Jemima Pett. She has a recent book release that would be a great fit for the challenge. Let me tell you about it!!

Book: Zanzibar’s Rings (Book 3 in the Viridian System series)

Author: Jemima Pett

Blurb: A galactic crisis: the entire comms system destroyed. No waypoints, no navigation aids, no database access... and how will spaceships in flight get home--or to any destination? Dolores is stuck in warp with a very dangerous passenger, Pete gets his shuttle back home on manual. But why does anything in close contact with pure orichalcum fix itself? Just flying through Zanzibar's Rings solves the problem--as the Federation's Fighters find, as they descend on the Viridian System to take possession of the planets.

This third book in the series wraps up the adventure that started with The Perihelix and continued with Curved Space to Corsair. It is a self-contained story with references to previous events, but no prior knowledge is required.

Zanzibar’s Rings published 22nd Feb 2022: Amazon, iTunes, B&N and Kobobooks.

Social media links:

Visit Jemima’s website at jemimapett.com or connect with her at BookBub, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and Pinterest.

Thanks for being an inspiration, Jemima!

And for more inspiring authors, see our co-hosts this month!

The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

Book Review: CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Cassafire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was eager to read the continuation of Byron’s journey from CassaStar, and I was not disappointed. CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh was an enjoyable and quick read.

Byron kept his promise at the end of the first book and signed on to an exploration team. He serves as a pilot for scientists as they study alien technology on a planet that only recently discovered they were not alone, but has not yet mastered space travel of their own. Byron’s unique abilities in telepathy make him more than just a useful chauffeur.

For me, Byron is the attraction. I think his character is interesting and unique and his struggle with relationships makes him very relatable. There is even a bit of romance, which I was not expecting. I think it was well executed and crucial to the plot.

I would recommend this book/series to SciFi lovers who want to explore space and hear the tales of exploration and everyday life. The rest of the series is definitely on my TBR list. Cavanaugh is an addictive storyteller.


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I read this book as part of my SpaceTime Reading Challenge. To view my progress or sign up, visit the post.

February IWSG - Who's Missing?

February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you who perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

The awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

This is an easy question...EVERYONE.

Just months before starting my membership in the Insecure Writers Support Group I moved a thousand miles away from everyone I ever knew. All the people who molded me into the shape I am today are greatly missed. The grandparents who always saw the possibilities inside me, the parents who made sure those possibilities had a chance to blossom, the aunts, uncles, and cousins who influenced my thoughts and ideas, the friends who allowed me to be myself; all of them are far away.

The hardest part of leaving so many behind is knowing that my children will not have those same amazing influences in their lives. The best part about knowing this is I appreciate every memory and embrace each one so it can shine through my being. My kids will know those influences through me, and my readers will catch glimpses of them, too.

Thanks for visiting me today. While the void is not completely filled by it, hearing from you does mean a lot to me. Thanks for your support and influence!

Laugh for the day:  Grammarly wanted to correct "so many behind" to "so many behinds." Yes, there are a lot of behinds in my family, and they would all get a kick out of that.