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Jigsaw
Aurora Award Finalist
Humans are just beginning to explore the outer reaches of our solar system when the wormships are discovered outside the orbit of Pluto. Abandoned? Lost? Or left to be found? Found with charted wormholes in Sol System. Found with incredibly ancient yet perfectly functioning Wormer technology. Five years later, humanity is exploring the stars.
But right now, Cassie Morant, ship geologist on the Johannes Kepler wormship, wishes that she was back on Earth in her tiny apartment, lost in one of her beloved jigsaw puzzles. Because that perfect Wormer technology is perfect no more. Something has gone wrong. The Kepler’s orbit is decaying, and Cassie has less than twenty-four hours to solve a planet-sized, eons-old puzzle—or the entire crew will die. Cassie’s good at puzzles, but this one has a piece missing. A big piece.
Now Cassie has one last chance to save the ship and the man she loves. But time’s running out…
Science fiction, space
"...a fun romp." —Publishers Weekly
"...reawakened the child in me who loved to watch Star Trek characters solve the problems of mysterious races on faraway worlds. It's a nicely done puzzle-story, with a clever solution..." —Nancy Fulda
"A clever story whose protagonist is as reliant on her innate curiosity and fondness for puzzles as her intelligence. It provides added depth that one can miss in short fiction." —Tangent Online
"…reads very, very well in the traditional derring-do of sf adventures … shows the scope of the author's range and another favorite of mine in Chimerascope (A+)" —Fantasy Book Critic
"A darkly amusing look at what can go wrong when humans use alien technology they don't fully understand." —infinityplus
"Fast-paced...with a clever puzzle." —Tangent Online
Humans are just beginning to explore the outer reaches of our solar system when the wormships are discovered outside the orbit of Pluto. Abandoned? Lost? Or left to be found? Found with charted wormholes in Sol System. Found with incredibly ancient yet perfectly functioning Wormer technology. Five years later, humanity is exploring the stars.
But right now, Cassie Morant, ship geologist on the Johannes Kepler wormship, wishes that she was back on Earth in her tiny apartment, lost in one of her beloved jigsaw puzzles. Because that perfect Wormer technology is perfect no more. Something has gone wrong. The Kepler’s orbit is decaying, and Cassie has less than twenty-four hours to solve a planet-sized, eons-old puzzle—or the entire crew will die. Cassie’s good at puzzles, but this one has a piece missing. A big piece.
Now Cassie has one last chance to save the ship and the man she loves. But time’s running out…
Science fiction, space
"...a fun romp." —Publishers Weekly
"...reawakened the child in me who loved to watch Star Trek characters solve the problems of mysterious races on faraway worlds. It's a nicely done puzzle-story, with a clever solution..." —Nancy Fulda
"A clever story whose protagonist is as reliant on her innate curiosity and fondness for puzzles as her intelligence. It provides added depth that one can miss in short fiction." —Tangent Online
"…reads very, very well in the traditional derring-do of sf adventures … shows the scope of the author's range and another favorite of mine in Chimerascope (A+)" —Fantasy Book Critic
"A darkly amusing look at what can go wrong when humans use alien technology they don't fully understand." —infinityplus
"Fast-paced...with a clever puzzle." —Tangent Online
Nook
First published January 11, 2011
8 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Smith
51 books192 followersDouglas Smith is a multi-award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada's most original writers of speculative fiction.”
His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer's guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, and Cicada.
Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada's Aurora Award, most recently in 2023 for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He's been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC's Bookies Award, Canada's juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France's juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
Buy Doug's books
Follow Doug on Amazon
His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer's guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, and Cicada.
Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada's Aurora Award, most recently in 2023 for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He's been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC's Bookies Award, Canada's juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France's juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
Buy Doug's books
Follow Doug on Amazon
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 19, 2021
This was very enjoyable read. I would have like an epilogue.
July 30, 2015
While still in our infancy as space explorers, humanity discovers a trio of interstellar ships orbitting Sol beyond Pluto. Left behind by an unimaginably advanced race, the "Wormer" ships employ technology of which human scientists have little understanding. Eager to explore the universe, however, humans are quick to set aside fears of the unknown and venture forth in the alien ships.
One of these early explorers is geologist Cassandra Morant. Cassie has reservations about humanity's decision to ride piggyback on the mysterious Wormer technology but nevertheless finds herself assigned to the team sent to explore the far distant planet Griphus. Faced with interesting work and a shipboard romance, Cassie finds the early days of her mission aboard the Wormer ship pleasant enough. But when a power failure causes the ship's orbit around Griphus to decay, and the team sent to the planet's surface to extract a rare element necessary to effect repairs is captured by an indigenous tribe and threatened with execution, Cassie's worst fears are realized.
Faced with the imminent deaths of her team mates on the planet as well as the thousands of people on board the troubled Wormer ship, Cassie wishes she was back on Earth, puzzling through one of her beloved jigsaws, and not unimaginably far from home, spiralling to her destruction around an alien world. But there will be no going home for Cassie or any of her team unless she can solve the puzzle of planetary proportions which has Griphus--and now Cassie and her friends as well--in its grip.
In Jigsaw, Douglas Smith has crafted an intelligent puzzle story with a likable protagonist and a fascinating alien culture. The story is reminiscent of an episode of "Star Trek" in which human smarts and science save the day--except that the scientist in Jigsaw actually gets the science right!
One of these early explorers is geologist Cassandra Morant. Cassie has reservations about humanity's decision to ride piggyback on the mysterious Wormer technology but nevertheless finds herself assigned to the team sent to explore the far distant planet Griphus. Faced with interesting work and a shipboard romance, Cassie finds the early days of her mission aboard the Wormer ship pleasant enough. But when a power failure causes the ship's orbit around Griphus to decay, and the team sent to the planet's surface to extract a rare element necessary to effect repairs is captured by an indigenous tribe and threatened with execution, Cassie's worst fears are realized.
Faced with the imminent deaths of her team mates on the planet as well as the thousands of people on board the troubled Wormer ship, Cassie wishes she was back on Earth, puzzling through one of her beloved jigsaws, and not unimaginably far from home, spiralling to her destruction around an alien world. But there will be no going home for Cassie or any of her team unless she can solve the puzzle of planetary proportions which has Griphus--and now Cassie and her friends as well--in its grip.
In Jigsaw, Douglas Smith has crafted an intelligent puzzle story with a likable protagonist and a fascinating alien culture. The story is reminiscent of an episode of "Star Trek" in which human smarts and science save the day--except that the scientist in Jigsaw actually gets the science right!
April 21, 2021
An excellent story, as always, from Douglas Smith. This time he turns his imagination to the subject of tectonic shift. This tale is nothing less than brilliant and that’s what I’ve come to expect from this writer. As he explains himself in the notes after the story this was aimed at a younger audience with an eye on education. Don’t think this a children's tale though but more simply suitable, and surely entertaining, for all. For those younger folks learning about how the world is made up this will certainly act as a great way to remember some of the basics and hopefully to spark their interest to know more. Overall, this is excellent, like everything I’ve read by Douglas Smith.
April 15, 2013
If I have any complaint about this one is that it is too short!!! Jigsaw is just a small glimpse into a future universe where mankind is using alien technology to explore, and what a glimpse it is!
The main character Cassie is interesting and smart. The technology is easily described without turning into a textbook. The universe still has secrets to reveal, but the story left it in such a way as to be intriguing, not annoying.
The author’s afterward says that this is the only novel so far in the Wormer universe, but that he might return to it one day. I hope that day is soon!
The main character Cassie is interesting and smart. The technology is easily described without turning into a textbook. The universe still has secrets to reveal, but the story left it in such a way as to be intriguing, not annoying.
The author’s afterward says that this is the only novel so far in the Wormer universe, but that he might return to it one day. I hope that day is soon!
April 22, 2021
Jigsaw is an exciting and intense sci-fi short story, set in what I sincerely hope will become a novel or series based in this universe. It has great potential as such. Of course, anyone that is familiar with the superb wordsmith, Douglas Smith, already knows this is true of all his works. I highly recommend them all.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
November 14, 2012
Even though this short story was written for an anthology with a middle school audience, it's a great read for adults too. It painted a vivid world, and the lead character lived in an exciting and dangerous time. It was a universe I would like to visit. I wanted to know what would happen after the story resolved itself.
August 14, 2018
This is a quick science fiction/adventure story where humans have 'found' alien ships and technology that takes those aboard to another planet. When an accident leads a team down to the planet for a fuel source; only to find people living on the world. What ensues is a fast thinking and intriguing story, where as the title says, comes into focus the weird beauty of puzzles.
November 16, 2011
This is the first Douglas Smith that I have read, I found it as a free read on Amazon KIndle and am thoroughly pleased that I did. Although it is a short read, it was fast paced,intriguing and the story compact.
I couldn't stop reading once I'd started.
I couldn't stop reading once I'd started.
April 16, 2021
A great short story written for young people. However, it could become a series if the author could worm out more words. LOL.
May 21, 2021
An enjoyable, quick, and satisfying tale!
The premise is that humans have discovered alien technology just waiting for them. So, without fully understanding how it works or where it came from, they're off and running as they explore different places in the universe. The only issue is, they need to collect a certain material to fuel the ship and when they arrive at a planet that has this material, the inhabitants take them captive. And it's up to one crew member to sort out what exactly the inhabitants want before they rest of the crew is killed.
I whizzed through this because it was so well written and simply easy to read. The story, as mentioned above, is entirely satisfying and enjoyable. My only (minor) complaint is the jigsaw puzzle metaphor was used a bit too much.
The premise is that humans have discovered alien technology just waiting for them. So, without fully understanding how it works or where it came from, they're off and running as they explore different places in the universe. The only issue is, they need to collect a certain material to fuel the ship and when they arrive at a planet that has this material, the inhabitants take them captive. And it's up to one crew member to sort out what exactly the inhabitants want before they rest of the crew is killed.
I whizzed through this because it was so well written and simply easy to read. The story, as mentioned above, is entirely satisfying and enjoyable. My only (minor) complaint is the jigsaw puzzle metaphor was used a bit too much.
April 26, 2024
A group from Earth are exploring the outer reaches of the solar system in a space craft found in the area of Pluto. The ship is failing and berkelium is needed to fix it. Cassie, the ship's geologist says it is on the planet below. Finding it is the problem because it isn't anywhere near the location it should be. Leave it to a geologist to figure out where it is.
May 13, 2019
Love the what if something was out there and in our solar system. Good storyline. Easy to follow.
January 20, 2013
Jigsaw
Jigsaw. The story starts out in a world that
can travel to the stars. One person who loves
puzzles, then is given a puzzle to solve. She's a
very smart scientist. She looks at the world as
if everything is a Jigsaw puzzle too be solved.
There is where the story begins.
Book is easy to understand and easy to read.
You can guess what's happening next so I found
it cute but not taxing enough a story. Good thing
it was short, it didn't take long to read.
No rough language, YA approved.
Cookie: Nathan w
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Jigsaw. The story starts out in a world that
can travel to the stars. One person who loves
puzzles, then is given a puzzle to solve. She's a
very smart scientist. She looks at the world as
if everything is a Jigsaw puzzle too be solved.
There is where the story begins.
Book is easy to understand and easy to read.
You can guess what's happening next so I found
it cute but not taxing enough a story. Good thing
it was short, it didn't take long to read.
No rough language, YA approved.
Cookie: Nathan w
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
June 9, 2012
Nice little kids' scifi story, illustrating the theory of tectonic plates - read it as a freebie from amazon on my Kindle. It passed the time on one of my daily commutes very well. The background notion of an advanced and extremely ancient civilization (the "wormers") who may or may not be encouraging mankind into deep-space exploration, is quite intriguing - perhaps it is a feature of the author's universe for which this free story is likely a teaser?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews