The Crystal Memory

by Stephen Leigh

It is now 2170, but decades ago, the Great Bust wrecked Earth's economies and trapped humankind in their own solar system. Then the T'Raijek came, flaunting their power and their stardrive, and inflaming those who were determined to obtain the T'Raijek's advanced technology at any cost. Any cost at all...

Free Trader Jemi Charidilis knows little of these tensions. She is simply trying to wrest a living by hauling cargo from Earth to the few outposts in near space. But unexpectedly her ship is attacked and disabled. When she is rescued, Jemi finds that two years of her memories have been stolen from her, including the death of her son Kenis. Who had done this, and why? The answer is bound up in the very fate of mankind as Jemi risks her life to uncover the truth.

Genres: Science Fiction

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Stephen Leigh has been writing science fiction since he was in grade school. He sold his first story in 1975 and has been publishing regularly ever since then.

He has been nominated for and won several awards for his fiction over the years. He has written and published the occasional poems and non-fiction pieces, as well.

Steve teaches Creative Writing at Northern Kentucky University in the Greater Cincinnati area. He also plays music, and studies the Japanese martial art Aikido, in which he holds the rank of Sandan.

Stephen Leigh also writes as S.L. Farrell and Matthew Farrell.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-done futuristic drama centered on the female human captain of a one-man space freighter who is determined to find out why her little boy died. A fascinating array of human societies are involved, including zombie servants, and also aliens from a more technologically advanced but even more nasty culture.

[Red Haircrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the type of science fiction I love: a setting, a premise, mystery and intergalactic space battles. Inherent to the story, which is of a woman who loses part of her memory, there are times of confusion which I experienced but not all of it was based on that. Some details were not described enough, ideas or even a few characters. You knew what their function was, but I still couldn't visualize them since physical details were sketchy, yet I've read enough science fiction and fantasy to not let that hold me back from enjoying the story as a whole. There was nothing glaring which detracted from "The Crystal Memory". I liked the heroine, she was tough and hardy but also emotional in just the right quantities. It was an enjoyable read.

I have the hard cover version which correctly portrays the main character which the one showing does not. When/if you read the book, you'll understand.

[Twyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOr some reason as I was reading this I thought it was written by Cherryh. Nt sure why, but on p. 126 I was like "wtf, who the hell is stephen leigh?"
It was an ok book. Drove home the point that every decision you make has to be for yourself and that everything you do in life, you do alone.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit different. The penchant of male authors writing as female lead characters doesn't quite make it here either. The over the top obsessive behavior doesn't help. The resurrected well, creative maybe, but rather implausible. The aliens are of some interest although their cultural mores seem quirky for an advanced race. Gets the two stars of obscurity for at least allowing the reader to figure 'it' out before the big reveal at the end. Clunky, but has elements of interest.

[Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fast-paced book that I really enjoyed. it has a little bit of everything I enjoy in a good sci-fi. There's aliens, a strong character that we quickly empathize with, mystery, action, and some some social commentary about social classes and castes.

I'd read more by this author and honestly wouldn't mind another follow up book in this setting.

[Voula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for its imaginative society. It's science fiction... always a favorite of mine, if I like the characters and the society. It was fun, light reading. I enjoyed it.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh does a good job here of creating different cultures and mixing them with a mystery and story of political intrigue. It's a thoughtful and engaging novel.