The Second Sky: And Other Stories

by Bradley Nordell

From stories about teleportation and an apocalypse on Mars to Twilight Zone-esque stories about parallel realms, dreamlike technological perceptions, and new worlds, The Second Sky and Other Stories is a far-future work that explores the depth of human nature, love, grief, existential threats, and a visionary look at the earth, the solar systems, and humankind’s pursuit for survival. In “The Reaper Men,” a man walks the highways of the dead to bring the data that could just save a pandemic-stricken world. In “Somewhere in a Dark Star,” the crew of the Osiris starship must figure out a way to escape a black hole. In “The Last Days of a Martian Flower,” a brother and sister try to tell the inhabitants of Mars that a planet is dying, despite the reluctance and conspiracy to keep them there. In “Second Sky,” mother and husband try to figure out what to do as an alien space shift arrives on the earth. Through their grief over losing their daughter, they are face-to-face once more with the second sky of truth. Across many genres, stories, and points of view, Nordell takes us through the far future from horror to hard science fiction in these twenty-one stories, exploring the reality beyond the one we experience every day. Here we see the horizon of the other place, the future beyond landscapes familiar to us, and the place beyond the realm of known and into the second sky.

350 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2023

Reviews

[Karin Velez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great combination of short stories based in both science and science fiction. Each story could easily be a book all on its own if further developed. You need to be a science-minded individual to catch some of the nuances, but any reader can enjoy the plots. A fun read from a new author.

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Sky is as full of wonder as it is hope. Even in his darker tales, Nordell weaves a light that keeps the pages turning. The author has a seemingly endless capacity to ask questions and lead the reader along while he answers some (but not all!) of them. It is clear that this author is one to watch, as this is likely the first of many wonderful books. I look forward to what will come from him in what is sure to be a stellar writing career.

[Craig Beougher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories while unconnected are connected. Differing themes yet similar. The stories flow together so well and take you on an emotional roller coaster. Twists, turns, long rides up for big drops. Your mind, your heart will ache and wonder and yet be full. There has to be more to so many of these stories. Precursors, preludes. I am ready for what’s next. Give me more!

[Matthew Moeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One gets the feeling that these stories find themselves between the death-cult revalations of childhood religion and the transient reality of modern science. I.E. God is dead, but  his story is not. In a future world of nanotech and ai; is man rebirthing an old god? Yaldabaoth, or Brahma? Lightbearers or tyrants? A singularity where man takes the throne himself? A revolt of lesser angels or a deconstruction of meaning and acceptance of absurdity and futility. These noir tales of existencial thought and science borrow as much from Homer as Goddard with the gnosis of PKD, mathematics of Asimov, and the oblivion of Burroughs. At times, one feels like Philip Marlowe discovering a mystery in another milenia amongst hulicinatory martian landscapes and ominous event horizons. Achieving a good balance of darkness and hope designed to lead the reader on his or her's own journey of thought