Becalmed

Diving Universe

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Mae, chief linguist on the Ivoire, heads a diplomatic mission to Ukhanda. Her handling of relations with the Quurzod lead to a battle that causes the Ivoire’s anacapa drive to malfunction, stranding the ship in foldspace. Mae can’t remember what she did wrong on the mission: all she knows is that she’s one of the few survivors. If she doesn’t recall it, she won’t be able to prevent another disaster when the Ivoire escapes foldspace. If the Ivoire escapes foldspace. Because what no one talks about—and everyone fears—is that the Ivoire is becalmed…forever.

One of the untold stories in Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s award-winning “Diving” universe, “Becalmed” stands alone—yet answers questions long-time readers might have about the history of the Fleet.

“Becalmed” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch was first published in Asimov’s SF Magazine, April/May, 2011.

Genres: Science Fiction, Novella, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2012

About the author

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.

Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.

In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".

She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances

Reviews

[Carolyn F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a lot confused by this novella and I think it has to do with the books are not listed in order in Goodreads. One of the other reviewers says that this book takes place during book #2 City of Ruins not before it. So I should have read this after I read book #2. Maybe if I had read book #2 first, I would have given this a higher rating.

Saying that, I'm reading the next novella in the series that is also before book #2 and am hoping that it's not the same problem.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella takes place chronologically immediately before City of Ruin (Book 2 of the Diving the Wreck series) but in terms of reading order, it should be read after City of Ruin and before The Application of Hope (another novella). Both novellas concern the ship The Ivoire, which is introduced in City of Ruin.

My main issue with this novella is that it feels incomplete. The plot centers around trying to retrieve Mae’s memories, and the climax is when she finally recovers those memories. However, though we eventually learn the motives and the manner of execution, we never actually get a clear picture of the events leading up to that moment. We know there is some kind of competition and that there are teams, which doesn’t really fit with what we were told that event was, and it’s also not clear whether this was part of the pre-existing planned events or if it was a punishment, or if it was a special request made on Mae’s behalf that she didn’t understand the consequences of. For a story that hinges on memories, the memories themselves could have played a larger role.

[Howard Brazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short work within the Diving Universe. This universe keeps staying interesting with changes. But I recommend starting with earlier books in this series:

Diving Series (Reading Order):
Diving into the Wreck: A Diving Novel

The Application of Hope: A Diving Universe Novella

Becalmed: A Diving Universe
Novella
City of Ruins: A Diving Novel

Dix: A Diving Universe Novella
Boneyards: A Diving Novel
Strangers at the Room of Lost Souls
Skirmishes: A Diving Novel

The Falls: A Diving Universe Novel

The Runabout: A Diving Novel

The Spires of Denon: A Diving Universe Novella
Searching for the Fleet

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.

The mission: to provide assistance throughout the known universe.

Another background-providing novella, this time centred on Mae; Coop's ex-wife and Chief Linguist of the Ivoire.

Anything to do with Coop, I'll gladly devour, and this insight into the diplomatic disaster on Ukhanda, that sent the ship into foldspace for weeks, fills in the gaps nicely.

I even liked Mae.

This series is truly addictive!

[Emmalyn Renato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction / space opera. The sole survivor of a disastrous diplomatic mission, chief linguist Mae, must recover her suppressed memories of the event to save her spaceship, the Ivoire, which has been left stranded in "foldspace" and is slowly losing all hope of rescue. The events in this novella occur just before those in 'City of Ruins' (book #2 in the series). Luckily I read book #2 about three months ago, and I was able to easily pick up on this.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another excellent story in the Diving Universe and it explains the reasons for the war which was a focal point of one of the earlier stories in the series. It probably deserves 4 rather than 3 stars but the story was a little too physiological and intense for me. However it contained some excellent twists at the end.

[Kavita Favelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just read the Diving Series back to back (the 16 books that exist thus far, including novels and novellas) and have to say that I absolutely love this series.

Becalmed, the novella, shares some of the background story to the Ivoire and its crew, the consequences of which (in terms of Fleet records) I hope we come back to in yet-to-be written books.

[Milady133 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the author's blog as a two part story. Interesting story about culture differences with a twist, I'm buying it, and I'll take a look to the rest of books in the series, although I do NOT need to add to my TBR pile, but I just can't help it.

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella

This novella fills in Mae's story that is vague in the Diving series. It also reveals some procedures that we might not otherwise have known about. Mae is a strong character and I'm glad to have read her story.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating story in this series, a prequel in effect to the second book in the series, City of Ruins, giving context to how the Ivoire was lost in folding space and why. Looking forward to seeing how the story continues.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how Becalmed expanded further on this specific event and The Fleet.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read four novellas in the Diving Universe. I have also read some of the later novels.
Some overlap between, as expected, but the novellas do offer that nice concise novella experience...

[M.G. Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Diving Universe story I’ve read and what an interesting place to start.

A deep examination of traumatic memory and our psyche’s ability to bury them in order to protect us from... us.

[Koit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short story, I found ‘Becalmed’ gave me a good introduction into the crew of the Ivoire and allowed me to see both Coop and Mae in a different light, at a different time (when things seemed as if they would be much easier for everyone). I really enjoyed this even if getting to go deep into Mae’s memories was perhaps not as nice as one could have guessed to begin with!

This review was originally posted on my blog.

[Cloak88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid stand-alone prequel to the second book in the diving universe.

Becalmed tells the story of the aftermath of a diplomatic mission gone wrong. All the while giving background information on how the Dignity Fleet operated and what it's people are like.

Recommendation on reading order:
In my opinion this short novel can best be read after City of ruin to preserve the mystery in the second book.

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

SF novella: ship stuck in deep space after an inter-species conflict. The only person who can provide the key to the war's beginning is a survivor too traumatized to remember. Solid premise, good writing, unique voice.

Update: I'm publishing my short reactions on my review blog. For a bit more on Rusch's Diving Universe, click here: https://residentialaliens.blogspot.co...

[Marcel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It filled that gap that was created in the City of Ruins with the hints that something had happened to the captains ex-wife. It is a good read but not as captivating as the the two main books of the Diving Universe are.

[Scott S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, intense novella set in the Diving Universe. It revealed events that happened shortly before the second book in the series.

I prefer Jennifer Van Dyck's narration to Mrs. Plum's. Mrs. Plum isn't bad, you just get used to certain characters having certain voices.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read City of Ruins yet and this is supposed to fill in the gaps that were left. But without that I felt this stood on its own real well. It's a bit if a mystery and a further explanations of the diving universe that made this very enjoyable.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story that fills in some of the information about the people involved in the Diving Into the Wreck books. I like this author very much.

[Eleanor With Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I *liked* it. And it was good to learn more about the Dignity vessel. But it was a little simplistic. I'm glad I read it because it's part of the Diving universe, but it could have been better.

[Charl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a prequel short story to City of Ruins. Enjoyable.