Red Sky Blue Moon

by Bruce Golden

Ancient aliens seed the primordial oceans of Earth with protoplasmic material found on other worlds, then return millennia later to see what they have wrought. They not only observe the human civilizations they find, they contact some of them, conducting investigative studies. When they leave, they decide to cull large groups of humans and their environs, which they convey across the galaxy and transplant onto another world to continue their study. Ultimately this great speciation experiment will have unexpected and dire consequences for the experimenters. Meanwhile, on this new world, a group of Vikings evolve over the centuries into a cutthroat corporate culture of racial purists in an early industrial society. They have designs on the lands of a nearby continent where tribes of Sioux still cling to their old ways. And they may not be the only forced immigrants on this planet. War ensues, and at the core of the conflict is a native herb which may be the cure for a disease that ravages the corporatocracy, as well as being the secret to longevity.

Genres: Science Fiction

379 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Novelist, journalist, satirist, Bruce Golden's short stories have been published more than 130 times across 20 countries and in 30 anthologies. Asimov's Science Fiction described his second book, "If Mickey Spillane had collaborated with both Frederik Pohl and Philip K. Dick, he might have produced Bruce Golden's Better Than Chocolate." The same reviewer said of his novel Evergreen, "If you can imagine Ursula Le Guin channeling H. Rider Haggard, you'll have the barest conception of this stirring book, which centers around a mysterious artifact and the people in its thrall. Reminiscent of the work of Robert Silverberg, this planetary romance will introduce lucky readers to a world both magical and spooky, yet ultimately as tangible as your own backyard.” His Dancing with the Velvet Lizard, with 33 stories, is one of the largest collections of speculative fiction ever published. His latest novel, Red Sky, Blue Moon, follows Vikings and Native American Sioux when they're transported to another world by aliens. http://goldentales.tripod.com

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of characters, lots of cultural detail, but fantastic world building, where groups of Vikings and Native American Sioux are transplanted onto another world...with other Earth cultures culled by an alien intelligence. Another fantastic scifi adventure by Bruce Golden.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised again by this author, though I've read a couple of his books now, and shouldn't be. Though each one is totally different, they all speak to me through their marvelous characters. The way Red Sky, Blue Moon uses the traditions & myths of Vikings and Native American Sioux is much like Herbert used Islamic and other cultures in Dune. The world he created is marvelous, and the attention to detail really sucked me in (language, customs, etc). The basic plot isn't something I haven't seen before, but it was the journey, not the destination so much that made this a good read.

[Michael Hirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty fun reading which Indians and Vikings are thrown together I have a battle on another world. The characters were good and the story was entertaining the plot was obvious to anybody who's read any books in the past. I would give the story four stars but the final so called surprising conclusion was so bad it just turns me off. three stars.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great characters (almost too many) and a great new world created out of historical earth cultures. I loved the detail of the cultures, and how the Viking culture/myths evolved. Makes me want to read more by this author.

[Sally Ember · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe it's the style, maybe it's the topic; just couldn't continue.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started off well enough, but then blew me away. The use of Viking and Native American cultural aspects was great, and the story wasn't bad either.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! It actually reminded me of Dune in many ways, in that it incorporated the cultures of Vikings and Native American Sioux the way Dune did with Islamic and Medieval cultures. Great characters and unbelievably good world building. I don't usually gush like this, but it's a book that should get more attention. I'm glad I came across it

[Mary Layson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an epic. Reminded me of Dune, only the players were Vikings and Native American Sioux. There were many characters in this tale, but they were all drawn so well I never lost track of who was who. It's a quick moving plot that I found hard to put down. Just excellent writing from beginning to end.

[Troy Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author created a new world on another planet with cultures from Earth. I found it fascinating (and much like Dune). There were a lot of great characters (almost too many) and an intriguing plot that kept me turning the pages. A really wonderful piece of science fiction.

[Jim Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly epic tale with great characters that sucked me in, and a fabulous science fiction milieu.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good premise. And interesting story line, but I'm not quite sold on the advanced=bad, primitive= good concept. Other than this minor Quibble it is a good story.

[Dj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Highly not recommended. Suggest finding other of this genre that are better quality.