Beacon: Part II

Beacon Saga #2

by Jonathan C. Gillespie

Everything ends at Beacon. Everything falls. Now Tersias and Mally have a chance to change that—if they can survive. Part II of the Beacon Saga.

What should be wondrous news has rocked the fleet, sparking suspicion and acts of desperation. Against a backdrop of escalating tension in the orbital layers, Mally contends with the growing jealousy of a barren people, while Tersias helps Shiplord Nastron assemble a special crew—from some of Beacon’s most infamous aliens. But soon, terrible choices will be made in the name of preserving the peace, and a young family will find themselves torn from each other.

A serial installment of twelve thousand words, more than twice the length of Part I. Part III (fourteen thousand words) also available. Part IV coming soon.

Genres: Amazon

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2013

About the author

Jonathan C. Gillespie has been writing genre fiction for almost two decades, with a particular interest in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. His short fiction has been published in a variety of outlets on three continents, including “The Drabblecast”, “Spinetingler Magazine”, and “Murky Depths”, and has been nominated for a number of awards, including the Parsecs.

Having shifted his focus to longer works in recent years, he has authored the Beacon Saga serial, and the Tyrant Strategy novel series.

He lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and daughters.

Reviews

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was fully prepared to get behind this little sci-fi installment series, excited that it seemed well-written and potentially exciting.

But I found it verging on the ridiculous, so quickly in part II. I don't believe for a second that a new father-the first father of the human race got 20 years-would leave his newborn child on the off-chance there may be another star in the desolate, starless space. I don't believe a word of it.

Sure, it's fantasy (sci-fi but fictional do you get it) and yes there will always be elements of wonder, but this I cannot fathom. Of course, it is done to enhance the plot, but sadly it leaves behind nothing but cynicism.

[Marilyn Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beacon: Part II is a wonderful continuation of Jonathan C. Gillespie’s Beacon series. His writing is beautiful. Unique outer space aliens, a fantastical universe in which humans and aliens must work together to fight extinction, and philosophical insights into life and death underlie this fascinating space opera story.