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Piper
To combat the voracious rats that have adapted to space age living, powerful resonance technology was developed and implemented by a League of pipers, who lure the rats out of hiding and send them into open space.
Master Piper Atmosphere is the most talented piper in the League, but when he meets a young scientist in the course of his latest assignment, he finds himself caught in an entirely different kind of lure. His new relationship leads him to secrets of the resonance technology the League has carefully hidden—secrets worth killing for, and which drive him to dark, drastic measures of his own.
Master Piper Atmosphere is the most talented piper in the League, but when he meets a young scientist in the course of his latest assignment, he finds himself caught in an entirely different kind of lure. His new relationship leads him to secrets of the resonance technology the League has carefully hidden—secrets worth killing for, and which drive him to dark, drastic measures of his own.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 28, 2013
I approached this book with trepidation, seeing as how so few authors know how to write a good science-fiction story, but Ms. Carver proved my fears unfounded. It's a beautifully detailed world, the descriptions vivid enough to draw one in and make it real.
It was a bit longer than it needed to be, to the point where I was skimming sections somewhere between half and 2/3 of the way through, but that's a minor nitpick. The ending felt a bit disjointed, almost rushed after how long it took to actually get to that point, but I also liked the way it was handled. Without giving any spoilers, there were a number of things about the book that could have been handled poorly or with author handwaving and none of that occurred.
The characters were fun and engaging, although both MCs needed a good shaking, and the supporting characters were well thought out. Starlight was by far my favorite character. I love the snarky ones.
I would certainly recommend it to my fellow sci-fi buffs, or anyone looking for a well-written story with three-dimensional characters. Just make sure you set aside a full day to read or spread it out over several days.
It was a bit longer than it needed to be, to the point where I was skimming sections somewhere between half and 2/3 of the way through, but that's a minor nitpick. The ending felt a bit disjointed, almost rushed after how long it took to actually get to that point, but I also liked the way it was handled. Without giving any spoilers, there were a number of things about the book that could have been handled poorly or with author handwaving and none of that occurred.
The characters were fun and engaging, although both MCs needed a good shaking, and the supporting characters were well thought out. Starlight was by far my favorite character. I love the snarky ones.
I would certainly recommend it to my fellow sci-fi buffs, or anyone looking for a well-written story with three-dimensional characters. Just make sure you set aside a full day to read or spread it out over several days.
October 20, 2013
The most exciting thing about reading a new author's book is the anticipation of what you may find. This book is a gem! From the carefully crafted world of space living in Ham Lim and it's red dwarf star to the role of the League and its pipers.
The characters are well rounded but imperfect. Master Piper Atmosphere is space's equivalent of today's pop/rock star at the height of fame. As a Piper with the League, he has the power to control rats through implants developed and researched by the League (Resonance). The Pipers are called in to exterminate evolved rat infestations living within space colonies. Yet, despite the fame, Atmosphere is also a prisoner within the League bounded by their rules and conduct.
The book switch between the views of the musician and the scientist. Despite the wonderful world building, this story deals much with obsession, love, and lies. It is the kind of love that burns with obsession and slow UST...almost to the brink of madness.
I only wished that the ending was three times longer than it was, but despite that, it deserved a 5 stars. One of the best books I've read so far this couple of months. Hit my deprived scifi meter fully! I love it for its originality and it's been too damn long since I read m/m sci fiction that isn't vampire or shifters. This is pure scifi, in space, away from earth and nothing more!
The characters are well rounded but imperfect. Master Piper Atmosphere is space's equivalent of today's pop/rock star at the height of fame. As a Piper with the League, he has the power to control rats through implants developed and researched by the League (Resonance). The Pipers are called in to exterminate evolved rat infestations living within space colonies. Yet, despite the fame, Atmosphere is also a prisoner within the League bounded by their rules and conduct.
The book switch between the views of the musician and the scientist. Despite the wonderful world building, this story deals much with obsession, love, and lies. It is the kind of love that burns with obsession and slow UST...almost to the brink of madness.
I only wished that the ending was three times longer than it was, but despite that, it deserved a 5 stars. One of the best books I've read so far this couple of months. Hit my deprived scifi meter fully! I love it for its originality and it's been too damn long since I read m/m sci fiction that isn't vampire or shifters. This is pure scifi, in space, away from earth and nothing more!
November 3, 2013
Saving a longer review for my blog and some spare time, but this is my short opinion.
Worth reading. I stayed up too late at least once to get through it ()And that was before the sexy parts); I felt the first two chapters were kind of meh, being obvious set up, but things picked up. Some of the science is more science fantasy than solid, but it's made plausible in the world of the story (Although I think the rats have to have been modified at least in part by humans to evolve *quite* so crazily) and it's consistent in its rules. The romance works; with real misunderstandings and anxieties keeping them apart. Whenever it does look like it will slide towards "All these issues could be resolved if they sat down and talked like mature adults", it neatly avoids the worst of that trap. The sex scene was hot, and the only thing I found unlikely was that Atmosphere didn't tease Jake horribly when he started to talk science. (Jake using technical language even in the moment was sadly plausible...)
I had some issues with the fallout and denouement, but all in all a strong first book, and I legitimately want more.
Worth reading. I stayed up too late at least once to get through it ()And that was before the sexy parts); I felt the first two chapters were kind of meh, being obvious set up, but things picked up. Some of the science is more science fantasy than solid, but it's made plausible in the world of the story (Although I think the rats have to have been modified at least in part by humans to evolve *quite* so crazily) and it's consistent in its rules. The romance works; with real misunderstandings and anxieties keeping them apart. Whenever it does look like it will slide towards "All these issues could be resolved if they sat down and talked like mature adults", it neatly avoids the worst of that trap. The sex scene was hot, and the only thing I found unlikely was that Atmosphere didn't tease Jake horribly when he started to talk science. (Jake using technical language even in the moment was sadly plausible...)
I had some issues with the fallout and denouement, but all in all a strong first book, and I legitimately want more.
November 8, 2013
It was interesting reading material. Story plot was full.
Main couple, Jake & Atmos are coming together to slow for my liking. Sometimes I wished I could shake them up and get them together already.
The waiting for them to have sex together was so long that when it happened it was just “oh it’s here” or “let move on”.
Ending dramatic events where to annoying.
So it was good try but story has a lot of negative points – from my point of view.
Main couple, Jake & Atmos are coming together to slow for my liking. Sometimes I wished I could shake them up and get them together already.
The waiting for them to have sex together was so long that when it happened it was just “oh it’s here” or “let move on”.
Ending dramatic events where to annoying.
So it was good try but story has a lot of negative points – from my point of view.
April 7, 2016
Was going for 4 stars - until the end - that sham of an ending kept losing this book points until the ludicrous and completely unsatisfying end. The story had so much potential (interesting characters, decent writing, some semblance of science, a touch of romance) and it's sad to see it all blown away by a truly bad denouement and an even worse epilogue.
January 25, 2016
2.5
Original idea. I didn't like several things though, especially the fact that the internal voices of both MCs, and in fact their behaviour, are more like the ones of a teenager than the ones of grown men.
Original idea. I didn't like several things though, especially the fact that the internal voices of both MCs, and in fact their behaviour, are more like the ones of a teenager than the ones of grown men.
January 4, 2016
3.5 stars
November 18, 2018
** 4.5 Stars **
December 22, 2023
I would have rated this a solid 5, except for the underwhelming end.
July 23, 2015
I had passed over this, as it didn't really interest me, but came back to it after reading another story by this author. It was good! Well paced throughout, it is a very long book but keeps the reader interested with no laggy spots. The characters are mostly good- it is written in a Japanese style, complete with skimpily clad kawaii sidekick. The villains are overdone a bit, and one of the moral storylines seemed remarkably shallow (that money is the root of evil. Not what money represents, or the imbalance of power, or resource allocation, but actual currency. There is even a comment that the barter system would somehow eliminate the issue, as though money isn't just a symbol for resources to facilitate exchange). But overall it is an enjoyable story, the money thing is only one of the moral stories here- the major one being the corruption potential of power, and the redemption of the fallen. I also thought the ending was perfect.
November 15, 2017
I loved the sci-fi aspects, I loved how the fairytale was reimagined. I loved Starlight.
This was so close to 5 stars but I had a few issues. One being the lack of communication. Most of the book had both mc’s having false assumptions of the other and it prevented them being together. I hate that plot device. I know it was the basis for much of the conflict in the book, but I think it could have been handled a different way.
My other problem was the ending. Usually the epilogue show how our couple are faring. This should have been the final chapter and even then there were so many questions left unanswered.
I really liked the snark of the characters though. The way the pipers had evolved was creative and I was rooting for this couple.
This was so close to 5 stars but I had a few issues. One being the lack of communication. Most of the book had both mc’s having false assumptions of the other and it prevented them being together. I hate that plot device. I know it was the basis for much of the conflict in the book, but I think it could have been handled a different way.
My other problem was the ending. Usually the epilogue show how our couple are faring. This should have been the final chapter and even then there were so many questions left unanswered.
I really liked the snark of the characters though. The way the pipers had evolved was creative and I was rooting for this couple.
July 15, 2020
Do you like the tale of The Pied Piper? Do you like modern day takes on old fairy tales? Do you like m/m romance? If, like me, the answer is a resounding '
yes
' then this book is for you. I have stated in the past that the way to tell a good author is when their words move you to tears and Leona Carver did that more than once to me with this story, but the ending more than made up for it. It is full of action, pathos, peoples greed and all sorts of wonderful twists on the tale of the rat catcher who is wronged by the people of Hamlin. I loved it and read it in one sitting, even though it was so late at night I should have been sleeping.
November 21, 2013
Brilliant, totally imaginative resetting of a fairy tale in a sci-fi setting.
Leona Carver's world-building is impressive. The rats are an amazing invention - scary, and yet, like Atmosphere, you almost can't help being sorry for them at the end.
The romance is slow-burning, with great UST and yet plenty of burn once they get together.
I'll definitely be buying any more books by this author I can find.
Keep writing, Leona. You've a gift.
Leona Carver's world-building is impressive. The rats are an amazing invention - scary, and yet, like Atmosphere, you almost can't help being sorry for them at the end.
The romance is slow-burning, with great UST and yet plenty of burn once they get together.
I'll definitely be buying any more books by this author I can find.
Keep writing, Leona. You've a gift.
November 24, 2013
I loved this book! This is the first time in a long time I've read through a book in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, even the jerks. They were all 3D characters; no one was all good or all bad but a believable mix of both. Personally I don't mind a long build-up as long as the writing's good, which it is. Kudos, Leona! I'm waiting for the sequel. I know a couple of people who will find this under their Christmas tree this year.
May 9, 2014
4.5 rounded up to 5. This SF retelling of the Pied Piper took a few pages to get going and hit its stride, not in the storytelling/charactersation but with its style. But once it did I couldn't put it down. Loved and characters and the world building, and the use of music in the plot. I'm really hoping this is the beginning of a series and we haven't seen the last of the two main characters. Highly recommended.
May 15, 2014
Got this for free during LessthanThree's fifth anniversary giveaway ^^ Sooooo glad that I did! The emotions and action (and eroticism ;) in this were amazing. It was already a good long book and yet I found myself wishing it was just a *little* longer XD
Loved the names of the pipers and dancers, as well as the overall concept, which was very unique. I'm a sucker for cross-genres that involve fantasy or folklore :D
Loved the names of the pipers and dancers, as well as the overall concept, which was very unique. I'm a sucker for cross-genres that involve fantasy or folklore :D
September 26, 2013
Just finished this and had to write a review. A far-out and yet very gritty and immersive work of science fiction with heart-wrenching romance. It's long, but I'm tempted to launch right back into it anyway for a second read-through, I'm sure some of the tense parts had me skipping pages to find out what happens.
Great book, looking forward to more from Leona :)
Great book, looking forward to more from Leona :)
November 29, 2016
This is a weak 2.5, and I'm a little mixed about it even meriting that to be honest. I thought it was excellent. Right up until the end when it all went completely to shit. If it weren't for the truly awful ending -and even worse epilogue- that absolutely ruined the whole thing for me this probably would have been a 5 star read.
October 23, 2013
This book should go onto one of my special shelves like twisting reality or uncomfortable? It dragged through the middle with an exciting ending. I might have to think of a special category for it. Thought about this book all day at work, decided on a category, "sequel needed".
November 8, 2013
I trusted the reviews when picking this one up and glad I did it was fantastic. Sci-fi is not my thing but this really worked for me. I can't say it better than any of the other reviews, I'm just hoping for more from this author.
May 1, 2014
Normally I'm more a fantasy reader, but this was different enough it held my attention - sometimes late into the night on a work week. :D With the way it ended, I'm betting on more books (hopefully?) coming along in this story-verse. ^.^V
May 6, 2014
Wow, that was awesome! So imaginative and creative! I love how it was based on the Pied Piper and how it was modernized and set in space! So suspenseful too! Atmosphere and Jacob, so great! <3 It was a very enjoyable and engaging story!
April 1, 2016
I would definitely recommend this story for any sci-fi lover. A roller coaster of highs and lows, very believable scenarios and characters. The ending is a little odd and could have been expanded on, but otherwise a great book.
September 17, 2013
Amazing! I loved how imaginative the story was. The pied piper was never told this well or this creatively before. And the love story is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Bravo.
December 6, 2015
2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews