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Aneka Jansen #3
Steel Heart
As Aneka speeds toward Negral to discover the fate of the artificial intelligences who lived there, Ella finds herself in a colder environment, and in trouble. However, a chance discovery on a bio-weapons research site leads her to the location of Old Earth, the place Aneka was kidnapped from over eleven centuries ago.
With the chance to finally study the home world of the Human race first hand available, none of the crew of the Garnet Hyde can resist the long trip, far outside the borders of the Lorenti Federation. They have no idea what is waiting for them: a cindered piece of rock, men living in caves… What they find is far from what they expect, and it leads Aneka into a confrontation with someone she never thought she would meet.
Contains adult material; not suitable for under 18s.
With the chance to finally study the home world of the Human race first hand available, none of the crew of the Garnet Hyde can resist the long trip, far outside the borders of the Lorenti Federation. They have no idea what is waiting for them: a cindered piece of rock, men living in caves… What they find is far from what they expect, and it leads Aneka into a confrontation with someone she never thought she would meet.
Contains adult material; not suitable for under 18s.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2013
53 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books292 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 21, 2014
I've finished the whole series now and i must say they were very fun. Most of the situations were inventive, with some homage to classics. But what did it for me was the characters, they were just fun to read. As some of the reviews noted there is a lot Sex, but its different from just about every other book, its not romance as it is sex, and usually a paragraph or maybe a page.
I hope the adventures continue, now om off to read the authors first series :)
I hope the adventures continue, now om off to read the authors first series :)
April 29, 2014
Okay, I gotta admit, I didn't see that coming. You got me Mr. Teasdale, you got me. The sex continues to be over-abundant and the niggling character inconsistency was FURTHER addressed... belatedly... in the third book... after it's been lingering in my mind since the first... but hey ret-conning is a *tradition*. But also, hmmm, there are just things that make me want to shout "that dog won't hunt!" and... well it really doesn't... but suspension of disbelief!! forward into the breach!!!
June 2, 2024
I liked it.
March 1, 2016
This is the third book in the Aneka Jansen series. Aneka is definitely my favorite hot busty bisexual android 1,000 years in the future. (ha!) I also love that the author, Niall, is just a guy: By day, I'm a computer programmer.
But Steel Heart is too slow (toooo sloooooow). There are long, lagging sections in the story. Then, they visit old Earth, and it's neither smart nor interesting. I'm disappointed, but I have to go 2 bill-stars on this one.
QOTD
Alas, not a good enough read.
thanks... yow, bill
But Steel Heart is too slow (toooo sloooooow). There are long, lagging sections in the story. Then, they visit old Earth, and it's neither smart nor interesting. I'm disappointed, but I have to go 2 bill-stars on this one.
QOTD
The sun was seriously hot on Aneka's skin. She had to wonder how the other people lying around the pool were coping because she felt like she would broil in her own juices.
'Unlikely', Al commented. 'Your body is quite able to handle this temperature without stress. Just remember to drink fluids when you get inside.' His tone was mildly amused.
'Yes, Mother.'
'I would not even attempt to replace your mother, Aneka. I am merely a concerned support AI.'
- Aneka and Al, Steel Heart
Alas, not a good enough read.
thanks... yow, bill
January 22, 2016
Steel Beneath the Skin-trilogy comes to an end.
Book was ok, fast and easy to read, flowing action, lesbian sex etc. Everything what is expected from Niall. I don't mind eroticism, but the sex parts are becoming a bit of tedious, because it's just sex. There's no buildup or tension.
I think with good editor, Niall's work would be much better than it its now. And i think Niall needs to break his formula and try out new things, but at the same time keeping his own style.
This is small spoiler:
What i didn't particularly like was how first part of the book was used to tie couple threads of the plot. It felt underused, rushed and unnecessary.
Book was ok, fast and easy to read, flowing action, lesbian sex etc. Everything what is expected from Niall. I don't mind eroticism, but the sex parts are becoming a bit of tedious, because it's just sex. There's no buildup or tension.
I think with good editor, Niall's work would be much better than it its now. And i think Niall needs to break his formula and try out new things, but at the same time keeping his own style.
This is small spoiler:
What i didn't particularly like was how first part of the book was used to tie couple threads of the plot. It felt underused, rushed and unnecessary.
June 26, 2016
The story progresses.
Book 3 in the Aneka Jansen series, takes of where book 2 ended. Things are in a bit unsettled with the events of the previous book, but life goes on. Aneka goes on to find out what happened to the Negral AI's while Ella is asked to help with translation work in some far off world... And of course not all things go exactly as expected.
As with the previous novels, this is quite an enjoyable read. A fun pulpy sci-fy, story with enough action to liven up the pace, but has the calmth to slow down an see the sights.
If you liked the previous novels in the series you'll enjoy this one to.
(For adults only)
Book 3 in the Aneka Jansen series, takes of where book 2 ended. Things are in a bit unsettled with the events of the previous book, but life goes on. Aneka goes on to find out what happened to the Negral AI's while Ella is asked to help with translation work in some far off world... And of course not all things go exactly as expected.
As with the previous novels, this is quite an enjoyable read. A fun pulpy sci-fy, story with enough action to liven up the pace, but has the calmth to slow down an see the sights.
If you liked the previous novels in the series you'll enjoy this one to.
(For adults only)
April 10, 2014
Now this was a really interesting story. In some ways I find myself hoping that the AI's weren't really destroyed that would be a real shame. Let's hear it for our girl Yrimlos [or however it might be spelt correctly :)]
January 3, 2014
Very interesting book, better than the previous in my opinion (as it contains a more realistic amount of sex and a some nice twists).
March 30, 2017
These books are just a pleasure to read. Good story, super characters, excellent SciFi and the sex is okay too.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews