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A Time For Ryda
An undercover operative must contact her former lover across enemy lines.
Posing as a visiting college student, 24-year-old Eve Scott returns to occupied Ryda, the planet of her birth, as a courier for the Terran Alliance Intelligence Network.
At first, Eve easily eludes the Gandian authorities. But the Resistance has been penetrated. Ambushed and nearly captured, Eve's true identity is revealed to the Gandian secret police.
Now, betrayed and on the run, Eve must trust her former lover from before the war, who may no longer have any loyalty to the Rydian cause..or Eve herself.
Posing as a visiting college student, 24-year-old Eve Scott returns to occupied Ryda, the planet of her birth, as a courier for the Terran Alliance Intelligence Network.
At first, Eve easily eludes the Gandian authorities. But the Resistance has been penetrated. Ambushed and nearly captured, Eve's true identity is revealed to the Gandian secret police.
Now, betrayed and on the run, Eve must trust her former lover from before the war, who may no longer have any loyalty to the Rydian cause..or Eve herself.
- GenresShort Stories
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2011
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Phil Stern
17 books48 followersPhil Stern is an author of Dark Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, and Science Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 31, 2012
As an undercover operative attempts to pass on information to the resistance on an occupied world, she is betrayed or so she thinks. “A Time for Ryda” is a great Science Fiction tale containing some interesting characters.
June 24, 2012
Originally posted at my blog: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/
Plot: I actually was kind of confused during the first six pages or so but as the story progressed, I understood it and soon, I couldn't stop turning (virtual) pages! This novella combines a dystopian government, stealthy secret agents, gripping suspense and intense action scenes all in one small package!
Most of the story had a steady pace, until the conclusion. The ending felt extremely rushed - I wish the author had taken the time to more fully expand on the twist ending and its consequences. Moreover, there was no real resolution - the plot mystery is explained, but what happened to the characters in the end? Did the Resistance succeed? Are the bad guys defeated? The reader basically left hanging with these and other important questions.
Nevertheless, it is a fast-paced roller coaster ride with two big twists I didn't expect coming but LOVED. Definitely left me wanting more from this author!
Characters: Ana: There's only one real, three-dimensional character - Eve. At first, you think she's going to be a run-of-the-mill secret agent, but then you see another side of her, reminiscing of her childhood in Ryda, now ruled by the controlling Gandians. She recounts their attack, her family's escape and her missing boyfriend - until now. The next thing you know, she's incapacitating a Gandian soldier trying to touch her. So it was lovely to see the different sides of this protagonist. In the short time I knew her, I really started to root for her safety and her cause.
Setting: Ana: Agreed - every word of it. It was really interesting to see the author's take on a dystopian future world - dystopian, because it's ruled by an overbearing, controlling government, future, because the food ordered in a cafe comes down from the roof and appearance can be modified with a press of a button. There is an underlying air of depression and despair and nostalgia which makes this story all the more believable.
Recommendation: Ana: This is a great book if you're waiting in line at the dentist's or sitting in the car bored (hopefully, you're in the passenger seat) and looking for a quick but gripping read. That's exactly what this book provides. It'll take you less than an hour to read but take you on a wonderful journey with Eve in Ryda and multiple worlds.
SECRET AGENTS AND DISASTROUS BETRAYAL!
Plot: I actually was kind of confused during the first six pages or so but as the story progressed, I understood it and soon, I couldn't stop turning (virtual) pages! This novella combines a dystopian government, stealthy secret agents, gripping suspense and intense action scenes all in one small package!
Most of the story had a steady pace, until the conclusion. The ending felt extremely rushed - I wish the author had taken the time to more fully expand on the twist ending and its consequences. Moreover, there was no real resolution - the plot mystery is explained, but what happened to the characters in the end? Did the Resistance succeed? Are the bad guys defeated? The reader basically left hanging with these and other important questions.
Nevertheless, it is a fast-paced roller coaster ride with two big twists I didn't expect coming but LOVED. Definitely left me wanting more from this author!
Characters: Ana: There's only one real, three-dimensional character - Eve. At first, you think she's going to be a run-of-the-mill secret agent, but then you see another side of her, reminiscing of her childhood in Ryda, now ruled by the controlling Gandians. She recounts their attack, her family's escape and her missing boyfriend - until now. The next thing you know, she's incapacitating a Gandian soldier trying to touch her. So it was lovely to see the different sides of this protagonist. In the short time I knew her, I really started to root for her safety and her cause.
Setting: Ana: Agreed - every word of it. It was really interesting to see the author's take on a dystopian future world - dystopian, because it's ruled by an overbearing, controlling government, future, because the food ordered in a cafe comes down from the roof and appearance can be modified with a press of a button. There is an underlying air of depression and despair and nostalgia which makes this story all the more believable.
Recommendation: Ana: This is a great book if you're waiting in line at the dentist's or sitting in the car bored (hopefully, you're in the passenger seat) and looking for a quick but gripping read. That's exactly what this book provides. It'll take you less than an hour to read but take you on a wonderful journey with Eve in Ryda and multiple worlds.
SECRET AGENTS AND DISASTROUS BETRAYAL!
June 22, 2012
This was a very short read but I really enjoyed it. I was left feeling that I got a full story even though it was short. There could possibly be another written from this story on the next adventure for Eve and Peter. I give this one 4 stars.
Plot – The plot seemed to be full and complete even though it was short. I was not left with questions or missing parts of the story. The story flowed nicely. I did not get confused or lost at any point nor was I left wondering how the characters got to that point in the story.
Characters – I liked Eve. She was a strong character who can kick butt. She also has enough guts to walk onto a hostile planet in disguise to deliver a message to the resistance. Peter really had me going at first I am glad it did not turn out the way it was looking.
Setting – The different planets was interesting and the descriptions of how it used to be. I liked the space vehicles and the holographic clothing. The holographic clothing was just funny and unusual. Their technology was obviously advanced and I liked hearing about it even though you didn’t hear much.
All in all I would recommend this book. It would be great for a quick read and was interesting enough to hope for another in the series.
Plot – The plot seemed to be full and complete even though it was short. I was not left with questions or missing parts of the story. The story flowed nicely. I did not get confused or lost at any point nor was I left wondering how the characters got to that point in the story.
Characters – I liked Eve. She was a strong character who can kick butt. She also has enough guts to walk onto a hostile planet in disguise to deliver a message to the resistance. Peter really had me going at first I am glad it did not turn out the way it was looking.
Setting – The different planets was interesting and the descriptions of how it used to be. I liked the space vehicles and the holographic clothing. The holographic clothing was just funny and unusual. Their technology was obviously advanced and I liked hearing about it even though you didn’t hear much.
All in all I would recommend this book. It would be great for a quick read and was interesting enough to hope for another in the series.
May 26, 2012
This book was more science fiction than fantasy and more cerebral than the other books I have read by Phil Stern. The story was not my favorite Phil Stern story. I liked it and it was definitely interesting to read. The action scenes were intense and the story interesting, but the story didn’t have the same click for me as his other stories. I think it was a little jarring, and then it just ended. I wanted to the guy to get the girl, the war to end, and everyone to live happily ever after; but that’s not the point of the story. I think I wanted more than that this book had in it. I hope there is a sequel because I need resolution.
Despite it not being my favorite, I enjoyed the book. I liked the main character and cared what happened to her. I rooted for her to win out against the evil foe. I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
Despite it not being my favorite, I enjoyed the book. I liked the main character and cared what happened to her. I rooted for her to win out against the evil foe. I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
June 21, 2014
1.5 stars.
In a word: dull.
This bland, generic, and highly-predictable sci-fi action short story is filled with what Janet Burroway calls "summary" (in the summary vs. scene dichotomy). Very little of the short story takes place in real time; it's written in such a way that makes you feel as if you're reading a plot synopsis for the latest Starcraft or Halo rip-off game. As a result, nowhere in the book "feels" unique--it's a giant white box of place in which action a or action b happens to take place. What's worse is that very little real action really does take place at all.
In a word: dull.
This bland, generic, and highly-predictable sci-fi action short story is filled with what Janet Burroway calls "summary" (in the summary vs. scene dichotomy). Very little of the short story takes place in real time; it's written in such a way that makes you feel as if you're reading a plot synopsis for the latest Starcraft or Halo rip-off game. As a result, nowhere in the book "feels" unique--it's a giant white box of place in which action a or action b happens to take place. What's worse is that very little real action really does take place at all.
June 17, 2012
Great short story, interesting, though there could've been a bit more detail, and yeah, very unique, loved it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews