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Ell Donsaii #7
Habitats
“Habitats" is the seventh in a series of near future SciFi/Thrillers whose young
heroine Ell Donsaii has a nerve mutation which has made her a genius as well as an athletic phenomenon.
In “Habitats,” she is continuing to find uses for the quantum entangled wormholes that she discovered. These wormholes aren’t big enough to send people through, yet they are making huge changes in our world. After a friend lost his hand, Ell finds a way to use ports to build better prostheses for amputees!
However, there are terrorists wanting to use ports to cause destruction and the military arms of some countries covet them as well. Ell must try to prevent such people from obtaining the technology and using it for harm.
Meanwhile, her small company is trying to build a habitat in space and one of her rockets has discovered a mind boggling habitat at Sigma Draconis.
heroine Ell Donsaii has a nerve mutation which has made her a genius as well as an athletic phenomenon.
In “Habitats,” she is continuing to find uses for the quantum entangled wormholes that she discovered. These wormholes aren’t big enough to send people through, yet they are making huge changes in our world. After a friend lost his hand, Ell finds a way to use ports to build better prostheses for amputees!
However, there are terrorists wanting to use ports to cause destruction and the military arms of some countries covet them as well. Ell must try to prevent such people from obtaining the technology and using it for harm.
Meanwhile, her small company is trying to build a habitat in space and one of her rockets has discovered a mind boggling habitat at Sigma Draconis.
228 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
485 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Laurence E. Dahners
62 books673 followersI was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 25, 2024
Quite good!
March 2, 2021
I haven’t come up with a better term so I will call these books “competency porn” (think Sherlock Holmes and James Bond). I LOVE competency porn so I blew through all the Ell Donsaii books in about two weeks. As a result I’m giving books 1-16 the same review. While these books largely hit my sweet spot, I recognized several imperfection but, before listing those, I want to first say I greatly enjoyed these books and so I encourage anyone who enjoys “competency porn” (I really hate that term) to give them a try.
The first problem is actually kind of a small, yet somewhat annoying: I had read the author’s Vaz series (alos recommended competency porn) immediately before this one. In fact the Ell Donsaii blurb did not make the book sound appealing to me and so I only gave them a try because I liked the Vaz series so much. Unfortunately this resulted in realizing the author re-used story lines. While this is disappointing it only slightly diminished my enjoyment and the Ell series, with its 16 books to Vaz’s 4, quickly moves beyond this issue.
The second problem is the author writes by recipe and that recipe is: Have multiple secondary story lines that remain unresolved at the end of the book to make the reader buy the next book. An example would be a main story line about terraforming Mars accompanied by a side story line about a vaccine. The Mars story will be resolved by the end of the book but the author will also have spent pages setting up a will he/won’t he for a character to secretly try the vaccine. While the author almost universally handles multiple story lines well, in the end I found this approach truly unfortunate as this author is good enough to keep readers coming back without this manipulation. In short, this author’s books would have been much better if treated as stand alones rather than installments.
Finally, from my point of view, the books are short. The three samples I took from the series were: 217, 210 and 210 pages. I view anything under 300 pages as short and prefer books 350 pages or longer. I must admit, however, that I got all of these books for $4 off Amazon so I don’t really feel shorted. Had I seen these books on a shelf in a book store I likely wouldn’t even have picked them up based on how thin they are.
Bottom line: While not perfect, these books are pretty easily worth the read for any lovers of competency porn.
The first problem is actually kind of a small, yet somewhat annoying: I had read the author’s Vaz series (alos recommended competency porn) immediately before this one. In fact the Ell Donsaii blurb did not make the book sound appealing to me and so I only gave them a try because I liked the Vaz series so much. Unfortunately this resulted in realizing the author re-used story lines. While this is disappointing it only slightly diminished my enjoyment and the Ell series, with its 16 books to Vaz’s 4, quickly moves beyond this issue.
The second problem is the author writes by recipe and that recipe is: Have multiple secondary story lines that remain unresolved at the end of the book to make the reader buy the next book. An example would be a main story line about terraforming Mars accompanied by a side story line about a vaccine. The Mars story will be resolved by the end of the book but the author will also have spent pages setting up a will he/won’t he for a character to secretly try the vaccine. While the author almost universally handles multiple story lines well, in the end I found this approach truly unfortunate as this author is good enough to keep readers coming back without this manipulation. In short, this author’s books would have been much better if treated as stand alones rather than installments.
Finally, from my point of view, the books are short. The three samples I took from the series were: 217, 210 and 210 pages. I view anything under 300 pages as short and prefer books 350 pages or longer. I must admit, however, that I got all of these books for $4 off Amazon so I don’t really feel shorted. Had I seen these books on a shelf in a book store I likely wouldn’t even have picked them up based on how thin they are.
Bottom line: While not perfect, these books are pretty easily worth the read for any lovers of competency porn.
July 7, 2021
Dahners, Laurence E. Habitats. Ell Donsaii No. 7. Kindle, 2013.
Plagued by various international and corporate miscreants, and still unhappy in the spotlight of fame, Ell Donsaii decides to use her wormhole technology to help build a large orbital habitat where she hopes to find sanctuary. Along the way, she invents a prosthetic hand for an injured worker that is much improved by using small quantum wormholes. Remote interstellar exploration also continues in this one. Dahners loves to find multiple creative ways to use his one impossible device. He plays fair and does not stretch it beyond plausibility. As always, formulaic but fun. 4 stars.
Plagued by various international and corporate miscreants, and still unhappy in the spotlight of fame, Ell Donsaii decides to use her wormhole technology to help build a large orbital habitat where she hopes to find sanctuary. Along the way, she invents a prosthetic hand for an injured worker that is much improved by using small quantum wormholes. Remote interstellar exploration also continues in this one. Dahners loves to find multiple creative ways to use his one impossible device. He plays fair and does not stretch it beyond plausibility. As always, formulaic but fun. 4 stars.
June 1, 2020
Novelettes
This book was a little different from some of Dahner's others. Chapters seemed more like novelettes or short stories. A ski-trip is a story into itself and confused me what it had to do with habitats, but in the end it hinted at foreshadows possible explanations for the future.He bound them together well and in the end it works fine. The title, Habitats, seems a little misleading to me because it is not ALL about habitats, although habitats are "invented" along the way. All in all , a bit different, but it works, it's fun, and enjoyable.
This book was a little different from some of Dahner's others. Chapters seemed more like novelettes or short stories. A ski-trip is a story into itself and confused me what it had to do with habitats, but in the end it hinted at foreshadows possible explanations for the future.He bound them together well and in the end it works fine. The title, Habitats, seems a little misleading to me because it is not ALL about habitats, although habitats are "invented" along the way. All in all , a bit different, but it works, it's fun, and enjoyable.
January 7, 2024
Number six and Moving forward
I have gotten so involved with this series that I have not taken much time to write a review and the past 3 books that I have read. I absolutely love the way that the author has built on the characters and the introduction of new ones as he makes the story build and grow. Looking forward to meeting the new aliens and seen what they have installed for our heroine.
I have gotten so involved with this series that I have not taken much time to write a review and the past 3 books that I have read. I absolutely love the way that the author has built on the characters and the introduction of new ones as he makes the story build and grow. Looking forward to meeting the new aliens and seen what they have installed for our heroine.
May 3, 2020
Marriage
I am not sure how a person would be able to get married using an alias and try to live a life that way with children when your real personality is very well known very famous and kind of quirky which is not that big a deal as far as a quirkiness is concerned. I'm just not sure how all this would work. I look forward to seeing it the next few books.
I am not sure how a person would be able to get married using an alias and try to live a life that way with children when your real personality is very well known very famous and kind of quirky which is not that big a deal as far as a quirkiness is concerned. I'm just not sure how all this would work. I look forward to seeing it the next few books.
February 20, 2022
Great
Another excellent and enjoyable chapter. Some tension and intrigue throughout the story was very enjoyable to read. Though I do wish she would go around armed so she wouldn’t have to be creative with her environment for weapons. Also, not really into the main love interest she has right now.
Another excellent and enjoyable chapter. Some tension and intrigue throughout the story was very enjoyable to read. Though I do wish she would go around armed so she wouldn’t have to be creative with her environment for weapons. Also, not really into the main love interest she has right now.
March 27, 2024
Really great and entertaining series!!!!!
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
June 21, 2024
I have a headache. Also not a huge fan of the romantic side plots 🙄 just feels unauthentic (lol and I sound pretentious)
I was reading this basically bc it seemed like the author was showing us how a civilization might become more tech advanced but from the way this book ended I doubt that’s how it’s continuing
I was reading this basically bc it seemed like the author was showing us how a civilization might become more tech advanced but from the way this book ended I doubt that’s how it’s continuing
November 26, 2024
I enjoyed this one. It's almost like all the conflicts which Dahners forgot to add in the previous book, are in this book. In fact the conflict about Ell's lovelife, is also properly resolved in this one. Although I feel it would have been better if he had shown us the scene in which her bf finds out that she is Ell.
June 19, 2020
Really hooked on ELL
Have enjoyed this series immensely. I love and admire ELL and enjoy her character development and genuine humanity and empathy. I worry about her like she was my own daughter but am counting on her to continue to grow and amaze.
Have enjoyed this series immensely. I love and admire ELL and enjoy her character development and genuine humanity and empathy. I worry about her like she was my own daughter but am counting on her to continue to grow and amaze.
December 6, 2024
brilliant entertainment
Laurence Dahners books are so exciting and intriguing. I’m on book seven and could not put the others. A wonderful mix of sci fi and adventure. Looking forward to reading the whole series👍
Laurence Dahners books are so exciting and intriguing. I’m on book seven and could not put the others. A wonderful mix of sci fi and adventure. Looking forward to reading the whole series👍
February 17, 2026
Enjoy the odes to Heinlein
This series is an incredibly enjoyable light read. I hope young readers are inspired to look up The Grand Master's works from references. 7 books in and I already know I'll be following this author with anticipation.
This series is an incredibly enjoyable light read. I hope young readers are inspired to look up The Grand Master's works from references. 7 books in and I already know I'll be following this author with anticipation.
August 28, 2017
This was an easy read, one that kept my attention and interest. Would recommend that readers plan to read the entire series.
February 23, 2018
Great story
Yet another fun story about Ell Donsaii. If you've made it this far in the series, you know what to expect and Mr Dahners knows how to deliver.
Yet another fun story about Ell Donsaii. If you've made it this far in the series, you know what to expect and Mr Dahners knows how to deliver.
May 14, 2019
Book 7 - Yay!
Ditto the good reviews.
Amazon reviews = author perks.
No reviews = no perks.
Dahners deserves plentiful perks.
20 words.
Ditto the good reviews.
Amazon reviews = author perks.
No reviews = no perks.
Dahners deserves plentiful perks.
20 words.
Read
May 2, 2020Good read
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. If you like science fiction books with action and exploration of space , you'll like this book.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. If you like science fiction books with action and exploration of space , you'll like this book.
September 7, 2020
I truly love the light-hearted way this series is written :) It's just....easy and nice :)
December 21, 2020
As an old retired science teacher I love these books.
January 18, 2021
Good story!
A trouble with long series, is that the "formula" shows. This story was done well, but it followed the formula of the previous ones.
A trouble with long series, is that the "formula" shows. This story was done well, but it followed the formula of the previous ones.
June 15, 2024
borrowed this edition on June 14, 2024. Kindle Unlimited Books. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
August 13, 2024
RECOMMENDED
June 25, 2025
Space station.
February 4, 2026
Interesting books
Very good book.l enjoyed it as it was quite entertaining and both in the series dovetailed well. Kudos to the author.
Very good book.l enjoyed it as it was quite entertaining and both in the series dovetailed well. Kudos to the author.
February 17, 2017
This serie is an interesting project. It starts with a question "what would happen if ..." and the books try to answer it.
It is a light, quick and easily readable set of books. Well written and enjoyable.
It is a light, quick and easily readable set of books. Well written and enjoyable.
May 31, 2025
Another welcome addition in the "Ell Donsaii" series, "Habitats" features the return of the favorite freak of genetics in her seventh book, set seven years after the incidents of the first book.
If you're a fan of Ell Donsaii, you'll most likely enjoy this book. It's a return in a number of ways to pre-Tau Ceti Donsaii - there's more focus on Ell and her relationships with friends and colleagues, whereas the Teecees from book six are only obliquely referenced. We also see more action in this book than we have in the previous book, showing a return to the classic Donsaii from the earlier books, with both the skills and the humility that make her an endearing character.
The book isn't without flaws, of course; typical typos occur periodically, and it's hard to keep track of all of the cast of characters that have built up since the first book. To be perfectly blunt, the book suffers the most in the way that all of the Donsaii series does - it's either a dessert or an aperitif, but not a meal unto itself. It's a bit of pleasant distraction, a fluffy treat to indulge in and pull out of the bookshelves when you need a little lift. The science is good, and the questions raised are always intriguing, but it isn't "hard" literature. At the same time, that's perfectly okay.
Personally, I'm thankful for the return to Ell's world and look forward to future visits.
If you're a fan of Ell Donsaii, you'll most likely enjoy this book. It's a return in a number of ways to pre-Tau Ceti Donsaii - there's more focus on Ell and her relationships with friends and colleagues, whereas the Teecees from book six are only obliquely referenced. We also see more action in this book than we have in the previous book, showing a return to the classic Donsaii from the earlier books, with both the skills and the humility that make her an endearing character.
The book isn't without flaws, of course; typical typos occur periodically, and it's hard to keep track of all of the cast of characters that have built up since the first book. To be perfectly blunt, the book suffers the most in the way that all of the Donsaii series does - it's either a dessert or an aperitif, but not a meal unto itself. It's a bit of pleasant distraction, a fluffy treat to indulge in and pull out of the bookshelves when you need a little lift. The science is good, and the questions raised are always intriguing, but it isn't "hard" literature. At the same time, that's perfectly okay.
Personally, I'm thankful for the return to Ell's world and look forward to future visits.
May 31, 2013
I have enjoyed the Donsaii series. It balances fun characters with an interesting "what if" look at science. This book was lacking in several areas. While there was some forward progression with Ell's character there was little else new. The "Habitats" were merely hinted at and most of the tangential characters were thinly developed and felt more like filler than story. Maybe there will be more in the next story; but the other books in the series could each stand on there own.
June 12, 2013
Seemed a tad short, but I look forward to the next installment.
December 16, 2022
Another winner
I am getting more enjoyment with each of these stories. I enjoy the stories and the characters who are well defined and the kind that I like to be around.
I am getting more enjoyment with each of these stories. I enjoy the stories and the characters who are well defined and the kind that I like to be around.
Read
May 8, 2015Good read. Loved it. The author though uses the same expressions a little more than should be
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews