Blackburn Station

by Karen H. Lucia

Jane watched the destruction of her home. Her friends and family, gone. The community of Blackburn Station wiped from the galaxy. Trapped in the confines of her escape pod, she forced herself to take in the totality of the space station’s destruction time and again.

Blackburn Station had always operated outside of Union control. After the attack on the station, nobody but scavengers looking for a payout came to pick up the pieces. Returning to Blackburn is the last thing Jane should want to do, but it is all she can think about.

Genres: Science Fiction

Unknown Binding

About the author

Karen is a Minneapolis author. The long Minnesota winters taught her the value of a good story. Growing up on authors like Piers Anthony and Ursula K LeGuin she developed an interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy that has shaped her writing today. Throughout her life, Karen has had a small handful of adventures that help her craft the stories she writes, ranging from her time abroad, to becoming a mother, or her years spent as an Army Officer, working on a mass casualty response force, and her time in cybersecurity. Always on the hunt for strong female leads, Karen decided to write some of her own leading to the Warriors of Helsvern series. THE GOLDEN VALIA is her debut novel and the first book in the Warriors of Helsvern.

For updates on Karen's writing, visit her website (KarenLuciaAuthor.com), or follow her on Blue Sky (Karenlucia.bsky.social) or Twitter (@Karen_HL)

Reviews

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic little sci-fi book. It's really big for something so small. The size of the story is not to be underestimated. I really hope we get something more in this world.

[Trudie Skies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always excited to try out sci-fi stories, as I don’t read enough sci-fi, and straight away this one gave me Mass Effect vibes. The story starts off powerfully as Jane is forced into space via an escape pod as her home, Blackburn Station, blows up, taking all her family and friends with it. She’s rescued and brought to another space station where the shock of what’s happened leaves her with PTSD and no idea where to go from there. That’s until she comes across a scavenging crew who intend to return to Blackburn Station and pick it apart for scrap. Joining their crew gives Jane a chance to retrieve any valuable data and find out exactly what happened.

As she and the crew head out for Blackburn Station, we learn more about Jane and exactly what the scientists were doing. Jane fits in quickly with the crew, forming a friendship, and a hinted sapphic romance, with one of them. There are themes here of grief and finding meaning after tragedy. I believe this story is a standalone, but the ending threw a lot of new information at the reader and left the conclusion open, that it felt a bit like a prequel to something much larger.

[Julieta C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was hooked from the first few pages, and when I finished it, I wanted MORE! I have already reached out to the author, hoping for more content like this! This is perfect for a read on a plane, book, or when you need something quick.

[E.J. J Doble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for "SFINCS", as part of Team 3: Swordsworn

Rating: 7.8/10 ⭐

✅ A compelling story of tension, grief and interesting concepts woven into a classic sci-fi novella.
✅ The balance of characterisation and plot function was remarkably well done throughout the novella, even within its short length.
✅ More emotive themes were handled deftly, with great maturity and skill.

❌ The bonds formed between salvager crew-members and the MC felt a bit fast

[Steve Boyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Doe is the only survivor of a vicious, unprovoked attack on a space station. Alone in an escape pod, her whole life lies shattered before her eyes. Who did this to her friends and family? And why should she go on?

This book packs a lot into a relatively short story. Action, suspense, maybe even a hint of romance, it has it all.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this science fiction novel set in the far future, a survivor of a devastating event at Blackburn space colony is in a life capsule, rotating around the wreckage of her former home as her air supply dwindles. Blackburn Station was home to approximately 1300 people, biochemists and other specialists who made a living from their inventions, plus the support staff and a few hundred children.

The woman - who initially gives her name as Jane Doe - is rescued by the crew of a salvage ship who have come to haul away anything with a resale value. They take her to a much bigger space station and dump her at the medical facility. She is uncooperative with local security, saying her station suffered an environmental breach. Because the personnel on her station were not necessarily monogamous, she is the subject of prurient curiosity and when she is released after processing into the system, she uses some of the skills acquired as a citizen of Blackburn to hack into a public terminal and remove the news items about her. She is hassled by a group of men who had seen the news and view her as easy prey, but a woman called Reggie and some dock workers come to Jane’s rescue. Reggie, one of the crew of the salvage ship that brought her in, befriends Jane, giving her the opportunity to find out what really caused the disaster.

This was an interesting story, well-written and with a convincing future world which still is based on flawed human nature. Jane's transition from someone who contemplates suicide to a person driven to get to the truth and find justice for her whole lost community, and to retrieve their life's work, is believable. Reggie is also a well-realised character with her own inner demons. Also realistic is the bigoted attitude which lies behind the destruction of Blackburn station.

The story is self contained but keeps open the possibility of a sequel, and I would be interested in reading one if ever produced. A full 5 star rating.

[Heather Texle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a local book fair, and I’m so happy I did! For a somewhat short book (about 120 pages), it packs a big punch! We follow the lone survivor of a space station attack as she tries to deal with the aftermath, figure out what happened, and salvage what’s left of her life. Her pain feels real and her choice realistic, and I’m sure her story will linger with me for some time.

[Razielsghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick and cheap read with a straightforward story. I expected the sci-fi elements of the setting to be explored more, instead this was an exploration of tragic events and human destruction that uses the sci-fi aesthetic to make the topic more palpable. Glad I read it.

[Brynn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally got this as it was a short sci fi book whom cover reminded me of Murderbot books I love. I was told it was not like Murderbot books, but I did find they had similar vibes when reading with both being a shorter space station themed read

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author to watch in the soft scientific fiction genre.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but powerful science fiction. Quickly sets up the world and character. Tells a complete story, but leaves room for so much more.

[Dina]

Picked up this novella at the Lucia's table at the Twin Cities Book Festival! Super fun!!