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Complicated: The Interstellar Life and Times of Saoirse Kenneally
Saoirse Kenneally is on a mission to save the people of a distant world.
But first, she has some problems of her own to deal with. Saoirse is an alcoholic and an addict who has been disowned by her family. None of the rehabs she has been in will take her back. And she just woke up in jail. Again.
To avoid doing time she commits to a two-year term of off-planet service, one that will take her to Saturn’s moon Titan and then to a faraway star. The first hurdle is making it through training — Saoirse has a way of finding trouble even when she’s trying to behave. Then she is posted to Titan where every move she makes leads her deeper into a web of corruption, interstellar drug smuggling, violence, and power politics that is likely to end in disaster.
Can a twenty-year old woman with a checkered past, a tenuous grip on sobriety, and an on-again off-again relationship with the truth save an entire world from a bloody power grab? And can she save herself in the bargain?
But first, she has some problems of her own to deal with. Saoirse is an alcoholic and an addict who has been disowned by her family. None of the rehabs she has been in will take her back. And she just woke up in jail. Again.
To avoid doing time she commits to a two-year term of off-planet service, one that will take her to Saturn’s moon Titan and then to a faraway star. The first hurdle is making it through training — Saoirse has a way of finding trouble even when she’s trying to behave. Then she is posted to Titan where every move she makes leads her deeper into a web of corruption, interstellar drug smuggling, violence, and power politics that is likely to end in disaster.
Can a twenty-year old woman with a checkered past, a tenuous grip on sobriety, and an on-again off-again relationship with the truth save an entire world from a bloody power grab? And can she save herself in the bargain?
390 pages, ebook
Published January 26, 2021
67 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Colin Alexander
12 books42 followersColin Alexander is a writer of science fiction and fantasy. Actually, Colin Alexander is the pseudonym for Alton Kremer, maybe his alter ego, or who he would have been if he hadn't been a physician and biochemist and had a career as a medical researcher. His most recent book, The Secret of the Martian Girl, is his eleventh and the fifth of the Leif the Lucky novels. Colin is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. Away from writing fiction, his idea of relaxation is martial arts (taekwondo and minna jiu jitsu). He lives in Maine with his wife. His books are available on Amazon in print and e-book formats.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 8, 2021
Page Turner
Its not often you get a page-turmer story like this. I have always liked stories about people who habe worked from nothing and found themselves. This does that. This time, Colin Alexander chooses a woman to be the main character and, to me anyway, he does well. There is a touch of Irish "spirit" in the story. The history of Ireland is fraught with strife and has resulted in a fiercely loyal if not stubborn characterisation that we find in Saoirse Kenneally. You can't help but love this woman and identify on some level as well.
Its not often you get a page-turmer story like this. I have always liked stories about people who habe worked from nothing and found themselves. This does that. This time, Colin Alexander chooses a woman to be the main character and, to me anyway, he does well. There is a touch of Irish "spirit" in the story. The history of Ireland is fraught with strife and has resulted in a fiercely loyal if not stubborn characterisation that we find in Saoirse Kenneally. You can't help but love this woman and identify on some level as well.
May 8, 2021
All I will say is that this book kicked ass, it was so good!
August 12, 2022
Enjoyed this book! Story was essentially the evolution of the main protagonist (Saoirse) from the depths of disfunction through many, many steps to her becoming a good individual, friend, and ultimately leader. The scale of action grows and expands across the book.
Some could see the story as evolving slowly in the first parts. However, I really appreciated the author's decision to have us follow Saoirse's evolution. This allowed us to believe that she could steadily improve herself, and take on increasingly difficult challenges. I was rooting for her all the way through.
I eagerly hope the author writes another book about Saoirse Kenneally so that we can follow her future development and adventures.
Some could see the story as evolving slowly in the first parts. However, I really appreciated the author's decision to have us follow Saoirse's evolution. This allowed us to believe that she could steadily improve herself, and take on increasingly difficult challenges. I was rooting for her all the way through.
I eagerly hope the author writes another book about Saoirse Kenneally so that we can follow her future development and adventures.
July 30, 2021
Not what I expected. So much better.
I read constantly. I have a penchant for science fiction, particularly military sci-fi and hard sci-fi. I’m constantly looking for hope within reason. I’m often disappointed. This book though. It gave me hope. It pulls no punches. It depicts real people just trying to make themselves better and do the best they can. I think you know hard that can be. It pulls it off. Read it.
I read constantly. I have a penchant for science fiction, particularly military sci-fi and hard sci-fi. I’m constantly looking for hope within reason. I’m often disappointed. This book though. It gave me hope. It pulls no punches. It depicts real people just trying to make themselves better and do the best they can. I think you know hard that can be. It pulls it off. Read it.
February 16, 2023
A good read
I first read Mr Alexander's Star man series, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but I in the interest of fairness I got this book. I highly recommend this book! The last hundred pages have to be read in one sitting they are that good! This is a well written and plotted journey from insecurity, shame and addiction to absolution, growth and triumph.
I recommend this book as a must read.
I first read Mr Alexander's Star man series, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but I in the interest of fairness I got this book. I highly recommend this book! The last hundred pages have to be read in one sitting they are that good! This is a well written and plotted journey from insecurity, shame and addiction to absolution, growth and triumph.
I recommend this book as a must read.
June 28, 2021
Haven’t had a good book in three weeks.
This was worth the drought. Excellent characters, clear plot lines and a good story. Second book I have read by Mr. Alexander and I’ll be reading more.
This was worth the drought. Excellent characters, clear plot lines and a good story. Second book I have read by Mr. Alexander and I’ll be reading more.
July 24, 2021
Great hard Sci-Fi
Start to finish I was completely taken by this novel. The characters are real, the situations are believable and things move fast through out the book. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Start to finish I was completely taken by this novel. The characters are real, the situations are believable and things move fast through out the book. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 8, 2021
Colin Alexander kept up up late reading Complicated : The Interstellar Life and Times of Saoirse Kenneally. Centuries from now, the discovery of worm hole technology has allowed humanity access to many livable worlds. On one world, Daleko Baltckie, a highly addictive drug that makes its users eventually mind-dead, is found naturally. Saoirse is such an alcholic that her rich family has disowned her. A judge offers her the choice of volunteering for the Social Planet Off-Planet Personal because of her hacking skills. Surprisingly she makes friends in basic and learns she is a dead shot with a rifle. After graduation she becomes defacto sysadmin for the Solar System port at Titan where she stumbles on a Zombi drug smuggling operation and finds a way to stop it. The drug people send gangsters to stop her permanently, so she forges papers to send her as an new lieutenant to Daleko Baltckie with the Peacer troops keeping order and trying to stop the drug. Eventually that puts her in the eye of the storm between corrupt officials and settlers trying to survive. Lots of fun.
July 30, 2022
A good read and tightly written Story
Finally, an author in the old style. Well written and a complete story in ONE book. Not like the modern style of milking a character for 20 sequels! I have been reading sf for over 70 years and literally thousands of books by hundreds of authors. I really like Mr Alexander’s style. 3 down and three to go,
Finally, an author in the old style. Well written and a complete story in ONE book. Not like the modern style of milking a character for 20 sequels! I have been reading sf for over 70 years and literally thousands of books by hundreds of authors. I really like Mr Alexander’s style. 3 down and three to go,
July 7, 2021
A Terrific Novel
This is a well-written sci-fi novel filled with heroes and villains, a lot of action, and memorable characters. This is the first time I've rated a novel on this site with 5 stars. It is so good.
This is a well-written sci-fi novel filled with heroes and villains, a lot of action, and memorable characters. This is the first time I've rated a novel on this site with 5 stars. It is so good.
August 23, 2021
A Good Read
I found the characters interesting and believable. They face serious personal problems and overcome them through discipline gained through military experience. A slightly unusual approach to a science fiction novel but one that worked for me.
I found the characters interesting and believable. They face serious personal problems and overcome them through discipline gained through military experience. A slightly unusual approach to a science fiction novel but one that worked for me.
December 18, 2021
Great book
This book is a marvelous read. I couldn’t put it down. It’s characters become alive and their problems are real. It certainly is a nasty future but regardless of what comes to pass it is a very human future full of people who will be very like us.
This book is a marvelous read. I couldn’t put it down. It’s characters become alive and their problems are real. It certainly is a nasty future but regardless of what comes to pass it is a very human future full of people who will be very like us.
June 7, 2023
Good plot, excellent writing - well crafted.
I read a LOT of books and enjoy a well written story.
This one was very smooth and logical; so good I got drawn in and forgot I was reading. You know what I mean?
Well worth the read, as are all that I've read by Colin Alexander.
I read a LOT of books and enjoy a well written story.
This one was very smooth and logical; so good I got drawn in and forgot I was reading. You know what I mean?
Well worth the read, as are all that I've read by Colin Alexander.
August 6, 2021
Great book
Well written book
I am glad to see the Kenneally because it my Mom last name was
Kennealy my family spelled it with one L
Well written book
I am glad to see the Kenneally because it my Mom last name was
Kennealy my family spelled it with one L
February 28, 2022
A meandering start, but really kicked in in the final 3rd. The "Irish" story has a solid narrative if some thinly painted wider world building and ropey side characters.
April 19, 2022
easy vacation read, decent sci fi!
I like Colin Alexander’s books, they are interesting and fun to read. The characters are nicely developed and The plot flows well.
I like Colin Alexander’s books, they are interesting and fun to read. The characters are nicely developed and The plot flows well.
July 22, 2023
Very interest turns and plot lines.
At first the girl is not likeable and she gradually transforms into a hero. The writer has remarkable empathy for a young woman.
At first the girl is not likeable and she gradually transforms into a hero. The writer has remarkable empathy for a young woman.
February 11, 2021
Compelling, character driven science fiction
I’ve read three books from this author and they have all been extremely satisfying and enjoyable to read. Page turning adventures, compelling world building, high stakes that move the story along and unforgettable main characters. Complicated might just be my favorite!
I’ve read three books from this author and they have all been extremely satisfying and enjoyable to read. Page turning adventures, compelling world building, high stakes that move the story along and unforgettable main characters. Complicated might just be my favorite!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews