Out of Tune

by D.C. Greschner

In an era of space travel and regular alien contact, Earthling Linda Pumpernickel has just celebrated her sixty-fifth birthday. Bumbling through her routines and losing herself in exceedingly odd daydreams, Linda wonders if there’s more to life after retirement . . . when an alien called a larvalux crashes through her door and tells Linda her old pitch pipe is the secret to saving the universe from going out of tune and causing a cosmic climate catastrophe. Bizarre aliens, peculiar planets, and intergalactic corporate greed await Linda on a journey through space, time, and late-stage capitalism.

Perfect for fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, D.C. Greschner’s debut novel effortlessly blends quirky humour, innovative sci-fi, and thought-provoking environmental satire into a thoroughly entertaining adventure.

Genres: Science Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2024

About the author

D.C. Greschner has degrees in biology, music, and education. She has a plethora of work experience, including ecotoxicology lab biologist, vocal coach, as well as a stint teaching English in China, where she began writing Out of Tune as a way to cope with culture shock and feeling like an alien herself. Currently, she is a high school science teacher and a film, television, and musical theater performer. Greschner has always been creative and involved in storytelling, from her days as a child clacking out stories on her mother’s old-school typewriter to composing a musical about werewolves. Out of Tune is her first novel. She lives in Victoria, BC with her partner and their cats.

Reviews

[Ryan Haidar (YPQ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Uses humor to touch on *very* real social and societal issues we all face today. Although a romp through space, it's easy to see the connection. Poignant and easy to grasp even through the absurdity that kept the pages turning. Can't recommend enough!

[SheShe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good sci-fi book! It didn't have any bad language, which is refreshing. The plot was centered around a very creative and innovative idea. It made me laugh out loud in one part, which made me insist on sharing it with others. I loved the main character; besides being comical, she was very endearing. It was a very easy read, and the layout made it a quick read. Reading it felt like watching a movie where each chapter was a new scene, constantly introducing me to new and interesting characters. I appreciate that there is a diagram of one of the main alien species. That being said, I would have appreciated another diagram or drawing of the alien species that made up the main protagonist, as well as other characters, since I found it very difficult to picture them (but that could just be me). I would definitely recommend this as a fun read, and I'm sure I'll read it again down the road.

[Nicolas Lemieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.C. Greschner's novel Out of Tune is an epic science fiction, space-opera story that mixes a slew of themes that are dear to my heart. Environmentalism, alien species and cultures, diversity in its most extreme forms, rampant capitalism, corporate short-sightedness, aging, and yes, of course... music and singing. I loved the idea at first contact!

Danielle Greschner's writing is packed with something I particularly enjoy. A tremendously high level of quirkiness, along with a highly incisive, targeted sense of humor. It’s always to the point, efficient in wrenching laughs out of me, but also, always hitting home to underline so many of the absurdities in our present-time existence. I have no qualms saying this would have Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett cracking a huge, approving grin.

Read more:
https://www.nicolaslemieux.com/post/d...

[Marc Gaudet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed your book and the words kept me wanting to read more. I appreciated the effort you put into developing your characters in the story. To have aliens possess the power to accidentally destroy worlds and then present a way to make amends was quite clever indeed. My favourite character was Mabitu. It’s generosity toward the human female was indeed an act of kindness which led me to believe that there is good in the cosmos against those who seek greed like Dooldlen or Snyeild’s CEO friend. I hope that one day it won’t be humanity that is responsible for detuning our universe or closer to home, our own solar system.

[Sill Bihagia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh, intelligent, and witty read from start to finish, and I expect to be recommending this quite a bit! Without spoilers, I'll say this had a cast of quirky and unforgettable characters that were a delight to follow through the events of the book. I appreciated the thoughtful science and frequent laughs. It will appeal to fans of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett or folks who enjoyed "Don't Look Up." I'm hoping they'll be a sequel eventually!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sci-fi book was a page-turner filled with interesting concepts and compelling characters. The relations made throughout the book to real-life issues such as climate change were presented in an interesting and easy to digest way. Loved that the heroine was a woman in her 60's, making for both a unique and refreshing take on protaganists.

[Emily Krell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very funny sci-fi adventure novel, and I loved the short chapters! I loved the sneaky nerdy music references and the scientific details throughout! This is the first book I'm completed in honestly two years (shout out to D.C. Greschner for writing such a good story), and I have my tentacles crossed in hopes of another book in the wormline!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and engrossing, I looked forward to picking this book up every day to see what would happen next! This sci-fi adventure expertly weaves in biological and musical concepts. As someone who hasn’t been close to either in awhile I felt like I was getting smarter while being incredibly entertained. A very fun read that was over all too quickly.

[Jason Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of Tune is full of interest alien species, quirky characters, and wild adventures. Underlying the comedy are themes that a prescient today such as unintended consequences, greed, and environmental catastrophe. The scientific fiction universe is a absurd and infinite akin to a kinder Rick and Morty universe. A great late summer read.