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The Carlson Girls
From the suburbs of Ottawa to the caves of Abraxis, Melissa and Claire Carlson have seen just about everything this galaxy has to offer. But nothing could have prepared them for life on the planet Antaur with its rigid caste system.
While Melissa is training a new batch of Justice Keeper recruits, Claire’s decision to attend an academy for telepaths brings her face to face with her classmates’ prejudice. Life is hard enough with all of that on their plates, but it only gets worse when a telepath kills a man in cold blood.
Ordinary citizens are up in arms; the mind readers have gone too far. But Melissa’s enthusiasm for this new civil rights movement is challenged when telepaths start turning up dead... and the culprit seems to be a Field Binder.
After the Truth Seers begin arresting people without cause, Melissa makes some powerful enemies. And as for Claire, she can always find a way to get in over her head. Can the Carlsons crack the case before it tears their new home apart? Find out in this gripping, new adventure!
While Melissa is training a new batch of Justice Keeper recruits, Claire’s decision to attend an academy for telepaths brings her face to face with her classmates’ prejudice. Life is hard enough with all of that on their plates, but it only gets worse when a telepath kills a man in cold blood.
Ordinary citizens are up in arms; the mind readers have gone too far. But Melissa’s enthusiasm for this new civil rights movement is challenged when telepaths start turning up dead... and the culprit seems to be a Field Binder.
After the Truth Seers begin arresting people without cause, Melissa makes some powerful enemies. And as for Claire, she can always find a way to get in over her head. Can the Carlsons crack the case before it tears their new home apart? Find out in this gripping, new adventure!
- GenresScience Fiction
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2025
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Penney
57 books56 followersI was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario where I attended Saltfleet High School and McMaster University. I've spent most of my life fighting for the little guy in one form or another, advocating for the poor, for environmental sustainability, for minority rights.
Throughout my twenties, I wrote about five novels and threw them all out because they weren't very good. But I improved and honed my skills with each new manuscript. About two years ago, I had an offer from a traditional publishing house, but I chose to go indie instead. Writing is my passion; if I could dedicate myself to one thing, it would be bringing the ideas in my head to life.
Throughout my twenties, I wrote about five novels and threw them all out because they weren't very good. But I improved and honed my skills with each new manuscript. About two years ago, I had an offer from a traditional publishing house, but I chose to go indie instead. Writing is my passion; if I could dedicate myself to one thing, it would be bringing the ideas in my head to life.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 23, 2025
If you know anything about me, you know I love reading work by R.S. Penney. As someone who's not a big Sci-fi reader, Penney's books never fail to amaze me!
Sisters Melissa and Claire Carlson move to the planet Antaur, which has a strict caste system. Melissa trains Justice Keeper recruits, while Claire attends a telepath academy. I think my favorite part of all of Penney's works is the subplot of mystery. Our main conflict here was a murder committed by a telepath, which I think was such a good addition to the plot, mainly because R.S. Penney's books are always so fulfilling. Melissa's involvement in the civil rights movement is complicated by the mysterious deaths of telepaths, seemingly at the hands of a Field Binder. The Truth Seers' unjust arrests further escalate the situation. The reader gets to then follow the sisters as they investigate these events, risking their safety and their new home.
Big thanks to R.S. Penney for giving me the opportunity to read another one of his works!
Sisters Melissa and Claire Carlson move to the planet Antaur, which has a strict caste system. Melissa trains Justice Keeper recruits, while Claire attends a telepath academy. I think my favorite part of all of Penney's works is the subplot of mystery. Our main conflict here was a murder committed by a telepath, which I think was such a good addition to the plot, mainly because R.S. Penney's books are always so fulfilling. Melissa's involvement in the civil rights movement is complicated by the mysterious deaths of telepaths, seemingly at the hands of a Field Binder. The Truth Seers' unjust arrests further escalate the situation. The reader gets to then follow the sisters as they investigate these events, risking their safety and their new home.
Big thanks to R.S. Penney for giving me the opportunity to read another one of his works!
August 19, 2025
I have straight away downloaded book 2! Melissa and Claire are so young for everything they have accomplished before this story and during this one!
There is a whole other set of worlds created in this book that are really intriguing and you could easily get lost in them! Like I actually want to move to work on another planet now!
In a world with Nassai bonding with your brain and telepaths there would be no secrets - well you’d think not!
A story of family, friendship and intrigue
There is a whole other set of worlds created in this book that are really intriguing and you could easily get lost in them! Like I actually want to move to work on another planet now!
In a world with Nassai bonding with your brain and telepaths there would be no secrets - well you’d think not!
A story of family, friendship and intrigue
September 11, 2025
I have to be honest...Sci-fi? Not usually my thing.
I prefer when it goes hand in hand with a dystopia - something that happens quite often actually. I mean technology is sometimes scary, who knows where it will take us, right?
Anyway! I ended up really enjoying the book. I did feel like I was dropped in the middle of the story at times (I felt like I was missing some of the backstory), but I decided to trust the book and take it in my stride.
I related way more with Melissa, as I found Claire a bit immature at times (well,despite her accomplishments, she IS still a teenager).
I enjoyed the main storyline as well as the side plots, and I wouldn't have minded knowing more about all the different planets, but also all the different characters abilities.
And sadly, nothing new about a caste system, but this was an important part of the story.
All in all, I'm glad I gave this book a chance, and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2!
I prefer when it goes hand in hand with a dystopia - something that happens quite often actually. I mean technology is sometimes scary, who knows where it will take us, right?
Anyway! I ended up really enjoying the book. I did feel like I was dropped in the middle of the story at times (I felt like I was missing some of the backstory), but I decided to trust the book and take it in my stride.
I related way more with Melissa, as I found Claire a bit immature at times (well,despite her accomplishments, she IS still a teenager).
I enjoyed the main storyline as well as the side plots, and I wouldn't have minded knowing more about all the different planets, but also all the different characters abilities.
And sadly, nothing new about a caste system, but this was an important part of the story.
All in all, I'm glad I gave this book a chance, and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2!
September 1, 2025
The Carlson girls 🪐
__________________
About the book:
As Melissa is busy getting a group of new Justice Keeper recruits up to speed, Claire decides to go to an academy for telepaths. This puts her in an uncomfortable position as she faces prejudice from her classmates. As if things weren’t tough enough, a telepath commits a cold-blooded murder, making everything even more complicated!
With the Truth Seers starting to arrest people without reason, Melissa ends up making some powerful enemies. And Claire, well, she has a knack for finding trouble. Can the Carlsons solve the case before it completely destroys their new community? Find out in this exciting new adventure!
I really like sci-fi so I was so excited to read this book about a community.
The story sucked me right in, mainly because the world-building was so good, and I instantly fell in love with Claire and Melissa (you know, those main characters you just click with right away?). I was flying through the pages, especially towards the end (and trust me, I’m usually a super slow reader).
What was really cool was how you got to dive deeper into each character’s story! And let me tell you, I seriously hated some characters, like Rodan, but you gotta read the book to see why. Seriously, Claire and Melissa are the power duo I never knew I needed!
The book also touches on some heavy themes like rigid systems, war, and the importance of fighting back, which added a lot of depth for me. ALSO alot of good quotes!
And can we talk about that open ending? Loved it! It’s clear the story isn’t over, and I’m already hyped for part 2!!
Stars ⭐️: 4,5/5
___________
__________________
About the book:
As Melissa is busy getting a group of new Justice Keeper recruits up to speed, Claire decides to go to an academy for telepaths. This puts her in an uncomfortable position as she faces prejudice from her classmates. As if things weren’t tough enough, a telepath commits a cold-blooded murder, making everything even more complicated!
With the Truth Seers starting to arrest people without reason, Melissa ends up making some powerful enemies. And Claire, well, she has a knack for finding trouble. Can the Carlsons solve the case before it completely destroys their new community? Find out in this exciting new adventure!
I really like sci-fi so I was so excited to read this book about a community.
The story sucked me right in, mainly because the world-building was so good, and I instantly fell in love with Claire and Melissa (you know, those main characters you just click with right away?). I was flying through the pages, especially towards the end (and trust me, I’m usually a super slow reader).
What was really cool was how you got to dive deeper into each character’s story! And let me tell you, I seriously hated some characters, like Rodan, but you gotta read the book to see why. Seriously, Claire and Melissa are the power duo I never knew I needed!
The book also touches on some heavy themes like rigid systems, war, and the importance of fighting back, which added a lot of depth for me. ALSO alot of good quotes!
And can we talk about that open ending? Loved it! It’s clear the story isn’t over, and I’m already hyped for part 2!!
Stars ⭐️: 4,5/5
___________
July 4, 2025
I just finished The Carlson Girls — and I’m genuinely impressed.
This was such a compelling surprise! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but what I found was a sci-fi story with heart, depth, and a razor-sharp sense of relevance.
From the first chapters, I was pulled into a world where power, prejudice and control simmer beneath the surface, and where two sisters find the strength to push back — not just for survival, but for truth, justice and each other.
The bond between the sisters is the soul of this book. It’s raw, real, and beautifully written. Their resilience in the face of a corrupt system hit me hard, and watching them rise despite everything was both emotional and empowering.
The worldbuilding is strong without being overwhelming — layered with political tension, quiet danger and ethical dilemmas that feel disturbingly close to our own world. The pacing is deliberate, building slow-burn suspense and emotional stakes all the way through.
⸻
Why I recommend it:
– Strong female leads who fight back
– Sisterhood that feels fierce and real
– A sci-fi setting with emotional and political weight
– Themes of resistance, loyalty and personal freedom
– Writing that pulls you in and keeps you thinking
⸻
The Carlson Girls isn’t just sci-fi — it’s a story about courage, conviction, and the unbreakable bond between women who refuse to be silenced.
Highly recommend if you want a read that means something.
This was such a compelling surprise! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but what I found was a sci-fi story with heart, depth, and a razor-sharp sense of relevance.
From the first chapters, I was pulled into a world where power, prejudice and control simmer beneath the surface, and where two sisters find the strength to push back — not just for survival, but for truth, justice and each other.
The bond between the sisters is the soul of this book. It’s raw, real, and beautifully written. Their resilience in the face of a corrupt system hit me hard, and watching them rise despite everything was both emotional and empowering.
The worldbuilding is strong without being overwhelming — layered with political tension, quiet danger and ethical dilemmas that feel disturbingly close to our own world. The pacing is deliberate, building slow-burn suspense and emotional stakes all the way through.
⸻
Why I recommend it:
– Strong female leads who fight back
– Sisterhood that feels fierce and real
– A sci-fi setting with emotional and political weight
– Themes of resistance, loyalty and personal freedom
– Writing that pulls you in and keeps you thinking
⸻
The Carlson Girls isn’t just sci-fi — it’s a story about courage, conviction, and the unbreakable bond between women who refuse to be silenced.
Highly recommend if you want a read that means something.
May 20, 2025
Melissa and Claire are sisters. Melissa is a Justice Keeper and Clair attends a school for Telepaths on planet Antaur but she's no ordinary student. Truth Seers, Field Binders, robots and with all the killings that take place, the sisters face injustice and segregation on the planet that they now call home.
+ descriptive language
+ sensational
+ well developed characters
The book is filled with action and dialogues. It creates the sense of flow from chapter to chapter. Hooking the reader in and making him/her read on to find out how the sisters deal with obstacles. Descriptive language such as use of alliteration, similes and many more, as well as, well developed characters and settings add a great deal to the overall outcome of the book. It's impressively intriguing, terrifically thought-provoking and sensational - in other words - out of this world! It has been a while since I last read a science fiction book and I'm grateful to the author for reaching out, as he has reminded me how much I love reading a variety of genres! I definitely can't wait to read book 2 of this series!
You can find me on IG: book_by_book_reviews
+ descriptive language
+ sensational
+ well developed characters
The book is filled with action and dialogues. It creates the sense of flow from chapter to chapter. Hooking the reader in and making him/her read on to find out how the sisters deal with obstacles. Descriptive language such as use of alliteration, similes and many more, as well as, well developed characters and settings add a great deal to the overall outcome of the book. It's impressively intriguing, terrifically thought-provoking and sensational - in other words - out of this world! It has been a while since I last read a science fiction book and I'm grateful to the author for reaching out, as he has reminded me how much I love reading a variety of genres! I definitely can't wait to read book 2 of this series!
You can find me on IG: book_by_book_reviews
May 11, 2025
This was an unusual novel! The best part were the characters and the concepts. They were different from what I usually read and it was pretty good world building through these.
Melissa was a relatable character and I enjoyed how the author portrayed Kisa’s disability. However, I wasn’t really sure about their sudden swap from a friendship to a relationship- I think it needed some more development for this.
I liked the younger sister and the concept that she was more powerful than we thought. I hated that this was a loose end as it was obviously for the next book! However, despite the power, I easily forgot her name and she was very much a side character in the novel.
The concept of hierarchy in this fantasy world was intriguing and well done. I enjoyed learning how telepaths were revered and powerful, as well as oppressive and how people fought back. In this sense I think the topic of racism and classicism were beautifully done and convinced me to want to read the second book!
Melissa was a relatable character and I enjoyed how the author portrayed Kisa’s disability. However, I wasn’t really sure about their sudden swap from a friendship to a relationship- I think it needed some more development for this.
I liked the younger sister and the concept that she was more powerful than we thought. I hated that this was a loose end as it was obviously for the next book! However, despite the power, I easily forgot her name and she was very much a side character in the novel.
The concept of hierarchy in this fantasy world was intriguing and well done. I enjoyed learning how telepaths were revered and powerful, as well as oppressive and how people fought back. In this sense I think the topic of racism and classicism were beautifully done and convinced me to want to read the second book!
September 10, 2025
First time ready any of this authors books we “met” on Instagram.i really didn’t think this was going to be my vibe but i did promise myself I’d stretch out of my comfort zone zone this year. What I loved about this as the two very strong women who pushed the boundaries and remained strong.
They lived in a corrupt system and prejudice but they pushed back the two sisters were strong and powerful together
I’m not very good at following world building but this was written so easy for me to follow I didn’t find it overwhelming at all.
This place was the sisters home, they experienced and saw first hand injustice and killings surrounding them
I loved how they got involved with the equal right movement too,
An author with a strong hold on his readers and ease of writing.
There is a book 2 to this.
I’m glad I agreed to read this and he took a chance on me and I took a chance too and enjoyed it.
They lived in a corrupt system and prejudice but they pushed back the two sisters were strong and powerful together
I’m not very good at following world building but this was written so easy for me to follow I didn’t find it overwhelming at all.
This place was the sisters home, they experienced and saw first hand injustice and killings surrounding them
I loved how they got involved with the equal right movement too,
An author with a strong hold on his readers and ease of writing.
There is a book 2 to this.
I’m glad I agreed to read this and he took a chance on me and I took a chance too and enjoyed it.
November 8, 2025
Sci-fi, full of action and investigation with deep topics, friendships, trust and family.
The world and power/magic system is so well thought out but easy to grasp, It makes you want to read more books in the universe.
It will fascinate you. The book shows you a broken, hierarchy type of society, and how it affects everyone, and it was captivating to see the way people tried to break out of it (and make mistakes), as a team.
I really enjoyed Mellissa's pov, the detective side of the story. She's bold but precise, the literal opposite of Claire, who's fire ready to burn and do something big in this situation. Loved their dinamic.
I specificly enjoyed the investigation parts, where we spent time thinking through the crimes and the possibilities. (And still managed to surprise me😆)
If you like magic and detective stories, this one is for you.🌀
July 13, 2025
After an intergalactic war, Melissa, Claire and their mom Della settle on Antaur, so Claire can hone her telepathic abilities. When social unrest leads to murder, Melissa, a Justice Keeper is put on the case. On a world with a strictly segregated caste system where telepaths are the elites and non-telepaths are second class citizens, tensions come a a head. Will Melissa and Claire be able to help themselves and their friends and change the class system for the better?
A thought provoking sci-fi read that touches on issues involving class, prejudice and equity in a heartfelt way. With diverse and intriguing characters, excellent world building and an action packed plot, this was a compelling read. It is especially relevant in today’s society. This is not my first R.S. Penney read and it definitely won’t be my last. Thanks to Henry Roi PR for a copy of this book.
A thought provoking sci-fi read that touches on issues involving class, prejudice and equity in a heartfelt way. With diverse and intriguing characters, excellent world building and an action packed plot, this was a compelling read. It is especially relevant in today’s society. This is not my first R.S. Penney read and it definitely won’t be my last. Thanks to Henry Roi PR for a copy of this book.
March 3, 2025
It took me a bit to get into this book, but about halfway through it picked up and became world-shatteringly cool. If you are someone that can stick through the worldbuilding and setup for the series I think you’ll love this book. I enjoyed the prominent themes of social justice and the moral dilemmas that the characters went through. The two sisters were very cool. The interactions between them made me smile often. I would say the fight scenes were my favorite. It felt like I was watching the Matrix at times. So fun. All in all a good read, and I’m looking forward to book 2.
July 18, 2025
I loved this book from beginning to end.
Seeing how the Carlson girls navigate thru the social class and prejudices of their world, and teaming up with the equal rights movement to slowly dismantle the system that ranks their citizens is so inspiring and thought provoking. I would read this book again, and this is not gonna be the last book of R.S Penney that I’m going to read either.. I need more Carlson girls in my life!
P.s. I shed actual tears reading this book, chapters 22-24, 26 and 28 were by far my favorite.
Seeing how the Carlson girls navigate thru the social class and prejudices of their world, and teaming up with the equal rights movement to slowly dismantle the system that ranks their citizens is so inspiring and thought provoking. I would read this book again, and this is not gonna be the last book of R.S Penney that I’m going to read either.. I need more Carlson girls in my life!
P.s. I shed actual tears reading this book, chapters 22-24, 26 and 28 were by far my favorite.
August 26, 2025
The book is very well written and easy to read. The beginning was very slow with lots of world building and character descriptions but once it got to the halfway point, it was very action packed. I really enjoyed the story line and the characters. I would definitely recommend this book if you like science fiction and don’t mind a slow start.
June 10, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this one. It had a good flow on it and as a mood reader, it has a huuuge meaning. Good character developing, and I loved how the story is unfolding and descriptive, and obstacles the sisters are facing and go through.
December 3, 2025
Thanks to R. S. Penney for sending his book. It took me a while (it was my first english-reading), but it was fine. Had a great time learning about the Carlson girls and the family (his dad gave me suspicious vibes, mmm). It's cool that Penney wrote some extra info about the world he created.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews