Skylights

by Luther M. Siler

August 15, 2022: the Tycho, the most advanced interplanetary craft ever designed by the human race, launches from Earth on an expedition to Mars. The Tycho carries four passengers, soon to be the most famous people in human history.

February 19, 2023: The Tycho loses all communication with Earth while orbiting Mars. After weeks of determined attempts to reestablish contact, the Tycho is declared lost.

2027: Journalist Gabriel Southern receives a message from a mysterious "Mars." Ezekiel ben Zahav isn't talking, but he wants Southern to accompany him for something-- and he's dangling enough money under his nose to make any amount of hardship worth it.

SKYLIGHTS is the story of the second human expedition to Mars. Their to find out what happened to the first.

Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2014

About the author

Luther Siler was born in 1976 in northern Indiana, where he currently resides along with his wife, son and an assortment of various pets.

He writes about space gnomes and Mars.

Reviews

[Cat Lumb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intelligent, well paced and intriguing novel. I'm not a big fan of sci-fi usually, but this author manages to strike a good balance between storytelling and dispensing facts that inform the reader that the technology mentioned in this future is actually believable.

It did start a little slow, but I suspect this was because a particular amount of back story and build up was necessary. By the time I was around half way through the book I couldn't put it down - and stayed up until 1am to finish it! Siler has a great knack for ending a chapter on a moment of high tension and then delivering the promise of that in the next chapter (unlike some authors who milk it and jump between crises chapter after chapter so you never know where you stand). As a result it was a great read, with an intelligent and well-plotted storyline.

The end ties up the book's focus very well, but leaves a clear opening for a sequel: which I would definitely read, even though I'm a reluctant sci-fi reader!

[Julie Towe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very particular about what I like and don't like about scifi stories. For me, the #1 essential quality is believability. Skylights had that from start to finish. The science is explained just enough to convince the reader, but not so much as to overwhelm or bore him/her. Luther M. Siler obviously spent a lot of time doing research and because of that I was able to relax into the story and enjoy it without picking it apart. When I wasn't reading the book, I would sometimes think, "I could be on Mars right now," meaning "I could be reading Skylights," because that's what it feels like to read it. You're there. The characters are great, the suspense is good, the plot has no holes. It was just a great book. I'm pre-ordering book two now.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I got this book free from the author as part of a promotion. However if you follow me on Goodreads then you know that knowing, liking, or getting free stuff from an author is no guarantee of a good review from me. :)

This is good, fun sci fi, self-published but at least as well written as the majority of traditionally-published sci fi out there and a lot better than some. The narrator has a great voice; the other characters are all interesting and believable; the adventure is scary and exciting and fun, and the end leaves you wanting more. Everything you could want from a story about going to Mars. Also, the skylights are real, so pay attention! :)

[Elizabeth Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

If you're looking for serious, science based fiction, you won't find much of that here, even though there is real science in getting to Mars and what it is like once you get there. If you're looking for a futuristic, fun romp to Mars that includes a monkey and a secret mission, this is it.
This actually reminds me of the science fiction of the 50's and 60's. The main character is a lowly journalist who is hired to document the expedition and ends up being part of the team that saves the mission. There's lots of fun surprises along the way and it ends with a huge cliffhanger. I wonder if we'll ever know what happens next?

[Steven D'Adamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

SKYLIGHTS is a fun, fast-paced romp through a not-too-distant future where humans are beginning to explore Mars.

Drawing on real mysteries of the Martian surface and atmosphere, Luther M. Siler's story imagines believable technology without bogging down the story in scientific jargon. The dialogue is engaging and witty, and the characters interact like friends on an extended road trip. I think this brings a natural, relatable flow to the dialogue.

For as quickly as this book moves through its narrative, the first half of is spent preparing for the journey to Mars. In a lot of books, this would be boring and kind of yada-yada for the reader waiting to get to the adventure. But with the protagonist Gabriel's sarcastic comments and the necessary exposition of the equipment and mission parameters, I found myself surprised at how quickly I pored through the first several chapters.

Gabriel, a journalist, must essentially learn how to be an astronaut in a matter of weeks, and this process is a whirlwind for both him and the reader. And it's completely necessary. Siler does not spend much time on detailed descriptions once Gabriel and his history-making crew-mates touch down on Mars. Instead, the narrative is action-packed, and Siler does not have to waste any time explaining what a HUD (heads-up display) is, or how the crew of the Johannes plan to land, camp, and then take off again from Mars.

Overall, SKYLIGHTS is an exhilarating sci-fi adventure with more than a few surprises in store. It definitely sets up for potential sequels without leaving the story incomplete.

Also, I'm convinced that the iLid will one day be a real social media device, and we will all be "blinking" each other smartass remarks all day.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyed It

I grew up watching Star Trek and Lost in Space. I also grew up in the era of the many Apollo space missions which I found totally fascinating. However, when it comes to my choice of genre for reading, science fiction doesn't even make it to the list. So, when I took on the task of reading Skylights, I really had no idea what to expect. Long story short (and I even surprised myself) I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The author's descriptive writing was fantastic! It made my imagination run wild trying visualizing what it would be like to travel to Mars. I found myself saying, "Wow! How awesome!' more than once.
The story grabbed me from the start and kept me hooked up to the very end. Some parts even had me laughing, but most of it had me reflecting on the author's amazing detail filled, vivid vision of something that has yet to happen or be experienced.

So, whether you're a sci-fi fan or a not so much fan, put Skylights on your TBR list. It's a definite must read.

[Carrie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skylights' prologue lays out a mystery that is impressive in its simplicity & the degree that it captures the imagination. The crew of the first NASA Mars mission disappeared after leaving only an enigmatic message. The book follows up on the premise splendidly, putting you in the head of a journalist/writer whose realistic reactions to the unfolding events help ground the action. There’s humor and action as the characters try to understand the mysterious circumstances of the previous mission’s disappearance.

Other things I liked:
* it’s a near-future sci-fi with clever extrapolations from current tech
* It’s a fast, engaging read

Things I didn’t love:
* the use of the outdated and sexist terminology “(un)manned” instead of “(un)crewed” was disappointing; I'd love to see that updated if the book gets a new printing/edition (ETA the author has since confirmed he’d make this change on a new edition, which I greatly appreciate)
* The pacing was fast, and it makes it easy to consume the book in a couple sittings (I like that), but the last few chapters felt too rushed

Overall I’d rate the book as Very Good and definitely recommend it for sci-fi fans.

[MG · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a blog post by Luther Siler that someone sent me and in the course of figuring out who he was, I discovered he had self-published a couple sci-fi novels. So I thought I would sample this new world of self-published novel. The story and characters are solid, interesting, and the action unfolded at a good pace. While I enjoyed the backdrop of a manned trip to Mars, this is not another THE MARTIAN. I felt some of the bigger issues and deeper human issues were skipped--e.g., sexual tension between mixed gender crew, philosophical and religious reflections on visiting another planet or possibility of being confronted with an alien race. My conclusion: a fun, quick, entertaining escape that lacked a little heft but kept my interest.

[Christopher Brennan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me tell you the exact point where I stopped reading this book. Two astronauts on Mars can't find familiar constellations in the sky because "The stars won't look the same. We're millions of miles away."
Yup. Really. I usually try not to nitpick science in science fiction, but that's just bad. Had the plot simply moved faster before then, I might have overlooked it, but it was on the heels of a lot of infodump conversations just to propose science ideas, and some other questionable impractical behavior by the astronauts that just knocked me out of the story.
Interesting premise, maybe it has an interesting conclusion. YMMV.

[Joan Reginaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read, excellent storytelling.

The author gives just enough science to impact the story. That's the kind of sci-fi I like.

The main character is an older man who's a bit overweight. I found him relatable, and his self-deprecating humor was a great foil to serious situations.

My one issue with the book could be considered a spoiler because it's very specific, so I won't elaborate more than to mention that it's a very small issue, and I found it an issue only because it reminded me that I'm "reading a book" rather than "having an adventure."

5 stars because I would read again.

And I tweeted at the author, demanding a sequel.

[Aaron Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siler's done it again, consistently telling another compelling tale with memorable characters, pulse-pounding action, and a sense of humor to wrap it all together. Twists and turns kept me guessing. There was enough scientific discussion to satisfy my geeky side without getting in the way of the character interactions or slowing the pace.

Clearly Luther Siler is one to watch. There are sure to be more great reads coming from him, with his proven track record of page-turners.

[Bob hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best syfi i've read i n years and I go back to the Campbell Amazing Days!!!!!

I read it not expecting to find a gem! Will be looking for more of your good work Thank you Mr. Siler.

[Rouchswalwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read for a summer saturday. Good scene descriptions, but I wondered when the characters would be fleshed out a bit more.