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Beyond Saga #1
Beyond Cloud Nine
Ace star fighter pilot Brooke Davis lives for pushing hundreds of gees in orbital combat, but she’d give it all up in a moment to become the first human to fly faster than light. When Brooke stumbles upon a conspiracy involving terrorists, aliens, and the highest levels of government, she finds their goals seductive but their methods abhorrent. With the moral core of human civilization hanging in the balance, she must risk her shot at history, her family, and her life to prevent the schemers from forcing their nefarious brand of salvation upon the solar system.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2014
83 people are currently reading
6988 people want to read
About the author
Greg Spry
2 books401 followersGreg Spry was cloned in the year between the releases of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Coincidence? He majored in industrial engineering at the University of Wisconsin—Madison before earning a graduate degree in space systems from the Florida Institute of Technology. When he’s not writing the next epic science fiction adventure, he enjoys sampling tasty microbrews, eating hot wings, and cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 3, 2017
Brooke Davis has got ambitions.
She is not made of perfect features. She has flaws. She is scared. Born to Japanese and American parents, the world around her seems to make her entitled to discriminate. Medical technologies has done her no favors, causing her genetic disorders.
Her innocence pulls you closer and she becomes one of us. You become her.
Blend of family drama and the narrator's ambitions for space traveling remind you of the aspirations you had in your childhood.
I always find something or other curious about dystopian settings. Throwing frequent humors at me, this action packed book did it all too well.
Well written books are of those kind which could be read by even the laymen of that genre. So was with Beyond Saga.
I'm sure that a newbie in space technology would have no trouble figuring out what happened when. Greg Spry makes a rocket-science-look-alike subject as blowing dandelion flower during a summertime. Smooth and crisp.
Books can be anything and everything. They have no limits. No Standard Operating Protocol to follow and when an imaginative mind like the author's collides with it, the world is set to recognize no boundaries. However, some character development could have done wonders.
An excellent approach to the futuristic technologies. Someone has said it correctly that if you want to build up novel things, you should read sci-fi. Beyond Saga proves that it is aptly so.
Those who are interested in space battles, would find it interesting. There is no waiting to read the second installment.
She is not made of perfect features. She has flaws. She is scared. Born to Japanese and American parents, the world around her seems to make her entitled to discriminate. Medical technologies has done her no favors, causing her genetic disorders.
Her innocence pulls you closer and she becomes one of us. You become her.
Blend of family drama and the narrator's ambitions for space traveling remind you of the aspirations you had in your childhood.
I always find something or other curious about dystopian settings. Throwing frequent humors at me, this action packed book did it all too well.
Well written books are of those kind which could be read by even the laymen of that genre. So was with Beyond Saga.
I'm sure that a newbie in space technology would have no trouble figuring out what happened when. Greg Spry makes a rocket-science-look-alike subject as blowing dandelion flower during a summertime. Smooth and crisp.
Books can be anything and everything. They have no limits. No Standard Operating Protocol to follow and when an imaginative mind like the author's collides with it, the world is set to recognize no boundaries. However, some character development could have done wonders.
An excellent approach to the futuristic technologies. Someone has said it correctly that if you want to build up novel things, you should read sci-fi. Beyond Saga proves that it is aptly so.
Those who are interested in space battles, would find it interesting. There is no waiting to read the second installment.
October 12, 2016
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Actual Rating 3.5
This was fun to get through and kept me engaged the entire time. Brooke's adventure through space and her troubled family relationships kept things interesting. In this future dystopian world things are not what they seem. I enjoyed this plot driven novel because of the constant action and occasional humor. The science behind the futuristic tech was explained well, and never got overwhelming or dense. I really enjoy reading speculative fiction because authors can be as imaginative as they want. There's a description of a cereal box that turns into a bowl of milk and cereal when you touch a button, and that sounds awesome to me.
However characters were undeveloped, you had to accept some personality's with little description. Brooke was well described in the present, but there's not enough about who makes her who she is to connect with her emotionally. Brooke has a twin sister Marie, the novel switches point of views between the sisters, but their upbringing and experience as twins is not described. Brooke and Marie are also half Japanese, but the challenges of being mixed race was glossed over and only briefly mentioned as a sore spot for Brooke. I wanted to learn more about concepts of race and discrimination because of it.
Overall the plot and future tech was great, if at times a little cliche.The ending left some loose ends, which I didn't like but the main arc of the story was concluded. I'm interested to learn what's in store for Book Two, so I'll be continuing on with the series. I appreciated the diverse characters, strong female protagonists and twisting story line, although it wasn't the most original plot. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sci-fi, future tech and space battles.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating 3.5
This was fun to get through and kept me engaged the entire time. Brooke's adventure through space and her troubled family relationships kept things interesting. In this future dystopian world things are not what they seem. I enjoyed this plot driven novel because of the constant action and occasional humor. The science behind the futuristic tech was explained well, and never got overwhelming or dense. I really enjoy reading speculative fiction because authors can be as imaginative as they want. There's a description of a cereal box that turns into a bowl of milk and cereal when you touch a button, and that sounds awesome to me.
However characters were undeveloped, you had to accept some personality's with little description. Brooke was well described in the present, but there's not enough about who makes her who she is to connect with her emotionally. Brooke has a twin sister Marie, the novel switches point of views between the sisters, but their upbringing and experience as twins is not described. Brooke and Marie are also half Japanese, but the challenges of being mixed race was glossed over and only briefly mentioned as a sore spot for Brooke. I wanted to learn more about concepts of race and discrimination because of it.
Overall the plot and future tech was great, if at times a little cliche.The ending left some loose ends, which I didn't like but the main arc of the story was concluded. I'm interested to learn what's in store for Book Two, so I'll be continuing on with the series. I appreciated the diverse characters, strong female protagonists and twisting story line, although it wasn't the most original plot. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sci-fi, future tech and space battles.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2015
An awesome book apart from the conspiracy theory crap. I mean at one point I thought wait... there is no way he is going to be that cliche. In short this is an easy read, its fun, but it feels like the author wants to inject some political theory or philosophy, miserably failing in that area. The people and gadgets are realistic but the society as a whole is the usual backward dystopian take that modern sci-fi likes to use. If not for the lame conspiracy theory I would have given this book 5/5, despite its many other flaws.
The battles in the book are not many, but in most cases they make sense and are fun. The philosophical part in the book is ironical because by the end of it I actually took the side of her enemy, which was clearly not the intention of the writer.
What I extremely loved about this book was the effect of causality on action scenes. Often her actions have repercussions that you'd not consider at the time, as in real life.
There are many things to love about this book but I think you can learn more from what I did not like:
The society in the future is very underdeveloped. I mean who makes fun of kids' names in school because they are foreign? I think even today that would be unlikely in a first world country. Racism and xenophobia exist but they are much more subtle. Also, considering the people on Mars have "evolved" into taller creatures its very unlikely people on Earth are unmixed enough to even recognize a Japanese person. There are just so many holes in this theme. I mean Okay, so if you don't want to look foreign why not genetically alter the face?
There are lots of things that make you feel like the plot has not been thought out. Like they want to get into the most secure room on earth and there are only two human guards... Then as usual the heroine knows a guy who can *hack* anything, but wait.. the author feels that would seem too silly so he makes an excuse why the hacking is easier than *what it should be*, making it possible. Why is the AI on the small ship smarter then all the other AIs when they have more resources?... All in all these things are not very annoying but they lower the quality moderately.
A really annoying issue is - who the fuck are the separatists? I mean the whole plot revolves around avoiding the battle with them but their agenda is not mentioned anywhere. Why are they even fighting? If they want to separate so be it... This is the largest hole in this book doubtlessly.
I think the very direction of a futuristic dictatorship is ridiculous considering even Europe has never been united once in its long history (also some countries like the UK are seriously considering leaving the EU). In addition, unification does not even mean improvement of the economy or less fighting (A good book on the subject of the optimal human group size is "Germs, Guns and Steel").
If you like science fiction in general, you definitely should read the first 10 pages of this book.
The battles in the book are not many, but in most cases they make sense and are fun. The philosophical part in the book is ironical because by the end of it I actually took the side of her enemy, which was clearly not the intention of the writer.
What I extremely loved about this book was the effect of causality on action scenes. Often her actions have repercussions that you'd not consider at the time, as in real life.
There are many things to love about this book but I think you can learn more from what I did not like:
The society in the future is very underdeveloped. I mean who makes fun of kids' names in school because they are foreign? I think even today that would be unlikely in a first world country. Racism and xenophobia exist but they are much more subtle. Also, considering the people on Mars have "evolved" into taller creatures its very unlikely people on Earth are unmixed enough to even recognize a Japanese person. There are just so many holes in this theme. I mean Okay, so if you don't want to look foreign why not genetically alter the face?
There are lots of things that make you feel like the plot has not been thought out. Like they want to get into the most secure room on earth and there are only two human guards... Then as usual the heroine knows a guy who can *hack* anything, but wait.. the author feels that would seem too silly so he makes an excuse why the hacking is easier than *what it should be*, making it possible. Why is the AI on the small ship smarter then all the other AIs when they have more resources?... All in all these things are not very annoying but they lower the quality moderately.
A really annoying issue is - who the fuck are the separatists? I mean the whole plot revolves around avoiding the battle with them but their agenda is not mentioned anywhere. Why are they even fighting? If they want to separate so be it... This is the largest hole in this book doubtlessly.
I think the very direction of a futuristic dictatorship is ridiculous considering even Europe has never been united once in its long history (also some countries like the UK are seriously considering leaving the EU). In addition, unification does not even mean improvement of the economy or less fighting (A good book on the subject of the optimal human group size is "Germs, Guns and Steel").
If you like science fiction in general, you definitely should read the first 10 pages of this book.
July 4, 2015
Well done!
As I read Beyond Cloud Nine I found myself fully engaged.. enfolded in gravgel, pursuing the dream of interstellar flight. I could taste the need to reach the stars. Explorer, officer, warrior, scientist, parent all reaching for a future away from our self polluted nest, all of them with a part to play and decisions to make. And one and all fully human..
Having finished Book 1 of the Beyond Saga I am reminded of the feel as if I am once more discovering The Moon is a Harsh Mistress's Mike, Podkayne of Mars... Brooke joins the likes of Honor Harrington, Miles Vorkosigan or Herris Serrano. The mix of youthful adventure, and the questions facing any newcomer to the realms of the combat. What defines our obligations to the moment... or to the future?
I look forward to cracking the cover of the next volume, to dancing with the next generation in zero gee. To be honest, I can't wait to get there, beyond the speed of light.
Like Heinlein, Greg Spry has met the challenge of exploring the ethical and emotional dilemmas of the human spirit. What price is too high? How might humanity end its love affair with self conflict? What will be the moral cost and who will pay it?
Brooke Davis is a heroine with feet of clay... and I still admire her with a whole heart. She is the woman on the brink of birthing a new age for mankind. Will she succeed?
As I read Beyond Cloud Nine I found myself fully engaged.. enfolded in gravgel, pursuing the dream of interstellar flight. I could taste the need to reach the stars. Explorer, officer, warrior, scientist, parent all reaching for a future away from our self polluted nest, all of them with a part to play and decisions to make. And one and all fully human..
Having finished Book 1 of the Beyond Saga I am reminded of the feel as if I am once more discovering The Moon is a Harsh Mistress's Mike, Podkayne of Mars... Brooke joins the likes of Honor Harrington, Miles Vorkosigan or Herris Serrano. The mix of youthful adventure, and the questions facing any newcomer to the realms of the combat. What defines our obligations to the moment... or to the future?
I look forward to cracking the cover of the next volume, to dancing with the next generation in zero gee. To be honest, I can't wait to get there, beyond the speed of light.
Like Heinlein, Greg Spry has met the challenge of exploring the ethical and emotional dilemmas of the human spirit. What price is too high? How might humanity end its love affair with self conflict? What will be the moral cost and who will pay it?
Brooke Davis is a heroine with feet of clay... and I still admire her with a whole heart. She is the woman on the brink of birthing a new age for mankind. Will she succeed?
June 8, 2015
This book follows a military pilot who isn't good with people as she pursues her quest to be part of flying the latest and greatest space ships. She has a little problem that helps her when she's in battle, but hurts her when she's outside the cockpit. She also has a twin sister who is her opposite in terms of personality, but who can read her like an open book. As the pilot is pursuing her dreams of space flight, her sister is pursuing her dreams as a journalist. However, things aren't quite what they seem. During the course of a battle with extremists, Brooke finds herself in battle with an unknown craft. Following that craft she comes across a puzzle. One that eventually kills thousands of people. She is told to keep quiet, and we readers know that something hinky is going on with some bigwigs.
As time passes, Brooke is used for her skills, including her willingness to be self-destructive in her quest. However, she has been developing some interpersonal skills and starts to also develop a conscience. Much is unknown until near the end of the book, when Brooke decides to look deeper into the purported first contact. Her sister is on board, as is a friend and Brooke's amazing AI, Bob. Eventually, they have to make a decision about how far to push things--while they may abhor the means, are they justified by the ends?
It was a fun story, but I felt that it lacked strong character development. There were starts to relationships that never went anywhere. Brooke's motivation was partially explained, but the references to her difficult teen years weren't. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, one of which was how Brooke came across and developed her working relationship with Bob. The supporting characters were fairly flat beyond their basic roles, and even Brooke's sister didn't seem to have any growth. It was an interesting concept, I just wasn't satisfied with the depth of the story.
I received this book free for an honest review.
As time passes, Brooke is used for her skills, including her willingness to be self-destructive in her quest. However, she has been developing some interpersonal skills and starts to also develop a conscience. Much is unknown until near the end of the book, when Brooke decides to look deeper into the purported first contact. Her sister is on board, as is a friend and Brooke's amazing AI, Bob. Eventually, they have to make a decision about how far to push things--while they may abhor the means, are they justified by the ends?
It was a fun story, but I felt that it lacked strong character development. There were starts to relationships that never went anywhere. Brooke's motivation was partially explained, but the references to her difficult teen years weren't. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, one of which was how Brooke came across and developed her working relationship with Bob. The supporting characters were fairly flat beyond their basic roles, and even Brooke's sister didn't seem to have any growth. It was an interesting concept, I just wasn't satisfied with the depth of the story.
I received this book free for an honest review.
June 14, 2018
I’m off on a sci-fi tangent for a couple of weeks. First up in my TBR is Beyond Cloud Nine (Beyond Saga, #1) by Greg Spry. Goodreads recommended this one. Good choice!
Synopsis (from the author):
Brooke was flying high until abruptly halted by a mysterious crime
Ace fighter pilot, Brooke Davis, is speeding through Jupiter’s orbit, dreaming of becoming the first human to fly faster than light. Instead, she is drawn into a criminal conspiracy— involving terrorists, aliens, and the highest level of government, including her boss at the U.N. — that threatens not only her shot at history, but the future of the solar system.
Will the entire solar system break down in this futuristic thriller?
The solar system is destabilizing. Separatists attempt to assassinate the U.N. Secretary-General. Territories are seceding and acquiring antimatter weaponry. Just as all-out war seems inevitable, alleged extraterrestrials attack colonies throughout the solar system, forcing humankind to work together to combat the invaders. If the U.N. loses its ability to keep the peace, human civilization may stumble back into the dark ages.
Brooke’s excruciating dilemma could determine the future of the human race
Brooke is ordered to keep quiet about the crime she witnessed by the U.N. Security Council President. As the invaders draw closer to Earth, Brooke must decide whether to reveal what she knows. Keeping quiet might allow mankind to triumph and usher in a golden age, albeit one based on lies and deception. But revealing the truth could send the human race down a path toward self-annihilation.
What I liked:
Beyond Cloud Nine had great sci-fi elements. First-rate technology, towering buildings, interplanetary travel, awesome star fighters, and much more made this a fun read. Add to it the “sparking” hotshot pilot, familial strife, and the military industrial complex, and everything is there. I enjoyed Brooke Davis’ character, and the AI attached to her fighter was amazing. Overall a good sci-fi read!
What I didn’t like:
Despite the cool technology, I didn’t understand why the pollution problem wasn’t solved. It seemed out of sync with the advances made in the world. I mean how can you have light speed and interplanetary travel, but still burn hydrocarbons? In addition, the communication technology didn’t seem as advanced as it should in comparison to the other advances.
Overall impression:
Beyond Cloud Nine (Beyond Saga, #1) was an enjoyable read. There was enough action and adventure to keep me interested, and the story itself was excellent. Despite a few issues for me as a reader (see what I didn’t like above), this was a good read. I recommend it to any sci-fi readers.
My rating:
4 Stars
Synopsis (from the author):
Brooke was flying high until abruptly halted by a mysterious crime
Ace fighter pilot, Brooke Davis, is speeding through Jupiter’s orbit, dreaming of becoming the first human to fly faster than light. Instead, she is drawn into a criminal conspiracy— involving terrorists, aliens, and the highest level of government, including her boss at the U.N. — that threatens not only her shot at history, but the future of the solar system.
Will the entire solar system break down in this futuristic thriller?
The solar system is destabilizing. Separatists attempt to assassinate the U.N. Secretary-General. Territories are seceding and acquiring antimatter weaponry. Just as all-out war seems inevitable, alleged extraterrestrials attack colonies throughout the solar system, forcing humankind to work together to combat the invaders. If the U.N. loses its ability to keep the peace, human civilization may stumble back into the dark ages.
Brooke’s excruciating dilemma could determine the future of the human race
Brooke is ordered to keep quiet about the crime she witnessed by the U.N. Security Council President. As the invaders draw closer to Earth, Brooke must decide whether to reveal what she knows. Keeping quiet might allow mankind to triumph and usher in a golden age, albeit one based on lies and deception. But revealing the truth could send the human race down a path toward self-annihilation.
What I liked:
Beyond Cloud Nine had great sci-fi elements. First-rate technology, towering buildings, interplanetary travel, awesome star fighters, and much more made this a fun read. Add to it the “sparking” hotshot pilot, familial strife, and the military industrial complex, and everything is there. I enjoyed Brooke Davis’ character, and the AI attached to her fighter was amazing. Overall a good sci-fi read!
What I didn’t like:
Despite the cool technology, I didn’t understand why the pollution problem wasn’t solved. It seemed out of sync with the advances made in the world. I mean how can you have light speed and interplanetary travel, but still burn hydrocarbons? In addition, the communication technology didn’t seem as advanced as it should in comparison to the other advances.
Overall impression:
Beyond Cloud Nine (Beyond Saga, #1) was an enjoyable read. There was enough action and adventure to keep me interested, and the story itself was excellent. Despite a few issues for me as a reader (see what I didn’t like above), this was a good read. I recommend it to any sci-fi readers.
My rating:
4 Stars
July 7, 2017
That's an awesome story!
Conspiracy, murder, human drama there is so much to like in this series. There was so much feels in the book I cried at the end. This book is worth every cent, no regret!
Conspiracy, murder, human drama there is so much to like in this series. There was so much feels in the book I cried at the end. This book is worth every cent, no regret!
October 9, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the different spin on alien invasion and development of space travel, but the science and consistency needs a little tune up. One minute we're talking FTL and anti-matter drives and the next we're using wormholes and extradimensional travel. Pick one idea for your fancy new toy and stick with it. Don't change the names and theories, it made it sound like you're not sure which route to pick and messed with your credibility.
Don't get me wrong, most of the science is pretty sound, it just really bothers me when people are NOT consistent.
There were some undeniable similarities to Babylon 5 that made me wonder if the author is a fan. Did the show inspire some of the ideas? If you're not a B5 fan, you wouldn't get it, but every time I read ISN I just couldn't get past it without saying InterStellar News in my head. Lol.
While it's refreshing to dismiss the cookie cutter perfect female character, I felt like all the men in this story fell under cliche flatness. You have your cocksure pilot who hates being under the command of a woman, your evil mastermind who has little personality, other than creepy, and your dorky IT boys who become attractive later in life. None of the men had any real personality...except Bob.
The gel idea is ingenious, however I do have technical concerns about it frying certain parts and wiring of the fighters.
I felt like the conspiracy was a little cliche as well, but it was executed well, so it works. I didn't love the ending, nor is the grammar 100%, but it is better than some of the books I've read lately.
All in all, an intriguing premise and an engaging story.
For my clean readers:
Language(including 1 F-bomb), violence, illicit drug use, kidnapping of young child, and murder.
I enjoyed the different spin on alien invasion and development of space travel, but the science and consistency needs a little tune up. One minute we're talking FTL and anti-matter drives and the next we're using wormholes and extradimensional travel. Pick one idea for your fancy new toy and stick with it. Don't change the names and theories, it made it sound like you're not sure which route to pick and messed with your credibility.
Don't get me wrong, most of the science is pretty sound, it just really bothers me when people are NOT consistent.
There were some undeniable similarities to Babylon 5 that made me wonder if the author is a fan. Did the show inspire some of the ideas? If you're not a B5 fan, you wouldn't get it, but every time I read ISN I just couldn't get past it without saying InterStellar News in my head. Lol.
While it's refreshing to dismiss the cookie cutter perfect female character, I felt like all the men in this story fell under cliche flatness. You have your cocksure pilot who hates being under the command of a woman, your evil mastermind who has little personality, other than creepy, and your dorky IT boys who become attractive later in life. None of the men had any real personality...except Bob.
The gel idea is ingenious, however I do have technical concerns about it frying certain parts and wiring of the fighters.
I felt like the conspiracy was a little cliche as well, but it was executed well, so it works. I didn't love the ending, nor is the grammar 100%, but it is better than some of the books I've read lately.
All in all, an intriguing premise and an engaging story.
For my clean readers:
Language(including 1 F-bomb), violence, illicit drug use, kidnapping of young child, and murder.
February 16, 2020
The biggest impression I came away with after reading this book was I experienced the nearest I have ever been to actually breaking the speed of light, which was both exhilarating and informative. As I am already an avid reader of the laws of physics and the laws of physics in other dimensions, this was the best part of the book when the protagonist went on her virgin S.O.L.flight (Speed of Light).
This book also includes some exciting fight scenes and is almost the perfect science-fiction story if you like spacecraft fight-scenes and what might very well transpire to you at the S.O.L.
I also like to read about tomorrow's gadgets and concepts, today; the author has a good grasp of what kind of quantum technology and spacecraft propulsion is most likely dominating the skyways of the future, and has a good understanding of the laws of physics;
If I was to critique this book, I would say that although the fight scenes and the constant plot of chasing who was behind the rogue tri-fighters that killed the protagonist's father, kept me on the edge, the in-between scenes of the crowds of journalists descending on the U.N.meetings as well as the slow pace of her sister and niece conversations, these slow the plot down and take the wind out of its sails.
As for the climax and what transpires, it lacked excitement and was more lackluster.
Also, the book could be better if it was checked more for clumsy, repeated errors of spelling "altitude" as "attitude" and spelling the word "divide" as divvied. I recommend, also, one page devoted at the beginning of the book called "Definition of Brand New Vocabulary Found in this Book" for the new vocabulary used in this book which comes without any definition of what the reader is reading - so the reader is kept in the dark; for words like "gravge,l" I had to rely on my blind presumption that it referred to some kind of spacecraft fuel or breathable air. But I could be wrong.
This book also includes some exciting fight scenes and is almost the perfect science-fiction story if you like spacecraft fight-scenes and what might very well transpire to you at the S.O.L.
I also like to read about tomorrow's gadgets and concepts, today; the author has a good grasp of what kind of quantum technology and spacecraft propulsion is most likely dominating the skyways of the future, and has a good understanding of the laws of physics;
If I was to critique this book, I would say that although the fight scenes and the constant plot of chasing who was behind the rogue tri-fighters that killed the protagonist's father, kept me on the edge, the in-between scenes of the crowds of journalists descending on the U.N.meetings as well as the slow pace of her sister and niece conversations, these slow the plot down and take the wind out of its sails.
As for the climax and what transpires, it lacked excitement and was more lackluster.
Also, the book could be better if it was checked more for clumsy, repeated errors of spelling "altitude" as "attitude" and spelling the word "divide" as divvied. I recommend, also, one page devoted at the beginning of the book called "Definition of Brand New Vocabulary Found in this Book" for the new vocabulary used in this book which comes without any definition of what the reader is reading - so the reader is kept in the dark; for words like "gravge,l" I had to rely on my blind presumption that it referred to some kind of spacecraft fuel or breathable air. But I could be wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
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I’ve been going back and forth on what rating I should give this book. Overall, it’s remarkable. The plot and themes involved are twisted and sinister and send you careening down one morally grey path after another. However, some of the characters fall flat and their storylines end before they can be completely developed, which is a shame because they have a great deal of potential. I finally decided to give this four stars because I did enjoy it and there wasn’t anything particularly problematic even though certain aspects seemed lacking.
If you’ve decided to pick this up, you’re in for a thrilling ride for sure. But here’s something you might want to keep in mind: This is not the kind of book that you can read at your own pace over a week or two. It’s the kind that keeps you turning the pages, things happening one after the other at such a fast pace that you need to complete it before you lose track of everything that’s going on—which did happen to me a couple of times. But this wasn’t a bad thing. The plot was so engaging and intense, getting more complex with every new twist, that despite my having to back to check up on a detail or skimming a few pages to refresh my memory, I was not annoyed or frustrated by the pacing.
So, what is this book anyway?
For one, it’s a space opera. Think spaceships, combat, advanced tech, AI systems, other beings, humans fighting among themselves having to put aside their differences and face a common, otherworldly enemy. But that’s not all; it never is. Secret agendas and conspiracies come to light, and by the end of it, you’re left wondering who the good guys and bad guys were, if there were any at all.
The story follows Brooke Davis, a pilot with deep-seated guilt over her father’s death, which she blames herself for, and her twin sister Marie, a journalist. Brooke hasn’t been in contact with her sister for six years, having taken off into space and cut off all communication. She is a deeply flawed and complex character, her lofty ambitions and deep-rooted insecurities driving her to push herself beyond her limits and beyond moral lines. We get to know that both Brooke and Marie are of mixed Japanese and American heritage. This is commented on through Brooke’s thoughts early on in the book and we later get to know that she does not like to be called by her Japanese name, but that is the extent to which the sisters’ roots are explored.
Separate narratives that follow each sister’s path, which then converge as their plotlines meet. We then get to know that Marie is a single mother and has a daughter called Maya, whom Brooke didn’t even know about due to her lack of contact with her family. Maya soon breaks through Brooke’s distant exterior, becoming one of the main connections in Brooke’s life, influencing her actions with other children as well as her own decisions in the events to come. Despite their identical features, Marie’s personality greatly contrasts with Brooke’s—-she’s exuberant and outgoing, while Brooke is reserved, and even their clothing styles are vastly dissimilar. Marie is a likable character, wilful and determined to break through her sister’s shell and reconnect. She is also a talented reporter, knowing the angles to focus on to keep her audience engaged and for her to rise up in her career.
The main plot kicks off as Professor Kevin Sommerfield, also known as the modern-day Einstein, manages to figure out a way to “poke holes in space-time” to travel over large distances in space, a method known as phase-shifting. Subsequently, both Brooke and Marie end up on the first ship to use this breakthrough—Brooke as the pilot, and Marie as the journalist. Through their journey, we find the sisters reconnecting and breaking through some emotional barriers, with Brooke’s traumas coming to light.
Marie:
But Marie’s character is not explored much further. There are mentions of her future ambitions as a journalist as well as wanting to find a man to fill in the space in her romantic life, but Marie is not given the chance to become her own person and explore her desires in this story.
I want to talk a little bit more about Brooke here, specifically the recurring patterns that can be seen in her approach to space combat and leadership and how that may be interwoven with her past.
**spoilers ahead**
Brooke’s father died in an accident when she was ten years old. She had been allowed to pilot her dad’s plane for the first time, and the engine had malfunctioned, resulting in them needing to parachute out. While she managed to get to safety, her father crashed with the plane. Since then, Brooke is riddled with guilt, blaming herself for not paying better attention to what she was doing.
She goes on to become the best pilot the UN has ever seen, with the most number of combat kills and risky maneuvers. She’s badass, confident, and instantly a favorite in this book. However, she isn’t without her flaws, making her a multi-dimensional character wrapped in intrigue. Her need to be the best pushes her to dose herself with what is called a “spark”, a brain stimulus of sorts that affects her differently than others because she has a rare genetic disorder, enhancing her senses, reflexes and capabilities. But her tactical decisions come at the cost of other people’s lives—-whether it’s because of her overstimulated focus on calculating strategies or her brazenness and lack of care is up to interpretation.
Here’s an example: There’s a rookie on her team, one who’s on his first ever mission, with no experience and riddled with nerves. She has to advance on an enemy spacecraft that’s super powerful and tells the rookie to stay by her. Up to this point, she takes up responsibility, feels responsible for those under her wing, and this is echoed by her action to watch over the rookie. But it only lasts a mere seconds. The enemy craft fires, she calculates the path she needs to take and gets out of the way, only to hear the rookie’s last screams in her earpiece.
This is not the only time she manages to save herself only for the person behind her to get hit. She’s a wretched character, to say the least, and it's hard to not care about her.
The more I sit with my thoughts and take in everything packed in the book, the more I realize how deeply layered the interwoven themes are - indirect commentary on morality, history and future progress, and decisions taken for the greater good - bringing to light the stark reality of human nature. Nothing in this is clearly black or white, every theme dancing in the grey areas.
And the ending is no different - from one perspective it's deeply hopeful and optimistic but from another it's dismal. We find Brooke and Marie failing on their particular mission to stop certain events from happening, losing a great deal in the process, but the outcome seems to be worth it, working in favor of the greater good. No one walks away a true winner. Some don’t walk away at all.
This is the exact premise that the plotline revolves around, throwing question after question for the reader to ponder over. If you had to choose between lying to the whole of humanity to bring it together and telling the truth but watching it tear itself apart, what would you pick?
Overall, this is worth the read and especially great for anyone who wants a science fiction story that's not too heavy on the scientific side but has a healthy amount of those elements to add legitimacy to the theories involved. It’s an exciting start to a saga, and I’m curious to see the extent to which the various elements in this will be built up in the books to come.
♡ blog ♡ twitter ♡ ko-fi ♡
I’ve been going back and forth on what rating I should give this book. Overall, it’s remarkable. The plot and themes involved are twisted and sinister and send you careening down one morally grey path after another. However, some of the characters fall flat and their storylines end before they can be completely developed, which is a shame because they have a great deal of potential. I finally decided to give this four stars because I did enjoy it and there wasn’t anything particularly problematic even though certain aspects seemed lacking.
If you’ve decided to pick this up, you’re in for a thrilling ride for sure. But here’s something you might want to keep in mind: This is not the kind of book that you can read at your own pace over a week or two. It’s the kind that keeps you turning the pages, things happening one after the other at such a fast pace that you need to complete it before you lose track of everything that’s going on—which did happen to me a couple of times. But this wasn’t a bad thing. The plot was so engaging and intense, getting more complex with every new twist, that despite my having to back to check up on a detail or skimming a few pages to refresh my memory, I was not annoyed or frustrated by the pacing.
So, what is this book anyway?
For one, it’s a space opera. Think spaceships, combat, advanced tech, AI systems, other beings, humans fighting among themselves having to put aside their differences and face a common, otherworldly enemy. But that’s not all; it never is. Secret agendas and conspiracies come to light, and by the end of it, you’re left wondering who the good guys and bad guys were, if there were any at all.
The story follows Brooke Davis, a pilot with deep-seated guilt over her father’s death, which she blames herself for, and her twin sister Marie, a journalist. Brooke hasn’t been in contact with her sister for six years, having taken off into space and cut off all communication. She is a deeply flawed and complex character, her lofty ambitions and deep-rooted insecurities driving her to push herself beyond her limits and beyond moral lines. We get to know that both Brooke and Marie are of mixed Japanese and American heritage. This is commented on through Brooke’s thoughts early on in the book and we later get to know that she does not like to be called by her Japanese name, but that is the extent to which the sisters’ roots are explored.
Did her mixed heritage leave her stranded between Japanese and American cultures, without a people to call her own?
Separate narratives that follow each sister’s path, which then converge as their plotlines meet. We then get to know that Marie is a single mother and has a daughter called Maya, whom Brooke didn’t even know about due to her lack of contact with her family. Maya soon breaks through Brooke’s distant exterior, becoming one of the main connections in Brooke’s life, influencing her actions with other children as well as her own decisions in the events to come. Despite their identical features, Marie’s personality greatly contrasts with Brooke’s—-she’s exuberant and outgoing, while Brooke is reserved, and even their clothing styles are vastly dissimilar. Marie is a likable character, wilful and determined to break through her sister’s shell and reconnect. She is also a talented reporter, knowing the angles to focus on to keep her audience engaged and for her to rise up in her career.
The main plot kicks off as Professor Kevin Sommerfield, also known as the modern-day Einstein, manages to figure out a way to “poke holes in space-time” to travel over large distances in space, a method known as phase-shifting. Subsequently, both Brooke and Marie end up on the first ship to use this breakthrough—Brooke as the pilot, and Marie as the journalist. Through their journey, we find the sisters reconnecting and breaking through some emotional barriers, with Brooke’s traumas coming to light.
Marie:
Mom and I played with dolls and baked cookies. Meanwhile, Dad took you flying. That’ how it was, and that’s how we turned out.
But Marie’s character is not explored much further. There are mentions of her future ambitions as a journalist as well as wanting to find a man to fill in the space in her romantic life, but Marie is not given the chance to become her own person and explore her desires in this story.
I want to talk a little bit more about Brooke here, specifically the recurring patterns that can be seen in her approach to space combat and leadership and how that may be interwoven with her past.
**spoilers ahead**
Brooke’s father died in an accident when she was ten years old. She had been allowed to pilot her dad’s plane for the first time, and the engine had malfunctioned, resulting in them needing to parachute out. While she managed to get to safety, her father crashed with the plane. Since then, Brooke is riddled with guilt, blaming herself for not paying better attention to what she was doing.
She goes on to become the best pilot the UN has ever seen, with the most number of combat kills and risky maneuvers. She’s badass, confident, and instantly a favorite in this book. However, she isn’t without her flaws, making her a multi-dimensional character wrapped in intrigue. Her need to be the best pushes her to dose herself with what is called a “spark”, a brain stimulus of sorts that affects her differently than others because she has a rare genetic disorder, enhancing her senses, reflexes and capabilities. But her tactical decisions come at the cost of other people’s lives—-whether it’s because of her overstimulated focus on calculating strategies or her brazenness and lack of care is up to interpretation.
Here’s an example: There’s a rookie on her team, one who’s on his first ever mission, with no experience and riddled with nerves. She has to advance on an enemy spacecraft that’s super powerful and tells the rookie to stay by her. Up to this point, she takes up responsibility, feels responsible for those under her wing, and this is echoed by her action to watch over the rookie. But it only lasts a mere seconds. The enemy craft fires, she calculates the path she needs to take and gets out of the way, only to hear the rookie’s last screams in her earpiece.
This is not the only time she manages to save herself only for the person behind her to get hit. She’s a wretched character, to say the least, and it's hard to not care about her.
The more I sit with my thoughts and take in everything packed in the book, the more I realize how deeply layered the interwoven themes are - indirect commentary on morality, history and future progress, and decisions taken for the greater good - bringing to light the stark reality of human nature. Nothing in this is clearly black or white, every theme dancing in the grey areas.
And the ending is no different - from one perspective it's deeply hopeful and optimistic but from another it's dismal. We find Brooke and Marie failing on their particular mission to stop certain events from happening, losing a great deal in the process, but the outcome seems to be worth it, working in favor of the greater good. No one walks away a true winner. Some don’t walk away at all.
Society has never been based on truth.
This is the exact premise that the plotline revolves around, throwing question after question for the reader to ponder over. If you had to choose between lying to the whole of humanity to bring it together and telling the truth but watching it tear itself apart, what would you pick?
Overall, this is worth the read and especially great for anyone who wants a science fiction story that's not too heavy on the scientific side but has a healthy amount of those elements to add legitimacy to the theories involved. It’s an exciting start to a saga, and I’m curious to see the extent to which the various elements in this will be built up in the books to come.
♡ blog ♡ twitter ♡ ko-fi ♡
April 10, 2017
"Beyond Cloud Nine" is a fascinating book that is well-written and enjoyable.
There are a lot of elements to it - though they are all integrated to the point where it doesn't feel like too much.
The scary thing is that a lot of what happens in this book could happen - some of it could already be happening...
There are a lot of elements to it - though they are all integrated to the point where it doesn't feel like too much.
The scary thing is that a lot of what happens in this book could happen - some of it could already be happening...
October 23, 2017
Great book!! I really want to strangle the Vril for causing such destruction even for a noble cause. Humanity does tend to pull together in times of trouble though. I hope the next book is just as good.
January 20, 2018
Really fast paced, well written, alternate space faring world with characters that seem very realistic in that they have lots of emotional and past baggage. Spry's first story in the "Saga" shows great potential for the sequals.
May 10, 2017
space warfare and intrigue
January 13, 2019
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway a few years back. I didn't get very far and gave up after a few pages. It simply couldn't grasp me.
Last week I picked it up again, mostly out of guilt. When I got around page 70, I thought of quitting again for the same reason: it didn't really grasp me. I pushed through (again, feeling a bit guilty) and eventually it did get better and I enjoyed reading the rest!
The plot itself does have to build up for a while, but it does get very interesting. I felt that some characters could have been explored a bit further, as Brooke's character was the only one explored in detail. Furthermore, about halfway through the book, you see events through minor characters. I found that really brought the world to live. I wish it would have been implemented throughout the book more, especially in the beginning, as it helped me understand the people living in the world.
What also struck me as odd, was that the book goes into great technical detail about spacefighters, timedrive, and I don't know what more. I am absolutely not technical and didn't understand much about the explained phenomenon. I ended up skipping these parts after a while.
Also, I could have used a map! I have basic knowledge about our solarsystem and have absolutely no idea where all those new colonies are located or where they were flying/fighting. A map would have helped me orientate myself in this futuristic world.
Overall I found it a pleasant read, especially when the events started building up and because of Brooke's character.
Last week I picked it up again, mostly out of guilt. When I got around page 70, I thought of quitting again for the same reason: it didn't really grasp me. I pushed through (again, feeling a bit guilty) and eventually it did get better and I enjoyed reading the rest!
The plot itself does have to build up for a while, but it does get very interesting. I felt that some characters could have been explored a bit further, as Brooke's character was the only one explored in detail. Furthermore, about halfway through the book, you see events through minor characters. I found that really brought the world to live. I wish it would have been implemented throughout the book more, especially in the beginning, as it helped me understand the people living in the world.
What also struck me as odd, was that the book goes into great technical detail about spacefighters, timedrive, and I don't know what more. I am absolutely not technical and didn't understand much about the explained phenomenon. I ended up skipping these parts after a while.
Also, I could have used a map! I have basic knowledge about our solarsystem and have absolutely no idea where all those new colonies are located or where they were flying/fighting. A map would have helped me orientate myself in this futuristic world.
Overall I found it a pleasant read, especially when the events started building up and because of Brooke's character.
Want to read
October 21, 2017Another sci fi to my wall bookshelf! Looking forward to reading this!
September 29, 2016
What a wonderfully unexpected adventure! Set in the year 2247 there are aspects of the sci-fi genre present that we have all grown to expect and love but then parts of this book that are different and will surprise you. I stayed fully engrossed in Brooke Davis as your lead heroine, especially because she is anything but typical and what you would expect but it makes her all the more relatable and tangible. Really looking forward to the next instalment by Greg Spry, loved the action fighter pilot scenes, the drama's involving every character and seeing every character evolve in different ways, you never get bored!
May 19, 2016
Our hero or should I say heroine, is a drug addict! That right there would throw a lot of people off from reading this book. And the excuse she gives for taking the stuff, Spark, is no better than any other drug addict. Yet, this young woman manages to stay in uniform and even excels at what she does, partly due to the drug and partly due to her amazing piloting skills. Brooke Davis is a Japanese-American which only describes her ethnic background, but means nothing in Earth terminology since about every previous territorial distinction has gone away. Now there are multiple factions all demanding to be heard by the United Nations. Once anything new has been discovered, every little faction now demands a piece of the pie or they will start a war.
Brooke’s current job, or as Lieutenant Brooke Davis, is a star-fighter pilot. She’s an exceptional star-fighter pilot and is hoping to be accepted for the candidate program that will allow her to compete to become the first ever Faster Than Light (FTL) star-fighter pilot. Right now she is the best pilot in the Fleet and proves it time after time in encounters with whatever enemy this or that faction throws at her. Some of her exceptional ability comes from the use of “Spark”, an illegal nanoroboitic which when injected into her system enhances her neural pathways in a way it effects no other human on or off the drug. She hasn’t taken Spark for a long time, but lately, she’s had to take it more often than she’d prefer, but she knows only a top notch performance will get her a dream shot at piloting the first ever FTL ship.
Oh, and one other thing, Brooke Davis, is a very angry and solitary individual carrying a lot of guilt around that makes her very antisocial. She doesn’t seem to like anyone and no one in particular likes her. Even her twin sister, Marie and Brooke don’t get along well and they haven’t spoken to each other for six or seven years. Then Brooke’s attitude gets her in very hot water. She slugs a fellow pilot just before going on a mission and disobeys standing orders which almost get her killed. She’s told to stand down and take some leave or get kicked out of the service. She doesn’t like the idea of doing either, but finally decides to head home to Earth to see her sister.
The book is very well written and has a lot of action. I don’t see why they author chose to use a female as his main character. He could have used a male just as easily. A man can have a bad attitude about everything just as easily as a woman. Still, his character Brooke works, I guess. I, personally, would prefer to read about a male in my military science fiction books because it’s harder for me to relate to a female character. I am, and will always be a male chauvinist. I also don't see where the title has much to do with the book. It could just as well been title, "Beyond Jupiter" or something similar.
I have already got the second book, courtesy of the author and will be reading it very soon. This is exciting military science fiction. I can’t wait to see how he carries the story forward.
Brooke’s current job, or as Lieutenant Brooke Davis, is a star-fighter pilot. She’s an exceptional star-fighter pilot and is hoping to be accepted for the candidate program that will allow her to compete to become the first ever Faster Than Light (FTL) star-fighter pilot. Right now she is the best pilot in the Fleet and proves it time after time in encounters with whatever enemy this or that faction throws at her. Some of her exceptional ability comes from the use of “Spark”, an illegal nanoroboitic which when injected into her system enhances her neural pathways in a way it effects no other human on or off the drug. She hasn’t taken Spark for a long time, but lately, she’s had to take it more often than she’d prefer, but she knows only a top notch performance will get her a dream shot at piloting the first ever FTL ship.
Oh, and one other thing, Brooke Davis, is a very angry and solitary individual carrying a lot of guilt around that makes her very antisocial. She doesn’t seem to like anyone and no one in particular likes her. Even her twin sister, Marie and Brooke don’t get along well and they haven’t spoken to each other for six or seven years. Then Brooke’s attitude gets her in very hot water. She slugs a fellow pilot just before going on a mission and disobeys standing orders which almost get her killed. She’s told to stand down and take some leave or get kicked out of the service. She doesn’t like the idea of doing either, but finally decides to head home to Earth to see her sister.
The book is very well written and has a lot of action. I don’t see why they author chose to use a female as his main character. He could have used a male just as easily. A man can have a bad attitude about everything just as easily as a woman. Still, his character Brooke works, I guess. I, personally, would prefer to read about a male in my military science fiction books because it’s harder for me to relate to a female character. I am, and will always be a male chauvinist. I also don't see where the title has much to do with the book. It could just as well been title, "Beyond Jupiter" or something similar.
I have already got the second book, courtesy of the author and will be reading it very soon. This is exciting military science fiction. I can’t wait to see how he carries the story forward.
July 25, 2017
In anticipation of book 3, I started reading this e-book.
This started as a "B" movie conspiracy plot. At about the mid point, it pleasantly turned into more. I liked the way it spun. I have to admit that I had read the synopsis' for the next two books, so I let my mind wander ahead and came up with so many other story endings that were wildly different than what I got. This book reads more like a prequel, but that presupposes my guess for where the next book will take me.
Spry does do a credible job sticking to the hard sciences. I think he may have miss a few finer details in some brief segments of low gravity action, but that would likely just bog the story flow down, so it has good pacing. There are hints to technologies that help our low gravity hero deal with higher gravities, so it is all good. I do have a hard time imaging how the gravgel works. I would think the entire head has to be immersed in the stuff, but again it would bog down the flow to explain it in detail.
This was a GoodReads. Now onto the book 2.
This started as a "B" movie conspiracy plot. At about the mid point, it pleasantly turned into more. I liked the way it spun. I have to admit that I had read the synopsis' for the next two books, so I let my mind wander ahead and came up with so many other story endings that were wildly different than what I got. This book reads more like a prequel, but that presupposes my guess for where the next book will take me.
Spry does do a credible job sticking to the hard sciences. I think he may have miss a few finer details in some brief segments of low gravity action, but that would likely just bog the story flow down, so it has good pacing. There are hints to technologies that help our low gravity hero deal with higher gravities, so it is all good. I do have a hard time imaging how the gravgel works. I would think the entire head has to be immersed in the stuff, but again it would bog down the flow to explain it in detail.
This was a GoodReads. Now onto the book 2.
April 28, 2016
Started off slow in this sci-fi book but it enjoyed reading it very much. A lot of issues in this story political issues, government, the way of life, racial issues and new experiences that follow in this tale. Brooke Davis is the main character in this story she is a U.N aerospace defense pilot. This story i enjoyed reading the creative plot and what came from this in the end. A must read for any and all sci-fi fans
December 14, 2014
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Beyond Cloud Nine is a very entertaining YA science fiction that really sets itself apart from the others - that commonly share dystopian cliches. Unfortunately, the dystopian genre has become quite overused in recent years, but that only makes this novel stand out more impressively as something positively different.
Beyond Cloud Nine is a very entertaining YA science fiction that really sets itself apart from the others - that commonly share dystopian cliches. Unfortunately, the dystopian genre has become quite overused in recent years, but that only makes this novel stand out more impressively as something positively different.
January 20, 2016
Can't wait for the sequel!
March 3, 2018
In “Beyond Cloud Nine,” Greg Spry has created a complex story that stretches out from Earth and promises to extend to the far reaches of the galaxy. The setting, a mere 200 years in our future, features colonization of the solar system out to the moons of Jupiter, but also features infighting among Earth-based countries that are supposed to be living in peace under the United Nations. The hero of the story, pilot Brooke Davis, must overcome her own personal demons to fulfil her ambition to fly the first faster-than-light starship. Along the way she discovers the existence of a vast conspiracy that has as its goal the unification of humanity and the establishment of peace in the solar system. But, will Brooke be able to keep quiet about it, and would anyone believe her if she tried to spill the secret?
The story includes Brooke’s sister, Marie, who is a journalist in Earth and who insinuates herself into the news coverage of the significant events. Both Marie and Brooke meet and have some romantic interest in the scientist who is responsible for the development of the faster-than-light engine, and that scientist, Kevin, needs to choose which of the twin sisters he is more attracted to. Throw into the mix Marie’s daughter, Maya, and there are some very interesting relationships and emotions that go along with the roller-coaster ride of a plot that finds Brooke engaged in space battles and careening down dangerous avenues on solid ground.
At times I tried to tell myself that I really wasn’t loving this book, but at the same time I was compelled to read more at every opportunity, and finished it off in just under a week. The plot keeps you guessing and the action is riveting, although at times the plot is so complex and multi-layered that even the suspension of disbelief that goes along with a science fiction novel is stretched to the limits. In the end, though, it’s a fun read and keeps you entertained. Now, the reader needs to decide whether to follow the conspiracy even farther into the next book in the series. I’ve not made up my mind about that, but it is tempting.
The story includes Brooke’s sister, Marie, who is a journalist in Earth and who insinuates herself into the news coverage of the significant events. Both Marie and Brooke meet and have some romantic interest in the scientist who is responsible for the development of the faster-than-light engine, and that scientist, Kevin, needs to choose which of the twin sisters he is more attracted to. Throw into the mix Marie’s daughter, Maya, and there are some very interesting relationships and emotions that go along with the roller-coaster ride of a plot that finds Brooke engaged in space battles and careening down dangerous avenues on solid ground.
At times I tried to tell myself that I really wasn’t loving this book, but at the same time I was compelled to read more at every opportunity, and finished it off in just under a week. The plot keeps you guessing and the action is riveting, although at times the plot is so complex and multi-layered that even the suspension of disbelief that goes along with a science fiction novel is stretched to the limits. In the end, though, it’s a fun read and keeps you entertained. Now, the reader needs to decide whether to follow the conspiracy even farther into the next book in the series. I’ve not made up my mind about that, but it is tempting.
May 20, 2018
_Beyond Cloud Nine_ is an interesting sci-fi book that tries to be many things. At first, the whole thing didn't make a lot of sense. The characters over or under reacted to situations, depending on the need for the plot. Numbers didn't add up. It only made sense when I put it through the lens of a comic book or manga. Deep space opera this isn't.
I wanted to dig into the characters more. Brooke is a junkie star pilot, the best ever, who also hates people in general. Her sister, Marie, is the exact opposite, a media journalist who wants the spotlight. But other than some surface tension about their parents and Marie's daughter, there isn't much there to relate too. I found the background characters a lot more interesting. Bob rocks (though no explanation why his AI matrix is super duper). Obaa-chan is one cool grandma. But everything else is just surface.
We are led to believe there is a secret society that has been crafting events for centuries is also working with the aliens poking around the solar system. (This is on the back of the book, so no spoilers) The author tries to inject ancient aliens into the story mix, but it doesn't make a lot of sense. It feels as if the author tried to combine two Ian Douglas series together (ancient aliens are here + star carrier action).
There are some good insights into a potential future world. The ability to construct a fighter through 3D printing is well explained, especially the fact of encrypted part plans that don't allow the builders to make more than they paid for. That makes sense. Same with the potential of the temperature & air quality to be horrible in 200 years. The drug Brooke takes to highten her combat reflexes, spark, is pretty neat. At least until it kills you. But it allows for an exploration of a pilot's mind as to why she takes it.
I wanted more from the book. I had high hopes, from the outline of the characters and the world as set. But it wants to be both serious space opera and over the top manga at the same time. Both are fine on their own, but it doesn't work for me here.
I wanted to dig into the characters more. Brooke is a junkie star pilot, the best ever, who also hates people in general. Her sister, Marie, is the exact opposite, a media journalist who wants the spotlight. But other than some surface tension about their parents and Marie's daughter, there isn't much there to relate too. I found the background characters a lot more interesting. Bob rocks (though no explanation why his AI matrix is super duper). Obaa-chan is one cool grandma. But everything else is just surface.
We are led to believe there is a secret society that has been crafting events for centuries is also working with the aliens poking around the solar system. (This is on the back of the book, so no spoilers) The author tries to inject ancient aliens into the story mix, but it doesn't make a lot of sense. It feels as if the author tried to combine two Ian Douglas series together (ancient aliens are here + star carrier action).
There are some good insights into a potential future world. The ability to construct a fighter through 3D printing is well explained, especially the fact of encrypted part plans that don't allow the builders to make more than they paid for. That makes sense. Same with the potential of the temperature & air quality to be horrible in 200 years. The drug Brooke takes to highten her combat reflexes, spark, is pretty neat. At least until it kills you. But it allows for an exploration of a pilot's mind as to why she takes it.
I wanted more from the book. I had high hopes, from the outline of the characters and the world as set. But it wants to be both serious space opera and over the top manga at the same time. Both are fine on their own, but it doesn't work for me here.
December 31, 2017
I received this book to read and review from the author. Thanks for the opportunity to get to know your style.
This story centers around twin girls of mixed parentage and what they make of their lives. One becomes a reporter of huge events and the other a famous pilot. Ultimately they realise most of what they know about their world is untrue and that their careers have been directed by a secretive group out to control the world and all space exploration efforts.
The world created is well known and well used. The characters were given plenty of back story but were not really appealing. There were fight scenes between space craft but also long passages where explanations were given on how and why things worked the way they did. This might appeal to the technical minded reader but really slowed things down for me. I rate this book just OK 2 1/2 stars.
This story centers around twin girls of mixed parentage and what they make of their lives. One becomes a reporter of huge events and the other a famous pilot. Ultimately they realise most of what they know about their world is untrue and that their careers have been directed by a secretive group out to control the world and all space exploration efforts.
The world created is well known and well used. The characters were given plenty of back story but were not really appealing. There were fight scenes between space craft but also long passages where explanations were given on how and why things worked the way they did. This might appeal to the technical minded reader but really slowed things down for me. I rate this book just OK 2 1/2 stars.
August 24, 2017
This is the first sci-fi I've read in a long time. The opening sentence drew me in right away into an action-packed dogfight in space. Fight scenes are hard to create, even more so when we are dealing with technology that does not exist yet. I haven't read something this good since Dale Brown's Day of the Cheetah. You can tell the author did a lot of research on aerospace engineering. He was able to weave in the future tech without slapping it right in your face. After the metaphorical dust clouds dissipate, a deeper conspiracy (which must have drawn inspiration from 1984) is uncovered. I already enjoyed the space battles, but this conspiracy is what made me want to read the next books.
April 13, 2018
I won this book through the Goodreads giveaways! Since I already had it on my list to purchase, I was thrilled. I enjoy trying books by 'new' authors, or those who aren't as well known as the Big Name Authors...yet. "Beyond Cloud Nine" is well worth reading, an interesting story with interesting characters. If you like some political drama and suspense in your science fiction, this is one to read :)
October 7, 2017
Beyond Cloud Nine
This was a bit more than the simple space opera I was supposed to be reading, and that was a good thing. Plenty of action and a good story combined to make this a really good book. If the other books in the series are even half as well written as the first, and the first two chapters of the second book seem to indicate they are, this is going to be a fantastic series.
This was a bit more than the simple space opera I was supposed to be reading, and that was a good thing. Plenty of action and a good story combined to make this a really good book. If the other books in the series are even half as well written as the first, and the first two chapters of the second book seem to indicate they are, this is going to be a fantastic series.
![[image error]](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nEPxhjcv84/V_6axqvKdmI/AAAAAAAALfE/-UfDEV65zIwUJf-McBNvZmb26y27Bq-MgCLcB/s1600/Space%2BBattle.gif){kind=link}
March 2, 2018
I liked everything about this book, fantastic plot, amazing characters, and lots of action and science. The writing is woven well and moves the story along and keeps you interested all the time.
A Sci-Fi book like this one lets you have your imagination run free and conjure up the scenes in your mind.
:-)
A Sci-Fi book like this one lets you have your imagination run free and conjure up the scenes in your mind.
:-)
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