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Floodtide
ON ICY NAXADA, the Shiranu farm in lava tubes under a dormant volcano, avoiding hunter tribe the Sargussi. But the mutually-hostile tribes’ world will soon be torn apart by natural forces.
Planetary geologist and astronomer Jordas Krata, part of a team observing an incoming asteroid, becomes telepathically linked with Yado, a Sargussi man, as he cements a relationship with the lovely Shiranu female runaway Soolkah. Jordas enters this precarious balance of nature to rescue both tribes from the destruction about to rain down on them and help resettle them on a safer planet.
But as a consequence of the brothers in each family group being telepathically linked, and a shortage of females, the social structure of both tribes forces them into polyandry. How can Jordas avoid emotional involvement when he and Yado also share the physical senses – including both painful and pleasurable sensations?
Planetary geologist and astronomer Jordas Krata, part of a team observing an incoming asteroid, becomes telepathically linked with Yado, a Sargussi man, as he cements a relationship with the lovely Shiranu female runaway Soolkah. Jordas enters this precarious balance of nature to rescue both tribes from the destruction about to rain down on them and help resettle them on a safer planet.
But as a consequence of the brothers in each family group being telepathically linked, and a shortage of females, the social structure of both tribes forces them into polyandry. How can Jordas avoid emotional involvement when he and Yado also share the physical senses – including both painful and pleasurable sensations?
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2014
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Helen Claire Gould
6 books28 followersI have been writing since my teens, having read my first two Science Fiction novels at the age of nine.
Shortly after suffering some miscarriages in 1992 I began writing for therapeutic reasons. I joined a British Science Fiction Association Orbiter, then a Cassandra one, then became administrator for a third. I had joined the Peterborough SF Club, where I met my husband, and contributed to the club fanzine A Change of Zinery. I set up the Peterborough Science fiction writers' Group, editing two small press collections of short fiction, Shadows on a Broken Wall and Mother Milk, Father Flywheel. I organised a weekend workshop on writing for comics and had book reviews published in the BSFA review magazine, Vector.
In 1995 I returned to full-time education. After graduating from Anglia Ruskin University in Geology and Planetary science in 2000, I taught Geology and Creative Writing evening classes, and edited further collections of short fiction by my Creative Writing students. From 2004 - 2006, I contributed geological articles to Deposits, an amateur magazine with high production values. I organised and ran a series of writers' workshops for the 2013 Peterborough Arts Festival.
Floodtide is my first published novel, but I have several more novels and short stories, most of which are set in my own fictional universe. Find out more at www.Zarduth.com.
Shortly after suffering some miscarriages in 1992 I began writing for therapeutic reasons. I joined a British Science Fiction Association Orbiter, then a Cassandra one, then became administrator for a third. I had joined the Peterborough SF Club, where I met my husband, and contributed to the club fanzine A Change of Zinery. I set up the Peterborough Science fiction writers' Group, editing two small press collections of short fiction, Shadows on a Broken Wall and Mother Milk, Father Flywheel. I organised a weekend workshop on writing for comics and had book reviews published in the BSFA review magazine, Vector.
In 1995 I returned to full-time education. After graduating from Anglia Ruskin University in Geology and Planetary science in 2000, I taught Geology and Creative Writing evening classes, and edited further collections of short fiction by my Creative Writing students. From 2004 - 2006, I contributed geological articles to Deposits, an amateur magazine with high production values. I organised and ran a series of writers' workshops for the 2013 Peterborough Arts Festival.
Floodtide is my first published novel, but I have several more novels and short stories, most of which are set in my own fictional universe. Find out more at www.Zarduth.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2018
Brilliant! A wonderful Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Adventure
Floodtide, by Helen Gould, is one of the best Fantasy / Sci-Fi novels I've read by a contemporary author.
The book is creative, moves at a nice pace [It never drags], the characters are well developed and described, and there is just enough sentimentality to make it rich and compelling.
The story is told from two, actually three, perspectives, or points of view, which, in itself, is a difficult task for an author. And Ms Gould has done so brilliantly. [There is never a point where the story confuses - a strong potential when telling simultaneous stories within a story.]
[Warning - Spoilers]
Human scientists, stationed on a distant world, are actively exploring a near-by planet (Naxada) inhabited by two rival humanoid tribes. Living underground in ice-covered lava tubes near a great volcano, they are facing extinction as the volcano is set to erupt and send a 'Floodtide' of water into the caverns.
The Human observers plan a planetary evacuation - a rescue effort. And it's here that the author uses her literary talents by telling a fast-paced tale which is both captivating and compelling. Ms Gould tells the story from the point of view of the humans, and the Naxadans simultaneously. And she does something I feel essential: She makes you care about her characters.
The Naxadans are real. Many are likeable, and of course, some are not.Their interactions are warm and dignified and many of the situations are a thinly veiled depiction of the ones we face every day.
This was truly a fun read. I enjoyed the relationships the author developed [Especially between a human scientist and the Naxadans] and the creative world of the indigenous humanoid inhabitants. There is also a nice underlying message in this story, but I would be giving away too much sharing it in a review.
[Criticisms]
Two very minor ones: Mainly personal preference. The Naxadans seemed a bit too human for an alien civilisation, and, with all I have to read each month, I typically like shorter novels.
All-in-all... I loved it!
[Recommendation]
My highest! This is a book I can imagine reading again.
Floodtide, by Helen Gould, is one of the best Fantasy / Sci-Fi novels I've read by a contemporary author.
The book is creative, moves at a nice pace [It never drags], the characters are well developed and described, and there is just enough sentimentality to make it rich and compelling.
The story is told from two, actually three, perspectives, or points of view, which, in itself, is a difficult task for an author. And Ms Gould has done so brilliantly. [There is never a point where the story confuses - a strong potential when telling simultaneous stories within a story.]
[Warning - Spoilers]
Human scientists, stationed on a distant world, are actively exploring a near-by planet (Naxada) inhabited by two rival humanoid tribes. Living underground in ice-covered lava tubes near a great volcano, they are facing extinction as the volcano is set to erupt and send a 'Floodtide' of water into the caverns.
The Human observers plan a planetary evacuation - a rescue effort. And it's here that the author uses her literary talents by telling a fast-paced tale which is both captivating and compelling. Ms Gould tells the story from the point of view of the humans, and the Naxadans simultaneously. And she does something I feel essential: She makes you care about her characters.
The Naxadans are real. Many are likeable, and of course, some are not.Their interactions are warm and dignified and many of the situations are a thinly veiled depiction of the ones we face every day.
This was truly a fun read. I enjoyed the relationships the author developed [Especially between a human scientist and the Naxadans] and the creative world of the indigenous humanoid inhabitants. There is also a nice underlying message in this story, but I would be giving away too much sharing it in a review.
[Criticisms]
Two very minor ones: Mainly personal preference. The Naxadans seemed a bit too human for an alien civilisation, and, with all I have to read each month, I typically like shorter novels.
All-in-all... I loved it!
[Recommendation]
My highest! This is a book I can imagine reading again.
January 24, 2022
I'm so glad I finally got a chance to read this! I have to say, I wasn't expecting what I walked into. The aliens were so well thought out and the central nexus of characters so distinct that it was very easy to follow even with all of the nuance of trying to communicate the mindlink between some and others. The ideas presented her for a culture and civilization completely different from our own, yet so detailed that it might actually exist somewhere -- just an amazing job at that.
Foundation went through my mind (yes, *that* Foundation) as I read this. Multiple times. Less the psychohistory, but the worlds that Hari Seldon experiences in Prelude to Foundation are what come to mind. The side-plot introductions of alien civilizations leaves the door open for so much more, and from what I see of the author's backlist (and frontlist), there's more coming and it won't disappoint!
So I'd say kind of like Foundation, with a sprinkling of Star Trek if the Federation was a bit more corrupt and realistic.
Foundation went through my mind (yes, *that* Foundation) as I read this. Multiple times. Less the psychohistory, but the worlds that Hari Seldon experiences in Prelude to Foundation are what come to mind. The side-plot introductions of alien civilizations leaves the door open for so much more, and from what I see of the author's backlist (and frontlist), there's more coming and it won't disappoint!
So I'd say kind of like Foundation, with a sprinkling of Star Trek if the Federation was a bit more corrupt and realistic.
September 17, 2018
I have not read a lot of science fiction, so I may not be the ideal reviewer for this book. What I can say is that I was entertained throughout. I was particularly impressed by the amount of detail about life on Naxada and the tribal customs.
Characterisation is generally strong - my favourite characters were Yado, Lorr and Mnanga. Yado was particularly interesting - being young, still grieving for his dead brother and privy to Jordas' mind, he seems more open to change than the others who live in Naxada. He is able to love unselfishly, is courageous and has a great sense of humour.
Would I like to read more science fiction by Helen Claire Gould? Yes!
Characterisation is generally strong - my favourite characters were Yado, Lorr and Mnanga. Yado was particularly interesting - being young, still grieving for his dead brother and privy to Jordas' mind, he seems more open to change than the others who live in Naxada. He is able to love unselfishly, is courageous and has a great sense of humour.
Would I like to read more science fiction by Helen Claire Gould? Yes!
November 6, 2025
It was a really good book. Great characters, great plot. 5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews