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Synthesis #1
Synthesis: Weave
Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition for ISBN 13: 9780993177316. This book is superseded by Synthesis:Weave, second edition by Rexx Deane (August 2018).
A tsunami on a space station. An explosion with no trace of the bomber. Sebastian knows evidence doesn’t magically disappear, yet when he and disabled ex-marine Aryx travel the galaxy to find the cause, there seems to be no other explanation.
Can he unravel the mystery before his family, home, and an entire race succumbs to an ancient foe?
Tenebrae station served as a pleasant stop-off during long-haul space trips … until the explosion. With terrorist suspects everywhere, unlikely candidate Sebastian Thorrson – a security programmer promoted into SpecOps – is tasked to investigate.
With his friend Aryx, a disabled ex-marine, they don’t seem the most suitable pair, but both are fuelled by a deep-rooted desire for adventure, to see the skies of distant planets and meet with exotic alien species.
An unidentified mineral found at the scene of the explosion forces Sebastian to look further afield for evidence, but his only lead seems to be a hermit living on a comet that insists Sebastian seek out a long-lost colony for his answers.
Their only hope for closing the case is to find a mysterious race that uses the mineral to alter the very fabric of reality. Can they give him the answers he seeks – and will the answers he gets bring peace to Tenebrae, or throw everything into turmoil?
Synthesis:Weave blends science fiction and fantasy, and reveals the explosive consequences of what happens when science and magic collide.
A tsunami on a space station. An explosion with no trace of the bomber. Sebastian knows evidence doesn’t magically disappear, yet when he and disabled ex-marine Aryx travel the galaxy to find the cause, there seems to be no other explanation.
Can he unravel the mystery before his family, home, and an entire race succumbs to an ancient foe?
Tenebrae station served as a pleasant stop-off during long-haul space trips … until the explosion. With terrorist suspects everywhere, unlikely candidate Sebastian Thorrson – a security programmer promoted into SpecOps – is tasked to investigate.
With his friend Aryx, a disabled ex-marine, they don’t seem the most suitable pair, but both are fuelled by a deep-rooted desire for adventure, to see the skies of distant planets and meet with exotic alien species.
An unidentified mineral found at the scene of the explosion forces Sebastian to look further afield for evidence, but his only lead seems to be a hermit living on a comet that insists Sebastian seek out a long-lost colony for his answers.
Their only hope for closing the case is to find a mysterious race that uses the mineral to alter the very fabric of reality. Can they give him the answers he seeks – and will the answers he gets bring peace to Tenebrae, or throw everything into turmoil?
Synthesis:Weave blends science fiction and fantasy, and reveals the explosive consequences of what happens when science and magic collide.
418 pages, Hardcover
First published January 8, 2015
1 person is currently reading
1022 people want to read
About the author
Deane Saunders-Stowe
3 books25 followersDeane grew up in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (UK). He now lives in Herefordshire with his partner, Kris, a disability fitness instructor and wheelchair user.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 8, 2017
4.5 STARS
What an awesome sci-fi, I still have no idea how it's been placed on some M/M lists though but it's a great book.
What an awesome sci-fi, I still have no idea how it's been placed on some M/M lists though but it's a great book.
Read
July 28, 2015An interesting read from Saunders-Stowe that has some fantastic ideas and concepts but does not quite hit it's potential. With some targeted editing and some slight re-imagining this could be a really great book but I personally didn't find myself engaging with the characters or the story as much as I like too. I also have a trigger that rears it's ugly head when I start thinking a book is going to get religious on me.
There is currently a giveaway running for this book on Goodreads here - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en...
I'd encourage you to enter and see what you think yourself.
There is currently a giveaway running for this book on Goodreads here - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en...
I'd encourage you to enter and see what you think yourself.
June 28, 2015
A Scifi story that keeps you gripped from beginning to end, with many twists & turns, a must read for all Scifi fans, it's an excellent read, looking forward to a second book in the future :-)
July 24, 2021
Really enjoyed this star-spanning tale of galactic mystery, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Deane's love of classic sci/fi shines through this story, with its cool ships and its wow-factor alien cultures and artefacts. It would make a great film or TV series. There are wry references to classic sci/fi tropes in there: spatial anomalies and belts on cockpit seats and the like - and I really enjoyed the computers with their clipped English a la classic Star Trek or Blake's 7. Not that the book is simply backward-looking - it's throroughly modern sci/fi, with real characters that feel fresh and original. There is also one very cool computer in there that I really grew to love.
I also loved the slow revelation of what is going on - and how certain Earth legends and myths are woven skilfully in. Very cool. The shadowy antagonist that we slowly learn about is really well done and satisfyingly alarming. I really need to know what's going on there. The book also made me laugh at several points as I spotted little jokes and wordplays. Always a good sign.
All in all, thoroughly recommended. Why isn't this book much better known?
I also loved the slow revelation of what is going on - and how certain Earth legends and myths are woven skilfully in. Very cool. The shadowy antagonist that we slowly learn about is really well done and satisfyingly alarming. I really need to know what's going on there. The book also made me laugh at several points as I spotted little jokes and wordplays. Always a good sign.
All in all, thoroughly recommended. Why isn't this book much better known?
February 4, 2022
Actual rating: 4 (8/10)
I read this one while being a judge in SPSFC!
Synthesis Weave is quite a curious story, probably one of the easiest books to read of the entiere badge. It starts up as you are more typical space opera type of book, but then it goes beyond that.
I though this one was going to be one of my favorites but sadly two things didn't work for me. One being the plot, which felt a bit over the place for the first 50% of the book, and the use of "magic". If you love Star Wars this is proabbly the book for you as I would catagorize it as science fantasy!
Also one of the main characters is disabled so extra credit for that sweet representation, which is highly appreciated especially in Sci Fi.
Even though some parts didn't work for me I would recommend that you try Synthesis: Weave!
I read this one while being a judge in SPSFC!
Synthesis Weave is quite a curious story, probably one of the easiest books to read of the entiere badge. It starts up as you are more typical space opera type of book, but then it goes beyond that.
I though this one was going to be one of my favorites but sadly two things didn't work for me. One being the plot, which felt a bit over the place for the first 50% of the book, and the use of "magic". If you love Star Wars this is proabbly the book for you as I would catagorize it as science fantasy!
Also one of the main characters is disabled so extra credit for that sweet representation, which is highly appreciated especially in Sci Fi.
Even though some parts didn't work for me I would recommend that you try Synthesis: Weave!
October 15, 2015
I loved this book! The book is about Sebastian - a security programmer who gets promoted into Specops - and his disabled ex-marine friend Aryx who are tasked to investigate the scene of an explosion. The two travel through space to many different locales and planets to piece together the truth. Saunders-Stowe creates a different and unique universe in which everything occurs in. I loved every minute of this book. I felt that the story was not predictable. No matter how much you felt you knew what was going on, new information and obstacles were thrown your way. There were many different layers to the story. I cannot wait for the second book! I'd like to hear more about the universe that has been created and more about Sebastian and his new career in Specops. I can't really say that there's anything I didn't like; I felt that the story went well together with all of its different components. I would recommend this book to everyone. I will definitely be reading it again, thus the 5 stars.
Note: I received this book from Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest and true review of the book.
Note: I received this book from Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest and true review of the book.
June 21, 2015
Synthesis : Weave by Deane Saunders Stowe. A brilliant storyline for Deane's first novel. Science fiction that could be reality in the future. Couldn't put it down. It's perfect material for a movie, scenery descriptions are fascinating. Can't wait for Deane's next book.
September 11, 2023
‘Synthesis: Weave’ gives off a Star Trek feel, particularly of Deep Space Nine, which is great because that’s my favorite. It begins on a space station with security guard Sebastian who seems to be in a bit of a rough spot financially and mentally. When he’s called to his boss’ office for what he assumes is an announcement of his redundancy, he’s thrilled to realize he’s instead being offered a chance at his dream job: an agent for special operations aka SpecOps.
He’s allowed to choose a partner for his entry test and it is this character who originally drew my interest in the story. Aryx, the station’s engineer, is a former marine who was honorably discharged after saving others in an accident that led to the amputation of both his legs. While there are different technologies in the universe that would allow him to walk (such as cloned parts and mechanical limbs), he is unfortunately the victim of a nasty virus that makes integrating these technologies impossible. Therefore, he is stuck in a wheel chair.
I have been disabled most my life, including several years as a teen when I was bedridden, then limited to a wheelchair, so I appreciate the author’s portrayal of Aryx. He is flawed; he’s independent; he’s capable. He’s not two dimensional like so many other ‘token’ disabled characters. What I mean by that is you often see disabled characters where their sole personality trait is “I’m more than my illness! Fuck off!” While Aryx does express the aggravation of being equated to his disability/illness, there is much more to his character, to his interests, his dreams, his sorrows…and I love that there are unlikable things about him too.
The two’s initial task is interrupted by what is presumed to be a terrorist attack on the station. Being the only SpecOps agent in the vicinity, Sebastian is placed as lead investigator. This sends him and Aryx out to solve a mystery set in all the best elements of crime and science fiction combined. They meet intriguing people including a “magic” practitioner living on a comet, a colony sensitive about the spelling of their name, and a race of sentient trees.
I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to the next! My only negative comment is that there are a few flashbacks within chapters which aren’t italicized or set apart enough from current events as I’d have liked.
He’s allowed to choose a partner for his entry test and it is this character who originally drew my interest in the story. Aryx, the station’s engineer, is a former marine who was honorably discharged after saving others in an accident that led to the amputation of both his legs. While there are different technologies in the universe that would allow him to walk (such as cloned parts and mechanical limbs), he is unfortunately the victim of a nasty virus that makes integrating these technologies impossible. Therefore, he is stuck in a wheel chair.
I have been disabled most my life, including several years as a teen when I was bedridden, then limited to a wheelchair, so I appreciate the author’s portrayal of Aryx. He is flawed; he’s independent; he’s capable. He’s not two dimensional like so many other ‘token’ disabled characters. What I mean by that is you often see disabled characters where their sole personality trait is “I’m more than my illness! Fuck off!” While Aryx does express the aggravation of being equated to his disability/illness, there is much more to his character, to his interests, his dreams, his sorrows…and I love that there are unlikable things about him too.
The two’s initial task is interrupted by what is presumed to be a terrorist attack on the station. Being the only SpecOps agent in the vicinity, Sebastian is placed as lead investigator. This sends him and Aryx out to solve a mystery set in all the best elements of crime and science fiction combined. They meet intriguing people including a “magic” practitioner living on a comet, a colony sensitive about the spelling of their name, and a race of sentient trees.
I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to the next! My only negative comment is that there are a few flashbacks within chapters which aren’t italicized or set apart enough from current events as I’d have liked.
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July 12, 2021I have read the first book in this trilogy Synthesis:Weave and have started the second in the series Afterglow.
I have enjoyed it very much .the interplay of the characters..the descriptive elements of the inter-galactic worlds, presented in a style that encompasses the reader into wanting to know the answers to the questions raised by the investigation into the mysterious explosion that starts the whole thing . The two main characters Sebastian and Aryx are thorough yet have likeable flaws that shows their humanity and you feel for them as they travel across the cosmos. Buy the book and travel with them.
I have enjoyed it very much .the interplay of the characters..the descriptive elements of the inter-galactic worlds, presented in a style that encompasses the reader into wanting to know the answers to the questions raised by the investigation into the mysterious explosion that starts the whole thing . The two main characters Sebastian and Aryx are thorough yet have likeable flaws that shows their humanity and you feel for them as they travel across the cosmos. Buy the book and travel with them.
November 5, 2024
I was struggling to keep reading this, not sure if the awkward phrasings and unusual word choices were a translation issue or a writing issue, but when Aryx was almost suffocated by the airbags after the escape pod landed, I was done. I can see airbags inflating firmly enough to protect a person from a crash landing possibly interfering with breathing, but then to remain inflated, and become a threat to the person's health in their own right? Uh, uh. Criminally negligent design, and unacceptable story plotting. Moving on.
October 23, 2022
A fabulous book where medieval magic meets sci fi. Sebastian and Aryx , their budding relationship as they journey together overcoming disability to make it a super ability. I couldn't put this book down. If you love sci fi but get tired of the same old themes running book after book then this is the book for you. Rexx Deane dares to ignore stereotypes and goes at least one step further into the unknown.
January 28, 2016
I debated for some time whether to round this 2.5-star read up to 3 ("I liked it"), but there just wasn't quite anything to tip the balance. TBH, I'm still debating; I may read the sequel when it comes out, and if I enjoy that one more, I'll probably go ahead and raise this one's rating, too.
● The writing is competent, but not particularly rich or graceful. At times, it felt a bit in need of more "Show, don't tell."
● The characters are developed, and pleasingly unusual choices for action/suspense heroes, but I didn't really care deeply about either/any of them (partly because it seemed like there was an awful lot of snappishness, especially at first, though that may just be me). The character I liked best, I won't reveal because spoilers.
● The plot/premise is creative and original, but convoluted -- and a bit metaphysical, which I'm not into. (I know, I was warned; I actually liked the way the boundaries between magic/faith and science/rationality are blurred/altered, but ...)
● Events are kind of hastily wound up before the end's lead-to-the-next twist.
In short, it feels like what it is: a first book from an author with potential.
Oh, and one more thing: there are far too many scenes that struck me as resembling the "heading into the dark basement alone while there's a killer on the loose" sort of rash foolishness you find in too much fiction, whether the writer has it work out for good or ill. They're even often out of communication, at times needlessly. Plus Sebastian doesn't ask nearly enough questions nor do enough prep/training in the beginning of his new job; while some reasons become clear later, it was hard to suspend disbelief re. SpecOps putting him in charge of an important investigation. The mystery aspect was part of what made me decide to give it a try (besides the low price for a full-length story), but Seb darts back and forth across the galaxy on the slimmest leads.
BTW, I notice in a couple other reviews that this book is sometimes listed as a M/M title. The two main characters are friends who care deeply about one another, but there's zero romance of any sort, at least so far. I don't know whether the author intends to go in that direction as the tale progresses in the next volume -- he states that Aryx was inspired by his own wheelchair-using life partner, and Seb recoils almost violently from the most innocuous signs of interest from a female -- but if you pick up this book expecting either sexy times or declarations of love, you'll be disappointed.
● The writing is competent, but not particularly rich or graceful. At times, it felt a bit in need of more "Show, don't tell."
● The characters are developed, and pleasingly unusual choices for action/suspense heroes, but I didn't really care deeply about either/any of them (partly because it seemed like there was an awful lot of snappishness, especially at first, though that may just be me). The character I liked best, I won't reveal because spoilers.
● The plot/premise is creative and original, but convoluted -- and a bit metaphysical, which I'm not into. (I know, I was warned; I actually liked the way the boundaries between magic/faith and science/rationality are blurred/altered, but ...)
● Events are kind of hastily wound up before the end's lead-to-the-next twist.
In short, it feels like what it is: a first book from an author with potential.
Oh, and one more thing: there are far too many scenes that struck me as resembling the "heading into the dark basement alone while there's a killer on the loose" sort of rash foolishness you find in too much fiction, whether the writer has it work out for good or ill. They're even often out of communication, at times needlessly. Plus Sebastian doesn't ask nearly enough questions nor do enough prep/training in the beginning of his new job; while some reasons become clear later, it was hard to suspend disbelief re. SpecOps putting him in charge of an important investigation. The mystery aspect was part of what made me decide to give it a try (besides the low price for a full-length story), but Seb darts back and forth across the galaxy on the slimmest leads.
BTW, I notice in a couple other reviews that this book is sometimes listed as a M/M title. The two main characters are friends who care deeply about one another, but there's zero romance of any sort, at least so far. I don't know whether the author intends to go in that direction as the tale progresses in the next volume -- he states that Aryx was inspired by his own wheelchair-using life partner, and Seb recoils almost violently from the most innocuous signs of interest from a female -- but if you pick up this book expecting either sexy times or declarations of love, you'll be disappointed.
July 19, 2016
Synthesis: Weave.
By Deane Saunders-Stowe.
I haven't read many Sci Fi books but have watched many films and series.
I chose to try this one as the cover caught my eye. A man and a wheelchair hanging from a cliff. Good start. (note: the cover here is different to my edition)
The book is slow moving to start with but has a good flow to it and draws you into the next chapter. It easily got me hooked as the story unfolds. I liked the fact that issues such as disabilities and the use of wheelchairs, although still to be resolved in the future, set no bounderies for the character.
A bond forming with two different characters takes you along their journey. The ups and downs of their travels, twist and turns, magic and secrets, held my attention.
My only criticism would be a little more description of some characters. I know some people prefer less and as the story unfolds you begin to understand and be part of their journey again.
The writer built up speed quite cleverly as the pace of the story increases and ends with you wanting more.
I definitely will be keeping my eye open for more work from this author.
By Deane Saunders-Stowe.
I haven't read many Sci Fi books but have watched many films and series.
I chose to try this one as the cover caught my eye. A man and a wheelchair hanging from a cliff. Good start. (note: the cover here is different to my edition)
The book is slow moving to start with but has a good flow to it and draws you into the next chapter. It easily got me hooked as the story unfolds. I liked the fact that issues such as disabilities and the use of wheelchairs, although still to be resolved in the future, set no bounderies for the character.
A bond forming with two different characters takes you along their journey. The ups and downs of their travels, twist and turns, magic and secrets, held my attention.
My only criticism would be a little more description of some characters. I know some people prefer less and as the story unfolds you begin to understand and be part of their journey again.
The writer built up speed quite cleverly as the pace of the story increases and ends with you wanting more.
I definitely will be keeping my eye open for more work from this author.
July 18, 2015
Science fiction, Jim, but not as you know it. It takes skilful writing to mix magic with science whilst moving a detective story smoothly through space. Somehow, this has been achieved in a believable and satisfying journey, where heroes are not necessarily humanoid nor fully mobile.
It feels thoroughly researched and never warps into wild fantasy, keeping its feet solidly in fiction.
A fast-moving book that grips the reader and doesn't follow a linear plot line but where the author, literally, weaves all of the threads together in an exciting climax.
It feels thoroughly researched and never warps into wild fantasy, keeping its feet solidly in fiction.
A fast-moving book that grips the reader and doesn't follow a linear plot line but where the author, literally, weaves all of the threads together in an exciting climax.
June 6, 2015
418 pages! On sale Kindle 1.49
June 21, 2015
I read this, and I liked it.
Full of inventive ideas, spaceships, aliens and mystery. What's not to like?
Full of inventive ideas, spaceships, aliens and mystery. What's not to like?
January 1, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book.I would like to highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews