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Interspace Origins #1
Faring Soul
SFR GALAXY AWARD 2015 WINNER
Rumors emerge that Catherine Shahrazad has returned from the fringes and has been seen in Federation space. Wherever she goes, her name and her history cause civil unrest, riots and worse. The Federation Board doesn't want her there, neither do the leaders of Cadfael College, the educators and moralists of the galaxy. No one pays any attention to the reticent navigator called Bedivere X, who pilots her ship better than she does.
The truth about Bedivere threatens the entire Federation.
His feelings for Cat might just save everyone.
This book is part of the Interspace Origins space opera romance series:
Book 1: Faring Soul
Book 2: Varkan Rise
Book 3: Cat and Company
Rumors emerge that Catherine Shahrazad has returned from the fringes and has been seen in Federation space. Wherever she goes, her name and her history cause civil unrest, riots and worse. The Federation Board doesn't want her there, neither do the leaders of Cadfael College, the educators and moralists of the galaxy. No one pays any attention to the reticent navigator called Bedivere X, who pilots her ship better than she does.
The truth about Bedivere threatens the entire Federation.
His feelings for Cat might just save everyone.
This book is part of the Interspace Origins space opera romance series:
Book 1: Faring Soul
Book 2: Varkan Rise
Book 3: Cat and Company
278 pages, ebook
First published September 25, 2015
50 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Cooper-Posey
207 books974 followersTracy Cooper-Posey is an Amazon #1 Best Selling Author. She writes romantic suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy, futuristic and science fiction romances. She has published over 100 novels since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favourite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award.
She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year and Byzantine Heartbreak was a 2012 winner. Faring Soul won a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 for “Most Intriguing Philosophical/Social Science Questions in Galaxybuilding” She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.
She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.
She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year and Byzantine Heartbreak was a 2012 winner. Faring Soul won a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 for “Most Intriguing Philosophical/Social Science Questions in Galaxybuilding” She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.
She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 23, 2016
Good Science Fiction can mean different things to different people, but at its heart, a really outstanding Sci-Fi story is, of course, well written (grammatically and all that), but also offers a kind of reflected image of ourselves and our society. Before you scratch your head, roll your eyes, and think, “yeah, I’m not really interested in reading some heavy book that’s meant to teach some lesson, I just want stuff to blow up,” hear me out. Star Trek was a terrific show, but at its heart, it found a way to provide commentary on American culture at the time it was produced; issues of equality of races, the evils of war, a future where hunger and poverty and illness had been vanquished on Earth. Even so, we all enjoyed watching Captain Kirk kick butt and put the Klingons in their place. You with me so far?
OK, so, really excellent Sci-Fi, in my opinion, will be really well written structurally and is set – surprise! – in space, has interesting physics, weapons, and races, but it’s also got an underlying message which is central to the plot, without being preachy. (Because there’s way too much “preachy” out there, especially during an election cycle.) That’s exactly what I felt, when I read Faring Soul. This is just really, really good Sci-Fi, maybe even something that could be a classic someday.
This story has an interesting, complex leading lady, Catherine (AKA Cat), who has been everywhere, seen everything, and by rights, should be sick and tired of the whole stupid Human Race, who have been trying to control her for over a thousand years. You have a Leading Man, Bedivere, who is loyal and mysterious; an excellent Navigator, and clearly genius with the ship; and the underlying loyalty and devotion that he and Cat share. The supporting characters are complex and the reader grudgingly comes to sympathize with them, even when their main character trait seems to put them at odds with our Heros.
In the beginning, the story seems simple: woman and her best friend, on the run from the evil Federation, fulfilling some agenda of their own that you don’t know about yet while slowly falling in love. As the story progresses and their agenda unfolds, you begin to understand that things are much more complicated than they first appeared. Nothing is ever as simple as purely good vs. purely evil in real life, and so it is in the universe of Faring Soul.
Cooper-Posey provides the reader with moral dilemmas in such a gentle way that it seems completely natural, and you’re too invested in the story to step away and read something fluffy, instead. By the time you realize that this is not a simple space love story full of awesome explosions, you don’t even mind. The futuristic setting is the hook, the thing which draws a lover of Sci-Fi into the tale, but the moral questions, the intricate characters, the depth of feeling that weaves through everything, make for a seamless piece of literature
This is not a steamy romance-in-space novel, but it does revolve around Love: love for each other, love of friends, love for Humanity, and love of life in all forms. Faring Soul is a satisfying, meaty read, with realistic characters who deal with inner-conflict, deep emotions and shifting loyalties. It is the start of an epic saga, which I will be eager to follow.
OK, so, really excellent Sci-Fi, in my opinion, will be really well written structurally and is set – surprise! – in space, has interesting physics, weapons, and races, but it’s also got an underlying message which is central to the plot, without being preachy. (Because there’s way too much “preachy” out there, especially during an election cycle.) That’s exactly what I felt, when I read Faring Soul. This is just really, really good Sci-Fi, maybe even something that could be a classic someday.
This story has an interesting, complex leading lady, Catherine (AKA Cat), who has been everywhere, seen everything, and by rights, should be sick and tired of the whole stupid Human Race, who have been trying to control her for over a thousand years. You have a Leading Man, Bedivere, who is loyal and mysterious; an excellent Navigator, and clearly genius with the ship; and the underlying loyalty and devotion that he and Cat share. The supporting characters are complex and the reader grudgingly comes to sympathize with them, even when their main character trait seems to put them at odds with our Heros.
In the beginning, the story seems simple: woman and her best friend, on the run from the evil Federation, fulfilling some agenda of their own that you don’t know about yet while slowly falling in love. As the story progresses and their agenda unfolds, you begin to understand that things are much more complicated than they first appeared. Nothing is ever as simple as purely good vs. purely evil in real life, and so it is in the universe of Faring Soul.
Cooper-Posey provides the reader with moral dilemmas in such a gentle way that it seems completely natural, and you’re too invested in the story to step away and read something fluffy, instead. By the time you realize that this is not a simple space love story full of awesome explosions, you don’t even mind. The futuristic setting is the hook, the thing which draws a lover of Sci-Fi into the tale, but the moral questions, the intricate characters, the depth of feeling that weaves through everything, make for a seamless piece of literature
This is not a steamy romance-in-space novel, but it does revolve around Love: love for each other, love of friends, love for Humanity, and love of life in all forms. Faring Soul is a satisfying, meaty read, with realistic characters who deal with inner-conflict, deep emotions and shifting loyalties. It is the start of an epic saga, which I will be eager to follow.
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December 27, 2020🎁FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (12/27/2020)!🎁
January 7, 2022
This was really good. I loved it.
September 23, 2015
Imagine a new universe of planets as you step into the future...well, I can't but Tarcy can and she put it into words so we can all see it through her imagination. I was thrilled when Tracy said she was going to be writing this genre and it came to fruition. I'm amazed by the creativity of not only the characters but the detail of sights,sound and interaction. Cat and Belvedere have been together for a century, the captain the navigator and so much more. As always with anything Tracy writes you get all the elements that make up a powerful story that will blow you away! I love that the story seem to go one way then everything goes sideways, it keeps the synapse firing on all cylinders. Suspense, action, adventure, romance and toss in some mystery. I loved this book and would highly recommend it! Waiting impatiently for the next in the series!!!!!
July 7, 2025
Prch Amazon Feb. 21, 2016
Finished Reading February 27, 2016
3.75 Stars
Even though I was expecting an Adult Romance and this is a Young Adult, I still really liked it. The world, the characters, and the plot are interesting and even thought provoking.
“He’s a friend. I’ve never had a friend so I didn’t realize until he died. I’m sitting here drinking alone because I can’t drink with him.”
It is about prejudice and self discovery. About things that are worth fighting for and standing up with the people you care about that are fighting that fight. There is friendship and love and a future that is very possible in far away tomorrow, that still deals with the flaws of today.
I just wish it had been an Adult Sci-fi Romance. But since it isn't, I won't be continuing this series.🙁
Purchased from Amazon February 21, 2016
Finished Reading February 27, 2016
3.75 Stars
Even though I was expecting an Adult Romance and this is a Young Adult, I still really liked it. The world, the characters, and the plot are interesting and even thought provoking.
“He’s a friend. I’ve never had a friend so I didn’t realize until he died. I’m sitting here drinking alone because I can’t drink with him.”
It is about prejudice and self discovery. About things that are worth fighting for and standing up with the people you care about that are fighting that fight. There is friendship and love and a future that is very possible in far away tomorrow, that still deals with the flaws of today.
I just wish it had been an Adult Sci-fi Romance. But since it isn't, I won't be continuing this series.🙁
Purchased from Amazon February 21, 2016
February 20, 2017
I really like Cooper-Posey's science-fiction romance, and "Faring Soul" is no exception. Her writing style is unique - she has a way of inserting the reader into her world without extraneous verbiage or info dumping. She just puts you there, with the characters, and respects the reader's intelligence and their ability to follow the story. And the story is smart - this one has not just a romance between a starship captain and her navigator, but loads of action as well as ethical questions regarding the nature of life and sentience. All very cool, and very recommended.
August 7, 2021
Epic sci-fi action adventure blended with psychological mystery.
More than I expected
I stopped reading sci-fi decades ago, because this was pre-internet and I had read out my local library and used bookstore, but also because the plots were too predictable. Predictable not so much in plot lines, as in the motivations and drives of the characters. But I’ve read a few books by Tracy Cooper-Posey, so I decided to give this one a read.
Faring Soul was so much more than I expected. Yes, she created a universe with major social institutions. No, she did not force me to digest that knowledge in plot exposition. There was plot exposition, but it was done as a slow reveal as I read and became more curious about the major characters. The knowledge of her universe came naturally as the characters interpersonal conflicts with each other revealed their history and drives.
The motives and history of the two major characters were shrouded and ultimately unexpected.
I love how Tracy Cooper-Posey blended a typical epic sci-fi action adventure with the intrigue of a good psychological mystery.
More than I expected
I stopped reading sci-fi decades ago, because this was pre-internet and I had read out my local library and used bookstore, but also because the plots were too predictable. Predictable not so much in plot lines, as in the motivations and drives of the characters. But I’ve read a few books by Tracy Cooper-Posey, so I decided to give this one a read.
Faring Soul was so much more than I expected. Yes, she created a universe with major social institutions. No, she did not force me to digest that knowledge in plot exposition. There was plot exposition, but it was done as a slow reveal as I read and became more curious about the major characters. The knowledge of her universe came naturally as the characters interpersonal conflicts with each other revealed their history and drives.
The motives and history of the two major characters were shrouded and ultimately unexpected.
I love how Tracy Cooper-Posey blended a typical epic sci-fi action adventure with the intrigue of a good psychological mystery.
June 3, 2025
Catherine Shahrazad perhaps the oldest person in the galaxy is on a quest with her pilot navigator Bedivere, who is also the ship's sentient computer. After hiring a female engineer Lily and an ex-staffer Ammonite, Brant for security they head out of into Federation space. Meanwhile there are those who try to keep them from being successful. Inasmuch as Brant is anti-sentient AI and doesn't realize it what Bedivere is at first it makes for interesting situations. Though the book is fiction there are elements of philosophy within it. What is sentience? How does one ascertain 'humanity.' And what is prejudice? In its pitting of a Federation backed by a religious institution against individual liberty it can be seen as an example of political situations encountered in today's world.
May 17, 2021
A Great First Book, Catherine and Bedivere
The first book in a science fiction romance series about Catherine and Bedivere, who have been together on her spaceship for decades. From there we get thrown into an interesting world of politics, intrigue, greed, secrets, friendships, and love. It is hard not to be rooting for Catherine and the people on the spacecraft with her. But by far my favorite character here is Catherine. How nice to get to know her in this book, she is awesome. I can’t wait to read the next book Varkan Rise.
The first book in a science fiction romance series about Catherine and Bedivere, who have been together on her spaceship for decades. From there we get thrown into an interesting world of politics, intrigue, greed, secrets, friendships, and love. It is hard not to be rooting for Catherine and the people on the spacecraft with her. But by far my favorite character here is Catherine. How nice to get to know her in this book, she is awesome. I can’t wait to read the next book Varkan Rise.
October 10, 2021
I’m always happy to find a good Sci-Fi Romance, and this one is a perfect example. Catherine Shahrazad is the stuff of legends, and her navigator, Bedivere is mysterious and awesome. The world described, with near immortality, a Federation Board that planets strive to join, manipulative and secretive organizations and shackled AI’s, is complex and detailed. The characters are deeply developed, and I was drawn into their lives so that I cared very much about them and their fates. I enjoyed this story very much and I’ve already downloaded the next book in the series to read.
November 1, 2024
Faring Soul is a captivating adventure from start to finish. Watching Catherine’s life unfold, gaining insight into her relationship with Bedivere amidst the thrill of space travel, is truly compelling. The story is rich with drama, high-stakes pursuits, and twists that keep you hooked. The added intrigue of uncovering Lilita’s hidden motives aboard the ship and witnessing Brant’s moral dilemmas add a powerful layer of depth, making this more than just an adventure tale. I’d highly recommend Faring Soul to anyone who loves an epic space opera with strong characters and rich storytelling!
November 9, 2025
What happens when AI becomes sentient? How do you know it is sentient? Can AI evolve to become sentient?
How could humans have an unlimited life span? What technology could accomplish this? Could an AI apply that technology to itself? If it did, would it be human?
Explore these possibilities in an action packed story set deep in the future. Jumping through space keeps them ahead of the Federation. Will they ever have peace?
How could humans have an unlimited life span? What technology could accomplish this? Could an AI apply that technology to itself? If it did, would it be human?
Explore these possibilities in an action packed story set deep in the future. Jumping through space keeps them ahead of the Federation. Will they ever have peace?
October 23, 2022
All life is valuable
All love is risky but it's worth the risk. I so enjoyed seeing Brant and Lily learn to turn away from the prejudices they had been taught and join Cat and Bedivere in their mission to save lives, one life at a time. The author cunningly plants clues throughout but the final revelations are so satisfying.
All love is risky but it's worth the risk. I so enjoyed seeing Brant and Lily learn to turn away from the prejudices they had been taught and join Cat and Bedivere in their mission to save lives, one life at a time. The author cunningly plants clues throughout but the final revelations are so satisfying.
August 4, 2023
Superb.
Fast paced and packed with action, wonderful character's fighting there way through morale and ethical human dilemmas. With all the current concerns with AI usage this work of fiction throws light on some of the concerns we currently face while also being a page turner sci fi masterpiece with twists and turns you will not see coming. An addictive read, Baz.
Fast paced and packed with action, wonderful character's fighting there way through morale and ethical human dilemmas. With all the current concerns with AI usage this work of fiction throws light on some of the concerns we currently face while also being a page turner sci fi masterpiece with twists and turns you will not see coming. An addictive read, Baz.
August 14, 2021
This is a good sci-fi clean romance. I had a hard time figuring out Cat's personality, and predicting how she would respond. I would have loved to get a better read on her, and why she was doing what she was doing. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end.
May 9, 2022
Maybe scifi isn't my gig, but this distant future space fugitive "thriller" was a snoozefest.
Dropped into the story full throttle with no explainers, the reader is left to catch up on a who's who of intergalactic politics and technology. Turns out it was just a thinly veiled romance.
Dropped into the story full throttle with no explainers, the reader is left to catch up on a who's who of intergalactic politics and technology. Turns out it was just a thinly veiled romance.
March 3, 2024
This is a well written and entertaining story. It does everything a good book should do - it draws you in and keeps you interested until the very end.
I received a copy of this book in a promotion and am under no obligation to review it.
I received a copy of this book in a promotion and am under no obligation to review it.
December 14, 2025
Exploration of important issues regarding AI and sentience. Intriguing adventure.
Tracy seems to understand how to introduce a concept without defining it, only to provide a full explanation much later in the story. An example is the 'mule' the team traveled to acquire.
Tracy seems to understand how to introduce a concept without defining it, only to provide a full explanation much later in the story. An example is the 'mule' the team traveled to acquire.
March 19, 2017
A truly wonderful space opera style sci fi adventure that you just gotta read, I could barely wait to flip to the next page on my tablet because it was so exciting of and adventure and journey.
December 5, 2021
3.5 stars. Not bad; the underlying story was interesting. Unfortunately, in the last 25% of the book the romance aspects of the story became too predominant for my taste.
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed Cat's connection with the ship's pilot Bedivere. Also, Cat's attempts to avoid capture by the Federation make a strong story
March 21, 2017
An absolutely glorious book! Cat Shahrazad has lived ages and Bedivere has been with her for 99 years out in the fringe of known space. Now they must travel to Federation space even though Cat is a wanted woman. This is an exciting, adventure story with just the right amount of romance! Five stars all the way!
September 12, 2018
It's rare that I go for sci-fi romance; this was in the bundle Sci-fi July Fever Funand the writing drew me in. The story gets to a slow start, but the various threads come together nicely. I liked the epic feel to the world-building too, which reminded more than once of Iain M. Banks' Against A Dark Background. There's a neat twist behind the romance - - and mysteries aplenty amongst the supporting cast, making it a good space opera too. I hope to check out the sequels at some point.
September 29, 2015
This is author Tracy Cooper-Posey's first run at writing one of her favorite reading, and seeing, genre's, SFR (Science Fiction Romance). It wasn't what I expected, mainly because of her time traveling and paranormal hot and sexy writings. I felt it took a little too long to get to the real SF part, but when it did, WHAM, BANG, THANK YOU MAM. It was a terrific, amazing, OMG could this really happen, surreal surprise. In retrospect it wasn't really slow it was just building the background so she could sock it to you later. I don't do spoilers and I'm sure they're plenty review's out there that you'd probably like better, but I don't want to know the storyline before I read a book I just want to know it's worth reading and how it made the reader feel. This is definitely worth reading and I'm really excited to see what other journeys this story can take us. Only thing I missed was the OMG sex from her usual stories, BUT this is not one of her usual stories and I believe the author wrote the romance the way in needed to go. I hope we will see more of these SFR adventures from the author in the near future. I'm ready BEAM ME UP SCOTTY.
February 11, 2017
Excellent Soul Searching Sci-fi............. Who knows where we will be with computers in several more years. Can computers become sentient? I do not know the answer, but I like the premise that Tracey has laid out. HAL, from 2001 A Space Odyssey, has always been one one of my favorite books. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves sci-fi, Danny Scott.
October 26, 2015
Wow! What a fantastic ride. Sign me up for the next voyage... Ship captain Cat and her navigator Bedivere are on their way into Federation Air Space after spending years in the outer fringes. Not only do they have to avoid Federation ship detection but bring on a new crew.
Take off on a journey through space. Find love, fight for your friends and find out whom your enemies really are in this science fiction romance that will keep you turning the page.
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!
I was given and ARC for an honest review.
Take off on a journey through space. Find love, fight for your friends and find out whom your enemies really are in this science fiction romance that will keep you turning the page.
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!
I was given and ARC for an honest review.
Read
January 21, 2017Intriguing concepts and a fantastic story with great characters who I want to see more of!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Tracy Cooper-Posey writes a rich story with imaginative concepts that challenge the reader's world! There was plenty of action and adventure whilst all the time you're reading you wonder what interesting surprises are going to unfold. I loved the characters and like any good book, I looked forward to finding out what happened next......queue the next in the series: Varkan Rise! And now I'm looking forward to Cat & Company.......
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Tracy Cooper-Posey writes a rich story with imaginative concepts that challenge the reader's world! There was plenty of action and adventure whilst all the time you're reading you wonder what interesting surprises are going to unfold. I loved the characters and like any good book, I looked forward to finding out what happened next......queue the next in the series: Varkan Rise! And now I'm looking forward to Cat & Company.......
February 21, 2016
Unbelievable-Tracy has given us yet another "can't put down" book
Often when an author decides to write in a genre that falls outside their usual milieu the results can be-to use an unfortunate pun-less than stellar. However, as always, Ms Cooper Posey has wowed us with four characters you feel as if you know intimately and who you want to follow well beyond the last page. Absolutely will not dissspoint!
Often when an author decides to write in a genre that falls outside their usual milieu the results can be-to use an unfortunate pun-less than stellar. However, as always, Ms Cooper Posey has wowed us with four characters you feel as if you know intimately and who you want to follow well beyond the last page. Absolutely will not dissspoint!
January 2, 2016
A series that looks very promising. An original debut in the Science Fiction Romance genre with a plot and exploration/creative use of science in fiction worthy of the genre.
Loved the surprises and I can't wait to see where the next books takes us.
Loved the surprises and I can't wait to see where the next books takes us.
July 17, 2016
Love it Tracy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews