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Open Skies
Partners for seven years, Ilsa and Kai are the best Professional Finders in the business. There's nothing they can't track down, no matter how hazardous the path or unfamiliar the star system.
Eleazar Dantes isn't the first client to hire them to locate lost family, but he is the most unpleasant. For double their usual fee, though, Kai and Ilsa will tolerate a lot—even Dantes' insistence that he tag along on the investigation. A high stakes hunt is no time for distractions. When Kai realizes his true feelings for Ilsa, his timing couldn't be worse.
Because as the trail they follow grows more dangerous, Kai and Ilsa begin to doubt they'll find Eleazar's missing daughter alive.
Eleazar Dantes isn't the first client to hire them to locate lost family, but he is the most unpleasant. For double their usual fee, though, Kai and Ilsa will tolerate a lot—even Dantes' insistence that he tag along on the investigation. A high stakes hunt is no time for distractions. When Kai realizes his true feelings for Ilsa, his timing couldn't be worse.
Because as the trail they follow grows more dangerous, Kai and Ilsa begin to doubt they'll find Eleazar's missing daughter alive.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2016
109 people want to read
About the author
Yolande Kleinn
63 books36 followersYolande Kleinn is a shameless dreamer, a stubborn optimist, and a purveyor of erotic romance. Excitable, fastidious and just a little eclectic, she spends every spare moment writing the stories she wants to read. If she can drag other people into the pool along with her, then so much the better.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 10, 2016
I saw two books listed on NetGalley, and what interested me was that they were asexual and aromantic LGBTQIA stories. I read a lot of mainstream genres and titles, but I’d never refuse to try a book based on the fact that the author was a member of a particular group, religion, or class. I’ve tried a few LGBTQIA in the past, and there seems to be a lot of erotic LGBTQIA stories, that, like their hetero-normative counterparts are real turn-offs for me. I was intrigued to read a sci-fi LGBTQIA story, and Open Skies is an excellent look at sci-fi and LGBTQIA, although I think Open Skies is an excellent story even without the LGBTQIA label.
First things first. Yolande Kleinn does such an excellent job writing the asexual character of Ilsa, and the awkwardness of Kai in response to his feelings for her, I can feel the tension, and I think for a moment I can empathize with asexual people in the same situation.
But the asexual Ilsa is by no means the crux of this story. She just happens to be a character that is asexual. I think that there are a lot of people out there that would give a book labeled as LGBTQIA a chance, but they fear being preached at. Open Skies puts sexuality out there and lets both the reader and the characters just deal with it. No preaching. No attempts at the sinister recruiting or conversions so many people seem to be afraid of. Just. Good. Sci-fi.
And sci-fi allows us to tackle uncomfortable topics under the guise of being on an alien planet far, far away. Star Trek did it in the 60s, and again in the 80s. Questions of racism, sexism, humanism, and the persecution of persons different from the “norm” are why I love science fiction. We can empathize with these characters while they go about their lives doing the things we wish we could do. Gunfight with lasers? Hell, yeah.
As far as sci-fi tropes are concerned, Open Skies is not anything new. There were a few curveballs. Some I predicted, some I did not. When an author can trick me, I love it. The story did feel slow in the beginning, and the pace wasn’t as fast as a lot of sci-fi adventures, but the writing is superb.
I saw that Yolande Kleinn has a few stories published, and I would be interested in other works, especially if those stories are on par with this solid four-star read.
First things first. Yolande Kleinn does such an excellent job writing the asexual character of Ilsa, and the awkwardness of Kai in response to his feelings for her, I can feel the tension, and I think for a moment I can empathize with asexual people in the same situation.
But the asexual Ilsa is by no means the crux of this story. She just happens to be a character that is asexual. I think that there are a lot of people out there that would give a book labeled as LGBTQIA a chance, but they fear being preached at. Open Skies puts sexuality out there and lets both the reader and the characters just deal with it. No preaching. No attempts at the sinister recruiting or conversions so many people seem to be afraid of. Just. Good. Sci-fi.
And sci-fi allows us to tackle uncomfortable topics under the guise of being on an alien planet far, far away. Star Trek did it in the 60s, and again in the 80s. Questions of racism, sexism, humanism, and the persecution of persons different from the “norm” are why I love science fiction. We can empathize with these characters while they go about their lives doing the things we wish we could do. Gunfight with lasers? Hell, yeah.
As far as sci-fi tropes are concerned, Open Skies is not anything new. There were a few curveballs. Some I predicted, some I did not. When an author can trick me, I love it. The story did feel slow in the beginning, and the pace wasn’t as fast as a lot of sci-fi adventures, but the writing is superb.
I saw that Yolande Kleinn has a few stories published, and I would be interested in other works, especially if those stories are on par with this solid four-star read.
August 10, 2020
I was *just* thinking it would be nice to see some representation for aces* in the form of finding their QPP/QPR.** You know, a romance for me, even though I'm aro/ace.*** I feel like this is a bit of a spoiler but everyone else talking about it openly so I guess not. I would mention that some might argue that Ilsa is actually demi-romantic or even fully romantic, but I think if we asked her she would define as aro.
As a story...well the universe was interesting and the idea of private investigators was interesting and then it kind of rushed at the end. We're not going to have any reckoning with having completely misjudged the situation? We're not going to talk about why Ilsa thought the transfers weren't from Abigail any more? It didn't wrap well because it got distracted by resolving the other plot. I think that's either needing a better editor or just the skill that comes with practice. I'd love to see more in this universe.
The AVEN website is a great place to read up if you want to learn more about us.
*aces= asexual people
**Queer Platonic Partner/Queer Platonic Relationship
***Aromantic Asexual
As a story...well the universe was interesting and the idea of private investigators was interesting and then it kind of rushed at the end. We're not going to have any reckoning with having completely misjudged the situation? We're not going to talk about why Ilsa thought the transfers weren't from Abigail any more? It didn't wrap well because it got distracted by resolving the other plot. I think that's either needing a better editor or just the skill that comes with practice. I'd love to see more in this universe.
The AVEN website is a great place to read up if you want to learn more about us.
*aces= asexual people
**Queer Platonic Partner/Queer Platonic Relationship
***Aromantic Asexual
February 26, 2016
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/02/2...
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publishing Date: March 2016
ISBN:9781620047224
Genre: SciFi
Rating: meh/5.0
Publishers Description: Partners for seven years, Ilsa and Kai are the best Professional Finders in the business. There’s nothing they can’t track down, no matter how hazardous the path or unfamiliar the star system.
Review: Kai is a love struck human that has the hots for his investigative partner, Ilsa, a cold robotic girl that likes her space and no attachments. This was a pretty solid read. Average characters that seemed to develop with the movement, aliens here and there and a mystery girl who disappeared during the wars.
Kai’s (why are all female authors naming their hunky men Kai?) relationship with Ilsa can only develop over successive novels as it really didn’t go anywhere in this one. That’s a good thing, as it didn’t dominate the early stages of the novel. While this was a solid read, it was average in complexity (mystery, alien interaction) and the no-love romance started to take storyline down drivel lane. Reader heartstrings are best pulled when the seeming dissolution of a relationship is rendered bare with the longing that loss creates….by both parties. This didn’t quite fulfill the reunion of kindred spirits but hints at more to come.
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publishing Date: March 2016
ISBN:9781620047224
Genre: SciFi
Rating: meh/5.0
Publishers Description: Partners for seven years, Ilsa and Kai are the best Professional Finders in the business. There’s nothing they can’t track down, no matter how hazardous the path or unfamiliar the star system.
Review: Kai is a love struck human that has the hots for his investigative partner, Ilsa, a cold robotic girl that likes her space and no attachments. This was a pretty solid read. Average characters that seemed to develop with the movement, aliens here and there and a mystery girl who disappeared during the wars.
Kai’s (why are all female authors naming their hunky men Kai?) relationship with Ilsa can only develop over successive novels as it really didn’t go anywhere in this one. That’s a good thing, as it didn’t dominate the early stages of the novel. While this was a solid read, it was average in complexity (mystery, alien interaction) and the no-love romance started to take storyline down drivel lane. Reader heartstrings are best pulled when the seeming dissolution of a relationship is rendered bare with the longing that loss creates….by both parties. This didn’t quite fulfill the reunion of kindred spirits but hints at more to come.
September 18, 2020
4.5
Repeated "more than friends" and some plot things lessened enjoyment a bit, but the few last conversations/arguments between both MCs were very much some of the things i've wanted to read between an aroace MC (Ilsa) and an allo MC (Kai) trying to navigate (sometimes painfully) their (platonic/queerplatonic) relationships.
Repeated "more than friends" and some plot things lessened enjoyment a bit, but the few last conversations/arguments between both MCs were very much some of the things i've wanted to read between an aroace MC (Ilsa) and an allo MC (Kai) trying to navigate (sometimes painfully) their (platonic/queerplatonic) relationships.
May 13, 2016
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
3.5 Stars - So, I am giving Open Skies 3.5 stars for its sci-fi adventure content. It was filled with a variety of alien life and they were constantly on the move though the story wasn’t action packed. There weren’t a lot of technology details other than the mention they were on space ships, but I still felt like I could envision the world. I found the hunt for Dantes’s daughter interesting and the resulting conclusion satisfying.
I am not, however, rating its asexual, aromantic, queerplatonic plot line as I don’t feel qualified to do so, but I will comment on my feelings. While I could see Kai’s feelings coming, I wasn’t sure how Ilsa’s asexuality would be handled. I, myself, have questions when it comes to asexuality and how they relate in companion relationships with sexual orientated individuals when those individuals develop a romantic interest in the asexual person; which is part of the reason why I read this book. I still have questions.
I don’t feel that the story was enhanced in any way by Ilsa and Kai’s change of relationship. They had a good solid partnership. In a romance novel, that would grow to romantic love and they would be even closer. That couldn’t happen here. The romantic feelings could only ruin a good partnership and the solution at the end didn’t feel like it could work long term to me. It left me feeling unsettled. Was that because I can’t categorize the book? It had more feelings than a straight sci-fi normally would and yet it wasn’t a romance. I don’t know.
I think the conclusion I reached was that this wasn’t the book for me. It may be for you.
3.5 Stars - So, I am giving Open Skies 3.5 stars for its sci-fi adventure content. It was filled with a variety of alien life and they were constantly on the move though the story wasn’t action packed. There weren’t a lot of technology details other than the mention they were on space ships, but I still felt like I could envision the world. I found the hunt for Dantes’s daughter interesting and the resulting conclusion satisfying.
I am not, however, rating its asexual, aromantic, queerplatonic plot line as I don’t feel qualified to do so, but I will comment on my feelings. While I could see Kai’s feelings coming, I wasn’t sure how Ilsa’s asexuality would be handled. I, myself, have questions when it comes to asexuality and how they relate in companion relationships with sexual orientated individuals when those individuals develop a romantic interest in the asexual person; which is part of the reason why I read this book. I still have questions.
I don’t feel that the story was enhanced in any way by Ilsa and Kai’s change of relationship. They had a good solid partnership. In a romance novel, that would grow to romantic love and they would be even closer. That couldn’t happen here. The romantic feelings could only ruin a good partnership and the solution at the end didn’t feel like it could work long term to me. It left me feeling unsettled. Was that because I can’t categorize the book? It had more feelings than a straight sci-fi normally would and yet it wasn’t a romance. I don’t know.
I think the conclusion I reached was that this wasn’t the book for me. It may be for you.
February 29, 2016
I found this book difficult to get into. I picked it up and put it down so many times. It is very slow paced, no real intensity. It seemed to drag and I ended up skim reading. I was happy with the ending, but if your looking for a fast paced, action packed book that gets you all hot and bothered, sitting on the edge of the seat, this book isn't for you.
However if you like a good story plot, that has a touch of romance, a few curveballs, this book may be for you.
This book was given to me by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
However if you like a good story plot, that has a touch of romance, a few curveballs, this book may be for you.
This book was given to me by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 2, 2024
Kai and Isla are professional finders who never turn down anyone desperate to reunite with lost family members after the war. They aren't as confident that taking a job from a rich business mogul will work in their favor, but they give it a try and are soon using their considerable information gathering skills to track his missing daughter across planets and moons.
This book clearly has asexual representation, so that's good. I myself have been in positions of having to remind folks that I'm not interested in their idea of a romantic partnership, and sometimes it's almost as hard as Isla and Kai's conversation in this book. The plot is just OK, and it really isn't aided by the meandering prose. The narration has a ridiculous fondness for describing the insignificant and explaining anything that might not be immediately obvious. This is a shame because if you take out the tedious telling bits, the dialogue is well-crafted and the subtext clever. The copyediting was well done, but I wish this book had seen an editor who knew how to create concise, pointed narration. This book was more pleasant to skim than it was to read.
This book clearly has asexual representation, so that's good. I myself have been in positions of having to remind folks that I'm not interested in their idea of a romantic partnership, and sometimes it's almost as hard as Isla and Kai's conversation in this book. The plot is just OK, and it really isn't aided by the meandering prose. The narration has a ridiculous fondness for describing the insignificant and explaining anything that might not be immediately obvious. This is a shame because if you take out the tedious telling bits, the dialogue is well-crafted and the subtext clever. The copyediting was well done, but I wish this book had seen an editor who knew how to create concise, pointed narration. This book was more pleasant to skim than it was to read.
May 6, 2016
This is an enjoyable space novella giving us a glimpse of a galactic civilisation in which many spacefaring species coexist, for the most part peacefully but echoes of a great war can still be heard. The story takes us to terraformed planets and space stations and domed habitats, travelling in severely cramped conditions, much as the poorest passengers in the transatlantic liners must have done a century ago.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't really show us the magnificence of space. The picture painted is a dull and often claustrophobic one. We don't get to see stars and planets and space stations out of the windows of the starships. At one point, we see the curves of what is presumably a rotating wheel space station (I'm a big fan of those) but don't get to go 'Wow!' at the sight of fields and forests (if any).
Maybe it's a deliberate comment on the way air travel on our present-day Earth has lost almost all excitement, becoming merely a logistics exercise, a sardine's trip through a processing plant - but where's the fun in that.
The writing is good, but it's a strange concept for a book: it's a private detective story, a science fiction story, and a romance/aromance all rolled into one. I'm not one to complain about mixing genres, but I find it a little distracting to read science fiction where the two main characters are often more focussed on each other than the main plot.
By and large it works. I just wish Ilsa had more emotional colour. The only emotions we're shown are her concerns and feelings for Kai. Otherwise, like the universe she inhabits, there may be joyful colours there, but the reader never gets to see them.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't really show us the magnificence of space. The picture painted is a dull and often claustrophobic one. We don't get to see stars and planets and space stations out of the windows of the starships. At one point, we see the curves of what is presumably a rotating wheel space station (I'm a big fan of those) but don't get to go 'Wow!' at the sight of fields and forests (if any).
Maybe it's a deliberate comment on the way air travel on our present-day Earth has lost almost all excitement, becoming merely a logistics exercise, a sardine's trip through a processing plant - but where's the fun in that.
The writing is good, but it's a strange concept for a book: it's a private detective story, a science fiction story, and a romance/aromance all rolled into one. I'm not one to complain about mixing genres, but I find it a little distracting to read science fiction where the two main characters are often more focussed on each other than the main plot.
By and large it works. I just wish Ilsa had more emotional colour. The only emotions we're shown are her concerns and feelings for Kai. Otherwise, like the universe she inhabits, there may be joyful colours there, but the reader never gets to see them.
February 6, 2017
This is part of the Solitary Travelers series, stand-alone fiction featuring asexual and/or aromantic main characters. Kai and Ilsa are excellent private investigators, and they're willing to bend their rules when they're offered double the usual fee by a rich businessman. But as they hunt down the trail of his long-lost daughter, they find themselves out of their personal and professional depth.
Sadly, this one didn't really work for me. The prose is passable at best, the plot is plodding and the ingredients for a good mystery/thriller are largely ignored. It's a shame, because in the end it left everything feeling skimpy - world-building, character-building, and plot - and this reduced the impact of the personal story for me.
Plus points for emphasising that being asexual/aromantic doesn't mean a person has no emotional ties; the harsh look at how difficult this can be feels authentic and was my favourite part of the book (although I'll be interested to hear reviews from people with personal experience). However, this isn't enough to make me recommend this to others or seek out other work by the author.
Full review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly, this one didn't really work for me. The prose is passable at best, the plot is plodding and the ingredients for a good mystery/thriller are largely ignored. It's a shame, because in the end it left everything feeling skimpy - world-building, character-building, and plot - and this reduced the impact of the personal story for me.
Plus points for emphasising that being asexual/aromantic doesn't mean a person has no emotional ties; the harsh look at how difficult this can be feels authentic and was my favourite part of the book (although I'll be interested to hear reviews from people with personal experience). However, this isn't enough to make me recommend this to others or seek out other work by the author.
Full review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2016
A different ending from what you might expect. The story starts as an action adventure. The two main characters have been partners for quite some time. Something happens to change the dynamic between the two and the story takes a new turn. A very fun read with an interesting conclusion.
April 28, 2024
Excellent story! I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say what typical things aren't in this story, but this author delivered a perfect gem as usual!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews