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Tanager #.5
Jade Star
Jade is determined to die. She is old, and useless, when she points her tiny subspace craft at the cold stars. She wakes up in the care of others who refuse to grant her death, and instead give her a new mission in life.
Jade isn't happy, and she only gets angrier when she learns that her mysterious new home hides a horrible secret. It's time for this old lady to kick butt and take names. Aliens, death, destruction... nothing trumps the fierce old woman who is protecting her family.
A Tanager Novella
Jade isn't happy, and she only gets angrier when she learns that her mysterious new home hides a horrible secret. It's time for this old lady to kick butt and take names. Aliens, death, destruction... nothing trumps the fierce old woman who is protecting her family.
A Tanager Novella
- GenresScience Fiction
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2016
About the author
Cedar Sanderson
130 books62 followersAuthor, illustrator, perennially inquisitive. Urban fantasy with pixies, cozy supernatural sleuthing, & sci-fi twists. Books & art at http://cedarwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 25, 2017
Steely Strength Tempered With Kindness
This reviewer decided to read “Jade Star (Tanager Book 0),” more a lengthy short story, rather than a novella, authored by Miss Cedar Sanderson, as a preview of her writing, prior to reading Book 1, “Tanager’s Fledglings.” It was a fortuitous decision.
The story finds the MC, “Jade,” the two-hundred (200) year old matriarch of an asteroid mining clan, at a place, where her ability to be consequential, have purpose in her life, has been removed by the physical, and at times, mental, infirmities of being very old. She has generations of family who love her, and who she loves, but the sense of loss-of her husband years earlier, her physicality, her mental acuity-has brought her to deep in an asteroid field, inside a junker craft (she didn’t want to needlessly waste a good ride), and a restful death under her terms. As Jade awakens, she discovers an alien species, thinking they were doing a good deed, have rescued her from death, and revitalized her body, bringing her back physically to a youthful place. She is not happy and embarks on a solo journey to decide what comes next.
Miss Sanderson writes exceedingly well, creating a character, Jade, that exhibits the natural steely strength of so many pioneers, children of the Great Depression, the Greatest Generation of WW II, and any farmer or homesteader. The strength, determination is always there, and the humor, the kindness tempers that steel (if you are open to see it).
There a few minor blips in the story, nothing worth mentioning in this review. If you enjoy character-driven stories, a good story, with a SciFi theme, this “novella” is highly recommended.
“Jade Star,” was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
This reviewer decided to read “Jade Star (Tanager Book 0),” more a lengthy short story, rather than a novella, authored by Miss Cedar Sanderson, as a preview of her writing, prior to reading Book 1, “Tanager’s Fledglings.” It was a fortuitous decision.
The story finds the MC, “Jade,” the two-hundred (200) year old matriarch of an asteroid mining clan, at a place, where her ability to be consequential, have purpose in her life, has been removed by the physical, and at times, mental, infirmities of being very old. She has generations of family who love her, and who she loves, but the sense of loss-of her husband years earlier, her physicality, her mental acuity-has brought her to deep in an asteroid field, inside a junker craft (she didn’t want to needlessly waste a good ride), and a restful death under her terms. As Jade awakens, she discovers an alien species, thinking they were doing a good deed, have rescued her from death, and revitalized her body, bringing her back physically to a youthful place. She is not happy and embarks on a solo journey to decide what comes next.
Miss Sanderson writes exceedingly well, creating a character, Jade, that exhibits the natural steely strength of so many pioneers, children of the Great Depression, the Greatest Generation of WW II, and any farmer or homesteader. The strength, determination is always there, and the humor, the kindness tempers that steel (if you are open to see it).
There a few minor blips in the story, nothing worth mentioning in this review. If you enjoy character-driven stories, a good story, with a SciFi theme, this “novella” is highly recommended.
“Jade Star,” was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
March 5, 2017
A novella that begins at the end of the main character's life is one that you know is going to take you for a bit of a spin. Jade Star succeeds in that regard with flying colors. Not being a long tale, it had somewhat of a twitchy start... meaning lots of things happened in a hurry. However, once you see where things are headed, you quickly become focused on the emotions of the main character.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this story was that I felt as if I ALREADY KNEW who Jade Star was. Don't ask me how, but I did. Because this is a novella length story (and on the short side of that range), there isn't a lot of time for character development and plot. I personally think it could be expanded somewhat to help with that, and to loosen some of the suddenness in the story shifts. Even so, it still works. You just have to be willing to accept the deep emotions of the main character and the few others in the story at face value to get the 'pulled-in' effects that I did. I found it easy to do myself, having read so much other fiction that I unconsciously filled in the unstated character motivations.
I enjoyed this read, and it left me wanting more of Jade Star and her universe. I guess I'll need to read Tanager's Fledglings when it comes out! I give this one 3.5 stars and call it a Grabbing Read.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this story was that I felt as if I ALREADY KNEW who Jade Star was. Don't ask me how, but I did. Because this is a novella length story (and on the short side of that range), there isn't a lot of time for character development and plot. I personally think it could be expanded somewhat to help with that, and to loosen some of the suddenness in the story shifts. Even so, it still works. You just have to be willing to accept the deep emotions of the main character and the few others in the story at face value to get the 'pulled-in' effects that I did. I found it easy to do myself, having read so much other fiction that I unconsciously filled in the unstated character motivations.
I enjoyed this read, and it left me wanting more of Jade Star and her universe. I guess I'll need to read Tanager's Fledglings when it comes out! I give this one 3.5 stars and call it a Grabbing Read.
July 20, 2017
Good science fiction space adventure, concerning a suicidal space miner rescued by aliens, rejuvenated, and returned later to human territory -- in the middle of a truly scary situation. A real page turner. I only wish it didn't end so soon; the second half doesn't really build to a climax, though it has a good ending.
May 10, 2017
I wish I had read this first. Otherwise it was another warm comfortable book. I really like Ms. Sanderson's writing
July 9, 2018
Excellent little novella. I loved Jade so much. So much awesome packed into such a small story. Now I need to go find the series this is Book 0 of.
And no, I am no relation to Ms. Sanderson.
And no, I am no relation to Ms. Sanderson.
February 18, 2025
Three short stories in a novella trenchcoat ... well, more like four. They connect together to form the back-story for Jade Star, a one of the characters in Ms. Sanderson's Tanager series. If you love the Tanager series, this is a must-have book for you. Who wouldn't want to find out more about the mysterious Jade?
For standalone consideration, the story still works and having a main character on the older side of things is fun. Jade doesn't have youthful fire and fight to escape and conquer, she has perseverance and consistency. Whatever path she takes, once chosen, will be fully walked until the end. No matter how devastating or painful. The years under her belt have shown her quickly done can be quickly undone, best be solve the problem once and for all. Take the time to do it right so you don't have to waste time redoing it.
Everyone should be able to hold up a mirror of fiction and see themselves, including older women.
The four short stories are: aliens to the rescue, something is rotten in Termine station (I love space station stories for mysteries and thriller, the limited options are claustrophobic), an annoying mess to clean up and hope nothing is tracked out, and emotional backdrop for Jade to figure how to approach the rest of her life. Yes, there are eleven chapters, but these are the stories within - each with their own plot and build.
The annoying mess is the weakest of the four stories. I'm thinking the glitches in the story are either from Jade lying to herself emotionally about the actions she took or the results of the "downtime" she had in the medical bed afterwards messing with recent memory incorporation. I would have liked the story to be clearer but still equally vague (if that makes sense; I know it doesn't, but it might after you read it). I would call this particular short story Poison Ivy - because it is like clearing poison ivy in the yard, and making sure none of the oils transfer to your clothes, hands, or other people.
The string of stories work well as a character sketch for Jade Star, and is satisfactory as a standalone collection novella showing the character's emotional arc from reaching the point to take a scooter out into the black to taking a spaceship out into the black.
For standalone consideration, the story still works and having a main character on the older side of things is fun. Jade doesn't have youthful fire and fight to escape and conquer, she has perseverance and consistency. Whatever path she takes, once chosen, will be fully walked until the end. No matter how devastating or painful. The years under her belt have shown her quickly done can be quickly undone, best be solve the problem once and for all. Take the time to do it right so you don't have to waste time redoing it.
Everyone should be able to hold up a mirror of fiction and see themselves, including older women.
The four short stories are: aliens to the rescue, something is rotten in Termine station (I love space station stories for mysteries and thriller, the limited options are claustrophobic), an annoying mess to clean up and hope nothing is tracked out, and emotional backdrop for Jade to figure how to approach the rest of her life. Yes, there are eleven chapters, but these are the stories within - each with their own plot and build.
The annoying mess is the weakest of the four stories. I'm thinking the glitches in the story are either from Jade lying to herself emotionally about the actions she took or the results of the "downtime" she had in the medical bed afterwards messing with recent memory incorporation. I would have liked the story to be clearer but still equally vague (if that makes sense; I know it doesn't, but it might after you read it). I would call this particular short story Poison Ivy - because it is like clearing poison ivy in the yard, and making sure none of the oils transfer to your clothes, hands, or other people.
The string of stories work well as a character sketch for Jade Star, and is satisfactory as a standalone collection novella showing the character's emotional arc from reaching the point to take a scooter out into the black to taking a spaceship out into the black.
May 29, 2025
After living a long life (200 years!) Jade is ready to join her husband who died years ago. Taking a small ship out to an asteroid belt, she fully expects to die peacefully. Instead, she is rescued by an alien species that thinks they are helping by rejuvenating her. Now she's young again, and not happy about it. Her mind is still 200 years old.
I admire the way the end of Jade's life was handled. It felt realistic, and was written with sensitivity. I felt such compassion for Jade for the entire book. Once she leaves the aliens, she's dropped into a scary situation, where she learns some things about her situation that's not welcome.
The story can be divided into three sections so the pacing was a bit choppy, but the book was compelling, and I like the writing style. I will be reading more by this author.
I admire the way the end of Jade's life was handled. It felt realistic, and was written with sensitivity. I felt such compassion for Jade for the entire book. Once she leaves the aliens, she's dropped into a scary situation, where she learns some things about her situation that's not welcome.
The story can be divided into three sections so the pacing was a bit choppy, but the book was compelling, and I like the writing style. I will be reading more by this author.
February 2, 2019
Nice addition to the series
I enjoyed the look at Jade's past. It fills in details of past events that are referenced in Tanager 1. Jade's contact with two alien races is explained, as well. The rescuers are sure to be seen again. The hive mind is scary creepy and definitely best eliminated from the universe.
It also added to my sense of the size of human space. She continues to treat the characters as real, if sometimes very odd people. I like her writing.
I enjoyed the look at Jade's past. It fills in details of past events that are referenced in Tanager 1. Jade's contact with two alien races is explained, as well. The rescuers are sure to be seen again. The hive mind is scary creepy and definitely best eliminated from the universe.
It also added to my sense of the size of human space. She continues to treat the characters as real, if sometimes very odd people. I like her writing.
November 4, 2024
Engaging short novel from a great story teller.
An old woman heads out to her death, and finds an alien adventure. Rebirth, challenges, and great world-building. Deft dialogue adds to the charm.
Cedar Sanderson is shaping up to be our generation's Andre Norton. Not everything will be precisely to every reader's tase, but the stories are consistently fantastic.
Still banned on Amazon for crimethink, so hoping the review makes it through to Goodreads
An old woman heads out to her death, and finds an alien adventure. Rebirth, challenges, and great world-building. Deft dialogue adds to the charm.
Cedar Sanderson is shaping up to be our generation's Andre Norton. Not everything will be precisely to every reader's tase, but the stories are consistently fantastic.
Still banned on Amazon for crimethink, so hoping the review makes it through to Goodreads
August 19, 2025
Jade wanted to end her life on her own terms. She had outlived her husband & family. But before she expired out in deep space, she was rescued by aliens.
Given a new lease on life (no matter that she had not wanted it), much adventure ensues!
Highly recommended for all space opera fans and adventure fans!
Given a new lease on life (no matter that she had not wanted it), much adventure ensues!
Highly recommended for all space opera fans and adventure fans!
September 7, 2025
Beautifully written story
Plucky heroine with a moral compass. Loves good humans and furry animals. Recommend reading it after the Tanager Fledgelings. Cedar has a gift to make you care about her characters.
Plucky heroine with a moral compass. Loves good humans and furry animals. Recommend reading it after the Tanager Fledgelings. Cedar has a gift to make you care about her characters.
September 18, 2022
This is a very readable novella that works on its own, even though it's actually part of an existing series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews