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Tales From the Longview #1
Born From Fire
When love is crime, who will save the guilty?
MEET THE LONGVIEW - An Ancient Spaceship Resurrected To Transport Conspiracy
Inhabited by a crew of misfits fleeing nightmare pasts, with a cargo of Condemned slated to die at the hands of the highest bidders, and with a passenger roster made up exclusively of people NOT who they claim to be, The Longview serves the hidden agenda of an eccentric recluse bent on playing puppetmaster to all of Settled Space.
Author's note: This story was previously published as ENTER THE DEATH CIRCUS.
EPISODE 1: When love is crime, who will save the guilty?
After falling in love and fathering a child, a young criminal refuses to voluntarily throw himself into a lake of fire to gain his community's forgiveness. So he's sentenced to death and sold to the owner of a spaceship that buys criminals like him. But the ship and its crew are not quite what they appear to be.
MEET THE LONGVIEW - An Ancient Spaceship Resurrected To Transport Conspiracy
Inhabited by a crew of misfits fleeing nightmare pasts, with a cargo of Condemned slated to die at the hands of the highest bidders, and with a passenger roster made up exclusively of people NOT who they claim to be, The Longview serves the hidden agenda of an eccentric recluse bent on playing puppetmaster to all of Settled Space.
Author's note: This story was previously published as ENTER THE DEATH CIRCUS.
EPISODE 1: When love is crime, who will save the guilty?
After falling in love and fathering a child, a young criminal refuses to voluntarily throw himself into a lake of fire to gain his community's forgiveness. So he's sentenced to death and sold to the owner of a spaceship that buys criminals like him. But the ship and its crew are not quite what they appear to be.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2014
51 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Holly Lisle
99 books450 followersHolly Lisle has been writing fiction professionally since 1991, when she sold FIRE IN THE MIST, the novel that won her the Compton Crook Award for best first novel. She has to date published more than thirty novels and several comprehensive writing courses. She has just published WARPAINT, the second stand-alone novel in her Cadence Drake series.
Holly had an ideal childhood for a writer…which is to say, it was filled with foreign countries and exotic terrains, alien cultures, new languages, the occasional earthquake, flood, or civil war, and one story about a bear, which follows:
“So. Back when I was ten years old, my father and I had finished hunting ducks for our dinner and were walking across the tundra in Alaska toward the spot on the river where we’d tied our boat. We had a couple miles to go by boat to get back to the Moravian Children’s Home, where we lived.
“My father was carrying the big bag of decoys and the shotgun; I was carrying the small bag of ducks.
“It was getting dark, we could hear the thud, thud, thud of the generator across the tundra, and suddenly he stopped, pointed down to a pie-pan sized indentation in the tundra that was rapidly filling with water, and said, in a calm and steady voice, “That’s a bear footprint. From the size of it, it’s a grizzly. The fact that the track is filling with water right now means the bear’s still around.”
“Which got my attention, but not as much as what he said next.
” ‘I don’t have the gun with me that will kill a bear,’ he told me. ‘I just have the one that will make him angry. So if we see the bear, I’m going to shoot him so he’ll attack me. I want you to run to the river, follow it to the boat, get the boat back home, and tell everyone what happened.’
“The rest of our walk was very quiet. He was, I’m sure, listening for the bear. I was doing my damnedest to make sure that I remembered where the boat was, how to get to it, how to start the pull-cord engine, and how to drive it back home, because I did not want to let him down.
“We were not eaten by a bear that night…but neither is that walk back from our hunt for supper a part of my life I’ll ever forget.
“I keep that story in mind as I write. If what I’m putting on paper isn’t at least as memorable as having a grizzly stalking my father and me across the tundra while I was carrying a bag of delicious-smelling ducks, it doesn’t make my cut.”
You can find Holly on her personal site:
Hollylisle.com
You can find Cadence Drake, Holly's currently in-progress series, on her site:
CadenceDrake.com
You can find Holly's books, courses, writing workshops, and so on here:
The HowToThinkSideways.com Shop, as well as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in a number of bookstores in the US and around the world.
Holly had an ideal childhood for a writer…which is to say, it was filled with foreign countries and exotic terrains, alien cultures, new languages, the occasional earthquake, flood, or civil war, and one story about a bear, which follows:
“So. Back when I was ten years old, my father and I had finished hunting ducks for our dinner and were walking across the tundra in Alaska toward the spot on the river where we’d tied our boat. We had a couple miles to go by boat to get back to the Moravian Children’s Home, where we lived.
“My father was carrying the big bag of decoys and the shotgun; I was carrying the small bag of ducks.
“It was getting dark, we could hear the thud, thud, thud of the generator across the tundra, and suddenly he stopped, pointed down to a pie-pan sized indentation in the tundra that was rapidly filling with water, and said, in a calm and steady voice, “That’s a bear footprint. From the size of it, it’s a grizzly. The fact that the track is filling with water right now means the bear’s still around.”
“Which got my attention, but not as much as what he said next.
” ‘I don’t have the gun with me that will kill a bear,’ he told me. ‘I just have the one that will make him angry. So if we see the bear, I’m going to shoot him so he’ll attack me. I want you to run to the river, follow it to the boat, get the boat back home, and tell everyone what happened.’
“The rest of our walk was very quiet. He was, I’m sure, listening for the bear. I was doing my damnedest to make sure that I remembered where the boat was, how to get to it, how to start the pull-cord engine, and how to drive it back home, because I did not want to let him down.
“We were not eaten by a bear that night…but neither is that walk back from our hunt for supper a part of my life I’ll ever forget.
“I keep that story in mind as I write. If what I’m putting on paper isn’t at least as memorable as having a grizzly stalking my father and me across the tundra while I was carrying a bag of delicious-smelling ducks, it doesn’t make my cut.”
You can find Holly on her personal site:
Hollylisle.com
You can find Cadence Drake, Holly's currently in-progress series, on her site:
CadenceDrake.com
You can find Holly's books, courses, writing workshops, and so on here:
The HowToThinkSideways.com Shop, as well as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in a number of bookstores in the US and around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 11, 2019
Awesome
The background universe is strange and it fascinated me. The mystery behind the purpose of the Longview and its owner got my attention. The characters worked for me. The background is dark but is well written.
The execution process grossed me out and this is a society that definitely needs to be taken down. Characters being encouraged to kill themselves and the mindset of the prisoners that consider suicide is horrible. I want to see more of the forces that must oppose this twisted pact.
I agreed with every other reviewer, whether they were impressed by this universe or not so much. I think that reading one tale will be enough to decide if the series works for you.
The background universe is strange and it fascinated me. The mystery behind the purpose of the Longview and its owner got my attention. The characters worked for me. The background is dark but is well written.
The execution process grossed me out and this is a society that definitely needs to be taken down. Characters being encouraged to kill themselves and the mindset of the prisoners that consider suicide is horrible. I want to see more of the forces that must oppose this twisted pact.
I agreed with every other reviewer, whether they were impressed by this universe or not so much. I think that reading one tale will be enough to decide if the series works for you.
May 3, 2017
The novella has two points of view, "this criminal" and Kagen, a crew member on The Longview. The point of view of "this criminal" (that is literally what he is called in the narrative) gets annoying quickly. I want a point of view character to have a name. The story does eventually explain that he never felt a part of the We (a society in which individuality is discouraged) so he felt like his name We-39R was a lie, but then why didn't he come up with a name he secretly called himself before becoming a criminal?! His story ends abruptly after he is bought by The Longview and put in stasis. Since this is a series I'm guessing he must return in a later installment, but I don't really care if he does and his point of view felt unnecessary to me. All of the plot happens in Kagen's scenes.
Kagen isn't much better as a point of view character, however. Through his point of view we learn more about the horror of the We, and it becomes apparent that the We is a thinly veiled portrayal of a libertarian's nightmare society. It also involves *a lot* of violence against women for no apparent reason, including gratuitous gang rape. Kagen, meanwhile, is an idiot. He gets caught up in politics between an officer and his immediate superior, and with one tiny misstep becomes convinced that his career is over and acts rashly as a result. It made no sense why he jumped to such an extreme conclusion over a minor thing other than the fact that the plot required it.
The only reason I finished this is because it is so short. By the time I decided it was terrible I only had one chapter left so I figured I might as well read it, and maybe the ending would provide some sort of satisfying conclusion that would improve the story overall. It didn't.
Kagen isn't much better as a point of view character, however. Through his point of view we learn more about the horror of the We, and it becomes apparent that the We is a thinly veiled portrayal of a libertarian's nightmare society. It also involves *a lot* of violence against women for no apparent reason, including gratuitous gang rape. Kagen, meanwhile, is an idiot. He gets caught up in politics between an officer and his immediate superior, and with one tiny misstep becomes convinced that his career is over and acts rashly as a result. It made no sense why he jumped to such an extreme conclusion over a minor thing other than the fact that the plot required it.
The only reason I finished this is because it is so short. By the time I decided it was terrible I only had one chapter left so I figured I might as well read it, and maybe the ending would provide some sort of satisfying conclusion that would improve the story overall. It didn't.
May 14, 2016
Unique, Intelligent & a New Perspective in story presentation,
The presentation of this tale is different, but effective. When it ended I felt the need to know more. I enjoyed the story, but did not connect with the character the way I expected. It is highly intelligent and unique story presentation. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue. It makes you wonder about this world you are reading about.
She has just released the 2nd episode in this series, The Selling of Suzee Delight. It all falls together and rounds off this first episode by bringing a deeper glimpse into the character Kagen. With what I learned in this story and what I learn in the next episode I really start to relate with Kagen. The 2nd episode also really allows you to see inside and understand on a deeper level what the Death Circus truly is about.
Having read the big series Hunting The Corrigan's Blood book 1 and Warpaint Book 2, the short tales were not what I imagined, but by the time I read 2nd episode, I now think they are brilliant. I highly recommend these short tales, along with the bigger series for an introduction into this new and unique world.
Holly Lisle is also a writing teacher. I own all her course and they have made a world of difference in my own writing. I am so glad I found her, as a teacher and as a fiction writer. I am first a reader and always will be. In fact, I am a voracious reader always on the look out for the next good read and Holly delivers.
The presentation of this tale is different, but effective. When it ended I felt the need to know more. I enjoyed the story, but did not connect with the character the way I expected. It is highly intelligent and unique story presentation. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue. It makes you wonder about this world you are reading about.
She has just released the 2nd episode in this series, The Selling of Suzee Delight. It all falls together and rounds off this first episode by bringing a deeper glimpse into the character Kagen. With what I learned in this story and what I learn in the next episode I really start to relate with Kagen. The 2nd episode also really allows you to see inside and understand on a deeper level what the Death Circus truly is about.
Having read the big series Hunting The Corrigan's Blood book 1 and Warpaint Book 2, the short tales were not what I imagined, but by the time I read 2nd episode, I now think they are brilliant. I highly recommend these short tales, along with the bigger series for an introduction into this new and unique world.
Holly Lisle is also a writing teacher. I own all her course and they have made a world of difference in my own writing. I am so glad I found her, as a teacher and as a fiction writer. I am first a reader and always will be. In fact, I am a voracious reader always on the look out for the next good read and Holly delivers.
May 13, 2014
Enter the Death Circus is the first episode of a series of novellas, and it shows. While the story starts off with high stakes (political prisoners being marched off to death) and later hints at much more going on (the real purpose of the space ship and the mysterious owner), there isn't much to make the first installment very compelling on its own. It felt like a teaser instead of satisfying. While I liked the characters initially, it's strongly implied that they won't be around in future episodes, so I'm not sure who I should really be attached to. Also, there wasn't very much information about the actual ship or what it really does. In the end, it feels more like a prologue to a much longer story.
I hope future episodes of the series stand better on their own or provide more information to move the larger plot line along. But until more episodes are available to see what happens next, I'd advise readers to wait on this series.
I hope future episodes of the series stand better on their own or provide more information to move the larger plot line along. But until more episodes are available to see what happens next, I'd advise readers to wait on this series.
August 28, 2014
Recognizing that this is the first serial in a set of serials, I was able to greatly enjoy this. I think it ended in a great spot and still left me wanting to read the next portion. I'm glad this was required reading for Holly's course as it will be interesting to see where it goes and how it ties in with the course itself.
The story makes you think and hooks you in much faster than her previous works, and the style is unique. I absolutely loved reading this and am glad to see Episode II is out! I know what I'll be reading tonight!
The story makes you think and hooks you in much faster than her previous works, and the style is unique. I absolutely loved reading this and am glad to see Episode II is out! I know what I'll be reading tonight!
February 12, 2019
Very interesting concept.
Took me a while to get into it - the first section/chapter has an interesting cadence to it. But once I was used to it I was really engaged.
The problem was, as soon as I was really invested and the plot began to move, it stopped abruptly.
I mean, I know this is "part one", and I know it is an example developed for one of her courses, but I was a little disappointed not to get any resolution at all.
Took me a while to get into it - the first section/chapter has an interesting cadence to it. But once I was used to it I was really engaged.
The problem was, as soon as I was really invested and the plot began to move, it stopped abruptly.
I mean, I know this is "part one", and I know it is an example developed for one of her courses, but I was a little disappointed not to get any resolution at all.
January 31, 2017
A society in which planets are not allow to execute people, but instead sell them to space vessels called Death Circuses. This follows mostly one individual from a messed up society were not one is allowed to be an individual, but instead is part of the great We, with occasional flashes to another criminal from the same planet. We follow Kagen who works on one of these ships who's goal is to become a captain of this own ship. But, of course, problems arise.
Super interested to read more.
Super interested to read more.
April 26, 2017
It was decent.
It was a decent lead-in novel. I found the 'this criminal' chapters annoying to read with all the neologisms, but I can see why the author chose to write them that way. The novel's world is interesting and engaging. I found the love story to be very flat, especially since the story hinges on it being important enough to motivate Kagen. I'm intrigued by the ship's owner and what his whole deal is.
It was a decent lead-in novel. I found the 'this criminal' chapters annoying to read with all the neologisms, but I can see why the author chose to write them that way. The novel's world is interesting and engaging. I found the love story to be very flat, especially since the story hinges on it being important enough to motivate Kagen. I'm intrigued by the ship's owner and what his whole deal is.
February 21, 2017
Intense atmosphere and complex characters with unique world concepts make for an engrossing sci-fi. My only complaint is that it wasn't anywhere near long enough, but it's available for free via Holly Lisle's website as an introduction to the following novels in her settled space universe so I understand the purpose of the length. Loved it. Can't wait to read The Selling of Suzee Delight.
May 19, 2015
A concise, complete story, yes, but there was so much detail that I really wanted to see this as a longer work--perhaps even a full novel. I was left wanting to know more. Luckily, there are other entries in the series.
April 18, 2017
This story had me hooked from the very beginning. It's a fantastic introduction to a compelling science fiction universe -- I can hardly wait to read the other Longview "episodes" and the novel series (Cadence Drake) that's also set here.
September 5, 2017
Great first episode to this series! I found it a little heavy on the exposition, but the crew of The Longview and the setting of the world pulled me in. I'm intrigued, and I can't wait to learn more about the mysterious "owner."
January 9, 2018
Outside of What I I Usually Enjoy
Although short, the story became something I could just leave. I had to travel alongside its' character's for as long as they didn't volunteer for "forgiveness"
Although short, the story became something I could just leave. I had to travel alongside its' character's for as long as they didn't volunteer for "forgiveness"
April 20, 2014
I really enjoyed this novelette, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed the surreal atmosphere of this story. I look forward to the sequels!
April 19, 2017
I enjoyed the first book, and it does well in setting up the next books in the series. Holly Lisle is a superb world-builder, and has developed some well-rounded characters here.
October 10, 2018
Different...in a good way
I was expecting a Cadence adventure. I ended up with questions and the desire tI know more. On to the next one!
I was expecting a Cadence adventure. I ended up with questions and the desire tI know more. On to the next one!
January 10, 2024
Read this and part of Book 2 years back. Though I hadn't finished The Selling of Suzee Delight and had put the series on hold for so long, the writing, especially of the criminal's POV, had this story stuck to mind all this time. Now I'm in the mood to reread (and, hopefully, finish the series), and it's as interesting as I remember. It does feel like a prologue instead of a proper novella, but I don't mind so much. It does what I imagine it has been designed to do, which is get me hooked. My main critiques are:
1) that Kaden's relationship with the girl and the whole Melie-Mash thing aren't fleshed out enough for me to truly appreciate Kaden's actions at the end, which leads to
2) a meh payoff because it lacks the feels--the love, the desperation, the fear and relief.
Still a good read though, especially considering i'm not much of a sci-fi reader. The world-building, the tone, and the mysteries carried this story for me and has me looking forward to the rest.
P.S. I would be extremely disappointed if the criminal doesn't show up in any of the future installments.
1) that Kaden's relationship with the girl and the whole Melie-Mash thing aren't fleshed out enough for me to truly appreciate Kaden's actions at the end, which leads to
2) a meh payoff because it lacks the feels--the love, the desperation, the fear and relief.
Still a good read though, especially considering i'm not much of a sci-fi reader. The world-building, the tone, and the mysteries carried this story for me and has me looking forward to the rest.
P.S. I would be extremely disappointed if the criminal doesn't show up in any of the future installments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2020
I couldn't force myself to finish it. Very disappointed. 25% into the story and I still didn't care. The authors purposefully obscure writing didn't get my attention or suck me into the story. I spent most of my reading time with a scowl on my face. Such as "What?" "Who?" "Yeah, right..."
In the end, I abandoned the book to save myself further self-abuse and disappointment. I'm sure there was a bang-up ending, but I couldn't the leadup was too excruciating to endure. There are millions of better books out there.
In the end, I abandoned the book to save myself further self-abuse and disappointment. I'm sure there was a bang-up ending, but I couldn't the leadup was too excruciating to endure. There are millions of better books out there.
May 1, 2023
This felt short even for a novella and lacking any real point or plot. It felt more like the first two chapters of a full book - setup, yes. Things happened, yes. But no real message/theme or arc/change or actual substance to the plot.
As a teaser for a series of novellas, though, it worked well. I was intrigued by the world/universe being revealed and the characters and their mysteries, so I sped through this and straight onto the next in the series.
Rating: 3 stars - Disappointing in many ways, but also did its job in making me rush to the next in the series.
As a teaser for a series of novellas, though, it worked well. I was intrigued by the world/universe being revealed and the characters and their mysteries, so I sped through this and straight onto the next in the series.
Rating: 3 stars - Disappointing in many ways, but also did its job in making me rush to the next in the series.
June 20, 2017
This novella was not at all the story I thought it would be ... in a great way! The twists exceeded my expectations. I loved the dark atmosphere, the intrigue, and the subtext running throughout the story. I would definitely recommend it as a quick read before dipping into the world of Holly Lisle's incredible sci-fi stories.
March 5, 2019
Good short story
The storyline is strong with good characters making this a fun but different read. I hope this is not the future.
The storyline is strong with good characters making this a fun but different read. I hope this is not the future.
June 28, 2020
I loved reading this book; and I especially loved the characters. Looking forward to following more of their adventures through the rest of this series
June 5, 2022
The Longview is a spaceship operated by a mysterious "Owner" who uses it to transport criminals slated for execution. The story is told from two alternating viewpoints. One is one of the Longview crew, and the second is one of the prisoners. Between them, we start to get a glimpse of a cruel and unforgiving world where criminals are encouraged to commit suicide (by jumping into a lake of fire) in order to atone for their crimes. If they choose not to take the suicide option, they are shipped out on transports like the Longview to be sold to the highest bidders and executed in whatever way those bidders choose. The crew of the Longview themselves are all from less than perfect pasts, and are at the mercy of the owner, who is known to only the highest level members of the crew. It all sounds pretty mysterious, doesn't it?
And it is. The worldbuilding is decent, with enough detail to give you a handle on the society and how it functions, but leaving a lot to still be filled in. The characters are fairly well constructed, though it did take me a bit to get involved with them. The mystery of the Longview and her owner are intriguing and leave you wanting to know a lot more. The problem? This novella is most definitely a first in series. Not much is resolved by the end, and there are more questions than answers by the time you finish reading. It's not a huge problem since I purchased the full set of the Longview Chronicles at once, so there is no waiting for the next installment to publish. If that were not the case, I suspect I would be less pleased, as I generally like at least some conclusion in each part of a series.
There are good points here. The voices of the point of view characters, particularly the prisoner's, are unique. The world is, so far as we see here, pretty dark and grim. The reclusive owner of the Longview is wrapped in secrecy and makes you want to know who he is and why he is so private and secluded. So, yes, a lot to like, if you can get past the no real answers ending.
Overall, not a bad scifi novella. Once you get used to the interesting and different style of the point of view characters, it reads pretty quickly. If you like it, it most definitely will leave you wanting more right away.
And it is. The worldbuilding is decent, with enough detail to give you a handle on the society and how it functions, but leaving a lot to still be filled in. The characters are fairly well constructed, though it did take me a bit to get involved with them. The mystery of the Longview and her owner are intriguing and leave you wanting to know a lot more. The problem? This novella is most definitely a first in series. Not much is resolved by the end, and there are more questions than answers by the time you finish reading. It's not a huge problem since I purchased the full set of the Longview Chronicles at once, so there is no waiting for the next installment to publish. If that were not the case, I suspect I would be less pleased, as I generally like at least some conclusion in each part of a series.
There are good points here. The voices of the point of view characters, particularly the prisoner's, are unique. The world is, so far as we see here, pretty dark and grim. The reclusive owner of the Longview is wrapped in secrecy and makes you want to know who he is and why he is so private and secluded. So, yes, a lot to like, if you can get past the no real answers ending.
Overall, not a bad scifi novella. Once you get used to the interesting and different style of the point of view characters, it reads pretty quickly. If you like it, it most definitely will leave you wanting more right away.
May 17, 2014
This novella is required reading in one of Holly’s courses. I dreaded the assignment as space opera has done me wrong before. Yes, I’m talking about you Consider Phlebas. Alas, I could no longer put off the work and I sat down to slog through.
Things did not start off well. The first character’s POV is written in a kind of hybrid, genderless pronoun style. I trusted Lisle to know what she is doing, soldiered on and then she sucked me in.
What is The Owner going to do with all of those (spoiler) in the ship? I think he or she is building an (spoiler). Will Kagen be reunited with (spoiler)? Will Melie recover and work her way to the top? I need to know.
There’s lots of jargon and sci-fi world building - I know, I know it’s what true fans demand. Luckily, Lisle has delivered for those of us who care more about going on a ride with interesting folks than the type of ship carrying the folks around.
If this were a tv show, I would set my Aereo to record all new episodes.
Things did not start off well. The first character’s POV is written in a kind of hybrid, genderless pronoun style. I trusted Lisle to know what she is doing, soldiered on and then she sucked me in.
What is The Owner going to do with all of those (spoiler) in the ship? I think he or she is building an (spoiler). Will Kagen be reunited with (spoiler)? Will Melie recover and work her way to the top? I need to know.
There’s lots of jargon and sci-fi world building - I know, I know it’s what true fans demand. Luckily, Lisle has delivered for those of us who care more about going on a ride with interesting folks than the type of ship carrying the folks around.
If this were a tv show, I would set my Aereo to record all new episodes.
August 12, 2014
This is the first of a series of scifi short stories. I bought it as part of a writing course, however, I genuinely enjoyed it.
It starts out from the point of view of someone who has no personal identity. You quickly learn what kind of society produces such a non-individual and the simple, human need that labeled him a criminal. Along with many others like him, he's sold to a “Death Circus” and expects to die a horrible death, but things aren't quite as they seem on this particular space ship.
I read a lot of scifi and fantasy and often get bored with the standard characters, worldbuilding, and tropes. The thing I like about Holly Lisle's stories is how different they are from anything else out there.
It starts out from the point of view of someone who has no personal identity. You quickly learn what kind of society produces such a non-individual and the simple, human need that labeled him a criminal. Along with many others like him, he's sold to a “Death Circus” and expects to die a horrible death, but things aren't quite as they seem on this particular space ship.
I read a lot of scifi and fantasy and often get bored with the standard characters, worldbuilding, and tropes. The thing I like about Holly Lisle's stories is how different they are from anything else out there.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews