Running Out of Space

Sunblinded #1

by S.J. Higbee

Elizabeth Wright has yearned to serve on the space merchant ship Shooting Star for as long as she can remember – until one rash act changes everything…

I can’t recall whose idea it was. Just that me and my shipmates were sick of wading through yet another unjust punishment detail. So we decide to take ourselves off on a short jaunt to the lower reaches of Space Station Hawking to prove that fertile English girls can also deal with danger.

The consequences of that single expedition change the lives of all four of us, as well as that of the stranger who steps in to save us down in lawless Basement Level. Now I have more excitement and danger than I can handle, while confronting lethal shipboard politics, kidnapping, betrayal. And murder.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2017

About the author

Born the same year as the Russians launched Sputnik, I confidently expected that by the time I reached adulthood, the human race would have a pioneer colony on the Moon and be heading off towards Mars. So I was at a loss to know what to do once I realised the Final Frontier wasn’t an option and rather lost my head - I tried a lot of jobs I didn’t like and married a totally unsuitable man.

Now I've finally come to terms with the fact that I’ll never leave Earth, I have a lovely time writing science fiction novels and teaching Creative Writing. I live in Littlehampton on the English south coast with a wonderful husband and a ridiculous number of books.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed author S. J. Higbee's blog for the last year, and while I'm not usually a fan of science-fiction, I decided to read one of her books this month. Sometimes it's less about the genre and more about the writing style or tone. I selected the first book, Running Out of Space, from her Sunblinded Trilogy, and read it over a few days this week on my Kindle. Let's jump into the review...

Lizzy and her girlfriends are aboard a spaceship traveling all around. Unfortunately, women aren't as valued as they should be; instead, they're often considered simply baby makers. It doesn't matter that Lizzy is strong and resourceful, she and her quickfire tongue and actions aren't always welcomed. Her true parentage doesn't even help make things easier, so the girl has got it rough at the beginning... but then things get worse -- a friend is killed in what looks to be a surprise attack battle. Except, not everything is as it seems. What's really going on here?

As Lizzy's fate unfolds, she's hurt physically and mentally by people she trusts or thinks she should trust. Lizzy also meets a guy who causes some new feelings to stir up, and he might not just think of her as a way to create a child. Unfortunately, their road to happiness doesn't last very long... it seems Lizzy is constantly barraged with pain and problems. She's a heroine you will feel tremendous things for, and along the path, you hope she finally finds a win. It's too early to discover if that will happen in the series, as the first book ends without knowing her future fate. I'm curious to learn what happens in the next two of this trilogy!

The aspect of this book that struck me the most was how well written it was... Higbee definitely has a mega grip on how to articulate what's going on inside Lizzy's mind and those around her... especially when the friend who was killed 'visits' Lizzy on many occasions after she's been killed. No spoilers here, you'll have to read it yourself to understand what I mean. From descriptions to dialog, the story's words really pop. I'd love to read a non-science-fiction book by Higbee, as I'm certain it would be a stellar match for me.

While the story and the characters were good, it was the writing in this one that which made the biggest impact on me. I'm confident science-fiction fans will absolutely love the plot and the futuristic feel of the book. I enjoyed it, but since this isn't a genre I normally read, some of it probably went over my head. Nonetheless, I kept finding myself intrigued to see how well crafted the book could continue to get. And it did. This just goes to prove... sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone to experience other new things. You might find something you like, just as I did. Kudos to Higbee for creating a wonderful book, series, and clever writing tone that kept this reader happy!

[The Captain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahoy me mateys! Grab your grog! Well, all ye scalawags should be familiar with Matey Sarah’s blog and wonderful book reviews. But some of ye may not be aware that she also be a writer. (What be wrong with ye wretches?) When the first book was published years ago in 2017, I bought me a copy. And then bought the next two in the trilogy as each was released. But shame on me, I didn’t read them right away. So with this Sci-Fi Month celebration, I thought I would finally give Matey’s Sarah’s work the time it deserves in return for all those sparkly treasures she be constantly adding to me ports for plunder list.

This novel follows Lizzy Wright whose dream has always been to join the naval officer training program. She serves on the merchant freighter, the Shooting Star under the command of her hard-nosed Captain who just happens to be her dad. But life in space is proving different from what she imagined so she and a group of friends decide to ditch their chaperones and sneak off the ship to visit the space station. What should be a fun little adventure turns into a big ol’ mess.

I have to admit that I was hesitant at first because ye get tossed right into the action on the station with little explanation and where insta-lust makes an appearance. It was a little hard to get me bearings and insta-lust tends to be a major turnoff. At the same time, I was quickly intrigued by the four girls’ situation and wanted to know what they were doing. Being naive, making a massive mistake, and getting caught is what.

Once the women are back on the ship, I began to get thoroughly engaged in Lizzy, life on the ship, and the craziness of the plot. I ended up growing to really like Lizzy. The plot be full of twists and turns and I was surprised over and over again. Plus the insta-lust actually evolved into a rather lovely romance with many unexpected consequences. Lizzy doesn’t always fight for what she wants and let’s others steamroll over her but her personal growth ends up being wonderful by the end of the novel. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with her next.

The two things I loved best about this book were the ship culture and the ship’s language. I can’t help but love ship life (Arrrr!). The ship’s crew are descended from the British empire. Space life is hard and has taken a toll on fertility, especially that of women. Being fertile is valued but women who can have children are treated as fragile and precious creatures to the detriment of their personal wants and needs. Rules, chaperones, and lack of agency abound. Of course Lizzy can have children but doesn’t want to. The shipboard politics of this issue was fascinating. The delight was increased when ye get to meet more of the fleet and see how other ships be run.

I can’t do the language of the ship justice but I will try. There is just enough slang in the language that it feels like English has evolved and speech patterns have changed. Yet ye still can guess what the words were derived from. Add in a bit of ship jargon and it made the language fun while still being understandable. I approve.

The minor negative for me is how some family abuse is handled. It isn’t explicit and makes sense in the context of the story but I was rather uncomfortable. I didn’t like how Lizzy treated her guilt over it. The story is still ongoing so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. I don’t know if, or how, it will dealt with in future books.

That aside, by the end I was very much wanting to know the future for Lizzy. She has matured and the set up for the next section be intriguing. Arrrr!

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running Out of Space is the first book in S.J. Higbee’s Sunblinded series. It’s one of those books where I’m a bit torn when it comes to giving a rating, as in the end I’d like to give a point-five-star rating. Therefore, even though I have given it a three-star rating, know it is more of a three-point-five star read.

In truth, I was a little bit unsure about whether or not I wished to read this one. A part of me was intrigued, but another part of me was unsure as to whether it was really for me. Although I enjoy a good science fiction read, I am very particular about the science fiction books I pick up. When it comes to finding new authors in the genre, I’m especially nervous. I have such a long list of expectations when it comes to science fiction, and I’m never sure whether all the boxes will be ticked.

Running Out of Space did tick many of my boxes, but at the same time I wasn’t completely happy with the story. I think the biggest issue I experienced occurred at the start of the story. We dive straight into the story, which is wonderful, but I never really felt as though I understood the world we were in. I’m a huge fan of world building, and what occurred within this story felt like too little too late. If the truth is to be known, I had to double check to make sure I was reading Running Out of Space and that I hadn’t accidentally picked up Dying for Space by mistake. I love it when books throw us right into the action, but it was far too long before I had a solid image of the world in my mind. By the end of the book, I still had some questions, but what I did understand I really enjoyed.

Another element I really enjoyed is how well everything in this story came together. I was fearful at times, as I was never entirely sure as to where the story was going. There were so many storylines that I found myself questioning what kind of science fiction book this was to be. There was drama on so many different levels, multiple different elements were introduced, and I wasn’t sure what the story was building towards. When things did come together, when everything was put together at the end, it was wonderful. There are more things than I could list introduced throughout this one, and they all came together so well. At times I felt as though it was a bit much for one book, but I really do appreciate the way everything came together.

It may not have been everything I had thought it would be, it may not have ticked all my boxes, but Running Out of Space was certainly an interesting introduction to the Sublinded series.

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this I found it kind of hard to connect and get involved in the story. It was slow going. But, I have to say this may be because of coming down from a book hangover or even my mood. I did have a bit of a book hangover before I started this one. So, I would never take stars off for my problems getting into it, because most likely it was not the failing of the author.

Elizabeth or Lizzy, as she is most commonly referred to, is a wonderful protagonist. My favorite kind actually, because though she is a strong person, she is also very real and flawed and weak at times. She is someone I feel I can truly relate to, I feel like I can step in to her character and live through her eyes as I read the book. I laughed with her, struggled with her, rolled my eyes, flushed my cheeks, fell in love, held back my tears, then cried them into my pillow with her. Lizzy was a character who went through so much, and came out of it with tremendous growth in a short period of time. I thought this book excelled in character development, which makes me happy because I’m totally a character driven reader.

As far as world building, I struggled a little with picturing the surroundings. And in science fiction world development is usually dominant, which can drive me crazy. I like to be able to picture the surroundings, but I don’t need to know all the technical details. Sometimes I felt myself able to picture things better than others. So, I’m not saying it’s non-existent here, but I would like to have had a little more.

But over all the book works. The strong characters really carry the book, especially Lizzy. I’m so glad I had that opportunity to be able to read it!! I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Mike Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full bodied S\F

Firmly set in a believable future (in the best tradition of "what if")a young woman discovers secrets about her life.

[Ashley Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

When I read read the blurb for Running Out of Space by S. J. Higbee I knew I wanted to be apart of the blog tour and review it. I am so glad I signed up to host! I really enjoyed this first installment of the Sunblinded trilogy.

I enjoy when a world is set in the future. It is always fun to see how the author sees it from their PoV. Running Out of Space is no different. The world is interesting and I can not wait to find out more as the series continues. I like the idea of traveling through space and landing at different places. It reminds me of a pirate novel of sorts, only set far into future. The cultures are also intriguing. They really come to life throughout the novel and are varying, but so different from anything we know.

Elizabeth Wright is a great main character. She is adventurous and brave. She is a leader whether she realizes it or not, and wants to go against what is expected of her to become an officer on a merchant ship. She is loyal to those she loves, and will do anything to protect them. Even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. Her family dynamics, and how she handles everything that gets tossed at really shows and defines her.


I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, futuristic, or sci-fi. It really is a fun read that kept me enthralled. I look forward to the character growth and discovering more about Elizabeth Wright's surroundings.

Find more of my reviews at Caught Reading Redheaded

[Rae Stoltenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action is full on from the very first page of this read. The majority of the story takes place onboard a spaceship run by an uncompromising military minded captain. There’s tension between characters from the get go as the feisty babes’ forbidden territory shore leave jaunt finds them in a very tight spot. As Lizzy is desperate to shrug off her fertile female label, be an officer and love whomever she pleases, there are echoes of The Handmaid’s Tale. Fertile women are essentially used as breeders and their value as anything else in society is discounted. The book tells the classic tale of corruption at the top.

Themes revolve around the desire for independence, the value of fertility, discrimination, domestic abuse and the misuse of power.

A good fast paced read with some uncomfortable issues as part of the plot. I’m invested in Lizzy now and would most definitely want to read more in the series.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this space opera. It's well-written and hard to put down once you start reading it. Lots of adventure, tense moments and good world building. Elizabeth is a great character. I like that she's self-confident and strong and that her first reaction is to defend those in trouble. However, she's a nuanced character because even though she's self-confident and even though she see's her own weaknesses she can still be blindsided by them. I can't wait to read more about her.

Full disclosure: I read and like Ms. Higbee's blog and have commented on her posts and that's where I found out about this book, but I bought the book at Amazon and this review tells how I felt about this book.

[Michael P Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Fast paced story with interesting characters. The life style on the ship's and the planet's work to help reader understand feeling of people.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to avoid science fiction books. Figured they’d be full of techie jargon I couldn’t get my mind around. Then I gave it a go and found some fun books, including this one by S.J. Higbee. She does a great job of making me feel comfortable and before I know it, I’m not thinking about genre. I’m thinking about the characters. The trouble they get themselves into. What’s waiting for me on the next page. And almost forgetting that this takes place in space.

So, yeah, four young ladies, Lizzy, Sonja, Jessica and Alisha, decide to prove their more than baby ovens and head into the forbidden and dangerous Basement Level on Space Station Hawking to prove they’re every bit as tough as the guys. This is where the action starts and keeps going all the way til the end.

With four main character’s, all of them girls, you’d think their voices would run together, but they don’t. They each have their own signature and you easily know who’s talking when. All are quite different in personality, have different strengths and weaknesses, and this actually makes them a strong team.

When they get into some serious trouble, a stranger steps in and helps them out. Yep, a male character, Wynn of the muscles and sky blue eyes, joins the team. Not so much by choice as by circumstance. This doesn’t mean the girls go all wimpy. They actually step up and become double tough when the danger gets really intense. His character made for some fun to lighten things up here and there. And while there’s a quick attraction between one of the girls and Wynn, it’s not the main focus of the story. And from the author’s description of Wynn, I wouldn’t blame any of the young ladies for swooning over him.

Reading this story was like getting a tour of the station. From bottom to top, each level is different. Some are nice and some are nasty, and I could easily picture much of it. Probably because of all the sci fi movies I watch. Good visual writing added to my enjoyment.

The author gave me plenty of action and intrigue and some genuine characters that are easy to tell apart. Solid science fiction fun. I see this is the first in a series and I’ll be waiting for more.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but depressing

Well written but found it too depressing. Reminded me a bit of Margaret Atwoods "The Handmaids Tale". Certainly conveys how trapped the main character is. Just too dark for my taste.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

If readers enjoy sci-fi and a powerful female lead character, this book hits the mark. Lizzy makes one reckless mistake, and her hopes to enter an officer-training program are dashed. But that’s not the end of her problems. She’s caught between competing forces who use her to solidify their power, and her plans to escape their clutches with the man she loves are repeatedly foiled. When things can’t get worse, they do.

The book starts with some love-struck romance (in the midst of some action), but the romance is background music as the main story takes off. Lizzy is a tough character, full of anger and impulsiveness. She has a hard time controlling her temper and tongue, but she’s justified and therefore sympathetic. Her story unfolds with a first-person point of view, and I was invested from the start, rooting for her when she suffered and cheering for her small victories and fiery personality. I found all of the characters consistent, authentic, and compelling, and the author does a nice job of holding back their secrets so there’s always a reason to turn the page.

This fast-paced book is both character-driven and plot-driven, and I enjoyed the balance. The world-building is complete, hard sci-fi with enough technical detail to be believable while not overwhelming the story. The plot belongs to Lizzy and her desire to escape those who are manipulating her, but there are larger political subplots working in the background that may rise to the surface in later books. The first book in a series, this ends at a transition point, but the story doesn’t conclude. It definitely invites a dive into book 2. Highly recommended.