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Interstellar Hereafter #1
Reshaping Eliza
One gutted Earth, a dying damsel and a ship full of bionic heroes. And these are just the opening credits...
Eliza Ross seems unable to catch a break.
To begin with, Earth is invaded and there’s no stopping to the spree of human-snatching.
Then, just as she thinks she’s evaded capture and everything will revert to normal, the aliens decide to bomb the entire planet on their way out.
Against all odds, she survives. And thus, she finds herself on an alien starship belonging to The Union Of The Dozen Races. Here, she learns she must pay the price of her rescue with an experiment and this leads to further otherworldly discoveries, her new Rendition friend being chief among them.
But soon, danger finds her again and forces her to flee to another home among the stars. Ironically, a different sort of trial awaits for her participation in this new world.
The first installment in the Interstellar Hereafter series, a story about true loss and unforeseen friendship, about change and strength, about overcoming displacement and the worthiness of second chances.
A/N: Science fiction adventure romance (non-erotic), with space opera and fantasy elements. The heroine is human (and a bit daffy); the hero is most definitely not human (and somewhat of a jerk). HEA.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2018
14 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Rhea V. May
8 books13 followersRhea has once swooped down on a winged sea serpent and defeated a giant with one clean stroke of her mighty sword. She has scaled spires as tall as mountains and skipped across roofs at breakneck speeds. She has traveled to another galaxy inside a soap bubble and ate fluffy marshmallows with a bunch of aliens.
She has...
No, not really.
But she is (and always be) a storyteller. Because whenever she feels lost, stories are what she needs to bounce back. To that end, she finally committed to putting her mind’s designs to paper. And with each story, she reclaims a little more of her real self.
Rhea also likes lists, cats, and coffee. She abhors lies, tardiness, and steadfast seriousness.
She has...
No, not really.
But she is (and always be) a storyteller. Because whenever she feels lost, stories are what she needs to bounce back. To that end, she finally committed to putting her mind’s designs to paper. And with each story, she reclaims a little more of her real self.
Rhea also likes lists, cats, and coffee. She abhors lies, tardiness, and steadfast seriousness.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 9, 2019
Clean, good scifi romance
I really appreciated that this book was free of porn. It had an interesting story line and characters. It needs some editing and review in order to be one of the best, but a decent first book. Hopefully, she continues on with the series.
I really appreciated that this book was free of porn. It had an interesting story line and characters. It needs some editing and review in order to be one of the best, but a decent first book. Hopefully, she continues on with the series.
December 2, 2018
Reshaping Eliza is a very good sci-fi/ romance novel, very complex in details and great portrayal of a post-apocalyptic population and their need to survive. Eliza is an adventurer, she's always decided to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and her kindness and humanity is displayed even in the worst scenarios.
I loved how the author created the different species, and I want to know more about the Renditions, who seemed more like A.I. to other people, but who also had feelings no one thought of.
Every person's name in Karssian planet was carefully chosen and you could almost believe that, geographically, that planet exists.
It's a good, easy read, and I enjoyed all those extended possibilities of other worlds.
I loved how the author created the different species, and I want to know more about the Renditions, who seemed more like A.I. to other people, but who also had feelings no one thought of.
Every person's name in Karssian planet was carefully chosen and you could almost believe that, geographically, that planet exists.
It's a good, easy read, and I enjoyed all those extended possibilities of other worlds.
December 5, 2020
It's the end of the world as we know it...
Eliza watched ships zip in and steal humans. Round, after round of ships. Humans disappeared by the millions, never to be seen again. Days, weeks, this happened. Humans trying to hide, humans being taken away. And then one day the last dregs were being penned like livestock. And then the ships disappeared, the aliens were all gone, the pens no longer functional. So they ran. Because while the invaders had left, they decided to burn the world down behind them. The entire sky was burning, sinking lower, the remaining humans tried hiding in underground parking lots or anywhere else they could. Eliza's last glimpse of Earth was fire and pain. When she wakes up only tired, confusion sets in. The discovery of aliens means the spaceship she's on doesn't bring confusion, and the lack of pain means it probably isn't the thieves. The Renditions, though, they're something else, totally.
Spoilers ahead.
While good, this lacked something. Soul? The ideas were all there, and readers are immediately hooked with destruction, fire, and the panic humans are feeling. Then placidity on the Rendition ship while the other humans are rescued and healed. Why did she never ask to speak to the other rescues? She throws all in with the Renditions, hugs, teaching them her music, about the internet. But not a peep about her fellow refugees from Earth. Even if the author uses the excuse they they're all asleep or in healing tubes, she never communicated with the colony, either. She was a waitress and bartender, usually social people- for all her lack of attachments. Then the arrival at the colony, she barely was introduced before the invasion of Karssians. They decided, by sight alone, that human females could possibly be mates, as theirs are gone. They say they'll protect the colony from the human kidnappers, that are on their way to reclaim them, if they send a single female to them. Basically, blackmail to an already victimized race. So, not a lot of sympathy towards these new aliens. Eliza, seeing how the refugees are still recovering from their trauma, many had been taken a while back and had been slaves that were rescued, decided to volunteer. So, up and away she goes. She is a little detached, considering all the recent events, understandably so. But her arrival is met with silence. She is paired with a couple possible matches, but starts off by going to love with theost likely guy at the top of the list. Who ignores her. For weeks. She spends more time on a communicator with Zev, her Rendition friend. In the meantime, a watery tart is invading her dreams, no swords being handed out, though. Bad aliens are using the aliens on her new planet to undermine defenses and get access to something important that Karssians produce. It isn't until a small invasion that Pradan starts paying attention. I have so many questions about what is going on:
*If he didn't want to try, why didn't he send her to the next match?
*Her immediate way to settle in is to buy furniture and decorate. She had more bonds with the staff than her would be mate.
*She introduces the staff to human mannerisms (off camera, we don't see it), but because he never talks to her his confusion when the staff serves drinks on trays is present. Apparently it's not been done before. So, if they had gatherings, did they get their own drinks? Did they just not eat or drink except for at the table? No clue. We don't get much in the way of world building. On any of the worlds.
*She keeps saying she'll never forgive what he says to her, and he gets lippy a few times, but after a single picnic she's in love?
*There's not much info about this goddess. She's not all powerful. She seems to be mostly forgotten.
*Eliza is offered possible powers beyond sharing strength with her and shaping abilities. Stuff like clairvoyancy, super strength, and more. She says no. Uh... A person who has lost everything, been shuffled around the galaxy, lost everything, and she says no to more ways to protect herself?
*The symbiotic relationship with this goddess is never explained.
*Eliza received a blocker (something vague about pheromones and maybe birth control- ironic considering her purpose there) when she arrives. The background story given by the goddess is that this blocker blocked her from communication with the Karssian women, which meant no more shapers, and led to the change in society. So, how come she can do all this with Eliza?
*Are there no clashing cultures between Eliza and Pradan? Not a single gesture or phrase ever causes confusion.
*Even if they weren't Union until humans were discovered, they are a space faring race. The only tech we ever see is a few delivery bots, some hover vehicles and the video drones.
*Eliza never asks about the Renditions who stayed behind at the rescue ship.
The book had a lot of promise. It had a lot of moments to hook readers, to pull them in emotionally. After the initial hook it loses them. It needs love, bonding moments, world building.
Eliza watched ships zip in and steal humans. Round, after round of ships. Humans disappeared by the millions, never to be seen again. Days, weeks, this happened. Humans trying to hide, humans being taken away. And then one day the last dregs were being penned like livestock. And then the ships disappeared, the aliens were all gone, the pens no longer functional. So they ran. Because while the invaders had left, they decided to burn the world down behind them. The entire sky was burning, sinking lower, the remaining humans tried hiding in underground parking lots or anywhere else they could. Eliza's last glimpse of Earth was fire and pain. When she wakes up only tired, confusion sets in. The discovery of aliens means the spaceship she's on doesn't bring confusion, and the lack of pain means it probably isn't the thieves. The Renditions, though, they're something else, totally.
Spoilers ahead.
While good, this lacked something. Soul? The ideas were all there, and readers are immediately hooked with destruction, fire, and the panic humans are feeling. Then placidity on the Rendition ship while the other humans are rescued and healed. Why did she never ask to speak to the other rescues? She throws all in with the Renditions, hugs, teaching them her music, about the internet. But not a peep about her fellow refugees from Earth. Even if the author uses the excuse they they're all asleep or in healing tubes, she never communicated with the colony, either. She was a waitress and bartender, usually social people- for all her lack of attachments. Then the arrival at the colony, she barely was introduced before the invasion of Karssians. They decided, by sight alone, that human females could possibly be mates, as theirs are gone. They say they'll protect the colony from the human kidnappers, that are on their way to reclaim them, if they send a single female to them. Basically, blackmail to an already victimized race. So, not a lot of sympathy towards these new aliens. Eliza, seeing how the refugees are still recovering from their trauma, many had been taken a while back and had been slaves that were rescued, decided to volunteer. So, up and away she goes. She is a little detached, considering all the recent events, understandably so. But her arrival is met with silence. She is paired with a couple possible matches, but starts off by going to love with theost likely guy at the top of the list. Who ignores her. For weeks. She spends more time on a communicator with Zev, her Rendition friend. In the meantime, a watery tart is invading her dreams, no swords being handed out, though. Bad aliens are using the aliens on her new planet to undermine defenses and get access to something important that Karssians produce. It isn't until a small invasion that Pradan starts paying attention. I have so many questions about what is going on:
*If he didn't want to try, why didn't he send her to the next match?
*Her immediate way to settle in is to buy furniture and decorate. She had more bonds with the staff than her would be mate.
*She introduces the staff to human mannerisms (off camera, we don't see it), but because he never talks to her his confusion when the staff serves drinks on trays is present. Apparently it's not been done before. So, if they had gatherings, did they get their own drinks? Did they just not eat or drink except for at the table? No clue. We don't get much in the way of world building. On any of the worlds.
*She keeps saying she'll never forgive what he says to her, and he gets lippy a few times, but after a single picnic she's in love?
*There's not much info about this goddess. She's not all powerful. She seems to be mostly forgotten.
*Eliza is offered possible powers beyond sharing strength with her and shaping abilities. Stuff like clairvoyancy, super strength, and more. She says no. Uh... A person who has lost everything, been shuffled around the galaxy, lost everything, and she says no to more ways to protect herself?
*The symbiotic relationship with this goddess is never explained.
*Eliza received a blocker (something vague about pheromones and maybe birth control- ironic considering her purpose there) when she arrives. The background story given by the goddess is that this blocker blocked her from communication with the Karssian women, which meant no more shapers, and led to the change in society. So, how come she can do all this with Eliza?
*Are there no clashing cultures between Eliza and Pradan? Not a single gesture or phrase ever causes confusion.
*Even if they weren't Union until humans were discovered, they are a space faring race. The only tech we ever see is a few delivery bots, some hover vehicles and the video drones.
*Eliza never asks about the Renditions who stayed behind at the rescue ship.
The book had a lot of promise. It had a lot of moments to hook readers, to pull them in emotionally. After the initial hook it loses them. It needs love, bonding moments, world building.
November 29, 2018
adventure, sci-fi, and romance!
eliza is an unintentional adventurer. she is captured, and as earth is being destroyed, is rescued by creatures who are not what they seem. she agrees to participate in psychological experiment so they can better understand humanity, while they are on their way to where the other rescued humans have settled. they are renditions, bionic beings and she engages them in ways that no one has before. even something as simple as a 'thank you' is something new to them.
when she arrives on the moon colony of the planet testra, she is taking it all in. the jarring of everything she has gone through and is just managing it. but then...
the karssians come and threaten to destroy the colony unless they give up one woman. with no explanation as to why. eliza sees that someone already settled would have to give everything up and decides to take a chance and volunteers herself.
aboard the karssian ship, she is tested for compatibility for karssian males. she matches strongly to 2, the karssian ambassador and the high councilor. she has strong physical reactions to both males before getting a hormone blocker to lessen her reaction.
the high councilor accepts her but makes no advances toward her. she is given her own rooms and is directed to prepare for a formal dinner. she loves interior decorating and sees the formal dining room needs a makeover badly! the high councilor is impressed. but the dinner doesn't go as planned...
meanwhile she is having strange dreams about a woman named alissa. she finds out alissa is the goddess that people believed in before 'the prophet'. she finally embraces the religion and becomes a shaper, which is unbelievable and dangerous for her and her enemies.
romance finally blooms between the high councilor and eliza.
i'll leave you to read the rest!
eliza is an unintentional adventurer. she is captured, and as earth is being destroyed, is rescued by creatures who are not what they seem. she agrees to participate in psychological experiment so they can better understand humanity, while they are on their way to where the other rescued humans have settled. they are renditions, bionic beings and she engages them in ways that no one has before. even something as simple as a 'thank you' is something new to them.
when she arrives on the moon colony of the planet testra, she is taking it all in. the jarring of everything she has gone through and is just managing it. but then...
the karssians come and threaten to destroy the colony unless they give up one woman. with no explanation as to why. eliza sees that someone already settled would have to give everything up and decides to take a chance and volunteers herself.
aboard the karssian ship, she is tested for compatibility for karssian males. she matches strongly to 2, the karssian ambassador and the high councilor. she has strong physical reactions to both males before getting a hormone blocker to lessen her reaction.
the high councilor accepts her but makes no advances toward her. she is given her own rooms and is directed to prepare for a formal dinner. she loves interior decorating and sees the formal dining room needs a makeover badly! the high councilor is impressed. but the dinner doesn't go as planned...
meanwhile she is having strange dreams about a woman named alissa. she finds out alissa is the goddess that people believed in before 'the prophet'. she finally embraces the religion and becomes a shaper, which is unbelievable and dangerous for her and her enemies.
romance finally blooms between the high councilor and eliza.
i'll leave you to read the rest!
November 25, 2018
First of all, I have to start my review by mentioning that this is not my kind of genre, but I encountered this, and man, do I love the cover! (Yes, I judge books by the covers, move on.)
Sometimes I know it's good to mix between your genres (and too many psychopath books who knows where they will lead), so I said, why not this? (I mean, the cover!).
I am a fan of the post-apocalyptic books, but not sci-fi, so it was a very good change for me.
What I liked:
1. The writing style, very readable, nice, catchy. The author certainly as a way with words and really makes you feel like you're out there in the outer space, seeing the Earth from afar. The other planets are very well described, as well.
2. This might be related to the first one, too, but all the names and the universe created? I believed all that shit! Kuddos for that.
3. After I finished reading this, I had quite of a book-hangover, because I'd gotten very invested in the characters.
4. The Beauty-and-the-Beast concept between Eliza and Pradan, at the beginning of her stay.
What I did not like:
1. Eliza, mainly. While she's a young adult, basically, she was a bit too whiny for my taste, and the whole I'm-not-special-but-I'm-gonna-save-the-world cliche is something we should get rid of in literature, in general.
2. The Eliza-Zev bait that never happened.
And basically that's it about my dislikes.
My perfect cast:
Eliza (Victoria Justice)
Pradan (Charlie Hunnan)
Zev (Tyler Hoeclin)
Real rating: 4.5 stars
Sometimes I know it's good to mix between your genres (and too many psychopath books who knows where they will lead), so I said, why not this? (I mean, the cover!).
I am a fan of the post-apocalyptic books, but not sci-fi, so it was a very good change for me.
What I liked:
1. The writing style, very readable, nice, catchy. The author certainly as a way with words and really makes you feel like you're out there in the outer space, seeing the Earth from afar. The other planets are very well described, as well.
2. This might be related to the first one, too, but all the names and the universe created? I believed all that shit! Kuddos for that.
3. After I finished reading this, I had quite of a book-hangover, because I'd gotten very invested in the characters.
4. The Beauty-and-the-Beast concept between Eliza and Pradan, at the beginning of her stay.
What I did not like:
1. Eliza, mainly. While she's a young adult, basically, she was a bit too whiny for my taste, and the whole I'm-not-special-but-I'm-gonna-save-the-world cliche is something we should get rid of in literature, in general.
2. The Eliza-Zev bait that never happened.
And basically that's it about my dislikes.
My perfect cast:
Eliza (Victoria Justice)
Pradan (Charlie Hunnan)
Zev (Tyler Hoeclin)
Real rating: 4.5 stars
March 22, 2023
This book has so many interesting ideas, but the execution of these ideas was somewhat lacking. Having bionic beings, class distinctions between organic and bionic, gods and goddesses, special powers, alien invasions, long term conspiracy…. All these things are great, but none were explored well. It was clear that these things were just there to showcase another aspect of the special snowflake main character.
The main character, Eliza, really rubbed me the wrong way. Her internal monologue is all “I’m no one special, but it’s my job to save the world.” She swings wildly between emotions, but I never felt them with her. She is depicted as someone special, but purely by circumstance. Every scene was made to show that she was selfless/caring/loving/strong etc. Everyone else does wrong, but not Eliza, she can do no wrong.
The romance wasn’t my cup of tea either. I love a clean sci-fi romance, and this falls into that category. But there isn’t much to like about her love interest. First, he spends most his time ignoring her, despite the fact that she is brand new to his planet/culture and has been through a trauma. Second, one sentence is enough to completely send him into a violent and vicious rage where he not only shouts hurtful words, but spends hours destroying something she spent days working on. I don’t really care that he felt guilty and apologized- in my mind a worthy man is able to deal with his emotions without lashing out at others. Their love isn’t based on anything- they don’t spend time getting to know each other. It is just BAM, we have no choice but to be in love because I don’t want to explore other options.
So, even though there are some interesting ideas, overall the book left me feeling a bit annoyed.
The main character, Eliza, really rubbed me the wrong way. Her internal monologue is all “I’m no one special, but it’s my job to save the world.” She swings wildly between emotions, but I never felt them with her. She is depicted as someone special, but purely by circumstance. Every scene was made to show that she was selfless/caring/loving/strong etc. Everyone else does wrong, but not Eliza, she can do no wrong.
The romance wasn’t my cup of tea either. I love a clean sci-fi romance, and this falls into that category. But there isn’t much to like about her love interest. First, he spends most his time ignoring her, despite the fact that she is brand new to his planet/culture and has been through a trauma. Second, one sentence is enough to completely send him into a violent and vicious rage where he not only shouts hurtful words, but spends hours destroying something she spent days working on. I don’t really care that he felt guilty and apologized- in my mind a worthy man is able to deal with his emotions without lashing out at others. Their love isn’t based on anything- they don’t spend time getting to know each other. It is just BAM, we have no choice but to be in love because I don’t want to explore other options.
So, even though there are some interesting ideas, overall the book left me feeling a bit annoyed.
January 2, 2021
Earth has been attacked by Aliens. Eliza wakes to find she didn’t die. She was saved by good aliens that are constructs rather than born.
Eliza keeps going from, “I’m saved” to thrown in to jeopardy over and over again.
As a human she does very well accepting all the changes she keep having thrown at her. I found it weird that she never had more than a few tears reacting to all the major changes in her life.
The story was interesting enough to keep me reading but not one I’d recommend to friends.
Very clean if that’s what you’re looking for.
Eliza keeps going from, “I’m saved” to thrown in to jeopardy over and over again.
As a human she does very well accepting all the changes she keep having thrown at her. I found it weird that she never had more than a few tears reacting to all the major changes in her life.
The story was interesting enough to keep me reading but not one I’d recommend to friends.
Very clean if that’s what you’re looking for.
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