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The Lost Sol
For those living in the first colony on Mars, life couldn't be better. No war. No poverty. No climate change. An adventure of a lifetime.
Though that's not the case for the planet's newest arrival, Leo. The young man has already made enemies, has been assigned a dull job, and he can’t even remember signing up to make this place his new home. To make matters worse, colonists have started to disappear.
Back on Earth, Alex is in panic mode. He finds out that contact with Mars has been lost, and it could be his fault. As a rising star in the space programme, it’s not questioned when he volunteers for the perilous voyage to find out what has happened to the colony.
Against the constraints of time, Leo and Alex must uncover the truth. But the dangers of space are about to become the least of their problems.
Though that's not the case for the planet's newest arrival, Leo. The young man has already made enemies, has been assigned a dull job, and he can’t even remember signing up to make this place his new home. To make matters worse, colonists have started to disappear.
Back on Earth, Alex is in panic mode. He finds out that contact with Mars has been lost, and it could be his fault. As a rising star in the space programme, it’s not questioned when he volunteers for the perilous voyage to find out what has happened to the colony.
Against the constraints of time, Leo and Alex must uncover the truth. But the dangers of space are about to become the least of their problems.
- GenresScience Fiction
286 pages, Paperback
Published February 8, 2019
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Lailvaux
2 books22 followersRyan Lailvaux was born in South Africa and has lived across the world. He grew up with a love for reading, especially anything that involved dinosaurs or monsters. From short stories to screenplays, travel blogs to political articles, he would still find time to write. Now he works in software by day, writing novels by night. In his spare time, Lailvaux enjoys exploring new countries, improving his chess rating, getting lost in Sci-Fi films and is a proud Leeds United fan.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 2, 2022
I'm always wary of accepting review requests from indie authors due to negative experiences in the past, but I am SO glad I gave this one a shot! This was such a brilliant science fiction story with an interesting premise and a well-done mystery thriller aspect for good measure. While the writing was at times I little odd for me and there are certain problematic things left unchallenged, that did not prevent my enjoyment of this book. I loved the characters and I especially loved how the two perspectives came together to fully paint the picture of what was going on. The plot twist portion was a little info-dumpy but I found myself thoroughly fascinated. Definitely a book I'd recommend.
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December 21, 2020The Lost Sol is a really fun and well written science fiction novel I really enjoyed; and here’s why.
The concept of a colony on another world where a new person joins and strange events start to happen is not a new one to me in recent years but in this case it’s written with a flair and enthusiasm that manages to avoid any tropes or too predictable plot elements.
The humour comes through as well as dark moments which combine to create a remarkable atmosphere whilst reading; which helps make it hard to put down and indeed in my case I read the whole book in one sitting.
The story starts slowly with introducing the main character and his strange new environment but steadily and surely the pace and tension ramps up but it never accelerates to a point that is hard to follow and always makes sense. Recommended.
The concept of a colony on another world where a new person joins and strange events start to happen is not a new one to me in recent years but in this case it’s written with a flair and enthusiasm that manages to avoid any tropes or too predictable plot elements.
The humour comes through as well as dark moments which combine to create a remarkable atmosphere whilst reading; which helps make it hard to put down and indeed in my case I read the whole book in one sitting.
The story starts slowly with introducing the main character and his strange new environment but steadily and surely the pace and tension ramps up but it never accelerates to a point that is hard to follow and always makes sense. Recommended.
March 31, 2020
The Lost Sol is a 5 ⭐️ book, a sci-fi mind worm.
Once you start reading it there is no stopping! It has excitement, great humor and many more things.
It keeps you reading until the end. You just get sucked in from the very beginning.
It pulls you back in every time you want to lay it down.
And after the end you keep hoping for more and more.
Ryan Lailvaux is a great writer, i hope there wil be many more to follow!
Once you start reading it there is no stopping! It has excitement, great humor and many more things.
It keeps you reading until the end. You just get sucked in from the very beginning.
It pulls you back in every time you want to lay it down.
And after the end you keep hoping for more and more.
Ryan Lailvaux is a great writer, i hope there wil be many more to follow!
July 10, 2022
Firstly, big thanks to the author for reaching out & sending me a copy of their book. Just days before I had mentioned to one of my friends how I hadn’t read any science fiction yet, & was interested in diving in. The universe obviously heard me, & promptly answered.
A story set in a colony on Mars is intriguing enough, but add in people mysteriously disappearing? Even better. Then to top it off, we get multiple POV. To say the concept was original, would be an understatement. The entire time what I thought was going to be the “key to the mystery,” was dead wrong. I never, ever, would have guessed any of the plot twists in a million years. And while some aspects of said plot twist might not traditionally make sense or allow my brain to rationalize, I reminded myself that it IS science fiction, and this was what I signed up for when reading said genre. I feel the ending definitely came full-circle and left me satisfied, even though I do feel that it had the opportunity to pull on my heartstrings a little more than it did. In conclusion, no I will not be interested in EVER going to space, I’m good. And this book left me excited to see what other opportunities there are to explore in the sci-fi world.
A story set in a colony on Mars is intriguing enough, but add in people mysteriously disappearing? Even better. Then to top it off, we get multiple POV. To say the concept was original, would be an understatement. The entire time what I thought was going to be the “key to the mystery,” was dead wrong. I never, ever, would have guessed any of the plot twists in a million years. And while some aspects of said plot twist might not traditionally make sense or allow my brain to rationalize, I reminded myself that it IS science fiction, and this was what I signed up for when reading said genre. I feel the ending definitely came full-circle and left me satisfied, even though I do feel that it had the opportunity to pull on my heartstrings a little more than it did. In conclusion, no I will not be interested in EVER going to space, I’m good. And this book left me excited to see what other opportunities there are to explore in the sci-fi world.
October 3, 2021
Lailvaux succeeds in what he sets out to do in this novel – he tells a good story that elegantly weaves the classic narrative beats of science fiction with a thoroughly humanised group of characters.
“The Lost Sol” is a well paced story that moves quickly from moment to moment without ever feeling that it's rushing the reader on; a testament to Lailvaux's writing – he balances intricate detailing in his descriptive prose without allowing it to become sluggish; the reader is given a rich sense of the world that he's inviting us and his characters to explore...but one certainly isn't invited to linger and the story is all the stronger for it. There is a clear impetus pushing the story onwards at all times and the pulse accelerates to an urgency that keeps the reader's fingers flicking the pages onwards.
Well worth a read and well worth keeping an eye on the novelist - Lailvaux feels like he has more stories to tell.
“The Lost Sol” is a well paced story that moves quickly from moment to moment without ever feeling that it's rushing the reader on; a testament to Lailvaux's writing – he balances intricate detailing in his descriptive prose without allowing it to become sluggish; the reader is given a rich sense of the world that he's inviting us and his characters to explore...but one certainly isn't invited to linger and the story is all the stronger for it. There is a clear impetus pushing the story onwards at all times and the pulse accelerates to an urgency that keeps the reader's fingers flicking the pages onwards.
Well worth a read and well worth keeping an eye on the novelist - Lailvaux feels like he has more stories to tell.
July 19, 2022
The Lost Sol is in my opinion a great example of how an author, especially one with the set of skills that Lailvaux has used in this novel, has the power to steer the imagination of the reader.
This book has hit all the right notes for me; it has lovely character development, a story that grips your attention from the start all the way through to the end and multiple plot twists that make the story only better.
I definitely recommend The Lost Sol to any reader that has even just the slightest bit of interest in Mars and/or sci-fi!
This book has hit all the right notes for me; it has lovely character development, a story that grips your attention from the start all the way through to the end and multiple plot twists that make the story only better.
I definitely recommend The Lost Sol to any reader that has even just the slightest bit of interest in Mars and/or sci-fi!
June 14, 2023
This book is so well written, I really enjoyed it! I don't do sci-fi but this isn't all about geeky, jargon stereotypes (sorry), it's got so many different points and plots to it. The way Ryan brings it all together is bloody brilliant, didn't expect any of it! It keeps you guessing throughout as it takes some unexpected twists and turns. And some funny lines in there too - "do they call Friday, FriSol?" ha loved that part. Looking forward to the next installment!
August 12, 2019
I loved reading through this book. It grips you from the get go from characters that suck you into the plot and it doesn't want you to let go. A marvelous read that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to be swept away to a nice happy place. I'm looking forward to future reads from this amazing author. What a legend! What you waiting for, start reading!
October 29, 2020
I really enjoyed the whole story! With its intense cliffhangers and unexpected turns, it really kept me hooked! I fell in love with each character as if they really are people. The detail was great for imagining the scenery. I wish there was more!
August 28, 2022
THE LOST SOL by Ryan Lailvaux is an impressive speculative sci-fi suspense with rich character development.
Leo wakes up in a pod that just landed on the Mars colony, but he can't remember how he got there or even signing up for this trip. He isn't alone in this, however, as Ariel is in the same situation. She seems to be adjusting quicker, but Leo doesn't have time to really ponder this as assimilation in the colony is important. It also doesn't help that people are going missing and communication with earth is down.
Alex is a rising engineer but this communication malfunction with the Mars colony may be his fault and now he must travel and try to fix this before the problems in the colony become personal.
This story was compelling from the beginning. I was with Leo trying to figure out his missing block of time, and the mysterious missing people became more of an issue. Alex's journey out to Mars brought adventure and danger. Then came this really unseen twist that had me gaping. I loved that.
This was a surprise to me, how much I enjoyed this story as I am discovering how much I enjoy this genre. There were a few minor editing issues, but it wasn't enough to distract me from the story.
Writing a book is an intense process and not every good one gets picked up by major publishers. Thank you, Ryan, for offering this story to me to read. It gave me an entertaining story as well as made me think about the lengths we go for our own purposes and what that means for others involved.
I would absolutely recommend this story
Leo wakes up in a pod that just landed on the Mars colony, but he can't remember how he got there or even signing up for this trip. He isn't alone in this, however, as Ariel is in the same situation. She seems to be adjusting quicker, but Leo doesn't have time to really ponder this as assimilation in the colony is important. It also doesn't help that people are going missing and communication with earth is down.
Alex is a rising engineer but this communication malfunction with the Mars colony may be his fault and now he must travel and try to fix this before the problems in the colony become personal.
This story was compelling from the beginning. I was with Leo trying to figure out his missing block of time, and the mysterious missing people became more of an issue. Alex's journey out to Mars brought adventure and danger. Then came this really unseen twist that had me gaping. I loved that.
This was a surprise to me, how much I enjoyed this story as I am discovering how much I enjoy this genre. There were a few minor editing issues, but it wasn't enough to distract me from the story.
Writing a book is an intense process and not every good one gets picked up by major publishers. Thank you, Ryan, for offering this story to me to read. It gave me an entertaining story as well as made me think about the lengths we go for our own purposes and what that means for others involved.
I would absolutely recommend this story
March 30, 2023
I received an Advance Review Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked the most about this book was the unique take on the concept of colony life on Mars, revealed further with the story's plot twist. It reads like a classic, YA scifi book, without being too predictable or overused. The characters are likable enough, and the settings, both Earth and Mars, were designed well. The writing style is sometimes a miss, but written well enough to be enjoyable. It has just the right amount of intrigue and climax to enjoy as a casual read without being too heavy.
However, I feel like this book could've been better if it was a bit longer, to adequately explain and explore what was revealed by one of our main characters towards the end. But nonetheless, it was a thrilling read. Its themes and views on work/family life is also a good reminder to some of us that our "beginning" and "ending" can be pretty short, and its the only "in-betweens" that we have and thus, should be enjoyed. :) I look forward to reading the sequel as well.
What I liked the most about this book was the unique take on the concept of colony life on Mars, revealed further with the story's plot twist. It reads like a classic, YA scifi book, without being too predictable or overused. The characters are likable enough, and the settings, both Earth and Mars, were designed well. The writing style is sometimes a miss, but written well enough to be enjoyable. It has just the right amount of intrigue and climax to enjoy as a casual read without being too heavy.
However, I feel like this book could've been better if it was a bit longer, to adequately explain and explore what was revealed by one of our main characters towards the end. But nonetheless, it was a thrilling read. Its themes and views on work/family life is also a good reminder to some of us that our "beginning" and "ending" can be pretty short, and its the only "in-betweens" that we have and thus, should be enjoyed. :) I look forward to reading the sequel as well.
April 13, 2020
I really enjoyed Ryan's book - and not just because a) he's a good friend, b) my copy was personally inscribed by the author (even if he made me pay for it! ;-p ) and c) he's completed around 99.7% more of a book than I ever have.
It's a ripping yarn of a human colony on Mars gone wrong... and a race against time to stop things going from bad to worse.
At the centre of the story are Leo - who get off to an inauspicious start when arrives on Mars with no memories of having signed up and no paperwork to explain his arrival - and Alex, an analyst with the founders of the colony who volunteers to travel to Mars when communications between the colony and earth are lost.
Chapter by chapter we learn more about the characters, their backgrounds and the story unwinds, with a number of twists and turns. Throughout, Lailvaux manages to keep the reader on their toes anticipating the story, what may link the characters, and whether they will be ultimately successful in their missions.
It's a ripping yarn of a human colony on Mars gone wrong... and a race against time to stop things going from bad to worse.
At the centre of the story are Leo - who get off to an inauspicious start when arrives on Mars with no memories of having signed up and no paperwork to explain his arrival - and Alex, an analyst with the founders of the colony who volunteers to travel to Mars when communications between the colony and earth are lost.
Chapter by chapter we learn more about the characters, their backgrounds and the story unwinds, with a number of twists and turns. Throughout, Lailvaux manages to keep the reader on their toes anticipating the story, what may link the characters, and whether they will be ultimately successful in their missions.
June 28, 2022
I do love reading novels from indie authors, as you can really find some hidden gems.
This was an immersive, action packed and intense novel with plenty of twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. It was also very easy to follow, which is something that I don’t always get from science fiction.
The main thing that I struggled with was finding a strong connection with the characters, which is something I really hope for when reading. One of the main characters had a personality that I just didn’t click with, and that made for a tricky reading experience at times.
Also, I don’t reach for a lot of Sci Fi and it has been a while since I’ve read any, so I think that altered my experience with this book in a slightly negative way. However, if you love reading that genre and are looking for a gripping and intense story, I would recommend giving this a go!
Thank you to the author for sending over a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
This was an immersive, action packed and intense novel with plenty of twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. It was also very easy to follow, which is something that I don’t always get from science fiction.
The main thing that I struggled with was finding a strong connection with the characters, which is something I really hope for when reading. One of the main characters had a personality that I just didn’t click with, and that made for a tricky reading experience at times.
Also, I don’t reach for a lot of Sci Fi and it has been a while since I’ve read any, so I think that altered my experience with this book in a slightly negative way. However, if you love reading that genre and are looking for a gripping and intense story, I would recommend giving this a go!
Thank you to the author for sending over a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
May 9, 2019
The Lost Sol was a great tale that takes many unexpected turns and twists.
The buildup might seem a bit slow in places, revealing the world and introducing all the main characters takes a bit of time as it is a large scope to cover. Once this is achieved the story is really gripping and you will just devour the chapters non stop until you finally uncover the fate of the lives entwined with Colony C.
The buildup might seem a bit slow in places, revealing the world and introducing all the main characters takes a bit of time as it is a large scope to cover. Once this is achieved the story is really gripping and you will just devour the chapters non stop until you finally uncover the fate of the lives entwined with Colony C.
November 9, 2021
I am more of a Space Opera fan, but this scratched an itch. It's well paced and has some interesting characters, with a couple of plot twists I was not expecting.
Overall I enjoyed reading this.
Overall I enjoyed reading this.
May 2, 2022
I very much enjoyed reading this young adult sci-fi novel. The plot is different and engaging and what an ending - you will never guess what happens! I would recommend this book to anyone, you won’t be disappointed! I look forward to the next book.
July 19, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, compellingly written and never giving away too much it's definitely a page turner. I would say it's written for a slightly younger audience than me from the writing style but captivated with the story from the start and some brilliant surprises along the way! Would recommend.
June 7, 2022
The Lost Sol follows Leo as one of the first colonists on Mars not knowing why he is there or how he got there. Seemingly a safe new world for its residents, all is too good to be true when colonists begin to go missing.
On Earth, Alex has lost contact with Mars and is in panic mode as he goes on his own mission to help fix the relay and hopefully save the colonists.
I absolutely loved this one. I was a bit unsure at first as I'd never read sci-fi before but I'm so glad I gave it a chance.
Ryan is such a good writer. I was gripped from the start and kept guessing throughout. I had no idea what to expect which I loved and kept me wanting more.
The descriptions of both the characters and the setting of the story were so well done I felt like I knew the area and was there on Mars with Leo, or on Earth with Alex going through their felt emotions with them.
I'd highly recommend The Lost Sol, it has converted me fully into a sci-fi fan!
On Earth, Alex has lost contact with Mars and is in panic mode as he goes on his own mission to help fix the relay and hopefully save the colonists.
I absolutely loved this one. I was a bit unsure at first as I'd never read sci-fi before but I'm so glad I gave it a chance.
Ryan is such a good writer. I was gripped from the start and kept guessing throughout. I had no idea what to expect which I loved and kept me wanting more.
The descriptions of both the characters and the setting of the story were so well done I felt like I knew the area and was there on Mars with Leo, or on Earth with Alex going through their felt emotions with them.
I'd highly recommend The Lost Sol, it has converted me fully into a sci-fi fan!
March 9, 2023
The first colony on Mars had a good start - no wars, no poverty, no climate change. Almost an ideal place to live until things start to go bad. Colonists start to disappear and the communication to Earth is lost. Leo and Ariel are Mars's newest colonists who were not in the original flight list. No comms don't help with the situation. Unlike other colonists, Leo is off to a rough start. He is targeted by the law force, is assigned a dull job and to make matters worse, he doesn't remember signing up for this trip. Back on Earth, the lost communication with Mars sends Alex in a panic mode. Alex is a rising star in the space program. He finds himself on the next spaceship out to Mars to fix this problem. Alex and Leo battle against time to uncover the truth.
This was a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed learning about way of life on the Martian colony. For a sci-fi book, the science is not intimidating. Thru Leo and Ariel's stories, the author briefly touches on the topics of loneliness, societal expectations and suicide. I was hoping it was explored further. Alex's trip to Mars was eventful, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat. While the plot moved forward, I found that the writing lacked a smooth flow. But the author more than makes it up with the unpredictable twist. I did not foresee it. It was a good closure to the story and one that leaves you thinking about it for days. I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans and also to readers who want to explore this genre further.
Thank you Ryan Lailvaux for my copy.
This was a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed learning about way of life on the Martian colony. For a sci-fi book, the science is not intimidating. Thru Leo and Ariel's stories, the author briefly touches on the topics of loneliness, societal expectations and suicide. I was hoping it was explored further. Alex's trip to Mars was eventful, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat. While the plot moved forward, I found that the writing lacked a smooth flow. But the author more than makes it up with the unpredictable twist. I did not foresee it. It was a good closure to the story and one that leaves you thinking about it for days. I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans and also to readers who want to explore this genre further.
Thank you Ryan Lailvaux for my copy.
November 10, 2024
Loved this! Great character arcs and I truly didn't expect how the story turned out - I'm sure a second read would be just as enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews