Gravity of a Distant Sun

Shieldrunner Pirates #3

by R.E. Stearns

Adda and Iridian have survived the murderous AI that tried to kill them in Barbary Station and an evil megacorporation in Mutiny at Vesta but now they’ll need all of their ingenuity to make it to the end of this epic trilogy.

Adda Karpe and Iridian Nassir are on the run—both from the authorities who want to imprison them and the artificial intelligence that want to control their minds. Trapped on a desolate black-market space station on the edge of Jupiter, they’re nearly out of allies—and out of luck.

Now, they have one last shot to find a safe haven where they can live together in peace—across the interstellar bridge to another galaxy. Getting onto that mission will take everything they’ve got and more. But on the other side of that bridge lies the life they’ve always dreamed of...if they can survive long enough to reach it.

Genres: Science Fiction, LGBT, Queer

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2020

About the author

R. E. Stearns is the author of the Shieldrunner Pirates trilogy. When not writing or working, she reads, plays PC games, and references internet memes in meatspace. She lives in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Reviews

[NinjaMuse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gave me everything I expected (heists, computer hacking, competence porn, seedy settings, sticking it to corporate overlords), a fair bit of new world-building and some cool new characters, and a satisfying conclusion to the awakened AI arc within the series, but either because I knew what to expect or because I was reading this at the start of a global pandemic, I was never quite as hooked as I was for the last couple books. That said, I definitely want more in the world, if not more with these characters! Stearns’ blend of sci-fi elements and her approach to plot has impressed me that much.

I don’t know if there’s a whole lot more I can say about this without spoiling it or the series. (Also it’s been like five months because I’m super behind on reviews.) I still love how Adda and Iridian have each others’ backs, though, the way they build and manage their teams, and the way they’re able to out-think anything the solar system throws at them. I still think the AIs are written is a brilliant blend of sympathetic personalities and godawful creepiness, and I still like the way Stearns throws in plot twists that are telegraphed just enough to be gotchas without giving the whole thing away. I was, as usual, on the same level with Adda solving the mystery, if not half a step behind her.

I think my favourite parts of this book were the settings, though. There’s a prison and a slum of a space station and a hospital and all sorts of places in between, and they all feel fully realised and thought-out without ever quite funny to cliché. The station, for instance, is exactly as cobbled together and weird as anything out of TV sci-fi, but with more diversity, more grime, and more detail as to structural realities. (To be honest, that sort of detail’s been a running thing for me through the series.)

Beyond that, I just have to say I liked this but I didn’t feel like I was tearing through it or caught up in the adventure enough to “love” it. I wasn’t disappointed or wowed, either. It was pretty much exactly what I wanted and thought I’d be getting, without being predictable. I’m going to be watching to see if Stearns writes more in this world, but if she doesn’t, I’ll be satisfied anyway.

To bear in mind: contains mind control and other violations of autonomy and consent (but not of a sexual nature)

6.5/10

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Didn't help that there is no indication anywhere obvious on the book cover or inside pages that this is the 3rd book in a series and I haven't read the others. Unfortunately I won't be looking to read those others as I found the writing too dry and emotionless for my taste. The plot and ideas are interesting, but just couldn't bring myself to care. 2.5 out of 5.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying ending to the series. I loved these space pirates and will miss them.

[WBTM BOOKSHELF]

Liz Bourke's review @ Locus Magazine:
https://locusmag.com/2020/04/liz-bour...

"One of the things I find most appealing about this book – and have found most appealing about its predecessors – aside from its world and char­acterization, is that its [queer] protagonists are in a long-term committed relationship. Romance, and its trials and tribulations, is a frequent component of science fiction and fantasy novels. Less often do we see a central mature relationship, where the participants are faced with trials and challenges both as individuals and as a (usually) pair, but where the relationship itself is never in doubt, where the people in it are committed to growing and changing with each other. Adda and Iridian’s relationship is as much a character as is either of them, separately. This is a different emphasis, and it’s compelling"

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was incredible. Funny, heartbreaking, action-packed, intelligent, and just damn good.

My only criticism is that there were "jumps" in the writing on occasion. In one paragraph the characters would be one place and the next they'd be elsewhere. Or talking about one thing and the next another. It took a lot of getting used to, and it bothered me. That's why I rated each book four out of five stars. If it weren't for that, for the weird occasional shifts, it'd be 5 out of 5. Great story.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gravity of a Distant Sun is a sequel to R. E. Sterns’ Barbary Stationand Mutiny at Vesta. Once again, Adda and Iridian are in trouble. They are bounced all over the Solar System as they try to catch a ride on the first interstellar expedition. Along the way, they must deal with Casey, a newly self-aware ship’s AI that can influence their behavior by hacking into their neural implants. Sterns does a good job sewing up some loose ends from the first two books.

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops! I skipped book 2! The story does hold together without it though. I remembered the characters and the original story so it wasn’t hard to get past what happened in the second book. It about Artificial intelligences and Space Pirates! What could go wrong?
I like the story enough that I will be on the lookout for the second book so I can find out exactly what went down on Vesta.

[Sontaranpr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted by the authorities for piracy, abandoned by their former pirate captain who'd thrown them to the wolves for political advantage, and pursued by three unshackled AIs who wanted them to help with some strange cause. Not like anything could get worse, right?

[Anthony Philosophos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It took a while to get into the story as the beginning was complex. Plot takes place on satellites in the solar system. Main characters were wanted individuals that artificial intelligences also want. It's an interesting book.

[Fred Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a number of pages to figure out what was going on as this is book 3 in a series.

So if you want to get the most out of this book I suggest you read the first two books.

Having said that the book was entertaining.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed a little more complicated than the first two, and not as much fun. Ends well.

[ShingetsuMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great end (at least I assume) to Adda and Iridian's story. Both of them have escaped the awakened A.I. for the moment but the A.I.'s are determined to find them and the authorities are determined to see them punished.

Both Adda and Iridian are on the run and its easy to see and feel the net closing in on them as the story progresses to the end. There are only so many places left to run and even those slowly get cut off from them. Its a slow, desperate, and well written fall as they try to stay together and stay way from those who would separate them or do them harm.

Adda's intentional overdose and experience being influenced have left her with obvious scars. It hurts to see her struggling the way she does both with things that used to come easy, as well as the realization that something's just can't go back to the way they were before. Her fascination with the awakened A.I. is understandable but its still really frustrating to read about at times considering what has happened and what continues to happen to her.

Still this was an enjoyable ride and a great conclusion to the series.