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Époustouflant!
Carter Evans est le créateur et rédacteur en chef de Époustouflant ! un magazine de fiction autrefois populaire, actuellement sur le déclin.
Non seulement il ne peut rien faire pour le sauver, mais son appartement est un trou à rat dans lequel il est coincé. Il ne semble pas pouvoir faire grand-chose non plus pour son avenir, et l'alcool ne l'aide certainement pas.
Lorsqu'il reçoit une énième horrible soumission du mystérieux écrivain J. Harper, il craque et en état d'ivresse, Carter lui envoie une lettre de refus qu'il regrette rapidement.
J. Harper, John de son prénom, s'avère être un homme adorable ressemblant à une star de cinéma des années 50 et prétendant être un extraterrestre.
Malgré les délires de celui-ci, les excuses de Carter deviennent rapidement quelque chose de plus à mesure que les deux hommes solitaires se découvrent un lien puissant.
Inexplicablement attiré par John, Carter l'invite pour un road trip mais, durant leur voyage, de grosses surprises les attendent. Il ne pourra échapper au chagrin... et peut-être à la promesse d'un heureux futur.
Époustouflant ! est une retraduction de Stupéfiant !, précédement paru.
Non seulement il ne peut rien faire pour le sauver, mais son appartement est un trou à rat dans lequel il est coincé. Il ne semble pas pouvoir faire grand-chose non plus pour son avenir, et l'alcool ne l'aide certainement pas.
Lorsqu'il reçoit une énième horrible soumission du mystérieux écrivain J. Harper, il craque et en état d'ivresse, Carter lui envoie une lettre de refus qu'il regrette rapidement.
J. Harper, John de son prénom, s'avère être un homme adorable ressemblant à une star de cinéma des années 50 et prétendant être un extraterrestre.
Malgré les délires de celui-ci, les excuses de Carter deviennent rapidement quelque chose de plus à mesure que les deux hommes solitaires se découvrent un lien puissant.
Inexplicablement attiré par John, Carter l'invite pour un road trip mais, durant leur voyage, de grosses surprises les attendent. Il ne pourra échapper au chagrin... et peut-être à la promesse d'un heureux futur.
Époustouflant ! est une retraduction de Stupéfiant !, précédement paru.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2015
14 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
175 books1,304 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
July 12, 2015
Astounding! is the name of this book. It's also the name of a science fiction magazine that Carter founded with his long-ago boyfriend, Freddy.
Now Freddy, married to nice guy Keith, is a well-known, wealthy book and screen writer, and Carter is broke, depressed, and on the verge of alcoholism. Freddy hasn't given up on Carter, but Carter has given up on himself.
In a fit of drunken rage, Carter writes a vitriolic rejection letter to one J. Harper, who keeps submitting crappy stories via snail mail about an alien wanting to go home.
Carter is bitter and jaded, but in a moment of sincere regret he drives all the way from Seattle to Portland to apologize to J. Harper, who looks like the 50s movie idol Tab Hunter.
John made my heart ache, what with his beautiful, sad face and little duplex full of mid-Century furniture and books. John invites Carter for pancakes. And Carter can't help but fall a little for this shy, kind man who begs Carter to publish his story.
Meeting John changes Carter. John makes Carter believe that his magazine mattered, that Carter made people's lives better by letting them escape, if only for a little while.
When he's with John, Carter can run faster, harder. He senses things, feels things deeply. Carter is not afraid, not anymore.
Carter wants John to stay, even if John believes that he's an alien and that his people will come to take him ... home. Except it's not home. Not anymore.
This is a story that explores the energy and connection that exist between two lonely men who come together physically and emotionally.
INCLUDES:
-A road trip to Yosemite in an RV that bites the dust
-Friends, including one persistent ex-boyfriend, who care enough to drag you on said road trip
-Suspiciously uncooperative electronics
-Tender, passionate love making between two men who make each other fly (in more ways than one)
-Guest appearances by Travis and Drew from Speechless , Ery and Karl from Bone Dry , and even William and Colby from The Tin Box
Kim Fielding is undoubtedly one of the best writers in this genre. She's an amazing writer. Period. Her prose flows and draws you in.
Reading her stories is effortless. It's magic.
Regardless of your take on extraterrestrial life, this book will make you think, and cry a little.
Astounding! is wondrous! It's worthy of every exclamation point.
I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading this book. And I'm not sorry.
Now Freddy, married to nice guy Keith, is a well-known, wealthy book and screen writer, and Carter is broke, depressed, and on the verge of alcoholism. Freddy hasn't given up on Carter, but Carter has given up on himself.
In a fit of drunken rage, Carter writes a vitriolic rejection letter to one J. Harper, who keeps submitting crappy stories via snail mail about an alien wanting to go home.
Carter is bitter and jaded, but in a moment of sincere regret he drives all the way from Seattle to Portland to apologize to J. Harper, who looks like the 50s movie idol Tab Hunter.
John made my heart ache, what with his beautiful, sad face and little duplex full of mid-Century furniture and books. John invites Carter for pancakes. And Carter can't help but fall a little for this shy, kind man who begs Carter to publish his story.
Meeting John changes Carter. John makes Carter believe that his magazine mattered, that Carter made people's lives better by letting them escape, if only for a little while.
When he's with John, Carter can run faster, harder. He senses things, feels things deeply. Carter is not afraid, not anymore.
Carter wants John to stay, even if John believes that he's an alien and that his people will come to take him ... home. Except it's not home. Not anymore.
This is a story that explores the energy and connection that exist between two lonely men who come together physically and emotionally.
INCLUDES:
-A road trip to Yosemite in an RV that bites the dust
-Friends, including one persistent ex-boyfriend, who care enough to drag you on said road trip
-Suspiciously uncooperative electronics
-Tender, passionate love making between two men who make each other fly (in more ways than one)
-Guest appearances by Travis and Drew from Speechless , Ery and Karl from Bone Dry , and even William and Colby from The Tin Box
Kim Fielding is undoubtedly one of the best writers in this genre. She's an amazing writer. Period. Her prose flows and draws you in.
Reading her stories is effortless. It's magic.
Regardless of your take on extraterrestrial life, this book will make you think, and cry a little.
Astounding! is wondrous! It's worthy of every exclamation point.
I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading this book. And I'm not sorry.
July 7, 2015
*3.5 stars*
Kim Fielding is one of my most consistent authors, and I know I can count on her for a well-written story. I don't think I've read a book from her that I haven't liked, and many I've loved to the point of obsession. She writes off-beat, interesting stories with atypical characters that stay with you long after the story is finished.
This was a sweet and simple sci-fi story about a alien trying to get home and a jaded editor of a folding magazine. John (aka, the alien) was a beautiful, lost man who finally made a human connection after all these years. My heart ached for him, and I think he was portrayed really beautifully. Carter was a depressed guy, drinking too much and getting down on life, when he met John and his life changed for the better. These two guys had nice, easy chemistry, and I enjoyed reading about them as a couple.
I liked all of the characters, including the side characters (Carter's ex and his ex's husband), and I slid into the plot of the story easily. Sometimes, it was too easy. I felt like for an alien, John seemed too naïve and too human, for all his little eccentricities. I wanted a little more tension, a little more umph to the storyline.
I also found parts of this book to be a little slow. Don't get me wrong, this book was lovely, but it wasn't a story that excited me, for good or for bad. However, if you are looking for another sweet story from the very talented Kim Fielding, this could be just what you need.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Kim Fielding is one of my most consistent authors, and I know I can count on her for a well-written story. I don't think I've read a book from her that I haven't liked, and many I've loved to the point of obsession. She writes off-beat, interesting stories with atypical characters that stay with you long after the story is finished.
This was a sweet and simple sci-fi story about a alien trying to get home and a jaded editor of a folding magazine. John (aka, the alien) was a beautiful, lost man who finally made a human connection after all these years. My heart ached for him, and I think he was portrayed really beautifully. Carter was a depressed guy, drinking too much and getting down on life, when he met John and his life changed for the better. These two guys had nice, easy chemistry, and I enjoyed reading about them as a couple.
I liked all of the characters, including the side characters (Carter's ex and his ex's husband), and I slid into the plot of the story easily. Sometimes, it was too easy. I felt like for an alien, John seemed too naïve and too human, for all his little eccentricities. I wanted a little more tension, a little more umph to the storyline.
I also found parts of this book to be a little slow. Don't get me wrong, this book was lovely, but it wasn't a story that excited me, for good or for bad. However, if you are looking for another sweet story from the very talented Kim Fielding, this could be just what you need.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
November 13, 2019
Carter is the founder and editor of a speculative fiction magazine (check out Asimov's, Clarkesworld, Analog, Strange Horizons et al if you aren't familiar with this genre). It is well regarded, but short story magazines just don't make money anymore and he can't pay his bills. He lives in the same crappy apartment he and his ex, now a famous author, got together after college. He hasn't had a meaningful relationship in years, and is drinking increasingly heavily.
John is a terrible writer. He submits a story to Astounding! every month. They always have titles like "The Horak of Vlomty" and they are always about everyday life in an American town, and they are always incredibly boring. The most interesting feature of the stories is that the author still uses a manual typewriter.
One night, drunk and depressed, Carter forgoes his usually polite form rejection and sends John an honest letter telling him how bad his stories are. Sober, he feels remorseful (he isn't really an asshole, he just acts like one sometimes) and goes to apologize in person. John turns out to be nothing like he expected...
John is a terrible writer. He submits a story to Astounding! every month. They always have titles like "The Horak of Vlomty" and they are always about everyday life in an American town, and they are always incredibly boring. The most interesting feature of the stories is that the author still uses a manual typewriter.
One night, drunk and depressed, Carter forgoes his usually polite form rejection and sends John an honest letter telling him how bad his stories are. Sober, he feels remorseful (he isn't really an asshole, he just acts like one sometimes) and goes to apologize in person. John turns out to be nothing like he expected...
March 8, 2017
4.5 STARS
For a nice formatted view click here http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
I absolutely love it when Kim Fielding decides to go on yet another genre freestyling endeavour. I get chills when she does this.
Like so many of her other books you just never know what to expect. Its like oh, she’s chosen this genre, but what is she going to do with it? Whenever I read the blurb to one of Kim Fielding’s books and I get that excited itch begging to start between my shoulders, I know I have to get that book in my hands ASAP.
I’ve never been let down once when this happens to me. Every time one of her more intriguing synopses pops up I’m never disappointed. These are the books she writes that I cherish because another bizarre and highly creative story has been crafted and they always turn out to be exceptional books that I can’t put down.
The next thing I know the sun is rising and I’m on the last page yet again. Astounding! was quite slow to begin with, but picks up the pace as it goes along. It wove itself into a magical tale and latches onto the reader to take them along for a stunning, yet heartbreaking ride.
Astounding! is Carter Evans and Carter Evans is astounding, but he doesn’t quite know it yet. At 37 all his dreams, aspirations and hard work to keep his spec fiction magazine running is futile, and after struggling for months he finally concedes to his painfully stubborn nature and prepares to publish his final edition. Even Freddy, his ex-partner in both business and pleasure, that helped him begin his publication Astounding about 15 years ago has long moved from Seattle onto bigger and better things, now rubbing shoulders in L.A and having people squabble over him to put his novels on the screen. Freddy and Carter are still best friends and Carter is genuinely happy for his success. He also likes his longtime partner, Keith, but his hard hitting of the bottle over the last few months is beginning to make him bitter about everything.
Carter’s years of hard work editing stories and making new writers careers bloom has come to an end. He is up to his neck in debt and too proud to tell anyone about just how bad it is and far too proud to ask for any kind of financial help.
The final straw comes in a drunken blur as the never-ending arrival of another shocking story from one J. Harper arrives, just as he realises that he is about to print his final edition. The mystery man has been sending in bizarre stories for years about an alien that’s stuck on earth with no way home and he’s extremely lonely. The basic premise of his manuscripts doesn’t vary much and neither does his woeful writing.
So J. Harper, who has been sending him these utterly useless stories for years, is on the receiving end of Carter’s wrath as he spits out one nasty drunken rejection letter. He doesn’t realise that he posted it until he returns home the next night to see it pop into life as he switches on his home computer and it’s staring him in the face.
Carter is so mortified, as it’s out of character for him, that he actually travels from Seattle to Portland to apologise in person. As John Harper opens the door to Carter Evans, he is shocked that Carter has driven all this way and ends up making a deal with John out of guilt, saying OK, you give me a good enough reason in person as to why you’ve been sending me these stories for years and if its good enough, I’ll publish it in my final edition.
John is so shattered about this, more so over the fact that he needs his story in this soon-to-be final edition, he then proceeds to take Carter out for dinner and then drinks. He’s nervous, but finally cuts to the chase and tells Carter the truth, explaining his story. As crazy as it seems, Carter indulges John’s delusions as he seems like a nice guy even though he should probably be in a psych ward. It gets too late for Carter to drive home so he very cautiously spends the night on John’s couch, but a middle of the night dash to the toilet suddenly turns around as Carter and John literally crash into each others lives, with Carter ending up in John’s bed.
Freddy still writes for Astounding! as he loves it, but little does he know that Carter has organised every kick ass author to submit one final article. No one knows that this will be the final edition so he indulges John and adds his article too. Freddy’s article is incredible, as are all the others, so Carter gets organised and edits frantically as he quietly packs up and sells off the last of his possessions, leaving his life behind without anyone knowing just how bad his situation really is. He wants to go out with an Astounding! bang, but it’s unfortunately going to be much bigger than he ever expected it to be.
Freddy, to his absolute shock, has finally convinced Carter during this time to take a road trip with himself and his partner Keith, shucking off the high life and deciding to rent a huge RV, fly to Seattle, pick up Carter and go from there – not having a clue that Carter has absolutely nothing to come back to as they head off out of Seattle on their road trip.
As they’re driving through Portland, Carter gets an overwhelming urge to stop by John’s place and the next thing they know, John is along for the ride. Much to everyone’s surprise.
While love blossoms exponentially between Carter and John within the span of a few days, Carter discovers that John has actually told him the truth. While Keith can’t figure out what the hell is going on every time he tries to take a photo of John, he get nothing but static where John is in the photo making it harder and harder to keep his secret in such a confined space.
This is where Kim Fielding rules the roost. She takes her time in a round about way with this beautiful story. The main characters are excellent, as is Freddy. The writing is slow and methodical in this novel, which I found a little disconcerting in the beginning, but it pays off in the end big time. It’s a slow and steady wins the race in this wonderful novel, as it slowly progresses and builds to a beautiful place.
Kim Fielding then steps in and delivers a swift and painful knee right into your solar plexus. Even though you know it’s coming it still manages to knock the breath from your body and leaves you gasping for air, but she keeps the pace of the book trudging along as it takes a 90º turn to allow a new chapter of life to go on.
It almost feels like a new book has begun. As one chapter is painfully closed a new one begins. With a fresh storyline, it’s almost a little jarring as it happens so fast and literally begins from scratch.
There is a completely new plot in place with new scenarios and friendships unfurling in a new town with a fresh start. It’s just written so well, and although it’s a huge jolt and a shock to the system, you’re guided into it somehow, and quite smoothly too.
The story you’ve been reading and are accustomed to is just gone and yet you get to slowly feel comfortable with this new plot quite quickly. It flows pretty smoothly into this new existence as you’ve just watched the beginnings of what feels like a metamorphosis of a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. It’s one of the only analogies I can compare it to because even though it such a sad and fast change, I felt like I got to watch a butterfly hatch to spread his wings and let me tell you, he was stuck in that cocoon for way too long.
So I have to applaud the way that was handled, due to some writing that was like the sleight of hand that a magician uses to distract you while you’re dealing with some great loss, but it’s not all bad as Carter finds his new life. He now has wings that no one can take away from him and if it wasn’t for that, who knows how things would have turned out for him? If these changes didn’t occur in his life he never would have survived the final smack down that gets thrown at him yet again, but I’ll let you digest that and figure it all out for yourselves.
If you’re a fan of Kim Fielding’s books that are on the stranger side of life then it’s a done deal. I had to think about this for a while to try and find the right words as to why I loved this story so much. It is just beautiful.
For a nice formatted view click here http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
I absolutely love it when Kim Fielding decides to go on yet another genre freestyling endeavour. I get chills when she does this.
Like so many of her other books you just never know what to expect. Its like oh, she’s chosen this genre, but what is she going to do with it? Whenever I read the blurb to one of Kim Fielding’s books and I get that excited itch begging to start between my shoulders, I know I have to get that book in my hands ASAP.
I’ve never been let down once when this happens to me. Every time one of her more intriguing synopses pops up I’m never disappointed. These are the books she writes that I cherish because another bizarre and highly creative story has been crafted and they always turn out to be exceptional books that I can’t put down.
The next thing I know the sun is rising and I’m on the last page yet again. Astounding! was quite slow to begin with, but picks up the pace as it goes along. It wove itself into a magical tale and latches onto the reader to take them along for a stunning, yet heartbreaking ride.
Astounding! is Carter Evans and Carter Evans is astounding, but he doesn’t quite know it yet. At 37 all his dreams, aspirations and hard work to keep his spec fiction magazine running is futile, and after struggling for months he finally concedes to his painfully stubborn nature and prepares to publish his final edition. Even Freddy, his ex-partner in both business and pleasure, that helped him begin his publication Astounding about 15 years ago has long moved from Seattle onto bigger and better things, now rubbing shoulders in L.A and having people squabble over him to put his novels on the screen. Freddy and Carter are still best friends and Carter is genuinely happy for his success. He also likes his longtime partner, Keith, but his hard hitting of the bottle over the last few months is beginning to make him bitter about everything.
Carter’s years of hard work editing stories and making new writers careers bloom has come to an end. He is up to his neck in debt and too proud to tell anyone about just how bad it is and far too proud to ask for any kind of financial help.
The final straw comes in a drunken blur as the never-ending arrival of another shocking story from one J. Harper arrives, just as he realises that he is about to print his final edition. The mystery man has been sending in bizarre stories for years about an alien that’s stuck on earth with no way home and he’s extremely lonely. The basic premise of his manuscripts doesn’t vary much and neither does his woeful writing.
So J. Harper, who has been sending him these utterly useless stories for years, is on the receiving end of Carter’s wrath as he spits out one nasty drunken rejection letter. He doesn’t realise that he posted it until he returns home the next night to see it pop into life as he switches on his home computer and it’s staring him in the face.
Carter is so mortified, as it’s out of character for him, that he actually travels from Seattle to Portland to apologise in person. As John Harper opens the door to Carter Evans, he is shocked that Carter has driven all this way and ends up making a deal with John out of guilt, saying OK, you give me a good enough reason in person as to why you’ve been sending me these stories for years and if its good enough, I’ll publish it in my final edition.
John is so shattered about this, more so over the fact that he needs his story in this soon-to-be final edition, he then proceeds to take Carter out for dinner and then drinks. He’s nervous, but finally cuts to the chase and tells Carter the truth, explaining his story. As crazy as it seems, Carter indulges John’s delusions as he seems like a nice guy even though he should probably be in a psych ward. It gets too late for Carter to drive home so he very cautiously spends the night on John’s couch, but a middle of the night dash to the toilet suddenly turns around as Carter and John literally crash into each others lives, with Carter ending up in John’s bed.
Freddy still writes for Astounding! as he loves it, but little does he know that Carter has organised every kick ass author to submit one final article. No one knows that this will be the final edition so he indulges John and adds his article too. Freddy’s article is incredible, as are all the others, so Carter gets organised and edits frantically as he quietly packs up and sells off the last of his possessions, leaving his life behind without anyone knowing just how bad his situation really is. He wants to go out with an Astounding! bang, but it’s unfortunately going to be much bigger than he ever expected it to be.
Freddy, to his absolute shock, has finally convinced Carter during this time to take a road trip with himself and his partner Keith, shucking off the high life and deciding to rent a huge RV, fly to Seattle, pick up Carter and go from there – not having a clue that Carter has absolutely nothing to come back to as they head off out of Seattle on their road trip.
As they’re driving through Portland, Carter gets an overwhelming urge to stop by John’s place and the next thing they know, John is along for the ride. Much to everyone’s surprise.
While love blossoms exponentially between Carter and John within the span of a few days, Carter discovers that John has actually told him the truth. While Keith can’t figure out what the hell is going on every time he tries to take a photo of John, he get nothing but static where John is in the photo making it harder and harder to keep his secret in such a confined space.
This is where Kim Fielding rules the roost. She takes her time in a round about way with this beautiful story. The main characters are excellent, as is Freddy. The writing is slow and methodical in this novel, which I found a little disconcerting in the beginning, but it pays off in the end big time. It’s a slow and steady wins the race in this wonderful novel, as it slowly progresses and builds to a beautiful place.
Kim Fielding then steps in and delivers a swift and painful knee right into your solar plexus. Even though you know it’s coming it still manages to knock the breath from your body and leaves you gasping for air, but she keeps the pace of the book trudging along as it takes a 90º turn to allow a new chapter of life to go on.
It almost feels like a new book has begun. As one chapter is painfully closed a new one begins. With a fresh storyline, it’s almost a little jarring as it happens so fast and literally begins from scratch.
There is a completely new plot in place with new scenarios and friendships unfurling in a new town with a fresh start. It’s just written so well, and although it’s a huge jolt and a shock to the system, you’re guided into it somehow, and quite smoothly too.
The story you’ve been reading and are accustomed to is just gone and yet you get to slowly feel comfortable with this new plot quite quickly. It flows pretty smoothly into this new existence as you’ve just watched the beginnings of what feels like a metamorphosis of a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. It’s one of the only analogies I can compare it to because even though it such a sad and fast change, I felt like I got to watch a butterfly hatch to spread his wings and let me tell you, he was stuck in that cocoon for way too long.
So I have to applaud the way that was handled, due to some writing that was like the sleight of hand that a magician uses to distract you while you’re dealing with some great loss, but it’s not all bad as Carter finds his new life. He now has wings that no one can take away from him and if it wasn’t for that, who knows how things would have turned out for him? If these changes didn’t occur in his life he never would have survived the final smack down that gets thrown at him yet again, but I’ll let you digest that and figure it all out for yourselves.
If you’re a fan of Kim Fielding’s books that are on the stranger side of life then it’s a done deal. I had to think about this for a while to try and find the right words as to why I loved this story so much. It is just beautiful.
July 12, 2015
4.75
Damn you Kim Fielding. You made me cry.
An editor of a dying spec magazine and a guy who says he's an alien. I don't know what I expected but this exceeded whatever my meager imagination had lined up. It's a trippy little road trip story.
This story also touches on characters that I love from the Bones and Speechless universe as well as a memorable cameo with the characters from The Tin Box. My heart is full.
Damn you Kim Fielding. You made me cry.
An editor of a dying spec magazine and a guy who says he's an alien. I don't know what I expected but this exceeded whatever my meager imagination had lined up. It's a trippy little road trip story.
This story also touches on characters that I love from the Bones and Speechless universe as well as a memorable cameo with the characters from The Tin Box. My heart is full.
June 30, 2015
I really can't say enough good about Kim Fielding, but I'm pretty sure it says enough that I, hater of all fantasy and PRN, could not be more addicted to her story telling or her characters. I fell in love with John right alongside carter and was left just as breathless when they flew together. I can't give higher compliment than saying Ms Fielding is quite seriously the only non-contemporary author on my auto buy list.
This was fabulous. Def recommended.
This was fabulous. Def recommended.
January 31, 2017
As usual Kim delivers a wonderful! story! It was a bit slow on some parts but Carter and John are so good! together, especially John. He made me cry :(!. A feel good book with lovely! characters!
FYI: Tab Hunter - 1950's heartthrob :)
FYI: Tab Hunter - 1950's heartthrob :)
July 12, 2015
"...it was -- is -- the most goddamn amazing thing that's ever happened to me. I don't have words for it. Nobody would. Not even you, Freddy. It was a revelation and a miracle and pure joy."
Astounding! is the first book by Kim Fielding that I've read and I'm wondering, right about now, what the hell took me so long? I loved this book! It was quirky and the characters were interesting and fun and the cover really reminds me of those old speculative fiction magazines from my childhood, which I very much loved.
Carter Evans is the owner and editor of a dying speculative fiction magazine called "Astounding!" and he is in a bad mental place because his baby is dying. He has devoted more than a decade of his life to his magazine, but it just isn't paying the bills anymore, so as much as he really hates to do it, it is time to let it go.
Every month for more than a year, Carter has received a manuscript from a J. Harper. It's drivel. Worse than drivel, even. And every month, Carter sends out the standard rejection letter. Except one time when he wrote what he really thought of it and sent a rather rude letter back to Mr. Harper. So, when Carter receives another manuscript the next month, that is basically just like all the others, it revives his guilty feelings for the last rejection he sent and Carter decides to apologize to J. Harper in person.
John Harper is a lot more than he seems, though. He's gorgeous, like a 1950's movie star, and he has a vintage style. He's such a nice guy that Carter feels even more guilty and from that guilt came a promise to print one of John's stories if only John will tell him why it is so important. And, though Carter doesn't not believe John's story about being extraterrestrial and just wanting to go home, he keeps his word and even likes John.
And that is where things get interesting. Meeting John really changes Carter. He stops drinking so much, and he gets into shape and he starts seeing life with a positive lens. He even decides to take his ex-boyfriend, Freddy and Freddy's current boyfriend Keith up on a vacation in a rental RV and, you know, live a little. And, when a last minute decision has Carter inviting John along, all the better.
I often don't really like ex's hanging around in my stories, but I really liked Freddy. He's so supportive and encouraging to Carter and that they are still such good friends is such a good thing. And mixing John in was wonderful.
The story was a bit magical in how John's nature really effected Carter and their inevitable separation felt fresh, and even a little final, even though you know everything will work out in the end. And the ending was so damn perfect! The happiest of happy endings, in my book.
Read
June 5, 2015You know those spec fic pulp magazines? Like Amazing Stories, Azimov's Science Fiction, and Fantastic. They had those gorgeous covers and they published a lot of wonderful authors. They served as one of my inspirations for this book--and for Paul Richmond's beautiful cover. Add to that a road trip, a man who looks like Tab Hunter and claims to be an alien, and an editor down on his luck, and you've got Astounding! I hope folks enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
September 10, 2015
*3.5 stars*
I liked this but it wasn't my favorite Kim Fielding book. This is entirely on ME. Although I'm more of a Contemporary kind of reader I devour the author's fantasy stories and that says a lot.
I liked the first half of the book a lot and it really sucked me in. But I'm really not a fan of sci-fi and especially stories with aliens, so I kind of struggled with the second half (which I suppose must be other readers' favorite part).
If Science fiction is your thing, this is a 5 star read. Very romantic and the characters are truly amazing. And although I didn't enjoy it that much, it is clear that Kim Fielding is definately one of the best authors out there and I believe she could write anything she chose to.
For more, go read Jewel's and Dani's review.
I liked this but it wasn't my favorite Kim Fielding book. This is entirely on ME. Although I'm more of a Contemporary kind of reader I devour the author's fantasy stories and that says a lot.
I liked the first half of the book a lot and it really sucked me in. But I'm really not a fan of sci-fi and especially stories with aliens, so I kind of struggled with the second half (which I suppose must be other readers' favorite part).
If Science fiction is your thing, this is a 5 star read. Very romantic and the characters are truly amazing. And although I didn't enjoy it that much, it is clear that Kim Fielding is definately one of the best authors out there and I believe she could write anything she chose to.
For more, go read Jewel's and Dani's review.
June 30, 2015
This was excellent! John and Carter were so cute together (so were Freddy and Keith)!
I didn't really read the blurb so I wasn't 100% sure what it was about, but I absolutely love all things Kim Fielding so I didn't really care. Boy was I shocked as it wasn't anything that I expected.
From the cover I thought it was about two hot guys camping. How can that not be at least a 3 star read right? It was so much more.
John was absolutely adorable and now I really want to go to a restaurant where I can make my own pancakes. So great!
I didn't really read the blurb so I wasn't 100% sure what it was about, but I absolutely love all things Kim Fielding so I didn't really care. Boy was I shocked as it wasn't anything that I expected.
From the cover I thought it was about two hot guys camping. How can that not be at least a 3 star read right? It was so much more.
John was absolutely adorable and now I really want to go to a restaurant where I can make my own pancakes. So great!
March 12, 2018
4.5 stars
A fun and unusual read, with some nice touches of humor. The story drew me in very quickly and the characters were wonderfully drawn. Carter wasn’t perfect, had a bit of softness around the middle at the start and did some stupid things—in other words, someone very easy to relate to. And John was just so sweet, as well as strong and determined which we see later in the story. The sparks that flew between them was hot, but also tender and sweet. And at times, bittersweet, because Carter and John encounter some road bumps along their journey.
There are also guest appearances by three other couples: Travis and Drew from the Speechless series, Karl and Ery from Dry Bones, and William and Colby from The Tin Box.
The story had many things I enjoy: sci-fi, characters that are writers or artists, and road trips. The road trip element is well-done, taking us to various cool places like Yosemite but never letting the trip overwhelm the story.
A fun and unusual read, with some nice touches of humor. The story drew me in very quickly and the characters were wonderfully drawn. Carter wasn’t perfect, had a bit of softness around the middle at the start and did some stupid things—in other words, someone very easy to relate to. And John was just so sweet, as well as strong and determined which we see later in the story. The sparks that flew between them was hot, but also tender and sweet. And at times, bittersweet, because Carter and John encounter some road bumps along their journey.
There are also guest appearances by three other couples: Travis and Drew from the Speechless series, Karl and Ery from Dry Bones, and William and Colby from The Tin Box.
The story had many things I enjoy: sci-fi, characters that are writers or artists, and road trips. The road trip element is well-done, taking us to various cool places like Yosemite but never letting the trip overwhelm the story.
June 3, 2023
I picked this one up at random, choosing it on Libby based on its title and the sorta kinda interesting-sounding plot. I was pleasantly surprised upon beginning the book: Kim Fielding writes a good romance with some interesting takes on traditional Science Fiction conventions. What stands out the most to me from this one is the relationships between the characters: everyone is well-written, worthy of sympathy, and their interactions and reactions are reasonable and understandable. I also rather enjoyed the protagonist's growth throughout the story - the idea of becoming like your loved ones takes on a whole new meaning here. I'd rate this one a solid 4.5, and upon completion I immediately sought out more books by this author.
May 1, 2022
Loved this just as much as everything else I've ready by this author! The premise, the twist, the conclusion, all absolutely lovely. My one problem is, as usual, encouragement of liver damage by giving someone Tylenol for a hangover. Aspirin ONLY after drinking, people, unless you'd like to try living without a liver. Spoiler -- you won't be living for long. Anyway, otherwise it was a wonderful story!
May 26, 2024
5 stars
This was wonderful.
It definitely won't work for everyone. It's single POV, and John - the love interest - isn't really that well developed, but Carter is a fabulous character and I loved his growth. This is definitely a romance, don't get me wrong, but at its core this is Carter's story.
I did love the rest of the cast. John is so lonely, he's been waiting on Earth for decades, trying to get his story published so he can go home to his planet. Freddy (Carter's ex) and Keith (Freddy's partner), were great additions. I was initially a bit worried that having Carter go on a roadtrip with his ex and new partner would involve pining, regrets, or other longing thoughts, but there was none of that whatsoever, and it was refreshing to see a character on good terms with his ex, behaving like a grown-up. The new friends Carter makes in Portland were also solid characters and added nicely to the cohort.
For a book called "Astounding!", for me it was the mundane parts of this that really shone: the time they spend in the RV, the MCs running together, the campfire discussions. They're always the bits I enjoy best, and I suppose that's also part of the core message of the book.
It's a story about letting go, moving on, and how dreams don't always work out, how sometimes you have to let them change form, and not be so caught-up in the details of things.
There's this discussion in the book about "pancake moments", basically filler content after the end of the story's climax, and how many writers don't know when to call things. Well, you know what, I don't disagree, but I wouldn't have minded some pancakes at the end. Call me sappy.
This was wonderful.
It definitely won't work for everyone. It's single POV, and John - the love interest - isn't really that well developed, but Carter is a fabulous character and I loved his growth. This is definitely a romance, don't get me wrong, but at its core this is Carter's story.
I did love the rest of the cast. John is so lonely, he's been waiting on Earth for decades, trying to get his story published so he can go home to his planet. Freddy (Carter's ex) and Keith (Freddy's partner), were great additions. I was initially a bit worried that having Carter go on a roadtrip with his ex and new partner would involve pining, regrets, or other longing thoughts, but there was none of that whatsoever, and it was refreshing to see a character on good terms with his ex, behaving like a grown-up. The new friends Carter makes in Portland were also solid characters and added nicely to the cohort.
For a book called "Astounding!", for me it was the mundane parts of this that really shone: the time they spend in the RV, the MCs running together, the campfire discussions. They're always the bits I enjoy best, and I suppose that's also part of the core message of the book.
It's a story about letting go, moving on, and how dreams don't always work out, how sometimes you have to let them change form, and not be so caught-up in the details of things.
There's this discussion in the book about "pancake moments", basically filler content after the end of the story's climax, and how many writers don't know when to call things. Well, you know what, I don't disagree, but I wouldn't have minded some pancakes at the end. Call me sappy.
July 28, 2016
The title definitely fits this book which consistently surprises--deeply in the sense that the surprising aspects are mostly the exact opposite of those you'd expect in sci-fi (or any story) that aspires to be astounding! It's a strange, quiet fable about inspiration and hope and friendship and dreams and getting older, that seems to go out of its way to subvert almost all the usual drivers of plot, suspense, or even conflict, whether romantic or supernatural. The result is lovely and tender and almost unbearably sweet. There are times when that quietness can feel like a lack of momentum--this is probably not the best story for those who love suspense or high octane action sequences--but fans of Fielding's healing stories will definitely find what they are looking for here.
June 1, 2020
Rating: 4 stars
I liked this book way more than I thought I would. It started a bit slow for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Carter as a character. Once he met John though, the story really picked up. I loved both Carter and John and loved their interactions together. I loved Carter’s ex-love and good friend Freddy and Freddy’s lover Keith. I really liked their road trip together. Made me want to rent an RV and explore the country. Overall, a really good story. I would love to read more set in this world.
I liked this book way more than I thought I would. It started a bit slow for me and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Carter as a character. Once he met John though, the story really picked up. I loved both Carter and John and loved their interactions together. I loved Carter’s ex-love and good friend Freddy and Freddy’s lover Keith. I really liked their road trip together. Made me want to rent an RV and explore the country. Overall, a really good story. I would love to read more set in this world.
July 5, 2015
Kim Fielding is such a brilliant storyteller.
I don't know how to put it into words; it's solid and engaging and always feels so... mature, serious and yet funny in an endearing way.
I don't know how to put it into words; it's solid and engaging and always feels so... mature, serious and yet funny in an endearing way.
September 3, 2018
RTC....sooooooo cute and sweet and a little heartbreaking with explosive alien star sex!!! Loved it!!! This is going on my comfort reads list!! HEA!
June 14, 2021
Re-Read -- Two bland likeable guys get together and eat lots of pancakes.
The aliens are to indistinct a concept to have any real impact. John simply exists, we don't learn anything of his adapting to Earth, the book in fact reads very much like one of his stories, bland monotony yet oddly sympathetic, want to like him but too dull where he shouldn't be. Everything seems easy/inevitable. It's not bad, it's just colourless.
Plus other characters from other books, they're not forced into the story but there were a lot of verses colliding in this book. At least I now know P-Towns patrons are past not future characters, I had wondered on a few.
....
Unfortunately I wasn't Astounded by this story. What started off interesting turned out to be highly under-whelming, nice to the point of blandness. One character is an editor and coins the phrase 'pancake' for the breakfast that follows sex at the end of the book - well this book felt like at least 50% filler with a huge serving of pancake!
Carter gives up alcohol and starts living, but as his cure is bouts of magical-alien-energy sex there's no feels there, nothing is worked through. John is too bland, his emotions extremely muted. I couldn't bring myself to care about either of them.
It was refreshing to have a pleasant ex appear with his husband, but the couple seemed more interesting than the main pairing, certainly they both showed more character. Aside from them there's cameos from other books. The first meeting okay but while those who have read the other book might be pleased to visit them, when they reappeared it bugged me. I didn't want other stories dangled in front of me when I was struggling with this one.
The alien plot is flawed and startling only in how uninteresting it was. I pushed on waiting for the big reveal/showdown but what I got seemed too intangible. Too easy and anti-climatic.
The road-trip aspect lacked descriptions, it could have been set anywhere, only thing I learnt was when they did/didn't have facilities.
While I liked the idea enough to buy the book and the writing is fine, ultimately the story bored me. I didn't feel any buzz of energy, alien or otherwise.
The aliens are to indistinct a concept to have any real impact. John simply exists, we don't learn anything of his adapting to Earth, the book in fact reads very much like one of his stories, bland monotony yet oddly sympathetic, want to like him but too dull where he shouldn't be. Everything seems easy/inevitable. It's not bad, it's just colourless.
Plus other characters from other books, they're not forced into the story but there were a lot of verses colliding in this book. At least I now know P-Towns patrons are past not future characters, I had wondered on a few.
....
Unfortunately I wasn't Astounded by this story. What started off interesting turned out to be highly under-whelming, nice to the point of blandness. One character is an editor and coins the phrase 'pancake' for the breakfast that follows sex at the end of the book - well this book felt like at least 50% filler with a huge serving of pancake!
Carter gives up alcohol and starts living, but as his cure is bouts of magical-alien-energy sex there's no feels there, nothing is worked through. John is too bland, his emotions extremely muted. I couldn't bring myself to care about either of them.
It was refreshing to have a pleasant ex appear with his husband, but the couple seemed more interesting than the main pairing, certainly they both showed more character. Aside from them there's cameos from other books. The first meeting okay but while those who have read the other book might be pleased to visit them, when they reappeared it bugged me. I didn't want other stories dangled in front of me when I was struggling with this one.
The alien plot is flawed and startling only in how uninteresting it was. I pushed on waiting for the big reveal/showdown but what I got seemed too intangible. Too easy and anti-climatic.
The road-trip aspect lacked descriptions, it could have been set anywhere, only thing I learnt was when they did/didn't have facilities.
While I liked the idea enough to buy the book and the writing is fine, ultimately the story bored me. I didn't feel any buzz of energy, alien or otherwise.
March 21, 2018
This was a pretty good read that I read for a challenge. Carter Evans is the founder and editor of the science fiction magazine Astounding! the magazine is weeks if not days away of going out of business. J. Harper keeps submitting his work even though it has been rejected numerous times. These two wound up meeting John is charming and awkward man who believes that he is an aliens are stranded on Earth. John can't be around computers or cell phones so he does entertainment without electricity which I can't imagine doing. Carter finds himself attracted to the man and invites John to go on a road trip that his ex roped him into. The trip proves to be a turning point in both Carter and John’s lives. This was a pretty good book these two were made for each other. I did feel at times this story dragged on. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
July 4, 2015
Truly astounding!
I can't at the genius that is Kim Fielding.
Beautiful characters, beautiful story and a visit from some of Ms. Fielding's other novels' amazing characters!
perfect is perfect!
thank you Kim Fielding for yet another wonderful piece!
5 astounding stars!
***
I wasn't aware of Tab Hunter and had to google him - ^^ shucks! ^^
I can't at the genius that is Kim Fielding.
Beautiful characters, beautiful story and a visit from some of Ms. Fielding's other novels' amazing characters!
perfect is perfect!
thank you Kim Fielding for yet another wonderful piece!
5 astounding stars!
***
I wasn't aware of Tab Hunter and had to google him - ^^ shucks! ^^
September 16, 2015
STUNNING!!!! I adore this book! And Carter and John simply blew me away! This is a must read from Kim Fielding who continues to amaze with her wonderful writing.
November 29, 2021
This is an homage to the golden age of science fiction magazines as well as a very satisfying, sweet love story. I don't think I've ever read anything by Kim Fielding I haven't loved, in particular her science-fiction and paranormal stories. This is no exception. The golden age of the science fiction magazines is over and Astounding! is dying. Carter, its founding editor, is a purposeless, broke and depressed borderline alcoholic. He writes a snippy rejection letter to a writer who persists in sending him terrible, terrible submissions and then in a fit of remorse drives to his house to apologise. The guy, John, is a) gorgeous and b) bonkers, as he claims to be an alien wanting to send a message via Astounding! to his people to come and take him home. They're both lonely and they quickly make a connection despite Carter's reservations. It's a really satisfying read with the well-rounded, complex characters you'd expect from this author. There's also a road-trip with Carter's super-star-writer friend (who I pictured as a cross between George R. R. Martin and Arthur C. Clarke) and his husband, which is a delight. Recommend!
June 12, 2023
Aw, this was really sweet, with a completely wackadoodle premise about a stranded alien who writes terrible science fiction in an attempt to send a come-get-me message to his home world, and the editor of a dying SF magazine who keeps rejecting his stories. John, the alien, doesn't want to leave Earth as much as all that, so it's a good thing Carter, the editor, would very much like to keep him here.
The closest this gets to Deep Themes is that the MCs' happy ending hangs on the richness of being embodied. No argument from me.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
The closest this gets to Deep Themes is that the MCs' happy ending hangs on the richness of being embodied. No argument from me.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
March 25, 2021
This is classic Kim Fielding, which means it's well-written, has engaging characters, lots of charm and fluffiness. It's a nice comfy read. The basic conflict set up was like Motel. Pool. though, so if you've read that one, this one doesn't really have the same impact. The third act also dragged out a little too long.
I didn't quite feel the chemistry between the MCs. Their relationship was sweet but it felt a little convenient how it got started. Their names didn't really help. Carter and John? This is a book about aliens. John Carter of Mars, anyone? That was a little on the nose. And if aliens weren't enough, she brings mythological creatures into it too, which felt tacked on and unnecessary to me but YMMV.
I didn't quite feel the chemistry between the MCs. Their relationship was sweet but it felt a little convenient how it got started. Their names didn't really help. Carter and John? This is a book about aliens. John Carter of Mars, anyone? That was a little on the nose. And if aliens weren't enough, she brings mythological creatures into it too, which felt tacked on and unnecessary to me but YMMV.
September 14, 2015
What an interesting take on an alien/human romance. Most of such stories I've read take place in space, so having an alien come to earth was a nice change. The way the author focused on Carter at the beginning of the story was a great way to get to know him and his hopes and worries. Dare I say that he is a real "down-to-earth" kind of guy as he accepts the reality of his magazine reaching the end of it's run.
Meeting John, after Carter rejects his manuscript was the best thing that could have happened to bring Carter out of his funk and make him "live" again instead of being depressed and drowning in drink. Just loved John from the beginning. He's a beautiful soul and the pair of them made for a lovely romance story. Loved this all the way through. Nicely done!
Meeting John, after Carter rejects his manuscript was the best thing that could have happened to bring Carter out of his funk and make him "live" again instead of being depressed and drowning in drink. Just loved John from the beginning. He's a beautiful soul and the pair of them made for a lovely romance story. Loved this all the way through. Nicely done!
June 24, 2018
I just finished this wonderful story by Kim Fielding and it was...(drum roll) ASTOUNDING! Couldn't resist that. Sorry.
What a great story, which started as contemporary, I thought, but turned out to be fantasy or sci-fi/futuristic. Confusion is mine.
In any event, it's a sweet love story featuring several MM couples, one of which is principal and really wonderful. Can't give the particulars in this review because it would have to contain spoilers but I can say that I admire this author's work, not only for her creativity and interesting writing style, but also for the variety of genres in which she writes. Fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, or paranormal, it's always terrific.
BTW, as an editor I totally appreciated the comments on editors and authors. Spot-on and hilarious.
Highly recommended.
What a great story, which started as contemporary, I thought, but turned out to be fantasy or sci-fi/futuristic. Confusion is mine.
In any event, it's a sweet love story featuring several MM couples, one of which is principal and really wonderful. Can't give the particulars in this review because it would have to contain spoilers but I can say that I admire this author's work, not only for her creativity and interesting writing style, but also for the variety of genres in which she writes. Fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, or paranormal, it's always terrific.
BTW, as an editor I totally appreciated the comments on editors and authors. Spot-on and hilarious.
Highly recommended.
December 23, 2022
"That’s what they’d called the magazine from the very beginning—the baby. It had been born when they were a young couple, their hearts light with hope and optimism. But while Freddy’s career took off like a rocket, their relationship fizzled into friendship and the baby remained stunted and underfed. And now the baby was very close to dying completely."
When I read the description for 'Astounding!' by Kim Fielding, I got a flashback of the movie K-Pax with Kevin Spacey. This was not a bad thing, not at all. I really enjoyed that movie, it made me think, and it left me wondering what if? Since this author has been known to do that same thing to me on many occasions, I was very interested to read about Carter and John.
My heart went out to Carter right from the start. The magazine is all he has, begun in his twenties with his then-boyfriend, Freddy. The Internet boom has been slowly killing Astounding! for years now but Carter's stubbornness has him holding on. If he could just stop getting these horrible stories every month from J. Harper life might be a little better. In a drunken fit of pique Carter mails off a not-so-very-nice rejection letter that, if I had received it, would have crushed me. Instead, Carter receives another submission and the sweetest letter from Mr. Harper begging Carter to publish just one of his stories and then Carter will never hear from him again. Instead of sending another reply, Carter gets in his car and drives to John Harper's home, not knowing his life is truly about to begin.
“You tell me honestly why this is such a huge deal. Tell me even if you think I won’t believe you. And I’ll publish one of your stories in the next issue.”
“I can… I can tell you. But you won’t believe me.”
Carter sighed and put down his glass. “Well, make it good, then. I never could resist a good story.”
Now Carter has sent the final issue out, with John's story at the end, and his good friends, Freddy, his husband, Keith, and Carter are taking an RV vacation for fun. They end up picking up John and bringing him along. Carter doesn't believe John about being an alien, but there's something about him. Something that every day they spend together grows deeper and more intense.
As this author has done to me time and time again, this book went in a direction I wasn't expecting. I'm not even sure I have the words to describe John except he was sweet and innocent, in some ways, and loving beyond belief. Carter had been a bitter, stubborn, man who didn't see anything positive for his future but John changed him. Carter's experiences with John changed him and made him a better man. In order to avoid spoilers there's a lot I can not reveal, just trust me when I say it's all worth it.
I fell in love with John and Carter, and their love story. There were moments where I cried and times where I just held my breath in hope. 'Astounding!' was beautiful and lovely and I highly recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
When I read the description for 'Astounding!' by Kim Fielding, I got a flashback of the movie K-Pax with Kevin Spacey. This was not a bad thing, not at all. I really enjoyed that movie, it made me think, and it left me wondering what if? Since this author has been known to do that same thing to me on many occasions, I was very interested to read about Carter and John.
My heart went out to Carter right from the start. The magazine is all he has, begun in his twenties with his then-boyfriend, Freddy. The Internet boom has been slowly killing Astounding! for years now but Carter's stubbornness has him holding on. If he could just stop getting these horrible stories every month from J. Harper life might be a little better. In a drunken fit of pique Carter mails off a not-so-very-nice rejection letter that, if I had received it, would have crushed me. Instead, Carter receives another submission and the sweetest letter from Mr. Harper begging Carter to publish just one of his stories and then Carter will never hear from him again. Instead of sending another reply, Carter gets in his car and drives to John Harper's home, not knowing his life is truly about to begin.
“You tell me honestly why this is such a huge deal. Tell me even if you think I won’t believe you. And I’ll publish one of your stories in the next issue.”
“I can… I can tell you. But you won’t believe me.”
Carter sighed and put down his glass. “Well, make it good, then. I never could resist a good story.”
Now Carter has sent the final issue out, with John's story at the end, and his good friends, Freddy, his husband, Keith, and Carter are taking an RV vacation for fun. They end up picking up John and bringing him along. Carter doesn't believe John about being an alien, but there's something about him. Something that every day they spend together grows deeper and more intense.
As this author has done to me time and time again, this book went in a direction I wasn't expecting. I'm not even sure I have the words to describe John except he was sweet and innocent, in some ways, and loving beyond belief. Carter had been a bitter, stubborn, man who didn't see anything positive for his future but John changed him. Carter's experiences with John changed him and made him a better man. In order to avoid spoilers there's a lot I can not reveal, just trust me when I say it's all worth it.
I fell in love with John and Carter, and their love story. There were moments where I cried and times where I just held my breath in hope. 'Astounding!' was beautiful and lovely and I highly recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
September 4, 2015
3.5 stars
I think I can always count on Kim Fielding to deliver a solid work -- her romance emphasizes on progress (both relationship and characters) and she never uses sex scenes as a device to lure more readers (which fits to my heart's content).
Astounding! is another example. It's a gentle and sweet story about two individuals who find out that 'home' could be defined into more than just a place where you're born or where you live. John Harper is a being from outer space, who is looking for a way to contact his people and get back home. While Carter is an editor of a sci-fiction magazine, Astounding!, who thinks that his dream of achieving something better and significant with his magazine has been turned into dust.
I have never been a fan of sci-fi, but the alien here feels human enough that I couldn't find any difficulty to empathize with him. I loved how they found one another -- I loved the process of them starting as strangers, connected with the (bad) stories that John keeps sending Carter, into friendship, and then to lovers. I loved the journey that the two experience, when they are going with the RV to do a trip with Carter's ex, Freddie and Freddie's husband, Keith. I especially loved that Carter is still being good friend with his ex. It's nice to read about ex-es that are not just bitter and angry.
The road-trip part, as always, made me feel very elated. I love road trip stories -- it enhances the intimacy when people are forced to share close space. Of course, in real life, it could go wrong, but hey, this is romance fiction. It's all lovely and good
There are character cameos from Fielding's other books, which I found really amusing. It was like finding Easter eggs :)
The reason why I couldn't give this 4-stars yet was because I thought I thought of the last 20% or so, borrowing Ms. Fielding's own phrase here, as the pancake part. I knew that it was needed for the HEA but still, it was like I already had the climax, and then the pace went down and flat until the last part. So I wasn't fully satisfied.
*) Pancake part = per this story, means the story dragged on too long
I think I can always count on Kim Fielding to deliver a solid work -- her romance emphasizes on progress (both relationship and characters) and she never uses sex scenes as a device to lure more readers (which fits to my heart's content).
Astounding! is another example. It's a gentle and sweet story about two individuals who find out that 'home' could be defined into more than just a place where you're born or where you live. John Harper is a being from outer space, who is looking for a way to contact his people and get back home. While Carter is an editor of a sci-fiction magazine, Astounding!, who thinks that his dream of achieving something better and significant with his magazine has been turned into dust.
I have never been a fan of sci-fi, but the alien here feels human enough that I couldn't find any difficulty to empathize with him. I loved how they found one another -- I loved the process of them starting as strangers, connected with the (bad) stories that John keeps sending Carter, into friendship, and then to lovers. I loved the journey that the two experience, when they are going with the RV to do a trip with Carter's ex, Freddie and Freddie's husband, Keith. I especially loved that Carter is still being good friend with his ex. It's nice to read about ex-es that are not just bitter and angry.
The road-trip part, as always, made me feel very elated. I love road trip stories -- it enhances the intimacy when people are forced to share close space. Of course, in real life, it could go wrong, but hey, this is romance fiction. It's all lovely and good
There are character cameos from Fielding's other books, which I found really amusing. It was like finding Easter eggs :)
The reason why I couldn't give this 4-stars yet was because I thought I thought of the last 20% or so, borrowing Ms. Fielding's own phrase here, as the pancake part. I knew that it was needed for the HEA but still, it was like I already had the climax, and then the pace went down and flat until the last part. So I wasn't fully satisfied.
*) Pancake part = per this story, means the story dragged on too long
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