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Nel Bently #1
Travelers
ASIN moved from less recent edition here
Archaeologist Nel Bently has her own crew, her own research, and a private patron to fund her passion for dirt. With her trowel barely into the dry earth of Chile’s coast, however, Nel learns she and her crew are being watched.
Los Pobladores, known to Nel only as vandals and looters, take issue with any archaeologist brave or stubborn enough to set boots on their land. Nel is both and far from willing to give up the site that will make her career. She must keep her crew, her friends, and her life’s work safe, but with a benefactor playing chess with their lives, and angry militants who may actually have a point, Nel is ready to fight dirty.
X-FILES meets LARA CROFT in this snarky sci-fi about where we came from, and where we’re going
Archaeologist Nel Bently has her own crew, her own research, and a private patron to fund her passion for dirt. With her trowel barely into the dry earth of Chile’s coast, however, Nel learns she and her crew are being watched.
Los Pobladores, known to Nel only as vandals and looters, take issue with any archaeologist brave or stubborn enough to set boots on their land. Nel is both and far from willing to give up the site that will make her career. She must keep her crew, her friends, and her life’s work safe, but with a benefactor playing chess with their lives, and angry militants who may actually have a point, Nel is ready to fight dirty.
X-FILES meets LARA CROFT in this snarky sci-fi about where we came from, and where we’re going
Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2016
34 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
V.S. Holmes
28 books75 followersV. S. Holmes is an international bestselling author of dark, speculative fiction, from fast-paced hard sci-fi to slow-burn gothic fantasy and everything in between. He has two finished series: Stars Edge: Nel Bently Books, a queer archaeological sci-fi, and the dark fantasy Blood of Titans. Smoke and Rain, the award-winning first book in his fantasy quartet, became an international bestseller in 2018. Travelers is also included in the Peregrine Moon Lander mission as part of the Writers on the Moon Time Capsule. In addition, he writes game content for Stone Blade Entertainment and published short fiction in several anthologies.
He is currently working on a folk horror, inspired by death, sex, and their Frisian and Celtic heritage.
Beyond the keyboard, he lives in western Massachusetts, and like to garden, feed the birds, and watch the river change with the seasons. V worked as a contract archaeologist for over a decade before becoming an electrician. V is a trans guy, among other flavors of queer, and married to a fellow archaeologist. They enjoy quiet evenings with food, games, and films with a sweet lab-rottweiler, Rory and the not-so-quiet brown mutt, Millie.
He is currently working on a folk horror, inspired by death, sex, and their Frisian and Celtic heritage.
Beyond the keyboard, he lives in western Massachusetts, and like to garden, feed the birds, and watch the river change with the seasons. V worked as a contract archaeologist for over a decade before becoming an electrician. V is a trans guy, among other flavors of queer, and married to a fellow archaeologist. They enjoy quiet evenings with food, games, and films with a sweet lab-rottweiler, Rory and the not-so-quiet brown mutt, Millie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 3, 2019
“Travelers (Starsedge: Nel Bently Book 1)” is a wonderfully entertaining story narrated by one of my very favorite narrators: Tiana Hanson.
I’ve enjoyed listening to Ms. Hanson narrate lesfic stories by Bridget Essex and her wife Natalie Vivien, and was excited to see a lesfic sci-fi action story become available on Audible. While “Travelers” is the first work by V. S. Holmes I’ve listened to, I absolutely hope that the author brings the rest of the books (0, 2 and 3) to audible, and I certainly hope she continues to work with Ms. Hanson!
As good as a narrator may be, and did I mention yet that Tiana Hanson is very good?, a narrator needs great material to make an audiobook truly enjoyable. I was hoping for a book that would be entertaining without being campy, and the author delivered just was I was hoping for.
Beyond the great narration, this is a very fun story with lots of interesting details about working on an archaeological dig in a country where all of the locals may not want foreigners digging up their past. The MCs are very likable, and the story is as fast-paced as it is well-written.
One thing that surprised me, but worked out well, is how long it took for MC Nel to meet the mysterious and hot MC Lin. After all, this book is described as a sci-fi story with a lesbian archaeologist. What worked out well is that instead of just being a sci-fi action story, or focusing heavily on lesbian romance or erotica, we spend time with Nel as just a person doing her job in a harsh environment. She has deep conversations with her friend Mikey about life, and how the study of archaeology helps us understand where we’re going by learning where we’ve been.
I discussed this story with a very good friend of mine who is a professor of Geology, and was assured that the detailed descriptions of life on a dig, and interactions with locals and dig team members was very accurate. Not surprising, given that the author and her spouse are archaeologists themselves. Not that every, or even many, digs include vandalism, armed threats, murder and space aliens, but the attention to detail was terrific!
MCs New and Lin are terrific together once they meet and, err…get together (beginning at chapter 19 of 28). Once Lin becomes involved, the pace of the book really accelerates and the sci-fi aspect of the book takes center stage.
As part one of a trilogy, things are left unresolved between Nel and “her almost girlfriend” Lin at the end of “Travelers”, so be prepared to look forward to “Drifters - book 2” and “Strangers - book 3” coming to Audible as soon as possible!
As you may have guessed by now, I really enjoyed both the story and the narration, and I rate “Travelers - Nel Bently Book 1” as a solid 5*, as I will certainly listen to the story again.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
I’ve enjoyed listening to Ms. Hanson narrate lesfic stories by Bridget Essex and her wife Natalie Vivien, and was excited to see a lesfic sci-fi action story become available on Audible. While “Travelers” is the first work by V. S. Holmes I’ve listened to, I absolutely hope that the author brings the rest of the books (0, 2 and 3) to audible, and I certainly hope she continues to work with Ms. Hanson!
As good as a narrator may be, and did I mention yet that Tiana Hanson is very good?, a narrator needs great material to make an audiobook truly enjoyable. I was hoping for a book that would be entertaining without being campy, and the author delivered just was I was hoping for.
Beyond the great narration, this is a very fun story with lots of interesting details about working on an archaeological dig in a country where all of the locals may not want foreigners digging up their past. The MCs are very likable, and the story is as fast-paced as it is well-written.
One thing that surprised me, but worked out well, is how long it took for MC Nel to meet the mysterious and hot MC Lin. After all, this book is described as a sci-fi story with a lesbian archaeologist. What worked out well is that instead of just being a sci-fi action story, or focusing heavily on lesbian romance or erotica, we spend time with Nel as just a person doing her job in a harsh environment. She has deep conversations with her friend Mikey about life, and how the study of archaeology helps us understand where we’re going by learning where we’ve been.
I discussed this story with a very good friend of mine who is a professor of Geology, and was assured that the detailed descriptions of life on a dig, and interactions with locals and dig team members was very accurate. Not surprising, given that the author and her spouse are archaeologists themselves. Not that every, or even many, digs include vandalism, armed threats, murder and space aliens, but the attention to detail was terrific!
MCs New and Lin are terrific together once they meet and, err…get together (beginning at chapter 19 of 28). Once Lin becomes involved, the pace of the book really accelerates and the sci-fi aspect of the book takes center stage.
As part one of a trilogy, things are left unresolved between Nel and “her almost girlfriend” Lin at the end of “Travelers”, so be prepared to look forward to “Drifters - book 2” and “Strangers - book 3” coming to Audible as soon as possible!
As you may have guessed by now, I really enjoyed both the story and the narration, and I rate “Travelers - Nel Bently Book 1” as a solid 5*, as I will certainly listen to the story again.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
May 18, 2022
Kindle Unlimited find.
An interesting mix of a lesbian Archaeologist being thwarted by a group protesting and vandalizing her dig site in Chile. Lots of things simply don't add up on this dig, like strange metals, and glossy surfaces, her trusty compass going haywire. Our MC is quite gruff, a little hard to sympathize with at times, but passionate!
It's fairly slow at first, just details of the dig, interactions with colleagues and students, and the locals who oppose what is happening. It takes a while for a new player to turn up, and then all the action ramps up, and the full reveal happens rather quickly after that.
I would have preferred to have our MC wonder more about what was happening, and have the mystery been a bit more, well, mysterious, especially before the huge reveal. There just wasn't enough time left to wrap our heads around it, nor for any real reaction from our MC.
Overall there seemed quite a disconnect on an emotional level and the story-telling itself seemed slightly lacking, despite clear details about the dig and the author clearly knowing about archaeology. Everything else just felt slightly let down in comparison.
An interesting mix of a lesbian Archaeologist being thwarted by a group protesting and vandalizing her dig site in Chile. Lots of things simply don't add up on this dig, like strange metals, and glossy surfaces, her trusty compass going haywire. Our MC is quite gruff, a little hard to sympathize with at times, but passionate!
It's fairly slow at first, just details of the dig, interactions with colleagues and students, and the locals who oppose what is happening. It takes a while for a new player to turn up, and then all the action ramps up, and the full reveal happens rather quickly after that.
I would have preferred to have our MC wonder more about what was happening, and have the mystery been a bit more, well, mysterious, especially before the huge reveal. There just wasn't enough time left to wrap our heads around it, nor for any real reaction from our MC.
Overall there seemed quite a disconnect on an emotional level and the story-telling itself seemed slightly lacking, despite clear details about the dig and the author clearly knowing about archaeology. Everything else just felt slightly let down in comparison.
October 5, 2016
Archeology and science fiction are not usually mentioned in the same sentence, but after reading this first book in the ‘Nel Bently’ series, the idea of one linked to the other makes a lot of sense to me. And not just because this book is set at least a few years from 2016 - a fact that does not become evident until the final few chapters. The whole concept this story is based on and built around is fascinating, the way V.S. Holmes has written the characters and plot is brilliant, and while the central idea isn’t entirely new, the way V.S. has given it a slight twist makes it a fresh approach.
And no, I can’t be more specific because giving more details here would spoil the entire experience of discovering the truth of what is going on. The story is constructed so well, that for quite a while I thought I was reading an interesting novel about a dedicated archeologist and her finds, the political machinations she is exposed to, and the confrontations she has with militants who want her to stop digging. And that alone would have made a good action/adventure story à la Indiana Jones with a touch of political interest of modern-day traditionalists thrown in. Except – there is so much more to the story!
Nel is a great main character. She is a tough woman, an archeologist dedicated to discovering the secrets of our ancestors, and not exactly a people person. She has students working with her on the dig in Chile that it took a lot of effort to get permits for, students she is supposed to teach, she can’t get herself to talk to them beyond the bare socially required minimum. She is much more comfortable with her best friend, Mickey, an experienced archeologist in his own right. But when the local activists begin to become more insistent about protecting the site, Nel has to figure out a way to keep everyone safe. And that involves working with the people who, like she, are interested to find out more about the surprising finds they make – none of which seem to make sense.
If you like stories with lots of mystery that is only slowly revealed, if a woman determined to find “the truth” sounds like an interesting character, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with lots of surprises, a touch of romance, and a whole lot of promise for more details in at least one sequel, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. I can’t wait for the next installment of Nel Bently’s adventures.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
And no, I can’t be more specific because giving more details here would spoil the entire experience of discovering the truth of what is going on. The story is constructed so well, that for quite a while I thought I was reading an interesting novel about a dedicated archeologist and her finds, the political machinations she is exposed to, and the confrontations she has with militants who want her to stop digging. And that alone would have made a good action/adventure story à la Indiana Jones with a touch of political interest of modern-day traditionalists thrown in. Except – there is so much more to the story!
Nel is a great main character. She is a tough woman, an archeologist dedicated to discovering the secrets of our ancestors, and not exactly a people person. She has students working with her on the dig in Chile that it took a lot of effort to get permits for, students she is supposed to teach, she can’t get herself to talk to them beyond the bare socially required minimum. She is much more comfortable with her best friend, Mickey, an experienced archeologist in his own right. But when the local activists begin to become more insistent about protecting the site, Nel has to figure out a way to keep everyone safe. And that involves working with the people who, like she, are interested to find out more about the surprising finds they make – none of which seem to make sense.
If you like stories with lots of mystery that is only slowly revealed, if a woman determined to find “the truth” sounds like an interesting character, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with lots of surprises, a touch of romance, and a whole lot of promise for more details in at least one sequel, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. I can’t wait for the next installment of Nel Bently’s adventures.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 31, 2016
You know that feeling after you consume a story, in any medium, and you know that it has forever changed your life? That it affected your way of thinking and how you see the world? You look around and everyone else if just flipping through YouTube videos or scrolling through Facebook and you have this intense feeling in your chest that is threatening to choke you to death if you don’t get more? That is what Travelers feels like. Reading the last chapter was like watching the last episode of Firefly all over again. Knowing there is nothing else. Lucky, V.S. Holmes is her own boss and no one can cancel The Nel Bently Series! Lets just breath a collective sigh of relief.
I cannot say enough good things about this book! If you like Archeology or ever wanted be an archeologist, if you like X-files, Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, if you like Firefly or a book that makes you laugh until you cry, ugly cry and then feel as if your world has been changed forever just for having read it, I HIGHLY recommend this book. Don't walk, run, to your computer and order your copy as soon as it's released in February 27th. This is a book that will sit on your nightstand long after you have finished it and you won't even want to lend it your friends because they might not be careful enough with it.
If it’s 9 degrees outside and you can’t stop reading long enough to throw a log on the fire, you might be reading TRAVELERS
April 28, 2019
V.S.Holmes has created an awesome contemporary science fiction thriller. The amazing story has elements of girl power and anti-toxic masculinity. It has opened up an interesting lesson about anthropology that exposes the audience to many passionate souls that love their jobs just as much as they love one another.
I look forward to whatever adventure Nel embarks on next.
I look forward to whatever adventure Nel embarks on next.
December 24, 2018
Real rating: 3.5/5 stars or 4/5 stars, still unsure
TRAVELERS is about Nel Bently, a lesbian archaeologist who is currently on a dig in Chile, when a local gang expressed their disbelief about the dig. Nel thinks she's dealt with people like this, but she just ends up tangled in something far larger than herself.
This book was an archaeological joy, like, sci-fi and archaeology? Are you calling me out?
You can tell V.S. Holmes is an archaeologist. You can tell parts about the dig were inspired from her own work on dig-sites. There is a glossary for those who have no archaeological experience.
I enjoyed Nel a lot. She can be blunt at times and is quick to being angry, but not in an annoying way. She's also a terrible teacher and is called out on this. I found her voice unique to others I've read.
The science fiction elements come in the last quarter of the book, and kind of suddenly at that.
I definitely enjoyed it overall, though.
You can get the book on her website for free, so if any of this interests you, try it.
TRAVELERS is about Nel Bently, a lesbian archaeologist who is currently on a dig in Chile, when a local gang expressed their disbelief about the dig. Nel thinks she's dealt with people like this, but she just ends up tangled in something far larger than herself.
This book was an archaeological joy, like, sci-fi and archaeology? Are you calling me out?
You can tell V.S. Holmes is an archaeologist. You can tell parts about the dig were inspired from her own work on dig-sites. There is a glossary for those who have no archaeological experience.
I enjoyed Nel a lot. She can be blunt at times and is quick to being angry, but not in an annoying way. She's also a terrible teacher and is called out on this. I found her voice unique to others I've read.
The science fiction elements come in the last quarter of the book, and kind of suddenly at that.
I definitely enjoyed it overall, though.
You can get the book on her website for free, so if any of this interests you, try it.
May 7, 2020
Torn on this. It feels much more like the first act of a book rather than a standalone. I didn't quite get Nel by the end of the book, and the love interest showed up way too late. But the archaeology bits were fun to read.
June 3, 2019
Complimentary copy of the book was received from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
This is not a genre that I would normally read, but with the premise of “like Tomb Raider” I was very excited. Tomb Raider is my favourite game series and movies and was expecting an amazing action packed novel.
Unfortunately, this book did not at all have the Tomb Raider feel that I was expecting. I found the plot to be very slow, with not much happening. Although, around the half way mark, I started to develop some interest in the story. In spite of this however, towards the end I found a few times that I’d become lost and had to reread sometimes whole pages to try and find the story again. I found the characters to be very 2D, and lacked depth, meaning that I could not connect to any of them.
I am all for m/m or in this case f/f relationships, however, I did not see how the relationship fit into the story. To me it felt like a side story, especially since the relationship was not developed in my opinion.
Overall, this story was okay. For me, it really lacked the excitement I built up around the premises of being “like Tomb Raider” as I said previously. But not a series I would continue to purchase or read.
This is not a genre that I would normally read, but with the premise of “like Tomb Raider” I was very excited. Tomb Raider is my favourite game series and movies and was expecting an amazing action packed novel.
Unfortunately, this book did not at all have the Tomb Raider feel that I was expecting. I found the plot to be very slow, with not much happening. Although, around the half way mark, I started to develop some interest in the story. In spite of this however, towards the end I found a few times that I’d become lost and had to reread sometimes whole pages to try and find the story again. I found the characters to be very 2D, and lacked depth, meaning that I could not connect to any of them.
I am all for m/m or in this case f/f relationships, however, I did not see how the relationship fit into the story. To me it felt like a side story, especially since the relationship was not developed in my opinion.
Overall, this story was okay. For me, it really lacked the excitement I built up around the premises of being “like Tomb Raider” as I said previously. But not a series I would continue to purchase or read.
December 2, 2018
Finally an archeology adventure that isn't dumbed down!
I think I'm in love with this series. Grounded in the solid bedrock of real archeological techniques and experience, it takes off from there into the fantastic. I love it the way I love Tony Hillerman's writing:it challenges me to research new areas of study without once losing the draw of a gripping narrative. Even better, it shows truly rounded queer characters whose sexuality is just one facet of a complex and engaging personality. From page 1 Nel tromped through my imagination with a screw-you-too grin and a trowel in her back pocket. Her description of the field life feels incredibly real.
This book rocks.
I think I'm in love with this series. Grounded in the solid bedrock of real archeological techniques and experience, it takes off from there into the fantastic. I love it the way I love Tony Hillerman's writing:it challenges me to research new areas of study without once losing the draw of a gripping narrative. Even better, it shows truly rounded queer characters whose sexuality is just one facet of a complex and engaging personality. From page 1 Nel tromped through my imagination with a screw-you-too grin and a trowel in her back pocket. Her description of the field life feels incredibly real.
This book rocks.
January 27, 2019
I received this book for free through Voracious Readers Only.
Nel Bently is an archaeologist leading a dig in Chile. But what they find don't make much sense in the historical context Nel knows. Is the site contaminated, or have they stumbled upon something previously unknown?
A local rebel organisation called the Founders keeps vandalising the dig site. Then things get really out of hand, the dig is shut down, and Nel has to fight not just for her career but for her life.
It was really interesting to read about the nitty gritty of archaeological digs. I don't know much about archaeology, but you can really tell this was written by someone who knows their stuff. Luckily there is a glossary of terms in the back of the book.
Nel is a strong but dark main character: flawed, bad-ass, passionate and full of anger. At times she seems very lonely, which suits the mood of the story.
Travelers is a fast paced adventure novel in the vein of a modern Indiana Jones. There's a science fiction element, but it's introduced slowly with no real resolution at the end of the book, hinting at more to come in the series. I'm looking forward to reading more of Nel's adventures.
Nel Bently is an archaeologist leading a dig in Chile. But what they find don't make much sense in the historical context Nel knows. Is the site contaminated, or have they stumbled upon something previously unknown?
A local rebel organisation called the Founders keeps vandalising the dig site. Then things get really out of hand, the dig is shut down, and Nel has to fight not just for her career but for her life.
It was really interesting to read about the nitty gritty of archaeological digs. I don't know much about archaeology, but you can really tell this was written by someone who knows their stuff. Luckily there is a glossary of terms in the back of the book.
Nel is a strong but dark main character: flawed, bad-ass, passionate and full of anger. At times she seems very lonely, which suits the mood of the story.
Travelers is a fast paced adventure novel in the vein of a modern Indiana Jones. There's a science fiction element, but it's introduced slowly with no real resolution at the end of the book, hinting at more to come in the series. I'm looking forward to reading more of Nel's adventures.
March 17, 2019
Review of V.S.Holmes’ Travelers
Nel Bently runs a dig in South America. She’s good at the digging and the recording, if not everyone’s favorite professor. This time out, she’s run into some local trouble – protectionists who vandalize her site and try to run the team off the dig. This leads to stranger and stranger events, and the site itself refuses to conform to logical expectations.
This story has everything you want: Cool archaeology, a kick-ass female lead, a spicy little romance element, mystery, adventure, and tragedy.
The story starts of the tiniest bit frantic, giving it a bit of a YA feel, but settles in after the first chapter. This might be because of how stories get written or how they get pitched. Agents are always on us to cram a bunch of stuff in the first few pages to hook readers, but actually readers can be more patient than agents give us credit for.
There is a bit of sex, if that’s a worry for you. And a bit of violence, mostly off-camera.
Oh, and there’s at least two more of these. If you’re looking for a series to get obsessed with for a minute that won’t wear you out, give Nel Bently a try.
Nel Bently runs a dig in South America. She’s good at the digging and the recording, if not everyone’s favorite professor. This time out, she’s run into some local trouble – protectionists who vandalize her site and try to run the team off the dig. This leads to stranger and stranger events, and the site itself refuses to conform to logical expectations.
This story has everything you want: Cool archaeology, a kick-ass female lead, a spicy little romance element, mystery, adventure, and tragedy.
The story starts of the tiniest bit frantic, giving it a bit of a YA feel, but settles in after the first chapter. This might be because of how stories get written or how they get pitched. Agents are always on us to cram a bunch of stuff in the first few pages to hook readers, but actually readers can be more patient than agents give us credit for.
There is a bit of sex, if that’s a worry for you. And a bit of violence, mostly off-camera.
Oh, and there’s at least two more of these. If you’re looking for a series to get obsessed with for a minute that won’t wear you out, give Nel Bently a try.
January 22, 2019
This was a good archaeological mystery that took its time laying the groundwork for the first half of the book. I’ve read enough about archaeology for the technical elements to ring true and the problems (vandalism on the site, growing threat of violence) helped to build tension while the reader and our heroine tried to figure out what was going on. Then a pivotal character is murdered and matters move into high gear as the science fiction elements finally start to surface in the later portions of the book. It’s an entertaining if predictable mystery. The fact that I wasn’t surprised by the science fiction portion of the plot doesn’t detract from the story—I suspect anyone reading the blurb will make the same guesses I did. My primary criticism is that the sudden romance felt contrived to me—not totally unbelievable but not totally credible either. But then I always feel that way when a protagonist jumps into bed with a character I have found dicey since they first appeared on the page. Overall, if you find the blurb interesting, I think you’ll like this story.
March 20, 2018
I'm a big fan of what I call "Informed Fantasy" which is to say, fiction stories which portray real life expertise. I like this, because I think skilled people doing difficult things is usually more interesting, and always more exciting, than flawed people making mistakes (which seems to be the basic design philosophy behind the idea of the 'tragic flaw,' which dominates modern literary discourse).
Travelers Pros: this is a book about an archaeologist written by a real archaeologist. It shows. Real archaeology is SUPER INTERESTING. It's like CSI, only the crime scenes are old. Do not mistake this for dryness - one need not be a dirt-nerd to enjoy this fast, gripping and lighthearted narrative. But, It is rooted in the real life skills of it's author, and that makes the science part of 'science fiction' so much more real.
Cons: ..... I'll probably think of something. Cover art isn't great.
Travelers Pros: this is a book about an archaeologist written by a real archaeologist. It shows. Real archaeology is SUPER INTERESTING. It's like CSI, only the crime scenes are old. Do not mistake this for dryness - one need not be a dirt-nerd to enjoy this fast, gripping and lighthearted narrative. But, It is rooted in the real life skills of it's author, and that makes the science part of 'science fiction' so much more real.
Cons: ..... I'll probably think of something. Cover art isn't great.
January 11, 2024
Travelers gives us the Indiana Jones that women deserve. Apart from knowing next to nothing about archeology and digging at sites, reading through the description of Nel and her crew working the dig was far from boring. Holmes really sets the stage for the finale of this book, and I can't wait to see what happens next with Nel and Lin. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because there were a few times I found myself wondering what exactly was happening with the characters. In the end, there's some vagueness (spoilers coming) from Lin's face-off with the Los Pobladores members. It's unclear what happens between them or how exactly Lin overpowers what seems like 6+ men, but then again, she is what she is. (And you'll figure it to if you read the book for yourself.) Anyway, it's a great read, and I'm excited to read the other two books in this series. (Thanks for reading my awkward review. I'll hopefully get better with practice!)
May 28, 2016
Travelers was certainly a deep emotional journey, and an interesting setup for later things to come. Not being a big science/technical detail person when it comes to what I read, some of the archaeological descriptions were hard to follow and got me out of the flow of the story, but that's largely due to my personal taste. The ending, especially the epilogue, was moving, and I can tell those feelings will stay with me for quite some time. Overall, the writing was clear, the characters were moving, and the story intriguing. Recommended for lovers of sci-fi and anyone who has worked in the field of archaeology.
March 16, 2019
I received a copy of this book free from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review
I adored the characters- I could empathize with Nel, and understood her struggles. I was crushed with the turning point of the plot and mourned with Nel.
I loved the plot. There's nothing quite like a good murder to hook me, and Holmes did that well.
I appreciated the depth of detail in the actual archaeology work that Mel does. Although I am not an archaeologist myself, I recognized the processes and language as authentic, which I strongly appreciate.
Overall, I definitely would recommend to friends!
I adored the characters- I could empathize with Nel, and understood her struggles. I was crushed with the turning point of the plot and mourned with Nel.
I loved the plot. There's nothing quite like a good murder to hook me, and Holmes did that well.
I appreciated the depth of detail in the actual archaeology work that Mel does. Although I am not an archaeologist myself, I recognized the processes and language as authentic, which I strongly appreciate.
Overall, I definitely would recommend to friends!
June 2, 2019
Nel is an archaeologist on a site where her crew find some unusual properties. The Spanish locals are hostile to her, since they think she's upsetting the natural state of their land. Nel's best friend is murdered, and a sexy legal woman that works for the company funding Nel's site shows up to investigate.
This book was pretty good, I really liked the mystery and suspense. The book holds your attention. My only complaint was the romance was too quick. Nel is a lesbian, and she is a bit of a loner who snaps at people. I thought she was too abrasive, but hopefully she'll grow in the later books.
This book was pretty good, I really liked the mystery and suspense. The book holds your attention. My only complaint was the romance was too quick. Nel is a lesbian, and she is a bit of a loner who snaps at people. I thought she was too abrasive, but hopefully she'll grow in the later books.
August 3, 2019
I began reading this book at a busy time. I did not make the correct deductions of what will happen. I hope this same process happens for many other readers.
I love what the author wrote!
"So, if you don't mind a bitchy, flawed protagonist fighting her anger while battling intergalactic conspiracies, and characters who grieve and crawl into bed too soon just to forget their problems, check out Travelers, Drifters, and Strangers."
I love what the author wrote!
"So, if you don't mind a bitchy, flawed protagonist fighting her anger while battling intergalactic conspiracies, and characters who grieve and crawl into bed too soon just to forget their problems, check out Travelers, Drifters, and Strangers."
March 5, 2019
Here is a fascinating story of an archaeological dig gone very wrong. There's adventure, mystery, death, and grief (one of my favorite parts was how real the grieving process felt). There are unexpected twists, interesting characters, and an honest to god, yes I mean it, not just for the market or shock value, lesbian main character. I wanted to see her kick ass and she DOES.
March 26, 2019
Great book...good character development, real life archaeological methods, as someone else said, not dumbed down. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
April 9, 2019
Book was interesting enough to a point. I did find myself drifting a wee bit so i had to go back and 're read certain parts. Not fault of the book really. Just found it hard to keep my interest.
January 25, 2022
The narrative is impressive and steady and the story engaging at once. Given the cover, and the fact that the book is Sci-fi, we get anxious to see what marvelous science fiction is going go happen, because we are introduced to an archaeology site digging, which, has, per our experience in Sci-fi, good basis to discover mysteries of ancient societies, or…. aliens. But the writer, V. S Holmes, knows her craft, her story and characters and where she wants the readers at all times. Lovely.
The description of things in the book are as necessary. Characters make great first impressions and the connections explained with simplicity. V. S. Holmes uses the background of the characters to add layers of mystery and keep readers focused. The author, gives us bits and pieces of information about them while moving the plot with purpose.
The antagonists, presented not long after the book starts add a layer of curiosity to the reading experience. Albeit all the mystery and conflicts, V. S. Holmes doesn’t give time to readers to think or guess. The narrative flows and the story moves with a jogging pace as more mystery plots appear on the story. A nice trick to keep readers interested.
We have a strange excavation site facing a group of local rebels trying to protect something. But given that the site is new, the questions are: What are they trying to protect in that site? And why?
Archaeology is fun after all, or at least the author makes a pretty damn job of making it fun.
One of the MCs, Mickey, is very interesting. His gentle personality and a approach to things brings a much needed layer to the book, adding depth to it. Given that he acts as a mentor and friend to Nel, they make a perfect contrast and add depth to the book with their dynamic. Comical and wise, he enlightens the story and brings about the many shades of Nel. Nice!
Neil, our MC, feels real. She has lots of issues and is still growing as a person and as a teacher. Unlike what we are used to read, Nel doesn’t have super powers, or even a super ability like intuition. She is flawed and human, and most times she shows no “main character hero-bravado”. It’s super nice to read Neil’s difficulties in such as teaching, patience and crying.
We have to acknowledge the great work the writer did when it came to conveying the emotional stats of the characters, especially our MC. It is beautiful and detailed allowing readers to understand the motivations of our MC and why she is how she is. Not only that, but secondary characters had an emotional layer that made them relevant and interesting.
There is a very nice message on this book about teaching, and education. A reminder of something simple we forget to do that helps strengthen relationships. Nice!
This book will please mystery and sci-fi lovers alike because it is mysterious to the core. The plot is unpredictable, the book is easy to read, with a story that will leave you curious for more.
This book is the start of what we’re sure it will be a great series. The premise is awesome, and told in a way that will intrigue you without becoming obvious. The approach the writer took in telling this story was genius, and V. S. Holmes kept it tight and interesting until the main plot was finally revealed.
Pros:
Steady narrative
Unpredictable plot
Amazing MCs with depth
Lots of mysteries to contemplate and ponder on
Interesting and original setting
Incredible build-up to the main plot
Surprises in every corner
The action scenes, although few, were nice to read
Great ending that makes you want to read the second book right away
Mysterious romance
Great messages for the reader to think about
Cons:
None
Favorite character: Mickey
Lesson of the book: “Aliens”
Cover score: 8.5/10
Book Score: 8.6/10
Original review @ Scribble's Worth Book Reviews
The description of things in the book are as necessary. Characters make great first impressions and the connections explained with simplicity. V. S. Holmes uses the background of the characters to add layers of mystery and keep readers focused. The author, gives us bits and pieces of information about them while moving the plot with purpose.
The antagonists, presented not long after the book starts add a layer of curiosity to the reading experience. Albeit all the mystery and conflicts, V. S. Holmes doesn’t give time to readers to think or guess. The narrative flows and the story moves with a jogging pace as more mystery plots appear on the story. A nice trick to keep readers interested.
We have a strange excavation site facing a group of local rebels trying to protect something. But given that the site is new, the questions are: What are they trying to protect in that site? And why?
Archaeology is fun after all, or at least the author makes a pretty damn job of making it fun.
One of the MCs, Mickey, is very interesting. His gentle personality and a approach to things brings a much needed layer to the book, adding depth to it. Given that he acts as a mentor and friend to Nel, they make a perfect contrast and add depth to the book with their dynamic. Comical and wise, he enlightens the story and brings about the many shades of Nel. Nice!
Neil, our MC, feels real. She has lots of issues and is still growing as a person and as a teacher. Unlike what we are used to read, Nel doesn’t have super powers, or even a super ability like intuition. She is flawed and human, and most times she shows no “main character hero-bravado”. It’s super nice to read Neil’s difficulties in such as teaching, patience and crying.
We have to acknowledge the great work the writer did when it came to conveying the emotional stats of the characters, especially our MC. It is beautiful and detailed allowing readers to understand the motivations of our MC and why she is how she is. Not only that, but secondary characters had an emotional layer that made them relevant and interesting.
There is a very nice message on this book about teaching, and education. A reminder of something simple we forget to do that helps strengthen relationships. Nice!
This book will please mystery and sci-fi lovers alike because it is mysterious to the core. The plot is unpredictable, the book is easy to read, with a story that will leave you curious for more.
This book is the start of what we’re sure it will be a great series. The premise is awesome, and told in a way that will intrigue you without becoming obvious. The approach the writer took in telling this story was genius, and V. S. Holmes kept it tight and interesting until the main plot was finally revealed.
Pros:
Steady narrative
Unpredictable plot
Amazing MCs with depth
Lots of mysteries to contemplate and ponder on
Interesting and original setting
Incredible build-up to the main plot
Surprises in every corner
The action scenes, although few, were nice to read
Great ending that makes you want to read the second book right away
Mysterious romance
Great messages for the reader to think about
Cons:
None
Favorite character: Mickey
Lesson of the book: “Aliens”
Cover score: 8.5/10
Book Score: 8.6/10
Original review @ Scribble's Worth Book Reviews
January 2, 2021
So I am not normally a sci-fi lover, indeed I received this as a free copy once I'd read Disciples, but I think I am now converted...
I thought the premise of the concept of combining archaeology and sci-fi worked really well together, and felt a little like a sexier version of Indiana Jones. The author is an archaeologist themselves, and they really put their experience through to the reader in a way where I was following and understanding everything. I really appreciated the sources at the end of the book, even though it's a work of fiction, it is based on real life events and other people's work and it made it so much more realistic. The definition of words at the end was helpful too, such as: debitage. I am well-read, but had NO IDEA what this meant, which is find because it is a word that is used in the field of archaeology.
The excitement the two MC's feel when discovering the pink rock was palpable, and feeling the dread that followed soon after contrasted beautifully.
Nel's character is so realistic as well, she's tough, she's been working in the field (South American desert) for 3 years and it's made her rough around the edges, not taking any sh*t and not putting up with other people's rubbish either. Her struggle to connect well with her students is great character development - I'd be miffed constantly having grads and undergrads to teach who just wanted to sleep around, stay up late drinking and who MAY not be terribly interested in learning. But Nel gets a handful of students who do want to learn, so seeing her struggle with managing them is totally realistic. You get tired when your life IS your job.
The author's main passion is her work in the field, and I understood this perfectly as the book follows her diagnostics, documentation and her methodology. There's action too: locals don't want her to dig into their land and discover their secrets due to potentially desecrating their land, and so they vandalise her work on a daily basis. She is also poisoned (mildly speaking) which she sees as a threat and Nel experiences the loss of her best friend who was also her esteemed colleague. The emotions which Nel shows is very believable for someone who has worked so hard, been so isolated and lost everything: her friend and her work. It's just perfectly executed.
Meeting Lin was brilliant too, and I felt that that amount of romance that sparked up between them was tasteful, incredibly hot and not overused.
I was worried when I realised where it was going, because I felt a drawn out sex scene might ruin this well-written book, but having the brief intimacy described was well done and appropriate. I messaged the author stating: It's what Nel needed. Living in that climate, with rebels vandalising her digs every day and being threatened... she needed (simply put) to get laid and let her hair down. I liked the fact that this scene didn't take up too much paper too, it's not 50 Shades of smut, it's a book about someone's passion and I felt that V.S Holmes was sharing their life work with the reader, and I learnt a lot through it.
I have enjoyed this so much I got very excited when I saw V.S Holmes has Epic dark fantasy - of which I have bought the first book on my kindle! I would highly recommend Travelers, no question.
I thought the premise of the concept of combining archaeology and sci-fi worked really well together, and felt a little like a sexier version of Indiana Jones. The author is an archaeologist themselves, and they really put their experience through to the reader in a way where I was following and understanding everything. I really appreciated the sources at the end of the book, even though it's a work of fiction, it is based on real life events and other people's work and it made it so much more realistic. The definition of words at the end was helpful too, such as: debitage. I am well-read, but had NO IDEA what this meant, which is find because it is a word that is used in the field of archaeology.
The excitement the two MC's feel when discovering the pink rock was palpable, and feeling the dread that followed soon after contrasted beautifully.
Nel's character is so realistic as well, she's tough, she's been working in the field (South American desert) for 3 years and it's made her rough around the edges, not taking any sh*t and not putting up with other people's rubbish either. Her struggle to connect well with her students is great character development - I'd be miffed constantly having grads and undergrads to teach who just wanted to sleep around, stay up late drinking and who MAY not be terribly interested in learning. But Nel gets a handful of students who do want to learn, so seeing her struggle with managing them is totally realistic. You get tired when your life IS your job.
The author's main passion is her work in the field, and I understood this perfectly as the book follows her diagnostics, documentation and her methodology. There's action too: locals don't want her to dig into their land and discover their secrets due to potentially desecrating their land, and so they vandalise her work on a daily basis. She is also poisoned (mildly speaking) which she sees as a threat and Nel experiences the loss of her best friend who was also her esteemed colleague. The emotions which Nel shows is very believable for someone who has worked so hard, been so isolated and lost everything: her friend and her work. It's just perfectly executed.
Meeting Lin was brilliant too, and I felt that that amount of romance that sparked up between them was tasteful, incredibly hot and not overused.
I was worried when I realised where it was going, because I felt a drawn out sex scene might ruin this well-written book, but having the brief intimacy described was well done and appropriate. I messaged the author stating: It's what Nel needed. Living in that climate, with rebels vandalising her digs every day and being threatened... she needed (simply put) to get laid and let her hair down. I liked the fact that this scene didn't take up too much paper too, it's not 50 Shades of smut, it's a book about someone's passion and I felt that V.S Holmes was sharing their life work with the reader, and I learnt a lot through it.
I have enjoyed this so much I got very excited when I saw V.S Holmes has Epic dark fantasy - of which I have bought the first book on my kindle! I would highly recommend Travelers, no question.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
The Review
A fantastic, short yet powerful sci-fi adventure, Travelers was an amazing start to this series. The author has crafted a beautiful tapestry of archeology and history, science-fiction drama, and LGBTQ+ driven characters, and did so in a way that felt cohesive and engaging all at once.
The story and characters did a great job of drawing the reader in immediately, from Nel’s relationship early on with her archeology friend Mikey to Nel’s journey as the site’s discoveries lead to some shocking twists and turns. What really stands out was the author’s way of incorporating real archeology techniques and methodology into the narrative, giving both the characters and their work within the novel a more realistic approach.
Another thing that really was great to see was a strong, female-driven narrative and protagonist as well as a powerful LGBTQ+ sci-fi hero. Nel’s hold-no-bars approach to the challenges in this novel made her a true standout, and the emotional highs and lows she underwent helped to showcase just how much her character grew overall throughout the narrative, making this one of the more engaging sci-fi series with an LGBTQ+ protagonist.
The Verdict
A memorable, entertaining, and investing read, author V.S. Holmes’ “Travelers” is a must-read start to an incredible sci-fi saga. With emotional and action-packed twists and turns and an ending that leaves open some great story possibilities for future books, the author has crafted a masterful narrative and memorable characters that many readers will be able to identify with. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy today!
A fantastic, short yet powerful sci-fi adventure, Travelers was an amazing start to this series. The author has crafted a beautiful tapestry of archeology and history, science-fiction drama, and LGBTQ+ driven characters, and did so in a way that felt cohesive and engaging all at once.
The story and characters did a great job of drawing the reader in immediately, from Nel’s relationship early on with her archeology friend Mikey to Nel’s journey as the site’s discoveries lead to some shocking twists and turns. What really stands out was the author’s way of incorporating real archeology techniques and methodology into the narrative, giving both the characters and their work within the novel a more realistic approach.
Another thing that really was great to see was a strong, female-driven narrative and protagonist as well as a powerful LGBTQ+ sci-fi hero. Nel’s hold-no-bars approach to the challenges in this novel made her a true standout, and the emotional highs and lows she underwent helped to showcase just how much her character grew overall throughout the narrative, making this one of the more engaging sci-fi series with an LGBTQ+ protagonist.
The Verdict
A memorable, entertaining, and investing read, author V.S. Holmes’ “Travelers” is a must-read start to an incredible sci-fi saga. With emotional and action-packed twists and turns and an ending that leaves open some great story possibilities for future books, the author has crafted a masterful narrative and memorable characters that many readers will be able to identify with. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy today!
May 27, 2021
Travelers (Stars Edge: Nel Bently Book 1)
by V.S. Holmes
I can see this book appealing to readers on a couple of fronts. The Science in the beginning is pure archeology, I like the detail and explanation of the Archeological process. The mystery and the science fiction in the book is a whole other deal. The author likes the character criticism of the Ancient Aliens tv show, although his twist has a similar aspect. At least the archeology is not contaminated, and no great archeological find is attributed to them. The character of Nel is compelling and interesting. I find that she Is a relatable character and that I would love to see where the author takes her next. The Chilean artifacts are accurate as far as I know to the Paleolithic at the time which is nice. I want to see if the author continues to weave the real archeology in with the sensational science fiction twist. This a dark but fun read.
by V.S. Holmes
I can see this book appealing to readers on a couple of fronts. The Science in the beginning is pure archeology, I like the detail and explanation of the Archeological process. The mystery and the science fiction in the book is a whole other deal. The author likes the character criticism of the Ancient Aliens tv show, although his twist has a similar aspect. At least the archeology is not contaminated, and no great archeological find is attributed to them. The character of Nel is compelling and interesting. I find that she Is a relatable character and that I would love to see where the author takes her next. The Chilean artifacts are accurate as far as I know to the Paleolithic at the time which is nice. I want to see if the author continues to weave the real archeology in with the sensational science fiction twist. This a dark but fun read.
June 10, 2019
I did not like this book. I was expecting a mystery/thriller. It was neither. I could have definitely done without the lesbian love scene. Way too graphic for my taste. The level of profanity was also way over the top. This book contains a lot about archaeology. It can get very technical at times. I assume that this is because the author, herself, is an archaeologist. Unfortunately for the story, this leads to a lot of descriptions about a dig site that are hard to follow and envision. The characters are one demensional and not very relatable. The heroine annoyed me with her attitude and poor decision-making. The author, however, seems nice and only too happy to interact with her readers. I wish I could have liked her book.
January 28, 2019
3.5 *
In a first book of a series, it is sometimes difficult not to tell too much or too little about what comes next. This book starts off with a strong introduction of the female lead character, archeologist Nel Bently. It is done in such a way, I really felt like I was taken by the hand and dropped into the field. No unnecessary explanation of the terms, as a reader you learn while you read along. I liked that a lot!
The romance was a bit too quick for me, but other than that, I grew into the book the further I read.
It didn't grab me from the start, but its storyline is compelling, and I'm looking forward to read part two!
In a first book of a series, it is sometimes difficult not to tell too much or too little about what comes next. This book starts off with a strong introduction of the female lead character, archeologist Nel Bently. It is done in such a way, I really felt like I was taken by the hand and dropped into the field. No unnecessary explanation of the terms, as a reader you learn while you read along. I liked that a lot!
The romance was a bit too quick for me, but other than that, I grew into the book the further I read.
It didn't grab me from the start, but its storyline is compelling, and I'm looking forward to read part two!
Read
February 16, 2021Hey there! I wanted to share a bit of the inspiration and content warnings for this book! The Nel series is an archaeological sci-fi following a lesbian archaeologist as she explores, dismantles, and decolonizes her field and her world. I wanted to explore what it means to be human, and how where we come from--both as a species and as individuals--impacts where we're going.
Content warnings:
- action violence (gunfights, threats, physical beating)
- side character death
- adult language
- consensual w/w sex
- descriptions of human remains (both recent and ancient)
- alcohol use/abuse
Content warnings:
- action violence (gunfights, threats, physical beating)
- side character death
- adult language
- consensual w/w sex
- descriptions of human remains (both recent and ancient)
- alcohol use/abuse
March 29, 2021
This was a genre bender. It started out as a mystery/thriller and turned into sci fi, by the end. The last few chapters of the book were bizarre and I am not entirely sure I liked the direction it went in. I found the remainder interesting and I liked the tone.
There was a fair bit of technical jargon that as a non-archeologist, I mostly skimmed. You do not need to know all of the jargon to enjoy the book.
The characters were interesting and well-differentiated.
This book is the first of a series and as with many such books, there is a very "soft" ending. If you do not like that can of thing, you may be peeved.
There was a fair bit of technical jargon that as a non-archeologist, I mostly skimmed. You do not need to know all of the jargon to enjoy the book.
The characters were interesting and well-differentiated.
This book is the first of a series and as with many such books, there is a very "soft" ending. If you do not like that can of thing, you may be peeved.
February 25, 2021
I was very excited to read about an archaeologist main character and V.S. Holmes didn't disappoint!
Though it took me a little bit to get into the story, once I did, I found Travelers to be quite engaging. Nel Bentley is tough and stubborn and focused on her career goals. She is also a loyal friend and concerned leader who has no problem standing up for what she believes and who she cares for.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Though it took me a little bit to get into the story, once I did, I found Travelers to be quite engaging. Nel Bentley is tough and stubborn and focused on her career goals. She is also a loyal friend and concerned leader who has no problem standing up for what she believes and who she cares for.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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