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Inside Out
Triton station, Outer Circles headquarters of Ragnox Inc, on the moon of Neptune, is as far as the intrepid can go. It’s a place to make money, lots of money, and for seven lucky travellers, bound for Triton on the ISF Heloise, that’s exactly what they intend to do.
Maggy Jole wants to belong. Peter Selden wants to escape. Abigail Dieterman wants to be free. Merrit Burnand wants to start again. Christie Steen wants to forget. No one knows what David Rabiotti wants. And Smith, well, Smith wants everything.
Does it really matter what they want? The journey to Triton will take them eleven months – eleven months to contemplate the future, come to terms with the small print of their contracts, and wish they’d never signed. But changing their minds is not an option.
Sometimes it really is better to travel… than arrive.
Maggy Jole wants to belong. Peter Selden wants to escape. Abigail Dieterman wants to be free. Merrit Burnand wants to start again. Christie Steen wants to forget. No one knows what David Rabiotti wants. And Smith, well, Smith wants everything.
Does it really matter what they want? The journey to Triton will take them eleven months – eleven months to contemplate the future, come to terms with the small print of their contracts, and wish they’d never signed. But changing their minds is not an option.
Sometimes it really is better to travel… than arrive.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2021
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 12, 2021
For many years I have admired Thorne Moore’s work. She has written in various genres but, threaded through all, there is always a psychological mystery: a need to know why her characters have acted in a certain way, what were the circumstances that “upset the applecart”, as I like to think of it. The mystery may have parallel themes of crime, or the introduction of historical or contemporary, events, or the exploration of relationships, but there is always the psychological ‘why’ lurking. I think this is one reason I have always been gripped by her stories and the intricate ways they move along.
And this smooth progression of the plot is often reinforced by the background of the novel, whether it’s of the countryside and life at a certain era, an old house that’s been lived in by generation, or myths and legends. And, as an added extra, to give atmosphere and emotion to these settings, there are always short evocative descriptions of the weather to reflect the mood of the scene. Wonderful!
So, I have to admit, I was surprised and not a little perturbed to hear she has delved into writing Science Fiction. After all, one of this author’s greatest qualities is her innate ability to bring setting to life, by just a line or two of description that instantly evokes a sense of place and an immediacy to the background that her characters move around in.
I mean, a spaceship in Outer Space! No weather, no interesting ‘moving around settings’ for the characters, no historic background, no real characters (Maybe ET-Type aliens?).
Yes, yes, I know; I have little knowledge of the Sci-Fi genre. Which I was to learn. Very quickly.
It is at this point I always say that I don’t give away spoilers.
But what I will say is that Inside Out is not just science fiction, it is a story that includes all that I admire of Thorne Moore’s writing..
There is mystery and intrigue. Excellent individual dialogue from the brilliantly rounded main characters, all with their own back stories and reasons for being on what initially seems to be a luxurious cruise liner for rich, middle-class passengers. (I say “luxurious” but there is a ‘wait and see’ moment – and that’s all I will say about that). Together, with a cast of minor characters as foil to the main ones, there is crime, danger, adventure, humour, and even a little romance. And … there are brilliant settings: of the layers and decks of the ship, of the various planets that the ISF Heloise docks at, and of a chilling description of outer space. And, then, ultimately, we land on Triton, the destination of the group of main characters, where we are made aware of the truth of life with Ragnox Inc.
Just here, I was very tempted to write, Dum De Dum Dum Dah here, but I won’t.
All I will say, is that Inside Out is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and one I would recommend to any readers who enjoys character-led stories – whatever the genre.
And this smooth progression of the plot is often reinforced by the background of the novel, whether it’s of the countryside and life at a certain era, an old house that’s been lived in by generation, or myths and legends. And, as an added extra, to give atmosphere and emotion to these settings, there are always short evocative descriptions of the weather to reflect the mood of the scene. Wonderful!
So, I have to admit, I was surprised and not a little perturbed to hear she has delved into writing Science Fiction. After all, one of this author’s greatest qualities is her innate ability to bring setting to life, by just a line or two of description that instantly evokes a sense of place and an immediacy to the background that her characters move around in.
I mean, a spaceship in Outer Space! No weather, no interesting ‘moving around settings’ for the characters, no historic background, no real characters (Maybe ET-Type aliens?).
Yes, yes, I know; I have little knowledge of the Sci-Fi genre. Which I was to learn. Very quickly.
It is at this point I always say that I don’t give away spoilers.
But what I will say is that Inside Out is not just science fiction, it is a story that includes all that I admire of Thorne Moore’s writing..
There is mystery and intrigue. Excellent individual dialogue from the brilliantly rounded main characters, all with their own back stories and reasons for being on what initially seems to be a luxurious cruise liner for rich, middle-class passengers. (I say “luxurious” but there is a ‘wait and see’ moment – and that’s all I will say about that). Together, with a cast of minor characters as foil to the main ones, there is crime, danger, adventure, humour, and even a little romance. And … there are brilliant settings: of the layers and decks of the ship, of the various planets that the ISF Heloise docks at, and of a chilling description of outer space. And, then, ultimately, we land on Triton, the destination of the group of main characters, where we are made aware of the truth of life with Ragnox Inc.
Just here, I was very tempted to write, Dum De Dum Dum Dah here, but I won’t.
All I will say, is that Inside Out is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and one I would recommend to any readers who enjoys character-led stories – whatever the genre.
May 18, 2021
Goodreads
I bought my own copy of Inside Out for my review on behalf of Rosie Amber’s review team. The following is my own, honest opinion.
There are some authors that you can trust not to disappoint and Thorne Moore is one such author.
Although Inside Out is set in the distant future and therefore officially classified as Science Fiction, the power and strength associated with the author’s skill in her earlier books, set in the past and present, is undiminished.
The characters’ very human strengths and weaknesses, increasingly exposed during their long voyage in the claustrophobic setting of the ISF Heloise, are brought to vivid life. Thorne Moore’s ability to make you see things from different perspectives is masterful and often poignant.
The seven travellers who have signed up for the eleven-month journey to Triton in the expectation of becoming unimagineably wealthy, eventually show their true colours as they face dangers from both outside their spacecraft and within. Gradually their adopted personas are stripped away until we see them for the people they really are.
The plot is tight and expertly constructed to provide some delicious surprises that I didn’t see coming. There’s hardship, excitement, danger, a touch of romance, and there’s tragedy. There’s also a rich seam of a witty, wicked and dry sense of humour that had me smiling for much of the book and twice made me laugh out loud–very few books have succeeded in doing that!
Whatever your chosen genre, if you like well-drawn characters, superb descriptive writing, a gripping plot and sparkling humour, this is a book for you.
I bought my own copy of Inside Out for my review on behalf of Rosie Amber’s review team. The following is my own, honest opinion.
There are some authors that you can trust not to disappoint and Thorne Moore is one such author.
Although Inside Out is set in the distant future and therefore officially classified as Science Fiction, the power and strength associated with the author’s skill in her earlier books, set in the past and present, is undiminished.
The characters’ very human strengths and weaknesses, increasingly exposed during their long voyage in the claustrophobic setting of the ISF Heloise, are brought to vivid life. Thorne Moore’s ability to make you see things from different perspectives is masterful and often poignant.
The seven travellers who have signed up for the eleven-month journey to Triton in the expectation of becoming unimagineably wealthy, eventually show their true colours as they face dangers from both outside their spacecraft and within. Gradually their adopted personas are stripped away until we see them for the people they really are.
The plot is tight and expertly constructed to provide some delicious surprises that I didn’t see coming. There’s hardship, excitement, danger, a touch of romance, and there’s tragedy. There’s also a rich seam of a witty, wicked and dry sense of humour that had me smiling for much of the book and twice made me laugh out loud–very few books have succeeded in doing that!
Whatever your chosen genre, if you like well-drawn characters, superb descriptive writing, a gripping plot and sparkling humour, this is a book for you.
June 15, 2021
Who knew I would give a Sci-Fi novel 5 stars!? I am on record as saying, 'I don't do Sci-Fi.' Which only goes to show, don't judge a book by its genre. As a big fan of Thorne Moore's books; her immaculate plotting, brilliant characterisation, lush sense of place & above all, damn fine writing, I approached Inside Out (on a Kindle - hello? I don't do Kindle either) with caution. Full disclosure: I read a chapter & ran away. (I don't do Sci-Fi.) And then, because I had to admit, the quality of the writing was self-evident & I was curious, I went back.
I am so pleased I did! This book has all the elements I have come to appreciate in Thorne Moore's storytelling & even though I don't do Sci-Fi, I have been won over by this tale at least. It concerns seven fearless travellers enticed by the possibility of huge monetary rewards. During a long, long, claustrophobic journey to Triton (a moon of Jupiter) things, as they say, get tricky. It's Sci-Fi, folks (which I don't do), what do you expect!? It's an exciting, very clever version of the genre. There is humour, danger, a dash of romance, tension, an abundance of larks & above all, the author's wonderful sense of irony. Honestly, even though I don't do Sci-Fi, it's really very good. And even if you don't, do give it a go. You'll love it!
I am so pleased I did! This book has all the elements I have come to appreciate in Thorne Moore's storytelling & even though I don't do Sci-Fi, I have been won over by this tale at least. It concerns seven fearless travellers enticed by the possibility of huge monetary rewards. During a long, long, claustrophobic journey to Triton (a moon of Jupiter) things, as they say, get tricky. It's Sci-Fi, folks (which I don't do), what do you expect!? It's an exciting, very clever version of the genre. There is humour, danger, a dash of romance, tension, an abundance of larks & above all, the author's wonderful sense of irony. Honestly, even though I don't do Sci-Fi, it's really very good. And even if you don't, do give it a go. You'll love it!
January 30, 2022
Inside Out by Thorne Moore is a brilliant science-fiction novel. The book follows the story of seven travelers, who have signed up for an eleven-month journey to Triton with the desire to become rich. The smooth progression of the plot and well-described and complex characters will captivate reader’s imagination. Great read!
January 31, 2022
Exquisitely written science- fiction novel by Thorne Moore, Inside Out is a real page-turner. The way, the author has built up this alien world- with so much care and deliberation, is absolutely impressive. You can expect many twists and turns, tension, humor and even romance. Fascinating read!
Read
July 26, 20217 desperate and disparate people, 3 women and 4 men, sell themselves into what amounts voluntary penal servitude in the lawless outer reaches of the Solar System. If they survive their 7 year stretch there is the opportunity for enormous wealth.
But its an 11 month journey on ISF Heloise. Captain Foxe, a latter day privateer, is their captor but as the journey progresses and we discover more about the downfall of our less than magnificent 7, Foxe becomes their mentor and catalyst.
I do not usually read Sci Fi. I chose this book because I have read, and enjoyed, a few short stories by the author (Thorne Moore.) This is her first sojourn into future fiction, so I thought we could take the journey together and it does not dissapoint.
In her previous writing Thorne was very good at writing "creepy" things so I was half expecting "Space Creepiness" ala Alien or similar but no, this is a straight forward ensemble odyssey both in space and within each characters souls and that is the beauty of this book.
Being a very good author Thorne realises that Sci Fi isn't really about spaceships and ray guns any more than crime fiction isn't really about vials of poison and twirling moustaches. It is always about people and their stories and how they interact. We may come for the genre but we stay for the universal stories. So we learn their backstories, how they fell from grace and how they came to do a deal with the devil incarnate. As we take on board their histories we fear for their future when Captain Foxe delivers them to Triton. I can give no higher praise than to say for vast tracts of this book, I forgot I was reading a Sci Fi novel. The intertwining character arcs and plot development were that engaging.
A major part of any Sci Fi is the world building and Thorne builds an intriguing and often scary scenario. A few Super Corporations dominate from top to bottom and throughout space. To get a "contract" is akin to getting citizenship in ancient Roman society. There are connections with our generation too, chandeliers, T shirts, snooker tables et al. All these things remind us that we are connected to that time and place. It's a very clever trick, its helps us to invest in the story, it could be us. There are laws as far as Jupiter but from there on outwards, it is the wild west rule of the ruthless. The rationale for Thorne's scenario is an added appendix in the book and it is fascinating, and more scarily quite possible given the way society has progressed in recent years. 😧
Really good book. I enjoyed my time with the crew and passengers of the Heloise. We made good progress together. We started as strangers and ended as friends. What started as
journey towards fear may yet end in redemption.
@grumpyoldbooks
But its an 11 month journey on ISF Heloise. Captain Foxe, a latter day privateer, is their captor but as the journey progresses and we discover more about the downfall of our less than magnificent 7, Foxe becomes their mentor and catalyst.
I do not usually read Sci Fi. I chose this book because I have read, and enjoyed, a few short stories by the author (Thorne Moore.) This is her first sojourn into future fiction, so I thought we could take the journey together and it does not dissapoint.
In her previous writing Thorne was very good at writing "creepy" things so I was half expecting "Space Creepiness" ala Alien or similar but no, this is a straight forward ensemble odyssey both in space and within each characters souls and that is the beauty of this book.
Being a very good author Thorne realises that Sci Fi isn't really about spaceships and ray guns any more than crime fiction isn't really about vials of poison and twirling moustaches. It is always about people and their stories and how they interact. We may come for the genre but we stay for the universal stories. So we learn their backstories, how they fell from grace and how they came to do a deal with the devil incarnate. As we take on board their histories we fear for their future when Captain Foxe delivers them to Triton. I can give no higher praise than to say for vast tracts of this book, I forgot I was reading a Sci Fi novel. The intertwining character arcs and plot development were that engaging.
A major part of any Sci Fi is the world building and Thorne builds an intriguing and often scary scenario. A few Super Corporations dominate from top to bottom and throughout space. To get a "contract" is akin to getting citizenship in ancient Roman society. There are connections with our generation too, chandeliers, T shirts, snooker tables et al. All these things remind us that we are connected to that time and place. It's a very clever trick, its helps us to invest in the story, it could be us. There are laws as far as Jupiter but from there on outwards, it is the wild west rule of the ruthless. The rationale for Thorne's scenario is an added appendix in the book and it is fascinating, and more scarily quite possible given the way society has progressed in recent years. 😧
Really good book. I enjoyed my time with the crew and passengers of the Heloise. We made good progress together. We started as strangers and ended as friends. What started as
journey towards fear may yet end in redemption.
@grumpyoldbooks
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews