What do you think?
Rate this book
Dust & Lightning
In the near future, humans have gone beyond simple space travel. By the year 4054, multiple solar systems are inhabited, and taking a spaceship is as commonplace as taking an aeroplane. Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labour on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labour camps in other solar systems.When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined. And trouble isn’t far behind.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2021
15 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 15, 2020
Review to follow 👍🏻
And here is the review.
Firstly many thanks to Rebecca for allowing me the opportunity to read her latest novella.
Right, let's start with why I have only given this four stars. The story is really interesting and enticing, and it dashes along at a fair old pace, the people are interesting and you want to get to know more about them, the adversaries are interesting and you want them to be blasted to Kingdom Come, but despite the fact that I knew this was a "long short" story or Novella, I was still really disappointed when it finished. In my view it finished far sooner than it needed to, so I hope that the Author continues with these characters and that we get more adventures with them. (Please Rebecca).
That is the reason it only gets 4 stars, simply because I felt the ending came too soon 😀
And here is the review.
Firstly many thanks to Rebecca for allowing me the opportunity to read her latest novella.
Right, let's start with why I have only given this four stars. The story is really interesting and enticing, and it dashes along at a fair old pace, the people are interesting and you want to get to know more about them, the adversaries are interesting and you want them to be blasted to Kingdom Come, but despite the fact that I knew this was a "long short" story or Novella, I was still really disappointed when it finished. In my view it finished far sooner than it needed to, so I hope that the Author continues with these characters and that we get more adventures with them. (Please Rebecca).
That is the reason it only gets 4 stars, simply because I felt the ending came too soon 😀
December 13, 2021
In DUST AND LIGHTNING, it’s the year 4054 and mankind has not heeded the warning signs of pollution and climate disaster. Earth is in bad shape, anyone on the planet has to wear masks to survive the smoke and smog, and the rich take spaceships off planet, where conveniently, humankind has colonized ten or so nearby planets. Ames Emerys is a blue-collar worker whose brother Callum was recently arrested and sentenced to hard labor. Ames received a letter that he was killed while being transported to the prison planet Kilnin, except a cousin claims that he saw Callum departing the transport ship alive. Now Ames, with the help of the plucky Violet, who he meets and helps save from unfortunate circumstances on the transport ship, is determined to find out what really happened. I enjoyed all the layers in this sci-fi novella, with detailed world building, nifty details on other planets like slightly altered non-Earth rats, “dust worms”, prison breaks and awesome sci fi battles, and of course, all the seedy things those in power will do when they have powerless people to exploit. A neat read!
my-books
February 26, 2023// a note from the author //
I had so much fun writing this story. D&L began as a personal goal of mine to write an entire story with no romance. I wanted to focus only on strong platonic love, and so the main relationships in this story are between friends, family, and ultimately found family (one of my favourite tropes!).
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
I had so much fun writing this story. D&L began as a personal goal of mine to write an entire story with no romance. I wanted to focus only on strong platonic love, and so the main relationships in this story are between friends, family, and ultimately found family (one of my favourite tropes!).
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
February 21, 2020
Talk about being drawn into an author’s world! DUST AND LIGHTNING by Rebecca Crunden lifts readers out of the 21st century and beams us into the year 4054 after new solar systems have been discovered, inhabited and travel between them is no more amazing than flying across an ocean.
Sadly, with progress and expansion come the abuse of power, the greed for the almighty dollar and the uprising of the workers, as well as the corporate retaliation, from imprisonment to unexplained disappearances. One brother will leave Earth behind to discover the truth of what happened to his sibling. What he finds will become a deadly quest alongside an unlikely ally. What of his brother?
Does the thought of traveling through space to other worlds fascinate you? Have you ever wondered how much would be the same and how much would be different? Think about it, flawed humanity is still part fo the equation, so hang on tight, as Ames’s journey becomes a trip through a black hole of lies.
Rebecca Crunden has blended suspense, science fiction and an ordinary man’s extraordinary quest for answers. Ames feels like a normal guy, not a superhero, but he is tenacious, has honor and I wanted him to have the answers he sought. Nonstop action scenes, from start to finish! Some are low level, more emotional, some are rapidfire movement.
Ms. Crunden has a gift for creation that is easy to read, intriguing and magnetic! Highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Sci-Fi
Print Length: 101 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Sadly, with progress and expansion come the abuse of power, the greed for the almighty dollar and the uprising of the workers, as well as the corporate retaliation, from imprisonment to unexplained disappearances. One brother will leave Earth behind to discover the truth of what happened to his sibling. What he finds will become a deadly quest alongside an unlikely ally. What of his brother?
Does the thought of traveling through space to other worlds fascinate you? Have you ever wondered how much would be the same and how much would be different? Think about it, flawed humanity is still part fo the equation, so hang on tight, as Ames’s journey becomes a trip through a black hole of lies.
Rebecca Crunden has blended suspense, science fiction and an ordinary man’s extraordinary quest for answers. Ames feels like a normal guy, not a superhero, but he is tenacious, has honor and I wanted him to have the answers he sought. Nonstop action scenes, from start to finish! Some are low level, more emotional, some are rapidfire movement.
Ms. Crunden has a gift for creation that is easy to read, intriguing and magnetic! Highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Sci-Fi
Print Length: 101 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 16, 2020
“Of all the outcomes he had imagined upon rescuing his brother, waging war against the most powerful man in the universe certainly hadn’t been one of them.”
Ames receives word that his brother Callum was killed during a prison riot en route to planet Kilnin, where he was unfairly sentenced to a labor camp by the Democratic Planetary Alliance. Troubled by the devastating news, Ames departs Earth on a hunt for the truth, venturing into space for the first time. Unfortunately this is no easy feat and Ames has to go to great lengths to avoid being caught by an agent.
When he assists a battered woman named Violet who later offers her help, Ames is relieved, both for her companionship and clever ideas. The two not only uncover the truth about Ames’ brother Callum, but of the top secret experiments being performed on planet Kilnin. Together, they use these discoveries to their advantage, taking on the DPA head on.
Like all of Crunden’s novels, I really liked the narrative voice of Dust & Lightning. The protagonist feels as authentic as any real living person. Ames’ voice grabbed me nearly immediately, and I was pulled into planet Kilnin right along with him, eager to see where the adventure would lead and excited to view it through his unique perspective. Plus, the story world was so elaborate and richly detailed, lending to the active participant feeling, (not a bystander). I love when a story has the power to draw me in like that!
I enjoyed all of the characters but especially Lucky, the little black cat. I’m always happy to see a cat in a story, but I’m especially fond of black cats so this was a fun addition for me.
Also want to mention that I felt there was a lesson tucked in this story about the importance of caring for our planet. It really hit me what Ames said about not being able to navigate by the stars due to the overwhelming pollution.
Overall, this is a suspenseful, quick read made even speedier by the fast pacing and action and space adventure. If you enjoy dystopian science fiction that is out of this world, consider Dust & Lightning for your next read! 🛸
Ames receives word that his brother Callum was killed during a prison riot en route to planet Kilnin, where he was unfairly sentenced to a labor camp by the Democratic Planetary Alliance. Troubled by the devastating news, Ames departs Earth on a hunt for the truth, venturing into space for the first time. Unfortunately this is no easy feat and Ames has to go to great lengths to avoid being caught by an agent.
When he assists a battered woman named Violet who later offers her help, Ames is relieved, both for her companionship and clever ideas. The two not only uncover the truth about Ames’ brother Callum, but of the top secret experiments being performed on planet Kilnin. Together, they use these discoveries to their advantage, taking on the DPA head on.
Like all of Crunden’s novels, I really liked the narrative voice of Dust & Lightning. The protagonist feels as authentic as any real living person. Ames’ voice grabbed me nearly immediately, and I was pulled into planet Kilnin right along with him, eager to see where the adventure would lead and excited to view it through his unique perspective. Plus, the story world was so elaborate and richly detailed, lending to the active participant feeling, (not a bystander). I love when a story has the power to draw me in like that!
I enjoyed all of the characters but especially Lucky, the little black cat. I’m always happy to see a cat in a story, but I’m especially fond of black cats so this was a fun addition for me.
Also want to mention that I felt there was a lesson tucked in this story about the importance of caring for our planet. It really hit me what Ames said about not being able to navigate by the stars due to the overwhelming pollution.
Overall, this is a suspenseful, quick read made even speedier by the fast pacing and action and space adventure. If you enjoy dystopian science fiction that is out of this world, consider Dust & Lightning for your next read! 🛸
July 8, 2020
Dust & Lightning was an enjoyable science fiction adventure that packed just enough character development and worldbuilding to make the plot work in novella form.
I do approach novellas differently from full-length novels and sometimes it's a welcomed change. Given the number of pages and words, I do tend to cut the author some slack when it comes to the depth of characterisation and worldbuilding. Even though Crunden seemed to have kept the worldbuilding fairly straightforward, it nonetheless have enough substance to lend credence to the plot. As humanity continues to destroy our planet's environment, the future lies amongst the stars. While Earth remains populated, inhabitants are subject to extremely poor air quality and resources are imported from across the various human colonies in the Milky Way Galaxy. Personal and corporate greed for money and power naturally continues to the dog humankind's footsteps into the future. Nothing has really changed except that humans are scattered across the galaxy, and have brought bringing slow destruction along with them.
In spite of the book's length, I didn't feel that our main protagonist was lacking in character development at all. Ames Emerys comes across as a relatable ordinary guy - one who doesn't like the bulk of humanity and is highly distrustful of the current political regime, and is now on a desperate personal mission to find out what happened to his brother who was purportedly dead. The little things like Ames's thoughts about books and even naming constellations in a far-off planet as Pirate Hook and Toilet Plunger were quite endearing. I really appreciated the author not shoehorning any romance into the story, even though the potential was there when Ames met and helped Violet (a victim of domestic abuse) on the first leg of his space travel.
One thing I've noted by the end of the book is that while there were some moments of suspense, Ames and the other protagonists seemed to have been able to to achieve what they set out to do pretty easily. There is also an economy of details in the writing as well, which is understandable given the length of the book. The ending also felt a bit abrupt and I was left with feeling that I wanted just a bit more. I definitely see possibilities for Ames's story to continue.
You can purcahse a copy from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | Bookshop.org (Support Independent Bookstores) | Amazon UK | Amazon US
You can find this and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
I do approach novellas differently from full-length novels and sometimes it's a welcomed change. Given the number of pages and words, I do tend to cut the author some slack when it comes to the depth of characterisation and worldbuilding. Even though Crunden seemed to have kept the worldbuilding fairly straightforward, it nonetheless have enough substance to lend credence to the plot. As humanity continues to destroy our planet's environment, the future lies amongst the stars. While Earth remains populated, inhabitants are subject to extremely poor air quality and resources are imported from across the various human colonies in the Milky Way Galaxy. Personal and corporate greed for money and power naturally continues to the dog humankind's footsteps into the future. Nothing has really changed except that humans are scattered across the galaxy, and have brought bringing slow destruction along with them.
"Each new discovery prompted exploitation, greed, uprisings. Like humans were in an abusive relationship with the universe."
In spite of the book's length, I didn't feel that our main protagonist was lacking in character development at all. Ames Emerys comes across as a relatable ordinary guy - one who doesn't like the bulk of humanity and is highly distrustful of the current political regime, and is now on a desperate personal mission to find out what happened to his brother who was purportedly dead. The little things like Ames's thoughts about books and even naming constellations in a far-off planet as Pirate Hook and Toilet Plunger were quite endearing. I really appreciated the author not shoehorning any romance into the story, even though the potential was there when Ames met and helped Violet (a victim of domestic abuse) on the first leg of his space travel.
"Ames wasn't a constant reader, but the sight of books was always enough to calm him. It was like they contained the souls of long-lost friends, waiting for when you needed them to most, and he always felt better in a room that had them."
One thing I've noted by the end of the book is that while there were some moments of suspense, Ames and the other protagonists seemed to have been able to to achieve what they set out to do pretty easily. There is also an economy of details in the writing as well, which is understandable given the length of the book. The ending also felt a bit abrupt and I was left with feeling that I wanted just a bit more. I definitely see possibilities for Ames's story to continue.
You can purcahse a copy from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | Bookshop.org (Support Independent Bookstores) | Amazon UK | Amazon US
You can find this and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
June 24, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
Considering this is a novella, it took me way too long to read, BUT that's my own doing.
This novella is so well done, it amazes me how great the world building is in all of Crunden's works, and especially in shorter stories like this.
I think the only complaint I have with this book is the open ending. If this turns into a series of some kind, or maybe ends up being a prequel novella to a full length novel or something similar, I'd feel better about it. Open endings can be useful, and I think it was good, but my personal preference is a firm ending if it's a stand alone.
Other than that, it's a great read! If you like space travel, high stakes, and a strong bond between brothers, this is a wonderful pick!
TW: domestic violence (strongly implied, not on page or graphic)
Considering this is a novella, it took me way too long to read, BUT that's my own doing.
This novella is so well done, it amazes me how great the world building is in all of Crunden's works, and especially in shorter stories like this.
I think the only complaint I have with this book is the open ending. If this turns into a series of some kind, or maybe ends up being a prequel novella to a full length novel or something similar, I'd feel better about it. Open endings can be useful, and I think it was good, but my personal preference is a firm ending if it's a stand alone.
Other than that, it's a great read! If you like space travel, high stakes, and a strong bond between brothers, this is a wonderful pick!
TW: domestic violence (strongly implied, not on page or graphic)
May 12, 2022
For a novella, this was filled to the brim with nonstop action, and the world felt really fleshed out. I love how easily Rebecca Crunden just draws you into her characters and the story. I can definitely see this being a series of novellas, where we get more of what happens with these characters as they try to overthrow the government. Rebecca Crunden is quickly becoming one of my favorite self pubbed authors.
December 4, 2021
4.5 stars
Imagine a future where you can no longer see the sky thanks to the amount of pollution on the Earth, mankind has finally been able to terraform a number of other planets to allow it to now live elsewhere and make use of the resources each planet has, this is the universe that Rebecca Crunden introduces us to in her excellent novel, Dust & Lightning.
When his brother is arrested and transported off planet Earth to serve his sentence "off-world" everything already seems wrong for Ames but when he then gets a letter saying his brother has died he decides it is time to investigate. The journey and discoveries Ames makes are beyond anything he could ever imagine but will he be safe as he uncovers facts that were never meant to be uncovered?
This book is a fantastic read and I do recommend it with the only small mark downs being for a few little editing tweaks needed and that the book is not broken down into chapters which could make it a bit of a challenging read for some but overall I think that this is a truly great piece of writing and that Rebecca is certainly an exciting author to be watching out for.
Imagine a future where you can no longer see the sky thanks to the amount of pollution on the Earth, mankind has finally been able to terraform a number of other planets to allow it to now live elsewhere and make use of the resources each planet has, this is the universe that Rebecca Crunden introduces us to in her excellent novel, Dust & Lightning.
When his brother is arrested and transported off planet Earth to serve his sentence "off-world" everything already seems wrong for Ames but when he then gets a letter saying his brother has died he decides it is time to investigate. The journey and discoveries Ames makes are beyond anything he could ever imagine but will he be safe as he uncovers facts that were never meant to be uncovered?
This book is a fantastic read and I do recommend it with the only small mark downs being for a few little editing tweaks needed and that the book is not broken down into chapters which could make it a bit of a challenging read for some but overall I think that this is a truly great piece of writing and that Rebecca is certainly an exciting author to be watching out for.
September 30, 2020
Thank you so much to Rebecca Crunden for sending an epub copy of her sci-fi novella in exchange for an honest review!
I read this in one session because the action just never stopped and it was impossible to put down. It was believable action too, involving a lot of narrow escapes and cool powers, and I felt like it was well paced.
It's only 117 pages but there is enough description to get a visual image of the important places and objects, as well as a good sense of setting.
In the brief span of knowing these characters I definitely felt like I knew Ames pretty well, and could at least appreciate Violet for her sense of daring and Callum for his strength. Ames is out to rescue his brother and discovers a whole can of worms (ha ha) involving the corruption of the Democratic Planetary Alliance.
I hope there is a part 2 to this because I really want to know the outcome of the rebellion!
I read this in one session because the action just never stopped and it was impossible to put down. It was believable action too, involving a lot of narrow escapes and cool powers, and I felt like it was well paced.
It's only 117 pages but there is enough description to get a visual image of the important places and objects, as well as a good sense of setting.
In the brief span of knowing these characters I definitely felt like I knew Ames pretty well, and could at least appreciate Violet for her sense of daring and Callum for his strength. Ames is out to rescue his brother and discovers a whole can of worms (ha ha) involving the corruption of the Democratic Planetary Alliance.
I hope there is a part 2 to this because I really want to know the outcome of the rebellion!
May 29, 2020
Dust & Lightning is a no fuss, straight up space adventure that I tore through in one sitting. It has all the fun of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series and a conspiratorial plot similar to Ann Leckie’s Provenance, resulting in a satisfying read.
When Ames received word from the Democratic Planetary Alliance that his kind-hearted brother was arrested and later killed on a transport ship during an inmate riot, he was suspicious. When shortly after this his travel rights are suspended and he becomes the subject of government surveillance, he is convinced a nefarious plot is afoot. Taking matters into his own hands, Ames sneaks aboard a space shuttle and enlists the help of a new friend in order to uncover the shocking truth surrounding his brother’s death.
With the exception of shuttles coughing pollution through space and spreading humans to new solar systems like rot, surprisingly little has changed in the year 4054; London is still a soup of smoke and exhaust, people still glass each other in pubs, and politicians still suck. I’ve always been a fan of industrial, military-looking spaceship design as it feels like a more probably portrayal of the future than glass domes and platinum curves. For the same reason, I loved Crunden’s pessimistic take on far future Earth. With passing mention of nonsensical environmental policies that feel familiar, it doubles as a critique of our current political climate and Crunden provides a timely reminder that humanity will require drastic reform if we ever want to live like The Jetsons.
However, Dust & Lightning is chiefly a fun and super satisfying space romp. Ames’ spontaneous friendship with Violet is adorable, and Crunden uses it to introduce a dry sense of humour to the book that I love, and to further develop Ames’ character. The last third of the book came as a complete surprise to me, and I had no idea how Crunden was going to leave things until I reached the last page.
I really enjoyed Crunden’s accessible writing style which felt more consistent and developed than some books I’ve read recently by bestselling authors. Some of the plot points could perhaps be interpreted as too convenient, but it allows for a novel’s worth of action to be crammed into an exciting 121 pages. If Crunden decides to develop her book into a full length novel or revisit Ames and Violet in a sequel, I am totally on board. I loved Dust & Lightning so much I even asked my boyfriend if we can name a cat in its honour, but for some reason he wasn’t into the name ‘Lucky Shitpaw’. I’ll keep working on it. For the full review check out jakeisreading.com
When Ames received word from the Democratic Planetary Alliance that his kind-hearted brother was arrested and later killed on a transport ship during an inmate riot, he was suspicious. When shortly after this his travel rights are suspended and he becomes the subject of government surveillance, he is convinced a nefarious plot is afoot. Taking matters into his own hands, Ames sneaks aboard a space shuttle and enlists the help of a new friend in order to uncover the shocking truth surrounding his brother’s death.
With the exception of shuttles coughing pollution through space and spreading humans to new solar systems like rot, surprisingly little has changed in the year 4054; London is still a soup of smoke and exhaust, people still glass each other in pubs, and politicians still suck. I’ve always been a fan of industrial, military-looking spaceship design as it feels like a more probably portrayal of the future than glass domes and platinum curves. For the same reason, I loved Crunden’s pessimistic take on far future Earth. With passing mention of nonsensical environmental policies that feel familiar, it doubles as a critique of our current political climate and Crunden provides a timely reminder that humanity will require drastic reform if we ever want to live like The Jetsons.
However, Dust & Lightning is chiefly a fun and super satisfying space romp. Ames’ spontaneous friendship with Violet is adorable, and Crunden uses it to introduce a dry sense of humour to the book that I love, and to further develop Ames’ character. The last third of the book came as a complete surprise to me, and I had no idea how Crunden was going to leave things until I reached the last page.
I really enjoyed Crunden’s accessible writing style which felt more consistent and developed than some books I’ve read recently by bestselling authors. Some of the plot points could perhaps be interpreted as too convenient, but it allows for a novel’s worth of action to be crammed into an exciting 121 pages. If Crunden decides to develop her book into a full length novel or revisit Ames and Violet in a sequel, I am totally on board. I loved Dust & Lightning so much I even asked my boyfriend if we can name a cat in its honour, but for some reason he wasn’t into the name ‘Lucky Shitpaw’. I’ll keep working on it. For the full review check out jakeisreading.com
July 22, 2020
Dust and Lightning is a straight up science fiction tale that is set in the very distant future of 4054. Space travel is commonplace and while the earth is still inhabited the affects of global warming and human greed have pushed many to the stars.
Ames needs to get off planet immediately, he needs to find answers about his brother, and desperately leaves earth, but some people don't want him leaving planet-side and he is being chased from the get go.
As the story delves deeper we learn a lot about Ames and his family. He picks up some friends along the way that add a great deal to the story. This is brilliantly written with no messing about. The author has packed a lot into this novella, and has not used any "filler" to try and plump it up into something longer. This is a great story, and the ending left me wanting a whole lot more! There better be a sequel!
Highly recommend to Sci-Fi fans looking for a quick read.
Ames needs to get off planet immediately, he needs to find answers about his brother, and desperately leaves earth, but some people don't want him leaving planet-side and he is being chased from the get go.
As the story delves deeper we learn a lot about Ames and his family. He picks up some friends along the way that add a great deal to the story. This is brilliantly written with no messing about. The author has packed a lot into this novella, and has not used any "filler" to try and plump it up into something longer. This is a great story, and the ending left me wanting a whole lot more! There better be a sequel!
Highly recommend to Sci-Fi fans looking for a quick read.
March 17, 2020
Dust & Lightning by Rebecca Crunden is a smashing sci-fi novella that combines elements of suspense, mystery, adventure and action, making it a complete package deal for all sci-fi lovers. This is my 6th book by the author and by now I have become so familiar with author Rebecca's writing that it feels like visiting an old friend to read her books. I don't usually go for the same authors unless I like their work which only goes on to say that Rebecca's stories are always worth it. This one is a novella and very different from the other books I read by her as they were a part of the same series. Though, I hope that this one is the first in a long line of series!
Coming back to the review, I found the futuristic world in this novella very immersive and quite realistic. If I had to think about the future with space travel, this is how I would envision it - ultra-modern and highly advanced technologies in every way imaginable but equally low standards of humanity, therefore, this book felt very engaging!
The characters were well-built and very relatable, especially the main character, Ames. He was likely in a very unlikely way and I loved following him on his tumultuous journey. The writing was good and had a smooth and natural flow. The pacing was good and suited the story well. I liked the ending though I hope it is a series and we get to see more of this amazing world.
I'd highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and speculative fiction lovers and to those who haven't yet read any books by the author (it's worth a read!)
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
Coming back to the review, I found the futuristic world in this novella very immersive and quite realistic. If I had to think about the future with space travel, this is how I would envision it - ultra-modern and highly advanced technologies in every way imaginable but equally low standards of humanity, therefore, this book felt very engaging!
The characters were well-built and very relatable, especially the main character, Ames. He was likely in a very unlikely way and I loved following him on his tumultuous journey. The writing was good and had a smooth and natural flow. The pacing was good and suited the story well. I liked the ending though I hope it is a series and we get to see more of this amazing world.
I'd highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and speculative fiction lovers and to those who haven't yet read any books by the author (it's worth a read!)
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
April 6, 2020
5 Cranky Stars
In the future when humans have terraformed and taking over several planets within the Galaxy, Earth is so polluted that you have to wear a face mask to go outside, but it is still the seat of power with in the alliance.
The leader of Earth is a foul, greedy, cruel man who sends all of his enemies to either be experimented on, shot and killed, are put into the mines forever. Ames and Callum are brothers, Ames has decided to stay on Earth while Callum is a relief worker that went off world. Callum discovered what the leader was doing and started asking questions, he was put into a facility where they did experiments on him and others to create super soldiers. The alliance sent Ames letters stating that his brother had been arrested and while being transported to the prison was killed, and Ames did not believe this and went in search of his brother. Along the way he meets Violet and she joins up with him to help him find his brother.
I really enjoyed reading this book, Ames and his brother have two different personalities and I feel like Ames is my kind of guy. This book is set up to read like a series oh, so you're left with a cliffhanger but not a big one.
In the future when humans have terraformed and taking over several planets within the Galaxy, Earth is so polluted that you have to wear a face mask to go outside, but it is still the seat of power with in the alliance.
The leader of Earth is a foul, greedy, cruel man who sends all of his enemies to either be experimented on, shot and killed, are put into the mines forever. Ames and Callum are brothers, Ames has decided to stay on Earth while Callum is a relief worker that went off world. Callum discovered what the leader was doing and started asking questions, he was put into a facility where they did experiments on him and others to create super soldiers. The alliance sent Ames letters stating that his brother had been arrested and while being transported to the prison was killed, and Ames did not believe this and went in search of his brother. Along the way he meets Violet and she joins up with him to help him find his brother.
I really enjoyed reading this book, Ames and his brother have two different personalities and I feel like Ames is my kind of guy. This book is set up to read like a series oh, so you're left with a cliffhanger but not a big one.
February 25, 2024
Dust and Lightning hooked me at a London space station and kept me onboard for the ride until the end. The story takes place in the year 4054. Humanity has found solutions to some of our most pressing problems, but sadly, these still benefit the wealthy first and foremost. We do not follow a powerful figure, but an ordinary citizen, Ames Emerys. After being fed an implausible story about his brother, Callum’s arrest and sudden death on a distant world, Ames has been grounded on Earth. But Ames is not the compliant sort. When we meet him, he is already defying the authorities and looking into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Callum’s disappearance. This mystery leads Ames down a murky path of political intrigue.
Fate is on his side as he encounters people who help him slip through the security loopholes of a corrupt system. I agree with other reviews that suggest some of his narrow escapes are a bit convenient, but they keep the story moving at a clipping pace. Ames’ gut beliefs drive him. He is a street-smart guy who is good at thinking on his feet. I liked the weird, irreverent nicknames he gives to new constellations and a cat he meets on his journey. They contribute nicely to his distinctive personality.
I really enjoyed the depth of the platonic relationships in this novella, starting with Ames’ new friendship with Violet, a quick-witted lawyer who escapes a bad situation with his help. His circle of allies continues to grow from there.
The political figures of this galaxy are distant cyphers who make baffling decisions that significantly affect the lives of ordinary folk (seldom for the better). Not all that different from what we experience today. We only encounter ground-level antagonists and don’t get any insights into the motives of the powers that be.
Vivid descriptions add texture and grit to a terraformed planet; covering details from the colour of the sky to the smell of the dirt. If you gravitate towards hard sci-fi where space travel is explained in detail, I am afraid this isn’t for you. But sci-fi is as much about socio-political commentaries as it is about technology; Crunden has a solid understanding of these systems and conveys clear messages without over-simplifying them.
Towards the end, several things come together very quickly, providing a satisfying short-term resolution. You get the sense that these characters are tiny cogs in the machine of change. D & L works as a standalone novella as it delivers on early promises while setting something larger in motion; it feels a bit like Rogue One in that way (minus the rather tragic aspects of that story).
Content warnings: violence, implied domestic abuse, some profanities.
Fate is on his side as he encounters people who help him slip through the security loopholes of a corrupt system. I agree with other reviews that suggest some of his narrow escapes are a bit convenient, but they keep the story moving at a clipping pace. Ames’ gut beliefs drive him. He is a street-smart guy who is good at thinking on his feet. I liked the weird, irreverent nicknames he gives to new constellations and a cat he meets on his journey. They contribute nicely to his distinctive personality.
I really enjoyed the depth of the platonic relationships in this novella, starting with Ames’ new friendship with Violet, a quick-witted lawyer who escapes a bad situation with his help. His circle of allies continues to grow from there.
The political figures of this galaxy are distant cyphers who make baffling decisions that significantly affect the lives of ordinary folk (seldom for the better). Not all that different from what we experience today. We only encounter ground-level antagonists and don’t get any insights into the motives of the powers that be.
Vivid descriptions add texture and grit to a terraformed planet; covering details from the colour of the sky to the smell of the dirt. If you gravitate towards hard sci-fi where space travel is explained in detail, I am afraid this isn’t for you. But sci-fi is as much about socio-political commentaries as it is about technology; Crunden has a solid understanding of these systems and conveys clear messages without over-simplifying them.
Towards the end, several things come together very quickly, providing a satisfying short-term resolution. You get the sense that these characters are tiny cogs in the machine of change. D & L works as a standalone novella as it delivers on early promises while setting something larger in motion; it feels a bit like Rogue One in that way (minus the rather tragic aspects of that story).
Content warnings: violence, implied domestic abuse, some profanities.
February 14, 2023
It's the year 4054, and the earth is polluted and humans have populated other worlds.
Ames Emery is searching for his brother, aid worker Cal, who after being imprisoned for unknown crimes against the ruling Democratic Planetary Alliance, is reportedly dead. However, Ames has received a communique from his cousin that Cal has turned up on a mining planet called Kilnin, despite the ship summarily disappearing.
Catching a ship to search for his brother, Ames aids Violet escape from an abusive marriage and the two become firm friends and compatriots in their search for Callum.
Throwing the reader into the action almost immediately, Rebecca Crunden writes a pretty enjoyable techno thriller that has secret government agencies, secret experiments, political tensions and a thrilling space race to find Ames's brother.
The plot is immediately engaging as we stumble into the first scenario, hooking the reader in to find out more about what is happening and subsequently find the fate of Ames's brother and what the consequences will be for the Democratic Planetary Alliance as a whole.
Both of the main characters are engaging and it was nice to see a platonic relationship develop between the two characters rather than an insta love attraction between the two.
If you you want a fast paced short novella that's engaging and fun, then Dust and Lightning is a really good read.
Ames Emery is searching for his brother, aid worker Cal, who after being imprisoned for unknown crimes against the ruling Democratic Planetary Alliance, is reportedly dead. However, Ames has received a communique from his cousin that Cal has turned up on a mining planet called Kilnin, despite the ship summarily disappearing.
Catching a ship to search for his brother, Ames aids Violet escape from an abusive marriage and the two become firm friends and compatriots in their search for Callum.
Throwing the reader into the action almost immediately, Rebecca Crunden writes a pretty enjoyable techno thriller that has secret government agencies, secret experiments, political tensions and a thrilling space race to find Ames's brother.
The plot is immediately engaging as we stumble into the first scenario, hooking the reader in to find out more about what is happening and subsequently find the fate of Ames's brother and what the consequences will be for the Democratic Planetary Alliance as a whole.
Both of the main characters are engaging and it was nice to see a platonic relationship develop between the two characters rather than an insta love attraction between the two.
If you you want a fast paced short novella that's engaging and fun, then Dust and Lightning is a really good read.
June 14, 2021
Fast paced science fiction noir
This is a fun novella set 200 years in the future where humanity has set up colonies on lots of planets. I liked the characters of Ames, Violet and Callum, and the storyline was exciting.
The author writes well, her voice is engaging, and the story progresses at a great clip. I loved how down to earth some of the elements were, but at times I wished the technology was more advanced than described.
I also would have loved if the novella had been formatted into chapters.
My first time reading a book by this author but not my last.
This is a fun novella set 200 years in the future where humanity has set up colonies on lots of planets. I liked the characters of Ames, Violet and Callum, and the storyline was exciting.
The author writes well, her voice is engaging, and the story progresses at a great clip. I loved how down to earth some of the elements were, but at times I wished the technology was more advanced than described.
I also would have loved if the novella had been formatted into chapters.
My first time reading a book by this author but not my last.
March 20, 2020
Title: Dust & Lightening
Author: Rebecca Crunden
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
ISBN: 978-1096623670
Buy Link:https://www.amazon.com/Dust-Lightning...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
In the near future, humans have gone beyond simple space travel. By the year 4054, multiple solar systems are inhabited, and taking a spaceship is as commonplace as taking an aeroplane.
Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labor on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labor camps in other solar systems.
When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined.
And trouble isn’t far behind.
Total Score: 5/5 and a Recommended Read!!!
Summary: Reynolds
You would think that society in the future would grow out of individuals petty desire for greed while working for the betterment of all mankind. This story reminds us that each person needs to be the best they can because others might not think the same way.
Ames may not go about things in the legal manner, but he has always taken care of his younger brother Callum. When he received a notice that Callum was arrested and sentenced to hard labor he didn’t believe it. Then he was notified of his death while on the way to a prison planet and was told by a friend that he saw Callum on Kilnin, the planet he was sentenced to Ames was determined to find and free his brother. Thus began an odyssey to escape a government determined to keep him on Earth and hide what is really going on. On the way, Ames helps out a woman, Violet, in her time of need who becomes an ally on his quest to find his brother.
It was disturbing how Reynolds the leader of the Earth Government had enough power to control multiple worlds and make people disappear without recourse. To find out what happens and what they find you will need to read this compelling book. Their story has just begun.
Author: Rebecca Crunden
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
ISBN: 978-1096623670
Buy Link:https://www.amazon.com/Dust-Lightning...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
In the near future, humans have gone beyond simple space travel. By the year 4054, multiple solar systems are inhabited, and taking a spaceship is as commonplace as taking an aeroplane.
Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labor on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labor camps in other solar systems.
When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined.
And trouble isn’t far behind.
Total Score: 5/5 and a Recommended Read!!!
Summary: Reynolds
You would think that society in the future would grow out of individuals petty desire for greed while working for the betterment of all mankind. This story reminds us that each person needs to be the best they can because others might not think the same way.
Ames may not go about things in the legal manner, but he has always taken care of his younger brother Callum. When he received a notice that Callum was arrested and sentenced to hard labor he didn’t believe it. Then he was notified of his death while on the way to a prison planet and was told by a friend that he saw Callum on Kilnin, the planet he was sentenced to Ames was determined to find and free his brother. Thus began an odyssey to escape a government determined to keep him on Earth and hide what is really going on. On the way, Ames helps out a woman, Violet, in her time of need who becomes an ally on his quest to find his brother.
It was disturbing how Reynolds the leader of the Earth Government had enough power to control multiple worlds and make people disappear without recourse. To find out what happens and what they find you will need to read this compelling book. Their story has just begun.
May 22, 2022
"Being an activist and exposing the dirty secrets . . . had never been a job he’d desired. But staying out of the way only worked for so long. Eventually even those who avoided the world were drawn into its madness."
Rebecca Crunden's Dust and Lightning works on several levels. On one level it is a science fiction story set thousands of years in the future where humanity has colonized other solar systems. Crunden's world of Kilnin is populated by unearthly creatures that are fascinating to learn about.
On another level, it serves as a warning to what can happen to a planet when it's natural resources are exploited. We see this on both her future earth where the planet is now full of thick choking fumes where "everyone donned a mask or faced the consequences" and on Kilnin where mines were ghastly monstrosities, "like a giant had taken an ice cream scoop to the ground and eaten for weeks."
Finally, it is also an action thriller where Ames, "an antisocial grump who found the bulk of humanity irritating," and his new found friend Violet search for Ames's presumed-to-be-dead brother. They have to battle forces that reach all the way to the highest levels of government.
This was the first book by Crunden that I have read and it won't be the last.
Rebecca Crunden's Dust and Lightning works on several levels. On one level it is a science fiction story set thousands of years in the future where humanity has colonized other solar systems. Crunden's world of Kilnin is populated by unearthly creatures that are fascinating to learn about.
On another level, it serves as a warning to what can happen to a planet when it's natural resources are exploited. We see this on both her future earth where the planet is now full of thick choking fumes where "everyone donned a mask or faced the consequences" and on Kilnin where mines were ghastly monstrosities, "like a giant had taken an ice cream scoop to the ground and eaten for weeks."
Finally, it is also an action thriller where Ames, "an antisocial grump who found the bulk of humanity irritating," and his new found friend Violet search for Ames's presumed-to-be-dead brother. They have to battle forces that reach all the way to the highest levels of government.
This was the first book by Crunden that I have read and it won't be the last.
June 11, 2022
A future set in 4054 where humans have colonized other planets and get around in spaceships but still face issues we currently deal with today: pollution, rich vs poor, and the government working against its citizens. Rebecca does an amazing job of making you feel like you’re there as well as describing the future’s technological advancements. Anyone into such themes and settings would enjoy this dystopian, sci-fi read!
July 14, 2021
I’m normally not one to read a story set in space but since I have read all of Rebecca’s books, I was curious to check this one out too. I’m glad that I gave it a chance! The concept was very cool and I was once again impressed with the intricate details throughout. Dust & Lightning is certainly worth a read!
November 17, 2021
"Eventually even those who avoided the world were drawn into its madness."
Dust & Lightning is an entertaining and clever sci-fi thriller. It follows Ames, a reckless thief, to find out what happened to his kind and good-hearted younger brother who disappeared without a trace. What I loved the most about this story was Ames himself. He's the type of character you want to stick around with. The type of character you would follow to hell and back without a second thought because you know that, whatever happens, it will be worth reading.
There are so many interesting themes intertwined into this narrative but what I loved the most was Ames's inner journey. Without giving away too much, Ames's evolution throughout this tale was incredibly satisfying and I would love to read more adventures featuring this character.
Dust & Lightning is an entertaining and clever sci-fi thriller. It follows Ames, a reckless thief, to find out what happened to his kind and good-hearted younger brother who disappeared without a trace. What I loved the most about this story was Ames himself. He's the type of character you want to stick around with. The type of character you would follow to hell and back without a second thought because you know that, whatever happens, it will be worth reading.
There are so many interesting themes intertwined into this narrative but what I loved the most was Ames's inner journey. Without giving away too much, Ames's evolution throughout this tale was incredibly satisfying and I would love to read more adventures featuring this character.
June 20, 2023
A quick, fun read that shows good potential for a greater expanded story.
June 25, 2023
a fun romp
This is a really pacy piece of action-packed, fun and inventive short(ish) fiction. Some great ideas and a really easy and entertaining read. Some Total Recall vibes that I enjoyed too. Kind of PK Dick lite, which I’m down for - maybe you are too?
This is a really pacy piece of action-packed, fun and inventive short(ish) fiction. Some great ideas and a really easy and entertaining read. Some Total Recall vibes that I enjoyed too. Kind of PK Dick lite, which I’m down for - maybe you are too?
February 9, 2022
Space travel, humans occupying multiple plants on different solar systems, and a mystery. It’s 4054, and Ames has received news that his brother Callum has died. But there are already things surrounding Callum that Ames cannot believe, so why should this be any different? Callum was arrested for murder, the same Callum who would apologise if a bully hurt his hand hitting him. And everything about Callum since has been shrouded in darkness, files offlimits, and any communication impossible. Besides, Ames can’t even think about dealing with what would happen if Callum really was dead.
Despite having a travel-ban put upon him, Ames puts himself on the first ship he can to the planet Kilnin, his mission simple. Find his brother. He knows people on Kilnin who have told him they saw Callum, although according to what Ames was told, Callum never reached the planet. With so many lies and so much deceit, Ames is desperate to know for himself what happened. On the way, Ames finds himself a partner, and his one man team doubles in size.
Ames is a character you cannot help but like. He might be a bit of a criminal himself, and some of the laws he seems to regard as simply guidelines, but it is clear that nothing will stand in his way. Callum means everything to him, and you can’t help but believe he will be able to get to the bottom of everything. After all, nothing seems to have stood in his way thus far. Besides, having two different coloured eyes, and hair that is a different colour on either side of his head leads to a great built-in disguise – simply flip the hair, using it to cover an eye, and he looks like a different person.
The whole world that has been created is a wonder to behold. Earth has grown so polluted that the entirety of the population has breathing problems, and you can no longer see the night sky. Stargazing has become a thing of the past. But, with space travel, a whole new world has opened up. People can leave Earth, for the right price, and go to live elsewhere. But, of course, with such advances in technology and science, there can be one thing that can cause a massive downfall – a corrupt leader, with a secret agenda. The political aspects within this novel have been depicted wonderfully, with people in their day to day lives either strongly for or against the leader. People feel so strongly, insults fly, and most keep their political opinions to themselves, to avoid confrontation.
If I have one complaint, it is that there was not enough for me to read. I finished reading this book, which is about 100 pages long, and was instantly desperate for more, feeling almost empty after the ending. The world within these pages is one that, although there is corruption and destruction, I wanted to spend more time in, and get to know more. This made me want to learn the history of the future, and the different things that have been suggested to be potentially possible are incredibly interesting. Everyone expected flying cars by 2015, thanks to Back to the Future II, and obviously that never happened. But what about in a few thousand years time? How will space travel develop? Will we eventually be able to mould other planets for our use, and will we end up destroying them as we will our own planet?
With plenty of action, and a clear mission for Ames, this book is a wonderful science-fiction adventure. You can read it well within an hour and a half, as I did, and when you are done, you will certainly be off to find more books by this author.
Despite having a travel-ban put upon him, Ames puts himself on the first ship he can to the planet Kilnin, his mission simple. Find his brother. He knows people on Kilnin who have told him they saw Callum, although according to what Ames was told, Callum never reached the planet. With so many lies and so much deceit, Ames is desperate to know for himself what happened. On the way, Ames finds himself a partner, and his one man team doubles in size.
Ames is a character you cannot help but like. He might be a bit of a criminal himself, and some of the laws he seems to regard as simply guidelines, but it is clear that nothing will stand in his way. Callum means everything to him, and you can’t help but believe he will be able to get to the bottom of everything. After all, nothing seems to have stood in his way thus far. Besides, having two different coloured eyes, and hair that is a different colour on either side of his head leads to a great built-in disguise – simply flip the hair, using it to cover an eye, and he looks like a different person.
The whole world that has been created is a wonder to behold. Earth has grown so polluted that the entirety of the population has breathing problems, and you can no longer see the night sky. Stargazing has become a thing of the past. But, with space travel, a whole new world has opened up. People can leave Earth, for the right price, and go to live elsewhere. But, of course, with such advances in technology and science, there can be one thing that can cause a massive downfall – a corrupt leader, with a secret agenda. The political aspects within this novel have been depicted wonderfully, with people in their day to day lives either strongly for or against the leader. People feel so strongly, insults fly, and most keep their political opinions to themselves, to avoid confrontation.
If I have one complaint, it is that there was not enough for me to read. I finished reading this book, which is about 100 pages long, and was instantly desperate for more, feeling almost empty after the ending. The world within these pages is one that, although there is corruption and destruction, I wanted to spend more time in, and get to know more. This made me want to learn the history of the future, and the different things that have been suggested to be potentially possible are incredibly interesting. Everyone expected flying cars by 2015, thanks to Back to the Future II, and obviously that never happened. But what about in a few thousand years time? How will space travel develop? Will we eventually be able to mould other planets for our use, and will we end up destroying them as we will our own planet?
With plenty of action, and a clear mission for Ames, this book is a wonderful science-fiction adventure. You can read it well within an hour and a half, as I did, and when you are done, you will certainly be off to find more books by this author.
April 30, 2021
This book was my first requested review by an author, and I would just like to say to Rebecca a big thank you for sending me a copy.
As with all of my reviews we have a couple of small spoilers, but I’ve not gone into anything that will ruin the story.
Novellas aren’t something I normally read, short stories and even collections tend to be something I refuse to go near, I think it’s the fact I hate the idea of getting drawn into a book that is going to leave me in 100 pages in (a strong abandonment issue vibe coming from this sentence). I will buy them very occasionally and normally only for the collector’s aspect and I should probably be a little ashamed of myself, I call myself a Cosmere fan and haven’t read any of the in between…
Rebecca described this book as a straight up 120-page science fiction adventure with no romance, this piqued my interest straight away, no romance means no big attachment and a ton scifi always has a fair bit of action which I do love, this was just going to be adventure and Rebecca wasn’t wrong. This book focuses on our main character Ames, a grizzled old-time thief trying to find his brother who’s been arrested and disappeared away by the corrupt DPA, the government in charge of the empire of earth that now extends way past our own milky way.
“Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labour on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labour camps in other solar systems. When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined.”
Dust and Lightning – Rebecca Crunden
I really liked the world building that we were introduced here and really hope Rebecca builds on this more with later books. We find ourselves on Earth in the 41st century, a capitalist empire that offers little in the way of workers rights, taking advantage of the little man and a truly corrupt society that benefits the rich before anyone else, sounds familiar? (The universe Rebecca has built, in my opinion, seems to be based on the great ole’ USA) I really liked the potical aspect of this book and how current those problems felt just added so much to the story, the ability to relate the books world against our own, and I think having a realistic look into the future is so important for scifi, when the story feels like it has the potential to be reality then that really grips you as a reader. I did find it funny, either it was my pessimism or the authors optimism, but the believe that we would still be around in another 2000 years if we continue on the current course we are taking is a crazy one, I hope by then its more of the peaceful utopia that we see in star trek maybe.
I found the first two thirds of the book very gripping, I thought as a newer author Rebecca did a great job of setting up her story, out of personal experience and my own writing that’s something to really struggle with, it was very easy to read and sucked you in straight away, the story was well told and made you want to turn the page and keep going. Ames was a fairly classic character, grizzled old timer doing his best to survive, I would love to know a bit more of his backstory and again hope this is something that’s maybe fleshed out in future books. I loved the snippets of his life we got, where the really hardcore love for his brother came from and his willingness to risk everything. Rebecca did an excellent job of making a character I wanted to read more about in very few words. Violet was brought in roughly a third into the book and her introduction was great, I loved the potential for a sidekick(?) of sorts, Ames needed some balancing factor and someone to bounce off, and the fact I already knew there was zero romance in this which meant I didn’t have to worry about any potential awkward kisses, but I do think the relationship built between them was a great set up for romance in future stories. However, as we get into the latter part of the story, Violet’s character is something that made this story unravel slightly for me. Violet was a lawyer, a fairly average, everyday woman who Ames helps when he stumbles across her leaving her arsehole husband after a domestic issue (nothing strange with that – men are pricks). Ames isn’t some hero, hes just trying to do the decent thing and I like that this led to Violet deciding to stay and help Ames with his investigation. However, as we go on it goes quickly from our fairly innocent just-left-earth-for-the-first-time-lawyer to having her jump into a secret underground base, finding all the information they needed on the government computers in said top secret base, picking locks and then the thing that really bothered me was Violet straight up shooting a man.
“An exit at the end led to a stairwell and they nearly at the door when it burst opened. A shot went off and bloody sprayed across the wall behind the wall as he dropped to his knees. Violet’s hand was shaking, her eyes round. ‘Lets go.’ Ames had to force his voice to remain calm, but he somehow managed it. He nodded her on. ‘Down the stairs’.
Dust and Lightning – Rebecca Crunden
For me this was just something I couldn’t get over, this man walked through a door, stumbling upon our group, no standoff with the guard, no conversation, no begging for his life, no hesitation, no nothing. Violet immediately shoots him, and I just can’t see that being what happens from a person who has never killed before, its not something I have personal experience in (thankfully) and I get in real life fear is a major driving force but I imagine till that point Violet has never killed a man. We then have a second of remorse and then they carry on, it felt at this point the end game had been decided upon and what was happening was the easiest way to get there, Violet didn’t fit into the story anymore, but she was just being used to keep it going.
The final few pages before the ending were where we really saw this Sci-fi world start to take off, the change in tone was unexpected and sudden, it really was fun to read, who doesnt love the potential for a little super power action. I feel the place the story left on was a really great opener for Rebecca to then expand on this world and story and was a very solid cliffhanger that left you wanting more, I can see a grand space opera of sorts kicking off, rebellion from the outer planets fighting the tyranny of the corrupt government, Callum and Ames being the spark to set the fire of rebellion going. It has been done before but it’s always an exciting potential and so much can be done with it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, even with a couple hiccups I can see a really bright potential for Rebecca’s writing and the story she’s started. I look forward to seeing what she comes out with in future and will definitely be adding it to my TBR pile when she does, and I wish her the best of luck with her dreams 😊.
As with all of my reviews we have a couple of small spoilers, but I’ve not gone into anything that will ruin the story.
Novellas aren’t something I normally read, short stories and even collections tend to be something I refuse to go near, I think it’s the fact I hate the idea of getting drawn into a book that is going to leave me in 100 pages in (a strong abandonment issue vibe coming from this sentence). I will buy them very occasionally and normally only for the collector’s aspect and I should probably be a little ashamed of myself, I call myself a Cosmere fan and haven’t read any of the in between…
Rebecca described this book as a straight up 120-page science fiction adventure with no romance, this piqued my interest straight away, no romance means no big attachment and a ton scifi always has a fair bit of action which I do love, this was just going to be adventure and Rebecca wasn’t wrong. This book focuses on our main character Ames, a grizzled old-time thief trying to find his brother who’s been arrested and disappeared away by the corrupt DPA, the government in charge of the empire of earth that now extends way past our own milky way.
“Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labour on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labour camps in other solar systems. When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined.”
Dust and Lightning – Rebecca Crunden
I really liked the world building that we were introduced here and really hope Rebecca builds on this more with later books. We find ourselves on Earth in the 41st century, a capitalist empire that offers little in the way of workers rights, taking advantage of the little man and a truly corrupt society that benefits the rich before anyone else, sounds familiar? (The universe Rebecca has built, in my opinion, seems to be based on the great ole’ USA) I really liked the potical aspect of this book and how current those problems felt just added so much to the story, the ability to relate the books world against our own, and I think having a realistic look into the future is so important for scifi, when the story feels like it has the potential to be reality then that really grips you as a reader. I did find it funny, either it was my pessimism or the authors optimism, but the believe that we would still be around in another 2000 years if we continue on the current course we are taking is a crazy one, I hope by then its more of the peaceful utopia that we see in star trek maybe.
I found the first two thirds of the book very gripping, I thought as a newer author Rebecca did a great job of setting up her story, out of personal experience and my own writing that’s something to really struggle with, it was very easy to read and sucked you in straight away, the story was well told and made you want to turn the page and keep going. Ames was a fairly classic character, grizzled old timer doing his best to survive, I would love to know a bit more of his backstory and again hope this is something that’s maybe fleshed out in future books. I loved the snippets of his life we got, where the really hardcore love for his brother came from and his willingness to risk everything. Rebecca did an excellent job of making a character I wanted to read more about in very few words. Violet was brought in roughly a third into the book and her introduction was great, I loved the potential for a sidekick(?) of sorts, Ames needed some balancing factor and someone to bounce off, and the fact I already knew there was zero romance in this which meant I didn’t have to worry about any potential awkward kisses, but I do think the relationship built between them was a great set up for romance in future stories. However, as we get into the latter part of the story, Violet’s character is something that made this story unravel slightly for me. Violet was a lawyer, a fairly average, everyday woman who Ames helps when he stumbles across her leaving her arsehole husband after a domestic issue (nothing strange with that – men are pricks). Ames isn’t some hero, hes just trying to do the decent thing and I like that this led to Violet deciding to stay and help Ames with his investigation. However, as we go on it goes quickly from our fairly innocent just-left-earth-for-the-first-time-lawyer to having her jump into a secret underground base, finding all the information they needed on the government computers in said top secret base, picking locks and then the thing that really bothered me was Violet straight up shooting a man.
“An exit at the end led to a stairwell and they nearly at the door when it burst opened. A shot went off and bloody sprayed across the wall behind the wall as he dropped to his knees. Violet’s hand was shaking, her eyes round. ‘Lets go.’ Ames had to force his voice to remain calm, but he somehow managed it. He nodded her on. ‘Down the stairs’.
Dust and Lightning – Rebecca Crunden
For me this was just something I couldn’t get over, this man walked through a door, stumbling upon our group, no standoff with the guard, no conversation, no begging for his life, no hesitation, no nothing. Violet immediately shoots him, and I just can’t see that being what happens from a person who has never killed before, its not something I have personal experience in (thankfully) and I get in real life fear is a major driving force but I imagine till that point Violet has never killed a man. We then have a second of remorse and then they carry on, it felt at this point the end game had been decided upon and what was happening was the easiest way to get there, Violet didn’t fit into the story anymore, but she was just being used to keep it going.
The final few pages before the ending were where we really saw this Sci-fi world start to take off, the change in tone was unexpected and sudden, it really was fun to read, who doesnt love the potential for a little super power action. I feel the place the story left on was a really great opener for Rebecca to then expand on this world and story and was a very solid cliffhanger that left you wanting more, I can see a grand space opera of sorts kicking off, rebellion from the outer planets fighting the tyranny of the corrupt government, Callum and Ames being the spark to set the fire of rebellion going. It has been done before but it’s always an exciting potential and so much can be done with it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, even with a couple hiccups I can see a really bright potential for Rebecca’s writing and the story she’s started. I look forward to seeing what she comes out with in future and will definitely be adding it to my TBR pile when she does, and I wish her the best of luck with her dreams 😊.
November 15, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given Dust & Lightning by Rebecca Crunden four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Although this book is short, I was not expecting to read it within one day! Dust & Lightning is a gripping sci-fi novella which is incredibly descriptive and I found it was quite fast-paced.
Crunden’s writing is somewhat special, she really knows how to draw the audience in with her descriptive writing and futuristic setting. I found it very immersive and, although it made me think and I felt super small in a ball of the universe at times, it made it feel very realistic as to what is most likely to come in the near future. I really loved the concept of flying to lots of different solar systems, I thought this was a really interesting way of creating a futuristic world.
I found our main character, Ames Emerys, well-developed and I was really rooting for him to be okay throughout his travels to Kilnin, which was not an easy journey by any means! We meet another character called Violet along the way, who I really enjoyed reading about, she’s a spontaneous lady who really helped to bring out the humorous side of Ames. They really did find themselves in some spontaneous, sticky situations!
I would love to read more about these characters if Crunden ever writes a second book to this novella, as I definitely felt a connection form between myself and the story before my eyes, plus the story is left on a cliffhanger so it would be great to know what happens afterwards.
I have to admit, my relationships with sci-fi books aren’t always the best however this novella drew me back in to the genre and I can’t wait to pick up more sci-fi books, or even Rebecca Crunden books soon! I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy sci-fi, fast-paced novellas.
Although this book is short, I was not expecting to read it within one day! Dust & Lightning is a gripping sci-fi novella which is incredibly descriptive and I found it was quite fast-paced.
Crunden’s writing is somewhat special, she really knows how to draw the audience in with her descriptive writing and futuristic setting. I found it very immersive and, although it made me think and I felt super small in a ball of the universe at times, it made it feel very realistic as to what is most likely to come in the near future. I really loved the concept of flying to lots of different solar systems, I thought this was a really interesting way of creating a futuristic world.
I found our main character, Ames Emerys, well-developed and I was really rooting for him to be okay throughout his travels to Kilnin, which was not an easy journey by any means! We meet another character called Violet along the way, who I really enjoyed reading about, she’s a spontaneous lady who really helped to bring out the humorous side of Ames. They really did find themselves in some spontaneous, sticky situations!
I would love to read more about these characters if Crunden ever writes a second book to this novella, as I definitely felt a connection form between myself and the story before my eyes, plus the story is left on a cliffhanger so it would be great to know what happens afterwards.
I have to admit, my relationships with sci-fi books aren’t always the best however this novella drew me back in to the genre and I can’t wait to pick up more sci-fi books, or even Rebecca Crunden books soon! I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy sci-fi, fast-paced novellas.
April 30, 2020
This science fiction novella is listed under the ‘dystopian’ tag. However, it contains the currently essential ingredient, hope, so leaves the reader in an uplifted mood after a journey through some pretty dire times.
It’s a well-written piece, with very few editing needs. Most importantly (to me, anyway) it’s easy to empathise with the characters. There’s a hint of romance, no sex, but a developing friendship that gives the impression of further growth.
As is often the case, this has the appearance of an introductory book to a possible series, but it reads well as a stand-alone story so, contrary to what often happens, the reader is left with a satisfactory ending, hinting at the potential for future stories.
I enjoyed its fast pace, which, interspersed with passages that describe the worlds, locations, and some of the science, in enough detail to inform without boring the reader, makes it a page-turner.
As a scifi writer, I don’t agree with all the futurist conclusions. My view of potential futures is entirely different. But the societies and worlds here remain plausible. And I’m willing to ignore a couple of plot holes as the story is told in a way that allows the reader to skirt over such details.
This is a story of betrayal, loyalty, dictatorship, abused power, love and hope. The denouement builds rapidly and ends in a conclusion that is the only logical and positive outcome of the preceding action.
I enjoyed the read and I expect most who love distant future tales set in space and on other planets will find this an engaging tale.
It’s a well-written piece, with very few editing needs. Most importantly (to me, anyway) it’s easy to empathise with the characters. There’s a hint of romance, no sex, but a developing friendship that gives the impression of further growth.
As is often the case, this has the appearance of an introductory book to a possible series, but it reads well as a stand-alone story so, contrary to what often happens, the reader is left with a satisfactory ending, hinting at the potential for future stories.
I enjoyed its fast pace, which, interspersed with passages that describe the worlds, locations, and some of the science, in enough detail to inform without boring the reader, makes it a page-turner.
As a scifi writer, I don’t agree with all the futurist conclusions. My view of potential futures is entirely different. But the societies and worlds here remain plausible. And I’m willing to ignore a couple of plot holes as the story is told in a way that allows the reader to skirt over such details.
This is a story of betrayal, loyalty, dictatorship, abused power, love and hope. The denouement builds rapidly and ends in a conclusion that is the only logical and positive outcome of the preceding action.
I enjoyed the read and I expect most who love distant future tales set in space and on other planets will find this an engaging tale.
May 28, 2020
Dust and Lightning was a fun read that kept me engaged and guessing right up to the end. The characters are sympathetic, the settings exciting, and the action non-stop.
From the very first sentence, I was intrigued. A man stands on a platform waiting for a space shuttle to arrive. But he's a mysterious figure and it's obvious he's on his guard. He's ready to spring up and run at the first sight of danger--and he fully expects danger to follow him.
The man's name is Ames Emerys, and it turns out he's searching for his missing brother--someone who wouldn't hurt a fly but has somehow got on the tyrannical government's bad side and been arrested, deported, then declared dead.
Aboard the space shuttle, Ames meets Violet--a lawyer who's surprisingly eager to stick it to the government and join him on a quest that will take them to unforgiving climates and strictly off-limit prisons. In other words, she's boss.
I really enjoyed the action and the world-building of this story. The pacing was relentless in a good way: hardly were the heroes out of one scrape when they found themselves in another, and every time they thought they were safe, government agents would descend on them again.
There are also some cool sci-fi concepts in this story. Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say I'm definitely a fan of Stranger Things vibes.
To sum up, Dust and Lightning is a fun, action-packed read that I think fans of gritty sci-fi thrillers will appreciate.
From the very first sentence, I was intrigued. A man stands on a platform waiting for a space shuttle to arrive. But he's a mysterious figure and it's obvious he's on his guard. He's ready to spring up and run at the first sight of danger--and he fully expects danger to follow him.
The man's name is Ames Emerys, and it turns out he's searching for his missing brother--someone who wouldn't hurt a fly but has somehow got on the tyrannical government's bad side and been arrested, deported, then declared dead.
Aboard the space shuttle, Ames meets Violet--a lawyer who's surprisingly eager to stick it to the government and join him on a quest that will take them to unforgiving climates and strictly off-limit prisons. In other words, she's boss.
I really enjoyed the action and the world-building of this story. The pacing was relentless in a good way: hardly were the heroes out of one scrape when they found themselves in another, and every time they thought they were safe, government agents would descend on them again.
There are also some cool sci-fi concepts in this story. Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say I'm definitely a fan of Stranger Things vibes.
To sum up, Dust and Lightning is a fun, action-packed read that I think fans of gritty sci-fi thrillers will appreciate.
August 16, 2020
This short book was very much a ride of excitement from beginning to end. The main characters, Ames and Violet, found each other quickly and were off on an adventure to save Ames's brother, Callum. The book moved quickly and - had there not been a mild emergency occur IRL at 42% of the way through my reading - could easily be read in one sitting. The book reminded me a lot of the Schwarzenegger flick "Total Recall".
Though the beginning did contain a lot of worldbuilding, the drive of the story came up relatively quickly, especially if you consider the brevity of the book. The worldbuilding did continue throughout, and while primarily done in a smooth manner, there were instances in which information was plopped in a large paragraph. Some of the science elements felt a bit off to me, but the premise of the electrical worms (no spoilers as to how they play into it further than that) was interesting enough for me to suspend disbelief.
The characters were interesting, and I think most of them had reasonable drive. Violet's addition to the party was the strangest; I didn't personally believe she had enough reason to go with Ames to save Callum, and I'm not sure how she acquired her skills.
While the story did wrap up the main plotline, it left a *lot* undone. I assume there will be follow ups because of how much was left open.
Though the beginning did contain a lot of worldbuilding, the drive of the story came up relatively quickly, especially if you consider the brevity of the book. The worldbuilding did continue throughout, and while primarily done in a smooth manner, there were instances in which information was plopped in a large paragraph. Some of the science elements felt a bit off to me, but the premise of the electrical worms (no spoilers as to how they play into it further than that) was interesting enough for me to suspend disbelief.
The characters were interesting, and I think most of them had reasonable drive. Violet's addition to the party was the strangest; I didn't personally believe she had enough reason to go with Ames to save Callum, and I'm not sure how she acquired her skills.
While the story did wrap up the main plotline, it left a *lot* undone. I assume there will be follow ups because of how much was left open.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews