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The Grace Lord #4
Saving Grace
When cryopods containing dead Planetary Explorers are brought to the Nelson Mandela Medical Space Station for examination, they are immediately taken to the Quarantine Level, as per protocol. It falls to Dr. Hiro Al-Fadi and Dr. Grace Lord to examine the first explorer. Unwittingly, they release an alien entity that takes possession of a woman who begins to tear the station apart, piece by piece. Bud resists the alien-possessed human every step of the way . . . until he falls. The crew of the Nelson Mandela decide to evacuate and destroy the station to prevent this dangerous entity from getting free into the galaxy. Can D.r Grace Lord save the day?
- GenresFiction
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2021
400 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Sasaki
6 books86 followersI am a physician surgical assistant by day, evening, weekend, and holiday - which means I help the surgeons with their operations around the clock, whenever they need me - and a writer the rest of the time I am awake. I am cameraman, retractor holder, second pair of hands, and Girl Friday in the OR (another nice euphemism for slave ;D). I practised as a GP for over twenty years in a small rural town in Southern Ontario, Canada after doing stints in research in Ecology and Neurophysiology. When I am not trying to catch up on my sleep or getting dragged around the countryside by my wild and crazy Alaskan Malamute, I write science fiction, fantasy, and create fantastical collages, (which can be found on my website: http://www.sesasaki.com, if you are interested). Welcome to the Madhouse is the first in a series of science fiction books based on the trials and tribulations of a medical space station.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 30, 2021
This series keeps getting better and better. I was happy to reacquaint myself with my favorite characters and discover some fun new ones. The book picks up right where part three left off and it just charges on from there, hardly a minute to catch your breath in between all the action.
I can't wait for the next one!
I can't wait for the next one!
December 15, 2021
We return to the Nelson Mandela Medical Space Station for the latest chapter in S.E. Sasaki’s space opera thriller. Saving Grace is book four of The Grace Lord Series, one of the most original and interesting sagas I have read in quite some time.
This is largely due to the author herself, a working physician who knows how to craft gripping stories with high doses of realism. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk, as subject matter experts can sometimes bog down narratives with complicated language. Not so here. Sasaki always strikes the right balance between technical accuracy and punchy drama.
Saving Grace treats us to an icy new villain, some unexpected faces, and a delightful mutant foliage that steals the show (more on it in an bit). This time around, the station itself becomes the target of a mysterious entity. As it begins to infect the crew, Grace is forced to unravel the chaos while dealing with her own personal crisis, namely that of a bigoted father (towards our beloved Bud the android). The tension becomes palpable in a hurry, and despite the medicine-in-space setting, the core themes are disturbingly topical.
I can’t delve into further details without venturing into spoiler territory, so let’s pivot to the highlight of the book: Plant Thing. This absurdly charming character had me roaring with laughter on multiple occasions. It’s a multi-eyed mutant flora that wanders the station while shedding fruits, vegetables, and a healthy supply of oxygen. It’s also obsessed with protecting Dr. Al-Fadi, which serves up some delicious comedy fodder.
As a side note, I must commend the author for her clever use of formatting. When crafting a story with multiple forms of communication (neural links between the station, androids, and a mutant plant), it can be very tricky to separate them from normal speech. Sasaki’s solution is to use bracketed blocks, which effectively cues the reader to enter a cerebral chat. She also used a lowercase pattern for Plant Thing, which deftly conveys its child-like innocence.
Overall, Saving Grace is a wonderful continuation of The Grace Lord Series. It is chockfull of intrigue, drama, and humor, all of which are beautifully balanced to create a compelling story. Sasaki has a knack for shaping cool visuals, from delicate medical procedures to epic station battles. It’s an easy recommendation, both for the latest book and the series as a whole.
This is largely due to the author herself, a working physician who knows how to craft gripping stories with high doses of realism. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk, as subject matter experts can sometimes bog down narratives with complicated language. Not so here. Sasaki always strikes the right balance between technical accuracy and punchy drama.
Saving Grace treats us to an icy new villain, some unexpected faces, and a delightful mutant foliage that steals the show (more on it in an bit). This time around, the station itself becomes the target of a mysterious entity. As it begins to infect the crew, Grace is forced to unravel the chaos while dealing with her own personal crisis, namely that of a bigoted father (towards our beloved Bud the android). The tension becomes palpable in a hurry, and despite the medicine-in-space setting, the core themes are disturbingly topical.
I can’t delve into further details without venturing into spoiler territory, so let’s pivot to the highlight of the book: Plant Thing. This absurdly charming character had me roaring with laughter on multiple occasions. It’s a multi-eyed mutant flora that wanders the station while shedding fruits, vegetables, and a healthy supply of oxygen. It’s also obsessed with protecting Dr. Al-Fadi, which serves up some delicious comedy fodder.
As a side note, I must commend the author for her clever use of formatting. When crafting a story with multiple forms of communication (neural links between the station, androids, and a mutant plant), it can be very tricky to separate them from normal speech. Sasaki’s solution is to use bracketed blocks, which effectively cues the reader to enter a cerebral chat. She also used a lowercase pattern for Plant Thing, which deftly conveys its child-like innocence.
Overall, Saving Grace is a wonderful continuation of The Grace Lord Series. It is chockfull of intrigue, drama, and humor, all of which are beautifully balanced to create a compelling story. Sasaki has a knack for shaping cool visuals, from delicate medical procedures to epic station battles. It’s an easy recommendation, both for the latest book and the series as a whole.
December 20, 2021
SAVING GRACE (Grace Lord #4)
5 Stars
Another episode in the exciting tale of a deep space, interspecies hospital station which is peopled with all kinds of imaginative characters (First book is Welcome to the Madhouse). Action packed with tragedy, love, and a touch of humor.
PROLOGUE
Very intriguing introduction. I can hardly wait for the full novel!
5 Stars
Another episode in the exciting tale of a deep space, interspecies hospital station which is peopled with all kinds of imaginative characters (First book is Welcome to the Madhouse). Action packed with tragedy, love, and a touch of humor.
PROLOGUE
Very intriguing introduction. I can hardly wait for the full novel!
February 10, 2022
Saving Grace by S.E. Sasaki (Book 4 in The Grace Lord ) is another fast-paced, action-packed adventure for Dr Grace Lord, the android Bud and the people of the Nelson Medical Station.
While dealing with serious problems - such as a seemly unbeatable energy-force alien destroying the station, a resurrection of the psychopathic Jeffrey Nestor in the mind of one of the station personnel and the imminent arrival of the Planetary Exploration Force Battlecruiser which might decide at any second the best way to deal with the Medical Station's problems is to blow it to smithereens. In the midst of all this spine-tingling drama, Sasaki consistently brings great dialogue, unforgettable characters, human pathos and side-splitting humour, with Plant-thing and the new Chief of Security providing much of the fun.
Once again Sasaki delivers an entertaining and gripping tale well worth reading.
While dealing with serious problems - such as a seemly unbeatable energy-force alien destroying the station, a resurrection of the psychopathic Jeffrey Nestor in the mind of one of the station personnel and the imminent arrival of the Planetary Exploration Force Battlecruiser which might decide at any second the best way to deal with the Medical Station's problems is to blow it to smithereens. In the midst of all this spine-tingling drama, Sasaki consistently brings great dialogue, unforgettable characters, human pathos and side-splitting humour, with Plant-thing and the new Chief of Security providing much of the fun.
Once again Sasaki delivers an entertaining and gripping tale well worth reading.
January 1, 2022
I love Sasaki's series about Grace and Bud. Although it's science fiction it sounds so feasible that it's really absorbing. There's lots of action, intrigue and a blooming love story. Plant Thing is now one of my favourite characters. If you haven't read the series, start now and see how he grows on you! Lol
June 19, 2024
Awesome, sometimes gruesome, sci fi adventure
I love this series. Bob is awesome. I cried, laughed, and was horrified. There is definitely a body count and graphic violence.
I love this series. Bob is awesome. I cried, laughed, and was horrified. There is definitely a body count and graphic violence.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews