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Riebeckite
Dangerous spores gather on Earth after an asteroid strikes the moon. Humanity watches the skies…but the real danger is at their feet.
After an asteroid strike on the moon, a strange blue dust began to flow down through Earth’s atmosphere. It’s harmful to breathe, but at least the microscopic creatures within the dust are dormant. Or so we thought.
Tahira made a childhood promise to a friend that the crisis would bring their people together… before a violent riot tore their lives apart. Now, as an adult, Tahira works as a biologist for a corporation constructing experimental towers to force the spores—known as riebeckites—to germinate into harmless colonies.
Except they’re about to learn everything they think they know about the dust is wrong. The real threat isn’t the asteroid that struck the moon and by the time humanity figures it out, it might be too late.
Riebeckite combines suspense and conspiracy with heart-in-mouth action sequences and nightmarish encounters, all in an immersive near-future setting and, at its core, a heartwarming story of friendship against the odds.
After an asteroid strike on the moon, a strange blue dust began to flow down through Earth’s atmosphere. It’s harmful to breathe, but at least the microscopic creatures within the dust are dormant. Or so we thought.
Tahira made a childhood promise to a friend that the crisis would bring their people together… before a violent riot tore their lives apart. Now, as an adult, Tahira works as a biologist for a corporation constructing experimental towers to force the spores—known as riebeckites—to germinate into harmless colonies.
Except they’re about to learn everything they think they know about the dust is wrong. The real threat isn’t the asteroid that struck the moon and by the time humanity figures it out, it might be too late.
Riebeckite combines suspense and conspiracy with heart-in-mouth action sequences and nightmarish encounters, all in an immersive near-future setting and, at its core, a heartwarming story of friendship against the odds.
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
Published September 25, 2021
25 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
O.R. Lea
5 books19 followersRaised and educated in North Wales, Oliver spent his early 20s working for a theatre-in-education music troupe for as long as it took to feel like his GCSE in Welsh language has provided its money's worth. Since then, he's lived in Portsmouth and currently works as a laboratory analyst. His biggest failure as a writer has been in his attempts to settle on a genre, having written about Middle Eastern vampires, African mercenaries and supernatural Welsh murderers. His first 'properly' published novel, "Riebeckite", is a near-future speculative fiction story set in the Persian Gulf.
I'm @orleaauthor on both twitter and instagram.
I don't list or review books on this profile; I have a separate anonymous profile for that.
I'm @orleaauthor on both twitter and instagram.
I don't list or review books on this profile; I have a separate anonymous profile for that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 3, 2022
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
RIEBECKITE (Bruised Moon Sequence Book #1) by O.R. Lea is an engrossing mix of speculative fiction, sci-fi and horror that comes together in a story that is impossible to put down. It is also a story of friendship that spans not only years but cultural prejudice and politics.
We meet best friends Tahira who is Azerbaijani and Zareen who is Iranian when they are eight years old. They are separated as children when the Iranians are annexed and held behind an electrified cable wall.
Decades later, the two may be separated by a wall, but they are in touch and friends once again. Tahira studies the biology of the riebeckites that large turbines clean out of the air and deposit in the seas. They are from the moon dust and may not be as benign as the population has been led to believe. She discovers the monsters Zareen has been telling her about in the Annex, that the Azerbaijanis believe are urban legends, are real monsters. The riebeckites are a bigger threat than anyone believed. Will humanity survive?
I loved this novel! It was in a genre I usually do not gravitate toward, but I could not stop reading it. Not only is it in a different genre, but it is set in the Persian Gulf, which is unusual too. Tahira and Zareen are both strong female characters, but in differing ways. It is partially due to their circumstances, but their personalities are very different even as young girls. The riebeckites are such an interesting new biological species that are equal parts believable and disgusting. The author’s descriptive writing at times sent shivers up my spine as well as turned my stomach. The plot moves at an ever-increasing pace with plenty of action scenes especially in the second half of the story. There is a satisfying climax and conclusion to tie up many plot threads, but there is an opening for more.
I highly recommend this unique book and I am excited to read future books in this series.
RIEBECKITE (Bruised Moon Sequence Book #1) by O.R. Lea is an engrossing mix of speculative fiction, sci-fi and horror that comes together in a story that is impossible to put down. It is also a story of friendship that spans not only years but cultural prejudice and politics.
We meet best friends Tahira who is Azerbaijani and Zareen who is Iranian when they are eight years old. They are separated as children when the Iranians are annexed and held behind an electrified cable wall.
Decades later, the two may be separated by a wall, but they are in touch and friends once again. Tahira studies the biology of the riebeckites that large turbines clean out of the air and deposit in the seas. They are from the moon dust and may not be as benign as the population has been led to believe. She discovers the monsters Zareen has been telling her about in the Annex, that the Azerbaijanis believe are urban legends, are real monsters. The riebeckites are a bigger threat than anyone believed. Will humanity survive?
I loved this novel! It was in a genre I usually do not gravitate toward, but I could not stop reading it. Not only is it in a different genre, but it is set in the Persian Gulf, which is unusual too. Tahira and Zareen are both strong female characters, but in differing ways. It is partially due to their circumstances, but their personalities are very different even as young girls. The riebeckites are such an interesting new biological species that are equal parts believable and disgusting. The author’s descriptive writing at times sent shivers up my spine as well as turned my stomach. The plot moves at an ever-increasing pace with plenty of action scenes especially in the second half of the story. There is a satisfying climax and conclusion to tie up many plot threads, but there is an opening for more.
I highly recommend this unique book and I am excited to read future books in this series.
June 4, 2022
Strong and smart female main characters, vibrant setting, and a great twist on Marvel’s Symbiots.
I could not put Riebeckite down and enjoyed every single page of it. This fast-paced SciFi book with Thriller elements is set in the middle-east in the not too distant future. The moon has been hit by an asteroid and now small alien particles are gathering on earth. If they are blue, they are mostly harmless, but don’t let them get in contact with a prime! They turn into a cluster of hungry Riebeckites that eat through your flesh and bone in seconds. If that’s not bad enough, Tahira, our main character, stumbles into a wide-reaching conspiracy involving the aliens that could change life as we know it.
This book is full of unique ideas and enjoyable characters. The plot doesn’t slow down and you can only keep reading because you need to know what happens next. I can’t wait to continue with the series and figure out how Tahira, Zareen, and the others will get out of this mess…
Thanks to Blackthorn and the author for sending me an ebook as part of their book tour.
I could not put Riebeckite down and enjoyed every single page of it. This fast-paced SciFi book with Thriller elements is set in the middle-east in the not too distant future. The moon has been hit by an asteroid and now small alien particles are gathering on earth. If they are blue, they are mostly harmless, but don’t let them get in contact with a prime! They turn into a cluster of hungry Riebeckites that eat through your flesh and bone in seconds. If that’s not bad enough, Tahira, our main character, stumbles into a wide-reaching conspiracy involving the aliens that could change life as we know it.
This book is full of unique ideas and enjoyable characters. The plot doesn’t slow down and you can only keep reading because you need to know what happens next. I can’t wait to continue with the series and figure out how Tahira, Zareen, and the others will get out of this mess…
Thanks to Blackthorn and the author for sending me an ebook as part of their book tour.
January 9, 2022
A thrilling read
I don't usually read that much science fiction, but I was drawn to the front cover and intrigued by the blurb so I gave it a go--and I'm very pleased that I did!
Although it is undeniably bleak in places, it is very well written. The characters are evocative, flawed and sympathetic. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Tahira played to her strengths throughout, and that she and Zareen were very different, complex characters. Sometimes 'strong female characters' fall into the trap of being carbon copies of each other, but that is not a trap Lea falls in to.
The world is well realised, gritty and believable, and the information is given subtly without too much info-dumping. The monsters were genuinely terrifying... And the epilogue! Wow!
I thought the story was well paced, it kept the story flowing without feeling too rushed.
I would definitely recommend this book to both well established Sci fi lovers and people who are new to the genre too. A thrilling read!
I don't usually read that much science fiction, but I was drawn to the front cover and intrigued by the blurb so I gave it a go--and I'm very pleased that I did!
Although it is undeniably bleak in places, it is very well written. The characters are evocative, flawed and sympathetic. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Tahira played to her strengths throughout, and that she and Zareen were very different, complex characters. Sometimes 'strong female characters' fall into the trap of being carbon copies of each other, but that is not a trap Lea falls in to.
The world is well realised, gritty and believable, and the information is given subtly without too much info-dumping. The monsters were genuinely terrifying... And the epilogue! Wow!
I thought the story was well paced, it kept the story flowing without feeling too rushed.
I would definitely recommend this book to both well established Sci fi lovers and people who are new to the genre too. A thrilling read!
November 15, 2021
I came across this author and book via a review site, and I am so glad I picked up Riebeckite to read. I haven't read O R Lea before, but I shall be sure to check out more books from this writer.
Riebeckite is the first novel in a planned series, and I look forward to reading the sequels when they publish. The novel opens during a pogrom to expel the Iranians from Azerbaijan, and two eight-year-old girls--best friends--get caught up in the tumult. Then the story jumps ahead a couple of decades, and we see a completely changed situation. Zareen is an Iranian struggling to survive in the Iranian Annexe. Her old friend Tahira gained a university education and now works for Azkord, a mega-corporation on the mainland, as a biologist. Their lives and livelihoods couldn't be more opposite.
At some point before the novel opens, an asteroid collided with the moon and left a blue crater, which dropped spores down to Earth. While the story has a futuristic feel, it is also down to earth and wholly believable. The writing is gritty and relevant to current times. The characterisation, world building, and plot are brilliantly done. The author has a way of describing things beautifully. Here are some lines that stood out for me ...
"The sound of the crowd changed. It came in two tones now, like the sound of a river and the sound of water running through a pipe beneath your feet."
And ...
"There was no smoke in the air, but the hate and fear were just as thick and choking."
And ...
"In the following silence, Tahira wasn’t sure if her words were being weighed or woven into the rope from which she would hang."
And ...
"The promise which had driven her since the age of eighteen was hanging by one last thread. If Zareen cut it, what would it all have been for?"
The ending was somewhat open-ended and leads into the next book of the series. The main story thread was tied off, and the author gives us a short bonus tale at the end of the book. This first book raises issues and resolves some battles, and it's all too clear that the protagonists have a lot more to face yet. Riebeckite gets a solid five stars from me, and I look forward to reading more from O R Lea.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Riebeckite is the first novel in a planned series, and I look forward to reading the sequels when they publish. The novel opens during a pogrom to expel the Iranians from Azerbaijan, and two eight-year-old girls--best friends--get caught up in the tumult. Then the story jumps ahead a couple of decades, and we see a completely changed situation. Zareen is an Iranian struggling to survive in the Iranian Annexe. Her old friend Tahira gained a university education and now works for Azkord, a mega-corporation on the mainland, as a biologist. Their lives and livelihoods couldn't be more opposite.
At some point before the novel opens, an asteroid collided with the moon and left a blue crater, which dropped spores down to Earth. While the story has a futuristic feel, it is also down to earth and wholly believable. The writing is gritty and relevant to current times. The characterisation, world building, and plot are brilliantly done. The author has a way of describing things beautifully. Here are some lines that stood out for me ...
"The sound of the crowd changed. It came in two tones now, like the sound of a river and the sound of water running through a pipe beneath your feet."
And ...
"There was no smoke in the air, but the hate and fear were just as thick and choking."
And ...
"In the following silence, Tahira wasn’t sure if her words were being weighed or woven into the rope from which she would hang."
And ...
"The promise which had driven her since the age of eighteen was hanging by one last thread. If Zareen cut it, what would it all have been for?"
The ending was somewhat open-ended and leads into the next book of the series. The main story thread was tied off, and the author gives us a short bonus tale at the end of the book. This first book raises issues and resolves some battles, and it's all too clear that the protagonists have a lot more to face yet. Riebeckite gets a solid five stars from me, and I look forward to reading more from O R Lea.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
March 20, 2022
Riebeckite is well deserving of its praise.
Written under the shadows of a broken moon and the soft, blue glow of electronics screens, this futuristic Earth based sci-fi pulses with alien survival instincts, the adaptability and resilience of humankind, and enough action to keep every reader sated.
The story is original without being difficult to follow and has adorable, perfectly placed moments of comedy. I personally absolutely fell in love with the “royals”.
The main and supporting characters were fleshed out just enough to carry the momentum of the narrative forward in a believable manner. Those that were lost were mourned (the good guys) or celebrated (the bad guys) in due course.
None of the violence was extraneous or excessive. In fact, some of it was rather clever and would translate well into film. I am thinking particularly of the scene in the desert where the rebels make their stand, and my favorite boot-wearing badass gets all kitted up and... Wait… no spoilers.
Something I personally truly enjoyed in this novel was the delicious cocktail of real and theoretical science and technology, and real and plausible political upheaval, fallout, and how those events affect people, and how these “grand” scale concepts and events are juxtaposed with the “simpler” ideas of love (familial over romantic), friendship, and the deep loyalty those relationships inspire. Supportive, hard-working fathers play an important role in the dispositions of the main characters who greatly return the affection with which they were raised.
Riebeckite is a fantastic, well-written story with a clear narrative that is truly enjoyable. I think O.R. Lea does an incredible job of braiding the threads of action-packed plot, genuine emotion, and a healthy dose of exciting science into this fiction.
Verdict: Recommended
Written under the shadows of a broken moon and the soft, blue glow of electronics screens, this futuristic Earth based sci-fi pulses with alien survival instincts, the adaptability and resilience of humankind, and enough action to keep every reader sated.
The story is original without being difficult to follow and has adorable, perfectly placed moments of comedy. I personally absolutely fell in love with the “royals”.
The main and supporting characters were fleshed out just enough to carry the momentum of the narrative forward in a believable manner. Those that were lost were mourned (the good guys) or celebrated (the bad guys) in due course.
None of the violence was extraneous or excessive. In fact, some of it was rather clever and would translate well into film. I am thinking particularly of the scene in the desert where the rebels make their stand, and my favorite boot-wearing badass gets all kitted up and... Wait… no spoilers.
Something I personally truly enjoyed in this novel was the delicious cocktail of real and theoretical science and technology, and real and plausible political upheaval, fallout, and how those events affect people, and how these “grand” scale concepts and events are juxtaposed with the “simpler” ideas of love (familial over romantic), friendship, and the deep loyalty those relationships inspire. Supportive, hard-working fathers play an important role in the dispositions of the main characters who greatly return the affection with which they were raised.
Riebeckite is a fantastic, well-written story with a clear narrative that is truly enjoyable. I think O.R. Lea does an incredible job of braiding the threads of action-packed plot, genuine emotion, and a healthy dose of exciting science into this fiction.
Verdict: Recommended
June 3, 2022
*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*
" In the following silence, Tahira wasn't sure if her words were being weighed or woven into the rope from which she would hang "
The writing, the tension, and the all too possible story make Riebeckite by the imaginative independent author O.R. Lea not only an enjoyable action pact science fiction story but an all too real frightening commentary on the repercussions of people's hate and fear, not of the unknown, but of one another.
When an asteroid slams onto the Moon a creepy blue dust slowly rains down on Earth. The alien dust is harmful to breathing but what is more harmful are the hidden creatures, known as Riebeckites, hiding within the moving dust. There is a reason they are hiding, there is a cause to their deadliness and there is purpose to their landing on Earth.
This future apocalyptic tale is not only original in it's telling but in its world building that creates a gritty riveting atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised that it takes place in the Persian Gulf and that our savior is biologist Tahira who is definitely worthy of a Princess Leia comparison.
Riebeckite (Bruised Moon Book One) is the first of a 3 part series with Torpor's End (Bruised Moon Book Two) available 11/25/22. I have pre ordered my copy because though book one ties up many loose ends there are still questions that need answers.
I received a free copy of this book from Blackthorn Book Tours for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
" In the following silence, Tahira wasn't sure if her words were being weighed or woven into the rope from which she would hang "
The writing, the tension, and the all too possible story make Riebeckite by the imaginative independent author O.R. Lea not only an enjoyable action pact science fiction story but an all too real frightening commentary on the repercussions of people's hate and fear, not of the unknown, but of one another.
When an asteroid slams onto the Moon a creepy blue dust slowly rains down on Earth. The alien dust is harmful to breathing but what is more harmful are the hidden creatures, known as Riebeckites, hiding within the moving dust. There is a reason they are hiding, there is a cause to their deadliness and there is purpose to their landing on Earth.
This future apocalyptic tale is not only original in it's telling but in its world building that creates a gritty riveting atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised that it takes place in the Persian Gulf and that our savior is biologist Tahira who is definitely worthy of a Princess Leia comparison.
Riebeckite (Bruised Moon Book One) is the first of a 3 part series with Torpor's End (Bruised Moon Book Two) available 11/25/22. I have pre ordered my copy because though book one ties up many loose ends there are still questions that need answers.
I received a free copy of this book from Blackthorn Book Tours for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 18, 2022
This book ended up being a pleasant surprise.
I’m not always quick to pick up sci-fi so I’m not always sure what to expect.
The cover is undoubtedly beautiful and the synopsis was intriguing.
Riebeckite is a well written, vividly and beautifully descriptive book. I was impressed with the originality and the flow of the storyline - it was well paced and progressed quite nicely.
I quite enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the developed friendship between Zareen and Tahira especially. With that said, I do appreciate strong female leads, and it was executed impressively without coming off as every other strong female lead you read about. They had dimension and uniqueness.
Lea is, without a doubt, a master of words and a wonderfully talented writer.
I would recommend this to both sci-fi genre fans as well as people who are newer to the genre as I feel it is an emotionally charged action filled book that would keep anyones attention while still having you feel connected and it remaining believable.
I’d like to thank O.R. Lea for sending me a copy of this book from a giveaway and I look forward to reading the next one.
I’m not always quick to pick up sci-fi so I’m not always sure what to expect.
The cover is undoubtedly beautiful and the synopsis was intriguing.
Riebeckite is a well written, vividly and beautifully descriptive book. I was impressed with the originality and the flow of the storyline - it was well paced and progressed quite nicely.
I quite enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the developed friendship between Zareen and Tahira especially. With that said, I do appreciate strong female leads, and it was executed impressively without coming off as every other strong female lead you read about. They had dimension and uniqueness.
Lea is, without a doubt, a master of words and a wonderfully talented writer.
I would recommend this to both sci-fi genre fans as well as people who are newer to the genre as I feel it is an emotionally charged action filled book that would keep anyones attention while still having you feel connected and it remaining believable.
I’d like to thank O.R. Lea for sending me a copy of this book from a giveaway and I look forward to reading the next one.
January 20, 2022
I received this book from the author! The free copy in no way affected my review of the novel.
Riebeckite is a well-wrought, exciting novel focusing on how, like usual, the greatest threat to our planet is most often our own species.
It’s a sci-fi thriller with a big focus on realism, near-future science, action, and a smattering of politics. In terms of the type of action, it’s not a zombie book but it’s a take on the genre we don’t often see. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
The book is well put-together too - a testament to self-publishing. The cover, formatting, proofreading … it’s all excellent.
But what is "riebeckite," the word? Simply put, it’s a mineral. Broadly, one form of this mineral is blue asbestos, the most hazardous kind. I think it’s clever that the spine of the novel is blue. Riebeckite, or colloquially, reebs, are what the blue spores from the moon are called as well.
Onwards to the story itself. The plot is great. The concept behind the reebs and how they manifest, as well as what happens to them later in the story makes sense and doesn’t go off on a huge “save-the-world” showdown.
Similarly, unlike a lot of thriller actions, it didn’t go off the rails with the pacing at the end either. While there were lots of action scenes (far more in the second half than the first), it didn’t feel like Tahira had turned into some superhero who didn’t need to sleep or eat. In truth, she was realistic and relatable. A very normal woman who reacts in ways that are understandable and clever. The story is complex but not complicated, with cogs that move in the background of the story that propels it forward.
The novel has intricate attention to detail. Little things mentioned in passing come back but not in a way that feels like a set-up; it flowed naturally and it was fun when these things returned to have relevance.
Tahira, as the main character, is as deep as she needed to be for the story. It’s not a psychological profile of a woman, but she has foibles, a phobia, passion, a past, family, and friends. She’s brilliant but also a dorky nerd at times. She has agency throughout the story and takes action in ways that suit her personality. Zareen was the cool badass character that worked well as a foil to Tahira as well as an impetus for growth. I could have used more flashbacks to their time as children to cement their relationship, but their closeness was believable. One of the things that was most apparent was how much Tahira hated her boss, Khavari, yet he wasn’t a hyperbolic villain but just a nefarious person who is also a huge asshole.
The other characters were easy to tell apart and their roles were clear. I did feel something when they got hurt.
The setting is really cool. I don’t think I’ve read a novel set in Azerbaijan before, so this was a refreshing change of scenery for me. The first chapters deal with a pogrom to expel Iranians from Azerbaijan, leaving the Iranians, years later, annexed. This was a setting that was entirely believable and served the plot well too. The first chapter is really harrowing and very well done.
I will say I wish the prose was a bit more punchy. While I found it clear and concise and moved quickly, I do wish it has a few more flowery, metaphorical moments thrown into the descriptions. Everything is approached from an almost scientific angle, so you can picture everything perfectly, but I could have done with more evocative similes. This is a preference thing though. Those of scientific mind or background will likely really enjoy the writing.
Overall, thank you to the author for the book - I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it to those who like thrillers with sci-fi aspects, fans of Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, and Michael Crichton's science-based thrillers.
Riebeckite is a well-wrought, exciting novel focusing on how, like usual, the greatest threat to our planet is most often our own species.
It’s a sci-fi thriller with a big focus on realism, near-future science, action, and a smattering of politics. In terms of the type of action, it’s not a zombie book but it’s a take on the genre we don’t often see. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
The book is well put-together too - a testament to self-publishing. The cover, formatting, proofreading … it’s all excellent.
But what is "riebeckite," the word? Simply put, it’s a mineral. Broadly, one form of this mineral is blue asbestos, the most hazardous kind. I think it’s clever that the spine of the novel is blue. Riebeckite, or colloquially, reebs, are what the blue spores from the moon are called as well.
Onwards to the story itself. The plot is great. The concept behind the reebs and how they manifest, as well as what happens to them later in the story makes sense and doesn’t go off on a huge “save-the-world” showdown.
Similarly, unlike a lot of thriller actions, it didn’t go off the rails with the pacing at the end either. While there were lots of action scenes (far more in the second half than the first), it didn’t feel like Tahira had turned into some superhero who didn’t need to sleep or eat. In truth, she was realistic and relatable. A very normal woman who reacts in ways that are understandable and clever. The story is complex but not complicated, with cogs that move in the background of the story that propels it forward.
The novel has intricate attention to detail. Little things mentioned in passing come back but not in a way that feels like a set-up; it flowed naturally and it was fun when these things returned to have relevance.
Tahira, as the main character, is as deep as she needed to be for the story. It’s not a psychological profile of a woman, but she has foibles, a phobia, passion, a past, family, and friends. She’s brilliant but also a dorky nerd at times. She has agency throughout the story and takes action in ways that suit her personality. Zareen was the cool badass character that worked well as a foil to Tahira as well as an impetus for growth. I could have used more flashbacks to their time as children to cement their relationship, but their closeness was believable. One of the things that was most apparent was how much Tahira hated her boss, Khavari, yet he wasn’t a hyperbolic villain but just a nefarious person who is also a huge asshole.
The other characters were easy to tell apart and their roles were clear. I did feel something when they got hurt.
The setting is really cool. I don’t think I’ve read a novel set in Azerbaijan before, so this was a refreshing change of scenery for me. The first chapters deal with a pogrom to expel Iranians from Azerbaijan, leaving the Iranians, years later, annexed. This was a setting that was entirely believable and served the plot well too. The first chapter is really harrowing and very well done.
I will say I wish the prose was a bit more punchy. While I found it clear and concise and moved quickly, I do wish it has a few more flowery, metaphorical moments thrown into the descriptions. Everything is approached from an almost scientific angle, so you can picture everything perfectly, but I could have done with more evocative similes. This is a preference thing though. Those of scientific mind or background will likely really enjoy the writing.
Overall, thank you to the author for the book - I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it to those who like thrillers with sci-fi aspects, fans of Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, and Michael Crichton's science-based thrillers.
May 18, 2022
In generally a space opera guy but I stumbled upon this solid novel set squarely on earth in the near future. The science is sound and the story is gripping. Highly recommended!
October 23, 2021
A brilliant read! First of all, every aspect of this story is so well thought out and it shows! It starts with a stunning prologue that most certainly gets your attention, without giving too much away at the same time, and then continues to flow at a lovely steady pace. Fast enough to keep you engaged, but slow enough that you don’t lose track or miss any information.
The author also has a really beautiful way of describing things, especially when it comes to the moon and the ‘cobalt bruise’ on its cheek, creating lovely visuals. Along with the descriptions for emotions, they really make an impact and create a strong connection to the characters.
As for the characters, we follow Tahira - A passionate biologist, who is strong and independent but not lacking in compassion or empathy. Along with her best friend Zareen, who is so strong, standoffish, yet lovable, and I really enjoyed their relationship. The stark contrast between their circumstances is also very interesting to read about, and this book really knows when to pull on your heartstrings!
I don’t want to talk too much about the actual Riebeckites and give anything away, but whoa what a concept. Overall a very exciting and fascinating read, that I highly recommend!
The author also has a really beautiful way of describing things, especially when it comes to the moon and the ‘cobalt bruise’ on its cheek, creating lovely visuals. Along with the descriptions for emotions, they really make an impact and create a strong connection to the characters.
As for the characters, we follow Tahira - A passionate biologist, who is strong and independent but not lacking in compassion or empathy. Along with her best friend Zareen, who is so strong, standoffish, yet lovable, and I really enjoyed their relationship. The stark contrast between their circumstances is also very interesting to read about, and this book really knows when to pull on your heartstrings!
I don’t want to talk too much about the actual Riebeckites and give anything away, but whoa what a concept. Overall a very exciting and fascinating read, that I highly recommend!
June 3, 2022
Riebeckites are fascinating
What I really loved about this novel were the Riebeckites, alien particles that fall from the moon and cause nothing but trouble. What are they? Where do they come from? How do they work? I loved every new reveal, and I look forward to finding out more as the series progresses.
I also liked the acknowledgment that the characters all spoke different, and often multiple, languages. I appreciated the scenes where the characters had to perform translator gymnastics to communicate.
The differences between Tahira’s world on one side of the fence and Zareen’s on the other were also interesting.
There are lots of nice touches in the everyday technology that the characters interact with that felt believable.
I liked the setting of this thriller, but I wish a little more of the culture, religious background, and the history of the 56 years that separate the now (for the reader) to the now of the novel had been included in the world building and character development.
I was disappointed in some of the choices Tahira made, as they seemed too naive for someone as intelligent as her character had been described. I was also surprised how little interest she showed in the developments concerning the Riebeckites.
What I really loved about this novel were the Riebeckites, alien particles that fall from the moon and cause nothing but trouble. What are they? Where do they come from? How do they work? I loved every new reveal, and I look forward to finding out more as the series progresses.
I also liked the acknowledgment that the characters all spoke different, and often multiple, languages. I appreciated the scenes where the characters had to perform translator gymnastics to communicate.
The differences between Tahira’s world on one side of the fence and Zareen’s on the other were also interesting.
There are lots of nice touches in the everyday technology that the characters interact with that felt believable.
I liked the setting of this thriller, but I wish a little more of the culture, religious background, and the history of the 56 years that separate the now (for the reader) to the now of the novel had been included in the world building and character development.
I was disappointed in some of the choices Tahira made, as they seemed too naive for someone as intelligent as her character had been described. I was also surprised how little interest she showed in the developments concerning the Riebeckites.
June 6, 2022
Let me start off by saying, this is the type of sci-fi fiction I live for — an utterly unique concept, badass female characters, and incredibly world building.
Riebeckite is a thrilling ride full of twists and heartbreaking turns as Tahira races to escape threat after threat after threat. Her friendship with Zareen is poignant and moving, adding more tension to the story as both women’s lives are threatened. Also, O.R. Lea created a unique and monstrous new enemy that is as terrifying as it is inhuman.
I can honestly say, I never expected the direction the novel took or the ending it had. Riebeckite took me by surprise and didn’t let go until the shocking conclusions. It was truly refreshing! I am so glad that it’s part of a series so I can dive back into O.R. Lea’s world of riebeckites and corporate intrigue and corruption.
So, dear reader, grab your copy today — especially if you are in need of an epic sci-fi thriller — Riebeckite is out of this world! (bahdumtsh).
Riebeckite is a thrilling ride full of twists and heartbreaking turns as Tahira races to escape threat after threat after threat. Her friendship with Zareen is poignant and moving, adding more tension to the story as both women’s lives are threatened. Also, O.R. Lea created a unique and monstrous new enemy that is as terrifying as it is inhuman.
I can honestly say, I never expected the direction the novel took or the ending it had. Riebeckite took me by surprise and didn’t let go until the shocking conclusions. It was truly refreshing! I am so glad that it’s part of a series so I can dive back into O.R. Lea’s world of riebeckites and corporate intrigue and corruption.
So, dear reader, grab your copy today — especially if you are in need of an epic sci-fi thriller — Riebeckite is out of this world! (bahdumtsh).
May 31, 2022
lots of sci-fi action !
This story is high action with cool science and a bit of banter which i always love!! It honestly plays like a movie. The characters were likeable and interesting as were the details about the culture and politics involved. The world/history building was also really cool and I’m excited to see how things evolve and progress in future stories!!
This story is high action with cool science and a bit of banter which i always love!! It honestly plays like a movie. The characters were likeable and interesting as were the details about the culture and politics involved. The world/history building was also really cool and I’m excited to see how things evolve and progress in future stories!!
May 9, 2022
this book was incredibly well written, and the concept was enrapturing!! the descriptive writing was genuinely lovely, especially in the prologue, and the characters are also interesting from the get-go. the sci-fi genre is really well done; it's properly scientific but still easy to follow, and i loved the futuristic elements lea has created.
i liked tahira as a protagonist, and i also really liked zareen - i only wish we'd gotten more of her!! i feel like this is the sort of book that could have worked really well as a dual perspective (and i think it was somewhat what i was expecting). my favourite character was definitely yusef, who made me laugh out loud at times, and i think lea did a really good job of creating a cast of unique personalities.
i really liked the anti-war, anti-colonialism and anti-american sentiments in this book. alongside this, i think lea did a great job of making certain parts of the book scary and horrifying. he really does the 'monster alien' part very well.
this book only wasnt a five star read for me because i found the progression a little slow for my tastes at times and also because, as i mentioned, i wanted to explore zareen's character in more depth - but it's an extremely good piece of science fiction that i would recommend to anybody who loves the genre!! lea is clearly a talented writer, and overall this book was excellently imagined and well executed!
i liked tahira as a protagonist, and i also really liked zareen - i only wish we'd gotten more of her!! i feel like this is the sort of book that could have worked really well as a dual perspective (and i think it was somewhat what i was expecting). my favourite character was definitely yusef, who made me laugh out loud at times, and i think lea did a really good job of creating a cast of unique personalities.
i really liked the anti-war, anti-colonialism and anti-american sentiments in this book. alongside this, i think lea did a great job of making certain parts of the book scary and horrifying. he really does the 'monster alien' part very well.
this book only wasnt a five star read for me because i found the progression a little slow for my tastes at times and also because, as i mentioned, i wanted to explore zareen's character in more depth - but it's an extremely good piece of science fiction that i would recommend to anybody who loves the genre!! lea is clearly a talented writer, and overall this book was excellently imagined and well executed!
December 1, 2021
I very rarely pick up a Sci-fi book but this one was presented to me as Sci-fi for people who don't like Sci-fi, and they weren't wrong! I found myself completely gripped from the first page and I could not put it down! The ideas presented by the author in this book are incredibly well thought out and brilliantly original.
Lea has created a remarkable monster in these reeb-creatures and I can already imagine it making a fantastic movie. The writing is fast-paced enough that I always wanted to keep reading, but also thorough enough that I understood what was happening, which isn't always the case with science heavy stories.
The epilogue spins the whole narrative around which absolutely blew me away, and the bonus short story included at the end is the stuff of nightmares for me. The book ends with enough resolved that I felt satisfied, but with enough left open that I am left hugely looking forward to the next instalment, of which I'm told there'll be two.
Overall this was a solid read. Great writing, characters I could invest in, a future I could envision, and downright terrifying alien creatures. An absolute banger of a page-turner. Loved it!
Lea has created a remarkable monster in these reeb-creatures and I can already imagine it making a fantastic movie. The writing is fast-paced enough that I always wanted to keep reading, but also thorough enough that I understood what was happening, which isn't always the case with science heavy stories.
The epilogue spins the whole narrative around which absolutely blew me away, and the bonus short story included at the end is the stuff of nightmares for me. The book ends with enough resolved that I felt satisfied, but with enough left open that I am left hugely looking forward to the next instalment, of which I'm told there'll be two.
Overall this was a solid read. Great writing, characters I could invest in, a future I could envision, and downright terrifying alien creatures. An absolute banger of a page-turner. Loved it!
November 16, 2021
I was gripped from the start, and quickly became invested in the characters and narrative. The pace was perfect for me, with some manic page-turning, interspersed with mere intrigue!
I also liked the nods to current global issues, translated into this somewhat dystopian future.
In short, a fantastic story, brilliantly written.
I'm looking forward to seeing the film…
Merged review:
I loved this book from start to finish!
The author clearly has a tremendous imagination plus such an amazing way with words, whether that be how he builds engaging characters & relationships, creates visions of beauty & horror in equal measure, devises compelling narratives & enchanting intrigue, all of which keep you wanting more…
I can’t wait for the next instalment (and/or a film of this one!)
I also liked the nods to current global issues, translated into this somewhat dystopian future.
In short, a fantastic story, brilliantly written.
I'm looking forward to seeing the film…
Merged review:
I loved this book from start to finish!
The author clearly has a tremendous imagination plus such an amazing way with words, whether that be how he builds engaging characters & relationships, creates visions of beauty & horror in equal measure, devises compelling narratives & enchanting intrigue, all of which keep you wanting more…
I can’t wait for the next instalment (and/or a film of this one!)
June 4, 2022
I loved this brief novel for so many reasons A sci-fi scenario – something is floating down in spores from the moon after an asteroid strike, and it’s setting up residence on earth. Despite its ultra-modern setting it reminded me of John Wyndham, in its psychological depth and breadth. And its alien organisisms: they are properly thought through, strange yet compelling, terrible yet without malice, as plausibly, hungrily indifferent to the lives of earth creatures as we are to the lives of plants.
Just as a great sci-fi read, it’s a gripping, persuasive, terrifying, (and on that score alone it justifies its stars).
But oh! I love it for so many more reasons too. Strong intelligent, complicated female leads, linked by a lifetime of convincing, imperfect friendship. A realistic political scenario, set in the Persian gulf, but with three dimensional people, not American cartoon “foreigners”. A novel with people whose English isn’t perfect and this doesn’t mean they’re stupid; a novel with people who don’t have an American mindset but this doesn’t mean they’re primitive or terrorists (big sigh… such observations shouldn’t have to be made, let alone seem remarkable... but yes, I found these things refreshing).
This is a really careful, thoughtful novel. A future classic of its genre.
Just as a great sci-fi read, it’s a gripping, persuasive, terrifying, (and on that score alone it justifies its stars).
But oh! I love it for so many more reasons too. Strong intelligent, complicated female leads, linked by a lifetime of convincing, imperfect friendship. A realistic political scenario, set in the Persian gulf, but with three dimensional people, not American cartoon “foreigners”. A novel with people whose English isn’t perfect and this doesn’t mean they’re stupid; a novel with people who don’t have an American mindset but this doesn’t mean they’re primitive or terrorists (big sigh… such observations shouldn’t have to be made, let alone seem remarkable... but yes, I found these things refreshing).
This is a really careful, thoughtful novel. A future classic of its genre.
August 18, 2022
So after seeing rave reviews on Instagram, I had to read this book. In the near future, an object hit the moon and blue particles having been coming down to Earth ever since. But there’s more to these particles than it seems, and one scientist is determined to find out the truth.
This self-published book grabbed me right away! It set a good pace and kept it up until the end. The riebeckites are unique and interesting, and the characters are engaging. I really liked the main character and her best friend. It was an enjoyable read.
You can find Riebeckite by O.R. Lea on Amazon. I can’t wait for the sequel!
June 30, 2022
i love me some old fashioned sci fi. I thought the days of Asimov and Wells belonged to a bygone era…until Riebeckite. It’s been so long since i read a densely scientific sci-fi. “Could be plausible” plot with “that makes sense” science to back it up. Thank you!
Thank you for no cheesy love story sub plot. Thank you for strong lead female MCs in the STEM field. Thank you for not being afraid to kill off characters. THIS IS SCI FI!!
Thank you for no cheesy love story sub plot. Thank you for strong lead female MCs in the STEM field. Thank you for not being afraid to kill off characters. THIS IS SCI FI!!
October 5, 2021
A pleasantly surprising, intriguing and fast paced sci-fi
I read a lot of books from indy authors and whilst they don't always hit the mark, I always appreciate the story they are trying to tell. There are however a few gems that stand out and this is definitely one of them.
The characters are well realised and flawed which made me empathise and actually care what happened to them! There was a good mix of action, dialogue and tender moments which means the pace is quick but never seems rushed.
The world is well realised and feels futuristic. The Smart panes are a nice touch but the world also doesn’t feel too advanced. This is a good thing as it feels gritty, oppressed. I like the difference between the two worlds either side of the barrier from the snazzy night club to the caves of the rebels. The science fiction element is well also explained and never felt like an info dump or too much like a techno rambling which so many novels fall prey too.. In fact I found it really interesting and loved the idea of the Reeb creatures.
Overall, as the headline said, I was pleasantly surprised by this one and will be looking out for future novels by Lea.
I read a lot of books from indy authors and whilst they don't always hit the mark, I always appreciate the story they are trying to tell. There are however a few gems that stand out and this is definitely one of them.
The characters are well realised and flawed which made me empathise and actually care what happened to them! There was a good mix of action, dialogue and tender moments which means the pace is quick but never seems rushed.
The world is well realised and feels futuristic. The Smart panes are a nice touch but the world also doesn’t feel too advanced. This is a good thing as it feels gritty, oppressed. I like the difference between the two worlds either side of the barrier from the snazzy night club to the caves of the rebels. The science fiction element is well also explained and never felt like an info dump or too much like a techno rambling which so many novels fall prey too.. In fact I found it really interesting and loved the idea of the Reeb creatures.
Overall, as the headline said, I was pleasantly surprised by this one and will be looking out for future novels by Lea.
January 30, 2022
Riebeckite follows Tahira, a woman from Azerbaijan who lives in the near future where an asteroid has hit the moon. The asteroid caused a dust cloud of rings around the moon that has a tail drifting to Earth, causing Riebeckite to be introduced to the ecosystem. Tahira is a woman who lived through some traumatic unrest in the Persian Gulf and grew up to work on the same 'sky scrubber' project her father did, focusing on the effect the riebeckite has had on the Earth's waters. She has ties to the Iranians, the country hers was at war with and eventually subdued and sanctioned into basically wastelands through her friend, Zareen. When Zareen tells her about the 'stone jackals' she initially shrugs it off, until she makes discoveries of her own. The riebeckites are a bigger threat than they'd previously thought and it becomes a rush against the clock to save humanity- the promise she made to Zareen in their youth, that a common threat could unite mankind.
February 24, 2022
When an asteroid collides with the moon, a steady stream of debris rains down upon the Earth, sparking an environmental crisis. The solution may only prolong the inevitable and mask an even worse threat.
This narrative has a lot going for it. The location within an Iran / Azerbaijan conflict is new to this reader, yet remains accessible. The female scientist is clever without being a genius or a closet Tomb Raider, which is refreshing, and the basis of the story being anchored in a friendship rather than a love story also works well.
The alien lifeforms are chilling and the play out of obstructive, murderous politics and the lust for power matches the severity of the risk.
All in all, an engaging, unusual read with a great epilogue.
This narrative has a lot going for it. The location within an Iran / Azerbaijan conflict is new to this reader, yet remains accessible. The female scientist is clever without being a genius or a closet Tomb Raider, which is refreshing, and the basis of the story being anchored in a friendship rather than a love story also works well.
The alien lifeforms are chilling and the play out of obstructive, murderous politics and the lust for power matches the severity of the risk.
All in all, an engaging, unusual read with a great epilogue.
December 23, 2021
nce in a while there are books that are little gems. An intelligent and creatively written book that blends humour, tenderness, and the scientific almost perfectly. This is a tale about other worlds, truth telling, and the power of community and friendship. This is an imaginative story for the reader to get lost in with a strong, clever female protagonist..Read it!
December 22, 2021
The author really has a vivid, poignant way of writing things (and in great detail) and I throughly enjoyed the expression and emotive element intertwined in the story.
July 5, 2022
Overall, I found Rebeckite to be a well told great story. It features well-defined characters set in a world where there are those who would exploit a disaster for greed and power. I enjoyed the location setting of the story; I've never read a sci-fi story set in the Middle East as far as I can remember. I found it refreshing the people depicted were mostly just regular people trying to go about their lives as best they can. It was fun getting a brief view of culture I feel is often misunderstood by many in western culture.
Rebeckite is a sci-fi thriller with political and scientific intrigue. It is well paced with characters who are well developed and that a reader can care about. The principal human antagonists are developed through the story and their true motivations are revealed slowly. The non-human antagonist is terrifying, leading to some rather graphic descriptions of death and dismemberment, but I would not label the gory scenes as gratuitous. There are some small bits of humor added to the tale that made me laugh; most of those were between the two principal characters.
In 2027, the Earth's moon is struck by an asteroid named Riebecki. The impact kicked up enough material to form a ghostly blue ring around the satellite. While it is a breath-taking site for those on the planet, Earth's gravity is also pulling a steady stream of material into the atmosphere. The material sprinkling into the air is harmful to life on the land, so a series of giant scrubbers are built to remove the material, dubbed riebeckite, from the atmosphere and deposited into the sea. As a result, fisheries are suffering. The company in charge of the scrubbers employ Dr. Tahira Piriyeva to study the effects of the blue dust on the ocean around the island of Qeshm. When one of her colleagues is injured, she begins a journey of discovery that leads to a deadly realization.
Further investigation shows that the danger from the material streaming from the moon is being exploited by greedy, power-hungry individuals whose self-interest could put millions of lives in jeopardy.
When Tahira is reunited with a childhood friend, Zareen Isfahani, it is a race for survival and to expose those who would put the world's population in harm's way to protect the secret of the Riebeckites and gain fortune.
This tale has a lot of great characters at both ends of the spectrum. My favorite characters in this story are the dynamic duo of Tahira and Zareen. Together, they are an unstoppable force with Tahira as the brains, and Zareen as the muscle. The pair are from different sides of the tracks, with Tahira on the island because of the annexation by Azerbaijan. Zareen is a native of Iran and is part of the resistance to the annexation of Qeshm. They are friends when they are young but wound up getting separated during an uprising. When they are reunited, they have changed, but it doesn't take them long to remember their friendship and how much they care for each other.
Both are strong female characters, and it isn't hard to find them as people one can care about. The author did a great job creating characters with such complementary strengths, and their ability to fill in the gaps in each other’s weaknesses.
My favorite point of plot is the development of the principal characters, but at the same time, I enjoyed the development of the tale's main antagonist; the beings that arise because of the material streaming to the Earth from the moon. Without getting specific, I will say that the development of the monsters is slow and enhances development of the plot. For a lot of the story, I was wondering what would eventually come from this part. I was not disappointed. I will also say that what came of the material is terrifying, and difficult to defeat.
My takeaway from Riebeckites is how people from diametrically different cultures can find a bridge of friendship, overcome their differences, and work together for a common goal. I also appreciated a look into cultures I normally read little about.
I found Riebeckites a refreshing thrill-a-minute rollercoaster ride full if twists and turns. This tale should appeal to any sci-fi fan who enjoys an action-packed story with some terrifying moments, suspense, and great character development. The highest recommendations for this brilliantly written tale.
Rebeckite is a sci-fi thriller with political and scientific intrigue. It is well paced with characters who are well developed and that a reader can care about. The principal human antagonists are developed through the story and their true motivations are revealed slowly. The non-human antagonist is terrifying, leading to some rather graphic descriptions of death and dismemberment, but I would not label the gory scenes as gratuitous. There are some small bits of humor added to the tale that made me laugh; most of those were between the two principal characters.
In 2027, the Earth's moon is struck by an asteroid named Riebecki. The impact kicked up enough material to form a ghostly blue ring around the satellite. While it is a breath-taking site for those on the planet, Earth's gravity is also pulling a steady stream of material into the atmosphere. The material sprinkling into the air is harmful to life on the land, so a series of giant scrubbers are built to remove the material, dubbed riebeckite, from the atmosphere and deposited into the sea. As a result, fisheries are suffering. The company in charge of the scrubbers employ Dr. Tahira Piriyeva to study the effects of the blue dust on the ocean around the island of Qeshm. When one of her colleagues is injured, she begins a journey of discovery that leads to a deadly realization.
Further investigation shows that the danger from the material streaming from the moon is being exploited by greedy, power-hungry individuals whose self-interest could put millions of lives in jeopardy.
When Tahira is reunited with a childhood friend, Zareen Isfahani, it is a race for survival and to expose those who would put the world's population in harm's way to protect the secret of the Riebeckites and gain fortune.
This tale has a lot of great characters at both ends of the spectrum. My favorite characters in this story are the dynamic duo of Tahira and Zareen. Together, they are an unstoppable force with Tahira as the brains, and Zareen as the muscle. The pair are from different sides of the tracks, with Tahira on the island because of the annexation by Azerbaijan. Zareen is a native of Iran and is part of the resistance to the annexation of Qeshm. They are friends when they are young but wound up getting separated during an uprising. When they are reunited, they have changed, but it doesn't take them long to remember their friendship and how much they care for each other.
Both are strong female characters, and it isn't hard to find them as people one can care about. The author did a great job creating characters with such complementary strengths, and their ability to fill in the gaps in each other’s weaknesses.
My favorite point of plot is the development of the principal characters, but at the same time, I enjoyed the development of the tale's main antagonist; the beings that arise because of the material streaming to the Earth from the moon. Without getting specific, I will say that the development of the monsters is slow and enhances development of the plot. For a lot of the story, I was wondering what would eventually come from this part. I was not disappointed. I will also say that what came of the material is terrifying, and difficult to defeat.
My takeaway from Riebeckites is how people from diametrically different cultures can find a bridge of friendship, overcome their differences, and work together for a common goal. I also appreciated a look into cultures I normally read little about.
I found Riebeckites a refreshing thrill-a-minute rollercoaster ride full if twists and turns. This tale should appeal to any sci-fi fan who enjoys an action-packed story with some terrifying moments, suspense, and great character development. The highest recommendations for this brilliantly written tale.
June 6, 2022
Incredibly well put together novel with political intrigue, science fact and science fiction, a fresh take on ecofic, and human capital in abundance. It’s not easy to find this kind of subject matter wrapped in great writing-but this it!
The moon was blasted by an asteroid, saving its parent Earth in the process, but now there’s a new threat. No one is sure whether the strange, spore-like creatures that are now entering the atmosphere came from the asteroid or from under the surface of the moon itself, but they know that inhaling them is causing rampant, deadly respiratory problems. Tahira is researching the possible effects on the next battleground after air: the sea. When colonies of the creatures start taking on odd and the horrifying characteristics, can she get anyone to listen, and can she convince anyone to help?
Tahira is absolutely fierce, but we get to see her find her power, which is a great journey. The backdrop of a near-future Israeli/Palestine-type conflict, this time between Persia and Azerbaijan, gives the story a meaty foundation. The hard science aspects give the soft science elements some real gravitas and ALL the bad guys are super bad. I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the Broken Moon series. You should definitely try it!
Thank you to Blackthorne Book Tours and the publisher for my free copy. Book 1 is available now on Kindle Unlimited.
The moon was blasted by an asteroid, saving its parent Earth in the process, but now there’s a new threat. No one is sure whether the strange, spore-like creatures that are now entering the atmosphere came from the asteroid or from under the surface of the moon itself, but they know that inhaling them is causing rampant, deadly respiratory problems. Tahira is researching the possible effects on the next battleground after air: the sea. When colonies of the creatures start taking on odd and the horrifying characteristics, can she get anyone to listen, and can she convince anyone to help?
Tahira is absolutely fierce, but we get to see her find her power, which is a great journey. The backdrop of a near-future Israeli/Palestine-type conflict, this time between Persia and Azerbaijan, gives the story a meaty foundation. The hard science aspects give the soft science elements some real gravitas and ALL the bad guys are super bad. I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the Broken Moon series. You should definitely try it!
Thank you to Blackthorne Book Tours and the publisher for my free copy. Book 1 is available now on Kindle Unlimited.
October 23, 2022
I wasn't prepared for how good this audiobook would be. It's a great book, narrated in such a way as to make the characters' personalities shine. I'm a very picky listener, especially when it comes to accent (sorry), but I loved the narration here.
The core strength of the story is in the relationship between two women, I think, and it's a complex, cute and rewarding one. I mean, all the characters' interactions were pretty cool and I loved all of our 'good' cast. There was a lot of humour scattered throughout as well.
Up next is the science, and the main plot, and I found that a fascinating thread throughout. It was far better than I expected going in (not because I had low expectations, but because I'd skimmed the blurb and forgotten about it prior to listening). It's sort of like an Earth-bound Project Hail Mary with seemingly lower stakes and more originality to the characters. The build-up is intriguing and the action is intense. I absolutely recommend it if you're out for a good listen/read.
The core strength of the story is in the relationship between two women, I think, and it's a complex, cute and rewarding one. I mean, all the characters' interactions were pretty cool and I loved all of our 'good' cast. There was a lot of humour scattered throughout as well.
Up next is the science, and the main plot, and I found that a fascinating thread throughout. It was far better than I expected going in (not because I had low expectations, but because I'd skimmed the blurb and forgotten about it prior to listening). It's sort of like an Earth-bound Project Hail Mary with seemingly lower stakes and more originality to the characters. The build-up is intriguing and the action is intense. I absolutely recommend it if you're out for a good listen/read.
January 13, 2022
In a world of so many people and so many ideas, this book is wholly, intricately original . The ideas are the best thing about the novel- the asteroid, the moon, the riebeckites and their effects... all brilliantly crafted and explained- a solid five stars. The plot and characters were three stars for me, and I think the writing could've been more engaging, for there were times I felt bored with the descriptions. I would give the writing two stars, but for a debut novel, this definitely had potential to develop, improve, and flourish into a brilliant series. Anyone with a sci-fi interest should definitely consider picking this up.
Read on for my more detailed review, but it may contain spoilers. :)
what I liked:
-As said above, the ideas and concept of the book were brilliant and wholly original.
-My second favourite thing about this novel would be the Azerbaijani-Iranian conflict. I love the how background political warfare that ups the ante, and I really liked how it focused on countries which aren't talked about often, though I would appreciate more incorporation of culture to enhance the setting slightly. It was a sophisticated, complex idea that was handled really well!
-Zareen and Tahira's friendship had a nice flow.
-Out of all the characters, I probably enjoyed Zareen's open, blunt personality the best.
-As for the writing, I liked the "loops" (which is when something is mentioned with little importance, but later is revisited to be something significant, looping back to the beginning. It's my own term as I have no other than describes this, so if anyone knows a better term please comment!). Here is a example:
-a plot twist:
what I didn't like so much:
-the writing style. For me, it was a bi wordy at times and some parts of the book could have been condensed. It would've been a quicker read if it was more engaging, but some of the dialogue fell flat for me and I lost interest and focus during some descriptions, making me re-read and leaving me confused, though that may be a fault on my part.
-I didn't connect with the characters that much. I liked Zareen, but otherwise I have no opinion on the other characters.
-the romance. I understand that it wasn't a main focus of the story and so it wasn't given much development, but I cannot say that I particularly liked it or cared about the relationship.
-the plot and pacing- I think in a novel like this, a faster pace and more plot points would've worked well to keep my attention.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book from a giveaway!
Read on for my more detailed review, but it may contain spoilers. :)
what I liked:
-As said above, the ideas and concept of the book were brilliant and wholly original.
-My second favourite thing about this novel would be the Azerbaijani-Iranian conflict. I love the how background political warfare that ups the ante, and I really liked how it focused on countries which aren't talked about often, though I would appreciate more incorporation of culture to enhance the setting slightly. It was a sophisticated, complex idea that was handled really well!
-Zareen and Tahira's friendship had a nice flow.
-Out of all the characters, I probably enjoyed Zareen's open, blunt personality the best.
-As for the writing, I liked the "loops" (which is when something is mentioned with little importance, but later is revisited to be something significant, looping back to the beginning. It's my own term as I have no other than describes this, so if anyone knows a better term please comment!). Here is a example:
-a plot twist:
what I didn't like so much:
-the writing style. For me, it was a bi wordy at times and some parts of the book could have been condensed. It would've been a quicker read if it was more engaging, but some of the dialogue fell flat for me and I lost interest and focus during some descriptions, making me re-read and leaving me confused, though that may be a fault on my part.
-I didn't connect with the characters that much. I liked Zareen, but otherwise I have no opinion on the other characters.
-the romance. I understand that it wasn't a main focus of the story and so it wasn't given much development, but I cannot say that I particularly liked it or cared about the relationship.
-the plot and pacing- I think in a novel like this, a faster pace and more plot points would've worked well to keep my attention.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book from a giveaway!
September 17, 2022
3.5 stars
The author takes us through an immersive new world that took shape after the moon was hit by an astroid. We see the governments powering against each other, corporations facading as global helpers but in it for more, powerful cultural influences with our main characters, and amazing backstory that have answers to our every question.
Now with all that positive why did I not rate higher? This book deserves credit for being well written. But with so much going on, I had a hard time connecting to any one line of thought and by the end I didn't necessarily care what happened. I felt a !little overwhelmed with it and it wasnt my cup of tea.
The author takes us through an immersive new world that took shape after the moon was hit by an astroid. We see the governments powering against each other, corporations facading as global helpers but in it for more, powerful cultural influences with our main characters, and amazing backstory that have answers to our every question.
Now with all that positive why did I not rate higher? This book deserves credit for being well written. But with so much going on, I had a hard time connecting to any one line of thought and by the end I didn't necessarily care what happened. I felt a !little overwhelmed with it and it wasnt my cup of tea.
September 17, 2023
-Riebeckite is an incredibly unique scifi. OR Lea blends a political thriller with scifi/horror in such fascinating way. Riebeckite starts with smooth, easy, and effective world building. You ease into the world before the action gets going. However, once the action starts it rarely lets up.
-The characters were layered and diverse. Each having their own motives and desires. However, I found myself having a difficult time connecting to them on an emotional level.
-The action and threats is where I think this book thrives. Lea manages to up the ante with each sequence and finds a way to create a bigger threat than the last. Ending the book on a pretty solid cliff hanger, but it does feel like a complete book.
-Overall the book was an intense and twisty political scifi thriller. It’s fast paced and so well written. I definitely plan on getting to the sequel down the road.
•I’d also like to thank the author, OR Lea, for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
-The characters were layered and diverse. Each having their own motives and desires. However, I found myself having a difficult time connecting to them on an emotional level.
-The action and threats is where I think this book thrives. Lea manages to up the ante with each sequence and finds a way to create a bigger threat than the last. Ending the book on a pretty solid cliff hanger, but it does feel like a complete book.
-Overall the book was an intense and twisty political scifi thriller. It’s fast paced and so well written. I definitely plan on getting to the sequel down the road.
•I’d also like to thank the author, OR Lea, for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
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