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Starship Teapot #2.5
Jurassic Dark
Out in the vast emptiness of the galaxy, anything can happen. It’s a fact that Lem and her trusty companion Spock know all too well.
Sometimes, the things lurking in the darkness are all in your head. Then again, maybe there really is something out there.
With a dog of few words and an infuriatingly literal AI by her side, Lem must rely on nothing but her strength and wits to help her.
As a humorous homage to Arthur C. Clarke’s classic A Walk in the Dark, this short adventure is a not-actually-scary sci-fi horror story that’s perfect for fans of Martha Wells and John Scalzi.
Sometimes, the things lurking in the darkness are all in your head. Then again, maybe there really is something out there.
With a dog of few words and an infuriatingly literal AI by her side, Lem must rely on nothing but her strength and wits to help her.
As a humorous homage to Arthur C. Clarke’s classic A Walk in the Dark, this short adventure is a not-actually-scary sci-fi horror story that’s perfect for fans of Martha Wells and John Scalzi.
19 pages, ebook
Published September 9, 2022
20 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Si Clarke
16 books108 followersSI CLARKE is a misanthrope who lives in Deptford, sarf ees London. She shares her home with her partner and an assortment of waifs and strays. When not writing convoluted, inefficient stories, she spends her time telling financial services firms to behave more efficiently. When not doing either of those things, she can be found in the pub or shouting at people online – occasionally practising efficiency by doing both at once.
As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.
As someone who’s neurodivergent, an immigrant, and the proud owner of an invisible disability, she strives to present a diverse array of characters in her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 4, 2023
cute short story
Just what you expect from Lem and her dog, Spock. Lem is afraid of the darkness she must pass through and you can feel the anxiety. This story still has the quirky humor seen in the author’s other books.
We all know of that feeling of being afraid of the dark!
Just what you expect from Lem and her dog, Spock. Lem is afraid of the darkness she must pass through and you can feel the anxiety. This story still has the quirky humor seen in the author’s other books.
We all know of that feeling of being afraid of the dark!
September 19, 2022
Incredibly fun and efficient. After that, you'll want to follow Lem and Spock wherever they go, 'cause it'll be unforgettable.
October 28, 2022
Fun (and not too scary) story snack. :)
Not having read "A Walk in the Dark," I can't comment on the spoofiness of this story, but it was a nice opportunity to reconnect with Lem and Spock (truly the bestest girl!) and Holly - who is equally exasperating and cracking me up.
Not having read "A Walk in the Dark," I can't comment on the spoofiness of this story, but it was a nice opportunity to reconnect with Lem and Spock (truly the bestest girl!) and Holly - who is equally exasperating and cracking me up.
September 13, 2022
This is a really good, quick read! Another short story from The left hand dog series! As always well written & a pleasure to read!
March 20, 2025
Cute short story. Sci-Fi and slightly scary.
I love an author that can write a cohesive short tale from beginning to end. New author for me.
Lem, the main character is walking in unknown territory in the dark. She seems to have scared herself without too much effort.
Part of a series, will track down the rest! This will go on my read again list.
I received this through BookFunnel as an audiobook. Did not affect my freely written review.
I love an author that can write a cohesive short tale from beginning to end. New author for me.
Lem, the main character is walking in unknown territory in the dark. She seems to have scared herself without too much effort.
Part of a series, will track down the rest! This will go on my read again list.
I received this through BookFunnel as an audiobook. Did not affect my freely written review.
December 4, 2022
This was a spooky tale of walking alone in the dark on an alien planet with nothing but your own thoughts to drive you mad.
I could feel the oppression of the silent dark.
I could feel the oppression of the silent dark.
February 20, 2023
entertaining sci fi story with a psychic dog
December 2, 2023
Cute Sci-fi story
Well written. Some interesting characterization, and world building. Two stories for the price of one, and an interesting introduction to the series.
Well written. Some interesting characterization, and world building. Two stories for the price of one, and an interesting introduction to the series.
November 13, 2024
“Monsters,’ I repeated. ‘What differentiates a monster from a person? Or even an animal?”
“The humans are the monsters”
no real point to this one but a quick read with lem and spock!
“The humans are the monsters”
no real point to this one but a quick read with lem and spock!
October 17, 2023
I wanted to love this story, but just couldn't get there if I was being honest.
There is nothing at all wrong with the writing rather it was more a case of me asking myself why I was persisting with reading. I suspect that my difficulty was the fact that I have not yet read any of the other Starship Teapot books. They are on my long book list - however, I have not bought them yet and I picked up this story for free thinking it would be a good taste test.
In hindsight, I suggest that it is perhaps best read this story after having read the earlier couple of books and not as an introduction to Starship Teapot (so my reaction to the story is probably entirely a case of user error).
If I remember down the track, I will re-read the story in the proper sequence in the future and revisit this review.
There is nothing at all wrong with the writing rather it was more a case of me asking myself why I was persisting with reading. I suspect that my difficulty was the fact that I have not yet read any of the other Starship Teapot books. They are on my long book list - however, I have not bought them yet and I picked up this story for free thinking it would be a good taste test.
In hindsight, I suggest that it is perhaps best read this story after having read the earlier couple of books and not as an introduction to Starship Teapot (so my reaction to the story is probably entirely a case of user error).
If I remember down the track, I will re-read the story in the proper sequence in the future and revisit this review.
March 9, 2023
I love the characters of the Starship Teapot. In this short story, Lem and Spock must walk down a long, dark, narrow road to get to a ride before it leaves without them. With spooky stories fresh in Lem's mind, this is a very scary walk, thankfully Spock is there to make sure they get there safely.
May 16, 2023
Sadly not even started due to hate speech in the author's intro.
Calling people TERFs and saying they should not read this book is as hateful as if it were n****rs or p**fs.
Si Clarke should not be read by anyone who even considers they might have a different point of view from the author.
Calling people TERFs and saying they should not read this book is as hateful as if it were n****rs or p**fs.
Si Clarke should not be read by anyone who even considers they might have a different point of view from the author.
May 11, 2023
Tense but fun short
A walk along a pitch black path on a seemingly deserted planet with your dog and its AI. A tense but fun short story. Entertaining.
A walk along a pitch black path on a seemingly deserted planet with your dog and its AI. A tense but fun short story. Entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews