Title and Link: Space Escapes
Authors: Jason Eddings & Angela Fiddler
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: GLBT Science Fiction, M/M
Length: 268 pages
Rating: 3.25 out of 5 Stars
A Guest Review by Kris
The Blurb:
As this is not an anthology in the sense that there are several short stories based on a theme, there is no overarching blurb. See below for individual book summaries.
The Reviews:
Honesty from the outset~
Both authors are pretty much new to me and I had no real expectations about these stories other than my well known love for spec fiction, including the sci fi/futuristic genre.
Dark Robe Heart: Dark Robe Society 1 by Jason Edding
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
The Blurb:
A disillusioned Jack Harrow escapes the crowded Earth of 2575 and its increasingly militaristic government, hoping to make a new life on the distant small moon of Jupiter. During this long voyage, military recruit Edge Fland catches first his eye, then his lust, but there’s more to this quiet man than Jack knows. The Dark Robe Society’s assassins are on Jack’s trail and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal of returning the item he carries to their society.
The Review:
First things first~
This is a futuristic tale where much of the known world is under the control of the sinister Dark Robe Society, which has systematically replaced those in positions of power and influence with their own clones. A disenchanted Jack Harrow, the main character of this story, has escaped his work as a 400-year old clone and diplomat for the Society and is only one step ahead of the Dark Robe assassins… or is he??
In my opinion the premise of the story and the world that the author has created are the highlights of Dark Robe Heart; hence my rating. I found it intriguing and it made me curious to see where this series might go to from here. Most of the back story to the plot/world appeared in the form of a dream sequence within the first couple of pages. I admittedly found this a little off-putting because the tone of this section was very different from those relating to the protags and to actual events. I realise this was done deliberately; however, it was a little disconcerting and this technique for describing the setting, situation, etc appears in other places in the book.
Given how much I was interested in the world, it was a shame that I couldn’t quite connect with the main characters. In hindsight, I think the main reason for this was because I did not find them particularly likeable other than the feelings and loyalty they had to each other.
A couple of issues/warnings~
The only other aspect worth a mention is that some, like me, might find the sex scenes a little bit jarring. This was because I felt like only a few of the scenes added anything to the plot; for example, one in which the protags put on a show for a crowd as payment for information.
I think this series has a lot of potential and, regardless of the issues I had with Dark Robe Heart, I will be picking up the next book in the hopes of finding out more about Jack’s and Edge’s journey.
The Bright Side of Midnight by Angela Fiddler
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
The Blurb:
Pleasure or pain? The Dose. On paper, it’s a mild mood enhancer that takes the edge off drudgery and keeps workers happy. But people are killing to get it and dying to make it. Tavish knows all about it, his lover is one of the dying and he vows that the truth will get out no matter the means. His quest will take him from the sickness that takes over his lover to inside Alpha Site where the man who controls the colony pushes him to his knees and the edge of his boundaries. Will The Bright Side of Midnight be Tavish’s ruin or salvation?
The Review:
First things first~
Another story set in a future where a corporation controls the existence of the men who live, work and die on the mining planet of Midnight. Doctor Tavish Pan was born and raised on Midnight where he now returns in order to meet the required cost of his education. In the midst of corporate intrigue, he investigates the cause of the Black Lung disease, which is killing many men by the dozen and one of the only ‘treatments’ for it is the so-called Dose, a highly-addictive drug.
In general, The Bright Side of Midnight had a plot and cast of characters that held my attention. It is true the storyline discussed in the blurb and in my short summary may seem like familiar tropes to many; however, I think the setting and some of the twists in the plot (including the machinations of Patrice who is not only the leader of Midnight, but also Tavish’s love interest’s father (*try saying that out loud a few times*) will make it of interest to readers, in particular to those of sci fi fiction.
A couple of issues/warnings~
The ending of The Bright Side of Midnight did seem a little rushed and I also had a vague sense I was missing a few of the answers to parts of the story such as whether Tavish was the one who betrayed his father, a leader in the resistance against the mining company and its governing body. It’s very possible I DID miss a few things – I’ve been caught out before on this blog 
– , but I genuinely do believe both issues could have been dealt with by increasing the length of the story to allow for further development.
– , but I genuinely do believe both issues could have been dealt with by increasing the length of the story to allow for further development.
My overall recommendation~
Space Escapes will be of interest to fans of the genre and those who enjoy the work of these authors.
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Hmmmm. I think I might give this one a miss. I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi novels so I think I’d best stick to those with a higher rating.
Hey Jen. I think this one if for those who enjoy the genre.
Hi Kris,
I really like Angela Fiddler. Most of her stuff is not so sci fi, so don’t write her off. This was probably the story I liked least. If you want to try another novella, I love “Gift of the Raven” in BLOOD CLAIM.
I did like Angela’s story in this volume, but think I would have enjoyed it more if she’d had the opportunity to develop it further in a longer format. I’ve also been told I’m a tough rater so 3.5 stars is actually pretty good for me.
Thanks for the heads up re: ‘Gift of the Raven’. I’ve also heard good things about ‘Pulse’. What did you think of that book?
Kris,
Thanks for the thoughtful review. Jason’s second story will be out in a few weeks in THE EDGE OF DESPERATION with James Buchanan.
Aloha
Thanks for the info about Jason’s next story in the Dark Robe Society, Kris.
As I said in my review, despite some of the issues I had, I realised Jason had hooked me when I found myself curious as to how the story continues. I will be interested to see where he takes it in the next installment.
I liked PULSE too. Weird cover, but good book!