CeLEStial Books

TALES FROM ARDULUM BY J.S. FIELDS

15/6/2019

J.S. Fields has a new FF sci fi book out: Tales From Ardulum.

One year after saving the Neek homeworld and redefining the people’s religion, the crew of the Scarlet Lucidity returns to the Charted Systems for a much-needed break. For Nicholas and Yorden, the Systems will always be home, but for Emn and Atalant, too many memories compound with Emn’s strange new illness to provide much relaxation.

TALES FROM ARDULUM continues the journey of Atalant, Emn, Yorden, Nicholas, and Salice as they try to define their place in a galaxy that no longer needs them while battling the artifacts of Ardulan colonization. Other stories include Yorden’s acquisition of the Mercy’s Pledge (and his grudge against the galaxy), Atalant’s exile from her homeworld, Ekimet and Savath’s romance, and many others.

Series Blurb:

The ARDULUM series blends space opera and hard science into a story about two women persistently bound to their past, and a sentient planet determined to shape their future.

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Giveaway

J.S. Fields is giving away four prizes with this tour: a collectible soft enamel pin of the Mercy's Pledge (2), and a high res version of one of the interior illustrations (their choice, pick from Yorden, Nick, Emn, or Atalant) (2). Enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4767/?

Excerpt

“She is nothing, anymore,” the president responded. “She is Exile.”

“You can’t!” Neek burst towards the door just as it slammed closed. She rebounded and fell back to the floor, her tailbone taking the brunt of the fall. The ship’s engines began to whine, and the floor jostled as the craft left the surface.

Neek ran to the controls and slammed her hands on the stuk interface. Through the viewscreen, she saw capital buildings, the Ardulan Temple, and then treetops as the skiff left the city and moved to the suburbs. She tapped command after command into the computer, but each try brought an angry beep and no change in course. The ship was on autopilot and password locked. She had no control.

Neek swallowed, trying to ease the ache in her throat. Wherever they stashed her, she would find a comm. She would smuggle out handwritten messages if she had to. She wasn’t going to give up. That she had lost the robes, lost the Guard…she could mourn that in time. Saving the forests, that was her job. Helping her people move beyond Ardulum so they could truly participate in the Charted Systems, that was why she did all this, right? That she loved piloting was just a bonus.

Right?

A low tremble went through the ship. Neek had never felt a skiff do that before. Had she lucked out? Was it malfunctioning? Neek sent another query to the computer. The ship was…

Neek blinked. It couldn’t be.

The ship was going up.

Neek frantically queried the computer. The viewscreen still showed treetops, but that silo in the distance…that had been there the first time she’d looked. It had seemed closer for a while, but now, she realized as she squinted, it was far away again. She was watching a prerecorded loop!

“No!” The skiff was clearly going up. Neek’s ears were popping, and there was a funny feeling in her gut. Her planet’s skiffs were not designed to leave even the lower atmosphere. Only settees could do that, and this was no settee. Whatever the president’s engineers had done to make it spaceworthy, it hadn’t been nearly enough.

Neek threw commands at the computer. Land. Coast. Glide. STOP.Each returned with a ping and the perpetual image of treetops. He couldn’t do this. He had no right to do this! What in Ardulum’s name was the president thinking? Neek pounded at the controls, and the recorded loop fuzzed out to reveal space. Endless space.

Text scrolled across the computer screen:

Hours of air left: 233

Gallons of water remaining: 2

Food rations available: none

Communication systems: disabled

Destination: high orbit around planet Neek

Entertainment options: one video available of Heaven Guard airshow #4194, highlighting the double barrel rolls of Guard Four; all Neek holy texts available

Neek screamed. She kicked the console, her boot denting the cheap biometal. The Neek did not leave their planet. They did not live on space stations or strange worlds. They stayed put, to wait for Ardulum’s return. And she…she was meant to rotup here, in Neek space—rot while watching a planet she could see but never again touch. Rot while the Heaven Guard executed flawless formations in Neek’s upper atmosphere, ignoring her gold coffin spinning by. Rot while reading texts she’d had shoved down her throat since she was old enough to read—texts that were slowly destroying her planet.

And…and…

She would never get her settee.

She was only nineteen years old, and she was going to die, alone, in space.

And there was nothing she could do.

Author Bio

J.S. Fields (@Galactoglucoman) is a scientist who has perhaps spent too much time around organic solvents. They enjoy roller derby, woodturning, making chainmail by hand, and cultivating fungi in the backs of minivans. Nonbinary, and yes, it matters.

Fields has lived in Thailand, Ireland, Canada, USA, and spent extensive time in many more places. Their current research takes them to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest each summer, where they traumatizes students with machetes and tangarana ants while looking for rare pigmenting fungi. They live with their partner and child, and a very fabulous lionhead rabbit named Merlin.

Author Website: http://www.jsfieldsbooks.com

Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/galactoglucoman

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16484795.J_S_Fields

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-s-fields/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.S.-Fields/e/B071YWC4VN

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: JACKIE D

12/2/2019

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1.     There are some intriguing social and political themes at the heart of Rise of the Resistance. What is one key theme or idea you hope readers might think about as a result of reading this novel?

There were a few key themes. First, we are going through something in America right now that has been bubbling under the surface for much longer than anyone would like to admit. The trifecta of evil (as I like to call it): racism/xenophobia/homophobia/sexism, partisan media, and the destruction of the middle class. Biased media has been stoking the fire of hatred and distrust since Richard Nixon left office and an entity called Fox news was dreamed into existence. It has created a culture of fear and suspicion among our citizens. This book is a “what if” if Donald Trump (or someone like him) and his family were to gain control of the United States forever. If they were able to successfully remove the constitution and deploy their own tactics as a form of governance. I wanted people to see what could happen if we continue to ignore these threats as well as the ever-looming promise of climate catastrophe. Not one person is going to be able to fix this, it has to be all of us; or at least the majority of us, that take a stand. The United States is sick and only by dragging these issues into the light will we find a remedy. Another prominent theme was the age-old tale of good versus evil. I wanted to make the characters truly good or evil to demonstrate the acute contrast between the two choices. Was it a little over the top at some points? Sure. That was intentional. Kaelyn and Arrow are the purest forms of what is right and just in the world. Adon was the epitome of corruption, narcism, and abandonment of reality. This first instalment was meant to be laid out in a true black and white format. The subsequent instalments will delve more into the gray; where you find people like Sloan and Nora

2.      How did you choose the names for your characters in Rise of the Resistance? I'm curious, is Macleod's first name (Adon) a partial anagram of Donald?

Well, Adon is a mash-up of Adolf and Donald. MacLeod was the maiden name of Donald Trump’s mother. Arrow and Valor were named after the fall of America (in the storyline) with the intention of invoking hope and direction when you thought of them. Kaelyn was merely a throwback to a time where things weren’t as perilous

3.     Given the subtitle of the book (Phoenix One), it feels like this is the beginning of the series. There were also a few characters along the way that felt like seeding or foreshadowing for further stories. Are there any plans for a continuation of the story?

Yes, there will be a sequel, at the very least. I will probably write a total of four. Two that take place after this one and then potentially a prequel. There are characters placed through the book that I will focus on later. Specifically Phoenix Two, Sloan, and Nora. I believe they all have some interesting perspectives that need to be explored. I’m looking forward to writing Sloan’s story (in the nest book). She has existed in Eden as an indentured servant of sorts, and an outsider in many ways. Her family remained loyal to the Resistance throughout her whole life, which cost them dearly. When I see the world through her eyes, I imagine it was plagued with a look of resentment and confusion. This probably wasn’t always laid at the feet of MacLeod; it would have had her questioning the Resistance as well. Unlike Arrow, who had it ingrained in her everyday duty that this was the only way to survive, Sloan saw a more comfortable path day-to-day life unfolding in front of her.

4.     And more importantly, will Nora be involved? She's intriguing! Can you tell that I like villains...

Nora, yes; I actually get the most questions about her, which I find fascinating. Readers really love to hate her, and weirdly, are pulling for her. With Nora, you can see a brilliant woman who is a product of her circumstances. She has been raised in a terribly sexist world and has had to keep her intellect in check to fulfil her ambitions. Although she was born into privilege, her capabilities were limited. The final instalment of the series will focus on her story, and her internal battle to not only survive but thrive. Nora will be able to reinvent herself, but some aspects of her will remain the same. She will never be “the good guy”, but instead, an antihero. Strangely, Nora might be the most relatable character in the story, and I really want to dig into her flaws as well as her attributes. In the real world, people aren’t one-hundred percent good or evil. The majority of us fall somewhere in between. I think Nora is an excellent vehicle to exemplify those characteristics.

5.     If you could plan a dinner party for a handful of characters across all of your books, who would you love to see engaging in conversation over canapes?

I have written in several different genres at this point, so this is an interesting question. In my After Dark Series, there are military, FBI, Homeland Security, terrorists, and CIA personnel. Lands End is about a restaurateur and a PR Rep. In Lucy’s Chance there is a police officer, journalist, and serial killer. I’m working on a book with, Jean Copeland right now that is about a time-hopping witch. So, if I had to choose one from each, I believe it would go something like this: Tyler Monroe, Lucy Rodriguez, Amy Kline, Jennifer Glass, and Nora MacLeod. Tyler suffers from PTSD from her time in the Marine Corps and trying to find where she now fits in. She should be hardened and untrusting, but she has managed a level of empathy and understanding that I missing in most people. Lucy Rodriguez threw away her first love to pursue her career aspirations and has had to deal with the repercussions. She is smart, sassy, and a lot of fun to write. Jennifer Glass also appears in the After Dark series with Tyler. She struggles with insecurity and tinges of jealousy. Finally, Nora, because I think she would liven the whole thing up. Nora is a formidable force with very strong opinions on…well…everything.

6.     Star Trek or Star Wars?

Star Wars, no question. I’m a huge fan and am really enjoying the direction they’re taking the storyline. Although they both have the ability to keep reinventing themselves while holding true to their tried and tested themes; I find Star Wars to be much more entertaining. Plus, I’m genuinely enjoying Rey’s journey and find myself counting down until the next instalment.

7. If you were trapped in a derelict building surrounded by nefarious, supernatural enemies, who would you want to save you, Buffy or Wynonna Earp?

This was a hard one…but I’d have to say I’d go with Wynonna. She’s a bit of a wildcard, which just adds to her appeal. I also find Wynonna to be a bit more of a layered person, in contrast to Buffy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think they’re both fantastic, badass women. But, if push came to shove, I’d much rather see Wynonna breaking through the window with Peacemaker, then Buffy.
***
You can buy Jackie D's scifi novel, Rise of the Resistance, here and connect with Jackie here.

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review: rise of the resistance by jackie d

25/1/2019

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REVIEWED BY REBECCA

GENRE: Dystopian (light on the scifi)

PAIRING: F/F

HEAT LEVEL: Explicit (one scene)

WARNINGS: Lots. Racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia, anti-refugee sentiments, murder, suggestions of rape etc. This is all presented all abhorrent, and most of it isn't detailed or explicit, but those confronting themes are there and some readers may wish to be aware of this going in.

REVIEW

Rise of the Resistance by Jackie D is, overall, a solid dystopian fiction that finds itself caught somewhere between being a thought-provoking and didactic political thriller, and a fairly typical lesbian romance with a generic futuristic backdrop. As a fan of the former who is somewhat tired of the latter, this was a difficult book for which to write a review.

Kaelyn Trapp, otherwise known as Phoenix One, is cryogenically frozen — one of a chosen four— sleeping away seventy years until the time is right to stage a coup and overthrow a morally bankrupt government. Arrow, Kaelyn’s guardian, a true believer in what this (potentially ignorant) Australian reader can only best describe as ‘the American Dream’, an idealistic woman of integrity, has worked her whole life to prepare for the war to come. What isn’t to love about this plot?

Exploring a future in which men like Donald Trump have not only been allowed to rule, but have been elevated to the cult-like status representative of many of history’s authoritarian dictatorships, this novel has plenty to offer. The ‘President’ and his heir, both MacLeod, make for fascinating reading. Jackie D explores how racist, homophobic, xenophobic leaders manage to seize, manipulate, and maintain power.

“First, he paid off a major media organisation. Its sole purpose was to discredit the others until people who were loyal to him only tuned in to that outlet…Next, he started to discredit our FBI…It didn’t matter how many of his statements were proven as lies, or how horrible his remarks about women and minorities…”

And I have no doubt that this novel has been inspired by a deep-rooted societal concern about Trump:

“Nora sat on the couch. She ran her hands down her form-fitting red dress. She was perfect. Hell, if she hadn’t been his own daughter, he probably would’ve tried to sleep with her by now.”

Nora, MacLeod’s daughter, is the character I found the most fascinating in this story. She’s deplorable in many ways, but also far more intelligent than her father, and the only member of the cast to do something that I found genuinely surprising. Nora is a political mastermind working within a patriarchal, sexist framework in which the inequalities of today have been exacerbated and even legalised. If Nora appears in the next book in some significant capacity, I’ll be reading it.

Kaelyn and Arrow are likeable, but also unremarkable. Kaelyn is said to be the absolute best person to restore democracy and freedom, but some aspects of her personality and supposed expertise struck me incongruent with this claim. She is good at giving speeches filled with a lot of platitudes and patriotism, but many of the finer aspects of leadership are left to the reader to assume. There were also some instances where her lack of knowledge (probably more for the reader’s benefit so that Arrow or her mother could then deliver an explanation) didn’t make sense to me. That said, I suspect she is meant to personify the traits of American culture that are most admirable, an ideological foundation of fairness and compassion. Which is just kinda nice, really.

Arrow is almost nauseatingly ‘good’, the proverbial knight-in-shining-armour, where even her faults are positive. I didn’t mind either of the two leading ladies, but I also didn’t feel particularly connected to the pair because they were presented as practically perfect. When someone in the novel pointed out the fact that these two were in their positions of power and influence because they’d been born to the ‘right’ families, I cheered a little. It had been frustrating me that two people, both born to presidents and living a fairly protected life, were apparently the only ones who could save America (and this is very much a book steeped in all things American). Arrow is a warrior who has a few action scenes that many readers will enjoy. I was pleased to see that Arrow didn’t resort to fatal gunshots as her first method of defence (or attack).

The romance between Kaelyn and Arrow is, I imagine, what many readers will come to see. Given that the relationship frustrated me because it kept detracting from the dystopian elements I was enjoying so much as well as what I perceived as deep repetition of the “we shouldn’t go there because we have a duty to others” trope, lots of people will love it. But this is what I meant earlier when I said this book was, I thought, caught between wanting to be a standard romance ‘lesfic’, with the meet-desire-angst-denial-more angst-give in-deny again-HEA plot line many know and love, and a speculative fiction with a heck of a lot of meat on its bones.

Readers like me will want less focus on the internal dialogue attached to the relationship and more exploration of the dystopian setting and its deep-rooted psychological conflicts. Romance-lovers will possibly want to see the reverse. You can see why this review got so long, right? I mean, I love parts of this book, but I also wanted to skip sections.

I have my fingers crossed that subsequent novels in the series will explore characters ‘on the ground’ so to speak, looking at History From Below. I think this will really draw out those complex social and political concepts that are there, but not quite developed. I’d be really interested to hear from anyone else who has read this one. What did you think?!

PURCHASE from AMAZON, BOOK DEPOSITORY, or BOLD STROKE BOOKS.

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TALES FROM ARDULUM BY J.S. FIELDS

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: JACKIE D

review: rise of the resistance by jackie d

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