Book Reviews

Book Blurb

As the stranded inhabitants of the Space Station mark the opening of their second year since the world ended, Saito Naotatsu is determined to shake off some part of the grief infecting their temporary home. Maybe find a little happiness, too, with his best friend and communications specialist, Turlach Quinn.

The situation explodes when Turlach finds his attraction to Saito confusing and relentless. At every turn, it seems Saito is there to break his control. With the Station falling apart around their ears and the crew breathing down his neck, Turlach finally has enough.

Problems keep piling up. The crew is weary and waiting. Earth is a dark shadow of what it once was. Will they ever get home? Is there even anything left to go home to?

Book Review

Crew number 63 has been stuck on the space station made up of various nations’ modules for over a year because nuclear war destroyed the Earth during their original mission. They don’t know what caused the disaster, but they can’t go back until the fallout is less severe. It is now 2027 and they have settled into a routine after dealing with the initial problems. New ones appear on the horizon though and they know that the longer they stay, the more technical issues will happen, not to mention the interpersonal dynamics they have to deal with. The technical detail throughout the story makes it feel very realistic, especially since most of it is futuristic rather than way-out-there science fiction. The emotional turmoil between the next two crewmembers to pair up takes precedence over the technical challenges though, and the cliff-hanger at the end of year two definitely has me wanting more.

Saito is a scientist, has Samurai ancestors, and while he is stoic and calm on the outside, there is an inner fire that feeds very intense emotions. He has been attracted to fellow scientist Turlach practically since they met for training, but he knows the deep friendship they share will likely be all he will get.

Turlach has been straight his entire life, or so he has made himself believe, but the proximity to Saito and the hopelessness of their situation break down some of the walls he has built around his emotions. Physical temptation makes him do things his mind is not ready for, and it takes him quite a while to work his way through the turmoil he faces.

While situational sexuality may have a role to play in Turlach finally admitting his true feelings for Saito, it is clear that there is more to it. Had these two men been on Earth and able to get away from each other they might never have opened up: Saito because he is too much of an introvert and Turlach because he doesn’t allow himself to set aside other people’s opinions until it is almost too late. Added to the technical challenges and dangers the crew has to face, this makes for an intense read.

If you like watching people deal with a catastrophe, if you’re up for an emotional adventure in orbital space, and if you’re looking for a read that is suspenseful, emotional, and is likely to leave you wanting more, then you will probably like this novella.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 36633 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	19-May-2018
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.jms-books.com/erotic-romance-c-29_94/expedition-63-book-2-dark-p-2400.html