SFR Galaxy Awards – Closing Thoughts

Tags

opinion, SFR Galaxy Awards

Other than my opinion on books, I rarely take the time to write a reactionary piece. Those things that might inspire me to do so tend to be controversial and really, I am not a confrontational person. Perhaps it is the upcoming National Voter Registration Day event I am holding at the library that has convinced me to do something different this time. One of the graphics being used to promote the day is a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

So here I am, responding to the September 5th notice that the SFR Galaxy Awards are ending.

Founder Heather Massey gave two reason for the dissolution:

1) There was a short paragraph on ‘Life Stuff’ needing to take priority. I totally get and respect this. Family and self should always come first.

2) There were three more longer paragraphs discussing the lack of diversity/inclusion in the awards. As you might guess, these three paragraphs are what prompt me to write this today.

But first, I must say that I have the utmost respect for co-founders Heather Massey and Laurie Green and all the work and enthusiasm they have put into making the awards such a fun and always exciting event. Even before I became a judge, it was entertaining to check out the variety of SFR books that were recognized. Bad for my TBR list, but fun nonetheless!

I would also recognize my fellow judges, all readers and bloggers just like myself, who put their hearts and spirit into the events, resulting that aforementioned ever increasing TBR list.

In response to #2 above, the first thing I will say is that, as a judge (and, admittedly, fringe social media user), I never once heard or read any discussion of the flaws present in the SFR Galaxy Awards. I have always been perturbed when people talk about me behind my back. I know this may be an extreme reaction, but really, if someone has on opinion about something I (or other judges) said, wrote or did, have the courtesy to let me/us know personally. There is more than one forum that could have been used so we could all be aware of the debates. I feel like this all came out of far, far, far left field.

The thing is, Science Fiction is, by its nature, diverse. SciFi authors have been known to write characters that are blue- or green-skinned, have various planets of origin, occupations, religions, gastronomic preferences, have horns, claws, pointy teeth and large ears, or lack teeth, have tiny ears and three toes, possess psychic abilities….the list goes on. And that is just for organics. There are AI’s, robots, androids, nanobots, and automatons. Combine the organic and inorganic and you get cyborgs and bionic beings. And since we are talking about romance, we can add various mating rituals and an assortment of reproduction methods.

Note, I wrote all that without once referring to “race, gender, sexual orientation and #ownvoices”, the four areas of diversity that Ms. Massey would like to see more of. I am not in disagreement with her. I am saying that Science Fiction expands the definition of diversity. It also expands on bias. These expanded definitions are brought to light in those great stories that highlight the few sentient being/human conditions that I personally hope we can all recognize. For me, SFR romance is not about promoting diversity.  It is about dealing with differences and having decency, tolerance, understanding, acceptance and kindness come out on top.

The thing is, I am sad about the loss of these awards. Not just because I was a part of them, but because this was a singular venue for SFR authors to be recognized for who they are. Brilliant, creative, witty, emotional, adventurous, devious, funny and visionary writers who persevere in their genre because that is what they are called to do.

So it is my sincerest hope that the finality of the SFR Galaxy awards leads to something other. Something about doors and windows comes to mind…..

Aurora Blazing (Consortium Rebellion, #2) by Jessie Mihalik – Review

Tags

4 stars, Book Review, Jessie Mihalik, Regency, sci fi, series, space opera

About Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik

Bianca von Hasenberg did her duty for High House von Hasenberg and ended up trapped in a terrible marriage. When her husband dies unexpectedly and leaves her a happy widow, she vows never to marry again. Instead, she uses her connections to save other young women. Information is power and Bianca has a network that would be the envy of the ’verse—if anyone knew about it.

After an attack, Bianca’s oldest brother, the House von Hasenberg heir, disappears from Earth without a trace. Determined to find him, Bianca leaves against orders. When she refuses to return, her father sends Ian Bishop, the director of House von Hasenberg security, to haul her home like a recalcitrant child.

Bianca leads Ian on a merry chase across the universe, but when their paths finally collide, she persuades him that they would be far more successful at finding her brother if they worked together. She will do anything to save her sibling, even if it means spending time alone on a small ship with the handsome, infuriating man who once broke her heart.

As clues lead them deep into rival House Rockhurst territory, Bianca must decide if she can trust Ian with the one piece of information that could destroy her completely. . .

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Review of Aurora Blazing

Aurora Blazing is a Regency romance/suspense story with futuristic setting. With the segmented society, a gossiping upper crust and abuse of the masses, it reminds me of one or two (or more) of the Regency romances I have read. Oh, that is not a criticism. It is an invitation to historical romance readers.

I picked up Aurora Blazing because I wanted to see where the story line went after Polaris Rising (review here). It did not go far. Rather, it relates the story of Bianca, rich, somewhat spoiled but toughened, and her adventures that lead to romance with a man she seems to detest. Not exactly enemies to lovers. More like adversaries to lovers.

I was hoping to read more of the development of the political atmosphere. Not much happened there, despite the kidnapping of an heir to one of the great houses. War still looms, just like at the end of Polaris Rising. So, what that tells you is that the story is largely character driven, with a minimum of outside interference.

As a character, Princess Bianca is not that much different from her sister Ada (from Polaris Rising). Bianca’s past may be a bit more dreadful (refer to the aforementioned toughening) but both are privileged, commanding, and very, very technologically proficient. Hence the overall tone of the story was very similar to book 1. Is that good or bad? I was looking for something different, so I was disappointed.

Like book one, the title, Aurora Blazing, refers to the ship the heroine travels in. However, unlike book 1, where the Polaris was a prototype, game-changing, technological wonder, the ship Aurora has very little to do with the plot.

Still, Ms. Mihalik tells a riveting story. Both Ian and Bianca have secrets. They are much more than they appear to be. For more than half of the story, they work under the illusion that they have the other figured out. Hmmph. There will be clash of egos, opinions and maybe even heads. Clashes are good though, because without them, Bianca and Ian would still be under the misconception that know each other. It is only when the illusions are shattered that they can truly become a team. And a couple. You know, for the happily ever after. 😊

Through Edelweiss, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Links

Add Aurora Blazing to your Goodreads shelf:

Pre-order Aurora Blazing (Releases October 1):

Want to get caught up on this series?  As of the writing of this post, Polaris Rising e-book is on sale for $1.99.

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The Guardian (Reclaimed Earth, #2) by J. D. Moyer – Review

Tags

4 stars, Book Review, future earth, J. D. Moyer, post-apocalypse, sci fi, series, space station

About The Guardian by J. D. Moyer

In the year 2737, Earth is mostly depopulated in the wake of a massive supervolcano, but civilization and culture are preserved in vast orbiting ringstations.

Tem, the nine-year-old son of a ringstation anthropologist and a Happdal bow-hunter, wants nothing more than to become a blacksmith like his uncle Trond. But after a rough patch as the only brown-skinned child in the village, his mother Car-En decides that the family should spend some time on the Stanford ringstation.

Tem gets caught up in the battle against Umana, the tentacle-enhanced ‘Squid Woman’, while protecting a secret that could change the course of humanity and civilization.

The Guardian, the sequel to the The Sky Woman (review here), is a story of colliding worlds and the contested repopulation of a wild Earth.

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Review of The Guardian

The Guardian is the continuation of the story that began in The Sky Woman. It takes place on and above a post-apocalyptic Earth, centuries after catostrophic depopulating events took place. Now, the earth is becoming habitable and civilization is making a comeback. And everyone wants a piece of Earth.

Much of the population fled to space stations to wait out Earth’s recovery. But not all. The residents of Earth may not be as technologically advanced as the ring stations, but they are socially evolved enough to recognize a threat in the ringstation interest in their world. The stark contrast between the earth-dwellers and ringstation dwellers causes both conflict and cooperation.

The main character focus has shifted from Car-En, the ringstation anthropologist, to her nine-year-old son Tem. Raised on Earth in Happdal, Tem is the son of Esper, so is half native. I really enjoyed Tem’s youthful viewpoint, though it is written with a mature voice. I watched as Tem’s world expanded from his Uncle Trond’s blacksmith shop to encompass much of Earth and the ringstation Standford, including his grandfather and many new friends. He may always want to be a blacksmith, but his mind is opened up to so many more possibilities on the Stanford with his friends. With the exciting possibilities come possibilities that are also dangerous.

Adrian Vanderplotz is the villain from book one. Now, he has established a research station on Earth, but colludes with a military force from another ringstation to take over the settlement. He gets more than he bargained for. It is always nice when the evil villain learns he is not the genius he thinks he is!

Enter Squid woman, Umana. This grotesque approximation of a military Commander seems to be the real villain in the story. But pay attention. Here is where book 1’s story of the gast evolves. What began as a supernatural creature in The Sky Woman, is revealed to have a scientific beginning in Earth’s history. And it is not done yet. Evolutionists may like Umana, but most of us will be uncomfortable with the scientific ‘progress’ that created her.

Individual story lines did seem a bit disjointed. Plus there were adventures with giant dogs and odd population groups on earth that seemed to have little to do with the story (like the giants in book 1). However, most of it is connected and patience is rewarded.

The Guardian. The title of this book. I really haven’t figured that out. In fact the word guardian is used only once in the story in reference to Tem’s grandfather as his guardian. Hmmm. The characters Katya and Tem come to mind as possible guardians, but I’m not sure what the author was referring to. Read the book.  Let me know what you think.

Overall, The Guardian is a pretty good tale, complex, multi-faceted and full of danger and excitement.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Links

Add The Guardian to your Goodreads shelf:

Pre-order The Guardian (Releases September 26):

 

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