STARS EDGE SERIES (4 BOOKS)
WRITTEN BY V. S. HOLMES
(SCIENCE-FICTION/THRILLER/ADVENTURE)
OVERALL SERIES BLURB: Dr. Bentley discovers her pristine archaeological site is the center of an Intergalactic feud. Tossed into a world of high tech and higher stakes she only has her trowel, her attitude, and her badass and alien girlfriend Lin.
REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO PICK THESE BOOKS UP: This is definitely a binge worthy series because it takes you on a natural progression through the characters' and story arc journeys (not just Nel's, more on that in a bit) and you are never lost or put in a place where you are left wondering about this or that story plot point. V. S. Holmes may be one the best authors I have ever read at covering all bases without a single info dump, a pension for tom foolery, or a stone unturned that never gets turned back over. Moreover Holmes is so incredibly clever at this intricate yet seemingly simple magic trick in how she chooses to give you the information you need and seek.
Another reason is these books are incredibly quick reads and so cinematic in their approach that the scenes, the dialogue, the action all come at this incredibly natural pace. I devoured all 4 books and so far all of them, maybe except for the beginning of Book 2 (but truly thats me because a little more patience is required in this one and I am not patient at all, so that's more on me than the author), you just breeze right through. Most skilled readers this would take a weekend and most novice readers about a week or two. As I consider myself a below novice reader (though I am getting better) it took me 2 weeks.
Another anomaly for this series that I experienced personally was my introduction to this series was not with Book 1. I actually read Book 3 first. Now looking back I admit I was a little more lost than I thought I was but in all honesty it did not prevent my enjoyment of that book. In fact it was my #2 favorite Indie Book of 2019. So I do still think you can pick up any of these books (with maybe the exception of 2, just because there are so many crumbs that get picked up from Book 1 but still I think it can be read alone you just might be a little more lost than the others) and read them from whatever book you wish. They are 4 different adventures and see the comparisons below.
So that being said let's break down each book and adventure for you too.
TRAVELERS - BOOK 1
BLURB: Archaeologist Nel Bently must keep her crew, her friends, and her life's work safe, but with a benefactor playing chess with their lives, and angry militants who may actually have a point, Nel is ready to fight dirty.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: First and foremost I don't think I have ever read an intro where it just is so cinematic that I had to shake my head loose to realize I wasn't reading a screenplay but a novel. This book starts right where it needs to start, no frivolousness, no long drawn out intros, no bullshit that means little to nothing to the story you are about to experience. That's the next thing about this book and series, V. S. Holmes wastes none of your time and yet this book is marvelous at establishing all the characters, the motivations (that aren't immediate plot twists) or maybe more aptly suspected motivations or possible motives, and all the scenic value that comes with that as well. I really do marvel at V. S. Holmes' skill to weave through all this in such a natural sense and yet treat us all like we are smart enough to know what is going on without spelling it out. Usually you get one or other in these types of books or you get frivolous action that makes you cringe or go, 'yeah right, sure'. Given what is to come, and the fact that it will have to sell you hard in the 3rd act, I really feel that if you are really into this book by then you will look back at those first 5 or so chapters and really appreciate the craft and what they did for you to get you to buy in.
In Travelers you get the full cinematic treatment and it is so subtle at times and so stark at others. This book, maybe more than the others really gives you so much to absorb ,that you are locked into not just the story, but the characters and the scene. When you get into the next books you see how much this book really gives you that you may not need but appreciate. The cool thing is you don't need the look back to know that as you absorb the words as they come in the next books.
WHY CHAMPION THIS BOOK: This book is establishing some awesome female bad-assery and yet it is so human and so true to the nature of people that you can't help but come to gravitate to a character or 2 and especially Nel. Nel Bentley is as complex, fun, and smart as they come and yet the times you really see her flex those muscles often its when she is making a mistake or being so stubborn. All of this is so well interwoven with true human emotions and human moments that it would be hard pressed not to have her stick with you for the duration of this book, let alone the series. Plus when she exhibits her no filter philosophies, actions, and words its smile, fist pump worthy stuff that you hope accompanies action adventure stories. She is Elanor Ripley, Indiana Jones, Corky (Gina Gershon's character) in Bound, with a little T2 Sarah Conner mixed in for good measure. Also this book doesn't shy away from representations of sexuality and disability in it either. In fact it so well portrayed it almost seems like without it this would not be as genuine and real a story as you could get. If this book doesn't lead you to pick up Drifters, I would be shocked.
YOU SHOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Contact, The Tombs by Clive Cussler, and The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE
DRIFTERS - BOOK 2
BLURB: Accused of a murder she's not certain is her fault, archaeologist Nel Bently has no choice but to go on the run. Between starvation, untraceable texts, and a harrowing journey through the wilderness, Nel is forced to question everything about the science she loves and the people she trusted--including her elusive, alien benefactor/girlfriend.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: This book call backs on Book 1 and while it may require patience to get the answers you need, especially from what was left over in Travelers, it doesn't disappoint. There is not a stone I can think of from this book or the previous one that doesn't get tied up. Now that tie might have a few knots in it and maybe not look as pretty as some others that use this device but that plays into not just Nel but into V. S. Holmes style and skill perfectly. This often frantic, just when you think you got it then you don't plot device, and the colorfulness Nel provides could not have worked any other way.
In DRIFTERS you get a lot more insight into Nel, even with where she is and what she is experiencing throughout this book. You get to see even more humanity, flaws, and motivations. This book is spent with a good portion of it being really along side her and her alone. In lesser hands I would almost cringe at the thought of that and to be completely fair and candid this book does have its moments where I am not always engaged or feeling a little pushy as the reader. However this 3rd act pays off in spades. It may be the best of the 3rd acts of any of the books. I love the callbacks to Travelers and seeing progression with some of the characters and honestly getting some more depth into those characters too. As with Travelers you get some key introductions and those really are where you feel like V. S. Holmes' writing prowess shines. She is very good at not just establishing presence but she is great at interweaving that presence in at the right moment.
WHY CHAMPION THIS BOOK: That introducing and interweaving characters is a great reason to really enjoy all 4 books but this one especially because you really are in one spot in Travelers (the irony of the title), here though because of the nature of the storyline you do get a grander scope and larger real estate established that you can't help but really welcome some new blood into the fold and those characters really are so well placed, defined, and really show you sides to the established characters you come to love too. That's the mark of a series that you really can sink your teeth into and start to become a fan of strongly. If you want to devour this series this book is essential for becoming a Nel Bentley fan. Sure the other books will do that too but you get so much more from this particular book than any of the others that if you weren't before this might be the one that sways you or sells you on her.
YOU SHOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: The Fugitive by J. M. Dillard and Into the Wild by John Kraukauer
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE
STRANGERS - BOOK 3
BLURB: Archaeologist Nel Bently dreamed of finding a ground-breaking site--she just never thought it would be on another planet. When she arrives on Samsara however, Lin confesses that the trip took longer than Nel thought. Two years longer. She throws her anger and homesickness into her work, wondering if she just made the biggest mistake of her life. Then a lead officer on her team takes a walk without his atmosuit. Once again, confusion and grief rock Nel's dig. But this time, she's determined to fix it--even if it means mutiny. Lightyears separate her from home and as Samsara's body count rises, the more it looks like Earth is next.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: This narrative adventure doesn't hesitate, right from page 1 you are thrust in the middle of an interesting puzzle that just keeps unfolding page after page. The dialogue, banter, and cinematic reveals all carry over from "Travelers" but there is something just turned up a notch, a bit more internal strife and introspection that really lends itself to enhancing an already fascinating story. Strangers has a lot of great "wow" moments not just in the plot but in the writing itself. You get a lot of deeper insights into Nel, much more internally than the first 2 books give you. Also the introductions of new pieces and players is done with a high level attention to detail that is subtle and purposely vague. This is nuanced with perfection so that it makes you feel like you, as much as Nel is, are entrenched in an interstellar, intergalactic espionage or conspiracy. All while continuing to grow, foster, and intertwine relationships for Nel that really show even more depth to her character and make you trust her as your guide through all of this.
WHY CHAMPION THIS BOOK: If you liked the first 2 books I don't think you can let this one pass you by. You can see how V. S. Holmes really has a handle not only on Nel but the layers of the onion that peel in this adventure really lay a groundwork you will be incredibly thankful for. The clever way V. S. Holmes sucks you in and makes you press into the next book makes this series a bag of chips, you can't have just one. So if you have been wanting to go on a ride, especially a ride into space this book should really do the trick. Not many series that go this route have the level of detail and care, not just for the human condition but for space travel and science. Yes, this is fiction and maybe no where near Hard Science Fiction but it reads like you want Hard Science Fiction to read, at least that's how I feel and I think if more Hard Science Fiction took this approach it wouldn't have lost me in school.
YOU SHOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: 2001, Stargate, Science Fiction
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE
HERETICS - BOOK 4
BLURB: Hot-tempered Dr. Nel Bently is not cut out to save the world. After her last project ended in fire and death, Nel must put aside distrust of just about everyone and embark on a lo-fi search for a deadly radio transmission. Except Earth’s survivors are torn between the austere superpower of IDH and the high-tech, grassroots Los Pobledores. More allies go missing at every turn, and Nel questions where her true loyalties lie--and on which side Lin will fall when a line is finally drawn. They need experts. They need firepower. But it looks like the only thing standing between Earth and devastation is Nel: archaeologist, asshole, and functioning alcoholic with anger issues.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: You know when you have a puzzle and you have put it altogether and there are a couple pieces left that don't fit and a couple pieces missing and then you look under the table, find the missing pieces, and realize you forced a couple pieces in the wrong spots and now it all comes together? You just read Heretics. Just when you think V. S. Holmes could not write any better, you realize how wrong that is. This book is as succinct, action packed, and as intriguing as its predecessors but where Heretics steps up is it adds in this existentialism that tackles a lot of morality, trust, and mortality issues with the story as it unfolds not just in this book but over the course of the first 3 that you have already absorbed. The Callbacks are brilliant, perfectly placed, and such great flavoring for what otherwise would be a perfectly awesome adventure story. This only works because of how Holmes' chose to write the first 3 books. The writing gives you this sense that this is the only logical way this story could go and yet it is riveting, cast with doubts and ideals that really test everything except your attention span. That's what is so amazing about it. You can't put it down for a moment just to think about what you just read. You got keep turning those pages no matter how much you want to explore how you feel or think about what is to come and what has just happened. Heretics is the best rollercoaster ride of the series and it is because you may know the design, feel comfortable with the car that is driving you around the coaster, and may even understand why you are twisting here or turning here but it never loses it thrills because of that. In fact its enhanced because of it. That is superior writing.
WHY CHAMPION THIS BOOK: If you get into this series, you will appreciate how much this book pays you off. If you are someone who wants to be challenged and entertained in the same breath this series really does do that throughout and as I said in different ways but this is the roller coaster ride. So if you like roller coasters in your reading, this is a good one.
YOU SHOULD LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: The Hurt Locker, Aliens, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom especially, and roller coaster rides in books
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE
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