I enjoy interviews (hint to any readers in that business) and had fun working with Xanadu Book Awards & Press. Their approach concentrates on a writer’s motivation and personal resources. To my experience, writers can be very different. Especially creative writers who think outside the formula.
I am often asked how a technical analyst (42 years in intelligence) came to write speculative fiction, and sci-fi in particular. I touch on this in the blog description: “More truth is said in fiction.” And watching a Jack Reacher movie a few months ago, I heard a similar comment from a defector: “Fiction has to make sense, intelligence does not.”
Many authors have chosen to couch serious societal comments in fantasy and fiction worlds. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein expressed concern that scientists caught up in research would fail to consider its consequences. Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle expressed similar concern, and Player Piano projected an automated world that crowded out human labor. In Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift casts his societal satire in fantasy/SF worlds of miniature humans, giants, intelligent horses, and detached intellectuals floating about in a city in the sky. Consider Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm, both of which had trouble finding publishers because, as he was told, Joseph Stalin might be offended.
These and similar stories might be read for light escapism. The authors understood that in their time many were not ready to grasp their stories’ deeper implications. I suggest that their choice of fantasy and SF settings has much to do with these stories still being read today.
A Five Star Review of The Starflower, 13 September, 2024.
This was a vibrant story about the universe in the distant future…I believe a year that was mentioned was 3569 but that was at least a few years before this story takes place. A young military woman, The Starflower, became a hero to humans and many other alien species alike after numerous successful battles against the Aldrakin species that was waging war on many planets unable to fend for themselves. After a surprise attack that she strategically won subsequently ending the war, she is faced with jealousy from the Star Command back home. She may have ended the war, but the true enemy was still at large and had it’s targets set on her and her lover.
I was a little confused at the start of the book because it drops you straight into an immersive new world. I was able to easily find my way out of that confusion within the first few chapters and really got drawn into the story. The author was really able to make you imagine how these new worlds and alien species look and act. I found it absolutely fascinating. This is the best sci-fi book I’ve read in a while. Also as an editor I found very few errors so it was a nice clean read I could enjoy.
The war has ended, but not the way Star Commanded wanted. They are not happy. An excerpt from The Starflower.
Malik flipped through the headlines without speaking. Her office was perfect for interrogation: austere, snow-white, windowless walls, angular, black-upholstered furniture. Glare from the overhead burned Abramyan’s eyes. Despite his formal uniform and sweat-beaded face, he felt naked and cold. He knew what Malik would ask, and he had no answer.
“How did you let this happen?” she shouted, throwing up her arms. “You told me Zimmon would never be put in any combat zone. Sidelined, you said.”
Her gnarled, brown-mottled finger poked from her black sleeve at the projection. WAR ENDS – STARFLOWER VICTORIOUS! She flicked to the next headline: STARFLOWER ENDS WAR! Then the next: STARFLOWER BLOOMS! “Who authorized Zimmon to end the war?” Malik’s robe flared like an angry cobra hood.
“And this, AAAArrr.” She raked skeletal palms down her face then pulled up the next projection. The classified transmission indicated that, without authorization, military units had gone on alert and prepared to head to Bai-Yota in support of Five Squadron. “Our battle fleet supported her,” Malik screamed. “We were very, very lucky this didn’t go further.”
Abramyan had read the traffic. Each condemnation came like a twisting spear thrust. Jen Djada, the only other Councilor in the room, sat quietly by the door.
Malik spoke to Abramyan’s stone silence. “What’s next you ask?”
Abramyan couldn’t help blurting, “Lord Malik, Bai-Yota was a surprise. I didn’t, Zimmon didn’t, HELL, the Aldrakin didn’t know. They thought they’d catch us—”
“Excuses? Now you make excuses?” Malik gripped the edge of her desk with shaking, predator talons. “I’ll tell you what’s next. We get rid of her. That’s all, just get rid of her. We do it clean, we do it quiet, but we get rid of her. Soon as she reaches Corydon, you know those Under-lovers will be all over her…and Creatives, a lot of Creatives see her as some sort of righteous underdog.”
Abramyan trembled like a child caught in a snowstorm. Behind him, Djada’s jaws flexed.
Malik blew a long breath. “We can’t afford an uprising. Not now, not this close. Some of us are already in transition.” She examined her cadaverous hand then pointed toward Djada. “You still have contacts with the Rii-Chaut? They hate us but love our money.”
“I’ll tell the Yazza Hetman we have more business for him.” Djada’s self-assured demeanor unnerved Abramyan. “Ojai Khan staged the incidents that started the war. He can be discreet. When do you want it to happen?”
“Ojai Khan, yes, that went well.” Malik clapped her hands silently then pointed. “And when you see Khan, tell him I’m angry about the Silkani raid. That base was off limits. We say where to and where not to attack.” Djada gave a leaning bow from her chair.“As to the when question. Don’t have Khan kill Zimmon too soon. That would raise suspicion. We don’t want to make this little Starflower girl into a martyr.” She tapped a finger on the desk. “Let’s be positive. Unders love the Starflower. We love the Starflower, too.
Not all the reviews have been five-star, which is understandable in an epic story that lays out an entirely new universe. And some readers prefer cozy, warm stories. Zim preferred that sort of life, too. She didn’t get it.
Thrilling SciFi Fantasy with incredible worlds to discover Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
The overarching themes of this book are somewhat reminiscent of Gattaca (in its take on Eugenics and how it might affect human hierarchy) and also of Dune (in its prophetic ideas of a single person to unite and fight for the less fortunate). Nevertheless, this story takes a unique approach to both of these themes. The main character “Zim” (callsign “StarFlower”) is both endearing and realistic. She is thrust into a prophecy when she least expects it, and all that ensues is both exciting and terrifying. The characters are very enjoyable in their depth, and I enjoyed the vast universe that the author creates. I like the combination of good story telling with so much to unpack that it will surely be a great series!
On advice from AME (Author Marketing Experts), I’ve upgraded and am revising my blog Strange Things Done to reflect longer works, beginning with The Starflower published last year. In addition to strange and speculative short fiction and non-fiction—the original purpose for STD—it will include reviews, excerpts, and discussions of my longer work and speculative discussions in general. The site may now also be reached at https://thestarflower.com.
Vanessa Bettencourt recently reviewed The Starflower for THE VIOLET WEST Fantasy Novels & Graphic Novels.
Strange Things Done 