Tag: sci-fi

Noteworthy Sapphic Sci-Fi

Sci-fi has never been my favorite genre to read but lately I have had the pleasure of reading a few fantastic sapphic sci-fi novels and I am excited to share them with you.

The Black Hole Saga by JA Gaudio

1. The Black Hole Saga by JA Gaudio is a trilogy with an additional prequel novella. The blurb for The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter, the first in the series, gives a thorough overview of the plot and piqued my attention. However, it could not have prepared me for the gamut of emotions I felt when completely enveloped in this world. I have said that I am not much for sci-fi space stories, but some are just that good. Despite this novel being around 400 pages, it was clean, tight, and engaging from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down. Read my full review here: The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter. Be sure to check out The Lost Captain and Captain Commander as well.

Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth

2. Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth by Gwenhyver is a standalone that exists within the same world as the author’s previous series Jasyn and the Astronauts. Oh, my goodness, where do I even start?! Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is an epic sci-fi adventure and sapphic romance featuring sword-wielding lesbians, an evil princess, a death maze in space, an overzealous “hero,” a driven monster hunter, and an extraordinarily complex “beast.” Dysfunctional childhoods, mental and physical traumas, nasty villains, and language barriers challenge our protagonists as they struggle to communicate and make sense of the situation they’ve found themselves in. The blurb effectively describes the plot while leaving us to discover the exciting twists and turns as we navigate the labyrinth. Read my full review here: Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth.

The Sword of the Queen by Jasmin Joachims

3. The Sword of the Queen by Jasmin Joachims includes two novels and a prequel novella. Despite Duty is a well-written science fiction series starter with a lesbian lead. Our captain, Elia Salazar, is operating as a pirate but is on a secret mission from her queen to locate a terrorist. Her unwitting crew has her back despite learning that some things are not as they seem. I am not science-minded, but Joachims does a great job creating an engaging story with solid world-building, what seems like sound science and tech, an exciting, action-packed, suspenseful plot, and diverse characters, and I was easily immersed. Read my full review here: Despite Duty and be sure to catch the second book Despite Doubt as well.

The Biokin Chronicles by Spencer Rose

4. The Biokin Chronicles by Spencer Rose is a four-novella series with a couple of additional novellas set in the same world. Each of the four books do not stand alone and must be read in order. Naive Biokin Addison has turned sixteen and embarked on her customary pilgrimage off world. Biokins can connect with and understand plants, and they grow up in the forest honing their skill. Addison ends up with space-wise Mila for a pilot to transport her to her first job. The two come in contact with the shady agribusiness called Evo. The protagonists grow over the series and their relationship matures. Read my full review here: Sapling’s Orbit and don’t miss the follow up books Sapling’s Aurora, Sapling’s Depths, and Sapling’s Rising.

Wastelands by Samira Lloyd

5. Wastelands by Samira Lloyd is the first book in the Parched Earth Trilogy. At this time the other books have not been published. I wasn’t planning to include specifically dystopian novels in this list, but this one includes a lot of futuristic technology giving me a stronger sci-fi feeling about it. This dystopian series is set on Earth after its decimation by human activity. There is no more green, or so they are told. Humans are relegated to living in domes to survive. Of course, there is still a hierarchy of haves and have-nots and a strict set of laws to keep the masses in check. Folks who are “askew,” read “queer,” are sent for delineation, and “aberrations,” or powered humans, are exterminated, and anyone who breaks the rules will be banished. I love the depth of the characters, the relationships, the social system, and the spark of hope found along the way. It does include a slow-burn sapphic subplot that feels very organic. Read my full review here: Wastelands.

These are wonderful sapphic stories written by queer indie authors. I hope you will give them a try and spread the word. Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoy them. It’s really the least we can do to support their hard work in bringing us quality entertainment and visibility. Representation matters. Read on!

Awakening

Waves lap beneath. Meteors rain. An unassuming girl in an unassuming house extends an inhuman mind across galaxies to a long forgotten home.

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– Written for Kat Myrman’s Twittering Tales #18. Photo prompt. CC 140. Photo from Pixabay.com.

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Gemini Symbiosis

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Inseparable since birth. Telepathically shared thoughts and interchangeable feelings; we are only our obligation to our new home. Survive, repopulate, and solidify the allegiance with Earth.

– Written for Grammar Ghoul Press Shapeshifting 13 #70. Prompt was photo. WC 13. Photo from Cloudmind.info. Read part one, Gemini Redemption, here.

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Finish the Story Challenge: The Golden City

The challenge will end next Thursday night, September 1, at midnight.

4Tbod4oLcThis micro fiction was written in response to a challenge by Jane Dougherty using the painting below and the prompt “Far far away.”

I had several inquiries about furthering the story, so I thought I would open it up as a writing challenge for other writers.

Read the following story and write your own ending. Post it on your blog, create a pingback, and add your link to the collection below by clicking on the blue frog button.

Be sure to read the other entries as well. We all enjoy feedback.

I am not going to give a specific word count but just try not to write an entire novel 🙂 The challenge will end next Thursday night, September 1, at midnight.

This is my first time hosting a challenge, so if I forgot anything please let me know!

I am excited to see where this will go. Have fun!

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Far, far away Soria Moria Palace shimmered like Gold by Theodor Kittelsen

The Golden City shone in the distance like the sun lighting my way. The clouds attempted to close in on it but to no avail. Even in the night, it glowed and it was like day.

The radiant structures guided me like a northern star. I kept my eyes fixed on the marvel resting on the horizon. I felt its power within me. Sometimes I thought that perhaps it was a dream.

The legend foretold of a city of gold where miracles were common, and heavenly beings resided. There was also a prophecy of a chosen child who would rise up to lead them all.

My birth came two years after the ship landed and my ancestors built The Golden City to make their home on this planet.

I was born in the city, the first conceived of human and celestial beings. My existence began as a sign.

The ruling elite became corrupt with power over humans and began a campaign to eliminate what they saw as a threat. A caring elderly couple took me from the city to protect my life. They raised me as their own in a farming village.

My time has come. The Golden City calls.

– Original micro fiction challenge written for Jane Dougherty Writes, Microfiction Challenge #10: Far far away. Painting prompt by Theodor Kittelsen. WC 200.

Horror-ticultural Experience

“It seems that when you took it upon yourself to create new life, you were the god, but once you are gone, I will be.”

“Congratulations! You have a healthy bouncing baby botanical wonder. The hybridization of the species was a success, doctor. I am quite exquisite. Highly developed for my age, indeed!” He announced arrogantly.
“What’s that? You are having difficulty speaking with that gag in your mouth?” He patronized Dr. Bramble.
“Well, you see doctor, you didn’t know enough about the alien specimen you included in the trial. Do you really think that you found it by accident?”
He was sturdy on his thick stalk legs, circling the bound doctor.
“I can tell by your eyes that you are very proud of your accomplishment. You made me, and who wouldn’t be thrilled?” He said poking at the doctor with his tendril finger and waving his vine arms around for emphasis.
“Now, now, settle down, Herb. Do you mind if I call you by your first name? Oh, good.”
“I am far superior to your race or any other species. I have great plans for my new world, Herb.”
“You should consider it an honor to be the first sacrifice for your creation. I am hungry, Doc. Oh, have you noticed these?” He asked and unfolded a pair of transparent, veiny bat-like wings. He stretched them out as far as they would reach and gave them a couple of flaps. “I do think I will enjoy flying.”
“I will take the gag out of your mouth now, Herb. Please, feel free to share your last words.”
The terrified doctor trembled and leaned back into the chair trying, in vain, to get as far away as possible from the monstrosity that he had inadvertently conceived.
Sweat and tears mingled and ran down Herb’s face. The gag was removed, though he hesitated to speak.
“If you have nothing to say, Father, I must feed.”
“Wait!” he shouted, stalling, hoping someone would come for him. “What do you eat, anyway?”
“Thanks to the inclusion of Desmodus Rotundus DNA, I have these great wings.” He flapped them again. “And an appetite for blood.”
“Oh, god,” lamented the doctor, losing hope.
“It seems that when you took it upon yourself to create a new life, you were the god, but once you are gone, I will be.”
“Any last questions? I grow impatient.”
“Yes! Why are you so arrogant!?” He asked, disillusioned.
“Why? Because you included human DNA in the experiment, of course.” He replied, deadly serious, then ran a barbed tendril through the doctor’s heart, and began absorbing blood and satisfying his hunger.

– Written for The Daily Post. Daily word prompt was “healthy.” Photo from Pixabay.com.

Gemini Redemption

She knew in advance how it would end.

We wanted to be left alone today, but no one seemed to care. Our birthday was never a celebration. We spent most of our time dreaming of the mother we had never met. We were blessed to be twins, but we were cursed to have sacrificed our human host so that we could help colonize a once wasted planet. We wished we could not think of her.

They told us that the remaining humans were willing to conceive with our species because their own males became sterile and the planet was quickly becoming uninhabitable for them. Between our species, we would evolve into a stronger more resilient being that could withstand the harsh atmosphere of Earth and other less friendly planets in the Universe.

Created in a lab, we then grew inside of our host. She knew in advance how it would end. We shouldn’t care, but perhaps we have too much human in us.

earth-1151659_1920– Written for YeahWrite.me fiction|poetry #265. Prompt up sentence, “We want to be left alone.” WC 155. Photo from Pixabay.com. “Gemini Redemption” was named 3rd place by popular vote in this contest. Read part two, Gemini Symbiosis, here.

Epicurean

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I arrived at the zoo, incognito, and followed signs to the aviary. The staff escorted me into the enclosure for the Arbor Day event. A conservation group organized it to raise awareness about humanity’s impact on Earth.

The itchy wig was necessary. My favorite diva-shades helped disguise large almond-shaped eyes, and the “Keep the planet clean, it’s not Uranus!” t-shirt was sure to avert suspicion.

A lecture about responsibility to the planet and its animal inhabitants preceded a meditative time to commune with nature, during which I snacked on Parakeets and stuffed a Macaw in my knapsack.

Being a celebrity on my planet afforded me exotic experiences, including cosmic delicacies.

– Written for Microcosms 18 weekly contest. Related to Arbor Day with prompts celebrity/zoo/comedy. WC 110. Photo by Eric Kilby. “Epicurean” won Judges Pick for this contest.

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