Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Brady Garrett needs to go home. He’s a conscripted recruit on Defender Three, one of a network of stations designed to protect the Earth from alien attack. He's also angry, homesick, and afraid. If he doesn’t get home he’ll lose his family, but there’s no way back except in a body bag.

Cameron Rushton needs a heartbeat. Four years ago Cam was taken by the Faceless — the alien race that almost destroyed Earth. Now he’s back, and when the doctors make a mess of getting him out of stasis, Brady becomes his temporary human pacemaker. Except they’re sharing more than a heartbeat: they’re sharing thoughts, memories, and some very vivid dreams.

Not that Brady’s got time to worry about his growing attraction to another guy, especially the one guy in the universe who can read his mind. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just biochemistry and electrical impulses. It doesn’t change the truth: Brady’s alone in the universe.

Now the Faceless are coming and there’s nothing anyone can do. You can’t stop your nightmares. Cam says everyone will live, but Cam’s probably a traitor and a liar like the military thinks. But that’s okay. Guys like Brady don’t expect happy endings.

 

 

First edition published by Loose Id, December 2012.

 

Book Review

"I sat there on the flooded floor of the isolation room, with my arms wrapped around a slimy war hero wearing nothing but a blanket, wondering if I was a dead man or not."

'Dark Space' is my first experience with a science-fiction book by Lisa Henry. It's a genre that is near and dear to my heart, as I started reading it at a very young age. So, to combine that love with an author I've come to admire, respect, and adore, almost had me needing a paper bag a few times while reading. Seriously. I got so excited, I practically hyperventilated. Luckily for y'all, I managed to keep my cool so I could write my review.

This is not an easy review to write, no matter how much I loved the book. There is a lot of information, although the author makes it appear seamless, and a huge potential for spoilers, which I'm reluctant to divulge. So, I'm going to start with the two main characters. Brady Garrett is three years into his ten year military term, which began at sixteen when he was conscripted, and stationed on Defender Three. Can you imagine being a scared, sixteen-year-old kid, suddenly stationed out in space, where you can't see the sun, all you can see is black, and you feel as if there's practically nothing between you, and getting sucked out into the void. Cameron Rushton was twenty-two four years ago, a lieutenant, and a pilot for the military, when his transport was attacked by the Faceless, all members killed, and Cam taken hostage. Suddenly, Cam has been returned, in a strange Faceless technology pod, and no one knows what to do.

"Was it weird that I was starting to enjoy the little spikes of lust that thrilled through him when we touched? That thrilled through us? I liked the way he looked at me. I liked the way his touch made my heart beat a little faster. I liked the way he needed me. I liked the way I was important to him."

In the military officers’ infinite wisdom (cough, cough), they decide to cut into the pod to release Cam. They almost end up killing him. It is Brady who deduces that touching Cam synchronizes their electrical impulses, and, essentially, makes Brady a battery to run Cam's heart. So, Brady's new job is staying close to Cam, keeping him alive. Unfortunately, they're sharing thoughts, emotions, feelings, and dreams, or in Cam's case, nightmares about his time with the Faceless. When one man's body reacts to a thought or an emotion, the other's does too, eliminating all secrets. Now, these two men may have been born and raised in the same area, but Brady is the dirt poor side, while Cameron had a wealthier upbringing with more advantages. So basically, not a lot in common. It's incredible, then, to watch what they each bring to the other.

"You’re all this place has ever given me, LT. You mean more to me than you should, so why can’t I believe you when you tell me I’m not going to die? What are you keeping from me?"

It's cemented, now. Lisa Henry is one of my go-to authors for all things fantastic. This was such an exciting book in many ways, but, at least for me, due to the character study between these two men. The majority of the book involves their thoughts, feelings, growing relationship, as they, essentially, share one mind. Cam's knowledge of the Faceless, and his shame at how he acquired it, along with Cam's utter certainty that they want peace, but only if the humans cooperate and sign a treaty, is a constant lurking awareness for the both of them.

An incredible book! Thank you, Lisa, for this remarkable story, with the wowzer of an ending.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 230 pages/73000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	14-May-2018
Price	$4.85 ebook, $12.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Space-Lisa-Henry-ebook/dp/B07D3CQPN7