Book Review- Machiavellian

On their way back to Earth from the newly discovered world of Kainus Ge, the Surveyor rescues the personnel of a malfunctioning science station. Young medical assistant Andi quickly befriends the newcomers, particularly the charming captain, but things get complicated when the scientists offer the impossible--a way to improve the barren planet and the lives of all its inhabitants. There's only one problem: their solution requires the Surveyor to enter the one area of the galaxy which is off-limits to travel. As the Captain struggles with his decisions, Andi and her father become suspicious of the “accidents” that keep happening on the ship. Could it be coincidence, or is someone trying to sabotage their mission? Can they uncover the truth in time to stop the Captain from wrecking his career and losing his ship forever?





Does the end justify the means? That's really the big moral dilemma presented in Machiavellian. You would think that it might be something of a cliche, but Pennington does a fabulous job handling the question.

There are a lot of raw emotions in the characters carried over from In His Image, particularly by Andi. This gave the book a great feeling of continuity and really made the series feel well put together.

Again, Andi is very real to life as she struggles with a situation where truth and her emotions are colliding.

I will say this, I am about ready for another book, and even more than that, I NEED A ROMANCE! I am about ready to start a petition to get fella for Andi.

Check out Machiavellian on Amazon and read my reviews for Radialloy and In His Image.

Book Review- In His Image

It was supposed to be a routine check of a parched planet. That was what Andi expected when she joined the small exploration team, but when their shuttle crash landed, the unthinkable happened — they encountered intelligent life. Now stranded on the strange world, the team accidentally angers the iron-fisted leader of the village, and the compassionate intervention of a young native named Elasson may be all that's keeping them alive. Their shuttle seems beyond repair, the oppressive heat is sapping their strength, and the local ruler is determined to execute them. Can Andi help find a way to escape before it's too late?









This book is probably my least favorite of the Firmament series, with Radialloy being my top favorite. That fact has nothing to do with poor writing, I just hate sandy deserts. Trust me, this is book you want to read in air conditioning.

I love how normal and real to life the character of Andi is. She is very intelligent and resourceful, and yet, she has a very humble attitude about herself. She loves her people deeply, and earnestly desires to know the truth.

However, desiring to know the truth and actually figuring out what truth is are two very different things. One of the very best features of this series is Pennington's skill at weaving very difficult questions about morally gray areas. Or, in the case of this book, what to do when what you believe and know to be true seem to be contradicted by what you see or experience. These books force you to think.

I loved the character of Elasson in this book. He is sweet, intelligent, and has a very caring heart. I loved the way Pennington wrote how he and Andi bridged the communication gap of two different languages. I personally love languages and have spent a great deal of time trying to imagine how I would communicate with someone when there is a language barrier. Even as I was reading this book I was coming up with ideas of how Andi could express herself to Elasson.

One thing that did bug me about this book was I could not tell for sure if two characters had fallen for each other or not. I feel like it was maybe hinted at, but perhaps I am just suffering from heat stroke. Applause to Pennington once more for upsetting my ego, and I thought I was so great at smelling out a romance!

All in all, In His Image is a fantastic book and very vital to the ongoing Firmament series. Check it out on Amazon! And check out my review for the first book in the series, Radialloy. 

Book Review- Radialloy

The year is 2320. Andi Lloyd is content with her life as the assistant to her adoptive father, a starship doctor, but her secure world turns upside down when she begins uncovering secrets from her past. When her father mysteriously starts losing his mind, she finds that she can no longer count on him to guide or help her. With mutiny breaking out on the ship, and two factions desperate for a valuable secret she holds, she must race to help her father and herself before time runs out.











In preparation for the release of J. Grace Pennington's book Implant, I decided to review her Firmament series.

This was truly the first real science fiction book I had ever read. I chose well. Radialloy literally kept me at the edge of my seat and constantly guessing. Towards the end of the book, I wasn't sure if it the story was going to end well or not. I figured Andi would probably make it out since she has the special privilege of nine lives that comes with being the main character. But I had absolutely no faith that anyone else would make it.

If you are wondering if this book has a Star Trek feel, then yes, you would be correct. But this is a much more earth based type of Star Trek. No emotionless Vulcans or aggressive Klingons to take the spotlight, nor are they needed, the plot of this story and agony of the characters is about all that you can handle. But do sit back and enjoy the fine luxury of living on a Starship. The setting of this book was beautifully used to accent and highlight the intensity of the story.

Something I greatly appreciate about this series and Pennington's writing is that she weaves very true-to-life spiritual problems into her characters' lives, without making it feel pushy or domineering. Andi is a real person with very real struggles and emotions. She is a very relate-able character in that way.

But my favorite part? The fact that Pennington was able to keep me guessing, right up until the last moment! That doesn't happen often, I have become a pretty adept mystery solver and am very quick about getting all of my ducks in a row, or, so I thought.

No, Pennington upset my self-satisfied little idea that I knew what I was doing when it came to solving mysteries and accusing the "bad guys". She left my ego shattered on the floor and forced me to clip up and hang on for dear life like all of the other mortal readers out there.

And the ending? Gah! The closest thing I have to compare it to would be the endings of the Cooper Kids books written by Frank Peretti. In that series, after having a series of events that leaves you breathless and nauseous, it always comes down to a single moment that must be perfectly timed or else all is lost. The ending of Radialloy is very similar in that it all comes down to a single moment of timing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, heart-pounding story and the science fiction genre. Five stars all the way!

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You can check Radialloy out here on Amazon. Also, be sure to check out the awesome Facebook party I am hosting on August 19th, 10:30-11:00 in celebration of Pennington's latest book, Implant.

And one, final thing. Guess who's writing a guest post that will be featured here on alivemasterpiece August 16th? That's right! Pennington herself! Please come check and it out and support this talented author.