F.P. Adriani

I picked up Island Seed because of the setting and premise of scientists isolated on a desert island attempting to rebuild the ecology there. That and the fact that it was written from the point of view of a leading female character got me hooked. I know I am a sucker for books with leading female characters, but what can I say?Sara is the island director and responsible for everything and everyone, even though the military personnel on the base would like to think that didn’t apply to them. But Sara’s main problem, apart from her very strong physical attraction to Kenny, one of the scientists on the island, is that strange things are happening. And those strange things are very strange indeed. Objects seem to move of their own volition, the weather seems all wrong and even Sara and the other people on the island begin to feel sort of different. This also adds some doubt to both Sara and Kenny’s feelings towards one another as their love affair develops, but although Kenny is not really sure if their feelings are genuine or not, Sara has no doubt. But none of this can be resolved until the unknown cause of all this strangeness is revealed.This story has an X-Files/Twilight Zone mystery feel to it that is very engaging. It is also laced with sexy scenes as the relationship between Sara and Kenny unfolds. And with an array of assorted characters to populate the island this results in an interesting and thought provoking read.Nice one.… (mais)

I finally got around to reading this book and I am very glad that I did. And I have to say right at the outset that I enjoyed all the short stories that it contains. These stories are speculative fiction in that they are a mixture of fantasy and science-fiction with generous helpings of the unusual. And I mean unusual. There is time travel here, some comedy, even an end of the world story. But I won't tell you which is which, I will let you discover that.Sex often features in many of these stories, some of it graphic. There is also some violence and suspense. But there is nothing here too extreme. All the stories are good and thought provoking. And when I say good, I mean very good. All the characters in these stories are also well described and have depth, despite the short length. There is nothing two dimensional here. In fact I would have been very interested to see many of these characters feature in their own full length novels. And I already know which ones I would buy if they were available.So which story sits above the rest? Well, as I said, I liked and enjoyed them all. But if I have to identify my particular favourites among the stories then these would be The Order of Things, Every Thing He Touches, Seashard, The Light in That Night and Trapped. And my Bestest favourite of all? Well, that has to be the one with the little winged aliens, but that is just me...I can recommend this book to everyone as an introduction to a very thought provoking author who should be writing a lot more. Buy it, download it, borrow it, read it.… (mais)

I have read a number of books by this author now, mainly because, like many readers, once I find a book I like I tend to read more of the books by that author in the belief that I will also enjoy them. So far this author hasn’t disappointed me in that belief.“A Nickel For Your Cosmic Thoughts” is at first glance a standard science-fiction story about a spaceship called The Harbinger and the interactions between her captain and crew as they face adversity. Due to its shape, the ship is often referred to as The Pineapple by those on board, and the relationships between the characters do feature in a realistic manner. But that is where the standard fare ends.Following damage sustained in a local nebula the ship is forced to land on a planet called Cerus. Cerus is an isolated and colonised planet that is not often visited, which is strange as its population also has a reputation for being very laid back and friendly. However, Denise, the Captain of The Harbinger, soon begins to realise that all is not what it seems on Cerus. The people are friendly enough, but they all seem slightly off in some way. It begins merely as an uncomfortable feeling that is attributed to the storms on the planet and the chemical effects of the atmosphere, all due to the close proximity of the nebula. But as Captain Denise and some of her crew venture forth to find help and supplies for their repairs, that feeling grows and grows. I have said before in a review for another book by this author that the story has a Twilight Zone feel to it. It’s the same here; the only thing that is missing is the voice-over introduction at the beginning. But the science-fiction setting would make it equally suitable as an episode of The Outer Limits. Unusual things happen, not all of which are explained. And so the author asks more questions than she answers. But that —along with well defined, conflicting and somewhat flawed characters, all attributes that make them eminently realistic— is what makes good speculative science-fiction.Recommended as usual. Buy it, I did.… (mais)