In the Bookcase

10/10/2016

Book Review, Excerpt & GIVEAWAY: Reversal Zone // BLOG TOUR


J. Grace Pennington has published four science fiction novels. They each have a unique bent to them, but this one is very different. Each book is a standalone, but as with any series, you get more of the story if you read them all in order. In Reversal Zone, the main character, Andi Lloyd, becomes the only one who can save the ship and crew. Can she do it in time?

About the Book

Nothing is as it should be.

After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the Surveyor is called upon to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space.  Excitement quickly turns to unease when the ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist.  But with the freighter's crew in danger, the Surveyor has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.

As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the ship.  They're flying blind.  Every piece of equipment is malfunctioning.  And every member of the crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.

Now she's expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous command experience and no one to turn to for support.  And with each passing hour, it becomes clear that if they don't escape the cloud soon—they won't escape it at all.


About the Author


J. Grace Pennington has been telling stories since she could talk, and writing them down since age five.  Now she lives in the great state of Texas, where she writes as much as adult life permits.  When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading good books, playing movie soundtracks on the piano, and looking up at the stars.

You can find out more about her writing at www.jgracepennington.com.


Tarissa's Review

5 Star Rating



While reading Reversal Zone, I felt like I went on an amazing adventure through outer space. It's definitely an original story you won't hear anywhere else, and I have to say, it's rather compelling.

I love the interesting plot choice here, about a freighter that goes missing in a white cloud. Even while the clarity of the situation becomes foggier once the Surveyor enters the white cloud on a rescue mission, it becomes clearer that Andi is even more special than the rest of the crew suspected. She may just be the one to save them all, if she has the strength to persevere. Twenty-one-year-old Andi extends herself beyond what she thought she was capable of it. How will this affect her? How it it affect the radialloy in her body, or the underlying disease she has carried since birth? (The plot posed a lot of similar questions for me while I read the book!)

I also like how you really get to know the entire crew all the better in this volume. Or rather, to be cryptic, you get to know what they're not, and thusly, who they truly are. (Yeah, the whole story is a bit enigmatic like that too, and sooo worth reading!)

The action and unique events kept happening, keeping me intrigued about what could possibly happen next. There are definitely some surprise twists in there!

An awesome (and clean) sci-fi adventure. Christian families especially will enjoy it.

Excerpt

I stepped onto the bridge and into a complete change in atmosphere. Everyone worked efficiently, but the only sounds were beeps and blips of the computers and the soft tap of fingers on panels. The tension was so palpable I felt like I should be swimming in it instead of walking.
I opened my mouth to say, “Second medical officer on the bridge, sir,” out of habit, then stopped. Was that what I was supposed to say now? Or was it, “Commander Lloyd on the bridge, sir”? I winced. That didn't sound right at all. “Mission consultant on the bridge, sir,” didn't sound much better. So I settled for the simplest option available. “Andi Lloyd on the bridge, sir.”
The Captain swiveled his chair slowly to face me. He was leaning back again, and his arms lay limp at his sides instead of being propped up sturdily on the chair arms. “Thanks for coming, Andi.”
He had no need to thank an officer for obeying orders, but I said nothing. I moved forward to stand beside him.
He swiveled forward again and spoke. “We've picked up a message.”
“From where?”
“I don't know. Communications haven't been transmitting or receiving, but somehow we picked this up suddenly. It's not an audio message, it's text. It just... popped in, suddenly.”
“Did you look at it yet?”
“I wanted to wait for you.”
For half a second I thrilled at the feeling of importance this gave me, then I banished the thought and reddened slightly in shame. “Is that why we're not moving?”
“Yes. McMillan had us go for a bit so he could study things, but I had everything stop when we got the message.”
I just nodded, and the Captain turned his chair to face Yanendale. “Read it.”
His tone and words were lax, but I let it pass and listened as the com marshal read the message.
“The white darkness closes in, and we cannot see the sun. Oh for a thousand ships to find the way out of that which inhibits us. But the glory of what might be drives us ever inward, on to the unknown, even though we die in the attempt. Would that a passing vessel would heed our cry for help, even as we disappear into the realms not yet discovered.”
Guilders laughed.
“What does that mean?” I asked after a moment of confused silence.
“It doesn't mean anything that I can see,” said August irritably. “It's just nonsense.”
“Do you think it's a code, Captain?” Yanendale asked.
The Captain shook his head and crossed his arms. “Don't think so... but... it could be a clue...” He looked at me.
I shook my head. “It doesn't show us anything.”
He shrugged. “I guess not. I thought it might.”
I realized my mistake and quickly thought through the Captain's reversal. He was normally incredibly stubborn and decisive, so that would make him very pliable to others' opinion and suggestions at the moment. I needed to encourage him to take his own ideas more seriously.
“Oh, I don't know,” I backtracked. “What did you have in mind?”
He hesitated. “I think it's from the Pigeon.”

 

Giveaway





Grace is generously offering three prizes. A signed copy of each of her three previous novels in the series. They are each standalone stories, but they are also connected. If you would like to read more about them, you can read about them here: Radialloy, In His Image, Machiavellian.

To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form.
 

Tour Schedule 

Friday, October 7
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction
The Destiny of One-Guest Post
Rebekah Lyn Books-Author Interview

Saturday, October 8
Shout outs-Guest Post
Shire Reviews-Book Review

Sunday, October 9

Monday, October 10
Rachel Rossano's Words-Excerpt and Guest Post
In the Bookcase-Excerpt and Book Review

Tuesday, October 11

Wednesday, October 12
Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner


 
Orchestrating Your Blog Tours - faithblum.com




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3 comments:

  1. Melissa J.11/09/2016

    Squeeee!!! Sounds exciting!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Melissa J., I don't read much science fiction, but I really like what I've read so far of Miss Pennington's books. I think she writes in this genre well!

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  3. Radio alloy? An underlying disease from birth? An enigma? How could I NOT want to read this book? And all the books before this one. Science fiction/fantasy is my favourite genre although I tend to read more mysteries as good SF/F are harder to find.

    ReplyDelete