Reviewed by Kathy L. Brown

This can’t-miss sequel puts the reader through a wormhole to a realm filled with intrigue, adventure, and action.

In A Sense for Memory: Part One the reader cheers on the exploits of a tough Rej-Jir soldier/cop, Commander Qwatajawa, as she investigates the theft of a mysterious and powerful artifact, as well as a ninja of sorts who fights a strange entity deep within a bioengineered planet.

A Sense for Memory: Part Two doubles down on its engaging protagonists, introducing two rock stars of the joint. These soldiers think the story is about them, but Commander Qwatajawa, her loyal squad, and her friend, illusionist Xa-Kol, must put a stop to their audacious plan.

In a prologue, we meet Supreme Commander Nazatl, a Rej-Jir, and Supreme Commander Soropo-Omb, a Zurxok. They soon show they have the “right stuff” as their undercover mission to steal the spaceship A Sense for Memory and its illegally developed wormhole technology goes off with style. But the reader learns that serious political shenanigans are going on behind the scenes. Have the national heroes gone rogue? Or worse, been subverted by a powerful alien intelligence?

Commander Qwatajawa, the head cop of an isolated beach village, experiences unique combat situations and acquires special knowledge in Part One that her superiors believe might be useful on an apprehension and recovery mission. She and her team are dispatched to investigate the spaceship’s theft and follow Nazatl and Soropo-Omb, somehow convincing them to stand down and start following orders again.

It’s a tricky situation, and Qwatajawa’s investigation soon confirms that an old nemesis may be behind it all. And the artifact she thought destroyed has somehow come back into play. When Qwatajawa and company locate A Sense for Memory, it all seems easy. A little too easy. Nasty surprises await.

While Qwatajawa and her squad are dispatched to recover the stolen ship and prohibited tech, Xa-Kol, the Zurxok protagonist of Part One, is summoned to investigate a mystery at the training academy she left fifty years ago. A monster she defeated and killed as a cadet is suddenly and inexplicably causing problems and even calling out for her.

The two novellas of A Sense for Memory Part One are woven together into a more complex story in Part Two: more characters and more character development; bigger, more cinematic settings; and greater challenges as characters struggle to overcome problems. Experiencing these storylines come together and knit into a satisfying whole is to enjoy exciting space opera at its finest.

Part Two introduces and expands on several characters, such as the hotshots Nazatl and Soropo-Omb and Qwatajawa’s team members. All are magnificently differentiated and portrayed through personal opinions, actions, and speech patterns. And the original characters continue to delight.

Like the first book, readers learn about the world through scenes, rich in revealing dialogue and exciting action sequences. The novel uses summary passages sparingly and appropriately.

The nature of duty, particularly in a military chain of command, is front and center among the issues and themes of the book. Nazatl’s “monster” invites a closer look at relationships among the subjugated and the powerful, as do all the behind-the-scenes political machinations among the governmental entities in the story. With the title of the book the name of a spaceship that is powered by forbidden technology, the reader can’t help but think about the complex interplay between science doing all that it can, but maybe not what it should. And who decides these things?

The book features many illustrations, which help the reader imagine the characters, setting, and important items even more clearly than their verbal description. And it is rich in dazzling technology befitting an advanced alien science fiction setting, for example, the armor “…which comprised segmented black plates. Each plate bore an intricate, layered structure, dispersing kinetic energy with ease, while embedded nanofibers ensured that any heat-based attack would dissipate…”

Part Two brings the reader up to speed on Part One events, both in a summary at the beginning of the book and within the story text. While you could follow the narrative without reading Part One first, it’d be most fulfilling taking in the series in order.

A Sense for Memory: Part Two kicks up the action several notches for Commander Qwatajawa and Xa-Kol. It’s a blast to see them interact with more formidable opponents. I sense some mutual respect in the rivalry with the errant Nazatl and Soropo-Omb and look forward to what’s next of this dynamic series.

Thank you for reading Kathy L. Brown’s book review of A Sense for Memory: Part Two by R.H. Stevens! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Reviewed by Jadidsa Perez

A remarkable sci-fi novel that expands our understanding of memories, imagination, and how we function

While Freaksburg is a far cry from John Casey’s typical workload as a writer and researcher for the Fashion Institute of Technology, it’s a testament to his varied skill. It certainly fits into the sci-fi genre, but it serves a dual purpose as a coming of age story that illustrates the way our minds can be both our most trusted companions and our own personal prison.

Freaksburg follows Jackie, a young boy living in rural Pennsylvania. Fresh into the 70s, Jackie and his family live a picturesque All-American life. That is—until glowing spheres appear in the sky. And unexplained creatures begin stalking in their backyard. Jackie, an outlier, is drawn to these strange happenings and forms an unlikely relationship with Queen Maeve, queen of the fairies. 

“That’s what it’s like when the invisible world forces its way into the visible. You’re going about your day when something gives way and the impossible floods the visible world and its shadowy, mysterious presence rolls over like a beautiful, black wave, standing every hair on your body at full attention.”

Freaksburg not only succeeds in creating harrowing monsters, grotesque happenings, and beautiful fairies as a contrast, but also one of the most sincere coming of age stories that I’ve ever read. 

While the sci-fi elements become a bit scarce as the book continues, I found myself wholeheartedly interested in Jackie’s growth, his best friend, and the otherworldly abilities of his grandmother. He’s as flawed as he is honest, and he navigates the supernatural in a way that makes him a genuinely likable protagonist. There’s also quite a bit of humor in the book, especially with Sister Mary Jane being a nun with a certain vice. The novel experiments with different ideas without forgoing the story.

While Jackie is a good, likable protagonist, his tone and voice stay the same from childhood to adulthood. His internal self stays quite stagnant, making it feel often stuck in 1970s Pennsylvania. There’s a build-up to the ending, which delivers an important message, but I’m left wondering if the story could have expanded beyond the ending.

I’d recommend Freaksburg to sci-fi fantasy fans that want their speculative elements in a strong realistic setting. It also does a wonderful job in telling a touching story of a character finding their place in the world. 

Publisher: Stone Tiger Books

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy / Coming of Age

Print Length: 273 pages

ISBN: 979-8985824001

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