It’s really hard to find the blend I like in fiction: just enough action, just enough sci-fi/fantasy, just enough of a love story.
SONG OF SCARABAEUS is one of the few novels I’ve found with that perfect blend. Toss in a captivating plot, great characterization, realistic dialogue, and several fresh story ideas that I wake up in the morning pondering, and I’m disappointed I can’t erase my memory of this book just so I can read it again. Maybe slower this time, so it can sink in more.
One of my favorite elements was the masterful male/female interaction. One example–the hero’s trigger finger is a bit eager even though the gunshots seem to do nothing to scare off a threat. The heroine says, “Save the bullets, Finn. There are hundreds of tons of biomass up there. Clearly it doesn’t want to have a hole carved through it.”
And at the end of Chapter 28? I actually put down the book and said aloud, “Oh my god. Awesome.”
I can’t wait to read the sequel.
SONG OF SCARABAEUS by Sara Creasy
Amazon | Goodreads | Sara Creasy’s website
Kay Camden 
As I was reading this I thought of TB and LG, then you said it at the end. Not only do personal page-turners stand ready to lift us from our quotidian routines, but when we admire the writing so much that we learn from them it just adds to their worth.
I sometimes have to read the end of Jack Reacher books first. Yes, I read them for the suspense, but much more to be spirited away to his world. Sometimes I can’t bear to rush through for the sake of the ending.
Yes, the rush to finish ruins it. I had to do a double take at those initials. I couldn’t believe you’re referring to them like that (that’s what I do). And I’m surprised you saw the similarities (there are a few more I didn’t mention). Then I had to remember you haven’t even read the whole thing. Dang, I need to send you the full manuscript. :)
So glad you’re back. Blogging has been dull without you.
Sounds interesting! I’ll have to read some more reviews on it.
I totally get what you mean when you talk about the book. Last year, I read THE IRON THORN by Caitlin Kittredge, which was the perfect blend of steampunk/Lovecraft, and I absolutely loved it. So much that I bought both the ebook and the hardcover. It remains my #1 favorite book still.
Happy reading!
=)
Your perfect blend is steampunk/Lovecraft? Very interesting. :)
I just ordered this book off of Amazon. Thanks to you. :) There just aren’t enough good science fiction books in the world, and this one looks cool.
Hi Joseph, that’s awesome. Be sure to post back and tell me if you like it.
I just read a bunch of posts on your blog–why doesn’t Blogger allow a simple subscribe by email? I don’t have all those other services (well, I do have a Blogger account but I rarely use it). Maybe I’m just missing it. Anyway, I’ll have to remember to check your blog. Thanks for the comment. Keep those sushi stakes high. :)