ORIGINAL: Perturabo
ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn
On the other hand, I've been picking up self-published Sci-fi novels for under $3 and have been delighted with most of them. High quality that would never have seen the light of day if not for self-publishing via e-books. Amazon is recruiting authors directly now and scaring the daylights out of traditional publishing houses.
May a throw in a recommendation: Michael Hicks - the "In Her Name" series (six books in series, start with 4, 5, and 6 - then go back to read the three prequels that he wrote later). Frankly, one of the best Sci-Fi reads ever, 5 star rated by Amazon readers, and the guy is now writing full time and making 30 grand a month!
I've gotta get started on MY dream novel now that I'm retired [:D]
Exactly. One huge upside of the electronic publishing is that it allows the more niche writers to get into action. I remember some writers who were into Sci-Fi realism publishing that way. What is so good about that science fiction series? Is it available on print on demand too?
Just checked Amazon and the books are now available in paperback for $9.95 each, Kindle edition is only $2.99, I purchased an "Omnibus" edition that had all three novels for $4.99 (a real bargain!).
"In Her Name" (Kindle- Omnibus Edition)
It also looks like some of the Kindle versions have been increased to $3.99. Seems like the success of this series is pushing it towards regular market pricing. I suggest you buy ASAP if you are interested... the bargain pricing seems to be eroding rapidly.
What is unique about this series? Well, first of all, it's a galactic level space war story, but through it all is a core of an inter-species love story. In a sense, I could really think that someone read this series and was inspired to write the "Avatar" movie script. The aliens are cobalt blue, but human-like. The true heart of the series is understanding this warlike, alien culture and how a human child, abducted and raised by the Kreelan's adapts into their society, finds love and acceptance, and then has to give it all up and be exiled back to humanity when he refuses to fight his own kind.
Follow the above link to Amazon and you can find plenty of detailed reviews, but I recommend just jumping into the books and becoming enraptured without the benefit of prior knowledge of the plot. One reviewer had an interesting comment that while most books are finished and that's the end of it, "In Her Name" stays with you long after you've finished reading. I have to agree, this story is one that I can't get out of my head... it keeps popping up and prompting reflection and further thought... and a feeling of loss that the story had to end. Haven't felt like that about a book since my college days when I finished the last page of "The Lord of the Rings" and realized that was the end of the greatest "read" of my young life.
You could start with the 1st prequel "In Her Name; First Contact" and work through the series to learn the back-story, but the heart of and soul of it begins with book 4 "In Her Name: Empire". The backstory becomes far more interesting in learning a bit more about some of the characters in books 4, 5, and 6 and gaining more perspective into the Kreelan culture. "First Contact" isn't going to "grab you" like "Empire" does, it's a good story but the beauty of "Empire" is how you learn through the eyes of an 11 year old human trying to understand and cope with the warlike, alien society into which he has been thrown and how he grows to be a man - winning acceptance and love through arduous trials and challenges.
You will not be sorry to have read these books!
