The concept of the destruction of earth because of an asteroid crashing into our planet can be traced back to 1933’s When Worlds Collide by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer. Since then, sci fi novels and high-octane Hollywood films have used the idea for a number of cinematic thrillrides from Armageddon to Asteroid to Deep Impact.

In When Worlds Collide, Scientist Cole Hedron built two spaceships that took survivors to a second approaching planet to give humans a second chance. It’s difficult not to think Colton “Cole” Taylor, owner of earth’s largest advanced technology corporation called Stormhaven in Stormhaven Rising, isn’t an overt nod to Hedron. Taylor too wants to take survivors from earth to the moon to give humanity a second chance.

Still, Stormhaven Rising is far more complex and believable than its literary ancestor. For one matter, the science in Stormhaven is far more credible, as when earth scientists determine trying to blast the asteroid into bits won’t work and a better strategy would be to nudge the body off its present course. But can this be done in time and can the governments of the earth put aside a host of political issues to cooperate?

For example, the government of paranoid U.S. President Sylvia Hutton is obsessed with maintaining secrecy to the point of destroying civil liberties of anyone who might know the truth. The government doesn’t want Taylor to send up any spaceships without getting proper liscences. The Chinese have their own moon-based plans. The Russians and Japanese are resentful the U.S. wants to call all the shots, notably building spaceships at the International Space Station without working with their international partners. In short, how can humanity save anything if all efforts are either bogged down in politics, bureaucratic squabbles, censorship, or conflicting schemes and goals?

With all these players on the chessboard, and all the stages on earth, on the moon, and in space, there’s no shortage of characters representing the differing interests. Some are better drawn than others, especially in Taylor’s stormhaven base and in the camp of government agents surrounding the company headquarters determined to capture an astronomer who knows about the asteroid and stop any unauthorized launches. One of those characters is the amazing computer with the feminine voice, MICA. In the midst of all this drama, we do get some light moments, as when two astronauts try their level best to enjoy some anti-grav sex on a space shuttle going, where else, around the world. In other words, Craig does a good job of creating characters that signal humanity, despite its flaws, is worth saving if it can only get out of its own way.

The final chapters include a very exciting climax and a long denouement full of both optimism and foreboding. Stormhaven Rising is the first book in a series that has already resulted in two sequels published last year (Prometheus and The Dragon, Shadows in the Flame) with two more volumes scheduled for June and December 2017 (Warlords of the Night, The Orphans of Destiny). A related short story, “Ghostmaker,” is also in the pipeline.

So Stormhaven Rising, an epic on its own terms, sets the stage for an epic series in its wake. I like such series and know I’ll be exploring the sequels very soon. If this sort of sci fi is your cup of tea, you too will likely dig into this saga in short order. It’s a ride well worth taking as Craig breathes considerable fresh air into a well-established tradition.


This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Jan. 17, 2017 at:
goo.gl/QzcdYL

This one was the most angsty/ feelings filled one and I LOVED IT.

 

There was the usual mystery to solve with the amazing Christine to help (whom I love, by the way because she's amazing and she's a complete badass) but i also loved that there was more to the story.

 

A lot of feelings and trouble they had to fix as a couple. I felt like there was character development and that makes me want to keep reading the story to know what else is coming their way. I liked it.

4.5 stars for Whyborne and Griffin


The third book in the series brings us to a place where I personally never wanted to go - the asylum. And it was bad, reading about the pain and memories Griffin has to go through, the awful things he is forced to rememeber while investigating a murder. But I loved reading about the love and support continuing to grow between Whyborne and Griffin. I do have to admit though that the dise-characters (except for Christin of course) distracted me a little. I was particularly not fond of Griffin's parents. But that had more than one reason, so I'll chalk it up to personal issues. Also, Whyborne's father and brother are way beyond words for me. A-holes, both of them. Put them both into a bag and beat it with a stick - you'll always get the right one.

One thing I always have while reading books in this series, is a tiny little well of dread in the pit of my stomach. Because I'm always wondering what on earth Jordan L. Hawk will spring on these two guys this time. Her creatures and villains are never just your average bad guys and monsters. They are evil, they are nasty, and they make me shudder every damn time. But it's still good to read, and I always end up enjoying her mysteries, the connections between everything and everyone, but most of all the love and devotion growing between Whyborne and Griffin. It's a pleasure reading about their lifes and their adventures and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Ok so here's me roaring through these books dealing with the whole aliens, monsters and who knows what that are coming at me and I'm enjoying it...a lot! Or at least I thought I was and then I read 'Stormhaven' and now I know. I've just been reading the warm up.

 

This for me was superb!!! I loved it. Oh there were still monsters, demons or whatever you want to call them. Only this time they were more abstract and only made a very small appearance in reality. There was a lot more Whyborne and Griffin relationship...sort of, Griffin's family shows up and can I just say that was a little tense.

 

There was definitely a stronger psychological component to the bad guy/monster issue than we've had in previous books and about this I am not going to say anything more because I really don't know how to express it without giving away parts of the story and this story to me is just to damned good to spoil for anyone.

 

Before I go on about our MC's can I just say "Christina you are the best, you are a rock and conceivably the perfect friend, you are honest in your opinions and not afraid to call a spade a spade, you tell your friends what they need to hear which is hard because it's not always what they want to hear, but at the end of it all you have their back and are there for them, especially Whyborne even when you are telling him he's wrong you're in his corner and you are steadfastly his best friend. I adore you for this. For being the kind of friend that we all need."

 

So now about our MCs. I have thought that Whyborne and Griffin were a sweet, sexy, melt my heart couple from the get go because of each of their circumstances and the times that they live in it won my heart to see them find happiness together but the last 25 to 30 percent of this book left me a sappy little puddle of mushy happiness curled up in my bed quietly wiping tears from eyes.

 

I honestly can't conceive that this series could get any better than this but I am so willing to keep reading to find how if it does and how in the world this could possibly happen.

FANTASTIC! I'm simply in love with this series!

Possible mild spoilers ahead, so be warned!

This time around we find ourselves smack in the middle of Griffin's worst nightmare: a case revolving a nuthouse!! Needless to say this was extremely difficult to read at times, Girffin's memories were excruciating, I just wanted to cuddle him and then wreck bloody vengeance in his name!! To make matters worse, Griffin's parents come to visit in tow with "a cousin" (female) and you can imagine what followed and what this did to Whyborne's insecurities! And as if my babies didn't have enough on their plate, Whyborne finds himself having weird nightmares which lead to dangerous situations.

As you can see, the plot for this installment was overflowing and the way Ms Hawk packed every little nuance, every detail or plot line was excellent! And the climax of all this? MARVELOUS! That final scene was A- freacking- MAZING!!! My heart was in my throat, I was biting my nails and yelling at my kindle!

There were a couple of extremely emotional, sweet and hot moments with our beloved MCs that about curled my toes!

Christine was as always a delight! Looking forward to the next book!

Smooches!