Horizon Book Review & Giveaway

This week, we had the opportunity to read and review the new science fiction, space opera series by Tabitha Lord. Today, we are sharing our review of the first book in the series: Horizon. (Stop back tomorrow for a review of the 2nd book: Infinity!) What did we think of Horizon by Tabitha Lord?  Read my review below--check out a preview of the second book, meet the author--and enter to win a prize pack in the book tour giveaway at the very end of the post!

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing

Release date: December 2015

We received a complimentary copy of this novel for use in our review.  All opinions are my own.

About the Book

Caeli Crys isn’t living—she’s surviving. On the run after the genocide of her empathic people, she witnesses a spaceship crash near her hidden camp. When she feels the injured pilot suffering from miles away, she can’t help but risk discovery to save his life.

Commander Derek Markham awakens stranded on an uncharted planet. His co-pilot is dead, his ship is in ruins, and he’s only alive because a beautiful young woman is healing him with her mind.

As Derek recovers, Caeli shares the horror of her past and her fear for the future. When Derek’s command ship, Horizon, sends rescue, Derek convinces Caeli to leave with him. But his world is as treacherous as hers—full of spies, interplanetary terrorist plots, and political intrigue. Soon the Horizon team is racing to defend an outlying planet from a deadly enemy, and Caeli’s unique skills may just give them the edge they need to save it.

My Review

 
Horizon Offers a Perfect Genre Blend to Readers.  I enjoy science fiction--but, generally skip space operas and overly technical science fiction pieces.  I enjoy unique story lines and creative fantasy worlds with an eclectic mix of characters and moral dilemmas--but, generally skip romance novels. In Horizon, Tabitha Lord offers a mix of genre that makes the book appealing to a variety of readers.  The science behind Lord's fantasy world and story line is not loaded with heavy science terms or deep descriptions with long, complicated words.  Readers will understand the science without a glossary.  The space opera involves some battles and missions; but those scenes do not dominate the novel.  There is a love story and some sexual encounters--but, again, those scenes do not dominate the story.  Horizon offers an assortment of characters and a very nice blend of genre and it keeps each genre simple and flowing throughout the book.

Realism is a Little Light in Horizon--Maybe.  I always say that I enjoy science fiction, fantasy and romance novels with realistic bases.  I need to feel that the story could really happen here. The love story between the main characters progresses rather quickly and seemingly unrealistically.  We learn a lot more about Caeli than we do about Derek throughout the book.  I am generally not a fan of instant love connections--especially in a militaristic, sci-fi setting.  But--having said that--the author began the story with a situation that led to a sharing of memories between the two main characters.  I suppose that could have led to a more intimate understanding of one another--and a more rapid relationship development.  Yet, for readers, the relationship may seem a little rushed and unrealistic.  I may be a little cynical--but, the Horizon world and it's heroes seemed a little too perfect at times for realists.

Horizon Leaves Readers with Questions.  As it should, the first book in Lord's series develops the fictional setting, creates the characters, resolves some of the subplots--and leaves readers with some unanswered questions for the sequel. 

Would I Recommend Horizon by Tabitha Lord?  I liked the blend of genre throughout the book.  I liked the light, easy to read, easy to understand flow of the story line.  The story was not necessarily action packed--but, it flowed evenly and kept my interest through to the end.  I didn't find some of the story and characters very realistic; yet, I hope those issues may develop and resolve as the series progresses.  The author did a nice job pulling me into the characters' lives and stories enough to encourage me to pick up the second book.  If you enjoy more mild science fiction/ space operas with romantic elements--this series may be one for you to check out.

Buy the Book: 

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add on Goodreads

Check Out Book 2

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing

Release date: June 6, 2017

About the Book

 
In the second installment of the award-winning Horizon series, Dr. Caeli Crys returns to her war-torn world to fight for those she left behind.

Almagest, Caeli’s home, stands on the brink of revolution. Long hidden from the rest of the galaxy, the once-peaceful planet suffers under a regime that grows more violent and oppressive by the day. Marcus, Almagest’s dictator, is building an arsenal of alien weaponry by selling empathic children into slavery. A resistance has risen, but they are outmanned, outgunned, and in hiding.

Joined by Commander Derek Markham and his elite squadron of operatives, Caeli embarks on a dangerous mission to find the Resistance, rescue her captive people, and save her civilization from destruction.

Buy the Book:

Pre-Order on Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author

Tabitha currently lives in Rhode Island. She is married, has four great kids, two spoiled cats, and lovable lab mix. Her degree is in Classics from College of the Holy Cross and she taught Latin for years at an independent Waldorf school, where she now serves on the Board of Trustees.

Tabitha’s debut novel, Horizon, won the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize for Self-Published Fiction in 2016, and was named finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and National Indie Excellence Awards. Infinity, the second book in the Horizon series, will be released in June 2017. Her short story “Homecoming” appears in the anthology Sirens, edited by Rhonda Parrish and published by World Weaver Press, and was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is also a senior editor for www.BookClubBabble.com.

Visit her blog at www.tabithalordauthor.com where she discusses favorite topics including parenting, teaching, and her writing journey.

Connect with Tabitha: Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

May 22 - Working Mommy Journal - review of Horizon / giveaway
May 22 - To Be Read - review of Horizon
May 23 - Working Mommy Journal - review of Infinity / giveaway
May 24 - 411 on Books, Authors and Publishing News - spotlight / guest post/giveaway
May 25 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Horizon / giveaway
May 26 - Cheryl' Book Nook - review of Horizon / author interview / giveaway
May 29 - Book review nature photos and everything in between - review of Horizon
May 30 - Library of Clean Reads - review of Horizon / giveaway
May 31 - Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf - review of Horizon / giveaway
May 31 - Lisa Loves Literature - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 1   - A Mama's Corner of the World - review on Horizon
June 2   - A Mama's Corner of the World - review on Infinity
June 5   - Haddie's Haven - review of Horizon / guest post / giveaway
June 6   - The Autistic Gamer - review of Horizon
June 7   - The Autistic Gamer - review of Infinity
June 8   - Library of Clean Reads - review of Horizon / giveaway
June 9   - Cheryl' Book Nook - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 12 - To Be Read - review of Infinity
June 12 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review of Horizon / giveaway
June 13 - Haddie's Haven - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 14 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - review of Horizon
June 15 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 16 - 100 Pages A Day - review of Horizon / guest post / giveaway
June 19 - Elsie's Audiobook Digest - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 20 - Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 21 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 22 - Books, Dreams, Life - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 26 - Nighttime Reading Center - review of Horizon / giveaway
June 27 - Crossroad Reviews - review of Horizon
June 28 - Baker Kella - review of Horizon / author interview / giveaway
June 29 - Baker Kella - review of Infinity / giveaway
June 30 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of Horizon
July 3   - Book review nature photos and everything in between - review of Infinity
July 4   - Sharing Stories - review of Horizon
July 4   - Books for Books - review of Horizon
July 5   - Lukten av trykksverte - review of Horizon / giveaway
July 6   - JBronder Book Reviews - review of Horizon / guest post
July 7   - JBronder Book Reviews - review of Infinity
July 7   - A Book Geek - review of Horizon
July 10 - Nighttime Reading Center - review of Infinity / giveaway
July 11 - Books for Books - review of Infinity
July 11 - Crossroad Reviews - review of Infinity
July 12 - Lukten av trykksverte - review of Infinity / giveaway
July 13 - A Book Geek - review of Infinity
July 13 - Reviews in the City - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
July 14 - Sharing Stories - review of Infinity
July 14 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of Infinity

Enter the Giveaway

Ends July 22

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