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Halcyone Space #4
Parallax
After a reckless young computer programmer resurrects the damaged AI on a long dormant freighter, she and her accidental crew blunder into a galactic conspiracy forty years in the making.
Welcome to the universe of Halcyone Space
In the aftermath of the Ferryman's death and Lieutenant Commander Gutierrez's injuries, Ithaka has lost its most loyal protectors. The Commonwealth is coming dangerously close to discovering the lost planet's location and crushing its lingering rebellion. As Ro and her crew fall under suspicion of harboring Ithaka's secrets, they race to unlock Ro's father's trove of encrypted data in order to find leverage against the rebellion's enemies.
But knowledge brings new threats and Halcyone's crew is drawn more deeply into a conspiracy that threatens to destroy Ithaka and reignite a galactic war when they uncover the hidden power brokers who have been quietly manipulating the Commonwealth for decades.
Welcome to the universe of Halcyone Space
In the aftermath of the Ferryman's death and Lieutenant Commander Gutierrez's injuries, Ithaka has lost its most loyal protectors. The Commonwealth is coming dangerously close to discovering the lost planet's location and crushing its lingering rebellion. As Ro and her crew fall under suspicion of harboring Ithaka's secrets, they race to unlock Ro's father's trove of encrypted data in order to find leverage against the rebellion's enemies.
But knowledge brings new threats and Halcyone's crew is drawn more deeply into a conspiracy that threatens to destroy Ithaka and reignite a galactic war when they uncover the hidden power brokers who have been quietly manipulating the Commonwealth for decades.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2017
18 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Cohen
17 books162 followersLJ Cohen is the author of eight novels across the science fiction and fantasy genres and was among the first wave of indie writers to qualify for SFWA membership. DERELICT, the first book in her Halcyone Space series, was named a Library Journal self-e select title and book of the year in 2014. Her ninth novel, LITANY FOR A BROKEN WORLD will be published in February of 2025.
A retired physical therapist, LJ now uses her clinical knowledge and skills to injure characters. She serves on the board of Broad Universe as well as several local non-profits in her community. In addition to her creative work as a writer and role as a community organizer, she is also a potter and fiber artist. She lives on a homestead farm in central MA and is extremely proud of her tractor riding and tree pruning skills.
A retired physical therapist, LJ now uses her clinical knowledge and skills to injure characters. She serves on the board of Broad Universe as well as several local non-profits in her community. In addition to her creative work as a writer and role as a community organizer, she is also a potter and fiber artist. She lives on a homestead farm in central MA and is extremely proud of her tractor riding and tree pruning skills.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 17, 2017
As soon as I started reading this, the fourth book in the Halcyone Space series, I felt like I'd come home. Even though the characters were still suffering from the events at the end of the third book, catching up with them again was effortless. I'm so impressed with Cohen's ability to bring out books quickly, and maintain the high quality I've come to expect.
The galactic conspiracies grow by leaps and bounds. The protagonists have no idea who to trust, or the depth of deception that underlies everything they know. The build up to the final scenes is not fast paced, but not slow: deliberate. After every scene I would curse Cohen for switching to a different character, because I wanted to stay with who I was reading about, but then I would quickly be immersed in the new story line. There were too many twists and turns for me to be able to see where the story was going, and after finishing it, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
The galactic conspiracies grow by leaps and bounds. The protagonists have no idea who to trust, or the depth of deception that underlies everything they know. The build up to the final scenes is not fast paced, but not slow: deliberate. After every scene I would curse Cohen for switching to a different character, because I wanted to stay with who I was reading about, but then I would quickly be immersed in the new story line. There were too many twists and turns for me to be able to see where the story was going, and after finishing it, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
July 6, 2017
It is actually getting easier to review Ms. Cohen's Halcyone Space series. Book #4 is like coming home to your family. Not the family you were born into, the one you've chosen, or who've chosen you. So, just go buy Parallax, settle in and let me know when you're done.
When's the next one, L.J.?!
When's the next one, L.J.?!
August 4, 2017
Very few series get better as they go, and all too often the fourth installment is the worst. Not the case with the Halcyone Space series. It just keeps getting better. The characters continue to grow and learn and change, and the stories are becoming more complex along with the characters.
It's a rare series that improves with each new volume. This one is appealing on many levels: if you like stories set in space, about groups of friends, with interesting science, strong female characters, a varied and interesting cast of characters, or with characters who struggle internally as well as within the larger plot you will find something to enjoy.
One of the most appealing things to me is that the characters in the Halcyone stories are normal -- they have disabilities, are of different races, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, have different sexual orientations, yet they are not cut-out stereotypes. They are individual characters.
It's a rare series that improves with each new volume. This one is appealing on many levels: if you like stories set in space, about groups of friends, with interesting science, strong female characters, a varied and interesting cast of characters, or with characters who struggle internally as well as within the larger plot you will find something to enjoy.
One of the most appealing things to me is that the characters in the Halcyone stories are normal -- they have disabilities, are of different races, from different socioeconomic backgrounds, have different sexual orientations, yet they are not cut-out stereotypes. They are individual characters.
July 8, 2017
Halcyone Space gets more intriguing - and even better
Holy cow. I loved Dreadnought and Shuttle, but Parallax is even better. Cohen is the rare author who manages to balance story and character development. This time around I was so deeply invested in the crew of Halcyone that their adventures had me twitching in my seat with concern. There's just enough backstory that I didn't have to rummage for previous books, but it was done seamlessly. A visit to Earth, revelations from an unexpected source, and new alliances added to the story without overwhelming. I am already clamoring for the final book. Write, Cohen. WRITE!
Holy cow. I loved Dreadnought and Shuttle, but Parallax is even better. Cohen is the rare author who manages to balance story and character development. This time around I was so deeply invested in the crew of Halcyone that their adventures had me twitching in my seat with concern. There's just enough backstory that I didn't have to rummage for previous books, but it was done seamlessly. A visit to Earth, revelations from an unexpected source, and new alliances added to the story without overwhelming. I am already clamoring for the final book. Write, Cohen. WRITE!
October 26, 2017
Another great Halcyon book
I enjoyed the first book. I liked the second book. The third book was pretty fantastic. The fourth book: freaking amazing. The multiple plot lines that were apparently clear became imminently clearer.
Ro, Barre, Jem, Nomi and Micah all had some interesting turns in this book, as well as Obolos, Halcyon and Lethe. And Emma Gutierrez and Simon Marchand also played pretty important roles here.
I’m horrible book reviews. But I love this series!
I enjoyed the first book. I liked the second book. The third book was pretty fantastic. The fourth book: freaking amazing. The multiple plot lines that were apparently clear became imminently clearer.
Ro, Barre, Jem, Nomi and Micah all had some interesting turns in this book, as well as Obolos, Halcyon and Lethe. And Emma Gutierrez and Simon Marchand also played pretty important roles here.
I’m horrible book reviews. But I love this series!
June 15, 2017
This volume was worth the wait.
The plot thickens as LJ Cohen takes us even deeper into the mystery surrounding a derelict freighter and her feisty young crew. The journeys taken are to vibrant, diverse worlds, which enlighten us about the backgrounds of several of the characters.
The plot thickens as LJ Cohen takes us even deeper into the mystery surrounding a derelict freighter and her feisty young crew. The journeys taken are to vibrant, diverse worlds, which enlighten us about the backgrounds of several of the characters.
June 19, 2017
I think this is my favourite book in the series so far.
I love the fact that the characters are maturing in such a believable, interesting way. Ro, Barre, Micah and Jem, I mean - Dev and Nomi have always been mature :)
Ro and her friends are all still in shock from the events of the previous book. The scars are both physical and psychological. I found this aspect of the book particularly satisfying. So often characters are thrown into violent situations and come out the other side seemingly unchanged. Not so here.
The overconfident Ro has had to learn to think twice and consider others, and she gets to meet Nomi's family. Barre is growing into a lovely, quiet confidence. Micah struggles with the guilt of his father's legacy, but is also trying to overcome his own narrow, self centered world view. Young Jem grows up a lot too - he makes a unlikely but oh-so-satisfying friendship with the intimidating Lieutenant Commander Gutierrez. The contrast between these two characters, the young teen, and the hard bitten, grim woman, works really well and they make a fantastic team.
The story just keeps getting bigger, with the stakes getting higher with every book - but it still stays true to the characters. Can't wait to read the next one :)
I love the fact that the characters are maturing in such a believable, interesting way. Ro, Barre, Micah and Jem, I mean - Dev and Nomi have always been mature :)
Ro and her friends are all still in shock from the events of the previous book. The scars are both physical and psychological. I found this aspect of the book particularly satisfying. So often characters are thrown into violent situations and come out the other side seemingly unchanged. Not so here.
The overconfident Ro has had to learn to think twice and consider others, and she gets to meet Nomi's family. Barre is growing into a lovely, quiet confidence. Micah struggles with the guilt of his father's legacy, but is also trying to overcome his own narrow, self centered world view. Young Jem grows up a lot too - he makes a unlikely but oh-so-satisfying friendship with the intimidating Lieutenant Commander Gutierrez. The contrast between these two characters, the young teen, and the hard bitten, grim woman, works really well and they make a fantastic team.
The story just keeps getting bigger, with the stakes getting higher with every book - but it still stays true to the characters. Can't wait to read the next one :)
August 24, 2017
This series has been my first dip into Sci-Fi in a looong time... and each release leaves me eager to slip into the world and hang out with the characters again.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and tore through it as fast as two screaming kids on summer break would allow.
Each book leaves me going "THAT'S MY FAVORITE EVAAAAAAR!" and this one did it again.
I hope we get to see more of the settlement and it's people in later books.
L.J. Cohen has a way of finding a solid balance between setting a scene and letting the rest of the details filter in through the dialogue, atmosphere, etc. While I've had a few moments in previous books drag a little, this one is tight, fast and full-tilt from chapter 1.
Her characters are also... people. I'll admit, I've not always been a fan of Ro. In fact, sometimes I didn't really like her much. But as characters grow and the plot expands, I'm finding the changes and shifting dynamics satisfying. A journey within a journey and what not.
And that ending...
Can't wait to see what happens in #5.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and tore through it as fast as two screaming kids on summer break would allow.
Each book leaves me going "THAT'S MY FAVORITE EVAAAAAAR!" and this one did it again.
I hope we get to see more of the settlement and it's people in later books.
L.J. Cohen has a way of finding a solid balance between setting a scene and letting the rest of the details filter in through the dialogue, atmosphere, etc. While I've had a few moments in previous books drag a little, this one is tight, fast and full-tilt from chapter 1.
Her characters are also... people. I'll admit, I've not always been a fan of Ro. In fact, sometimes I didn't really like her much. But as characters grow and the plot expands, I'm finding the changes and shifting dynamics satisfying. A journey within a journey and what not.
And that ending...
Can't wait to see what happens in #5.
June 16, 2017
For me, this is the best kind of story – one which steadily builds from book one. Beautifully crafted, this page – turner kept me enthralled from the beginning with the detailed landscapes both on and off world, and the deepening story-lines and interactions between the returning cast of characters. I enjoyed getting to know everyone on a more intimate level and look forward to reading JC Cohen's Halcyone Space, book five! Whoop!
June 15, 2018
This series continues to be breathtaking. Just when you think the situation can't get any worse, or more complicated, it does. The main characters don't come over as experts or heroes, they are just flawed people doing the best they can with what they have. My heart goes out to them, and that keeps me reading. Superb. Highly recommended.
May 11, 2018
Good sequel in the series, and enjoyed seeing the complexity of the characters grow. Looking forward to the 5th.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews