Hera 2781

Overall: A novella in the finest tradition of Science Fiction. If [a:Anne McCaffrey 26 Anne McCaffrey https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1599324585p2/26.jpg] and [a:Isaac Asimov 16667 Isaac Asimov https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341965730p2/16667.jpg] had gotten together, they would have written something very much like this.On 1st Reading: I love the work of Janet Edwards. This did not disappoint.I'd been saving this one as a treat for myself - well after a hard week I picked it up and was treated to all the best of Science Fiction in one slim package.If you like SF, you can't go wrong with Janet Edwards.On 2nd Reading: I have to say that the first time I read this I was swept up by the adventure of the story and hit with a hefty dose of good old-fashioned sense of wonder. On my second reading I was able to pay a little more attention to the details and my respect for the author has grown even more. While there is a great action story going on, a major thread through this story centres on cultural traditions and misunderstandings - something I can totally empathise with after having mortally offended certain people without having the faintest idea I was doing so. This side of things is very well presented and I look forward to find out more about the complex societies in this setting.On 3rd Reading: I reread this in preparation for the sequel story which is due to be released on Christmas Day 2020. Still great. If this story can withstand three readings I think it's pretty well certain that I like it! [a:Janet Edwards 5415711 Janet Edwards https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1657263898p2/5415711.jpg] is definitely my favorite author writing today!On 4th Reading: The sequel short story didn't come out on Christmas Day 2020, instead it morphed into two novels, the first of which - [b:Hestia 2781 58435981 Hestia 2781 (Drago Tell Dramis #1) Janet Edwards https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1624976040l/58435981.SY75.jpg 91705539], came out in July 2021, hence this reread. After reading it four times I can confidently say that this is a darn good story and I am buzzing as I jump straight into the long awaited sequel.

Attempted reread December 2023

DNF - PG 19

Why?

I'm sorry. I know I liked this the first time I read it - and I still deeply adore the universe Edwards has created - but am I really supposed to like Drago?

Am I really supposed to read a story where the main character confesses his love to a girl, she turns him down because she isn't interested in him (and, in fact, is already dating someone else) and he bides his time a while before proposing marriage, she laughs at him and he responds by telling lies to break up her current relationship? Because that's what Drago does.

Really? I'm supposed to want to read a story where the main guy doesn't get that no means no?