Book Review - Through the Triangle by C. P. Stewart

C.P. Stewart takes readers on a day trip that will turn into a life changing experience. We’ve all heard of the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. In Through The Triangle, Stewart gives us his interpretation of what happens to those who have disappeared over the years.

When Stewart brings together a group of five men, who board a charter for a day of deep sea fishing, the Gilligan’s Island tune pops into my head. Understand, I grew up watching shows like Gilligan’s Island and also the original Star Trek, Land of the Lost, Wild Wild West, etc. On top of being a huge sci-fi fan, I also love a good mystery. Stewart’s book brings all the best elements of old sci0fi and suspense classics together. Now despite the silly TV show tune that entered my mind, there is nothing silly about this book. Through the Triangle is a nail-biting, edge of your seat thrill ride. Even before the mysterious storm overtakes the Oblique View fishing boat, Stewart begins building the suspense with an escaped murderer on the loose, who rounds out the five men on board. Also on board are the Captain - Mason, his 15 year old first mate - Juan, and an estranged father and teenage son. When a sudden storm and thick fog descends on their boat and seeing that they can’t out run it while keeping pace with another disabled charter boat, the men decide to wait it out. As the fog lifts, the other charter has vanished and communications are not working, so they head back to land….. a land that they no longer recognize. They will soon learn they are nearly three-hundred years in the future. Although the Florida coast seems deserted, they will soon discover they are not alone and the world that they knew has become a place were one must fight to survive.

Like all great sci-fi writers, Stewart gives you just enough about the characters to engage you without going overboard with details that would stagnate the action. He works his satellite characters into the story in a way that enhances the action without becoming a distraction. In addition, Stewart's writing allows the reader to visualize the world of the future as if we were walking along side the charcaters. Being an avid reader there are many books and authors that grab me. Being an artist and former film maker, I rarely have trouble visualizing the stories I read. I have to say, this is the first book I have read in a long time that I can see being a hit movie. It makes me wish I were a producer so that I could make it. It’s that good! I can't wait to read his next book. Definitely five out of five wormholes.

This book was provided by the author. Check back in January for an interview with this wonderful author.

This review will be part of Cym Lowell's Wednesday Review Blog Party on Dec. 9th.

DVD - Gattaca

Gattaca is a 1997 sci-fi film starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law. It’s set in the near future (approximately 2027, if I remember correctly), however, the near future to the film makers in 1997 was a lot different than what can probably expect in less than twenty years. Let’s hope so anyways. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, an in-valid, one of the rare individuals conceived the old fashioned way as opposed to being genetically engineered for the most perfect gene combination based on the parents. Vincent wants nothing more than to travel into space, but because of his poor DNA he is shut out of any possibilities but the most menial. He hatches a plan to pass as a valid and work for Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. Uma Thurman plays Cassini, a genetically engineered but slightly flawed valid who works at Gattaca. She ends up working with and secretly falling in love with Vincent. Jude Law plays Jerome Morrow, a valid engineered to be “second to none”, but a freak accident leaves him paralyzed and unable to fulfill his dreams. Vincent and Jerome make an unlikely alliance to help Vincent realize his dreams, but the death of mission director can ruin all their plans. Gattaca is a futuristic film that shows how far the human spirit will take one to reach his dreams. It is part drama, part murder mystery, part fantasy….a modern day classic. Definitely worth the rent ( I own it.)

TV- Defying Gravity

I grew up watching the original Star Trek and Battlestar Gallactica and a little remembered shows like Space 1999 and Buck Rodgers. I have many fond memories of watching those shows with my dad and sometimes my brother, although he was off with his friends most of the time and I was a daddy's girl. Watching those shows today, many seem cheesy and the special effects hap-hazard. But there is something to be said for the sci-fi shows back then. They didn't have all the CGI technology of today, so when you seen other worlds, space ships, unbelievable props there was a crew of amazingly gifted people who built all those objects and models. Today we take all that for granted because a computer wiz with a few key strokes can create anything they want us to see. For me I still love a good sci-fi, even with my disdain for the laziness CGI has created. A good space show will still take me back to my childhood. Over the years they have done a dozen remakes and versions of Star Trek, Battlestar Gallactica and I have never been interested in watching them. They just aren't the original.

Now ABC has started a new Canadian produced series, Defying Gravity, that will run for 13 episodes. The series is set in the year 2052. It follows eight astronauts on a six year mission through the solar system and various supporting characters on Earth. For the astronauts aboard Antares, every nuance of their journey is monitored and recorded for an ongoing documentary being broadcast back on Earth. A mysterious source, known as Beta is controlling their lives and impacting their mission. Only a handful on Earth and the Antares Commander know of this mysterious influence.

There are many recognizable faces in the cast and the studios have succeeded in producing an engaging new series. The media has billed this as "Grey's Anatomy in Space". Having seen the first few episodes, I think it is a poor comparison. The series has just started but so far I give it four and a half out of five rocket boosters. Let's hope the series continues to engage viewers and doesn't follow Grey's path of disappointment, ridiculous story lines and mediocre acting.

You can watch Defying Gravity on ABC, Sunday nights at 10pm EST or on the ABC website (click post title for link).