Gina Rae Mitchell

Antithesis by Svet Rouskov | Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me the information for this tour.

Book Details

Antithesis: A Collection of Science Fiction and Other Short Stories by Svet Rouskov
Published by Tellwell Talent on 02/02/2021
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy, Metaphysical, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Single Author Anthology, Space Opera
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 282

Antithesis is a collection of vivid and exhilarating science fiction stories, tied together by characters whose moral challenges offer windows into humanity and the human condition. These stories are cautionary tales, flights of fancy, terrifying psychological journeys, humorous romps, and even a space opera.

A speculative tale about humankind becoming obsolete from the perspective of the machines we created. The story of an airline pilot who loses his faith in the physics of flying as his rational and irrational mind fight for dominance.

An ancient being born of human evolution that strips us of our memories, feeding on one precious reminiscence at a time.

An audacious fable that explores a new galaxy, one where humans are irrelevant, but the conflicts of a class-based society are not.

A novella-length saga about a mission to Mars, the origins of humanity, and an atrocity that stretches across time and space.

And finally, a story that asks the question of whether an unstoppable artificial intelligence would indeed be happier traveling the vast reaches of space, or back amongst the flawed beings who created it.

Escape into worlds unlike anything you have seen before, but some eerily similar to our own.

Antithesis - where the opposite is to be expected.

Source: Goddess Fish Promotions, Received from the author or publisher for review.

 

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Purchase Links for Antithesis

Amazon     Amazon UK     Bookshop/IndieBound

Barnes & Noble     Smashwords    iTunes     The Book Depository

Waterstones    Chapters/Indigo     Kobo

(Amazon Links should take you to your home country’s Amazon page. If not, switch countries at the top of the page.)

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Excerpt from Antithesis

Antonella walked down the corridor. Some of her crew scurried away as usual when she passed, but she also noticed a few looks that lingered. She turned a corner and saw that no one was there. Off to one side was a maintenance hatch, one that led to the outer hull of the Maiden. With a glance over her shoulder, Antonella opened the hatch and squeezed herself in.

It wasn’t easy going in the maintenance corridor. Antonella had to hunch over, constantly wary not to hit her head against scorching-hot pipes. Finally, she arrived at her destination, a viewing bubble that stuck out from the outer hull, allowing repair crews to see any deformation in the ship’s skin.

But what Antonella saw nearly stopped her fluidic pumping organ. There were hundreds of invaders clinging to her ship, like Alerian moths on a stag’s back. They were dressed in vac suits with magnetic shoes. More floated silently toward the Maiden, keeping away from viewing ports and making sure to stay in the blind spot of the bridge. Thud! She again heard the metallic noise that had triggered her initial reaction in the engine room. It was an invader landing on her hull and taking their position.

There was only a moment of doubt in Antonella as she tried to understand what was happening, but it all then became crystal clear. This was the crew of the freighter. They were going to board the Maiden.

Antonella could feel her jaw clench, her back arch. She turned to head back to the corridor, vowing to kill each one of them. But suddenly, she stopped with a thought: someone must be helping them from inside. She shook her head angrily; it must be the engineer who had betrayed her, and she was now certain who was pulling his strings.

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My thoughts on Antithesis

Antithesis is a quick read with many interesting short stories. Some are related to one another, and others are completely stand-alone.

I found the tales an eclectic mix of space opera, science-fiction, a little family drama, and even a bit reminiscent of The Twilight Zone. There is a thread of murder and suicide that runs through several stories. The way these are portrayed makes a person question exactly how they would react to the characters’ situations. Could you kill for the greater good of humanity? Could you end a loved one’s suffering? Are we ever completely aware of the picture as a whole?

I do love a book that makes me think, and Antithesis certainly does that. Although this book isn’t exactly on my list of favorite genres, I am happy I took a chance and read the stories. I found something thought-provoking and entertaining in each short story. I believe that most readers will enjoy the book.

The best part about an anthology like Antithesis is that you can skip a story if you aren’t in the mood for it at that moment and come back to it when you are in the right frame of mind. I took so many notes and highlighted sections to return to when I’ve processed my thoughts a bit more.

Overall, I give the book and author high marks for an entertaining, thought-provoking anthology of quick to read tales.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Giveaway!

The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!

July 14: The Avid Reader
July 14: Sybrina’s Book Blog
July 21: Westveil Publishing
July 21: Sandra’s Book Club
July 28: Beyond Romance
July 28: Michael Leon (Book Reviews)
August 4: Gina Rae Mitchell
August 4: Becoming Extraordinary

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Purchase Antithesis online from a local book store.