Written by Susan English
If one theme prevails throughout Susan English’s Shambhala Saga, it’s hope. If you’ve read my reviews of the first two books (if you haven’t, fear not; you can read my review of the first book, Callisto 2.0, here, and my review of the second, Cupid’s Arrow, here), you’ll likely recall the series prominently features themes about feminism, LGBTQI+ rights and religion. While the third book in the series, The Orange Light of an Alien Sun, certainly touches upon those themes, the book highlights an optimism for a brighter tomorrow as it brings the overarching message of hope to the fore.
The above isn’t to say The Orange Light of an Alien Sun is all sunshine and rainbows; it’s far from it. As the adage goes, “it’s always darkest before the dawn,” and the novel certainly goes to some dark places, the darkest of which are told by characters discussing their history prior to their time aboard the Shambhala Space Station. I’ll get this out of the way early: the book features frank descriptions of sexual assault and its impact on the survivors, and also includes stories about gay conversion therapy. If you’re likely to be triggered by these topics, I would suggest proceeding with this novel with caution. The subject matter is sensitively handled, both by English, in how she writes the scenes in question, and by the characters in the story. However, these conversations between the characters are unpleasant, just as the topics are entirely unpleasant.
While these are stories being told by the characters in question, they have the unfortunate byproduct of interfering with the novel’s flow. The story is carefully paced, slowly building from the opening scene in the book, after so much has gone wrong for the characters. Given the nature of monologues (many readers hate them, but sometimes, they are the best way to convey information), especially when the book focuses on a single point of view character, I don’t see how this information could have been conveyed in a way that doesn’t interfere with the narrative, but as it stands, it doesn’t quite work.
At an estimated 330 pages on Kindle, The Orange Light of an Alien Sun is shorter than Callisto 2.0 and longer than Cupid’s Arrow. It picks up the story of the Shambhala Space Station following the first book’s events, and is told concurrently with the second. Callisto and the crew find themselves in deep space, not knowing where they are, but understanding they need to settle. Like the books before it, the story builds slowly, without much happening. Once again, it’s a say in the life of Callisto (or Calli) and the crew of scientists that luxuriates in a sense of the mundane, while letting the plot unfold. With the exception of the aforementioned conversations, the pacing works for the story, more interested in its characters than the larger plot.
However, the larger plot plays a more prominent role in The Orange Light of an Alien Sun than it does in the previous books, and it uses this to build tension. The book’s opening is more tense than anything in the series so far, as the reader is reintroduced to Calli, worried by the recent turn of events. While the book doesn’t maintain the sense of tension, it adds a level of gravitas to it. These are characters marooned in space with no way of reaching home. The odds are stacked against the characters, and yet the story’s tone provides hope to the reader through the character’s actions.
Each book in the series has featured a wonderful cast of characters, and The Orange Light of an Alien Sun is no different. The book features the return of a number of characters absent from the second book, and their return is welcome. It may feature an all-female crew, but this crew is filled by an incredibly diverse group that complements each other nicely. The most prominent of these characters is Calli, who once again serves as the book’s sole point of view character. She feels true to the character in the first book, albeit saddled with many issues she needs to contend with. Another prominent character is the series’ Foundation’s artificial intelligence, Annie, who has an interesting arc that plays into the overall story well. I look forward to seeing more of her (it?).
Both the book’s prose and dialogue are clear and easy to follow. The prose conveys everything it should, whether it’s the alien setting, the characters or the situations they find themselves in. I’ve taken issue with the dialogue in the previous books, and while it still feels occasionally stilted, overall, it flows more freely than it does in those.
As the third book in the Shambhala Saga, The Orange Light of an Alien Sun doesn’t stand alone, and feels very much like a middle chapter in an ongoing series. If you haven’t read the previous books, it does little to catch you up, but regardless, it’s still an easy story to follow. I would certainly recommend trading the first book ahead of this one, however, the second is more nebulous as it focuses on a different set of characters. If you do read that before The Orange Light of an Alien Sun, however, you’ll enjoy seeing how the two books connect.The Orange Light of an Alien Sun is a great character focused science fiction story that is certain to entertain readers. Although the darker subject matter interrupts the book’s flow, it remains an entertaining book with strong themes and an underlying message about hope. I’m looking forward to seeing what book four, Infinite Horizons, brings. Look for that review on Wednesday.
Favourite Passage
My body jerked and I opened my eyes. I was enveloped in the tentacle-like arms of a bot. My lungs were laboring now, my oxygen almost depleted. And Diana? What about Diana? As my vision faded to blackness, I saw that she, too, was being cradled by a bot. Gratitude.
Then I was in Shambhala, oxygen mask pressed against my face and Gamon hovering over me. “Welcome back,” she said.
My lungs felt raw, but I took a deep breath, then put my hand on the mask, moving it away from my mouth. “Diana?” I whispered.
The Orange Light of an Alien Sun: Book Three of the Shambhala Saga, Chapter 16
The Orange Light of an Alien Sun: Book Three of the Shambhala Saga was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review.
The Orange Light of an Alien Sun is available on Kindle, exclusive to Amazon.
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The Orange Light of an Alien Sun: Book 3 of the Shambhala Saga
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