Riebeckite: Novel Review
After a little hiatus, I’m back! The last few weeks were so busy for me — what with promoting my debut collection, going to Stokercon, and having my debut novella accepted by Timber Ghost Press for publication later this year!
Hopefully things will settle a little and I can get back to reviewing regularly.
This is another Blackthorn Book Tours review, so I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Now onwards!
The Author
Raised and educated in North Wales, Oliver spent his early 20s working for a theatre-in-education music troupe for as long as it took to feel like his GCSE in Welsh language had provided its money’s worth. Since then, he’s lived in Portsmouth and currently works as a laboratory analyst. His biggest failure as a writer has been in his attempts to settle on a genre, having written about Middle Eastern vampires, African mercenaries and supernatural Welsh murderers. His first ‘properly’ published novel, “Riebeckite”, is a near-future speculative fiction story set in the Persian Gulf. — O.R. Lea’s Goodreads profile
O.R. Lea can be found on his website, Twitter, and Instagram. His published works include Riebeckite, Torpor’s End, Camp Chelovek, and Do You Get What You Pray For.
The Novel
After an asteroid strike on the moon, a strange blue dust began to flow down through Earth’s atmosphere. It’s harmful to breathe, but at least the microscopic creatures within the dust are dormant. Or so we thought.
Tahira made a childhood promise to a friend that the crisis would bring their people together… before a violent riot tore their lives apart. Now, as an adult, Tahira works as a biologist for a corporation constructing experimental towers to force the spores—known as riebeckites—to germinate into harmless colonies.
Except they’re about to learn everything they think they know about the dust is wrong. The real threat isn’t the asteroid that struck the moon and by the time humanity figures it out, it might be too late.
— Amazon landing page
Riebeckite is set in the far future, after the moon was hit by an asteroid and spores known as riebeckites now threaten human health. Tahira is a scientist who has dedicated her life to studying the effects of these alien spores on the environment in order to try and make a difference. During a routine research trip, however, Tahira stumbles on something new. Something that reveals the true nature — and intent — of the alien spores and of the company she works for.
The Review
Two things to share right away:
This is not really horror, it’s more straight sci-fi.
I googled the word “riebeckite” and apparently it’s a type of mineral! It does come in blue and black colour, though now I am curious why the author picked this particular mineral to name the alien spore after.
Quick edit! I got my answer!
Let me start off by saying, this is the type of sci-fi fiction I live for — an utterly unique concept, badass female characters, and incredibly world building.
Riebeckite is a thrilling ride full of twists and heartbreaking turns as Tahira races to escape threat after threat after threat. Her friendship with Zareen is poignant and moving, adding more tension to the story as both women’s lives are threatened. Also, O.R. Lea created a unique and monstrous new enemy that is as terrifying as it is inhuman.
I can honestly say, I never expected the direction the novel took or the ending it had. Riebeckite took me by surprise and didn’t let go until the shocking conclusions. It was truly refreshing! I am so glad that it’s part of a series so I can dive back into O.R. Lea’s world of riebeckites and corporate intrigue and corruption.
So, dear reader, grab your copy today — especially if you are in need of an epic sci-fi thriller — Riebeckite is out of this world! (bahdumtsh).
8/10
x PLM
