A Time for Ryda review

Book Review of A Time for Ryda by Phil Stern

Book Synopsis:

A Time for Ryda - An undercover operative must contact her former lover across enemy lines.

Posing as a curious college student, 24-year-old Eve Scott returns to occupied Ryda, the planet of her birth, as a courier for the Terran Alliance Intelligence Network.

At first, Eve easily eludes the Gandian authorities. But the Resistance has been penetrated. Ambushed and nearly captured, Eve’s true identity is now revealed to the Gandian secret police.

Now, betrayed and on the run, Eve must trust her former lover from before the war, who may no longer have any loyalty to the Rydian cause, or Eve herself.

Author Information:

Phil Stern is the author of both Contemporary and Science Fiction.

His debut novel, The Bull Years, was published in 2011. A hard-hitting commentary on both the frustrations and ultimate validation of modern-day life, The Bull Years follows the lives of four people throughout the late 80′s, 90′s, and into the 21st century, directly addressing the gradual alienation and disconnection often experienced during young adulthood.

“I wanted to write about characters everyone could relate to,” Stern says. “We’ve all had our ups and downs. I think people sometimes feel everyone else has experienced more success than they have, or are more firmly grounded in our world than they could ever be. My hope is that everyone will recognize a little part of themselves in Steve, Sophia, Dave, and Brooke.”

Born in 1970 in Ossining, New York, Stern grew up with a love of all types of science fiction, including the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, John Wyndham, Piers Anthony, and more.

“Speculative fiction is so different today than it was back then,” Stern says. “I wanted to write stuff a bit more recognizable to fans of my generation. Science fiction should be about ideas and alternate worlds, strong characters and good stories.

Going into talk radio after attending SUNY Albany, Stern hosted regular shows in the New York City area, Albany, Utica, NY, and Greenville, NC. He later went into the advertising and sales industries.

Stern now lives in Florida, and is working on his next novel.

Book Review:

This book was more science fiction than fantasy and more cerebral than the other books I have read by Phil Stern.  The story was not my favorite Phil Stern story.  I liked it and it was definitely interesting to read.  The action scenes were intense and the story interesting, but the story didn’t have the same click for me as his other stories.  I think it was a little jarring, and then it just ended.  I wanted to the guy to get the girl, the war to end, and everyone to live happily ever after; but that’s not the point of the story.  I think I wanted more than that this book had in it.  I hope there is a sequel because I need resolution.

Despite it not being my favorite, I enjoyed the book.  I liked the main character and cared what happened to her.  I rooted for her to win out against the evil foe.  I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.