Today's
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Saturday snippet is from the prologue of my neo-Victorian adventure, "
The Sky: The World," published by
Reliquary Press in 2010. If you dig alternate history, you might dig Azazian England, so feel free to nab an ebook or print copy. But no matter what, make sure to visit the rest of the sites on this lovely little
blog bounce!!
It all seemed so long ago and so far away, but no matter how focused Toby was upon those blissful memories, he never stopped reaching for the hidden lever beneath his seat that would engage the Emergency Pilot System; it was their last and only hope. When he hooked his finger around a slippery piece of metal and felt the sweet click of the gear engaging, he looked to Sarah with a hopeful smile. He knew that within seconds of the system engaging, the picocrystals embedded within the plane's hull would reconstruct the fissures, and although it wouldn't be able to fly, the crystalline emergency wings would allow the Begonia to sail safely back to earth. Despite being unable to touch, Toby and Sarah truly felt together in their hope. However, following that click and their shared moment of peace, the connection was abruptly severed by the inferno that swelled around them and the screeching metal that twisted them even farther apart. He didn't have the time to ponder the reason for the EPS' malfunction as his capability for speculation had been obliterated when the sky caught fire, but it was obvious that he hadn’t expected it. The ground welcomed the Begonia with a hard “hello” and rolled the burning plane across its face in an almost condescending fashion, deceiving the wreckage into thinking that perhaps the true crash was still imminent.
Somewhere beyond everything, three souls left flesh, but from the top of his ivory tower, Doctor Azaz witnessed the ball of flame fall to earth before all others and only felt two souls depart. He knew that the pilot had been different from his wife and unborn child; different and special.
Exciting! I already picked this book up and it's queued up in my TBR pile-up. Cannot wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a scene. Some nice descriptive narrative there, and a surprise waiting at the end.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting ending that makes one ponder...good stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat scene - hope turning to incandescent despair in an instant, and the aeroplane tumbling to the ground. Very vivid and gripping - and an intriguing coda at the end. I'll be interested to see more of Azazian England.
ReplyDeleteCreepy and dreamlike, Jess!
ReplyDeleteI was totally engrossed from beginning to end.
:) Heidi
Wow! The scene was painted in my mind with crisp detail. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteNice writing that left the reader wanting more.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a vivid scene. Left me breathless and wanting more. Thank you for sharing!
Very enticing snippet. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at "Neo-Victorian Adventure" - adding this book to my To Be Bought and Read Pile.
ReplyDeleteAs for the snippet, full of intrigue (why can't they touch?) and action. Fantastic!
Love the line "The ground welcomed the Begonia with a hard “hello”" - great impact.
ReplyDeleteWow. So many questions! Though my main curiosity is whether the ivory tower is literal or metaphorical. Definitely intrigued.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting discussion is worth comment.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people don't speak about
such issues. To the next! All the best!!
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Exciting! I enjoyed reading it.Thanks for sharing.
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