Adam Gaffen is the author of the near-future, LGBTQ-inclusive science fiction series The Cassidy Chronicles. The heart of the universe is the indomitable Kendra Cassidy and her wife, Aiyana, as they struggle to drag humanity to the stars. The series The Artemis War consists of four books, concluding with the award-winning "Triumph's Ashes." A prequel, a memoir (written by Kendra), and a collection of stories round out the Cassidyverse. A new series in the universe has been launched with "The Ghosts of Tantor," which was recognized as one of the top 25 Indie Books of 2022.

He lives in Colorado with his wife, five dogs, five cats, and wonders where all the time goes.

Adam Gaffen is the author of the near-future, LGBTQ-inclusive science fiction series The Cassidy Chronicles. The heart of the universe is the indomitable Kendra Cassidy and her wife, Aiyana, as they struggle to drag humanity to the stars. The series The Artemis War consists of four books, concluding with the award-winning "Triumph's Ashes." A prequel, a memoir (written by Kendra), and a collection of stories round out the Cassidyverse. A new series in the universe has been launched with "The Ghosts of Tantor," which was recognized as one of the top 25 Indie Books of 2022.

He lives in Colorado with his wife, five dogs, five cats, and wonders where all the time goes.

Adam Gaffen is the author of the near-future, LGBTQ-inclusive science fiction series The Cassidy Chronicles. The heart of the universe is the indomitable Kendra Cassidy and her wife, Aiyana, as they struggle to drag humanity to the stars. The series The Artemis War consists of four books, concluding with the award-winning "Triumph's Ashes." A prequel, a memoir (written by Kendra), and a collection of stories round out the Cassidyverse. A new series in the universe has been launched with "The Ghosts of Tantor," which was recognized as one of the top 25 Indie Books of 2022.

He lives in Colorado with his wife, five dogs, five cats, and wonders where all the time goes.

Adam Gaffen is the author of the near-future, LGBTQ-inclusive science fiction series The Cassidy Chronicles. The heart of the universe is the indomitable Kendra Cassidy and her wife, Aiyana, as they struggle to drag humanity to the stars. The series The Artemis War consists of four books, concluding with the award-winning "Triumph's Ashes." A prequel, a memoir (written by Kendra), and a collection of stories round out the Cassidyverse. A new series in the universe has been launched with "The Ghosts of Tantor," which was recognized as one of the top 25 Indie Books of 2022.

He lives in Colorado with his wife, five dogs, five cats, and wonders where all the time goes.

The Road to the Stars by Adam Gaffen

Kendra and Aiyana Cassidy's dreams are coming true. Aiyana's teleportals are growing in popularity, and Kendra's starship is nearly complete. But the Artemis Colony is throttling the planet's supply of rare earth metals. If Artemis isn't stopped soon, in twenty years ¾ of the population will be dead. They don't want a war, but if Artemis insists, Kendra's never learned how to back down.

 

REVIEWS

  • "The book strikes a fine balance between action and dialog and provides a very exciting and satisfying ending."

    – Reader review
  • "Still as inclusive as ever, with a cast of all ages, sexes, sexualities, everyone can enjoy this book! I was hanging on to every word."

    – Reader review
  • "I think I read it in only a couple or three days, only stopping to sleep, eat, work, and other essentials."

    – Reader review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

"Last stop," announced Kendra, commanding the doors to remain shut. "I think you'll appreciate this."

The doors opened.

Before them was the bridge, fitted out in cool shades of grey and blue. Around the perimeter were bank upon bank of monitors and workstations, with rugged-looking chairs firmly attached to the floors. Towards the back, facing forward, was a console with a single seat. The circular center was a half meter lower than the surrounding deck. Backing up to the console above were a pair of seats, with complex controls and screens on both sets of arms. Further forward were a trio of seats arranged behind a banked array of controls.

None of this is what caught Alley's eye.

Instead, she focused on the broad and clear expanse at the far side of the bridge, allowing them to look out at the dock and space beyond.

"Tell me that's a screen."

"Yes, and no."

"That's not reassuring."

"It is a screen. You can have it display virtually anything the computer can generate, whether that's a view of the surroundings, tactical information, sensor readings, whatever. But the screen is embedded in a slab of optical aluminum, eighteen centimeters thick."

"It's a window?"

"Yes."

"On a starship."

"Yes."

"You put a window. On a starship."

"Yes. You seem a little stuck on this."

"You put a goddess loving window on a starship!"

"We put lots of windows on this starship. You should see the one in the observation lounge on deck eight; it's bigger than this one."

"Are you totally out of your mind?"

"This seems to be really bothering you."

"Why isn't it bothering you? It's a window on a starship!"

"Because I know it's perfectly safe. It's nearly as hard as sapphire, stable at temperature extremes, and resists shattering. That doesn't begin to get into the other tricks we've tucked into it."

"Okay, it's strong. But a window?"

"When better? This is the first starship; what we do here sets a design standard for all future ships, and I wanted a window!"