Rene Astle is an author of all types of speculative fiction, from dark urban fantasy to not-so-epic fantasy to space opera science fiction (and reader of the same plus much more).

She gained a love of fiction and a voracious appetite for story literally at her mother's knee, being read LOTR and Narnia books as bedtime stories – because those are the types of stories her mom wanted to read. From her father, she got an enduring curiosity about the universe (and everything in it), earned shivering in the dark beside a telescope on cold, Canadian winter nights waiting to witness some celestial event.

Now she writes as part of the Armchair Alien writers' collective – but still hasn't determined if she's the armchair or the alien.

Dominion Chronicles - The Lyra Cycle: Episodes 1-2 by Rene Astle

Book 1

In the vast expanse of space, the crew of the cargo ship Lyra accepts the unpredictability of living on the edge. But nothing could prepare them for the turn their lives take when they pick up two new members and a salvage job on a third-rate space station.

But Tink is used to a life of odd jobs and even odder crewmates, working as the ship's engineer and all-around fixer. Her mission is clear: keep the ship running smoothly. It'd be a lot easier if Grim, the ship's curious cat, stayed out of her engine room.

Alek Wa is on the run. And he's pretty sure he can hide amongst the motley crew of Lyra. But that's not the only reason he's onboard. His minders gave him a mission — if only they'd told him what it was.

Amid the chaos, Captain Rebeka Mino just wants to retire to her room with a whiskey and a steamy novel. Too bad the ship keeps getting shot at.

And when they arrive at the coordinates for the salvage job, they're confronted by a dead ship in the deep black.

A Dead Ship in the Deep Black is a gripping sci-fi adventure that takes readers on a thrilling voyage through a universe filled with enigmatic characters, unexpected discoveries, and unique challenges.

Book 2

Rule number 27: Don't trust the weird Sisters.

Or maybe it's don't steal from gangsters. Either way...words to live by.

The Lyra is safe. And so is Alek Wa's secret. His mission is over, and he can leave the ship. But he's not sure he wants to. And when the Sisters of Elazir drop them into the Green Zone, Alek's stomach sinks. The last time he was here, he fled with his life and barely got away.

Rebeka Mino isn't happy to be in the Green Zone, ruled by gangsters and reprobates. She can survive it though — she's been there before. But then things go from bad to worse: her ex shows up with a treasure map to a fabled ship.

With the Lyra back in working order, Tink has no desire to chase after mythical treasure ships. She wants life to get back to normal: odd jobs, the occasional salvage and tinkering in her engine room. But with her secret exposed and unwelcome guests, she doubts if things can ever go back to normal...and Alek Wa is still onboard.

When the gangsters start shooting, their only escape might be to find a lost ship in a dark grave. Can Alek outrun his past? Can Rebeka's ex survive their reunion? Can they uncover the mystery ship and its treasure? Most importantly, can they get out with their lives?

Find out in this edge-of-your-seat sequel to A Dead Ship in the Deep Black!

CURATOR'S NOTE

•If you have not yet ventured into the realms of Rene Astle, this is your chance. Rene has a great talent for writing exciting space opera novels filled with high-stakes drama, exotic settings, unforgettable twists, and heroic characters. I know this particular book will hook you with the story of the crew of the cargo ship Lyra and their fateful encounter with a mysterious starship that is much more than the target of a routine salvage job. The excitement started in that book (which was featured previously in the Heroines of Space Opera bundle) will continue in the all-new Episode 2, A Lost Ship In A Dark Grave. In this action-packed sequel, another mysterious and dangerous salvage job beckons, bringing the Lyra's captain and crew into conflict with ruthless gangsters and the very elements that threaten the success of their mission. By the time you've gotten through both books, you'll understand why Rene is such a dynamic voice in the space opera field and her Lyra Cycle is making such a big splash with readers who can't get enough of her trademark breakneck action and richly developed characterization. – Robert Jeschonek

 

REVIEWS

  • "Rene Astle delivers a very enjoyable space adventure in the style of Becky Chambers' A long Way to a Small Planet and Joss Whedon's Firefly."

    – Reader review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

The Lyra shuddered as its rear slipped sideways, causing it to bump into something, presumably the pier. Tink patted the engine, grimacing at the greasy fingerprints she left on the gleaming blue housing. "It's okay, girl, you'll get some TLC soon."

She swore the ship hummed in response, and she smiled as she plucked a rag from her pocket and wiped away the grease spots. A hiccough in the fuel manifold drew her attention, barely audible over the other murmurs and whirrs of the engine room. Tipping her head to the side, she heard a faint whine from behind the axial stabilizer. A frown pulled her lips down as she listened. Picking up the torch from her workbench, she tucked it in her mouth then shimmied under the air intake to get at the offending flywheel. Once in place, she flashed the torch up. Two glowing, green eyes peered down at her.

"Grim!" Tink reached an arm between moving bits of engine to grab at the grey cat. He jumped over her hand and fled the way she'd come. Shaking her head in the confined space, she set to adjusting the flywheel, then crawled back out. Grim sat on her workbench, cleaning himself.

"Why did I take you in again?" she asked as she dusted off her jumpsuit. The cat blinked at her, then lifted his leg to scratch at his neck, rattling the bauble on his collar which did nothing to scare bugs away. Tink turned away, pulling out a stethoscope to listen to the engine. Her eyebrows drew together — there was a ping somewhere in her system. The Lyra shivered again but didn't bounce.

The ship comms crackled as it came to life, startling her, and causing Grim to hiss.

"I swear, Tink, if you don't get that engine in line, I'll space you," the disembodied voice of Captain Rebeka Mino said.

Tink snorted. "Don't worry." She gave the stabilizer a gentle rub. "She doesn't mean it." With Tink's small frame and knowledge of every nook and cranny of the ship, she knew that even if the captain were serious, her anger would burn out long before she found her. And Tink knew Rebeka Mino — under the hard exterior there was a core of iron that wouldn't do anything to endanger the crew, no matter how angry she was. That included not spacing Tink. Besides, the engine wasn't the cause of their current problems; that was Ish's flying.

Another judder shivered through the ship, and a light started blinking on the display to her left. She flicked the light with her finger. "Not again."

She sprinted towards the cargo bay. The docking ring assembly wasn't extending, and one thing a ship in port needed was an airtight seal.