Science Fiction at its Best
Titanium Flow is a collection of ten science fiction stories created by author Elyse Salpeter. The first story set a high bar of excellence for the others.
“The Kaldonian Addiction” takes place far into humanity’s future on a science vessel led by Captain Maya Raker. Her ship is boarded by the dreaded Kaldonians who abduct human beings for the heroine-like-affect induced when they consume human brains. Prior to her inevitable death, Maya jettisons her infant twins into space hoping their father will find them. She has also embedded a message for her husband with a secret formula that will destroy the alien addiction to humans. But trying to find a needle in a haystack is a much easier task.
In “Sun and the Star” Kyralee is banished to Earth for 100 years for violating the cultural norms of her people. But here’s the thing. Kyralee’s species doesn’t age on that far off world. On Earth she plays a musical instrument resembling an ancient Greek lyre, which causes reversal of the aging process to any human listening. Kyralee definitely has friends.
As in the two stories mentioned above, Elyse Salpeter creates unique plots with plenty of amazing creative ideas. For example, in “Titanium Flow” a group of futuristic astronauts mine a far-off planet for its titanium reserves, needed for Earth’s survival, and are attacked by mindless creatures. These monsters are capable of dissolving a human with the acid they carry in their bodies. Will the earthlings survive as they await a rescue mission?
In “One of My Own,” an alien tells of her escape from her home world on a vessel bound for Earth. For years the Cassians have been studying humans and are capable of creating a human hybrid. The stowaway looks more human than not, so she seeks answers hidden from her that are slowly revealed in this superb sci-fi short story.
The stories in Titanium Flow vary in genre ranging from speculative fiction to hard science. Each of the ten stories gripped this reader’s attention from first to last page.
About the Author
On her bio page on Amazon.comElyse Salpeter writes, “…Salpeter is an author who loves mixing ‘the real with the fantastic’ in her books. She likes nothing better than taking different scenarios and creating worlds where things just aren’t what they appear to be.”
Her 5-book Kelsey Porter series, THE HUNT FOR XANADU, THE QUEST OF THE EMPTY TOMB, THE CALL OF MOUNT SUMERU, THE HAUNTING OF CRAGG HILL HOUSE, and THE SEARCH FOR STARLIGHT are about a brilliant and fearless young woman whose life is steeped in Buddhist spiritual mysteries and she is constantly discovering the world around her is not what she believed it to be.
Its a little scary if this is what our future will be like.
Thank you so much for the fantastic write-up Michael! I am so glad you enjoyed the collection!