A. L. Kaplan

Tag: fiction

  • Book Review – Gold Dust

    Book Review – Gold Dust

    Gold Dust, by Catherine Assaro, is the second Dust Knights novel. This is an exciting standalone story with a large cast of characters that centers around the Undercity kids who have joined the Raylicon Olympic team and their teammates. There is Bhaaj, a retired and decorated military officer turned private investigator and track and field coach. Mason, the city of Cries coach who discovers that the Undercity people are athletic prodigies. Angel, a strong psychic from the Undercity who is constantly underestimated by her city instructors. Ruzik, Angel’s husband and a great distance runner. Dice, heir to the Undercity’s Vakaar crime syndicate. Shiv, heir to the Undercity’s Kaja crime syndicate. Tam, a talented trans Undercity runner who is targeted multiple times because of her origin. Kiro, an incredibly strong empath from a wealthy and privileged family in the city of Cries. Hyden, an arrogant runner from another wealthy family who scorns all Undercity runners as beneath him, and Zee, Lamp, and Strider, Undercity runners who are drawn to Kiro and accept him into their family.

    These kids just want to run, (and get food and clean water for their families) but are hit with prejudice and obstacles at multiple turns. Everyone “knows” that people from the Undercity are all no good, lazy, and stupid criminal thugs. At almost every race, the Undercity athletes are underestimated and ridiculed, accused of cheating when they win.

    But this story is about more than that. There are surprising twists and revelations, power plays between two major corporations, all with family ties, interstellar intrigue, and a pair of star-crossed lovers. Can the city athletes look beyond their preconceived notions? Can the Undercity athletes overcome their many disadvantages and find acceptance? You’ll need to read to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series.

    Gold Dust releases on October 7, 2025

  • Book Review: THE DOWN DEEP

    Book Review: THE DOWN DEEP

    The Down Deep, Catherine Asaro’s latest novel, is an exciting story with a gripping twist that I didn’t expect and thoroughly enjoyed.  

    Colonel Lavinda Majda and retired Major Bhaajan, travel to the Undercity to try to build a relationship and trust between their two peoples. Overcoming more than hundreds of years of mistrust is no easy task, especially with vast cultural and language differences. Something as simple as a smile or name means different things to each of them. Even the number of syllables in a word can cause problems. One wrong step could put all their lives in danger.

    To most residents of Cries the “savages” that live in the Undercity are inferior, less than human. Yet they need the unique abilities that the Undercity dwellers have. Lavanda is an exceptional woman, part of the privileged elite. She is fiercely loyal to her people, yet with a compassion and openness to learn about the Undercity and accept them as who they are.

    Bhaaj was born in the undercity, where people struggle to survive. It is one of the poorest places on Raylicon and a sharp contrast to the wealthy city of Cries. In the Undercity, the strong survive and protect the ones they love, while the weak perish. Clean water and food are the most valuable items. But those who live there have a beautiful and rich culture that the people in Cries know nothing about.

    The Down Deep has great tension and pacing with intriguing characters. They even surprise themselves at times. Asaro cleverly showcases the cultural differences between the Undercity and Cries through both Bhaaj’s and Lavinda’s eyes. Past events are woven into the narrative making it easy to follow without having read previous books in the universe. I look forward to reading more from this author.

    [I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.]