Former Ten Stars combat pilot Rick Barrett is having a bad day. Not only is he jobless and broke, in a seedy spaceport bar he has just been forced into a winner-takes-all poker game with a homicidal cauliflower. Salvation is at hand in the shapely form of Irish redhead Julie Halloran, who has an unusual talent of her own. Julie has a proposition for Rick that could end his financial worries at a stroke, though it might also end up getting him killed. But is Julie keeping a few cards hidden herself?
The Festival on Lyris Five is a fast-moving, hilarious, science-fiction novella, where nothing is quite what it seems. The story by UK author Nick Daws is beautifully complemented by Louise Tolentino's wry illustrations.
"The Festival on Lyris Five" This was an easy, enjoyable read, full of fun, with a likeable lead role and great alien characters. Superb twist at the end..you'll love it.
"Festival On Lyris Five" Seemingly drawing from a number of science fiction influences, The Festival On Lyris Five is an immensely enjoyable read. The protagonist Richard Barrett puts me very much in mind of Han Solo with possibly a dash of Lister. The characters have depth and the dialogue is quirky. One could almost imagine dining at the Zodiac Castle then stopping off at the Martian Arms for a Nortons Mindwarp or too. With its intriguing settings and seamless plot The Festival On Lyris Five is a charming novella worthy of a sequel. Of special note is the artwork and the surprising (but credible) twist in the tale which, of course, you will have to read for yourself.
