Title: Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits
Author: Lyn Gala
First published November 24, 2015
186 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781682520024
Rating: 4.31
Overview
In Lyn Gala’s novel Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits, Ondry and Liam are on a mission to trade with humans, but their journey has resurrected old wounds for Liam. As Ondry struggles to protect his beloved palteia, he must also navigate the treacherous politics of the Rownt ship and shield Liam from the shifting tides.
With everything changing around them, Ondry and Liam only have each other to rely on. However, with Liam’s fleeting human lifespan and the ghosts of his past haunting him, their family may come to an end before they’re ready.
As a dominant and possessive Rownt, Ondry will stop at nothing to keep Liam safe and challenge the world to protect his lover.
About the Author
Lynsey Gala, better known as Lyn, has been writing since she was in third grade. Her love for westerns eventually led to science fiction, and now she writes about morally ambiguous characters.
She believes that even the purest heroes have darkness in their hearts, and that’s what inspires her stories. Lyn’s characters strive to better themselves and attain a happy ending, but it’s the struggle that really drives her.
When she’s not writing, Lyn teaches in New Mexico.
Initially, Lyn started writing fanfic that spanned various genres like gen, slash, het, and femslash. However, she prefers to focus on plot, such as mysteries and monsters.
While sex can happen in her stories, she emphasizes that her characters engage in power exchange, bondage or bdsm only after giving their full consent. In fact, stories that depict abuse are a big no-no for her.
Editoral Review
“Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits” by Lyn Gala is a science fiction novel that was first published on November 24, 2015. The book is a part of the growing genre of LGBTQ+ science fiction, which explores futuristic societies that are accepting of all genders and sexualities.
The novel is set in a future where Earth has been destroyed, and humans have been forced to leave the planet and settle on other worlds. The story follows the life of a young man named Liam, who is a part of a group of humans that have formed an alliance with an alien race known as the Ryzel.
Liam is a member of the Ryzel, and he is tasked with helping to broker a deal between the two species.
The novel has a strong focus on the relationships between the characters, particularly between Liam and his Ryzel partner, Seta. The two characters are from different worlds, and they struggle to understand each other’s cultures and customs.
The novel also explores themes of identity, acceptance, and belonging, as Liam grapples with his own sense of self and his place in the world.
One of the strengths of “Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits” is its world-building. The author has created a rich and detailed universe, with multiple planets, species, and political factions.
The culture and customs of the Ryzel are particularly well-developed, and the reader gets a real sense of what it would be like to live in a society that is so different from our own.
The novel also has well-drawn characters, with Liam being a particularly complex and interesting protagonist. The reader is able to empathize with his struggles and root for him as he tries to navigate the challenges of his new life.
The relationship between Liam and Seta is also compelling, as the two characters learn to overcome their differences and find common ground.
One potential weakness of the novel is its pacing. The story can be slow-moving at times, and some readers may find themselves getting impatient with the plot.
Additionally, while the novel is well-written, it can be a bit dense at times, with a lot of information to process.
Overall, “Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits” is a well-crafted and thought-provoking work of science fiction. It offers a unique perspective on gender and sexuality, and its exploration of these themes feels particularly timely in today’s world.
While it may not be for everyone, readers who enjoy character-driven stories and rich world-building will find a lot to love in this novel.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.