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Cupid’s Arrow: Book 2 of the Shambhala Saga LGBTQ+ Science Fiction series
![Cupid's Arrow: Book 2 of the Shambhala Saga LGBTQ+ Science Fiction series by [Susan English]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51A3WyW-FtL.jpg)
Cupid’s Arrow is Susan English’s second book in the riveting Shambala saga sci-fi series. As such, it carries on where Callisto 2.0, the first book, left us. There is a major twist though – unlike Callisto 2.0, Cupid’s Arrow is not written from the perspective of Callisto. Instead, it is written from the perspective of Pavani, her lover.
It follows the aftermath of the Shambala spaceship’s disappearance to an unknown location or galaxy after using warp drive technology. During this time, Pavani and other residents of Arcadia are left at a loss. She misses Callisto deeply yet is resigned to living with the consequences of her decision to stay.
Together with the other female scientist residents of Arcadia, she tries to forge ahead, concentrating on her projects, friendships, and unlikely romances. However, Callisto continues to be a permanent fixture in her mind, pushing Pavani to make a series of unexpected decisions along the way. Ultimately, through grief and unlikely friendships, Pavani finally decides to fight for her love.
If there is one thing that stands out about Cupid’s Arrow, it is that its science fiction parts sound quite believable. Beyond that, the empathy and compassion that the all-female staff of the Foundation accords each other is quite refreshing, giving you hope that a non-misogynist utopia truly is possible.
What’s more? The author has a beautiful way of discussing issues like sexuality, gender, death, and religion without making the text feel heavy or accusatory. She has characters from diverse backgrounds having the kind of discourse we could only hope to see in the real world. Moreover, her writing style is light and her dialogue feels natural.
The story is told in a journal format and, while I enjoyed the story, I felt that it was a little tiring to read, especially on days that seem uneventful. But on the flip side, this writing approach also makes it quite believable. Cupid’s Arrow is a beautiful mix of futuristic science fiction and emotionally-resonant romance. It is a joy to read and is easy to follow, even when it comes to the complex scientific parts.
Callisto 2.0
![Callisto 2.0: A novel of the future (Book 1 of the Shambhala Saga LGBTQ+ Science Fiction series) by [Susan English]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41er9ngiicS.jpg)
If you are a fan of futuristic science fiction, Susan English’s Callisto 2.0 is right up your alley. It follows the life of Callisto, a young female scientist who feels out of place in her own world. The only child of religious parents, she feels like her family doesn’t truly understand her. However, things change when she takes a job at a foundation that not only supports her unique field of study but also provides a community of top-notch female scientists.
As she begins her new life working on the Shambahla space station, her heart is warmed by the kind and supportive all-female staff. This utopia seems to be all that she has ever wanted and she embraces it whole-heartedly. But like in every good story, Callisto’s has some conflict as well. Her heart is broken, she is betrayed, and faces challenges in her work.
At some point, the continuity of the entire foundation even faces outside opposition. From page to page, it becomes clear that eventually, Callisto will have to fight for this paradise which she has waited her whole life to find.
If there is one thing that makes this story believable, it is all the scientific explanations and dialogue included in it. Everything is so detailed that you could believe that these technological advancements could be made today. Clearly, the author being a physicist has played a big role in bringing this story to life. Also, the author does a good job of developing the characters.
She includes details about each character’s life, personality, and perspective; something that makes them relatable. Moreover, she weaves the characters’ lives together in a beautiful way, showing us how everyone is fairing on simultaneously, at least from the perspective of Callisto. And the writing style is light and upbeat, even when scientific principles are being discussed – something that makes the book easy to read.
While I enjoyed the story I felt that the book was a bit slow and there was a lot of buildup to the main conflict. To some level, it feels like a day-to-day account of Callisto’s life, which for the most part was great. While we do get glimpses of concerning situations after every few chapters, there’s little suspense and by the time we get to the true conflict, we are at the end of the book, which is a draw for readers looking for a sequel. In any case, this is still a stirring and thought-provoking science fiction adventure story that I heartily recommend to fans of detailed and realistic futuristic stories.
Pages: 314 | ASIN: B08MWN8YVG
LITERARY TITAN 