Hello space traveller! If you’ve been searching the galaxy for your next summer sci-fi read, The Space Traveller’s Lover by Omara Williams (Authorhouse UK) is definitely the book for you. This clean romance would appeal to a large range of people, from YA to seasoned readers, the esoteric elements are few and far between while the rich descriptive language helps to fill in the gaps of this otherworldly novel.
In support of the sci-fi descriptors, this book features black and white illustrations wedged between chapters that beautifully depict the characters and their surroundings. This was a lovely addition to me, as someone who thrives on visual wordplay as well as images to help build the story in my head as I read along.
DREAMS BECOME REALITY
The Space Traveller’s Lover begins within the recurring dream of our protagonist, Erin, where she is running through a futuristic marble corridor leading to the wide expanse of a multicolored ocean. It is strangely beautiful, yet somehow familiar to Erin as her dream ends in the way it always does — with her being unable to reach a mysterious stranger watching her from a distance.
Outside of her wild dreams, Erin is the adopted child of the well-known Lobart family living on a tropical island called Tinian, going to school and working at her family’s successful Tuna Farm. She leads a completely mundane life, carefree and unaware of the unearthly qualities she possesses that both draw attention and unnerve those in the presence of her gifted mind and large purple eyes. Mundane that is — until she decides to finally follow a mysterious orange light she has been seeing more and more often, coming from the dangerous caves of a nearby island.
Personally, I’m a big fan of this “I had a normal life, until —” trope in sci-fi romance because it makes it so much easier for the protagonist to be swept away on a new adventure with few strings attached. At the same time, I also think it’s important to include family members and friends who care about the protagonist, which Williams does in this book. It allows the lead to have an abundance of freedom while also grounding the emotions and memories that make them thoughtfully developed character.
A LIFE LINKED TO ALIENS
When what was supposed to be a romantic escapade between Erin and her best friend, Sam, takes a turn for the worst, she surprisingly ends up in the shiny, silver-clad arms of the man of her dreams. A Rom-Ghenshar alien named Rothwen. He has been waiting for Erin for a long time and is determined to keep her by his side by any means necessary. Erin, enthralled by his superhuman abilities and familiar presence, does not seem to mind all that much despite her usual independence. As it turns out, her strange features and abilities are more alien than she originally thought.
The romantic chemistry in this plot is fascinating. Both love interests are undeniably drawn to each other, yet have key character traits that should fight against one another. Rothwen has a domineering presence and is used to getting his way most of the time, however, he finds himself immensely attracted to Erin’s strong-willed and defiant personality — all of the aspects that make her human.
DESTINED TO SAVE HUMANITY
This idea of “Human Quality” is a key plot point throughout the story. While Erin attempts to embrace a major revelation about her alien ancestry, she struggles with her desire to retain her human emotions that make her so different from Rom-Ghenshars. While they share many qualities such as being independent, bold and ever-curious explorers of the galaxies, they lock away strong feelings of empathy and love. Erin, given the new Rom-Ghenshar name of Shaillah, is considered a very special hybrid because of her humanity, and the fate of the Earth might very well depend on her staying that way.
This fast-paced novel will have you daydreaming about pink oceans, telepathic powers and powerful alien hunks all while making you contemplate the possibilities of cosmic passion vs. the home planet you grew to love and protect. Feeling spacey? Check out The Space Traveller’s Lover.
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About Omara Williams:
Omara Williams earned a BSc Honours in Nuclear Engineering from Havana University and currently is an award-winning software manager. When she is not working, she enjoys watching the night sky, investigating ancient alien theories and chasing total solar eclipses. Omara lives with her husband and daughter in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
