S. E. Sasaki

Buffet in a blender

There are several interesting concepts in this novel. Unfortunately, they are thoroughly mixed around with each other to the point that there is no logical basis for the universe.

Medical Station, but a doctor gets yelled at by a ward clerk. Military casualties, but there are no facilities for dealing with incoming patients.
Androids and AIs, with no real definition for how they differ or why they both exist separately.
And a secret bad guy with deviant sexual issues right in the prologue.
Transgenic military personnel with bionics and *black market* mods...somebody doesn’t understand military at all.

Trying to play in too many pools at the same time. Pick a lane.… (meer)

Buffet in a blender

There are several interesting concepts in this novel. Unfortunately, they are thoroughly mixed around with each other to the point that there is no logical basis for the universe.

Medical Station, but a doctor gets yelled at by a ward clerk. Military casualties, but there are no facilities for dealing with incoming patients.
Androids and AIs, with no real definition for how they differ or why they both exist separately.
And a secret bad guy with deviant sexual issues right in the prologue.
Transgenic military personnel with bionics and *black market* mods...somebody doesn’t understand military at all.

Trying to play in too many pools at the same time. Pick a lane.… (meer)

The second book in S.E. Sasaki’s Grace Lord series continues to raise the bar for tension, drama, and action. The nefarious Dr. Jeffrey Nestor is back to get his revenge on Dr. Grace Lord and the android, Bud, for their interference from the previous book. As Nestor begins plotting his revenge, more drama takes shape on the medical space station, Nelson Mandela. Jude Luis Stefnsson, a famous director has arrived on the station with plans to make use of the memory imprinting technology developed by Dr. Octavia Weisman. A mysterious, wounded panther adaptation soldier may be more dangerous than first believed. And an egotistical visiting surgeon may expose the station to an even greater threat than Jeffrey Nestor. In the hectic world of medicine and saving lives, things on the station begin to spiral out of control as Nestor’s plans put the entire station in danger in his drive to get his revenge.

Sasaki has again found the mark with this book. The drama and tension in the book are slowly built up to a fevered pitch as multiple story threads are introduced and then woven together to the climactic conclusion. At the same time, Sasaki provides moments of levity, humor, and romance that not only provide necessary pauses in the action, but add depth to the characters. Reading the book was like watching an episode of ER mixed with Star Trek, the medical drama blending seamlessly with sci-fi action. But don’t let the exciting action and drama distract you. Sasaki has a deeper message within the story about what it means to be human, even when you are an android. The actions and motivations of Bud are neatly contrasted by those of Dr. Nestor. In addition, the sub-plot exploring Jude and his actions provide a similar, though slightly divergent, look at what it means to be human as we age and grow. I really enjoyed how these story arcs paralleled each other throughout the novel.

Bud by the Grace of God is a fun, fast-paced medical sci-fi thriller. S.E. Sasaki has created interesting characters that you want to know more about, and a story that keeps you turning the pages. I highly recommend this book for anybody who’s a fan of television medical dramas and has any interest in sci-fi.… (meer)

Sci-Fi takes on many forms, and crosses many sub-genres, but Welcome to the Madhouse by S.E. Sasaki is the first sci-fi story that I have read that is a blend of science fiction action and gritty medical drama. Dr. Grace Alexandra Lord has just received a surgical fellowship on the Nelson Mandela, the premier medical space station in the Conglomerate. Working under the brilliant surgeon Dr. Hiro Al-Fadi, Grace hopes to improve her surgical skills working on the augmented and genetically modified super-soldiers of the Conglomerate. What she didn’t count on was the sudden infatuation by Bud, a medical android built by Dr. Al-Fadi, or the obsession by the station’s head psychiatrist. When a medical emergency puts the Nelson Mandela into quarantine, Grace and the other doctors must race against the clock to find a cure.

I loved this book. It is fast-paced, easy to read, with great characters. It’s a blend of classic sci-fi from Heinlein or Asimov mixed with the best of M.A.S.H and E.R. The super-soldiers are genetically modified humans designed as massive tigers, bears, gorillas, and even orcas! The doctors are complex, with personalities that reflect not only their skill, but their inflated ideas about their skills. The banter and dialogue between the doctors feel real and makes each character come to life. Grace comes into her own as the story progresses, starting out as a new member of staff, by the end you feel that she is ready to step into any role on the station. She’s been battle-tested by the quarantine and comes out stronger because of it. Bud, the medical android, is an interesting character who is a super genius, but has a very child-like personality as he grows into his constantly updating programming. (Oh, and I really like the station AI, Nelson Mandela, who has multiple personalities, including one that creates AI poetry.)

Sasaki has created a wonderfully fun tale that blends the best of science fiction with a great medical drama. I highly recommend that you add this book to your collection.… (meer)