Stacey S. Thompson   Pilgrims' Moon   Excerpts   Reviews   Bio  Upcoming Events   Message Board   Contact Stacey

"Many sci-fi authors focus too heavily on technology while downplaying the human element. Pilgrims' Moon by Stacey S. Thompson transcends the typical space adventure by striking a satisfying balance between science and the characters that are affected by it."   Dennis Royer, Author of Stranger
                                                                                                                                                            
Professional Reviews of Pilgrims' Moon

Reviewer:  Dennis Royer, Author of Stranger
Posted at www.bookreview.com

Fiction - Science Fiction
Title: Pilgrims' Moon
Author: Stacey S. Thompson
Rating:    Excellent!
Publisher: Publish America
Web Page: http://www.publishamerica.com
Publisher's E-mail: support@publishamerica.com

Did you ever wonder what life will be like in 700 years? In an attempt to answer this question, many sci-fi authors focus too heavily on technology while downplaying the human element.  Pilgrims' Moon by Stacey S. Thompson transcends the typical space adventure by striking a satisfying balance between science and the characters that are affected by it.  Not only is the reader exposed to futuristic concepts such as "biostasis" and "tachyonic computer systems," but Thompson also writes a compelling tale with likable characters struggling to survive on a strange new world.

The story begins with protagonist Scott Thorne in 2704. Trained as a planetologist, Scott is tasked with finding a suitable home for the surviving passengers and crew aboard the damaged space freighter, Argo.  The second half of Pilgrims' Moon centers on how the colonists interact during the creation of their new society on planet Loki.  It is in this setting that Thompson presents a vision of how future humankind will be driven by the same needs, wants, and desires that motivate their present day counterparts.

Many imaginative subplots enhance the main story line.  Of special interest is the sexual tension that develops when Scott Thorne competes with Commander Cal Adams for the affection of Argo's pretty medical doctor, Jessica Colby.  One other noteworthy subplot involves 10-year-old passenger, Nadia Trebikov. This ebullient girl's consistent courage during perilous situations made me especially sympathetic toward her character.  Nadia develops into a role model for her adult companions, inspiring both them and me as a reader.  Finally, if you enjoy experiencing life vicariously through other characters, don't miss the chapter about the Bloom!

I doubt if any of us will be around in 2704 to judge the accuracy of Thompson's vision, but I am confident in how he portrays humanity.  What will life be like in 700 years?  Pilgrims' Moon answers it for us.  The people living then will struggle, dream, love, and survive, just as we do today - just as we always have.
 

Reviewer: Edward Vicario from Betsie's Literary Page

Posted at http://betsie.tripod.com

Rating: Highly Recommended

November 30, 2003

Aboard the transporter ship Argo Scott Thorne awakens from his biostatic chamber with the assumption they have arrived at their final destination point, Terranova. Instead he discovers that not only has the Argo suffered the loss of its commanding officer, but that 500 years have elapsed!

In addition: one of the Argo's passengers, a T-Corp Commissioner -Harris, withholds information about his real intentions of travel. Two-dozen militia soldiers remain dormant in biostatics, while the Argo's computer system runs amok due to a destructive virus.

With an intriguing cast and crew, the Argo sets out to find a hospitable planet on which they can take refuge. At the same time Thorne falls head over heels for the ship's medical officer, Jessica Colby, who happens to have an on again, off again relationship with the newly appointed captain, Cal Adams.

After finding a planet, which they name Loki. A recon group boards the Jason and heads for the surface to investigate. What they find is certainly not what they expected. Still, having resolved a potentially nasty situation, and finding the planet suitable enough to live on, they re-animate the remaining of the passengers and begin colonizing Loki.

But it's not long before they find out that Loki was already colonized, as they run into an old man, Eli. He reveals devastating and eye opening news. But even scarier are the creatures of Loki that suddenly surface.

The author, Stacey Thompson has done a superb job, not just at taking the reader through space and time, but through the birth of a new civilization as well. Pilgrim's Moon is a great science fiction tale that that hooks the audience from the moment you dive into the first paragraph. This brilliantly woven tale makes you forget such a world exists.

The exciting action will grip readers, but readers will think about the messages that make this novel transcend most science fiction books attaining the golden status of powerhouse. Hard core sci-fi fans are sure to love Pilgrim's Moon and even if you are not a fan, it will certainly guarantee to entertain!

An Interview with Stacey S. Thompson by  Edward Vicario

To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

Pilgrims' Moon is a science-fiction adventure about the passengers on the spaceship Argo who are in suspended animation heading for a colony on the planet Terranova. They expect the two-year voyage to pass uneventfully; unfortunately, the Argo encounters a space-time anomaly and emerges 500 years in the future. The re-animated passengers have no hope of reaching Earth or Terranova and need to find a new planet to colonize before their fuel and supplies are exhausted. Pilgrims' Moon describes how the passengers must pull together to confront the unknown challenges facing them when they land on the strange moon, Proxima Tauri IIIB.

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

I grew up in a rural community in Logansport, Indiana. I was an avid reader and writer from a very young age. I still have Star Trek and Lost in Space episodes I wrote when I was only 12 or 13 years old, along with many other original creations.  I always enjoyed science fiction and imagining "what if" stories. Perhaps living in slow-paced farm area where nothing too exciting ever happened encouraged me to be creative and to entertain myself.

Who were your earliest influences and why?

My parents were a very strong and positive influence. My mother is also an avid reader, and she showed me by example that reading is an enjoyable pastime. She was always reading something, so I wanted to do the same.

What would a typical day be like for a writer?

My typical day as a writer is working my regular corporate job. But in my free time, especially on the weekends when I have a block of time to really escape into my imaginary worlds, I can't wait to get up, make a pot of coffee, and start writing for several hours. I don't know if it's the story or the caffeine, but sometimes it's late afternoon before I realize I haven't showered, dressed, or eaten lunch.

How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

I've written for fun since I was 12 or 13.  I wrote a novel manuscript when I was a teenager, but never pursued that idea further.  When I was 21 I won the 1983 Honeywell Futurist Award, which was a nationwide essay competition for predicting future technologies in the year 2000. The year 2000 has come and passed, and my predictions were a little off, but not too much. I didn't write anything for many years, finally starting on Pilgrims' Moon in 2000. I've been writing ever since, and I can't believe how much I enjoy it. Now, when I don't write, I feel such an incredible void in my life.

Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?

After I had completed the manuscript for Pilgrims' Moon, I tried to get a literary agent. As everyone knows, it's extremely difficult to get anyone to even read what you submit. After getting many form letter rejections, I was getting pretty discouraged. The only two agents who expressed interest were scam artists. Then I learned about PublishAmerica. I submitted to them, and they accepted me for publication. Nothing defeats defeatism as much as success. Now people are reading Pilgrims' Moon and enjoying it immensely.  I'm glad I didn't give up, because then my story would have never been enjoyed by anyone. It would have sat in a box in my closet to be thrown out with my garbage when I die.

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

It's a very inwardly focused, solitary occupation. A lot of people wonder why anyone would want to sit in a chair in front of a computer and write. I enjoy being transported into my stories as I create them. But it's hard to share those stories with others, because you never know if they will like them as much as you did.  You try your best and pour your soul into your work, and it leaves you in a very vulnerable position.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

I mindlessly lift heavy weights up and down and run around an indoor track to keep fit. I also enjoy reading a lot fiction and non-fiction of many different types.  My reading helps my writing, especially by giving me ideas for new science fiction stories. It's amazing how many interesting things are lying in newspapers and magazines waiting for a creative twist.

Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?

I don't know if I've sacrificed as much as I simply desire to find the right balance in my life. I've determined that balance is very important not only between work and personal life, but between solitary activities (like writing) and social ones (like being with friends). When I'm balanced, I'm most creative and productive with my writing. Perhaps the one thing I've sacrificed is television. Turn off that idiot box and it's amazing how much extra time you have. I watch some TV, but I figure I pay the cable company about $10 an hour for how much I watch each month.

What question do you get asked more than any other?

"How are book sales?" Everyone wants to know. I guess it's an ice breaker since they know I'm an author now. Sometimes I feel like answering, "How much is your paycheck?"

What's the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

A woman I work with let her ten-year-old son read Pilgrims' Moon. I didn't write the book for children, but he really wanted to read it. When he finished, he told his mother that it was the "best book I've ever read, even better than Harry Potter." His simple, short review of Pilgrims' Moon is the best one I've heard yet. The fact that I entertained a ten-year-old boy means a great deal to me.

What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your book?

The feedback has been excellent, clearly exceeding my expectations. I thought people would say, "Oh, its good" and make noncommittal comments like that. Instead, people tell me "I spent all weekend reading the book, it was so riveting," or "your book was responsible for my insomnia last night because I couldn't put it down, or "even better than Harry Potter!"

It's strange to hear people interpreting characters and scenes that existed only in my mind for so long. My assistant at work thinks Dr. Jessica Colby, a character in the book, was based on her (she wasn't).  Someone else thought I did an excellent job portraying the religious conflict in the book (I did?). Several people said they enjoyed the well-crafted characters and the plot twists, when I thought my characters were my weakest point and that every plot twist was painfully obvious.

Another common thread I hear from people is "I normally don't read sci-fi, but" and then they go on and tell me how much they enjoyed my book. I think Ive exposed a lot of people to a genre they dismissed in the past as not something they'd enjoy. I like knowing that because I think sci-fi has so many stimulating things going for it, people need to give it a chance and they might be surprised. It's not all light sabers and pointy-eared aliens.

Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

I've been told many times, ever since I was a boy, that I "notice things." Maybe that gift can be translated into being a writer, I don't know. The world is such a wonderful place, and so many people race through it, never noticing the little joys and discoveries that await everywhere. Seeing such things brings me peace, and I think it could bring peace to others as well if they just stop and make themselves accessible to it.

Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

I usually read everything from Harry Turtledove, Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, and Richard Preston. I just finished Dan Browns The DaVinci Code and loved it. I also like to go back and read classics, such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, and Carl Sagan (Contact).

What's the best part of being a writer?

Being able to entertain people and not even be with them. Reading a good story is such a joy, and most people are excited that someone not only has an imagination, but they can put it on paper. A lot of people find writing, especially creative writing, a daunting task and can never imagine themselves doing it for pleasure.

What's next?

I'm hard at work on Endangered Species, my next science-fiction novel. I have the first draft done, and I'm in the process of rewriting it. These cold, dreary days are perfect for that. Endangered Species is not a sequel to Pilgrims' Moon. I've created new characters, a new planet, and a completely new dilemma to explore. Wish me luck. I like this one even better than the first!

Betsie's Literary Page has enjoyed their time with Mr. Thompson, and we hope this is not the last of him. We also wish him the very best with all his future works.

Reviewer: Wendall Paul Sexton

Posted at http://www.roundtablereviews.com

Something is terribly amiss with the spaceship Argo.  When it departed Earth for Terranova carrying 400 passengers for colonization, the flight was scheduled as a routine two-year journey.  A computer malfunction, though, dispenses with the mundane and throws the Argo’s surviving crew hopelessly off course and deep into unexplored regions of space.  The two years stretched into ten years; and passage through a space anomaly has catapulted them 500 years into the future.

Location places them too far from Earth to return the way they came, and too far from Terranova to proceed back onto their original course.  The only option is to pursue locating a habitable planet before their already low provisions and fuel are depleted.

The Argo’s surviving crew members, led by Commander Cal Adams, with doctor Jessie Colby, navigator and computer expert Beatrice “Bits” Jackson, engineer and propulsion expert Mario Mollinelli, and all-purpose burly crewman Loomis – with antagonizing Commissioner Corbin Harris (the intended overseer of the Terranova colony) and his taciturn personal assistant Mr. Lee  -- resuscitate professor of planetology Scott Thorne.  His scientific expertise leads them to a small moon holding characteristics strikingly similar to those of Earth.

Remarkably, this initial crisis retains a degree of suspense a reader would fail to anticipate with the outcome being so obvious.  Once the planet is detected, I anticipated the brunt of the action to take place upon the planet itself.  This does occur, but prior to the reaching of the planet’s soil enough happens to cause one to wonder.

A meteor shower goes undetected.  The computer malfunction resurfaces.  A time disparity puts into question the precise calculations mandated for them to plot a course to the planet.  Stacey Thompson manages to interject enough doubt into the reader's mind to actually question whether the people aboard the Argo will actually reach the planet Professor Thorne identified.

His characterizations, another imperative -- the other side to suspense in the page-turner coin -- also succeeds well. Two of the major characters (Professor Scott Thorne and Doctor Jessie Colby) introduce the plot; and by the conclusion of the first chapter, all the major characters are known and the story is underway. 

It is a rather typical format found in numerous books, one that Thompson plugs into with his own unique characters.  Commissioner Corbin Harris, for example, the aristocrat all the crew loathes for his pompous manner, reminded me of the Dr. Smith character from the old "Lost in Space" television show.  The two could have been brothers; though they are definitely not identical clones.

All the characters have been seen before like well-enjoyed actors playing a new role.  It is the same for the plot.  One can find elements of Star Trek, Star Wars, Lost in Space, and even the Alien movies.  I sensed the same mysterious trepidation of impending danger inherent with the initial Alien film.

When the second half of the book begins, however, there is a dramatic shift, which transforms the story into something radically different.  I felt like I was moving from the horrific fear of "Alien" to a generic episode of Star Trek. 

There is not to make it sound as if the plot of the book collapsed into something less fulfilling.  It did not.  It simply changed into something different that I was not expecting.  Once I accepted the change, the story picked up with the same delight of suspense and characterizations with which it began.

Overall, PILGRIM'S MOON is an excellent read.  It does not tread any new ground, but it gives the fan of good science fiction a story they will thoroughly enjoy.  It is something any fan of a good story with good characters -- there are a number of subplots weaving their way through the one main theme of colonizing the new planet -- will be able to sit down before a warm fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and PILGRIM'S MOON in the other and delve into with satisfaction.  Portions of the dialogue can, at times, come off a bit trite, or cheesy, but that is small in comparison to the story as a whole.  For a first-time author, Stacey Thompson should be pleased with these results.  I know I certainly was.
 

Other Reviews of Pilgrims' Moon

Reviewer:  Susan Schwartz from Chicago, IL
Rating:    Excellent!

I don't normally read sci-fi, but I really enjoyed this book!  Although the science and technology were imaginative, the storyline is what grabbed my attention from the start.  I couldn't wait to find out what happened to the interesting characters on the spaceship Argo.  Scott, Bits, Cal, Jessie, Nadia, and all the rest had to work together to survive, but like all people, they often had heated disagreements among themselves.  There are also religious pilgrims on board who are trying to recreate a simpler lifestyle on another planet.  The author did a good job at describing all these characters and making them appear real to me.  I truly cared about their predicament and loved sharing their adventure. Just when I thought I had figured out what was going to happen next, it either didn't happen or I would come across some other element of surprise.

There was a lot of excitement and surprises stuffed into this book!  It has space travel, religious pilgrims, a love triangle, a strange planet, predatory monsters, political struggles, violent warfare, and even a lost alien civilization.  I was amazed by the world the author created on the moon called Loki.  I think I want to read more sci-fi now, and I hope it's as entertaining as this book. For anyone who thinks they only like non-fiction, Pilgrims' Moon will change their mind. Having a limited time to read, I have always felt non-fiction was the way to gain more knowledge. Well, Pilgrims' Moon changed my mind! This adventure made me think about life and the world in a completely new perspective. I can't wait for the next journey to a faraway place. Part of me is still in the world of the pilgrims.

"Best book I've ever read!  Even better than Harry Potter!"
- Joey Hefley, Age 10, Lake Villa, IL

I am not an avid reader of science fiction. I am not an avid reader in general. I'm lucky to read one or two books a year. I picked up PILGRIMS' MOON on a suggestion from a friend and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. An engaging story line and attention-grabbing characters brought me to the strange world of Proxima Tauri IIIB. I found myself reading well into the night as the end of each chapter urged me to continue onward. The story includes a rivalry between proponents of technology and those who uphold religious fanaticism. I found this to be a reoccurring theme throughout the book and especially interesting when coupled with the pangs of war and the love triangles that also reside in the narrative. Mr. Thompson has crafted a great story that captures the imagination of the casual reader without alienating those who love science fiction. I hope the events of PILGRIMS' MOON are just a small part of the universe Mr. Thompson has envisioned for his character Scott Thorne. A sequel would be well received!
 

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