Sign up and complete getting Helena's welcome stories. You'll get the (almost monthly) newsletter, cool authorly updates and relevant early-bird promotional material.
100% Privacy Guaranteed! (Having trouble finding my confirmation email? Check your spam folder or promo tab on gmail & add helena@helenatrooperman.ca to your contact list.) Read my Privacy Policy http://helenatrooperman.ca/terms-privacy-policy/ Unsubscribe at anytime.
Post by: Helena Trooperman Dated: 5th July 2025 Isbn: 978-1-78108-877-7 paperback Title: The House of Styx, book 1 Author: Derek Künsken 🇨🇦 Narrated by: Justine Eyre's
The absorbing story of settlers living in a small pocket of atmosphere around planet Venus. The novel has an atmospheric, near-future, new frontier feel. Set 250 years earlier than Künsken’s hit series, Quantum Evolution, where the settlers are near forgotten by the funding banks of Earth. The clever and refreshing mix of family, geo-politics, and survival of the fittest plays out.
The family’s situation is about to change and the story ends! I have to know more… Can George-Étienne’s family raise their position in the trawler hierarchy and their fortunes? I can’t wait to find out more in book two, of Venus Ascendant.
A groundbreaking new series set 250 years before The Quantum Magician.
In the swirling clouds of Venus, George-Étienne and his children are one of the few families of la colonie living on floating plant-like trawlers, salvaging what they can in the fierce acid rain and crackling storms. Outside is deadly for the unprepared or unwary, but the planet’s atmosphere is far from the only threat a family can face.
For the surface of Venus carries its own secrets, too. In the depths, there is a wind that shouldn’t exist. For George-Étienne and the House of Styx, harnessing it may be worth risking all.
Dark, hard sci-fi with heart. A unique read!
The story is told through the eyes of the young adults in George-Étienne’s family. Their home is aboard one of the lower level trawlers in la colonie. They look for scrapped ships in the hostile atmosphere before Venus disintegrates it. Surviving isn’t easy.
This emotional story conveys the disconnect young people feel today in a unique and unforgiving setting. With no means of control over their own life, the only way through for the young people is the dangerous and exciting pursuit of jumping or gliding between trawlers to test themselves against Venus herself.
I felt I’d been allowed to watch the premiere of one of the best artistic movies ever. I was there witnessing what it is to find your way through late teenage years and early twenties. Despite the fallouts with their father, George-Étienne, they persist, keeping their trawler aloft. Surviving no matter the dim odds.
There was a dark sense of humour to the read also. When la colonie Québécois had smoking as a pastime, obviously smoking in flight or space, I’d expect to be prohibited. I guess you’d have to be Canadian to get that. I was once on a plane crossing the Atlantic & someone set off the fire alarm, smoking in the toilet—ah, the gentleman was Québécois.
Can you imagine it?!
Humour aside, the story truly depicts the hardships of being a first settler, more so, traversing a single channel of livable gases that surrounds Venus’ toxicity. Yet, each character discovered their truth. And in the midst of this harsh life, compassion shone through.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters or the challenges ahead of them. But, if you want to know what they discover, you’ll have to read/listen to the story yourself. I’m off to listen to book two, because this is original storytelling at its best.
Website: https://derekkunsken.com/
BUY: Rakuten Kobo Amazon paperback Amazon Kindle
The Canadian performance of narrator Justine Eyre’s was at first different from the usual narrator. However, I kept listening and the payoff came with her Québécois phrasing, adding atmosphere and additional depth to the story of the French Canadian settlement. Wonderful performance by Justine. These characters could never be read by anyone other than Justine’s distinct and marvelous voice.
14 hours 19 minutes. ***** Outstanding <Audiobook LINK>
Until next time, keep calm and read on!
NEXT MONTH… Ed’s Pick (RHS) Back in the near-future with a new classic from a Canadian favourite author.