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Exchange
(romantic sci-fi short story)
Isolated on a distant planet, she is incarcerated for a crime she doesn’t recall. She has no name, no idea where she came from, or why she is injected with drugs daily to hold these vital facts from her grasp. Despite small rebellions, she wastes away, worn and losing hope of ever being whole again.
Then he arrives. Claiming to hold the answers burned daily from her brain, he offers her a way out. But at what cost?
Isolated on a distant planet, she is incarcerated for a crime she doesn’t recall. She has no name, no idea where she came from, or why she is injected with drugs daily to hold these vital facts from her grasp. Despite small rebellions, she wastes away, worn and losing hope of ever being whole again.
Then he arrives. Claiming to hold the answers burned daily from her brain, he offers her a way out. But at what cost?
40 pages, ebook
First published September 26, 2011
4 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Rossano
26 books454 followersRachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.
She loves to read, discuss, and listen to comments on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and non-fiction.
She loves to read, discuss, and listen to comments on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2012
This was a satisfying futuristic short story by Ms. Rossano. Myah is captured and Ruhan is going to do everything in his power to save her. This is a story about true love and doing what is best for the one you love, rather than yourself. I would enjoy reading more about the characters. I would be thrilled to read Ramend's story! This was just what I need today. A romance filled with action and adventure in the future.
June 30, 2015
I picked up this book a while ago. It is a fairly well put together short, fast read.
Plot - Grade B+
Because of the length of this story, Exchange has the feel of a true snapshot plot. We are plunged into this world with outworlders and earthwarders just long enough to get a sense of its foreignness and the intriguing background to this story but not really long enough to sink your teeth into it and get the full experience of this spec/sci-fi world. However, for a snapshot plot, it works well on its own. The crisis/adventure in this story leaves me wanting to know more, a lot more about these characters and their relationship and just the world in general. But it is self-contained in the fact that this snapshot has a beginning, middle, and end. I do wish there had been a bit more to the initial story about Myah's experience and Ruhan's search for her or that the last piece of the story had been fleshed out a bit more with one particular reunion.
Content - A
This is a clean read. There is no language. There is no sensuality although there is a scene where Myah gets caught half-dressed when the auto-shower opens but Ruhan helps to preserve her privacy. There's also some mentions that Myah regains intimate memories from her past but nothing is detailed. There's no true violence even though there's mentions of experiments that are the equivalent of torture.
Technical - B+
This is a very short read and as I mentioned before, it feels like a snapshot of the story world. While there aren't any technical errors that I noticed, the length of the story does hamper the experience a little. For example, when Ruhan finds Myah the first thing he mentions is her hair. Apparently it's different from what he's used to and that kept leaving me with the question of "What? What about her hair?" Eventually we do learn that it's shorter than she used to wear it but even then we don't really know how short it is in the prison. Was it cropped? Longer? For me, it felt like I was being denied part of the details in these exchanges so I know something about Myah's appearance is bothering Ruhan but not exactly what it is that bothers him. There are other areas where the story could have benefited from more expansion and more details too, like the towa and the prison experience. There were also places where it felt like too much telling when there could have been showing.
Final Grade - B+ or 4.5 Stars
This is a good snapshot. It's one of Rossano's early works and is also outside her normal genre of medieval-esque fantasies/romances. It does have the feel of skimming the surface instead of plunging into this world. However, I know that Rossano intends to release a full-length prequel that will probably answer all the questions raised about Myah, Ruhan, and their world in this snapshot and more. I would recommend this story for those who are looking for a very quick clean read and enjoy snapshots of worlds in the speculative/sci-fi genre. Recommended for ages 14 and up.
Plot - Grade B+
Because of the length of this story, Exchange has the feel of a true snapshot plot. We are plunged into this world with outworlders and earthwarders just long enough to get a sense of its foreignness and the intriguing background to this story but not really long enough to sink your teeth into it and get the full experience of this spec/sci-fi world. However, for a snapshot plot, it works well on its own. The crisis/adventure in this story leaves me wanting to know more, a lot more about these characters and their relationship and just the world in general. But it is self-contained in the fact that this snapshot has a beginning, middle, and end. I do wish there had been a bit more to the initial story about Myah's experience and Ruhan's search for her or that the last piece of the story had been fleshed out a bit more with one particular reunion.
Content - A
This is a clean read. There is no language. There is no sensuality although there is a scene where Myah gets caught half-dressed when the auto-shower opens but Ruhan helps to preserve her privacy. There's also some mentions that Myah regains intimate memories from her past but nothing is detailed. There's no true violence even though there's mentions of experiments that are the equivalent of torture.
Technical - B+
This is a very short read and as I mentioned before, it feels like a snapshot of the story world. While there aren't any technical errors that I noticed, the length of the story does hamper the experience a little. For example, when Ruhan finds Myah the first thing he mentions is her hair. Apparently it's different from what he's used to and that kept leaving me with the question of "What? What about her hair?" Eventually we do learn that it's shorter than she used to wear it but even then we don't really know how short it is in the prison. Was it cropped? Longer? For me, it felt like I was being denied part of the details in these exchanges so I know something about Myah's appearance is bothering Ruhan but not exactly what it is that bothers him. There are other areas where the story could have benefited from more expansion and more details too, like the towa and the prison experience. There were also places where it felt like too much telling when there could have been showing.
Final Grade - B+ or 4.5 Stars
This is a good snapshot. It's one of Rossano's early works and is also outside her normal genre of medieval-esque fantasies/romances. It does have the feel of skimming the surface instead of plunging into this world. However, I know that Rossano intends to release a full-length prequel that will probably answer all the questions raised about Myah, Ruhan, and their world in this snapshot and more. I would recommend this story for those who are looking for a very quick clean read and enjoy snapshots of worlds in the speculative/sci-fi genre. Recommended for ages 14 and up.
November 21, 2011
For a novella it is actually a pretty decent one. I start with 'for a novella' because usually the limitation of words either results in a rush of sequences or in untidy, abrupt narration. Neither style is very fulfilling.
In Exchange, the story is told by a female 'earthward' prisoner who can't remember anything of her past except several instances of her ineffectual rebellion against her silent guards and their painful consequences. Her life is spent in a sterile haze, alone, angry and scared.
Then a man arrives. He stands out from all the other prisoners who shun her because she still resists. His colour, his features, his strength all set him apart from the pale, weak humanoids who fill the prison halls.
Unexpectedly he focuses on her and for the first time she feels someone else's concern for her well being.
And no matter how much she wants to push him away he wont leave her alone.
In a short few chapters we understand the trauma 'Myah' has been going through, how alone and disoriented she feels all the time, the hope 'Ruhan' brings to her world and the bewildering rush of memories that follow.
Set far in the future, this is as much a romance as it is a story of escaping a prison where they are unfairly held and regaining the freedom that was taken away.
What I really liked ---
> The gravity of having ones memories taken away and then returned a long time later is not trivialized. It messes with ones head, and messed with Myah's a lot.
> The connection between Myah and Ruhan was sweet and restrained. It suited the story.
> The descriptions of everyday life of a prisoner whose every need is taken care of by programmed bots that were never intended to compensate for human distresses was carefully thought out and well written.
What gave me pause ---
> Despite not knowing whether she had always been in this prison, Myah seemed to have a surprising knowledge of a few things that should have been out of her grasp. Green summer grass, for instance. (Then again, their 'exercise yard' was not well described - it's possible that it had green grass, though unlikely) Also the fact that most of the prisoners are 'earthwarders'. How could she know that when she couldn't recall what Ruhan was?
> The escape was actually quite easily orchestrated. The story didn't linger on how it was possible for Ruhan to almost walk free from their respective chambers to the landing pad.
But there was nothing I really disliked. It is a good novella and probably deserves 3.5 stars. I hope there is a sequel that delves deeper into this world. I would give that one a shot.
DISCLOSURE: The author supplied me with a copy on the condition that I write an objective review. Here I've tried to keep my word.
In Exchange, the story is told by a female 'earthward' prisoner who can't remember anything of her past except several instances of her ineffectual rebellion against her silent guards and their painful consequences. Her life is spent in a sterile haze, alone, angry and scared.
Then a man arrives. He stands out from all the other prisoners who shun her because she still resists. His colour, his features, his strength all set him apart from the pale, weak humanoids who fill the prison halls.
Unexpectedly he focuses on her and for the first time she feels someone else's concern for her well being.
And no matter how much she wants to push him away he wont leave her alone.
In a short few chapters we understand the trauma 'Myah' has been going through, how alone and disoriented she feels all the time, the hope 'Ruhan' brings to her world and the bewildering rush of memories that follow.
Set far in the future, this is as much a romance as it is a story of escaping a prison where they are unfairly held and regaining the freedom that was taken away.
What I really liked ---
> The gravity of having ones memories taken away and then returned a long time later is not trivialized. It messes with ones head, and messed with Myah's a lot.
> The connection between Myah and Ruhan was sweet and restrained. It suited the story.
> The descriptions of everyday life of a prisoner whose every need is taken care of by programmed bots that were never intended to compensate for human distresses was carefully thought out and well written.
What gave me pause ---
> Despite not knowing whether she had always been in this prison, Myah seemed to have a surprising knowledge of a few things that should have been out of her grasp. Green summer grass, for instance. (Then again, their 'exercise yard' was not well described - it's possible that it had green grass, though unlikely) Also the fact that most of the prisoners are 'earthwarders'. How could she know that when she couldn't recall what Ruhan was?
> The escape was actually quite easily orchestrated. The story didn't linger on how it was possible for Ruhan to almost walk free from their respective chambers to the landing pad.
But there was nothing I really disliked. It is a good novella and probably deserves 3.5 stars. I hope there is a sequel that delves deeper into this world. I would give that one a shot.
DISCLOSURE: The author supplied me with a copy on the condition that I write an objective review. Here I've tried to keep my word.
April 2, 2019
So, a confession. I usually prefer my sci-fi more tech-based than strange-power based, and because of all the mystery surrounding what's really going on here, it took me until about the end to realize that was what I'd stumbled into. So that will affect my rating a little, just from the standpoint of my personal comfort level.
However, the story itself was riveting, the characters were compelling, and the worldbuilding (for this limited little world) was excellent. I would probably give it four full stars if not for my personal sci-fi comfort levels. But the fact that I'm still rating it this highly is a huge testament to the power of the story and the characters.
3.5 stars
Content--prisoners are de-humanized, subjected to cruel medical procedures, and have their memories tampered with; a few scenes where a woman is unclothed (this is not specified but implied by the fact that she later puts on her clothes );
However, the story itself was riveting, the characters were compelling, and the worldbuilding (for this limited little world) was excellent. I would probably give it four full stars if not for my personal sci-fi comfort levels. But the fact that I'm still rating it this highly is a huge testament to the power of the story and the characters.
3.5 stars
Content--prisoners are de-humanized, subjected to cruel medical procedures, and have their memories tampered with; a few scenes where a woman is unclothed (this is not specified but implied by the fact that she later puts on her clothes );
November 7, 2011
Rachel has done it again with her delightful short story, Exchange. The setting is a futuristic society where Myah has been captured and imprisoned. Ruhan is determined to save her. Even though this is a short story and I would definitely like to know more about the main characters, the story and ending were satisfying. If you want romance with some action in a futuristic society and only have a few minutes, this is a wonderful way to fill it. As always, I love Rachel's writing. Well done!
March 29, 2012
Loved it! Loved the intrigue, the suspense, the futuristic aspect, the hero, and the love story were magnetic.
Only nitpick: dialogue is too stilted as the characters ALWAYS speak without contractions. This is unsettling as you know, realistically, two people (or more) in a conversation simply won't talk that proper...and especially if they're making a daring escape?
Otherwise, fantastic read! :)
Only nitpick: dialogue is too stilted as the characters ALWAYS speak without contractions. This is unsettling as you know, realistically, two people (or more) in a conversation simply won't talk that proper...and especially if they're making a daring escape?
Otherwise, fantastic read! :)
August 3, 2016
I really liked it, but it would have been wonderful to have more info and longer, much longer. Rachel's words leap off the pages and you can't help but be drawn in and alas left longing for more. Good job Rachel, again.
June 2, 2013
This story was a interesting, quick read. Rachel did a great job of developing the characters in this short story. The story ended rather abruptly though and left me with many unanswered questions. (Unless, in my illness, I missed something)
October 4, 2013
For such a short book, there was a lot packed into this! I'm looking forward to the future installments that the author has promised. Full review to come.
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March 31, 2021RTC
February 24, 2013
For me, this book was OK. It was very short (41 pp.) and many details were left out so it was hard for me to form a picture in my mind of what was happening. The ending was too abrupt for me.
November 18, 2019
So good !
I really was drawn into this story, my only complaint is that it stopped ! Loved it and was intrigued by every
Aspect of it !
I really was drawn into this story, my only complaint is that it stopped ! Loved it and was intrigued by every
Aspect of it !
July 28, 2024
I remember why I don't like short stories. 😕
Just enough story to get you hooked, then it ends when you could have kept reading for a few more hours
Just enough story to get you hooked, then it ends when you could have kept reading for a few more hours
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews