| The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There’s one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed. Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities. Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again. Genre: YA Science Fiction Release Date: September 9, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
My Review
Will the truth set her free...or get her killed?
Wow, I was not expecting that. At all. From the fascinating cover to the last turning of my ereader page Beneath False Stars had me captivated. I read it when I should have been asleep. I read it when I had household tasks that needed to be done. I read it during commercial breaks when I was watching TV with family...OK, maybe, just maybe I read a little after the commercial breaks ended. I couldn't put it down.
Those who know me also know that sci-fi is genre that I read on a limited basis. However, I've liked or loved everything that I've read from this publisher and this first Project Integration novel sounded interesting. Oh, was I right about that!
S.D. Grimm's vivid worldbuilding and the first person POV of her heroine, Ryleigh, were utterly engrossing. I was so invested in Ryleigh and her friends that I'm still recovering from turning that last page and entering the impatient waiting zone until the next book in the Project Integration comes out.
Beneath False Stars may be a YA book but this 30-something adult really got into the world and into the story. It is very well written and the depth of emotion is excellent. Themes like fear, the pain of betrayal, grief, and the struggle to trust are universal no matter a person's age.
This might have been my first S.D. Grimm story but you can bet your last dollar that won't be my last. For one thing, I HAVE to know what happens next to Ryleigh and both her Normal and Powered family and friends....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Beneath False Stars by S.D. Grimm a 5 Bark rating.
Wow, I was not expecting that. At all. From the fascinating cover to the last turning of my ereader page Beneath False Stars had me captivated. I read it when I should have been asleep. I read it when I had household tasks that needed to be done. I read it during commercial breaks when I was watching TV with family...OK, maybe, just maybe I read a little after the commercial breaks ended. I couldn't put it down.
Those who know me also know that sci-fi is genre that I read on a limited basis. However, I've liked or loved everything that I've read from this publisher and this first Project Integration novel sounded interesting. Oh, was I right about that!
S.D. Grimm's vivid worldbuilding and the first person POV of her heroine, Ryleigh, were utterly engrossing. I was so invested in Ryleigh and her friends that I'm still recovering from turning that last page and entering the impatient waiting zone until the next book in the Project Integration comes out.
Beneath False Stars may be a YA book but this 30-something adult really got into the world and into the story. It is very well written and the depth of emotion is excellent. Themes like fear, the pain of betrayal, grief, and the struggle to trust are universal no matter a person's age.
This might have been my first S.D. Grimm story but you can bet your last dollar that won't be my last. For one thing, I HAVE to know what happens next to Ryleigh and both her Normal and Powered family and friends....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Beneath False Stars by S.D. Grimm a 5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from S.D.
What makes a fantasy writer change lanes and enter the world of science fiction?
My story actually goes back to that famous phrase “never say never.” I have ALWAYS loved both genres equally. If the question is Star Wars or LOTR? X-Men or Harry Potter? Hunger Games or Vampire Diaries? My answer is going to be, Why not all of it? But I always said I’d never write sci-fi. The reason? I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull it off.
That’s one of the fun things about being a writer though . . . you get these little glimmers of shiny story ideas that just won’t stop sparkling in your mind. And eventually you follow the spark, and well, the rest is history.
Beneath False Stars started like that for me. But because I still believed I’d never be able to write a good sci-fi, I’d just write it for fun. To create for creation’s sake. And it was fun! Having a project that existed as something no one would ever read gave me permission to try new things, stretch my storytelling in new and exciting ways. And after a long period of burnout, this story carried me back into the heart of why I write. It was exactly what I needed.
But that wasn’t all.
Remember, it was never my intention to actually share this book. But it became something that I was too excited about to NOT share. So I tested the waters. When several writer friends read it and told me it was their favorite of all my books to date, I knew it was something that was never meant to sit in a drawer. In a way that scared me.
So, I did what the main character in the book would have told me to do—I decided not to let my fears win. And I shared. And now it’s going to be in print! That only goes to show that when a project you’re passionate about pulls at your heartstrings for attention, listen. You don’t have to know that project’s future. Just revel in its present, and let yourself create. <3
~ S.D. Grimm
My story actually goes back to that famous phrase “never say never.” I have ALWAYS loved both genres equally. If the question is Star Wars or LOTR? X-Men or Harry Potter? Hunger Games or Vampire Diaries? My answer is going to be, Why not all of it? But I always said I’d never write sci-fi. The reason? I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull it off.
That’s one of the fun things about being a writer though . . . you get these little glimmers of shiny story ideas that just won’t stop sparkling in your mind. And eventually you follow the spark, and well, the rest is history.
Beneath False Stars started like that for me. But because I still believed I’d never be able to write a good sci-fi, I’d just write it for fun. To create for creation’s sake. And it was fun! Having a project that existed as something no one would ever read gave me permission to try new things, stretch my storytelling in new and exciting ways. And after a long period of burnout, this story carried me back into the heart of why I write. It was exactly what I needed.
But that wasn’t all.
Remember, it was never my intention to actually share this book. But it became something that I was too excited about to NOT share. So I tested the waters. When several writer friends read it and told me it was their favorite of all my books to date, I knew it was something that was never meant to sit in a drawer. In a way that scared me.
So, I did what the main character in the book would have told me to do—I decided not to let my fears win. And I shared. And now it’s going to be in print! That only goes to show that when a project you’re passionate about pulls at your heartstrings for attention, listen. You don’t have to know that project’s future. Just revel in its present, and let yourself create. <3
~ S.D. Grimm
 S.D. Grimm | With a name like S.D. Grimm, how could she be anything but a writer of fantasy and sci-fi with equal parts sparkle and darkle? Always the dreamer, she’s been sorted into Gryffindor, she checks wardrobes for secret worlds, and has a blue lightsaber. She is the author of several young adult titles spanning many speculative genres, and she works as a freelance editor and writing coach. Her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one dog. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, S. D. is giving away the grand prize of
a $40 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
a $40 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13
Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15
Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17 (Spotlight)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, October 18 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, October 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 19
Guild Master, October 20 (Author Interview)
Wishful Endings, October 20
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
Vicky Sluiter, October 22 (Spotlight)
For Him and My Family, October 23
Fiction Book Lover, October 24 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 25
Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15
Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17 (Spotlight)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, October 18 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, October 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 19
Guild Master, October 20 (Author Interview)
Wishful Endings, October 20
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
Vicky Sluiter, October 22 (Spotlight)
For Him and My Family, October 23
Fiction Book Lover, October 24 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 25
Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)