Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Penumbra Publishing (April 21, 2013)
ISBN-10: 193875817X
ISBN-13: 978-1938758171
Partial proceeds from Status Quo will be donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research through the Bosom Buddies Organization.
College student Alexander Copeland worked as an assistant for astronomer Gordon Maxwell. Alex was offered the opportunity of a lifetime – to join a small civilian crew and travel to outer space to investigate a mysterious wormhole presumed to have been created by an alien species. But the top-secret government division sponsoring Dr. Maxwell’s research abruptly canceled the expedition and closed down the entire project.
Seven years later, twenty-five-year-old Alex, working as a New York inner-city junior high school science teacher, is contacted by the same arrogant government project director who tells him the original space expedition has been revived. Alex is offered a seat on an advanced space shuttle christened Status Quo, set to go through the wormhole. But Alex is immediately suspicious. After seven years, why is the project suddenly on again?
Alex’s new shipmates only add to his anxiety. Sara Maxwell, gifted daughter of the late Dr. Maxwell, has spent the last seven years in a mental institution. The ship’s pilot is a teenage boy whose only flight experience is on a simulator. The pilot’s mother, also chosen as a crewmember, is supposedly psychic. The ship’s doctor is a novice who wants nothing to do with the mission. A troubled teenage girl on the brink of suicide is also accepted as part of the crew. There’s even a convicted murderer and a cat aboard. Absolutely no one chosen for this mission has any sort of astronaut training or experience. And worst of all, the project director’s agenda appears to be making sure that the ship and all aboard never return to Earth.
It’s a conspiracy that leaves these lost souls stranded in a strange galaxy with a damaged ship surrounded by threats both human and alien. Even if this group worked together and managed to survive, could they – would they – return to the uncaring world that sent them to space to die? With the alternative looking exceedingly grim, the journey of Status Quo seems doomed. Or is it?
My Take:
Alex Copeland, currently a high school teacher is offered a fantastic opportunity to travel with a small crew into outer space to investigate a mysterious wormhole presumed to have been created by an alien species.
The crew to say the least, isn't one he would have chosen for a mission such as this. Could he trust any of them to do the research that was needed when they all carried such mental baggage of one kind or another. What were their real intentions? Would this thick green fog prove to be the last thing they'll ever see or will they return as heroes?
Despite all the obstacles, Planet Copeland changes all of the crew in ways unimaginable. This fast-paced thriller will keep you turning the pages and it's definitely for the Sci-Fi enthusiast with all the "Area 51" secrets thrown in. The language is a bit in the gray area. However, fitting for this read.
About the Author..
Born November, 25th, 1974, and raised in Queens New York, Mark now holds a Masters Degree from Long Island University's Human Development and Leadership program. He is a licensed guidance counselor for the special education district of the New York City Department of Education. He began his counseling career in September, 2001.
Mark has worked with special needs inner-city students of various age groups, many of whom show a lack of impulse control and exhibit anti-social tendencies. For some, their ability to keep their inhibitions in check is difficult without help and assistance.
Mark is also a professional magician. He uses magic and Illusion to help focus his students on their behavior and scholastics in the school environment.
Prior to this, Mark worked in the hotel industry in guest services. Throughout his life, Mark has always had a detailed imagination and he has dreamed of becoming a published fiction writer. With a second book on the way, he now gets to live out his dream and share it with the world.
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Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. The opinions expressed above are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Logo/Images Courtesy of ©2013 Mark Rosendorf, ©2013 Penumbra Publishing
