Stieg Larsson meets Robert A. Heinlein? Libby Carter is a unique but appealing stranger on a strange little rock in Brand Gamblin’s award-winning novel for all ages, Tumbler
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Here’s the set-up:
Libby Carter wanted to get away from it all, so she took a job mining asteroids as far out into the inky blackness as possible. However, her escape turned into a trap, leaving her stuck in indentured servitude, living on a tiny rock in space.
As she tries to dig herself out, she gains friends and finds adventure. Cave-in rescues, planetary collisions, and other mishaps keep her new family fighting to stay alive.
About the Author:
Brand Gamblin worked for over a decade as a game programmer. In his spare time, he wrote and produced short stories and videos. In 2008, he entered the National Novel Writing Month, and won with his story “Tumbler.” In 2009, he entered and won again with his book “1884.”
Gamblin was born in San Antonio in 1973. He spent most of his youth in Texas, earning a bachelors degree in Computer Science from Texas Tech University.
Following college, he achieved his boyhood dream of working as a video game programmer. For the next decade, he published games for such companies as Microprose, Acclaim, and Firaxis.
In his spare time, Brand created the YouTube video cult classic, “Calls For Cthulhu“, which has thousands of followers worldwide, and has been nominated for several film awards. The video has over 300,000 views to date.
Tumbler, Brand’s first book, was released as a podiobook in 2009, and then was self-published in 2010.
Review:
Reviewer Allison Duncan seems to sum it up for most of the 5-star reviews for Tumbler:
:Tumbler is a scifi novel that is very Heinlein-esque. Small time main character works through struggles and makes good encapsulates the plot. But the story itself, while excellent, is not as exciting as watching the characters.
Libby, the heroine, is a young girl who has no idea how the world works. She loses her mother and then jumps headlong into a deep space mining conglomerate hoping to somehow make good through hard work alone. Unfortunately, what she doesn’t know just might kill her. If the locals don’t do it first.
Most scifi books are heavy reading and usually just not my cup of tea. However, Tumbler is fast paced while maintaining believability and a delicious sense of the ironic. With such a wonderful combo, the reader cannot help but be swept along. I would note that this novel is considered “Young Adult,” but anyone can jump in and enjoy it.
And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample: