"On the outside, I'm a perfectly ordinary, unspoiled, twento-two-year-old woman from Kauai. My tan skin and long, mud-brown hair are indistinguishable from any of my neighbors'. Although, the red prison jumpsuit isn't in fashion."

Meet Elora Cussons, one of the main protagonists.
She's on board of the Aidos, a spaceship that was assigned to deliver her to the Minos Justice Station for her trial.
As she tells to the readers (she regularly breaks the fourth wall):


"There's been a great deal of discussion over what exactly I am - ranging from papers published in scientific journals to angry rants on internet forums - but the term "half-robotic abomination' would seem to apply. I prefer Metal-American."

As you've been able to derive, Elora is a cyborg.
On the trial people will define if she's human (with all the associated rights of self-disposal) or if she's a robot (with no rights whatsoever).
That she won't go down without a fight, is clear from the beginning.
Her sarcastic remarks jump off the pages and make her the life of the party.


"Hmm, what? I was busy calculating the meaning of the universe with my extremely advanced robotic brain, and I wasn't able to compute whatever stupid thing you were saying."

Although a sassy heroine can lift the story to a higher level, in this case there's sometimes a bit of an overkill.
In the end her almost constant negativity has the tendency to become rather annoying at times.
Which doesn't mean that there aren't any positive notes in her reactions.
Especially her intern dialogues with Bertie bring some lightness.


"It appeared in space above Earth a little more than a year ago. Everything else about it is a mystery."

The Great Compass is a strange object floating in space. The human crew of the Aidos has the task to gain more information about it. During one of their explorations Commander Albert "Bertie" Fuentes disappeared. When his husband, Lieutenant Gareth "Gary" Fuentes, went to look for him, he didn't came back either.
That's where Elora comes in. As she's a cyborg, apparently she's got a better chance of success. And she does indeed manage to get back Gary.
But at the same time she also gets the consciousness of Bertie inside her own brain.


"Even though it's my body, it's still Bertie's gentle laugh that comes out. He bites my lip and holds his hand out for Gary to take once more. "I love you," he says."

Although this aspect of two different souls in one body could be very confusing, the author did a very good job in giving Bertie and Elora a total different voice and personality.
What follows is a mix of action and romance. We get to know more about the relationship of Bertie and Gary. And at the same time we see how Elora tries to find an equilibrium in this strange situation between the three of them.
Revealing more about the plot would contain too much spoilers.
So if you're in for a sci-fi romance that's different from other reads, just try this entertaining story for yourself!


*************************************************

Kristin L. Stamper is a writer of YA and adult science fiction.
You can read more about her on following website: https://kristinlstamper.com/
Ternary is her first book, but she also wrote two novelettes The Bonded Pair and Carrier which are available for free if you subscribe to her newsletter. For more info go to: https://kristinlstamper.com/works/

NineStar Press is an LGBTQA+ ePublisher located in New Mexico (USA) that was founded in 2015.
It's owned and managed by LGBTQA+ people and offers mainly romance and erotica.
But they also have an enormous interest in showcasing amazing literary works about characters less represented in fiction: ace, aro, trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, bi, pan, etc.
Furthermore they like genre-bending fiction, fusion genre and stories that don’t quite fit into a particular category.
If you want to learn more about the books they publish, you can head over to https://ninestarpress.com/


*Thanks to NetGalley and NineStar Press for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars - Unlikely romance in space

Elora is part human, part cyborg and in a post-IA-war society sentient AIs are illegal. She is constantly fighting for being aknowledged as human and one last trial will be held to come to a final decision.
On her way to the space station housing the court she has the chance to do a good deed - and we all know how that can backfire. And so, she saves not only the life of Gareth Fuentes but incidentally the consciousness of Gareth's husband Albert gets downloaded into her and cannot be easily removed.
First she struggles with the situation of having a man who was declared dead in her head and having to deal with his grieving husband who unexpectedly finds himself again with a version of his beloved husband. However, a rather unconventional romance starts to bud and it is all sorts of confusing. Add to that the constant struggle with the often hostile crew of the ship she is travelling with and Elora has a lot on her plate.

Elora has not had an easy life, most of it having been filled with pain and struggle. And it shows. She is a total snark-monster and often acting in a way that will harm herself and the people around her. I liked that her snark was not self-serving for some cheap laughs but rather fit in perfectly with her personality. Because she is not only snarky and self-destructive, she is also tough as nails, smart, witty and compassionate. Just don't tell her that to her face.

I also liked personable Albert and prickly Gareth, the other two protagonists in this love triangle. They come across as fully formed personalities who complement each other (and Elora) perfectly. (Also, was anybody else strongly reminded of Star Trek Discovery's Stamets and Culber with those two?!)

I cannot say I could emotionally truly undertand how those three together become a love story and thought the romance was a bit constructed. In general, the story did feel plot-driven rather than character-driven most of the time, with some very convenient plot devices thrown in here and there. Still, I really enjoyed this romance that explored a relationship that would be just impossible outside of a SF setting.

However, as in any good romance, there is a happy end that will make you all fuzzy inside, but be warned - the road to that end does have some pretty dark spots. If that sounds like your cup of tea - give it a try!

Ternary". 1. "of, relating to, or proceeding by threes", 2. "having three elements, parts, or divisions". 3. " using three as the base", 4. " being or consisting of an alloy of three elements". (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
This book is well edited in spelling and grammar, with an eye-catching cover design. It hits on topics of LGBT relationships, intense loneliness, isolation, and abrasive characters who you learn to love. The story is science fiction; about a human cyborg built in secret, an illegal life, but the real story is about the evolution of relationships, friendships turning into love, and lovable characters you should hate. This is about life, loss, and enduring love.

Elora Cussons is a cyborg; part blood and tissue, part machine. She was created in secret by her loving parents, who chose to break the law to save their dying child. Being a cyborg is illegal; all artificial intelligence was destroyed after a terrible war when AI's became self aware and tried to take over the world. Since then, most humans hate and fear anything robotic. When discovered after 21 years of hiding who she really was, Elora's parents were arrested and are now in prison. Eventually Elora is also in custody, on her way to a trial; for others to determine if she is human or machine. If she is found human, she will gain her life back, if not, she loses all rights and maybe her right to live.
On the way to her trial, her starship takes a detour to help a research station that is studying a mysterious alien spaceship that had suddenly appeared near Earth's orbit about a year ago. Humans are not able to enter the core of the alien craft without fatal brain hemorrhage. No one has tried to get inside since the death of Commander Albert "Bertie" Fuentes, of the original exploration team who entered the core of the spaceship a year ago. That is, until Lieutenant Gareth "Gary" Fuentes stepped inside the alien spaceship several days ago in his belief that Commander Fuentes is somehow still alive in the spacecraft core. Elora was commissioned to go inside the alien ship on a rescue mission for Lieutenant Fuentes, in hopes her cybernetic brain could tolerate whatever was causing the humans' brains to hemorrhage once inside. Elora was able to retrieve the lost crewman and save his life, but while doing so caught a glimpse of someone else inside the ship. Impossibly, it seems to be the Commander who had died a year ago. The research team ended up sending Elora back inside the ship to investigate this possibility, and in doing so, Elora ended up somehow with the consciousness of the dead Bertie being downloaded into her cybernetic brain. Later she finds out the consciousness she is hosting is none other than the late husband of Gary.
What follows is the story of Elora learning to live with another person in her head, an unwanted guest who's presence eventually blossoms into a friendship that they soon do not want to live without. Both ending up improving the life of the other; Elora giving Bertie a second chance at life, and Bertie teaching Elora how to live and trust again. Bertie and Gary share a love that is so deep and true it transcends death. Somehow, the three have to find a way to get along, to live together and love each other, because eventually, they each are not truly whole without the other two. A love story of like no other, introducing LGBT relationships as they should be. Intertwined in all this is a story of a mysterious and beautiful alien ship, the discovery of why it appeared above Earth, and its call for help that only Elora, Bertie, and Gary could understand by lowering their defenses and working together to solve the Universe's greatest mystery.

I recommend Ternary to all Sci-Fi readers who enjoy a bit of romance. It’s not my usual choice of book but still enjoyed it.

I was sent a copy of this book for an honest review.

Although it felt like it might have been aimed more at the YA market with a sassy main character, I found this book very well thought out and it had a different feel to other books I've read of late. I really enjoyed it. It was a fun ride!

#Ternary #Netgalley

The book seems like a cool premise but I cannot get pass the main character she feels just so unlikable and I cannot find anything to connect on her with. Plus Bertie just feels like a stereotype, plus the other character Gary, i think his name is, feels so forgettable. Like he is just some stock character. Maybe I didn't read far enough but I just couldn't push myself to read more.

Living Post AI Human War. Elora, an illegal half android on her way to a trial for her life stumbles into something that changes everything.

(I was given this book as a ARC or Advanced Reader Copy given through NetGalley for an honest Review. All of these thoughts are mine and at no point was I pressured or swayed in my opinion)

Trigger warnings:
This book contains: Physical Assault, Graphic Violence, Medical Harm, Character Being Treated As ‘Other’/Less Than Human, Physical Restraint, and Torture

This is a solid 4.5/5
Ternary is a sci fi book with prominent LGBTQ characters in the cast. They coming in the form of both a gay character, and a Bi one. Both playing important roles in the story.

What can I say except that this book kept me hooked the whole way through. Consequently, at no point while reading this was a bored or pulled out of the story. I never felt the need to put this book down.

Elora Cussons our sarcastic snarky protagonist
On her way to a trial to determine her humanity, Elora is not willing to put up with others bullshit. She has enough of her own to deal with thank you very much.

This trial will determine if she is giving the right to be seen as alive. To be seen as something worth having free will. Therefore you can say she’s a little bitter.

In other words, can you blame her for being snarky when everyone around her clearly sees her as some object? a ‘Tin-Man’ if you will. Or sees her as some type of object to get something they want.

Like saving a crew member that has got themselves stuck in a place that humans can’t reach.

But saving Lieutenant Fuentes leaves some complications
Well she finished the mission to save Lieutenant Fuentes. All under duress of it being good for character moral for the trial. Of Course Elora is now in a predicament that leaves her in some trouble.

Sure Elora saved the day, became the hero of the hour. Whoop Dee Doo.

However, the mission didn’t go perfectly smooth. And it left Elore coming out of this mission with some complications that she can’t shake.

And these complications? They leave her already rocky life spirling as she gets caught up in someone else’s love story.

Above all, none of this she has any time for. Not when her life hangs on the opinion of a mass that believes that she is an abomination.

This book kept me hooked
throughout this book I was unable to look away needed to know what was going to happen. I was at no point pulled away from the story or wanted to put it down.

This book had me on edge throughout. Action pact moments leaving me tense as I read, needing to find out what was going to happen.

I felt the anger at characters for their actions toward Elora. Them seeing her as less than and a danger to society as whole.

Not to mention the author’s great job of writing Elora. Which left me able to see how this affects Elora and feel for what she is going through.

Speaking of Elora, She was a thoroughly enjoyable character to be with
Elora was a very in depth character, with her flaws on display just as much as her virtues. I can say that Elora is a complex character that was very well written.

What I enjoyed most about Elora was that she always has something to say. Most of the time in the form of a snarky or sarcastic comment.

Elora never misses a moment to say something, and it left me entertained while reading this book. Her tirade of constant remarks making a entertaining read.

But don’t be fooled into her not having her soft spots. Because she has those too, just waiting for a moment that she can let them free.

Now if only the world could quite beating her down she could let them loose more often.

Speaking of the world, The world building was alive and ripe with things to discover.
This book was filled with world building and and things. All of which adds to the story.

At no point while reading this did I feel like the information was redundant or filler not their advance anything. moreover all the information added up to make the world that I was experiencing more real and lived in.

This world lived and breathed and I enjoyed my time with it to the very last page.

By the end of the journey with this book I wanted more
To clarify I very much enjoyed my time with this book. And reaching the end of the book left me satisfied with the characters arc and how it concluded.

But This book did leave me lingering, wanting more.

I wanted to stay and continue to live with these characters even at the end.

In short, I can say that this is a book that I can recommend. Especially if you are a fan of Sci Fi and enjoy prominent LGBTQ characters. And great complect characters all wrapped around a snarky protagonist.

Ternary was my first step into the world of SciFi I had always been apprehensive but I’m glad I gave it a shot. This book was so effortlessly inclusive, artistic, intriguing, and an overall worthwhile read.

I’m a big fan of romance and this checked all my boxes. The main character is so witty and feisty and that leads to such a fun experience watching her grow into a whole new person over the course of the book. Bertie was such a character, I absolutely LOVED the friendship they created. Gary was such a cool character as well, I don’t want to reveal too much but the way he loves is so pure despite the baloney he’s gone through.

I was also a little apprehensive about the unique romance style this book presented but I think it was very tastefully executed, it is the future after all!

I binged this book in one day and I truly think it’s worth checking out. I’ll be excited to read what else Kristen L. Stamper puts out.

In a future where humans fear robots, a cyborg is on her way to the trial of her life. Does she deserve the same rights as humans, or will her existence be reduced to the robotic parts keeping her body alive? Hated and constantly hurt by those who surround her, Elora has built a shell around her heart. However, opening herself to trust might be the very thing that saves her.

Ternary is a heart-warming Sci-Fi novel that will ignite a storm of emotions in everyone who reads it. From devastating moments to the more lighthearted ones, Kristin L. Stamper elevates the cyborg story to its most human level yet. This novel made me cry, laugh, and get angry always in the right moments. I binge-read it in just two days.

An exploration of human nature, Ternary delivers us characters so well-developed they jump out the pages. The three main characters are all very distinct from each other, and their clashing personalities are what tie in their relationship so well. Even when one of them is trapped in Elora's brain, his consciousness turns distinctive from hers to the point even the way she moves changes.

All characters are great. My favorite one was Elora with all her sarcastic snark. Her emotions always swept me up until I was either crying with her or laughing with her. Her ability to remain resilient and strong despite all the terrible things that happened to her was admiring. I couldn't help to feel identified with her way to see the world. Ternary is written in first-person from Elora's perspective, and believe me when I tell you is never a dull moment with her! The way her personality bounces off Bertie's drives the story forward. And don't get me started on their chemistry with Gary!

I must confess I'm not a fan of romance, but Ternary is one of those cases where there's romance revolving around an exciting plot. It kept me glued to the pages. You have Elora's upcoming trial, her questions about human identity, and a mysterious alien vessel that suddenly appeared above Earth. She must face all of this while also surviving the mob who hates her and keeping the other character safe. Also, the way the relationship between Elora, Bertie, and Gary grows is so natural with all its ups and downs and despite everything happening to them. It's a struggle! But a good one.

The writing quality is impeccable. A lot of thought went into its editing. Stamper has a seamless, easy to read way to convey Elora's voice. It is deep and thoughtful, making it a joy to read from start finish. This, combined with how the world is built, paints a clear picture of everything that's happening and why.

There's a believable reason for humans to fear robots. There's a history behind that. One of my favorite parts of the novel was how the mysterious alien ship tied in with Elora's plight in the end. It was a great way to explore her personality, and it gave me all the feels. I especially enjoyed the scenes spent on this ship. It's not the typical alien story. The originality behind it (from its appearance to how it communicated) was a delight to my Sci-Fi loving heart.

I recommend Ternary to every Sci-Fi reader who's ever questioned where our humanity starts and ends. Are we the sum of our parts? Are just that constant synapsis between our neurons? Do we only reside on our organic vessels? Stamper does a great job of exploring all these questions in an engaging way. If you enjoyed The Host by Stephanie Meyer, you will love Ternary. It's similar in premise, but Ternary dares go way beyond. Pick it up! You won't be disappointed.