The Hitchhiker, Part One: On the Run

Title: The Hitchhiker, Part One: On the Run
Author: Kathleen Dienne
Genre: Erotic Sci-Fi
Length: 9k Words

One-sentence summary

Stevie Baines is a woman trying to get away from her hometown, when the man she'd caught a ride with gives her a strange device, a device that can change things in people it touches.

Summary

(from Goodreads) Stevie Baines is on the run. She left behind the tiny town of Huck Gully, her dead end job, and her vindictive ex. But with no money and no resources beyond her own strength, how can she survive for long on the road?

Her friend and lover was only trying to help when he gave her the key to a power that could keep her safe. Safe from nearly everything.

That kind of power makes enemies. Now she's running from more than ever, but she's finally on her way.

Characters

Stevie is an independent woman, tough, but still with a strong sex drive. There's not a lot of room for character development in an entry this short, but she still manages to show both her tough side, as well as her weaknesses and even grow a little.

Barry is a trucker who seemingly talks to himself. The truth is much, much better. He's less well-developed than Stevie, but with good reason.

Grath is an outsider with a lot of power, and an incomplete understanding of things around him. He's actually quite interesting, and well spoken. Again, not as well developed as Stevie, but there's just less time to do it in.

Plot

As a short, introductory serial, the plot is also somewhat abbreviated, consisting of only a few scenes. That said, the scenes are well-developed and of good quality. The conflict that promises to drive the story throughout the series is well-introduced, and though it is by no means resolved, given that this is just the start, it definitely aroused my curiosity.

The book carries straight through, keeping a steady pace and never growing boring. Even the sex, which can often be a drawback, flows along with it, helping to establish personality rather than just being there to titillate. However, they aren't necessary to the story, as the traits the scenes do help establish could easily be established in other ways, and in fact, somewhat are.

In fact, my biggest problem with the story is that it is a bit too short, but as it's just the first of a serial, that's to be expected, I'm afraid.

Design

As I read this in ePub format, all I can comment on is the cover image, which I rather liked. It's very focused and to the point, and shows all the elements necessary.

Writing

The writing style is very straightforward in it's approach to the story, appropriate, given that it's written from the perspective of the main character. Conversations are interesting and support the established personalities. The sex scenes, which do comprise a significant portion of the story, aren't bad at all, and don't disrupt the writing style.

Overall

4 stars on Sarah's Star System

Recommended For

People looking for a brief, erotic story with sci-fi elements, who don't mind a story that's continued in later installments.

Purchase

Kindle ($0.99)
Barnes & Noble NookBook ($0.99)