The Stars Change

By: Mary Anne Mohanraj

Narrated by: Sasha Dunbrooke

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

On the brink of interstellar war, life (and sex) continues. Humans, aliens, and modified humans gather at the University of All Worlds in search of knowledge...and self-knowledge...but the first bomb has fallen and the fate of this multicultural, multispecies mecca is in question. A thought-provoking work on sexuality and the connections between people - whether male or female, human or alien - The Stars Change is part space opera, part literary mosaic of story, poem, and art. The Stars Change: an erotic science fiction novel-in-stories.

On a South Asian-settled university planet, tensions are rising, and as they reach the brink of interstellar war, life (and sex) continues. Humans, aliens, and modified humans gather at the University of All Worlds in search of knowledge...and self-knowledge...but the first bomb has fallen and the fate of this multicultural, multispecies mecca is in question. Some people will seek solace in physical contact, some will look for spiritual answers, while others will find their strength in community, family, and love. Some will rush home to make love to their wife. Or wives. Or husbands. Or indeterminate gender human and/or alien partners. Others will be forced to decide where they stand - what is worth fighting for, or maybe even worth dying for.

In The Stars Change, author Mary Anne Mohanraj presents a multi-layered, thought-provoking, and far-reaching work on sexuality and the connections between people - whether male or female, human or alien. The Stars Change is part space opera, part literary mosaic of story, poem, and art. It is fitting that a book that emphasizes the power of community was funded through Kickstarter. Begun as a project entitled "Demi Monde", The Stars Change is the result of the money raised by supporters that went to pay for not only the art and illustrations in the book, but the author's time, allowing her to focus on writing for that crucial interval.

©2013 Mary Anne Mohanraj (P)2013 Audible Inc.

A poignant, and erotic, tale

In The Stars Change, Mary Anne Mohanraj has crafted a powerful story about humanity, xenophobia, sex, and love that is as relevant to 21st century life on Earth as it is in the Stars. Brought to life by Sasha Dunbrooke, I highly recommend this novel.

An interesting story

I like stories with the writer's take (ideas) on the future of human social interactions, this did not disappoint. We were only shown a little bit of the (story ) world building but it seemed very broad and interesting. All the characters are genuinely somwat relatable with their motivation and actions. though there is always that one main character that makes stupid decisions that hurts all those around them but still tries to share the blame around. all in all, I liked this book. Good job, everyone involved with this production.

Love & Sex on the Brink of War

A contemplation of love and sex, both human and alien, and its many forms, The Stars Change explores the desires and motivations of a group of multispecies characters caught in the opening salvo of a xenophobic intergalactic war that they can do nothing about, or can they?

This short novel has an interesting style and I was moved by a number of passages. The varying types of relationships examined range the spectrum and were interesting to explore. Be forewarned that there is good amount of sex in this brief book and that it also ranges the spectrum. Most of it is found in memories or reflections and doesn't seem inappropriate. Even given the looming invasion, the very public sex scene that opens the book doesn't seem ill-fitting. But the closing scene, involving equally public yet tamer affections, seems out of place given the context of the preceding events, even if it is emotionally earned by the characters.

Love, Love, Love this story

(Important note, I am a friend of the author)
I've been a fan of Mary Anne Mohanraj for years. She writes good characters, believable, likable. She writes good sex, descriptive without being flowery or clinical, realistic, fun. In this story she's taken both out into Outer Space and proved that aliens are just like us, and we're just like them, even if that means some of us aren't very nice.
The first half introduces - and binds together - all the characters in unexpected ways. The second half? That's where things get good. If you're a fan of sci-fi, erotica, or both, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

That said, since all the human charaters of the story are (or more accurately were when they left Earth) of the Indian diaspora, I only give four stars for Performance because the reader is pretty obviously not.

A few stories of unlikely love in the night before possible death

Uninteresting relationships with momentary (from the readers POV) issues resolved at the first challenge. Mixed around an unrealistic attack, defeated in a few hours by a hodgepodge of people who keep saying there is no time, but stop for tea, an exotic dance, snacks, etc.

Just too strange.

Couldn’t get through more than a couple of chapters. Too disjointed to follow the story.

I don't even know how this is considered..

erotica, I lasted until chapter 2 it actually really wasn't good I wish that the author had a real Direction with this but it was not erotica at all I don't even know what this was

Listed in wrong category I think

This is a short, strange, sci-fi book where the author tries too hard and not very well to say something about the injustice in the world, racism, and gender norms. Not what I normally listen to and did not finish it. I will listen to more from this reader. I thought she did an excellent job.

Unsure why it didn't work

I struggle to identify why this story didn't hold my attention well.
I liked that it focused on "brown" people who seemed to be of Indian descent with reference to the wearing of a saree and other aspects of their culture, including food and religion. And I liked that it was about acceptance of difference, though difference focused on attitudes of humans towards non-human intergalactic beings or intentionally-enhanced humans.
But this story was ultimately about war, the reason for it (difference and power), and battling against it and ourselves. There was 1 sex scene, speaking of sex a few times, expressions of romantic feelings, primarily in FF relationship but not only them, and a little bit of action in battle. And trying to do all of that well didn't hold my attention. I finished it just because I paid for it. I was glad it was short.
It wasn't bad. It was just barely average, though it had some interesting parts with the cultural knowledge, the little bit of new world description and the analogous nature of lessons about difference, acceptance, and "the will to power" as a motivating force.