Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Beneath False Stars Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Beneath False Stars

Author: S.D. Grimm

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release Date: September 9, 2025

The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There’s one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed.

Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities.

Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

With a name like S.D. Grimm, how could she be anything but a writer of fantasy and sci-fi with equal parts sparkle and darkle? Always the dreamer, she’s been sorted into Gryffindor, she checks wardrobes for secret worlds, and has a blue lightsaber. She is the author of several young adult titles spanning many speculative genres, and she works as a freelance editor and writing coach. Her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one dog.

More from S.D.

What makes a fantasy writer change lanes and enter the world of science fiction?

My story actually goes back to that famous phrase “never say never.” I have ALWAYS loved both genres equally. If the question is Star Wars or LOTR? X-Men or Harry Potter? Hunger Games or Vampire Diaries? My answer is going to be, Why not all of it? But I always said I’d never write sci-fi. The reason? I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull it off.

That’s one of the fun things about being a writer though . . . you get these little glimmers of shiny story ideas that just won’t stop sparkling in your mind. And eventually you follow the spark, and well, the rest is history.

Beneath False Stars started like that for me. But because I still believed I’d never be able to write a good sci-fi, I’d just write it for fun. To create for creation’s sake. And it was fun! Having a project that existed as something no one would ever read gave me permission to try new things, stretch my storytelling in new and exciting ways. And after a long period of burnout, this story carried me back into the heart of why I write. It was exactly what I needed.

But that wasn’t all.

Remember, it was never my intention to actually share this book. But it became something that I was too excited about to NOT share. So I tested the waters. When several writer friends read it and told me it was their favorite of all my books to date, I knew it was something that was never meant to sit in a drawer. In a way that scared me.

So, I did what the main character in the book would have told me to do—I decided not to let my fears win. And I shared. And now it’s going to be in print! That only goes to show that when a project you’re passionate about pulls at your heartstrings for attention, listen. You don’t have to know that project’s future. Just revel in its present, and let yourself create. <3

~ S.D. Grimm

MY REVIEW

Welcome to a world where division is very evident. The author develops a place where technology has reached every facet of life. One character wants to hack into a system but danger is very near at all times. Ryleigh stood out to me because I could relate to what people call her flaws. She worries to the point of being obsessive, doesn’t trust others and cringes at criticism and let’s not forget anxiety . She wants to prove to everyone that she is fierce and can succeed at nothing. Do you relate to any of these?

I laughed at some of the references like “ancient pen” because in this world pens are obsolete. That really got my attention and it reminded me that we are not in Kansas anymore. I appreciate the author highlighting sign language in the story. Ryleigh’s brother depends on it to communicate even though it is not really used in this new world the author dropped us into. The author has taken us into a world where technology is powerful and those that are in control can be very dangerous if threatened.

When Ryleigh is able to hack into the system her and her brother race to the opening and slip in. Waiting for them is a world where transportation like slide boards are common. This reminded me of a very famous cartoon that I watched every time it came on. I wonder what it would be like to zoom around hovering above the ground. I know for sure my legs would appreciate the rest the board allows. Just think, no more walking but jetting across and feeling relaxed as you travel to your destinstion

Project Integration is now the upmost attention of Ryleigh. She is determined to get this project in place but faces the enemy along the way. I couldn’t believe how much I became engrossed in this book. With the creativity and life lessons the author captures the attention of science fiction fans.

What an exceptional story that illustrates forgiveness in a way that expresses true grace. As Ryleigh faces someone that she has never wanted to see again, the author shocks us with twists that keep readers on their toes. This is a great story with definite lessons in forgiveness, overcoming insecurity and treating each other without prejudice.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.