Philadelphia, PA Author Publishes Feminist Sci-Fi Romance Novel

September 12, 2017 - Valpartha: One Woman's Quest: An Interstellar Romance, a new book by Dale Shillito, has been released by Xlibris.

This novel, an "Interstellar Romance", approaches exploration of space from the personal viewpoint of a professional but often conflicted woman, who is in love and dedicated to the advancement of science.

On a European Space Agency mission to a planet believed to harbor intelligent life, Swedish geologist Astrid Svenson meets French botanist Henri Brule. Assigned as co-explorers, the couple fall in and out of love on the ten-year space flight, but must work together facing an alien world called Arkenu. The hardships and adventures faced in exploration bind Astrid and Henri together into an inseparable team while gathering scientific information.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew has been rescued, forcibly escorted, resettled and benignly ignored by Valpartha, where they are expected to adjust on their own to the language, customs, laws and expectations of a highly advanced matriarchal Valparthan culture. When Astrid and Henri rejoin the crew in Valpartha, the solidity of their relationship is tested in new ways.

Foreward Reviews says that "Valpartha: One Woman's Quest is a satisfying intergalactic story that balances a woman's romantic relationships with her passion for science." Foreward Reviews also praises that "the novel covers heavy topics including pregnancy, rape and divorce without romanticizing such themes."

Kirkus Reviews remarks that "it's rare to read a sci-fi story so focused on reproduction-birth control, pregnancy, miscarriage, even abortion are deftly addressed here. These practical subjects are often overlooked in fiction, but Shillito instead powerfully brings them to the forefront, a choice that helps make his vibrant world ring true."

Visit the book's website at www.valpartha.com.

Valpartha: One Woman's Quest: An Interstellar Romance is a 340-page paperback with a retail price of $19.99. The ISBN is 9781524557218. It is also available in hardcover and eBook. To buy the book, go to www.xlibris.com, www.amazon.com, and www.bn.com.