Book Review: The Jewel and The Comet

 This book was quite a surprise for me. It was advertised as "A quirky new space opera featuring charming characters and sarcastic spaceships"  SIGN ME UP. 

I am going to add in that this book also has quite a lot of reference to gendered-ness, pronouns and the kink community, which I did not expect from the description. While I didn't have an issue with this, somehow, I did not really expect it to be essentially the main focus at the beginning while we are also setting up the story.  I especially didn't expect it to feature so heavily in most of the chapters. I think that this is mainly just sort of an expectation issue rather than it not working for the story.  

Tim Pratt expands on his prior novel "The Knife and The Serpent" but this book can be read as a Stand-alone. Readers meet Vivy  ( a super spy!) and Gwen/Glenn (a gender-fluid grad student who's perfectly normal, except for being trained for a super-secret society, and being active in the kink community.) While these two items don't readily pair up like Peanut Butter and Jelly, I feel that Pratt does make it work. 

Glenn/Gwen and Vivy are dispatched on high stakes missions and separated from each other. For Vivy this is pretty standard, but for Gwen/Glenn, it is completely new and they only have a sentient space ship for help.  Of course, the Space Ship is one snarky ship as well. 

This is a wild ride- a character focused adventure where it seems like anything can happen. I did like that despite the heavy character growth focus, this isn't just a book using Space as a backdrop- the multi-verse is unique and fascinating, in fact I found the descriptions of the multiverse and it's workings to be my favorite part of the novel! 

   I appreciated they way Pratt draws a character and really brings the characters to life on the page.  The plot moves at a very fast pace, and the story is well imagined. If you're interested in a futuristic story with a bite (a kinky bite that is) - this will eb one you'll want to put on your TBR. 

I am so appreciative to Net Galley and Angry Robot for the Advanced Reader Copy for me to read and review. 

STATS

First Published  August 18, 2026 

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Unsure  

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, death, references and descriptions of kink community.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: Whalesong by Miles Cameron

 So Many Thanks to Saga for providing me with an E-copy of this novel for me to read and review!

It really isn't any surprise, given that I really liked book one and two in this series that I really loved Whalesong! 

Whalesong takes off right after the end of book 2 Deep Black. While Cameron does give enough context that a reader could pick up book three independently, I think it's far more enjoyable to have read books 1 and 2. 

   So as this is book 3 in a series, there are going to be some minor spoilers, but I will attempt to not give away any of the excellent plot. 

     The set up in this book was a bit slower than the first two- Our crew is now free of their contract, and readers find them pursuing multiple different lives - some outside of service, and some taking on new roles across the universe. Up until about 40% I felt like I was actually missing some of the crew, but Cameron of course, brings things full circle  and the narrative really sped up at about 50%-  and if I am being honest, without the slower set up in the first half of the book, the second half would not have been as easy to follow.  I would not have had as much fun as I did with it. I will particularly say there is a moment when Zhao- a character who seemed to be basically a supporting character, rose to Main character status, and at that point, I just fell in love with her and the entire plot.  At that point, I found it hard to put down and I had to finish.  I did feel that this is an excellent series to turn into a TV drama (anyone listening?) 

    What can readers expect?

 - An extension of this Space Opera with introduction of some new players. Continued growth and development of characters we already know. 

 - Well written, pulse pounding action and battle scenes

 - An underlying very human love story

 - Hard Sci- Fi elements of insertion points, space fuel, space weapons, the realities of gravity and space travel and more. 

 - Military Sci-Fi elements- political intrigue, battle strategy, space weapons, alliances and spies.

 - Soft Sci-Fi elements focusing on deep character development, relationships, ethics and linguistics in a space setting. 

   Cameron had published this before, but it is getting a re-release from Saga Press with a gorgeous new cover series. I also liked the older covers, but these new covers really are eye grabbing and highlight the wonderful human element that plays out in all of these books.  This one is released August 4th, and I am sure I want a shelf copy! 

STATS

First Published  08/04/2026

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : Most Likely - have not seen the audio yet. 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, death, PTSD, vomit, blood, near death, AI systems gone rogue, aliens, treason. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky

 I am not a super-fan of Adrian Tchaikovsky.  I've read Alien Clay, and I thought it was OK, but then I read Service Model and it was so horribly repetitive that I decided no more.  

But, the book world had other plans for me!

Shroud is one of the nominees for the Hugo Award in 2026 and since I usually try to read all of the nominees, I had it on my list. 

A friend of mine (who loves Tchaikovsky) started it with me, and was immediately put off by the part where one of the space travelers runs about nude strung out on Space Travel medications.  He has not read more, even though honestly, in the 13 hours of narration, I think that bit was added for color and is maybe 5 min long. 

So.  Shroud. 

Lets give a nod to this amazing cover: Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Yuko Shimizu

Real people, making real art. 

This book is unique in that is is a dual POV with on POV being a Researcher's assistant, and the other being an alien being.  

We start on a "generation" type ship that is trolling the universe stripping assets off other planets and moons. Our main human characters are part of a special projects team and suddenly- an engineer and the research assistant find themselves catapulted on to the moon. They come close up to the moon and find that there is indeed life, and it seems to be a touch dangerous. Capable of consuming them, and indeed, not all will survive this alien encounter. Readers follow this intrepid crew as they work to reunite with the ship. Our main character imagines that once reunited with the ship they will be celebrated as returning survivors and heroes with lots of valuable intel.  Of course, dedicated readers of Sci-Fi can see where this is going. Interspersed within we are given the POV of an alien being who is trying to figure out exactly what the human researchers are.   And if you are curious, you'll want to read more! 

For me, this was an interesting premise, and a surprising ending. It hinted at the need for a second book, but this is billed as a stand- alone.  Tchaikovsky describes an epic journey across an unknown moon in lugubrious detail. The opportunity was there to possibly flesh out the back story of both the main narrator and the engineer who were thrust together to escape this danger, but while he approaches this with some very fun conversations, in the end, I never could quite find myself to care that much about either person, as relatable as they seemed. I just never quite knew them. I found myself cheering more for the alien creature, but also didn't feel I knew the creature that well either. All that said, I can see that Tchaikovsky's story will appeal to so many that it may be just a me thing. I can see him becoming the Heinlein of a new generation (and I will say, significantly less problematic and creepy than Heinlein!!) 

Will this win the Hugo?  I don't think so. This year's nominees seem kind of weak to me, but I am not done with the list, I still have the Raven Scholar to dip into! 

STATS

First Published  2/27/25

Pages: 436

Available as an Audio Book : ~ 11 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, blood, body injury, death, Genocide,  Xenophobia

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: Black Hole Guns for Hire By Friday Strout

 Book pals, you may have noticed that I do not do a lot of Indie author reviews here.  I don't really read a lot of Indie published books. There are two reasons for this:  Firstly I do a lot of my reading via Audio-book, and secondly, I've been sent a lot of Indie works that weren't quite ready for readers- with an expectation that I will provide a 5 star review. That said- Indie's are so important. They often move us beyond what one of the Big Five publishers would consider "marketable" or "profitable" and provide readers with unique views and perspectives. 

   I felt that Black Hole Guns for Hire really did give me a different perspective, and I'm happy to recommend it - for certain readers. 

I was immediately smitten with the cover. It just screamed adventure, with a smidge of irreverence! If you are curious about the cover art (I was)  it was "made with Reedsy, a Designer based in New Zealand." 

   In short this story encompasses all sorts of current issues within an exciting space adventure. Lina Bho is captain of a Space Transport Junker. After retiring herself from the United Earth Marines, she's completing her transition with a rough and ready crew at the edges of the universe.  Things start out rough for Lina and crew, and only get rougher as the story evolves. They are stalked by pirates and aliens as they realize that the United Earth has stranded billions of people to control a rebel stronghold. Lina and her tight knit crew have only one chance, and a slim chance at that- to survive this. If you, like me, have to know what happens in this fast moving, lit-rpg type novel, you'll have to read to find out! 

    

      For me this novel did read a bit rough and ragged around the edges. I loved the diverse representation within the novel that was natural and not didactic or weird. I also enjoyed all the space battles, movements and machinations of the ships, and crew. I was less fond of the very stridently masculine tone of the novel, but that was possibly a "me" thing that may not affect other readers. Definitely a book to recommend for the Trans-rights readathon which occurs every March. I wouldn't wait til March to pick it up though, it comes out May 28th and I know it's one that will surprise and broaden reader's horizons! 

First Published :  5/28/26

Pages: 177

Available as an Audio Book :  possibly? 

Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, on page sexual content, alcohol use/abuse, war, gratituitous references to women's body parts (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

 The Everlasting is one of the 6 books nominated for a Hugo Award this year, so it was high up on my list to complete before the awards are given out. 

I think it's a possible winner. 

That said, it is not going to be my choice for winner, although I have only read 4 of the 6, I am sure that I've read at least two that I enjoyed more.

That said, this was inventive, deeply romantic and tragic in a way that readers of One Dark Window and Wolf Worm are bound to LOVE. 

It's difficult to give a synopsis without spoiling at least one of the gentle surprises. But, I'm game to try. 

    We start our story by meeting Owen Mallory, a misfit and an outcast who's received a medal for bravery that even he feels he didn't deserve, and a discharge from the military with a post at a college teaching and researching literature.  Mallory struggles with family and social relations, but he's on point with his scholarship and is working on a project to provide a definitive translation of the story of a National Hero- Una the Everlasting. One day, he receives a mysterious book in the post. Generally not one to take risks, he risks transporting this book away and to a mysterious address. This action sends him on a journey for the ages. 

  In this novel we get  a tender love that transcends the ages, knightly battles, some dragons, and a villain who is also a victim. There are political machinations, and manipulation as well as a stubborn time loop. It really is a time bending, gender bending love story for the ages. On top of that, it's well imagined and stunningly well written. 

  For me, I did find it somewhat repetitive which of course can't really be helped in a time looping novel, I suppose.  In addition, it seemed to go ON and ON.  I was shocked to find out after bearing through the audiobook that the print is only 320 pages. The audiobook is 13 hours and 21 min.  An average length of audio book for 320 pages is between 9 and 12 hours.... and thus, after about 9 hours, I was a bit tired of Owen, his father and the woman who would be called Una. It was an honest relief when the story concluded in a masterful and gentle way. 

   I think it's highly possible this is a winner, despite it dragging on quite a bit for me. I think, quite honestly I'd recommend reading this one with the eyes rather than the ears. 

First Published :  10/28/2025

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, on page sexual content, alcohol use/abuse, war (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Hugo Awards nominees!!!

 I am so excited about the Hugo Awards every year! 

There are 6 books in the Best Novel category this year.  I'm  actually not entirely sure how I feel about these selections. I've read 3 of them, and have to get to the other three. 

Because I have read so many of the novels already I think I will branch out into the novella category aw well (As I've already read a few of them also!) 

Here's the rundown for Best Novel! 

BEST NOVEL NOMINEES: 

• A Drop of Corruption, Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey; Hodderscape)
• 
  
  
• The Everlasting, Alix E. Harrow (Tor US; Tor UK) 
• 
  
  
  
• The Raven Scholar, Antonia Hodgson (Orbit US; Hodderscape) 
• 
  
  
  
• Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor (Morrow; Gollancz)
• 
  
  
  
• Shroud, Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tor UK; Orbit US) 
• 
  
  
  
• The Incandescent, Emily Tesh (Tor US; Orbit UK) 
• 
  
  
  

Out of the Six, I've read A drop of Corruption, The Incandescent and Death of the Author.  I have partially read The Raven Scholar, but couldn't finish it in time for my library loan. So I will have to tackle Shroud, The Everlasting and finish up The Raven Scholar. 

From my reading the three are all strong contenders. I enjoyed all three in various ways, but I'll say that Robert Jackson Bennet's Drop of Corruption really tops the list for me. I just don't know that he can win two years in a row.  I don't think Okorafor's book was well liked, despite it being well written, with great presentation and an interesting story. I personally enjoyed it, but didn't love it. The Incandescent was great fun, but didn't have the pull of Some Desperate Glory which won a few years back. So... I've got some reading to do. 

Which ones are on your radar? Will you be joining me inreading all six?  

Book Review: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick

 

I'm back on the Hugo Awards as I complete a reading prompt for my local bookstore's reading challenge.  This prompt was for a Classic.  While The Man in the High Castle might not come to mind as rapidly as Pride and Prejudice, it is most assuredly a classic of Sci-Fi. 

  Frankly, I am learning I'm not a big fan of early Sci-Fi.  It's really a strange mash up of male insecurity, weird obsessions and a heavy dose of the times in which the writers were living.  These guys were inventive, but it's clear their imagination didn't go as far as I originally thought.  Even with Space Travel as a part of the novel, the entire imagining of space travel was pretty nebulous. And I suppose that's fair, given that travel on airplanes itself was generally priced for only the wealthy and business class at that time.  I can see that imagining a future where cargo was carried all over the place without a blink of an eye wasn't top of mind.  It is always interesting to see how we imagine the future world.  In Dick's case, it's one where Germany can colonize Mars, but secret info is still passed on by Photostat.  Since currently, we can not colonize Mars, but have well outgrown a photostat, the juxtaposition is jarring. 

    I didn't love this book, but I also did not hate it.  Readers follow several main characters who are all pieces of literary art. We have:

 I could likely write a post about the motivations, emotions and representations of all the characters. But, I'm not that kind of book reviewer!  What I found interesting, was that the characters didn't all come together in one defining moment. Instead they all seem to share in common a loss of identity and a seeking for meaning in life. They are all passionate, but- they aren't finding satisfying outlets for their passion. 

Juliana was a fascinating character- at once shallow- concerned about wardrobe, getting a nice meal or hotel, and on another level, literally murderous when protecting people- who are really representatives of ideals she holds dear. She definitely doesn't totally understand her own actions.

The shared passion and seeking is what unites the characters, even though some of them never interact at all. 

  There is no Hero's arc here.  PKD leaves us all sort of feeling drained and fizzled out there at then end, wondering what the point of these semi-intersecting stories was.  I think Dick maybe meant for us to sit and stew in that for a bit.  I definitely have been thinking about the book in the days since I finished it. 

I'm not sure the whole story works for me, but the characters he created are amazing and worth the read.

STATS

First Published  1962

Pages: 240

Available as an Audio Book : ~9 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, racism, weird I-ching consultations, murder, sexism

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

 

Book Review Starship Troopers By Robert Heinlein

 I cannot believe this book won a Hugo award, even taking into consideration the times and political climate when it was written.  

With my theme of outer space, I was pretty sure that heinlein was going to come into play.  I don't know why but I've not really been able to appreciate his work, even when I am taking it with a grain of historical context. 

The original cover, is, however, very nice.  I will say that. 

Starship Troopers- as far as my read goes- is a book written by a man,  about men, and essentially for male readers. 

 

Our Main Man, Johnny Rico enlists in the Army, pretty much by accident, when he comes along for his friends enlistment. He works his way up through boot camp and to officers school, all the while occasionally fighting an alien spider/bug like species.  Johnny's father is inspired to sign up for the military as well, to discover if he's a "real man" and with the added bonus of being awarded voting rights if he completes his term of service. The entire novel really read like the author's experience in the 1950's military with a few space suits thrown in for decor. There are a lot of detailed moral and political messages throughout the book which may have seemed more prescient at the time, but now currently seem quite out of date. 

  With this novel heinlein was credited with creating the Military Sci-fi subgenre.  I honestly just kept waiting for the Science part to appear, because, this story could have been told without space travel and it would have been pretty much the same. my entire face through the whole thing was set in a glum frown.  I read this for a book challenge the prompt was 'A book that had a film made about it", and because I do one day hope to read all the Hugo award winners.  I must say I've now read 3 pre-1970 Hugo award winners and they were all... kinda terrible. I also note my Dad telling me he really had never been able to get into Sci-Fi, and yeah... if Starship Troopers was what was on offer, I totally understand. 

      I should note here, that-  the 1997 film, which was loosely based off the novel- and the novel- are two different animals. The 1997 film is a set up to mock the actual novel for it's gung-ho military stance. 

   Overall - heinlein is known as an innovative writer who was apparently ahead of his time, a nudist, and into some unconventional relationships. For whatever reason, this doesn't translate into Starship Troopers.  I wondered if I had missed a point, but I see that this book was controversial at the time because it was considered to possibly be promoting fascism, and indeed, I suspect it might have been though heinlein would have stated that was not the case. 

The only reason I can see to read this book is if one is interested in the evolution of science fiction over time.  I loathed my time with this book. I felt as if I was in a recruitment propaganda meeting and I honestly didn't like it. 

 

I have looked about and read some interpretations of this work and was hoping that maybe I missed the mark, but no... it seems this was just what he produced. 

Should you read this?  If you are interested in the development of American Science Fiction, yes... Otherwise... please pick something else up- anything else. 

STATS

First Published  11/5/1959

Pages: 264

Available as an Audio Book : Yes (10 hours) 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, sexism, war

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Fourth Consort By Edward Ashton

   I saw The Fourth Consort on Net Galley and did not request it- as I was 8 ARC's deep at the time, but I really liked the cover, and I had enjoyed Mickey Seven, so I thought this one might be a hit for me. 

It certainly fits the theme of Outer Space- with main themes of the book being Space travel, First Contact, and Aliens.  (Someone has put forth a Love Triangle, but frankly, that's reaching, there is no love triangle that I could find anywhere in this novel. There wasn;t a whole lot of love at all.) 

  I found it via my library's Libby App, and I was sort of surprised that it wasn't several months deep in holds. 

   This book has the most interesting, creative premise.  Our "hero" Dalton has a berth on a ship run by Alien Snails where his job is to go planetside on various planets and make first contact, establishing various agreements with the inhabitants.  He's promised an enormous end salary with benefits, though the job itself is so dangerous he's pretty sure he won't be seeing those benefits. 

    At the start, readers find themselves stranded on an alien world full of an insectoid species, Dalton and his crewmate Nera and an alien known as "The Stickman" (from an opposing force also seeking to establish various agreements with the planet's inhabitants).

Chaos ensues.  (IF you want a spoiler free review, please stop here!) 

Nera retreats to the landing capsule, leaving Dalton and The Stickman to contend with the Insectoid species. Both the Stickman and Dalton seem sure that someone is coming for them, but honestly as the reader, I was suspecting that "no one is coming for you" was going to be part of the plot. 

Dalton finds himself unexpectedly given the dubious honor of becoming the Fourth Consort to the Insectoid leader "First Among Equals"  In this society, things are matriarchal, and Dalton is pitied because he is indeed male. Through a wild series of events, Dalton and The Stickman, establish a fragile friendship of sorts, while Nera- from afar, attempts to dictate things from her point of view. It's definitely an interesting read on how things are interpreted with various amounts of information.  Nera, from her removed perch in the landing pod is more prone to a violent response, while Dalton, who's deep in the city is discovering the nuances of this society, and learning more about the Stickman as well. 

As our story concludes, Dalton is given several choices for his future, and I must admit, I was not expecting his choice at all, though it did delight me.   In some sense, Dalton had been a reactive character, allowing things to happen to him, and in the end his choice allows him to become proactive, but it was so subtle, that I almost missed it. 

    Barrie Kreinik narrated, and really did a fantastic job with several voices, including alien voices.  Nothing was "over the top"  and the narration style kept me listening, so I highly recommend the audiobook. 

My main disappointment is the same one that I had with Mickey 7.  Although I enjoyed the story, I felt like - firstly- Ashton failed to explore the alien cultures deeply. Dalton is made a consort but we never quite fully understand what that entails. I was wildly curious about what that entailed, but most of the book did not actually involve interaction with the consort or the consortee. Nera and breaker are both interesting characters, and even though readers are given backstories on most of the characters, the characters themselves still seem to lack personalities. 

So, while I did enjoy this one, I didn't really LOVE it.  Definitely will be interested in more narration from Barrie Kreinik though! 

STATS

First Published :  2/25/25

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book :  YES ( ~ 8hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, death of parent,  death of spouse, interspecies experiences, colonialization (in space),  abandonment, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

 

Book Review: You Sexy Thing By Cat Rambo

 This Space Opera book has been floating around in the back of my TBR for quite some time. 

The TITLE- just draws one in.  It is so audacious, and I certainly found myself wanting to tell everyone about what I was reading...all the time, just for the reaction. 

Billed as a Disco Space Opera, and published in 2021, I honestly can say this lives up to the billing and I wish I'd read it in 2021. 

This is the book that I wished was Becky Chambers very popular Long Way to a Small Angry Planet was. Nothing particularly wrong with Chamber's novel,  but it was far too cozy for me. 

You Sexy Thing however...has just enough bite mixed in with the cozy.  It has the action I was craving, along with the found family, unusual aliens, interesting food, and an all around good time with a quite satisfying ending. 

Without any Spoilers- Niko, a retired Space warrior has been establishing a cozy little eatery with her former soldiers in a station at the edge of the known universe.  She's fairly settled, but has a plan to rescue someone important to her, it's just taken a lot longer than she expected. 

Readers join up with this rag tag crew on the eve of a fancy critic review evening where the main dish is going to center upon the rare and precious vegetable- the eggplant. 

  DO things go as planned?  Well- if they did it wouldn't be very interesting! Instead of dining at an out of the way station, Niko and the crew embark on a trip across the galaxy on a VERY FAST SHIP (that's maybe a bit sexy) that seems to have some opinions. There is skullduggery, magic, some treachery and trickery, as well as heart break, and new beginnings. 

LOVED THIS ONE. 

MAYBE my Favorite Space Opera of the year, which is saying something as I've been dabbling in the Space Opera quite a bit. 

  I did listen tot he audiobook. Narrated by Vivianne Leheny it was fantastic.  Given the amount of alien beings on board, Leheny certainly had the opportunity to really go all out with various voices and dramatic effects.  The narration did use some special voices, and effects, but really just enough sprinkled in there to remind me, the listener that some of our characters really had tentacles, or were oracles, rather than being cheesy or too over the top. 

  I am now a SOLID FAN of Cat Rambo.  Already pulled book two from the library. 

May Rambo provide us with more Disco Operas in the future!

First Published :  2021

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (10 hr 22 min) 

Trigger Warnings: Death, violence, war, torture, Captivity, trauma, mental health,  body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

 

   

Book Review: The Iron Garden Sutra By A.D Sui

 Many Thanks to Recorded Books (RB media) for the Advanced Listener Copy of The Iron Garden Sutra. 

This book is definitely one that hits with perfect timing, addressing many issues that are top of mind these days.  And even though it has a lot of similarities with other already published novels, Sui was able to use these commonalities between other novels in unique and interesting ways, giving readers an entirely different story.   For me I was a bit stunned at the surface similarities between it and Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather.    As I started to read, I did start to wonder why we seem fascinated and interested to imagine and create religious orders in space.  I have no good answer to that one.  If there is one thing I'd like to leave behind- it would be societies that dictate 99% of a person's day and night - but here we are.  

This novel despite the surface similarities, is entirely different and unique when compared to other sentient ship/religious orders in space books that I have read.  I think it is one worth reading! 

The Iron Garden Sutra is a very different novel, and one that will appeal to many different kinds of readers. It is definitely Science Fiction, but it also contains a bit of a closed room mystery for readers who like to untangle and uncover who/what dun it, and a little bit of a budding romance of sorts  as well as a literary fiction vibe that takes the entire book up a notch if you will. 

   Without any spoilers, we follow Iris, a monk  who's order mostly performs death rites for the dead in space. Much of the novel is told from his perspective - as a report from his private journals. As we meet Iris he is suffering from ennui  and he's very excited to attend to a Generation Ship - which is essentially an ancient space craft.  He's hoping to get a lot of time on the ship to search for artifacts, and also- if he's being honest- spend time away from the "monastery" When he arrives he finds the ship is occupied by scientists who also want to search the ship. It's also full of bones, and the bones tell a definite story. As the crew tentatively get to know each other, strange things start to happen and the AI used by Iris, starts to note indications that they aren't exactly alone on the ship. The narrative for this unlikely band of researchers and monk changes from curiosity to terror and from dreams of academic accolades to survival nightmares.   One by one, members of their party start to die at the hands/vines of the Generation Ship. Iris teams up with Jan, a gruff engineer, to make a desperate attempt to leave the ship.  

    For me the book is filled with ethical dilemmas, thought provoking ideas regarding AI, and how it's developed, a heart wrenching romance, and an actual space adventure.  It starts of a bit slow, with a lot of detailed background building, and some light world building.  As one continues to read, the intensity of the situation continues to build until it bursts in a crescendo of action and coming down to a surprisingly gentle conclusion.  

    One thing I've noted in a few reviews that were poor was that they were all from people who did not, in fact finish the novel, so I can say that the latter chapters definitely made the novel for me. 

   I had an advanced copy of the audio book from Recorded Books. The narrator was T Ryder Smith- who is a new narrator for me.  I felt like he did a pretty good job drawing me in, using some different vocal tones to indicate the AI voice as well as the voice of Iris.  I never felt that the narration took me out of the story, so for me this is an excellent narration. 

First Published :  February 24, 2026

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Abuse, trauma, mental health, violence, eating disorders, death, body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

         

Book Review: Jitterbug by Gareth L Powell

 A big thanks to Net Galley and Titan Books for the Advanced reader copy of Jitterbug!  This comes out March 4th and I'm sure it will appeal to many Sci-Fi/Fantasy readers! 

The cover design is awesome! I love the depiction of space, the person in the vast void and the overall feel of the cover. It goes very well with the actual story line so that is also very cool.

  This will appeal to readers who have enjoyed Becky Chambers novels and those who have liked Adrian Tchaikovsky as well. 

    Readers are given a fast paced quasi-first contact story from multiple points of view. Our main character is a bounty hunter who was born within a new settlement that isn't bound by earth! He's accompanied by a rag-tag crew of folks who are all (of course) low key geniuses at their jobs. Each character has a backstory which is presented usually in a monologue form when the character themselves is ruminating on their life so far. I will admit that even with the backstories, I did find it a bit hard to feel a bit of attachment to any particular character. This is possibly due to the speed of the book itself. 

    As they travel, making deals and squeaking by their story is told through the bounty hunter, a government official, the actual space ship (it's sentient!!!) and a legendary space pirate that they pick up on the way. The crew and their "guests" are placed in an almost impossible situation and must make adjustments and choices rapidly, leading readers breathlessly catching up to the twist at the end which reveals quite a lot- and one I didn't particularly predict.

    This one would be perfect for a new adult audience looking for new Space based fantasy!  There's lot of action, compelling characters and surprising twists all the way through. 

First Published :  March 2026 

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book : Coming soon from Recorded Books   

Trigger Warnings: parental death, sibling death, murder, piracy, child death, (please note, most deaths are minor part of this novel, but they do occur), space battle, near death,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

 

Book Review: Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton

 Mickey 7  is a well known smash hit made into a motion picture.  

Of COURSE --I'd never read it.  But having chosen the theme of Outer Space, it seemed like a good year to pick it up, and  because it isn't the latest media darling, the audio book was available immediately at my local library, 

Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about it. The premise is fascinating, Mickey Barnes is an Expendable.  A person who's sent out on dangerous missions that only a human has the dexterity or decision making skills to carry out.  If Mickey perishes, they have a way to regenerate him with memories and personality intact.   

         Mickey joined up to escape an unpleasant situation on his home planet, but now that he's been regenerated a few times, he had to admit that this life is a challenge. Left for dead at one point, he actually survives, and comes back to his bunk to find that Mickey 8 has already been regenerated. As one might imagine,  this creates a great deal of comedic problems, and thought provoking situations. 

     I liked this novel.  I admit, I did not LOVE this novel. The writing is good, and the premise is fantastic, and original.  What I didn't like is that the characters were kind of flat overall.  Given that this is an action/plot based kind of a book, it makes sense, but I still wanted maybe a bit more. 

I will definitely be reading more from this author, but I'm not sure I want to read more of the Mickey 7 series.  It was a solid OK.  I suspect if I was a 17-22 yr old man it would have been perfection. 

Have you read this series or seen the film?

 STATS

First Published :  2023

Pages: 330

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  

Trigger Warnings:  poverty, racism, classism, bugs, medical issues, body horror, supernatural creatures

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)