Book Review: Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather

  This is a bit of a Beat the Backlist kind of novella.  I found it oddly, on good reads as part of a challenge for novellas and I immediately was thinking SIGN me UP!  Nuns in space? I felt this was going to be bonkers and I really was not incorrect.  

The cover is not bad, but it really really doesn't do the novel any favors.  (the novel is much more interesting than the cover.) 

Lina Rather is a talent to continue watching. Her writing is tight, and concise while still being descriptive and immersive. While she's not writing in the same genre, I feel her style compares to Georges Simenon. Both have short works that are completely immersive with well developed characters and environments despite sparse word counts. 

   No Spoiler summary here: Readers are given the story of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Rita. These sisters serve aboard a spacecraft "Our Lady of Impossible Constellations"  a consecrated ship that happens to be a living, semi-sentient slug like creature. Like many missionaries of old, the sisters have joined the order for various reasons- some of which were related to religious calling, many not so much. The focus of charitable and practical aid looms larger than proselytizing.  I was initially struck by the similarities between these space nuns and early earth missionaries. I thought I was going to be getting a cautionary tale of colonialism but set in space. Instead, I got much more.  The novella opens with discussion of what to do about the living ship's imprinting on another ship, and as the sister's debate and discuss, a distress call arrives from a new colony. The sister's respond and find themselves embroiled in a conflict with Central Governance, the Church and themselves. 

   For me this was such a treat, in 160 short pages, we explore a living space ship made of muscle, viscera and more, the public and private lives of nuns, the ethics of power dynamics in religion, government, and relationships, all while being treated to space adventure that is propulsive and interesting. 

  I couldn't put it down,  but it was also very short, so there was no need to put it down. 

I did not like the sort of abrupt, cliff hanger-y type ending but the good part of reading back list books- is that the second book, which continues the story of our Nuns and their unlikely allies, is already available. I do want more space faring nuns. 

I did do this on audio.  The audiobook was well done and did not detract from the story. 

I really do recommend this one, and I can't wait to read more from this author. 

STATS

First Published: 10/29/2019

Pages: 160 pages

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 4 hours) 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, colonialism, religion, plague, infectious disease

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

 I LOVE Brynne Weaver.  I really enjoyed her Ruinous Love Trilogy  which made me a bit hesitant about Tourist Season!  I didn't think it could get any better, and as Tourist Season is also about serial un-alivers, I was a little concerned. Some writers hit on a formula and stick with it, and their novels become a wee bit predictable. My concerns were unfounded! 

 And well, I do think perhaps Ms. Weaver may just really like serial un-alivers a bit more than your average person, but that of course is just speculation, and this is fiction- where anything can happen! 

I'm going to say that I think, possibly, that Tourist Season is even better than the Ruinous Love trilogy. 

No Spoiler Summary- as spoilers are awful ridiculous things.  Our protagonist, Harper, has a bit of a shady past, but she's started anew in Cape Carnage. She takes care of Arthur, an elderly man suffering from dementia.  Arthur's got a secret, however, as he's been guardian of the peace in Cape Carnage for decades. His idea of guarding, does seem to involve some disappearances of troublesome folks from time to time, but who's to say that an elderly gentleman has anything to do with that? Especially one with a questionable hold on his faculties. 

Nolan's just a tourist on Cape Carnage come to enjoy the festivities. At least, that's what he wants people to believe. He's got his own agenda which definitely does include a woman who wronged him in the worst way so many years ago. (or did she?) He can't help but find himself attracted to this kind, beautiful woman who is an enigma- wrapped in a juxtaposition, folded into an origami bird. (Probably a Crow- just saying). The last thing he wants is to develop feelings for this woman, because he's pretty sure she's pure evil. 

     As the two orbit each other, some unspeakable acts do occur- which are oddly hilarious when written by Weaver.  (this is not a realistic novel at all and I'm here for the escape!) With a bit of forced proximity, and a shared midnight task, Nolan and Harper come together in an odd macabre dance of discovery. Neither is quite ready to give up the past and commit to the future.  Will they be able to before it's too late? 

Beyond the romance (which really is in the forefront), we also have the story of Arthur who is clearly struggling with dementia - while there are some entertaining moments involving Arthur, it's never at his expense and Weaver treats the challenges of dementia and caregiving with a deep respect that was appreciated. 

The conclusion-  it's a romance so it's going to have a certain ending, but as to how they get to the ending --- you'll have to read to find out! I enjoyed this via Audiobook from my local library.  Narrators Samantha Brentmoor and Robert Hatchet really did a perfect job imparting Weaver's Dark, but hysterical story an extra spark! 

Highly Recommend! 

First Published : 9/2025

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, murder, unorthodox use of wood chipper, more murder, medical situations, death, accidental drug use, sex, and more.   

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Aqueous by Jade Shyback 4/5 Stars

 Have I been straying from my water theme?  Kinda Sorta. 

When I saw this on Net Galley, I knew it was one for my Water 2025 extravaganza.  I wasn't sure what to expect from this debut novel, as I've had some hit and miss this year indeed.  To be honest, I kind of went into this thinking it might not be that good. We are at the halfway point in my water year, and indeed...some of it hasn't been great. This however, hit me at just the right time! 

For me, this was a hit!  Firstly let's take a moment to appreciate the cover:  It took me a hot minute to discover the cover artist and designer:  Camryn Jette Anderson (Art) and Ashley Sherrif (Design) 

Small synopsis without spoilers: This is a Young Adult Debut novel.  Readers follow Marisol through the final weeks of her last year in school when she will be assigned to a permanent assignment in her undersea settlement. Marisol's been underwater on the Aqueous campus for 10 years, she's happy and well adjusted, and dreams of becoming an elite diver, a dangerous position. Prior to this she was adopted in the chaos of a dying earth above the ocean. She's always felt her mother gave her up so she would be sure to have a better life. As she adjusts into her new adult role, Marisol learns some information about the above world that changes everything. She's unsure of what's to come, but she won't keep silent. We are left with a big CLIFFHANGER and I'm left wanting book two now.

The biggest strength of the novel is the fantastic, detailed worldbuilding. I was fascinated and really enjoyed all of the descriptions of the sea steading pods created to survive climate disaster.  This is not the first underwater city that I've traversed this year (in reading) , but this is the first one I enjoyed. I could entertain a life under the sea if it's like this one! (OK so please, just let's go now!) 

 If there is a weakness, it's in the dialogue. Overall, it is oddly stiff/formal and made me feel like I wasn't really reading/listening to teens talk among themselves, but I was able to suspend my ideas and I told myself that theses were all kiddos who learned to interact "under the sea" and of course their language might be different. In addition, the author clearly enjoys alliteration, and for some this might be annoying. For me, I decided it was a quirk of Marisol, and thankfully it wasn't always present. 

This is a novel that's a bit unique in the YA genre right now. It is a true story for Young Adults. It isn't an adult story that's dumbed down, it's clear it really was meant for the YA audience specifically. I would have LOVED this at age 12 -14.  Marisol and her cohort go through things that kids her age go through, they deal with parents, relationships, confusing romantic (not sexually intimate) situations, and the angst of disappointment as the reality of the unfairness of life creeps into their under the sea community. I really liked that this wasn't a romance disguised as YA, and that the author didn't depend on supernatural powers for her characters development. Because of this, even though the underwater environment was different, I felt that Marisol and her community were very relatable. 

The audiobook is read by the author herself and does included 2 musical numbers which were pretty enjoyable (I usually skip right over any added lyrics /poetry so if I say I enjoyed it, that's a real endorsement).

  

This might not be appreciated by adults, but I think a certain subset of the population will enjoy it and I think it's definitely a very thoughtful book for the YA audience.  It would be great for a reading group as there are lots of themes to talk about: climate, community, gender norms, coming of age, discovering one's purpose, family, the future. I do want to read book 2, and I think this author/story line will only improve with each new installment. 

STATS

First Published : May 2023 

Pages: 204

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: ocean creatures, adoption/abduction, Climate crisis, Death of child, death of parent, blood, medical situation,  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review: Last Chance to Save the World, by Beth Revis 5/5

 I was OVER THE MOON to get an advanced listener copy of the audiobook for Beth Revis' novella Last Chance to Save the World. Many thanks to Net-Galley and Astra publishing house and Dreamscape Media for the Advanced listener copy. It was Chef's kiss perfection! 

Me- flying in a balloon to get "over the moon"...

Navigation aérienne. Ballon & appareil de direction construit par M. Pompéien-Piraud, inventeur / / B. Arnaud. , 1883. [Lyon ; Paris: B. Arnaud, ?] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002735905/.

  I have read all of the Chaotic Orbits series and this one is supposed to be the last. It promised a satisfying ending and I'm going to have a bit of a hot take, this was NOT at all satisfying, unless there is a fourth book or spin off on the way. 

If you are looking for a fun, slow-burn tension filled series that is both futuristic and realistic-with some devastating plot twists, this is a series for you! 

   While I suppose this could be read as a stand-alone, I think it really is better to start at the beginning  with  Full Speed to a Crash landing.  and read through to get the full impact of this funny and snappy rom-com set in space. 

   Last Chance to Save the World did not disappoint (despite my misgivings about the ending). Ada and Rian - our main characters continue to play their parts well. Rian's still the somewhat stiff G-man determined to impart rules and order to situations- convinced that by following them to the T- he can indeed save the world.  Ada, well- she's Ada. She is a bundle of chaos, impropriety, snark and surprise. She's also determined to save the world- but her methods are more...flexible shall we say.  Of Course... Rian is essentially obsessed with Ada, probably in part because she is so wildly unpredictable and "off limits" Ada's also  IN LOVE  but she's true to her own character, even a bit prickly to herself- not allowing herself nice things. Despite this not progressing to the on-page "spice" that readers today seem to be clamoring for, I think I appreciated it more because it takes something special to hold a readers attention with out that. 

These two spend some time in forced proximity, concoct a plan to literally save the original Earth, and yet still can't quite manage to figure each other or their situation out. If that isn't a very realistic romantic situation, I am not sure what is.  All of this, of course is set in space, with ships, space stations, interesting space foods and clothing.  

As readers we are taken along for the wild ride,  and left a bit short of breath as Ada takes things right down to the wire. Can Ada and Rian save the Earth? Can they save themselves? 

You 'll want to read to find out. My only warning to the reader is that while the ending is somewhat satisfying, it really doesn't feel like the end. So if you're listening DAW Books, readers want more! 

Shout out to the Audiobook narrators: Dara Rosenberg and David Bendena. They narrate the entire series, and for me they enhanced it entirely. If there were mispronunciations, I missed them, and the flow and pace was so natural and enjoyable. Highly recommend the audio for those who enjoy ear-reading. 

My only sadness with the Ear reading is that there isn't a beautiful trophy book for my shelf. The art for these covers is on-point, it reflects the fun, campy, snappy nature of the series and I hope at some point to get a full set. (Deep down I am hoping for maybe an omnibus, but I'd settle for a book 4...) 

STATS

First Published : April 8, 2025

Pages: 176

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: parental death, illness, climate

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly!