Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Opera
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: DB
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About The Book
When interstellar smuggler Haz Taylor loses his ship, his money, and his tattered reputation, drinking himself to death on a backwater planet seems like his only option. Then the Coalition offers him a contract to return a stolen religious artifact. Sounds simple enough, but politics can be deadly—and the artifact’s not enthusiastic about being returned.
Haz didn’t sign up to be prisoner transport, but he’s caught between a blaster and hard vacuum. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t show his captive some kindness. It costs him nothing to give Mot the freedom to move about the ship, to eat when he’s hungry… to believe that he’s a person. It’s only until they reach Mot’s planet. Besides, the Coalition would hate it, which is reason enough.
Then he finds out what awaits Mot at home, and suddenly hard vacuum doesn’t look so bad. Haz is no hero, but he can’t consign Mot to his fate. Somewhere under the space grime, Haz has a sliver of principle. It’s probably going to get him killed, but he doesn’t have much to live for anyway….
The Review
This book was full of adventure, sending the reader into a future scenario where humans have almost abandoned Earth and now occupy countless planets across the galaxy.
I loved how the author pointed out to the reader what it could and probably would look like if humans controlled the universe, especially if that control was over a variety of other species. It’s a cautionary tale of how toxic commercialism is a threat not only to us, but to other humanoid species in the future.
The only complaint I had about this book was at one point I wondered if it was ever going to end, or if the author was going to throw us into another set of circumstances for the bullish MC to overcome, and then the book ended abruptly. This might’ve been better stretched out into a series.
It was a very nice read, and I enjoyed it. I’m giving it a 5-star review, because in the end, I’d rather have too much of a good thing then wish I had more once it’s over.
Five stars.
The Reviewer
I am D.B. Wilson and I am an avid reader. I was born in Tennessee and lived there until I went to college in Iowa. I spent most of my life in Kansas City and have been a teacher, real estate agent, bookseller, and even a full-time foster parent. My husband and I became full-time RVers in 2017 and now travel with our two dogs Denver and Buddy as he works all over USA as a travel nurse.