This was a solidly fun book. The dedication says it all: “To Everyone who’s ever felt like a disaster. Here, have a spaceship! Now fly.” That introduction kicks off a book that is both adventure and redemption. To me, I see it as a jumble or Firefly, with a bit of Star Wars, and Galaxy quest (minus non-humans) mixed in.

Nax has a bit of a daredevil streak. He wants to be the best pilot in the spaceverse, and he pushes every limit there is. Even ones he shouldn’t. It gets him kicked out of flight school. However, that is one of the luckiest things that can ever happen to him and his ragtag group of ex cadets.

Space has been colonized. The moon is the jumpstation. The space school, and education programs are there for future colonists to learn everything they need when they leave school forever. But there is something afoot. The station is taken over, Nax barely escapes with his life, and the lives of 3 others who all managed to flunk out of the academy. The rejects are the only hoping of saving the colonies. From what? From who? Like I’m going to tell, read the book for yourself. It’s totally worth it.

There are many things that I liked about this book. I like how it was open. Nax, the leader of the group is attracted to people, not guys, not girls, but people for who they are not for their sex. Gender identification and sexul orientation is taken as wrote (mostly). This is just the way they are and it is okay. I also like the inclusion of other cultures. I had to find a dictionary for no less than 6 words, all of which were arabic. Once again it, it just is. I like that. And I love learning about these things. One character is muslim, and it’s no big deal. Yes there is a joke about knowing what time to pray when you’re in space, but it works. I just love the inclusivity.

As for world and story building, it’s not bad. There are somethings I would think would be much further along. This story takes place in 2194, yet somethings like the tabs seem so 2019, I would think humans would have advanced passed tablets if they have been able to make space jumps take hours instead of lifetimes. But that is the science nerd in me complaining. It didn’t distract from the story but more of questions I would like fleshed out in future books.

Speaking of future books, I asked the author, and currently this is a standalone. No sequels in the works. BUMMER!!! I would love to continue reading about this crew. In fact, I think this book would make for a great movie or show. The author does a decent job writing an action scene, and as there are quite a few in the book , so that is a good thing. This book has found the perfect algorithm to mix comedy, heart, and adventure to keep a reader turning pages. And while I know there is no future book coming any time soon, I look forward to seeing what this author brings us next.

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