Space Opera Fans discussion

The May 2024 Reader Pick is Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis. Please use this thread to post questions, comments, and reviews, at any time.

Official description:
This cozy debut science fiction novel tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars.

Welcome to the Grand Abeona Hotel: home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. All year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury—and an absolute magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such as: Why are there love poems in the lobby inbox? How many Imperial spies are currently on board? What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver's conference? And perhaps most pertinently—who is driving the ship?

Each guest has a secret, every member of staff a universe unto themselves. At the center of these interweaving lives and interlocking mysteries stands Carl, one time stowaway, longtime manager, devoted caretaker to the hotel. It's the love of his life and the only place he's ever called home. But as forces beyond Carl's comprehension converge on the Abeona, he has to face one final question: when is it time to let go?

Just picked this one up from my local library! Gosh is that ever a gorgeous cover. <3

That's excellent Caitlin - I'm hoping to start it next week, once I've finished reading the new John Connolly book - The Instruments of Darkness.

You motivated me to get moving, Caitlin - I started reading it earlier today and I'm about a third of the way through at the moment. So far it's light on plot - but the character studies are excellent. A very pleasant read so far.

Past the half-way mark now and enjoying it even more. I love the anti-capitalist vibe running through it, and how the different individual viewpoints are gradually coalescing into a picture of what's happening as the ship/hotel moves through space. And full marks to Curtis for trying something different.

It was interesting to see that Grace Curtis makes her living from video games, working for an indie games publisher. It feels like there are a number of sci-fi authors who started out in software engineering - Andy Weir and Ken McLeod spring readily to mind. But I'm sure there are lots more - does anyone have other favourites?

And is anyone other than Caitlin and I reading, or planning to read, Floating Hotel?

John wrote: "You motivated me to get moving, Caitlin - I started reading it earlier today and I'm about a third of the way through at the moment. So far it's light on plot - but the character studies are excell..."
I'm a bit more than halfway through, and I agree the structure with the roving perspectives is quite interesting. I wasn't sold at first since the book seemed to be more a series of character vignettes rather than plot-driven, but as each POV illuminated the plot and direction of the story I became hooked.

I finished Floating Hotel yesterday and it was excellent, one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Curtis weaves so many different perspectives into one story in a quite elegant style that makes one of the best uses of an ensemble cast I’ve read in a while.

I’m not sure if I’d call this a cozy space opera—the setting seems a bit too dystopian for that—but perhaps it earns the label through the intimate character stakes and focus on a homey setting, in this case a hotel rather than military base or similar.

What did other people think of this one?

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much Caitlin. I'd paused half-way through because of other commitments, but I'm hoping to get back to it today or tomorrow.

Just finished this. Loved the dry humor, couldn’t engage really with the overall plot but it seemed to be aiming for pure vibes anyways. Agreed that I wouldn’t necessarily call this a cozy space opera, but it was a nice change of pace.

Finished Floating Hotel today. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly how she weaves a plot from the varied stories of all the different characters. An excellent debut novel, and a great follow-up to Frontier.

I recommend it and I look forward to reading more from Grace Curtis.

I've just noticed that Curtis has created on Spotify a character playlist for the novel - I'll be listening to that this week!

Ooh, I’ll have to check out that playlist! I’m reading an author right now, Rachel Caine, who always includes playlists in the back of her books. It’s quite a neat idea.

I agree that it's a neat idea Caitlin. John Connolly has also been doing it for a while, and I always enjoy his musical choices.

Can someone provide a playlist name or some links. I searched for Grace Curtis and came up with several profiles matching that name.

The link is below, C. John. -

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5jY...

C. John wrote: "Can someone provide a playlist name or some links. I searched for Grace Curtis and came up with several profiles matching that name."

Thank ye kindly.