* A Reader Obsessed *'s Reviews > Calamity

4 Stars!

In theory, I love science fiction, but in reality, there is a fine line between getting too technical, too detailed in the minutiae, that can seriously drag a book down and become mind numbingly boring. For me, the best reads have action, humor, drama, and a bit of angst. Toss in some smexy and that’s yummy icing on the cake!

Fay’s debut novel was that perfect combo for me. She brought all the above and made her main character a banished heroine, forced to be a captain to keep her found family together and accepting a risky job (isn't it always?) to keep food in their belly and her ship in space. Set in a galaxy where 5 prominent families vie for power amongst each other, there’s a current race to stake claim on a new energy source, and Temperance finds herself neck deep in the middle, balancing precariously on the edge of not pissing off those that rule and not dying in the process.

Simply put, this was a lot of fun. In the background is a political web of intriguing power struggles and takeovers amongst these families, as each hold dominion over a precious piece of what makes the world go round, fighting for just that bit of extra to edge out the other while holding off smaller families desperate to get their foothold in. Up front and center is Temperance and her team doing a scouting mission, saddled with yummy man meat Arcadio Escajeda, a top family’s son who’s dangerously sexy and can’t help but clash with Temperance on any and everything.

This has high stakes adventure with a snarky scrappy crew and a heroine that didn't piss me off. Though Temperance’s got grit and training and smarts, and though she has every right to have a chip on her shoulder, she doesn’t. She has a soft ooey gooey center she likes to ignore and compartmentalize, and thankfully, she wasn’t all bluster and hard ass that many female MC’s are unfortunately, stereotypically portrayed. Arcadio is no slouch either. His shiny pretty exterior hides plenty of secrets not surprisingly, and of course he loves the challenge Temperance constantly presents.

The writing is easy catchy. The universe is just complex enough to keep things interesting. Top it off with a loyal crew that is equally strong with their own intriguing pasts and who looks like they’re getting their own HEA stories as well!

So overall, if you’re jonesing for some Firefly vibes with plenty of space shenanigans intermixed with enemies to lovers, close proximity, flirtatious barb filled banter, fast paced action, touches of humorous fun, and some smexy then this might suit your fancy!

I had a grand ole time, and I look forward to the sequel that comes out soon!!