I’ve been on a mission lately to read more “happy” books – more books that make me feel good while reading them. Finding happy books is already hard, but finding happy books that are science fiction or fantasy seems even more difficult. Luckily, L.M. Sagas is here to save the day with her new book, Cascade Failure, the first entry in her Ambit’s Run sci-fi adventure series. It’s full of space missions, banter, and characters you won’t forget.

Amazon / Goodreads

Synopsis:

L. M. Sagas’s debut, Cascade Failure, is a high-octane, sci-fi adventure blending J. S. Dewes’s Divide series with Firefly. It features a fierce, messy, chaotic space family, vibrant worlds, and an exploration of the many ways to be—and not to be—human.

Most Anticipated Books of 2024—Goodreads, Polygon, The Nerd Daily

There are only three real powers in the Spiral: the corporate power of the Trust versus the Union’s labor’s leverage. Between them the Guild tries to keep everyone’s hands above the table. It ain’t easy.

Branded a Guild deserter, Jal “accidentally” lands a ride on a Guild ship. Helmed by an AI, with a ship’s engineer/medic who doesn’t see much of a difference between the two jobs, and a “don’t make me shoot you” XO, the Guild crew of the Ambit is a little . . . different.

They’re also in over their heads. Responding to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they find a mass grave, and a live programmer who knows how it happened. The Trust has plans. This isn’t the first dead planet, and it’s not going to be the last.

Unless the crew of the Ambit can stop it.

Review:

Cascade Failure centers on the Ambit, a spaceship crewed by an AI captain named Eoan, an ex-soldier named Saint, and a snarky engineer named Nash. When an altered human named Jal stows away on the Ambit, their crew begins to grow. Jal’s arrival is even more tricky since Jal is a deserter on the run and because he and Saint have a more-than-complicated history. After a distress call leads the crew to a disturbing scene and a programmer with mysteries of her own, the Ambit must deal with a potential conspiracy that might impact all the known worlds. 

If you’ve ever thought the movie “Alien” would be cool even if it didn’t have the face-sucking monsters, then you need to read this book. Cascade Failure, with its imperfect characters, witty dialogue, and messy relationships, hits all the right notes. I adored this book for its chaotic space missions and band-of-misfits vibes. Add in space corporatization and a mysterious programmer, and this has all the markings of being a perfect read.

Final Thoughts:

Cascade Failure is hopepunk science fiction at its best. It’s one heck of a debut novel. I’m thrilled there are going to be more books in this series. I’m not sure I could handle this series ending like it does in this book! There’s no cliffhanger, but I want more from these characters. 

I read this story alternating between the audiobook and ebook, and both are great options. The narrator on the audiobook (Torian Brackett) did an excellent job distinguishing and giving character to each voice. I do wish a woman narrator had been used for Nash and Anke.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Thanks to Tor and Macmillan Audio for providing me with arcs of Cascade Failure! All the above thoughts are my own.