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Derelict for Trade
283 pages
A propulsive space thriller where a crew's quest for a lucky break spirals into a desperate fight for survival against alien threats and bureaucratic nightmares.
What it feels like
This propulsive space opera plunges readers into a high-stakes atmosphere where the relief of survival is immediately shattered by escalating cosmic perils. The mood is a compelling mix of eerie beauty and relentless suspense, capturing the claustrophobic tension of navigating a multi-species habitat fraught with danger. As the narrative accelerates through treacherous misadventures—from bureaucratic nightmares to ultraviolent alien encounters—the emotional texture shifts from triumphant optimism to desperate, edge-of-your-seat survival. The prose is action-driven and urgent, perfectly suited to the thrilling pace of a crew constantly on the brink of disaster. It is an ideal read for fans of classic science fiction adventures who delight in watching a resilient crew outmaneuver intergalactic threats and unpredictable stowaways in the deep reaches of space.
- Mood
- suspenseful
- perilous
- eerily beautiful
- high-stakes
- Tone
- adventurous
- tense
- urgent
- thrilling
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- survival against the odds · interspecies conflict · bureaucratic entanglement · perils of deep space
- The writing
- Action-driven and suspenseful, the narrative propels the reader through vivid, dangerous encounters and complex alien environments.
- The arc
- The journey shifts from the triumphant high of a recent rescue to a relentless, escalating scramble for survival amidst treacherous cosmic hazards.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave classic, high-stakes space operas featuring tight-knit crews navigating unpredictable alien threats and treacherous cosmic frontiers.
Content notes
- sci-fi violence
- near-death experiences
About the book
In this brand-new space thriller, the Solar Queen is in real trouble. After saving thousands of lives in a near disaster, the crew are heroes, and they're ready to cash in their newfound celebrity for some profitable trade. But when they come out of hyper and almost crash into a deserted ship, they nearly find themselves dead on arrival.
Luckily, the derelict has fuel enough to get both ships to the nearest port - an eerily beautiful space habitat. Three races, human, Kanddoyd, and Shver, share the facilities; but a fourth species - bureaucrats - nearly scuttles the Queen's crew and their claim to the derelict.
What started out as a lucky stop at the habitat turns into a series of treacherous misadventures as an alien stowaway, a gang of intergalactic spacejackers, and an ultraviolent clan of aliens threaten to make this the Solar Queen's final run.
Description from Open Library.
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