You Sexy Thing

by Cat Rambo

• ISBN10: 1250269296
• ISBN13: 9781250269294
• Publish Date: 2 August 2022 (first published 16 November 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

You Sexy Thing is a virtuosic standalone SF novel by Cat Rambo. Released 16th Nov 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I've been a fan of the author for years and some of their short fiction is not just good, but sublime. The writing here is, as always, competently written and eminently readable. The main themes here, of found family, finding one's purpose, and making the universe a slightly better place, sit side by side with LGBTQIA+ representation (which -hallelujah- does *not* drive the entire plot), adventure, and a solid mix of humor which surprised a chuckle out of me in several places.

There is so much going on in the plot that it could easily have devolved into a muddled chaotic mess, but the author is skilled and technically so adept at their craft that the whole gels into a cohesive and entertaining melange.

The titular "Sexy Thing" is an AI bio-ship central to the plot, and this is not a racy/sexy book by any salacious definition of the word. There is some inherent violence (it's a pirate space opera), but again, not egregious, and the violence is integral to the plot. As in much of the author's oeuvre, there is heavy tragedy mixed in amongst the humor. I found the second half of the book hard going at places.

Four stars. All in all a good and worthwhile space opera with some foodie moments. The author writes very very well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[empressbrooke]

This was much darker than I expected from the title and the description mentioning that the main characters run a restaurant. This combo struck me as whimsical! I admit I didn't give as much notice to the mention of a sadistic pirate as I should have. However, despite the unexpected dark turn of events, I still overall had a great time with this one. I enjoyed the various aliens on the ship's crew, and the ship's evolution as it interacted with the cast. The ending clearly gives hints that a sequel/series is possible, but it was perfectly self contained with the resolution of some questions that felt satisfying standing on its own.