Devil's Gun

by Cat Rambo

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Devil's Gun is the second SF novel featuring the cast and crew of You Sexy Thing (a space ship) by Cat Rambo. Released 29th Aug 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher 3rd quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

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, more than competent 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 an audible chuckle in several places.

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 SF cozy mystery adventure), 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.

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 the craft of writing that the whole gels into a cohesive and entertaining melange. Despite being the second book in a series (with a third due out in Aug 2024), it works fine as a standalone. The author provides enough backstory and context to enjoy the book without drowning the reader or info-dumping character background. The first book is equally delicious and this would be a great choice for public library acquisition, a long weekend binge or buddy read.

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.