New Release: You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo

You Sexy Thing follows the adventures of Captain Niko Larsen and her crew of soldiers turned chefs as she tries to escape The Holy Hive mind, earn a Nikkelin Orb, evade space pirates and befriend a living space ship.

This is certainly space opera, but I think it could also be classified as space fantasy, as far future science fiction and magic meld together for a delicious whole.

When I read the tagline for this book – Farscape meets the Great British Bake Off – I knew I had to read it, as I am a fan of both. While cooking is an important part of the plot, I wouldn’t really liken it to GBBO as there is no baking of a competitive nature. Farscape and Firefly spring easily to mind as comparisons because of the living ship (You Sexy Thing of the title), the wide universe full of exciting alien species, and the desire of a group of friends to be free from a controlling alliance.

The highlight for me was the many different alien species. I loved how ape beings, bird beings, squid beings, lion shifters and reptile beings were depicted with their individual non human characteristics. Brava to Rambo for making each species so charming and distinct. I really love non human characters in fiction, and Rambo has excelled with her aliens.

My favorite character is the ship, Thing (although it is really difficult to choose from so many lovable characters). I’ve encountered many living ships in fiction, but never one that emphasizes the biological so much in a bio mechanical structure. Thing’s ability to produce warm, fleshy blankets and chairs was fascinating, slightly disturbing, and satisfying.

I also enjoyed reading a well written third person omniscient narrative. Rambo handled this expertly and it never intruded or interrupted my reading experience.

The only slight downside is the plot. It read like a series pilot, introducing the characters and world, and setting up the different character arcs that must be explored over the next twenty four episodes. This would be fine if Rambo gets to write the rest of the series – and I really hope she does – but does leave a certain dissatisfaction with the storyline and lots of lingering questions.

I award You Sexy Thing…