3 Book Review: Captain Liz Laika Adventures by Nikki Haverstock

Iseult

Space Murder

Want to read a cozy mystery in space that has a dinosaur creature as a mechanic? Heck yeah!

Liz Laika was once the brightest and best the Fleet had to offer, but now she’s slumming it as captain to a beat up old freight carrier running supply deliveries. When a passenger is murdered and Liz is framed for the crime, her devoted crew – gilled medic Chloe, handsome navigator Raph and raptor like mechanic Horton – step up to help prove her innocence.

Set in a world somewhere between Firefly and Farscape, Haverstock has created a universe that’s imaginative, fun and original.

Filled with lots of humor, action and amazing creatures, the pace zips along as Captain Liz goes from one hair raising encounter to the next.

I read this book because I’m looking for good dinosaur literature this year and it had a picture of one on the cover. While Horton isn’t exactly a dino – he comes from a planet where his people farm lava – I’m so glad I took a chance on this novel as I enjoyed it immensely.

There are so many nice touches in this book. I loved the idea of a planet whose major export was reality tv shows. There’s a creature that eats metal and turns it into this beautiful iridescent material, and it’s so well described that I could picture it clearly. I also loved the calines, a companion animal with similarities to both cats and dogs.

Alien AMbush

Captain Liz and her crew are back.

In the second book in the series, Liz is in charge of ferrying a troupe of performers from planet to planet so they can entertain the inhabitants. However, when visiting a research planet known for its giant snails, the show results in murder.

Trapped on the planet while the murder is investigated, Liz tries to protect her friend, Chloe, from blame, find the killer, and survive the ordeal.

I loved Space Murder, so I was very excited when I got an ARC of the sequel, Alien Ambush. Both books are so entertaining.

Liz is such a great character. She grew up with a life of privilege, groomed for success and taking her talents and intellect for granted, only to have everything stripped away in early adulthood. Now, she’s a captain of a low status passenger ship, but she’s a stronger person because of it. She’s lost a lot, but she has her friends and her faith.

Her crew make the books for me. Chief engineer, dinosaur like Horton, his best friend (and artificial intelligence), Eugene, and Caline (half dog, half cat) Pox are my favorites, and I am delighted whenever they appear. This time around we’re introduced to Liz’s childhood bestie, an immortal octopus type creature called Kraken, and I hope she appears in future novels because I loved her!

The descriptions of the planet, with its flora and fauna, are a joy to read. The murder mystery is tense and exciting. The pacing of the plot is excellent, with the stakes raised to epic proportions in the final act.

If you enjoy space stories, murder mysteries, humor, weird animals and friendship, you will find this book a delight. I highly recommend it.

Space Station Investigation

Another great installment in the series. This time Captain Liz and crew are seemingly out of the Fleet, shipless and searching for stolen goods. At the same time, a serial killer is preying on young girls in the space station. How can Liz stop herself investigating when lives are on the line?

I was so thrilled that Kraken joined the crew in this book. I loved her in the last book and I’m so glad she returned. She’s a great character and really adds to the delightful crew.
I love how each book builds on the last while also adding something new. The consequences of the events in the last book have led to some changes in Liz, and I liked how she worked to overcome her struggles.

The change of scene to a space station and a flightless crew was refreshing and exciting. I loved the space races. I think being more distant from Fleet has really opened up the possibilities for future adventures.
As usual, I absolutely love the cast of characters. Liz and crew are all so different and they work together so well. I can’t wait til the next adventure.