In R.J. Blain's Experimental Voyage, Camellia, a botanist whose dreams of space exploration are shattered by a tragic accident, seizes a risky opportunity: participation in an experimental voyage that could restore her hearing. This gamble thrusts her into the vast unknown when a malfunctioning shiftgem gate transports the spaceship to uncharted territory. Facing perilous new worlds and unexpected dangers, Camellia must rely on her skills and the unlikely help of a grumpy pilot, his cat, and a crew of spacefaring predators. Their mission becomes a desperate fight to protect a vulnerable alien planet, a task that will test Camellia's resilience and challenge her very heart. Originally featured in Pets in Space 8, this edition boasts exciting new content.
Review Experimental Voyage
Oh my gosh, Experimental Voyage was such a fun ride! At first, I'll admit, I felt a little…talkative? There was a lot of dialogue early on, and the pacing felt a bit slow as Camellia dealt with the aftermath of her accident and the initial stages of her experimental journey. But honestly, once they blasted off and things got really going – wow! The shiftgem gate malfunction and the discovery of that uncharted planet completely captivated me. The world-building in this book is absolutely phenomenal; R.J. Blain has created such a vivid, fascinating ecosystem that practically bursts off the page. I found myself completely immersed in the alien flora and fauna, desperately wanting to know more about everything.
The characters were equally compelling. Camellia, despite her initial setbacks, is a strong and resourceful protagonist. I loved her determination to overcome her hearing loss and pursue her dreams. And the grumpy pilot with his cat? Pure gold! The dynamic between them, and the rest of the crew of "space-faring predators," (which I'm assuming are the Velocs, because OMG, feathered murder machines!), was hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. The relationships felt genuine and added so much depth to the story. It’s clear there's a real affection and loyalty between these characters, which only made the stakes higher when the planet's safety came into question.
The plot itself kept me guessing. I never quite knew what to expect next, and the reveal of the planet's true nature was a real gut-punch. It completely flipped the story on its head in a way that felt both unexpected and entirely believable. The author doesn’t shy away from complex themes, tackling questions of exploration, responsibility, and the ethical implications of discovery. That made it even more engaging; it wasn’t just a simple adventure story. It was thought-provoking too!
The ending, while leaving me wanting more (Seriously, MORE!), was satisfying in its own way. I completely understand the readers' questions about the Velocs and Camellia's future—it left me with plenty of delicious questions, and the need to find out what happens next! It's the kind of ending that makes you immediately reach for the next book in the series, if there is one, and I'm now scrambling to find out! (That's a good sign, right?) I was also impressed with the additional content in this edition compared to its original appearance; it felt like a complete and satisfying read.
Overall, Experimental Voyage is a fantastic blend of science fiction, adventure, and humor. It's got heart, it's got action, and it's got a fantastic cast of characters. If you’re looking for a captivating and well-written space opera with a unique twist, this is absolutely the book for you. And, yes, the Velocs are as awesome as everyone says they are. I just hope they come with a cuddle setting in the next book...or, maybe not. Those claws are pretty intimidating!
Information
- Dimensions: 6 x 0.87 x 9 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 348
- Publication date: 2024
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