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Ambit's Run #1
Cascade Failure
There are only three real powers in the Spiral: the corporate power of the Trust versus the Union's labor's leverage. Between them the Guild tries to keep everyone's hands above the table. It ain't easy.
Branded a Guild deserter, Jal "accidentally" lands a ride on a Guild ship. Helmed by an AI, with a ship's engineer/medic who doesn't see much of a difference between the two jobs, and a "don't make me shoot you" XO, the Guild crew of the Ambit is a little . . . different.
They're also in over their heads. Responding to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they find a mass grave, and a live programmer who knows how it happened. The Trust has plans. This isn't the first dead planet, and it's not going to be the last.
Unless the crew of the Ambit can stop it.
Branded a Guild deserter, Jal "accidentally" lands a ride on a Guild ship. Helmed by an AI, with a ship's engineer/medic who doesn't see much of a difference between the two jobs, and a "don't make me shoot you" XO, the Guild crew of the Ambit is a little . . . different.
They're also in over their heads. Responding to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they find a mass grave, and a live programmer who knows how it happened. The Trust has plans. This isn't the first dead planet, and it's not going to be the last.
Unless the crew of the Ambit can stop it.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 697 reviews
March 15, 2024
I would like to thank Edelweiss and Tor Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This was a super simple galaxy romp, with an interesting crew and a full of "feelings" AI captain. There was a touch of tension, some running-through-the-marketplace action and some performative melodrama that was about as believable as Saint and Jal's "die for each other" vibe being a "nothin' but bros" flex.
Regardless, this had potential but it read a bit flat to me. I honestly don't think I'm the "goofy" SciFi type. I thought Anke was weird... and not in the good way. And her dialogue was exceptionally cringe. Nash's too. I was NOT a fan of either of these two, and I think there's a definite line between quirky and immature, and I would have enjoyed this book so much more had these two characters read less puerile. I'm probably not the intended reader for this, so I won't belabour the point, because I'd like to forget how awkward I felt reading their POVS.
Other than that, Cascade Failure isn't doing anything new, but there were still some fun moments scattered throughout. I enjoyed the first part much more than the second, and somehow I'd found a deep well of patience for whatever the fk was going on between Saint and Jal that kept me intrigued enough to stick it out. But like most of this book, there just wasn't enough depth in the characterizations, or the plot for that matter, for me to feel invested in the outcome.
I do like Saint and Jal and Eoan a lot though, even if they are just the prototypical soldier-cyborg-AI triad that's pretty much a genre staple, so there's that.
Cascade failure isn't reinventing the wheel, and will appeal more to those new/unfamiliar with the genre. But there's a bit of potential here and I'm curious enough to see where the Ambit is headed to next, so I'll probably continue this series a bit later on...once enough time has passed and I've significantly forgotten how cringey I found both Anke and Nash to be.
This was a super simple galaxy romp, with an interesting crew and a full of "feelings" AI captain. There was a touch of tension, some running-through-the-marketplace action and some performative melodrama that was about as believable as Saint and Jal's "die for each other" vibe being a "nothin' but bros" flex.
Regardless, this had potential but it read a bit flat to me. I honestly don't think I'm the "goofy" SciFi type. I thought Anke was weird... and not in the good way. And her dialogue was exceptionally cringe. Nash's too. I was NOT a fan of either of these two, and I think there's a definite line between quirky and immature, and I would have enjoyed this book so much more had these two characters read less puerile. I'm probably not the intended reader for this, so I won't belabour the point, because I'd like to forget how awkward I felt reading their POVS.
Other than that, Cascade Failure isn't doing anything new, but there were still some fun moments scattered throughout. I enjoyed the first part much more than the second, and somehow I'd found a deep well of patience for whatever the fk was going on between Saint and Jal that kept me intrigued enough to stick it out. But like most of this book, there just wasn't enough depth in the characterizations, or the plot for that matter, for me to feel invested in the outcome.
I do like Saint and Jal and Eoan a lot though, even if they are just the prototypical soldier-cyborg-AI triad that's pretty much a genre staple, so there's that.
Cascade failure isn't reinventing the wheel, and will appeal more to those new/unfamiliar with the genre. But there's a bit of potential here and I'm curious enough to see where the Ambit is headed to next, so I'll probably continue this series a bit later on...once enough time has passed and I've significantly forgotten how cringey I found both Anke and Nash to be.
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March 11, 2024DNF@40%
Not for me. I couldn't connect with the story or characters.
***Thank you to NetGalley, L.M. Sagas, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Not for me. I couldn't connect with the story or characters.
***Thank you to NetGalley, L.M. Sagas, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
March 10, 2024
Jal hasn't had anything to eat in over a day. He is on the run under a false identity and is looking for anyone who could use a laborer in exchange for a meal. By sheer accident, Jal is picked up by Ambit, a special little spacecraft with two things on board that are of particular interest to him:
1. Fresh apples, and
2. A broody lad named Saint, with whom Jal shares a pretty complicated history.
Although the Ambit's crew puts Jal in handcuffs for the first few pages of his on-board presence, he integrates into the team remarkably quickly. When a distress call leads the crew to a remote planet, the unfamiliar world is eerily quiet. The barbed wire on a fence points the wrong way. The lock on a heavy door still has the key sticking out of it. What happened on the planet sends the characters on an adventure that might be more fit for television than a novel.
This is a strange blend of Annihilation and an ensemble sitcom, intermingled with some interpersonal baggage. Unfortunately, it didn't come together cohesively enough for my enjoyment. Largely, this comes down to poor character development. The novel makes the mistake of sending the characters on a big and scary mission without setting up what going on the mission means for any of them.
Cascade Failure is written in third-person point of view with the narration giving us insight into the thoughts of multiple different characters. The head-hopping feels unfocused and doesn't make for a very insightful look at any given character. I think the novel would benefit greatly from limiting the narration to the inner world of a single protagonist. But ensemble casts are trendy, and who am I to argue with trends.
The characters read like too-cute clichés rather than real people. Whenever the text over-explained their personalities, I felt patronized. There are too many declarations about things that are either obvious from the existing dialogue or should be written as dialogue or actions instead. Here's an example. I underline the extraneous declarations.
Many reviews say that this is a 'found family' story. But I feel like if that term applies here, then it must have lost all meaning. Cascade Failure has an ensemble cast with sitcom vibes, but it lacks the emotional complexity, evolution, and impact that would earn the title "family" for a group of unrelated characters who are on an adventure together.
--
Audiobook narrated by Torian Brackett:
In this narration, women sound like badly depicted silly creatures with inflated emotions. It does not help the existing issues with character development.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Tor, for a free Netgalley audio ARC of Cascade Failure.
1. Fresh apples, and
2. A broody lad named Saint, with whom Jal shares a pretty complicated history.
Although the Ambit's crew puts Jal in handcuffs for the first few pages of his on-board presence, he integrates into the team remarkably quickly. When a distress call leads the crew to a remote planet, the unfamiliar world is eerily quiet. The barbed wire on a fence points the wrong way. The lock on a heavy door still has the key sticking out of it. What happened on the planet sends the characters on an adventure that might be more fit for television than a novel.
This is a strange blend of Annihilation and an ensemble sitcom, intermingled with some interpersonal baggage. Unfortunately, it didn't come together cohesively enough for my enjoyment. Largely, this comes down to poor character development. The novel makes the mistake of sending the characters on a big and scary mission without setting up what going on the mission means for any of them.
Cascade Failure is written in third-person point of view with the narration giving us insight into the thoughts of multiple different characters. The head-hopping feels unfocused and doesn't make for a very insightful look at any given character. I think the novel would benefit greatly from limiting the narration to the inner world of a single protagonist. But ensemble casts are trendy, and who am I to argue with trends.
The characters read like too-cute clichés rather than real people. Whenever the text over-explained their personalities, I felt patronized. There are too many declarations about things that are either obvious from the existing dialogue or should be written as dialogue or actions instead. Here's an example. I underline the extraneous declarations.
Saint was less forgiving.
"Don't go lumping us in with the likes of The Trust," he growled at them both - perennially composed, yes, but he could still be a grump when the mood struck.
Many reviews say that this is a 'found family' story. But I feel like if that term applies here, then it must have lost all meaning. Cascade Failure has an ensemble cast with sitcom vibes, but it lacks the emotional complexity, evolution, and impact that would earn the title "family" for a group of unrelated characters who are on an adventure together.
--
Audiobook narrated by Torian Brackett:
In this narration, women sound like badly depicted silly creatures with inflated emotions. It does not help the existing issues with character development.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Tor, for a free Netgalley audio ARC of Cascade Failure.
March 1, 2024
I really do not understand the incredibly high rating for this book on Goodreads (although reading some of them, if you told me they were ringers written by the publisher and/or the author's friends, I'd understand that). They're just ridiculously over the top and glowing. Comparing it to Firefly and The Expanse (two of the most wildly popular scifi shows of the past 20 years) and talking about "unabashed awe"... Firefly and The Expanse had grit, they had characters you cried over, and it was a world where a main character could suddenly get killed or the captain could get his ear sliced off. This book has all its sharp edges sanded off to the point where I cannot understand where the comparisons are coming from, unless it's as simple as "This book also has a group of characters in a spaceship." I'm glad the author has such a strong support system, but *wow* do I feel it's unwarranted with this book.
It's fine. There's nothing wrong with fine. Becky Chambers fans might find a lot to appreciate here. But the characters don't have heart, and I'm positive I won't remember them by the time the second book comes out (not that I'll be bothering with it when it does). I almost rounded up to three stars, for people who go in expecting Becky Chambers coziness instead of anything resembling The Expanse, but I can't stop feeling like this book has already benefited from heavily inflated reviews, so I'm leaving it at an honest two.
It's fine. There's nothing wrong with fine. Becky Chambers fans might find a lot to appreciate here. But the characters don't have heart, and I'm positive I won't remember them by the time the second book comes out (not that I'll be bothering with it when it does). I almost rounded up to three stars, for people who go in expecting Becky Chambers coziness instead of anything resembling The Expanse, but I can't stop feeling like this book has already benefited from heavily inflated reviews, so I'm leaving it at an honest two.
September 23, 2023
If you have ever in your life fallen head over heels for a truly amazing and lovable cast of misfits in a delightful sci-fi setting—
If you want to laugh and love and gasp with horror and grin with unabashed awe and sit on the very edge of your seat—
If you like getting firm kicks in the feelings and screaming into empty rooms—
Please, I beg you, do me the personal favor of reading this book. I am an unabashed gremlin who seized the chance to read this one ahead of its publication date, but I hope this one is on everyone's radar for 2024.
Sagas has crafted an ensemble cast you can't help but fall in love with and a searing, edge-of-your seat set of stakes. Its masterfully wrought characters will tear you down and build you up again, and you'll love every moment of it. I smiled, I sobbed, I laughed so hard I choked on my spit. Can't recommend this highly enough.
If you want to laugh and love and gasp with horror and grin with unabashed awe and sit on the very edge of your seat—
If you like getting firm kicks in the feelings and screaming into empty rooms—
Please, I beg you, do me the personal favor of reading this book. I am an unabashed gremlin who seized the chance to read this one ahead of its publication date, but I hope this one is on everyone's radar for 2024.
Sagas has crafted an ensemble cast you can't help but fall in love with and a searing, edge-of-your seat set of stakes. Its masterfully wrought characters will tear you down and build you up again, and you'll love every moment of it. I smiled, I sobbed, I laughed so hard I choked on my spit. Can't recommend this highly enough.
March 8, 2024
Pretty much every book featuring a spaceship with a small crew is marketed as “perfect for fans of Firefly.” Counting this one, and counting the Final Architecture trilogy as one, I’ve read 9 books fitting the “spaceship with a small crew” description going back to 2020 when I stopped counting, and literally all of them get the Firefly comparison. Yet this book is the only one out of all of them that I really think deserves it.
In the world of Ambit’s Run, there are three powers to speak of in the galaxy. There is the Trust, a corporate consortium that basically runs humanity’s expansion through the galaxy as a capitalist enterprise. The one resource they don’t control is the people doing the colonizing; they’ve got the Union speaking for them, balancing (to some degree) the power of the Trust. And then there’s the Guild, an organization of white-hat do-gooders that keeps the little guy from being ground between the two titans as best they can. The Ambit is a Guild ship with a crew of three: AI captain Eoan, ex-soldier Saint, and engineer/medic Nash. The story begins when they stumble upon Jal, a wanted Guild deserter and ex-comrace of Saint’s. And then goes to hell when they respond to a distress call, finding a dead world, a crashed ship, and a lone survivor - a Guild programmer telling them about a secret computer virus the Trust has that can wreck terraforming systems and cause entire planetary atmospheres to collapse.
This is a good ol’ fashioned space adventure with shootouts, exciting chase scenes through exotic alien worlds, mega corporations ruining everything, unexpected twists and turns, and a snarky AI with a fascination for humanity. It’s the first in a series, but works perfectly well as a standalone - I generally get the feel that this series will be episodic, with each book being a new, more-or-less independent adventure for the crew of the Ambit. That’s just a guess, though this book works perfectly well as a standalone if you don’t mind a few dangly bits.
Why the Firefly comparison? Like most Millennial fans of genre fiction, I take it as axiomatic that Firefly is peak television and if it hadn’t been unfairly canceled we would have had a dozen seasons of perfection (please leave me in my illusions, thanks). It’s a comparison that, as I said, is often made, probably most frequently with The Expanse and Wayfarers. But the crew of the Roci got way too close to the centers of power to really hit the Firefly sweet spot, and the crew of the Wayfarer were in far too cozy & kind a universe for the Firefly sweet spot. This one nailed it.
My blog
In the world of Ambit’s Run, there are three powers to speak of in the galaxy. There is the Trust, a corporate consortium that basically runs humanity’s expansion through the galaxy as a capitalist enterprise. The one resource they don’t control is the people doing the colonizing; they’ve got the Union speaking for them, balancing (to some degree) the power of the Trust. And then there’s the Guild, an organization of white-hat do-gooders that keeps the little guy from being ground between the two titans as best they can. The Ambit is a Guild ship with a crew of three: AI captain Eoan, ex-soldier Saint, and engineer/medic Nash. The story begins when they stumble upon Jal, a wanted Guild deserter and ex-comrace of Saint’s. And then goes to hell when they respond to a distress call, finding a dead world, a crashed ship, and a lone survivor - a Guild programmer telling them about a secret computer virus the Trust has that can wreck terraforming systems and cause entire planetary atmospheres to collapse.
This is a good ol’ fashioned space adventure with shootouts, exciting chase scenes through exotic alien worlds, mega corporations ruining everything, unexpected twists and turns, and a snarky AI with a fascination for humanity. It’s the first in a series, but works perfectly well as a standalone - I generally get the feel that this series will be episodic, with each book being a new, more-or-less independent adventure for the crew of the Ambit. That’s just a guess, though this book works perfectly well as a standalone if you don’t mind a few dangly bits.
Why the Firefly comparison? Like most Millennial fans of genre fiction, I take it as axiomatic that Firefly is peak television and if it hadn’t been unfairly canceled we would have had a dozen seasons of perfection (please leave me in my illusions, thanks). It’s a comparison that, as I said, is often made, probably most frequently with The Expanse and Wayfarers. But the crew of the Roci got way too close to the centers of power to really hit the Firefly sweet spot, and the crew of the Wayfarer were in far too cozy & kind a universe for the Firefly sweet spot. This one nailed it.
My blog
February 9, 2024
Great first novel from young author, L.M. Sagas. The sci-fi adventure takes you to a new world with characters that are well defined and likeable. Non stop action throughout the story. Recommended. Some of the dialogue is difficult but the author writes in such a way that it all makes sense.
My thanks to the author, L.M. Sagas, and the publisher, TOR Publishing Group, for my ARC of this novel. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, L.M. Sagas, and the publisher, TOR Publishing Group, for my ARC of this novel. #Goodreads Giveaway
March 1, 2024
DNF at 11%. It just wasn't grabbing me, and I didn't have strong feelings for any of the characters. The constant pausing in the middle of a scene to delve into someone's thoughts and memories was frustrating to me.
December 22, 2024
this is pretty much just like every other space opera that includes a found family but it’s funny and i had so much fun. found family space opera’s are my favorite like you just can’t fuck it up (please don’t attempt to prove me wrong)
January 30, 2024
This book has absolutely destroyed me in the best possible way. Scifi action? Check! Misfit found family? Check! Witty banter? Check! I laughed, I cheered, I cried so hard that I almost vomited... Basically, this book is everything I've ever wanted and more besides. I can't remember the last time I fell so hard for a book. This book is a queer chaos goblin dream.
My review is based off a review copy. Thanks, Netgalley. Yada yada...
My review is based off a review copy. Thanks, Netgalley. Yada yada...
April 12, 2024
2.5 rounded up. The ending was way, way, way too melodramatic. The rest of it was just fine. Typical rag tag crew on a mission. I think opportunities were lost with the ship AI and there was so much repetition or what I like to say, filler writing.
I might give the author another look but probably not.
I might give the author another look but probably not.
April 3, 2024
*I received an audio copy of this book. This has not influenced my review.*
"I'm only 8% into Cascade Failure by L.M. Sagas, but I'm already so invested in these characters 🥺"
That's what I posted online when I started this book, and I'm so happy to say my enjoyment lasted all the way through! I loved this!
Truly, these characters captured me and pulled on my heartstrings right from the start. Especially Jal, who was clearly struggling and tired in a bone-deep way and alone and had to practice the few words he was going to say just to try and get a ride. But also Saint, who was sorta hard to like at first because of reasons but whom I still couldn't help but feel for because he'd clearly been hurt too and just hid it behind his gruff demeanor. And Nash, who was much easier to like because she had no qualms about putting Saint in his place, not to mention she was brave and skilled and there was this moment when she thought about how she wasn't a "sunshine" person, and yes, I could relate. And Eoan, the ship's AI who loved to learn and figure things out and was still continually figuring out what it meant to be human. And Anke, the person they rescued who was awkward and rambly and smart and didn't feel very badass, though I think she was.
Altogether, this crew made for a cute found family who all cared for each other deeply. It was touching.
Furthermore, I am WEAK for angsty, fraught relationships between people who have history, who were close but then something went wrong but they obviously still love or feel something for each other. And the relationship between Jal and Saint was 100% this. I don't know exactly what it was between them in the past (romantic, platonic), but it was clearly deep and meaningful and love. They were partners, whatever that meant to them. Until they weren't. *Gives one of them the side eye* I loved them and their relationship though. I very much wanted them to sort their problems out and be happy together.
There's also just a casual queerness to the story. Whatever was/is between Jal and Saint may or may not be romantic, but it feels like it's not bound by any norms. Nash was clearly crushing on Anke. Eoan is an AI, yes, but still, they use they/them pronouns.
The plot was rather serious and tense, which may not be exactly what people expect from the cover and all the talk of found family and space adventures and whatnot. But the characters brought some fun to the story, so don't worry. The author did a great job of balancing the serious and the fun. Also balancing the sad and distressing with the sweet and hopeful.
The audiobook narration by Torian Brackett was wonderful as well! Every character sounded sufficiently different, and the voices and ways of speaking seemed to suit them. Jal with his slow drawl. Saint with his gruffness. Nash with her matter-of-factness. Anke with her excited rambling. Eoan with their pleasant customer service tone. And it always sounded natural, suited the scene and the moment and the words. I very much recommend the audiobook.
This was a wonderful book with characters who immediately had me invested in them, found family, a relationship full of emotional history, and dangerous space adventures, and I'm very much looking forward to more!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes flawed characters who pull at your heartstrings, angsty but caring relationships between characters with history, found family, AI learning to be human, casual queerness, and tense space adventures.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
"I'm only 8% into Cascade Failure by L.M. Sagas, but I'm already so invested in these characters 🥺"
That's what I posted online when I started this book, and I'm so happy to say my enjoyment lasted all the way through! I loved this!
Truly, these characters captured me and pulled on my heartstrings right from the start. Especially Jal, who was clearly struggling and tired in a bone-deep way and alone and had to practice the few words he was going to say just to try and get a ride. But also Saint, who was sorta hard to like at first because of reasons but whom I still couldn't help but feel for because he'd clearly been hurt too and just hid it behind his gruff demeanor. And Nash, who was much easier to like because she had no qualms about putting Saint in his place, not to mention she was brave and skilled and there was this moment when she thought about how she wasn't a "sunshine" person, and yes, I could relate. And Eoan, the ship's AI who loved to learn and figure things out and was still continually figuring out what it meant to be human. And Anke, the person they rescued who was awkward and rambly and smart and didn't feel very badass, though I think she was.
Altogether, this crew made for a cute found family who all cared for each other deeply. It was touching.
Furthermore, I am WEAK for angsty, fraught relationships between people who have history, who were close but then something went wrong but they obviously still love or feel something for each other. And the relationship between Jal and Saint was 100% this. I don't know exactly what it was between them in the past (romantic, platonic), but it was clearly deep and meaningful and love. They were partners, whatever that meant to them. Until they weren't. *Gives one of them the side eye* I loved them and their relationship though. I very much wanted them to sort their problems out and be happy together.
There's also just a casual queerness to the story. Whatever was/is between Jal and Saint may or may not be romantic, but it feels like it's not bound by any norms. Nash was clearly crushing on Anke. Eoan is an AI, yes, but still, they use they/them pronouns.
The plot was rather serious and tense, which may not be exactly what people expect from the cover and all the talk of found family and space adventures and whatnot. But the characters brought some fun to the story, so don't worry. The author did a great job of balancing the serious and the fun. Also balancing the sad and distressing with the sweet and hopeful.
The audiobook narration by Torian Brackett was wonderful as well! Every character sounded sufficiently different, and the voices and ways of speaking seemed to suit them. Jal with his slow drawl. Saint with his gruffness. Nash with her matter-of-factness. Anke with her excited rambling. Eoan with their pleasant customer service tone. And it always sounded natural, suited the scene and the moment and the words. I very much recommend the audiobook.
This was a wonderful book with characters who immediately had me invested in them, found family, a relationship full of emotional history, and dangerous space adventures, and I'm very much looking forward to more!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes flawed characters who pull at your heartstrings, angsty but caring relationships between characters with history, found family, AI learning to be human, casual queerness, and tense space adventures.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
November 8, 2024
Okay so I dnf’d this book but more than 50% in so I wanted to say why.
What I was promised: a fun space adventure.
I did not get that.
I ended up going like INSANE reading this book. Because I liked the characters and the plot was good. But the writing felt like the author trying to show off how she could make sentences pretty??? And I felt like she spent way too much time on character interiority vs actually moving the plot along at a good pace. It was so slow!!!! I almost dnf’d like 5 times then I’d listen for 30 more minutes. But I finally just could not handle it anymore. I got bored.
Honestly I think a lot of people might enjoy this but you can not go into it thinking a fast paced space adventure. It’s a very slow paced space adventure 😭 I just couldn’t handle it anymore.
What I was promised: a fun space adventure.
I did not get that.
I ended up going like INSANE reading this book. Because I liked the characters and the plot was good. But the writing felt like the author trying to show off how she could make sentences pretty??? And I felt like she spent way too much time on character interiority vs actually moving the plot along at a good pace. It was so slow!!!! I almost dnf’d like 5 times then I’d listen for 30 more minutes. But I finally just could not handle it anymore. I got bored.
Honestly I think a lot of people might enjoy this but you can not go into it thinking a fast paced space adventure. It’s a very slow paced space adventure 😭 I just couldn’t handle it anymore.
August 25, 2024
August 2024 reread, the anna-tated edition:
Okay, yes, I reread this. My brain rot may never dissipate, but now I have a fun copy with all my silly thoughts in the margins and all my little tabs in the places I'll need to refer back to in order to write my TED talk about this series.
I still can't give this five stars, because the things that bothered me about it are Still Right There. But the parts of this that shine shine so fucking bright, and these characters and how they are with each other is EXACTLY what I'm looking for in my silly little genre books.
Please write another book in this series, L M Sagas. Please write a prequel book in this series, please!
--
Original Review: April, 2024:
hell yeah, we always need more fast-paced sci-fi adventures with your ragtag crew of found family strays who trust each other and that's all they need to make it out there in the galaxy!
I had a great time reading this book! A lot of it is pretty boring, generic, sci-fi whatever. No cool aliens, no sick as hell technology, even the AI ship is pretty ho-hum. BUT the characters are good! And by characters, I do mean Jal.
look, L M Sagas, I also want to do nothing more than make a sad little guy, put him in space, and then have a bunch of situations happen to him where he gets hurt, and have that other sad guy feel sad and protective of him. I see you. And I'm eating it up.
Great for a debut; I will definitely read whatever she writes next!
Okay, yes, I reread this. My brain rot may never dissipate, but now I have a fun copy with all my silly thoughts in the margins and all my little tabs in the places I'll need to refer back to in order to write my TED talk about this series.
I still can't give this five stars, because the things that bothered me about it are Still Right There. But the parts of this that shine shine so fucking bright, and these characters and how they are with each other is EXACTLY what I'm looking for in my silly little genre books.
Please write another book in this series, L M Sagas. Please write a prequel book in this series, please!
--
Original Review: April, 2024:
hell yeah, we always need more fast-paced sci-fi adventures with your ragtag crew of found family strays who trust each other and that's all they need to make it out there in the galaxy!
I had a great time reading this book! A lot of it is pretty boring, generic, sci-fi whatever. No cool aliens, no sick as hell technology, even the AI ship is pretty ho-hum. BUT the characters are good! And by characters, I do mean Jal.
look, L M Sagas, I also want to do nothing more than make a sad little guy, put him in space, and then have a bunch of situations happen to him where he gets hurt, and have that other sad guy feel sad and protective of him. I see you. And I'm eating it up.
Great for a debut; I will definitely read whatever she writes next!
September 5, 2024
a very generous 3.5 rounded up. the most generic meaningless sci-fi universe with with some deeply delightful and compelling characters, who are also generic but damn if i don’t love ‘em. the Anna-tated version i read? 5 stars. couldn’t have done it without you (Anna of the Anna-tations). thanks for sharing the brain cell with me <3
April 5, 2024
3.5*
So Cascade Failure has been compared to not one, not two, but three of my favorites: JS Dewes, The Expanse, and Becky Chambers. That is some high praise to live up to! For me, it definitely delivered on the character/relationship aspects of those comps, but maybe lacked a bit in the plot department for me.
For me, the plot felt a bit... stock sci-fi, shall we say? I mean you have a ragtag bunch of badasses thrown together trying to escape the big bad via space shenanigans. We've all seen it before, and I am not even mad about it! The only thing for me was, there wasn't really anything that stuck out about said space shenanigans. It needed something a little different to freshen it up, maybe. That said, the book didn't really drag or anything, either. I liked the characters, I liked their interactions and the concepts of found family and friendship and forgiveness, and I think that was enough to keep me entertained.
Bottom Line: Loved loved loved the characters. Felt a bit more iffy on the plot. Still, enjoyable.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
So Cascade Failure has been compared to not one, not two, but three of my favorites: JS Dewes, The Expanse, and Becky Chambers. That is some high praise to live up to! For me, it definitely delivered on the character/relationship aspects of those comps, but maybe lacked a bit in the plot department for me.
For me, the plot felt a bit... stock sci-fi, shall we say? I mean you have a ragtag bunch of badasses thrown together trying to escape the big bad via space shenanigans. We've all seen it before, and I am not even mad about it! The only thing for me was, there wasn't really anything that stuck out about said space shenanigans. It needed something a little different to freshen it up, maybe. That said, the book didn't really drag or anything, either. I liked the characters, I liked their interactions and the concepts of found family and friendship and forgiveness, and I think that was enough to keep me entertained.
Bottom Line: Loved loved loved the characters. Felt a bit more iffy on the plot. Still, enjoyable.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
March 30, 2024
A fun (if dystopic) Space Opera adventure full of colorful characters and clever prose. Recommended for fans of Becky Chambers, TJ Berry, and Cowboy Bebop.
decided-not-to-read
April 11, 2024Sounded cool, noted it down, read a sample and it reads a bit like a supermarket own brand version of Becky Chambers, without the sparkle and characterization. I am not going to bother after all.
February 18, 2024
I read CASCADE FAILURE in January 2024 and already know it's going on my favorite books of the year list.
Found family. Space adventure. Action. Intrigue. Betrayal. Forgiveness. Snarky humor. Corporate malfeasance. Perfect world-building. Fully-developed, fully lovable, fully-relatable characters, including an AI ship's captain you want to hug (kind of like Murderbot's ART, but way less of an asshole), a mechanic/medic who crochets and knits little friends, a traumatized but deeply caring and competent (and at least in my head very, very hot) XO, an old friend who reappears and makes everything complicated, and a smart AF programmer who maybe has the answers to everything. It's got real FIREFLY vibes in all of the ways I love but is also entirely unique.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH AND AM DYYYYYYYYYING TO READ BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY (and anything else Sagas ever writes).
* thank you to Tor Books for the NetGalley review copy. CASCADE FAILURE publishes March 19, 2024.
Found family. Space adventure. Action. Intrigue. Betrayal. Forgiveness. Snarky humor. Corporate malfeasance. Perfect world-building. Fully-developed, fully lovable, fully-relatable characters, including an AI ship's captain you want to hug (kind of like Murderbot's ART, but way less of an asshole), a mechanic/medic who crochets and knits little friends, a traumatized but deeply caring and competent (and at least in my head very, very hot) XO, an old friend who reappears and makes everything complicated, and a smart AF programmer who maybe has the answers to everything. It's got real FIREFLY vibes in all of the ways I love but is also entirely unique.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH AND AM DYYYYYYYYYING TO READ BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY (and anything else Sagas ever writes).
* thank you to Tor Books for the NetGalley review copy. CASCADE FAILURE publishes March 19, 2024.
dnf
February 18, 2024DNF @ 50%
This is so… clunky. The characters are too Much, to the point where they’re basically constantly crashing into each other and all but bleeding together, except for Anke. Nash’s entire personality appears to be “must keep hands busy” + creative cursing (I mean, I don’t hate it, but I think she could have been more). Jal is wildly inconsistent from one page to the next, especially when he’s the POV - to the point where I wished he didn’t have a POV because it muddied everything up so much that his character stopped making any sense at all.
The writing is wordy without the benefit of any worldbuilding. The Union, the Trust, the Guild… no idea who any of them are except that they get Capital Letters and are all probably corrupt. There’s no sense of scale, the pacing is off because we have 5 POVs trying not to step on each other even when there’s not much happening…
The action sequences are solid, but as soon as the characters have room to think, the story screeches to a halt and couldn’t keep my attention.
{Thanks Tor Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
This is so… clunky. The characters are too Much, to the point where they’re basically constantly crashing into each other and all but bleeding together, except for Anke. Nash’s entire personality appears to be “must keep hands busy” + creative cursing (I mean, I don’t hate it, but I think she could have been more). Jal is wildly inconsistent from one page to the next, especially when he’s the POV - to the point where I wished he didn’t have a POV because it muddied everything up so much that his character stopped making any sense at all.
The writing is wordy without the benefit of any worldbuilding. The Union, the Trust, the Guild… no idea who any of them are except that they get Capital Letters and are all probably corrupt. There’s no sense of scale, the pacing is off because we have 5 POVs trying not to step on each other even when there’s not much happening…
The action sequences are solid, but as soon as the characters have room to think, the story screeches to a halt and couldn’t keep my attention.
{Thanks Tor Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
September 2, 2024
DNF.
Damn. I guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Damn. I guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
March 31, 2024
This is going to be one of those reviews that I will forever feel is inadequate to let others know the depth of my love for this book. But we're going to give it the old college try.
Cascade Failure is a sci-fi adventure that has a ragtag crew reminiscent of Firefly/Serenity and Becky Chambers' works. This explores the essence of humanity and the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of a vast and unforgiving universe suffused in corporate greed. This is one of those books that spoke directly to my soul. I purposefully took my time with this one because I wanted to adhere every single word onto my psyche because I knew that it was written just for me. As someone who absolutely adored Firefly and loves a good found family trope, I am always eager to join a crew of broken misfit characters and save the world. Especially if they really just wanted to be left alone.
Set in a universe dominated by the corporate power of the Trust and the labor leverage of the Union, with the Guild attempting to maintain order, the story follows Jal, a Guild deserter who finds himself aboard the Ambit, a Guild ship Captained by an AI. The crew is a diverse and unconventional bunch and yes - this absolutely excels in the found family trope. When the Ambit responds to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they uncover a sinister plot orchestrated by the Trust, threatening the existence of entire worlds. With the fate of countless lives hanging in the balance, the crew - who just wants to keep to the edges of the verse - grudgingly rises to the task of becoming Heroes.
What sets "Cascade Failure" apart is its richly developed characters, each grappling with their own traumas and pasts, coming together to form a makeshift family bound by loyalty and purpose. These characters are not perfect. They are imperfectly perfect and they make hard choices. They make mistakes. They hurt and betray each other. And they will also tear apart the universe to protect one another. We could all use friends like these. The depth of emotion and complexity in their relationships adds incredible layers of depth to the narrative, drawing me directly into their struggles and triumphs. I feel like I KNOW these people. These characters were exquisitely crafted and reminded me of a tabletop group with their intricate backstories and explorations of grief and trauma. This is every single thing I want out of a book. These deep character moments and relationships did not pull their punches and there were many reveals that knocked the wind out of me. I've never before made such sad little noises of distress or teared up out of the joy I could read from the characters.
Sagas' storytelling prowess shines through in the intricate plot, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel seamlessly blends action-packed sequences with moments of introspection, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and the meaning of true heroism.
This is a stellar debut that is brimming with heart, humor, and humanity. Sagas' talent for world-building and character development marks her as a rising star in the genre, and I am absolutely FERAL for this series. It broke my heart and it gave me joy. I cried and I laughed. I look forward to being emotionally damaged in the next one, too. his book meant the world to me and it lives in my head rent-free forever. Welcome to my beloved books list, Cascade Failure. There's some great company here.
Thanks to Tor and Macmillan for the finished copy. It meant the world to me and this review is voluntary and honest.
Cascade Failure is a sci-fi adventure that has a ragtag crew reminiscent of Firefly/Serenity and Becky Chambers' works. This explores the essence of humanity and the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of a vast and unforgiving universe suffused in corporate greed. This is one of those books that spoke directly to my soul. I purposefully took my time with this one because I wanted to adhere every single word onto my psyche because I knew that it was written just for me. As someone who absolutely adored Firefly and loves a good found family trope, I am always eager to join a crew of broken misfit characters and save the world. Especially if they really just wanted to be left alone.
Set in a universe dominated by the corporate power of the Trust and the labor leverage of the Union, with the Guild attempting to maintain order, the story follows Jal, a Guild deserter who finds himself aboard the Ambit, a Guild ship Captained by an AI. The crew is a diverse and unconventional bunch and yes - this absolutely excels in the found family trope. When the Ambit responds to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they uncover a sinister plot orchestrated by the Trust, threatening the existence of entire worlds. With the fate of countless lives hanging in the balance, the crew - who just wants to keep to the edges of the verse - grudgingly rises to the task of becoming Heroes.
What sets "Cascade Failure" apart is its richly developed characters, each grappling with their own traumas and pasts, coming together to form a makeshift family bound by loyalty and purpose. These characters are not perfect. They are imperfectly perfect and they make hard choices. They make mistakes. They hurt and betray each other. And they will also tear apart the universe to protect one another. We could all use friends like these. The depth of emotion and complexity in their relationships adds incredible layers of depth to the narrative, drawing me directly into their struggles and triumphs. I feel like I KNOW these people. These characters were exquisitely crafted and reminded me of a tabletop group with their intricate backstories and explorations of grief and trauma. This is every single thing I want out of a book. These deep character moments and relationships did not pull their punches and there were many reveals that knocked the wind out of me. I've never before made such sad little noises of distress or teared up out of the joy I could read from the characters.
Sagas' storytelling prowess shines through in the intricate plot, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel seamlessly blends action-packed sequences with moments of introspection, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and the meaning of true heroism.
This is a stellar debut that is brimming with heart, humor, and humanity. Sagas' talent for world-building and character development marks her as a rising star in the genre, and I am absolutely FERAL for this series. It broke my heart and it gave me joy. I cried and I laughed. I look forward to being emotionally damaged in the next one, too. his book meant the world to me and it lives in my head rent-free forever. Welcome to my beloved books list, Cascade Failure. There's some great company here.
Thanks to Tor and Macmillan for the finished copy. It meant the world to me and this review is voluntary and honest.
October 7, 2024
I hated this book. I knew early on I should dnfed it, but for some reason I continued on. The characters seemed one dimensional and the plot lacked the nuance I think the author was aiming for.
April 29, 2024
The Spiral has three powers:
-The Trust, a corporation
-The Union, comprising workers
-The Guild, an organization that attempts to keep the other two powers honest.
Of course, nothing is as neat and tidy as that, and this fun space opera has a Guild crew made up ex-soldier Saint and engineer/medic Nash aboard a sentient ship, Eoan, and a Guild deserter, Jal, working frantically to prevent a serious threat created by the Trust.
Eoan and crew respond to a distress call on a dead world and rescue a Guild programmer, who warns them of a virus created by the Trust which destroys terraformed planets. Needless to say, the Trust has no desire for this information to spread, so cue dastardly motives, chase scenes, massive destruction, emotional scenes as Saint and Jal must work out their differences, amusing moments between Eoan and her crew, tension and sudden violence.
The action is fast and the characters are interesting, with a variety of skills enabling them to both investigate and be in a position to do something about the problem. That doesn't mean they're entirely successful, or that there is no blood spilled.
I enjoyed this, but I am not willing to ascribe Firefly-ish vibes to this book, despite some similarities. I think this can easily stand on its own as a near non-stop high stakes adventure with compelling characters, and I look forward to the next book.
-The Trust, a corporation
-The Union, comprising workers
-The Guild, an organization that attempts to keep the other two powers honest.
Of course, nothing is as neat and tidy as that, and this fun space opera has a Guild crew made up ex-soldier Saint and engineer/medic Nash aboard a sentient ship, Eoan, and a Guild deserter, Jal, working frantically to prevent a serious threat created by the Trust.
Eoan and crew respond to a distress call on a dead world and rescue a Guild programmer, who warns them of a virus created by the Trust which destroys terraformed planets. Needless to say, the Trust has no desire for this information to spread, so cue dastardly motives, chase scenes, massive destruction, emotional scenes as Saint and Jal must work out their differences, amusing moments between Eoan and her crew, tension and sudden violence.
The action is fast and the characters are interesting, with a variety of skills enabling them to both investigate and be in a position to do something about the problem. That doesn't mean they're entirely successful, or that there is no blood spilled.
I enjoyed this, but I am not willing to ascribe Firefly-ish vibes to this book, despite some similarities. I think this can easily stand on its own as a near non-stop high stakes adventure with compelling characters, and I look forward to the next book.
November 20, 2024
Was this a sci fi that was doing new things? No. But did I enjoy the shit out of it? Absolutely.
This is a sci fi with an ensemble cast of Jal, Saint, Nash, and Anke. We get POVs from all of them which gives us a chance to get to know them, which I love. This wasn't a deep book with complex characters but getting flashbacks and a little of their personalities helped me with character connection.
The storyline is exactly what you would see in things like Firefly which is where I think the comparison comes from - the organization is corrupt and their corruption is going to hurt people so our rag tag team has to fix it because they answered an emergency signal that put them in the middle of this mess (very Expanse of them).
While the plot gave us nothing new, and the characters were pretty stock, the tension between Saint and Jal and the what were they/what are they to each other was definitely something to keep you going and excite you if a possibly cutesy romance is your thing.
I'm definitely going to read the second one, and I hope it's as enjoyable as this.
This is a sci fi with an ensemble cast of Jal, Saint, Nash, and Anke. We get POVs from all of them which gives us a chance to get to know them, which I love. This wasn't a deep book with complex characters but getting flashbacks and a little of their personalities helped me with character connection.
The storyline is exactly what you would see in things like Firefly which is where I think the comparison comes from - the organization is corrupt and their corruption is going to hurt people so our rag tag team has to fix it because they answered an emergency signal that put them in the middle of this mess (very Expanse of them).
While the plot gave us nothing new, and the characters were pretty stock, the tension between Saint and Jal and the what were they/what are they to each other was definitely something to keep you going and excite you if a possibly cutesy romance is your thing.
I'm definitely going to read the second one, and I hope it's as enjoyable as this.
February 29, 2024
I devoured this book in 2 days! Cascade Failure is a heartfelt, snarky, found family scifi ROMP that felt like the best bits of Firefly/The Expanse/Wayfarers/Murderbot blended together into something wholly unique and wonderful. There were tears (more than once), there were gasps, there were explosions, there were beat-up old spaceships and characters with hearts of gold and itchy trigger fingers -- really, this is everything I want in my scifi. CANNOT WAIT for the sequel!
September 2, 2024
DNF
Where is the come right on me? I mean camaraderie?
Where is the come right on me? I mean camaraderie?
October 16, 2025
Misfits in space, found family, what do you need more?
Perfect if you like Becky Chambers!
Perfect if you like Becky Chambers!
May 5, 2024
I was around halfway through chapter two when I realised this book was already a five-star read. Setting aside the character work for a moment. The prose made such an impact on me, but not exactly for the usual reason. It isn’t what you might call purple prose. But, in the most curious way, it embellishes the story with colourful side notes and intricacies without slowing or derailing the story at all. Something I would have said categorically impossible before I read Cascade Failure.
Mind-blowing prose is one thing, but that doesn’t guarantee great characters and a compelling world. Well, rest assured, Sagas most definitely doesn’t disappoint in these departments. The characters here are utterly compelling, totally individual and fascinating to get to know. From Eoan, the ship’s (The Ambit) A.I, holographic projection and captain, to the foulmouthed, weapon-loving ship’s mechanic, Nash, and Saint, the chilled-out guitar-playing ex-military hard-ass, to the newest crew addition, Jal, the heavily augmented ranger and deserter on the run, then there’s the rescue pickup, the bubbly, nonstop chattering, all-round lovable, Anke. Oh, and there’s even a ship’s cat, always a delightful addition.
But, just when you think this is going to be a straightforward action romp, the author grabs your emotions and gives them a damn good squeeze. At pretty much around the midpoint, there is a revelation about Jal’s history that emotionally affects every member of the crew, even the ship’s A.I. The reveal is expected, building from very early on, but you’re not sure what it’s going to be. But what I didn’t expect was just how hard it would hit. If this section of the story doesn’t make you at least well up, then you’re tougher than me. It completely broke me. It was beautiful. I hadn’t realised just how much these characters had got under my skin until this point. I am already completely enamoured with these characters and this book.
And don’t think you’re let off the hook that easily. There is more heartstring-pulling to come, and those strings will be tugged with brutal force. That I spent the next 200 pages reading through the blur of hanging tears is testament to that fact. Or maybe I’m just a great big softy. I don’t know when, or even how it happened; after all, this is just a team-up action sci-fi story, right? Well, you’ll become deeply invested in these characters, their pasts and their ongoing stories. You’ll feel like part of this crew, or that you want to be. You’ll be right there with them and feel everything they feel, the good and the bad. The betrayal, of course (there has to be betrayal) and when it comes you’ll fight it, refuse to believe it, want it to be a mistake.
How L.M. Sagas achieves this level of depth to your attachment can only be explained as sheer wizardry. You want a character-driven story? This is the only book you need to consider. Cascade Failure is a five-star book, no question. It blew me away. I loved it and can’t wait for book two ‘Gravity Lost’ to arrive. My preorder is already in. Cascade Failure has also found a well-deserved spot amongst my all-time favourite books.
Find my website here Blog That Book
Mind-blowing prose is one thing, but that doesn’t guarantee great characters and a compelling world. Well, rest assured, Sagas most definitely doesn’t disappoint in these departments. The characters here are utterly compelling, totally individual and fascinating to get to know. From Eoan, the ship’s (The Ambit) A.I, holographic projection and captain, to the foulmouthed, weapon-loving ship’s mechanic, Nash, and Saint, the chilled-out guitar-playing ex-military hard-ass, to the newest crew addition, Jal, the heavily augmented ranger and deserter on the run, then there’s the rescue pickup, the bubbly, nonstop chattering, all-round lovable, Anke. Oh, and there’s even a ship’s cat, always a delightful addition.
But, just when you think this is going to be a straightforward action romp, the author grabs your emotions and gives them a damn good squeeze. At pretty much around the midpoint, there is a revelation about Jal’s history that emotionally affects every member of the crew, even the ship’s A.I. The reveal is expected, building from very early on, but you’re not sure what it’s going to be. But what I didn’t expect was just how hard it would hit. If this section of the story doesn’t make you at least well up, then you’re tougher than me. It completely broke me. It was beautiful. I hadn’t realised just how much these characters had got under my skin until this point. I am already completely enamoured with these characters and this book.
And don’t think you’re let off the hook that easily. There is more heartstring-pulling to come, and those strings will be tugged with brutal force. That I spent the next 200 pages reading through the blur of hanging tears is testament to that fact. Or maybe I’m just a great big softy. I don’t know when, or even how it happened; after all, this is just a team-up action sci-fi story, right? Well, you’ll become deeply invested in these characters, their pasts and their ongoing stories. You’ll feel like part of this crew, or that you want to be. You’ll be right there with them and feel everything they feel, the good and the bad. The betrayal, of course (there has to be betrayal) and when it comes you’ll fight it, refuse to believe it, want it to be a mistake.
How L.M. Sagas achieves this level of depth to your attachment can only be explained as sheer wizardry. You want a character-driven story? This is the only book you need to consider. Cascade Failure is a five-star book, no question. It blew me away. I loved it and can’t wait for book two ‘Gravity Lost’ to arrive. My preorder is already in. Cascade Failure has also found a well-deserved spot amongst my all-time favourite books.
Find my website here Blog That Book
March 29, 2024
I’m going to say it… others will strongly disagree…but, this is a must read for fans of Firefly. I loved these quirky characters and the rapport they had with one another. They all have their own demons but it makes them more relatable. Nash’s one liners had me laughing out loud! Love the banter between the characters as well.
Only giving this 4 out of 5 stars because I did feel the last third of the book dragged on a bit (for me). I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Only giving this 4 out of 5 stars because I did feel the last third of the book dragged on a bit (for me). I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
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