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Jitterbug
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Expected 3 Mar 26In this twisty and action-packed adventure from the BSFA award-winning author of Descendant Machine and Future's Edge, a crew of bounty hunters find themselves ensnared in a conspiracy on the very fringes of the devastated solar system. Perfect for fans of James S. A. Corey and Adrian Tchaikovsky.
"On Earth, they depicted justice as blindfolded and impartial, but out here on the frontier, she was red in tooth and claw."
Jupiter and Saturn are gone, and a mysterious force has built a huge habitable sphere from their ashes. When criminals try to lose themselves on this new frontier, bounty hunters like Copernicus Brown and the crew of his sentient ship Jitterbug get paid to hunt them down. But when Brown rescues Amber Roth, sole survivor of a pirate attack, the Jitterbug and her crew find themselves the target of powerful political factions who want control of the data chip hidden in Roth's stomach.
And all the while, something vast and ancient creeps towards them from the depths of space…
"On Earth, they depicted justice as blindfolded and impartial, but out here on the frontier, she was red in tooth and claw."
Jupiter and Saturn are gone, and a mysterious force has built a huge habitable sphere from their ashes. When criminals try to lose themselves on this new frontier, bounty hunters like Copernicus Brown and the crew of his sentient ship Jitterbug get paid to hunt them down. But when Brown rescues Amber Roth, sole survivor of a pirate attack, the Jitterbug and her crew find themselves the target of powerful political factions who want control of the data chip hidden in Roth's stomach.
And all the while, something vast and ancient creeps towards them from the depths of space…
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 3, 2026
3 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 22, 2025
Bounty hunters, space pirates, conspiracies, an unknowable force … what a great standalone sci fi!
I loved the way this was set up, it felt very accessible and easy to get into. The idea of this new frontier and how it came about was really cool. It’s humanity taking baby steps into space exploration, the need for space allowing people to colonising the new edges. Cue space travel in the inner planets and a new frontier filled with pirates and government bounty hunters.
The crew were quirky and fun, Copernicus is just doing his best for his crew and his ship and he’s a good person at heart - which is why he ends up embroiled in a conspiracy, hunted and tasked with the impossible. Plus Jitterbug was a fantastic character - a sentient spaceship with a parrot avatar?! Say less. She even got her own pov chapters so she really can to life on the page and was an essential part of the team.
The other characters were complimentary and there were some high emotion moments when things got heated. (If you’ve read the Expanse, then one of them was very Avasarala coded!)
The story was a fast paced, action filled story that had me speeding through it. I loved how it all unfolded and the ending! I wasn’t expecting how intense and cool it was going to be but I loved it. It linked everything together really well and left the story feeling hopeful and exciting.
It did have a very tiny romance subplot which I’m hesitant to even call it that. It just sort of happened and that was it? Very abrupt and honestly I kind of just ignored it and it made no difference to my reading experience but it’s worth noting.
This book was an enjoyable fast paced read with some interesting sci fi plot. It’s not a grand epic that transcends the stars, it’s short, it’s fun, it’s almost cosy in the way it left me feeling but with some good battles thrown in. It’s you’re looking for a quick sci fi hit that you can get into straight away then this is a good choice!
I loved the way this was set up, it felt very accessible and easy to get into. The idea of this new frontier and how it came about was really cool. It’s humanity taking baby steps into space exploration, the need for space allowing people to colonising the new edges. Cue space travel in the inner planets and a new frontier filled with pirates and government bounty hunters.
The crew were quirky and fun, Copernicus is just doing his best for his crew and his ship and he’s a good person at heart - which is why he ends up embroiled in a conspiracy, hunted and tasked with the impossible. Plus Jitterbug was a fantastic character - a sentient spaceship with a parrot avatar?! Say less. She even got her own pov chapters so she really can to life on the page and was an essential part of the team.
The other characters were complimentary and there were some high emotion moments when things got heated. (If you’ve read the Expanse, then one of them was very Avasarala coded!)
The story was a fast paced, action filled story that had me speeding through it. I loved how it all unfolded and the ending! I wasn’t expecting how intense and cool it was going to be but I loved it. It linked everything together really well and left the story feeling hopeful and exciting.
It did have a very tiny romance subplot which I’m hesitant to even call it that. It just sort of happened and that was it? Very abrupt and honestly I kind of just ignored it and it made no difference to my reading experience but it’s worth noting.
This book was an enjoyable fast paced read with some interesting sci fi plot. It’s not a grand epic that transcends the stars, it’s short, it’s fun, it’s almost cosy in the way it left me feeling but with some good battles thrown in. It’s you’re looking for a quick sci fi hit that you can get into straight away then this is a good choice!
January 4, 2026
As ever this is a fast-paced and entertaining read from Gareth L Powell. You’re not going to get dense and allusive literary works from him (yet), but straightforward action SF that somehow unlocks the part of me that was once thirteen and reading every SF book in the local library, soaking up this exciting new world. He has an eye for space battles and giant alien objects that is frankly delightful, and to be able to rekindle that sense of wonder in a grizzled mid-50s grump is no small achievement. A caveat though - some elements of his novels risk becoming stale at this point. I wouldn’t mind if he gave the ragtag crews and sentient spaceships a rest for a couple of books. In isolation though this is a lot of fun, and yes I did spot the mandatory Aliens quote.
January 3, 2026
I like a book where the main character has to say “Recalibrate our course, we need to intercept those incoming missiles or they’ll hit the aliens!” (*not an exact quote, but you get the idea). So, I liked this book.
Two space pirates, a space politician, and a space crew gang up together for a heist-first contact-ish adventure. This is familiar enough, but I was taken in by the landscape—several planets disintegrate, and then a ginormous hollow sphere encloses the remaining solar system, split into segments that have gaps between them and are inhabitable on the interior planes. Neat!
As I’m reflecting, I frankly wasn’t super invested in the plot or (weak) character development, but the visual descriptions were excellent and allowed me to sit back and enjoy the book version a great action movie.
Thanks NetGalley and Titan Books for the advance!
Two space pirates, a space politician, and a space crew gang up together for a heist-first contact-ish adventure. This is familiar enough, but I was taken in by the landscape—several planets disintegrate, and then a ginormous hollow sphere encloses the remaining solar system, split into segments that have gaps between them and are inhabitable on the interior planes. Neat!
As I’m reflecting, I frankly wasn’t super invested in the plot or (weak) character development, but the visual descriptions were excellent and allowed me to sit back and enjoy the book version a great action movie.
Thanks NetGalley and Titan Books for the advance!
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November 7, 2025A big thank you to the publisher for an ARC of the book!
JITTERBUG is a thrilling journey filled with witty banter, unlikely allies and friendships, secrets and sacrifices, and found family, exploring the cyclical nature of both history and the future, and the way our fates are often shaped not just by choice but also by luck and coincidence.
JITTERBUG is a thrilling journey filled with witty banter, unlikely allies and friendships, secrets and sacrifices, and found family, exploring the cyclical nature of both history and the future, and the way our fates are often shaped not just by choice but also by luck and coincidence.
February 21, 2026
An entertaining romp through a novel take on the solar system that could be stronger on the characterization. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
There are many things to like in "Jitterbug". The setting is a fascinating take on what the appearance of mega structures in the solar system would do to humanity. The lack of stars in the night sky after the creations of the Shards was particularly awesome. I wouldn't call this particularly hard sci-fi, but I really enjoyed the gritty details of flying a spaceship in this world. The spaceships actually handle like spaceships, not planes. The mystery was quite compelling, and Powell does a decent job of linking the mysteries together. For most of the book, nothing feels particularly out of left field.
Unfortunately, the characters were where this really started to crack for me. I did not care about the romance in this book whatsoever. It came from nowhere, and it was between two characters who lacked any kind of romantic chemistry. I understand for plot reasons why it had to happen, but it could have been handled so much better. This was unfortunately enough to drop a star, because I'm tired of men and women in media having to get together because of sheer proximity. If you want me to be even vaguely invested, you have to give me more than this. I also would have liked more interiority from the other crew members of the "Jitterbug". They all seem to have about one personality trait each, and I would have liked them to be a little more fleshed out.
The ending also feels VERY convenient. There are thematic reasons for that, but it just feels a little too neat as it is. It is at least a somewhat hopeful ending, but I think Powell could have made the book a little longer, just to let the characters grapple with the revelations that they have received. Everyone makes a choice with remarkably little angst.
Overall, a very fun, but flawed, read.
There are many things to like in "Jitterbug". The setting is a fascinating take on what the appearance of mega structures in the solar system would do to humanity. The lack of stars in the night sky after the creations of the Shards was particularly awesome. I wouldn't call this particularly hard sci-fi, but I really enjoyed the gritty details of flying a spaceship in this world. The spaceships actually handle like spaceships, not planes. The mystery was quite compelling, and Powell does a decent job of linking the mysteries together. For most of the book, nothing feels particularly out of left field.
Unfortunately, the characters were where this really started to crack for me. I did not care about the romance in this book whatsoever. It came from nowhere, and it was between two characters who lacked any kind of romantic chemistry. I understand for plot reasons why it had to happen, but it could have been handled so much better. This was unfortunately enough to drop a star, because I'm tired of men and women in media having to get together because of sheer proximity. If you want me to be even vaguely invested, you have to give me more than this. I also would have liked more interiority from the other crew members of the "Jitterbug". They all seem to have about one personality trait each, and I would have liked them to be a little more fleshed out.
The ending also feels VERY convenient. There are thematic reasons for that, but it just feels a little too neat as it is. It is at least a somewhat hopeful ending, but I think Powell could have made the book a little longer, just to let the characters grapple with the revelations that they have received. Everyone makes a choice with remarkably little angst.
Overall, a very fun, but flawed, read.
January 2, 2026
A fast-paced, sci-fi adventure with a compelling ‘what-if’ premise. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I really like sci-fi where it explores a what-if premise in this style. This novel is pacy, it’s not particularly long. It doesn’t go into heaps of incidental detail. It posits a premise and then looks at how the characters react to it. In this book, the gas giants have been disassembled and been made into segments in the asteroid belt that could perfectly encircle the sun if they were to come together. We follow the crew of the ship Jitterbug (and the ship’s consciousness itself). They find themselves entangled in an escalating situation whilst on a bounty hunting mission. They’re having to react quickly as they become enmeshed in dangerous plans and different parties vying for control of something influential.
I liked the small cast of characters here. We follow the crew of the Jitterbug, Jitterbug themselves and additional political figures. This kept the story feeling really tight as we see the impact of what’s happening on these people trying to react in the moment. Additional context is provided from little news alerts at the end of each chapter. This was really effective and worked to bring up new thoughts and information without too much incidental detail.
My only issue with this book was the romance. I understood why it was necessary for the story but it happened way too fast and involved a character who I had very little trust for. I needed more depth on this character’s rehabilitation to stop this feeling odd. Other than that, this was a fantastic, entertaining and tense read.
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I really like sci-fi where it explores a what-if premise in this style. This novel is pacy, it’s not particularly long. It doesn’t go into heaps of incidental detail. It posits a premise and then looks at how the characters react to it. In this book, the gas giants have been disassembled and been made into segments in the asteroid belt that could perfectly encircle the sun if they were to come together. We follow the crew of the ship Jitterbug (and the ship’s consciousness itself). They find themselves entangled in an escalating situation whilst on a bounty hunting mission. They’re having to react quickly as they become enmeshed in dangerous plans and different parties vying for control of something influential.
I liked the small cast of characters here. We follow the crew of the Jitterbug, Jitterbug themselves and additional political figures. This kept the story feeling really tight as we see the impact of what’s happening on these people trying to react in the moment. Additional context is provided from little news alerts at the end of each chapter. This was really effective and worked to bring up new thoughts and information without too much incidental detail.
My only issue with this book was the romance. I understood why it was necessary for the story but it happened way too fast and involved a character who I had very little trust for. I needed more depth on this character’s rehabilitation to stop this feeling odd. Other than that, this was a fantastic, entertaining and tense read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ever read a book that was at the same time trying to do too much and too little…but you sorta loved it, flaws and all? Yeah…that’s how I felt reading Jitterbug, the newest novel by scifi standout Gareth Powell.
I’ve been a big fan of Powell’s for a long long time. I haven’t necessarily loved everything, but even the items I didn’t love…I liked. I absolutely loved his trilogy of novels featuring the crew and ship of Trouble Dog. I found his attempt at scifi horror last year a mixed bag, but…still pretty good. I really had high hopes for this one, too.
Here we see a well built universe with an intriguing idea. Entities have torn apart much of the solar system to build what, for all intents and purposes, is a proto-Dyson Sphere. Dyson plates. And the solar system changed and humanity adapted. And here we have a bounty hunter and his colorful crew and a mystery woman with stolen information who is on the run from pirates or more.
The whole thing is fun. It has humor and the kind of “don’t think about it too hard” scifi I’ve always enjoyed and Powell excels at. I loved the world he’s created here. It feels almost Firefly-esque at times. Probably intentionally. Not really, but close enough.
But then the book takes a turn. And you think it’s more of a deeper political thriller. Or a romance?
And then it takes another turn.
And another.
Really, there was a trilogy of material here and that may be my biggest quibble with this. This is a fast read – I more or less read it over two days. But as such, so much happens in a short period of time that it felt rushed. It felt like Powell crammed three books…a whole trilogy…into one short novel. There’s too much info dumping at times, the romance is VERY rushed and you don’t have time to ruminate on anything before you’re off to the next thing. My frustration is that I can see the incredible bones here. I would have read multiple books with the crew of Jitterbug doing work around the solar system…but this is very much a stand alone story. I can see where you’d put in the breaks for book one and book two and wrap up with book three. But that’s not what happens here.
So by the end…you’ve enjoyed the ride…but I can’t help being sad that there wasn’t more. Either a longer novel, or a series. And hey…I have the review the book as is, not the book I’d wanted.
In the end, the characters are awesome…the world is fantastic…the writing is great. But the infodumps are annoying and felt rush. The romance subplot is super rushed and didn’t work for me at all (I read a lot of romance – this didn’t work). 3.75 stars. Rounded up to 4. But frustrated is how I walked away.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Titan books for a chance to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them. Jitterbug is available March 3rd. You can preorder it now.
I’ve been a big fan of Powell’s for a long long time. I haven’t necessarily loved everything, but even the items I didn’t love…I liked. I absolutely loved his trilogy of novels featuring the crew and ship of Trouble Dog. I found his attempt at scifi horror last year a mixed bag, but…still pretty good. I really had high hopes for this one, too.
Here we see a well built universe with an intriguing idea. Entities have torn apart much of the solar system to build what, for all intents and purposes, is a proto-Dyson Sphere. Dyson plates. And the solar system changed and humanity adapted. And here we have a bounty hunter and his colorful crew and a mystery woman with stolen information who is on the run from pirates or more.
The whole thing is fun. It has humor and the kind of “don’t think about it too hard” scifi I’ve always enjoyed and Powell excels at. I loved the world he’s created here. It feels almost Firefly-esque at times. Probably intentionally. Not really, but close enough.
But then the book takes a turn. And you think it’s more of a deeper political thriller. Or a romance?
And then it takes another turn.
And another.
Really, there was a trilogy of material here and that may be my biggest quibble with this. This is a fast read – I more or less read it over two days. But as such, so much happens in a short period of time that it felt rushed. It felt like Powell crammed three books…a whole trilogy…into one short novel. There’s too much info dumping at times, the romance is VERY rushed and you don’t have time to ruminate on anything before you’re off to the next thing. My frustration is that I can see the incredible bones here. I would have read multiple books with the crew of Jitterbug doing work around the solar system…but this is very much a stand alone story. I can see where you’d put in the breaks for book one and book two and wrap up with book three. But that’s not what happens here.
So by the end…you’ve enjoyed the ride…but I can’t help being sad that there wasn’t more. Either a longer novel, or a series. And hey…I have the review the book as is, not the book I’d wanted.
In the end, the characters are awesome…the world is fantastic…the writing is great. But the infodumps are annoying and felt rush. The romance subplot is super rushed and didn’t work for me at all (I read a lot of romance – this didn’t work). 3.75 stars. Rounded up to 4. But frustrated is how I walked away.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Titan books for a chance to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them. Jitterbug is available March 3rd. You can preorder it now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Jitterbug follows Copernicus, a bounty hunter, and his crew. When they rescue Amber, the sole survivor of a pirate attack, they find themselves targeted by powerful political factions who want control of a data chip Amber has stolen.
Jitterbug hooked me from the first page. The prologue is horrifying in the best way as we watch the complete destruction of a planet, not even the first one, and the repercussions this means for Earth. Cut to the story many years into the future, where we now follow Copernicus and his crew aboard the Jitterbug. This was such a jump in tone and I loved it.
These are people that have lived with the new normal for so long that there's no immediate threat anymore. I found myself completely wrapped up with them, already forgetting how I felt in the prologue—I was along for the ride and enjoying every second. This was already shaping up to be a 5-star book for me, I was having so much fun. And just like that, the tone shifts again so effortlessly and Jitterbug cements itself as something so much more profound than I was expecting.
This is a story where every character matters, each person meticulously crafted and unique in their own way. There are multiple POVs throughout and they work so well, I was enraptured by each one. I especially loved that we had chapters from the Jitterbug, it was great to bounce between humans that we can relate to as a reader and the ship itself that is such a vital part of this story.
I also really enjoyed the message boards in between chapters—some made me laugh a lot, and they were a great reminder of the life that was still happening outside this tiny world I was wrapped up in.
This is not just a space opera, this is a story about humanity's sense of prevail against the backdrop of a devastated solar system.
Tropes and Themes:
Space Opera
Multiple POV
Sentient spaceship (that communicates via synthetic parrot!)
TWs:
Death of parents (referenced)
Jitterbug follows Copernicus, a bounty hunter, and his crew. When they rescue Amber, the sole survivor of a pirate attack, they find themselves targeted by powerful political factions who want control of a data chip Amber has stolen.
"I want to tell you a story. I want to tell you how it all began..."
Jitterbug hooked me from the first page. The prologue is horrifying in the best way as we watch the complete destruction of a planet, not even the first one, and the repercussions this means for Earth. Cut to the story many years into the future, where we now follow Copernicus and his crew aboard the Jitterbug. This was such a jump in tone and I loved it.
These are people that have lived with the new normal for so long that there's no immediate threat anymore. I found myself completely wrapped up with them, already forgetting how I felt in the prologue—I was along for the ride and enjoying every second. This was already shaping up to be a 5-star book for me, I was having so much fun. And just like that, the tone shifts again so effortlessly and Jitterbug cements itself as something so much more profound than I was expecting.
"We had a scant handful of years in this universe, and time was our most precious commodity. To rob anyone of even a second of life was a crime of cosmic proportions."
This is a story where every character matters, each person meticulously crafted and unique in their own way. There are multiple POVs throughout and they work so well, I was enraptured by each one. I especially loved that we had chapters from the Jitterbug, it was great to bounce between humans that we can relate to as a reader and the ship itself that is such a vital part of this story.
I also really enjoyed the message boards in between chapters—some made me laugh a lot, and they were a great reminder of the life that was still happening outside this tiny world I was wrapped up in.
"Some mysteries are too large to be solved in a single human lifetime. Compared to the Sun, the planets, and the stars, we are ridiculously fragile and short-lived."
This is not just a space opera, this is a story about humanity's sense of prevail against the backdrop of a devastated solar system.
Tropes and Themes:
Space Opera
Multiple POV
Sentient spaceship (that communicates via synthetic parrot!)
TWs:
Death of parents (referenced)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gareth L. Powell's Jitterbug is a science fiction adventure novel that is as exciting as it is mysterious.
Years before the story begins, the gas giants of our solar system were destroyed. In their place a giant megastructure was built, surrounding all remaining planets with new and habitable space: The Swirl. Within this new world of space colonisation, piracy and bounty hunting, everyone is out for their own piece.
The protagonist of the story is Copernicus Brown, a space bounty hunter who travels the solar system with his crew aboard Jitterbug, their sentient ship. After another successful bounty, the crew encounters the remains of a pirate attack. They rescue its sole survivor - Amber Roth - and are then swept up into a dangerous adventure involving the solar government, pirates, and cosmic forces beyond the stars.
What I totally loved about Jitterbug was the breakneck pace at which the story reveals itself. Dangers are immediately placed upon the core crew, and right from the get-go Powell writes this daring adventure across the solar system as a thrilling race against time. It's the purest definition of a page turner, with a story that's always asking questions and pulling the rug out. Within a short amount of time we come to love the cast of characters, most surprisingly the ship itself! The novel switches perspectives with each new chapter, and I was pleasantly surprised to see multiple chapters from the Jitterbug's point-of-view. It's such a unique viewpoint which gives the story so much personality.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone with a love of science fiction, and even those who are new to the genre. The sci-fi elements are treated with the necessary seriousness required of the story, but the brisk pace and lovably blunt characters mean it's more than an exercise in world-building.
I found the story so captivating, as it brilliantly draws from that feeling of staring up into the sky and wondering what the future holds. The story is always leaning forward with you, wondering "what's out there?"
To say anything more would be giving away the mystery, so you'll have to read it to find out!
The book releases on the 3rd of March this year, definitely check it out when it drops!
Many thanks to Gareth L. Powell and the team at Titan Books for providing a digital review copy of this one in exchange for a sincere review!
Years before the story begins, the gas giants of our solar system were destroyed. In their place a giant megastructure was built, surrounding all remaining planets with new and habitable space: The Swirl. Within this new world of space colonisation, piracy and bounty hunting, everyone is out for their own piece.
The protagonist of the story is Copernicus Brown, a space bounty hunter who travels the solar system with his crew aboard Jitterbug, their sentient ship. After another successful bounty, the crew encounters the remains of a pirate attack. They rescue its sole survivor - Amber Roth - and are then swept up into a dangerous adventure involving the solar government, pirates, and cosmic forces beyond the stars.
What I totally loved about Jitterbug was the breakneck pace at which the story reveals itself. Dangers are immediately placed upon the core crew, and right from the get-go Powell writes this daring adventure across the solar system as a thrilling race against time. It's the purest definition of a page turner, with a story that's always asking questions and pulling the rug out. Within a short amount of time we come to love the cast of characters, most surprisingly the ship itself! The novel switches perspectives with each new chapter, and I was pleasantly surprised to see multiple chapters from the Jitterbug's point-of-view. It's such a unique viewpoint which gives the story so much personality.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone with a love of science fiction, and even those who are new to the genre. The sci-fi elements are treated with the necessary seriousness required of the story, but the brisk pace and lovably blunt characters mean it's more than an exercise in world-building.
I found the story so captivating, as it brilliantly draws from that feeling of staring up into the sky and wondering what the future holds. The story is always leaning forward with you, wondering "what's out there?"
To say anything more would be giving away the mystery, so you'll have to read it to find out!
The book releases on the 3rd of March this year, definitely check it out when it drops!
Many thanks to Gareth L. Powell and the team at Titan Books for providing a digital review copy of this one in exchange for a sincere review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jitterbug is set in near future of our solar system that’s been drastically altered. All the outer planets have vanished one by one by invisible forces, with Mars being currently devoured. It’s only a matter of time before the Earth is gone. In their place has appeared a ring of artificial planetoids shaped like wedges of orange that curve towards the sun with nothing on the backside towards the outer space. The humanity has inhabited the insides of these planetoids.
Criminals, too, like to hide in the vastness of these new habitats, and to capture them, a system of bounty hunters has emerged. Copernicus Brown and his three-person crew (two women and a man) are bounty hunters on Jitterbug, a former freight ship he has inherited from his father. A distress call brings them to a scene of a pirate attack, from which they save a woman, Amber Roth. Things go sideways from there.
Roth is carrying a message that people are willing to kill for. It brings the crew to the attention of a leading politician, and together, they go to the outside of the spheres to find the origin of the message—only to learn that the humanity is about to come under attack by alien forces. Are they the same who created the sphere in the first place or is something else going on? Whatever it is, Jitterbug and her crew has to deal with it and fast.
This was a competent sci-fi adventure, a small-scale space opera. Told by four first-person point of view characters, one of which is Jitterbug herself, it brings the humanity to the brink of extinction and offers an out of space and time solution to it. It wasn’t entirely engaging though. It was mostly narrated to the reader, and apart from the first chapters, the first-person narrators didn’t manage to bring the reader in the story with them. The intimacy of first-person wasn’t there, and the reader didn’t learn anything about the characters except what was necessary for the scene. The inevitable romance especially suffered from this, when neither narrator even hinted at romantic feelings before it was already a reality.
The ending twisted this readers brain, but I’m not going to question the time-bending solution. It brings the story to a full circle, the prologue finally getting an explanation in the epilogue. It’s a satisfying ending for this standalone story. No need for more.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Criminals, too, like to hide in the vastness of these new habitats, and to capture them, a system of bounty hunters has emerged. Copernicus Brown and his three-person crew (two women and a man) are bounty hunters on Jitterbug, a former freight ship he has inherited from his father. A distress call brings them to a scene of a pirate attack, from which they save a woman, Amber Roth. Things go sideways from there.
Roth is carrying a message that people are willing to kill for. It brings the crew to the attention of a leading politician, and together, they go to the outside of the spheres to find the origin of the message—only to learn that the humanity is about to come under attack by alien forces. Are they the same who created the sphere in the first place or is something else going on? Whatever it is, Jitterbug and her crew has to deal with it and fast.
This was a competent sci-fi adventure, a small-scale space opera. Told by four first-person point of view characters, one of which is Jitterbug herself, it brings the humanity to the brink of extinction and offers an out of space and time solution to it. It wasn’t entirely engaging though. It was mostly narrated to the reader, and apart from the first chapters, the first-person narrators didn’t manage to bring the reader in the story with them. The intimacy of first-person wasn’t there, and the reader didn’t learn anything about the characters except what was necessary for the scene. The inevitable romance especially suffered from this, when neither narrator even hinted at romantic feelings before it was already a reality.
The ending twisted this readers brain, but I’m not going to question the time-bending solution. It brings the story to a full circle, the prologue finally getting an explanation in the epilogue. It’s a satisfying ending for this standalone story. No need for more.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for this early access eARC to enable this review.
If you enjoy Becky Chambers books then this is the book for you. It has the same light-hearted spaceship based story vibes as those books, and that is not a bad thing at all. For me personally though - coming from my usual epic space opera leaning, this book felt a little rushed and shallow.
The human characters were fine but not particularly memorable. I can't picture them in my head or really feel what it is like to be them as individuals. The hero felt like a hero, the pirate felt like a pirate, and the politicians felt like politicians; but, none of them really felt like more than their archetypes. The exceptions were the AIs and their physical representations - what was missing from fleshing out the humans went to making sure we had a vivid picture of the ships.
The plot was decent for the word count and left space open for a sequel; but, as formerly mentioned, it did feel quite rushed. You only had a moment to really think about any particular scene and you were onto the next one. The main thing I didn't understand about the plot was the romance. I didn't expect a romance at all and it felt superfluous and that it took up precious pages that could have been dedicated the main story. I think with a book this short you can't really afford to dedicated pages to side-arcs with little impact on the main thread.
In terms of sci-finess - it was definitely set in space and had some cool concepts around technology and FTL but much like the main plot they were only ever explored for a page at a time before it was time to move on. Perhaps sequels can explore the origins of some of these technologies. I desperately want more!
Overall I liked Jitterbug but didn't love it. I'd be inclined to pick up any potential sequels but I'm not waiting expectantly on them. Perhaps with the scene setting out of the way in this first novel Gareth can flesh out characters and plot points more in future books.
If you enjoy Becky Chambers books then this is the book for you. It has the same light-hearted spaceship based story vibes as those books, and that is not a bad thing at all. For me personally though - coming from my usual epic space opera leaning, this book felt a little rushed and shallow.
The human characters were fine but not particularly memorable. I can't picture them in my head or really feel what it is like to be them as individuals. The hero felt like a hero, the pirate felt like a pirate, and the politicians felt like politicians; but, none of them really felt like more than their archetypes. The exceptions were the AIs and their physical representations - what was missing from fleshing out the humans went to making sure we had a vivid picture of the ships.
The plot was decent for the word count and left space open for a sequel; but, as formerly mentioned, it did feel quite rushed. You only had a moment to really think about any particular scene and you were onto the next one. The main thing I didn't understand about the plot was the romance. I didn't expect a romance at all and it felt superfluous and that it took up precious pages that could have been dedicated the main story. I think with a book this short you can't really afford to dedicated pages to side-arcs with little impact on the main thread.
In terms of sci-finess - it was definitely set in space and had some cool concepts around technology and FTL but much like the main plot they were only ever explored for a page at a time before it was time to move on. Perhaps sequels can explore the origins of some of these technologies. I desperately want more!
Overall I liked Jitterbug but didn't love it. I'd be inclined to pick up any potential sequels but I'm not waiting expectantly on them. Perhaps with the scene setting out of the way in this first novel Gareth can flesh out characters and plot points more in future books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had a lot of fun with this fast-paced, trippy space opera!
Copernicus and his crew are bounty hunters, just trying to make ends meet, when they stumble across what appears to be a pirate attack in progress except both the victims and the pirates' ships have been destroyed. Amber, the only survivor, joins Copernicus's crew on the Jitterbug, but she's more than meets the eye, and the data chip she's hiding carries information that might just change the fate of humanity.
Space opera, crew of bounty hunters, sentient ships, political intrigue; if you're a sci-fi fan, you know the drill. In some ways, this feels like a classic space opera, but it does go above and beyond in a few ways. For one, I am OBSESSED with the concept of the Swirl. It's such a weird and unique-feeling element of the world building. If you want a perfect, scientifically-sound explanation of how the Swirl works, you aren't going to get it, but I don't care because it's awesome. The little boy in me that like spaceships and race cars pictures these giant habitable cosmic orange peels surrounding the sun and goes "Holy cow." I also liked the cast of characters. They're not like immensely developed or unique, but they're all likable, or at least understandable which is all I really need. Sentient ships are always a favorite, but I love that the Jitterbug has a little robot parrot manifestation, it's so goddamn adorable. It gets quite weird and time-bendy towards the end, but it's not super hard to follow and the stakes don't get totally screwed over (which happens in a lot of time travel stories).
Fun on the whole and well done! You can tell that Gareth L. Powell has been doing this for a while and knows how to make a fun and compelling story. This is my first of his books, but I look forward to reading more!
Thank you to Gareth L. Powell and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
Copernicus and his crew are bounty hunters, just trying to make ends meet, when they stumble across what appears to be a pirate attack in progress except both the victims and the pirates' ships have been destroyed. Amber, the only survivor, joins Copernicus's crew on the Jitterbug, but she's more than meets the eye, and the data chip she's hiding carries information that might just change the fate of humanity.
Space opera, crew of bounty hunters, sentient ships, political intrigue; if you're a sci-fi fan, you know the drill. In some ways, this feels like a classic space opera, but it does go above and beyond in a few ways. For one, I am OBSESSED with the concept of the Swirl. It's such a weird and unique-feeling element of the world building. If you want a perfect, scientifically-sound explanation of how the Swirl works, you aren't going to get it, but I don't care because it's awesome. The little boy in me that like spaceships and race cars pictures these giant habitable cosmic orange peels surrounding the sun and goes "Holy cow." I also liked the cast of characters. They're not like immensely developed or unique, but they're all likable, or at least understandable which is all I really need. Sentient ships are always a favorite, but I love that the Jitterbug has a little robot parrot manifestation, it's so goddamn adorable. It gets quite weird and time-bendy towards the end, but it's not super hard to follow and the stakes don't get totally screwed over (which happens in a lot of time travel stories).
Fun on the whole and well done! You can tell that Gareth L. Powell has been doing this for a while and knows how to make a fun and compelling story. This is my first of his books, but I look forward to reading more!
Thank you to Gareth L. Powell and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big thanks to Net Galley and Titan Books for the Advanced reader copy of Jitterbug! This comes out March 4th and I'm sure it will appeal to many Sci-Fi/Fantasy readers
The cover design is awesome! I love the depiction of space, the person in the vast void and the overall feel of the cover. It goes very well with the actual story line so that is also very cool.
This will appeal to readers who have enjoyed Becky Chambers novels and those who have liked Adrian Tchaikovsky as well.
Readers are given a fast paced quasi-first contact story from multiple points of view. Our main character is a bounty hunter who was born within a new settlement that isn't bound by earth! He's accompanied by a rag-tag crew of folks who are all (of course) low key geniuses at their jobs. Each character has a backstory which is presented usually in a monologue form when the character themselves is ruminating on their life so far. I will admit that even with the backstories, I did find it a bit hard to feel a bit of attachment to any particular character. This is possibly due to the speed of the book itself.
As they travel, making deals and squeaking by their story is told through the bounty hunter, a government official, the actual space ship (it's sentient!!!) and a legendary space pirate that they pick up on the way. The crew and their "guests" are placed in an almost impossible situation and must make adjustments and choices rapidly, leading readers breathlessly catching up to the twist at the end which reveals quite a lot- and one I didn't particularly predict.
This one would be perfect for a new adult audience looking for new Space based fantasy! There's lot of action, compelling characters and surprising twists all the way through.
The cover design is awesome! I love the depiction of space, the person in the vast void and the overall feel of the cover. It goes very well with the actual story line so that is also very cool.
This will appeal to readers who have enjoyed Becky Chambers novels and those who have liked Adrian Tchaikovsky as well.
Readers are given a fast paced quasi-first contact story from multiple points of view. Our main character is a bounty hunter who was born within a new settlement that isn't bound by earth! He's accompanied by a rag-tag crew of folks who are all (of course) low key geniuses at their jobs. Each character has a backstory which is presented usually in a monologue form when the character themselves is ruminating on their life so far. I will admit that even with the backstories, I did find it a bit hard to feel a bit of attachment to any particular character. This is possibly due to the speed of the book itself.
As they travel, making deals and squeaking by their story is told through the bounty hunter, a government official, the actual space ship (it's sentient!!!) and a legendary space pirate that they pick up on the way. The crew and their "guests" are placed in an almost impossible situation and must make adjustments and choices rapidly, leading readers breathlessly catching up to the twist at the end which reveals quite a lot- and one I didn't particularly predict.
This one would be perfect for a new adult audience looking for new Space based fantasy! There's lot of action, compelling characters and surprising twists all the way through.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The way this story is set up is very good. This isn't a humanity that's been in space for hundreds of years and has all the fancy space travel tech. This is humanity's baby steps into exploring the new frontier. It's a great idea and I really liked the concept and the explanation of how that came to be.
The characters were fun, and I didn't feel lost keeping track of them. I loved Jitterbug, the spaceship, who even has her own POV chapters so it really does feel like the spaceship is part of the story. The action was fast-paced and fun, and there were some moments where I didn't know where it was going to end up. I really liked the big moments at the ending, and I really liked how the story wrapped up, even though I did find it a tiny bit rushed for my taste.
The only thing knocking this book down slightly for me is the teeny tiny romance subplot. I can't even call it a subplot to be honest, as it's a minor part of the story. But this is an sci-fi action book, which means the plot moves FAST, and sometimes it feels as though the characters don't develop enough. In this case, there is a very minor romance subplot that goes from 0-100 in the blink of an eye, with no tension or hints. I suppose it makes sense, but I really would've preferred just a little more development in this.
If you like sci-fi books, you will enjoy this. If you like fast paced action in space, space battles, sentient ships, and a great crew, you will REALLY enjoy this.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The way this story is set up is very good. This isn't a humanity that's been in space for hundreds of years and has all the fancy space travel tech. This is humanity's baby steps into exploring the new frontier. It's a great idea and I really liked the concept and the explanation of how that came to be.
The characters were fun, and I didn't feel lost keeping track of them. I loved Jitterbug, the spaceship, who even has her own POV chapters so it really does feel like the spaceship is part of the story. The action was fast-paced and fun, and there were some moments where I didn't know where it was going to end up. I really liked the big moments at the ending, and I really liked how the story wrapped up, even though I did find it a tiny bit rushed for my taste.
The only thing knocking this book down slightly for me is the teeny tiny romance subplot. I can't even call it a subplot to be honest, as it's a minor part of the story. But this is an sci-fi action book, which means the plot moves FAST, and sometimes it feels as though the characters don't develop enough. In this case, there is a very minor romance subplot that goes from 0-100 in the blink of an eye, with no tension or hints. I suppose it makes sense, but I really would've preferred just a little more development in this.
If you like sci-fi books, you will enjoy this. If you like fast paced action in space, space battles, sentient ships, and a great crew, you will REALLY enjoy this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A ship of bounty hunters is ensnared in a solar-system-wide conspiracy, while even bigger problems loom on the horizon. (the problems = also a metaphor for my enjoyment.)
The blurb was easily enough to persuade me to pick this up, but unfortunately it didn't land for me. The tone is generally light, but there's a detailed description of a dead body that any grimdark author would be proud of (and that I wish an editor had red-penned). The world-building is rather shallow -- huge changes to our solar system & tech levels have had relatively little impact on human culture. The characterisation is enough to bounce the plot along but not enough to feel that there's weight to anyone's actions or relationships. In particular, [spoiler]
Recommended to fans of of the author still, but otherwise, if you tend to like what I like: from the blurb's author comps, hang on for book 4 of Children of Time in March, or book 2 of Captive's War in April.
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
The blurb was easily enough to persuade me to pick this up, but unfortunately it didn't land for me. The tone is generally light, but there's a detailed description of a dead body that any grimdark author would be proud of (and that I wish an editor had red-penned). The world-building is rather shallow -- huge changes to our solar system & tech levels have had relatively little impact on human culture. The characterisation is enough to bounce the plot along but not enough to feel that there's weight to anyone's actions or relationships. In particular, [spoiler]
Recommended to fans of of the author still, but otherwise, if you tend to like what I like: from the blurb's author comps, hang on for book 4 of Children of Time in March, or book 2 of Captive's War in April.
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'll tell you what this book feels like.
It's a highly accessible and easygoing space romp with the Firefly feel with some very streamlined Expanse tidbits. Some very streamlined bits--but many of the GREAT bits.
At first, I just felt like I was starting up a great novel-nod to Cowboy Bebop, only to realize it had a lot more in common with Firefly right up to the point that we went all Expanse-y with the politics and the BDOs. But unlike Expanse, it gets RIGHT to the point with the huge space opera stuff and just comes across and a fast-paced romp that never takes itself too seriously.
Now, the end and all the events leading right up to the end may be a bit divisive among the readers, but I'm of the mind that sometimes we all need to go big or get the f out. Hit all those cool SF points and nod at many of the more recent greats while we're at it. Dark Forest stuff. Big tech. Even some Interstellar stuff.
I mean, why the hell not? If we're just aiming for some big, sometimes downright goofy fun, this has it all. And I admit it. I'm a sucker for the kind of loopy stuff we do get. It was almost late Heinlein in impact.
Fun stuff. Don't take it too seriously. But definitely fun.
It's a highly accessible and easygoing space romp with the Firefly feel with some very streamlined Expanse tidbits. Some very streamlined bits--but many of the GREAT bits.
At first, I just felt like I was starting up a great novel-nod to Cowboy Bebop, only to realize it had a lot more in common with Firefly right up to the point that we went all Expanse-y with the politics and the BDOs. But unlike Expanse, it gets RIGHT to the point with the huge space opera stuff and just comes across and a fast-paced romp that never takes itself too seriously.
Now, the end and all the events leading right up to the end may be a bit divisive among the readers, but I'm of the mind that sometimes we all need to go big or get the f out. Hit all those cool SF points and nod at many of the more recent greats while we're at it. Dark Forest stuff. Big tech. Even some Interstellar stuff.
I mean, why the hell not? If we're just aiming for some big, sometimes downright goofy fun, this has it all. And I admit it. I'm a sucker for the kind of loopy stuff we do get. It was almost late Heinlein in impact.
Fun stuff. Don't take it too seriously. But definitely fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Jitterbug is a banged up interplanetary cargo ship that's become the personal transport for Copernicus Brown, a bounty hunter who roams the universe trying to scrape up enough money to keep everything going. His crew consists of bubbly Kiki, hulking Ulf, and a parrot that's the manifestation of the sentient AI that controls the Jitterbug. Meanwhile, our solar system has been devastated by an alien race that destroyed a few of the outer planets to create the pieces of an unimaginably massive sphere, big enough to entirely enclose the Earth, the innermost planets, and the Sun.
When the Jitterbug rescues Amber Roth, sole survivor of a deep space pirate attack - including a stealth ship that never showed up on scanners! - things change quite a bit. Roth might not be who she seems, and the crew's suddenly in the middle of a powerful political scandal. And the really deep space scanners suggest that the aliens who built the sphere are heading back for a visit...
I have to admit that I really enjoyed this quite a bit. It's a fun, lively sci-fi novel with more than a hint of Firefly's wild characters, in an inventive situation. The last few chapters are particularly entertaining as twists and turns abound. Highly recommended, and I can't wait to see the movie adaptation.
When the Jitterbug rescues Amber Roth, sole survivor of a deep space pirate attack - including a stealth ship that never showed up on scanners! - things change quite a bit. Roth might not be who she seems, and the crew's suddenly in the middle of a powerful political scandal. And the really deep space scanners suggest that the aliens who built the sphere are heading back for a visit...
I have to admit that I really enjoyed this quite a bit. It's a fun, lively sci-fi novel with more than a hint of Firefly's wild characters, in an inventive situation. The last few chapters are particularly entertaining as twists and turns abound. Highly recommended, and I can't wait to see the movie adaptation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book unfortunately did not click with me. Part of that is that it felt like two separate books: the first half a fun romp with a tight knit crew and the second half a confusing sci-fi story that just happens to the crew, almost feeling like a being stuck in a never-ending cutscene that has little happen. The first half of the story was fun and if the story followed suit, my score would have been higher, but the story's back half disappointed.
I will also say that the story has a concerning story beats that feel... borrowed from the first two Expanse books; including a captain broadcasting sensitive information to the entire galaxy, the medic character being killed by a shot that pierces through the ship they are in, the story kicking off when they notice an emergency beacon from a destroyed ship in a location that does not make sense, the confusing destruction and recreation of planets by unknown forces, and more. At the very least the author was influenced by the Expanse series, but the sheer number was shocking.
Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me an ARC for my honest review.
I will also say that the story has a concerning story beats that feel... borrowed from the first two Expanse books; including a captain broadcasting sensitive information to the entire galaxy, the medic character being killed by a shot that pierces through the ship they are in, the story kicking off when they notice an emergency beacon from a destroyed ship in a location that does not make sense, the confusing destruction and recreation of planets by unknown forces, and more. At the very least the author was influenced by the Expanse series, but the sheer number was shocking.
Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me an ARC for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you liked the show Firefly I think you’d really like this, very similar in vibes and tone. This is a great entry level sci fi if you’re intimidated by big space operas; not because it’s simple or anything but it’s very digestible.
This is actually fairly short for a typical sci fi but it really utilizes all those pages. Multi POV (one of course is the spaceship lol), well explained science that doesn’t feel boring or stale and the plot kept moving very well. I liked the cast of characters and I think the world building was solid. Very witty and heartfelt with a solid plot. Would definitely recommend.
This has a satisfying conclusion but of course this crew could probably see some new adventures at some point, should the author allow.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exhange for an honest review.
This is actually fairly short for a typical sci fi but it really utilizes all those pages. Multi POV (one of course is the spaceship lol), well explained science that doesn’t feel boring or stale and the plot kept moving very well. I liked the cast of characters and I think the world building was solid. Very witty and heartfelt with a solid plot. Would definitely recommend.
This has a satisfying conclusion but of course this crew could probably see some new adventures at some point, should the author allow.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exhange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jitterbug comes out swinging and never slows down. It’s loud, chaotic, and unmistakably Guardians-of-the-Galaxy coded, packed with bounty hunters, pirates, terrible decisions, and a solar-system-sized problem. The short chapters and rapid POV handoffs keep the pace tight and kinetic, and the book smartly refuses to overexplain itself.
This isn’t a book trying to be profound - it’s here to entertain, and it succeeds, with twists that land cleanly and feel cinematic. My only real knock is the rushed ending, though it stays true to the tight, fast-moving narrative the book establishes early on. This is highly digestible sci-fi with an almost cozy vibe - if your idea of cozy includes galactic chaos and imminent doom.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher - Titan Books, and the author - Gareth L. Powell for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This isn’t a book trying to be profound - it’s here to entertain, and it succeeds, with twists that land cleanly and feel cinematic. My only real knock is the rushed ending, though it stays true to the tight, fast-moving narrative the book establishes early on. This is highly digestible sci-fi with an almost cozy vibe - if your idea of cozy includes galactic chaos and imminent doom.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher - Titan Books, and the author - Gareth L. Powell for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.7 ⭐️ eARC
Bounty hunters, space pirates, conspiracies, and an unknowable force—this was a really fun standalone sci-fi read! * Guardian of the Galaxy Vibes
I loved the idea of humanity taking its earliest, necessity-driven steps into space exploration, with expansion happening because people have to push outward rather than because they want to. That naturally creates a new frontier in the inner planets—one filled with pirates, government bounty hunters, and plenty of moral gray areas.
The crew was a standout. Jitterbug completely stole the show for me. A sentient spaceship with a parrot avatar and her own POV chapters? Absolutely yes. She felt like a true member of the crew rather than a gimmick, and I loved every moment she was on the page.
The pacing stayed quick and engaging throughout, and the action kept me turning pages. The ending surprised me with how intense it was, but it tied everything together nicely and left the story feeling hopeful and exciting.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, entertaining sci-fi that doesn’t try to be a massive, galaxy-spanning
epic—and that works in its favor. It’s a quick, engaging read with fun characters, solid action, and n accessible world. If you’re looking for a standalone sci-fi you can jump into immediately, this is a great choice.
Bounty hunters, space pirates, conspiracies, and an unknowable force—this was a really fun standalone sci-fi read! * Guardian of the Galaxy Vibes
I loved the idea of humanity taking its earliest, necessity-driven steps into space exploration, with expansion happening because people have to push outward rather than because they want to. That naturally creates a new frontier in the inner planets—one filled with pirates, government bounty hunters, and plenty of moral gray areas.
The crew was a standout. Jitterbug completely stole the show for me. A sentient spaceship with a parrot avatar and her own POV chapters? Absolutely yes. She felt like a true member of the crew rather than a gimmick, and I loved every moment she was on the page.
The pacing stayed quick and engaging throughout, and the action kept me turning pages. The ending surprised me with how intense it was, but it tied everything together nicely and left the story feeling hopeful and exciting.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, entertaining sci-fi that doesn’t try to be a massive, galaxy-spanning
epic—and that works in its favor. It’s a quick, engaging read with fun characters, solid action, and n accessible world. If you’re looking for a standalone sci-fi you can jump into immediately, this is a great choice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I follow Gareth Powell on social media, and absolutely agree with his recent comments that there's a lot to be said for sci-fi becoming 'aspirational' and hopeful again. This book fits that to a t. Alas, I ended up finding it a little too 'sci-fi lite' - just didn't suck me in as much as some of his earlier work.
HOWEVER this is still a fun and enjoyable read, and it is indeed delightful to have something more uplifting in these dark days!
My full review is up on my blog, LittleFrogScribbles.
HOWEVER this is still a fun and enjoyable read, and it is indeed delightful to have something more uplifting in these dark days!
My full review is up on my blog, LittleFrogScribbles.
January 3, 2026
Good book and I definitely didn’t expect the last plot twist!
I think I struggled to adapt to the pacing - long inner Sci-Fi monologues coupled with a fast-paced storyline (this is a short standalone after all) and relationships developments that are a bit too rushed/off. I was expecting to meet crazy/ballsy ++ characters and to have my jaw dropped on the floor a few times… but I didn’t.
This is still a good standalone with lots of mysteries and an intriguing quest!
I think I struggled to adapt to the pacing - long inner Sci-Fi monologues coupled with a fast-paced storyline (this is a short standalone after all) and relationships developments that are a bit too rushed/off. I was expecting to meet crazy/ballsy ++ characters and to have my jaw dropped on the floor a few times… but I didn’t.
This is still a good standalone with lots of mysteries and an intriguing quest!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a fun read, but to use a clunky metaphor, it's like using a computer in Safe mode. All the characters are non descript and the whole story takes a completely linear trajectory. The interactions are entirely predictable and the one sex scene is completely without excitement. In fact, the whole story reads like young adult fiction without a frisson of danger, excitement or risk.
I'm grateful to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this.
I'm grateful to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nothing wrong with this one, it just didn't stand out to me. Probably didn't help that only a few months ago I read another book about a ragtag crew who bring in frontier justice, AI that runs the ship, and a rescued woman who turns out to be more than she seems. The twist at the end was kind of cool.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Yes yes yes…. I am new to this author and I so enjoyed this novel. Space, and an awesome cast of characters. A great plot and mind bending …. Thank you so much to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
December 11, 2025
fun and fantastic scifi book with some awesome plotting and impeccable vibes. would recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy to review!
An enjoyable sci-fi story with mysterious constructs, space pirates and a talking parrot. Try this one if you enjoy a quick paced story!
An enjoyable sci-fi story with mysterious constructs, space pirates and a talking parrot. Try this one if you enjoy a quick paced story!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
RTC
January 30, 2026
Jitterbug delves into a universe far in the future from now, where the planets surrounding Earth had been unmade and expanded into space, humans have found this to be an excellent way to move out into space (and away from a planet we were killing). Now humans claim home from Earth, to the moon and the swirl created by the unmade planets. Copernicus Brown is a bounty hunter, him and his crew make do catching bad kinds and traveling through space for the rewards, but when they stop at an attacked ship and find a survivor thinks are about to be shaken up. Stolen data, pirate queens, bounty hunting, bombs, aliens, death and love are all to rain down on this ship, the jitterbug must survive it all and face the future it’s been thrown into, even if its ai avatar is just a squeaky parrot.
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