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Beasts of the Wild Black #1
Beasts of the Wild Black
The Wild Black wants to kill That’s the reality in this wildly imaginative sci-fi novella from the award-winning author of the Tide Child trilogy.
Years ago, Deep Strike cadet Min Law was left behind during what was meant to be a routine operation. Though he survived, the resulting trauma almost ended his career. Now, as captain of the DST Thunberg, he is preparing to take his crew on a similar journey to a seemingly quiet world following a garbled distress signal. The mission is simple on find the source of the call, offer aid, return home.
But nothing is simple in the Wild Black at the edges of the unexplored universe. As the crew of the Thunberg searches for the signal’s source, they find strange ships and corpses that shouldn’t be there. The mysteries begin to pile up. What happened out here? And why does some of the technology look horribly familiar?
Fortunately, Min’s team of animal counterparts is prepared for anything. The bear, Sitka Pete, is eight hundred pounds of loyal muscle. The rooks are quick and coordinated, perfect for reconnaissance. And the cats, Oz and Hinder, well, they’re just cats. But together they’re more than up for whatever the Wild Black can throw at them—even if this region isn’t quite so unexplored after all . . .
“A real adventure, equally joyous and thought-provoking.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award–winning author of Children of Time
“Tense, immersive, and fearlessly creative. Highly recommended.” —Gareth L. Powell, British Science Fiction Association Award–winning author of Embers of War
“The Wild Black is a scary place, but thankfully Barker sends us in with a delightful cast of uplifted creatures at the helm. Breakneck, brutal, and wonderfully warm-hearted.” —Caspar Geon, Phillip K. Dick Award–nominated author of The Immeasurable Heaven
“Brimming with ideas, adventure, cats, bears, and rooks (and a pesky human or two), this is a fantastically fresh and hopeful space opera.” —Stewart Hotston, author of Project Hanuman
Years ago, Deep Strike cadet Min Law was left behind during what was meant to be a routine operation. Though he survived, the resulting trauma almost ended his career. Now, as captain of the DST Thunberg, he is preparing to take his crew on a similar journey to a seemingly quiet world following a garbled distress signal. The mission is simple on find the source of the call, offer aid, return home.
But nothing is simple in the Wild Black at the edges of the unexplored universe. As the crew of the Thunberg searches for the signal’s source, they find strange ships and corpses that shouldn’t be there. The mysteries begin to pile up. What happened out here? And why does some of the technology look horribly familiar?
Fortunately, Min’s team of animal counterparts is prepared for anything. The bear, Sitka Pete, is eight hundred pounds of loyal muscle. The rooks are quick and coordinated, perfect for reconnaissance. And the cats, Oz and Hinder, well, they’re just cats. But together they’re more than up for whatever the Wild Black can throw at them—even if this region isn’t quite so unexplored after all . . .
“A real adventure, equally joyous and thought-provoking.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award–winning author of Children of Time
“Tense, immersive, and fearlessly creative. Highly recommended.” —Gareth L. Powell, British Science Fiction Association Award–winning author of Embers of War
“The Wild Black is a scary place, but thankfully Barker sends us in with a delightful cast of uplifted creatures at the helm. Breakneck, brutal, and wonderfully warm-hearted.” —Caspar Geon, Phillip K. Dick Award–nominated author of The Immeasurable Heaven
“Brimming with ideas, adventure, cats, bears, and rooks (and a pesky human or two), this is a fantastically fresh and hopeful space opera.” —Stewart Hotston, author of Project Hanuman
- GenresNovellaScience Fiction
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
R.J. Barker
34 books1,985 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 15, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
Beasts of the Wild Black is certainly an interesting novella, as it takes a seemingly simple premise and uses it as the vehicle to introduce a marvelous story about our relationship with other species, especially animals, while giving the reader many points to think about it; all wrapped by an adventure full of humour and heart, that almost made me cry as there's so much packed into this novella.
Years ago, cadet Min Law was abandoned in the Deep Space during what was meant to be a simple operation; he survived and was rescued, but the trauma almost ended his career. Now, as captain of the DST Thunberg, he's on an expedition to follow a distress signal into an unexplored planet; after an attack, they are forced to land, finding strange ships and corpses that shouldn't be there. A mystery that captain Law and his loyal crew must investigate while they survive all the Wild Black can throw at them.
Part of the inherent charm of this novella is the augmented animals that are part of Law's crew; each one has their own personality, from the murder of crows and their complex society, to the two cats that are well, you know, cats, intelligent, with their own quirks but at the end, loyal to their humans, and Sitka Peter, a big bear. At the same time, Barker uses this opportunity to ask interesting questions about the ethics behind science and our relationship with other species; it was super heartwarming, especially as Law and Hinder share a long story (and totally, Barker is a cat person, I can sense it).
It is true that maybe the other humans outside of Law are a bit overshadowed by the energy radiated by the animals; however, could you resist the charisma of SPACE CATS?
As said, while this might seem like a small, simple adventure, we are invited to think about climate collapse and how close we are to it nowadays; in certain ways, we could see how this is an invitation to reestablish a healthier relationship with the world that is around us. The writing is pretty much on the spot, the scenes are super clear, easy to follow, but always full of a snappy humour that suits perfectly this novella; you can devour it in a single session.
I loved reading Beasts of the Wild Black, and honestly, it's simply excellent; if you are looking for a bite-sized sci-fi proposal that will reach your heart with its characters, this is a perfect choice. Can't wait to continue reading more instalments of the Deep Space series.
Beasts of the Wild Black is certainly an interesting novella, as it takes a seemingly simple premise and uses it as the vehicle to introduce a marvelous story about our relationship with other species, especially animals, while giving the reader many points to think about it; all wrapped by an adventure full of humour and heart, that almost made me cry as there's so much packed into this novella.
Years ago, cadet Min Law was abandoned in the Deep Space during what was meant to be a simple operation; he survived and was rescued, but the trauma almost ended his career. Now, as captain of the DST Thunberg, he's on an expedition to follow a distress signal into an unexplored planet; after an attack, they are forced to land, finding strange ships and corpses that shouldn't be there. A mystery that captain Law and his loyal crew must investigate while they survive all the Wild Black can throw at them.
Part of the inherent charm of this novella is the augmented animals that are part of Law's crew; each one has their own personality, from the murder of crows and their complex society, to the two cats that are well, you know, cats, intelligent, with their own quirks but at the end, loyal to their humans, and Sitka Peter, a big bear. At the same time, Barker uses this opportunity to ask interesting questions about the ethics behind science and our relationship with other species; it was super heartwarming, especially as Law and Hinder share a long story (and totally, Barker is a cat person, I can sense it).
It is true that maybe the other humans outside of Law are a bit overshadowed by the energy radiated by the animals; however, could you resist the charisma of SPACE CATS?
As said, while this might seem like a small, simple adventure, we are invited to think about climate collapse and how close we are to it nowadays; in certain ways, we could see how this is an invitation to reestablish a healthier relationship with the world that is around us. The writing is pretty much on the spot, the scenes are super clear, easy to follow, but always full of a snappy humour that suits perfectly this novella; you can devour it in a single session.
I loved reading Beasts of the Wild Black, and honestly, it's simply excellent; if you are looking for a bite-sized sci-fi proposal that will reach your heart with its characters, this is a perfect choice. Can't wait to continue reading more instalments of the Deep Space series.
Want to Read
October 30, 2026Wow this one sounds pretty "out there". I'll give it a shot based on how much I've loved his previous works:)
October 16, 2026
Oh that was fantastic! Cats in mech suits!! The way Barker captures the spirit of animals is truly spectacular. It's funny, it's heartwarming, it's tense, it's utterly heartbreaking!!
Cats in mech suits!!!
"The cats think mech suits put right a mistake made by nature in not having that cat born into the body of a lion or tiger." It is a glorious concept, fabulously well done and I need the rest of the series immediately!!!
Cats in mech suits!!!
"The cats think mech suits put right a mistake made by nature in not having that cat born into the body of a lion or tiger." It is a glorious concept, fabulously well done and I need the rest of the series immediately!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fantastic science fiction novella full of ideas, heart and SPACE CATS I devoured this and strongly recommend
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
October 18, 2026
A short, snappy novella, very enjoyable. Is there a genre Barker can't handle? Looking forward to the next one.
Min is captain of the Thunberg, his crew - two humans, two cats, a genetically-modified bear and 'the Flock' - a bunch of rooks. Technology allows the humans and beasts to communicate. Rooks are excellent pilots, cats good at exploring although less good, sometimes, at taking orders. Bears are sturdy and effective.
A mysterious and unexpected distress signal sends the ship to an apparently unexplored planet, where they come under fire and are forced to land. They tangle with some aliens and then something more sinister. Although none of this is unusual for sci fi, it's all really well done, the alternate chapters explaining a bit about the history of how humanity reached this point in time and space is a good way to tell the reader loads without 'info dumping'.
Really great characters. More books should have rooks in.
Min is captain of the Thunberg, his crew - two humans, two cats, a genetically-modified bear and 'the Flock' - a bunch of rooks. Technology allows the humans and beasts to communicate. Rooks are excellent pilots, cats good at exploring although less good, sometimes, at taking orders. Bears are sturdy and effective.
A mysterious and unexpected distress signal sends the ship to an apparently unexplored planet, where they come under fire and are forced to land. They tangle with some aliens and then something more sinister. Although none of this is unusual for sci fi, it's all really well done, the alternate chapters explaining a bit about the history of how humanity reached this point in time and space is a good way to tell the reader loads without 'info dumping'.
Really great characters. More books should have rooks in.
October 21, 2026
RJ Barker is easily in the top 3 of my favorite authors for a few reasons but the main one is his character writing. He really makes you feel how the characters feel and you feel all of the emotions.
This was a really fun novella. One man, 2 cats, a bear, and a flock of birds and it was perfect. It was such a neat way how everyone interacted and the way he wrote for the animals. I'm staying team rook though. Love the birds.
This was a really fun novella. One man, 2 cats, a bear, and a flock of birds and it was perfect. It was such a neat way how everyone interacted and the way he wrote for the animals. I'm staying team rook though. Love the birds.
October 20, 2026
Highly recommended.
At least for cat people, but others too. Who knew Humphrey would be the key to saving, well, pretty much everybody.
I like the world and universe as it has become in this. So much better than now.
At least for cat people, but others too. Who knew Humphrey would be the key to saving, well, pretty much everybody.
I like the world and universe as it has become in this. So much better than now.
October 25, 2026
RJ Barker has done it again. Amazing world building and cats in space!
October 23, 2026
This was the first sci-fi I've read that had a crew of animals. I went in thinking it'd be cute, but it wasn't 😅 It felt like a classic sci-fi story, and I loved it! The narrators did a great job and the story in general was very interesting and kept me intrigued.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews