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Space Train
FIREFLY meets WAGON TRAIN. Space pioneers, frontier worlds, alien societies, war refugees rebuilding their lives, heroes with heart, loving relationships of many flavors, and a scarily clever ruthless enemy.
Tom is a man of color in a social system where the respectable classes are exclusively white. An interstellar freighter captain who flew refugee ships for the resistance during the galactic war, he is tormented by the memory of a terrible tragedy. Never again will he lose a ship or allow anyone to hurt passengers he’s promised to keep safe. Not ever!
Nene is a telepathic blue-skinned alien spy embedded in a tyrannical regime that looks likely to reignite the galactic war, and she is dangerously attracted to the haunted human who flies refugee families to start new lives far away.
Saxe, an elite security executive whose career was damaged when Tom escaped from his custody during the war, is driven by cold hatred and revenge. If the only way to destroy Tom is by destroying the galaxy, then that’s what he’ll do.
Space is vast, but with a hunter so ruthless and the prospect of war so close, can people of peace ever find a safe place to live?
Tom is a man of color in a social system where the respectable classes are exclusively white. An interstellar freighter captain who flew refugee ships for the resistance during the galactic war, he is tormented by the memory of a terrible tragedy. Never again will he lose a ship or allow anyone to hurt passengers he’s promised to keep safe. Not ever!
Nene is a telepathic blue-skinned alien spy embedded in a tyrannical regime that looks likely to reignite the galactic war, and she is dangerously attracted to the haunted human who flies refugee families to start new lives far away.
Saxe, an elite security executive whose career was damaged when Tom escaped from his custody during the war, is driven by cold hatred and revenge. If the only way to destroy Tom is by destroying the galaxy, then that’s what he’ll do.
Space is vast, but with a hunter so ruthless and the prospect of war so close, can people of peace ever find a safe place to live?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2019
5 people want to read
About the author
David Bridger
16 books28 followersDavid Bridger and his family settled with their two monstrous hounds in England's West Country after twenty years of ocean-based mischief, during which he worked as a lifeguard, a sailor, an intelligence gatherer and an investigator. He writes science fiction and fantasy novels.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 7, 2019
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s like the Old West in space, and it’s absolutely marvelous. It comes complete with dashing heroes, scrappy townsfolk, stowaways, relentlessly evil baddies, and inquisitive youngsters. And it all comes with a side of queerness, blended in so seamlessly that it doesn’t feel like it’s screaming DIVERSITY HERE! (Even though it really is, given all the various characters.)
It’s difficult to both build a world and develop excellent characters. Often one of those will become lost or the pacing drags until they catch up to each other. But in this case, they run parallel. It helps that chapters and sections alternate point of view so we can see multiple locations and action. The lives of people in the different worlds and colonies intersect, so we also see various characters interacting.
There’s action all throughout, so readers should definitely buckle up for the ride. It doesn’t slow down at all with the exception of a few places where it’s intentionally just about the characters taking a breather and connecting to each other.
I love so many things about this book that it’s hard to point to any one thing that stands out above the rest. I’m a very character-focused reader, so I like all the diversity and the fact that there are so many different people in the story. It seems like that could be hard to keep track of, but somehow, it’s not. This is very much an ensemble.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series. It’ll be fun to revisit the places I love and catch up with the characters. Anything else I say could be spoilers, so I’ll leave it at this: I grew up watching both the old westerns and the science fiction shows my parents loved. Reading this felt like I was getting the best of both worlds. I wish there’d been something like it when I was a kid, but now I have it in this book, and I love it.
It’s difficult to both build a world and develop excellent characters. Often one of those will become lost or the pacing drags until they catch up to each other. But in this case, they run parallel. It helps that chapters and sections alternate point of view so we can see multiple locations and action. The lives of people in the different worlds and colonies intersect, so we also see various characters interacting.
There’s action all throughout, so readers should definitely buckle up for the ride. It doesn’t slow down at all with the exception of a few places where it’s intentionally just about the characters taking a breather and connecting to each other.
I love so many things about this book that it’s hard to point to any one thing that stands out above the rest. I’m a very character-focused reader, so I like all the diversity and the fact that there are so many different people in the story. It seems like that could be hard to keep track of, but somehow, it’s not. This is very much an ensemble.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series. It’ll be fun to revisit the places I love and catch up with the characters. Anything else I say could be spoilers, so I’ll leave it at this: I grew up watching both the old westerns and the science fiction shows my parents loved. Reading this felt like I was getting the best of both worlds. I wish there’d been something like it when I was a kid, but now I have it in this book, and I love it.
March 8, 2025
Space Train felt like a very relevant read in a world in which (in March 2025) US President Trump is talking about taking control of Greenland and Canada, and expecting a share in Ukraine's earth minerals as payment for his ongoing support in their battle against Russian invaders.
In Space Train, Tom Russell and his crew are carrying refugees across interstellar space, through wormholes, to a planet beyond the reaches of the dominant planet 'Main' and the other local planets over which it seems to exert some control and where wars have been raging for generations. All they want is a place to build a peaceful life, but greedy Main want to know where this new planet is so they can exploit it for its minerals.
Space Train has diversity at its centre, with people of different races and species, same-sex relationships, a transgender character, disability, and even inter-species romances all included in subtle but not hidden side plots.
Although there's a large cast, all the characters are well enough drawn that you feel invested in them and their future and, with the exception of a few of the alien names, I didn't get confused about who was who.
If I could award half stars, I'd have given this 4.5 stars, but I've rounded that up to 5. I felt that the alien species were portrayed as not alien enough - e.g. having very similar types of food to what we know as humans. I know that's picky. Also, some of the secondary plots felt like they didn't really contribute to the main plot. Perhaps they had an importance of their own but I guess I like it when all parts of a story fuse together in the end. Maybe they will in the second installment - Space Train 2 - which I will be adding to my TBR.
In Space Train, Tom Russell and his crew are carrying refugees across interstellar space, through wormholes, to a planet beyond the reaches of the dominant planet 'Main' and the other local planets over which it seems to exert some control and where wars have been raging for generations. All they want is a place to build a peaceful life, but greedy Main want to know where this new planet is so they can exploit it for its minerals.
Space Train has diversity at its centre, with people of different races and species, same-sex relationships, a transgender character, disability, and even inter-species romances all included in subtle but not hidden side plots.
Although there's a large cast, all the characters are well enough drawn that you feel invested in them and their future and, with the exception of a few of the alien names, I didn't get confused about who was who.
If I could award half stars, I'd have given this 4.5 stars, but I've rounded that up to 5. I felt that the alien species were portrayed as not alien enough - e.g. having very similar types of food to what we know as humans. I know that's picky. Also, some of the secondary plots felt like they didn't really contribute to the main plot. Perhaps they had an importance of their own but I guess I like it when all parts of a story fuse together in the end. Maybe they will in the second installment - Space Train 2 - which I will be adding to my TBR.
January 18, 2020
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
In a novel where family, found and birth, is a strong theme, the Russell family is on a rescue mission. They enable resettlement away from the oppressive, nepotistic, race-divided regime that dominates the planet Main. What makes theirs a rescue is how they keep the new location a secret Main will kill to uncover. Their passengers may not be the refugees Captain Tom rescued during the last galactic war, but they are still in danger.
The large cast is peopled with distinct characters, so while I had some trouble tracking them at first, each character soon became an individual with their own stories. The Russell family is small after an attack on their home planet of Willerby during the war. Their piece is split between Tom and his crew on route to the new colony called Red, and his sister Rain and cousin Ellen, back on Willerby. Several Clears, the first alien species we meet, earn a narrative role, starting with Nene who develops a personal connection with Tom. Saxe is the ghost who haunts Tom with his cruel acts during the war–only he isn’t dead and buried. Then there’s the religious leader who doesn’t lead with a troubled past and a growing affection for Ellen that she wants to ignore; Richard, the husband of Ellen’s brother; and Zac and Kym, two of the passengers.
It may seem like a big list, and I haven’t mentioned them all, but this is a big book. Having so many points of view offers a well-rounded perspective of a complex, multi-layered story. The characters become real because they are full of history and intensity. My comments, which I use to write my review, are spare simply because I kept getting caught up in the story and forgetting to make any.
Nor are the characters clear-cut. The best example of this is Zac, a disabled veteran of the galactic war who lost both legs and his will to live. He’s coasting through life until he secures the future of his wife and son while shutting both out. That is both noble and horrible. Characters like Zac drew me into their struggles, so I rooted for different answers even when none seemed forthcoming.
The beginning is stronger than the later chapters, which is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book to the last page. Still, there are some scenes that happen off screen I’d prefer to have been present for and some layers don’t merge as smoothly with the main plot. It’s hard to explain without spoiling, but there’s enough meat in this book to fill more than one. Some later scenes felt a little like the author wanting to share aspects of the world that wouldn’t otherwise get a mention. That said, overall, the disparate plot threads worked together and strengthened the whole, especially in the first half of the novel, but even in the later parts.
The novel gives the consequences of war a close look, not only during action but in the survivors. A built-up military finds it easy to see itself as the solution to every problem along with the way that mentality enables leaders to ignore the problematic nature of attacking civilian targets, for example. We also learn firsthand how accounts of events may be swayed to support one side at the detriment of the other, setting good people unknowingly against their personal morality.
Another example of how the large cast builds and strengthens is in personalizing the events. The war is not a matter of the past or history. What Saxe did to a ship of refugees Tom had been flying still haunts Tom. Zac’s life is worthless (in his mind) due to his injuries. Ellen lost her family and sees finding love again as a betrayal.
We experience these consequences with the characters. It’s not a roll call of endless strangers, but rather connected to people we have bonded with. The treaty might be signed, but the war wages on in its impact.
I found Tom’s crew a little naive, possibly because I had more information than they did thanks to the opposing viewpoints working to undermine their operation. The way the situation is set up made me suspicious of everything, though, and there are many vulnerabilities the crew takes on faith. That said, I also found myself too hopeful at times, buying into their optimism.
Don’t think this is a grim war novel full of bad choices, disaster, and desperation, though. There are moments of lightness, love, and connection tied in. Losses from the war bring the mourners together as much as dwelling on the past traps them in it. Actions have consequences, sometimes deadly and other times amusing, and several characters have stunning insights that are delightful on many levels. Teasing between various family members and coworkers also deepens our understanding of the characters.
The novel comes to life in a universe with more depth than even the characters are aware of. Glimpses of how the diverse cultures work were fascinating while the tech often sprang from what we now know is possible though we haven’t yet succeeded in harnessing those elements. Nor is the tech always helpful as the characters struggle to adapt to some innovations the Dowl have made.
Ultimately, this is a strong novel with a lot to share. It is peopled with a broad, interesting cast, and tells something new while throwing a reflection on modern times. I was engaged with the characters, bought into their struggles, and wanted better futures for them. The universe fascinated me, especially with the similarities and differences between species, both in culture and ability. The hints of technology like ours, along with different possible paths to develop them, intrigued me.
This is science fiction as it should be: a commentary on where things are going wrong and offering possibilities to change that direction. The cast represents people of many races, abilities, and backgrounds, nor is it a simple split between alien species and human. Space Train offers an intense, deep read. Be prepared to engage…far more than just the engines.
In a novel where family, found and birth, is a strong theme, the Russell family is on a rescue mission. They enable resettlement away from the oppressive, nepotistic, race-divided regime that dominates the planet Main. What makes theirs a rescue is how they keep the new location a secret Main will kill to uncover. Their passengers may not be the refugees Captain Tom rescued during the last galactic war, but they are still in danger.
The large cast is peopled with distinct characters, so while I had some trouble tracking them at first, each character soon became an individual with their own stories. The Russell family is small after an attack on their home planet of Willerby during the war. Their piece is split between Tom and his crew on route to the new colony called Red, and his sister Rain and cousin Ellen, back on Willerby. Several Clears, the first alien species we meet, earn a narrative role, starting with Nene who develops a personal connection with Tom. Saxe is the ghost who haunts Tom with his cruel acts during the war–only he isn’t dead and buried. Then there’s the religious leader who doesn’t lead with a troubled past and a growing affection for Ellen that she wants to ignore; Richard, the husband of Ellen’s brother; and Zac and Kym, two of the passengers.
It may seem like a big list, and I haven’t mentioned them all, but this is a big book. Having so many points of view offers a well-rounded perspective of a complex, multi-layered story. The characters become real because they are full of history and intensity. My comments, which I use to write my review, are spare simply because I kept getting caught up in the story and forgetting to make any.
Nor are the characters clear-cut. The best example of this is Zac, a disabled veteran of the galactic war who lost both legs and his will to live. He’s coasting through life until he secures the future of his wife and son while shutting both out. That is both noble and horrible. Characters like Zac drew me into their struggles, so I rooted for different answers even when none seemed forthcoming.
The beginning is stronger than the later chapters, which is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book to the last page. Still, there are some scenes that happen off screen I’d prefer to have been present for and some layers don’t merge as smoothly with the main plot. It’s hard to explain without spoiling, but there’s enough meat in this book to fill more than one. Some later scenes felt a little like the author wanting to share aspects of the world that wouldn’t otherwise get a mention. That said, overall, the disparate plot threads worked together and strengthened the whole, especially in the first half of the novel, but even in the later parts.
The novel gives the consequences of war a close look, not only during action but in the survivors. A built-up military finds it easy to see itself as the solution to every problem along with the way that mentality enables leaders to ignore the problematic nature of attacking civilian targets, for example. We also learn firsthand how accounts of events may be swayed to support one side at the detriment of the other, setting good people unknowingly against their personal morality.
Another example of how the large cast builds and strengthens is in personalizing the events. The war is not a matter of the past or history. What Saxe did to a ship of refugees Tom had been flying still haunts Tom. Zac’s life is worthless (in his mind) due to his injuries. Ellen lost her family and sees finding love again as a betrayal.
We experience these consequences with the characters. It’s not a roll call of endless strangers, but rather connected to people we have bonded with. The treaty might be signed, but the war wages on in its impact.
I found Tom’s crew a little naive, possibly because I had more information than they did thanks to the opposing viewpoints working to undermine their operation. The way the situation is set up made me suspicious of everything, though, and there are many vulnerabilities the crew takes on faith. That said, I also found myself too hopeful at times, buying into their optimism.
Don’t think this is a grim war novel full of bad choices, disaster, and desperation, though. There are moments of lightness, love, and connection tied in. Losses from the war bring the mourners together as much as dwelling on the past traps them in it. Actions have consequences, sometimes deadly and other times amusing, and several characters have stunning insights that are delightful on many levels. Teasing between various family members and coworkers also deepens our understanding of the characters.
The novel comes to life in a universe with more depth than even the characters are aware of. Glimpses of how the diverse cultures work were fascinating while the tech often sprang from what we now know is possible though we haven’t yet succeeded in harnessing those elements. Nor is the tech always helpful as the characters struggle to adapt to some innovations the Dowl have made.
Ultimately, this is a strong novel with a lot to share. It is peopled with a broad, interesting cast, and tells something new while throwing a reflection on modern times. I was engaged with the characters, bought into their struggles, and wanted better futures for them. The universe fascinated me, especially with the similarities and differences between species, both in culture and ability. The hints of technology like ours, along with different possible paths to develop them, intrigued me.
This is science fiction as it should be: a commentary on where things are going wrong and offering possibilities to change that direction. The cast represents people of many races, abilities, and backgrounds, nor is it a simple split between alien species and human. Space Train offers an intense, deep read. Be prepared to engage…far more than just the engines.
December 16, 2019
Editor's Review
Keeping it brief as it's long overdue!
I don't read much space opera, although I watch a fair bit of space-based sci-fi – OK, mostly Star Trek and some Red Dwarf.
Space Train is kind of the setting of Red Dwarf with the ST:Discovery crew, or that's how I imagine it. The characters are engaging, and the overall plot does that magical thing like Kerouac's On The Road, evoking the sense of being along for the journey. I'm fairly sure I went through a few vertigo swoops and dips right along with the guys aboard Tsuke's ship. There is so much more to the story than zipping around wormholes (although there's that too) - interplanetary politics, war, interpersonal conflict, burgeoning romance, etc. There is a full and rich community of characters – one I'm hoping to read plenty more about.
All in all, recommended (of course), in particular for lovers of the more literary element of spec fic.
Keeping it brief as it's long overdue!
I don't read much space opera, although I watch a fair bit of space-based sci-fi – OK, mostly Star Trek and some Red Dwarf.
Space Train is kind of the setting of Red Dwarf with the ST:Discovery crew, or that's how I imagine it. The characters are engaging, and the overall plot does that magical thing like Kerouac's On The Road, evoking the sense of being along for the journey. I'm fairly sure I went through a few vertigo swoops and dips right along with the guys aboard Tsuke's ship. There is so much more to the story than zipping around wormholes (although there's that too) - interplanetary politics, war, interpersonal conflict, burgeoning romance, etc. There is a full and rich community of characters – one I'm hoping to read plenty more about.
All in all, recommended (of course), in particular for lovers of the more literary element of spec fic.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews