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Potential Energy
When interstellar smuggler Haz Taylor loses his ship, his money, and his tattered reputation, drinking himself to death on a backwater planet seems like his only option. Then the Coalition offers him a contract to return a stolen religious artifact. Sounds simple enough, but politics can be deadly—and the artifact’s not enthusiastic about being returned.
Haz didn’t sign up to be prisoner transport, but he’s caught between a blaster and hard vacuum. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t show his captive some kindness. It costs him nothing to give Mot the freedom to move about the ship, to eat when he’s hungry… to believe that he’s a person. It’s only until they reach Mot’s planet. Besides, the Coalition would hate it, which is reason enough.
Then he finds out what awaits Mot at home, and suddenly hard vacuum doesn’t look so bad. Haz is no hero, but he can’t consign Mot to his fate. Somewhere under the space grime, Haz has a sliver of principle. It’s probably going to get him killed, but he doesn’t have much to live for anyway….
Haz didn’t sign up to be prisoner transport, but he’s caught between a blaster and hard vacuum. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t show his captive some kindness. It costs him nothing to give Mot the freedom to move about the ship, to eat when he’s hungry… to believe that he’s a person. It’s only until they reach Mot’s planet. Besides, the Coalition would hate it, which is reason enough.
Then he finds out what awaits Mot at home, and suddenly hard vacuum doesn’t look so bad. Haz is no hero, but he can’t consign Mot to his fate. Somewhere under the space grime, Haz has a sliver of principle. It’s probably going to get him killed, but he doesn’t have much to live for anyway….
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2022
32 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
175 books1,304 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 9, 2024
This is a beautifully written, thought-provoking, sci-fi adventure with a side love story between two men.
Haz is an interstellar smuggler, whose life has hit rock-bottom after losing his ship, money, and reputation. At his lowest point, a seemingly simple contract from the coalition to return a stolen religious artifact gives him a glimmer of purpose.
“It’s not exactly cargo. It’s a single item, in fact. A religious artifact of great importance to the people of Chov X8. The artifact was stolen, we recovered it, and they very much want it back.”
Immersive universe
Broken hero
Powerful character arc
Multidimensional characters
Alien worlds
Moral dilemmas
Space battles
Molly, the best ship ever
HEA
Haz’s mission, quickly becomes complicated, because the artifact, Mott, has his own thoughts and feelings about being returned. The relationship that develops between them is the heart of this story.
“You’re remarkable. I wanted to be worthy of that.”
It’s a wonderful journey of loss and redemption, told through the eyes of a flawed hero. Haz’s transformation brought tears to my eyes.
This book does have a beautiful love story, but without on-page graphic intimacies.
I wish I could give it more than five stars.
Thank you Drusilla for bringing this wonderful book to my attention!
Haz is an interstellar smuggler, whose life has hit rock-bottom after losing his ship, money, and reputation. At his lowest point, a seemingly simple contract from the coalition to return a stolen religious artifact gives him a glimmer of purpose.
“It’s not exactly cargo. It’s a single item, in fact. A religious artifact of great importance to the people of Chov X8. The artifact was stolen, we recovered it, and they very much want it back.”
Immersive universe
Broken hero
Powerful character arc
Multidimensional characters
Alien worlds
Moral dilemmas
Space battles
Molly, the best ship ever
HEA
Haz’s mission, quickly becomes complicated, because the artifact, Mott, has his own thoughts and feelings about being returned. The relationship that develops between them is the heart of this story.
“You’re remarkable. I wanted to be worthy of that.”
It’s a wonderful journey of loss and redemption, told through the eyes of a flawed hero. Haz’s transformation brought tears to my eyes.
This book does have a beautiful love story, but without on-page graphic intimacies.
I wish I could give it more than five stars.
Thank you Drusilla for bringing this wonderful book to my attention!
June 27, 2024
That was pure perfection. Exactly what I want to read if it has space opera written on it. It has that wonderful touch of Star Wars without being as gigantic as this one, but just that atmosphere I grew up with. And then it has a wonderful touch of gay romance. For me it's the most wonderful mix of space battles, a few characters finding each other and forming a little family, different planets with different inhabitants and regimes, smugglers and world-spanning government systems, rebels and all from the point of view of a battered captain who is hard to convince of feelings and the perfect spaceship with a personality all of its own.
When I say that I need more of exactly this kind of book, it's in the hope that more authors will catch on at some point. And I don't need alien-smut (that's nice too, but just belongs in a different genre for me) and I can even live with the fact, as in this case, that the romance really isn't in the foreground and only takes on a bigger role towards the end and that the implied sex scenes are all off-page.
I had initially wished for more intimacy between Haz and Mot, but in the end it's actually perfect the way it's written.
I already liked Kim Fielding's books, but from now on the author is one of my absolute favorites. Thank you so much for this wonderful story.
As he reached up to wipe sweat from his brow, he was laughing. There was nothing more joyful than barely escaping death—until you couldn’t escape any longer, of course. Ah, but those last few minutes before losing the game would still be a thrill. 🤩🚀🤩
Haz risked a very quick glance at Mot, who hadn’t uttered a sound since the battle engaged. “If you want to have a word with your Great Divine and ask for some intervention, now’s the time for it.”
Mot grinned, his white teeth a sharp contrast against his tattoos. “I think I trust you three more than the Great Divine.” 🤩🚀🤩
When I say that I need more of exactly this kind of book, it's in the hope that more authors will catch on at some point. And I don't need alien-smut (that's nice too, but just belongs in a different genre for me) and I can even live with the fact, as in this case, that the romance really isn't in the foreground and only takes on a bigger role towards the end and that the implied sex scenes are all off-page.
I had initially wished for more intimacy between Haz and Mot, but in the end it's actually perfect the way it's written.
I already liked Kim Fielding's books, but from now on the author is one of my absolute favorites. Thank you so much for this wonderful story.
As he reached up to wipe sweat from his brow, he was laughing. There was nothing more joyful than barely escaping death—until you couldn’t escape any longer, of course. Ah, but those last few minutes before losing the game would still be a thrill. 🤩🚀🤩
Haz risked a very quick glance at Mot, who hadn’t uttered a sound since the battle engaged. “If you want to have a word with your Great Divine and ask for some intervention, now’s the time for it.”
Mot grinned, his white teeth a sharp contrast against his tattoos. “I think I trust you three more than the Great Divine.” 🤩🚀🤩
Read
March 11, 2022I get excited about all my books, but this one tops the charts for me. I've been wanting to write this one for years, and the writing process was delightful. I've always loved space operas, and in this case I tried to keep all of that old-fashioned fun with a diverse cast and maybe a teeny hint of awareness about the effects of galactic politics. There's plenty of pew-pew, though, and a scoundrel hero who reluctantly does some pretty good things, plus what may be my all-time favorite secondary character. I hope readers enjoy this as much as I do.
May 22, 2022
Haz Taylor was once a farmboy on a religiously-oppressive planet. Then he was a military hero, till it all came crashing down. He carved out a small life he was content with - a sweet ship he named Molly, a crew of two he trusted, even if he didn't call them friends. Then that ended in disaster too, and he's stuck on a dank, depressing planet with a broken ship, no companions, and enough money to maybe drink himself to death.
But Haz has never been a quitter. So when a past commander comes to him with a job they want out of official channels, which includes enough money to fix his ship and rehire his crew, he grabs at it. Deliver a stolen religious artifact back to the planet it belongs on. How hard can that be?
When it turns out that the "artifact" is a tattooed young man who has spent all his life as a symbol, not a person, without even a personal name, Haz gets a bit queasy. When he finds out more about the planet's religion, that unease grows. Then he discovers that someone really doesn't want his mission to succeed.
Haz never listed obedience as one of his virtues, and he doesn't owe that to the military anymore. So before he fulfills this mission, he's going to take a long hard look at his options. At least, the ones that keep him, his crew, his ship, and the sweet, smart young man who has taken the name Mot, alive.
It turns out, that's more of a challenge than he expected. But he has the best ship in the universe, Mot and the two women in his crew are bright and motivated. Somehow, Haz will figure out a way to make it come out right. And if he got a little attached to Mot, when he wasn't planning to, that's just more motivation to find a safe haven for the man.
Haz never claimed to be a hero. He'd deny it from dawn to dusk. But it turns out that when push comes to shove, no matter how much he hides it, you can't take the hero out of a man's soul.
I really enjoyed this space adventure SciFi. Haz is a great character, the action kept my attention, and the ending was warm and satisfying.
But Haz has never been a quitter. So when a past commander comes to him with a job they want out of official channels, which includes enough money to fix his ship and rehire his crew, he grabs at it. Deliver a stolen religious artifact back to the planet it belongs on. How hard can that be?
When it turns out that the "artifact" is a tattooed young man who has spent all his life as a symbol, not a person, without even a personal name, Haz gets a bit queasy. When he finds out more about the planet's religion, that unease grows. Then he discovers that someone really doesn't want his mission to succeed.
Haz never listed obedience as one of his virtues, and he doesn't owe that to the military anymore. So before he fulfills this mission, he's going to take a long hard look at his options. At least, the ones that keep him, his crew, his ship, and the sweet, smart young man who has taken the name Mot, alive.
It turns out, that's more of a challenge than he expected. But he has the best ship in the universe, Mot and the two women in his crew are bright and motivated. Somehow, Haz will figure out a way to make it come out right. And if he got a little attached to Mot, when he wasn't planning to, that's just more motivation to find a safe haven for the man.
Haz never claimed to be a hero. He'd deny it from dawn to dusk. But it turns out that when push comes to shove, no matter how much he hides it, you can't take the hero out of a man's soul.
I really enjoyed this space adventure SciFi. Haz is a great character, the action kept my attention, and the ending was warm and satisfying.
May 10, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Queer space opera with some major "Firefly" vibes.
I thought the world-building was interesting and I enjoyed the characters and their connection, but I was super disappointed by the absolute lack of smut. Every single scene is fade to black and it felt like a very odd choice. The ending was also a bit rushed and a little too neat, which was disappointing after some really great build--I wonder if this might have worked a bit better as a duology/trilogy, or if the author had been willing to go with a more open ending in regards to the whole political system. Still I enjoyed this one overall, as it's always fun to read some queer sci-fi. :D
Queer space opera with some major "Firefly" vibes.
I thought the world-building was interesting and I enjoyed the characters and their connection, but I was super disappointed by the absolute lack of smut. Every single scene is fade to black and it felt like a very odd choice. The ending was also a bit rushed and a little too neat, which was disappointing after some really great build--I wonder if this might have worked a bit better as a duology/trilogy, or if the author had been willing to go with a more open ending in regards to the whole political system. Still I enjoyed this one overall, as it's always fun to read some queer sci-fi. :D
June 25, 2025
~3.5~
This is a romance, but not between Naz, a space captain, and Mot, a religious tribute Naz rescues. No, the romance is between Naz and his spaceship, Molly, who's sentient AI. (I'm joking, but not really.)
Cool concept, great world building, nuanced characters (the secondary characters are every bit as important as the MCs), a few fun flight/battle scenes, but the beginning dragged and there was no steam whatsoever (that's the norm for a Kim Fielding book, so I wasn't expecting any).
Naz is the sole narrator, and he's a miserable, grumpy, jaded asshole. He grew on me, but barely.
Mot is a ray of sunshine; even though he'd been dealt the worst hand imaginable, he remained optimistic and curious. I loved Mot and wanted his POV! (Haz did not deserve him.)
The hopeful, poignant ending saved this story for me.
This is a romance, but not between Naz, a space captain, and Mot, a religious tribute Naz rescues. No, the romance is between Naz and his spaceship, Molly, who's sentient AI. (I'm joking, but not really.)
Cool concept, great world building, nuanced characters (the secondary characters are every bit as important as the MCs), a few fun flight/battle scenes, but the beginning dragged and there was no steam whatsoever (that's the norm for a Kim Fielding book, so I wasn't expecting any).
Naz is the sole narrator, and he's a miserable, grumpy, jaded asshole. He grew on me, but barely.
Mot is a ray of sunshine; even though he'd been dealt the worst hand imaginable, he remained optimistic and curious. I loved Mot and wanted his POV! (Haz did not deserve him.)
The hopeful, poignant ending saved this story for me.
March 8, 2024
Whew, loved this book! Interstellar smuggler Haz Taylor is an homage to Captain Mal Reynolds with a dash of Han Solo. Haz is approached by the Coalition to ostensibly deliver an religious artifact to another planet. Well, turns out the artifact is a person (which Haz calls Mot because the religious order believes objects don't get given names) , and the job is nowhere as simple as described.
We get some frickin' epic space battles with Haz and his small crew, aided by Molly, the Shakespeare-quoting almost certainly sentient spaceship that Haz calls darlin' and tells his troubles to late at night. Mot's backstory is grotesque and I found it difficult to read about, but Fielding does an exceptional job in world-building (universe-building) and the mission, the love story, the happy ending all comes about in rip-roaring swashbuckling fashion.
We get some frickin' epic space battles with Haz and his small crew, aided by Molly, the Shakespeare-quoting almost certainly sentient spaceship that Haz calls darlin' and tells his troubles to late at night. Mot's backstory is grotesque and I found it difficult to read about, but Fielding does an exceptional job in world-building (universe-building) and the mission, the love story, the happy ending all comes about in rip-roaring swashbuckling fashion.
April 22, 2022
Sometimes, if you are patient, a wish you sent out into the world actually comes true.
I have loved science fiction since before I knew what to call it. And queer romances have been my favorite for years now. When they're combined, I can't be happier. This is definitely a romance in a space suit, so to speak, but all the elements are here, and the author is delightfully consistent with terminology unique to the story, something some sf authors could improve on. I read the last seven chapters without pause, and sniffed reading the ending. It filled a need rarely answered, and I am grateful.
I have loved science fiction since before I knew what to call it. And queer romances have been my favorite for years now. When they're combined, I can't be happier. This is definitely a romance in a space suit, so to speak, but all the elements are here, and the author is delightfully consistent with terminology unique to the story, something some sf authors could improve on. I read the last seven chapters without pause, and sniffed reading the ending. It filled a need rarely answered, and I am grateful.
February 17, 2023
Just a bit of weird ramble about this one:
I was vibin with this story, thinking I’d rate it somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. Then a plot twist at 80% turned the direction of the story in a way that gave me fantastic Murderbot/ART nostalgia and my 3.5 - 4 star impressions jumped to 4 - 5 star impressions. I LOVED the final 20% despite the fact that so much of it was focused not on the main romantic pairing, but on the relationship and bonds between Haz and his ship AI, Molly. It was brilliant! For me, that final 20% was pure gold! Loved it so much!
That said, I think part of my excitement and gushing love was based the feels that were in part elicited by my love of the Murderbot Diaries. Which is not to imply Fielding is ripping off Martha Wells at all, just… does it feel weird to raise my rating based on this glowing nostalgia for an entirely different story by an entirely different author? Or is it wrong to not up my rating given I may have felt this glowing love and given the same glowing praise even if I’d never read Wells’ Murderbot Diaries?
In any case, Potential Energy is classic Kim Fielding with quirky, complex characters, thoughtful nuanced sociopolitical statements and lovely character interaction and growth.
🤔 I’m landing on 4.25 stars and whispering to my future self that this is a worthwhile read again.
Final note: Potential Energy is Dreamspinner Press 😣😭 *sighs* I rarely think to check anymore, but noticed it and just want to point it out 🫤😬
I was vibin with this story, thinking I’d rate it somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. Then a plot twist at 80% turned the direction of the story in a way that gave me fantastic Murderbot/ART nostalgia and my 3.5 - 4 star impressions jumped to 4 - 5 star impressions. I LOVED the final 20% despite the fact that so much of it was focused not on the main romantic pairing, but on the relationship and bonds between Haz and his ship AI, Molly. It was brilliant! For me, that final 20% was pure gold! Loved it so much!
That said, I think part of my excitement and gushing love was based the feels that were in part elicited by my love of the Murderbot Diaries. Which is not to imply Fielding is ripping off Martha Wells at all, just… does it feel weird to raise my rating based on this glowing nostalgia for an entirely different story by an entirely different author? Or is it wrong to not up my rating given I may have felt this glowing love and given the same glowing praise even if I’d never read Wells’ Murderbot Diaries?
In any case, Potential Energy is classic Kim Fielding with quirky, complex characters, thoughtful nuanced sociopolitical statements and lovely character interaction and growth.
🤔 I’m landing on 4.25 stars and whispering to my future self that this is a worthwhile read again.
Final note: Potential Energy is Dreamspinner Press 😣😭 *sighs* I rarely think to check anymore, but noticed it and just want to point it out 🫤😬
June 14, 2022
3.5 stars - This is a queer sci-fi with a romantic m/m subplot. Not to be confused with an m/m romance in space! I’ll admit to being disappointed here as I was under the impression the romance would be a more central point but it was not as much as I expected. Just a heads up, there are no on page sexy times, and although I’m totally fine with this, I would have liked some more romantic emotional scenes between the MC’s towards the end. The slow burn was good in the beginning then it went flat. I lacked a bit of connection with Mot, i feel like he truly did a have a lot of ‘potential’ 😜 to be a great character but something was missing.
I liked the strong female side characters and the religion aspect of things wasn’t too heavy. The plot was simple but interesting and I had no idea where it was going at times.
I think I have pretty high expectations for this genre as I really loved the recent books I’ve read in it so didn’t want to rate this too harshly. I have a huge amount of respect for authors writing sci-fi, creating brand new worlds and mastering all the space and physics stuff! It really impresses me and I’m thankful for this author delving into this genre for the first time.
I liked the strong female side characters and the religion aspect of things wasn’t too heavy. The plot was simple but interesting and I had no idea where it was going at times.
I think I have pretty high expectations for this genre as I really loved the recent books I’ve read in it so didn’t want to rate this too harshly. I have a huge amount of respect for authors writing sci-fi, creating brand new worlds and mastering all the space and physics stuff! It really impresses me and I’m thankful for this author delving into this genre for the first time.
July 8, 2022
A big-hearted hero with a prickly mien, a sentient-like spacecraft with a mama-bear outlook, a partnered-up pair of never-say-die female crew members, a waif-like tattooed prisoner who blossoms into a cutey-pie with attitude, a feather-crested lanky alien rebel leader ... all my boxes were ticked in this riveting sci-fi offering from an auto-buy author. The HEA ending did veer toward over-sentimentalism but that aside - this was a 4.5 star read.
July 20, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ A nice sci-fi story with likable characters—human and inanimate, wonky friendships, and a slow simmer M/M romance. All the ingredients were there, but it didn’t quite wow me. Other than the real 🚗 kind, I’m not fond of road trips. This was a road trip sans road.
Still, it was an easy read which got better with every page, and contained a darn good 3rd act.
Quibbles:
🚀 The good guys were a bit two dimensional. Like sriracha, a we-laugh-in-the-face-of-death attitude should be used sparingly.
🚀 The author told-me-so: Haz [author] said Mot was brilliant and funny. Guess I have to take his [her] word for it.
🚀Buehler? Buehler? Buehler? Fueler? erm, Fuel? How did Haz’s spaceship travel all over the galaxy without a fill up? A super minor detail but there was never a mention. Was it fermented compost? An aquarium full of radioactive goldfish? Remnants of ancient kindles?
Hopefully a sequel is planned before we depart planet Earth.
Still, it was an easy read which got better with every page, and contained a darn good 3rd act.
Quibbles:
🚀 The good guys were a bit two dimensional. Like sriracha, a we-laugh-in-the-face-of-death attitude should be used sparingly.
🚀 The author told-me-so: Haz [author] said Mot was brilliant and funny. Guess I have to take his [her] word for it.
🚀
Hopefully a sequel is planned before we depart planet Earth.
September 2, 2022
Gorgeous sci fi space tale, with plenty of sneaky smuggler good guys and law-abiding yet soul-crushing military bad guys. Mot is fantastic and wonderful and full of wonder. Haz is the bad guy that we all wanna befriend because he's a big damn hero. Yeah, I said it, he's an ex-military Brown Coat and you can't convince me otherwise, gorrammit! All Firefly comparisons aside, this was lovely and well-written and I adore both couples here and the other two in this crew. If the author has any other people in this world she wants to write, I'd read the hell outta that book!
April 15, 2023
Well, I read it in a single sitting which was nice. Honestly, this was just a fun little jaunt into space all about seeing the good in yourself and your potential to do something bigger and better. It's about making your own choices and valuing your own life while still trying to do what's right. Nothing particularly outlandish, but a fun and satisfying adventure.
September 12, 2022
** 4.5 Stars **.
October 10, 2022
No on-page sex. Dull romance. Good fight scenes though. DNF @ 70%.
January 29, 2023
Overall I enjoyed the story, and it definitely put me in mind of space operas, Star Wars, and other epic stories with dashing antiheros. :) If you read this book and enjoy it, I’d highly recommend Incursion and Exile by Aleksandr Voinov, and Chimera by Kirby Crow.
Pacing in the book was pretty good, the tense battles were well-described. One of my favorite things was Haz and Molly flying together. I feel like her AI evolved further as the book progressed, and I thought it was funny how she kept throwing out quotes (particularly Shakespeare, haha). Also enjoyed the descriptions of alien races (loved Ixi) and Haz’s interactions with others in all the different ports.
Pacing in the book was pretty good, the tense battles were well-described. One of my favorite things was Haz and Molly flying together. I feel like her AI evolved further as the book progressed, and I thought it was funny how she kept throwing out quotes (particularly Shakespeare, haha). Also enjoyed the descriptions of alien races (loved Ixi) and Haz’s interactions with others in all the different ports.
December 9, 2022
4.5 stars!
This was great! Haze was deeply flawed but grew as a person through this journey! The space battles were exciting and the characters great. I liked the range of beings and different planets. This is fade to black but I still felt the connection.
This was great! Haze was deeply flawed but grew as a person through this journey! The space battles were exciting and the characters great. I liked the range of beings and different planets. This is fade to black but I still felt the connection.
did-not-finish
October 4, 2025DNF at 19%.
Not enjoying the alcoholic hero.
Not enjoying the alcoholic hero.
November 8, 2022
more of a 2.5 star read. not a bad read. characters are kinda flat, writing is okay (a LOT of telling instead of showing), plot is okay, at least it’s action-packed and moves along quickly. not bad for a quick entertaining enough read.
May 3, 2022
Kim Fielding is a word goddess
I’ve never read a story by her I haven’t loved
I’ve never read a story by her I haven’t loved
May 25, 2022
3.5 Stars
This was a good read. I liked the setting (I can’t read a book like this without thinking of Firefly, so there could be no complaints forthcoming about that). I also thought the characters were great. I liked the romance as well, though it was more of a subplot and a nice slow burn.
The story was good too, and so was the pacing. I liked where the story ended, but I wasn’t a fan of how we got there, meaning the climax. Now, I don’t always need in-depth explanations or the science behind stuff, and it might have been a mistake to alternate between this book and Project Hail Mary, but I do need some explanations, especially when they have to do with how the main conflict is resolved. And the resolution here was just a deus ex machina.
Overall, this was a decent read. I just wanted more from the science fiction elements.
This was a good read. I liked the setting (I can’t read a book like this without thinking of Firefly, so there could be no complaints forthcoming about that). I also thought the characters were great. I liked the romance as well, though it was more of a subplot and a nice slow burn.
The story was good too, and so was the pacing. I liked where the story ended, but I wasn’t a fan of how we got there, meaning the climax. Now, I don’t always need in-depth explanations or the science behind stuff, and it might have been a mistake to alternate between this book and Project Hail Mary, but I do need some explanations, especially when they have to do with how the main conflict is resolved. And the resolution here was just a deus ex machina.
Overall, this was a decent read. I just wanted more from the science fiction elements.
July 28, 2022
It gets 3 stars because I'm starving for MM SciFi and this one was readable and enjoyable to a certain point. But other than that, I am nope-ing out of this author and their works. The "alien" words for cursing, completely unnecessary and distracting. Just say fuck and move along. Speaking of the F word, all the sex scenes are fade to black, which completely baffled me. I didn't even know smutless SciFi MMs even existed anymore. Last but not least, the main character is brown with tight-curly hair while the author is white. If that doesn't bother you, great. If you care, now you know and you can follow me out the door.
June 8, 2022
I loved this book. It is an engaging story set in a science fiction universe.
I love the reluctant hero, the excitement of the battles and a host of secondary characters. There is one particular secondary character very close to my heart. No spoilers here, but watch for them in the book.
I love the reluctant hero, the excitement of the battles and a host of secondary characters. There is one particular secondary character very close to my heart. No spoilers here, but watch for them in the book.
April 14, 2022
4 stars
June 14, 2024
This is a fun, sci-fi adventure, more Star Wars than Star Trek, and while there is an M/M romance here, the biggest love affair is between a captain and his ship.
December 15, 2024
4.5 stars.
Loved this! Haz is a fantastic character I instantly fell in love with: self-hating, morally grey with a heart of gold he keeps secret from himself (but no one else). While the characters were the standout, the setting and plot were also very strong and it was very well paced. I loved the conceit — Haz gets tricked into moving a religious object for the Coalition, which turns out to be a person. We then get to follow Haz (and delightful lesbian crew) around the galaxy as he first tries to deliver Mot (the “artifact”) home, and then to actual safety. The space battles were exciting and the “on a quest with Bad Guys in pursuit” structure was fun and created a strong sense of urgency throughout.
My favorite part of this book was Haz and Mot’s relationship and seeing both of them grow as characters. I was initially skeptical of how their relationship could play out, given when we first meet Mot he has literally never been treated like a human being, to the point where he has no name and refers to himself as the Machine. However the author did a really lovely job of establishing a non-romantic relationship, with Haz treating Mot with kindness and helping him regain his personhood (even if Haz doesn’t see it that way). I appreciated that it really was a slow burn, with Haz initially rejecting Mot’s advances (because Mot had pretty much just learned about sex and wanted to try it).
It was pretty heartbreaking for Mot to really see Haz, and make several comparisons between how Haz has been living (dishonorably discharged from the navy, no friends or family, no possessions, no care of himself or his body) with how Mot has been forced to live as a religious artifact. I loved that they both enabled each other to see their own humanity, and especially how easily Mot called Haz on his “I am selfish and only care about myself” bullshit. Mot sees the good in Haz and Haz sees the potential (“potential energy”) in Mot and it was so lovely and sweet and healing.
I absolutely adore low self worth stupid self-sacrificing characters, so I was deeply on board with the ending: Haz dropping everyone off safely and sneaking off on a suicide mission to try to take down (or at least hurt) the Coalition. The scenes with Haz and Molly (his ship) talking and Molly telling him that Haz being her captain enabled her to become so sentient and that she would willingly go to her death with him!!! I teared up!! The scenes with Haz and Molly mind melding and Haz being able to truly experience flying (all he has ever wanted) right before he goes to his death!!! So beautiful. I also loved that this reckless heroism was driven by Haz wanting to be worthy of the time he spent with Mot!!
Ending was maybe a tad too perfect for me, with everyone living, Molly essentially coming back to life, and the Coalition pretty much falling apart. This is a romance so I suppose that is to be expected, but I wanted to see like one negative consequences at the end.
Overall a lovely combination of tender romance, characters building up each other’s self worth, and space battles. Would love to read this same concept over and over.
Loved this! Haz is a fantastic character I instantly fell in love with: self-hating, morally grey with a heart of gold he keeps secret from himself (but no one else). While the characters were the standout, the setting and plot were also very strong and it was very well paced. I loved the conceit — Haz gets tricked into moving a religious object for the Coalition, which turns out to be a person. We then get to follow Haz (and delightful lesbian crew) around the galaxy as he first tries to deliver Mot (the “artifact”) home, and then to actual safety. The space battles were exciting and the “on a quest with Bad Guys in pursuit” structure was fun and created a strong sense of urgency throughout.
My favorite part of this book was Haz and Mot’s relationship and seeing both of them grow as characters. I was initially skeptical of how their relationship could play out, given when we first meet Mot he has literally never been treated like a human being, to the point where he has no name and refers to himself as the Machine. However the author did a really lovely job of establishing a non-romantic relationship, with Haz treating Mot with kindness and helping him regain his personhood (even if Haz doesn’t see it that way). I appreciated that it really was a slow burn, with Haz initially rejecting Mot’s advances (because Mot had pretty much just learned about sex and wanted to try it).
It was pretty heartbreaking for Mot to really see Haz, and make several comparisons between how Haz has been living (dishonorably discharged from the navy, no friends or family, no possessions, no care of himself or his body) with how Mot has been forced to live as a religious artifact. I loved that they both enabled each other to see their own humanity, and especially how easily Mot called Haz on his “I am selfish and only care about myself” bullshit. Mot sees the good in Haz and Haz sees the potential (“potential energy”) in Mot and it was so lovely and sweet and healing.
I absolutely adore low self worth stupid self-sacrificing characters, so I was deeply on board with the ending: Haz dropping everyone off safely and sneaking off on a suicide mission to try to take down (or at least hurt) the Coalition. The scenes with Haz and Molly (his ship) talking and Molly telling him that Haz being her captain enabled her to become so sentient and that she would willingly go to her death with him!!! I teared up!! The scenes with Haz and Molly mind melding and Haz being able to truly experience flying (all he has ever wanted) right before he goes to his death!!! So beautiful. I also loved that this reckless heroism was driven by Haz wanting to be worthy of the time he spent with Mot!!
Ending was maybe a tad too perfect for me, with everyone living, Molly essentially coming back to life, and the Coalition pretty much falling apart. This is a romance so I suppose that is to be expected, but I wanted to see like one negative consequences at the end.
Overall a lovely combination of tender romance, characters building up each other’s self worth, and space battles. Would love to read this same concept over and over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
Disgraced former officer Haz Taylor doesn’t have a choice; so he very reluctantly agrees to transport a religious artifact back to its home planet aboard his ship, the Dancing Molly. But he doesn’t have to like it - especially when the artifact turns out to be a person, who Haz decides to call Mot, since he’s never had a name of his own. As they travel to Mot’s planet, Haz begins to see the man beneath the religious symbol, and begins to worry about the horrific future that’s in store for him. But Haz has made a career of Not Caring, and he won’t make exceptions for Mot or his crew on the Molly. However, Haz’s conscience isn’t completely gone, so when he sees a way to strike a blow for the freedoms he and Mot have never had, he and the Molly go in, guns ablazing.
So…there’s a lot of good stuff in this book. The world-building is done well, and there’s enough action and suspense to keep the plot rolling along. Haz is kind of a train wreck, so it’s nice to see him slowly throw off the weighty carapace of Not Caring and begin to accept that No Man Is An Island.
But…despite the relationship that grows between Haz and Mot, it seems that the most important emotional connection is between Haz and the Dancing Molly. Flying Molly is where Haz feels most like himself, and when Molly becomes sentient, it’s a true union of souls. So…Mot almost becomes a secondary character, which is weird.
There were loads of other plot threads that could have been pulled apart for this story: the Coalition’s subjugation of other civilizations; the brutal ‘religion’ of Mot’s planet; the corruption that results when power goes unchecked. But sadly, these go unexplored.
It’s a sweet (and very G-rated) romance, but, except for the Shakespeare quotes, is kind of disappointing.
So…there’s a lot of good stuff in this book. The world-building is done well, and there’s enough action and suspense to keep the plot rolling along. Haz is kind of a train wreck, so it’s nice to see him slowly throw off the weighty carapace of Not Caring and begin to accept that No Man Is An Island.
But…despite the relationship that grows between Haz and Mot, it seems that the most important emotional connection is between Haz and the Dancing Molly. Flying Molly is where Haz feels most like himself, and when Molly becomes sentient, it’s a true union of souls. So…Mot almost becomes a secondary character, which is weird.
There were loads of other plot threads that could have been pulled apart for this story: the Coalition’s subjugation of other civilizations; the brutal ‘religion’ of Mot’s planet; the corruption that results when power goes unchecked. But sadly, these go unexplored.
It’s a sweet (and very G-rated) romance, but, except for the Shakespeare quotes, is kind of disappointing.
May 1, 2022
If you're a fan of space opera, this is the book for you. It's an odd pastiche of several different influences but definitely has the feel of "Firefly" with just a tad of "Star Wars" thrown in. As there often is with Fielding, there's a strong theme of the main character rediscovering his humanity, often after meeting someone he falls for. Haz is an interesting character - broken in many ways but nonetheless persevering against daunting odds. He finds himself fighting for Mot, a young man who is considered a religious "artifact", with the help of his crew Jaya, Njeri, and Molly. Jaya and Njeri are interesting but Molly is a standout. Molly is Haz's ship but has reached a level of sentience that seems unusual in this time (perhaps an influence from Anne McCaffrey?) with quite the personality to boot.
Overall, it's a great yarn, despite some misgivings I had with the ending. The final battle, or in another sense, Haz's bid for redemption, comes somewhat out of left field and in my opinion had a few lapses in logic. For example, why has no one else come up with his plan? And if they've come to the same realization that he has, did they merely fail attempting to carry out their version of the plan?
Anyway, the ending (or perhaps the planning of Haz's scheme) seemed a bit rushed. I might have also enjoyed a bit more time on development of the relationship between Haz and Mot. Still, an immensely enjoyable book for me. Real science fiction isn't done often in this genre - I can recall the "Chaos Station" series and "Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion" off hand, so when it's done well, as it is here, it's a treat.
Overall, it's a great yarn, despite some misgivings I had with the ending. The final battle, or in another sense, Haz's bid for redemption, comes somewhat out of left field and in my opinion had a few lapses in logic. For example, why has no one else come up with his plan? And if they've come to the same realization that he has, did they merely fail attempting to carry out their version of the plan?
Anyway, the ending (or perhaps the planning of Haz's scheme) seemed a bit rushed. I might have also enjoyed a bit more time on development of the relationship between Haz and Mot. Still, an immensely enjoyable book for me. Real science fiction isn't done often in this genre - I can recall the "Chaos Station" series and "Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion" off hand, so when it's done well, as it is here, it's a treat.
May 25, 2023
A powerful space ship, a reluctant hero chased by an evil empire, a motley crew that seems an ill-fit, seedy spacer bars and of course the occasional space battle. This is space opera at its finest. An interesting ensemble of characters and interesting locations had me immersed in the story and eager to keep reading. With just the right mix between comforting predictability and surprising twists, this is an enjoyable read.
Two things bugged me (slight spoilers ahead). One, the protagonist is a heavy drinker, but cuts his alcohol consumption cold-turkey without experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. More importantly, the sex scenes are quite anti-climactic, despite the build-up and otherwise liberal use of explicit language. I don’t expect full-out erotica, it’s not that kind of book, but something a bit more than ‘and then their lips met’ followed by a scene break and ‘the next morning they wake up in each others embrace’ wouldn’t have been amiss. Oddly enough, the protagonist masturbating is described in more detail.
Don’t let those minor short-comings distract you though, this is a good book. Go read it!
Two things bugged me (slight spoilers ahead). One, the protagonist is a heavy drinker, but cuts his alcohol consumption cold-turkey without experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. More importantly, the sex scenes are quite anti-climactic, despite the build-up and otherwise liberal use of explicit language. I don’t expect full-out erotica, it’s not that kind of book, but something a bit more than ‘and then their lips met’ followed by a scene break and ‘the next morning they wake up in each others embrace’ wouldn’t have been amiss. Oddly enough, the protagonist masturbating is described in more detail.
Don’t let those minor short-comings distract you though, this is a good book. Go read it!
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