An entertaining short novel very similar in plot to the famous Alien movie. Not very creative or original, but a page tuner. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I borrowed a copy of this on ebook through my library.

Thoughts: I had been in the mood for a sci-fi read but wanted something quick when I ran into this book on my wishlist (I know, my wishlist is huge so sometimes I peruse it and see things on there I had forgotten about). This was a decently done sci-fi horror, it was just really predictable and felt like a horror alien movie that we all know about (Alien).

I enjoyed our main protagonist, Jacklyn (Jack), she's been put in an awful position. Her father, the captain, has locked himself in his cabin, her mother went insane and committed suicide, and her sister was recently killed in one of the periodic attacks that keep hitting their starship from an unknown source. Jack is trying to get everyone back home to Earth, a nearly hopeless effort when she starts hearing things in the walls of the starship, supplies start missing, and the android on board starts complaining of "anomalies".

I enjoyed the characters and writing style here. This book moves at a fast pace and there is a ton of action. This is very readable and engaging as well. The android, Watson, was a high point of the novel for me. I loved this character and this was a creative and intriguing addition to the story.

Where this went flat for me is how this is a story that's been told many times before. There just wasn't a lot of creativity here. I agree with other reviewers who have mentioned how similar this is to the movie Alien. Everything about this story went exactly how I expected. I even felt like some of the scenes were lifted almost directly from the Alien movie.

My Summary (3/5): Overall this was a decent sci-fi horror that is basically a retelling (or exact telling) of classic sci-fi horror that already exists. I did enjoy Brown's characters and writing style so I will keep an eye out for Brown's future works. I just hope that Brown's future works are unique and creative. ( )

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

Trying to get back into the science fiction genre, I needed something quick, fast-paced, and interesting and The Scourge Between Stars definitely delivered. Brown has a great way of keeping you on your toes with a tense suspenseful horror. While it definitely gave cliches when it comes to the 'intruder invades spaceship' trope brown does it in a way that makes you pay attention and keep turning the page. Jacklyn is a delight and is definitely worthy of the title of captain and could give Ripley a run for her money.

Yes, the story is quite predictable and I did wish the setup to the action was a tad quicker, BUT when the action started Brown did not slow down. I also wish we could have gotten a bit more indepth with the politics of the Calypso, Jacklyn's family dynamic, and her relationship with the crew but I do know what would have made the book much longer. This could make for an interesting series if Brown does to go down that route.

Overall, if your looking for a quick sci-fi read this should be right up your alley. ( )

For the most part, this was a very effective, creepy read.
The author did a wonderful job creating a setting that felt believable, a decrepit spaceship nearing the end of it's ability to function. It added to the sense of danger and dankness. As the danger became more and more evident, and the crew began to try and deal with it, this setting added to the sense of dread and high stakes.
Jacklyn Albright, the acting captain was believable both in her competency but also her sense of self doubt and being overwhelmed. I was very invested in her and her story.
Most of the rest of the crew was also believable, and as the losses mounted you felt their losses.
The only character I had issues with is the android. She was more than a bit of a deus ex machina and I never understood Jacklyn's issues with her.
My last issue was with the ending. It was very much a deus ex machina ending that came out of nowhere and didn't make sense. This is an issue I have seen with many novellas or short stories.
As the story winds down there is a need to tie up the story in an cohesive ending with very little time or space and they often feel rushed.

The ending aside though, I enjoyed this book a great deal, it was unsettling and creepy in the way it was supposed to be and I am looking forward to more from this author. ( )

The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown (@nessthenovelist) from Tor Nightfire (out 4/4/23), is an atmospheric, claustrophobic, scifi creep-fest. While I’m sure there will be inevitable comparisons to the film Alien, TSBS is a creature unto itself, smart and clever, working its way under your skin and leaving you feeling just a terrified and confused as the inhabitants of the starship, Calypso.

The inhabitants of Earth abandoned the planet long ago, boarding generation ships in the hope of making a new life for themselves on another planet. When that plan fails, the colonies decide to try returning to Earth, but the ships are accosted by unknown forces and consistently damaged. On top of this, it becomes apparent that there is something else on the ship, something not human. Acting captain Jacklyn must try to navigate the extraterrestrial challenges, as well as the possibility of mutiny on the ship.

Honestly, my only complaint about the story is its length; this certainly reads like the introduction to a much larger story. There are several questions left unanswered (we know how I like tidy stories with no dangling questions!), and there is definitely room for more adventures of the Calypso and its crew. Hopefully Brown will bring us back to this galaxy soon and delve deeper into the mysteries of the unknown.

Thank you to @netgalley and @tornightfire for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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