Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis: Fiesty banter
Full Speed to a Crash Landing is the first title in Beth Revis’ new romantic suspense science fiction novella trilogy, Chaotic Orbits. Read my full review.
Full Speed to a Crash Landing Publisher Synopsis
Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.
But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late…
A phenomenally fun novella that kicks off a trilogy of sexy space heists and romantic tension, Full Speed to a Crash Landing is packed with great characters and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
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My Review
Full Speed to a Crash Landing is a delightful slice of fun for your reading pile. It is a genre combination I love — romantic comedy + science fiction + action thriller — and Beth Revis’ execution is taut.
What do I mean by ‘taut’? There is not one ounce of fat to be found in this novella. Revis’ characterisation is efficient but extremely effective, and the plotting is clever without complication. So rather than character or plot driven, I would actually say Full Speed to a Crash Landing is ‘banter driven’ fiction. The dialogue between gutsy Ada and the government salvage crew members is far more than entertaining icing. That dialogue, coupled with Ada’s precise and disciplined inner thinking are this novella’s propulsion.
Pity always finds a way to leak out. It’s like mold, hidden roots spreading rot inside that eventually has to burst out.
Striking also is how Revis delivers a mystery thriller with light-hearted rom-com moments alongside both gripping life-or-death events and poignant self-reflection.
Everywhere in the universe, you’re one cracked O-ring away from total failure. And, we all just go through each day, ignoring that.
My only real disappointment was that this pageturner’s 192 pages flew by faster than light speed, and so I was left wanting more of Ada and Rian. That said, having reached Full Speed to a Crash Landing’s conclusion (do not forget to read the emails at the end, and their footnotes!), I do agree that in this rare story context it makes complete sense for this pair’s intense and highly eventful interactions to be spaced out across a novella trilogy. Ada is definitely the type of character that leaves people scratching their heads in her wake!
Fortunately though, we do not have long to wait for round two between this duo as Chaotic Orbits #2, How to Steal a Galaxy is scheduled for release in December 2024. I’m all in on this series.
My Rating
Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 4.5 / 5 – Overall 4.25
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Mini Review of How to Steal a Galaxy
I have now thoroughly enjoyed Chaotic Orbits #2, How to Steal a Galaxy. It is another delicious morsel of high-wire banter and romantic suspense. Readers learn more about feisty lead Ada’s backstory and the broader state of society, and are left with bated breath, taunted by what lies ahead for Ada and Rian in the finale.
I now eagerly await the release of Last Chance to Save the World in April 2025.
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Click on book covers for full reviews of each novel.
I received an advanced reader copy of this novel from the publisher for review via NetGalley.