A charming but amoral con artist teams up with a debt-ridden programmer to decode a stolen alien blueprint, only to find themselves entangled in betrayals, criminal pursuits, and a plot that could lead to humanity’s destruction. Fast-paced and snarky, the story explores trust, self-interest, and survival in a gritty, high-stakes galaxy where alliances are always shifting and no one is truly safe.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a gritty, high-stakes galaxy, the story follows Levi, a morally dubious interstellar con artist whose only true attachment is to his spaceship, Caerus. After losing his ship as collateral to a dangerous gang, Levi becomes entangled in a scheme to steal and sell a valuable antimatter-tech blueprint, which he cannot decode alone. He recruits Vera, a programmer trapped by inherited debt on the backwater asteroid Blackjack, who has her own agenda to steal the blueprint for her freedom. Their uneasy alliance is marked by betrayals, shifting loyalties, and a looming threat from an alien government intent on using the stolen technology for humanity’s destruction. The narrative alternates between Levi’s and Vera’s perspectives, featuring a fast-paced plot with frequent double-crosses, space chases, and criminal intrigue across various planets and factions.

Readers highlighted the book’s fast pacing, action-driven plot, and the entertaining dynamic between the two leads. The snarky, banter-filled interactions and the morally gray nature of both Levi and Vera were frequently mentioned as engaging, with some comparing the tone and setup to Firefly and Star Wars. The world-building details, such as the depiction of Blackjack’s seedy underbelly, alien technology like translation coils, and the presence of multiple criminal and governmental factions, were appreciated by those who enjoy immersive settings. Several reviewers enjoyed the unpredictability of the plot, the abundance of twists, and the lack of a forced redemption arc for Levi, as well as the book’s ability to maintain tension and stakes throughout the adventure.

Common criticisms centered on the perceived lack of depth in both character development and world-building. Many readers found Levi unlikable, describing him as smug, sociopathic, or lacking in motivation beyond self-interest, while Vera was often seen as flat, naive, or underdeveloped. The romantic subplot was frequently described as unconvincing or lacking chemistry, with some noting that the relationship felt forced or functional rather than compelling. Several reviews pointed out that the writing style was heavy on dialogue and exposition but light on emotional resonance and descriptive detail, leading to a sense of detachment from the characters and setting. Some readers also noted issues with pacing, abrupt time jumps, and a plot structure that felt episodic or meandering, with major stakes or twists introduced late and resolved quickly.

The book is the debut of A. Zaykova and is scheduled for publication by Orbit Books in June 2025. It has received 61 ratings and 42 full reviews, with an average rating of 3.74 out of 5. The story is positioned as the first in a series, with some readers expressing interest in a sequel and others feeling the ending was sufficiently conclusive. The narrative is recommended for those who prefer action-oriented, dialogue-heavy science fiction with morally ambiguous leads and minimal focus on traditional heroism or romance. Comparisons to other works in the space opera genre, such as Firefly, Star Wars, and the Finder series, were frequent, with readers noting both similarities and differences in tone and character approach.