A young Nigerian woman joins her country's inaugural space mission, only to find herself stranded in orbit when political upheaval erupts back home. Blending science fiction with alternate history, the story explores themes of national ambition, personal resilience, and the intersection of technology and African politics.

Reader Review Summary

Set against the backdrop of Nigeria's first space mission, the story follows a young woman who is recruited for the historic journey, only for the mission to descend into chaos. The narrative weaves together elements of science fiction and alternate history, exploring themes of space travel, political instability, and national ambition. The plot is influenced by real-world political dynamics, such as coups and government intervention, and situates African nations at the forefront of space exploration. The book is categorized as a short story and was published on April 14, 2025, by Tade Thompson, with the publisher opting to release it without Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions. Readers have given it an average rating of 4.03 out of 5, based on 34 ratings and 5 full reviews.

Readers highlighted the author's prose and the integration of political themes with science fiction, particularly the depiction of a coup that leaves astronauts stranded in space. The writing style and the focus on Nigerian and African perspectives in space exploration were frequently praised. Several reviewers appreciated the story's brevity, describing it as a refreshing change after reading longer works. The connection between space, aliens, and Nigerian politics was noted as a compelling aspect, and some readers expressed interest in exploring more of the author's work.

There were no explicit negative comments or criticisms in the selected reader reviews. However, the brevity of the story was mentioned, which may imply that some readers found it short compared to longer works, though this was not directly stated as a drawback.

The book is classified under science fiction and short stories, and is authored by Tade Thompson. It has garnered a modest number of reader ratings and reviews, indicating a limited but engaged readership. The story's release coincided with contemporary events, such as a notable celebrity space trip, which some readers found to be timely. The narrative is positioned as both a work of speculative fiction and a reflection on historical and political realities in Africa.