GAS GIANT GAMBIT by the San Juan\u002DPaul Waystation bulls—“law enforcement on the Cygnus Trail”—she is rescued by a kind robot, Maurice, and given temporary shelter with the Vega ranching family. With Tilly—her steed sporting a Faster Than Light engine—needing expensive repairs, she must pick up odd jobs to secure the fuel and money (“rubidium and spoons”) to escape. Assuming the name Gus, the wry gunslinger with a beam\u002Dshooting pistol soon learns that lying low won’t be easy in a town where too many things don’t add up: “Strange disappearances. A mining outpost that wasn’t doing any mining.” After a whiskey\u002Dfueled night leads to a bar brawl with Aaron Leconte, son of the greedy town administrator Laszlo, Gus becomes enmeshed in Las Ráfagas’ precarious political situation at the powerful Leconte family’s behest. In her new role as deputy marshal, she uncovers snippets of shady dealings that suggest Laszlo is “snatching natives, trying to force down the price of…land and shares” and attempting to drive away the Vega family. In addition to these abuses of power, she learns that the native Deiopeans—“child\u002Dsized bipedal spiders”—are at risk of deadly exploitation. Gus must saddle up for a new mission: save Las Ráfagas before being killed by the Leconte family’s militia. In this inventive novel, Raye creates an instantly absorbing world, seamlessly marrying SF technology and Western tropes. The floating mining station has a complex history of colonialism with its subjugated robots, genies, and displaced Indigenous population. As readers gradually uncover the scope of the historical abuses of power alongside Gus—an indelible queer protagonist with her share of vices—her reluctant move from a focus on monetary gain to comradeship with the townsfolk is a deeply satisfying one. Gus and the community’s fight for justice is a reflective allegory for contemporary times." - Review & Purchase Guide | BookBookOwl

Name: GAS GIANT GAMBIT
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781963029

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This gripping space opera plunges readers into a high-stakes mission through the turbulent atmosphere of a colossal gas planet, where a young crew must navigate treacherous cloud cities and alien politics to prevent an interstellar war. The author crafts a richly detailed universe filled with unique alien species, advanced technology, and complex moral dilemmas that will captivate science fiction enthusiasts. Protagonist Kaelen's journey from reluctant cadet to decisive leader provides a compelling emotional core amid the cosmic spectacle and political intrigue.

What sets this adventure apart is its masterful blend of hard science fiction elements with relatable coming-of-age themes, making the vastness of space feel both wondrous and personal. Teen readers will connect with the crew's dynamics and the weight of impossible choices, while the intricate world-building satisfies those craving substantive speculative fiction. The relentless pacing and escalating stakes build to a conclusion that leaves readers breathless and eager for the next installment in this promising series.

GAS GIANT GAMBIT

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