With the recent news that Nathan Fillion is getting the Firefly gang back together, I thought it would be fun to highlight a few sci-fi novels with ragtag crews. Meaning, the crew is usually comprised of individuals who come from various backgrounds, are considered outcasts and/or underdogs, might be criminals, are usually hiding secrets and/or running from something, and don’t always get along. But they must somehow work together and often end up like a big family.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers is a great example, and it seems to be the go-to recommendation these days when readers are looking for a ragtag crew adventure. Which is understandable—it’s a great novel! Here are four more fun sci-fi escapades featuring motley crews.
Ascension by Jacqueline KoyanagiWhen a cargo vessel and its crew make a stop at Alana Quick’s shop, looking for her sister, she forms a plan. Aiming to leave behind her low-paying job working on ship engines, Alana hides away on the ship, hoping they’ll let her stay when she’s discovered. It’s her sister who is missing, after all. And what’s one more misfit in a crew of them, which includes a pilot that isn’t always visible, an engineer who believes he’s a wolf, and the stunning captain, who captures Alana’s heart. |
You Sexy Thing by Cat RamboRetirement takes an unexpected turn in this exciting space opera. All former admiral Niko Larson wanted after retirement was to open a restaurant in a quiet part of the universe—which she has accomplished, starting The Last Chance with the help of her former unit. But when the government interferes and Niko and her crew end up on a combative sentient ship, they’ll have to rely on their old training and each other to get back to the restaurant. |
Chilling Effect by Valerie ValdesReally, all this endorsement needs is two words: psychic cats. But if you’d like more, I’ll tell you that this is a funny adventure about Eva Innocente, the captain of La Sirena Negra, a ship that specializes in small cargo deliveries. Like crates of psychic cats, which are now loose in the hold. And then Eva learns her sister has been kidnapped by a criminal syndicate, and an alien emperor is angry she has spurned his affection. Suddenly, this small cargo ship is dealing with large problems. |
 A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex WhiteLast but not least is this action-filled story of a ragtag crew of two. They’re both outcasts: a former treasure hunter and a champion racer who are no longer relevant. They’re searching for a legendary warship they heard about, which was supposedly lost or destroyed many moons ago, but if found, could turn their fortunes around. And it could also give them the ability to destroy anyone and anything that dares to cross them, if they desire, nbd. |
Okay, star bits, now take the knowledge you have learned here today and use it for good, not evil. If you want to know more about books, I talk about books pretty much nonstop (when I’m not reading them), and you can hear me say lots of adjectives about them on the BR podcast All the Books! and on Instagram.
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