The nitty-gritty: A sequel just as good as the first book, Devil's Gun excels at character development and world-building, with plenty of heart and emotion.

Devil’s Gun is the sequel to You Sexy Thing, which I read a couple of years ago and loved. I thought Sci Fi Month would be the perfect time to catch up with it, especially since it came out last year and I haven’t been able to fit it into my schedule until now. And I’m so glad I read it! Cat Rambo’s series (which is rumored to be a ten book series when it’s finished) is cozy sci-fi at its best, and although the covers scream “traditional space opera,” don’t let the spaceship artwork fool you. You will have a perpetual smile on your face while reading these books, I guarantee it!

There may be small spoilers ahead if you haven’t read You Sexy Thing, but I’ll do my best to avoid them. The story picks up after the explosive events at the end of the last book with the vicious space pirate Tubal Last. Captain Niko Larsen and her crew know that Tubal Last will come after them again, and Niko thinks their success in surviving an attack might lie in finding Niko’s ex-lover Petalia, the last of the plant-like race called Florians. But Niko and Petalia parted on bad terms and she doesn’t know where they are.

As You Sexy Thing and her crew travel to the Gate that will take them closer to Petalia’s presumed location, shocking news arrives. The Gate is down and not working, which is something Niko didn’t think was possible. A stranger named Jezli Farren claims to know how to repair the gate, and she might have vital information on how to take care of Tubal Last, once they confront him. Niko doesn’t trust her at all, but keeping her close might be the best way to defeat her enemy.

Most of the story is set onboard the Thing as the crew is traveling from one place to another, so there isn’t a lot of action or plot in this installment. However, please don’t let that stop you from reading this. The best thing about Rambo’s series is her wonderful cast of characters and the ways they interact with each other, and the story is full of “slice of life” moments that cemented my feelings for all the characters. Most of the characters from the last book are still around, and Rambo continues to develop each one. In You Sexy Thing, we met Atlanta, a young girl who was smuggled aboard the Thing in a sealed box. Atlanta thought she was the Imperial heir of her people, but she turned out to be a clone of the real Atlanta. This was upsetting news for her, and in this book she’s coming to terms with her status and trying to find her purpose aboard the Thing. I loved her journey, which takes some surprising turns.

The other character going through an emotional journey is Talon, twin brother to the late Thorn, who was murdered in the last book. Talon and Thorn were not only brothers but soulmates, and Talon is finding it almost impossible to live without his brother. He makes a hasty and ill advised decision in this book that leads to some interesting consequences and lots of drama. Talon’s anger at the world jumps off the page, and I really felt for him.

The bioship You Sexy Thing is one of my favorite characters, and we get to see them grow in lots of ways. Thing has just become aware of emotions, and now they are learning about things like subterfuge and secrets—to Niko’s dismay!

Food is still an important part of the crew. In You Sexy Thing, Niko owned a restaurant, and Second in Command Dabry was the head chef. Although the restaurant blew up at the end of the last book, Dabry is determined to carry on cooking elaborate meals for the crew, aided by Gio and Skidoo. Gio mourns the loss of their old life more than the others, and wants nothing more than to finish this awful business with Tubal Last and settle down and open a new restaurant.

Despite all the low key moments in the story, though, the tension slowly builds until the last few chapters, when the crew finds themselves in danger once again. Rambo introduces the moth ships in this installment, and rather than go into detail, I’ll just say I loved everything about them, and I hope the author explores them further in future books. A rather shocking cliffhanger ends this story, and for once I don’t mind because I will be starting the next book, Rumor Has It, very soon.

This series is such a treat and highly recommended for readers who love a good cozy/thriller mix in their stories.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

A good sequel that is very similar to Book 1. Love the characters and their shenanigans. And deja vu.... very similar to first book, more than half the book is plot set up with the action picking up at the end. Still similar to book 1 I enjoyed this as a palate cleanser.

Devil's Gun is the second SF novel featuring the cast and crew of You Sexy Thing (a space ship) by Cat Rambo. Released 29th Aug 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher 3rd quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

I've been a fan of the author for years and some of their short fiction is not just good, but sublime. The writing here is, as always, more than competent and eminently readable. The main themes here, of found family, finding one's purpose, and making the universe a slightly better place, sit side by side with LGBTQIA+ representation (which -hallelujah- does *not* drive the entire plot), adventure, and a solid mix of humor which surprised an audible chuckle in several places.

The titular "Sexy Thing" is an AI bio-ship central to the plot, and this is not a racy/sexy book by any salacious definition of the word. There is some inherent violence (it's a pirate space opera SF cozy mystery adventure), but again, not egregious, and the violence is integral to the plot. As in much of the author's oeuvre, there is heavy tragedy mixed in amongst the humor.

There is so much going on in the plot that it could easily have devolved into a muddled chaotic mess, but the author is skilled and technically so adept at the craft of writing that the whole gels into a cohesive and entertaining melange. Despite being the second book in a series (with a third due out in Aug 2024), it works fine as a standalone. The author provides enough backstory and context to enjoy the book without drowning the reader or info-dumping character background. The first book is equally delicious and this would be a great choice for public library acquisition, a long weekend binge or buddy read.

Four stars. All in all a good and worthwhile space opera with some foodie moments. The author writes very very well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

If you liked the first one then you'll love this one. It's more of the same and when it comes to a semi-cosy sci-fi then what else do you want?

I say Semi-cosy because stuff actually happens in this but there's not a lot of action or violence. I recommend this to fans of Becky Chambers but be sure to start with the first book "You Sexy Thing."

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

This book could be enjoyable, if you can get past the petulant sentient spaceship and the grieving (and also petulant) lion shapeshifter. An interesting world with magic, science, spaceships, many alien races, and good cooking.

See my review in Nov/Dec 2023 issue of Analog Science Fiction:

https://www.analogsf.com/current-issue/the-reference-library/

DNF
I struggled a little with the first book but had hopes that since things were settled it would take off more. But it still had the same troubles for me as the first. A lot of potential but completely flat in the delivery. I decided to dnf for those reasons. The great ideas couldn't save this for me.

You would think that as I age and have more disposable income (at least in theory) and more control over my free time (at least in theory) that I would get better, not worse, at reading series … but no. So here I am, partaking in Devil’s Gun, having not read You Sexy Thing first. I don’t know if the first book in this series from Cat Rambo just passed me by or if I passed on it because the title made it sound like not my kind of thing. If it was the latter, that was a mistake, for this series delivers delightful and surprisingly cozy space opera. I’m sure I won’t be alone in comparing this to Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series (though I have also managed to somehow not read all of those as well). I received an eARC from NetGalley and Tor in exchange for a review.

Picking up on the events of the book I didn’t read, Devil’s Gun follows the now-legitimized crew of the You Sexy Thing, a sentient bioship. It’s a ragtag crew very much giving Farscape vibes, and I am here for it. They spend this book processing trauma from the first while trying to figure out their next move, which eventually comes down to finding the eponymous MacGuffin in the hopes that it will help them deal with the space pirate who is hunting them all. Oh, and there’s clones and con artists and all manner of discussion of food.

I took a chance that it was OK I hadn’t read the first book, and that gamble paid off big. Firstly, Rambo has written the book in such a way that despite definitely not being standalone you can slide into this world and still understand the characters and their current struggles. Secondly, this book provides a synopsis of You Sexy Thing at the start—thank you! I really do wish more series did this; it improved my experience of this book immensely. Thus, while I recommend you read the first book, you don’t need to.

The cast is delightfully diverse and varied in how they deal with situations. I think I am (re)learning how much I enjoy space opera involving heterogeneous crews rather than the military SF or adjacent setups of more rigid, hierarchal structures. Niko is captain, sure, but she has far from the last word about You Sexy Thing—and Thing itself has a startling level of “ask for forgiveness” attitude about it. This all makes for a great deal of drama and conflict, though it is often very low stakes. Through a hopping, limited third-person narrator, we get to know some of the characters more than others. Overall, I love how Rambo develops each of them. Atlanta is probably my favourite in that respect.

Similarly, I loved following along as Rambo fleshed out the larger universe. They draw easily on established tropes (like an extinct civilization literally called the Forerunners) to create their own unique take on a cosmopolitan, intergalactic society. I especially love how they set up what appears to be a great and dramatic mystery surrounding the Gates, arguably the most important Forerunner tech around, only to provide an anticlimactic solution near the end of the book in what is almost a throwaway line. This firmly establishes Devil’s Gun as “cozy” science fiction. Yes, there are hardships and existential conflict; on the other hand, the conflict is extremely interpersonal.

If you’re looking for space battles and military strategy or high-stakes, boots-on-the-ground combat, you won’t get it here. But if you want arguments, people sneaking around behind each other’s backs, a sarcastic sentient spaceship, and more such shenanigans—then, yeah, Devil’s Gun and the previous book in this series are going to be just your thing.

A bridge book for sure, as there is a lot of exposition and not a lot of resolution. I adore the ship and its continuing evolution with it's humanoid companions. The characters and the found family aspect of this series continue to be my favorite part. I can't wait to read how this all wraps up.

I received a gifted copy of DEVIL’S GUN by Cat Rambo – thank you to Tor for the gifted copy!

DEVIL’S GUN is the second book in the author’s Disco Space Opera following Niko Larson. Niko has retired from the role of Admiral in the Grand Military of the Hive mind. Along with those who remain from her former command, they had created a restaurant, The Last Chance, in a station at the edges of the universe. In the first book they found their peace disrupted and they were drawn back into action with a sentient spacecraft up against a pirate king. In this second installment, the action begins not long after the first book ends.

With the first book I called it semi-cozy scifi and I think that still works for the series. There are definitely stakes in this and this book is dealing with the impact of everything that happened in book one and some of the grief and trauma the crew has to face. There is still a cozy element in the focus on food and found family. It also continues on with the eclectic mix of characters and I really enjoy seeing how they all interact with their often very different ways of life and motivations.

I had a really good time with this one and look forward to reading more from Cat Rambo!

Devil’s Gun es la segunda entrega de la serie Disco Space Opera de Cat Rambo, un libro claramente continuista que sigue la misma estela marcada por You Sexy Thing, aunque en esta ocasión cediendo más protagonismo a algunos personajes que tuvieron un papel más secundario dentro de la ecléctica tripulación de nuestra nave espacial sintiente.


Nos encontramos ante un libro claramente de transición, porque durante toda su duración no hace si no recordarnos la amenaza de Tubal Last, que pende cual espada de Damocles sobre los protagonistas, sin llegar a materializarse en ningún momento. Es una sensación constante de peligro, pero como pasa con Pedro y el Lobo, solo tienes un número limitado de ocasiones en las que una amenaza puede tener repercusiones y puede que Rambo haya sobrepasado este límite, aunque eso no lo podremos asegurar con certeza hasta el siguiente libro de la saga.

Por lo demás, nos encontramos ante una aventura entretenida aunque perfectamente olvidable, si bien es cierto que tiene algunos elementos más reivindicativos sobre lo que realmente es ser humano con la posibilidad de crear clones que tienen unos conocimientos genéricos, pero que quizá no tengan “alma” por su propia naturaleza. Pero esto son solo pequeñas pinceladas, es un tema por el que la autora pasa levemente y que quizá a mí me ha llamado más la atención que el otro tema principal de la novela, la búsqueda de una tecnología que se quiere usar como defensa ante (redoble de tambores) Tubal Last. Sin entrar en más detalles, la idea en la que se basa ya la vimos en Conservation of Shadows, sin ir más lejos (no os digo el relato por no destripar más).

Lo que sí me ha costado bastante es lidiar con la personalidad de You Sexy Thing, la nave biológica sintiente. Entiendo que está explorando los límites de su nueva libertad, pero es tremendamente cargante, cuando no directamente obtusa. A santo de qué tanta capacidad de procesamiento cuando al final las acciones que lleva a cabo parecen totalmente aleatorias. Y es un poco tramposo que Cat Rambo las use precisamente para provocar los conflictos que hacen avanzar la trama.

En resumen, Devil’s Gun es divertida, pero banal.

Cat Rambo continues her tale of the crew of the bioship You Sexy Thing (paper). Most of them worked at a restaurant owned by Niko Larson, former Admiral in the Grand Military of the Hive Mind, and had followed her into exile. Then a Pirate attack on their station sent them to the pirate that they may have destroyed. Apparently, the pirate king not only survived, but is after them. Their only hope is an ancient weapon called Devil's Gun (hard from Tor) that exists on an ancient and very dead space moth, that can only be boarded with a Paladin. This is a quirky tale filled with quirky human and alien characters, including the bioship. Lots of fun with more adventures to come.

This is a classic middle book. It gives a lot of interaction between the ship, you sexy thing, and the crew. What dies not happen is the solution to the problems. For fans of the series.

I think I’m pretty much the target audience for this series. Character driven? Check. Not too violent and scary? Check. (Bad things do happen but it’s not the blood soaked grimness of some series.) Food and cooking as a sub plot? Check. Not hard sci-fi lavishing details on the science to the point of tedium? Check.
If you enjoy a lighter run of science fiction this series is an excellent choice. Five stars for me because it’s right up my alley but maybe 4 stars for general science fiction fans.

This continues to be a mix of unique characters and an even more unique world.
'Thing' makes some humorous progress with his emotions. We explore Talon's grief in a way that felt real. The pace was great considering this is a middle book and we don't get any closure, but instead some of our characters grow and learn things about themselves.
I continue to enjoy the rife, and I like reading about the crew. Atlanta is probably my favorite, and I cant wait to see what part she plays in the next one.

Ahoy there me mateys!  I really enjoyed the first book in this series.  Though that book could be a standalone, I was happy to pick up the sequel.  The blurb for the second book is filled with spoilers and a bit misleading.  The pirate-king doesn't appear in this novel at all!

This was a good bridge book.  The highlight for me was seeing Thing (the ship) navigate its existence and the choices it chose to make.  The novel sets up a cliffhanger ending with no real idea of where the story will go next.  That said, I be excited by the possibilities.

The plot was a bit light.  The majority of the first part of the novel felt like no plot and and all character angst which I don't tend to enjoy.  Captain Niko is fretting about her past and loses a lot of her strong leader characteristics.  While I understood Talon's pain, how he deals with it and how the crew fails to notice grew extremely tiresome.  Talon's choices were beyond stupid.  Atlanta also spends time trying to figure out her purpose.  Her journey was a bit more realistic to read about because she was trying to make progress.

The second half was filled with a lot more action and sped by.  I really loved the moments of humor (Thing's logo being a favorite).  It may seem like a more negative review but I really did enjoy this quick read and really want to know what happens next.  Arrr!

The sub-title of this could easily be "The Continuing Adventures of the Crew of 'You Sexy Thing'". The thin thread of a plot is supposedly a search for someone Captain Niko cares a lot about, although she spends much time fretting about her motives and her ability to lead the crew. The crew, for their part, are also wrestling with fallout from the adventures of the previous book and their own motivations and desires. A few new characters are introduced in the middle of the book to amp up the tension a little and create a worthy side quest or two. And then a few subplots are resolved before we fade to 'To Be Continued."

The characters and situations are fun and easy to read about. Like the first volume, the story plays fast and loose with science fiction and fantasy tropes, not bothering to have anything rely on actual physics or comprehendible magic. It's all just for giggles and grins and could easily be a graphic novel. I liked the first book of the series more. The plot had more drive. But I'm still on board and enjoying the ride on this sentient spaceship and look forward to the next volume.

Devil's Gun has a lot to live up to, as sequel to You Sexy Thing. It's the housework between the first and third books. Niko is too stuck in her own misery over losing Petalia to lead them effectively. The crew have their own agendas. There's at least one traitor on board. The Thing is like a toddler learning to exercising its free will, with sometimes disastrous consequences.

On top of that, they're stranded when the Gate they need goes down. An archaeologist turns up, claiming to be able to fix it, and she manages to get herself taken aboard the Thing.

There were a lot of threads in this book, a lot of switching between the POVs of the various characters, and a lot of exposition. I'm making it sound bad, and it's not. It was a good read, but it wasn't as...well-seasoned?...as You Sexy Thing.

Why you should read this: well, because, like me, you loved the first book, and want to spend time with these awesome characters. You also really, really want Tubal to get their comeuppance.

Why you might not want to read this: lots of switching between POVs, lots of dithering by the characters, not a lot of cooking, and not a lot of action, overall, as compared to YST.

I received an advance copy from Tor via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4 out of 5 stars. Recommended.

Cat Rambo has written an engaging take of a found family caught up in an intrigue in deep space. If you're a fan of Becky Chambers or Anne Leckie, this book is for you -- characters who care about each other, in a richly developed far-future world.

The Devil's Gun is the sequel to Cat Rambo's You Sexy Thing, which I would characterise as a space opera in which an ex-admiral turned restauranteur has to save themselves and their found family from an ominous nemesis and their own feelings. Occasionally, they blow stuff up!
The Devil's Gun serves up a lot of the same dishes as its predecessor, but with some interesting new flavours. The crew, fresh from their defeat of Tubal Last - space pirate and general do-babder - are trying to settle into themselves after a fairly hectic period. They've had losses that they need to deal with. They've brought new members into their little family, including a sentient, star-hopping bio-ship with a bit of an attitude. They've lost people. too, and need to grieve. And even as they're doing that, new stormclouds are gathering, threatening to tear away at all they've built.

The team on the Thing are on a mission, a mission to find an old love, an old friend. And while they're doing that, they're still trying to rebuild themselves, physically and mentally. Most of the book feels like a character piece, in a good way. An ensemble cast, whose views we get to see, whose weaknesses and fears are laid bare on the page, even while their actions set up their strengths. Some of them, like Atlanta, one time Imperial heir, now occasional mushroom-chopper are feeling insecure and looking for purpose. Some of them, like the Thing itself, are reaching out, trying to define their boundaries. Understand their feelings, and what provokes them, what makes them happy, and why, sometimes, you might need to do the harder thing. And some of them are deep in their grief. You can feel that roiling off them, a miasma that infects everything they do, and tries to define what they are. In some ways, large parts of the story are meditations on that grief; the way that loss shapes people, the way it makes them do things they wouldn't normally do, for better or worse. The way that living it can be horrible and hurtful and healthy, and clutching it too tight can be poison.

Which all sounds very dramatic, and in some ways it is. But the crew of the Thing spend a large amount of the story working alongside each other, a story in a bottle over a flame, slowly simmering away. There are, for those of you who were wondering, more twists, more betrayals, and more revelations in the world of Niko and her gang. Some of them are potentially galaxy-spanning in their impacts. Others are quieter - the click of a kitchen knife chopping vegetables, the fierce strength of someone digging in raw soil for their purpose.

I won't spoil here beyond saying that the Thing will run into enemies and friends old and new. Some of them are charming and rougish and e a delight to read; others are petty tyrants, with a sense of turgid malice about them that makes you grit your teeth, and feel catharsis when comeuppance occurs. This is The Devil's Gun, another story about the family that is the crew of the Thing. It's their stories, the complex notes of tragedy and joy over the base of action, adventure, and really wild things, those stories that make the meal. It's a slow burn, building context and emotional investment layer by layer, page by page, but the final product deserves, well, whatever a Michelin star is for stories. If you're new to the series, it's probably worth going back before you go forward, the story works better that way, has more weight, more depth to it. But if you're fresh off the first book and looking for more, don't worry.

The Devil's Gun does not disappoint.