This is one of my favorite novella series!

Beth Revis brings us another fun, fast-paced adventure with Ada back at the center of the action. This time, she’s caught up in a high-stakes auction on a ridiculously rich planet, with her old frenemy (and maybe something more), Rian, tailing her every move. The banter between these two is top-notch, full of sass, tension, and chemistry that’ll keep you hooked.

The story is packed with clever twists, heists, and a deeper dive into the politics of human-settled space, all while keeping things entertaining and sharp. Ada’s smart, snarky narration makes her such a blast to follow, and the mix of humor, action, and a bit of romance hits just right. If you’re into space adventures with strong characters and witty back-and-forths, you’re going to love this one.

When agent Rian White spots con artist Ada Lamarr's name on the guest list for one of the most exclusive charity galas of the year, he knows she's up to something. He's not wrong: Ada IS there to steal something. The fact that Rian will spend the entire evening watching her just adds a fun extra challenge to the mix. Especially because Ada isn't just there to do a job for her employer; she's also ready to tip the first domino in a long con she's been setting up for months.

HOW TO STEAL A GALAXY is another winsome adventure for Ada Lamarr, who continues to steal my heart with her chaotic cons. This time she's at a charity gala for reasons unknown, and it's up to both the reader and Rian to figure out what she's up to. This mystery aspect is one of the big highlights of the series for me. Even though the story is written first person, we aren't privy to what EXACTLY Ada is after. We can see the moves she makes and occasionally get a cryptic remark, but it's up to us to figure out how the pieces come together (at least until Ada reveals all in the final chapter).

The other big highlight is of course Ada herself. She continues to be an intentionally chaotic force. As she mentions to a character, one of the important aspects of stealing something is misdirection. Her aim is to be constantly moving, both in physical space and in conversations, so that her "real" moves are masked. I love these kinds of characters, ones who wield anarchy as a weapon, especially when you strip away the chaos and see the real game hidden beneath.

The one drawback to flag for readers is that this series is very much one big story told in three parts. While each novella is a separate adventure, Ada is playing the long game. My issue with the first book, FULL SPEED TO A CRASH LANDING was in how abruptly it ended; In HOW TO STEAL A GALAXY, my issue is that this is very much set up for the big finale of the third and final novella, LAST CHANCE TO SAVE THE WORLD. This is very much a series where I would recommend reading the books fairly close together, as I think the pacing will be much more satisfying when the novellas are read as one full arc.

But really, my issues are probably only issues for a reader such as myself, who is reading these books a few months apart and has to (im)patiently wait for the third and final book to release in spring 2025. Once the last book is out in the world, I highly recommend picking up the CHAOTIC ORBITS novellas as a set and reading them in one glorious weekend. You're sure to have an absolute blast.

*This* is what I want in a sci-fi romance - tech, mystery, heists, characters that are smart and interesting and sexy - all of it. This felt like a fun sexy episode of Star Trek where I'm shipping the two leads and I absolutely can't wait for the conclusion to this trilogy - especially since we ended on a cliffhanger.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Dear Beth Revis,

I enjoyed Full Speed to a Crash Landing earlier this year and was excited to read the second novella in the trilogy, How To Steal A Galaxy. And, after finishing the second book, I am deeply committed to reading the last book, out next April, Last Chance to Save the World.

How to Steal A Galaxy builds on the story (it is not a standalone – these novellas must be read in order) which began in the first book. (Readers please note: Spoilers for book one follow.) While each tells a complete tale, the overarching story of the trilogy won’t be complete until the third one. I wouldn’t say that either book ends on a cliffhanger as such, although, if one squints, perhaps it’s possible to think so in this book. Rather, it felt like a complete episode with more to come.

The second installment in the Chaotic Orbits trilogy has a very different vibe to the first. It is fairly self-contained and most of the action takes place at the annual Museum of Intergalactic History Gala. It seemed like the Met Gala, with lots of famous people attending wearing haute couture.

The charity gala is a place for the rich to gather in one spot, preen about for each other, end up in all the tabbies, toss some cash around to look like philanthropists, and then trot off to be rich elsewhere.

This particular year, the gala benefits Sol-Earth – the original earth, which is suffering from climate damage and is barely liveable except for a few protected “bubbles”.

In Full Speed to a Crash Landing, Ada successfully stole the code to prototype nanobots which the intergalactic government plan to release on Sol-Earth and which, if they work as planned, will clean up the water supply and save the planet. Of course, things the government does often do not work according to plan, especially when private enterprise gets involved as a subcontractor.

Ada is contacted by the same group who paid her to steal the nanobot code, to undertake a mission at the gala. She asks for (and mostly receives) an obscene amount of money for the job but ultimately, she has an ulterior motive and when she realises that she can achieve both ends (or start to at least) at the gala, she finally accepts the contract.

Rian White, a good guy working in the government who is a little naive about corruption, perhaps because he is incorruptible (except, perhaps where Ada is concerned), has been keeping tabs on Ada since the events of the first book some months earlier. Technically Ada did nothing illegal when she took the code. The rules of scavenging crash sites protected her but Rian knows that Ada is not to be trusted and, as he’s rarely bested he has skin in the game.

Rian is in charge of security for the gala and keeps a very close eye on Ada while she’s there. Ada is one who lies with the truth on a regular basis and it’s very difficult to know exactly what her agenda is, even when she flat out tells you what it is. Rian is fascinated, attracted and frustrated all at once. And Ada loves it that way. They play a delightful game of cat and mouse at the gala, have a number of cryptic and multi-layered discussions, as well as sharing some kisses. As always, Ada stays multiple steps ahead of Rian in their strategic courtship.

Bajillionaire tech mogul Strom Fetor is the guest of honor at the gala. It is his company which developed the nanobots on contract from the government and the plan is for him to make a big splashy announcement a the end of the night about how his invention will save Sol-Earth. Only, Ada and the group she’s working for, have discovered that the nanobots contain within them code to make them fail such that Sol-Earth will be effectively blackmailed into purchasing “updates” in order to stay alive.

I fucking hate him. I know I said it before, but it bears repeating. He’s such a sham. Fetor himself did nothing to develop the tech needed to make portal comms work, just like he did nothing with his prior businesses. He just swooped in and bought the company after the tech was already in prototypes. Being the money behind a project is nowhere near the same as being the brains. Anyone can have money. Especially people like Fetor, who was born into it.

Strom Fetor reminded me strongly of a certain tech billionaire in the real world and I very much enjoyed that Ada had no time for him and is hellbent on taking him down. Exactly how is yet to come but I’m sure it will be the main feature of book three.

Revis paints a picture of obscene and debauched wealth as people bid on historical items from Sol-Earth in a silent auction – things like a canopic shrine and chest made for Pharaoh Tutankhamun – Ada is disgusted by the show and educates Rian on just what he is seeing in some of the exhibits. In a special and separate section of the museum away from the gala, there is a recreation of the actual Mission Control from the Apollo Moon missions – Strom Fetor has plans to buy it. Ada has plans for Fetor. Ada not only gets mad (and she does), she plans to get even.

In the current climate, I was very much primed to cheer on a rebel who wants to stick it to horrible billionaires who only want to make more money and don’t care about the cost to regular people.

Rian knows Ada must be at the gala to steal something. He is very surprised to find out what it is – but that’s at the end and I’m not going to tell you about it. Before that can occur however, the plan is threatened by an external surprise and Ada must make quick adjustments to save the day.

How to Steal a Galaxy is largely set in not-space but it’s a cracking adventure nonetheless. The stakes are high and Ada is someone easy to root for. I like Rian too – one again, there are sections from Rian’s POV at the end – this time in the form of transcriptions from his personal data recorder. It’s a lot of fun and I enjoyed it very much. I can hardly wait for the final installment.

Grade: A

Regards,
Kaetrin

The clever and sarcastic Ada is back, taking on a job to deal with the release of the clean-up technology on Earth.

The rebel group that employed Ada to steal the revolutionary technology (in book one) to remediate the environmental damage on Earth come back to her, as they need her to do more for them at an auction. They offer her increasingly large sums of money, but it's the knowledge that Rian will be present at the auction for a charity gala at a museum that seals the deal for her.

A glammed up Ada wanders around the museum exhibits on the extremely wealthy planet, hobnobbing with fabulously rich people, while Rian tails her, intent on catching her steal whatever she's there for. And there are a LOT of intriguing and unique objects on display, but despite his certainty that she's after something, she continues to confound his expectations, teasing and bantering with him.

She does get to meet the beyond stupidly wealthy head of the company whose tech is intended to fix Earth, but Ada knows what the utterly self-absorbed man's real intentions are for the technology.

There is so much chemistry between Ada and Rian, who, circle each other throughout this fun, fast-moving and often very funny novella. Even though the two beautiful people at the centre of this story are attracted to one another, there are some serious differences between them: he stands for the rule of law, and does not quite understand how her experiences on Earth have shaped her, her feelings and her chosen profession.

She is a complicated person, who firmly stands in the grey; she may not generally do anything altruistic without getting paid, and she always seems to have plans within plans, and we're never entirely sure whether what she says about herself or her intentions, are true. This proves to be the case when a calamity ensues at the auction, and Ada does something quite contrary to what she would normally do that puts her and her plans at great risk, but it also is something that could be seen as "good".

I liked how author Beth Revis gave us more about the political situation in human settled space, and how no matter how far out we expand into the galaxy, greed and corporate self-interest are still very much at play, with someone always eager to profit off someone else's catastrophe.

The ending was again left open, with a race to Earth, which is where book three will likely pick up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment, which I enjoyed in text and audio; Ada is a hoot, and I love her narration, which is smart and amusing, even while she is skewering the people around her. Her attitude comes through beautifully in the narration of voice actor Dara Rosenberg, who captures the balance between audacious, slightly sad, the knowledge that she's smarter than everyone around her and delighted by it, disgusted, and very occasionally self-deprecating. Voice actor David Bendena as Rian doesn't have as big a presence this time in the audiobook as in book one, but he still treads the line between bemused, frustrated and confused when we switch to Rian's PoV.

I am anxiously awaiting book three, and the wrap-up to this fun series.

Thank you to DAW and to Dreamscape Media for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own,
While I really enjoyed the first one, this one was a bit of letdown, and I debated DNFing at one point. Part of it is that I much preferred the more space-opera style of the first book, as opposed to the “grounded” (literally) setting of this one. There are still elements of the setting I enjoyed, but it felt like such a different book in that way. The characters were all right, but the job at the center of the story was rather ridiculous and the payoff doesn’t really come until the end. I did still enjoy the characters for the most part, especially chaotic Ada, and I’m eager for how things will pick up after the cliffhanger.

How to Steal a Galaxy is the second book in the Chaotic Orbits series featuring an unscrupulous Heroine who is always on a grift of some kind and this time she has agreed to go to a gala, steal something and make contact with Rian her crush, flirtation and the man she got one over on in the first book of the series.

Ada is fun! I wasn't sure how to take her in Full Speed to a Crash Landing but now that we all know what she is capable of, I was ready for the ride. Ada is on a mission and while she'd like to say it was for altruism to save Earth, the original one, not the spin offs, well that isn't the case. She took the job for money...and the chance to see Rian again. Ada's infatuation with him is cute and sometimes a little steamy in the PG-13 kind of way. Their interactions are worth reading the book, he knows she is trouble and up to something but he is struggling trying to figure out what it might be.

***It’s amazing how people just keep going. Supervolcanoes, climate collapse, global pandemics, dissolution of society . . . and there are still farms in Indiana raising wholesome young women who grow up to work as double agents and look hot in red gowns.***

Rian has great intentions, but he works for the government and Ada is sure they can't be trusted. She and Rian might even have the same end goals but Ada's path is far different from the straight one Rian was planning on following. What follows was a fun, what is she up to fancy heist to set the stage for the final book in the series. How to Steal a Galaxy seemed like it had a slightly better flow than the first book in the series and made sure we learned a little more about both characters and their backstories. This made Ada much more relatable and helped to understand her actions.

Overall this has been a fun sci-fi heist series. Each of the books is a novella in length which makes it a quick fun ride that is action packed. Looking forward to seeing how everything plays out in the final book. Especially after Ada's intentions were revealed at the end of this book. It should be fun. And I think Beth Revis put it best in the acknowledgements.
I threw everything I loved into it: heists and chaos and pretty dresses and saying the inside thoughts out loud and a little bit of social commentary and a little more chaos for fun.

Beth Revis is bonkers and I’m all in! This book was so much fun with the banter and the unexpected twists!

How to Steal a Galaxy is book 2 of the Chaotic Orbits trilogy of space opera novellas. Ada and Rian are back but this time on a planet attending a very futuristic Met Gala type event being held at a museum.

The snarky Ada and straight laced Rian once again provide another book filled with unexpected twists and likable characters. Even though Ada is shady as heck, you can’t help rooting for her. Beth Revis describes this series as a spacemance and I love it.

I can’t wait for the last novella, Last Chance to Save the World to see what Ada does next!

*Thanks so much to @DawBooks and @NetGalley for the advance eGalley!*

I received this book for free from NetGalley  in exchange for an honest review. 
How to Steal a Galaxy is book 2 of  Chaotic Orbits Series. Ada (main female character) is a very interesting character, very smart and somewhat morally gray.  She is really good at running a con one step ahead of everyone.  The story line was little weaker than book 1, it feels more like a setup for the series.This series is a great, fun sci-fi story with smart main characters.  I will be reading book 3

I need the next one. I love the snark that Ada had throughout and the utter exasperation that Rian has. I definitely want to see how this story ends.

Beth Revis’ Full Speed to a Crash Landing (Chaotic Orbits Novella Trilogy #1), a high-octane sexy space heist, was a delightfully fun and tautly executed thriller, and title #2, How To Steal a Galaxy is another delicious morsel of high-wire banter and romantic suspense. Readers learn more about feisty lead Ada’s backstory and the broader state of society, and are left with bated breath, taunted by what lies ahead for Ada and Rian in the finale, Last Chance to Save the World.

Great character and world-building. Loving this "smart" sizzle and spice. Sign me up for the next one!

As the second installment of Beth Rivas’ trio of science fiction novellas, How To Steal a Galaxy is a continuation of Ada’s attempt to make a difference for her world. Unlike the space opera style of the first novella, this story almost entirely takes place on planet. This portion of the trio is mostly a mental running history and background on why Ada is doing this job. We get a few more characters and a few back stories. However this story is basically a fancy party to raise funds and its description. The reader waits almost to the end to see why this wind up is created. This installment has very little of the banter, excitement and science fiction of the first. In short, it is boring and makes me wonder whether I should continue this batch as of novellas. The very last few paragraphs have me enticed to grab the next one though.

How to Steal a Galaxy is the sequel to Full Speed to a Crash Landing and continues on with Ada after she has taken the information from Rian. It is another fun installment where Ada takes us for a ride.

I think what I liked most about this book is how Ada plays with Rian (and everyone else) throughout the book. Even us as a reader don't quite know what she is up to. We know she is up to something, this is Ada, but what exactly is not shared, just hinted at. I think that is what makes this work and the length fits so well. Its hard to pull that off in a full novel but in a shorter story you can more easily play with these things.

Rian gets played, he knows he is getting played but he just can't quite figure out what is going on. I found that extremely funny. He is so sure he knows all but Ada throws him for a loop every time.

It is a fun read with in the background an interesting question regarding the faith of our Earth and how corporate and goverment functions.

HOW TO STEAL A GALAXY by Beth Revis is a sequel to Full Speed to a Crash Landing, a witty blending of futuristic space adventure and attraction between space "thief" Ada Lamarr and security officer Rian White. They are re-united here at a very fancy charity gala. Ada is on a mission; and although readers are privy to her thoughts, her ultimate target remains a mystery and complications arise. Rian, keenly aware of Ada's presence, just wants to guarantee that the announcement of a new technology goes off smoothly. Together, they must thwart a third-party attempt at sabotage. The backstory involves climate change and corporate greed, adding a further twist and relevance. HOW TO STEAL A GALAXY is the LibraryReads Bonus Pick for December 2024.The audiobook, once again narrated by Dara Rosenberg and David Bendena, is excellent. The inflections in Ada's voice are spot on, aptly showcasing her "snarky," sardonic, sarcastic character. One can also hear the affection in her voice for Rian. The cliffhangers in this series - whether chapter to chapter or book to book – are plentiful and I am looking forward to the third entry in the Chaotic Orbits novella trilogy.

Thus far this series has been really solid. I think that the novella length works really well for this sort of bite-sized sci-fi romance. I like the characters and the general premise, and I also like that the stakes of the romance are pretty low--it's definitely more having fun vibes than this is my eternal mate fiery romance vibes, which I really dig. Looking forward to more from Revis!

This has been a really good series so far. Novellas so they are a very fast read. Ada is a fun chaotic lead character. Who probably has a heart of gold as all good fictional scoundrels should. I’m not as invested in the romance with Rian. He seems mostly a pretty boy she’s interested in a fun fling with rather than an undying true love. All in all though it’s a fun story. Where she might be the hero and might just be making a good profit. I look forward to the next book.

This second novella in the Chaotic Orbits series was just as good as the first one. I love the cat and mouse game that Ada is playing with Rian and the romantic tension is the best. Plus the world building just keeps getting better and now we even have a villain that is truly one to hate.

Ada is just as cunning and unapologetic as the first story. She keeps you guessing throughout the whole story as to what she is really up to. I loved her dialogue, especially with Strom Fetor, the owner of the company that is going to ‘save’ Sol Earth. But the banter between her and Rian is still fun. I love how confident Ada is, and how her motives are a bit on the gray side. But still a great heroine for this story.

I love Rian as well. He is also playing a bit of a game with Ada. He follows her around the Gala because he is certain that she is going to steal something or do something illegal, and of course he wants to catch her. But he plays right into her plans and he never could have guessed what she was really up to.

There is a lot packed into this very short novella, but the short length works for this one. We learn alot more about Ada and what motivates her, and even though we only get Rian’s point of view at the end through some reports, we do learn a bit more about him as well. The romance continues to grow, which is something considering how little they know about each other. They haven’t spent much time together, but the attraction is certainly there on both sides and Ada is not afraid to use Rian’s emotions against him.

A very well done second book in this series. I enjoyed every moment of it and I’m really looking forward to the final book this spring. If you haven’t yet read this series, you really should. Especially if you like heists, a slow burn romance, and a futuristic setting, this is a series you don’t want to miss.

I really love this series. I like that they are short by impactful. There is a lot happening to connect the books but also within each one. Ada and Rians love/hate relationship is A+ and let's be real I hope the next one has more kissing. Definitely some themes that feel relevant now.

3.5 STARS

This is short, fast, and fun. And I think that this is what you really need to know about this book, all the rest is optional.

I was really eager to read this second installment because I had so much fun with the first one! (You can find my review for Full Speed To A Crash Landing here)and I am glad to say that it didn’t disappoint (even if, to be honest, I preferred the first one).
It was fun following Ada around, because she is her own kind of chaos, and she is fun. And it was also fun (and engaging) trying to find out her angle here.
My main complaint with this book is that we know she has an angle, in part because it is a given if you have already read the first book (and please, read these books in order, and please, read these books) and in part because she is hinting it. But she is hinting too much. It was a tad repetitive. But this is the only complaint I have because this book is fun, is twisting (I wasn’t expecting what she did!!) and it is engaging!

Ada is a great character, she is strong, she is resourceful and she is full of wit. Rian is the perfect counterpoint to her. He is a tad overshadowed by her, but I am curious to see how things will be in the sequels. We don’t really have memorable secondary characters, but to be honest, it is to be expected. These are really short books, and we have a lot of things going on in there: good MCs, a plot that works pretty well, and a lot of banter, action, and twists. And so, something has to give, and I am not really complaining, because I had fun reading it!

Sure, I preferred the first one, but I am still here for the next one! I need to see what Ada will do next!

3 stars

This was so fun once again! A fast-paced, entertaining sequel to Chaotic Orbits where we're back in the world of space heists, mysteries, and slow-burn romance. If you liked the first one, you'll definitely enjoy How to Steal a Galaxy. Can't wait for the next book in the series.