I really enjoyed this novella and the message that it gave. The writing is so beautiful and descriptive with how people think which was relatable. I loved the experiences the main character went through because they hit home for me. I highly recommend this novella and I definitely want to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc copy of this novella!

This novella is definitely for the adult Alice in Wonderland lover. We follow a nameless character through these spheres in a spaceship that aren’t really explained and they all lead to different worlds. There is a bit more exposition and analysis of the greater meaning of life than in Alice in Wonderland, but oh boy nothing is explained during this novella. I struggled mightily with this one and for something super short it was an absolute slog for me. I guess I wanted more explanation and a semblance of an idea of what is going on.

I don't think I really understood this book because I was constantly waiting for the pin to drop and for me to be clued into what was happening to the narrator but that never happened. I didn't feel that connected to the main character and I didn't understand any of the situations they were in, in particular why they were even at this space station to begin with. I'm sure other people may enjoy this but it is not for me.

What did I just read? I can't say I'm sure I entirely understand this novella. Maybe I'm not supposed to. But the writing was so beautiful that I had to keep on reading. It reminded me a bit of Becky Chambers or How You Lose the Time War. If you like those, maybe Space Station is for you!

"I got Lost on a journey to the center of a planet, but I made it back before the dinosaurs could eat me."

At first I wasn't sure what this story was all about. This started with me not being able to tell whether the protagonist is a male or female character or even human at all! I soon realized though that this may have been the author's intention all along, so that the reader can experience the story from their own point of view! As soon as I realized this, I started to like this fact a lot (which initially kept me wondering).

I read the comparison of Alice In Wonderland a couple of times in other reviews before choosing this book and I think it describes this story perfectly! It is so confusing at times, makes no sense at all and yet makes perfect sense at the same time. It is like entering a dream world to explore the meaning of your own life or maybe life in general.

Who am I? Why am I here? What is the sense in this all?

I especially enjoyed the beautiful writing style. The author describes everything so vividly, I had an easy time imagining myself into this world.

Sadly though the story feels a bit incomplete. It left me feeling like there is no real end to it, but maybe there really isn't one? After all, the protagonist explored all kinds of different possibilities and impossibilities of life and just got back from that journey, back to the real world to begin or continue their real life. Or maybe they still are at the Space Station, exploring yet another Sphere. Will we ever know??

***
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley.com , but this review is solely my own opinion about this book.

DNF at 50%

I really wanted to give this a fair shake, especially since it's so short and the writing was really nice but I just couldn't follow anything that was happening. Nothing made any sense whatsoever. It's a no from me.

While the story had some engaging moments, I just couldn’t connect with it. It felt like it had a lot of potential, but in the end, it left me frustrated and underwhelmed. The sci-fi elements were interesting, but not enough to make me fully invested in the plot. I never felt compelled to keep reading, and I wasn’t excited by any of the twists or turns it took.

The book’s brevity didn’t help—it felt like it was trying to pack too much into too little, leaving things feeling rushed and a bit all over the place. I’m still not entirely sure what the author was trying to say with some parts, and honestly, by the end, I just didn’t care enough to try to figure it out. I’m sure some people might appreciate the deeper meanings, but for me, it just didn’t hit the mark. Overall, it was a meh experience, and I’m not sure I’ll be thinking about it again anytime soon.

Giving this book 1 aka 0 ⭐.

This tiny novella started like a fever dream but quickly revealed itself to be a beautifully written insight into the human condition - namely, the anxieties we harbor deepest and struggle with the most - as well as the benefits of overcoming them. I enjoyed how the author creatively framed the fact that, while scary, negative situations can be neutralized by problem solving and making your own way even if it involves failure or creative work arounds. The space theme and being able to tap into different worlds was fun, creative, and inspiring. The use of an unnamed protagonist added to the sense that this book could be about anyone - including the reader.

Personally, I was also charmed by my favorite characters - the sassy tulip and the sentient light.

Would definitely recommend to someone looking for a short but impactful read!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and BooksGoSocial for the read in exchange for an honest review.

This was mind-blowingly beautiful. This story had me confused in the best way. I really didn’t understand much until I got to the final chapter and everything fell into place. The writing style was descriptive and easy, and I got through this read pretty quickly.

I love the description/disclaimer for the Space Station. While everything was disorienting and constantly shifting, I didn’t struggle to picture the setting of each sphere our MC was in. As I started to realize what was happening - what our MC was experiencing - I started putting my own interpretations and emotions on the events. I found the final chapter (the bow that ties it all together) to be really fascinating and it made me wish I could enter and re-enter the Space Station.

Thank you to NetGalley and K.R. Gadeken for this eARC! I’m definitely interested in reading her other work!

Firstly I have no idea where to start this review. The writing is amazing and conjured up so many different images in my mind, but on the other hand, I have next to no idea what the hell I just read. That's exactly where my problem lies.
Parts of this short story seemed to make sense and others just felt like I was in the midst of a fever dream. Hence the lack of any kind of synopsis in this review. I just don't know how to explain things.
So in summary, this was beautifully written but in terms of plot, I have no idea what I've just read. So I'm awarding three stars for now due to my not following events in this story.

Each chapter, you are following the main character as they travel through different spheres on the space station. Each of these spheres contain a different experience for this main character to enjoy, or not enjoy.

The writing of this novella was absolutely wonderful and so very descriptive. I found myself getting lost in each chapter.

“From the destruction of the old came new life and opportunities, yet everything was still made of the same base elements.”

I adored this novella so very much. It just perfectly encapsulated the feeling that everything would be okay and always work out in the end, even if it’s not how you first pictured it.

(My thanks to BooksGoSocial for an eARC via NetGalley.)

Let me start by stating that this is a 3.5-star book for me. It could end up being a 4-star with a future reading, I believe.

The story was engaging and interesting at nearly every turn. I never felt bored or wanted to rush through any portion of it. Though it is short, it carries a lot of information and a lot of story. I would classify it as sci-fi, bordering on weird sci-fi. It is a story that requires reflection afterward.

To be honest, I am not certain I even understood half of what could be hidden meanings in each section of the story. It will be interesting to see as others read the book if they received the same messages as I did, or if the author purposefully wants you to interpret it in your own way. Either way, it works and it was a very enjoyable read.

I look forward to reading the author’s other full-length book, as well as giving this a re-read in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As others have said, this is Alice in Wonderland-esque: The protagonist explores various “worlds” contained in spheres on a space station (don’t think too hard about the science of that, as the author doesn’t explain it). It’s interesting to follow the protagonist’s philosophical evolution through the trials they meet on the way. This is very light reading, however; glad it’s short.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley.

This novella is very self-reflective with no actual plot. It could benefit from editing for typos, misused words, and grammar.

A thought-provoking allegory for navigating through life and finding oneself. Sublime work of show, don't tell.

Rated 4.75 stars.

This isn't a novella you read- it's a story you experience.

In SPACE STATION, we follow the narrator as they explore a space station that offers many different experiences, from a supernova to environments that don't make sense. It feels like a reflection on life and a suggestion for direction all at once, and it remains beautiful all throughout the entire novella.

"I got Lost on a journey to the center of a planet, but I made it back before the dinosaurs could eat me."

The events and experiences in SPACE STATION make no sense and absolute sense all at once. The writing is beautiful, which gives a dreamlike atmosphere to the entire novella. It was often caught up in the description of each sphere as the writing was so descriptive and so beautiful that each environment was perfectly described. I lingered in a few of the short chapters because I wanted to remain in the experience.

"Even if I couldn’t control everything, I could still try, and perhaps that was the meaning of existence."

I really feel like SPACE STATION would be an excellent book for a book club or anyone wanting to discuss the novella. I think there are many ways people can receive this book, whether its an allegory for life, mental health, or even religion. It left me with hope- hope for the world, hope for how I exist in it, and hope for how I can navigate the future. This was my first experience reading K.R. Gadeken, but it will not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review

So I don’t feel like the blurb was accurate in terms of priming my expectations for the book. That being said I ended up beyond loving it anyway.

I understood what was happening even though nothing felt explained literally, and yet I am at a complete loss as how to explain it someone else? But I will be telling everyone to read this, especially because it almost made me cry which is a hell of a feat.

This was a really good short story. The concept of swapping out memories, good or bad, it’s so interesting. I like the examples of what could happen that were given in this book it was unique concept and well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

An adult reimagining of Alice in Wonderland set in the vastness of space. Our unnamed protagonist navigates a labyrinthine space station, where every room opens the door to a new, surreal adventure. The story is well-paced, blending cosmic wonder with poignant moments of heart.

An intergalactic "Alice in Wonderland" for adults. Our unnamed main character is travelling through a Space Station, where every room begets a new adventure. Well-paced with an undercurrent of heart.