Space Brooms! is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud space adventure that throws an ordinary custodian into a galaxy-spanning mess of smugglers, crime syndicates, and high-stakes danger—all thanks to a piece of data buried in alien excrement.

Johnny Gomez, a down-on-his-luck “space broom” aboard Kilgore Station, never expected to be anything more than a janitor scraping by on the outer edges of the solar system. But when he stumbles upon a mysterious data-chit, he suddenly becomes the target of every criminal and assassin looking to claim it. With his augmented roommate, a pair of cunning smugglers, and an enigmatic (and beautiful) stranger at his side, Johnny embarks on a frantic journey to Luna, hoping to cash in on his accidental discovery—if he can survive long enough to make it there.

Rodriguez masterfully balances humor, action, and heart in this wild ride across space. Johnny is an instantly endearing protagonist, and his misadventures keep the story moving at a breakneck pace. The found-family dynamic is one of the book’s strongest elements, bringing warmth to the chaotic energy of space heists, betrayals, and unexpected friendships. While some moments lean into the absurd, the charm of the characters and the sheer fun of the narrative make it impossible to put down.

Perfect for fans of Stringers by Chris Panatier and Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series, Space Brooms! delivers a delightful mix of comedy, sci-fi hijinks, and a scrappy underdog you can’t help but root for. With the promise of more adventures ahead, this is a series I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I recently had the opportunity to read an early copy of Space Brooms! A.G. Rodriguez created a neat little sci-fi world where Earth is no more (surprise surprise) and mankind has moved to the Moon and beyond. Humans live amongst augmented folks and alien species. Johnny Gomez is a space custodian in his mid to late 30s and he’s living his worst life. 10 years ago he left Luna (the Moon) to go on a space adventure in search of fortune and now he’s working a toxic job with a toxic boss.

One day he finds a tiny glass data-chit and now he’s the most wanted man in the galaxy. Johnny meets some smugglers that want to help him out and sell the chit. With assassins and crime syndicates on their tail, what follows is a fun galactic adventure in the realm of Cowboy Bebop and Firefly.

I enjoyed reading this book. I'm a big sci-fi nerd and if you’re gonna dedicate time to talk extensively about Neptune (the planet I did a report on in the 3rd grade) then sign me up. The characters were lovely, Rodriguez did a great job at making each character unique without solely relying on tropes.

If you’re looking for an easy sci-fi read then give this a shot. I was happy to learn that there will be more books in this universe.

Thank you angryrobot and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book!

Space Brooms! If you didn’t know—I didn’t—that’s what you call janitors or caretakers in space. Well, Johnny Gomez is one. He didn’t set out to be; he had grand dreams of adventure, of seeing other worlds and peoples. But he’s ended up here, working for Astro-Suds, assiduously and conscientiously keeping his head down and doing his work. And daydreaming about being a great hero in front of the girl of his dreams.

Except, one day he finds a data-chit while cleaning the monstrous aftereffects of events in a zero-g toilet. Turns out it’s worth a *lot*, and that there are many bad guys who are willing to kill him for it. What follows is a rollicking adventure across space—and, fortunately for him, Johnny falls in with pals who have far better life survival skills than him, who’ll help him because they want in on any proceeds.

It’s a very fun read! You may have to suspend your disbelief a little more than normal, but no matter—because, honestly, who else has thought about custodians in space?! Such a unique premise. Johnny is completely hapless (I facepalmed a lot) but very lovable, and it’s so very easy to empathise with him and what he wants in life—to be happy and wealthy, to be in love, and to pursue his dreams. That he gets caught up in events far beyond his control is just bad luck, the kind of bad luck that tends to befall decent people. It’s heartwarming that Johnny finds his new people, and all’s well that ends well. (Also read for a really unusual pet!) (Also, cool cover!)

An excellent read, recommended. Many thanks to Angry Robots and NetGalley for early access.

This book was on my tbr list since it was announced. And it did not disappoint at all. I absolutely love these kind of swashbuckling adventures with humor and joy so much infused within the story. I read many of these parts aloud, and reread paragraphs because they were so well written. I cannot tell you how much joy had experienced reading this. This book should be on the wall of fame together with Terry Pratchett and Brandon Sanderson. I have the biggest book-hangover from this and cannot stop recommending it to my friends. Read it! It’s such an incredible journey. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this book. I salute the author.

Space Brooms! is a wonderful scifi romp! It has wonderful worldbuilding and characters that are full of life. The story is equal parts suspenseful and funny with a couple of interesting twists. The pacing of the story is excellent and doesn't bog down in meaningless exposition.

A. G. Rodriguez left me wanting book 2 soon! Also, the rules for Orbit would be fun!

Space Broom has very enticing premise... A guy in custodial that dreams of adventure, whilst working a laborious job on a starship. What's cool is that this hero isn't your young, early 20's go-getting - no - he's been around the block and has been stuck on this route for a while. I felt like I was rooting for him to experience positive change as a result.

Funny moments for sure -- a little over-descriptive in places where it didn't need to be so much. In Sci-Fi, I feel like I'm happy to read about a service or object and not have it explained. The way that object is interacted with will get me there!

Something that I found quite jarring was that the cover of this book attracted me as a goofy space adventure, but it actually has some very dark moments. The tone shifts drastically and there were a number of scenes I really wasn't expecting. They weren't bad, just not entirely fitting with I guess what I thought would be the overall themes and concepts.

Loved the descriptions of all the different non-humans and I really felt like I was there with Johnny most of the time. Overall a relatively light read, and worth a go if you like casual sci-fi, just be wary of the tonal shifts.

3.5 - Thank you, NetGalley for providing an ARC here

I'm afraid I had to DNF at ~49% (landed on chapter 15).

If you're up for a decently comedic space romp, then this is the book for you, but...

What happened in chapter 14, really turned me off, that was the opposite of comedic and felt a bit too much.

I've also had issues imagining the scenes as little is described of the characters, species and locations overall. A few more details would've helped a lot.

Space Brooms is … entertaining. I think a lot of people would really enjoy this but it just didn’t work for me. Hopefully the stuff that didn’t work sounds like something that would work for you and you do check it out if it sounds interesting! That cover is awesome.

I think I was thrown off because the blurb makes it seem like a sort of Star War/Star Trek aliens living with humans sort of thing, which I love, so I was excited to meet some cool alien cultures. But all the main characters are human, some of whom are cyborgs. Ok, that’s fine.

I did enjoy the detail of the worldbuilding, the capitalist critique that was Kilgore station, and the writing was very sharp in terms of describing things. I was never confused or unable to picture something. Nothing stood out as overly memorable, but it was enjoyable.

There was also some humour in the book but it didn’t really work for me - that’s entirely subjective though. Some people might find it quite funny.

Of the two things that didn't quite land for me, the main issue was tonal. There are some pretty violent things that happen, so I think it should have leaned harder into that and gone darker overall. Be a cyperpunk book if you want to be, Space Brooms! Accept that you want to have a edgier, gritter tone. I say this because some of the book is found family fun but then there’s a very graphic (like I had to skim over it) torture scene, sexual predation, and people being beat almost to death; it kept going back and forth from romp to action and then back again. It gave me tonal whiplash.

I also wasn’t super into Johnny. He’s very much a sad sack whom things happen to and who always needs rescuing (yes, he’s a damsel). Now, I will say, I loved that he was an older protagonist - we don’t get enough late 30s main characters, and I thought his dilemma of having gotten stagnant in his life/job/purpose was relatable and executed well. And the thing is, I didn’t dislike him, I just couldn’t connect with him; I was sort of ambivient to him, which lowered the tension for me considerably because the explanation for why the crew would take him along on the mission felt a bit forced to me - he almost felt superfluous for most of the book. I will say though, the last like 50 pages I did start to like him more.

The rest of the crew were fun, but very surface-level - nothing we haven’t seen before. The relationship between Johnny and Lisette was very predictable, as she’s the woman he’s been crushing on for months that just so happens to be part of the crew. Instead of being a hopeful coincidence, his crush on her is sort of pathetic. He acts like he’s 15 in that regard. Just ask her out, man, you’re 37 years old.

Overall, sorry to say that while I don't think it's a bad or poorly-written book by any means, I wouldn’t hesitate to sweep Space Brooms off to the side.

What a fun space romp! Space Brooms! follows Johnny, a janitor (or "Space Broom") aboard a space station. Johnny has always dreamed of a life of adventure but has resigned himself to a mostly solitary existence, often lost in fantasies of what could be. However, when he's suddenly thrust into adventure, he quickly learns the harsh realities of a spacefaring life.

A.G. Rodriguez does a great job with characterization, especially with the crew of the Mentirosa. The story is packed with action, humor, and a strong sense of found family among the crewmates. The world-building is well done, featuring unique alien races and a believable vision of future technology. The fast-paced storytelling made for an enjoyable read—I’d love to board the Mentirosa again for future adventures.

Also, more of Slider!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Space Brooms is a fun and quirky read with a unique premise that kept me entertained. The world-building is creative, and while the pacing lagged in a few spots, the humor and charm made up for it. If you’re into lighthearted sci-fi with a touch of magic, this one is worth checking out!


*** Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.***

I was initially turned off by the title of the book, but I'm super glad I didn't let that stop me from reading it! A down on his luck janitor who can't seem to catch a break finds something very valuable in a filthy restroom and now all the goons in the galaxy are after him. He always wanted adventure and now has more than his fair share. But he teams up with a found family who try to help him cash out on his find. I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I'll leave it at this: this novel was super engaging - not too complicated, not too heavy with extraneous descriptions - just fast moving story where our hardy janitor gets the adventures he desires and finds the friends he calls home. While there is quite a bit of fighting, I have to describe this book as lovely - quite a confusing description, I know. I'm already recommending this book to others, but always with the warning that it is WAY better than the title. I hope there will be more adventures with these characters in future books.

Johnny Gomez has been a janitor on the Kilgore space station for ten years. He had big dreams of traveling the galaxy, but instead just made it to the last outpost in the solar system. Until he find a mysterious data chit while working and gets pulled into more adventure than he could have imagined with the crew of a smuggling operation, as he tries to make it out of this mess with his life.

I liked that the story followed a normal guy who got pulled into a sci-fi adventure, as well as all the world building with the space stations and alien species.. I had trouble getting invested in most of the characters, except Rygar, who was unfortunately just a side character. I had mixed feelings about the way the story concluded. I liked Johnny's growth, but it was a little unsatisfying overall.

DNF at 42%.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. I liked the premise, of a cleaner/janitor who is thrust into an action plot.

However, the main character was just so unbelievably naive and unaware of things that literally every other character seemed to take as common knowledge, such as the presence of criminal gangs on the space station, that I kept getting frustrated with him - yes, he is supposed to be a 'regular guy' who finds himself in this situation, but was he living under a rock?? Coupled with everyone around him suddenly and co-incidentally being super-competent and mysterious.

The world-building and descriptions of the different alien races and how the space station accommodated their needs was interesting and clearly thought had gone into that, but I would have liked for this to go deeper and possibly include some of these aliens in the main cast of characters rather than just 'oh and my boss was watching [elephant alien] porn because those exist'. The humour and repeated references to porn or brothels made me cringe a little, and the protagonist's 'daydreams' about women made me roll my eyes - I was honestly shocked when the narrator said he was in his late 30s because he seemed so juvenile.

The book and story up to where I decided not to finish was a light-hearted read, nothing too heavy, and for some could be a quick and fun read. Sadly I just could not connect with any of the characters and when I picked it up again after a week of not reading it, I realised I didn't really care what happened next and would rather just read something else.

This was a lot of fun. I thought of it as "The 39 Steps" meets "Red Dwarf." Johnny Gomez is a janitor on a space station. One day thanks to accidentally finding a highly desired bit of merchandise, he finds himself on the run and on an adventure throughout the solar system with some newfound friends.

This book hit the sweet spot of being enough of a different world that it was delightful escapism....but not so much sci fi that I had to think too hard. I also enjoyed the quirky characters and the humor. I'd be up for reading what A.G. Rodriguez writes in the future.

Disclaimer; I received a free galley of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

Space Brooms! is a scifi adventure about a space station custodian who gets into a situation way over his head. Johnny Gomez is in a dead-end job as a janitor on a space station (aka a space broom) getting the worst tasks and being sexually harassed by his boss when he finds a data chit while cleaning a public toilet. Suddenly, he is the subject of a manhunt by several criminal syndicates determined to take it from him. With the help of some smugglers, he is determined to sell it off to change his fortune.

This was a fun romp of a book, taking us from far off Kilgore Staton all the way back to Luna (the moon). Johnny is just a fun character to follow despite his “poor me” attitude. He is kind of pathetic but that was what actually made him so appealing and endearing—like a sad little puppy you want to take care of. He also has this tendency to daydream sequences that don’t quite work as well on page than it would in a more visual medium, but it does serve to spice up the story.

The book is, however, a bit tonally confused. It has a silly premise that gets treated somewhat lightheartedly even with the physical violence and shootouts, but then it features a detailed and graphic torture scene (that even includes a castration) which I was not at all necessary or appropriate. Still, it does pull off being fun, funny, and masculine (mostly without the toxicity).

I’d describe this as a popcorn book because it is entertaining and light. Thinking about it though reveals some plotholes or inadequately explained details. How did all these syndicates even know Johnny had the data chit? Why did the smugglers suddenly just take in Johnny who they don’t even know nor asked for their help? What makes Rygar and Johnny’s friendship so special that Rygar goes way out of his way to help Johnny more than is reasonable? Why was Johnny’s aunt treating him so uncomfortably strangely? Those are just some questions that remained with me after reading the book that needed further explanations than was given.

Space Brooms! is a fun scifi romp with a charismatically pathetic lead.

*Thank you to Angry Robot Books for this eARC via NetGalley

Quizá el título que escogió A. G. Rodríguez no sea el más llamativo de las baldas de ciencia ficción, aunque tiene su aquel. Space Brooms! es una novela sobre familia encontrada con toques de ciencia ficción, aunque solo sea por el entorno en que se desarrolla con viajes a través del sistema solar, que podría ser perfectamente trasladable a una road movie por la ruta 66.


Johnny Gomez es limpiador en la estación espacial Kilgore. Quizá cuando salió de la Luna aspiraba a algo más, pero su vida ha acabado siendo un continuo desfile de excrementos y secreciones que frotar. Todo cambiará cuando encuentra entre toda la mugre un valioso chip que le puede catapultar a una vida de lujo y riquezas… si es capaz de sobrevivir al viaje en el que se embarcará.

Space Brooms! es una novela bastante simple que cumple su función de entretener de forma pasajera perfectamente. Los personajes están bien definidos y acabas por cogerles algo de cariño, aunque el viaje de autodescubrimiento que comienza Johnny es bastante previsible y se basa en convertirse en el punching ball de los mercenarios de todos los lugares por los que va pasando, interesados en obtener la misma riqueza que él ansía, pero de una forma algo más directa, violenta y sangrienta.

El tono de la novela es bastante ligero, así como el ritmo de la misma, de forma que la ruta se transforma en una serie de paradas bastante arquetípicas (el sitio donde todos los vicios están permitidos… por un precio, la gasolinera donde repostar con más éxito de todo el sistema…) que sirven como puntos para el proceso de maduración que afronta Johnny, enfrentándose en último lugar a su propio pasado.

Quizá merecería la pena destacar que el oscuro objeto de deseo por el que se arma todo este pifostio pero lo dejo para que lo descubráis vosotros mismos. Una novela disfrutona y perfectamente olvidable.

This is a cozy sci fi full of alien excrement, a fork lift that's also a dog, and found family. I enjoyed the world that Rodriguez built, and all the parts we got to see. We're taken on an action packed space adventure that's full of heart.

Issues I had:
The writing wasn't my favorite, but I'd definitely pick up another book from this author

**Rounded up from 3.5**

Thank you Angry Robot Books for an early copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I had so much fun with this lighthearted and hilarious sci fi romp, and I didn't want it to end. The cast of characters is absolutely the star, they all feel whole and unique unto themselves and work together so harmoniously that it brings that connection to the story to a whole other level. I also really enjoyed that this felt closer to a cozy sci fi than a darker, gritty story that the genre often leans into. It's a great example of how broad the genre can be while still delivery the exact vibe the reader is looking for.

I got exactly what I wanted out of this book, and I'm so excited to read more work from this author in the future! It's great to find authors that can hit just the right kind of humour to lock me in to their story.

Space Broom! Is a good rompy light sci-fi adventure with a quirky plot. I fell for Johnny’s charm almost instantly just like most of the characters in the book, they couldn’t help but like him. All the characters were well written and had their own quirks that worked together beautifully. I was happy to read there was no AI ship mind in this book and it was just solely different types of human characters from different parts of the system. I was also glad it didn’t dive into too much political aspect of some of the government/ authority. This left the book more of a fun relaxing read that I wanted in a sci-fi book. I totally want a sequel! Would recommend for those who want an easy fun book to read.

**thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review**

This is a fun sci-fi adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Johnny Gomez is a custodian (or “space broom”) on Kilgore Space Station. One day while cleaning, he finds a small data disk, and is life is immediately turned upside down as multiple rival gangs come after him for it. With the help of smuggler cousins Hooper and Leilani (who save Johnny’s life from his first attack), as well as black market dealer Lisette, the four start making their way toward Luna (the old Earth’s moon) to sell the data disk to the highest bidder. While Johnny and his new friends end up losing out on their money at the end of the story, Johnny realizes that his new friends give him a sense of belonging, and the crew sticks together for a new mission (seemingly coming in a second book at some point).

What I really love about this book is just how rich all the world lore is without getting into unnecessary details. The author writes about alien species and customs as though I should already know what he’s talking about—and because of how the information is presented, it feels like I do. In particular, after a chapter involving an in-universe card game called Orbit, I felt like I pretty much knew how to play the game myself if it actually existed. Similarly, although we don’t get deep backstories on most of the gangs and factions involved in the story, the way the characters talk and act tells so much about the different rivalries.

One thing I do wish, though, is that more was explained about Lisette’s backstory. It’s made obvious that she doesn’t like to talk about her past, and although we get a few hints, not much is revealed. With her and Johnny becoming good friends by the end of the story, I’m hoping she’ll open up in a sequel.