Review: The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown

Title: The Scourge Between Stars

Author: Ness Brown

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, horror

Publication date: April 4th 2023

Published by: Tor Nightfire

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: As acting captain of the starship Calypso , Jacklyn Albright is responsible for keeping the last of humanity alive as they limp back to Earth from their forebears’ failed colony on a distant planet.

Faced with constant threats of starvation and destruction in the treacherous minefield of interstellar space, Jacklyn's crew has reached their breaking point. As unrest begins to spread throughout the ship’s Wards, a new threat emerges, picking off crew members in grim, bloody fashion.

Jacklyn and her team must hunt down the ship’s unknown intruder if they have any hope of making it back to their solar system alive.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

I saw this novella being grouped together with Dead Silence because they're both sci-fi horror and from the same publisher, and because I loved Dead Silence, I just had to give this one a shot! I love spooky sci-fi! And overall, I thought this novella was okay.

After an attempt to colonize a planet failed, the crew on Calypso are heading back to Earth. Things have not been going well for them, what with their dwindling supply of food and random interstellar storm-like attacks on the ship. But things go from bad to worse when the crew starts turning up eviscerated and they realize that there is an intruder on board hunting them down.

I loved this premise! And it felt kinda Alien-esque in nature, which I enjoyed.

It was okay on the gore factor and had pretty good action, but I didn't really connect to any of the characters. That being said, the relationship between Jacklyn and the droid Watson was probably one of my favorite things about this book. I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve and change from Jack's dislike of the droid to having to trust him in this dangerous situation.

Even though this wasn't exactly the book I was expecting, I liked it. It was tense, though I wouldn't exactly say it was super scary. But I wanted a spooky sci-fi and I got a spooky sci-fi, so. Lol. Plus, it was short so it made for a quick read, which I always appreciate.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊