Review: Dark Quasar Rising (Friends of a Former Space Janitor #1) by Julia Huni

Title: Dark Quasar Rising

Series: Friends of a Former Space Janitor #1

Other series in the Space Janitor Universe: Space Janitor | Tales of a Former Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, adventure

Publication date: October 8th 2023

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: In the heart of enemy territory, Vanti must save the day without blowing her cover... or her cool.

Security for a reality star cruising on a billionaire's space yacht should be excellent cover for secret agent Lindsay "Vanti" Fioravanti. Her boss, the famous Elodie-Oh, doesn't care where they go, as long as it's viral.

Then Arun, the ship's owner and pilot, grabs an opportunity to do business on Gagarin--a planet emerging into capitalism with enthusiasm. Getting in on the new market is a huge risk, but could offer enormous rewards. And visiting Gagarin gives Vanti the chance to recruit new informants.

But when a shipmate is kidnapped, Vanti and Arun must come to the rescue. Can they do it without exposing Vanti's secret identity? And if not, who will feed the cat?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have been obsessed with the Space Janitor world ever since I discovered it two years ago, so to tell you that I was excited when I found out Vanti was going to get her own book is an understatement.

As we all know, Vanti is a super secret agent whose current cover is that of a security agent to a reality star. They are traveling on Arun’s ship, who is Triana’s cousin, and when they drop by Gagarin to do business, things go all sorts of wrong! Kidnappings, freaking space pirates, a sassy AI, and general shenanigans happen. And it was so much fun! Vanti is a badass, so there’s quite a bit of exciting action. The story itself was also very interesting and I was glued to the pages wanting to find out what Vanti was going to do and how she was going to get out of this mess. But Vanti is smart and her ability to think on her feet is impressive. I loved following her!

I also loved the little bit of sexual tension that was going on between her and Arun—that was fun!

And omg Helva, the AI on Arun’s ship... I loved her! Everything she said cracked me up! The snark from that AI, I swear! 😂 She was great!

I also enjoyed the setting in Gagarin. The planet’s been mentioned a few times before, but I don’t think there’s been a book set there before? I admit that I haven’t caught up on all of Julia Huni’s books, but I do remember that Siti from the Colonial Explorer Corps series (which takes place in this same world), once had a run-in with Gagarins on a moon, and that went about as well as what happened in this book. Lol. Meaning: it was terrible. Lol. It is such an oppressive planet, but it was also really intriguing and I enjoyed learning about it and its people. And their plans for Vanti and her friends... it was insane! I did NOT see any of that coming!

But I really liked this book! It was so much fun! I love Triana and the trouble she gets in, but I’m also really glad that we’re expanding that series even more with this series! I am SO excited to see what other adventures Friends of a Former Space Janitor will have in store for us!

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! 😊