Bubbles in Space: Tropical Punch by SC Jensen

Steampunk sci-fi mixed with murder crime drama - Who knew it could be so good?

I was asked to read and review this book, and I thought sure why not. Steampunk was really the only thing I knew going into the story, though. I’ve heard of steampunk, but I had to Google the definition before I started reading because I wasn’t completely sure what it was. Just in case you want to know, I mean, it might help to understand my review.

Steampunk: a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

This is a good segue right into the setting and the tone or feel of the book. Welcome to HoloCity. I picture this as grit ‘n grim and speakeasies ‘n moonshine mixed with a generous helping of robotic prosthetics and hologram emitting cell phones. The setting is very well created to give that feeling of back alleys and corruption, and it doesn’t take long to realize that it’s not just the feeling created, it’s how the city really is. Within the first few pages there is already a dead body and a whole lot of confusion.

I’m usually not a big fan of long lasting confusion like this, but it worked in this book and it totally fit Bubbles Marlow’s personality. While she is the typical character who always finds herself in the how-the-hell-do-I-get-out-of-this situations more times than the average person, she uses the confusion to spur her on into the next dumb decision. I absolutely adored her. I loved Bubbles’ sassiness and sarcasm and even her inhibitions on personal safety. But, what I enjoyed most about how she was portrayed was that she is actually very insightful, observant, intelligent and talented with character flaws that made her real and relatable.

She’s ultimately a threat to the people that are trying to move and produce the synthetic drug “tropical punch.”  And, as a result, there becomes a trail of dead bodies. There were points in the book when I really had no idea what was happening, but how the story was presented really solidified the notion that the author was saying, “stay with me, you’ll see.”  I did see at the end, but there were more twists and turns even after I thought that we were finished with twists and turns. It was difficult to keep up with everything that was happening sometimes, but what a roller coaster.

The connections between the characters and their roles between the drug and the lab, Libra was a very complicated network of who did what when and how did that come back on Bubbles and her very murky entrance into the whole mess. But, I love that it wasn’t really easy to figure out. There wasn’t a lot of predictability here which was really nice! I like to be kept guessing!

The story progressed quickly and the book was an easy read, for the most part. Again, putting aside trying to figure out what was going on! The only other thing that slowed me down every now and then was the vocabulary. The slang is easy enough to adjust to, you figure it out and it’s no big thing. What impressed me as well as slowed me down was the super impressive word choice that was used throughout. Much bigger and more sophisticated words than I’m using here, that’s for sure.

Some of my favorites: Bourgeoisie, Haranguing, and Extremophiles. Really????  Are these really words??? I thought my vocabulary was decent, but some of these words took it to another level and left me wanting a dictionary. But, it was just one more thing that set this book apart. Again, I didn’t have any expectations for this book when I started, but if I was asked, I wouldn’t have said that I expected such high level vernacular. 

Ok, so there is a drug that everyone wants, but no one wants, it’s killing people and people that are associated with it are having their lives forcibly terminated and Bubbles is left to figure it all out. The bulk of the action takes place on the Island Dreamer, a space cruiser. Basically a Carnival Cruise ship, just in space! Oh, did I mention the cult that is onboard, the Last Humanists, who are anti robotic upgrades. They are basically just as human as human gets without any metal or synthetic crap in them. They are in the minority in this society.

It is such a fun trip, this book. I love Cosmo and his diaphanous wings. Granted he is one that I’m still trying to figure out exactly what his purpose was. But I also loved Hammet. OMG, this robotic, holograph skin wearing pet pig of Bubbles stole the show in my mind. I don’t know exactly what he is other than everyone’s favorite AI best friend. 

By and far, the characters are well developed, the plot is carefully crafted and brought to life, and the world building is on par. The crime drama and murder mystery that is the center of the plot is sophisticated and fresh. I have found myself invested in Bubbles and when the book ended in a cliffhanger, 1) I wasn’t surprised and 2) I already knew that book 2 was getting added to my TBR list.

Where does this book land on my bookshelf?

I’d place it on the middle shelf, but really close to the top. I’m still debating if it doesn’t belong on the top shelf, but for now I’ll leave it. I really did enjoy this book. It’s not the type of book that I would have just picked up on my own and read, but I’m so glad that I was asked to read and review it! And while I may still be a little confused on some of the details, book 2 will clearly pick up right where this one ended. I can’t recommend this book enough if you are looking for something a little different and a little quirky, a little fun and a little spunky. 

I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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