Book Review: Moss'd in Space by Rebecca Thorne

When Torian Razner buys a second-hand spaceship in the hope of saving her sister's life, she also accidentally inherits its moss-based organic computing system as well, and Moss has plans of its own.

4/5 Stars

Torian Razner lives on a dying planet where inhabitants barely scrape by, and some, like her sister, even find their health in jeopardy due to their body slowly rejecting the recycled air. Torian's solution- buy a spaceship, attend the local university on a planet with a natural, healthy atmosphere, and bring her sister along. Her friends, family, and ex-girlfriend/current boss all think she is crazy, but she accomplishes step one, finding a neglected ship covered in moss that she hopes to rehab. The moss, however, is actually part of the organic computer that runs the ship. Moss has a snarky attitude and fosters a hatred for its immortal alien creator, who abandoned it many years ago. Through a series of mishaps, Moss and Torian find themselves on the immortal alien planet, facing down the focus of Moss' hatred in the flesh. Can Moss learn to forgive? Can Torian get into the elite university and save her sister? Can this eclectic group of alien misfits that are assembled along the journey come together to make a found family?

This book is the cozy version of if Star Trek and The Expanse had a baby. I loved the social dynamics of the world created, and I loved the character dynamics of what each person/alien brings to the "team," however reluctantly at first. It ends on a great cliff hanger, leaving me eager for more. I recommend this for anyone flirting with cozy science fiction, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next installment.