Review of Space Worms

Blurb: The galaxy just got ridiculous. Space Squad 51 is on the job.

Nikili Echols works the docks, living a quiet, predictable life until the freighter Red Dorry is late. When the ship opens, the crew is gone. Orbital Rescue Services Squad 51 arrives, assuring Nikili everything will be all right. But when they go in, screams and roars erupt from inside, and a smear of blood is left at the hatch.

Nikili knows the team and crew need help before more ORS teams can arrive. Stepping into the unknown, she faces a threat she never imagined involving black lights, boy band beats, and monstrous livestock.

Meeting Space Squad 51 ignites a spark in the hope that one day, she can be like them.

Space Worms is a thrilling, humorous space opera adventure about courage, discovery, and embracing the idea of becoming something else.

Review: Nikili and her work partner, Lucy are proud they keep the cleanest dock in the port. They work hard only because they know it isn't forever. As a ship comes in for a typical docking, the Red Dorry seems out of control. They try to contact the crew, but there's no answer. Nikili contacts Orbital Rescue Services (ORS) and Squad 51 arrives. They're everything she admires and aspires to be, but after a round of screams and roars, they've gone missing too. As the backup teams arrive, Nikili and her friends delve into the ship and discover what is so frightening about the livestock its carrying.

This is a hilarious and super fun short sci-fi novella. It's in the same universe as the Squad 51 stories, but it's Nikili's tale, and oh what an adventure it is! With a great big universe full of people to feed, it's reasonable scientists are trying to discover alternative ways to do so. And that corporations want in on it to make a profit. That's where these genetically engineered worms come in. Except these worms grow way too fast and could jeopardize Nikili's entire planet. She and her friends explore the Red Dorry looking for answers as music pounds in the background. I laughed out loud and cheered them on. Maybe I cheered the worms on a little too. I could absolutely see this as a movie on SyFy Channel. As is many of Mary Pax's sci-fi stories, this is perfect quirky escapism.

You can find Mary Pax on her site and buy the book here.