Gamma Raids I will capture your sci-fi heart

Gamma Raids I (The Adventures of Kat & Lee Book 1) by R. Lynn Hanks is a dazzling space opera with Firefly X Dawson's Creek vibes. You will love the suspense, the sci-fi yummyness and laugh with your whole body. Read on to enjoy my 4-star review:

Out: Now

Katt Hanneman and Lee Waters are Gamma cadets, seniors, in the Raider program. Best friends that feel like more but have not admitted it. On a seemingly routine mission to investigate dark radiation, nothing goes as expected and things get even weirder when they return to the Academy. They have stumbled unto a volatile secret that changes everything and may endanger their future and that of the galaxy.

From the first page, we are dropped right into the middle of a planet visit for samples, presenting like we've been in this world all along. Displaying a sort of staccato X canter rhythm, there is a gentle preciseness with glimmers of poetic-like wordplay, embellishing the descriptions. A galaxy-building that meets all the senses. So rich and appetizing you have to stop reading, take it all in, and play it in your head.

A Space academy drama, complete with rivals, competitive games, sci-fi techno-jargon and gadgets. A star system level conspiracy interwoven with danger. The buildup is great, investigative mode and odd occurrences included. I really liked the punch sentences when things got electrifying. Enough Firefly-like humor, bordering on tongue-in-cheek, alongside quips to make Mal & Washburn happy. Best friends awakening to new feelings, of the more romantic nature, I got Dawson's Creek vibes, even more with the emotions running high and spilling on those around them.

She is tough as nails, the snarky X sparky one, he is the kind, considerate, has fallen first and knows it, beautiful sweetheart. Their banter is heart-squeezing and you just wanna go "Awww" in a lot of places. You can feel how comfortable they are with each other bleed through the pages and it renders you cozy too. Simultaneously cozy & exciting seems to be the author's expertise. The dual POV works well for the story and I love being in Kat & Lee's heads, especially witnessing how they see one another. Distinct supporting characters that have their own quirks actually support and/or enhance the story.

I need a little more balance between the teen angst and the raid action (especially in the beginning). Maybe a few of the author's wonderfully inventive objects could have been explained more (uh, spiral showers?). If ponytail being mentioned was a drinking game, I would have been plastered before the middle of the book.

This is a book that champions mutual respect, friendship and finding yourself — trusting in what you can do. It deals with admitting and dealing with your feelings. The tricky balance of who is in the right or is wrong and how everyone feels like they are justified and the hero in their story. This friends-to-lovers, messy, "oh no they didn't" slow burn is a bona fide space adventure that will keep your attention hostage. Cannot wait for the next installment.