Smith & W’Sin Adventures Book 2 By: Matthew McCray
Published On: March 30, 2020

Here we go – Another fun science fiction adventure with Smith and W’Sin. Just like the first book in the adventure series, The Apoidean Affair, our two main characters are starting out in the midst of a lot of trouble. But unlike the first time the trouble they are starting out with is not of their own making. Small steps of progress is important with these two.

It all starts at the Nexus, the space station they call home. They are attempting to enjoy a hot meal when the Nexus becomes invaded with what I can only describe as zombie-ish formicidae. I usually call ants “ants” so in case you’re like me and needed to double check on that term – that is what a formicidae is. Except these might be just a tad larger…

While fighting, Regi, – a formic engineer drone who is also a friend of Smith and W’Sin’s from a different group/family of formicidae – helps them fight against the invaders until she realizes something she is watching over may be at risk. She, of course, is right – the object that had been her personal responsibility has been taken. After the invasion at the Nexus is all over Regi begs Smith and W’Sin to help her find it and get it back. Who could ever say no to an ant with “bulging compound eyes” and sad-looking antennae?

There is a lot to like with this series. First – there is a lot of fun banter and action/adventure. If you are looking for a slow-paced science fiction read then this isn’t it. Also, my knowledge in the “science” part of science fiction is a bit lacking, so I can’t guarantee any scientific accuracy on anything that occurs during the action scenes. Second – the universe created is one full of aliens that have more animal-like features and Smith is the only human (that I can tell). For example, W’Sin has avian features: feathers and a beak. Regi is ant-like individual who is about a meter in height with antennae.

Like the previous story, this novella is a stand-alone although it does carry over parts of the previous story. I do like how both in the series are stand-alones, but wouldn’t mind an over-arching story too binding all the short stories/novellas together even if it isn’t the main focal point of each book in the series.

All in all a fun read.

Rating: 4 stars

Description:

Privateers Smith and W’sin return home from a job gone wrong in dire need of a hot meal and some downtime. Instead, they’re pressed into action defending the space station from invaders and clearing an old friend from grievous charges.

Will they save the space station?

Will they clear their friend?

Will they finally get that hot meal?