Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase in all formats for collections where SF is popular.

I DNF'd this, but for a very specific reason. The story is found family in space, lots of intrigue and adventure. The cover reads a bit YA, but this is definitely adult fiction. I love intrigue and adventure in space. I love audiobooks. Should have been a total win. This narrator has the single most soothing voice I have ever heard. Too soothing. Something about his reading was at the perfect pitch to make me peacefully drift off nearly every time I opened it. The narration style makes it hard to track which character is which and even scenes that I could tell from the words were really action-y just felt....so calming. I think there is a lot of good in this story, but the narrator (which seriously, beautiful voice) was a mismatch for the story's tone.

You cannot compare a book to Firefly and then not deliver...
I honestly think comparing this to Firefly is harming this book so much. Overall I didn't really like it but with that comparison I can in with expectations and they were not met at all.
I feel like a lot of this book was filler and there wasn't really much substance or plot.
If I wasn't listening to this via audiobook I would have DNFed because or boredom.

While I think there's an audience for this book, I'm not it. The author constructs engaging work on the sentence level, but ultimately I found the style distracting. Every item is given backstory, but no emotions are ever mentioned. The narrator was the only reason I was able to make it as far as I did, their voice was a beautiful balm on an otherwise disappointing novel.

Cascade Failure is a fun sci-fi adventure that is reminiscent of Firefly. We follow a cast of characters that all have unique personalities, some hiding secrets they don’t want others to know, but they manage to find a way to work together to prevent the Trust from carrying out their plan. The dynamic between the crew was interesting and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. I did enjoy the plot, even though it was slightly predictable. The main downfall for me was the dialogue. At first I enjoyed it, especially Anke, since she seemed to represent a neurodivergent character, but after a while the dialogue became repetitive and a little grating at times. I did enjoy seeing some character development, but something was missing for me and I never got fully attached to the characters. By the end, it felt like the characters simply changed viewpoints, rather than grew from the experience. Overall, I had a good time reading Cascade Failure and would recommend it to someone looking for a light sci-fi novel.

A motley crew.
Space adventure.
Androgynous AI ship captain.

"Cascade Failure" is a straightforward bad guy vs good guys story. The crew members aboard the Ambit are tough and take no guff from no one! Gun fights, saving people in the knick of time, and good ole space banter are what you'll find in this story.

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I rated this story 3.5 rounded up to 4/5 because it was the classic story of space adventure. The author jump around from characters point of view each chapter which was something to get used to but ultimately helped develop the characters. I wish the story had more setting development. It felt like these characters were having dialogue through space in one room, then anther room, then another. I want more interaction with space itself I suppose.

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I would recommend this story to fans of sci-fi or fans westerns.... (who are wanting to step out of their genre box). I would recommend this to a younger generation 18-35.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC.

Cascade Failure follows a ragtag crew aboard the Ambit, on their way to respond to a distress call from a seemingly deserted planet, but they find out more than they ever thought they would.

I had to sit on this book a long time after finishing it because I just had no idea how to review it. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Marketed for fans of The Expanse and Becky Chambers, this book has big shoes to fill before it even begins. First of all, I don't really think it's like The Expanse at all other than they're both set in space. I can see the correlation to Becky Chambers, but Cascade Failure doens't pack the punch that Chambers did for me. I personally had a hard time distinguishing between all the characters and keeping their stories straight. They all seemed to blur together in the end. I thought the story was interesting and I wanted to keep reading to see how it would end, but I wasn't blown away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Torian Brackett was a good narrator. I just wish I had more love for this book.

Buckle Up for a Wild Ride in "Cascade Failure"
L. M. Sagas's debut novel, "Cascade Failure," is a high-octane sci-fi adventure that's sure to please fans of Becky Chambers, James S.A. Corey's "The Expanse," and Alexandra Duncan's "The Divide" series.

The story follows a ragtag crew aboard the spaceship Ambit, a Guild vessel with a unique mix of personalities. There's Jal, the disgraced Guild member, an AI captain, a gruff engineer/medic, and a trigger-happy XO. This dysfunctional family gets thrown into chaos when they respond to a distress call, only to discover a horrifying truth.

"Cascade Failure" is praised for its:

Fast-paced plot: The story throws the crew from one scrape to the next, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Compelling characters: Each member of the Ambit's crew is well-developed, with their own quirks and motivations.
Rich worldbuilding: Sagas creates a believable and immersive universe with its own political factions and social dynamics.
Exploration of what it means to be human: The story delves into themes of loyalty, family (found and chosen), and the nature of sentience, both human and artificial.
Comparisons to other successful sci-fi series give readers a good idea of what to expect. If you enjoy space operas with a blend of action, humor, and heart, "Cascade Failure" is definitely worth checking out.

Here are some things to consider:

The book is the first in the "Ambit's Run" series, so be prepared for a cliffhanger ending.
Some readers may find the humor or dialogue a bit rough around the edges.
Overall, "Cascade Failure" is a promising debut novel that sets the stage for an exciting new sci-fi series.

I was inclined to like this book because descriptions likened it to the TV show Firefly. And I did like it. This was the first book of L.M. Sagas Ambit's Run series. It starts out Jal, who we know very little about, practicing talking so he can offer his services to a ship crew in a bid to make it back to....somewhere...... Jal very specifically doesn't want to get on or be noticed by a Guild ship. Naturally, the ship he rolls onto is one. He's got some history with one of the crew members and the captain is a sentient AI. Their transport of Jal to the authorities is interrupted when they answer a distress call on a dead planet. What could go wrong?
Shenanigans are had, choices are made, trouble is gotten into. Was this the deepest book I've read this year? No. However this book is fast-paced and action packed and the characters have a lot of heart. I found myself looking for any reason to listen to more.
The narration by Torian Brackett wasn't my favorite. There were a few characters who's audio depictions were a little hard on the ears, but it didn't take me completely out of the story.
I thought this was a completely enjoyable debut novel and I have already asked the library to notify me when the next book (Gravity Lost) arrives.

Cascade Failure is a thrilling space adventure that truly earns its comparison to Firefly. Set in a galaxy dominated by corporate powers, the story follows the crew of the Ambit as they uncover a dangerous conspiracy. With a snarky AI captain, a diverse cast of characters, and plenty of twists, this book kept me engaged from start to finish.

The ensemble cast and rotating points of view added depth to the story, allowing each character to shine. The audiobook narration by Torian Brackett was excellent, with distinct voices for each character. Overall, Cascade Failure is a fast-paced and enjoyable read, perfect for fans of space adventures.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this ARC!

A quirky, found family / “land of misfit toys” type of sci-fi romp, full of twists, turns, backstabs & puns. If you are curious about a book where C-3PO meets V from CyberPunk (a human-cyborg hybrid with some crazy mods) went on the run and got picked up by the Gardians of the Galaxy (a rag tag crew of misfits) and then went on Overwatch style missions (everyone’s got a different special skill, that conveniently compliments the others!), then have I got the recommendation for you! A quirky sci-fi romp, good LGBTQ+ representation, an AI with “feelings”, and a healthy dose of colorful language - this book was lots of fun.

Honestly, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did, but it just wasn’t my favorite. I think I like my sci-fi a little more serious than this - but it was certainly a fun adventure overall. The characters felt a little flat to me, the puns were a little bit cringey, and the bad guys were kinda boring. The “found family” trope was a bit overplayed for me, the charming vibes would have actually been more heartfelt had this been more subtle.

Fans of “Ready Player One”, Marvel, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Terry Pratchett, or pretty much any sci-fi video games would probably enjoy this book!

Once again, corporations are the problem that either forces people to go against them or succumb to their corruption.

Cascade Failure was in both ways emotional, as it was full of adventure. The crew is amazing, and their bond is so wholesome and strong. You honestly couldn’t ask for a better group of people watching your back. The narrator also did an amazing job at conveying the characters and their individual voices.

The crew of the Ambit find themselves in the middle of galaxy wide conspiracy, and they've got to find a way to stop it before more planets and their inhabitants die.

I love found family on a spaceship. This was a fun sci-fi adventure with a great cast of characters.

Cowboy Bebop vibes, with character and plot beats feeling familiar but well done.

A man with a variety of things wrong with him catches up with his ex-BFF and hilarity ensues. A lot of violence but not a lot of death, a lot of this story is flashbacks and characters admitting mistakes as they continue to make the same ones like people in Stockholm Syndrome with their past. I don't like that Sagas makes this mistake-repetition a virtue instead of letting them learn from more mistakes, but there is some learning somewhere in the plot.

Ending sets up a sequel but still ends on a solid plot beat. Characters are all realistic, believable for the most part.

If you like Cowboy Bebop, this will feel familiar in a good way.

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, this is my honest review.

Cascade Failure by L M. Sagas is Sci-fi space epic fi think adult fans of Firefly and Star Wars would enjoy.
The characters are colorful,gritty and pretty fun.
I enjoyed the world building that felt very much like a Western in space. Evil corporations, military and activism are all featured in this tale. This book does not have any romance but really pulls on themes of friendship and found family which was enjoyable.
I loved the voice of the narrator in the audio book and the spin he put on all the characters.
The only thing I wasn't a fan of is the cursing. While it fit the characters that used it, I could have done with out it.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc. All opinions expressed are my own

Cascade Failure is an entertaining romp into ensemble cast, sci-fi and spaceship fiction with humor and witty banter

“I’m only 8% into Cascade Failure by L.M. Sagas, but I’m already so invested in these characters 🥺”

That’s what I posted online when I started this book, and I’m so happy say my enjoyment lasted all the way through! I loved this!

Truly, these characters captured me and pulled on my heartstrings right from the start. Especially Jal, who was clearly struggling and tired in a bone-deep way and alone and had to practice the few words he was going to say just to try and get a ride. But also Saint, who was sorta hard to like at first because of reasons but whom I still couldn’t help but feel for because he’d clearly been hurt too and just hid it behind his gruff demeanor. And Nash, who was much easier to like because she had no qualms putting Saint in his place, not to mention she was brave and skilled and there was this moment when she thought about how she wasn’t a “sunshine” person, and yes, I could relate. And Eoan, the ship’s AI who loved to learn and figure things out and was still continually figuring out what it meant to be human. And Anke, the person they rescued who was awkward and rambly and smart and didn’t feel very badass, though I think she was.

Altogether, this crew made for a cute found family who all cared for each other deeply. It was touching.

Furthermore, I am WEAK for angsty, fraught relationships between people who have history, who were close but then something went wrong but they obviously still love or feel something for each other. And the relationship between Jal and Saint was 100% this. I don’t know exactly what it was between them in the past (romantic, platonic), but it was clearly deep and meaningful and love. They were partners, whatever that meant to them. Until they weren’t. *Gives one of them the side eye* I loved them and their relationship though. I very much wanted them to sort their problems out and be happy together.

There’s also just a casual queerness to the story. Whatever was/is between Jal and Saint may or may not be romantic, but it feels like it’s not bound by any norms. Nash was clearly crushing on Anke. Eoan is an AI, yes, but still, they use they/them pronouns.

The plot was rather serious and tense, which may not be exactly what people expect from the cover and all the talk of found family and space adventures and whatnot. But the characters brought some fun to the story, so don’t worry. The author did a great job of balancing the serious and the fun. Also balancing the sad and distressing with the sweet and hopeful.

The audiobook narration by Torian Brackett was wonderful as well! Every character sounded sufficiently different, and the voices and ways of speaking seemed to suit them. Jal with his slow drawl. Saint with his gruffness. Nash with her matter-of-factness. Anke with her excited rambling. Eoan with their pleasant customer service tone. And it always sounded natural, suited the scene and the moment and the words. I very much recommend the audiobook.

This was a wonderful book with characters who immediately had me invested in them, found family, a relationship full of emotional history, and dangerous space adventures, and I’m very much looking forward to more!

The second I read the Firefly comp I knew I had to snag Cascade Failure immediately! (Sidenote - I will never get over that 📺 series being canceled!) This was such a fun read filled with a rag tag team of lovable misfits, adventure, nail biting close calls, found family, head scratching mystery, hoot & a half humor and heart wrenching moments.

🪐 Space Adventure
🫶 Found Family
🌎 World Building
💥 Chaos
🔍 Mystery
😹 Hoot & a Half
❤️‍🩹 Emotional Damage

I absolutely loved Cascade Failure and am so excited to see what L.M. Sagas has in store for us in book 2!

Method Read: 🎧
Torian Brackett did a fantastic job bringing the story to life!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!

Cascade Failure has a ton of pathos for a space opera, hitting hard on the found family notes. That doesn't keep it from being entertaining and a great premise, but it does sometimes go a little hard there, and some things about life are a bit too similar for a futuristic society full of extraplanetary ecosystems and sophisticated programs that can start and end elaborate life support systems.
The conflict between the Guild and other areas is not really explained to the point of rooting for a side, or even caring about one vs the other. but the augemented and natural capabilities of the crew and the AI captain are entertaining and there are plenty of crosses and double crosses from rogue hackers to balance out the middling stakes.

I have to start by saying, I love sassy space pirates. Okay, so they aren't really pirates, but the crew runs around getting into just about as much mischief as they can. The characters are fun and the action and pacing are exciting. If you're a fan of Firefly, this may be a good read for you. I swear, when I see a book from Tor which has MacMillan audio, I jump at the change for an ARC and I am rarely disappointed, They truly seem to know what their audience wants and provide quality narration and stories. With that being said, I do want to thank NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and Tor Books for an advanced reader copy of this novel. I can certainly see why it is being reviewed so highly.

We've got Jal (a fugitive) and Saint (a sort of mercenary/bounty hunter) who have beef right off the bat. Though we don't know what it is right away, we know it's got to be pretty good. Then comes Anke who is incredibly quirky but sometimes a bit more cringe than necessary. However, Nash the ship mechanic/ doctor, seems to fall kind of hard for this cute little weirdo.

This book won't be any new revelation in space romps and quests to put right certain wrongs. But it will be fun with some chaos and injuries, betrayal and family, along the way.