Review copy was received from Purchased. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wreck of the Nebula Dream by Veronica Scott Series: The Sectors #0.5
on March 16, 2012
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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A reimagining of the Titanic disaster set in the far future among the stars…
Traveling unexpectedly aboard the luxury liner Nebula Dream on its maiden voyage across the galaxy, Sectors Special Forces Captain Nick Jameson is ready for ten relaxing days, and hoping to forget his last disastrous mission behind enemy lines. He figures he’ll gamble at the casino, take in the shows, maybe even have a shipboard fling with Mara Lyrae, the beautiful but reserved businesswoman he meets.
All his plans vaporize when the ship suffers a wreck of Titanic proportions. Captain and crew abandon ship, leaving the 8000 passengers stranded without enough lifeboats and drifting unarmed in enemy territory. Aided by Mara, Nick must find a way off the doomed ship for himself and several other innocent people before deadly enemy forces reach them or the ship’s malfunctioning engines finish ticking down to self destruction.
But can Nick conquer the demons from his past that tell him he’ll fail these innocent people just as he failed to save his Special Forces team? Will he outpace his own doubts to win this vital race against time?
After loving each of the author’s contributions to the Pets In Space Anthology featuring standalone novellas from the world of this series, I always meant to go back and read the series in order. The blend of futuristic sci-fi space, romance and character development as well as a goodly amount of intrigue and action make this series one there was no doubt I would enjoy.
Wreck of the Nebula Dream is the first of the The Sectors series in release and chronological order, but it is a true standalone. There are a couple later books that revisit characters introduced in this book. This is touted in the blurb as ‘the reimagining of the Titanic Disaster set in the far future among the stars’. Did it live up to the claim? Yes, it did. Like the historical Titanic, this is a luxurious space liner on its maiden voyage out to set a speed record with several of the galaxy’s elite in first class and the average joes in the space version of steerage. The early scenes and set up to the disaster feel like the calm before the storm because the story really takes off once the disaster strikes.
I loved that the central figure is a weary, battle-hardened special forces military man who thinks his days of service and duty are over when he is called on to be a hero during a mega disaster. Nick Jameson is wry, but capable and he sees beyond the glitz and glamour of the pleasure cruise ship and its occupants so when disaster strikes he goes into action quite superbly. He isn’t alone, though. He pulls into his orbit a dedicated, no-nonsense business woman who caught his eye earlier and the attractive woman is all he imagined and more. Then there is the secretive monk-like Red Lady warrior who hitches himself to Nick’s star, the socialite who is more than the hair-brain she seems, and then there are the terrified but intrepid kids and the elderly woman with surprising powers to help. They all work to rescue others, keep alive, fight off space pirates, looters and, did I mention keep very alive? after the Nebula Dream is left adrift and dying in space far from help.
The plot built to some great twists and a riveting climax. The romance was secondary, but there, as they worked together as partners, but I liked that other relationships among their ragtag group were important too. Oh, and the villains on top of the survival situation had me flying through the pages to see how the trusty survivor group was going to make it.
All in all, this was a fab intro to the series and did the job of making me want to come back for more. Though the next books are with different characters and different places in The Sectors, the style of the writing and the futuristic world are plenty to keep me enthused for more. This is a definite recommend for sci-fi romance fans.
About Veronica Scott
USA Today Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
MISC FACTS ABOUT VERONICA
Seven time winner ~ SFR Galaxy Award
Proud recipient ~ NASA Exceptional Service Medal but must hasten to add the honor was not for her romantic fiction!
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – I’ll improve your process (mwahahahaa)!
Elvis Presley’s best friend once serenaded Veronica on a local TV telethon…now that could be a novel…
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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I don’t know if this is a good thing or not but as soon as I saw the cover and intro I knew who would be reviewing it. 🙂
Great review btw I think I would like this one I also like that it can be read alone
thanks Sophia
Buahaha, yes, it’s me. You know me well, Debbie. There are several standalones in her series which I love so one doesn’t feel the need to commit to a whole series just by grabbing this one or one of the others.
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the book (and you totally got what I was going for, which is a special joy to an author!). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the time you spent writing this amazing review!!! Just happy dancing today for sure.
What a pleasant surprise that you could stop by and share that, Veronica! I just read the next book and I am definitely hooked. 🙂
Fantastic review Sophia! I’m not reading scifi romance these days but I like it. There are too many great things to read.
There really are so many wonderful books out there that it’s impossible to get to them all. Definitely put this one on your list for later.
I love the idea of these reimagined stories in space. And there’s something about an unlikely group of people coming together like this that I find so appealing. I am glad you enjoyed this one, Sophia. I will have to check it out!
I enjoy the reimagining stories, too. She does it with a few later books though some are original situations as well. Glad to introduce you. 🙂
I love Veronica! Her novella in Pets in Space 6 had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Yes, wasn’t it stellar? Yours wasn’t so bad, either. 😉
I read “reimagining of the Titanic disaster” and was instantly intrigued. I’m so glad you enjoyed this Sophia, nice review!
Yep, doesn’t that grab the eye, Wendy? It lives up to that blurb tagline.
I’m happy to know this works perfectly as a standalone. I’m thinking that this doesn’t end like the movie Titanic, just that it had the same sort of disaster premise. Not a fan of how the film turned out.
Exactly, no huge floating boards big enough for two, but only carrying one. 😉
I don’t read a lot of books like that but I should, I always have a good time.
Yes, definitely give this one a try. 🙂
This sounds like a great book. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but I could see myself reading this one. Great review, Sophia.
I’ve been reading more and more of it. Glad to put one on your radar that grabbed your interest, Nadene. 🙂
I’ve read a few of her books and really enjoyed them. This sounds great.
I’m late to the party, but I’m really enjoying her books, Mary. 🙂
This sounds like so much fun! I love the idea of the Titanic in space!
Yes, that was a big draw. And, this was one of my Books From the Backlog books. 🙂
I have this one on my to-read list as well! I’ve read a few of her books besides those in the Pets in Space anthologies and have enjoyed her books so far. Definitely have to try and get around to this one soon as it’s sounds like a good one. The plot sounds well done and suspenseful with how you keep wanting to see how the group survives and the romance sounds good too. Great review!
You are in for a treat, Lola, especially since you’re already familiar with her writing. 🙂