Title: Star Cruise Captain’s Prequel
Author: Veronica Scott
Genre: Romantic Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance
Book Blurb:
Maeve is the Artificial Intelligence operating a massive Space Navy battleship. A malfunction at the time of her creation gave her self awareness and emotions, all of which she has to hide to protect herself. At one time her ship was the best in the fleet, fighting and winning battle after battle, but now it’s considered old and obsolete. Gil Fleming is her current captain and the only one who knows her secret. He’s also the man she loves. Now he’s been ordered to take the ship to the interstellar boneyard to be turned into scrap, at which time Maeve will be terminated by the company that created her. Gil’s tried everything to persuade the authorities to grant her a reprieve and give her a new ship to run, without revealing her secret. He’s been met with opposition at every turn and accused of having an emotional connection with an AI, which is against the law. He loves her. But there’s nothing he can do to save her. They’re saying their final goodbyes on the deserted ship.
Suddenly an unusual distress call persuades Gil and Maeve to fly into enemy territory on their own on a desperate rescue mission. Will this trip only delay the inevitable for them or will the results of their rash decision solve their problem? This 24K novella goes back to the beginning and tells the origin story of Maeve and the Captain, long running characters in the STAR CRUISE series and how they got to the Nebula Zephyr. Their love story will continue in STAR CRUISE CAPTAIN’S STORY.
Author’s Note: There is the loss of a child in this book, which happens outside the pages but which affects the characters as they deal with the tragic news.
My Review:
In space, there is no greater love than between a captain and the ship’s artificial intelligence/computer. What happens when the AI called Maeve is self-aware and full of emotion, like any human? Can Maeve show Captain Gil Fleming how much she loves him, or will he walk away as she’s destroyed?
Star Cruise Captain’s Prequel is the origin story of Captain Fleming and Maeve, two leading figures in the Star Cruise series. This is pure sci fi romance and one of the most original stories I’ve ever read. Veronica Scott has penned an imaginative story that’s realistic for sci fi readers while having all the yearning and emotion for romance readers. I got so caught up in Star Cruise Captain’s Prequel, I read it in one sitting.
As a Star Trek TNG fan, I could picture this happening. The world-building in Star Cruise Captain’s Prequel is flawless. Every nuanced detail is written so the reader gets to experience it all for themselves.
Veronica Scott has outdone herself with this prequel. She’s written a gem of a sci fi romance, one that will be a treasure for readers. I couldn’t put it down and neither will you.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
USA Today Best Selling 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.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the official audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Bluesky: veronicascott.bsky.social
Reviewed by: Nancy