A bad deal for the whole galaxy

Having thwarted the attempt to destroy civilization by the Gods of the Harrow in the first of the Salvagers series, A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe (2018), the resilient crew of the Capricious sets its sights on a cult that threatens the galaxy. The Children of the Singularity want to exert their power to control humanity, and they have powerful magic at their disposal. But Captain Cordell and his crew, including Nilah, a successful race car driver, and the veteran pilot, Boots, decide that they can't abide this new threat and take matters into their own hands. White combines elements of magic and traditional space opera to create an intricate world laced with fascinating characters, expansive spaceships, and compelling settings. While the narrative shines with witty banter and explosive battles, the effusive dialogue occasionally detracts from the formidable and exciting action. With elements of military science fiction, thievery, and political intrigue, this story will appeal to readers of James S. A. Corey's Expanse series (Persepolis Rising, 2017) and fans of the popular television series, Firefly.--Craig Clark Copyright 2018 Booklist