Review: Space Academy Rejects

Space Academy Rejects by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More stars explode, the Elder Races get riled up, and Vance becomes BFFs with the god-like Notha Emperor.

Space Academy Rejects is the second book in Space Academy Series and follows Space Academy Dropouts. The Space Academy series takes place in the “Starpunked” universe, sharing its setting with several other series by Phipps and Suttkus (though the other series occur at vastly different points within the timeline).

Space Academy Dropouts was a great read, but Space Academy Rejects takes the series to new heights. It strikes a perfect balance between classic sci-fi space opera and irreverent humor, creating a story that is both entertaining and engaging. The returning characters are more grounded and developed (and a bit less absurd), making them easier to relate to and invest in.

While Rejects delivers plenty of laughs through genre parody, it also has its share of serious moments. The plot is surprisingly complex, centering around galaxy-spanning exopolitics. The humor is well-timed and doesn't often detract from the story's coherence or depth. I’m also a huge fan of how Phipps manages to tell a story in each book that comes to a resolution at the end while threading a single, greater narrative arc throughout the entire series.

Overall, Space Academy Rejects is a well-written book that seamlessly blends a modern space opera with sci-fi comedy. The story is engrossing, the characters are likable, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

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