Review by Dany Caballero
Orca soundings, 2023
112 pages, Paperback, $10.95 CAD, 9781459836600
Young Adult, HiLo
Science fiction
LGBTQIA+
But there’s no choice now. My life of stealing and starving here is done.
Amar is waiting for me to do something. I can tell by the way he’s watching me. I’m in charge here-I’m the one with a plan. Or a hope and a dream, at least.
Brick has a warrant out for their arrest, so the only escape they have is to stowaway in a ship and leave the dying Earth. The only problem is, Brick is terrified of outer space. When the ship they stow away in is taken by pirates, Brick, with the help of their new friend Amar, has to face their fears to free the ship’s crew and defeat the pirates.
Brick, the main character, is a thief and a loner. They enjoy the company of rats and don’t really have any friends, but throughout the book they develop a deep bond with Amar, a local enforcer and all-round tough, with whom they escape Earth. I enjoyed reading the evolution of their relationship. It seemed to me like a perfect example of how people can bond deeply in a short period of time when going through difficult times. Brick and Amar go from almost strangers to helping each other in every twist and turn of the story which creates an entertaining dynamic to read.
Another character I loved reading about was HARPOR, the artificial intelligence system that helps Brick and Amar once they are in space. It definitely adds a healthy dose of comedy to the story. Since neither Brick or Amar had any flying experience, HARPOR’s role in the plot is crucial in ensuring the duo escape and that the story’s credibility remains intact. Ultimately, HARPOR made the perfect ally in helping them rescue the ship’s crew.
While Airlock is a short book, it has just the right amount of worldbuilding to make it a satisfying science fiction novella. The state of the planet is described in enough detail for the story to be logical without lingering too much on unnecessary information. It does not try to be more complicated than the length allows, which makes it believable and simple to understand. The whole book feels quick and concise, like a 30 minute episode from a TV show.
For this same reason I would have loved to know what happens next in the story, as the ending feels a little rushed. The book ends when things start to get interesting. New questions arise on the last page that we don’t get the answers to. I would definitely love to know how the characters deal with these new challenges that are not shown in the story.
Overall, Airlock is a great science fiction novella for anyone who is looking for a witty main character reminiscent of Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels, but wants something light and easy to read.
Dany Caballero is an aspiring writer who loves fantasy and has a soft spot for mythology. She is currently studying Creative Writing at UBC and spends her days trying to turn her daydreams into stories.
YOUNG ADULTING 