This book was such a mystery and while I definitely enjoyed it, I still can’t say for certain that I understood it. But I don’t think it was necessary to the story to always know what was going on. As I finished Floating Hotel, I found myself happy to have read it, but with the wish that it had been three books; a cozy slice of life aboard a spaceship, a mystery novel, and a space exploration epic. I'd love to see another book in this world. The ending could certainly allow for it should the author so wish. I'm unsure if they've plans to continue with it, but I would definitely read it should they decide to. In terms of Romance, I would characterize it more as a “love story side plot.” Getting to her girlfriend is the driving force of Kai’s journey, but it doesn’t fall under the tropes or 3-act structure of Romance as a genre. I liked the relationship quite a bit (it’s a little bit enemies-to-lovers and I love a soldier + scientist couple). They were so cute!

My favourite aspect of this novel were the characters. Whether kind and loving, or abrasive, or just downright evil, these characters were incredibly well written! The bonds that developed between them as a bunch of misfits and runaways were moving and tender. I particularly loved the development of Professor Azad, who begins the novel as someone very jaded. Frontier is a really unique book. The author made some bold choices in the structure of this book and they have certainly paid off. I was intrigued to read this as the description sounded like Western in space. This is something I’m seeing more and more of lately and so far has been a great combination. I would probably rate this a mere three stars were it not for the novel story-telling technique. I'm a Neophile, so I'm always intrigued to see something in a book that I haven't seen before. If you prefer the tried-and-true, you may not like Floating Hotel as much as I did. Thank you to DAW Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of the book in return for an honest review! I found this book through NetGalley, and the promise of a "cozy debut science fiction novel tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars" was one I couldn't resist. I've been craving some good cosy fiction lately, especially after my recent string of books I didn't enjoy. The cover was really pretty too. Referred to only as “The Stranger”, we soon learn that she wants to find a working communication device. She’s desperate to send a message. She needs to find someone who’s gone missing; the woman she loves. Through various adventures, mishaps, detours and standoffs, she makes her way towards a place rumored to have the technology she needs to send her message, in hopes it reaches the ears of the love of her life. And so she keeps moving, any way she can, towards that destination.

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It wasn't a book that you could skim through. Because it was fast paced, running through a number of different locations and characters, you need to take time to read it carefully. I didn't mind that at all, but it could detract for some readers. Having said all that, some little things that you might not have thought much of become pretty important towards the end as it all begins to slot together. This Sci-Fi book is very much a dystopian type, with ecosystems in collapse. The landscapes are obviously desolate, with a lawlessness in many areas, but some that are ruled by ruthless Sheriffs or law enforcement. Osei-Afrifa said: “My favourite thing about Frontier is that it’s here and it’s queer; a collection of interconnected short stories masquerading as a novel. Vibrant, funny and a romp throughout, Grace has captured a sprawling cast of characters in a rich world, into tight episodes of real heart and poise. Her next book’s pitch, set in the same literary universe (aren’t they all the rage?!), is ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ in space. I can’t wait and I am in awe of her craft. She’s at the start of what will be a long career and it’s been a highlight to bring her voice to the party.” I also liked how more and more small details was reveled throughout the story, little clues here and there to set up for the ending without revealing too much. Giving the reader some ideas for where it all might end without actually confirming anything or giving up all secrets at once.

A sci-fi novel! About space! That I enjoyed! I loved this. I loved our main character who we got to use as a conduit to see and understand Earth. I absolutely loved the religion and the idiosyncrasies – God hold you down – etc. That was great. The story of Earth and what happened to it was fab, the mission of the ship. The relationship with the Captain and her love. I cried a little bit at one point when more of the story was revealed. I felt the hope and despair of every character she met. This was just such an enjoyable read. I would not in any way call this a romance novel though it is about two lovers who are separated. I would say that the ending could have come slower and / or with more compromises? I don’t know if that’s asking for too much but I do like my fantasy worlds to have a bit more cruelty (writer inflicted) than in this one? It’s fairly gentle but, I’ll take it. The book opens with a crashed space ship, and the rather dodgy individuals who find it. They don’t last long.Hodder & Stoughton has signed two books by games journalist Grace Curtis, including her début Frontier. Welcome to the Grand Abeona home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. All year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury—and an absolute magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such Why are there love poems in the lobby inbox? How many Imperial spies are currently on board? What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver’s conference? And perhaps most pertinently— who is driving the ship? This is how the short prologue ends, and it summarises how I felt about this book. I just want to stay in it. I want to visit the hotel, meet the characters. Some were friendly, some distinctly not, but all are worth getting to know. The characters in the book feel like talking to old friends, but the story itself seems too serious and dire to be fully cozy. If you are thinking of cozy fantasy books like Legends & Lattes, this book feels much higher stakes than that.

The stakes waiver a bit in terms of tension, especially in the first half, as because Kai isn’t really sure where she’s going, we’re also not sure where the story is going, but as her goals become more concrete, the story becomes very engaging. Floating Hotel by Grace Kurtis follows the motley crew of the space hotel Abeona. From its friendly manager Carl to its grumpy accountant Kipple to the ever-eager Reggie, all the different staff members have their own stories to tell -- stories that weave together into a tale of rebellion against the system, an encrypted message from beyond the stars, and the mystery of who the Lamplighter is, and if they can be safely extracted before the Empire gets to them. Science fiction is a genre that I tend to struggle with, besides a few exceptions. But since I always want to get myself out of my comfort zone, I chose to request for an ARC for Floating Hotel, with its interesting premise.Welcome to the Grand Abeona Hotel: home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. Year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury - and a magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such as: As she travels, she encounters a variety of people and situations. Each reacts to her differently, and thus The Stranger becomes The Courier, who temporarily teams up with… well, Garraty. I quite liked Garraty. That’s all you’ll get about him from me, so as not to sand away the shine of discovery for you. This is a perfect book for a lover of mystery - there are secrets to be unravelled and revealed, and these are happening as we are gradually learning more about the empire in which our characters live. These common threads weave all the parts of the story together and kept me hooked! One character, Kipple, is non-binary (THE FIRST!! IN ALL THESE YEARS!!). They get they/them pronouns as if it's just as natural as she/her or he/him - it's not even mentioned or pointed out once. They're just allowed to exist. Similarly, several characters are lesbian, pan, or bi, and it's not even mentioned with any label. It's completely normalised. THIS is the type of inclusion we're looking for. Frontier is a collection of short vignettes telling the story of a mostly unnamed narrator as she searches a scorched, post-apocalyptic Earth for her lost love. The two were on a mission of aid and peace to the planet and were shot down. We follow her through the eyes of the people she meets and interacts with along the way, and we see the best and worst of the planets inhabitants.

So the set up of the chapters was a lot different then what I was expecting. The Stranger is the main character. The entire story revolves around her trying to find a way to see if her crew, and specifically her lover, are okay after The Stranger’s ship crash lands on a post apocalyptic earth. I loved that this earth had a different set up then a lot of Sci Fi I’ve seen, that the main religion is Gaia, gravity is her greatest gift because it keeps her children close, and the space travelers of old are sinners and heathens for wanting to leave. What passes for justice is presided over by the High Sheriff, and carried out by his cruel and ruthless Deputy.Our narrator and all the other characters all felt very genuine and unique to me so this read so well. The setting was easy to picture and imagine, the atmosphere was just cloudy enough to make it easy to fill in the details. This was just overall a well structured and thought out story. The truly wonderful part for me was the hopeful feel of this. Around the 70% there is a shift in the story and by the end I genuinely felt a hope and happiness there. It’s still a desolate earth and there were still terrible people on it but there was also hope, and that’s something rare for me in SF these days. The non-staff characters were more hit and miss for me. Some I warmed to while others I didn’t. Though they all had something to add to the bigger plot weaving between the chapters, it was the staff and their connections to the hotel and each other that I enjoyed the most. Floating Hotel is a complex story with a lot of different characters, all with their own life and dark secrets. At first, I thought it would be hard to separate all the characters since there are a lot of different POVs and almost every chapter is told through a new set of eyes which is quite at odds with how most books are written, especially the ones I’ve been reading lately. We don't get a name for our main protagonist until close to the end, although she is named Darling at one point, albeit because her name isn't forthcoming. So for a while, I had Darling associated with her until her real name emerged. Floating Hotel takes place on the Abeona, a hotel that is also a spaceship, so it floats through space. Don't expect a lot of technobabble -- the Abeona is determinedly retro-chic. For instance, the Abeona's messaging system is paper messages sent through pneumatic tubes. There are of course a whole bunch of people on the Abeona -- staff and guests.