I usually prefer fantasy over sci-fi, but sometimes, I'll find a sci-fi book that sucks me in and makes me forget about everything else. The Disasters is one of those books.
In The Disasters by M. K. England, hotshot pilot Nax Hall wants nothing more than to join the Ellis Station Academy and soar off into the cosmos. Unfortunately, when he fails his entrance exam, he's stuck heading back to Earth. But after he and three other washouts become the sole survivors—and witnesses—of a terrorist attack, they are framed for the atrocity and hunted down. On the run, with no one to trust, Nax and his friends must execute a dangerous heist to clear their names. If they can pull it off, they'll show everyone, including the Academy, that they never should have been rejected.
This book has everything—action, romance, compelling three-dimensional characters, and plenty of LGBTQ+ representation. From the moment I was introduced to Nax, I wanted to learn more about him and see him succeed. The other characters are just as intriguing, and England does a great job revealing their stories little by little until you are so invested in them that you can't let go. Even in the wake of so many famous sci-fi stories, England manages to add her own spin to the genre by introducing a "no-return rule," where people who leave Earth to colonize other planets aren't allowed to set foot on Earth again in case of space diseases.
Everything ties together so well. The characters play off each other, their decisions and actions make sense for their personalities, and they all have important roles to play. The action is captivating, and the sci-fi language isn't too unfamiliar to facilitate an easy reading experience.
The only thing I would have changed would be to provide a little more clarification and resolution at the end of the book. There was something of a love triangle brewing throughout the book, and I felt it wasn't completely addressed by the end. Still, it was adorable to witness and enticing all the same.
I rate The Disasters by M. K. England 5/5 stars. If you like fun YA sci-fi, strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride!
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