Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite

The Dangerous Shipment is the first book of The Cogs and Gears of the Cosmos series by Simon Drayton. In the near future, humanity has reached the far trenches of the Nebula. Godwin Dirteon is a seventeen-year-old prodigy among the Gearsmen of the Nebula-Class Ship, The Game Changer. On the first maiden voyage of The Game Changer, the crew under the command of Captain Joanne must deliver a shipment of medicine to the planet of New Diamond. The Blue Death plague has caused utter devastation among the people of New Diamond. However, Godwin unwittingly puts the crew and The Game Changer in mortal danger with his dark secret. But now, he has a chance to make amends. With the Bawariji marauders on their trail, Godwin must find a way to escape from their clutches. 

Whether you're a fan of sci-fi or steampunk, The Dangerous Shipment is a book you're bound to love. This is a fast-paced, action-packed novella that, to me, feels like a [clean] young adult version of James S.A. Corey's The Expanse series. Simon Drayton's worldbuilding made an impression on me from the very first chapter. The author has created a magnificent sci-fi setting with unique worldbuilding tools. That, along with the premise and the characters, really immerse you in the narrative. Godwin is a fascinating protagonist to follow. Godwin, Captain Joanne, Citlali, and Edmond were some of my favorites in the book. I loved all of their interactions. All in all, it's a fantastic start to a young adult space opera series. I intend to read the rest of the books. Highly recommended.

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