A masterful con artist, Ada, navigates a high-stakes gala to thwart a villain's plan to exploit Earth's environmental crisis, all while evading a government agent, Rian, in this thrilling sci-fi novella filled with tension, banter, and moral ambiguity. The story delves into themes of environmental destruction, political unrest, and the complexities of trust and deception in a futuristic universe.

Reader Review Summary

"How to Steal a Galaxy" is the second novella in Beth Revis' wonderfully entertaining "Chaotic Orbits" trilogy, and it continues the high-stakes space adventures of the roguish yet charismatic Ada. From the opening pages, Revis immediately immerses the reader back into the charged, flirtatious dynamic between Ada and Rian, enemies-turned-reluctant-allies whose undeniable chemistry crackles off the page.

While the first book took place largely in the depths of space, this installment grounds the action on a luxurious planet for a glitzy, high-profile charity gala. The gala setting allows Revis to showcase her talent for vivid world-building, transporting readers to an opulent celestial venue filled with celebrities, paparazzi drones, and priceless artifacts from the ravaged remains of old Earth. The costume descriptions are lush and dripping with sensual details that made me wish I could attend such a decadent event myself.

But the true star is once again Ada, the indomitable rogue with a sarcastic wit that had me laughing out loud throughout. Her morally gray motivations and convoluted machinations keep both Rian and the reader constantly guessing at her true agenda. Is she really just a mercenary in it for the money, or is there a deeper altruistic drive fueling her actions to save the dying Earth? Ada's complexities and unreliable narration make her captivatingly unpredictable.

The sexual tension between Ada and Rian remains deliciously unresolved, with sizzling banter and near misses that left me desperately wanting them to finally act on their obvious attraction. Their cat-and-mouse rapport is endlessly entertaining, made even more intriguing by their dueling perspectives on how to fight corruption and injustice in this dystopian universe. The ending is a maddening cliffhanger that has me eagerly awaiting the third book.

With dazzling visuals, razor-sharp humor, and richly developed characters, "How to Steal a Galaxy" is a stellar follow-up that takes this sci-fi romance trilogy to exhilarating new heights. Revis has crafted an utterly engrossing futuristic world that feels remarkably relevant with its trenchant commentary on corporate greed, environmental exploitation, and the privilege of wealth. I can't wait to see how Ada's grand multi-layered schemes finally come to a head. Bring on the next interstellar grift!