The Smugglers

by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray

Attachment is everything. Mother says, "Don't name the merchandise," and "Don't let the humans see you." But Boy can't resist naming the cute, fuzzy ball of feathers and knife-sharp talons they're delivering. And why be afraid of weak, ignorant humans? Plus, this old skinsuit works, but it's getting cramped. Maybe it's time for a change.

146 pages, Hardcover

Published July 19, 2022

Reviews

[Ryan Southwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its core, The Smugglers is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that shifts perspectives between the mother, Deralka, and “Boy,” giving tender insights to the challenges each faces during the most difficult physical transitions of any adolescent’s life.

How is that science fiction? Neither Deralka nor Boy are human; they just wear complex mechanical skins suits so humans don’t run in terror when they see their knife-like appendages, amplified by a “little misunderstanding” when humans first encountered their species. And as you probably guessed from the title, the story takes place on the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy. The most interesting aspect, however, is the, ahem… unique puberty challenges Boy faces that would be enough to make anyone’s head swim at any age, although the subject material is firmly PG.

A deal gone wrong forces the pair to scramble to recover their merchandise, and their only hope of starting a new life. MacLaren-Wray masterfully wraps this into an engaging tale that unravels some of the mystery around the off-limits Orange Quadrant, while delivering fulfilling character arcs for both parent and child that leave me hoping this endearing pair will appear in future books. I definitely recommend this first full-length novel in the Truck Stop stories.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have one complaint about this book and it's that it was too short! I devoured this delightful "young alien coming of age" story in just a few sittings. I've heard the term "cozy science fiction" applied to Becky Chambers, though I disagree with her "Monk and Robot" series being categorized as that. THIS story, by MacLaren-Wray, is the first story I've ever read that I would apply the "cozy science fiction" label to. That is to say, this story felt like a warm hug and was just full of unexpected delight from start to finish. You have not truly lived until you are presented, as a reader, with the visual image of a vaguely shaped alien consisting of too many eyes on stalks and too many tendril-y/frond-y arms and legs that each end in crystal claws riding on the back of a captured repair bot down a murky space station corridor. The story, characters,and world are creative, imaginative, immersive, unexpected, and an effervescent joy all around.

[Clara Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect story for when you want a quick, cozy read (and could use a break from humans). Both aliens and androids prove to be simultaneously cute and dangerous. Everyone is misunderstood, but probably well intentioned in their own ways. The adolescent protagonist has their (many) hands full with extra-legal family expectations and the gender shifts of puberty (common for their species) while trying to pass as another species (human) and also enjoy their first visit to the Truck Stop! The Truck stop might as well be its own character, filled with amazing foods, an impressive gift shop, and the definitely off-limits, never-to-be-visited Orange Quadrant. And it just keeps getting better…

[L.A. Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like aliens and sci-fi, this is definitely for you. A short, but interesting read.