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No Stress Space Express #5
Cosmic Cargo Carnival: A Cozy, Low-Stakes, Slice-of-Life Sci-fi Adventure
Life's a carnival when you're hauling the rides...
Rusty here, back on the galactic road with another cargo bay full of surprises. This time around, we're haulin' an alien carnival, complete with rides to make ya scream, games to bruise your ego, and enough sweet treats to give a dentist night terrors. And once it's up and runnin', we plan to enjoy every last thrill, spill, and sugar crash with our friends. Let me tell ya, there's nothin' like sharing a roller-coaster with a bark-skinned daredevil, a blob with motion sickness, and a robot who screams like dial-up internet.
But it ain't all funnel cakes and Ferris wheels. On our last run, Nessie's starboard engine swallowed enough asteroid debris to turn it into a king-sized rock tumbler, and we're not goin' anywhere until we fix 'er up. I didn't expect the repair to be hard, but I also didn't expect it to be… squishy. Never a dull moment when you call a vintage alien spaceship home.
Between the rides, the rust, and the rocket fuel, this is gonna be a heck of an adventure.
No Stress Space Express is a series about finding your true family, told with the common-sense wisdom of Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series (Bob's Saucer Repair), and the low-stakes world building of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Join Rusty and his crew for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure with no tension, and no drama. Just good clean fun, great friendships, and a little romance too.
Rusty here, back on the galactic road with another cargo bay full of surprises. This time around, we're haulin' an alien carnival, complete with rides to make ya scream, games to bruise your ego, and enough sweet treats to give a dentist night terrors. And once it's up and runnin', we plan to enjoy every last thrill, spill, and sugar crash with our friends. Let me tell ya, there's nothin' like sharing a roller-coaster with a bark-skinned daredevil, a blob with motion sickness, and a robot who screams like dial-up internet.
But it ain't all funnel cakes and Ferris wheels. On our last run, Nessie's starboard engine swallowed enough asteroid debris to turn it into a king-sized rock tumbler, and we're not goin' anywhere until we fix 'er up. I didn't expect the repair to be hard, but I also didn't expect it to be… squishy. Never a dull moment when you call a vintage alien spaceship home.
Between the rides, the rust, and the rocket fuel, this is gonna be a heck of an adventure.
No Stress Space Express is a series about finding your true family, told with the common-sense wisdom of Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series (Bob's Saucer Repair), and the low-stakes world building of Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Join Rusty and his crew for a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud adventure with no tension, and no drama. Just good clean fun, great friendships, and a little romance too.
- GenresScience Fiction
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2025
155 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Jack Bodett
12 books19 followersJack Bodett lives at the corner of duct tape and destiny. His humorous science-fiction tales are populated by folks who are equally good at building spaceships and building friendships. He believes that with a good sense of humor, a willingness to help others, and a well-stocked tool belt, anyone can bang together their own happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 21, 2025
Jack Bodett returns for his fifth No Stress Space Express novel -- Cosmic Cargo Carnival: A Cozy, Low-Stakes, Slice-of-Life Sci-Fi Adventure.
After the last couple of books in the series pushed the limits of the ever-present “Low-Stakes” subtitle, Cosmic Cargo Carnival returns to form of our following Rusty & Piper and Mike & Jenna as they go about their interesting new lives hauling freight from home base ... which just happens to be a massive mothership -- essentially a large city in outer space.
After dealing with some engine damage from their previous adventure, our familiar friends deliver some critical pieces of a wildly popular interstellar carnival, the Prindle Traveling Wondershow. As part of their payment for services rendered, Rusty and his crew receive VIP passes, not only for themselves, but for a bunch of the new friends they’ve made since getting transplanted from Earth and/or Mars.
That pretty much sums up the bulk of the novel: The No Stress Space Express team, and extended company, enjoy themselves at a carnival. And that’s what Bodett’s series is all about -- enjoying life with your found-family, with plenty of extraterrestrial twists along the way.
That’s something I’m definitely enjoying about this series: Rather than struggling against soul-crushing oppressors or killer cyborgs or whatnot, the reader gets to follow along as the crew have great times with good people of all shapes and sizes. And whenever they encounter something that’s somewhat familiar, we get to see the alien curveball on it. The details, as spun by Bodett, are often humorous and always logical -- it makes you wish you were there with them.
(On that note: One of my favorites for entry #5 would be the sci-fi spin on Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. I soooo wish that was a real thing!)
As noted with previous installments, if you enjoyed the first four No Stress Space Express books, then you will have fun with Cosmic Cargo Carnival. And I’ll definitely be checking out Book #6.
After the last couple of books in the series pushed the limits of the ever-present “Low-Stakes” subtitle, Cosmic Cargo Carnival returns to form of our following Rusty & Piper and Mike & Jenna as they go about their interesting new lives hauling freight from home base ... which just happens to be a massive mothership -- essentially a large city in outer space.
After dealing with some engine damage from their previous adventure, our familiar friends deliver some critical pieces of a wildly popular interstellar carnival, the Prindle Traveling Wondershow. As part of their payment for services rendered, Rusty and his crew receive VIP passes, not only for themselves, but for a bunch of the new friends they’ve made since getting transplanted from Earth and/or Mars.
That pretty much sums up the bulk of the novel: The No Stress Space Express team, and extended company, enjoy themselves at a carnival. And that’s what Bodett’s series is all about -- enjoying life with your found-family, with plenty of extraterrestrial twists along the way.
That’s something I’m definitely enjoying about this series: Rather than struggling against soul-crushing oppressors or killer cyborgs or whatnot, the reader gets to follow along as the crew have great times with good people of all shapes and sizes. And whenever they encounter something that’s somewhat familiar, we get to see the alien curveball on it. The details, as spun by Bodett, are often humorous and always logical -- it makes you wish you were there with them.
(On that note: One of my favorites for entry #5 would be the sci-fi spin on Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. I soooo wish that was a real thing!)
As noted with previous installments, if you enjoyed the first four No Stress Space Express books, then you will have fun with Cosmic Cargo Carnival. And I’ll definitely be checking out Book #6.
September 15, 2025
Another good entry in this series and when the title includes the phrase "Slice-of-Life" that is just what it is assuming you live on a spaceship traveling the galaxy and making trading stops, pit stops, and visits in various soler systems. No villains allowed in this series. My son can't comprehend how this could be anything but boring. This book is not boring. Humorous, regular living, good food, true friends, imaginative, etc. terms work here. I recommend this book and series.
August 23, 2025
It was quite an.........
....... adventure. I was expecting one outcome, but it never happened. It was quite the wonderful day at the Carnival. I was wondering how Mr Bodett was going to fill out the adventures with all of the "Friends ans Families". He covered each and all with their own Adventure. Very well done Master Bodett! Very Well Done Indeed
....... adventure. I was expecting one outcome, but it never happened. It was quite the wonderful day at the Carnival. I was wondering how Mr Bodett was going to fill out the adventures with all of the "Friends ans Families". He covered each and all with their own Adventure. Very well done Master Bodett! Very Well Done Indeed
August 25, 2025
getting better with each story
Loving it. Thanks!
Nobody could ever take Jerry Boyd’s place, but these guys are a good family too. Appreciation!
Blessing to Jerry, whatever universe he is in now. I am sure he is smiling at this series. 🤠
Loving it. Thanks!
Nobody could ever take Jerry Boyd’s place, but these guys are a good family too. Appreciation!
Blessing to Jerry, whatever universe he is in now. I am sure he is smiling at this series. 🤠
August 29, 2025
Dropped G’s
I am still loving these, however I listen to Alexa read the Kindle format to me. The “folksy” obverabundence of …in’ are driving me absolutely . Is there some way to convince her to substitute …ing for each occurrence so that she will cease dropping all the g’s?
I am still loving these, however I listen to Alexa read the Kindle format to me. The “folksy” obverabundence of …in’ are driving me absolutely . Is there some way to convince her to substitute …ing for each occurrence so that she will cease dropping all the g’s?
September 28, 2025
Hop on for the Tunnel of Love!
Suspend disbelief and just enjoy the sweet ride! Sweet and gooey as Cotton Candy, join the crew for a ride of friendship. Nothing but good times, a wonderful escape from the bad news of our current times
Suspend disbelief and just enjoy the sweet ride! Sweet and gooey as Cotton Candy, join the crew for a ride of friendship. Nothing but good times, a wonderful escape from the bad news of our current times
September 29, 2025
Book 5 in the series
The No Stress Space Express and Karlie’s Cargo have a job to haul equipment for a large carnival to a new planet. After they unload, the crews visit the carnival and have an adventure. A fun story.
The No Stress Space Express and Karlie’s Cargo have a job to haul equipment for a large carnival to a new planet. After they unload, the crews visit the carnival and have an adventure. A fun story.
October 4, 2025
A fun continuing romp through the lives of a couple of advanced truckers and their ladies. If this book doesn’t make you want to visit a carnival again nothing will. Lots of details on repairing impossible tech and space adventures. Nothing serious here. Just playful reading..
November 13, 2025
Many References to Earth Shows
In all these books there are references to a lot of baby boomer TV shows, movies, and the different big things back then. A great ride and humor throughout this series!!
Highly recommend if you looking for fun and a good time!!
In all these books there are references to a lot of baby boomer TV shows, movies, and the different big things back then. A great ride and humor throughout this series!!
Highly recommend if you looking for fun and a good time!!
January 22, 2026
Humor and friendship abounds...
The tale continues as the group has a fun romp at the show. New friends and relationships grow as the group explores the Carnival and new friends. Enjoyed the wild ride.
The tale continues as the group has a fun romp at the show. New friends and relationships grow as the group explores the Carnival and new friends. Enjoyed the wild ride.
March 15, 2026
Nice riff
Do enjoy the trucker culture undercoat especially since it plays so heavily into the 20th century norms. Enjoyable to hear how they use the music the movies and the concept of odd colored martians that still behave like humans in a pleasurable way.
Do enjoy the trucker culture undercoat especially since it plays so heavily into the 20th century norms. Enjoyable to hear how they use the music the movies and the concept of odd colored martians that still behave like humans in a pleasurable way.
August 19, 2025
Fun at the fair
These books are a bit silly but lots of fun if you don’t mind all the ‘Dad jokes’. I anxiously await the next installment.
These books are a bit silly but lots of fun if you don’t mind all the ‘Dad jokes’. I anxiously await the next installment.
August 26, 2025
This is a great series, I like the action and the relation ships between the characters.
September 15, 2025
Good, wholesome sci-fi fun
This author and series helps to fill some of the hole in my heart, left by the death of author Jerry Boyd. I eagerly await the next installment.
This author and series helps to fill some of the hole in my heart, left by the death of author Jerry Boyd. I eagerly await the next installment.
October 21, 2025
Better to reread Jerry Boyd's Bob and Nikki series. Jerry was never sexist.
November 13, 2025
Fun and entertaining
December 10, 2025
Enjoyable reading!
It was enjoyable reading about the group's day out and all the new aliens, author Jack Bodett did it again wrote a nice story!
It was enjoyable reading about the group's day out and all the new aliens, author Jack Bodett did it again wrote a nice story!
September 16, 2025
An excellent read, want to read more. Keep up the great writing.
October 25, 2025
I have to say I quite like this series. As the author says, it is a cozy sci-fi adventure. If it would have been a TV show I would classify it as a family adventure.
It is dragged down a bit by the author inventing a bit too many silly names and stuff though. Like "Festival of Flatulence" and "Beebarf" instead of honey. It's not as funny as he thinks. At least not for me.
It is dragged down a bit by the author inventing a bit too many silly names and stuff though. Like "Festival of Flatulence" and "Beebarf" instead of honey. It's not as funny as he thinks. At least not for me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews