Time Bomb

The Ungovernable #3

by R.M. Olson

Someone’s hunting the Ungovernable. And they’re not going to stop until every one of the crew is dead.

When an enemy from ex-smuggler pilot Jez’s past reappears, determined to extract revenge, the crew of the Ungovernable have two options: fight, or run. But when a hyperjump gone wrong leaves the Ungovernable crippled, her weapons down and her cloaking disabled, their options become scarce indeed. As they scramble to repair the ship with rapidly-dwindling supplies and even more rapidly-dwindling oxygen, their pursuers are inexorably closing in. And if they’re going to survive, each of the crew will have to confront dangerous secrets from their past, before those secrets come back to destroy them.

Time Bomb is the third book in R.M. Olson’s science fiction space opera series The Ungovernable. With a crazy, close-knit crew, plenty of humour, and loads of action, Firefly meets Ocean’s Eleven in this fast-paced, kick-ass, wickedly fun series.

Genres: Science Fiction

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2020

About the author

R.M. Olson writes queer, feel-good space opera, featuring diverse casts, found families, and loads of action. R.M. has ridden the Trans Siberian railway, jumped off the highest bungee jump in the world, gone cage-diving with great white sharks, faced down a charging buffalo bull, and knows how to milk a goat. Currently they reside in Alberta, Canada with their four children, three cats, and a dog the size of a small bear. R.M. goes hiking and skiing more often than they probably have time for, eats more chocolate than is probably good for them, and reads more books than is probably prudent.

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books have been a pleasant surprise. This book had the team isolated in deep space and forced to confront a lot of fears and feelings but they came out stronger for it. Hopefully Jez will see some real growth and not be bent on a death wish. All their pasts and tragedies connect, they are a found family who are no realizing they are stronger together in the short time they’ve known each other. Ysabel is not one to be messed with 😳😳😳 once you have her loyalty, wow to anyone who messes with her people, as Lena learned.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilot Jez and the rest of the crew of the Ungovernable are being hunted. After several attacks, the ship is crippled and they are scrambling to find parts for repairs, as well as being left with a limited supply of oxygen and supplies. Throughout the story, the crew is struggling with one misfortune after another, and it looks like their options are running out and they may not make it. But working together, they become closer than ever, and find out just how much they’ve learned to care about each other when trouble strikes. At one point it looked like the crew was going to split up, there were issues with each other and they all couldn’t seem to get along. But there’s nothing like adversity to get people thinking about survival and making it work, rather than fighting over petty arguments. It looks like they are all tighter than ever, now that they know what they’re fighting for, and the next book should be another great adventure.

[Zura Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

***disclaimer, I narrate the audiobooks in the series***


So… this one is probably my favorite so far (I am probably going to say that after every single book)

In this “episode”, the crew of The Ungovernable finds themselves stranded on board a dependably broken vessel. It forces them to deal with each other on a whole new level, as things from their pasts resurface, and threaten the integrity of the crew.

I loved that this was a step away from epic adventure to deal with the simmering tensions amongst the crew. It is an opportunity to get to know each of them better… and to find out how they will respond to threats within close quarters.

As always, Olson makes me laugh out loud, hang on the edge of my seat, and stir up all the feels. I am always so excited to have the crew of the Ungovernable back in the booth with me!

[General · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story definitely takes a different turn than its predecessors, focusing more on internal plots than external ones. But it manages to never have a boring moment, and the interactions between the characters are authentic and subtle and brilliantly done.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best teams are created by pressure, just like diamonds. Masha and the group she has assembled deal with intense and continuous challenges. Another great chapter in the saga. Starting the next book in the series soon.

[Louise Gunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional story

Been a while since I've found an author who could totally get me absorbed in a world, laugh and cry just with their words.
This series is exceptional and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Irritating characters, stupid plot.

[Geetha Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has the crew running from ships that are hunting them, but stranded in space with The Ungovernable nearly dead, their options are limited. All attempts to repair the ship fails since there aren’t enough spare parts available, and Sasa Iliach’s tech is not easily replicated.
Whoever’s after them knows they aren’t dead, and everything is connected to disparate events in the past, events that had impacted each of them profoundly and personally.
When Jez’s former boss Lena turns out to be the one after them, Jez has more than the condition of her ship to worry about.
Once again, R.M. Olson weaves an intriguing tale that keeps you glued to the page. The stakes keep on getting higher and higher, and the crew’s situation increasingly desperate.
This is queer space opera at its best!