Published by Renaissance Press
Age Group: Adult
Format: Fiction
Genres and Categories: Disabled and Neurodivergent Authors, LGBTQIA+ Authors, Queer Authors, Black Characters, Gay Characters, Lesbian Characters, Mental Health Representation, Non-Binary Characters, OwnVoices Representation, Queer Characters, Transgender Characters, Diverse Representation, Aliens, Cyborgs, Chronic Illness, Medical Scenes, Mental Health, Mobility Aids, Neurodivergent, Physical Disabilities, Trauma, Vision impairment, Disabled and Neurodivergent Romance, Sci Fi Action, Sci Fi Adventure, Space Opera, Futuristic Setting, Space, Space Ship, Found Family
Series: Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space #1
My Rating:
Published on: 15th September 2023
Pages: 344
Disability Representation: Neurodivergent, sign language, visual impairment, leg amputee, prostheses, brain fog, chronic pain, sensory overload, mental health, food allergies, accessibility devices and mobility aids of all types.
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In a galactic network known as the Keangal, where space is accessible.
Lieutenant Eileen Iris and the command crew of the S.S. SpoonZ haven't a clue what it means to be disabled. An unexpected conversation with an intergalactic janitor brings up the question but offers no answers before he's 'ported away.
Unfazed, duties resume as Iris manages an overprotective guidebot; Security Chief Lartha and her sentient prostheses offer kick-ass protection; Mr. Herbert's inventiveness is a godsend (although he's not quite grasped how to flirt); Commander Davan's affable personality comes through whether trumpeted, texted, or signed; and Captain Warq's gracious but firm leadership keeps everyone at their best.
Until on one mission, where the crew tears through space.
Just a little bit.
This book was provided for free by the Author and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book!
Content Warnings:
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Season One: Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space! – Book Review
I was a huge fan of the anthologies Nothing About Us and Nothing About Us Too, that Cait Gordon edited and contributed to, and when she approached me to review her latest book, Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space I was happy to do so. It was the perfect book to end repDISND 2024 with!
The S.S. SpoonZ is a scientific research vessel with a difference; it is crewed by people who are disabled and neurodivergent. Not that anyone aboard the ship would call themselves disabled. The crew of the S.S. SpoonZ are extremely confused when someone from another universe teleports aboard their ship and calls them by that word. In their universe, differences are celebrated and everything is accessible. From prosthetics to AI guide bots and portable quiet rooms, everyone’s accessible needs are met.
Described as a disability-hopepunk, Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space by Cait Gordon is completely unique. I’ve read plenty of books with queer-normative universes, but this is the first one with a disability-norm one. Gordon’s world-building is incredible, pushing the boundaries of what disability representation currently exists in fiction – and obliterating them. Authors take note; this book is filled with everything I would love to see in any book featuring disabled and neurodivergent characters.
Coupled with fantastic science fiction storylines and top-notch humour, Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space is an enjoyable and chaotic journey through the universe with quirky enigmatic characters. Disabled and neurodivergent readers will love the in-jokes mixed in.
With its fully accessible universe, this book represents what authors can do with disabled and neurodivergent representation if they only put their minds to it.
About Cait Gordon
Cait Gordon is an autistic, disabled, and queer Canadian writer of speculative fiction that celebrates diversity. She is the author of the award-nominated, disability-hopepunk adventure, Season One: Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space! Her short stories featuring disabled and/or neurodivergent heroes appear in Spring into SciFi (2024), We Shall Be Monsters, Mighty: An Anthology of Disabled Superheroes, There’s No Place, and Stargazers: Microtales from the Cosmos. She has had poems published in Polar Borealis and Mollyhouse. Cait also twice joined Talia C. Johnson to co-edit the (award-nominated) Nothing Without Us and (award-winning) Nothing Without Us Too disability fiction anthologies.
Over to you
Thanks for reading my book review for Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space by Cait Gordon!
This review is part of repDISND (formerly known as GeekDis) an annual event I run for the disabled and neurodivergent community to discuss representation. Follow the hashtag #repdisnd or follow me on social media for more!
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It does sound like the author nailed it when it comes to representation while also making this an enjoyable and fun story! I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Heather! 😀