Who Would Like This Book:
If you’re into found-family dynamics, big-hearted characters, and cinematic, 'assemble the crew' science fiction, Hammajang Luck might be your next favorite read. The book does a fantastic job weaving strong Hawaiian cultural ties, queer representation, and a flawed but compelling protagonist into a high-stakes space heist. Fans of Ocean’s 8, Leverage, or anyone who loves stories about loyalty, community, and sticking it to the mega-rich will find a lot to enjoy here - especially if you’re craving more diversity in your sci-fi.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers felt the romance never truly sizzled and the emotional stakes didn’t always land, leaving the main relationship a bit undercooked. If you’re hoping for super elaborate world-building or a futuristic setting that feels drastically different from present-day Earth, you might notice the space station backdrop is sometimes more flavor than substance. Also, the crew introductions and heist setup can make the pacing feel slow in the first half, so if you want non-stop action from page one, you might get a little impatient.
About:
Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto is a fast-paced sci-fi heist novel set on the Kepler space station. The story follows Edie Morikawa, who has just been paroled after serving eight years in prison, largely due to their former best friend, Angel Huang. Upon their release, Edie discovers they are blacklisted from jobs but gets pulled into a risky heist by Angel, who seeks revenge against a powerful megacorp called Atlas. The plot includes assembling a diverse crew, navigating complex relationships, and addressing themes of family loyalty and betrayal.
The writing in Hammajang Luck is engaging, mixing dialogue and action to create a cinematic feel. Though it contains recruitment scenes reminiscent of a heist movie, the pacing may feel slow to some readers. Yamamoto successfully weaves Hawaiian culture into the narrative, adding depth to the characters and their motivations. While some aspects of the romance and tension between Edie and Angel could be clearer, the overall storytelling provides a unique blend of excitement, camaraderie, and emotional resonance, making it a compelling read.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Hammajang Luck include themes of betrayal, crime, and potential violence associated with the heist.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in Hammajang Luck, primarily focused on the complex relationship between Edie and Angel.
From The Publisher:
Ocean's 8 meets Blade Runner in this trail-blazing debut science fiction novel and swashbuckling love letter to Hawai'i about being forced to find a new home and striving to build a better one-unmissable for fans of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
Edie is done with crime. Eight years behind bars changes a person-costs them too much time with too many of the people who need them most.
And it's all Angel's fault. She sold Edie out in what should have been the greatest moment of their lives. Instead, Edie was shipped off to the icy prison planet spinning far below the soaring skybridges and neon catacombs of Kepler space station-of home-to spend the best part of a decade alone.
But then a chance for early parole appears out of nowhere and Edie steps into the pallid sunlight to find none other than Angel waiting-and she has an offer.
One last job. One last deal. One last target. The trillionaire tech god they failed to bring down last time. There's just one thing Edie needs to do-trust Angel again-which also happens to be the last thing Edie wants to do. What could possibly go all hammajang about this plan?
Ratings (3)
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Liked It (1) | |
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Reader Stats (15):
Read It (3) | |
Want To Read (11) | |
Not Interested (1) |
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Hammajang Luck?
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