The Speculative Fiction Book Club in Washington, D.C. will be meeting on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 from 7 - 8 PM at Lost City Books to discuss the novel Cascade Failure by L. M. Sagas. This debut sci-fi adventure blends elements of J. S. Dewes's Divide series with the cult classic show Firefly, featuring a fierce and chaotic space family crew, vibrant worlds, and an exploration of what it means to be human. In the world of Cascade Failure, three major powers are vying for control - the corporate Trust, the labor Union, and the neutral Guild trying to maintain balance between them. The protagonist Jal, branded a Guild deserter, accidentally finds herself aboard the Guild ship Ambit with its unconventional crew - helmed by an AI, an engineer/medic who blurs those roles, and a no-nonsense XO. When the Ambit responds to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they discover a horrifying mass grave and a programmer who reveals the Trust's sinister plans - this is not the first dead planet, and won't be the last unless they can stop it. Thrust into a dangerous situation far over their heads, this misfit Guild crew may be the only ones capable of thwarting the Trust's deadly scheme before more worlds face the same fate. Cascade Failure has been praised as a high-octane, thrilling sci-fi adventure and was listed as one of the most anticipated books of 2024 by major outlets like Goodreads, Polygon, and The Nerd Daily. With its unique blend of corporate intrigue, labor politics, and found family dynamics in space, it promises an exciting reading experience perfect for fans of shows like Firefly.