# The Wrong Stars

By Tim Pratt · Axiom, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-wrong-stars-e1dd224e/

The White Raven’s salvage crew rescues a woman from an ancient exploration ship. Her news of first contact seems outdated until it becomes clear that her aliens are different from humanity’s known allies. Wisecracking crewmates accompany a dangerous discovery in this space adventure, where a rescue job opens onto a much larger threat.

## What makes it funny?

Humanity’s alien trading partners are called the Liars, and they earn the name with elaborate stories about their origins and ordinary daily business. Different groups even have different ways of denying that they lie.

### The comedy at work

The crew answers dangerous discoveries with a steady stream of quips. Their familiar conversational style keeps the distant future approachable while the Liars turn getting a straight answer into a recurring problem.

### Try this if…

Space-opera readers who want alien mysteries, escalating danger and frequent crew banter are the natural audience. The developing relationship between Callie and Elena gives the rescue mission a romantic thread.

### Good to know

Wisecracks are common across the crew; Jon Ficke’s review found that this sometimes made their voices sound alike.

## What to expect

- Genre: Science fiction
- On the shelf: First contact & aliens · Space opera
- Kind of humor: Banter
- Format: Novel
- Length: 400 pages (ebook)

## Sources & further reading

- Book information: [The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt on Apple Books](https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-wrong-stars/id1205241960)
- Library catalog: [Free Library of Philadelphia](https://freelibrary.overdrive.com/media/3273216)
- Review: [Jon Ficke review](https://jonficke.com/2025/02/12/review-the-wrong-stars-by-tim-pratt)
- Publisher: [Penguin Random House: The Wrong Stars](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/557746/the-wrong-stars-by-tim-pratt/paperback)
- Review: [Strange Horizons review](https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/non-fiction/reviews/the-wrong-stars-by-tim-pratt)