I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older Series: Mossa & Pleiti #1
Published by Tordotcom on March 7 2023
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Science fiction
Pages: 176
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A perplexing mystery and a second chance romance set the stage for this engaging science fiction series starter.
This was such a lovely, gentle story with unique world building, and I really enjoyed it. If the description “cozy mystery set in space with a queer love story” gets your attention, then you will need to check it out!
The story takes place on the planet of Jupiter, where humans have set up colonies after leaving Earth due to extreme climate change and unlivable atmospheric conditions. Mossa is an investigator, and she has just been put on the case of a missing man, who disappeared off one of the many platforms surrounding the colony. Mossa suspects it was a suicide, and after interviewing the owner of a local pub, she discovers that the missing man is Bolien Trewl, a member of the Classics faculty at Valdegeld University.
This connection means only one thing: Mossa needs to speak to her ex-girlfriend Pleiti, who also works at the University. Surely Pleiti knows Bolien and can shed some light on why he might have disappeared. But asking for her help might be awkward, as Mossa broke up with Pleiti years ago.
But Pleiti is happy to help, and the two women set off to find out the truth about what really happened to Bolien Trewl.
This is a mystery whose focus isn’t on the mystery, if that makes sense. You won’t find much action, danger or shocking twists in The Mimicking of Known Successes, instead the emphasis is on the relationship between Mossa and Pleiti and the strange world of Giant, which is what the characters call Jupiter. It turns out I was only mildly interested in what happened to Bolien Trewl, but luckily Older gives her readers plenty of other interesting elements.
I found the world-building to be fascinating, even though it might seem familiar. And yes, the idea of having to leave Earth and find a new place to live isn’t original at all, but somehow the author makes it feel fresh. In this world, humans left Earth, which is no longer inhabitable, and set up colonies on Jupiter. Scientists took the genetic material of all living plants and animals with them, in order to preserve Earth’s creatures and to hopefully reestablish a new ecosystem on Earth someday. The Preservation Institute, or the “mauzooleum” as it’s fondly called, is a facility where plants and animals are genetically grown from the cells brought from Earth, and it’s open to visitors as well.
And I really enjoyed the “second chance romance” between Mossa and Pleiti. It’s subtly done and develops slowly over the course of the book. You can tell both women still have feelings for each other, even if they don’t admit it right away. I loved that they have tea and scones every time they get together, it was such a sweet, cozy element! The title echoes both their relationship and the idea of creating a new Earth in the future, the “mimicking of known successes” being the idea of doing what worked the first time, although perhaps that isn’t always the wisest course of action. Older’s message is loud and clear: we didn’t take care of Earth the first time, but we might have a second chance, if only we can learn from our past mistakes.
And yes, there is a flurry of activity at the end, when the women finally figure things out. I’m glad I had the chance to read about Mossa’s and Pleiti’s adventures on Jupiter, and I look forward to the next book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I find the premise for this book very fascinating and I would love to learn how humanity managed to establish a colony on a gas giant like Jupiter. The investigation would be a nice addition, but I imagine that the other aspects would be far more intriguing…. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…THE SEVENTH BRIDE, by T. Kingfisher
I wish there had been more info about the colonization process, but maybe in the next book:-)
Great review, Tammy! It’s been a while since I read a second chance romance, I think but I do love those kind of romances a lot. I love that the author managed to make the idea of leaving earth to find a new home seem fresh even though it has been done a lot already. That doesn’t seem like an easy feat so kudos to Malka!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: Of Salt and Gold by Avie Adams
I read a lot of science fiction, and half of those deal with leaving Earth to colonize a new planet, so it’s nice to read one that feels different.
Great review Tammy !!! I just finished it a couple days ago too but wasn’t able to write such lovely words like you
As you said, the mystery almost felt incidental.. I really loved the slow relationship development.. I’m glad this is gonna be a series.
Sahi recently posted…WEYWARD by Emilia Hart – Exquisite and Sublime
Thank you, you’re so sweet! Yes, I’m definitely glad it’s a series.
This sounds terrific! I don’t think I was even aware of this book before, but “cozy mystery set in space with a queer love story”??? Definitely sounds like something I need to check out!
It was a lot of fun, I’m glad it’s going to be a series:-)
Excellent review. I think I’d love this one. Thanks for sharing Tammy.
Thanks Anne!
The cozy mystery set in space got my attention straight away but the mention of the tea and scones was the little detail that left me thinking this should go on my TBR list. Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Pages and Tea recently posted…Book Review: The Six Deaths of the Saint (Into Shadow #3) by Alix E. Harrow
I loved that detail, it made the story very cozy:-)
I had to laugh when you mentioned they’d left Earth due to unlivable atmospheric conditions and yet decided Jupiter would be a good place to start a colony. Talk about unlivable atmospheric conditions! Is the planet the Jupiter of our solar system or did they leave the solar system and just named a new planet Jupiter? Either way, very glad to see you enjoyed the story. That’s all that counts.
LOL that never occurred to me! But you’re right. I think the idea is Jupiter is only a temporary solution.
It’s a little bit crazy thinking we could one day colonize Jupiter. But yes maybe our conditions will push us to it…
It sounds odd but it kind of makes sense when you read the book.
This sounds very interesting. Thanks for the review.
So, the former science teacher in me wants to know how they explained setting up new colonies on a gas planet, lol. But other than that part this does sound like it could be a good start to a new series! Thanks for sharing! Great review!
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