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The Salvagers #3

The Worst of All Possible Worlds

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The greatest dangers hide the brightest treasures in this bold, planet-hopping science fiction adventure series.

The crew of the legendary Capricious may have gone legitimate, but they're still on the run.

With devastatingly powerful enemies in pursuit and family and friends under attack planetside, Nilah and Boots struggle to piece together rumors of an ancient technology that could lead to victory.

Ensnared by the legend of Origin, humanity's birthplace, and a long-dead form of magic, the Capricious takes off on a journey to find the first colony ship...and magic that could bring down gods.

487 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2020

195 people are currently reading
2,151 people want to read

About the author

Alex White

90books521followers
Alex White was born and raised in the American south. He takes photos, writes music and spends hours on YouTube watching other people blacksmith. He values challenging and subversive writing, but will settle for a good time.

In the shadow of rockets in Huntsville, Alabama, Alex lives and works as an experience designer with his spouse, son, two dogs and a cat named Grim. Favored past times include Legos and racecars. He takes his whiskey neat and his espresso black.

Alex is the author of THE SALVAGERS book series (Orbit, 2018), a magical space opera treasure hunt, ALIEN: THE COLD FORGE (Titan, 2018)(yes, THAT Alien), and EVERY MOUNTAIN MADE LOW (Solaris, 2016), a dystopian Southern American yarn.

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5 stars
749 (41%)
4 stars
799 (44%)
3 stars
230 (12%)
2 stars
23 (1%)
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11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
Profile Image for Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!*.
1,302 reviews281 followers
November 5, 2020
This is a solid cross-genre book and trilogy, with a highly modern sense of character relationships and diversity. Though not aways to my taste, the author did a superb job of building a spacefaring crew that many readers can connect with, even if I personally did not develop any attachments to them. As in the prior books, the blistering action scenes are the real highlights, including space fleet battles, freeway chases, hand-to-hand and magical combat. writes excellent high-octane moments that are easy to ride along with.

In between the speedy highs and the more emotional character moments, I tended to lose interest. I would just gloss over the instances of techno-babble and strategizing while waiting for the next thrilling scene. I failed to become invested with these characters over the course of the series but I can recognize the passion that went into their development. That is, except for the weird psychic twins who were introduced in the second book. I did not care for their backstory and their role in the whole story was weak. I was also disappointed that the crew of Capricious only dealt directly with two of a whole group of god-level spellcasters plotting to take over the galaxy. They had a personal investment in those two in particular, but the rest were dispensed of with a hand-wave, which feels like lost opportunity.

Fans of 's looking for something kind of similar but with a lot more action will enjoy this series.
Profile Image for THE BIBLIOPHILE (Rituranjan).
553 reviews85 followers
October 9, 2020
Epic in scope, non-stop action, mysteries unveiled, this is one exhilarating space-opera spiced with an awesome combination of technology and magic. I think that this is the best book in the entire trilogy. Brilliant pacing, awesome character interactions, and a perfect blend of grimness and humour that shines through big intergalactic battles and politics.

This last book deals with the mysteries of Origin and magic. The revelations were amazing, and some of the descriptions were surreal. I loved the way how White balances the action, and giving us plausible character growth at the same time. The storyarc dealing with Henrick Witts and his gods reaches an explosive climax. The last part of the book was cinematic, and I long to see it on the big screen.

The characters are all there, with the addition of two new members. Nilah and Orna get married, and I can't love them enough. Boots always cracks me up with her hardy humour. However, I was much intrigued by Alister and Jeannie, and their shady past. Some things are revealed about them, and some are not. I would like to read a novella about them after this particular book.

The crew of the Capricious gets into the ultimate fight of their lives in this book, and they're outmatched. I absolutely loved the AI destroyer, and its attitude is filled with snarky humour. It lit a smile in my face when it interacted with the crew, and was a freaking badass. Most of the crew deals with their loss and a past they can't forget, and Nilah faces it for the first time and comes out strong, shoving aside her revenge and completing the mission.

This is one of the most entertaining space-operas I've ever read, and I believe that it should be pitched for a movie. There's no hard science stuff in it, and hence it's very easy to get immersed in the story. I love the crew of Capricious, but, for the time being they've earned their rest. What a fitting climax to the trilogy!
Profile Image for Vigasia.
467 reviews22 followers
August 2, 2020
Great ending of the great series. It was good to see my favourtie space crew once again and go with them on another adventure. If you liked previous installments, you will love this one. There's non stop action with a lot of humor, but also many heart-stopping moments. It is hard to read a book if you love characters so much that you want them all to survive to the end. Did they make it? REad it and find out!
Profile Image for Mili.
418 reviews52 followers
September 3, 2020
This series has everything that I love! Magic, adventure in space, founding family with amazing characters and humor. Going to miss them all so much. It is actionpacked badassery from start to finish, but definitely also with tender moments. This series goes on my reread pile.
Profile Image for Delaney.
1,136 reviews
August 22, 2020
4.5.
Review for The Worst of All Possible Worlds by Alex White

Thank you so much to Orbit for sending me an e-copy of this to read and review! All opinions are my own.

Trigger Warnings (TW): For violence, murder, and fighting, talk of struggling with drinking, smoking.

Summary:
“The greatest dangers hide the brightest treasures in this bold, planet-hopping science fiction adventure series.

The crew of the legendary Capricious may have gone legitimate, but they're still on the run.

With devastatingly powerful enemies in pursuit and family and friends under attack planetside, Nilah and Boots struggle to piece together rumors of an ancient technology that could lead to victory.

Ensnared by the legend of Origin, humanity's birthplace, and a long-dead form of magic, the Capricious takes off on a journey to find the first colony ship...and magic that could bring down gods.”



My Thoughts
First off, from start to finish this is one of the most satisfying and action-packed series I have ever read.
White creates some of the most endearing and frustrating characters that I’ve ever come to love. From the first chapter of book one, I was absolutely captivated. These books hit the ground running and rarely ever stop, and when they do, it’s usually for a touching or important scene between characters. I’ve grown to care for these characters so deeply, and I loved watching their relationships grow throughout the series, because they were so easy to relate to and understand.

Not to mention the action!
We follow the crew of the Capricious throughout their treasure hunting and badassery across the galaxy. This series has a beautiful blend of science fiction (spaaaace) as well as a fantastical magic system that I loved learning new facets of in each installment.

I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Boots and Kin, and watching this ragtag crew grow to be one of (if not) the best found family I’ve ever read. I’m always nervous for finales to series or trilogies, and this one did not disappoint whatsoever. I’ll be pushing this series onto many people from here on out.


Overall (TLDR)
If you’re looking for a page turning adventure with amazing characters and an immersive world and magic system, I highly recommend this series. You’ll grow to love the characters immensely and have to know how it all ends up.
Alex White has shot up onto my list of “must buy” authors, because they stole my heart with this series and these characters.


Thanks again to Orbit for sending me a copy, I’m so happy to have read this!

Go read this, and then find me on Instagram and Twitter!
Profile Image for Kristin B. Bodreau.
400 reviews56 followers
May 4, 2021
As delightfully flawed in the last book as it was in the first. The characters are believably human while also being caricatures of themselves. The plot lines are crazy. The magic doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense (particularly since this is primarily a sci-fi book.) The action scenes were improbable. And I loved every single second of it. These people get wrangled into saving the world and they kind of love it, but also definitely hate it. They absolutely love each other, and want to punch each other’s faces in. They are snarky, sweet, silly and serious. And so is their AI! I could read about these folks for a long time. The best compliment I can give, is that it gives me serious Firefly vibes.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
462 reviews11 followers
January 15, 2021
The Worst of All Possible Worlds, the final book in The Salvagers trilogy, and the final piece of my heart shattered knowing it’s over. It’s like losing Firefly all over again, but at least I got an actual ending this time around.

Alex White is a brilliant writer. This magic based science fiction has everything - obviously magic, and space - but we have diverse characters, found family, adventure, excitement, truly unnerving villains. Their writing is engaging and entertaining, and you can’t turn the pages fast enough. Each book is the trilogy is equally as good, never feeling like we’re stuck in a boring mid point, and dragging on towards an ending. The pacing stays all throughout, and the characters are constantly growing and developing, letting us become even more attached to them and worry more than ever as the books go on. This being the third makes it especially stressful while we worry about what they could possibly do to us next.

If you’ve not picked up this up yet, you need to. If you have any interest in science fiction, magic, diverse characters, or just good writing, then this is a series you absolutely need to read. Which basically sums up what every reader should be looking for, so no excuses as to why you’re not interested. I can’t recommend this series enough, and this is a perfect ending to the series, so go get yourself a copy.
8 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2022
When I started this series, I did not think I was going to like it. Who mixes magic and space stuff? Sounds crazy. The good kind of crazy!! I hope Alex keeps writing stuff like this. Even if they started a new series that was similar but not the same people, like Scalzi does, that would be just fine with me. As far as the story goes, this reminded me a lot of Battlestar Galactica in how it starts off bad, gets worse, and then never lets up. When did it become normal to tear up while reading a book? Or to get really tense or angry or nervous? I guess this is the new normal.
Profile Image for Delara.
154 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2020
Hello. I would like to report a robbery...OF MY HEART. To follow is a disgustingly gushy slash good review of this, the third and final book in The Salvagers series, coming soon once I retrieve all my feelings.

How dare, Alex White. How dare. (And thank you!!!)

Ok. Feelings retrieved.

Well, it's happened. THE WORST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS has soared to the very top, the apex, the peak of my favorite sci-fi reads of the year, and, as a result, Alex White has permanently stolen my heart. If you see them, tell them I don't need it back.

THE WORST, which I will call this book for the remainder of this review, is the incredibly satisfying wrap-up for The Salvagers series and the Capricious crew. In THE WORST, this ragtag bunch of "legit" crime solvers must fight the final big baddies: Nilah's super-evil former racing coach, and the uber-god himself, Henrick Witts. THE WORST has everything for fans of space opera and fantasy, mashed up together in one technically accomplished package: found family, love, battles, blood, revenge, and--of course--the biggest treasure hunt ever: humanity's birthplace and source of some big-time magic.

There wasn't one moment in THE WORST where I wasn't anxious for what came next, flipping pages like a sugar rush. Cordell really shone in this book; getting to know him more was a delight, as was seeing Boots . I have to compliment White (what? more compliments?), especially, for chapter nineteen; lots of happy tears from this reader. I do believe I'll be rereading that scene for years to come.

Thank you, Orbit, for entrusting me with the honor of shouting from the rooftops and throwing this book at everyone. Can't wait for Alex White's next trilogy.
Profile Image for John.
762 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2021
yeah, found myself drifting while listening to this one. The story was not as engaging as the first 2. Still an interesting story but just not as good as the first.
Profile Image for Sana.
1,349 reviews1,146 followers
Shelved as 'to-read-so-bad-it-hurts'
February 6, 2020
Ashamed to be adding this to my to-read list only now which is also a year after reading book 2, wow
Profile Image for Amy.
15 reviews
July 26, 2022
BOOTS DESERVES ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.
Profile Image for Bunny .
2,362 reviews114 followers
February 24, 2021
I read this in 2019, after a major, mind-fucking, too-good-to-be-true, pinch-me-because-I'm-either-dreaming-or-stoned, conversation via Twitter that has led to a crazy fucking cool friendship with the author.

People who've been around for some years know how absolutely obsessed I became with this series after reading . Recommended by a friend who has almost impeccable taste in reading, and has consistently recommended some of my all-time favorites. I went in with low expectations and got blown across the ocean by how amazing this world, this magic system, this entire universe is. I was itching for more, and waiting between books had me chewing my fingertips off because I ran out of fingernails.

So, when I got the chance to read this ahead of time, I calmly responded, then screamed so loudly I think they heard me five states away. I couldn't tell anyone, and I would have basically been doing cartwheels out in public if my lumpy body could contort into those shapes.

I have witnessed so many failed trilogies. Where the first book is absolutely all consuming, and you want to ride this tidal wave of action, suspense, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, love, hate, to the final crashing moments, then lay on the beach wiped and exhausted and absolutely, blissfully devastated to be done with the world forever.

And then Mockingjay comes and everything is ABSOLUTELY RUINED.

::cough:: I mean. The ending is never as satisfying as you desire.

This is, hands down, far and away, the best, most satisfying trilogy I have ever read. WOAPW is the better-than-cherries-because-I-hate-cherries on top of a delicious science fiction magical world full of ass kicking characters and brilliant battle scenes. This final installment is ALL about the friendships and fight scenes.

My girls, Boots and Nilah, get my top billing here, and their friendship got my blood singing. I was a roller coaster of emotions through this entire book, and was so pumped to find out how it ended but at the same time, I wasn't ready. I couldn't be ready.

I desperately hope that someday, Alex can build us another world based off the scraps of tastiness left at the end of this incredible trilogy.

PLS AND THANK YOU.

If you haven't read this series, please get your ass in gear. Not only because it's amazing, but because I am TOTALLY IN THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND IT'S AWESOME.
Profile Image for Bill Pentland.
161 reviews3 followers
September 17, 2023
Well, I finally finished a book. I've been a terrible reader this summer for a variety of reasons. Travel and, lately, the appearance of a lovely cataract on my left eye. Hopefully, we will get this taken care of and I can get back to my usual pace. I just finished the 3rd book of Alex White's Scavengers trilogy, The Worst of All Possible Worlds. The promo for the first book, A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, promised a Firefly like experience. A motley assortment of characters drawn together on a quest to find a mythical all-powerful ship somewhere in the galaxy. While on this quest, they uncover a plot to destroy the entire universe by people who set themselves up as gods. The promo nailed it. There were several points in the trilogy where i was reminded of the crew of the Serenity, which was a series that I really liked. This book brought the quest and the conflict to a conclusion. White's characters were unique and often loveable. They were varied in their attitudes but meshed as a unit for good. The antagonist was the ultimate evil and the efforts to bring him down created some tense, nail-biting moments. It had been awhile since I finished a book and I have to say, this was one I really enjoyed.
Profile Image for Christopher.
Author10 books245 followers
August 6, 2020
Just as enjoyable as the first two, and probably the one with the best pacing and most coherent plot. The Worst of All Possible Worlds wraps up the Salvagers trilogy quite well, retaining the kinetic action and memorable characters from the first two while offering what I felt was the best of the three stories. White's prose reads like it's waiting to be turned into a movie, and I mean that in the best possible way - it's cinematic, compelling, and rarely bogs down. While I saw a certain big event coming toward the end of the book, I wasn't disappointed by it. I might've liked to see a touch more bitter in the bittersweet ending, but overall things wrap up really well, even while still leaving room for White to return to the universe they've created, should they want to. Read the whole series. It's good space opera fun!
Profile Image for Ashley (gotbookcitement).
727 reviews84 followers
July 9, 2022
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5



I did it. I finished a series! Hooray!
I enjoyed this. I wish that I had read all the books in the series more close together, just so I could remember stuff. My own fault. I'm not good at bingeing series. I read book one, wait to read book 2, and then wait even longer to read book 3. I need breaks between the books.
There was a lot that had to happen in this last book, so much so that we didn't get to stay very long in one place. I kind of wished that we could have stayed in places longer.
I also wish that Boots could have got ultimate glory in the final battle. I don't think the others needed to jump in, she could have done it herself. I just wanted Boots to have her moment to shine on her own.
And with all the build up around the baddie, he did get taken down pretty quickly.
Yeah, this was a fun, sci-fi series. I liked it.
I'm mixed on how I feel about the ending. It was nice, but at the same time, I wanted more for them.
Profile Image for Michael.
1,192 reviews42 followers
September 3, 2020
This is the third book in The Salvagers series by Alex White. This series is a combination of Space Opera/Fantasy with a mixture of science and magic in a far distant future. A misfit team consisting of a treasure hunter/ex-soldier, a race car driver and the crew of the spaceship Capricious are once again on a mission to save mankind from destruction. This book is the best of the series in my opinion, except for the ending which I was disappointed in. The action is almost non-stop and the characters are interesting and you find yourself caring about their welfare. This book is a great conclusion to this series and I look forward to reading more books by Alex White.
Profile Image for Anne-Marie.
602 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2022
Holy shit that was a fantastic ending to the trilogy. Goddamn.

Once I've processed, I'll write a better review...

Overall, I loved this series. It was an unexpected find this year (shoutout to Victoria for introducing me) and absolutely worth it. The action and plot was fun and well developed with sufficiently high stakes and body counts, the world was excellent and the magic element really worked with the scifi setup.

I loved the character relationships and development, the sapphic relationship and other queer characters, the found family element, and the disability rep.

Highly recommend for a fast-paced, cinematic space opera with a cool world and lore and amazing characters.

Also the ending was *chef's kiss* - both the main event and the mini epilogue.
Profile Image for Taylor Rickett.
68 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2021
Great ensembles don’t always shine in novels, but Alex White really puts together a fun crew throughout this series. It’s a high stakes and fun ride. If you like space travel, paramilitary action, interesting science and exciting, entertaining characters, check out Alex White’s series here. It’s definitely enjoyable.
Profile Image for Mike Reinking.
337 reviews4 followers
September 27, 2021
Woke science fiction. It's a bummer. Perhaps because I only read this book and not the first two parts of the trilogy, I missed out on connecting with the story. Didn’t care about the characters or their mission. I despair of most current SF.
Profile Image for Derek Rabel.
108 reviews
January 3, 2021
Really enjoyed the book, great characters and a fantastic wrap up for the trilogy.
Profile Image for Victoria Hawco.
677 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2022
We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty. Shiny.
Profile Image for Jae.
79 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2023
Just really a big fan of this book trilogy. Magic and starships. It's so awesome.
Profile Image for Matt Watkins.
67 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2024
A pretty solid adventure with interesting characters! Good old sci fi with that firefly feel :)
163 reviews8 followers
August 19, 2024
I picked the first book in the trilogy for a science fiction book club. I read all three books. It was action packed, full of gadgets and magic. The characters were captivating and the books were well written and plotted.
Profile Image for Mari.
28 reviews
January 12, 2025
One heck of an ending to one heck of a trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews

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