Where to Start with Cat Rambo
Because Cat Rambo writes across vastly different subgenres of science fiction and fantasy, your best starting point depends entirely on what kind of mood you are in. Their work is widely praised for its rich character development, inclusive worlds, and hopepunk philosophy—the idea that kindness and cooperation are active forms of resistance.
If you love high-spirited, character-driven science fiction with a touch of humor and cozy vibes, start with the space opera novel You Sexy Thing. If you prefer deep, politically complex fantasy with rich worldbuilding and themes of rebellion, start with the epic fantasy novel Beasts of Tabat. If you prefer bite-sized, award-winning speculative fiction, their Nebula-winning novelette Carpe Glitter is a self-contained masterpiece that showcases their storytelling strengths in under a hundred pages.
The Disco Space Opera Series
Often described as Farscape meets The Great British Baking Show, this series is a fun, high-energy space adventure. It follows a retired military admiral and her loyal crew who open a restaurant, only to find themselves hijacked aboard a sentient spaceship and fleeing across the cosmos. This series should be read in order of publication:
- You Sexy Thing (2021) – The crew is kidnapped by a living ship and must work together to survive galactic threats.
- Devil's Gun (2023) – The crew deals with the fallout of their escape, navigating interstellar politics and dangerous new allies.
- Rumor Has It (2024) – The adventure continues as the crew tries to secure a safe haven in a chaotic universe.
The Tabat Quartet
Rambo's signature fantasy series is set in the sprawling, highly segregated city of Tabat, where magical creatures (called "Beasts") are exploited by the human ruling class. The narrative explores class division, revolution, and the power of storytelling. While the events of the first two books happen concurrently or overlap in timeline, they are best read in publication order to appreciate the gradual unfolding of the mystery:
- Beasts of Tabat (2015) – Introduces the Gladiator Bella and the scribe Dryco, setting the stage for political unrest.
- Hearts of Tabat (2018) – Focuses on the gathering storm of revolution from different perspectives as winter falls on the city.
- Exiles of Tabat (2021) – The aftermath of the rebellion drives characters out of the city and expands the world's horizon.
- Wings of Tabat (Forthcoming / 2025-2026) – The planned final installment of the quartet.
Tales of Tabat (Companion Short Stories)
Rambo has written several companion short stories set in the same world. These can be read before or after the main novels to gain a deeper understanding of Tabat's history and mythology:
- Narrative of a Beast's Life (2014)
- How Dogs Came to the New Continent (2014)
- Events at Fort Plentitude (2014)
- Sugar (2014)
- Love, Resurrected (2015)
Short Story Universes and Cycles
Cat Rambo is incredibly prolific in the short fiction space. Much of their short fiction is organized into recurring thematic cycles or shared settings. Here are the key short story series to look out for:
Altered America
A steampunk-inspired alternate history series exploring a magical, mechanized version of the United States. You can read the stories individually or pick up the collected edition, Altered America (2016):
- Rappaccini's Crow (2014)
- Her Windowed Eyes, Her Chambered Heart (2014)
Closer Than You Think & Farther Than Tomorrow (Near + Far)
These two series correspond to the themes of Rambo's landmark double-sided collection, Near + Far (2012). The book was published as a "tête-bêche" double-book (like the vintage Ace Doubles), with "Near" on one side and "Far" on the flip side.
The Closer Than You Think stories represent the "Near" side, focusing on near-future sci-fi, cybernetic enhancements, and domestic technology:
- Peaches of Immortality (2014)
- English Muffin, Devotion on the Side (2014)
- Tortoiseshell Cats Are Not Refundable (2014)
- Therapy Buddha (2014)
- Zeppelin Follies (2014)
- All the Pretty Little Mermaids (2014)
- Flicka (2015)
The Farther Than Tomorrow stories represent the "Far" side, exploring far-future space travel, alien worlds, and surreal technologies:
- Bus Ride to Mars (2014)
- Grandmother (2014)
- Elsewhere, Within, Elsewhen (2014)
- Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain (2014)
- Surrogates (2015)
Twicefar Station
A sci-fi series focused on the operations and quirky inhabitants of a remote space station. These stories are best read in chronological order:
- Kallakak's Cousins (2014)
- Amid the Words of War (2015)
- I Come From the Dark Universe (2015)
- TimeSnip (2015)
Women of Zalanthas
Set in a harsh, fantasy desert world inspired by roleplaying settings, this series follows the struggles of women fighting for survival and autonomy:
- Karaluvian Fale (2011)
- Aquila's Ring (2014)
- Mirabai the Twice-Lived (2014)
World Beside Us
Urban fantasy stories that uncover magical elements hiding just under the surface of our modern, everyday lives:
- Jaco Tours (2014)
- Can You Hear the Moon? (2015)
- So Glad We Had This Time Together (2015)
- Of Selkies, Disco Balls, and Anna Plane (2015)
What to Know Before You Start
Rambo's stories frequently champion diverse identities, complex non-romantic relationships, and community solidarity. If you're diving into their short fiction collections like Eyes Like Sky and Coal and Moonlight or Neither Here Nor There, expect a mix of speculative genres ranging from gritty steampunk to magical realism. The author's background in tech security and roleplaying games heavily influences their logical but whimsical approach to magic and futuristic systems.