Let the unliving handle the unliving, and see if doing it long enough drove even robots mad. -
Madeleine Roux, Salvaged

Irrational Reading


Issue 8

May 3 2025

This month, we’re exploring Salvaged by Madeleine Roux, a gripping sci-fi thriller set on a spooky derelict spaceship. Rosalyn Devar, our main character, is just trying to make a living cleaning up messes in space, but she stumbles upon something far more dangerous than she bargained for! Get ready for mystery, thrills, and characters you’ll root for as we unpack the big ideas in this book.

Current Read: Salvaged by Madeleine Roux

Rosalyn is a woman on the run, haunted by her past and thrust into isolation aboard a mysterious and unsettling spaceship. With a demanding role and a life full of secrets, she finds herself navigating not just outer space but the emotional weight of solitude. We’ll explore how isolation can reshape a person and what it truly means to begin again when everything falls apart.

As the ship falls prey to a strange infection, the crew begins to change in disturbing ways. Rosalyn must decide whether to trust the ship’s captain as the threat escalates. This raises questions about trust, survival, and the ways people either come together—or unravel—when faced with crisis.

Beneath it all, there’s something sinister at play. The company that owns the ship may be hiding more than it reveals, possibly endangering everyone aboard. We’ll dive into the role of corporate power, how it affects ordinary lives, and whether standing up for what’s right is worth the personal cost.

Discussion Questions

  • How does Rosalyn’s job as a “space janitor” reflect her internal struggles? Is her self-imposed isolation a strength or a flaw?
  • The crew is changing because of the infection. What does it mean to stay human when things get scary?
  • Do you think the company is responsible for what happened on the ship? Is it ever okay to put profits over people?
  • Can Rosalyn and the captain learn to trust each other? How important is trust when you’re in a dangerous situation?

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Beyond the Book

Meet the Author

madeleine-roux.com

Get to know Madeleine Roux and her other books.

What is Space Horror?

reactormag.com

Reactor Magazine’s plea for more space horror. Discusses the genre’s unique blend of cosmic scale and monster horror.

Madeleine Roux on writing Salvaged

Fictitious

Madeleine Roux discusses her creative process for Salvaged, its deep space sci-fi thriller elements, and the story’s themes.

Next Meeting

Our next book club meeting will take place on May 6. Members, keep an eye on your inbox—we’ll be sending out the meeting link via email. If you're not yet a member and interested in joining the first meeting is free of charge.