Reviews

The book started off quite quickly, but ended up feeling a little slow for the last half just because there wasn't much more to the joke after about page 100.

The main character was the kind of underdog one roots for, despite being a bit stupid and pathetic.

Trying to get a loan like that. What was he thinking.

One can take this book at face value. Certainly the title and cover are not misleading. It does share some elements with Austin Powers and Hitchhiker's Guide.

It goes exactly where it says it will go with Charlie getting the bar by the end of the book. Generally, it's nice that the dolphins got their union and so did the whales.

The main scheme was kind of too wacky for me.

Killing all of the other villains was so convenient and kept the story tidy and the world unexplored and somewhat meaningless. So at the end all we have are genetically engineered cats, dolphins and whales. Also, the friend villains.

Regardless of the emptiness that I felt, I still want to read more Scalzi. I'm just not in a rush to do it.

jomojobo's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tomperignon's review against another edition

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5.0

This is my second Scalzi novel, just having finished Old Man's War.
I can see myself becoming a Scalzi completionist.
this novel has everything: bad mouthed labor rights activist dolphins, Cats who may or may not be hyper intelligent beings who talk to you through a computer, whales with laser beams, a not so top secret volcano lair and some pretty awesome supervillainy.

I love the underlying commentaries the most: animal rights, women's rights, nepotism driving capitalist corporations and being pro-union. Not your typical sci-fi, but it is an hilarious romp.
I know this is supposed to be a one off novel - but I would read a second in a heartbeat. Especially if Dolphin 73 is in it again!

brd0001's review against another edition

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2.0

Generic white guy who thinks he is clever gets everything in life handed to him even though he’s a bumbling idiot. The dialogue was dull and aggravating and the characters were flat. The only saving grace of this book was the dolphins (and the adorable cover). Even the cats were boring which is difficult to do. Do not recommend at all.

I think I have to give up on Scalzi as an author. While I did like the Old Man’s War, I have not liked anything else by this author. What a disappointment.

nfiertz's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

onlz's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Fun, light book. Cute ideas but low on stakes.

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