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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Received this ARC from NetGalley, so thank you for the opportunity.
The first thing that came to mind when reading this was that movie, Zombieland. Aliens take over the world and start mutilating people. Not much funny about that situation right? Well, Ritchie took a very serious, scary situation and made it fun. Gruesomeness pairs with humor in this story and his prose was quirky and lighthearted with an undercurrent of sarcasm from his main character. His cast of characters was diverse without being self-righteous about it (they were all just people), and they were all likeable without being perfect.
The only downsides to this story was the ending and the characters. For the former, it seemed like Ritchie didn't know how to wrap things up. I'm OK with ambiguous, but it felt a little jarring, like that shouldn't have been all there was. For the latter, it wasn't that the characters were bad, just that there were a lot of them. So much so that I totally forgot who met who where and why they were important to the main one.
Overall though, great genre-combining read.
The first thing that came to mind when reading this was that movie, Zombieland. Aliens take over the world and start mutilating people. Not much funny about that situation right? Well, Ritchie took a very serious, scary situation and made it fun. Gruesomeness pairs with humor in this story and his prose was quirky and lighthearted with an undercurrent of sarcasm from his main character. His cast of characters was diverse without being self-righteous about it (they were all just people), and they were all likeable without being perfect.
The only downsides to this story was the ending and the characters. For the former, it seemed like Ritchie didn't know how to wrap things up. I'm OK with ambiguous, but it felt a little jarring, like that shouldn't have been all there was. For the latter, it wasn't that the characters were bad, just that there were a lot of them. So much so that I totally forgot who met who where and why they were important to the main one.
Overall though, great genre-combining read.
Independence Day from the 'little people's' point of view... with some surprising traits.
Aliens have landed. Dexter has been taken. This is just the first page, where Dexter is "overwhelmed by the notion of leaving everything I knew behind on that tiny blue dot that wasn't prepared for its sudden demise." We know immediately that this is no Happy Ever After. He tells us the story of a week ago, but also of his life and friends. Part of a large group of buddies, he's the only one not partnered up. Which seems to be significant.
One by one, he tells us how his friends all found partners, giving each personality and backstory (though I couldn't help but mix them up subsequently), making us see them all as noteworthy characters. The references of self-awareness are funny: "Enough back story, there's an alien invasion in progress" - I liked Dexter's narration from the present/future.
Dexter himself is single and lonely with it, despite loving his smart little cat (The Great Catsby) and having a career as an English teacher. When the world begins to fall apart, he bands together with his group and attempts to get them all to a place of safety, while watching the aliens and how they treat their victims.
I loved how Dexter described his friends as pairs: "Priti-and-Art". Very funny considering what happens to his friends.
Now, you'd expect this to be a horror story, as these are hostile aliens and they decimate the planet (again, this isn't a spoiler, this is told to us on the first page). But the horrors that are described are, almost universally, not dwelt on, mourned over, even though some description is fairly detailed. Dexter does at one point refer to grief, he empties his "body of its salt water", but it's removed from emotion somewhat.
The elements of an alien invasion you'd expect to read about are here - chases, deaths, protecting provisions, characters unexpectedly stepping up and showing unseen traits. But it's just as unusual in other elements.
Entertaining story, slightly unexpected, funny. The few chapters of bonus chapters after the book finishes add some little details of a few characters that I enjoyed for the alternative viewpoint they provided.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
Aliens have landed. Dexter has been taken. This is just the first page, where Dexter is "overwhelmed by the notion of leaving everything I knew behind on that tiny blue dot that wasn't prepared for its sudden demise." We know immediately that this is no Happy Ever After. He tells us the story of a week ago, but also of his life and friends. Part of a large group of buddies, he's the only one not partnered up. Which seems to be significant.
One by one, he tells us how his friends all found partners, giving each personality and backstory (though I couldn't help but mix them up subsequently), making us see them all as noteworthy characters. The references of self-awareness are funny: "Enough back story, there's an alien invasion in progress" - I liked Dexter's narration from the present/future.
Dexter himself is single and lonely with it, despite loving his smart little cat (The Great Catsby) and having a career as an English teacher. When the world begins to fall apart, he bands together with his group and attempts to get them all to a place of safety, while watching the aliens and how they treat their victims.
I loved how Dexter described his friends as pairs: "Priti-and-Art". Very funny considering what happens to his friends.
Now, you'd expect this to be a horror story, as these are hostile aliens and they decimate the planet (again, this isn't a spoiler, this is told to us on the first page). But the horrors that are described are, almost universally, not dwelt on, mourned over, even though some description is fairly detailed. Dexter does at one point refer to grief, he empties his "body of its salt water", but it's removed from emotion somewhat.
The elements of an alien invasion you'd expect to read about are here - chases, deaths, protecting provisions, characters unexpectedly stepping up and showing unseen traits. But it's just as unusual in other elements.
Entertaining story, slightly unexpected, funny. The few chapters of bonus chapters after the book finishes add some little details of a few characters that I enjoyed for the alternative viewpoint they provided.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
What a rollercoaster. It starts lightly and then lurches down and down. Dragging you along willingly. A blaze of vivid colours smeared with dread and blood.
I should’ve taken more note of what to expect but then that would’ve distracted from the surprise that this story and it’s format unfurled.
I should’ve taken more note of what to expect but then that would’ve distracted from the surprise that this story and it’s format unfurled.
The Third Wheel is a fun and funny story, but not a flimsy read. It’s about friendship, it’s somewhat dystopian, it has an alien invasion, and one of the most loveable and funniest protagonists ever: Dexter, who is single and also the only single person in his circle of friends who are all coupled up and as such, he makes some very astute observations about couples and relationships. Then come the aliens and all bets are off… If you’re in the mood for something different, a read that refuses to be stuffed into one single box, do check this out!
The Third Wheel is a refreshingly original, wickedly delicious apocalyptic novel. Through a unique combination of parody, satire and wit, author Michael J. Ritchie takes a swipe at the myriad tropes of the genre; first world millennial issues; and the basic human need for companionship and social interaction.
When this story begins, we learn that the narrator is a prisoner, recently abducted by aliens. The timeline then suddenly rewinds to one week prior. The speaker is revealed to be twenty-something Dexter, a British single English teacher coming to grips with being the lone “singleton” in his social circle. Through an episodic retelling of his past, Dexter introduces each of his friends and their partners. Once the group is presented and the dynamics are established, the action begins and aliens invade. Suddenly being single turns into a situational asset that almost ensures Dexter’s short-term survival.
Wielding his sharp sarcasm as a deadly weapon, nothing is safe from Ritchie. He manages to skewer the cliches of apocalyptic literature by making the obligatory love interest a death wish; giving the bad guys the upper hand: and saving everyone but those who are traditionally spared (farmers, preppers and doctors). Whilst bringing the entire genre to its knees, Ritchie takes a few moments to nod, wave then grill-on-an-open-flame organized religion, television journalism, British policy and contemporary pop culture. He pokes fun at Americans, whacks at social media, challenges gender roles and addresses sexual preference. Incredibly, even as he is biting the ankles of readers with teeth cut on humor, Ritchie manages to sneak in a story that at its core reveals the fears and weaknesses inherent to being human.
The myriad quips are at times juvenile and sophomoric, then suddenly introspective and philosophical, all well written and direct. One liners worthy of being followed by rim-shots are tucked between images of blood, guts and gore; and hilarious dialogue is scattered liberally onto the pages. The masterful juxtaposition of competing elements is nothing shy of genius. The Third Wheel is a must read for anyone who has grown weary of somber accounts of the apocalypse. There is just no way to read this without laughing out loud. Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
When this story begins, we learn that the narrator is a prisoner, recently abducted by aliens. The timeline then suddenly rewinds to one week prior. The speaker is revealed to be twenty-something Dexter, a British single English teacher coming to grips with being the lone “singleton” in his social circle. Through an episodic retelling of his past, Dexter introduces each of his friends and their partners. Once the group is presented and the dynamics are established, the action begins and aliens invade. Suddenly being single turns into a situational asset that almost ensures Dexter’s short-term survival.
Wielding his sharp sarcasm as a deadly weapon, nothing is safe from Ritchie. He manages to skewer the cliches of apocalyptic literature by making the obligatory love interest a death wish; giving the bad guys the upper hand: and saving everyone but those who are traditionally spared (farmers, preppers and doctors). Whilst bringing the entire genre to its knees, Ritchie takes a few moments to nod, wave then grill-on-an-open-flame organized religion, television journalism, British policy and contemporary pop culture. He pokes fun at Americans, whacks at social media, challenges gender roles and addresses sexual preference. Incredibly, even as he is biting the ankles of readers with teeth cut on humor, Ritchie manages to sneak in a story that at its core reveals the fears and weaknesses inherent to being human.
The myriad quips are at times juvenile and sophomoric, then suddenly introspective and philosophical, all well written and direct. One liners worthy of being followed by rim-shots are tucked between images of blood, guts and gore; and hilarious dialogue is scattered liberally onto the pages. The masterful juxtaposition of competing elements is nothing shy of genius. The Third Wheel is a must read for anyone who has grown weary of somber accounts of the apocalypse. There is just no way to read this without laughing out loud. Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
The beginning drags on in detail a little bit. There is an alien invasion and while he’s in a prison cell his focus is on internally documenting his friendships, which isn’t something I particularly care about. The first few chapters describe extensively how the MC met each one of his friends and how they met their significant others. The actual alien invasion of earth picks up at chapter ten. From there, I get a “Shaun of the Dead” and “Doctor Who” vibe as the group of friends try to escape the aliens.
After getting past all the background info, the story is actually pretty good.
The beginning drags on in detail a little bit. There is an alien invasion and while he’s in a prison cell his focus is on internally documenting his friendships, which isn’t something I particularly care about. The first few chapters describe extensively how the MC met each one of his friends and how they met their significant others. The actual alien invasion of earth picks up at chapter ten. From there, I get a “Shaun of the Dead” and “Doctor Who” vibe as the group of friends try to escape the aliens.
After getting past all the background info, the story is actually pretty good.
An engaging and entertaining apocalyptic book!
I liked the style of writing and the plot, well written and humorous.
The characters were well written and likeable.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Unbound and Netgalley for this ARC
I liked the style of writing and the plot, well written and humorous.
The characters were well written and likeable.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Unbound and Netgalley for this ARC
I didn't actually read the paperback, but the ebook, as I supported this book on Unbound.
A nicely realised bit of apocalyptic fiction. I enjoyed the premise - that the protagonist is the only single person in his extended friendship group, which when things go pear-shaped at first seems a disadvantage but then seems as though it might not be.
As someone who has always found friends to be as important as family I liked the way Dexter's mates are introduced and given strong personalities before being - well, no spoilers.
There are two bonus chapters in the ebook which I guess were cut from the main text.
A nicely realised bit of apocalyptic fiction. I enjoyed the premise - that the protagonist is the only single person in his extended friendship group, which when things go pear-shaped at first seems a disadvantage but then seems as though it might not be.
As someone who has always found friends to be as important as family I liked the way Dexter's mates are introduced and given strong personalities before being - well, no spoilers.
There are two bonus chapters in the ebook which I guess were cut from the main text.
Unbound are known for taking daring choices of titles, and with The Third Wheel, they definitely have done so. An alien invasion as told by a twentysomething named Dexter, along with his large group of coupled off friends, as they try to survive and he tells us the history between them all.
I will confess, when I started reading, I wasn't quite taken. But eventually, after getting into the vibe of the tale, I found myself devouring it and flowing through the story at a fast pace. It definitely isn't the kind of book you'd expect from the cover, but manages itself in a way that engages the reader. One may pick up on a few narrative tropes that could cause groans, but Ritchie uses them well and makes them feel necessary rather than cliched.
My only real criticism is that the idea of singledom vs coupledom comes across a bit harsh at times, and one particular plot point feels a bit too on the nose. However, as stated above, this is used in such a way that it doesn't fully hinder the tale.
As for the end? Well, it hit me out of nowhere, and I now find myself wanting a sequel. Despite some loose ends being wrapped up.
I would definitely recommend The Third Wheel, especially to those with an awareness of London and its Museums (which the author shows his love of quite well). It reminded me very much of the likes of Shaun of the Dead, and another indie book I read - [b:Apocalypse Barnes|34907656|Apocalypse Barnes (The Gentrified Dead #1)|Andrew K. Lawston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492663170l/34907656._SY75_.jpg|56168884] by Andrew Lawston. Stick with it, expect the unexpected, and enjoy the escalation and immersion.
I will confess, when I started reading, I wasn't quite taken. But eventually, after getting into the vibe of the tale, I found myself devouring it and flowing through the story at a fast pace. It definitely isn't the kind of book you'd expect from the cover, but manages itself in a way that engages the reader. One may pick up on a few narrative tropes that could cause groans, but Ritchie uses them well and makes them feel necessary rather than cliched.
My only real criticism is that the idea of singledom vs coupledom comes across a bit harsh at times, and one particular plot point feels a bit too on the nose. However, as stated above, this is used in such a way that it doesn't fully hinder the tale.
As for the end? Well, it hit me out of nowhere, and I now find myself wanting a sequel. Despite some loose ends being wrapped up.
I would definitely recommend The Third Wheel, especially to those with an awareness of London and its Museums (which the author shows his love of quite well). It reminded me very much of the likes of Shaun of the Dead, and another indie book I read - [b:Apocalypse Barnes|34907656|Apocalypse Barnes (The Gentrified Dead #1)|Andrew K. Lawston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492663170l/34907656._SY75_.jpg|56168884] by Andrew Lawston. Stick with it, expect the unexpected, and enjoy the escalation and immersion.