Scan barcode
andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was exactly what I needed! >..<...A satirical space opera in which we follow an unnamed protagonist who somehow ends up taking the identity of a very well-known and VERY hated author while trying to get away with his life after some interesting turn of events! :)))
I've listened to this one on audible and I must strongly suggest that YOU do the same! The author, Yahtzee Croshaw, narrates it himself and , in my humble opinion, this genre works best in an audio form! :)
Sooo..a little more about the story...our "hero" (later known as Jacques McKeown)is a star pilot in a post star-piloting era...>..>...so, you guessed it, he's down on his luck...literally! 0_0. After a not so good job when he's accused of cooperating with space pirates, he receives a too-good-to-be-true offer from one Penelope Worden to take on a long term job as another figure....what could go wrong I wonder????...>..>....well, everything :))))
I absolutely loved what Croshaw tried to do with this one! It's more or less a mirror on what the world looks like to people stubbornly holding on to the past; it's funny and action-pacted; we have sarcastic characters and well used caricatures that gives it a unique feeling; the world building is GREAT (love the lore on swear words, political setting, mafia, the Earth vs the rest of the Universe, technology for travel and everyday administrative use) and the antagonist....is sooooo funny! (I'll admit the voice for him was on point..so cheezy and silly, but I loved it >..<).
Characters: Obviously...I LOVED Jacques, Miss Worden, Jamella, Mr. Henderson and Carlos. Others that deserve a mention are the old acquaintance from the glory days who went native..he's hilarilous with his way of speaking:))), Robert Blaze...i still have my suspicions about him....>.> AND Danny..annoying little sh*t ^_^ .
The action is well executed, we have suspense and drama, even a will they-won't they plot >..< that was cleverly used and never really the focus!
After soo much praise you probably wonder why not 5 stars...well...we are in Jacques mind all the time, and I must admit, although I knew why he was an idiot with no logical thinking in some moments, it's still annoying...not to mention that it could have been handled better and the message will be the same to the reader.
Personally, I cannot wait to see what happens to our crazy protagonist next, if what happened to Carlos sticks, and of course to MR. Henderson!
Overall, I highly enjoyed this one! I think the book has a potentially large audience, IF YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS IN ADVANCE! So...attention! This is not a serious book! It's campy and cheezy in some places, the character work isn't anything to write home about, so come here for the laughs and action! This book ain't taking itself seriously and neither should you! IT'S LIKE YOUR FAVORITE BAD SHOW !
If you are ok with the paragraph above, I suggest you give it a try! Prepare yourself to jump into the Black >..< :)
Enjoy
I've listened to this one on audible and I must strongly suggest that YOU do the same! The author, Yahtzee Croshaw, narrates it himself and , in my humble opinion, this genre works best in an audio form! :)
Sooo..a little more about the story...our "hero" (later known as Jacques McKeown)is a star pilot in a post star-piloting era...>..>...so, you guessed it, he's down on his luck...literally! 0_0. After a not so good job when he's accused of cooperating with space pirates, he receives a too-good-to-be-true offer from one Penelope Worden to take on a long term job as another figure....what could go wrong I wonder????...>..>....well, everything :))))
I absolutely loved what Croshaw tried to do with this one! It's more or less a mirror on what the world looks like to people stubbornly holding on to the past; it's funny and action-pacted; we have sarcastic characters and well used caricatures that gives it a unique feeling; the world building is GREAT (love the lore on swear words, political setting, mafia, the Earth vs the rest of the Universe, technology for travel and everyday administrative use) and the antagonist....is sooooo funny! (I'll admit the voice for him was on point..so cheezy and silly, but I loved it >..<).
Characters: Obviously...I LOVED Jacques, Miss Worden, Jamella, Mr. Henderson and Carlos. Others that deserve a mention are the old acquaintance from the glory days who went native..he's hilarilous with his way of speaking:))), Robert Blaze...i still have my suspicions about him....>.> AND Danny..annoying little sh*t ^_^ .
The action is well executed, we have suspense and drama, even a will they-won't they plot >..< that was cleverly used and never really the focus!
After soo much praise you probably wonder why not 5 stars...well...we are in Jacques mind all the time, and I must admit, although I knew why he was an idiot with no logical thinking in some moments, it's still annoying...not to mention that it could have been handled better and the message will be the same to the reader.
Personally, I cannot wait to see what happens to our crazy protagonist next, if what happened to Carlos sticks, and of course to MR. Henderson!
Overall, I highly enjoyed this one! I think the book has a potentially large audience, IF YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS IN ADVANCE! So...attention! This is not a serious book! It's campy and cheezy in some places, the character work isn't anything to write home about, so come here for the laughs and action! This book ain't taking itself seriously and neither should you! IT'S LIKE YOUR FAVORITE BAD SHOW !
If you are ok with the paragraph above, I suggest you give it a try! Prepare yourself to jump into the Black >..< :)
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Torture, War, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery
apersonfromflorida's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War and Gun violence
whirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator takes a little getting used to and everything sounds a little flat. I enjoyed the book though, it’s a lighthearted read with plenty of adventure and some mystery
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence and War
More...