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A review by existentialhell
Alien Space Nazis Must Die! by Chuck McKenzie
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
[Big thanks to BookBuzz,net, Daft Notions, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!]
A breezy little read about killing space Nazis, base instincts, and the nature of reality.
Alien Space Nazis Must Die! is a tough letdown. It wants to land somewhere between Austin Powers, Ready Player One, and Indiana Jones—an aim I admire from a deep crouch as the shots miss spectacularly. I'm so bummed! I was ready for a campy, anti-fascist Aussie comedy and instead I got rough world-building refmats for the actual first draft you go on to write. More telling than showing, occasional almost-chuckle humor, and an unsatisfying ending given the questions our characters at least bounce off of. The conclusion is actually the most engaging part, though, as it at least subverts the audience's expectations. To what end? Who knows! The novella has no interest in exploring its own claims.
I almost wish ASNMD! had gone for a Death With Dignity commentary—it'd be a hell of a lot more compelling, and the basic setup is there. But hey, it's 64 pages, read it and let me know if you agree!
A breezy little read about killing space Nazis, base instincts, and the nature of reality.
Alien Space Nazis Must Die! is a tough letdown. It wants to land somewhere between Austin Powers, Ready Player One, and Indiana Jones—an aim I admire from a deep crouch as the shots miss spectacularly. I'm so bummed! I was ready for a campy, anti-fascist Aussie comedy and instead I got rough world-building refmats for the actual first draft you go on to write. More telling than showing, occasional almost-chuckle humor, and an unsatisfying ending given the questions our characters at least bounce off of. The conclusion is actually the most engaging part, though, as it at least subverts the audience's expectations. To what end? Who knows! The novella has no interest in exploring its own claims.
I almost wish ASNMD! had gone for a Death With Dignity commentary—it'd be a hell of a lot more compelling, and the basic setup is there. But hey, it's 64 pages, read it and let me know if you agree!