A review by wynnz
Black Ops by Craig Alanson

adventurous slow-paced

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

2.5

The mission, if you choose to accept it, Joe and the monkey basher, is an impossible conundrum wrapped up in an enigma. Stop the Thuranin from sending ships to Earth. The impossible part is to steal some ships, but under no circumstances must they know that humans are trying to thwart them. After that impossible mission, a new unattainable assignment arises: start a civil war between the clans of the Kristang. Impossible, right? Nothing is impossible for Skippy the bush kangaroo, yet again not revealing the identity of the instigators of said rebellious insurrection. Simple, right? No mission is too difficult for the can of beans and the hairless hominoidea. The excruciatingly long narrative unfolds with scratching of heads, and they haven’t got a clue how they’re going to carry this off, knowing full well they will. The banter between the shiny can of beer and the simian is becoming tedious. It feels like I’m on book 15 already. I think it may be impossible for me to continue, but if I do, it will be miraculous. After all, anything is possible.