Book Review - Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash by Yahtzee Croshaw

I love comic books and superheroes, but I'm not a fan of books and shows that try to explore the concept. They almost never get it right.

Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash by Yahtzee Croshaw is a humorous science fiction space opera. It is available as an eBook, Audiobook, and those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Dry Humor. This book is a pretty standard space opera, but what makes it stand out is its dry humor and witty take on both science fiction troupes and human nature.

Characters. The characters are the basic sci fi troupes reinvented into read characters with real histories and real thoughts, cares, and desires. Plus they all have great chemistry and play off each other really well.

Use of Technology. One of the many things I love about science fiction is the new ways authors think of using existing and theoretical technology. This book threw in a novel use of a fairly well used technology and really surprised me at the end. It seems so logical and obvious I'm amazed it hasn't been done much more before.

The Bad

Bad Guys and Authorities. The bad guys and the authorities are the main antagonists in this book, and they were pretty flat and generic. It would have been interesting for the author to have put as much though into them as he did the main characters and their situation.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

...

Overall

Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash by Yahtzee Croshaw is a humorous science fiction space opera and a sequel to Will Save Galaxy For Food. This book is a pretty standard space opera, but what makes it stand out is its dry humor and witty take on both science fiction troupes and human nature. The characters are the basic sci fi troupes reinvented into read characters with real histories and real thoughts, cares, and desires. Plus they all have great chemistry and play off each other really well. One of the many things I love about science fiction is the new ways authors think of using existing and theoretical technology. This book threw in a novel use of a fairly well used technology and really surprised me at the end. It seems so logical and obvious I'm amazed it hasn't been done much more before. The bad guys and the authorities are the main antagonists in this book, and they were pretty flat and generic. It would have been interesting for the author to have put as much though into them as he did the main characters and their situation. Overall, this is a very entertaining tale. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 eReaders.

  

Book Review - Star Runner by B. V. Larson

I'm a big fan of science fiction, but it's getting harder and harder to find something in the genre that is interesting and not just a rehash or bad remake of something I've already seen or read.

Star Runner by B.V. Larson is a science fiction space opera drama. It is available as an eBook, Audiobook, and those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Characters. The characters are really likable and not the usual suspects. The main character is a clone of the smuggler captain which is just different enough to make him unique. One of the characters is a symbiotic life form, but they author puts a twist on her I hadn't seen before. They all have great chemistry together and each is developed enough you care what happens to them.

Story and Pacing. The story is a twist on the weapon smuggler space opera story but with twists and turns you don't normally see in that sub genre. While the science is important to the story, the characters and their missions in life and interactions with each other make up the majority of the plot and story. The book moves quickly and holds the reader's attention.

Use of Biology and Technology. Most science fiction focuses on a single area of science and usually follows a common use of that science. This book uses several and uses them well and uniquely. It was a surprise to encounter advanced travel technology, military technology, and biological systems all used together and each used in a unique way.

The Bad

Ending. The book felt like it just stopped instead of ended.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I wish the ending had felt more like an ending and not just the end of another chapter. When the book was over, I wasn't sure the story had ended.

Overall

Star Runner by B.V. Larson is a science fiction space opera drama. Most science fiction focuses on a single area of science and usually follows a common use of that science. This book uses several and uses them well and uniquely. It was a surprise to encounter advanced travel technology, military technology, and biological systems all used together and each used in a unique way. The story is a twist on the weapon smuggler space opera story but with twists and turns you don't normally see in that sub genre. While the science is important to the story, the characters and their missions in life and interactions with each other make up the majority of the plot and story. The book moves quickly and holds the reader's attention. The characters are really likable and not the usual suspects. The main character is a clone of the smuggler captain which is just different enough to make him unique. One of the characters is a symbiotic life form, but they author puts a twist on her I hadn't seen before. They all have great chemistry together and each is developed enough you care what happens to them. The only negative is the book felt like it just stopped instead of ended. When I finished reading the book, I wasn't sure the story had ended. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 eReaders.

  

 

Audible Original Review - Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw

I love science fiction, but it's really hard to find something you haven't read a dozen times before.

Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw is a science fiction, space opera, comedy about how starship pilots deal with the introduction of new technology and find a new future for themselves. It is available as an Audible exclusive Audiobook and is appropriate for most ages.

The Good

Concept & Execution. While the disruption of technology has been explored in many fiction and non-fiction books, it's rarely been explored so personally and without a political agenda.

Comedy. This is a comedy more in tone than laugh-out-loud jokes. It takes itself very seriously, and the characters face serious situations with consequences, but there is a tone of humor that makes this story really enjoyable.

The Bad

Convenient Resolutions. All the problems in this story are resolved quite easily and cleanly. While that fits with the humorous tone of the book, it doesn't fit with the realistic world with realistic consequences the author has established.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

The world set-up was great, but the author didn't always follow thru in the story.

Overall

Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw is a fun science fiction space opera comedy. While the disruption of technology has been explored in many fiction and non-fiction books, it's rarely been explored so personally and without a political agenda. This is a comedy more in tone than laugh-out-loud jokes. It takes itself very seriously, and the characters face serious situations with consequences, but there is a tone of humor that makes this story really enjoyable. I recommend this audiobook and give it 4 out of 5 eReaders.

  

 

TV Show Review - Star Trek: Picard, Episode 1

I am a huge Star Trek fan and have enjoyed most of the series. Until Star Trek: Discovery which has been so disappointing. Needless to say I had mixed feelings about a new Star Trek series by the same network.

Star Trek: Picard is a 10-episode CBS All Access original series based on Star Trek: The Next Generation by Gene Rodenberry. It takes place decades after Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is rated TV-PG and is appropriate for tweens and up.

The Good

Concept. The story takes place several years after a major change in the Star Trek Universe and deals with the ramifications of those changes. It is a smart move, because it gives the series a reason to exist and a way to stand out from previous series.

Story. The first episode does a really great job to catch the viewer up on the changes to the Star Trek Universe and introducing the current situation. There is a lot going on, but it is presented clearly so the viewer isn't confused.

Feels Like Star Trek. The last few Star Trek films and Star Trek: Discovery just have not felt like Star Trek. This does.

The Bad

Picard. Picard is pretty old and sluggish. I really like the character, but it's a little unbelievable that he'll be able to accomplish the mission he needs to.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I would like to see a few more new elements. This show uses the Romulans, the shipyards on Mars, the Borg, and so many other elements we've already seen. I'd like to see some new aliens and villains that are instant classics like the Borg and the Romulans were when they were introduced.

Overall

Star Trek: Picard is off to a great start with a really wonderful concept and a strong first episode that introduces the current state of the Star Trek Universe, reveals the major events that happened in the past resulting in the world we're now seeing, and introduces a few interesting new characters. Picard is a little old and sluggish, and it's slightly uncomfortable and unbelievable that he'll be able to accomplish the mission he's set out on. There's also very little new in this version with it relying on so much of the beloved old. That's not bad, but it is limiting. I am excited to see the rest of the series and where it goes. I highly recommend this show and give it 4.5 out of 5 remotes.

    

  

 

Movie Review - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

I love Star Wars, and it makes me so sad to see Disney consistently get the franchise wrong. Other than The Mandalorian (which is pretty good but not great), they've produced one disappointment after another, and the falling box office returns are evidence of it. But are declining revenues enough to get Disney to correct their course?

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 science fiction action film based on George Lucas' masterpiece. It is rated PG-13 for violence but is appropriate for most ages.

The Good

Timothy Zahn. If you've ever read Timothy Zahn's original trilogy that basically relaunched the Star Wars franchise, then you'll recognize a few elements such as using science (perhaps cloning) to preserve a Jedi Master (or Sith Master) and a dark fleet of Star Destroyers. Those elements were pretty cool and should have been the focus of the trilogy.

Entertaining. Unlike The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi which were both painfully dull and hard to sit thru, this film is actually entertaining. It doesn't make much sense, and if you start to think about any of the plot points you'll scratch your head. But if you can shut off your brain for 2+ hours, it's a fun ride.

Pacing. This film moves at a good pace.

The Bad

Characters. This movie has the most blah characters of any Star Wars story I've ever seen. George Lucas gave us two great, lovable casts in his two trilogies. This one didn't even produce a single really likable character, and made several of the old beloved characters a little less beloved.

Storytelling. This movie is basically a whole bunch of scenes and incidents stuck together without much logic or sense. There is little emotional investment. There is little peril, because the movie goes exactly how you would expect. There are so many characters and scenes stuffed into the 2+ hours that no one and nothing gets much development. It's a whole lot of ideas that are just thrown at the audience.

Art Direction/Visuals. Star Wars is known for its amazing visuals and gorgeous designs. This film once again fails to deliver anything memorable or amazing to look at. I can't see anyone taking inspiration from this trilogy, which is a shame.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I wish this movie had been the trilogy, and they had spent three films developing the story instead of just throwing a whole bunch of interesting ideas together without much development. I also wish the filmmakers had focused more on casting an interesting group instead of checking all the boxes on their diversity checklist and failing to cast a single character the audience will care about.

Overall

If you are looking for a mindless action flick with subpar action, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is your movie. There are a lot of good ideas in this movie (mostly stolen from Timothy Zahn), but they are just thrown at the audience and never developed. I wish this movie had been the trilogy with the filmmakers spending three films developing the story. That would have been worth watching. I also wish the filmmakers had focused more on casting an interesting group of actors as the main characters (George Lucas gave us two great, lovable casts in his two trilogies) instead of checking all the boxes on their diversity checklist and failing to cast a single character the audience cares about. It robbed the film of any peril or sense of accomplishment when you care so little for the characters. The film is very entertaining as long as you don't think too hard about it. The storytelling is weak. The visuals are disappointing. But the pacing is good. And the filmmakers threw everything in this including the kitchen sink to make it a"big ending" but it's more spectacle than anything else. It's not a bad film, but isn't far from a good one. I give this film 3 out of 5 Boxes of Popcorn.

   

 

Book Review - Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Grey

Unlike a lot of people, I really enjoyed The Phantom Menace. Qui-Gon Jinn quickly became one of my favorite characters, and I've really wanted to see more about him.

Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray tells the story of an early adventure of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. It is available as an eBook, Audiobook, and one of those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Story. This book had a solid story that felt like Star Wars. The mystery was intriguing, the action exciting, and the politics not tired.

Characters. The characters felt very true to the films. The new characters felt like they belonged in the Star Wars Universe.

Twist. This book had quite a twist at the end that I did not see coming.

The Bad

Jedi Council Angle. This novel has an offer from the Jedi Council to Qui-gon to join it. This really doesn't fit in with the comment from The Phantom Menace about Qui-gon being on the council if he weren't so rebellious.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I with the narrator had put a little more excitement in his voice.

Overall

Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray is a great novel I couldn't put down. The novel tells an early adventure of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi and explores their relationship. The story was solid. The characters were true to the film. The new characters felt like they belonged in the Star Wars Universe. There was a twist at the end I didn't see coming. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 eReaders.

    

Book Review - Star Wars Adventures (Free Comic Book Day 2019)

I've been a huge Star Wars fan my whole life, (although the latest trilogy is making me rethink that). I've bought Star Wars comics in the past, but have almost always been disappointed (with the exception of the brilliant Star Wars: Clone Wars in the Genndy Tartakovsky style).

Star Wars Adventures (Free Comic Book Day 2019) is an all-ages comic published by IDW that focuses on an early adventure of Han Solo and Chewbacca.

The Good

Story. This comic contained a complete story that felt the right length--long enough to tell the complete story without any filler.

Fun. This comic was so much fun to read from the first panel to the last. I didn't experience a single moment or boredom or wanting to do something else.

All Ages. This comic was truly for all ages. I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult and would change nothing and felt like I was missing nothing, and yet I'd have no qualms about giving this to a youngster and I'm positive he would enjoy it as much as I did.

The Bad

...

What I Would Like to Have Seen

More comics like this!!!

Overall

Star Wars Adventures (Free Comic Book Day 2019) is everything a comic book should be: a complete story that is fun from page one to the end and is enjoyable and appropriate for ages 5 to 500. I was thoroughly entertained from page one to the last and didn't feel it lacked anything. I give this book 5 out of 5 eReaders.

   

Book Review - Thrawn: Alliances (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn

I enjoyed Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn Trilogy, but I thought it could have been better. The classic Star Wars characters were close, but not quite right. His first Thrawn book in the new series corrected that by getting the Emperor's character right and showing us new sides to Thrawn's character. I was curious to see how he would follow up that story.

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn is a science fiction, action, adventure Star Wars story. It is available as an eBook, Audiobook, and one of those paper things your grandparents used to read.

The Good

Darth Vader. I find it rare for anyone but George Lucas to get his classic characters right. I've read a lot of Star Wars novels, comic books, comic strips, and even watched those awful new Star Wars films, and no one seems to really capture the original characters. Even Timothy Zahn in his first series of Star Wars novels couldn't pull it off. Until now. Darth Vader felt like Darth Vader, spoke like Darth Vader, and acted like Darth Vader.

Interesting Stories that Parallel. This latest novel is actually two stories that take place in a similar part of space with the earlier story affecting the latter one. While the story wasn't as good as the first Thrawn novel in the series, is was still interesting and added to the Star Wars mythos.

The Bad

Small Scope. When I think of Star Wars, I think of Galactic Opera that contrasts the big galactic events against the everyday lives of ordinary people. This story forgot the galactic events.

What I Would Like to Have Seen

I wish more had happened. I wish the aliens had been more interesting.

Overall

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn wasn't as good as the first Thrawn novel in this series, but was still an enjoyable read and continues the story adding more to Thrawn's backstory and motivation. Zahn did a masterful job of capturing Darth Vader's voice, thoughts, and actions. The parallel stories was handled well and helped make two less interesting stories more impactful. I give this book 4 out of 5 eReaders.