trista_mayes's review against another edition
5.0
Is life gettin' you down? Are you constantly craving flawless humor and space adventures? Then this book exactly what you need! Fantastic characters, intriguing conundrums, space racing, time travel, smile-inducing friendships and so much orange.
Caution: Only read this book if you enjoy laughing.
Caution: Only read this book if you enjoy laughing.
diamondeyess's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
"The Audacity" is funny and adventurous. The characters are unique and likeable for very different reasons. The plot is simple but entertaining.
magpiemuze's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Get ready for a wild ride! The Audacity is a charmingly nonsensical space adventure in the style of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy but with more queer rep and feminist vibes.
Fast-paced and over-the-top humor is not my typical flavor of choice when reading. I usually enjoy more time for savoring character development and a deeper exploration of themes. But this book knows what it is and does it really well.
The writing is top-notch and clever (including the times it breaks the fourth wall), all the characters are well-drawn and likable (even the villain), and I couldn’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of it all.
By the end, I was loving the friendships that had developed amidst the chaos, and the strange logic that the randomness maintained throughout. That’s impressive crafting right there.
Take a break from the mundanity of life with this dose of weird and warm-hearted indie scifi.
The Audacity is one of the books in my first-round allotment as a judge for the second annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (#SPSFC2). Its ultimate status will be determined in conjunction with other team members. Meanwhile, my thoughts here are my personal opinion.
Fast-paced and over-the-top humor is not my typical flavor of choice when reading. I usually enjoy more time for savoring character development and a deeper exploration of themes. But this book knows what it is and does it really well.
The writing is top-notch and clever (including the times it breaks the fourth wall), all the characters are well-drawn and likable (even the villain), and I couldn’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of it all.
By the end, I was loving the friendships that had developed amidst the chaos, and the strange logic that the randomness maintained throughout. That’s impressive crafting right there.
Take a break from the mundanity of life with this dose of weird and warm-hearted indie scifi.
The Audacity is one of the books in my first-round allotment as a judge for the second annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (#SPSFC2). Its ultimate status will be determined in conjunction with other team members. Meanwhile, my thoughts here are my personal opinion.
nairforceone's review against another edition
5.0
Carmen Loup's The Audacity is the book I've been looking for for a long time.
Now, I've said this before, and I'm going to say it again: when people review Sci-fi/Fantasy comedies, they inevitably fall into the trap of comparing them to Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, because they really lack any other significant frame of reference.
... I'm going to fall into that same trap for the second time in as many months, despite my self-awareness. That's because you can see incredibly clear strands of Hitchhiker's Guide DNA in The Audacity. Right down to the very initial set up of the story.
But Loup takes that set up and lovingly pivots it into its own unique tale filled with bright, colorful, and snarky characters and a fun, insightful (and, indeed, inciteful) voice that rings incredibly true to an Americanized Douglas Adams (that is, lacking in British poise and restraint).
There are times in the middle where the story meanders and seems to just be taking its time in lieu of advancing a narrative, and some might find a few of the fourth wall breaking jokes to be a bit much for a novel. But Loup's narration, descriptions, and hilarious world-building really made those concerns moot for me.
The Audacity is simply an amazing sci-fi comedy from start to finish and feels like a love letter to The Hitchhiker's Guide and, indeed, to all its fans. This, and anything else Loup touches, is an instant buy. We've been lacking in these kind of books for years, and, frankly, I need more.
Now, I've said this before, and I'm going to say it again: when people review Sci-fi/Fantasy comedies, they inevitably fall into the trap of comparing them to Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, because they really lack any other significant frame of reference.
... I'm going to fall into that same trap for the second time in as many months, despite my self-awareness. That's because you can see incredibly clear strands of Hitchhiker's Guide DNA in The Audacity. Right down to the very initial set up of the story.
But Loup takes that set up and lovingly pivots it into its own unique tale filled with bright, colorful, and snarky characters and a fun, insightful (and, indeed, inciteful) voice that rings incredibly true to an Americanized Douglas Adams (that is, lacking in British poise and restraint).
There are times in the middle where the story meanders and seems to just be taking its time in lieu of advancing a narrative, and some might find a few of the fourth wall breaking jokes to be a bit much for a novel. But Loup's narration, descriptions, and hilarious world-building really made those concerns moot for me.
The Audacity is simply an amazing sci-fi comedy from start to finish and feels like a love letter to The Hitchhiker's Guide and, indeed, to all its fans. This, and anything else Loup touches, is an instant buy. We've been lacking in these kind of books for years, and, frankly, I need more.
helynalc's review against another edition
4.0
An awesome ride. Read? Ride. One of those books that successfully incorporate the humor and weirdness of Douglas Adams' style, but have their own personality and twist on things. I love the feeling of having no freaking idea where the whole thing is going to go, just following the characters and action because they're fun, then as we near the end, things start to fall in place, and by the way, during the impossible action, you somehow managed to get attached to these people as well. I loved May and Xan and the friendship forming between them; the jokes, the existential dread, and the comredary, everything. I'm very excited to read more about them. (Among the other characters, my favourites were probably Ix and Chaos).
The word play, the wittiness and occasional wisdom was mostly hitting all the right targets for me. It's colorful, it's fun, it's just lovely.
The word play, the wittiness and occasional wisdom was mostly hitting all the right targets for me. It's colorful, it's fun, it's just lovely.
khaleesimod93's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I'm not a fan of science fiction but I picked this up at a local book store to support the store. Let me say I didn't expect to enjoy this story. I laughed so damn hard. The characters were absolutely hilarious, and the whole situation was entertaining. So much was going on and I was entertained throughout the whole thing. Still not fully my thing but it was entertaining. If you want a funny, easy, quick read, pick this up. And if you are a fan of science fiction and hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, then you will love this
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the author for giving me this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This is available now.
With a tagline like “Where rocket ships run on coffee and dumb luck,” how could I not fall in love with this book? Poor May works (slaves?) at a convenience store- until she is beamed up into a spaceship, launching her on an intergalactic adventure.
This book was absolutely bonkers, in the best way. I loved the witty humor, especially when the narration would include the reader briefly. When Xan’s ship was described as something from the BBC, I laughed out loud. I’m a big fan of tongue-in-cheek humor, and this book had it in abundance.
Xan, by the way, is hands-down the best alien ever created. There’s something endearing about him. His I Love Lucy obsession, and his oddball taste, made him a blast to read. May reminded me of Dante from the movie Clerks (“I wasn’t even supposed to be here today”), which made me laugh.
This book is light-years ahead of many others, in terms of comedy. The prose is quippy without being over-the-top, the characters are fun and different. It’s funny without trying too hard to be, if that makes sense.
Basically, this book is a blast to read, and I highly recommend it. If you want a good belly-laugh, this book is for you.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2019/11/30/the-audacity-by-laura-loup/
With a tagline like “Where rocket ships run on coffee and dumb luck,” how could I not fall in love with this book? Poor May works (slaves?) at a convenience store- until she is beamed up into a spaceship, launching her on an intergalactic adventure.
This book was absolutely bonkers, in the best way. I loved the witty humor, especially when the narration would include the reader briefly. When Xan’s ship was described as something from the BBC, I laughed out loud. I’m a big fan of tongue-in-cheek humor, and this book had it in abundance.
Xan, by the way, is hands-down the best alien ever created. There’s something endearing about him. His I Love Lucy obsession, and his oddball taste, made him a blast to read. May reminded me of Dante from the movie Clerks (“I wasn’t even supposed to be here today”), which made me laugh.
This book is light-years ahead of many others, in terms of comedy. The prose is quippy without being over-the-top, the characters are fun and different. It’s funny without trying too hard to be, if that makes sense.
Basically, this book is a blast to read, and I highly recommend it. If you want a good belly-laugh, this book is for you.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2019/11/30/the-audacity-by-laura-loup/
broomesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Audacity is one of those books you are either going to love, or you’re going to hate. I LOVED this book. It’s fresh, reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s writing, breaks the fourth wall, and keeps you laughing throughout.
May, a Sonic Drive-In carhop gets pulled right off of earth and out of the monotony of her life to find herself in space in the middle of an adventure even her wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined.
She’s rescued by Xan, an a blue alien who has a fondness for ‘I Love Lucy’ and a slightly questionable profession. They go on to race the Audacity, find their way out of hijinks and several conundrums.
The friendship between May and Xan was probably my absolute favorite part of this book. They picked at each other, helped each other, and worked together to find answers to their problems. It’s the kind of friendship you want to have in your life. Xan had May’s back and May had Xan’s.
I cracked up at the use for coffee. Felt for May and the corn that Xan supplied her with. Don’t ask, just go read it to find out what I mean by that. May was pretty kick ass and I look forward to find out more of the adventures that this crew will end up on. The cast of characters featured many on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and while it wasn’t the focus of this book, it was good to see the representation in these characters.
May, a Sonic Drive-In carhop gets pulled right off of earth and out of the monotony of her life to find herself in space in the middle of an adventure even her wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined.
She’s rescued by Xan, an a blue alien who has a fondness for ‘I Love Lucy’ and a slightly questionable profession. They go on to race the Audacity, find their way out of hijinks and several conundrums.
The friendship between May and Xan was probably my absolute favorite part of this book. They picked at each other, helped each other, and worked together to find answers to their problems. It’s the kind of friendship you want to have in your life. Xan had May’s back and May had Xan’s.
I cracked up at the use for coffee. Felt for May and the corn that Xan supplied her with. Don’t ask, just go read it to find out what I mean by that. May was pretty kick ass and I look forward to find out more of the adventures that this crew will end up on. The cast of characters featured many on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and while it wasn’t the focus of this book, it was good to see the representation in these characters.
nancyotoole's review against another edition
4.0
In this wacky sci-fi comedy, May, a waitress, finds herself abducted by aliens and forced into space faring food service. When she sees a chance at escape, she jumps on it, but things don't go according to plan. Now a passenger aboard the rocket ship The Audacity, alongside an alien with a longstanding I Love Lucy obsession, May needs to find a way to pay the bills, and rescue planet earth from a chaos Goddess with an expansive tooth collection.
Comedy is a tricky thing to accomplish in fiction, unlike a visual or auditory media where so much can be accomplished by things like delivery, timing, and chemistry between the actors. But while I admittedly didn’t spend the entirety of this book laughing out loud, it often left me with a smile, and I overall had a lot of fun.
A lot of the humor here depends on the absurd, which the author delivers in spades. It’s also much more than a joke machine, as I found myself getting surprising attached to both May and Xan, as I followed them on their adventures. The secondary characters didn’t always grab me as much. August and XI’s adventures were fun, but the more earth-bound stuff didn’t always work for me. The book also contains a nice amount of LGBTQ rep.
I feel like I came across this fun and lighthearted book at just the right time and would happily read more by the author, Laura Loup.
Comedy is a tricky thing to accomplish in fiction, unlike a visual or auditory media where so much can be accomplished by things like delivery, timing, and chemistry between the actors. But while I admittedly didn’t spend the entirety of this book laughing out loud, it often left me with a smile, and I overall had a lot of fun.
A lot of the humor here depends on the absurd, which the author delivers in spades. It’s also much more than a joke machine, as I found myself getting surprising attached to both May and Xan, as I followed them on their adventures. The secondary characters didn’t always grab me as much. August and XI’s adventures were fun, but the more earth-bound stuff didn’t always work for me. The book also contains a nice amount of LGBTQ rep.
I feel like I came across this fun and lighthearted book at just the right time and would happily read more by the author, Laura Loup.