avangron's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mompkin's review
4.0
Really a 4.5, I think I liked this one even more than the first one. It's very funny and the action is exciting. I also was consistently surprised but not annoyed at the various plot twists, even if some of them were a little ridiculous.
lindzey's review
2.0
I read this over the weekend, and by the end didn't care particularly much about the characters.
The story in this one was that Kangaroo's surgical officer's half-sister (who use to be his doctor, before he objected to being drugged, and she was send to the moon) had cloned him in an attempt to duplicate his superpower.
The action felt like a series of somewhat random events, rather than the "well of course that makes sense" arc of my favorite books. Some of the characters were fun and well-drawn, but they did have a tendency to just pop up and do what was needed for the action. I'm also unreasonably piqued about the "holding breath in hard vacuum" thing - I *swear* that in the previous book the author got it right and said that the pressure differential would cause lungs to rupture.
The story in this one was that Kangaroo's surgical officer's half-sister (who use to be his doctor, before he objected to being drugged, and she was send to the moon) had cloned him in an attempt to duplicate his superpower.
The action felt like a series of somewhat random events, rather than the "well of course that makes sense" arc of my favorite books. Some of the characters were fun and well-drawn, but they did have a tendency to just pop up and do what was needed for the action. I'm also unreasonably piqued about the "holding breath in hard vacuum" thing - I *swear* that in the previous book the author got it right and said that the pressure differential would cause lungs to rupture.
n8duke's review
1.0
Meh. Not anything very surprising or excitingly new in this sequel. Plus, all the annoying nostalgic references to “20th century media” are obnoxious to read.
e_flah's review
2.0
I loved Waypoint Kangaroo when I first read it two years ago so maybe my hopes were too high for Kangaroo Too.
I found myself bored by how slow the plot moved, especially considering how short the book is. It took over 20% for plot points given away on the book jacket to happen and even longer for the main conflict to be revealed.
There were some quips in here but overall Kangaroo Too lacked the levity present in the first one. The plot was more serious and there were fewer fun moments of outlandishness in between battles with evil robots.
I'm willing to give a new addition in the series a try due to how much I loved the first book, but Kangaroo Too wasn't the follow-up I was hoping for.
I found myself bored by how slow the plot moved, especially considering how short the book is. It took over 20% for plot points given away on the book jacket to happen and even longer for the main conflict to be revealed.
There were some quips in here but overall Kangaroo Too lacked the levity present in the first one. The plot was more serious and there were fewer fun moments of outlandishness in between battles with evil robots.
I'm willing to give a new addition in the series a try due to how much I loved the first book, but Kangaroo Too wasn't the follow-up I was hoping for.
stitchinthyme's review
5.0
Loved it as much as the first book - it's fast-paced, engaging, and the main character is a lot of fun. Looking forward to more of Kangaroo's adventures. Obviously there will be more, since .
My one minor nitpick with the book:
I'm intrigued to see where the
Also enjoyed the Jonathan Coulton reference (I am acquainted with Curtis Chen from JoCo's annual fan cruises).
Spoiler
the big villain has not been caught yetMy one minor nitpick with the book:
Spoiler
I had a hard time believing that after a doctor gets fired and arrested for illegally dosing a prized agency asset with toxic drugs, the agency would allow that doctor's sister to replace her. (And no way they didn't know about the relationship; they're a spy agency, and they undoubtedly vet all agents for stuff like that.)I'm intrigued to see where the
Spoiler
Joey plotline goes. Did the shuttle he was on breach in the pocket because he is developing his own power, or because of some incompatibility with being in Kangaroo's pocket? Heck, there's also the question: what if Kangaroo were to have his own offspring? If his ability is genetic, would he pass it on?Also enjoyed the Jonathan Coulton reference (I am acquainted with Curtis Chen from JoCo's annual fan cruises).
depizan's review
3.0
While I enjoyed this book, as I did the previous one, there's something that keeps it from being the gripping and suspenseful read it's supposed to be. I think it's an inherent problem with the level of tech of the story, plus our hero's superpower - he always has back up. A hell of a lot of back up.
Ah well, it's still an all right read.
Ah well, it's still an all right read.
enbylibrary's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
tyrshand's review
5.0
First off, since I read this for this list thing I'm a part of, I've got to say that I didn't read book one. Luckily, this one works perfectly fine as a standalone story. I definitely want to get back and read book one when I've got more free time, though!
Now, the book was just so much fun. Kangaroo is pretty much like James Bond from the more gadgety movies, though he's much more dorky than suave -- and that's great. He's relatable and entertaining and manages to get the job done -- cleverly, even though he seems like the kind of character that would have to rely on coincidence and luck. It makes for such a better story that his goofiness doesn't interfere with his training.
I'd say I saw the big plot twist coming a long way off, but that's fine. It didn't make the novel any less enjoyable. And the publisher wouldn't have added those non-story clues in if they weren't trying to get us there.
The novel also gives us a lot to look forward to. I'll eagerly be awaiting the next book in the series.
Now, the book was just so much fun. Kangaroo is pretty much like James Bond from the more gadgety movies, though he's much more dorky than suave -- and that's great. He's relatable and entertaining and manages to get the job done -- cleverly, even though he seems like the kind of character that would have to rely on coincidence and luck. It makes for such a better story that his goofiness doesn't interfere with his training.
I'd say I saw the big plot twist coming a long way off, but that's fine. It didn't make the novel any less enjoyable. And the publisher wouldn't have added those non-story clues in if they weren't trying to get us there.
The novel also gives us a lot to look forward to. I'll eagerly be awaiting the next book in the series.