kateland85's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Antimatter Blues
by Edward Ashton
Science Fiction
NetGalley eARC
For two years Mickey is still retired from his job of being an expendable, meaning for the last two years he hadn't died, but the reason he was able to retire has come back to haunt him. That antimatter bomb he said the creepers have, well if the humans want to make it through the upcoming winter, they need it back. But if he brings it back will that mean his retirement is over?
A short book with quite a few flashbacks to the first, some needed some not, and a few extras about Mickey's life before signing up for the job. It's not a hard storyline to follow, the science of it is simple for the most part, and the native lifeforms are interesting, simple, but interesting. Though the new species could've used some more descriptions.
The characters are likable, though some of them seem as if they are just filler, and others are even less than that, they don't even have a decent description. The world itself needs more history, it's only brushed over, as is the colony's habitat. They both need more so readers can center themselves into the world and what life is like.
Not a bad story; short, simple, and suitable for readers fourteen and older.
3 Stars
oracle_of_madness's review
3.5
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was a sequel, but I still wound up enjoying this.
Antimatter Blues is a fun experience and definitely gave me the escape from reality that I need while reading. Mickey is an expendable, and has trauma over his history of deaths he experienced during the time he was active. It's been 2 years since his retirement, but just as he's getting comfortable, he is pulled into conflict once again.
Mickey and a group set out on a mission with one of the planet's own lifeforms, a creeper. He needs to get a bomb back from another nest of lifeforms that he has never communicated with, and the adventure is action-packed.
This story was funny at times and frustrating at others. I didn't completely love all the characters, but I was still able to enjoy this read.
Out March 14, 2023!
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was a sequel, but I still wound up enjoying this.
Antimatter Blues is a fun experience and definitely gave me the escape from reality that I need while reading. Mickey is an expendable, and has trauma over his history of deaths he experienced during the time he was active. It's been 2 years since his retirement, but just as he's getting comfortable, he is pulled into conflict once again.
Mickey and a group set out on a mission with one of the planet's own lifeforms, a creeper. He needs to get a bomb back from another nest of lifeforms that he has never communicated with, and the adventure is action-packed.
This story was funny at times and frustrating at others. I didn't completely love all the characters, but I was still able to enjoy this read.
Out March 14, 2023!
nandemmler's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ARC provided by ST. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for an honest review.
I enjoyed this second book almost as much as the first. My main issue was with the abruptness of the ending, and a little bit with the pacing. But for the most part it was an enjoyable read.
Mickey continues to be his delightfully snarky self, but we have seen a bit of growth in the two years since the first book. He is still philosophical about his life and those around him, and he can still take the moral high ground when he feels it is needed. Mickey is put in a very hard position between the survival of the colony vs the survival of the sentient beings on this planet and he does come to own up his part in this whole issue.
We get to see a lot more of the creepers, the sentient species that lives on this planet, and learn more about them. They do appear to be more advanced than the humans figured they were in the first book. For example, they figure out a way to communicate better with us which was really quite amazing. As Mickey interacts with them, and as others do as well, there is much confusion and misinterpretation of one another. I did enjoy Speaker, one of the creepers that is able to communicate with the humans. He was always able to call bullshit on Mickey when it was needed.
The world building is what really makes this such a fun read. This is a planet that is inherently dangerous and with not only an atmosphere that will kill you, but many other things as well. The author does a marvelous job of keeping the tension high while making you root for everyone to survive. There were a few slower parts during the “roadtrip” that Mickey and the others take, but the action parts make up for that.
If you enjoyed the first book in this series, I am pretty sure that you will like this one. It has some great characters, interesting intelligent beings and a great plot. It also has a great protagonist in Mickey, who will do anything to survive on this hostile planet.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
tiareadsbooks's review
5.0
Pub Date: 03/14/23
CW: minor depictions of violence
Before I dive into my review, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Edward’s publisher for approving me for an eARC.
So first: oops.
And the only reason I say oops is because I requested Antimatter Blues without realizing it was a sequel. I saw the cover, thought “ooh pretty”. Read the description, thought “oh hello”. Hit request.
So. Oops.
But that didn’t really matter, if I’m being honest. Am I a bit mad at myself for not realizing it was a sequel before requesting? Sure. Did it make any difference as I read the book? Ehhh not really. While obviously events from Mickey7 were referenced, I didn’t really find myself struggling to follow along. It’s an incredibly easy book to read and follow along with.
Did I also go get Mickey7 the first chance I got? You fing bet I did.
Mickey’s personality is TOP FRICKIN NOTCH. He’s such a sarcastic little shit I love it and his narration is absolutely the best. I love his character. Edward Ashton did AMAZING with Mickey’s character.
THE STORY?! I MEAN??? YALL??!!
If book two was this good, I can only imagine what book one is gonna be like.
Ugh I am forever envious of some author’s brains. They’re such amazing little globs of goo.
If I could rate this book more than five stars, I would in a heartbeat. No doubts.
PLEASE.
do yourself a favor and buy the series.
CW: minor depictions of violence
Before I dive into my review, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Edward’s publisher for approving me for an eARC.
So first: oops.
And the only reason I say oops is because I requested Antimatter Blues without realizing it was a sequel. I saw the cover, thought “ooh pretty”. Read the description, thought “oh hello”. Hit request.
So. Oops.
But that didn’t really matter, if I’m being honest. Am I a bit mad at myself for not realizing it was a sequel before requesting? Sure. Did it make any difference as I read the book? Ehhh not really. While obviously events from Mickey7 were referenced, I didn’t really find myself struggling to follow along. It’s an incredibly easy book to read and follow along with.
Did I also go get Mickey7 the first chance I got? You fing bet I did.
Mickey’s personality is TOP FRICKIN NOTCH. He’s such a sarcastic little shit I love it and his narration is absolutely the best. I love his character. Edward Ashton did AMAZING with Mickey’s character.
THE STORY?! I MEAN??? YALL??!!
If book two was this good, I can only imagine what book one is gonna be like.
Ugh I am forever envious of some author’s brains. They’re such amazing little globs of goo.
If I could rate this book more than five stars, I would in a heartbeat. No doubts.
PLEASE.
do yourself a favor and buy the series.
readyourbookshelf's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
✨Review✨
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton
ARC from NetGalley
Pub Day: 3/14/23
Mickey Burnes has always been expendable. Literally. There have in fact been a half-dozen Mickeys before this particular Mickey came on the scene. After a run in with the only other known sentient species on this colony world a couple years ago, Mickey decided it was time to retire, but when he sees another Mickey walk past him in the hallway Mickey7 knows something is up. And if they are pulling new Mickeys again, it can’t be good.
This is a sequel and I have not read the first book, but when the widget for this novel was sent to my email, I was intrigued. I’m a chaotic reader and while I am a completionist, I’m also not afraid of dropping into a story in the middle. Ashton did a solid job of giving enough information and context clues that I never felt lost. I quickly came to understand who and what Mickey was, his relationships with those around him and the outline of what I assume happened in the first book. That said it did take about 50 pages for me to really start to get into the narrative, but once I did I was in for the ride.
This was a fun, quick little sci-fi story. The world and science were interesting and my favorite part of the plot. Expendables are a classification of people who go out on colony ships , so that when something dangerous has to be done, the crew can literally just throw this person at the problem and rebuild them from scratch when they inevitably die. What happens when that person retires? This book explores ideas of personhood in some fun and interesting ways, all wrapped up in a fun sci-fi adventure.
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton
ARC from NetGalley
Pub Day: 3/14/23
Mickey Burnes has always been expendable. Literally. There have in fact been a half-dozen Mickeys before this particular Mickey came on the scene. After a run in with the only other known sentient species on this colony world a couple years ago, Mickey decided it was time to retire, but when he sees another Mickey walk past him in the hallway Mickey7 knows something is up. And if they are pulling new Mickeys again, it can’t be good.
This is a sequel and I have not read the first book, but when the widget for this novel was sent to my email, I was intrigued. I’m a chaotic reader and while I am a completionist, I’m also not afraid of dropping into a story in the middle. Ashton did a solid job of giving enough information and context clues that I never felt lost. I quickly came to understand who and what Mickey was, his relationships with those around him and the outline of what I assume happened in the first book. That said it did take about 50 pages for me to really start to get into the narrative, but once I did I was in for the ride.
This was a fun, quick little sci-fi story. The world and science were interesting and my favorite part of the plot. Expendables are a classification of people who go out on colony ships , so that when something dangerous has to be done, the crew can literally just throw this person at the problem and rebuild them from scratch when they inevitably die. What happens when that person retires? This book explores ideas of personhood in some fun and interesting ways, all wrapped up in a fun sci-fi adventure.
hidrnick's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"Confession time: I have never been good at snap decisions. Once, when I was a kid back on Midgard, I spent so much time waffling back and forth over what flavor to pick in an ice-cream shop that my mom wound up dragging me out of the place bawling with no ice cream at all. I didn’t ask anyone to my school’s valedictory ball because I couldn’t decide which of three girls I’d rather be rejected by. I wound up on this godforsaken planet because I couldn’t decide whether this was better or worse than just killing myself to get away from Darius Blank. It is entirely possible that I was not actually the ideal person to put in charge of this mission."
This follows the events of the Mickey7, where he has unintentionally helped lead to the potential end of his and his crews survival. Mickey is a formal expendable, someone who's purpose is to perform dangerous missions and die repeatedly to spare the rest of the crew - but now he's retired and doing odd jobs in his colony. But he has the chance to fix it and save everyone, but only if he goes back to risking his life, engaging on what is almost certainly a suicide mission.
I really enjoyed the humor in this book, and the story line and world building is just as good as in the first book. Sometimes I just want a fun adventure book to put a smile on my face, and this delivered.
Thank you netgalley and St Martin's Press for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This follows the events of the Mickey7, where he has unintentionally helped lead to the potential end of his and his crews survival. Mickey is a formal expendable, someone who's purpose is to perform dangerous missions and die repeatedly to spare the rest of the crew - but now he's retired and doing odd jobs in his colony. But he has the chance to fix it and save everyone, but only if he goes back to risking his life, engaging on what is almost certainly a suicide mission.
I really enjoyed the humor in this book, and the story line and world building is just as good as in the first book. Sometimes I just want a fun adventure book to put a smile on my face, and this delivered.
Thank you netgalley and St Martin's Press for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
intothevolcano's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although I found this slightly less engaging than Mickey7, this is a satisfying conclusion to the series.
It lags in the middle somewhat, when we are centring on a larger cast of characters, the majority of whom are not particularly well developed. The new creatures we are introduced to also could have been explored in more depth.
However, as with its predecessor, Antimatter Blues is an enjoyable read, at its strongest when focussing on Mickey himself and the quandries presented by being an Expendable.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss for the ARC.
It lags in the middle somewhat, when we are centring on a larger cast of characters, the majority of whom are not particularly well developed. The new creatures we are introduced to also could have been explored in more depth.
However, as with its predecessor, Antimatter Blues is an enjoyable read, at its strongest when focussing on Mickey himself and the quandries presented by being an Expendable.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss for the ARC.
shaffe71's review
4.0
A fun and funny sequel to Mickey7. This series is great for fans of Andy Weir, and this installment in particular will probably appeal to fans of Project Hail Mary.
All of the characters from the first book are present here, along with one or two new ones. I feel like everybody had the same amount of snark, but that Nasha really needs an attitude adjustment.
I'm not aware of if there'll be any more to this series, but the ending was left open for the possibility.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC.
All of the characters from the first book are present here, along with one or two new ones. I feel like everybody had the same amount of snark, but that Nasha really needs an attitude adjustment.
I'm not aware of if there'll be any more to this series, but the ending was left open for the possibility.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC.
librariann's review
4.0
I was looking for something light but not romancey to read between coughing and sneezing fits, and I really enjoyed the first Mickey 7 so I thought this would fit the bill.
Yay, it did.
It was definitely missing something that I enjoyed in the first story, but I'm not sure how much of that had to do with the writing and how much had to do with my foggy head. Either way, I plowed through this in one evening.
Second half pacing was much better than the first half, but I really wanted to yell at all of the characters who had zero diplomatic skills at all when it came to considering interactions with the creepers. This kind of blunt force encounter sci-fi makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I get that as a civilization they haven't encountered many intelligent races in their colonizing process, but come on. You should have at least one person who's prepared to handle interpersonal and interspecies dynamics, and that shouldn't be your expendable amateur historian.
Absolutely requires knowledge of the first book. Would recommend to anyone who liked the first one.
Yay, it did.
It was definitely missing something that I enjoyed in the first story, but I'm not sure how much of that had to do with the writing and how much had to do with my foggy head. Either way, I plowed through this in one evening.
Second half pacing was much better than the first half, but I really wanted to yell at all of the characters who had zero diplomatic skills at all when it came to considering interactions with the creepers. This kind of blunt force encounter sci-fi makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I get that as a civilization they haven't encountered many intelligent races in their colonizing process, but come on. You should have at least one person who's prepared to handle interpersonal and interspecies dynamics, and that shouldn't be your expendable amateur historian.
Absolutely requires knowledge of the first book. Would recommend to anyone who liked the first one.