A review by wearyreader
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
Mickey is an Expendable. When dangerous tasks need to be completed for human survival and for the advancement of space exploration/colonization sometimes mech doesn’t cut it. But who can? An expendable. They can eat that dangerous plant so we can see exactly what happens when a human ingests alien flora and fauna. We can withstand some radiation in the moment more than other tech but of course we die a gruesome death. But, with Expendables they upload their memories and personalities and ext and then BOOM 3D print out a new body where everything is downloaded. Cloning at its finest. 

Usually, this job is a sentence for criminals as no one volunteers for this even if it means in some way you live forever…well, except for Mickey. Mickey is the unglamorous every-day-man. He’s not good enough at anything to be the best and selected for the great jobs and he accidentally got himself into some terrible loan shark situation on his home planet of Midguard. So, signing up with his best friend for a one-way space colonization mission seemed like a good idea. And for a man with no talents, the only job open was Expendable. Heh, at least he’ll live longer than anyone…well via the long road as it’ll only have to cost him dying over and over again to achieve it. Alls fair for love and space exploration. 

Here, in Antimatter Blues, we come across Mickey who has dutifully survived (So to speak) the first novel title ‘Mickey 7’ but not as gracefully as any standard space hero. This sequel picks up two years later which is the perfect amount of time for consequences of the first novel to kick in. That’s right, we actually have a sequel that is a result of the first novel. Hizzah! Mickey has retired. That’s right, no more dying on command, and he gets to live his life as anyone should. But, on a space colony, that makes him a freeloader. Cleaning up after rabbits or trimming tomato vines isn’t enough work to justify the resources Mickey needs and his saving grace, a relationship with the locals, isn’t really enough to please the colony’s leader. 

When the colony’s future survival in the planet’s upcoming winter is at stake, Mickey has to suit up and test his relationship with the creepers. They have something of his that he really needs back or all the human’s future is non-existent. To bring it back, he will have to make empty promises and go back on his word. Which is a testament of what would you do when you would be responsible for the total destruction of your found family? (Okay, they’re not exactly found family but they are all the family he’s got).  This time, it’s a mission he doesn’t have to go in on alone but, that doesn’t make it any easier. Is there a point where the survival of ourselves exceeds the damage it would do? Humanity are monsters and we don’t make sense which this book explored just enough. 

 

“Not sure I’d want to live in a colony that would be willing to go that far.” 

 

Antimatter Blues has everything I could ever want in a Sci-Fi adventure action novel and is a perfect sequel. That’s right, I said it. A perfect sequel. Don’t mind me as I order every edition and cover of this series that I can get my grubby hands on. 

If you're looking for science facts and over explanation of alien intentions and so forth, this isn't it. It's meant to be just a good time and it does that exceedingly well. Sit back and enjoy the adventure! 

**Also, I’m begging the author/publisher to please release a Speaker plush. This ancillary would love to have the cuddles.*** 

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