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The Hilarious Glothic Tales #1
February The Fifth
ASIN B004HFRL9C moved to the more recent edition here
A young fool becomes king and quickly discovers he has some very nasty enemies. Particularly the ones who are shooting at him.
In a remarkable turn of events, a young man with a lot definitely not going for him, somehow manages to come to terms with a startling reality. He has to grow up. Being handicapped by not only having rather nasty acne and an odd eye impediment, he also has to suffer the fact that his name is February. Or at best, Feb to his very limited number of friends.
While not at all wishing to rush into this startling new reality, circumstances and a few elbow nudges from his very protective elder sister ensure that his ‘not at all wishing’ turns out to be a complete waste of time. Thrust totally and altogether unwillingly into a position of authority by early afternoon, February finds himself with a new appendage tacked on to the end his name.
The Fifth. The new and very authoritative part of his name.
Of course, as is the case in all such rapid and thrusting types of promotion to positions of power, there will be those who are not happy about it. In February’s case however, he finds that in fact these those amount to just about everyone apart from his three sisters.
Undaunted by this reality, Feb accepts his new responsibility and by early evening sets about getting himself into a real tangle. His only true achievement being that he discovers that quite a few of these those who weren’t so happy, are in fact really very upset about the whole Fifth appendage deal. By bedtime, he thinks he is in trouble.
Before lunchtime the next day, he is sure.
A young fool becomes king and quickly discovers he has some very nasty enemies. Particularly the ones who are shooting at him.
In a remarkable turn of events, a young man with a lot definitely not going for him, somehow manages to come to terms with a startling reality. He has to grow up. Being handicapped by not only having rather nasty acne and an odd eye impediment, he also has to suffer the fact that his name is February. Or at best, Feb to his very limited number of friends.
While not at all wishing to rush into this startling new reality, circumstances and a few elbow nudges from his very protective elder sister ensure that his ‘not at all wishing’ turns out to be a complete waste of time. Thrust totally and altogether unwillingly into a position of authority by early afternoon, February finds himself with a new appendage tacked on to the end his name.
The Fifth. The new and very authoritative part of his name.
Of course, as is the case in all such rapid and thrusting types of promotion to positions of power, there will be those who are not happy about it. In February’s case however, he finds that in fact these those amount to just about everyone apart from his three sisters.
Undaunted by this reality, Feb accepts his new responsibility and by early evening sets about getting himself into a real tangle. His only true achievement being that he discovers that quite a few of these those who weren’t so happy, are in fact really very upset about the whole Fifth appendage deal. By bedtime, he thinks he is in trouble.
Before lunchtime the next day, he is sure.
- GenresFantasy
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2010
104 people want to read
About the author
Derek Haines
29 books1,267 followersDerek Haines is an author of quite a number of books, however, he spends most of his time blogging, making technology go horribly wrong, and being a rather senior ESL English teacher.
Born in Australia, but now living in Switzerland with his wife and his black Cocker Spaniel, he passes many hours, trying to make technology work again, after inadvertently breaking it. It's a painful process, yet it’s such an effective self-study method in acquiring new technological skills.
As I’m a writer – I can change adroitly from the third person into the first person, and say that I love what I do and where I live, and also, that I am a Douglas Adams fanatic, bordering on a tragic. So much so, that by some spooky coincidence, my street address is 42. That’s so much more impressive than simply owning a towel and having ready access to peanuts and beer.
However, peanuts and beer are extremely important, as they provide essential sustenance during my bouts of obsessive writing, which although rare, usually take place in a horizontal position. I should mention here that I am very fond of acronyms, anagrams, allegories and alliteration, also.
In addition, I quite like commas. The Oxford type, or otherwise. However, quite perversely, I am not enamoured by quotation marks. I use them, singularly if possible, but even then, only under sufferance. As for semicolons; who really knows how to use them?
Aside from my never-ending punctuation conundrums, I enjoy life, good food, wine, beer, and I take each day as it comes – thankfully.
Born in Australia, but now living in Switzerland with his wife and his black Cocker Spaniel, he passes many hours, trying to make technology work again, after inadvertently breaking it. It's a painful process, yet it’s such an effective self-study method in acquiring new technological skills.
As I’m a writer – I can change adroitly from the third person into the first person, and say that I love what I do and where I live, and also, that I am a Douglas Adams fanatic, bordering on a tragic. So much so, that by some spooky coincidence, my street address is 42. That’s so much more impressive than simply owning a towel and having ready access to peanuts and beer.
However, peanuts and beer are extremely important, as they provide essential sustenance during my bouts of obsessive writing, which although rare, usually take place in a horizontal position. I should mention here that I am very fond of acronyms, anagrams, allegories and alliteration, also.
In addition, I quite like commas. The Oxford type, or otherwise. However, quite perversely, I am not enamoured by quotation marks. I use them, singularly if possible, but even then, only under sufferance. As for semicolons; who really knows how to use them?
Aside from my never-ending punctuation conundrums, I enjoy life, good food, wine, beer, and I take each day as it comes – thankfully.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 3, 2011
I really still (added 18.05.2011) think this is my absolute favorite Derek Haines book I have read so far. Whould rate it 42 if I could...
I am not going to comment to much on the story, others are way better at it than me... Just giving you my personal overall opinion...
Derek Haines juggles with words, like others with balls. The mix of pythonesque and dry accuracy while describing the different characters is hilariously funny. And never boring, because short and precise, yet full of life.
Gloth and its history sounds so very familiar to any swiss person, that I came to think we might have inspired someone a wee bit, with all those laws and regulations, and dose boring pencil pushers etc....
The humoristic and imaginative narrative level is perfect for someone who likes well written, stories about humans in all their incarnations and states... because did we not all suffer from Acne once or twice...
And to those who think its just another Sci-Fi Novel I say: And the fab four where just another band...
February the fifth is like a song from Paul McCartney or a gag from Monty Python, it starts in one direction and leaves you in a totally different place, then you excepted. Love it!
So to You sir: I thank you deeply for bringing yourself and your work to my attention! This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...
I am not going to comment to much on the story, others are way better at it than me... Just giving you my personal overall opinion...
Derek Haines juggles with words, like others with balls. The mix of pythonesque and dry accuracy while describing the different characters is hilariously funny. And never boring, because short and precise, yet full of life.
Gloth and its history sounds so very familiar to any swiss person, that I came to think we might have inspired someone a wee bit, with all those laws and regulations, and dose boring pencil pushers etc....
The humoristic and imaginative narrative level is perfect for someone who likes well written, stories about humans in all their incarnations and states... because did we not all suffer from Acne once or twice...
And to those who think its just another Sci-Fi Novel I say: And the fab four where just another band...
February the fifth is like a song from Paul McCartney or a gag from Monty Python, it starts in one direction and leaves you in a totally different place, then you excepted. Love it!
So to You sir: I thank you deeply for bringing yourself and your work to my attention! This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...
January 22, 2011
Something unique
This is the third book I have read by Derek Haines, and clearly he is working on developing a unique style. His ability to convey the depth of this witty and intricate story in a very easy, and unadorned style, makes February the Fifth a most enjoyable read. I recognised this when I read Milo Moon, but in this book I think he has really found his mark.
Endearing you to his characters without long passages of description keeps the story moving at a pace. He seems to have a particular liking for his character Snurd Humped though, as he gets more attention than most characters in descriptive passages.
I don’t think it is a sci-fi story at all. The author simply used it as a pretext for telling a wonderful story about Feb, the main character. He used fantasy settings to invent wonderful names for his characters and to convey his very personal views on the world. Sometimes, he even becomes a gastronomic critic of the unreal!
Derek Haines plays with some crazy ideas in his head and lets his vivid imagination go wild.
Very enjoyable!
This is the third book I have read by Derek Haines, and clearly he is working on developing a unique style. His ability to convey the depth of this witty and intricate story in a very easy, and unadorned style, makes February the Fifth a most enjoyable read. I recognised this when I read Milo Moon, but in this book I think he has really found his mark.
Endearing you to his characters without long passages of description keeps the story moving at a pace. He seems to have a particular liking for his character Snurd Humped though, as he gets more attention than most characters in descriptive passages.
I don’t think it is a sci-fi story at all. The author simply used it as a pretext for telling a wonderful story about Feb, the main character. He used fantasy settings to invent wonderful names for his characters and to convey his very personal views on the world. Sometimes, he even becomes a gastronomic critic of the unreal!
Derek Haines plays with some crazy ideas in his head and lets his vivid imagination go wild.
Very enjoyable!
February 1, 2011
I wanted to do this without making comparisons to other books, I really did, but when it comes right down to it, my first impression of Derek Haines' new book February the Fifth is the one that stuck with me. February the Fifth is like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Sir Apropos of Nothing, which is to say, my kind of twisted.
You have the young fool who has no business being a success at anything, yet ends up being very important to the future of the Twelve Sun Systems of Gloth. You also have the Supreme Potentate more-or-less stealing a ship in order to find the truth on a distant and wholly unremarkable planet. And, just to make things interesting, several puns revolving around the Gregorian calendar. If you're anything like me, this all adds up to a fun and humorous story, perfect for making people question your sanity while you're giggling over it on the bus.
You have the young fool who has no business being a success at anything, yet ends up being very important to the future of the Twelve Sun Systems of Gloth. You also have the Supreme Potentate more-or-less stealing a ship in order to find the truth on a distant and wholly unremarkable planet. And, just to make things interesting, several puns revolving around the Gregorian calendar. If you're anything like me, this all adds up to a fun and humorous story, perfect for making people question your sanity while you're giggling over it on the bus.
March 5, 2019
There's nothing I love more than a comedic sci-fi or fantasy story except one that also manages to bring a sense of world building to the table. And February the Fifth manages to do all of those things and then some. The writing is witty and clever with an obvious influence of British humor (a la Adams and Pratchett), but it's also unique. Feb is a great character because he is a little stupid and he is quite awful to look at but that doesn't stop him from taking control of the situation he's thrown into. I would love to listen to the rest of this series.
Persephone Rose was the perfect choice for this book. He manages to capture the characters and the humor perfectly. I hope he gets to do more dry humor type books.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Persephone Rose was the perfect choice for this book. He manages to capture the characters and the humor perfectly. I hope he gets to do more dry humor type books.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
October 23, 2011
I grabbed this book based on a user review stating it was humorous and comparing it to the famous Hitchhiker's guide by Douglas Adams. While it did start out as passably humorous it quickly devolved to odd names telling a fairly normal sci-fi story. The humor was sparse and mostly at the beginning of the story. It was still a decent read just not what I was expecting going into it.
September 5, 2011
The beginning and ending were fantastic. The middle was a bit muddled.
March 8, 2012
Rarely laughed so much:
When February Gregorian the Fifth wakes up one morning just find out that his father August and two elder brothers March and October have vanished and he is next in line to become The Supreme Potentate of the twelve sun systems of Gloth he is not impressed. So far he had a life without pressures or interesting tasks and there is really nothing he wants to change.
His sisters April, May and June are worried what will become of him and so they should as of course there is an unbelievable conspiracy on the way to change Gloth forever. But you should never underestimate the powers of the Dodecahedron which gives every new Potentate the means to protect the rule of the Gregorians over Gloth. Thank goodness for Gregory the Thirteenth's Pope of Rome on Earth in the sixteenth century and later Supreme Potentate of the twelve sun systems of Gloth who had a lot of foresight about conspiracies.
A fantasy story full of funny turns and twists, unlikely heroes and life lessons well learned. I highly recommend reading it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Habe selten so gelacht:
Als February Gregorian der Fuenfte eines Morgens aufwacht und heraus findet, dass sein Vater August und seine beiden aelteren Brueder March und October verschwunden sind und er der naechste Supreme Potentate der zwoelf Sonnen Syteme von Gloth werden soll ist er nicht wirklich beeindruckt. Bisher hatte er ein Leben ohne grosse Zwaenge oder interessante Aufgaben und daran will er wirlich nichts aendern.
Seine Schwestern April, May und June machen sich Sorgen was aus ihm werden wird und das sollten sie auch denn natuerlich gibt es da eine unglaubliche Verschoerung die Goth fuer immer veraendern wird. Aber man sollte nie die Macht des Dodecahedron unterschaetzen, das jedem Supreme Potentate die Mittel zum Schutz der Gregorianischen Herrschaft ueber Goth gibt. Dem Universum sei Dank fuer Gregor dem 13. Papst in Rom im 16. Jahrhundert und spaeter Supreme Potentate der zwoelf Sonnensysteme auf Goth, der eine Menge ueber Verschwoerungen geahnt hat.
Eine Fantasy Geschichte voller lustiger Wendungen, unwahrscheinlichen Helden und Lebens Lektionen, die wirklich gelernt wurden. Ich rate jedem es zu lesen.
When February Gregorian the Fifth wakes up one morning just find out that his father August and two elder brothers March and October have vanished and he is next in line to become The Supreme Potentate of the twelve sun systems of Gloth he is not impressed. So far he had a life without pressures or interesting tasks and there is really nothing he wants to change.
His sisters April, May and June are worried what will become of him and so they should as of course there is an unbelievable conspiracy on the way to change Gloth forever. But you should never underestimate the powers of the Dodecahedron which gives every new Potentate the means to protect the rule of the Gregorians over Gloth. Thank goodness for Gregory the Thirteenth's Pope of Rome on Earth in the sixteenth century and later Supreme Potentate of the twelve sun systems of Gloth who had a lot of foresight about conspiracies.
A fantasy story full of funny turns and twists, unlikely heroes and life lessons well learned. I highly recommend reading it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Habe selten so gelacht:
Als February Gregorian der Fuenfte eines Morgens aufwacht und heraus findet, dass sein Vater August und seine beiden aelteren Brueder March und October verschwunden sind und er der naechste Supreme Potentate der zwoelf Sonnen Syteme von Gloth werden soll ist er nicht wirklich beeindruckt. Bisher hatte er ein Leben ohne grosse Zwaenge oder interessante Aufgaben und daran will er wirlich nichts aendern.
Seine Schwestern April, May und June machen sich Sorgen was aus ihm werden wird und das sollten sie auch denn natuerlich gibt es da eine unglaubliche Verschoerung die Goth fuer immer veraendern wird. Aber man sollte nie die Macht des Dodecahedron unterschaetzen, das jedem Supreme Potentate die Mittel zum Schutz der Gregorianischen Herrschaft ueber Goth gibt. Dem Universum sei Dank fuer Gregor dem 13. Papst in Rom im 16. Jahrhundert und spaeter Supreme Potentate der zwoelf Sonnensysteme auf Goth, der eine Menge ueber Verschwoerungen geahnt hat.
Eine Fantasy Geschichte voller lustiger Wendungen, unwahrscheinlichen Helden und Lebens Lektionen, die wirklich gelernt wurden. Ich rate jedem es zu lesen.
January 20, 2011
What happens when a privileged son too low in the royal family line to be important but nonetheless still a royal, finds himself thrust towards responsibility? He goes on a galactic journey to discover where he comes from, who he is, and what he must do to become the man to lead. You ask how does an acne-faced, body odor plagued, lazy-eyed kid manage this enormous task? With the help of lizard pilots, three wise sisters, and a few other misfits tossed in for good measure. Feb, as he is called by his friends, travels the galaxy to find his way back to the beginning, literally, his family's beginning. Along the way there is lots of eating and time for three-handed Canasta with a small side of romance, but only for his sisters. Feb's got bigger things to worry about like governmental over-throws and civil unrest. This comedic sci-fi tale touches on themes of power, origins, privilege, morality and even cleverly makes use of historical details (a bonus in my department). It plays with language which establishes a unique tone and style. Moments remind me of what it might be like if Dr. Seuss wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I mean this as a compliment (in case you were wondering). It's simplicity makes it complex. For example, the bluest of the blue and the blackest of the black. There are times when writers try too hard to describe something: a color, the weather or a feeling. Sometimes, it is just blue, deep blue, royal blue or the bluest of the blues. I laughed, had fun, remembered all the characters because of their crazy names and even thought about how the author invented them -- most importantly, I think I learned something! And by the way, if you ever find yourself visiting Erde, I recommend the salmon and when in Rom, well, eat the pasta!
March 7, 2016
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ... no, that's a whole 'nuther movie. This book takes place in the future. In a place that has no less than 12 sun systems. Twelve, as in the number of months in the calendar. Aha! The rulers of this empire comprised of the 12 sun systems are a Gregorian clan with names taken from said same calendar. Got that? :)
In other words, February the Fifth is a person. In fact, February is the person who ends up becoming successor as the new "Supreme Potentate," aka, leader of the empire after his father dies (or is he killed?) even though he is an ill-prepared, acne-plagued and fairly lazy, well, fool. The news of his dad's and brothers' deaths are delivered by a dour messenger with the most peculiar name of Snurd Humped. (More on him later.)
So, anyway, February goes to his lovely sisters -- April, May and June (what else?) -- for assistance. Lord knows, he can use it. Despite all indications to the contrary, Feb (for short) manages to rise to the occasion and take the oath properly. Through contact with a special orb, Feb is infused with leadership qualities. Hello? Things have changed.
Then things get really interesting when someone tries to, um, terminate Feb with extreme prejudice. (Yeah, another movie. I know, I know ...)
In fact, Feb and the sisters have to take it on the run. They bring along a couple of allies, including a fellow named Stringley, who's handy at tea making and backgammon, and the aforesaid dour messenger Snurd, whose lost his taste for his former bureaucratic post, I suppose.
Read the entire review at http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2011/...
In other words, February the Fifth is a person. In fact, February is the person who ends up becoming successor as the new "Supreme Potentate," aka, leader of the empire after his father dies (or is he killed?) even though he is an ill-prepared, acne-plagued and fairly lazy, well, fool. The news of his dad's and brothers' deaths are delivered by a dour messenger with the most peculiar name of Snurd Humped. (More on him later.)
So, anyway, February goes to his lovely sisters -- April, May and June (what else?) -- for assistance. Lord knows, he can use it. Despite all indications to the contrary, Feb (for short) manages to rise to the occasion and take the oath properly. Through contact with a special orb, Feb is infused with leadership qualities. Hello? Things have changed.
Then things get really interesting when someone tries to, um, terminate Feb with extreme prejudice. (Yeah, another movie. I know, I know ...)
In fact, Feb and the sisters have to take it on the run. They bring along a couple of allies, including a fellow named Stringley, who's handy at tea making and backgammon, and the aforesaid dour messenger Snurd, whose lost his taste for his former bureaucratic post, I suppose.
Read the entire review at http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2011/...
February 17, 2011
February The Fifth, by Derek Haines
February The Fifth, is the first book I have read by Derek Haines. It was an easy read with slight touches of science fiction and comedy throughout. There was no shortage of characters, some of whom the reader would most definitely relate to thereby making the book more enjoyable.
I think young adults would be the target audience for Derek’s book. The learning curve for the characters unexpected responsibility and out of this world (literally) adventures would be enjoyed most by middle-school age children. I can picture the variety of favorite characters and the children’s reasoning for their choices as a productive writing project. The book is rich with description for both characters and places that would undoubtedly spark children to improve their writing skills. What a great compliment to an author!
As an adult and inspiring writer, I was greatly impressed with the ending. Derek’s words in his last paragraph, his last two sentences, could not have been written more perfectly to end this entertaining story.
The most loyal of loyal readers.
The Very End
Book review by Mary Crocco
www.mrc-bookreviewer.blogspot.com
m.crocco@yahoo.com
February The Fifth, is the first book I have read by Derek Haines. It was an easy read with slight touches of science fiction and comedy throughout. There was no shortage of characters, some of whom the reader would most definitely relate to thereby making the book more enjoyable.
I think young adults would be the target audience for Derek’s book. The learning curve for the characters unexpected responsibility and out of this world (literally) adventures would be enjoyed most by middle-school age children. I can picture the variety of favorite characters and the children’s reasoning for their choices as a productive writing project. The book is rich with description for both characters and places that would undoubtedly spark children to improve their writing skills. What a great compliment to an author!
As an adult and inspiring writer, I was greatly impressed with the ending. Derek’s words in his last paragraph, his last two sentences, could not have been written more perfectly to end this entertaining story.
The most loyal of loyal readers.
The Very End
Book review by Mary Crocco
www.mrc-bookreviewer.blogspot.com
m.crocco@yahoo.com
May 19, 2011
Feb is a junior prince of a galaxy-spanning empire whose father and older brother's unexpected deaths catapult him into a job he never thought he'd have to take. For an indolent young man who never thought much of anyone other than himself, this was a bit of a change. Fortunately, the Royal Family has hard-wired help; otherwise, Feb would have had far fewer troubles and we would not have a story to read. This adventure takes Feb and friends all over the universe, and we get to ride along.
This is a great story with some technical issues. I really enjoy Derek's turn of phrase and crafting technique. The formatting of the ePub I purchased, however, made it hard to read.
Story gets 5 for originality and sheer fun. Formatting gets 1 for being puny.
This is a great story with some technical issues. I really enjoy Derek's turn of phrase and crafting technique. The formatting of the ePub I purchased, however, made it hard to read.
Story gets 5 for originality and sheer fun. Formatting gets 1 for being puny.
July 8, 2011
Delightfully quirky....
...insanely imaginitive...intensely insightful...just plain fun.
Derek Haines employs all of his impressive writing skills in this fantastic tale of February, Supreme Potentate of the Twelve Sun System of Gloth.
I'm grateful to Amazon Kindle, which offers a platform for exciting authors like Haines to reach out to readers globally. Haines uses an elegant narrative style in this tale of February's rise to Royalty. If you enjoy a strange and ecclectic story that is both beautifully crafted and "really out there", you will love this e-book.
Donna Carrick
author of The First Excellence
...insanely imaginitive...intensely insightful...just plain fun.
Derek Haines employs all of his impressive writing skills in this fantastic tale of February, Supreme Potentate of the Twelve Sun System of Gloth.
I'm grateful to Amazon Kindle, which offers a platform for exciting authors like Haines to reach out to readers globally. Haines uses an elegant narrative style in this tale of February's rise to Royalty. If you enjoy a strange and ecclectic story that is both beautifully crafted and "really out there", you will love this e-book.
Donna Carrick
author of The First Excellence
January 3, 2011
I wasn't sure what I'd make of Derek Haines' new book as I don't normally 'do' Sci-fi. This wasn't an issue though as Derek has the ability to tell a really good story that carries you along without the genre taking over. His main character, Feb, is a rather unsavoury, lazy young man with no enthusiasm for anything yet Derek still manages to make him endearing. He tells the story of his sudden and unexpected rise to power, and it consequences, with his usual easy style of writing that is both enjoyable and funny. A great read.
January 29, 2014
This was a bit odd. I quite liked it, but there was something ... I can't put my finger on it.
I think it's self published - it could do with a re-proof read because there were a few typos in my copy, but that's not a bad thing (being self-published). I just thought there wasn't enough story, although I did like the universe it was set in, and some of the characters were fabulous.
I think it was just that it seemed to have most of the action happening off the page so I kept thinking something was going to happen and it didn't.
But it was a fun read.
I think it's self published - it could do with a re-proof read because there were a few typos in my copy, but that's not a bad thing (being self-published). I just thought there wasn't enough story, although I did like the universe it was set in, and some of the characters were fabulous.
I think it was just that it seemed to have most of the action happening off the page so I kept thinking something was going to happen and it didn't.
But it was a fun read.
September 27, 2011
Really, this book is entertaining, full of fun, and its ending is endearing. You will love the characters. Some of the punchy dialogues sound out musical tones when you read them at the right beat. I lost my father coincident with starting to read this book, and the story begins with exactly that event for the protagonist. This lovely, entertaining book helped me by taking me into another world each time it opened in my tablet.
May 25, 2012
Great fun read and thoroughly enjoyed. Even tripping over some of the names used made me laugh.
December 15, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"Into, across, through or around ... at top speed."
When a monotone messenger wakes February to tell him that his father and two elder brothers are dead, the young man's life is instantly changed from one of indolence and solitary playing of backgammon into, well, one of gentle but decisive action as he defends his newly acquired position of Supreme Potentate of the Twelve Sun Systems of Gloth.
This delightful science fiction comedy of political intrigue might not be high literature but it is certainly funny,. February the Fifth is an endearing character, who, with big sister April and a few newly found friends, has to circumnavigate the draconian powers invested in others to discover not only what happened to his brothers but also who he really is himself. Nearly poisoned and arrested and chased through space as he looks for the mysterious Cavern of Clavius - he only took the job as Supreme Potentate to stop the title going to his nasty little cousin, December.
Simp!y written and easy to read, this quirky story is funny and enjoyable for all ages, a bit like the old Ealing comedies. Narrated with full understanding and involvement by the talented and pleasant to hear Persephone Rose, each curiously named character is given their own distinctive and appropriate voice: those of the two lizard-like pilots are especially excellent. All is clearly articulated, read with smooth perfection and a warmth which drives the book forward. A fine performance.
A perfect book for light entertainment. It will make the reader smile, or even laugh out loud. A good story filled with delightful chafzcters, the names of the protagonists alone make this a book worth reading.
Recommended
"Into, across, through or around ... at top speed."
When a monotone messenger wakes February to tell him that his father and two elder brothers are dead, the young man's life is instantly changed from one of indolence and solitary playing of backgammon into, well, one of gentle but decisive action as he defends his newly acquired position of Supreme Potentate of the Twelve Sun Systems of Gloth.
This delightful science fiction comedy of political intrigue might not be high literature but it is certainly funny,. February the Fifth is an endearing character, who, with big sister April and a few newly found friends, has to circumnavigate the draconian powers invested in others to discover not only what happened to his brothers but also who he really is himself. Nearly poisoned and arrested and chased through space as he looks for the mysterious Cavern of Clavius - he only took the job as Supreme Potentate to stop the title going to his nasty little cousin, December.
Simp!y written and easy to read, this quirky story is funny and enjoyable for all ages, a bit like the old Ealing comedies. Narrated with full understanding and involvement by the talented and pleasant to hear Persephone Rose, each curiously named character is given their own distinctive and appropriate voice: those of the two lizard-like pilots are especially excellent. All is clearly articulated, read with smooth perfection and a warmth which drives the book forward. A fine performance.
A perfect book for light entertainment. It will make the reader smile, or even laugh out loud. A good story filled with delightful chafzcters, the names of the protagonists alone make this a book worth reading.
Recommended
March 1, 2018
To be honest, the only reason I chose to read this book was to meet a challenge requirement (I know, who does such a silly thing!). I was pleasantly surprised; I really enjoyed the book! This was a fun easy read with goofy, yet likable characters....with really great names, in my opinion! You can get totally lost in the names!
Give this a try if you are a sci-fi fan or are just looking for a fun book.
Give this a try if you are a sci-fi fan or are just looking for a fun book.
January 2, 2024
This is the first book by Derek Haines I have listened to. It was a pleasent read with s touches of science fiction and comedy throughout. I enjoyed the world's that the author builds and the entities that people them.
Narrator does a nice job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
will listen to book 2 next.
Narrator does a nice job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
will listen to book 2 next.
July 12, 2024
I was doing a monthly challenge and happened upon this book. While I didn't initially understand it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fusion of sorts. It reminded of H. R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost. I was rooting for Feb though.
April 23, 2021
I didn't think it was particularly funny, but the plot was engaging (for the most part) and was an interesting read.
March 22, 2025
with similar humour to HGTTG and character names that reminded me of Slartibartfast, this was a great story.
May 3, 2025
This high quality sci-fi mystery is absolutely hilarious! The audiobook narrator does a great job bringing all the characters to life and the storytelling is lively and mysterious.
October 1, 2025
At first this boy was a goof which saved his life because he missed something important. I loved how he grew into the job with the love of his family.
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