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Redtooth: A Humorous Short Story
Be careful what you put in your ears...
In this humorous short story, a trip to the pawnshop sends Bob Hanks on an unexpected adventure.
Also from this author: The World of Godsland fantasy series
The Dawning of Power trilogy (Omnibus Edition available)
Call of the Herald
Inherited Danger
Dragon Ore
The Balance of Power trilogy (Omnibus Edition available)
Regent
Feral
Regal
In this humorous short story, a trip to the pawnshop sends Bob Hanks on an unexpected adventure.
Also from this author: The World of Godsland fantasy series
The Dawning of Power trilogy (Omnibus Edition available)
Call of the Herald
Inherited Danger
Dragon Ore
The Balance of Power trilogy (Omnibus Edition available)
Regent
Feral
Regal
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2011
3 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Brian Rathbone
44 books1,592 followers
A former horse trainer and computer programmer, Brian Rathbone used his old world knowledge and love of fantasy fiction to create The World of Godsland fantasy series, which begins with The Dawning of Power trilogy.
The World of Godsland fantasy series includes:
Call of the Herald
Inherited Danger
Dragon Ore
Regent
Feral
Regal
The Fifth Magic
Dragonhold
The Seventh Magic
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 3, 2020
“What did I say?” “You said: 'I love you all, and I would like to cuddle, but I have a nuclear device in my ear.'”
A humorous science fiction cautionary tale for those who have trouble with auto-completion, auto-translators, and auto-spell correctors. A riff on the intersection between voice-activated assistants and ear buds. This technology is probably not that far away.
“I'm not cheap. I'm just resistant to change.”
Basically an extended gag. The concept is that not all technology advances are improvements, especially to late adopters. Nice cover art.
“The man to your right is a German spy who thinks you're a CIA double-agent.” “What about the thick-fingered man from the pawnshop? Who does he think I am?” “He's pretty firmly convinced that you're an idiot.”
A humorous science fiction cautionary tale for those who have trouble with auto-completion, auto-translators, and auto-spell correctors. A riff on the intersection between voice-activated assistants and ear buds. This technology is probably not that far away.
“I'm not cheap. I'm just resistant to change.”
Basically an extended gag. The concept is that not all technology advances are improvements, especially to late adopters. Nice cover art.
“The man to your right is a German spy who thinks you're a CIA double-agent.” “What about the thick-fingered man from the pawnshop? Who does he think I am?” “He's pretty firmly convinced that you're an idiot.”
December 21, 2024
Barely more than an idea jotted down, this really needs more substance to make the idea sing.
Characters are hardly there, but the possibility of a good humorous story is there, it’s just not realised.
The humour could be pushed even further as it stands, it’s not chuckle-worthy. I’d have liked to see things taken even more into the realm of absurd.
The writing was good and easy to read.
I got this as an Amazon freebie.
Characters are hardly there, but the possibility of a good humorous story is there, it’s just not realised.
The humour could be pushed even further as it stands, it’s not chuckle-worthy. I’d have liked to see things taken even more into the realm of absurd.
The writing was good and easy to read.
I got this as an Amazon freebie.
November 8, 2025
I really enjoyed Readtooth by Baian Rathbone for being rediculous and giving a smile all the way through the short adventure of the main character, Bob Hawk, as he is tricked into a test of a new Redtooth head set. Great short story!
July 6, 2018
Hilarious!
Short and unexpected. Had me guessing what was coming next and laughing like I haven't in a really long time.
Short and unexpected. Had me guessing what was coming next and laughing like I haven't in a really long time.
October 2, 2018
Completely caught me off guard. A fun comedic, futuristic, thriller! A quick read with chuckle moments. Enjoyable. Looking forward to reading it to my family.
October 12, 2019
A little silly but a lot of fun.
December 31, 2019
Pretty good. Figured out a little what would happen toward the end but some was a bit of a surprise.
September 15, 2011
This short story reminded me of the episode of the TV show Shark Tank where an odd businessman tries to get the sharks to invest in his company that makes a bluetooth device that is surgically embedded near the ear. I couldn't stop laughing when the shark's blasted this guy's invention as preposterous and implausible.
The only thing that TV show has in common is a bluetooth-like device being put inside a person's ear. I hate stuff in my ear. Water gets in there and it drives me nuts, so I wouldn't be a good candidate for anything requiring surgery to be implanted.
The writer of "Redtooth" avoids the trap that the businessman did on Shark Tank with an element of surprise that I liked.
"Redtooth" is about a sinister replacement for a bluetooth headset. Despite being a short story, it still felt a bit padded to me, like this same story would have had more punch if another 25%+ would have been excised. Still, I enjoyed it as a brief, fun distraction.
The only thing that TV show has in common is a bluetooth-like device being put inside a person's ear. I hate stuff in my ear. Water gets in there and it drives me nuts, so I wouldn't be a good candidate for anything requiring surgery to be implanted.
The writer of "Redtooth" avoids the trap that the businessman did on Shark Tank with an element of surprise that I liked.
"Redtooth" is about a sinister replacement for a bluetooth headset. Despite being a short story, it still felt a bit padded to me, like this same story would have had more punch if another 25%+ would have been excised. Still, I enjoyed it as a brief, fun distraction.
September 24, 2016
Bob Hanks likes the stuff he has, and doesn't want to switch to new stuff--even when his wife thinks his old stuff looks kind of dorky. This includes his battered, old bluetooth headset, held together with a bit of electrical tape. When his wife threatens him--from his point of view--with a shopping trip to get "stuff he needs," he seizes the chance to go out without while she's out with a friend. He'll get the new things, but without her guidance.
And for certain values of "new." His first stop is a pawn shop.
It's the beginning of a hair-raising adventure.
This is a short story, just half an hour of listening, that appeals to my admittedly sometimes twisted sense of humor. Well worth your time.
Recommended.
The author posted the link to the Soundcloud audio free on Twitter.
And for certain values of "new." His first stop is a pawn shop.
It's the beginning of a hair-raising adventure.
This is a short story, just half an hour of listening, that appeals to my admittedly sometimes twisted sense of humor. Well worth your time.
Recommended.
The author posted the link to the Soundcloud audio free on Twitter.
October 5, 2012
This was a nice quick read. Quirky, fun, and a bit zany, it's the kind of story you want to read when you need to escape for a bit.
The premise of the book is interesting. A man is given a brand new Redtooth headset (it runs on blood!) and is led through a ridiculous set of circumstances. Why? That's the fun part, and I won't spoil it for you.
The best part of this book are the characters. I'm a sucker for good characterization, and this story has it. All of the characters are just slightly over the top--enough to make it crazy, but not so much as to make them unbelievable or unlikable.
All in all, it's just plain fun. Pick it up!
The premise of the book is interesting. A man is given a brand new Redtooth headset (it runs on blood!) and is led through a ridiculous set of circumstances. Why? That's the fun part, and I won't spoil it for you.
The best part of this book are the characters. I'm a sucker for good characterization, and this story has it. All of the characters are just slightly over the top--enough to make it crazy, but not so much as to make them unbelievable or unlikable.
All in all, it's just plain fun. Pick it up!
March 26, 2012
An entertaining bit of science fiction. The writing style seemed a bit rough to me, and I admit I was taken by surprise--I missed the bit about it being a short story, and expected more. But overall I'd say it worked pretty well.
August 11, 2011
This was a fun story. Humorous in many ways. The author is a good writer and I'm looking forward to finishing his novel as well. I thought the idea was original and the writing clean.
August 10, 2013
A funny, funny story about technology (and a few people) running amok. Be careful about upgrading your hardware; you never know what's going to bite you. This one's a well-written keeper.
December 13, 2013
Nice short piece of speculative fiction about headset device that cannot be removed. I look forward to reading more by this writer.
February 2, 2014
Ha! The geek in me just loved this. Quirky and amusing fun short read.
August 1, 2012
Short, sharp and amusing.
March 20, 2014
Cute an short
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews