What do you think?
Rate this book
Ack-Ack Macaque #2
Hive Monkey
The stunning follow-up to Ack-Ack Macaque, which featured the Spitfire pilot monkey hero of a computer game who turned out to be real. The first book was met with wide acclaim upon release.In order to hide from his unwanted fame as the spitfire-pliot-monkey who emerged from a computer game to defeat the dangerous coporation who engineered him, the charismatic and dangerous Ack-Ack Macaque is working as a pilot on a world-circling nuclear powered Zeppelin. But when the cabin of one of his passengers is invaded by that passenger's own dying doppelganger, our hirsute hero finds himself thrust into another race to save the world - this time from an aggressive hive mind, time-hopping saboteurs, and an army of homicidal Neanderthal assassins!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 23, 2013
6 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 28, 2013
After preventing a nuclear apocalypse in the previous book, Ack-Ack Macaque is piloting Valerie Valois' airship. When a writer-turned-fugitive boards the airship, Ack-Ack and his friends are drawn into a war that spans multiple worlds and the leader of the opposing army has a special fate in store for Ack-Ack...
I got this from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
You know how sequels are generally inferior to the original? Thankfully, Hive Monkey defies that unfortunate stereotype with two loaded Colts!
Hive Monkey picks up shortly where Ack-Ack Macaque left off. Ack-Ack is trying to adjust to whatever passes for normal life in an uplifted macaque when trouble shows up in the form of writer William Cole, whom people are inexplicably trying to kill. Meanwhile, the Gestault, a cybernetic hivemind cult, is trying to recruit Ack-Ack for some reason. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The writing is vastly superior to the first book. If I wasn't so engrossed in the story, I would have wrote a lot of them down. Ones I remember include "It takes 128 muscles to frown but only 52 to grab someone and bite their face off" and "It's Saturday night. I should be out drinking and puking."
Ack-Ack proves to have a lot more depth than originally expected but is still the baddest mother around, with his Spitfire and his two Colts. I loved the revelation about the Gestault and how it related to William Cole. It's like Gareth Powell mined my list of favorite sf concepts for this book. AI, parallel worlds, uplifted animals, nanotech, airships, cyborgs, etc.
Even though I knew it was likely Ack-Ack would save the day, Powell had me guessing a few times. The ending was pretty damn satisfying and also made me want to get the next book into my simian hands as soon as possible. Four out of Five stars!
I got this from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
You know how sequels are generally inferior to the original? Thankfully, Hive Monkey defies that unfortunate stereotype with two loaded Colts!
Hive Monkey picks up shortly where Ack-Ack Macaque left off. Ack-Ack is trying to adjust to whatever passes for normal life in an uplifted macaque when trouble shows up in the form of writer William Cole, whom people are inexplicably trying to kill. Meanwhile, the Gestault, a cybernetic hivemind cult, is trying to recruit Ack-Ack for some reason. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The writing is vastly superior to the first book. If I wasn't so engrossed in the story, I would have wrote a lot of them down. Ones I remember include "It takes 128 muscles to frown but only 52 to grab someone and bite their face off" and "It's Saturday night. I should be out drinking and puking."
Ack-Ack proves to have a lot more depth than originally expected but is still the baddest mother around, with his Spitfire and his two Colts. I loved the revelation about the Gestault and how it related to William Cole. It's like Gareth Powell mined my list of favorite sf concepts for this book. AI, parallel worlds, uplifted animals, nanotech, airships, cyborgs, etc.
Even though I knew it was likely Ack-Ack would save the day, Powell had me guessing a few times. The ending was pretty damn satisfying and also made me want to get the next book into my simian hands as soon as possible. Four out of Five stars!
February 15, 2018
This the sequal to Ack Ack Macaque but Ack is foul mouthed rum drinking cigar smoking killing machine.The sort of Monkey Charlton Heston didn't met in 1968
Set just over year on from vol.1 Ack now feels surplus to recoupment blood useless what use is WWII ace in 2060.He is drinking way to much Rum & punching people. Specially reports who keep asking silly question.
William Cole as Dick style sf writer has been attached why?
Now Bill his doppelganger from another dimension has turned up to save him & his dead wife too. In this we see the theory for every action we make there is an opposite one too like theory that there is a world were Tom Baker is style the Doctor ,Star Trek wasn't cancelled ,the Prisoner had three seasons but is also the down side such as Ricard III stayed as King so Henry VIII never existed or Hitler won,Or Cuba invited America in 1963 causing WWIII end the world
Set just over year on from vol.1 Ack now feels surplus to recoupment blood useless what use is WWII ace in 2060.He is drinking way to much Rum & punching people. Specially reports who keep asking silly question.
William Cole as Dick style sf writer has been attached why?
Now Bill his doppelganger from another dimension has turned up to save him & his dead wife too. In this we see the theory for every action we make there is an opposite one too like theory that there is a world were Tom Baker is style the Doctor ,Star Trek wasn't cancelled ,the Prisoner had three seasons but is also the down side such as Ricard III stayed as King so Henry VIII never existed or Hitler won,Or Cuba invited America in 1963 causing WWIII end the world
December 31, 2013
I’ve made no secret about that fact that I adored the first novel featuring Ack-Ack Macaque. Hell, I chose the primate pilot as my outstanding character of 2013. I’ve been waiting, almost patiently, for months now and finally book two has arrived.
Straight off the bat, Gareth Powell has upped the ante in this second adventure. A new religion/cult, the sinister Gestalt, has appeared and are growing in power. They are more than a little keen to induct a certain monkey into their ever-growing ranks. Add to that a mysterious murder, more than a few chases, and a good sized dollop of trans-dimensional espionage and you can imagine things start to get proper busy.
At the heart of all this unbridled chaos sits our brazen hero, Ack-Ack Macaque, the monkey flying-ace. Still rude, still crude and still dangerous to know. A sentient macaque monkey with a sardonic attitude and a penchant for booze and brawling, he manages to be the perfect antidote to all the square-jawed action heroes that you’re used to. There is something marvellously enticing about any character that just does whatever the hell they want and damn the consequences. Mr Macaque’s devil-may-care boldness is so dashed refreshing.
Things have moved on since the close of book one. The relationship between Victoria Valois, now captain of airship Tershkova, and Ack-Ack has evolved from when we last meet them. Both are unique in the world and they find a kindred spirit in one another. K8, the cheeky Scottish hacker also returns, still looking out for her simian guvnor. Paul, Victoria’s ex-husband, also lends a virtual hand or two. Essentially, we’re talking about the world’s weirdest dysfunctional family here but it all sort of works.
The reality that Ack-Ack Macaque inhabits is mind-bogglingly realised, similar enough to our own to be recognisable but also just slightly different enough to remain tantalising. I love the idea of the huge monolithic Zeppelins travelling the globe. Given the opportunity I think I’d love to travel somewhere on the Tershkova. The subtle differences in world history, the United Kingdom merging with France for example, are also a nice little touch. This sort of carefully thought-out world building enhances the background of the story and gives the narrative a sense of legitimacy.
I’m sure you have probably all been wondering, how does one create an anthropomorphic primate fighter pilot? Surely we’ve all wanted to befriend our very own flying monkey at one point or another? (I’ll assume you’ve all answered yes to this question). I’ve done a little investigative research and I think that I’ve hit upon something close to the answer. Distill and blend together the flying ability of James “Biggles” Bligglesworth, the rougish charm of Sir Harry Paget Flashman and the legendary drinking ability of Oliver Reed. Apply the resulting essence liberally to a macaque monkey and raise the result to full awareness. Ta-da! Your very own Ack-Ack Macqaue*
This second book ends with things veering off into truly unexpected territory. Nothing like a wild tangent appearing out of the wide blue yonder to keep a reader on their toes. No spoilers of course. Suffice to say, things have just gotten very, very interesting for our favourite monkey fly-boy and his compatriots. Book three, Macaque Attack, just can’t arrive soon enough. I genuinely can’t wait. This book, and this series, is just such sheer unadulterated fun. Gareth Powell’s first-class writing entertains on every single page. You’d be a bally fool to miss out.
A final thought – I’d love to see this series adapted for the big screen. Handled correctly, this could just be so much bloody fun. Fast paced action with an eclectic bunch of truly memorable characters and lashings of derring-do. Who wouldn’t want to see that? HELLO, ARE YOU LISTENING HOLLYWOOD? YOU NEED TO BE MAKING THIS NOW! Excuse the outburst, I may just have to wander off for a bit and ponder who would make it into my dream cast. The biggest question is who should play our eponymous hero?
*Disclaimer – I’m not going to be held responsible if he blows anything up mind you. He’s your responsibility. Treat him well and I’m sure it’ll be fine. He probably won’t bite you in the face, probably.
Straight off the bat, Gareth Powell has upped the ante in this second adventure. A new religion/cult, the sinister Gestalt, has appeared and are growing in power. They are more than a little keen to induct a certain monkey into their ever-growing ranks. Add to that a mysterious murder, more than a few chases, and a good sized dollop of trans-dimensional espionage and you can imagine things start to get proper busy.
At the heart of all this unbridled chaos sits our brazen hero, Ack-Ack Macaque, the monkey flying-ace. Still rude, still crude and still dangerous to know. A sentient macaque monkey with a sardonic attitude and a penchant for booze and brawling, he manages to be the perfect antidote to all the square-jawed action heroes that you’re used to. There is something marvellously enticing about any character that just does whatever the hell they want and damn the consequences. Mr Macaque’s devil-may-care boldness is so dashed refreshing.
Things have moved on since the close of book one. The relationship between Victoria Valois, now captain of airship Tershkova, and Ack-Ack has evolved from when we last meet them. Both are unique in the world and they find a kindred spirit in one another. K8, the cheeky Scottish hacker also returns, still looking out for her simian guvnor. Paul, Victoria’s ex-husband, also lends a virtual hand or two. Essentially, we’re talking about the world’s weirdest dysfunctional family here but it all sort of works.
The reality that Ack-Ack Macaque inhabits is mind-bogglingly realised, similar enough to our own to be recognisable but also just slightly different enough to remain tantalising. I love the idea of the huge monolithic Zeppelins travelling the globe. Given the opportunity I think I’d love to travel somewhere on the Tershkova. The subtle differences in world history, the United Kingdom merging with France for example, are also a nice little touch. This sort of carefully thought-out world building enhances the background of the story and gives the narrative a sense of legitimacy.
I’m sure you have probably all been wondering, how does one create an anthropomorphic primate fighter pilot? Surely we’ve all wanted to befriend our very own flying monkey at one point or another? (I’ll assume you’ve all answered yes to this question). I’ve done a little investigative research and I think that I’ve hit upon something close to the answer. Distill and blend together the flying ability of James “Biggles” Bligglesworth, the rougish charm of Sir Harry Paget Flashman and the legendary drinking ability of Oliver Reed. Apply the resulting essence liberally to a macaque monkey and raise the result to full awareness. Ta-da! Your very own Ack-Ack Macqaue*
This second book ends with things veering off into truly unexpected territory. Nothing like a wild tangent appearing out of the wide blue yonder to keep a reader on their toes. No spoilers of course. Suffice to say, things have just gotten very, very interesting for our favourite monkey fly-boy and his compatriots. Book three, Macaque Attack, just can’t arrive soon enough. I genuinely can’t wait. This book, and this series, is just such sheer unadulterated fun. Gareth Powell’s first-class writing entertains on every single page. You’d be a bally fool to miss out.
A final thought – I’d love to see this series adapted for the big screen. Handled correctly, this could just be so much bloody fun. Fast paced action with an eclectic bunch of truly memorable characters and lashings of derring-do. Who wouldn’t want to see that? HELLO, ARE YOU LISTENING HOLLYWOOD? YOU NEED TO BE MAKING THIS NOW! Excuse the outburst, I may just have to wander off for a bit and ponder who would make it into my dream cast. The biggest question is who should play our eponymous hero?
*Disclaimer – I’m not going to be held responsible if he blows anything up mind you. He’s your responsibility. Treat him well and I’m sure it’ll be fine. He probably won’t bite you in the face, probably.
March 6, 2014
I really wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started this book. I had never heard of the series and the only reason I picked it was l loved the cover. Turns out it is the second in a series about Ack-Ack Macaque, an up-evolved monkey that curses, smokes, and flies a Spitfire to relax. While I enjoyed this book I did find it a little bit difficult to get into. I think I might have been about to get into it more, and even enjoyed it more, had I read the first title in the series. Powell does a good job reintroducing the book to new readers, but it takes a little bit for that introduction to get going. Aside from dealing with “catching up” with characters the book assumes you already know the reader is also through an unknown situation that kicks off the new plot. Trying to work out one unknown story line is fine as most books start this way, but when you are trying to figure out who all the main characters are at the same time things get a little dicer. I am sure someone familiar with the series would not have the same troubles I did.
Once you actually get into the story however it is pretty engrossing. The whole idea of multiple dimensions and stories involving characters crossing from one of those dimensions is a story line that, while I have seen it before, I never get tired of. Powell does it particularly well in this book and once the main plot started unfolding I was totally hooked. There are some nice twists, some which you can see coming and some which surprised me, that keep things interesting. The one thing that bugs me, if I was to read the series from the beginning and follow into future titles, is that Powell has no problems slashing through built up characters. If I had invested in some of them I would be pretty annoyed at the ease at which they can go away.
http://homeofreading.com/hive-monkey/
Once you actually get into the story however it is pretty engrossing. The whole idea of multiple dimensions and stories involving characters crossing from one of those dimensions is a story line that, while I have seen it before, I never get tired of. Powell does it particularly well in this book and once the main plot started unfolding I was totally hooked. There are some nice twists, some which you can see coming and some which surprised me, that keep things interesting. The one thing that bugs me, if I was to read the series from the beginning and follow into future titles, is that Powell has no problems slashing through built up characters. If I had invested in some of them I would be pretty annoyed at the ease at which they can go away.
http://homeofreading.com/hive-monkey/
March 21, 2024
After Ack-Ack Macaque, I didn't think things could possibly get wilder but in Hive Monkey, they did. More action and fun coupled with existential dread with our MC who now faces up against the Gestalt, at first a creepy is seemingly harmless hive mind that turns out to be the advanced scouts of an interdimensional invasion force. It did feel a bit of a shot out of the blue but given all the craziness already, I was able to roll with it and enjoy it. Loving the series and can't wait to read the finale.
February 21, 2025
This is the second book in the Ack-Ack series. Ack-Ack is back in cigar chompin' action, cursing up a storm, and piloting an airship! The story went in a different direction than I anticipated, introducing many new sci fi elements such as traveling through space/time and a hive mind collective, all reminiscent of the Borg and Planet of the Apes. Ack-Ack continues to reconcile the world he knew with the world he now lives within. Some characters from book 1 make much less of an appearance, maybe to help make way for some newly introduced characters. I am curious to see what happens in book 3!
February 10, 2014
Last year I was so enthralled by Ack-Ack Macaque, that I tried to coin a new term, Cyberpulp, to describe the great mix of sci-fi and old fashioned pulp adventure to be found in the novel. Now, Gareth L. Powell is back with the sequel, Hive Monkey, and I stand by the Cyberpulp tag. Zeppelins, gelware, Spitfires, a hive-mind cult, and, of course, a cigar-chomping, gun-toting, eye patch-wearing, foul language-spewing monkey.
All of the great characters are back; Victoria Valois, who now commands her own zeppelin; K8, still the hottest teenage hacker around; Paul, Victoria's dead ex-husband, who is literally a ghost in the machine; and did I mention the cigar-chomping, gun-toting, eye patch-wearing, foul language-spewing monkey? Powell tosses in some new characters, as well, to round out the cast.
The story moves at a brisk pace, moving from one exciting action sequence to the next, with barely a moment to catch your breath. Yet Powell doesn't skimp on the character development. Everyone has grown, since the last book, and they continue to grow before our eyes, in this one.
I read fiction to be entertained, and Hive Monkey delivers. I tend to not look for deeper meaning; either it's there or it isn't. As non-stop pulp adventurey (Yes. I said "Adventurey.") as this book is, it also touches on deeper themes, like family, loyalty, and free will.
I highly recommend this book for any fan of sci-fi, pulp adventure, or just a good time reading a fun book. And, if that isn't enough, remember:
Cigar-chomping, gun-toting, eye patch-wearing, foul language-spewing monkey.
All of the great characters are back; Victoria Valois, who now commands her own zeppelin; K8, still the hottest teenage hacker around; Paul, Victoria's dead ex-husband, who is literally a ghost in the machine; and did I mention the cigar-chomping, gun-toting, eye patch-wearing, foul language-spewing monkey? Powell tosses in some new characters, as well, to round out the cast.
The story moves at a brisk pace, moving from one exciting action sequence to the next, with barely a moment to catch your breath. Yet Powell doesn't skimp on the character development. Everyone has grown, since the last book, and they continue to grow before our eyes, in this one.
I read fiction to be entertained, and Hive Monkey delivers. I tend to not look for deeper meaning; either it's there or it isn't. As non-stop pulp adventurey (Yes. I said "Adventurey.") as this book is, it also touches on deeper themes, like family, loyalty, and free will.
I highly recommend this book for any fan of sci-fi, pulp adventure, or just a good time reading a fun book. And, if that isn't enough, remember:
Cigar-chomping, gun-toting, eye patch-wearing, foul language-spewing monkey.
January 15, 2014
My problem with sequels is that there's almost always this expectation that you have to repeat the first story just with bigger odds. Essentially you get a large drink instead of a regular. Sometimes this works but often it doesn't and comes off a bit flaccid. When people try something a bit different it's often met with a modicum of resistance and I sometimes feel I'm in the minority of people cheering on the risky sequels (I like Ocean's 12. There I said it.)
Hive Monkey is a much different book that its predecessor. While the main players all return in some shape or other the plot is both smaller and bigger than Ack Ack Macaque. And I loved it.
I could never have predicted the way the plot was going to go (much like the first book.) it zips along at a great pace and before you know it you've read it all and have to wait a year for the next one.
Read Ack Ack Macaque and then this if you like Scifi with strong concepts, character, not overly startrekkie technobabble and fun. Highest recommendation.
Hive Monkey is a much different book that its predecessor. While the main players all return in some shape or other the plot is both smaller and bigger than Ack Ack Macaque. And I loved it.
I could never have predicted the way the plot was going to go (much like the first book.) it zips along at a great pace and before you know it you've read it all and have to wait a year for the next one.
Read Ack Ack Macaque and then this if you like Scifi with strong concepts, character, not overly startrekkie technobabble and fun. Highest recommendation.
November 22, 2019
Excellent second chapter in the continuing adventures of Ack-Ack, set largely in the skies over future Bristol. The simian former WWII ace learns the hard way that his in-game immortality no longer applies, ditching not one but two Spitfires, apparently losing friends, and maybe even gaining new allies as well. Hive Monkey expands Powell's multiverse in the same way - but more swearily - that Ian McDonald did in his Everness books.
Great stuff.
Great stuff.
May 12, 2014
A fun action-adventure romp through the world Powell established in Ack-Ack Macaque, very satisfied with my purchase. Hive Monkey pits everyone's favorite cigar chomping, whiskey swilling primate against a Borg-like hive mind with nefarious goals for this earth. Well worth reading, I finished in just a couple of days because once I started reading I couldn't put Hive Monkey down!
January 6, 2014
A good sequel but I liked the first book a bit more.
Want to read
December 22, 2015$0.99/$1.24 on Amazon today!
October 18, 2023
Book 2 of the "Ack-Ack Macaque" trilogy.
About a year prior, in the first volume, a small group of people and one uplifted monkey foiled a plot to take over the United Kingdom of Britain and France, or, failing that, bring about nuclear war.
Now, William Cole -- an expat American science-fiction novelist recently fallen prey to drug addiction -- leaves his flat in London and is fired on by someone who looks like a gorilla; then the car that someone was in explodes quite violently. He asks for asylum on the airship _Tereshkova_, where Ack-Ack Macaque is the pilot and Victoria Valois the Captain, owner, absolute monarch (the very large airships in this future have been granted nation-like autonomy) and co-heroine with Ack-Ack of the previous book.
Cole and Ack-Ack are approached, separately, by representatives of the Gestalt, a cult which has literally one (huge) mind among its members: they have adapted the technology which records a person's consciousness for possible "resurrection" to create a vast network. Individuality is lost, but, it seems, a certain peace and peacefulness are gained. The Gestalt wishes both of them to join its ranks; both refuse.
Victoria tentatively allows William refuge on the airship. But his very first night aboard, his room is invaded by a man who (a) is gut-shot, (b) has his own face, voice, and so on, (c) calls himself "Bill," and (d) delivers a standard Cryptic Dying Message, warning about a virus, claiming to be William from an alternate timeline, and telling William to find Marie -- which is the name of William's wife, who miscarried their one attempt at a child, and then died herself.
Then things get complicated...
_Hive Monkey_ is as funny as _Ack-Ack Macaque_, and nearly as well done in the departments of tension and plotting: perhaps even more so. But I found it a bit of a disappointment; there was huge potential in the world developed in the first book, and adding alternate timelines seems, to me, to have wasted that potential, or at least diluted it significantly. Very little of what this world promises is explored in _Hive Monkey_, and, as the book ends with a promise to explore other alternate worlds (for good and sufficient reasons) in the sequel, it looks like that won't be explored at all.
Bummer.
If it were a standalone novel, without all that found-and-lost potential, it would be a four-star novel; but it couldn't be, because of the large quantity of background knowledge it calls for from book one. I therefore give it three-and-a-half stars.
About a year prior, in the first volume, a small group of people and one uplifted monkey foiled a plot to take over the United Kingdom of Britain and France, or, failing that, bring about nuclear war.
Now, William Cole -- an expat American science-fiction novelist recently fallen prey to drug addiction -- leaves his flat in London and is fired on by someone who looks like a gorilla; then the car that someone was in explodes quite violently. He asks for asylum on the airship _Tereshkova_, where Ack-Ack Macaque is the pilot and Victoria Valois the Captain, owner, absolute monarch (the very large airships in this future have been granted nation-like autonomy) and co-heroine with Ack-Ack of the previous book.
Cole and Ack-Ack are approached, separately, by representatives of the Gestalt, a cult which has literally one (huge) mind among its members: they have adapted the technology which records a person's consciousness for possible "resurrection" to create a vast network. Individuality is lost, but, it seems, a certain peace and peacefulness are gained. The Gestalt wishes both of them to join its ranks; both refuse.
Victoria tentatively allows William refuge on the airship. But his very first night aboard, his room is invaded by a man who (a) is gut-shot, (b) has his own face, voice, and so on, (c) calls himself "Bill," and (d) delivers a standard Cryptic Dying Message, warning about a virus, claiming to be William from an alternate timeline, and telling William to find Marie -- which is the name of William's wife, who miscarried their one attempt at a child, and then died herself.
Then things get complicated...
_Hive Monkey_ is as funny as _Ack-Ack Macaque_, and nearly as well done in the departments of tension and plotting: perhaps even more so. But I found it a bit of a disappointment; there was huge potential in the world developed in the first book, and adding alternate timelines seems, to me, to have wasted that potential, or at least diluted it significantly. Very little of what this world promises is explored in _Hive Monkey_, and, as the book ends with a promise to explore other alternate worlds (for good and sufficient reasons) in the sequel, it looks like that won't be explored at all.
Bummer.
If it were a standalone novel, without all that found-and-lost potential, it would be a four-star novel; but it couldn't be, because of the large quantity of background knowledge it calls for from book one. I therefore give it three-and-a-half stars.
January 14, 2014
originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2014...
Last year I was more than pleasantly introduced to Ack-Ack Macaque, I had first assumed it to be a standalone, but soon found out that there would be a sequel! I have to admit I did a little dance of joy, only than later to find out that it would be turned into a trilogy! yay! Now I am keeping my fingers crossed to see if Gareth L. Powell can diss out some more stories featuring my now favorite fictional monkey. Ack-Ack Macaque introduced us to Ack-Ack Macaque, a cigar chomping, daikiri drinking spitfire piliot monkey who inhabited a popular computer game. Soon it proved that Ack-Ack Macaque wasn't only just a virtual character. Ack-Ack was rescued by the heir to the throne of both France and Great Britain, Merovech. And with the freeing of Ack-Ack, it was time for some revenge! With Ack-Ack Macaque, Gareth L. Powell managed to show an amazing feat of brilliance, Hive Monkey has something to live up to.
Hive Monkey picks up after Ack-Ack Macaque and finds Ack-Ack living on the airship the
Tershkova who is piloted by Victoria (whom we got to know in the first book). What might have seemed to be an easy and enjoyable life four our monkey in question soon turns out to be another mad adventure one that spans multiple dimensions, literally! A writer fears for his life and tries to seek some sort of refuge on board the Tershkova, this is really the starting point to a whole lot of action and kicks off an interesting turn of the Ack-Ack Macaque series. If you look closely at the first book Ack-Ack Macaque, the story introduced us to Ack-Ack and the world itself if you compare that to the story to that of Hive Monkey, Hive Monkey is essentially a whole new direction and can in my opinion be read without having read the first book, along the way there are enough point wherein Gareth L. Powell tells about the events in the first book that led up to how it all in in Hive Monkey. However I do have to say that, make sure you do read the first book, it's a treat by itself! OK that aside. Garth L. Powell really managed to transform his series into a whole new direction, he keeps the storyline fresh, exciting and more than engaging, just as with the first book, Ack-Ack Macaque, I was seeing myself skipping other chores just to finish Hive Monkey. When I first saw the cover of Hive Monkey I directly had to think of Resident Evil and the Umbrella Cooperation. But take a real close look to the cover of both books! (maybe minor spoiler).
So how does Gareth L. Powell actually transforms his story? Well, for starters with the Gestalt, this brilliantly broadened the whole premise of the Ack-Ack Macaque series. In the beginning of the story there are mentionings of doppelgangers and several other weird stuff happening. Soon you find out that there is much more nefarious organization behind everything, dressed in tailored white suits. I really liked how Gareth L. Powell introduced us again to a whole new concept in Hive Monkey. Ack-Ack Macaque was there to build a solid foundation introducing us to the world and with Hive Monkey Gareth L. Powell ups his game even more, building on that foundation and taking his story those extra steps further. The Gestalt was shown just spot on, in the beginning you have glimpses of their agents and later things start to dawn on you and when their leader reveals himself to Ack-Ack and Victoria, the fight is on. But it isn't only aimed at Ack-Ack, though the leader does want him to join their cause, the faith of the world hangs in the balance! It's up to our favorite monkey and his friends to again save the day and.. world that is! I cant say it enough but I am more than pleased with the direction that Gareth L. Powell takes his Ack-Ack Macaque series. I so want to tell much more about the Gestalt but that would just spoil your own experience too much.
Similarly to its predecessor, Hive Monkey has a lot cool stuff happening and it is mainly owed to the star himself, Ack-Ack. In the first book you could really see that he was struggling with himself, as far as he knew he was just living day by day flying his spitfire and seeing his comrades perish in battle. With his release into the real world his perspectives changed. A lot. When you read about Ack-Ack in Hive Monkey, he seems on one level much more calmer than the first book, and it seems that he come to terms with living in the real world, however you can still clearly see that he is trying to avoid confrontation by living secluded with his friends on the Tershkova. But don't think that Ack-Ack has turned soft, No! he still has his words ready and is still fast to gab his colts to blow holes in just about almost everything. It just seem that he developing some emotions, this is great stuff and something I was hoping to see, he is the star of the show and Gareth L. Powell keeps on developing him in the right way. Other characters that make an appearance besides Ack-Ack are Victoria who now controls the airship the Tershkova and the hacker K8 who helped to free Ack-Ack from the Celeste Company. Their relations between them and Ack-Ack also kept developing and while for me the relation between Ack-Ack and Victoria was more like a business deal, it seems that between K8 and Ack-Ack there is much more going on. And looking at the ending of the second book, it seems that Ack-Ack again is growing up.
With Hive Monkey Gareth L. Powell shows that his highly imaginative and colorful Ack-Ack Macaque wasn't a one time thing. Hive Monkey is a brilliant sequel. In the case of what I had expected and wanted to expect I hadn't dared dreamed of the direction that Gareth L. Powell went. Of course I has some stray thoughts looking at the cover but well... those didn't come near. At. All. With introducing the Gestalt in his story, he really has turned the tables on his story and allows for a great introduction in the third book Macaque Attack. This series is an science fiction story but adding inter and intra dimension travel is still tricky and when I read it I always hope for the best and Gareth L. Powell shows just that. I have to stand but what I have said about the first book. Its brilliantly imaginative and I am very happy that Gareth L. Powell shares his wildly imaginative fantasy with us. With a monkey who more than often is ripe for a session on anger management in the lead, having duel colts at it's hips, a cigar in his mouth and flying spitfires, set in a alternate steampunk/sci-fiesque backdrop battleing it off against the nefarious multiple dimension travelling Gestalt (set out to conquer everything they come across), who employ the best fighters of every conquered dimension (think Neaderthals, they aren't exctinct in other dimensions!), What more do you want! Gareth L. Powell has again raised the bar high for himself but I have full confidence that he will conclude this duology turned trilogy (yes you rad that correctly!!) into one explosive finale. Make sure you don't miss these amazing books.
Last year I was more than pleasantly introduced to Ack-Ack Macaque, I had first assumed it to be a standalone, but soon found out that there would be a sequel! I have to admit I did a little dance of joy, only than later to find out that it would be turned into a trilogy! yay! Now I am keeping my fingers crossed to see if Gareth L. Powell can diss out some more stories featuring my now favorite fictional monkey. Ack-Ack Macaque introduced us to Ack-Ack Macaque, a cigar chomping, daikiri drinking spitfire piliot monkey who inhabited a popular computer game. Soon it proved that Ack-Ack Macaque wasn't only just a virtual character. Ack-Ack was rescued by the heir to the throne of both France and Great Britain, Merovech. And with the freeing of Ack-Ack, it was time for some revenge! With Ack-Ack Macaque, Gareth L. Powell managed to show an amazing feat of brilliance, Hive Monkey has something to live up to.
Hive Monkey picks up after Ack-Ack Macaque and finds Ack-Ack living on the airship the
Tershkova who is piloted by Victoria (whom we got to know in the first book). What might have seemed to be an easy and enjoyable life four our monkey in question soon turns out to be another mad adventure one that spans multiple dimensions, literally! A writer fears for his life and tries to seek some sort of refuge on board the Tershkova, this is really the starting point to a whole lot of action and kicks off an interesting turn of the Ack-Ack Macaque series. If you look closely at the first book Ack-Ack Macaque, the story introduced us to Ack-Ack and the world itself if you compare that to the story to that of Hive Monkey, Hive Monkey is essentially a whole new direction and can in my opinion be read without having read the first book, along the way there are enough point wherein Gareth L. Powell tells about the events in the first book that led up to how it all in in Hive Monkey. However I do have to say that, make sure you do read the first book, it's a treat by itself! OK that aside. Garth L. Powell really managed to transform his series into a whole new direction, he keeps the storyline fresh, exciting and more than engaging, just as with the first book, Ack-Ack Macaque, I was seeing myself skipping other chores just to finish Hive Monkey. When I first saw the cover of Hive Monkey I directly had to think of Resident Evil and the Umbrella Cooperation. But take a real close look to the cover of both books! (maybe minor spoiler).
So how does Gareth L. Powell actually transforms his story? Well, for starters with the Gestalt, this brilliantly broadened the whole premise of the Ack-Ack Macaque series. In the beginning of the story there are mentionings of doppelgangers and several other weird stuff happening. Soon you find out that there is much more nefarious organization behind everything, dressed in tailored white suits. I really liked how Gareth L. Powell introduced us again to a whole new concept in Hive Monkey. Ack-Ack Macaque was there to build a solid foundation introducing us to the world and with Hive Monkey Gareth L. Powell ups his game even more, building on that foundation and taking his story those extra steps further. The Gestalt was shown just spot on, in the beginning you have glimpses of their agents and later things start to dawn on you and when their leader reveals himself to Ack-Ack and Victoria, the fight is on. But it isn't only aimed at Ack-Ack, though the leader does want him to join their cause, the faith of the world hangs in the balance! It's up to our favorite monkey and his friends to again save the day and.. world that is! I cant say it enough but I am more than pleased with the direction that Gareth L. Powell takes his Ack-Ack Macaque series. I so want to tell much more about the Gestalt but that would just spoil your own experience too much.
Similarly to its predecessor, Hive Monkey has a lot cool stuff happening and it is mainly owed to the star himself, Ack-Ack. In the first book you could really see that he was struggling with himself, as far as he knew he was just living day by day flying his spitfire and seeing his comrades perish in battle. With his release into the real world his perspectives changed. A lot. When you read about Ack-Ack in Hive Monkey, he seems on one level much more calmer than the first book, and it seems that he come to terms with living in the real world, however you can still clearly see that he is trying to avoid confrontation by living secluded with his friends on the Tershkova. But don't think that Ack-Ack has turned soft, No! he still has his words ready and is still fast to gab his colts to blow holes in just about almost everything. It just seem that he developing some emotions, this is great stuff and something I was hoping to see, he is the star of the show and Gareth L. Powell keeps on developing him in the right way. Other characters that make an appearance besides Ack-Ack are Victoria who now controls the airship the Tershkova and the hacker K8 who helped to free Ack-Ack from the Celeste Company. Their relations between them and Ack-Ack also kept developing and while for me the relation between Ack-Ack and Victoria was more like a business deal, it seems that between K8 and Ack-Ack there is much more going on. And looking at the ending of the second book, it seems that Ack-Ack again is growing up.
With Hive Monkey Gareth L. Powell shows that his highly imaginative and colorful Ack-Ack Macaque wasn't a one time thing. Hive Monkey is a brilliant sequel. In the case of what I had expected and wanted to expect I hadn't dared dreamed of the direction that Gareth L. Powell went. Of course I has some stray thoughts looking at the cover but well... those didn't come near. At. All. With introducing the Gestalt in his story, he really has turned the tables on his story and allows for a great introduction in the third book Macaque Attack. This series is an science fiction story but adding inter and intra dimension travel is still tricky and when I read it I always hope for the best and Gareth L. Powell shows just that. I have to stand but what I have said about the first book. Its brilliantly imaginative and I am very happy that Gareth L. Powell shares his wildly imaginative fantasy with us. With a monkey who more than often is ripe for a session on anger management in the lead, having duel colts at it's hips, a cigar in his mouth and flying spitfires, set in a alternate steampunk/sci-fiesque backdrop battleing it off against the nefarious multiple dimension travelling Gestalt (set out to conquer everything they come across), who employ the best fighters of every conquered dimension (think Neaderthals, they aren't exctinct in other dimensions!), What more do you want! Gareth L. Powell has again raised the bar high for himself but I have full confidence that he will conclude this duology turned trilogy (yes you rad that correctly!!) into one explosive finale. Make sure you don't miss these amazing books.
July 24, 2017
In short, I found myself finding other things to do rather than pick up this book. That's a bad sign.
I picked up the first book in this series, Ack-Ack Macaque, as a beach read. It perfectly suited that purpose. It was ludicrous and fun, popcorn action and not a lot of thinking. When I saw that it was part of a series I added the second book to my to-read list. As happens, my interests went elsewhere, and it was nearly two years before picking up Hive Monkey. I didn't remember much from that first book, but that didn't really hinder me as the author gives plentiful, redundant reminders of each character's back story throughout. K8 is a hacker. K8 hacks. K8 can hack anything. K8 has a relationship with Ack-Ack. K8 and Ack-Ack are buddies. Victoria used to be a journalist. She used to write. Now she can't read....and so on.
I really enjoyed the wild mish-mash of genres in the first book, but here they are taken to the point of satire. You can almost hear the lonely saxophone playing in the background in the scenes with Victoria Valois.
Our new characters (William, Mary, and Lila Cole) really do nothing for us but act as medium to introduce a plot element. Frankly, I find it very difficult to believe the emotional response of these characters to each other, and that's to say nothing of the 'science' going on. William is utterly boring and useless, Mary did...I'm struggling to remember, and Lila is the young fighter.
The silver lining to all of this is that the last third of the book finally picks up the action pace and finishes strong. Unfortunately it did not make up for the effort to get there, and I don't think I'll be pursuing this series any further.
I picked up the first book in this series, Ack-Ack Macaque, as a beach read. It perfectly suited that purpose. It was ludicrous and fun, popcorn action and not a lot of thinking. When I saw that it was part of a series I added the second book to my to-read list. As happens, my interests went elsewhere, and it was nearly two years before picking up Hive Monkey. I didn't remember much from that first book, but that didn't really hinder me as the author gives plentiful, redundant reminders of each character's back story throughout. K8 is a hacker. K8 hacks. K8 can hack anything. K8 has a relationship with Ack-Ack. K8 and Ack-Ack are buddies. Victoria used to be a journalist. She used to write. Now she can't read....and so on.
I really enjoyed the wild mish-mash of genres in the first book, but here they are taken to the point of satire. You can almost hear the lonely saxophone playing in the background in the scenes with Victoria Valois.
Our new characters (William, Mary, and Lila Cole) really do nothing for us but act as medium to introduce a plot element. Frankly, I find it very difficult to believe the emotional response of these characters to each other, and that's to say nothing of the 'science' going on. William is utterly boring and useless, Mary did...I'm struggling to remember, and Lila is the young fighter.
The silver lining to all of this is that the last third of the book finally picks up the action pace and finishes strong. Unfortunately it did not make up for the effort to get there, and I don't think I'll be pursuing this series any further.
November 2, 2019
This sequel to Ack-Ack Macaque was more or less exactly what I needed right now: a short, fun, easy read that made a nice break from the more difficult books I've been reading lately. It picks up where Ack-Ack Macaque left off, with Victoria Valois captaining the ship her uncle left her, Ack-Ack Macaque working for her but at a loose end, and Victoria's dead husband Paul continuing his life-after-life, this time as a computer simulation who can be projected as a hologram.
The plot this time involves parallel universes and a creepy cult called the Gestalt, whose goal is to assimilate everyone in every parallel universe into the same hive mind. Again, it's very reminiscent of Doctor Who, but Powell tamps down the ridiculousness just enough this time to emerge with a more believable, and thus more engaging, book. To be clear, a book with a grizzled and foul-mouthed warplane-flying talking monkey still does require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief, but at least the Prince of Wales was not a major character this time, and the villains' motivations seemed more in the realm of what cult leaders really would do if they had access to the same technology.
On the surface I've given this book the same three stars as I gave Ack-Ack Macaque, but I feel like this time I'm rounding down, while with that one I rounded up. These are not the most deeply moving books I've ever read, but at least I had fun with this one.
The plot this time involves parallel universes and a creepy cult called the Gestalt, whose goal is to assimilate everyone in every parallel universe into the same hive mind. Again, it's very reminiscent of Doctor Who, but Powell tamps down the ridiculousness just enough this time to emerge with a more believable, and thus more engaging, book. To be clear, a book with a grizzled and foul-mouthed warplane-flying talking monkey still does require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief, but at least the Prince of Wales was not a major character this time, and the villains' motivations seemed more in the realm of what cult leaders really would do if they had access to the same technology.
On the surface I've given this book the same three stars as I gave Ack-Ack Macaque, but I feel like this time I'm rounding down, while with that one I rounded up. These are not the most deeply moving books I've ever read, but at least I had fun with this one.
September 5, 2018
Another fun adventure with foul mouthed, cigar chomping, monkey with an attitude. These books are lots of pulpy fun and really scream by once you get into them. We get a little further world building in this one (or should I say worlds building). Powell really throws his entire imagination into these books but all of his ridiculous ideas still manage to work together. Though not as good as the first, especially given the lack of a full resolution, leaving that for the final volume (think Empire Strikes Back). Still a lot of good high action fun with interesting concepts. Can't wait for the concluding chapter.
April 29, 2025
Round two with Ack-Ack Macaque and friends and this did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved the first book and was worried Powell could live up to it. This was just as good as the original if not better.
Opening line "It started with a gun shot" and then it's time to strap yourself in and go for a ride.
There's Spitfires (of course) and explosions and technology and parallel worlds and so much imagination that it's hard to believe it's barely over 300 pages.
Plus Powell writes WELL, he paints pictures with his words and uses them wisely. He's a talented guy who just happens to write about monkeys in an alternative future.
I'm really hoping to get the third for my birthday now!
I absolutely loved the first book and was worried Powell could live up to it. This was just as good as the original if not better.
Opening line "It started with a gun shot" and then it's time to strap yourself in and go for a ride.
There's Spitfires (of course) and explosions and technology and parallel worlds and so much imagination that it's hard to believe it's barely over 300 pages.
Plus Powell writes WELL, he paints pictures with his words and uses them wisely. He's a talented guy who just happens to write about monkeys in an alternative future.
I'm really hoping to get the third for my birthday now!
July 5, 2020
The main character is a gun shooting, foul mouthed, quick to action monkey with a drink problem. Who could ask for a more dynamic character? The book follows on from the first in the series, and now Ack-Ack is looking for a purpose. There are more shooting and comical fight scenes with an implausible story line that is just amazing. This book made me smile the whole way through and wish for a film or TV series.
I will definitely read the last one in the series.
I will definitely read the last one in the series.
October 16, 2022
A brilliant sequel to an equally brilliant book. Another mystery unfolds with Ack Ack Macaque in the thick of it once again.
There are elements of this that remind me of Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxters Long Earth series, but that is a good thing as that was also a great series. Gareth L Powell deals with those elements in a different entertaining way
There are elements of this that remind me of Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxters Long Earth series, but that is a good thing as that was also a great series. Gareth L Powell deals with those elements in a different entertaining way
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
Like all good pulp sequels, Powell asks: "the previous was turned up to eleven...shall we see if the dial goes to twelve?"
And it is all good pulpy nonsense, reprocessed and freshened and perhaps a bit over-full of ideas that run out by the end.
And it is all good pulpy nonsense, reprocessed and freshened and perhaps a bit over-full of ideas that run out by the end.
February 9, 2018
A good story, but much darker than the first volume.
January 20, 2019
Continues to build on the previous book but now Alternate universe incursions! it's a lot of fun.
June 15, 2019
This second volume doesn't reach the heights of the first, but it is still a rip roaring read.
June 29, 2019
I love the blurb at the back of the book - it sounds really ridiculous unless you've read the first book. The writing is still a little descriptive, but the story, characters and action is amazing!
November 23, 2021
Not as surprising of the first volume of the trilogy, but still very enjoyable!
January 17, 2022
Ack Ack is my favorite anthropomorphic monkey character!
March 12, 2022
More from my favourite crazed space hopping ,chrome pistol packing fowl mouthed monkey. Compelling stuff!
March 21, 2022
Just...so much fun. Some elements didn't quite hold together, and the villains could have been made more satisfying, but all in all, a great time.
March 31, 2022
Excellent book. Got the next one all ready
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews