Just Vic

by Gerald Burke

Vic follows a simple code of life—when stuck between certain death and certain death, always chose a third option.



Ready to renounce his criminal ways, Vic needs to pull one last heist—transporting a rare and valuable albino friklar across a short section of space without detection. Easy money.



However, when the animal escapes on a primitive planet called Earth, Vic must either settle accounts with his boss—ruthless Axle Prim—or endure his wrath.



With a careful mix of charm, guile and old-fashioned skullduggery, Vic lures a hapless postal worker into a scheme that includes an edible form of dark matter, a half-mad spaceship and a machine capable of verifying the existence of the soul. As the tangles unweave, Vic’s plan will either cost them both their lives or gain Vic everything he’s ever wanted.



If all goes well, he might just save the cat too…



A space adventure that is equal parts satire, Just Vic will have you in LOL induced stitches the whole way through.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2024

Reviews

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute blast of a read! This book had me hooked from the opening scene a space criminal trying to go straight, one last job that’s supposed to be easy (famous last words), and a rare alien creature that turns the entire mission upside down. From that point on, it’s a fast-paced, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional ride through chaos, con men, and cosmic consequences.

Vic is one of those unforgettable antiheroes charming, self-serving, and yet somehow deeply relatable. His voice carries the story with sharp wit and weary charisma. You can’t help rooting for him even as he makes a mess of things. And when his path crosses with a bewildered Earth postal worker, the contrast is perfect cynical rogue meets everyman hero, with chemistry and humor that light up every scene they share.

The worldbuilding is fresh and vivid without ever bogging down the story. The author blends sci-fi, satire, and a touch of existential wonder edible dark matter, a semi-sentient ship that might be losing its mind, and a machine that can detect the soul? It sounds outrageous, but somehow it all works beautifully.

Beneath the snappy dialogue and madcap adventure, there’s a thoughtful undercurrent about redemption, identity, and the cost of ambition. It’s both funny and poignant, sometimes in the same paragraph a rare combination that makes the book stand out in the best way.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting. At first, it was hard to follow, although I was listening to an audio book version instead of a physical copy. I think reading it would be a little easier, because there are some words and objects in the book that I'm sure look a lot better on paper than they do being spoken out loud. That being said, I did enjoy this book. I thought the story line was interesting and engaging. I thought the characters were easy to connect and agree with. There were moments in this that I was seriously questioning what I would if I were a certain character, as I'm sure any human would. I recommend reading, or listening to this, especially if you have a feeling that there are other life forms outside of earth.

[Kelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows Vic, a former criminal aiming to leave his past behind by undertaking one final heist: transporting a rare albino friklar across space without detection. However, complications arise when the creature escapes on Earth, forcing Vic to navigate a series of unpredictable events. The narrative combines elements of satire, adventure, and humor, with Vic enlisting the help of a postal worker in a scheme involving edible dark matter, a half-mad spaceship, and a machine that can verify the existence of the soul.

[C.A. Stampley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book took a little for me to get into, but that's just me. However, once I keep listening, the story and characters drew me in. There are some things I feel weren't answered, but I'm assuming there will be a second novel to answer some of those questions. I listened to the audiobook, and let me tell you, the voice actor did an absolutely amazing and fantastic job. The voices were so perfectly done. And I must say the tag witty fits this books quite well.

[Dan James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength of Just Vic lies in its characters and the moral dilemmas they face. Gerald Burke writes with empathy and insight. Vic is a fascinating protagonist whose determination and flaws make him relatable. The pacing is excellent, with enough twists to keep you guessing but also room to explore the emotional landscape. I found myself invested in the story and curious about what would happen next.

[Sarah Noffke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Vic is unlike any space adventure I’ve read before. It’s full of humor, mischief, and razor-sharp satire. Vic’s “last heist” turns into a laugh-out-loud disaster, especially once Earth gets involved. The postal worker was such a fun addition to the chaos. Between alien animals, quirky machines, and shady deals, every page had me smiling. This is a clever, fast-paced book with heart, humor, and plenty of surprises.

[Brain Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is pure sci-fi comedy gold. Vic’s “easy money” heist quickly spirals into a hilarious series of disasters, and I couldn’t stop laughing. The world-building is creative without being overwhelming, and the characters are quirky and memorable. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the situations are both ridiculous and thought-provoking. Just Vic proves that space adventures can be fun, smart, and laugh-out-loud entertaining all at once.

[Lunavera Casen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I love humorous sci-fi. It’s smart, fast, and ridiculously funny. Vic is the perfect antihero sneaky, flawed, but somehow endearing. The plot involving an albino friklar and a hapless postal worker had me hooked. The humor never felt forced, and the twists kept me guessing. Just Vic is part satire, part space romp, and all-around brilliant entertainment. I’ll be recommending it to friends.

[Adel Lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! This book is equal parts witty satire and wild sci-fi adventure. Vic’s “last job” turning into total chaos made for such a funny, unpredictable story. The edible dark matter gag was one of my favorites, and the mix of absurdity with clever commentary really worked. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but also has heart. Just Vic is sharp, imaginative, and endlessly entertaining. A must-read for fans of quirky space tales.

[Vesper Langthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing read! Just Vic blends satire, absurd humor, and real suspense so well. Vic is the perfect reluctant antihero, always trying to outsmart impossible odds. I loved the creative elements, the soul-verifying machine and the half-mad spaceship were hilarious highlights. The pacing was fast, the writing sharp, and the story genuinely fun. Easily one of the most entertaining sci-fi adventures I’ve read in a while.

[Theron Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so much reading this book! Vic is a clever, mischievous character whose last heist goes completely sideways in the best way possible. The situations are ridiculous yet so well written, especially the scenes with the postal worker and the alien animal. The humor is sharp without ever feeling forced. Just Vic is a wild, smart, and endlessly entertaining space comedy that I’ll definitely recommend.

[Adnan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a blast! Vic is such a chaotic yet oddly lovable character, and watching him stumble through a final heist gone wrong was hilarious. The mix of sci-fi adventure, dark comedy, and clever satire kept me hooked. The edible dark matter and soul-verifying machine had me laughing out loud. If you enjoy witty space adventures with unexpected twists, Just Vic is absolutely worth the ride.

[Ariana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book! Vic is a flawed but charming antihero who’s impossible not to root for. The plot is wild, with twists involving a rare alien animal, edible dark matter, and even a machine that tests the soul. It’s funny, weird, and brilliantly entertaining. The writing flows so well, balancing action with satire. A perfect read for anyone who loves sci-fi with a humorous edge.

[Cassian Merrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure chaos in the best way! Vic’s last heist spirals hilariously out of control, and every twist had me laughing. The albino friklar, edible dark matter, and half-mad spaceship made for some of the funniest sci-fi I’ve read. Vic’s mix of charm, guile, and bad decisions kept me hooked. I couldn’t stop reading it’s a clever, outrageous, and entirely entertaining adventure.

[Calista Wrenford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure sci-fi comedy gold. Vic’s “last job” is anything but simple, and watching it unravel on Earth had me laughing nonstop. The albino friklar, edible dark matter, and the eccentric spaceship added so much charm. The mix of satire and adventure was spot on. It’s witty, chaotic, and fun from start to finish. If you like quirky space romps, this is a must-read.

[Sarah May · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever and entertaining read! While I don’t normally read Sci-Fi, I got into this book right away. The characters, wit, and plot all drew me in from the start. I really enjoyed Burke’s storytelling and read the book in just a few days! A fun, captivating journey from start to finish! Highly recommend.

[Suzanne Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Just Vic during a lunch break and nearly choked on my sandwich laughing. Gerald Burke’s writing style is sharp, witty, and perfectly paced. Vic’s heist may be ‘one last job,’ but this book is a first-rate masterpiece of space satire. Also, who doesn’t love a good soul machine mystery?

[David Pairett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turning Goodness

I didn’t want it to end. Great characters. Great plot. Fun read. Hope we see more of Vic and Parker.

[Saar Reynhout · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Haykay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! The writing kept me hooked from start to finish

[Seth Madaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and very Entertaining

What a fun book. It’s different but that is what makes it so unique. Vic is hilarious and such a fascinating character. I hope to see more of him. The world was rich and full of great sci-fi sensibilities, while also having a really cool streak of originality. I enjoyed the other characters but I will say, when Vic wasn’t there, it definitely slowed down, but it really feels like the makings of a “Guardians of the Galaxy” esque team in the “wild Wild West” of a very fun sci-fi world.