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Severance
Severance, the debut novel from famed Cracked.com writer Chris Bucholz, the inhabitants of a generation ark find two unlikely heroes who fight to keep everything together.
After 240 years traveling toward Tau Prius and a new planet to colonize, the inhabitants of the generation ship Argos are bored and aimless. They join groups such as the Markers and the Breeders, have costumed orgies, and test the limits of drugs, alcohol, and pain just to pass the time.
To Laura Stein, they’re morons and, other than a small handful of friends, she’d rather spend time with her meat plant than with any of her fellow passengers. But when one of her subordinates is murdered while out on a job, Laura takes it as her responsibility to find out what happened. She expects to find a personal grudge or a drug deal gone wrong, but instead stumbles upon a conspiracy that could tear the ship in two.
Labelled a terrorist and used as a pawn in the ultimate struggle for control, Laura, with help from her friend Bruce and clues left by a geneticist from the past, digs deep into the inner working of the ship, shimmying her way through ductwork, rallying the begrudged passengers to rise up and fight, and peeking into an unsavory past to learn the truth and save their future.
After 240 years traveling toward Tau Prius and a new planet to colonize, the inhabitants of the generation ship Argos are bored and aimless. They join groups such as the Markers and the Breeders, have costumed orgies, and test the limits of drugs, alcohol, and pain just to pass the time.
To Laura Stein, they’re morons and, other than a small handful of friends, she’d rather spend time with her meat plant than with any of her fellow passengers. But when one of her subordinates is murdered while out on a job, Laura takes it as her responsibility to find out what happened. She expects to find a personal grudge or a drug deal gone wrong, but instead stumbles upon a conspiracy that could tear the ship in two.
Labelled a terrorist and used as a pawn in the ultimate struggle for control, Laura, with help from her friend Bruce and clues left by a geneticist from the past, digs deep into the inner working of the ship, shimmying her way through ductwork, rallying the begrudged passengers to rise up and fight, and peeking into an unsavory past to learn the truth and save their future.
324 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2014
20 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Chris Bucholz
4 books35 followersChris Bucholz is probably best known for his column at Cracked.com where he regularly shares interesting facts that have been arranged into lists, series, and indices. Mainly lists though. He also periodically gives advice which should never be followed. During the day, he works as a video game writer, and has written for Galactic Civilizations III, Sorcerer King, and the upcoming reboot of Star Control.
Chris is the author of Severance, which is terrific, and Freeze/Thaw, coming out in spring, 2016.
Chris is the author of Severance, which is terrific, and Freeze/Thaw, coming out in spring, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 26, 2014
Review Copy
Multi-generational space travel. There are so many places to go with a story with that as your basic premise.
The journey to the third planet around the star Tau Prius has been in progress for close to 240 years, about as long as it's been since the United States declared it's independence from England. Think of the stories that could be told.
The story Severance gives us, about the spaceship Argo and its denizens, really left me disappointed. I've never read anything by by Chris Bucholz, but he's got some interesting credentials, by day, he works as a writer for video game developer Stardock, with his latest projects being Galactic Civilizations and Star Control. Sounds cool, right? Chris also writes for Cracked.com, an online humor site. So I'm expecting Science Fiction with a touch of humor. Well, it just never comes together for me. Thematically, it's sci-fi with some occasional lighthearted banter from two of the principal characters.
The story started with Laura Stein and Bruce Redenbach going to great lengths to prank a club/society/street-gang known as the Markers. A group that would distinguish themselves from their peers by "pissing on things and off people." The prank involved them using their skills and access, as maintenance workers, to "mark" the living room of of the leader of the group with the urine of an underling and let the chips fall where they may. Problem is, that little story is never mentioned again. I would have like to have known the outcome of this little incident.
What soon follows is a murder, a mystery, and a plot that could endanger some fifty-thousand of the ship's inhabitants. On the surface it all sounds rather exciting, but I didn't find it terribly entertaining nor did I find any of the characters to be particularly likable.
From the Apex Book Company, Severance, is available in both paperback and digital formats from a wide variety of online retailers. If you would like to sample the book, the first chapter is available online at the Apex Book Company's website.
For me, Severance was just OK. As always, your mileage may vary.
Multi-generational space travel. There are so many places to go with a story with that as your basic premise.
The journey to the third planet around the star Tau Prius has been in progress for close to 240 years, about as long as it's been since the United States declared it's independence from England. Think of the stories that could be told.
The story Severance gives us, about the spaceship Argo and its denizens, really left me disappointed. I've never read anything by by Chris Bucholz, but he's got some interesting credentials, by day, he works as a writer for video game developer Stardock, with his latest projects being Galactic Civilizations and Star Control. Sounds cool, right? Chris also writes for Cracked.com, an online humor site. So I'm expecting Science Fiction with a touch of humor. Well, it just never comes together for me. Thematically, it's sci-fi with some occasional lighthearted banter from two of the principal characters.
The story started with Laura Stein and Bruce Redenbach going to great lengths to prank a club/society/street-gang known as the Markers. A group that would distinguish themselves from their peers by "pissing on things and off people." The prank involved them using their skills and access, as maintenance workers, to "mark" the living room of of the leader of the group with the urine of an underling and let the chips fall where they may. Problem is, that little story is never mentioned again. I would have like to have known the outcome of this little incident.
What soon follows is a murder, a mystery, and a plot that could endanger some fifty-thousand of the ship's inhabitants. On the surface it all sounds rather exciting, but I didn't find it terribly entertaining nor did I find any of the characters to be particularly likable.
From the Apex Book Company, Severance, is available in both paperback and digital formats from a wide variety of online retailers. If you would like to sample the book, the first chapter is available online at the Apex Book Company's website.
For me, Severance was just OK. As always, your mileage may vary.
November 30, 2014
SEVERANCE is a clever, witty and entertaining romp through outer space. Perfect for readers who enjoy the closed in atmosphere of WOOL.
A band of humans aboard a huge spaceship traveling hundreds of years towards their destination - a new inhabitable planet, find themselves embroiled in a civil war as the ships' authority attempt to literally split the interstellar transporter in two. There is method in this madness as an oversight which saw the ship run off course many years prior consumed unaccounted fuel. Fuel needed to assist with the planetary landing. The only way of correcting this, being to land a smaller, more economical ship. Hence the murderous plot to split the ship and condemn thousands of passengers to death.
The reason for leaving earth and how the inhabitants of this large ship came to be isn't explored and that suited me fine. Focusing on the present day conundrum with flashbacks to an earlier time aboard the ship ensured the plot focus remained consistent with the threat of violence and doom at the forefront.
Tongue and cheek and laden with colorful characters, author Chris Bucholz did have a tendency to over indulge in the use of cringe worthy dialogue and throw away forgettable one liners but this didn't detract from the plot if anything it suited his lead characters and added to their uniqueness. Additionally, the later stages of the novel explore this use of profanity and seemingly dumbed down dialogue.
SEVERANCE was a real find and one of the more enjoyable sci-fi's I've read in recent times. Many thanks to Apex Books for putting this one on my radar.
This review also appears on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
A band of humans aboard a huge spaceship traveling hundreds of years towards their destination - a new inhabitable planet, find themselves embroiled in a civil war as the ships' authority attempt to literally split the interstellar transporter in two. There is method in this madness as an oversight which saw the ship run off course many years prior consumed unaccounted fuel. Fuel needed to assist with the planetary landing. The only way of correcting this, being to land a smaller, more economical ship. Hence the murderous plot to split the ship and condemn thousands of passengers to death.
The reason for leaving earth and how the inhabitants of this large ship came to be isn't explored and that suited me fine. Focusing on the present day conundrum with flashbacks to an earlier time aboard the ship ensured the plot focus remained consistent with the threat of violence and doom at the forefront.
Tongue and cheek and laden with colorful characters, author Chris Bucholz did have a tendency to over indulge in the use of cringe worthy dialogue and throw away forgettable one liners but this didn't detract from the plot if anything it suited his lead characters and added to their uniqueness. Additionally, the later stages of the novel explore this use of profanity and seemingly dumbed down dialogue.
SEVERANCE was a real find and one of the more enjoyable sci-fi's I've read in recent times. Many thanks to Apex Books for putting this one on my radar.
This review also appears on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
pass
December 10, 2014I hate a book plug in an article. If your writing was wonderful, then I would seek out your other pieces, such as books. It worked for other Cracked writers.
That article really just pissed me off.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-books-t...
That article really just pissed me off.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-books-t...
March 8, 2022
This was a fun read. And the first time I've read about a generation starship on it's way to a colony planet that has houses inside it with paved streets and even a trolley. This huge ship, I think it was 3km long, is built inside a giant asteroid, which I think is a clever idea because then you don't have to worry about impacts. Cuz let's face it, a Star Trek-esque invisible shield would be very difficult to make.
Anyway, our main character is described as a part-time thief though we never see her steal anything. Her sometime lover we see sneaking into someone's apartment and scanning items for worth and stealing things, but not the MC. She's a maintenance worker, which mostly means going around to various sectors of the ship and responding to complaints of "it's too hot" or "it's too cold". One such report causes a mystery that our MC can't resist trying to solve. Little does she know she's putting her life on the line because there's a secret that some higher ups don't want anyone to find out and will kill to protect the secret. A secret that could tear the ship apart. She is helped by her somewhat goofy friend Bruce, also a maintenance worker. Oh, and she has a meat plant. That's right, a plant that has been genetically altered to grow steaks. This is one crazy ship!
Going into spoiler territory I have to be vague. Lots of cool stuff happens. There's battles (they use stun weapons) and lines drawn. People kidnapped and rescued. Secret missions. And Bruce farts a lot (good thing books don't come with smell!)
Anyway, our main character is described as a part-time thief though we never see her steal anything. Her sometime lover we see sneaking into someone's apartment and scanning items for worth and stealing things, but not the MC. She's a maintenance worker, which mostly means going around to various sectors of the ship and responding to complaints of "it's too hot" or "it's too cold". One such report causes a mystery that our MC can't resist trying to solve. Little does she know she's putting her life on the line because there's a secret that some higher ups don't want anyone to find out and will kill to protect the secret. A secret that could tear the ship apart. She is helped by her somewhat goofy friend Bruce, also a maintenance worker. Oh, and she has a meat plant. That's right, a plant that has been genetically altered to grow steaks. This is one crazy ship!
Going into spoiler territory I have to be vague. Lots of cool stuff happens. There's battles (they use stun weapons) and lines drawn. People kidnapped and rescued. Secret missions. And Bruce farts a lot (good thing books don't come with smell!)
July 25, 2015
Another awesome novel from a Cracked author. Seriously, the quality of books released by authors who also publish articles on Cracked continues to astonish me. And it shoulnd't have, at this point: every book I've read from that particular Venn diagram intersection has been excellent.
This one is right up my alley, what with my current (and slight) obsession with sci-fi and space operas. A generation ship? Check. A diverse cast, with multiple POVs scattered about? Check. Crazy, idiotic plans with a dash of logic for good measure? Check. A mysterious flashback that eventually ties everything together? Check. A final, unexpected-yet-should-have-realized-it-sooner twist? Check and double check.
This will probably be my final book for this year. And what a great way to end it!
This one is right up my alley, what with my current (and slight) obsession with sci-fi and space operas. A generation ship? Check. A diverse cast, with multiple POVs scattered about? Check. Crazy, idiotic plans with a dash of logic for good measure? Check. A mysterious flashback that eventually ties everything together? Check. A final, unexpected-yet-should-have-realized-it-sooner twist? Check and double check.
This will probably be my final book for this year. And what a great way to end it!
May 19, 2016
Needs a better editor.
November 14, 2020
I’ve been a fan of Chris Bucholz ever since his hilarious Q&A style articles on Cracked, and he did not disappoint in this book.
Severance is a blend of high brow and low brow. To wit: the very first scene is a urine gag, but the urine gag is a well-considered strategy that will improve life on the generational ship that is the book’s setting. The characters are all well-realized and the background is all well-thought. The plot keeps you guessing and rooting for the characters, for all their foibles, so you have to keep reading.
I don’t usually like misanthropes as protagonists, but Bucholz writes so well that I had to be on her side. Perhaps I only liked her because she had a touch of humanism and principle against unprincipled misanthropes as villains. It’s a good technique in contrast on Bucholz’s part.
I dinged one star for the constant potty humor. All of it exists for plot and character reasons, and its presence is even central to the main revelation of the narrative, but I still found it distracting. It didn’t bother me enough to stop reading, and it’s par for the course with a Cracked writer, but I felt it undercut some important dramatic moments here and there. They’d discuss life and death and their best option among bad options, then someone farted. That sort of thing. I know others don’t mind such humor, so take it as you will.
Even with my one minor complaint, I still heartily recommend the book. The depth of imperfect characters trying their best for a greater good is always a pleasure to read.
Severance is a blend of high brow and low brow. To wit: the very first scene is a urine gag, but the urine gag is a well-considered strategy that will improve life on the generational ship that is the book’s setting. The characters are all well-realized and the background is all well-thought. The plot keeps you guessing and rooting for the characters, for all their foibles, so you have to keep reading.
I don’t usually like misanthropes as protagonists, but Bucholz writes so well that I had to be on her side. Perhaps I only liked her because she had a touch of humanism and principle against unprincipled misanthropes as villains. It’s a good technique in contrast on Bucholz’s part.
I dinged one star for the constant potty humor. All of it exists for plot and character reasons, and its presence is even central to the main revelation of the narrative, but I still found it distracting. It didn’t bother me enough to stop reading, and it’s par for the course with a Cracked writer, but I felt it undercut some important dramatic moments here and there. They’d discuss life and death and their best option among bad options, then someone farted. That sort of thing. I know others don’t mind such humor, so take it as you will.
Even with my one minor complaint, I still heartily recommend the book. The depth of imperfect characters trying their best for a greater good is always a pleasure to read.
January 5, 2015
The nitty-gritty: A fascinating premise for a story, lots of laugh-out-loud moments, but ultimately a meandering plot that failed to hold my attention.
The trolley continued on its way, though by now Stein wished she had simply just gone up to the garden well and walked. The trolley seemed to bring out the worst in people, a symptom of mass transit systems which had survived the trip to the stars. A mass transit system within a mass transit system: Russian nesting dolls stuffed with awful, awful people.
I so wanted to love this book. Apex Books has published some wonderful stories, and I’m always eager to read new Apex titles. And the cover alone for Severance made me want to dive in, I mean just look at it! But somewhere along the way, I lost interest in the story, and I have to say it was difficult to read this one to the end. I’m having a hard time pinpointing exactly why it didn’t work for me. Bucholz certainly has solid writing skills, and I especially loved his hysterical dialogue and the inner thoughts of his supremely funny characters. The plot had the potential to be great: a Generation ship called the Argos, hurtling through space for the past 239 years, will soon reach its destination planet, Tau Prius. But there is a plot afoot to derail this plan, which may send thousands of people to their deaths. It’s up to maintenance worker Laura Stein and her rag-tag group of friends to stop it.
It seems like an exciting and action-packed plot, and I kept waiting for the exciting part to come, but the story felt as if it were stuck on a big ship with nowhere to go, just like the people on the Argos. Stein (as she is referred to) works in the maintenance department, and her main job on the Argos is to…fix and replace heat thermostats on the ship. OK, so not the sexiest job on the planet—erm, ship—but I had high hopes that Bucholz would perhaps gloss over the details of fixing thermostats. But no, the reader gets many pages of Stein and Bruce moving about the deteriorating ship, searching for broken thermostats and replacing them. This goes on for quite some time, until the action gets going about half way through the story, when Stein discovers a group of dissenters on board who are trying to separate part of the ship.
Even then, I found the action repetitive, as though the characters were running in circles and repeating the same actions over and over. A non-violent first half (the only weapons around are stun guns, which can knock you unconscious but don’t kill) morphs into a very violent second half, as civil war breaks out, with the two sides fighting for control of the ship. I found myself unmoved by everything that was happening, for some reason, perhaps because I didn’t connect with any of the characters.
Laura Stein is the type of take-charge kind of female character I normally love, but I think the opening scene of the book—Stein sneaking through a heating duct and then spraying urine into someone's bedroom for a prank—put me off her character, and I never did warm up to her. Bucholz delights in all types of bodily fluid humor, and he even invents a “Vomit Club,” a group of bored people who get together and try to make each other vomit. Hey, I’m not making this up, folks! Reading about people who go around the ship marking their territory by pissing on things is bad enough, but the Vomit Club pushed me over the edge. All of this is delivered with what must be Bucholz’s unique brand of humor, and while I did enjoy much of the snarky dialogue and funny quips between characters, the potty humor just wasn’t my thing.
The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, where we see an ancestor of Stein’s who has uncovered the very plot against the ship that is unfolding in the present, as he tries to figure out a way to send a warning message into the future. I loved the idea of using genetics to accomplish this task, but it was never really explained very well, and in the end, I found the whole idea more confusing than interesting.
What I did enjoy was Bucholtz’s clever set-up of a future society of thousands of people who are trapped together and really have nowhere to go. Good jobs are few and far between, and those who can’t find a job join groups (like the aforementioned Vomit Club, among others). Drugs are readily available, and Bruce often uses one called Brash, a cool red pill that gives a person unreasonable courage in the face of danger. Many story details made me chuckle, including the ship’s “fake” homeless residents—the Fauxmless—so called because while there really isn’t any reason to be homeless on a space ship, the Fauxmless think it’s trendy. And although weird, I also enjoyed the idea of the potted meat plants that grew throughout the ship. (Yes, as in chunks of meat that grow on plants!)
Bucholz’s writing is spot on—he’s clearly a seasoned writer, as his job as a humor writer at Cracked.com proves. Severance is filled with often brilliantly funny parts, but for me they just couldn’t hold the story together. But do check out the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, where lots of readers really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to Apex Books for supplying a review copy.
This review first appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.
The trolley continued on its way, though by now Stein wished she had simply just gone up to the garden well and walked. The trolley seemed to bring out the worst in people, a symptom of mass transit systems which had survived the trip to the stars. A mass transit system within a mass transit system: Russian nesting dolls stuffed with awful, awful people.
I so wanted to love this book. Apex Books has published some wonderful stories, and I’m always eager to read new Apex titles. And the cover alone for Severance made me want to dive in, I mean just look at it! But somewhere along the way, I lost interest in the story, and I have to say it was difficult to read this one to the end. I’m having a hard time pinpointing exactly why it didn’t work for me. Bucholz certainly has solid writing skills, and I especially loved his hysterical dialogue and the inner thoughts of his supremely funny characters. The plot had the potential to be great: a Generation ship called the Argos, hurtling through space for the past 239 years, will soon reach its destination planet, Tau Prius. But there is a plot afoot to derail this plan, which may send thousands of people to their deaths. It’s up to maintenance worker Laura Stein and her rag-tag group of friends to stop it.
It seems like an exciting and action-packed plot, and I kept waiting for the exciting part to come, but the story felt as if it were stuck on a big ship with nowhere to go, just like the people on the Argos. Stein (as she is referred to) works in the maintenance department, and her main job on the Argos is to…fix and replace heat thermostats on the ship. OK, so not the sexiest job on the planet—erm, ship—but I had high hopes that Bucholz would perhaps gloss over the details of fixing thermostats. But no, the reader gets many pages of Stein and Bruce moving about the deteriorating ship, searching for broken thermostats and replacing them. This goes on for quite some time, until the action gets going about half way through the story, when Stein discovers a group of dissenters on board who are trying to separate part of the ship.
Even then, I found the action repetitive, as though the characters were running in circles and repeating the same actions over and over. A non-violent first half (the only weapons around are stun guns, which can knock you unconscious but don’t kill) morphs into a very violent second half, as civil war breaks out, with the two sides fighting for control of the ship. I found myself unmoved by everything that was happening, for some reason, perhaps because I didn’t connect with any of the characters.
Laura Stein is the type of take-charge kind of female character I normally love, but I think the opening scene of the book—Stein sneaking through a heating duct and then spraying urine into someone's bedroom for a prank—put me off her character, and I never did warm up to her. Bucholz delights in all types of bodily fluid humor, and he even invents a “Vomit Club,” a group of bored people who get together and try to make each other vomit. Hey, I’m not making this up, folks! Reading about people who go around the ship marking their territory by pissing on things is bad enough, but the Vomit Club pushed me over the edge. All of this is delivered with what must be Bucholz’s unique brand of humor, and while I did enjoy much of the snarky dialogue and funny quips between characters, the potty humor just wasn’t my thing.
The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, where we see an ancestor of Stein’s who has uncovered the very plot against the ship that is unfolding in the present, as he tries to figure out a way to send a warning message into the future. I loved the idea of using genetics to accomplish this task, but it was never really explained very well, and in the end, I found the whole idea more confusing than interesting.
What I did enjoy was Bucholtz’s clever set-up of a future society of thousands of people who are trapped together and really have nowhere to go. Good jobs are few and far between, and those who can’t find a job join groups (like the aforementioned Vomit Club, among others). Drugs are readily available, and Bruce often uses one called Brash, a cool red pill that gives a person unreasonable courage in the face of danger. Many story details made me chuckle, including the ship’s “fake” homeless residents—the Fauxmless—so called because while there really isn’t any reason to be homeless on a space ship, the Fauxmless think it’s trendy. And although weird, I also enjoyed the idea of the potted meat plants that grew throughout the ship. (Yes, as in chunks of meat that grow on plants!)
Bucholz’s writing is spot on—he’s clearly a seasoned writer, as his job as a humor writer at Cracked.com proves. Severance is filled with often brilliantly funny parts, but for me they just couldn’t hold the story together. But do check out the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, where lots of readers really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to Apex Books for supplying a review copy.
This review first appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.
March 10, 2017
Four stars for the number of times I laughed out loud listening to this book. The narrator is not very good though. He seemed robotic at times and pronouncing some words strangely not to mention taking strange breaks during sentences and breathing audibly in some of those strange breaks. The story is a fun romp through space.
March 15, 2023
this book certainly starts rougher than it ends, with it picking up considerably around the middle
an incredibly entertaining story about a colony ship filled with the most charming kind of pure dumb-asses, great stuff
an incredibly entertaining story about a colony ship filled with the most charming kind of pure dumb-asses, great stuff
February 13, 2018
Too long and the story wasn't a page turner. The whole point of transmitting info in someone's DNA turned out to be minor even though individual chapters were devoted to it.
September 3, 2018
Very impressive for a first novel. Fun characters, engaging plot- a good popcorn read. Great way to spend a weekend.
December 12, 2025
A fun sci-fi story on a generation ship with subterfuge, sneaky plots, and humor. Appreciated that there was an explanation for why everyone was so goddamn dumb.
June 14, 2015
Stein and Bruce are engineers aboard the Argos, a generation ship 240 years into its trip to Tau Prius. They are a vital part of society, an elite pair of troubleshooters whose job it is to keep the ship running and the staff able to carry out their duties.
Stein and Bruce are so, SO bored.
They hate their jobs, theyespecially hate their boss and they hate the venal, bored idiots they’re locked into an (Admittedly very large) ship with. Then, during a spot of recreational burglary they find something they really shouldn’t. As their investigation grows from one sparked by boredom to one sparked by fear, Stein and Bruce discover just how bad things are aboard the Argos and just how far the powers that be will go to stop them.
Severance is, rather like the events that change Stein and Bruce’s lives forever, a book that sneaks up on you. Bucholz’s gift for bone dry comedy is there from the start but it’s also disguised as a workplace comedy for the first act or so. Stein’s laconic, perpetually annoyed attitude and Bruce’s mildly psychopathic bonhomie make for one of those perfect double acts and Bucholz has a lot of fun with how they interact. Stein’s calm, grounded and pretends that she’s a grownup. Bruce burgles place for fun, usually with Stein in tow. Together they’re not only a refreshingly down at heel pair of leads but also a clever summation of their world. Tired, annoyed, locked in with a bunch of idiots for a very, very long time and getting rather too good at making its own fun.
Through them, Bucholz explores the Argos and introduces us to the various societies aboard, the fractionation along job lines and the political conflict between the Captain and the Mayor. All of this is done with the same charm and laser point comic timing, but it’s also used to shift the book’s focus not once, but twice. First, we get an idea of the Argos itself. Second, we see what happens when the society that holds the Argos together through apathetic tradition as much as dedication decides to tear itself apart.
That’s where the book really comes into its own. Make no mistake, the first act is really good fun but once the central plot is revealed, Bucholz really shifts into high gear. The event at the centre of the book is horrifying in a uniquely human way; a passive aggressive, ‘non confrontational’ approach to what amounts to mass murder. It’s chilling two different ways; firstly because of how cowardly and hypocritical it is and secondly because there are no clear cut sides here. Bucholz carefully populates the two factions in the ‘war’ with complex, real people. They all do, or say crushingly cruel or stupid things. They’re also all capable of moments of real empathy and understanding. The crew of the Argo are a family; a fractionated, grumpy family on the longest car journey in history and sick to the back teeth of looking at each other’s stupid faces but a family none the less. As a result, the two moments where things get very, very nasty really stand out. There’s an immense emotional cost to those beats in particular, and one not felt by the leaders of the factions but the people on the ground; just like Bruce and Stein.
That leads to a surprisingly nuanced, brave and at times poignant examination of human nature. It also leads to one of the best double acts in recent genre history. Stein’s mildly cold, deadpan approach is the perfect foil for Bruce’s endless joy at everything and the pair are just really good fun to hang out with. Bucholz also takes great pains to ensure they’re more than they appear. The reasons for Stein’s slight distance are integral to the plot and throw her into a remarkably grounded, very plausible light. Stein is one of the most normal, and, as a result, most interesting leading characters I’ve come across in genre fiction. She reacts how we would, and a lot of the book’s conclusion is tied up in her not just being one of the smartest, but most pragmatic people in the room.
Bruce is one of my new heroes. Firstly because his creative approach to fun is both utterly charming and leads to many of the book’s best lines such as:
‘Gonna get me some windows. Gonna live like a Pope.’
And secondly because Bucholz makes no bones about the fact that Bruce is a physically large, somewhat overweight guy who is at least as physically and intellectually capable as anyone else on the ship. Seeing him treated as an equal to everyone else is almost as refreshing as how well Melissa McCarthy’s Susan Cooper is written in Spy and, like there, it again grounds the book tremendously. Which is especially appropriate given how important the ship’s eventual landing is to the plot.
Severance is one of my books of the year. It’s hugely funny, extremely humane and far more ambitious than it lets on in the first few pages. Little touches like having a house with windows being a status symbol and the recreational approach to war the crew used to have all combine with a great pair of central characters to create one of the best SF novels of the year to date.
Stein and Bruce are so, SO bored.
They hate their jobs, theyespecially hate their boss and they hate the venal, bored idiots they’re locked into an (Admittedly very large) ship with. Then, during a spot of recreational burglary they find something they really shouldn’t. As their investigation grows from one sparked by boredom to one sparked by fear, Stein and Bruce discover just how bad things are aboard the Argos and just how far the powers that be will go to stop them.
Severance is, rather like the events that change Stein and Bruce’s lives forever, a book that sneaks up on you. Bucholz’s gift for bone dry comedy is there from the start but it’s also disguised as a workplace comedy for the first act or so. Stein’s laconic, perpetually annoyed attitude and Bruce’s mildly psychopathic bonhomie make for one of those perfect double acts and Bucholz has a lot of fun with how they interact. Stein’s calm, grounded and pretends that she’s a grownup. Bruce burgles place for fun, usually with Stein in tow. Together they’re not only a refreshingly down at heel pair of leads but also a clever summation of their world. Tired, annoyed, locked in with a bunch of idiots for a very, very long time and getting rather too good at making its own fun.
Through them, Bucholz explores the Argos and introduces us to the various societies aboard, the fractionation along job lines and the political conflict between the Captain and the Mayor. All of this is done with the same charm and laser point comic timing, but it’s also used to shift the book’s focus not once, but twice. First, we get an idea of the Argos itself. Second, we see what happens when the society that holds the Argos together through apathetic tradition as much as dedication decides to tear itself apart.
That’s where the book really comes into its own. Make no mistake, the first act is really good fun but once the central plot is revealed, Bucholz really shifts into high gear. The event at the centre of the book is horrifying in a uniquely human way; a passive aggressive, ‘non confrontational’ approach to what amounts to mass murder. It’s chilling two different ways; firstly because of how cowardly and hypocritical it is and secondly because there are no clear cut sides here. Bucholz carefully populates the two factions in the ‘war’ with complex, real people. They all do, or say crushingly cruel or stupid things. They’re also all capable of moments of real empathy and understanding. The crew of the Argo are a family; a fractionated, grumpy family on the longest car journey in history and sick to the back teeth of looking at each other’s stupid faces but a family none the less. As a result, the two moments where things get very, very nasty really stand out. There’s an immense emotional cost to those beats in particular, and one not felt by the leaders of the factions but the people on the ground; just like Bruce and Stein.
That leads to a surprisingly nuanced, brave and at times poignant examination of human nature. It also leads to one of the best double acts in recent genre history. Stein’s mildly cold, deadpan approach is the perfect foil for Bruce’s endless joy at everything and the pair are just really good fun to hang out with. Bucholz also takes great pains to ensure they’re more than they appear. The reasons for Stein’s slight distance are integral to the plot and throw her into a remarkably grounded, very plausible light. Stein is one of the most normal, and, as a result, most interesting leading characters I’ve come across in genre fiction. She reacts how we would, and a lot of the book’s conclusion is tied up in her not just being one of the smartest, but most pragmatic people in the room.
Bruce is one of my new heroes. Firstly because his creative approach to fun is both utterly charming and leads to many of the book’s best lines such as:
‘Gonna get me some windows. Gonna live like a Pope.’
And secondly because Bucholz makes no bones about the fact that Bruce is a physically large, somewhat overweight guy who is at least as physically and intellectually capable as anyone else on the ship. Seeing him treated as an equal to everyone else is almost as refreshing as how well Melissa McCarthy’s Susan Cooper is written in Spy and, like there, it again grounds the book tremendously. Which is especially appropriate given how important the ship’s eventual landing is to the plot.
Severance is one of my books of the year. It’s hugely funny, extremely humane and far more ambitious than it lets on in the first few pages. Little touches like having a house with windows being a status symbol and the recreational approach to war the crew used to have all combine with a great pair of central characters to create one of the best SF novels of the year to date.
October 17, 2019
Review originally posted here.
The Argos has spent over two centuries en route to Tau Prius, its destination, but the inhabitants have grown tired and bored of their journey. Rampant hedonism is common among the people, just to fill the time. Laura Stein isn’t a partaker of any of this revelry. She wants to just take care of her meat plant and be left alone. When one of her subordinates is found dead, she takes it upon herself to find out what happened. What she ends up finding is a conspiracy that could rend the generation ship’s inhabitants in two.
Bucking most classic tropes of generation ships, Bucholz decides to keep his human population awake the entire time, while in transit. No cryo sleep here! This leaves for interesting cultural developments, which we see in groups like the Makers and Breeders and yes they kinda do exactly what they are called. The ship’s layout is interesting and carries some classic tropish features, but what I particularly enjoyed was the attention to detail and civilization building the story manages to get across.
Yet, while those are a lot of fun world building details, the story is a bit monotonous. Stein is a maintenance worker, which is great, I love that we aren’t following a more exotic career, but there are pages where Stein and her colleague, Bruce, do…maintenance. I’m all for this sort of “realism,” but for a book that takes its action seriously, these scenes slow the entire plot to a literal stand-still.
With a parallel narrative that bounces between the past and present, Bucholz breaks this narrative up and keeps the pacing relatively fast. His attention to the people with good jobs versus those who don’t, provides a somewhat unspoken criticism of our own society, even if it seems he can’t decide exactly what statement he should be making. This is more than made up for the nudge and wink humor that is throughout, such as the “fauxmless” who treat homelessness as trendy, while being on a spaceship.
To their credit, Stein and her compatriot Bruce are well-crafted characters and you genuinely root for them throughout, because they really do represent the average person. I found myself pushed to finish the story, purely to see if Stein truly received her resolution and if the Argos could be saved at all.
If a wry, action-y science fiction is your thing, then look no further than SEVERANCE.
The Argos has spent over two centuries en route to Tau Prius, its destination, but the inhabitants have grown tired and bored of their journey. Rampant hedonism is common among the people, just to fill the time. Laura Stein isn’t a partaker of any of this revelry. She wants to just take care of her meat plant and be left alone. When one of her subordinates is found dead, she takes it upon herself to find out what happened. What she ends up finding is a conspiracy that could rend the generation ship’s inhabitants in two.
Bucking most classic tropes of generation ships, Bucholz decides to keep his human population awake the entire time, while in transit. No cryo sleep here! This leaves for interesting cultural developments, which we see in groups like the Makers and Breeders and yes they kinda do exactly what they are called. The ship’s layout is interesting and carries some classic tropish features, but what I particularly enjoyed was the attention to detail and civilization building the story manages to get across.
Yet, while those are a lot of fun world building details, the story is a bit monotonous. Stein is a maintenance worker, which is great, I love that we aren’t following a more exotic career, but there are pages where Stein and her colleague, Bruce, do…maintenance. I’m all for this sort of “realism,” but for a book that takes its action seriously, these scenes slow the entire plot to a literal stand-still.
With a parallel narrative that bounces between the past and present, Bucholz breaks this narrative up and keeps the pacing relatively fast. His attention to the people with good jobs versus those who don’t, provides a somewhat unspoken criticism of our own society, even if it seems he can’t decide exactly what statement he should be making. This is more than made up for the nudge and wink humor that is throughout, such as the “fauxmless” who treat homelessness as trendy, while being on a spaceship.
To their credit, Stein and her compatriot Bruce are well-crafted characters and you genuinely root for them throughout, because they really do represent the average person. I found myself pushed to finish the story, purely to see if Stein truly received her resolution and if the Argos could be saved at all.
If a wry, action-y science fiction is your thing, then look no further than SEVERANCE.
July 30, 2015
While I'm a fan of SF, I'm not really interested in generational colony ship stories. However, this one was different. Everyone on the ship knows why they are there, but many have no real job or focus. Therefore, there are some strange past times that have sprung up. Likewise, there have been revolts against those in charge, and there is some tension between the military (who steer the ship and run the security forces) and the government.
The story mostly follows Laura Stein, who doesn't like people and has a job in maintenance. This allows her access to many different parts of the ship, over which she is beginning to feel a bit of ownership. She also has somewhat flexible morals, though she isn't violent and doesn't take advantage of people who can't afford it. Her best friend is a man who is physically large, and has a huge streak of crazy stupid in him. Bruce is very aware of what is going on, and his criminal activities have a definite goal. We see things from a few other people's perspectives here and there, but those are the two primary characters.
The plot develops when something strange occurs to Stein when she and Bruce are carrying out a bit of underhanded activity. It leads Stein to ask questions and then Bruce gets involved and finds even more strangeness. When a few other unusual events occur, they become even more suspicious, and go looking for some more information. They find themselves up against a powerful force, with little ability to make their case. There are also some short flashbacks to a period in the unknown past of the ship, the meaning of which we don't know until quite far into the book, and the impact of which comes near the end.
One of the hings I enjoyed about this story is that the main characters are not made to be artificially special or wonderful. Stein finds out she has something special about her quite by accident, and it takes a long time to figure out what it means. However, that doesn't give her special powers or authority. Those she has to grab as opportunity permits. I found myself liking her for her honesty with herself, and her unapologetic attitude. Likewise, Bruce is not particularly attractive, and while he's very intelligent, he's also reckless. That willingness to do stupid crazy things means that he manages to get away with quite a lot. His adventures are frequently pretty humorous, even as they are rather suspenseful. Especially as he know how stupid his actions are, but takes the risk anyway.
I received a free copy for review through Library Thing, and took far too long to read such and engaging tale.
The story mostly follows Laura Stein, who doesn't like people and has a job in maintenance. This allows her access to many different parts of the ship, over which she is beginning to feel a bit of ownership. She also has somewhat flexible morals, though she isn't violent and doesn't take advantage of people who can't afford it. Her best friend is a man who is physically large, and has a huge streak of crazy stupid in him. Bruce is very aware of what is going on, and his criminal activities have a definite goal. We see things from a few other people's perspectives here and there, but those are the two primary characters.
The plot develops when something strange occurs to Stein when she and Bruce are carrying out a bit of underhanded activity. It leads Stein to ask questions and then Bruce gets involved and finds even more strangeness. When a few other unusual events occur, they become even more suspicious, and go looking for some more information. They find themselves up against a powerful force, with little ability to make their case. There are also some short flashbacks to a period in the unknown past of the ship, the meaning of which we don't know until quite far into the book, and the impact of which comes near the end.
One of the hings I enjoyed about this story is that the main characters are not made to be artificially special or wonderful. Stein finds out she has something special about her quite by accident, and it takes a long time to figure out what it means. However, that doesn't give her special powers or authority. Those she has to grab as opportunity permits. I found myself liking her for her honesty with herself, and her unapologetic attitude. Likewise, Bruce is not particularly attractive, and while he's very intelligent, he's also reckless. That willingness to do stupid crazy things means that he manages to get away with quite a lot. His adventures are frequently pretty humorous, even as they are rather suspenseful. Especially as he know how stupid his actions are, but takes the risk anyway.
I received a free copy for review through Library Thing, and took far too long to read such and engaging tale.
January 19, 2015
The negative reviews are just screwing around
I felt it necessary to point out that the reason this book has so many "bad" reviews is that the author is a fairly popular writer on Cracked, and his fans seem to think it's funny to give this book an ironically bad review, not realizing that that actually does bring the rating down overall and to those who do not know who the author is gives the impression that the book is actually bad. Which is kind of crappy, in my humble opinion.
But on to the topic, this book gets 5 stars not because I want to contribute to controlling their idiocy, but because I honestly feel it deserves it. Really, this was an engrossing read. It was funny, naturally, but also it made sense in a lot of ways that most humorous books and some serious sci fi novels simply fail to. At some points, it felt quite absurdist, but not to a point that it became so far fetched that it wasn't believable. There really was never a time where I said "No. There is no way someone could be dumb enough to do that." Basically, there were idiots, yes, but they were believable idiots who did things in a way that I could actually imagine them acting.
The book is also a good length. I haven't had much time to read lately, so it may just be that I stretched it out over a month, but I feel as though this novel fell into a sort of goldilocks zone of how long a book should be. Basically, it's a satisfying length that lets you get taken by the narrative without being so long that you want to brain yourself with your kindle. I've been hard pressed to find a sci find novel lately that isn't either sinfully short or overwhelmingly long. This one is right in that nice, medium area.
Anyway, it's worth it. Read the damn book. You'll laugh. You'll be shocked by the sheer absurdity that is the human race trapped on a spacerockship. You'll have something to entertain you for an ideal amount of time. You'll probably want to slap the idiots giving bad reviews thinking they're clever, just like I do.
I felt it necessary to point out that the reason this book has so many "bad" reviews is that the author is a fairly popular writer on Cracked, and his fans seem to think it's funny to give this book an ironically bad review, not realizing that that actually does bring the rating down overall and to those who do not know who the author is gives the impression that the book is actually bad. Which is kind of crappy, in my humble opinion.
But on to the topic, this book gets 5 stars not because I want to contribute to controlling their idiocy, but because I honestly feel it deserves it. Really, this was an engrossing read. It was funny, naturally, but also it made sense in a lot of ways that most humorous books and some serious sci fi novels simply fail to. At some points, it felt quite absurdist, but not to a point that it became so far fetched that it wasn't believable. There really was never a time where I said "No. There is no way someone could be dumb enough to do that." Basically, there were idiots, yes, but they were believable idiots who did things in a way that I could actually imagine them acting.
The book is also a good length. I haven't had much time to read lately, so it may just be that I stretched it out over a month, but I feel as though this novel fell into a sort of goldilocks zone of how long a book should be. Basically, it's a satisfying length that lets you get taken by the narrative without being so long that you want to brain yourself with your kindle. I've been hard pressed to find a sci find novel lately that isn't either sinfully short or overwhelmingly long. This one is right in that nice, medium area.
Anyway, it's worth it. Read the damn book. You'll laugh. You'll be shocked by the sheer absurdity that is the human race trapped on a spacerockship. You'll have something to entertain you for an ideal amount of time. You'll probably want to slap the idiots giving bad reviews thinking they're clever, just like I do.
March 15, 2016
I enjoy reading Bucholz's columns at Cracked, particularly the dialogues where he offers advice about implausible situations. (E.g. "So you're fighting a robot from the future.") In fact, I'd happily buy a collection of those columns, so I was optimistic about this book. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a disappointment.
The concept involves a generation ship, so it's vaguely similar to Colony. I'm not sure whether this is intended to be a comedy, but I didn't find it funny; I don't think I even smiled while reading it, let alone laughed.
I think the main problem was pacing. The first 100 pages are almost a detective story, and then we find out what's really going on. After that, it all slows down, and nobody really achieves much in the next 200 pages.
I will give Bucholz credit for giving some balance to the opposing sides, with more and less sympathetic characters in both places. It reminded me a bit of The Eagle Has Landed in that respect.
I don't want to be too hard on this book, and I will probably read his next novel. However, I doubt that I'll ever re-read this one.
The concept involves a generation ship, so it's vaguely similar to Colony. I'm not sure whether this is intended to be a comedy, but I didn't find it funny; I don't think I even smiled while reading it, let alone laughed.
I think the main problem was pacing. The first 100 pages are almost a detective story, and then we find out what's really going on. After that, it all slows down, and nobody really achieves much in the next 200 pages.
I will give Bucholz credit for giving some balance to the opposing sides, with more and less sympathetic characters in both places. It reminded me a bit of The Eagle Has Landed in that respect.
I don't want to be too hard on this book, and I will probably read his next novel. However, I doubt that I'll ever re-read this one.
December 22, 2014
This is exactly the kind of book I love -- a science fiction that's super fun to read. I laughed and laughed at the adventures of Stein and Bruce and was quite sad when the story ended. As in all great books, I wanted it to go on and on.
Set on a generation ship in the last stages of it's trip to a new world for colonization, this novel dives deep into the pitfalls of what would happen if thousands upon thousands of people spent two hundred plus years crammed into a ship in space.
Included is a most deliciously twisted government that goes head to head with a righteously convicted military and all the little people stuck in between.
The main character, Laura Steins finds herself stuck in the middle of a secret plot that’s been in the making for generations and will have disastrous consequences for the ship she's always called home. With the help of cagey friends and through the genetic tinkering of her forefather, she finds herself a reluctant and unwilling hero.
I found the characters to be well developed with delightful quirks that make them memorable and fun to read. Bruce stood out as my most favorite, though I did enjoy the unique qualities Mayor Kinsella’s brought to the ship’s government as well. The story flowed well and I enjoyed a look into Argos’ past as the story bounced back in time in the Previously sections. This is a well-conceived book and masterfully delivered to make an incredible read for any fan of science fiction.
Set on a generation ship in the last stages of it's trip to a new world for colonization, this novel dives deep into the pitfalls of what would happen if thousands upon thousands of people spent two hundred plus years crammed into a ship in space.
Included is a most deliciously twisted government that goes head to head with a righteously convicted military and all the little people stuck in between.
The main character, Laura Steins finds herself stuck in the middle of a secret plot that’s been in the making for generations and will have disastrous consequences for the ship she's always called home. With the help of cagey friends and through the genetic tinkering of her forefather, she finds herself a reluctant and unwilling hero.
I found the characters to be well developed with delightful quirks that make them memorable and fun to read. Bruce stood out as my most favorite, though I did enjoy the unique qualities Mayor Kinsella’s brought to the ship’s government as well. The story flowed well and I enjoyed a look into Argos’ past as the story bounced back in time in the Previously sections. This is a well-conceived book and masterfully delivered to make an incredible read for any fan of science fiction.
December 10, 2014
Severence is one of those quirky, funny science fiction stories. Set in the future on a generation ship where humanity has been living for 240 years, hurtling towards a new planet to inhabit, Severance is really a cleverly disguised multi-level murder mystery wrapped around conspiracy plots.
Ultimately I enjoyed Severance and while it was hard for me to connect with the story, I thought it was very inventive. There were good plot twists and enough intrigue to keep up my interest. I did enjoy the 'Previously' sections in between chapters because it was like a separate mystery that tied into the entire mystery at the end (that made sense in my head).
The protagonist, Laura Stein, is a great strong female lead and was really just one of the guys, drinking beer and not committing to any relationships. The best character was Bruce, Laura's best friend and thief extraordinaire, with his crazy banter and love for stun gunning security guys in the face or crotch (even after the eighth time it happened, I was still laughing). I think he's going to be a favourite to all readers.
Severance fell under my 'Guy Sci Fi' category which is not a bad place in my grand scheme of categories. It just means that this may be enjoyed more by those looking for a fun space romp. It did have some serious moments but all in all was more humorous and fun.
Ultimately I enjoyed Severance and while it was hard for me to connect with the story, I thought it was very inventive. There were good plot twists and enough intrigue to keep up my interest. I did enjoy the 'Previously' sections in between chapters because it was like a separate mystery that tied into the entire mystery at the end (that made sense in my head).
The protagonist, Laura Stein, is a great strong female lead and was really just one of the guys, drinking beer and not committing to any relationships. The best character was Bruce, Laura's best friend and thief extraordinaire, with his crazy banter and love for stun gunning security guys in the face or crotch (even after the eighth time it happened, I was still laughing). I think he's going to be a favourite to all readers.
Severance fell under my 'Guy Sci Fi' category which is not a bad place in my grand scheme of categories. It just means that this may be enjoyed more by those looking for a fun space romp. It did have some serious moments but all in all was more humorous and fun.
February 1, 2015
Okay, here's the thing: I've decided that I'm not too much of a fun of books set on spacecraft. I really don't know why this is, but it's the truth. I have a hard time with them, even when it comes to books like this where the craft is gigantic and most of the time it's not like they're on a ship at all. Except for the roving bands of really bored people. That being said, there was still some fun aspects to this book that kept me reading. For starters, it was hilarious. Laura and Bruce made me laugh quite a bit. And the antics that happen onboard were enough to keep me interested, if not a little frustrated at times (bureaucratic nonsense at it's finest), and I did find myself cheering on Laura and her quest to keep the ship together. There were definitely parts where I wondered why things were drawn out quite so much (and often this seemed to be more for a witty punchline than anything else), and I skimmed a bit when it was more tedious than I really needed/cared for. Overall, it's an interesting book, though not as high up my list as some others!
May 22, 2015
Honestly.. didn't finish it. And I won't even say this is a terrible book, it just didn't appeal to me.
In my OPINION, it felt really dry, the jokes felt a bit cheesy or contrived. I wanted to get into it, but I couldn't. Rarely do I abandon a book, but it just was not keeping my attention. It seemed predictable that the stability of the order of the ship would fall apart, a mystery would unravel, and the two main characters would come out on top. Laura and Bruce weren't particularly likable, either. Laura was kind of boring, Bruce played the overweight, sloppy, clumsy, immature, obnoxious, comic-relief friend. And I really didn't find him funny at all. The rest of the characters didn't seem to be anything special, either.
I am a huge fan of Cracked.com and like Bucholz's articles. Even bought this book off a shameless plug through one of his articles. It could just not keep my focus or interest, i'm sorry to say. I wouldn't deter anyone from reading this, it just did not appeal to me. 2 stars for at least an interesting plot idea, and on account of this being his debut novel.
In my OPINION, it felt really dry, the jokes felt a bit cheesy or contrived. I wanted to get into it, but I couldn't. Rarely do I abandon a book, but it just was not keeping my attention. It seemed predictable that the stability of the order of the ship would fall apart, a mystery would unravel, and the two main characters would come out on top. Laura and Bruce weren't particularly likable, either. Laura was kind of boring, Bruce played the overweight, sloppy, clumsy, immature, obnoxious, comic-relief friend. And I really didn't find him funny at all. The rest of the characters didn't seem to be anything special, either.
I am a huge fan of Cracked.com and like Bucholz's articles. Even bought this book off a shameless plug through one of his articles. It could just not keep my focus or interest, i'm sorry to say. I wouldn't deter anyone from reading this, it just did not appeal to me. 2 stars for at least an interesting plot idea, and on account of this being his debut novel.
February 4, 2015
I really enjoyed Severance. I received it from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers, and the main reason I requested it was because the author writes for Cracked. I assumed the book would be sharp and witty, which it was. I really appreciated the uniqueness of the plot – conspiracy on a colony-bound spaceship – and the writing style. It’s funny and clever and doesn’t assume you’re an idiot. I also appreciated the fact that the mysterious conspiracy that will clearly come into being isn’t held until the end – it comes out a third of the way into the book. This keeps up a nice level of excitement and intrigue. My one complaint is that it’s sometimes hard to follow his descriptions of the ship itself and the technical aspects that the characters understand. Sometimes I couldn’t picture what was happening because I didn’t know how pitons worked, let alone in low gravity. Overall though, if you’re a science fiction fan and you like wit, definitely pick this one up.
December 17, 2014
“Throughout the course of human history, peeing on your boss’s living room floor has always been regarded as a pretty bad move.”
Spaceships carrying the future of humanity are not usually this fun.
Spaceships carrying the future of humanity are not usually this fun.
The book isn’t completely a comedy, but it is funny, and it approaches a topic that is never handled in that way. Early in the book, grown men fight while dressed as babies, and that’s not the silliest thing that happens. This serves as a warning to future space farers: Be sure we have something to do when we wake up from cryogenic sleep.
Severance is more of a workplace comedy/drama than a sci-fi story. The story is different from the stoic, over-serious ways most stories approach post-apocalypse survival society. It’s a positive, fun experience. For that alone, it deserves a look.
July 15, 2015
It's been too long since I read a generation ship novel - if there is such a subcategory in SF. This is a very good one based on the enjoyment factor and those rare and precious moments when I wished the book would be (even) longer. Very much recommended.
Since everyone is a critic, I feel I should mention a couple of things as well ...
The following points are meant as constructive criticism - no spoilers ahead:
- Some characters are stereotypes (the mayor) and it feels odd to have one of the two main characters referred to by their first name (Bruce) and the other by their last (Stein)
- The battle lasted too many pages
- The ending feels rushed (the last 20-30 pages could have been turned into a sequel)
Since everyone is a critic, I feel I should mention a couple of things as well ...
The following points are meant as constructive criticism - no spoilers ahead:
- Some characters are stereotypes (the mayor) and it feels odd to have one of the two main characters referred to by their first name (Bruce) and the other by their last (Stein)
- The battle lasted too many pages
- The ending feels rushed (the last 20-30 pages could have been turned into a sequel)
September 9, 2021
Ultimately a good book, my new favorite example of an excellent book written by a less-experienced author. The story hook is great, the characters are fun, and the setting is well-realized. It's an enjoyable book that's easy to suggest to any fan of sci fi.
I find the flaws really compelling for some reason. There are perhaps too many named characters, the sense of when things are happening is a little weak, and the pace of the exposition is a bit uneven. And yet. There's enough depth to the book itself that it more than earns four stars. Makes me very excited to see what the author's next few books would look like as he learns and improves.
I find the flaws really compelling for some reason. There are perhaps too many named characters, the sense of when things are happening is a little weak, and the pace of the exposition is a bit uneven. And yet. There's enough depth to the book itself that it more than earns four stars. Makes me very excited to see what the author's next few books would look like as he learns and improves.
May 4, 2016
Read this.
Seriously.
It’s good science fiction – it is everything I wanted Syfy’s Ascension to be a couple years back. Set on a spaceship several generations into a journey to another planet, Bucholz’ Severance takes the reader on a great ride. The ship is getting closer to its destination, but a well-kept secret is getting people killed. At once both humorous and dark, Bucholz does well to keep the story moving so the reader has little time to dwell on the darker issues at play. It’s masterfully woven and well-paced. Read it now.
Seriously.
It’s good science fiction – it is everything I wanted Syfy’s Ascension to be a couple years back. Set on a spaceship several generations into a journey to another planet, Bucholz’ Severance takes the reader on a great ride. The ship is getting closer to its destination, but a well-kept secret is getting people killed. At once both humorous and dark, Bucholz does well to keep the story moving so the reader has little time to dwell on the darker issues at play. It’s masterfully woven and well-paced. Read it now.
January 2, 2015
Great!
I know and love Chris Bucholz from his articles on Cracked.com and was very excited when I found out he had written a full length novel. I'm not necessarily a big sci-fi reader, so I didn't know if I would like it, but I like him as an author enough that I figured I'd give it a shot. He did a great job! I really liked it and recommend it. Great characters, plot, structure, and pacing. Really well done.
I know and love Chris Bucholz from his articles on Cracked.com and was very excited when I found out he had written a full length novel. I'm not necessarily a big sci-fi reader, so I didn't know if I would like it, but I like him as an author enough that I figured I'd give it a shot. He did a great job! I really liked it and recommend it. Great characters, plot, structure, and pacing. Really well done.
June 23, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I went into it with some expectations based on my past experience with Bucholz' writing, which doesn't always click with me, but I'm glad to say that he's written a thoroughly entertaining story, that's both interesting and funny from start to finish. The story moves along at a good pace, helped by a likeable set of characters, and humour is nicely seeded through both narration and dialogue, often managing to surprise me with a good laugh.
December 27, 2015
I loved this book for two reasons: It gave the first character-scale examination of the inevitable dramas aboard a generation ship that I've ever encountered, and it had truly hilarious dialog, similar to James S. A. Corey's "Expanse" series.
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