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Accidental Astronaut
The world needed a hero. Instead, they got Jack.
Dr. Erik Manheim needed a warrior. A Navy SEAL. Someone who could help him confront the threat he uncovered in ancient ruins—evidence that a rogue planet brings devastation every time it passes Earth.
Instead, he got Jack Schafer, hung-over bush pilot in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now Jack is swept into a mission he was never meant to survive—one that stretches from Alaskan wilderness to the stars beyond. Humanity's future hangs in the balance… and its best hope may be a reluctant pilot who wasn't supposed to be here at all.
Accidental Astronaut is a gripping, fast-paced blend of survival thriller and epic science fiction—perfect for fans of Andy Weir, Michael Crichton, and James Rollins.
Dr. Erik Manheim needed a warrior. A Navy SEAL. Someone who could help him confront the threat he uncovered in ancient ruins—evidence that a rogue planet brings devastation every time it passes Earth.
Instead, he got Jack Schafer, hung-over bush pilot in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now Jack is swept into a mission he was never meant to survive—one that stretches from Alaskan wilderness to the stars beyond. Humanity's future hangs in the balance… and its best hope may be a reluctant pilot who wasn't supposed to be here at all.
Accidental Astronaut is a gripping, fast-paced blend of survival thriller and epic science fiction—perfect for fans of Andy Weir, Michael Crichton, and James Rollins.
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 12, 2025
I read the blurb that the author sent out, then I started the book and I was so confused. And then I read and I realized I’ve heard this story before. This is basically a retailing of the flash Gordon tale. I quickly lost interest in skim through to the end. I don’t like stories that are just the rehash of something else. A little originality goes a long way I wouldn’t bother.
January 8, 2026
Good start to a series. I like the characters. I wasn't so enthralled that I couldn't put it down, but it was good enough to finish. I'm not sure I was invested enough to continue with the series. I think it may have been Scott Aiello's narration. Still, I would recommend it.
December 13, 2025
I shall name him...General
January 3, 2026
Reading the first few pages of Accidental Astronaut, I would not have been surprised if old Eric Manheim, squinting at ancient writings on a wall, had shouted. “Aziz! Light!” Like Professor Pacoli of The Fifth Element, he has discovered ancient information about a rogue planet headed our way. But like Doc Brown of Back to the Future, to whom he is compared, he is ready for adventure. He persuades Lisa, a young physicist, to help him kidnap a warrior. They want a recently retired Navy Seal, but instead they get Jack, a hungover bush pilot, who flew helicopters in the first Gulf War. Together, they hijack an abandoned alien spaceship—yes, it made me wince, too—and head for the planet, which makes Barsoom seem tame.
Points for humor and chutzpah, but deductions for poor world-building.
Points for humor and chutzpah, but deductions for poor world-building.
January 19, 2026
I really like J N Chaney’s books particularly his Backyard Spaceship series. This book was cowritten with another author and it was good but not quite as good as his others. It was entertaining which is mostly what I strive for when reading any book. It’s most definitely SF which is a genre I particularly enjoy. The story begins on Earth but then shoots off into the far depths of space. What more could you ask for? There is a second book and I will read it in the fullness of time.
December 20, 2025
A fun romp, but one of the sillier Partlow novels just the same
Likeable characters. A premise that is interesting... but it's a litany of borrowed ideas, a "Wizard Of Oz" meets "Flash Gordon" - there's even a Max Von Sydow-like Ming The Merciless. A society ruled with an iron force by a human man who inherited it from its fallen, but Godlike creators. Fanciful airships... Lion-Men. An allosaurus kept as a pet that devours the Archon's disfavored ones, like Jabba T. Hut's Rancor. Many standard-issue Partlow tropes: Earth guns are too whimpy, a chock-a-block whirlwind romance with two unlikely characters, and a planetary spaceship that the main hero redirects.
Now, I'd read a menu if Ricky wrote it - he's a rare delight. But I think he's discovered his range and is now just turning out volume at this point.
Likeable characters. A premise that is interesting... but it's a litany of borrowed ideas, a "Wizard Of Oz" meets "Flash Gordon" - there's even a Max Von Sydow-like Ming The Merciless. A society ruled with an iron force by a human man who inherited it from its fallen, but Godlike creators. Fanciful airships... Lion-Men. An allosaurus kept as a pet that devours the Archon's disfavored ones, like Jabba T. Hut's Rancor. Many standard-issue Partlow tropes: Earth guns are too whimpy, a chock-a-block whirlwind romance with two unlikely characters, and a planetary spaceship that the main hero redirects.
Now, I'd read a menu if Ricky wrote it - he's a rare delight. But I think he's discovered his range and is now just turning out volume at this point.
January 16, 2026
Having seen several online reviews placing J.N. Chaney’s Accidental Astronaut in the same echelon as sci-fi heavyweights like Project Hail Mary, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the Bobiverse series, I entered this story with high expectations. Unfortunately, those comparisons are not only exaggerated - they are fundamentally misleading. For a seasoned reader of the genre, Accidental Astronaut lacks the intellectual rigor and narrative depth required to stand alongside those titles, resulting in a reading experience that feels uninspired and formulaic.
Derivative World-Building
The novel’s primary conceit - humanoid aliens who are clearly ancestral versions of Earth’s animal kingdom - is a concept we have seen executed with more wit and complexity elsewhere, such as in Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force. While Alanson compensates for familiar tropes with standout characters like Skippy the Magnificent, Chaney offers no such counterbalance. The world-building feels recycled rather than refreshed.
The "Disney" Effect and Lack of Stakes
The most glaring issue is the narrative’s lack of friction. In high-quality military sci-fi, victory is earned through sacrifice and strategic ingenuity. Here, the protagonists navigate obstacles with a suspicious ease that drains the story of any real tension. Alliances are formed too quickly, and the "evil leader" trope - a villain supposedly tens of thousands of years old - is dismantled by a retired pilot with a simplicity that borders on the absurd. Without loss or heartache, the triumphs feel hollow.
Reliance on Tired Tropes
The character dynamics further lean into the predictable. We are presented with the "nerdy but stunningly attractive" scientist who undergoes a sudden, unconvincing transition from military skeptic to love interest. It is one of the most overused clichés in the genre and serves as a shorthand for character development rather than a genuine exploration of human (or alien) connection.
Final Verdict
As someone who reads extensively, I find that only about 20% of the genre truly reaches excellence. Accidental Astronaut falls comfortably into the category of "low-effort" fiction. It brings nothing new to the table, opting instead for a path of least resistance that may satisfy a casual reader but will likely frustrate fans of "hard" or more inventive science fiction. If you are looking for the technical brilliance of Andy Weir or the unique voice of Dennis E. Taylor, you will not find it here.
Derivative World-Building
The novel’s primary conceit - humanoid aliens who are clearly ancestral versions of Earth’s animal kingdom - is a concept we have seen executed with more wit and complexity elsewhere, such as in Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force. While Alanson compensates for familiar tropes with standout characters like Skippy the Magnificent, Chaney offers no such counterbalance. The world-building feels recycled rather than refreshed.
The "Disney" Effect and Lack of Stakes
The most glaring issue is the narrative’s lack of friction. In high-quality military sci-fi, victory is earned through sacrifice and strategic ingenuity. Here, the protagonists navigate obstacles with a suspicious ease that drains the story of any real tension. Alliances are formed too quickly, and the "evil leader" trope - a villain supposedly tens of thousands of years old - is dismantled by a retired pilot with a simplicity that borders on the absurd. Without loss or heartache, the triumphs feel hollow.
Reliance on Tired Tropes
The character dynamics further lean into the predictable. We are presented with the "nerdy but stunningly attractive" scientist who undergoes a sudden, unconvincing transition from military skeptic to love interest. It is one of the most overused clichés in the genre and serves as a shorthand for character development rather than a genuine exploration of human (or alien) connection.
Final Verdict
As someone who reads extensively, I find that only about 20% of the genre truly reaches excellence. Accidental Astronaut falls comfortably into the category of "low-effort" fiction. It brings nothing new to the table, opting instead for a path of least resistance that may satisfy a casual reader but will likely frustrate fans of "hard" or more inventive science fiction. If you are looking for the technical brilliance of Andy Weir or the unique voice of Dennis E. Taylor, you will not find it here.
December 30, 2025
A mistaken kidnapping, an alien space ship and a war planet!
An excavation reveals stories of a rogue planet visiting Earth every 10,000 years causing devastation and the next time is overdue...
A crashed spaceship and a plan to kidnap a Navy Seal result in a trip to the other warlike planet for the scientist, linguist and kidnappee. As they try and communicate with the planet and it's people, it becomes clear that Earth has been pillaged many times and things have evolved naturally or been artificially augmented.
While the tale is similar to that of many (A fish out of water goes into space to defeat an enemy who wants to invade Earth), this is an entertaining new take...with suspense, intrigue, romance, double crosses and more.
An excavation reveals stories of a rogue planet visiting Earth every 10,000 years causing devastation and the next time is overdue...
A crashed spaceship and a plan to kidnap a Navy Seal result in a trip to the other warlike planet for the scientist, linguist and kidnappee. As they try and communicate with the planet and it's people, it becomes clear that Earth has been pillaged many times and things have evolved naturally or been artificially augmented.
While the tale is similar to that of many (A fish out of water goes into space to defeat an enemy who wants to invade Earth), this is an entertaining new take...with suspense, intrigue, romance, double crosses and more.
February 15, 2026
Derivative rubbish
Having read other books by this author I was looking forward to a good, fun read. Sadly, this isn't it. The only reason this got two stars rather than one is that I'm saving that for REAL dross! This is just bad.
The characters are fairly interesting but the combination is predictable. Just look at Buster Crabbes' Flash Gordon Serial of the 1930's. In fact. That pretty much sums up this story.
There are many pop cultural references from the last 50yrs to sort of bring relevance but frankly, in my opinion fall somewhat flat.
I am VERY disappointed and definitely will not read the rest of the series. Not every book can be a classic, but should I decide to try further offerings by either author I'm certainly lowering my expectations.
Having read other books by this author I was looking forward to a good, fun read. Sadly, this isn't it. The only reason this got two stars rather than one is that I'm saving that for REAL dross! This is just bad.
The characters are fairly interesting but the combination is predictable. Just look at Buster Crabbes' Flash Gordon Serial of the 1930's. In fact. That pretty much sums up this story.
There are many pop cultural references from the last 50yrs to sort of bring relevance but frankly, in my opinion fall somewhat flat.
I am VERY disappointed and definitely will not read the rest of the series. Not every book can be a classic, but should I decide to try further offerings by either author I'm certainly lowering my expectations.
December 11, 2025
Accidental Astronaut is an interesting story. It's one that will feel familiar to those who have read a lot of scifi stories, because it's a common enough theme. Still, this version of the story was done well enough that it may be worth your time to read it if you're looking for some distraction for a day or two.
Don't know yet if I'll read more in the series or not, possibly not, but we'll see. I may pick up the series again later.
Don't know yet if I'll read more in the series or not, possibly not, but we'll see. I may pick up the series again later.
May 28, 2026
As mentioned elsewhere, this is a modern day retelling of Flash Gordon. However, I always enjoyed that movie.
I spent the day working in my garden and listening to this audiobook. The story was entertaining, and allowed me to work, without distracting me too much.
The writing and storytelling is better then most of the books I've read recently. It's much better then the Flash Gordon movie.
I would have preferred an original story; or at least what goes for original now a days.
I enjoyed this book. Just don't expect too much from it. I don't know if I will read any other books in this series.
I spent the day working in my garden and listening to this audiobook. The story was entertaining, and allowed me to work, without distracting me too much.
The writing and storytelling is better then most of the books I've read recently. It's much better then the Flash Gordon movie.
I would have preferred an original story; or at least what goes for original now a days.
I enjoyed this book. Just don't expect too much from it. I don't know if I will read any other books in this series.
January 30, 2026
What would you expect from the best?
You got it! Nothing but the best!
Putting Chaney and Partlow together is like Peanut butter and Jelly! Always a winning combo.
I admit it took longer than usual for me to get into this story, but once I did, that was it. Now, a few nights with insufficient sleep later, and I can't wait to start the next one!
Don't miss this! You'll be sorry you did.
You got it! Nothing but the best!
Putting Chaney and Partlow together is like Peanut butter and Jelly! Always a winning combo.
I admit it took longer than usual for me to get into this story, but once I did, that was it. Now, a few nights with insufficient sleep later, and I can't wait to start the next one!
Don't miss this! You'll be sorry you did.
February 5, 2026
Good Read
The authors set the scene. A brilliant linguist working on found writings in Antarctica that May predate known civilizations. All information is secured and the good Doctor is shipped off. Jump forward 10 years and we find an Alaskan bush pilot is taking a retired Navy Seal on a private fishing trip in a remote location. Now the fun begins and you won’t see what’s coming next!
The authors set the scene. A brilliant linguist working on found writings in Antarctica that May predate known civilizations. All information is secured and the good Doctor is shipped off. Jump forward 10 years and we find an Alaskan bush pilot is taking a retired Navy Seal on a private fishing trip in a remote location. Now the fun begins and you won’t see what’s coming next!
January 6, 2026
Excellent
Kept me reading the first half of the book. And I was particularly impressed with the authors knowledge and use of antiquity. But then the story changed to one of an author has lost imagination and needs to use monsters to create suspense ... So it became a scanner after that. I still followed it to the end... oh well... moving on... 🙂
Kept me reading the first half of the book. And I was particularly impressed with the authors knowledge and use of antiquity. But then the story changed to one of an author has lost imagination and needs to use monsters to create suspense ... So it became a scanner after that. I still followed it to the end... oh well... moving on... 🙂
February 26, 2026
The "genius" villain monologed his plan to destroy the earth in 12 hours, using his advanced weapon, and he even explained how to disable the weapon. The captured MC managed to escape, located the weapon 2 hours later only to discover it was on a 2 minute countdown to destroy the earth. The evil villain had fooled the MC. The MC had just enough time to disable the weapon anyway. The End.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
Too Flash Gordonie
Really? You even made his Army nickname Flash!
All you needed to add was Dale Arden & Ming the Merciless. You already threw in the prince of the forest & the Lion people.
Really? You even made his Army nickname Flash!
All you needed to add was Dale Arden & Ming the Merciless. You already threw in the prince of the forest & the Lion people.
January 26, 2026
Very good new series
For a new series it definitely starts off slow, and it took me a solid ½ of the book to get into it. However I'm glad I stuck with it. Definitely worth the read.
For a new series it definitely starts off slow, and it took me a solid ½ of the book to get into it. However I'm glad I stuck with it. Definitely worth the read.
February 3, 2026
Surprisingly Enticing
Not that I write many reviews, but at first it seemed to follow a familiar plot, but there's enough twists and turns to make you actually care about the characters...
Not that I write many reviews, but at first it seemed to follow a familiar plot, but there's enough twists and turns to make you actually care about the characters...
February 19, 2026
Ive listened to various stuff by JN Chaney that I really enjoyed. This one didn't hit with me and I don't plan on continuing with this series. It wasn't bad I just couldn't get into the story like I do with other audio books.
March 2, 2026
A great saga with tons of action
From start to finish this tale will keep your interest with lots of intriguing characters asking for more. This would make a great movie I'd pay to see.
From start to finish this tale will keep your interest with lots of intriguing characters asking for more. This would make a great movie I'd pay to see.
March 27, 2026
Flash Gordon Remix
Well it was a read. Sadly, it was just a rehash of Flash Gordon, with different names. It lacked the development of the original, and very little science background.
Well it was a read. Sadly, it was just a rehash of Flash Gordon, with different names. It lacked the development of the original, and very little science background.
May 16, 2026
So, it's Flash Gordon.
It's so Flash Gordon it hurts.
If you like Flash Gordon then you're going to have a good time.
If you don't know who Flash Gordon is, check it out. You might have a good time.
If you don't like Flash Gordon, better pass. You won't have a good time.
It's so Flash Gordon it hurts.
If you like Flash Gordon then you're going to have a good time.
If you don't know who Flash Gordon is, check it out. You might have a good time.
If you don't like Flash Gordon, better pass. You won't have a good time.
June 28, 2026
Chapter 16 and it's getting worse
Chaney and Partlow how can it miss? But it did. Just a blah read and sinking. I had to force myself this far, but because of the connections I assumed it would get better. Maybe it does but my vote is no...
Chaney and Partlow how can it miss? But it did. Just a blah read and sinking. I had to force myself this far, but because of the connections I assumed it would get better. Maybe it does but my vote is no...
December 17, 2025
a good read
I enjoyed the way the plot moved. The characters were inserted disappeared came back. It was a lot of fun to read.
I enjoyed the way the plot moved. The characters were inserted disappeared came back. It was a lot of fun to read.
December 21, 2025
Story line
Pretty good novel. I kinda wonder though if the authors are flash Gordon fans?
Regardless, original enough and well written.
Pretty good novel. I kinda wonder though if the authors are flash Gordon fans?
Regardless, original enough and well written.
December 22, 2025
Great book
I loved this book from the beginning. It has a different feel to it from the other series in the Chaney verse and I can't wait for the next book.
I loved this book from the beginning. It has a different feel to it from the other series in the Chaney verse and I can't wait for the next book.
December 27, 2025
Fun Story!
The story and characters reminded me of Flash Gordon. It was a fun story with interesting characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
The story and characters reminded me of Flash Gordon. It was a fun story with interesting characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
December 27, 2025
Meeeh it's alright, it's like a Flash Gordon rehash with some minor tweaks. Ming the immortal is in it, the psycho princess is in it, the bird dude turned into Lion people etc etc.
Read
January 10, 2026Did not Finish
January 23, 2026
One and a Half Day read!
Yup, it was a good book. One that kept me trapped if not hypnotized. I spent a lot of time with my poor eyes glued to Rick and know creation.
Loved it.
Yup, it was a good book. One that kept me trapped if not hypnotized. I spent a lot of time with my poor eyes glued to Rick and know creation.
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews