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Ack-Ack Macaque #3
Macaque Attack
The dangerous but charismatic Ack-Ack Macaque finds himself leading a dimension-hopping army of angry monkeys, facing an invading horde of implacable killer androids and confronting the one challenge for which he was never prepared: impending fatherhood! Meanwhile, former journalist Victoria Valois fights to save the electronic ghost of her dead husband and reclaim his stolen soul from the sands of Mars.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 14, 2014
In the wake of the Gestalt's defeat, Ack-Ack Macaque is now the leader of an army of uplifted monkeys and wandering the multiverse. When cyborgs from Mars launch an asteroid at earth, which foul-mouth cigar chomping primate are they going to call?
I got this from Netgalley and it was damn sweet!
Here we are, the thrilling conclusion to the Macaque Trilogy. When the backup consciousnesses of Celeste and her minions wake up on Mars, they send Earth a present in the form of a giant asteroid. Sure enough, Ack-Ack is up to the challenge of going Armageddon on its ass, once he finds his way back from a different reality, that it.
I find it amazing how Gareth Powell took a fairly ridiculous premise, that of a cigar-chomping macaque fighting in WWII and turned it into a three book cyberpunk epic featuring parallel worlds and things of that nature. What could have been a hilarious novella about an ass-kicking simian morphed into a fantastic trilogy featuring such heady topics as quantum physics, nanotechnology, virtual reality, and what it means to be alive.
For a book featuring an ape with a mouth like a sailor, this bastard is a pretty serious tale. Entire timelines are destroyed, lots of shit blows up, and a certain woman has to say goodbye to her husband. The increasingly world-weary Ack-Ack finds he'll be facing the most brutal battle of them all: Fatherhood.
It's hard not to like a series book that prominently features a super-intelligent, gun-toting, chain smoking macaque. Not only that, the Macaque trilogy also features such winning ingredients as clones, cyborgs, parallel universes, nanomachinery, personality backups, homages to pulp sf, hive minds, and uplifted primates, most of which have foul mouths. Even though it was left open-ended, this fuck-knuckle was a very satisfying conclusion to the tale of Ack_Ack Macaque. Four out of five stars.
I got this from Netgalley and it was damn sweet!
Here we are, the thrilling conclusion to the Macaque Trilogy. When the backup consciousnesses of Celeste and her minions wake up on Mars, they send Earth a present in the form of a giant asteroid. Sure enough, Ack-Ack is up to the challenge of going Armageddon on its ass, once he finds his way back from a different reality, that it.
I find it amazing how Gareth Powell took a fairly ridiculous premise, that of a cigar-chomping macaque fighting in WWII and turned it into a three book cyberpunk epic featuring parallel worlds and things of that nature. What could have been a hilarious novella about an ass-kicking simian morphed into a fantastic trilogy featuring such heady topics as quantum physics, nanotechnology, virtual reality, and what it means to be alive.
For a book featuring an ape with a mouth like a sailor, this bastard is a pretty serious tale. Entire timelines are destroyed, lots of shit blows up, and a certain woman has to say goodbye to her husband. The increasingly world-weary Ack-Ack finds he'll be facing the most brutal battle of them all: Fatherhood.
It's hard not to like a series book that prominently features a super-intelligent, gun-toting, chain smoking macaque. Not only that, the Macaque trilogy also features such winning ingredients as clones, cyborgs, parallel universes, nanomachinery, personality backups, homages to pulp sf, hive minds, and uplifted primates, most of which have foul mouths. Even though it was left open-ended, this fuck-knuckle was a very satisfying conclusion to the tale of Ack_Ack Macaque. Four out of five stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2019
The monkey Ack-Ack Macaque and former journalist Victoria Valois is out to save the world. Also, Victoria must finally face the fact that she has to say goodbye to Paul and Ack-Ack learns that he is to be a father...
This is the third and last book in the Ack-Ack Macaque series and even though I looked forward reading this book did I have some trepidation about reading the last book in a series without reading the first two. But it went well, surprisingly well actually. I mean sure there was stuff from the first two books like the mentioning of the hive mind Gestalt, but it was very good explained in this book so I never really felt left out of the story. I actually got more interested in reading the first two books.
It was an action-filled book, a fast read with great characters and I recommend this to everyone that likes monkeys...lol and people that like action and adventure and a really well-written story!
Thank to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
This is the third and last book in the Ack-Ack Macaque series and even though I looked forward reading this book did I have some trepidation about reading the last book in a series without reading the first two. But it went well, surprisingly well actually. I mean sure there was stuff from the first two books like the mentioning of the hive mind Gestalt, but it was very good explained in this book so I never really felt left out of the story. I actually got more interested in reading the first two books.
It was an action-filled book, a fast read with great characters and I recommend this to everyone that likes monkeys...lol and people that like action and adventure and a really well-written story!
Thank to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
February 20, 2018
It's now 2062 we come to the King & what is to happen on Mars .We find out if Charlton Heston 's dam you all to hell comes true or if The monkeys finally sing there Hay Hay with the Money's here we come
The return of Mama from Mars ,Escape from Planet of the Apes & Conquest of the Planet of the Apes the original 70s not ghastly new versions.
He has end it with a wild card crazy twist
The return of Mama from Mars ,Escape from Planet of the Apes & Conquest of the Planet of the Apes the original 70s not ghastly new versions.
He has end it with a wild card crazy twist
November 30, 2014
~3.5
But instead of slimy little aliens exterminating everything, we have the monkeys. Ack-Ack Macaque and his primate posse are all human-engineered hyperintelligent Haplorhini, altered in labs by mad scientists until they had human intelligence. The monkeys are a worthy substitute for daleks, combining hilarity with extreme destructiveness. As Ack-Ack puts it:
Even so, however, I don’t know how well it works as a standalone rather than the culmination of a series. Being me, I picked up the third book at random. While it wasn’t so hard to figure out what was going on, I sometimes had difficulty understanding where newly-introduced perspective characters fit into the continuing story. I wasn’t sufficiently invested in the characters or familiar with their conflicts. There were too many risks, too many reveals, too many threats, too many explosions, too many impending apocalypses for any of it to be particularly suspenseful.
Despite an attempt to wander into the profound, it never really made it out of a TV-show-level superficiality. All the same, even though I wasn't particularly invested in the characters or conflicts, it was an enjoyable read, a hectic, humorous read with a few interesting twists. Given my experiences with jumping into the series, I’d definitely suggest starting with the first book rather than the third, but if cyberpunk cigar-smoking monkeys, alternate universes, virtual worlds, and evil cyborgs sound like an interesting read, then you may want to take a look.
Excerpted from my review on BookLikes.
~~I received this ebook through Netgalley from the publisher, Solaris, in exchange for my honest review.~~
MONKEY VS MULTIVERSEMacaque Attack is rather like an episode of Doctor Who, if the Doctor happened to have regenerated into a foul-mouthed, cigar-smoking monkey and the audience level was upgraded from “general” to “mature.” It’s definitely channeling a certain amount of Russell T. Davies. Cybermen? Check. Invasions from other planets? Check. Jumping between parallel worlds and meeting one’s alternate selves? Checkity check check check. I just kept waiting for the daleks to show up.
But instead of slimy little aliens exterminating everything, we have the monkeys. Ack-Ack Macaque and his primate posse are all human-engineered hyperintelligent Haplorhini, altered in labs by mad scientists until they had human intelligence. The monkeys are a worthy substitute for daleks, combining hilarity with extreme destructiveness. As Ack-Ack puts it:
“I’m happy as long as I get to wreck stuff and hurt people.”Considering that the rest of the cast includes a bionic woman and the electronic projection of her dead husband, a techie girl still recovering from a mind-meld with the Gestalt, a talking computer, a mad scientist, a seriously evil megalomaniac, you know you’re definitely in for a ride. Add in a series of alternate universes-- including one where England and France joined together into a single kingdom and zepplins are the main form of transportation-- and it can’t help but be an entertaining read.
Even so, however, I don’t know how well it works as a standalone rather than the culmination of a series. Being me, I picked up the third book at random. While it wasn’t so hard to figure out what was going on, I sometimes had difficulty understanding where newly-introduced perspective characters fit into the continuing story. I wasn’t sufficiently invested in the characters or familiar with their conflicts. There were too many risks, too many reveals, too many threats, too many explosions, too many impending apocalypses for any of it to be particularly suspenseful.
Despite an attempt to wander into the profound, it never really made it out of a TV-show-level superficiality. All the same, even though I wasn't particularly invested in the characters or conflicts, it was an enjoyable read, a hectic, humorous read with a few interesting twists. Given my experiences with jumping into the series, I’d definitely suggest starting with the first book rather than the third, but if cyberpunk cigar-smoking monkeys, alternate universes, virtual worlds, and evil cyborgs sound like an interesting read, then you may want to take a look.
Excerpted from my review on BookLikes.
~~I received this ebook through Netgalley from the publisher, Solaris, in exchange for my honest review.~~
November 5, 2014
Ack-Ack Macaque is BACK! The third in Gareth Powell's Simian Sci Fiction series hits and once again it doesn't disappoint.
In fact much like the previous books this again manages to pull the rug out from under the reader's feet. All your preconceptions of this world as skewed and it'll be interesting to see if he does anything further set in this world.
What Powell does here is take his relatively cute concept of a mouthy, violent, anti-hero Monkey and turn it into a deep and rich scifi epic.
I don't want to spoil things for anyone so I'll say this, if you're a Gareth Powell fan there's a orange Smartie style reaction coming your way. You're chomping and enjoying the lovely chocolates, then suddenly you get a wonderful orangey surprise from nowhere. I was blown away.
My one (small) complaint, and this doesn't lose him any stars because the book is so strong, is that the ending is quite sudden. But I put that down to me not wanting the journey to end, rather than bad pacing.
If you've read and loved the other two books like I did, this won't disappoint. Highly recommended.
I was supplied the book by Solaris through Netgalley.
In fact much like the previous books this again manages to pull the rug out from under the reader's feet. All your preconceptions of this world as skewed and it'll be interesting to see if he does anything further set in this world.
What Powell does here is take his relatively cute concept of a mouthy, violent, anti-hero Monkey and turn it into a deep and rich scifi epic.
I don't want to spoil things for anyone so I'll say this, if you're a Gareth Powell fan there's a orange Smartie style reaction coming your way. You're chomping and enjoying the lovely chocolates, then suddenly you get a wonderful orangey surprise from nowhere. I was blown away.
My one (small) complaint, and this doesn't lose him any stars because the book is so strong, is that the ending is quite sudden. But I put that down to me not wanting the journey to end, rather than bad pacing.
If you've read and loved the other two books like I did, this won't disappoint. Highly recommended.
I was supplied the book by Solaris through Netgalley.
June 19, 2019
This is the best cheese in the world.
August 17, 2015
For the last couple of years January has been a bit of a genre highlight for me. Since January 2013, Ack-Ack Macaque has been an annual fixture on my reading list. This year, when the final part of the Macaque trilogy arrived, I’ll admit I felt more than a little excited. I’ve had been waiting, somewhat anxiously, for Macaque Attack to arrive. Its predecessor, Hive Monkey, ended on a twist that at bare minimum could be described as a game changer. Good news everyone, the Macaque is back and this time it’s personal!
Unsurprisingly, the action kicks off from page one and doesn’t really let up. Book three is just exactly what I was hoping for, the big climactic ending that this series deserves. Various versions of the world have already fallen to the android menace, and it’s up to our stalwart group of heroes to try and save the day without blowing up too much stuff whilst doing it.
As ever, the monkey is ably assisted by his motley band of friends and compatriots. Though the books in this series are centred around Ack-Ack Macaque, the other characters are just as important. Victoria Valois and K8 are on hand to help out, both still reeling from the fallout of their previous experiences. Victoria is having trouble coming to terms with the loss of her husband, and K8 is suffering the effects of being part of a collective hive mind. I really like that Powell takes time to explore the outcomes of his character’s choices. It is nice to see that events don’t happen in isolation and there are always consequences to decisions that are made. This really helps flesh out his creations and makes their motivations seem that much more realistic.
Ack-Ack has also been busy recruiting, and he now heads a multi-dimensional primate army (there’s a phrase I never thought I’d type :) ). The different incarnations of Ack-Ack from alternate realities have been liberated, and they are forging their own destiny under his command. Personally I had a soft spot for Cuddles, the gorilla. C’Mon, how can you not adore a gorilla with a mini-gun?
On top of all that, in the midst of all this mayhem, Ack-Ack has also managed to find that special lady monkey and make magic happen. Ok, that may not be one hundred percent accurate. Let’s just say that their Facebook relationship status would be “It’s Complicated”. Nice to see such a cocksure character entirely thrown for six when he realises he’s going to be a baby daddy.
The key thing to remember when reading this book is that the premise of a one-eyed gun-toting monkey flying ace, leading an army of multi-dimensional apes against killer androids is deliciously silly. Once you take the jump and buy into that, then you’ll uncover a lovingly crafted tale chock full of action, adventure and more than a few twists that will melt your brain. There is a blissful moment in Macaque Attack where the plot veers off on a truly unexpected direction. I genuinely can’t say much more than that, for fear or a HUGE reveal, suffice to say the following two things: (1) You’ll definitely know it when you see it (2) Trust in Gareth Powell, all will be well. You may be a little confused, at least initially, but the payoff is utterly worth it. There is nothing better than when an author not only manages to defy your expectations but destroys them in a single chapter.
Damn it all to hell! I’m already missing the monkey. I know, I know, I have to try and keep some sort of perspective. At least I’m slightly cheered by the fact I know he is still out there somewhere. If there is one thing I know. It’s that I can rely on him to keep causing how own unique brand of chaos, keep smoking cigars, and keep demanding a never ending stream of banana daiquiris. I wish him well. Maybe if I’m really, really lucky (tries to keep begging tone out of his voice and fails) he’ll return. I live in hope.
Having already been immortalised in comic book form, it seems only logical that the screen is the next step for Ack-Ack Macaque, Angry monkeys, power hungry cyborgs, really big explosions – it could be epic. Quick! Someone get Matt Reeves on the phone. He did wonders when he re-imagined Planet of the Apes. Hell, give me a couple of million and I’ll get cracking on it myself.
Viewed as a standalone Macaque Attack is a good book, but as part of a trilogy I reckon that it’s damn near perfect. Well played Mr Powell, well played. This is the best send off for the monkey I could ever have hoped for. Great well rounded characters, tons of action, a wonderful plot and just the right amount of simian shenanigans to keep the reader hooked.
Unsurprisingly, the action kicks off from page one and doesn’t really let up. Book three is just exactly what I was hoping for, the big climactic ending that this series deserves. Various versions of the world have already fallen to the android menace, and it’s up to our stalwart group of heroes to try and save the day without blowing up too much stuff whilst doing it.
As ever, the monkey is ably assisted by his motley band of friends and compatriots. Though the books in this series are centred around Ack-Ack Macaque, the other characters are just as important. Victoria Valois and K8 are on hand to help out, both still reeling from the fallout of their previous experiences. Victoria is having trouble coming to terms with the loss of her husband, and K8 is suffering the effects of being part of a collective hive mind. I really like that Powell takes time to explore the outcomes of his character’s choices. It is nice to see that events don’t happen in isolation and there are always consequences to decisions that are made. This really helps flesh out his creations and makes their motivations seem that much more realistic.
Ack-Ack has also been busy recruiting, and he now heads a multi-dimensional primate army (there’s a phrase I never thought I’d type :) ). The different incarnations of Ack-Ack from alternate realities have been liberated, and they are forging their own destiny under his command. Personally I had a soft spot for Cuddles, the gorilla. C’Mon, how can you not adore a gorilla with a mini-gun?
On top of all that, in the midst of all this mayhem, Ack-Ack has also managed to find that special lady monkey and make magic happen. Ok, that may not be one hundred percent accurate. Let’s just say that their Facebook relationship status would be “It’s Complicated”. Nice to see such a cocksure character entirely thrown for six when he realises he’s going to be a baby daddy.
The key thing to remember when reading this book is that the premise of a one-eyed gun-toting monkey flying ace, leading an army of multi-dimensional apes against killer androids is deliciously silly. Once you take the jump and buy into that, then you’ll uncover a lovingly crafted tale chock full of action, adventure and more than a few twists that will melt your brain. There is a blissful moment in Macaque Attack where the plot veers off on a truly unexpected direction. I genuinely can’t say much more than that, for fear or a HUGE reveal, suffice to say the following two things: (1) You’ll definitely know it when you see it (2) Trust in Gareth Powell, all will be well. You may be a little confused, at least initially, but the payoff is utterly worth it. There is nothing better than when an author not only manages to defy your expectations but destroys them in a single chapter.
Damn it all to hell! I’m already missing the monkey. I know, I know, I have to try and keep some sort of perspective. At least I’m slightly cheered by the fact I know he is still out there somewhere. If there is one thing I know. It’s that I can rely on him to keep causing how own unique brand of chaos, keep smoking cigars, and keep demanding a never ending stream of banana daiquiris. I wish him well. Maybe if I’m really, really lucky (tries to keep begging tone out of his voice and fails) he’ll return. I live in hope.
Having already been immortalised in comic book form, it seems only logical that the screen is the next step for Ack-Ack Macaque, Angry monkeys, power hungry cyborgs, really big explosions – it could be epic. Quick! Someone get Matt Reeves on the phone. He did wonders when he re-imagined Planet of the Apes. Hell, give me a couple of million and I’ll get cracking on it myself.
Viewed as a standalone Macaque Attack is a good book, but as part of a trilogy I reckon that it’s damn near perfect. Well played Mr Powell, well played. This is the best send off for the monkey I could ever have hoped for. Great well rounded characters, tons of action, a wonderful plot and just the right amount of simian shenanigans to keep the reader hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2015
Neil Gaiman once wrote in an introduction to a book of short stories he was editing, that the 4 words authors want to hear from readers are "and then what happened?" This is a question I asked at the end of this, frankly wonderful book.
Macaque Attack is the end of the Ack-Ack Macaque trilogy, and also ties up some points from Gareth's earlier novel "the recollection" (you do not need to have read that 1st, as everything you need to know is in this book- but do go & read the recollection, simply because it's bloody good!). This is a really well-written work, with a complex yet cohesive plot & characters you will come to care about a lot.
The ending leaves the possibility of a return to this world open, with some questions still needing to be answered. I really hope Gareth L Powell writes a follow-up very soon.
Read this. It's brilliant,
Macaque Attack is the end of the Ack-Ack Macaque trilogy, and also ties up some points from Gareth's earlier novel "the recollection" (you do not need to have read that 1st, as everything you need to know is in this book- but do go & read the recollection, simply because it's bloody good!). This is a really well-written work, with a complex yet cohesive plot & characters you will come to care about a lot.
The ending leaves the possibility of a return to this world open, with some questions still needing to be answered. I really hope Gareth L Powell writes a follow-up very soon.
Read this. It's brilliant,
April 3, 2024
Macaque Attack was an exciting conclusion to the while ride that is this trilogy, full of the same humour and action contrasted with the same world-ending dangers and existentialism as the previous books. However, getting dropped in Gareth's cinematic multiverse halfway through was both completely unexpected but very welcome. To be honest, even from the beginning of this book, let alone earlier in the series, I could never have guessed the ending, but it was oddly satisfying. I can't recommend the Ack-Ack Macaque series enough.
February 21, 2018
The first of these books was a fun romp, but as the series went on, it got more serious and became something of a grind, until I reached the point where I honestly didn't care what happened to any of the characters.
February 5, 2015
We're coming to the end of the Macaque trilogy now, and our titular misanthropic hero monkey has saved the world from both nuclear annihilation (Ack Ack Macaque) and assimilation by a hive mind from another dimension (Hive Monkey). You'd think it would be time for him to put his feet up, bite the end off a cigar and knock back a well deserved tot of rum (or seven). But life just isn't that simple for the escapee from a computer game and his crew. Damaged journalist Victoria is struggling to deal with letting go of her decaying hologram husband Paul, while teenage hacker K8, given over to the gestalt mind and then separated from them, has lost her own personality and is longing to return to the comfort of the collective.
Ack-Ack has gathered his own army of rescued monkeys, saving them from their gruesome fates on a myriad of worlds as his airship, the Sun Wukong, hops from dimension to dimension. He must face down not only dissent within his own ranks, but the threat of invasion from another timeline, while an asteroid, hurled from the surface of Mars, makes its deadly and seemingly unstoppable way towards the earth. The way these events are linked becomes apparent in a surprise twist about halfway through the novel, one that will have GLP fans gasping and celebrating in equal measure.
There's much to enjoy here, on a number of levels. If you just want to see monkeys blow up giant tanks or shoot shit, then yes, there's no shortage of that, and it's all tremendous fun. But if you also want a book that touches on loneliness, on the fear of death and the difficulty of letting go of the past, while at the same time blowing shit up all around you, then Macaque Attack comes highly recommended. The whole Macaque Trilogy is a lot smarter, and deeper, than a casual glance might suggest, and so is Ack Ack Macaque himself. He might be battered and war-weary, he might lists his interests as smoking, drinking and making things explode, but there's a warm heart and the beginnings of a conscience beneath that furry chest. The grumpy old monkey really does love his troupe, even if he doesn't like to show it.
I'm not ashamed to say I loved these books, and the more I read them the more I enjoy them. Re-reading rewards you with all kinds of clever cultural references and in-jokes you may have missed the first time around. The whole trilogy will, I hope become a future classic. If it doesn't, there's no justice and I may have to send the monkeys round to sort things out...
Ack-Ack has gathered his own army of rescued monkeys, saving them from their gruesome fates on a myriad of worlds as his airship, the Sun Wukong, hops from dimension to dimension. He must face down not only dissent within his own ranks, but the threat of invasion from another timeline, while an asteroid, hurled from the surface of Mars, makes its deadly and seemingly unstoppable way towards the earth. The way these events are linked becomes apparent in a surprise twist about halfway through the novel, one that will have GLP fans gasping and celebrating in equal measure.
There's much to enjoy here, on a number of levels. If you just want to see monkeys blow up giant tanks or shoot shit, then yes, there's no shortage of that, and it's all tremendous fun. But if you also want a book that touches on loneliness, on the fear of death and the difficulty of letting go of the past, while at the same time blowing shit up all around you, then Macaque Attack comes highly recommended. The whole Macaque Trilogy is a lot smarter, and deeper, than a casual glance might suggest, and so is Ack Ack Macaque himself. He might be battered and war-weary, he might lists his interests as smoking, drinking and making things explode, but there's a warm heart and the beginnings of a conscience beneath that furry chest. The grumpy old monkey really does love his troupe, even if he doesn't like to show it.
I'm not ashamed to say I loved these books, and the more I read them the more I enjoy them. Re-reading rewards you with all kinds of clever cultural references and in-jokes you may have missed the first time around. The whole trilogy will, I hope become a future classic. If it doesn't, there's no justice and I may have to send the monkeys round to sort things out...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2014
Coming to Macaque Attack, I thought I knew what to expect. Monkey action: violence, mayhem, rum, cigars and explosions, I was not disappointed. In each installment Gareth L. Powell has expanded his vision and just when I thought he could not make this series anymore epic he changes the game in such a way that it left me punching the air and swearing. Yes that good.
What I love about this book is the questions that it poses. This book and indeed the whole trilogy have been about what it means to be human and the impact of choices made. Sometimes when reading novels that do this, it can feel like the reader is being lectured to, not with Macaque Attack.
What I would urge would be readers to do is go read this trilogy. Start with Ack Ack Macaque and then read Hive Mind before attempting this one they are a joy to read and I am now sad the journey is over.
I'm really looking forward to Gareth L. Powell's next book he really is a tremendous storyteller.
One final piece of advice go read The Recollection
What I love about this book is the questions that it poses. This book and indeed the whole trilogy have been about what it means to be human and the impact of choices made. Sometimes when reading novels that do this, it can feel like the reader is being lectured to, not with Macaque Attack.
What I would urge would be readers to do is go read this trilogy. Start with Ack Ack Macaque and then read Hive Mind before attempting this one they are a joy to read and I am now sad the journey is over.
I'm really looking forward to Gareth L. Powell's next book he really is a tremendous storyteller.
One final piece of advice go read The Recollection
December 3, 2015
I've enjoyed all three of the Ack Ack Macaque books.
At the helm of an airship capable of travelling to parallel versions of our world Ack Ack sets out to rescue all of the other monkeys experimented on. That's right - he's got an army. You can't help but love the gorilla who wears camouflage shorts and sunglasses called Cuddles.
As in the previous books it is also the French heroine Victoria Valois who is front and centre just as much as the monkey. She is a great character. Damaged, strong,passionate and determined.
Parallel worlds. Cyborgs attacking from Mars. Airships. Monkeys. Spaceships. What's not to like? Oh, and rum and swearing!
I cannot recommend all three books highly enough.
At the helm of an airship capable of travelling to parallel versions of our world Ack Ack sets out to rescue all of the other monkeys experimented on. That's right - he's got an army. You can't help but love the gorilla who wears camouflage shorts and sunglasses called Cuddles.
As in the previous books it is also the French heroine Victoria Valois who is front and centre just as much as the monkey. She is a great character. Damaged, strong,passionate and determined.
Parallel worlds. Cyborgs attacking from Mars. Airships. Monkeys. Spaceships. What's not to like? Oh, and rum and swearing!
I cannot recommend all three books highly enough.
December 23, 2019
I've compared the previous two instalments in this trilogy (Ack-Ack Macaque and Hive Monkey) to the TV show Doctor Who: they're fast-paced, campy romps with just the right balance of science fantasy absurdity and empathetic characters who convince you to soldier on with it. Continuing on with that metaphor, Macaque Attack is a fairly typical RTD-era series finale (or even the finale of your average two-parter)… it's where the showrunners have decided to just do everything, all at once, to the point that you can no longer follow what's meant to be happening and some overwrought emotional scenes can't really make up for the fact that the characters have long since been overwhelmed by “plot”.
Anyway, the good news is, . So I guess it doesn't really matter that I struggled to follow along. Sort of a disappointing way for it all to end really.
Anyway, the good news is, . So I guess it doesn't really matter that I struggled to follow along. Sort of a disappointing way for it all to end really.
August 28, 2022
This series started so strong, and then just completely lost me by the end. I understand the idea of jumping the shark, changing venue, shifting gears, whatever you've got to do to keep the story fresh, but this went too far.
If I had to count the sharks jumped (in a manner of speaking), you've got five or six plot points here that are just insane leaps. Add to that a hefty dose of Deus ex machina, and I'm just not here for it.
Don't get me wrong. The first two books are five stars. 100% would recommend (and have). Read them. If you like them, read this, too. I hope you like the close of the trilogy more than I did.
If I had to count the sharks jumped (in a manner of speaking), you've got five or six plot points here that are just insane leaps. Add to that a hefty dose of Deus ex machina, and I'm just not here for it.
Don't get me wrong. The first two books are five stars. 100% would recommend (and have). Read them. If you like them, read this, too. I hope you like the close of the trilogy more than I did.
September 6, 2025
Ack-Ack is back!!
Another rollercoaster of a read as the cigar chomping macaque and his motley crew of monkeys and apes find themselves out to save the world - again.
I wasn't sure Powell would be able to sustain the pure talent that makes this more than a pulp read. I was wrong, while the ludicrous dials up to 11 there is still time for reflection and empathy.
There's obviously hundreds of explosions, more alternate worlds and space! The wee chapters draw you in and keep you bowling along. It's sad to see it it ends but I'm sure that , somewhere in space or time, their adventures continue...
Another rollercoaster of a read as the cigar chomping macaque and his motley crew of monkeys and apes find themselves out to save the world - again.
I wasn't sure Powell would be able to sustain the pure talent that makes this more than a pulp read. I was wrong, while the ludicrous dials up to 11 there is still time for reflection and empathy.
There's obviously hundreds of explosions, more alternate worlds and space! The wee chapters draw you in and keep you bowling along. It's sad to see it it ends but I'm sure that , somewhere in space or time, their adventures continue...
January 15, 2019
A very worthy conclusion to Gareth L. Powell's Macaque Trilogy. It has all of the energy and verve of Ack Ack Macaque and Hive Monkey. Fast paced and comedic. However, the final third of the book is perhaps a little weaker. It introduces new information that shakes up the setting and characters in fundamental ways. While I loved the twists, they felt very abrupt and needed perhaps another 50 to 75 pages to really be given justice. Still, if you enjoyed the first two you'll love this one too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2022
3.5 ⭐ Books 2 and 3 didn't blow my mind as much as the first one (which was a solid 5⭐ for me) but they were still quite enjoyable.
It makes me sad that I haven't been able to successfully reccomend this series just because the premise is so bonkers (but I think that is part of why I love it).
If they ever make a movie (highly doubt it) Ack Ack must be voiced by Ron Pearlman, I would accept nothing else.
It makes me sad that I haven't been able to successfully reccomend this series just because the premise is so bonkers (but I think that is part of why I love it).
If they ever make a movie (highly doubt it) Ack Ack must be voiced by Ron Pearlman, I would accept nothing else.
June 11, 2017
This series has somewhat lost its way a little in my opinion. Had some great moments, but these were out weighed by a number of poorer areas. Hopefully it will stop there, but i doubt it as there are still areas of the story that have not been completed. If there is another book, i will wait for some reviews from people i trust before i proceed with the book.
June 10, 2020
Very enjoyable conclusion to a SF trilogy full of mad ideas and memorable characters. As the universe/multiverse of the series expands and expands, even the authors other books apparently get sucked in, but it just about works. Gonna miss that monkey!
January 17, 2025
The Law of Diminishing Returns flexes its muscles once again, but this is still a lot of fun, and to maintain any level of interest in such a wild three-book collection of concepts is incredibly impressive.
Be prepared for a lot of shark jumping at the end.
Be prepared for a lot of shark jumping at the end.
December 23, 2017
A brilliant conclusion to this brave, innovative and bonkers series. It drew me in from the very start and ended up in a place that I would never have guessed at! Like nothing I've ever read 💜💜💜
October 25, 2018
Lots of monkey!
November 2, 2018
Loved the entire Ack Ack series and book three was no different. Fun, fast, and a unique blend of steam-punk and sci-fi. That monkey is fantastic!
November 27, 2019
Really disappointed with this one - the story was disjointed and not half as fun as the original or sequel.
November 23, 2021
The epic conclusion of the trilogy
March 12, 2022
The mad ape rides again! Genius storytelling by Powell.
May 29, 2022
Excellent story I enjoyed the trilogy.
October 17, 2022
Well that didn't end how I thought it would!
The final chapter in the life and adventures of Ack-Ack Macaque. A fun, entertaining and surprising end to the tale.
The final chapter in the life and adventures of Ack-Ack Macaque. A fun, entertaining and surprising end to the tale.
March 15, 2025
Monkey's vs. multiversal killer robots, fascists, and sinister assassins! Other fiends and foes left and right! This final book kept the momentum going, added some new twists, and fulfilled some suspicions I had about where the characters may go, along with some other surprises. Our cigar chompin' badass Ack Ack kicked in the door and beat up the bad guys and there were also other sci fi ideas at play that kept the reader on their toes!
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