Three Card Monte: Book Two of the Martian Alliance Chronicles

The Martian Alliance #2

by Gini Koch

A risky gamble turns deadly when the galaxy's most feared terrorist arrives to up the ante.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2012

About the author

Gini Koch started writing in the American Southwest as something to do in between staring at pictures of good-looking leading men, but now sweats out the words, both literally and figuratively, in Hotlanta and dreams of dry heat.

She’s best known for her award-winning Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series formerly from DAW Books and now with Ginger Blue Publishing, which started with Touched by an Alien and has seventeen books and one collection out currently, with eighteen through twenty-two on the way.

Gini’s made the most of multiple personality disorder by writing under a variety of other pen names as well, including G.J. Koch (the Alexander Outland series), Anita Ensal (The Belters Series, A Cup of Joe), Jemma Chase (The Disciple and Other Stories of the Paranormal), A.E. Stanton (the New West Series and the Legend of Belladonna series), and J.C. Koch, all with stories featured in excellent anthologies, available now and upcoming. She’s expanded the fun by writing mysteries with co-writer Bebe Bayliss (the Fall’s Girl Mysteries and the Santa Paloma Mysteries).

No matter what length – from science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, space opera, urban fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, dystopian, Westerns, romantic suspense, and more – if it’s genre, she writes it.

She’s an avid follower of pop culture, comics, and anything and everything animated. She’s still inspired mostly by good-looking leading men (particularly her husband) and driven to keep her Canine Death Squad and Killer Kitties in kibble and treats.

Reach her via: www.ginikoch.com

Reviews

[Carolyn F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kind of wild caper that was just too much. I wasn't into it.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ragtag crew of misfits and freedom fighters discover that one of their contacts has up and moved to a swamp world to start a new gambling endeavor. They decide to see what provoked the sudden business decision and find themselves enmeshed in a dangerous three-way power struggle between the current galaxy's rulers, the local underworld, and their business associate. The second in a trilogy, this outing better defines the various characters and their motivations in far greater detail than the first novella. Good writing and a fast pace make it a quick and interesting read.

[Josephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but there is more missing. We are given an interesting bunch of characters with a lot to say. But all the author does is give us bits and pieces. :(

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella a lot. While it was short, it was full of action and had me laughing out loud at some of the antics that the crew gets into. We also get to know the crew a lot better, and I loved that while this was book two of a series, it worked well as a stand alone. There was just a touch of romance in this book, but it's mainly all about trying to figure out why Monte, a friend of the crew has decided to open a casino on the planet Polliworld and when they find out the answer, it's not a good one.

This is told from DeeDee's point of view, and as a shape shifter she is able to do a lot more then other members of the crew, and this does not make Roy, her love interest happy because he just wants to protect her. There's also major discord on the Hummingbird between crew members, and DeeDee works to figure out how it occurred, which is hard because she was gone for 3 months because of their last mission. I really enjoyed her trying figure out what happened while she was gone because it gives us more time with each crew member and I feel like we get to know everyone much better in this one then we did in The Royal Scam.

It's hard to choose which member of the crew I liked the best, but I think it's safe to say that Roy, the captain of the hummingbird is my favorite, just because I love how he tries to do the right thing and is protective of everyone, but at the same time realizes what their abilities are and lets them to do their thing, even if it's against his own personal interests, but works out better for the mission. To me, that's what makes him a great captain. :)

This series is just fun, and perfect for when you want to read something in one sitting.

This book was given to me by the publisher for a fair and honest review.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Three Card Monte the crew of the Hummingbird is back. When we saw them last they had just completed a “complicated con for the Andromeda Royal Family.” Now they are drawn into another con and Roy, Dee Dee, Dr. Wufren, Doven, Kyle, Bullfrog, Ciarissa and Willy are all back in action.

It seems that Monte the Leech has sold part interest in his Palace casino on Roulette and opened a new casino on Polliworld taking on another partner. It is the partners that have captured the crew’s interest. He has sold to the Diamante Families and to the Polliworld Underground. Both groups are dangerous. It doesn’t make sense so the crew decides to visit and find out what is going on. From the moment they land on Polliworld they are drawn into an intricate plot and con. Look for lots of action and surprises.

My big complaint about the first Martian Alliance story was that it was just too short. Three Card Monte is still a short read but this time the story is a little longer and there is more information about the crew. Dee Dee is still the main character. Her ability to shape-shift does place her in the center of anything that happens. The plot was exciting and kept me reading. Look for some of the same surprises that were in the first story.

I really like this group of characters and I hope that there will be new stories about the Hummingbird and her crew. The world building has great possibilities for additional tales.

[Carien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gini Koch manages to deliver a fun story full of action, deception and misdirection.

The Hummingbird and her crew manage to get themselves in hot water without even trying, but luckily they are a creative bunch and especially Dee Dee always has a plan at hand to save the day.

I really like the world building Gini does for this series and fell in love with Polliworld. I hope the Hummingbird will have reason to visit this planet more often.

The cast of characters is diverse and all of the crew from the Hummingbird are interesting and it was great to get to know some of them a bit better in this story. So far my absolute favorite besides Dee Dee (the lead character) is Bullfrog, and yes: his name really fits him.

I very much enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Dee Dee and her friends. I can advise this story to anyone who loves SciFi with a healthy dose of humor and mayhem.

[Philda Todzaniso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can hardly wait to see where this is going. It is really interesting so far. Thanks Gini !

[Kelvin Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read, but again short. This follow straight on from the previous book, so I am surprised that they didn't put them together. I hope there are more in this series to come.