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A Toaster on Mars
The year is 2509 and Earth is a rather polluted blue dot that suffers from global warming, overpopulation and not enough people using deodorant.
Blake Carter, star agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn’t having a good day. First he’s beaten up by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he’s assigned a robot—sorry, cyborg—as his new partner, right before his ex wife calls to tell him his daughter has gone missing. His car keeps criticising his driving, and finally, to top things off, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil genius Bartholomew Badde.
Can things get any worse? Yes!
Blake Carter, star agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn’t having a good day. First he’s beaten up by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he’s assigned a robot—sorry, cyborg—as his new partner, right before his ex wife calls to tell him his daughter has gone missing. His car keeps criticising his driving, and finally, to top things off, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil genius Bartholomew Badde.
Can things get any worse? Yes!
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2016
6 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Darrell Pitt
40 books163 followersDarrell Pitt is a long-time fan of comics, science-fiction, and anything that would make the 'cool kids' cringe. Seriously, he remembers literally sprinting home from school one day to watch the next episode of Doctor Who because the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger (although, didn't they all?).
He has a lifelong interest in superheroes, monsters, science fiction and anything involving spaceships or zebras. (If your eyes furrowed at the mention of the word, zebras, yes, it’s true. He really likes zebras. He hasn’t written a book yet that features an all zebra crew on a spaceship where they encounter superheroes or monsters – but there’s still time!)
He has a lifelong interest in superheroes, monsters, science fiction and anything involving spaceships or zebras. (If your eyes furrowed at the mention of the word, zebras, yes, it’s true. He really likes zebras. He hasn’t written a book yet that features an all zebra crew on a spaceship where they encounter superheroes or monsters – but there’s still time!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 2, 2016
I was lucky enough to win this in a giveaway on Goodreads so thank you to GR and Text for the chance to read it. First off I should say that I don't normally read this genre however it fit a category of my Read Harder Challenge and I have wanted to stretch myself with my reading and I am really glad that I read this.
A Toaster on Mars is a comedy/satire, I have never read Hitchhikers Guide so this was new territory for me.
Blake Carter who is a Cop/FBI type agent is struggling, he lost his partner, his wife and daughter and he figures he is better off being on his own. Then the great Villain Badde re-emerges and he is determined to catch him this time. His boss decides he needs a partner and we meet Nicki Steele his cyborg 90% machine 10% human.
Badde kidnaps Blake's daughter and the chase begins across the universe to get her back.
I laughed many many times through the book and I loved it till the last 3 chapters when it started to feel rushed to wrap it all up. I am looking forward to reading more as the series continues.
Thanks again to Text for the book, I loved it.
Review also on my blog
https://missmichellemck.blogspot.com....
A Toaster on Mars is a comedy/satire, I have never read Hitchhikers Guide so this was new territory for me.
Blake Carter who is a Cop/FBI type agent is struggling, he lost his partner, his wife and daughter and he figures he is better off being on his own. Then the great Villain Badde re-emerges and he is determined to catch him this time. His boss decides he needs a partner and we meet Nicki Steele his cyborg 90% machine 10% human.
Badde kidnaps Blake's daughter and the chase begins across the universe to get her back.
I laughed many many times through the book and I loved it till the last 3 chapters when it started to feel rushed to wrap it all up. I am looking forward to reading more as the series continues.
Thanks again to Text for the book, I loved it.
Review also on my blog
https://missmichellemck.blogspot.com....
August 22, 2017
I really wanted to like this. I didn't. Annoying observer voice. It all just felt a bit like it was trying to be Douglas Adams and failing.
September 1, 2017
This was a fun read! I think it's a bit of a stretch to compare it to Douglas Adams, because, come on, it's Douglas Adams, but it definitely has a similar feel. I really enjoyed it, nothing dragged or annoyed me, it's just a fun read.
July 16, 2016
A Toaster on Mars was a satirical and fun space adventure that will appeal to lovers of slapstick comedy. Set in the year 2509, it follows the storyline of Blake Carter, middle aged gruff agent who investigates universal temporal crimes and those beyond the capabilities of local law enforcement. Seeing Blake isn't all that likable as a character, thank goodness for his new partner, cyborg Nikki Steel. Nikki is a tough, no nonsense agent who plays by the rules. Thrown together, the two must hunt down the galaxy's most notorious criminal who plans to annihilate Earth through destroying all technological advances. But when Badde kidnaps Blake's daughter, they must work together with wanted villain or his daughter faces a life of torture.
Although written as a middle grade slash early teen adventure, the main character is a middle aged, gruff man and his cyborg sidekick and unfortunately I tended to lose interest throughout. The reader experiences brief glimpses of Lisa's point of view as she's being held captive, but the main focus was placed on Blake's interstellar adventure. Like most readers, children and teens also enjoy being able to place themselves within a storyline and I feel as though that probably isn't the case here.
The humour is silly slapstick, groan worthy dad jokes and eye rolling cliches but if the intended middle grade audience can forgive the abundance of adult characters, it's still an enjoyable read. With the only likable character being the villainous Badde, the humour didn't work for me unfortunately. I did enjoy the simplistic world building, especially Elvisworld, where Elvis impersonators have been imprisoned.
But strictly for the intended audience though I'm afraid.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2016/07/l...
'THAT'S RIGHT', BADDE SAID.
'I HAVE AN ENTIRE BOX SET OF THE BRADY BUNCH AND I'M PREPARED TO USE THEM.'
Although written as a middle grade slash early teen adventure, the main character is a middle aged, gruff man and his cyborg sidekick and unfortunately I tended to lose interest throughout. The reader experiences brief glimpses of Lisa's point of view as she's being held captive, but the main focus was placed on Blake's interstellar adventure. Like most readers, children and teens also enjoy being able to place themselves within a storyline and I feel as though that probably isn't the case here.
The humour is silly slapstick, groan worthy dad jokes and eye rolling cliches but if the intended middle grade audience can forgive the abundance of adult characters, it's still an enjoyable read. With the only likable character being the villainous Badde, the humour didn't work for me unfortunately. I did enjoy the simplistic world building, especially Elvisworld, where Elvis impersonators have been imprisoned.
But strictly for the intended audience though I'm afraid.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2016/07/l...
January 24, 2017
‘The adventures of Blake Carter and Nicky Steel, along with commentary by editor Zeeb Blatsnart, bring a lighthearted science fiction story to life. A Toaster on Mars is a laugh-out-loud and thoroughly enjoyable read!’
Melanie Nemer, Austrek President
‘This is a fun, exuberant book to read which sees the main character, Blake Carter, on a non-stop race around the solar system ending up on the titular Mars (Carter on Mars anyone?)…The book is an obvious homage to Douglas Adams but is not slavish in its interpretation and what I really liked, as an SF fan, was picking up on all the other SF references in the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an immersive 3D version of Plan Nine from Outer Space…4.23657 toasters out of 5.’
Dallas Jones, Doctor Who Club of Australia
‘This novel crackels with wit and violence…the fun doesn’t let up.’
Reading Time
‘Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students who appreciate the ridiculous will enjoy this fast paced book with its zany sense of humour. There is nothing subtle about the irony in the novel which creates many laugh-out-loud moments.’
ReadPlus
‘This pseudo-science-fiction book provides laughs of all types: readers will progress from snickers to giggles to, finally, belly laughs and shouts of outrage.’
Kirkus Reviews
‘A jaded (some might say washed up), hardened investigator with a twelve-year-old is an unusual narrator for a YA tale, but Australian author Pitt pulls it off with aplomb…It’s not quite Douglas Adams amounts of interstellar wonkiness, but given the fact that there’s a sentient Swiss cheese sandwich threatening their lives at one point, it comes close.’
Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books
‘A manic caper full of talking cars, espionage blunders, Brady Bunch psychosis, and comedic interjections from the book’s fictional editor, as Carter and his partner travel from the depths of the Mariana Trench all the way to Mars (where, spoiler alert, there are no toasters). Packed with references to contemporary culture, this satirical, quirky sci-fi adventure might appeal to fans of Douglas Adams’ well-loved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’
Booklist
Melanie Nemer, Austrek President
‘This is a fun, exuberant book to read which sees the main character, Blake Carter, on a non-stop race around the solar system ending up on the titular Mars (Carter on Mars anyone?)…The book is an obvious homage to Douglas Adams but is not slavish in its interpretation and what I really liked, as an SF fan, was picking up on all the other SF references in the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an immersive 3D version of Plan Nine from Outer Space…4.23657 toasters out of 5.’
Dallas Jones, Doctor Who Club of Australia
‘This novel crackels with wit and violence…the fun doesn’t let up.’
Reading Time
‘Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students who appreciate the ridiculous will enjoy this fast paced book with its zany sense of humour. There is nothing subtle about the irony in the novel which creates many laugh-out-loud moments.’
ReadPlus
‘This pseudo-science-fiction book provides laughs of all types: readers will progress from snickers to giggles to, finally, belly laughs and shouts of outrage.’
Kirkus Reviews
‘A jaded (some might say washed up), hardened investigator with a twelve-year-old is an unusual narrator for a YA tale, but Australian author Pitt pulls it off with aplomb…It’s not quite Douglas Adams amounts of interstellar wonkiness, but given the fact that there’s a sentient Swiss cheese sandwich threatening their lives at one point, it comes close.’
Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books
‘A manic caper full of talking cars, espionage blunders, Brady Bunch psychosis, and comedic interjections from the book’s fictional editor, as Carter and his partner travel from the depths of the Mariana Trench all the way to Mars (where, spoiler alert, there are no toasters). Packed with references to contemporary culture, this satirical, quirky sci-fi adventure might appeal to fans of Douglas Adams’ well-loved Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’
Booklist
June 23, 2016
It started out like a typical day for Blake Carter. That was until he got attacked by a musical instrument, met Agent Nikki Steel (his new cyborg partner) and had his daughter Lisa kidnapped by criminal mastermind and infamous villain, Bartholomew Badde. With things going from Badde to worse, Blake, Nikki and Blake’s ex-wife Astrid team up to rescue Lisa before it’s too late even if it means breaking all the rules (including rules of physics).
Don’t let the title fool you: This book contains no martian kitchen appliances. What A Toaster on Mars does have is an exciting story full of interesting characters which feels like it comes straight out of the Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide universe.
And I think that may have been why I enjoyed it so much.
This book has a very similar vibe to Adams’ cult classic series. With the ‘editor’ inserting tidbits along the way of just how life works in the year 2509, the somewhat ridiculous situations the cast get into along the way and the banter between characters – I would not have been surprised if Arthur Dent or Zaphod Beeblebrox popped up.
That’s not to say there is not a lot of originality in A Toaster on Mars. It is such a fun read. This is a book which made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. It’s a little bit silly at times but in a way which works for the universe in which it is set as well as for the characters who live there. And for all the ridiculousness, there is also moments of relatability. Blake is a man who loves his daughter and would do whatever it takes to keep her safe – even if that means taking on an evil mastermind who uses 1960’s TV shows as torture.
A Toaster on Mars is not a very long book but it is one where there is quite a bit of character growth. These people are not the same ones who began the story and their experiences have taught them a lot about life and themselves. Some of the situations border on ludicrous but it is written in such a way where as a reader I was looking forward to the next impossible thing to happen to Blake and co. By the time I finished reading I was disappointed to see that this book is a standalone. It works perfectly by itself but I enjoyed the journey so much I wanted to see more of the characters and the world they live in.
As a fan of Darrell Pitt’s Jack Mason Adventures series set in the Victorian era Steampunk style, it was interesting to see how he told a futuristic story. His writing style works in both settings and I enjoyed his take on the year 2509.
A Toaster on Mars is a fun, exciting and at times ridiculous story. Set in the 26th century, this imaginative novel is shows a fun take on the future complete with cyborgs, evil villains and cars with personality.
A Toaster on Mars in ten words or less: Excitingly zany take on futuristic life appropriate for all ages.
Don’t let the title fool you: This book contains no martian kitchen appliances. What A Toaster on Mars does have is an exciting story full of interesting characters which feels like it comes straight out of the Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide universe.
And I think that may have been why I enjoyed it so much.
This book has a very similar vibe to Adams’ cult classic series. With the ‘editor’ inserting tidbits along the way of just how life works in the year 2509, the somewhat ridiculous situations the cast get into along the way and the banter between characters – I would not have been surprised if Arthur Dent or Zaphod Beeblebrox popped up.
That’s not to say there is not a lot of originality in A Toaster on Mars. It is such a fun read. This is a book which made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. It’s a little bit silly at times but in a way which works for the universe in which it is set as well as for the characters who live there. And for all the ridiculousness, there is also moments of relatability. Blake is a man who loves his daughter and would do whatever it takes to keep her safe – even if that means taking on an evil mastermind who uses 1960’s TV shows as torture.
A Toaster on Mars is not a very long book but it is one where there is quite a bit of character growth. These people are not the same ones who began the story and their experiences have taught them a lot about life and themselves. Some of the situations border on ludicrous but it is written in such a way where as a reader I was looking forward to the next impossible thing to happen to Blake and co. By the time I finished reading I was disappointed to see that this book is a standalone. It works perfectly by itself but I enjoyed the journey so much I wanted to see more of the characters and the world they live in.
As a fan of Darrell Pitt’s Jack Mason Adventures series set in the Victorian era Steampunk style, it was interesting to see how he told a futuristic story. His writing style works in both settings and I enjoyed his take on the year 2509.
A Toaster on Mars is a fun, exciting and at times ridiculous story. Set in the 26th century, this imaginative novel is shows a fun take on the future complete with cyborgs, evil villains and cars with personality.
A Toaster on Mars in ten words or less: Excitingly zany take on futuristic life appropriate for all ages.
August 4, 2016
- Received book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you Text Publishing!
I have returned from the year 2509 after a thoroughly enjoyable journey through Neo City, time, space and beyond.
Entwined within the talking cars and appliances is a story that is thought provoking and applicable today to us mere humans here on planet Earth, with the author creatively giving modern issues a sprotting good twist.
With humorous facts and information; editor Zeeb interjects along the way, holding your hand ensuring you don't somehow transport yourself to another dimension.
Whilst this book may be aimed at the YA audience, I believe it is a quick, feel good read for all ages, and everyone will find something to take away from it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I do believe the Time Police are banging on my door.. Zeeb did mention something about a punishable crime for reading this book prior to the 26th century.. Uh-oh.
I have returned from the year 2509 after a thoroughly enjoyable journey through Neo City, time, space and beyond.
Entwined within the talking cars and appliances is a story that is thought provoking and applicable today to us mere humans here on planet Earth, with the author creatively giving modern issues a sprotting good twist.
With humorous facts and information; editor Zeeb interjects along the way, holding your hand ensuring you don't somehow transport yourself to another dimension.
Whilst this book may be aimed at the YA audience, I believe it is a quick, feel good read for all ages, and everyone will find something to take away from it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I do believe the Time Police are banging on my door.. Zeeb did mention something about a punishable crime for reading this book prior to the 26th century.. Uh-oh.
July 3, 2024
This is close to a one-star book for me. In truth, many of the issues I had might have been fixed by setting it 100 years into the future instead of 500 years. Then the references to 20th century media and the structures and infrastructures that still resemble today’s don’t seem so out of place in a five-centuries-forward society.
I find that I as a reader tend to analyze more when a book doesn’t work for me, to figure out why, for example, I love the Hitchhiker’s Guide series and other absurdist tales when this book (which so obviously pays homage to it/rips it off) doesn’t land. I think it’s because the absurdist tales I love have a logic at the center of the world. This one just seemed to be random for the sake of being random, not to further a plot (Adams, etc.) or make a deeper commentary on society (Pratchett, etc.). So I’ll pass, sadly, and read no more.
I find that I as a reader tend to analyze more when a book doesn’t work for me, to figure out why, for example, I love the Hitchhiker’s Guide series and other absurdist tales when this book (which so obviously pays homage to it/rips it off) doesn’t land. I think it’s because the absurdist tales I love have a logic at the center of the world. This one just seemed to be random for the sake of being random, not to further a plot (Adams, etc.) or make a deeper commentary on society (Pratchett, etc.). So I’ll pass, sadly, and read no more.
July 28, 2017
Holy sprot! This is ideal for young Trekkies who want a Trip Fantastic ™ to see if Blake Carter, an agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation, can save Earth from being destroyed by Bartholomew Badde with a super-EMP, rescue his kidnapped daughter, and retrieve a phase suit. Set in the 26th century, the easy-to-read, mildly humorous and suspenseful action takes place within the pages of a real book sent to me by Goodreads for review - not a plastic one, not an electronic one, and not a 26th century Immersion Book. This is just as well as you probably don’t want to meet a giant cheese sandwich monster today, as Zeeb the Editor would comment.
April 27, 2018
The Douglas Adams inspiration is of course obvious. While not as good as DA, it's decent enough. Some parts are quite funny - not necessarily laugh out loud funny but just light-hearted ridiculous fun. A nice ensemble of fairly memorable characters. Although it's like HHGTTG, the setting has it's own character (that being earth 500 years in the future) and the editor comments scattered throughout are a definite riff off The Book in HHGTTG but fun in it's own way. The ending felt a bit rushed but overall I'm willing to give this one 4 stars.
July 25, 2025
Wow that was different and it took a while to get into the story and at times it seemed ridiculous but I did enjoy the story!
The use of old and modern saying mixed with the imaginative things of that time was great
There was weird and wonderful beings that seemed to mix together
Full marks for being able to capture on paper a very imaginative imagination
Worth a read
😊😊
The use of old and modern saying mixed with the imaginative things of that time was great
There was weird and wonderful beings that seemed to mix together
Full marks for being able to capture on paper a very imaginative imagination
Worth a read
😊😊
June 21, 2018
This book is very Douglas Adams. I didn’t mind it, easy to read and vaguely amusing. I didn’t care for the editor additions, I found them to be disruptive to the storyline and I definitely wouldn’t refer to them as full of effortless humour. The main character was a bit of fun though.
June 28, 2018
I am a big fan of classic ironic sci-fi and this book did not disappoint. It reminds me of Douglas Adams and Isaac Asimov combined. There are robots, aliens, and a futuristic earth. At no point in the book is there a toaster on mars so... Give it a read if retro-futuristic is your jam.
August 5, 2022
This book receives three stars for being a fun little break from anything serious. It is entertaining, but for the most part it misses on any real humor. If I were going to be stranded on a desert island and could take several hundred books, I might consider including it.
September 14, 2019
Advertised as being for fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, but read more like a Ron Goulart story than either of those authors.
September 29, 2019
Great book. Funny and creative.
September 24, 2020
Is this what an LCD experience like? Funny, ridiculous and way too bizarre.
August 31, 2022
I never finished this book at the time I had it. Not because it was bad but because there was other stuff going on at the time but will definitely try picking this up another time and trying it.
Read
January 26, 2024Toasters are important. Toasters are powerfull. Toasters are all in controll.
October 14, 2025
Along the view of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but frankly I thought it was boring and gave up at page 98.
Might not be the book's fault, maybe I'm just too mature for the goofiness.
Might not be the book's fault, maybe I'm just too mature for the goofiness.
June 18, 2016
Full review from Tea in the Treetops blog, posted June 2016:
As a long-time fan of both Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, I felt that this book had some big boots to fill. While it did have some of the slapstick humour of the Discworld and wacky aliens and robots of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , sadly I didn't think A Toaster on Mars quite lived up to the blurb.
The evil genius Bartholemew Badde has stolen a Super-EMP from a high security facility on Earth. He's holding the world to ransom, and to top it off, he has kidnapped Blake's twelve-year-old daughter in an effort to force him to comply. Blake, his new cyborg colleague Nicki Steele, and his ex-wife Astrid must meet Badde's demands to steal a super computer to get their daughter back alive.
I'm going to go for the list approach in this review. There were things about this book I really enjoyed, but there were also some things that I was disappointed in.
What I liked
- Neo City. I liked the way that the city was just constructed on the top of everything else for thousands of years, so that the current inhabitants lived around level 700 and the lower levels are actually a physical underbelly. Very dystopian.
- Bartholomew Badde - Such an evil villain yet occasionally compassionate captor. He genuinely seems to have no ambition other than being remembered as someone who destroyed a whole civilisation. Totally bonkers - I thought he was great.
- Nikki Steele, the cyborg. The poor girl is just trying to do her job while being only nine percent human and continuously called a robot. Actually, all of the characters had endeared themselves to me by the end.
What I didn't like so much
- For a far-future society, it feels like they have culture that is stuck in the late 20th century. That's like people who live now using references to celebrities of the Renaissance - so much history will exist between the 21st and 26th centuries, it seems slightly unrealistic that there would be an Elvis planet or that people would still be watching Survivor.
- I'm not sure why Blake agreed to Badde's demands in the first place. Surely someone of his background, who had already chased down all sorts of criminals, would have some other course of action to take rather than just agree to do the dirty work?
- The interjections from Zeeb. The book has a foreword by Zeeb Blatsnart, the editor of Blake's story, and a bit of an interplanetary Bear-Grylls-type figure, apparently. He has little interludes dispersed through the text, which have a bit of a HHGTG-footnote feel about them, but as they are just kind of in the way. Wow, I'm picky.
Read this book if you're after a quick read with a silly sense of humour. It's not quite Douglas Adams, but it's entertaining.
Thank you to Text Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a long-time fan of both Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, I felt that this book had some big boots to fill. While it did have some of the slapstick humour of the Discworld and wacky aliens and robots of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , sadly I didn't think A Toaster on Mars quite lived up to the blurb.
The evil genius Bartholemew Badde has stolen a Super-EMP from a high security facility on Earth. He's holding the world to ransom, and to top it off, he has kidnapped Blake's twelve-year-old daughter in an effort to force him to comply. Blake, his new cyborg colleague Nicki Steele, and his ex-wife Astrid must meet Badde's demands to steal a super computer to get their daughter back alive.
I'm going to go for the list approach in this review. There were things about this book I really enjoyed, but there were also some things that I was disappointed in.
What I liked
- Neo City. I liked the way that the city was just constructed on the top of everything else for thousands of years, so that the current inhabitants lived around level 700 and the lower levels are actually a physical underbelly. Very dystopian.
- Bartholomew Badde - Such an evil villain yet occasionally compassionate captor. He genuinely seems to have no ambition other than being remembered as someone who destroyed a whole civilisation. Totally bonkers - I thought he was great.
- Nikki Steele, the cyborg. The poor girl is just trying to do her job while being only nine percent human and continuously called a robot. Actually, all of the characters had endeared themselves to me by the end.
What I didn't like so much
- For a far-future society, it feels like they have culture that is stuck in the late 20th century. That's like people who live now using references to celebrities of the Renaissance - so much history will exist between the 21st and 26th centuries, it seems slightly unrealistic that there would be an Elvis planet or that people would still be watching Survivor.
- I'm not sure why Blake agreed to Badde's demands in the first place. Surely someone of his background, who had already chased down all sorts of criminals, would have some other course of action to take rather than just agree to do the dirty work?
- The interjections from Zeeb. The book has a foreword by Zeeb Blatsnart, the editor of Blake's story, and a bit of an interplanetary Bear-Grylls-type figure, apparently. He has little interludes dispersed through the text, which have a bit of a HHGTG-footnote feel about them, but as they are just kind of in the way. Wow, I'm picky.
Read this book if you're after a quick read with a silly sense of humour. It's not quite Douglas Adams, but it's entertaining.
Thank you to Text Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2017
So straight up the synopsis has offered up some high expectation for this book to meet and as an Adam's fan I was like "Bring it on Pitt". While I did grow to kinda like the lead character Blake Carter, he was in no way the adorable Arthur Dent - but that's ok because he wasn't supposed to be.
We follow Blake Carter a middle-aged agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation as he gets kicked off his current long running case, assigned a Cyborg as a new partner and having to deal with his ex-wife after their daughter is kidnapped. And of course, *spoiler alert* getting the bad guy - with a lot of help from the Cyborg, the ex-wife, some Elvis’s and an odd pirate-like space captain.
The "Zeeb Says" sections throughout the story while humorous at times and very ‘Hitchhikers’ in the style of narration, which I should have loved, I found a nuisance. I'd just be getting into the rhythm of the story and they’d distract me from it. Why was this so? I really don't know! Did they feel like a poor Adam’s imitations? No that wasn't it. Was it just because I was trying to hurry and finish the book because it wasn't floating my boat and they were slowing me down? Yeah, I think that was more it.
I thought this book was going to be right up my ally; sci-fi with silly humour etc. But no, while I liked the book and can see its merits, unfortunately we didn't click. I had to force myself to stay focused and read on. This book is listed as Middle Grade, so I’m not the target audience. But I can’t quite get my head around this book’s listing.
I'm trying to figure out who on earth would be the right audience for this book, because it is by no means a bad story. I think it's a good story despite my personal enjoyment issues. If it was a Friday night telemovie I could totally see my father chuckling while watching it on the couch with a beer in his hand as he’s sprawled out with only his green and gold footy shorts on unwinding after another week of working hard in the Aussie heat.
I would say it's definitely not for Teens, those self-absorbed self-torturing darlings wouldn’t give two hoots about this middle-aged law enforcement officer from the future. I’m thinking 8/12-year-olds who have a love of sci-fi for sci-fi sake and don't care too much about who the hero is if there is lots of action and adventure - yeah, it'd suit them. MAYBE even a "daggy dad" type who wants to switch off his brain after a long day at work and read something that's simple and amusing - I totally thought I fell into this category, but apparently not.
I do intend to check out Pitt's The Firebird Mystery and Diary of a Teenage Superhero and see how I go with them, because I think Pitt’s a good writer, just that this book wasn't for me.
We follow Blake Carter a middle-aged agent with the Planetary Bureau of Investigation as he gets kicked off his current long running case, assigned a Cyborg as a new partner and having to deal with his ex-wife after their daughter is kidnapped. And of course, *spoiler alert* getting the bad guy - with a lot of help from the Cyborg, the ex-wife, some Elvis’s and an odd pirate-like space captain.
The "Zeeb Says" sections throughout the story while humorous at times and very ‘Hitchhikers’ in the style of narration, which I should have loved, I found a nuisance. I'd just be getting into the rhythm of the story and they’d distract me from it. Why was this so? I really don't know! Did they feel like a poor Adam’s imitations? No that wasn't it. Was it just because I was trying to hurry and finish the book because it wasn't floating my boat and they were slowing me down? Yeah, I think that was more it.
I thought this book was going to be right up my ally; sci-fi with silly humour etc. But no, while I liked the book and can see its merits, unfortunately we didn't click. I had to force myself to stay focused and read on. This book is listed as Middle Grade, so I’m not the target audience. But I can’t quite get my head around this book’s listing.
I'm trying to figure out who on earth would be the right audience for this book, because it is by no means a bad story. I think it's a good story despite my personal enjoyment issues. If it was a Friday night telemovie I could totally see my father chuckling while watching it on the couch with a beer in his hand as he’s sprawled out with only his green and gold footy shorts on unwinding after another week of working hard in the Aussie heat.
I would say it's definitely not for Teens, those self-absorbed self-torturing darlings wouldn’t give two hoots about this middle-aged law enforcement officer from the future. I’m thinking 8/12-year-olds who have a love of sci-fi for sci-fi sake and don't care too much about who the hero is if there is lots of action and adventure - yeah, it'd suit them. MAYBE even a "daggy dad" type who wants to switch off his brain after a long day at work and read something that's simple and amusing - I totally thought I fell into this category, but apparently not.
I do intend to check out Pitt's The Firebird Mystery and Diary of a Teenage Superhero and see how I go with them, because I think Pitt’s a good writer, just that this book wasn't for me.
February 18, 2017
What is this about?: In 2509 Blake Carter and Nicki Steel set out to rescue Blake’s daughter Lisa from the evil clutches of Bartholomew Badde, the galaxy’s most notorious criminal and the one that always gets away.
What else is this about?: Humour. Think Douglas Adams, rolling in the aisles, clutching your sides sort of humour.
How to review a book like this?
I can’t quite figure out how to review a book that left me laughing out loud this much. Satire, parody, call it what you will this mystery is one of the most hilarious things I’ve read. Ever.
Blake Carter finds himself on the outs of the biggest case ever – one that involves his nemesis Bartholomew Badde. To add insult to his injury, he’s saddled with Nicki Steele, a cyborg – not robot, the distinction matters. While they are arguing their way through the case Carter never really dropped, no matter what his superiors ordered, Carter’s daughter, Lisa is kidnapped. By Badde.
And so begins their rescue attempt.
The beauty of this book is in its humour, surrounding a fairly straightforward mystery. But it’s Darrell Pitt’s humour, creativity and snark that elevates this book entirely making 2059 absolutely hilarious – I mean, movies with Harrison Ford Clones? And not the first clones either.
Just go read and prepare to laugh your ass off.
What else is this about?: Humour. Think Douglas Adams, rolling in the aisles, clutching your sides sort of humour.
How to review a book like this?
I can’t quite figure out how to review a book that left me laughing out loud this much. Satire, parody, call it what you will this mystery is one of the most hilarious things I’ve read. Ever.
Blake Carter finds himself on the outs of the biggest case ever – one that involves his nemesis Bartholomew Badde. To add insult to his injury, he’s saddled with Nicki Steele, a cyborg – not robot, the distinction matters. While they are arguing their way through the case Carter never really dropped, no matter what his superiors ordered, Carter’s daughter, Lisa is kidnapped. By Badde.
And so begins their rescue attempt.
The beauty of this book is in its humour, surrounding a fairly straightforward mystery. But it’s Darrell Pitt’s humour, creativity and snark that elevates this book entirely making 2059 absolutely hilarious – I mean, movies with Harrison Ford Clones? And not the first clones either.
Just go read and prepare to laugh your ass off.
November 6, 2016
This was a fun read. If you like to read sci-fi books that have a good sense of humour and know how to poke fun at themselves, then this is for you.
Don't let the title mislead you, there is no toaster on Mars, but there is an earth far into the future where virtually everything has been automated and anything that can have an AI system installed, does. Alarm clocks, fridges, cars, elevators, the list goes on. But these aren't boring AI's. Nope! They have personalities! In fact, the main character's car has some sort of subroutine that makes her fall for bad boys! And cleaning bots complain about how they're never noticed because they're only the janitor.
The characters were funny and the story good. It had a good pace and kept you interested, while also chuckling at the funny characters. The description of Earth was great, and was far enough in the future that you could believe some of the crazy things that were normal for them. Humans had long ago made contact with aliens and the Earth is now part of a galactic government, so Earth's population is quite mixed. It was funny to read about some of the alien races and their personalities!
And the Narrator/"editor"! Loved him. I've always enjoyed books where there was some sort of person who would interject here and there with tidbits of knowledge, not even necessary to the understanding of the situation, but would elaborate on things and whatnot. And this guy was great! He's totally self-aggrandizing and self-promoting, but he really worked for me. Some might find him annoying, but this isn't a book that takes itself seriously.
Overall, it was a great romp of an adventure and I quite enjoyed it!
I rate this book 4 stars of 5.
My rating system is as follows:
1 star - Horrible
2 stars - Bad
3 stars - Decent
4 stars - Good
5 stars - Amazeballs!!!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley for an unbiased review. Just like you, I rely on reviews from readers when trying to choose my next read. I won't bump ratings or falsely recommend a book.
Don't let the title mislead you, there is no toaster on Mars, but there is an earth far into the future where virtually everything has been automated and anything that can have an AI system installed, does. Alarm clocks, fridges, cars, elevators, the list goes on. But these aren't boring AI's. Nope! They have personalities! In fact, the main character's car has some sort of subroutine that makes her fall for bad boys! And cleaning bots complain about how they're never noticed because they're only the janitor.
The characters were funny and the story good. It had a good pace and kept you interested, while also chuckling at the funny characters. The description of Earth was great, and was far enough in the future that you could believe some of the crazy things that were normal for them. Humans had long ago made contact with aliens and the Earth is now part of a galactic government, so Earth's population is quite mixed. It was funny to read about some of the alien races and their personalities!
And the Narrator/"editor"! Loved him. I've always enjoyed books where there was some sort of person who would interject here and there with tidbits of knowledge, not even necessary to the understanding of the situation, but would elaborate on things and whatnot. And this guy was great! He's totally self-aggrandizing and self-promoting, but he really worked for me. Some might find him annoying, but this isn't a book that takes itself seriously.
Overall, it was a great romp of an adventure and I quite enjoyed it!
I rate this book 4 stars of 5.
My rating system is as follows:
1 star - Horrible
2 stars - Bad
3 stars - Decent
4 stars - Good
5 stars - Amazeballs!!!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley for an unbiased review. Just like you, I rely on reviews from readers when trying to choose my next read. I won't bump ratings or falsely recommend a book.
Read
November 15, 2016Sadly, this one didn't really work for me, mainly because of one major issue: it wasn't nearly as funny as it was trying to be, or as it seemed to think it was. Opting for a Douglas Adams-style quirkiness only really works for Douglas Adams and the handful of other authors who can pull it off, and while it pains me to be so blunt, I don't think Pitt is one of them. The result was a lot of somewhat forced metaphors, comparisons, and absurdities that got in the way of the book rather than adding to it.
That said, I've been super depressed the past couple of weeks, so maybe I would have found it funnier if I'd read it on a better day. But as things stand, I'm not sure I actually laughed once, or even felt my lips twitching. Moreover, the unsuccessful humour prevented me from paying too much attention to other aspects, such as the plot, so I feel barely able to comment on those.
I wasn't wild about Astrid's characterisation, though; I noticed that much. She felt somewhat stereotypical, like a stock character of an ex-wife who occasionally complains about a broken nail, but not in a subversive funny way -- just in an unimaginative way. I don't know. It might have worked if I'd approached it from a different perspective, or if the humour had been more effective, but it didn't win me over. Even the pop culture references in the book felt outdated, which is odd in something set in the far future. Maybe it's just the millennial in me talking, but I didn't really find the concept of an Elvis planet at all engaging or funny, and a lot of the references to TV shows were things I've never seen, so those jokes didn't work either. Combined with the types of futuristic tech, it felt a bit like a 20th century vision of the future, which may have been an attempt to capture some of that elusive Douglas Adams vibe, but it ended up just feeling a bit dated.
If the humour had clicked with me, this could have been effective, and a hugely entertaining book. Since it didn't, what was left fell rather flat.
That said, I've been super depressed the past couple of weeks, so maybe I would have found it funnier if I'd read it on a better day. But as things stand, I'm not sure I actually laughed once, or even felt my lips twitching. Moreover, the unsuccessful humour prevented me from paying too much attention to other aspects, such as the plot, so I feel barely able to comment on those.
I wasn't wild about Astrid's characterisation, though; I noticed that much. She felt somewhat stereotypical, like a stock character of an ex-wife who occasionally complains about a broken nail, but not in a subversive funny way -- just in an unimaginative way. I don't know. It might have worked if I'd approached it from a different perspective, or if the humour had been more effective, but it didn't win me over. Even the pop culture references in the book felt outdated, which is odd in something set in the far future. Maybe it's just the millennial in me talking, but I didn't really find the concept of an Elvis planet at all engaging or funny, and a lot of the references to TV shows were things I've never seen, so those jokes didn't work either. Combined with the types of futuristic tech, it felt a bit like a 20th century vision of the future, which may have been an attempt to capture some of that elusive Douglas Adams vibe, but it ended up just feeling a bit dated.
If the humour had clicked with me, this could have been effective, and a hugely entertaining book. Since it didn't, what was left fell rather flat.
December 11, 2022
What if David Tennant's Doctor wrote a cop story? That is the kind of fun, crazy, adventure that this book is!
In the 26th century, Blake Carter is an agent for the Planetary Bureau of Investigation. He is a cyncial space & time cop who is after his nemesis, the evil genius Bartholomew Badde. Badde has stolen & weapon of unimaginable destruction. The PBI force him to work with a partner again, a female cyborg agent!
I really enjoy when books find a way to grab your attention from page 1. The editor's note by Zeeb Blatsnart prepares you for the wacky ride that is this tale, that has nothing to do with a toaster. An editor that interrupts the story when he deems necessary to explain objects, situations, people etc that are mentioned & his opinion of them.
U can immerse yourself into this world/universe thanks to the author's entertaining details, that send your imagination on hyperdrive, as his obviously is.
This is scifi with space travel, life on other planets & aliens living on Earth, talking appliances, building with hundreds of floors, you get the picture. I love the tech & futuristic spin of stuff from our pop culture, urban legends & historical events (will not mention any of them as to not take away from the imminent giggles upon reading them). Wacky humor & adorable silliness, full of snark & jabs at prejudices veiled as ridiculous situations.
This book is very, VERY funny & an absolutely charming delight
In the 26th century, Blake Carter is an agent for the Planetary Bureau of Investigation. He is a cyncial space & time cop who is after his nemesis, the evil genius Bartholomew Badde. Badde has stolen & weapon of unimaginable destruction. The PBI force him to work with a partner again, a female cyborg agent!
I really enjoy when books find a way to grab your attention from page 1. The editor's note by Zeeb Blatsnart prepares you for the wacky ride that is this tale, that has nothing to do with a toaster. An editor that interrupts the story when he deems necessary to explain objects, situations, people etc that are mentioned & his opinion of them.
U can immerse yourself into this world/universe thanks to the author's entertaining details, that send your imagination on hyperdrive, as his obviously is.
This is scifi with space travel, life on other planets & aliens living on Earth, talking appliances, building with hundreds of floors, you get the picture. I love the tech & futuristic spin of stuff from our pop culture, urban legends & historical events (will not mention any of them as to not take away from the imminent giggles upon reading them). Wacky humor & adorable silliness, full of snark & jabs at prejudices veiled as ridiculous situations.
This book is very, VERY funny & an absolutely charming delight
February 13, 2017
Probably more fun to write than to read. Still, I was in the mood for something light, and this one is helium!
September 13, 2016
If you enjoy Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams or Tom Holt this will be for you. Ridiculous futuristic comedy that is very reminiscent of the Hitchhiker's guide. It wont be for everyone but if you enjoy escapist comedy then this can go on your must read list.
September 18, 2023
5/10, I wanted to read this for a while and I saw it in one of the two libraries I go to, the former had this and the latter didn't and I didn't know what to expect at first considering I've never read from this author before but once I saw this had a low rating I lowered my expectations, even still this underwhelmed me so where do I even begin? It starts with the main character Blake Carter and he lives a few centuries into the future, I expected some high-tech city, instead, I saw a city called Neo City which was just overcrowded and that's about it. This story did not capture my attention at all and it was a struggle to get through, the only reason I finished this book was through my perseverance otherwise I would have given this a DNF. All the characters were quite flat, and the villain, who was the universe's greatest criminal, was just an evil genius and that's it. The story itself was rather boring, it was just the main character going from place to place and meeting a lot of forgettable characters, and it was dragged out even more by the unnecessary editor's additions, and I'm not even sure if the villain even got caught. If you want an action-packed sci-fi adventure, skip this one and try Dune instead of this.
December 21, 2016
Gave this to Hubby to read-he gave it a 4-kept reading out the funny bits to me
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