What do you think?
Rate this book
Metal Boxes #3
Rusty Hinges
Stone’s fist, secure in the combat suit and hidden by camouflage, impacted the Hyrocanian mouth before it closed around the baby. Stone grabbed the helpless piglet with his free hand and tossed it to a startled female. The piglet, the last of her kind on the delivery shuttle, grabbed the baby and ran.
Stone twisted his fist, trying his best to break every tooth in the Hyrocanian’s mouth. Hyrocanians have four sets teeth, two for chewing vertically, and two for chewing horizontally. Suddenly, his fist broke free from the shattered teeth. Opening his fist, he felt something soft and squishy at the back of the alien’s throat. He closed his fingers around it and yanked.
Stone twisted his fist, trying his best to break every tooth in the Hyrocanian’s mouth. Hyrocanians have four sets teeth, two for chewing vertically, and two for chewing horizontally. Suddenly, his fist broke free from the shattered teeth. Opening his fist, he felt something soft and squishy at the back of the alien’s throat. He closed his fingers around it and yanked.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2016
68 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Alan Black
22 books312 followersAuthor of
sci/fi
Christian/Historical Fiction
Action/Humor
Western
sci/fi
Christian/Historical Fiction
Action/Humor
Western
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 6, 2016
Who says Science fiction can't be fun? Leave it to Alan Black to break another perceived mold in the science fiction genre. Metal Boxes - Rusty Hinges is one more notch on Mr. Black’s pen as he takes us back into deep space and into the constant turmoil that surrounds young Blackmon Perry Stone, heir to a fortune, heir to power and currently the mother to two Drascos and Governor of his own planet.
Once again, things will change for Stone, as he is placed back on active duty in the navy and must head into space in another metal box and battle. With unlikely allies, which look like little pigs and his family of Drascos, Stone will show his innate ability to turn the tables on evil. Meanwhile, what of his girlfriend, his own personal warrior queen? Will their relationship be cemented or will time and distance, as well as one more no show on his part find them dead in the water?
Alan Black unleashes his imagination and wit as his characters dare us to say they are not real, their adventures are fantasy and none of this could ever happen! Enjoy the ride, the humor and action on every page as Alan Black creates another tale that will leave you smiling, but glad to be back on Earth, waiting for the installment. Never let it be said that Alan Black doesn’t love his job, it shows in the enjoyment he brings to his readers. Suspend your beliefs and sign on for a trip in a Metal Box, it’s okay to play astronaut, space travel with Stone gives new meaning to the phrase, “When pigs fly!”
I received this copy from Alan Black in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Metal Boxes
Publisher: Alan Black
Publication Date: April 28, 2016
Genre: Scifi-Fantasy
Print Length: 322 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Once again, things will change for Stone, as he is placed back on active duty in the navy and must head into space in another metal box and battle. With unlikely allies, which look like little pigs and his family of Drascos, Stone will show his innate ability to turn the tables on evil. Meanwhile, what of his girlfriend, his own personal warrior queen? Will their relationship be cemented or will time and distance, as well as one more no show on his part find them dead in the water?
Alan Black unleashes his imagination and wit as his characters dare us to say they are not real, their adventures are fantasy and none of this could ever happen! Enjoy the ride, the humor and action on every page as Alan Black creates another tale that will leave you smiling, but glad to be back on Earth, waiting for the installment. Never let it be said that Alan Black doesn’t love his job, it shows in the enjoyment he brings to his readers. Suspend your beliefs and sign on for a trip in a Metal Box, it’s okay to play astronaut, space travel with Stone gives new meaning to the phrase, “When pigs fly!”
I received this copy from Alan Black in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Metal Boxes
Publisher: Alan Black
Publication Date: April 28, 2016
Genre: Scifi-Fantasy
Print Length: 322 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Read
September 13, 2016Unrated because most of the book was fine, but it also introduced what was, as far as I remember, the first gay character in the series and made him xenophobic, elitist, petty, incompetent, cowardly, and basically the worst person in the book who does not ACTUALLY eat other sentient beings. Like, actual sociopathic murderers have been portrayed more flatteringly in this series. What.
May 4, 2016
Love Metal Boxes
No spoilers here. Love Shorty and Sissie, waiting for more from their points of view. The drascos are superb and their interactions with the piglets can teach us all to get along. I want more please.
No spoilers here. Love Shorty and Sissie, waiting for more from their points of view. The drascos are superb and their interactions with the piglets can teach us all to get along. I want more please.
December 26, 2018
Not as good as the first two. Stone doesn't develop much, as a character, and the two allied alien races are normalized very quickly. I was also disappointed that one of the major battles happened "off-screen." I think Hammer's shoulders are broad enough to carry the POV.
The Piggies, while clearly more intelligent than humans, are portrayed as emotionally childlike, with some exceptions. They're sort of a cross between Niven's Moties and Piper's Fuzzies. I'm a little disappointed that the author is forcefully propping humanity up so that they can stay on top of the pack. It might have been interesting to have a diminutive species that can out-think us in most situations.
The author dropped a big hint as to the true enemy's identity. I was surprised when he didn't end this book with that reveal, drawing us into the next.
I'm still hooked and rolling on to the next book.
The Piggies, while clearly more intelligent than humans, are portrayed as emotionally childlike, with some exceptions. They're sort of a cross between Niven's Moties and Piper's Fuzzies. I'm a little disappointed that the author is forcefully propping humanity up so that they can stay on top of the pack. It might have been interesting to have a diminutive species that can out-think us in most situations.
The author dropped a big hint as to the true enemy's identity. I was surprised when he didn't end this book with that reveal, drawing us into the next.
I'm still hooked and rolling on to the next book.
October 11, 2024
4/5 Stars
September 1, 2018
Great story
This is a keeper just read it for the second time. The next book in the series is supposed to be out soon so I wanted to refresh my memory and have as much fun as the last time I read it. ENJOY
This is a keeper just read it for the second time. The next book in the series is supposed to be out soon so I wanted to refresh my memory and have as much fun as the last time I read it. ENJOY
May 27, 2016
Another Good Read
This is the third book in the Metal Boxes series. This is the Rusty Hinges and this was a good name for the book because we find out that someone else might be building a lot of the things that the aliens use . The four arm freaks that is, if you read carefully and I hope this isn't a spoiler for anyone but Stone said the design of certain things made no sense the way that they were being used by the aliens and it was more like a human design . That makes me think back to the guy and his two daughters that they rescued and how they said that they were running from a want to be God. Well, I can't wait for the next one and then see what happens. This is a good series and it's getting to the point that Mr Black is giving you some clues about what might be going on but then again this might be one of the twists that he has put in here to trick us and he could come out with something way different than what I am thinking. Nice job Mr Black.
This is the third book in the Metal Boxes series. This is the Rusty Hinges and this was a good name for the book because we find out that someone else might be building a lot of the things that the aliens use . The four arm freaks that is, if you read carefully and I hope this isn't a spoiler for anyone but Stone said the design of certain things made no sense the way that they were being used by the aliens and it was more like a human design . That makes me think back to the guy and his two daughters that they rescued and how they said that they were running from a want to be God. Well, I can't wait for the next one and then see what happens. This is a good series and it's getting to the point that Mr Black is giving you some clues about what might be going on but then again this might be one of the twists that he has put in here to trick us and he could come out with something way different than what I am thinking. Nice job Mr Black.
June 21, 2016
Okay, this man has to stop this. I have read several of his stories and I always feel like just after a chapter or two that I know so much about the world the story takes place. No giant info dump, no need for huge index. Those have their place in several great books. But Mr. Black just has a way of making each story self contained. And each little universe has nothing to do (so far) with the others. Giving you able opportunity to find your favorite characters and settings.
May 11, 2016
Really enjoy this series
I have read most works by this author through KU and have enjoyed them. This series makes me chuckle while reading because of all the things going on. If you haven't read this series yet, you are lucky to have the chance to read 3 in a row. I unfortunately have to wait for the next one.
I have read most works by this author through KU and have enjoyed them. This series makes me chuckle while reading because of all the things going on. If you haven't read this series yet, you are lucky to have the chance to read 3 in a row. I unfortunately have to wait for the next one.
August 6, 2016
Lousiest book I ever loved
The science just.... isn't, the action probabilities are completely ridiculous, and the cultural melding so harmonious that this book is a complete insult to any rational reader. It was great! Seriously, who actually needs cotton candy or high end fresh warm cinnamon rolls? Oh, wait.... Maybe it wasn't really quite that bad.
The science just.... isn't, the action probabilities are completely ridiculous, and the cultural melding so harmonious that this book is a complete insult to any rational reader. It was great! Seriously, who actually needs cotton candy or high end fresh warm cinnamon rolls? Oh, wait.... Maybe it wasn't really quite that bad.
November 20, 2016
Probably the slowest moving and least engaging of the three books I've read so far in the series. The ending seemed rushed and did not seem to be as in tune with the setting created over the course of the previous books. That might get explained in the fourth book, which I'm looking forward to reading.
May 23, 2016
Long live the drascos!!!!
In this latest installment of the career of Ensign Stone the Drascos and their daughters grow up, the piglet allies come through, and oh my, the bad guys get it!! Fast paced and fun, I highly recommend this series.
In this latest installment of the career of Ensign Stone the Drascos and their daughters grow up, the piglet allies come through, and oh my, the bad guys get it!! Fast paced and fun, I highly recommend this series.
May 25, 2016
I can only guess what's next and looking forward to the next installment.
Love this series and would like to see other story arcs continued. I'm glad I found Alan Blacks books and am a fan now.
Love this series and would like to see other story arcs continued. I'm glad I found Alan Blacks books and am a fan now.
June 7, 2016
Rusty
This was a very entertaining and more complex story than its predecessors. It was true to its characters and expanded the roles and importance of its secondary characters in very interesting ways. I highly recommend this book.
This was a very entertaining and more complex story than its predecessors. It was true to its characters and expanded the roles and importance of its secondary characters in very interesting ways. I highly recommend this book.
November 23, 2016
Love them piggies
These keep getting better and better. Lots of action. aliens, giant angry birds. Impossible missions. These get more fun with gratuitous violence against ugly people eaters.
These keep getting better and better. Lots of action. aliens, giant angry birds. Impossible missions. These get more fun with gratuitous violence against ugly people eaters.
December 28, 2016
A solid addition to the series
Not much new in this book, but a lot more action and development from the second book. If you liked the first two books this should be a good read for you.
Not much new in this book, but a lot more action and development from the second book. If you liked the first two books this should be a good read for you.
May 4, 2016
Simple and fun
The Metal Boxes series is just good simple SciFy fun. Nothing mind bendingly brilliant nor new but is simple action filled adventure. Good brain candy.
The Metal Boxes series is just good simple SciFy fun. Nothing mind bendingly brilliant nor new but is simple action filled adventure. Good brain candy.
May 11, 2016
A fun romp!
No body does a better job in the world of outlandish SF than Alan Black,
While fun to read there is a message to everything .
No body does a better job in the world of outlandish SF than Alan Black,
While fun to read there is a message to everything .
July 7, 2016
Arg, finished it, i want more!
August 8, 2016
Very nice
Hard book to put down, well worth reading and pulls you into the story, will recommend this book to any science fiction reader
Hard book to put down, well worth reading and pulls you into the story, will recommend this book to any science fiction reader
September 2, 2016
I really like this series! Keep up the good work!
October 13, 2016
love it.
November 29, 2016
5 Stars for great reading fun.
Book 3 Rusty Hinges gets my 5 Stars for great reading fun and I love it. Yet, again Alan Black series has me stay up late.
Book 3 Rusty Hinges gets my 5 Stars for great reading fun and I love it. Yet, again Alan Black series has me stay up late.
January 30, 2017
Great Read SF
Excellent book enjoyed it from beginning to end. I lost a lot of sleep with this third installment. I'm not sure I want it to end.
Excellent book enjoyed it from beginning to end. I lost a lot of sleep with this third installment. I'm not sure I want it to end.
May 9, 2016
Good, comedic science fiction. Told tongue in cheek and almost a parody of science fiction
June 11, 2017
This is my favourite book of the series, there aren’t as many inconsistencies as in the first two books and the book was packed with fun action. I also liked the Drascos and Piglets taking a much more prominent.
There are a couple of minor irritations; I don’t know if it was a conscious decision, but the author introduced the first gay characters and then made them completely obnoxious. Also I didn’t like the way the book just ended with so many lose ends.
There are a couple of minor irritations; I don’t know if it was a conscious decision, but the author introduced the first gay characters and then made them completely obnoxious. Also I didn’t like the way the book just ended with so many lose ends.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews