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Hard Luck Hank #5
Stank Delicious
Belvaille has cemented its place as the most important System in the galaxy and Hank is working as an official Factotum, negotiating deals between gangs and noblemen under the watchful eye of the Arch Minister.
When his every-capable butler, Cliston, is approached to become the general manager of a Super Class glocken team, Hank is hired not only as protection, but as a player.
Hank finds himself thrown into the most grueling bloodsport in the galaxy and he is tasked with finding out how and why players are being abducted.
The friendly rivalries turn into full-scale conflict and Hank finds himself unravelling a far more insidious plot than the fixing of gambling results. In the process, Hank learns a lot about his history that he never even dreamed had existed.
Many of Hank's friends and enemies return in this action-packed and humorous take on the professional sporting world.
NOTE: Sequel to Hard Luck Hank - Screw the Galaxy, Hard Luck Hank - Basketful of Crap, Hard Luck Hank - Prince of Suck, and Hard Luck Hank - Suck My Cosmos
When his every-capable butler, Cliston, is approached to become the general manager of a Super Class glocken team, Hank is hired not only as protection, but as a player.
Hank finds himself thrown into the most grueling bloodsport in the galaxy and he is tasked with finding out how and why players are being abducted.
The friendly rivalries turn into full-scale conflict and Hank finds himself unravelling a far more insidious plot than the fixing of gambling results. In the process, Hank learns a lot about his history that he never even dreamed had existed.
Many of Hank's friends and enemies return in this action-packed and humorous take on the professional sporting world.
NOTE: Sequel to Hard Luck Hank - Screw the Galaxy, Hard Luck Hank - Basketful of Crap, Hard Luck Hank - Prince of Suck, and Hard Luck Hank - Suck My Cosmos
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 17, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 25, 2017
STANK DELICIOUS is the fifth novel in the HARD LUCK HANK series and I'm running out of things to say about the novels but still enjoying them tremendously. While I had a lot of complaints about the third book, the fourth book completely subverted them. Stank Delicious is even better because it manages to go in a completely unexpected direction. In a series primarily about a thuggish rogue on a space station negotiating treaties between various hostile powers, this is a book parodying pro-football. Yes, you heard me correctly.
Stank Delicious is the story about how Hank is coerced, through the power of $$$, to become the equivalent of a line backer for a supowered fictional version of football. Given it is the most popular sport in the galaxy, Hank quickly finds himself richer than he's ever been in his life even as he's shelling out massive portions of his paycheck to his manager as well as butler (and the team's manager in what is TOTALLY not a conflict of interest since Clifton uses different personalities for his negotiations).
Being as this is Hard Luck Hank and Not Friday Night Lights IN SPACE, Hank does get roped into his usual unwilling investigation. Someone is kidnapping the galaxy's best pro-ball players and making them disappear. Hank is given an even bigger salary than his athlete's if he can find out the truth and our anti-hero does his absolute best to try to stumble onto the truth. I do mean stumble, too, because he's a bad investigator as well as player.
I thought Stank Delicious was funny from beginning to end. Hank actually being dumped into something he has the talent for, only to screw it up because of his greed, is awesome. I also loved his difficulty with the fact the hottest player in the mixed-gender league wants to have sex with Hank but he keeps getting screwed out (pun intended) of the opportunity. I also love how his actual encounter turns out to be a lot more than he bargained for.
We also get the addition of a great new character in Frank's equally-immortal uncle. He's a character who fits in well with the narrative. Hank is deeply-underwhelmed by the fact his only surviving blood relation is every bit as much a lowlife as himself, just far far less successful. Nevertheless, Frank is a great character who kinda-sorta loves his nephew.
The only complaint I have about the book is the re-using of who I consider to be the weakest villain in the series and someone who really doesn't work too well with the Hard Luck Hank universe. I do think it adds a layer of mythology to the setting but that's not something you need for a series about an indestructible professional goon.
In conclusion, buy it if you love the series. Which I do.
9/10
Stank Delicious is the story about how Hank is coerced, through the power of $$$, to become the equivalent of a line backer for a supowered fictional version of football. Given it is the most popular sport in the galaxy, Hank quickly finds himself richer than he's ever been in his life even as he's shelling out massive portions of his paycheck to his manager as well as butler (and the team's manager in what is TOTALLY not a conflict of interest since Clifton uses different personalities for his negotiations).
Being as this is Hard Luck Hank and Not Friday Night Lights IN SPACE, Hank does get roped into his usual unwilling investigation. Someone is kidnapping the galaxy's best pro-ball players and making them disappear. Hank is given an even bigger salary than his athlete's if he can find out the truth and our anti-hero does his absolute best to try to stumble onto the truth. I do mean stumble, too, because he's a bad investigator as well as player.
I thought Stank Delicious was funny from beginning to end. Hank actually being dumped into something he has the talent for, only to screw it up because of his greed, is awesome. I also loved his difficulty with the fact the hottest player in the mixed-gender league wants to have sex with Hank but he keeps getting screwed out (pun intended) of the opportunity. I also love how his actual encounter turns out to be a lot more than he bargained for.
We also get the addition of a great new character in Frank's equally-immortal uncle. He's a character who fits in well with the narrative. Hank is deeply-underwhelmed by the fact his only surviving blood relation is every bit as much a lowlife as himself, just far far less successful. Nevertheless, Frank is a great character who kinda-sorta loves his nephew.
The only complaint I have about the book is the re-using of who I consider to be the weakest villain in the series and someone who really doesn't work too well with the Hard Luck Hank universe. I do think it adds a layer of mythology to the setting but that's not something you need for a series about an indestructible professional goon.
In conclusion, buy it if you love the series. Which I do.
9/10
January 13, 2017
My favorite in the series so far. Laugh out loud funny.
May 13, 2016
Love Hank
Hella funny! I love the Hank series! Very original, very creative, very funny, very easy to read. Can't wait for more books in this series!
Hella funny! I love the Hank series! Very original, very creative, very funny, very easy to read. Can't wait for more books in this series!
April 30, 2018
2 1/2
Only bumped up because there were a few laughs. This was a bit boring at points with a game that had to be described and explained, then we get the betting and fans, etc... Mostly the sports aspect of this made up game was boring and was at least 1/2 of the book. The book leaves are characters out in space, Hank hated by most, and a big change in politics about to happen. It'll be interesting to see what happens next but I hope the game is over.
In every book, Hank is in a different position, whether it is a crooked enforcer, a gangster, a politician, or a team member of a sports team. I think it sets the tone and whether the book is going to be really fun or not. It also makes it so each book stands on its own so you don't really have to read them in order though things do come back to bite Hank in the ass. All the same, the books have great endings and don't leave us hanging.
This was my first meh read of Hard Luck Hank. Bound to happen as these are a bit of comic scifi fun, and I mean that in both a comic book and humor sort of way. This wasn't as fun though it had some moments. The story is not what would keep it up but the story actually pulled it down for me. Definitely will go on and hope that Hank stays away from sports, he sucks at it and not in a good way.
Only bumped up because there were a few laughs. This was a bit boring at points with a game that had to be described and explained, then we get the betting and fans, etc... Mostly the sports aspect of this made up game was boring and was at least 1/2 of the book. The book leaves are characters out in space, Hank hated by most, and a big change in politics about to happen. It'll be interesting to see what happens next but I hope the game is over.
In every book, Hank is in a different position, whether it is a crooked enforcer, a gangster, a politician, or a team member of a sports team. I think it sets the tone and whether the book is going to be really fun or not. It also makes it so each book stands on its own so you don't really have to read them in order though things do come back to bite Hank in the ass. All the same, the books have great endings and don't leave us hanging.
This was my first meh read of Hard Luck Hank. Bound to happen as these are a bit of comic scifi fun, and I mean that in both a comic book and humor sort of way. This wasn't as fun though it had some moments. The story is not what would keep it up but the story actually pulled it down for me. Definitely will go on and hope that Hank stays away from sports, he sucks at it and not in a good way.
July 30, 2017
We get to learn a lot about the sport of glocken, when Hank becomes a player. As usual there are much bigger forces at play and few jobs to handle.
Series is still funny, apart from main characters we get to have some new ones. We get more insight into universe origins and plans for the future.
Series is still funny, apart from main characters we get to have some new ones. We get more insight into universe origins and plans for the future.
January 7, 2020
I wish he didn't just kill characters. He adds some good ones.
January 22, 2017
Much better than the last one, especially since it's retroactively looking like book four was the beginning of a story arc. Not sure how I feel about Cliston's multiple hats routine, but Cliston the Butler was the best part of the last book by far so any change there would seem like a step down. Definitely looking forward to the next book, especially after the return of the greatest villain in literary history.
Though I did see the big reveal coming a mile away.
Though I did see the big reveal coming a mile away.
February 19, 2017
This character/narrator combo is just unbeatable. I love the sarcasm of this series.
My only complaint is that the audio production company screwed up Cliston's voice it is both too low and the modulation is different from the previous book. To get the book loud enough to hear Cliston clearly Hank is booming loud.
Update: Such a fun book. Gun is great. This is probably my least favorite of the Hank books, but I still love it.
My only complaint is that the audio production company screwed up Cliston's voice it is both too low and the modulation is different from the previous book. To get the book loud enough to hear Cliston clearly Hank is booming loud.
Update: Such a fun book. Gun is great. This is probably my least favorite of the Hank books, but I still love it.
July 17, 2016
I like the Hard Luck Hank series. They are irreverent and fun. Not for the faint of heart. They never fail to entertain. It isn't a hard read at all. Many would probably consider them a bit beneath the typical class but that's what I like about them. I wish I'd gotten to understand the game a bit more in this one but it didn't detract at all. Bring on the next one!!!
November 29, 2018
Hard Luck Hank #5. If you haven't read Hard Luck Hank #1-4 it is possible I may say something that will be a spoiler. Alternately a person can't review a Hard Luck Hank book without spoiling something. Maybe the milk in your refrigerator, or and earlier or later Hard Luck Hank novel.
In this book, "Stank Delicious" I initially thought Steven Campbell, who should win the Nobel Prize for literature, might be slipping a little, but then he fine tuned his marshmallow mallet and whacked me right on the humor point of my funny bone. I was read-listening along and suddenly could not stop laughing. It went on so long I had to stop the audiobook and go back 3 pages to where I started laughing, Lucille Ball should be the person handing Steven the Hugo award for science fiction's greatest advancement in intergalactic humor.
If I were able I would nominate this book, and Steven Campbell, of course, for the Edger Award --because it is a mystery beyond imagination that he didn't win the Nebula award for his previous 4 books.
If the Hard Luck Hank books don't "hook you" at the mention of the protagonist name I can only assume you take the ACLU seriously, or were born with a birth defect that omits each humans most essential organ... the funny bone.
I recommend everyone should read every Hard Luck Hank book because laughing increases your seretonin levels which cures many of the causes of depression. You can also read them for preventative health measures as well. Nip that self loathing in the bud and get plugged into the Hard Luck Hank universe.
We all need Hard Luck Hank. He seems to succeed better than Forrest Gump and only uses his characteristic bad luck. Also he may be the only quasi-super hero to save the entire galaxy multiple times.
Knowing your need for specifics I will offer one spoiler for Stank Hank Delicious. If you think that the Galactic Civil War was mind boggling (previous HLH novel) -- wait until you hear who wins a Glocken game! The Auk intergalactic bankers have the impossibility of this team winning a game factored into all their financial indicators and predictors. If the Reskin Sleepers win just ONE game it may cause an intergalactic recession. If they win two games in one season you better double check the second law of thermodynamics and cross check it with Maxwell's equations. Winning 3 games then can only mean that "THE BEGINNING AND THE END" may be involved. That's right The Ancient Alien every race has creation myths about Thad Elon!
Unknown to Hank, who manages to save and guide the universe through even the most impossible situations.... must now overcome Thad Elon? And Hank has it on no less authority than the Auk and the Boranjame Zeti that Hank has even dealt with Thad Elon in the past. Trillions died and the Colmarian Federation was entirely destroyed but Hank saved the universe... mostly.
I remember the first time I trusted a Russian... it was Issac Asimov. One third of the way through his book "Federation" I was ready to throw the book away. Asimov had painted his protagonists into a corner and there was no possible escape. There was no point in reading the last two thirds of the book. When Asimov worked some literature mojo and saved the day to my utter surprise I became a lifetime fan of Asimov. Well folks Steve Campbell's protagonist Hank, pulls such literary miracles off just because it is Tuesday and only skips 5 heartbeats in the process!
Don't miss this Glocken filled sports and science fiction comedy of errors. For heaven's sake, think of your poor seretonin levels!
In this book, "Stank Delicious" I initially thought Steven Campbell, who should win the Nobel Prize for literature, might be slipping a little, but then he fine tuned his marshmallow mallet and whacked me right on the humor point of my funny bone. I was read-listening along and suddenly could not stop laughing. It went on so long I had to stop the audiobook and go back 3 pages to where I started laughing, Lucille Ball should be the person handing Steven the Hugo award for science fiction's greatest advancement in intergalactic humor.
If I were able I would nominate this book, and Steven Campbell, of course, for the Edger Award --because it is a mystery beyond imagination that he didn't win the Nebula award for his previous 4 books.
If the Hard Luck Hank books don't "hook you" at the mention of the protagonist name I can only assume you take the ACLU seriously, or were born with a birth defect that omits each humans most essential organ... the funny bone.
I recommend everyone should read every Hard Luck Hank book because laughing increases your seretonin levels which cures many of the causes of depression. You can also read them for preventative health measures as well. Nip that self loathing in the bud and get plugged into the Hard Luck Hank universe.
We all need Hard Luck Hank. He seems to succeed better than Forrest Gump and only uses his characteristic bad luck. Also he may be the only quasi-super hero to save the entire galaxy multiple times.
Knowing your need for specifics I will offer one spoiler for Stank Hank Delicious. If you think that the Galactic Civil War was mind boggling (previous HLH novel) -- wait until you hear who wins a Glocken game! The Auk intergalactic bankers have the impossibility of this team winning a game factored into all their financial indicators and predictors. If the Reskin Sleepers win just ONE game it may cause an intergalactic recession. If they win two games in one season you better double check the second law of thermodynamics and cross check it with Maxwell's equations. Winning 3 games then can only mean that "THE BEGINNING AND THE END" may be involved. That's right The Ancient Alien every race has creation myths about Thad Elon!
Unknown to Hank, who manages to save and guide the universe through even the most impossible situations.... must now overcome Thad Elon? And Hank has it on no less authority than the Auk and the Boranjame Zeti that Hank has even dealt with Thad Elon in the past. Trillions died and the Colmarian Federation was entirely destroyed but Hank saved the universe... mostly.
I remember the first time I trusted a Russian... it was Issac Asimov. One third of the way through his book "Federation" I was ready to throw the book away. Asimov had painted his protagonists into a corner and there was no possible escape. There was no point in reading the last two thirds of the book. When Asimov worked some literature mojo and saved the day to my utter surprise I became a lifetime fan of Asimov. Well folks Steve Campbell's protagonist Hank, pulls such literary miracles off just because it is Tuesday and only skips 5 heartbeats in the process!
Don't miss this Glocken filled sports and science fiction comedy of errors. For heaven's sake, think of your poor seretonin levels!
April 25, 2018
In Stank Delicious the most famous and unlucky Ontakian mutant of the whole universe has to fight against his worst enemy: sport. Well, there are also big fights, double flamethrowers, audience-eating monsters, immortal immoral entities, intelligently stupid guns and a bunch of other nice things which make this funny, foul-mouthed space opera such a great reading. The fifth book in the series and Campbell is still keeping up the strong momentum.
May 23, 2020
It was only a matter of time before sports showed up in the Hankverse, I suppose. Ironically, based on the description in the back of the book, author Campbell spent a lot more time working out the rules of the game than he did actually describing it in the story.
Not that this is a bad thing. Indeed, getting a peek behind the curtain at the work Campbell puts into his novels is fun and intriguing. All I'm saying is that there's no real need to understand the fictional sport of...whatever it was, or of sports in general to enjoy the story.
And what a story. This time out, Hank is playing sports, investigating weirdness, and getting sexed up in weird ways. It's really good. If you've been reading the series, you know what to expect and this volume delivers in fun ways both familiar and new. That said, if you're new to the series, this might not be the best one to start with. Really fun, highly recommended.
Not that this is a bad thing. Indeed, getting a peek behind the curtain at the work Campbell puts into his novels is fun and intriguing. All I'm saying is that there's no real need to understand the fictional sport of...whatever it was, or of sports in general to enjoy the story.
And what a story. This time out, Hank is playing sports, investigating weirdness, and getting sexed up in weird ways. It's really good. If you've been reading the series, you know what to expect and this volume delivers in fun ways both familiar and new. That said, if you're new to the series, this might not be the best one to start with. Really fun, highly recommended.
September 9, 2022
The action is great. Hank is as dumb and awkward as ever. The station is still insane, but with internal consistent logic.
I do wish every woman Hank meets would stop trying, and succeeding, in dragging him into bed. Not only is it irrelevant to the story but also the logistics of the event leave me wondering how those women are not dead.
I do wish every woman Hank meets would stop trying, and succeeding, in dragging him into bed. Not only is it irrelevant to the story but also the logistics of the event leave me wondering how those women are not dead.
June 4, 2017
Hank is hundreds of years old and in this episode he goes undercover as a player on a sports team in order to solve a mystery: players are disappearing. Very entertaining characters and story, look forward to the next installment.
December 15, 2018
one of the funniest books ive had the pleasure of reading.If Mark Twain wrote sci fi, which i believe he did. This is what he would have written.
young adults as well as old folks with dementia would love it . What else you gotMr. Cambell?Bring it on!
young adults as well as old folks with dementia would love it . What else you gotMr. Cambell?Bring it on!
July 5, 2017
Books are hilarious!!!
Friggin funny SciFi comedy!! Hank is a very unlikely hero of the universe and has a film worthy personality, hilarious to the last page!
Friggin funny SciFi comedy!! Hank is a very unlikely hero of the universe and has a film worthy personality, hilarious to the last page!
August 3, 2017
Another laugh out loud installment.
Eat suck, suckface! I've enjoyed each Hard Luck Hank story, this one included. If I had to pick one as a favorite, so far, this one is it.
Eat suck, suckface! I've enjoyed each Hard Luck Hank story, this one included. If I had to pick one as a favorite, so far, this one is it.
October 10, 2017
Can't get enough of this series. Funny and clever with elements of sci-fi and old school gangster noir thrown in.
March 8, 2018
A nice return to form from a previous iteration of disappointment
August 21, 2020
I absolutely love this series! So funny
February 11, 2021
Start on book one and just read them all. Among my favorite and most easily recommended books for those who like comedy and space/futuristic settings.
February 14, 2025
I love Hank. LOL
March 30, 2016
If you love Hank, there will be no better book released this year than this one. It is funny from page one to the end, and not just a rehash of previous books. This author continually innovates and keeps the series so fresh.
At no point was there a need for a suspension of disbelief. If you can accept that a man such as Hank can exist, then everything else just fits right in. That is what makes this more a science fiction story than fantasy. Hank may live in a strange world, bit it tries to make sense.
Characters from previous books show up, but you can pick this up and enjoy it without having read previous books. This book might be the best of the bunch, and I cannot wait for the next one.
At no point was there a need for a suspension of disbelief. If you can accept that a man such as Hank can exist, then everything else just fits right in. That is what makes this more a science fiction story than fantasy. Hank may live in a strange world, bit it tries to make sense.
Characters from previous books show up, but you can pick this up and enjoy it without having read previous books. This book might be the best of the bunch, and I cannot wait for the next one.
April 18, 2016
Hank was stank delicious
Another great installment of the Hank series. All the old regulars were there and some new faces. More good character development of key players.
I found myself laughing out loud at the dialogue and crazy predicaments Hank gets into.
Great read.
Another great installment of the Hank series. All the old regulars were there and some new faces. More good character development of key players.
I found myself laughing out loud at the dialogue and crazy predicaments Hank gets into.
Great read.
June 30, 2016
Very funny and enjoyable. This series has become a firm favourite with me. The audio books are especially good as the reader really seems to get the material and adds a great deal to the comedy with his excellent character voices and delivery.
April 26, 2016
Love this series. Goofy and witty.
April 29, 2016
Good book, fun to read
I like this series of mad cap adventures. It seems that Hank is always in trouble, and still saves the day.
I like this series of mad cap adventures. It seems that Hank is always in trouble, and still saves the day.
July 13, 2016
I love this series, Hank is hilarious with his reactions and one liners.
There where some great situations that had me laughing out loud.
There where some great situations that had me laughing out loud.
June 25, 2016
The best of the series.
June 28, 2016
Stank delicious
Hank novels are always a fun read but this one, like the last, ends with quite a few loose ends left. Overall though, it's a fun read.
Hank novels are always a fun read but this one, like the last, ends with quite a few loose ends left. Overall though, it's a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews