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Kangaroo #2
Kangaroo Too
Set in the same world as Waypoint Kangaroo, Curtis C. Chen's Kangaroo Too is bursting with adrenaline and intrigue in this unique outer space adventure.
On the way home from his latest mission, secret agent Kangaroo’s spacecraft is wrecked by a rogue mining robot. The agency tracks the bot back to the Moon, where a retired asteroid miner―code named “Clementine” ―might have information about who’s behind the sabotage.
Clementine will only deal with Jessica Chu, Kangaroo’s personal physician and a former military doctor once deployed in the asteroid belt. Kangaroo accompanies Jessica as a courier, smuggling Clementine’s payment of solid gold in the pocket universe that only he can use.
What should be a simple infiltration is hindered by the nearly one million tourists celebrating the anniversary of the first Moon landing. And before Kangaroo and Jessica can make contact, Lunar authorities arrest Jessica for the murder of a local worker.
Jessica won’t explain why she met the victim in secret or erased security footage that could exonerate her. To make things worse, a sudden terror attack puts the whole Moon under lockdown. Now Kangaroo alone has to get Clementine to talk, clear Jessica’s name, and stop a crooked scheme which threatens to ruin approximately one million vacations.
But old secrets are buried on the Moon, and digging up the past will make Kangaroo’s future very complicated...
On the way home from his latest mission, secret agent Kangaroo’s spacecraft is wrecked by a rogue mining robot. The agency tracks the bot back to the Moon, where a retired asteroid miner―code named “Clementine” ―might have information about who’s behind the sabotage.
Clementine will only deal with Jessica Chu, Kangaroo’s personal physician and a former military doctor once deployed in the asteroid belt. Kangaroo accompanies Jessica as a courier, smuggling Clementine’s payment of solid gold in the pocket universe that only he can use.
What should be a simple infiltration is hindered by the nearly one million tourists celebrating the anniversary of the first Moon landing. And before Kangaroo and Jessica can make contact, Lunar authorities arrest Jessica for the murder of a local worker.
Jessica won’t explain why she met the victim in secret or erased security footage that could exonerate her. To make things worse, a sudden terror attack puts the whole Moon under lockdown. Now Kangaroo alone has to get Clementine to talk, clear Jessica’s name, and stop a crooked scheme which threatens to ruin approximately one million vacations.
But old secrets are buried on the Moon, and digging up the past will make Kangaroo’s future very complicated...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 20, 2017
25 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Curtis C. Chen
26 books150 followersOnce a Silicon Valley software engineer, CURTIS C. CHEN (陳致宇) now writes speculative fiction and runs puzzle games near Portland, Oregon. His debut novel WAYPOINT KANGAROO (a 2017 Locus Awards Finalist and Endeavour Award Finalist) is a science fiction thriller about a superpowered spy facing his toughest mission yet: vacation. The sequel, KANGAROO TOO, lands our hero on the Moon to confront long-buried secrets.
Curtis' short stories have appeared in Playboy Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, MISSION: TOMORROW, and OREGON READS ALOUD. He is a graduate of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise writers' workshops.
You can find Curtis at Puzzled Pint Portland on the second Tuesday of most every month. And yes, there is a puzzle hidden in each of the KANGAROO book covers! Finding the rabbit holes is left as an exercise for the reader.
Curtis' short stories have appeared in Playboy Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, MISSION: TOMORROW, and OREGON READS ALOUD. He is a graduate of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise writers' workshops.
You can find Curtis at Puzzled Pint Portland on the second Tuesday of most every month. And yes, there is a puzzle hidden in each of the KANGAROO book covers! Finding the rabbit holes is left as an exercise for the reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 17, 2019
This be the second book in the series. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye haven’t read the previous book then ye might want to skip this post. If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .
I absolutely loved the first sci-fi tale about a bumbling James Bond type-character code name: Kangaroo and was excited to see what happens in his next set of adventures. I thought this be a solid second book. It takes place on the moon. What was supposed to be a simple mission goes awry and Kangaroo finds himself trying to get his partner cleared of a murder charge, dealing with the aftermath of a terrorist attack, and being trapped on the moon. He isn’t pleased.
Shenanigans abound in this tale and I read it in one sitting. I still very much enjoy Kangaroo and his crazy antics. The book was fun and certainly kept me attention. The only downside is that the politics have expanded and taken on a larger role so there was less humor involved in this installment. Minor quibble but the first book entertained me immensely. The silliness of it helped forgive any plot problems. The second book had more easily accesible plot flaws. That said, I wouldn’t mind more adventures of Kangaroo and gang. Arrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
I absolutely loved the first sci-fi tale about a bumbling James Bond type-character code name: Kangaroo and was excited to see what happens in his next set of adventures. I thought this be a solid second book. It takes place on the moon. What was supposed to be a simple mission goes awry and Kangaroo finds himself trying to get his partner cleared of a murder charge, dealing with the aftermath of a terrorist attack, and being trapped on the moon. He isn’t pleased.
Shenanigans abound in this tale and I read it in one sitting. I still very much enjoy Kangaroo and his crazy antics. The book was fun and certainly kept me attention. The only downside is that the politics have expanded and taken on a larger role so there was less humor involved in this installment. Minor quibble but the first book entertained me immensely. The silliness of it helped forgive any plot problems. The second book had more easily accesible plot flaws. That said, I wouldn’t mind more adventures of Kangaroo and gang. Arrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
June 27, 2017
Author Curtis Chen returns readers to the fascinating and complex world of Kangaroo - the secret agent with a secret extra-dimensional portal at his disposal. "Kangaroo Too" is the sequel to his award-nominated work "Waypoint Kangaroo" and, like the first, is a fresh take on speculative fiction with ample laughs all around.
Chen has constructed a compelling character in Kangaroo. Competent, yet a bit over-confident. Snarky, but kind. A sort of "everyman" thrust into absurd and dangerous situations with only his wits to overcome obstacles. Oh, yeah. And a pocket universe - the ultimate backpack - at his beck and call.
The protagonist is a refreshing perspective on tired old tropes. Kangaroo is no Jason Bourne and the character is made the stronger from it. In this latest work, his relationships with friends and co-workers is explored with fascinating results. Chen disregards many of the established standards in the genre and takes the story in innovative and NEW directions.
The action and peril is fast and furious; the author does a remarkably great job of orchestrating the action on behalf of the reader with a deft hand.
Rather than unfolding like a typical "caper" or "spy job" this novel reads more like a murder mystery - an interesting twist which I found completely absorbing. As a "bridging work" between the events set forth in the first novel and the next (fingers crossed!) "Kangaroo Too" is spot on. Refinement of concepts introduced in earlier works, expansion on world building and laying the subtle foundation for the next book. Simply well-written.
The humor in the pages is sly, engaging and just plain CLEVER. While there were not terribly many "laugh out loud" moments, the steady light tone gave me a smile from the first chapter to the last.
If you've never read anything by Curtis Chen do yourself a favor and grab BOTH books - you won't be disappointed.
And as a special bonus, the cover itself is a puzzle of sorts. Figure out the keys, hit the Internet and enjoy an extra surprise!
Chen has constructed a compelling character in Kangaroo. Competent, yet a bit over-confident. Snarky, but kind. A sort of "everyman" thrust into absurd and dangerous situations with only his wits to overcome obstacles. Oh, yeah. And a pocket universe - the ultimate backpack - at his beck and call.
The protagonist is a refreshing perspective on tired old tropes. Kangaroo is no Jason Bourne and the character is made the stronger from it. In this latest work, his relationships with friends and co-workers is explored with fascinating results. Chen disregards many of the established standards in the genre and takes the story in innovative and NEW directions.
The action and peril is fast and furious; the author does a remarkably great job of orchestrating the action on behalf of the reader with a deft hand.
Rather than unfolding like a typical "caper" or "spy job" this novel reads more like a murder mystery - an interesting twist which I found completely absorbing. As a "bridging work" between the events set forth in the first novel and the next (fingers crossed!) "Kangaroo Too" is spot on. Refinement of concepts introduced in earlier works, expansion on world building and laying the subtle foundation for the next book. Simply well-written.
The humor in the pages is sly, engaging and just plain CLEVER. While there were not terribly many "laugh out loud" moments, the steady light tone gave me a smile from the first chapter to the last.
If you've never read anything by Curtis Chen do yourself a favor and grab BOTH books - you won't be disappointed.
And as a special bonus, the cover itself is a puzzle of sorts. Figure out the keys, hit the Internet and enjoy an extra surprise!
June 24, 2017
First off, since I read this for this list thing I'm a part of, I've got to say that I didn't read book one. Luckily, this one works perfectly fine as a standalone story. I definitely want to get back and read book one when I've got more free time, though!
Now, the book was just so much fun. Kangaroo is pretty much like James Bond from the more gadgety movies, though he's much more dorky than suave -- and that's great. He's relatable and entertaining and manages to get the job done -- cleverly, even though he seems like the kind of character that would have to rely on coincidence and luck. It makes for such a better story that his goofiness doesn't interfere with his training.
I'd say I saw the big plot twist coming a long way off, but that's fine. It didn't make the novel any less enjoyable. And the publisher wouldn't have added those non-story clues in if they weren't trying to get us there.
The novel also gives us a lot to look forward to. I'll eagerly be awaiting the next book in the series.
Now, the book was just so much fun. Kangaroo is pretty much like James Bond from the more gadgety movies, though he's much more dorky than suave -- and that's great. He's relatable and entertaining and manages to get the job done -- cleverly, even though he seems like the kind of character that would have to rely on coincidence and luck. It makes for such a better story that his goofiness doesn't interfere with his training.
I'd say I saw the big plot twist coming a long way off, but that's fine. It didn't make the novel any less enjoyable. And the publisher wouldn't have added those non-story clues in if they weren't trying to get us there.
The novel also gives us a lot to look forward to. I'll eagerly be awaiting the next book in the series.
June 18, 2017
Still full of crazy spy missions, wormhole pockets, and bizarre descriptions of the time, Kangaroo Too was a tremendously fun second installment. I’m surprised at how little buzz I’ve seen for Chen’s sci-fi spy series and hope that my reviews of both Waypoint Kangaroo and Kangaroo Too will persuade you to try it out. These would make fun vacation reading material!
This time around Kangaroo and Dr. Jessica Chu (Surgical) have been assigned to go rendezvous with a contact on the moon in an attempt to track down Sakraida, former D.Int and turncoat. Everything is going according to plan until Jessica Chu gets accused of murder. They’re super-secret government agents so no big deal, right? WRONG! Dr. Chu is in custody and Kangaroo offers himself up as her defense attorney, which couldn’t possibly go wrong. Things only get more interesting from this point on – moon terrorism, secret government projects, moon bases, robot hordes, and clones. Every page was something new and/or exciting and kept me turning pages in anticipation of the next wild action scene. The combination of the characters and plot keep the pace moving along smoothly with nary a moment of boredom.
Kangaroo Too was definitely a fun read on par with the first book, Waypoint Kangaroo, and I was left with a certain sense of eagerness for the next installment. Curtis C. Chen has done a great job of incorporating humor into a serious plot arc. I was left with a goofy smile plastered on my face, pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the antics of Kangaroo despite typically being put off by “funny” books. This book would work well enough as a standalone for anyone thinking of jumping in now, but as with all series, you’ll miss some key points/event from the first book.
This time around Kangaroo and Dr. Jessica Chu (Surgical) have been assigned to go rendezvous with a contact on the moon in an attempt to track down Sakraida, former D.Int and turncoat. Everything is going according to plan until Jessica Chu gets accused of murder. They’re super-secret government agents so no big deal, right? WRONG! Dr. Chu is in custody and Kangaroo offers himself up as her defense attorney, which couldn’t possibly go wrong. Things only get more interesting from this point on – moon terrorism, secret government projects, moon bases, robot hordes, and clones. Every page was something new and/or exciting and kept me turning pages in anticipation of the next wild action scene. The combination of the characters and plot keep the pace moving along smoothly with nary a moment of boredom.
Kangaroo Too was definitely a fun read on par with the first book, Waypoint Kangaroo, and I was left with a certain sense of eagerness for the next installment. Curtis C. Chen has done a great job of incorporating humor into a serious plot arc. I was left with a goofy smile plastered on my face, pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the antics of Kangaroo despite typically being put off by “funny” books. This book would work well enough as a standalone for anyone thinking of jumping in now, but as with all series, you’ll miss some key points/event from the first book.
May 18, 2019
Great writing, characters, pacing, and heart. Love the Kangaroo books!
March 10, 2022
I liked this book enough as a short, light kind of sci-fi adventure, another installment of the previous book. The main character(s) are a bit annoying and I get tired of them being shocked and blown away by every little thing, plus the "twist" halfway through the book is fairly predictable and you're just waiting for the characters to figure it out. Still, I didn't feel like the book was a waste of my time; it was entertaining enough.
2.5 of 5 stars
2.5 of 5 stars
September 11, 2017
Meh, 3.5 stars. A competent extension of book 1, but after a while it turned into a fairly standard Moon adventure, with various parties after a Thing, and lots of doublecrossing. The use of the pocket was believable, but may get harder as there are more books.
Good light reading.
Good light reading.
July 29, 2024
• TITLE: “Snark Factor Raised to the Power of K”
• Generally, I think it’s hard for a sequel to be better than the first book in a series, especially when that first book is so unique in its concept, humor, and cool sci-fi tech. I loved Mr. Chen’s first book, “Waypoint Kangaroo,” but with this second wonderful concoction, he has elevated his writing style and his beloved “Kangaroo” character to unprecedented heights. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this book. As good as his first book was, this second book is twice that. The characters are richly defined and sharply divided, making for excellent conflict. They take innumerable jabs at each other, and that keeps the plot moving and the laughter/snickering rolling. I’ve not literally LOL’d so many times while reading a book for longer than I can remember. And though I’ve just finished reading it, this book is already on my TBRA (To Be Read Again) pile.
• The Kangaroo character is a snarky oddball spy with the unique ability to open a “pocket” to random spaces in the universe (or *a* universe, as nobody knows exactly how the pocket works). In his infinite collection of pockets, Kangaroo can store just about anything, which makes for interesting plotlines on the surface alone. Given his uniqueness in the universe, the K man is pushed around like so much baggage by the spy agency he works for, but he gives as good as he gets. The tension between the characters is palpable, their dialogue crisp, humorous, and cutting. And K’s inner monologue doesn’t disappoint either. I cannot imagine the number of times Curtis Chen must have gone back and honed the dialogue to have such razor-sharp edges. As a fellow sci-fi writer, I can only hope to write dialogue as witty as Curtis has here.
• And then there’s the sci-fi tech. That’s a key element in delivering good science fiction stories. From the types of weapons they carry, to the specialized spacesuits they wear, to the uniqueness of their stealth spaceships, to the amenities & layouts of off-planet bases, and several points in between, I loved it all. These elements kept the story interesting and moving at a good clip. There was no “sagging middle” section in this novel, unlike others I’ve read out there. If Mr. Chen does not win some sort of sci-fi or writing award for this book/series, I’ll be surprised.
• Lastly, it’s not necessary to read the first book “Waypoint Kangaroo” to get into this novel. The author sprinkles enough background throughout the plot to recap Kangaroo’s first adventure. However, this second book WILL spoil who the villain is from the first book, so beware. Now that I think about it, you should buy BOTH books to get the full Kangaroo Snark Factor effect. Just put the second one on hold while finishing the first one, say, in a “pocket” somewhere.
• Generally, I think it’s hard for a sequel to be better than the first book in a series, especially when that first book is so unique in its concept, humor, and cool sci-fi tech. I loved Mr. Chen’s first book, “Waypoint Kangaroo,” but with this second wonderful concoction, he has elevated his writing style and his beloved “Kangaroo” character to unprecedented heights. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this book. As good as his first book was, this second book is twice that. The characters are richly defined and sharply divided, making for excellent conflict. They take innumerable jabs at each other, and that keeps the plot moving and the laughter/snickering rolling. I’ve not literally LOL’d so many times while reading a book for longer than I can remember. And though I’ve just finished reading it, this book is already on my TBRA (To Be Read Again) pile.
• The Kangaroo character is a snarky oddball spy with the unique ability to open a “pocket” to random spaces in the universe (or *a* universe, as nobody knows exactly how the pocket works). In his infinite collection of pockets, Kangaroo can store just about anything, which makes for interesting plotlines on the surface alone. Given his uniqueness in the universe, the K man is pushed around like so much baggage by the spy agency he works for, but he gives as good as he gets. The tension between the characters is palpable, their dialogue crisp, humorous, and cutting. And K’s inner monologue doesn’t disappoint either. I cannot imagine the number of times Curtis Chen must have gone back and honed the dialogue to have such razor-sharp edges. As a fellow sci-fi writer, I can only hope to write dialogue as witty as Curtis has here.
• And then there’s the sci-fi tech. That’s a key element in delivering good science fiction stories. From the types of weapons they carry, to the specialized spacesuits they wear, to the uniqueness of their stealth spaceships, to the amenities & layouts of off-planet bases, and several points in between, I loved it all. These elements kept the story interesting and moving at a good clip. There was no “sagging middle” section in this novel, unlike others I’ve read out there. If Mr. Chen does not win some sort of sci-fi or writing award for this book/series, I’ll be surprised.
• Lastly, it’s not necessary to read the first book “Waypoint Kangaroo” to get into this novel. The author sprinkles enough background throughout the plot to recap Kangaroo’s first adventure. However, this second book WILL spoil who the villain is from the first book, so beware. Now that I think about it, you should buy BOTH books to get the full Kangaroo Snark Factor effect. Just put the second one on hold while finishing the first one, say, in a “pocket” somewhere.
March 6, 2019
A very fun read. The eponymous character, still sole known possessor of a "super power," continues his life as a field-operative, but his professional detachment is put at severe risk as actors from his past reappear.
The light, often sardonic or humorously cynical tone of the good-hearted Kangaroo's 1st person narration is what makes this book work. The plotting and pacing are good, too, with several twists I didn't see coming.
As for Kangaroo's super power, I appreciate a story about someone who would technically fit right into the Marvel universe who isn't automatically "in charge." Captain America and Superman and their ilk always have these fantastical powers of leadership, charisma, genius, and who-knows what else, apparently as a useful side-effect of their named super powers. Kangaroo is just a guy. Reasonably intelligent, definitely good-hearted (out of proportion to his early life and even current situation, honestly), and fairly resourceful, but his pocket-universe is simply a tool. A powerful one that Definitely gets him some leeway from his bosses, but the point is that he Has bosses, and actually goes to some effort to follow orders. Like a said, an interesting twist on the "superhero" thing.
I hope that Chen continues the series. It's a lot of fun.
The light, often sardonic or humorously cynical tone of the good-hearted Kangaroo's 1st person narration is what makes this book work. The plotting and pacing are good, too, with several twists I didn't see coming.
As for Kangaroo's super power, I appreciate a story about someone who would technically fit right into the Marvel universe who isn't automatically "in charge." Captain America and Superman and their ilk always have these fantastical powers of leadership, charisma, genius, and who-knows what else, apparently as a useful side-effect of their named super powers. Kangaroo is just a guy. Reasonably intelligent, definitely good-hearted (out of proportion to his early life and even current situation, honestly), and fairly resourceful, but his pocket-universe is simply a tool. A powerful one that Definitely gets him some leeway from his bosses, but the point is that he Has bosses, and actually goes to some effort to follow orders. Like a said, an interesting twist on the "superhero" thing.
I hope that Chen continues the series. It's a lot of fun.
July 5, 2017
I found this a perfect follow up to Waypoint Kangaroo! This is one of those series where you just don't want the book to end. I want to read everything about Kangaroo and his life..more please Mr. Chen!
October 24, 2018
A human with embedded technology and working for a secret branch of government heads to the Moon to find a person of interest and runs into old enemies.
Great action.
Recommended
Great action.
Recommended
November 19, 2018
This was a horrible follow up.
June 11, 2017
This is an exciting sequel to Waypoint Kangaroo. It's the same wisecracking courier (and hesitant spy), using his physics-based superpower in new, fresh adventures. It starts with a simple mission, but sabotage, murder, and political intrigue quickly complicate matters. This page-turning adventure paints a truly realistic picture of life and tourism on the moon that's as believable as a vacation to any lived-in city — New York, Los Angeles, London. I feel like I've been there and am ready to plan my next trip. Hopefully with Kangaroo by my side.
December 11, 2017
I read this over the weekend, and by the end didn't care particularly much about the characters.
The story in this one was that Kangaroo's surgical officer's half-sister (who use to be his doctor, before he objected to being drugged, and she was send to the moon) had cloned him in an attempt to duplicate his superpower.
The action felt like a series of somewhat random events, rather than the "well of course that makes sense" arc of my favorite books. Some of the characters were fun and well-drawn, but they did have a tendency to just pop up and do what was needed for the action. I'm also unreasonably piqued about the "holding breath in hard vacuum" thing - I *swear* that in the previous book the author got it right and said that the pressure differential would cause lungs to rupture.
The story in this one was that Kangaroo's surgical officer's half-sister (who use to be his doctor, before he objected to being drugged, and she was send to the moon) had cloned him in an attempt to duplicate his superpower.
The action felt like a series of somewhat random events, rather than the "well of course that makes sense" arc of my favorite books. Some of the characters were fun and well-drawn, but they did have a tendency to just pop up and do what was needed for the action. I'm also unreasonably piqued about the "holding breath in hard vacuum" thing - I *swear* that in the previous book the author got it right and said that the pressure differential would cause lungs to rupture.
June 14, 2017
I have been keeping an eye out for this sequel and clearly dropped the ball in the last couple months because its release has snuck up on me! Kangaroo Too is out June 20th, (that's next week people!) and I am so incredibly grateful to have received an ARC just in time to review for its release.
Waypoint Kangaroo was a fantastically fun read, it had a few bumps, but I knew I wanted to keep track of Curtis C. Chen's writing after reading his first novel, and as much as I enjoyed book 1, Kangaroo Too definitely blows it out of the water.
You can always count on Kangaroo to have a sarcastic comment in attempts to lighten the mood, but in this case, even he is rendered speechless. He's as hilarious as ever, and just as awkwardly heroic as he kicks up his improvisation skills into high gear in attempts to rescue Jessica Chu from her own stubbornness.
I'm a sucker for hard crime mystery novels, and mixed in with a sic-fi space opera? That's one giant win for me!
I guessed at a few things and never thought I'd ever turn out to be right, (I'll admit one detail I was hugely mistaken about...) but even with my excellent detective skills, (they're not that excellent...) every reveal was a shocking surprise. I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end.
Now, right now, I have my hands on one gorgeous hardcover, (courtesy of Justin with St Martins Press- Everyone say THANK YOU JUSTIN!), and even though it physically pains me to separate myself from this book, Curtis C. Chen had to go and write that damn acknowledgements page about telling a friend or two and passing along word about his book... So, I'm giving a copy away.
Yes, I will give you a copy of Kangaroo Too
How do you win? Easy. Spread the word! Tweet or Facebook (and tag me- AT TheMsBurkhead for both sites) about the upcoming release of Kangaroo Too and tell us what your #OutbackCodename would be if you were a part of Project Outback.
*You should probably tag Curtis too*
I'll pick a winner on release day!
You have one week assets,
Good luck!
Waypoint Kangaroo was a fantastically fun read, it had a few bumps, but I knew I wanted to keep track of Curtis C. Chen's writing after reading his first novel, and as much as I enjoyed book 1, Kangaroo Too definitely blows it out of the water.
You can always count on Kangaroo to have a sarcastic comment in attempts to lighten the mood, but in this case, even he is rendered speechless. He's as hilarious as ever, and just as awkwardly heroic as he kicks up his improvisation skills into high gear in attempts to rescue Jessica Chu from her own stubbornness.
I'm a sucker for hard crime mystery novels, and mixed in with a sic-fi space opera? That's one giant win for me!
I guessed at a few things and never thought I'd ever turn out to be right, (I'll admit one detail I was hugely mistaken about...) but even with my excellent detective skills, (they're not that excellent...) every reveal was a shocking surprise. I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end.
Now, right now, I have my hands on one gorgeous hardcover, (courtesy of Justin with St Martins Press- Everyone say THANK YOU JUSTIN!), and even though it physically pains me to separate myself from this book, Curtis C. Chen had to go and write that damn acknowledgements page about telling a friend or two and passing along word about his book... So, I'm giving a copy away.
Yes, I will give you a copy of Kangaroo Too
How do you win? Easy. Spread the word! Tweet or Facebook (and tag me- AT TheMsBurkhead for both sites) about the upcoming release of Kangaroo Too and tell us what your #OutbackCodename would be if you were a part of Project Outback.
*You should probably tag Curtis too*
I'll pick a winner on release day!
You have one week assets,
Good luck!
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
The spy bureau Kangaroo works for has just gone through turmoil, with its Director of Intelligence gone missing with lots of secrets. But Kangaroo, with his special pocket universe ability, is still in demand. Only, as always seems to happen with him, his mission experiences 'variations' - meaning it doesn't go to plan.
Review
Kangaroo Too is a messier affair than its predecesssor, Waypoint Kangaroo. It has a rocky start and a bit of a rocky finish – maybe that’s because, as Chen mentions in afterword, he had less time to write it. After that start, though, it retains a lot of the original’s charm – somewhat in the way of Keith Laumer’s Retief.
I worried a bit at the start, which seemed much more clumsy/awkward than the Kangaroo I remembered. After a while, though, either the story or I settled in, and then the bulk of the story was smoother sailing. Chen obviously has fun with some of the jokes, and it’s infectious; you smile along with him.
Kangaroo’s special ability is obviously no longer new to us, and I thought a bit of its use felt forced, but his general attitude is still engaging and endearing. I had a good time with him.
Toward the end, it felt like Chen was trying too hard to go big, and while the key plot twist worked and was well handled, I found a lot of the ancillary action on the non-credible side. There’s a big, climactic fight scene that was one of those that feels more chaotic than necessary and that I just ended up taking on faith. There’s another key reveal I thought could have used more introspection, but the focus here is on something lighter.
With those start and ending problems, this sequel isn’t as strong as the original, but it’s still fun. Good for those looking for lighthearted adventure.
Summary
The spy bureau Kangaroo works for has just gone through turmoil, with its Director of Intelligence gone missing with lots of secrets. But Kangaroo, with his special pocket universe ability, is still in demand. Only, as always seems to happen with him, his mission experiences 'variations' - meaning it doesn't go to plan.
Review
Kangaroo Too is a messier affair than its predecesssor, Waypoint Kangaroo. It has a rocky start and a bit of a rocky finish – maybe that’s because, as Chen mentions in afterword, he had less time to write it. After that start, though, it retains a lot of the original’s charm – somewhat in the way of Keith Laumer’s Retief.
I worried a bit at the start, which seemed much more clumsy/awkward than the Kangaroo I remembered. After a while, though, either the story or I settled in, and then the bulk of the story was smoother sailing. Chen obviously has fun with some of the jokes, and it’s infectious; you smile along with him.
Kangaroo’s special ability is obviously no longer new to us, and I thought a bit of its use felt forced, but his general attitude is still engaging and endearing. I had a good time with him.
Toward the end, it felt like Chen was trying too hard to go big, and while the key plot twist worked and was well handled, I found a lot of the ancillary action on the non-credible side. There’s a big, climactic fight scene that was one of those that feels more chaotic than necessary and that I just ended up taking on faith. There’s another key reveal I thought could have used more introspection, but the focus here is on something lighter.
With those start and ending problems, this sequel isn’t as strong as the original, but it’s still fun. Good for those looking for lighthearted adventure.
July 28, 2017
Yep, another amiably readable shoot-em-up featuring spies in space (or mostly, to be accurate, on the Moon) and all sorts of wild twists. Lost a star, for me, because the author puts two significant female characters--both smart, capable doctors--in the story essentially to engage in catfights (he even uses the word once) for reasons that they refuse to explain until near the end, and also because there's an odd episode involving snakes that doesn't seem to go anywhere (I'm assuming it's to fill out the page count, or maybe is a set piece the author loved too much to let go but couldn't figure out how to get into the main storyline). As a sort of tech tip, I like the way the author establishes continuity at the beginning of each chapter with lines like "The Moon--nearside--Taurus-Littrow valley--10 minutes after terrorists ruined everything," or "The Moon--farside--anonymous crater--10 minutes after the universe blew my mind, or best of all: "The Moon--nearside--Lunar General--20 minutes before we face off against a horde of killer robots."
Not to say that there aren't good lines elsewhere:
"'Didn't you want to be an astronaut when you were a kid?' 'No,' Jessica says. 'I wanted to be a hospital administrator.'"
"'Every human life is precious,' I say. 'Tell that to my mother-in-law.'"
Not to say that there aren't good lines elsewhere:
"'Didn't you want to be an astronaut when you were a kid?' 'No,' Jessica says. 'I wanted to be a hospital administrator.'"
"'Every human life is precious,' I say. 'Tell that to my mother-in-law.'"
February 22, 2025
I liked Book 1 so much it was a no brainer to pick this one up. I did not like this one as much. There is just so much bickering and obstinance. At the start, Jessica was being cagey and suspicious, and I really hoped there'd be a moment of opening up and growing a friendship with Kangaroo, but they maintained the closed-off behavior the entire way. At the half way point and she hadn't budged and showed no signs of caring that people around her were dying. I considered not finishing the book then, but I persisted until the big reveal... and it was not worth the wait. It wasn't worth the angry, stubborn characters. I skimmed the last quarter of the book because by that point, I just didn't care about the characters anymore. They were annoying and had virtually no personal growth.
Spoilers here:
Spoilers here:
July 19, 2024
Another fun, fast-paced outing with Kangaroo, the spy with an inexplicable superpower: he can create portals to an empty universe, handy for storage and smuggling. This time, he’s on the Moon with his Surgical Officer, Dr. Jessica Chu, for a secret meeting with an old friend of hers who might have data they can use to solve a thorny mystery left over from book 1. But Jessica has a personal mission she won’t tell Kangaroo about, even when she’s arrested for murder, that happens to intersect with a top-secret project that involves him in unexpected ways.
I like Kangaroo because he’s only a pretty good spy (but probably better than his agency gives him credit for), doing the best he can with what’s on hand … or in the pocket. And I get most of his pop-culture references! The idea of a nursing home on the Moon is clever and actually makes some sense in a setting where humans have outposts all over the solar system. As with the first book, Chen has fun with the idea of space tourism, setting this story around the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. Like any good spy story, it’s hard to know who to trust and everyone is full of surprises. I’m looking forward to the next installment!
I like Kangaroo because he’s only a pretty good spy (but probably better than his agency gives him credit for), doing the best he can with what’s on hand … or in the pocket. And I get most of his pop-culture references! The idea of a nursing home on the Moon is clever and actually makes some sense in a setting where humans have outposts all over the solar system. As with the first book, Chen has fun with the idea of space tourism, setting this story around the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. Like any good spy story, it’s hard to know who to trust and everyone is full of surprises. I’m looking forward to the next installment!
August 19, 2017
Another mad-cap sci-fi thriller featuring the titular Kangaroo trying to be a successful secret agent while coping with his poorly understood superpower - he can create a portal to what they suppose is another universe and stash things there. There's limits that nobody understands, but he's so valued as a research subject that his whole spy agency lets him be an active secret agent to keep him in the fold. He's an independent thinker, though, with an oddball sense of humor in no small part due to spending his childhood immersed in the pop culture of the prior century. He's an odd duck, but somehow comes out fairly well. Great sense of humor which helps him cope sometimes and just reinforces how odd he is to his peers and superiors. This time, he's nominally trying to track down data that will allow his agency to track down their former Director Of Intelligence. He ends up on the Moon, learns a lot about his agency and upbringing in it, and discovers some shocking things that have been going on under his radar. Another fun entry in the series and as enjoyable as you might expect.
September 20, 2017
Loved it as much as the first book - it's fast-paced, engaging, and the main character is a lot of fun. Looking forward to more of Kangaroo's adventures. Obviously there will be more, since .
My one minor nitpick with the book:
I'm intrigued to see where the
Also enjoyed the Jonathan Coulton reference (I am acquainted with Curtis Chen from JoCo's annual fan cruises).
My one minor nitpick with the book:
I'm intrigued to see where the
Also enjoyed the Jonathan Coulton reference (I am acquainted with Curtis Chen from JoCo's annual fan cruises).
May 3, 2018
Kangaroo Too is the second in a series of science fiction books set in a not-too-distant future and featuring a spy who goes by the code name of Kangaroo. Kangaroo is unique in that he has access to what is called the pocket: a portal that opens into an empty, seemingly infinite, parallel universe. There are many reasons why I love this series. One is that it reminded me that science fiction can be fun to read, that it doesn't all have to be mind-numbing techno-jargon. Chen manages to explain the science parts without bogging down the story. The series is also extremely well written and hilarious. Kangaroo gets himself into all kinds of crazy situations (this time his mission takes him to the moon), and he has to come up with some interesting ways to extricate himself from those situations. One thing I really like about Kangaroo Too is that not only do we learn a little more about Kanagroo, but we also learn a lot more about his colleague, Jessica. There are more books to come for Kangaroo and I am looking forward to learning more about him and his backstory while enjoying his adventures and his unique, somewhat snarky and cynical way of approaching those adventures.
March 6, 2019
I think I read this book three times, but I'm not sure. There's something fundamentally Kangaroo-like about it. Every time I examine it, I find something new and surprising, but at the same time it somehow slips from the memory with great ease. The jokes are good, the plot is good, the characters are wonderful. Everything about it works, and yet I can't quite keep my grip on it. I rather miss the romance of the first book, though this has a more overarching and well crafted mystery. There's something about it that reminds me of something else, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I thought maybe it was a bit Strossian, a bit Laundry Files around the edges, but that isn't entirely it. I thought maybe there was a hint of Asimov, but that doesn't quite fit the bill either. There's certainly a soupcon of Conan Doyle, a dash of the Expanse, the merest whiff of Blue Remembered Earth. I just can't put my finger on it. I started this review at 3 stars, but as I try to get a grip, I'm going to adjust up to 4. Just because I think I'd enjoy this book if I could only properly keep my mind on it.
What this book needs most is a sequel, and I hope we get it soon!
What this book needs most is a sequel, and I hope we get it soon!
May 3, 2018
A great follow-up to the original, Waypoint Kangaroo, this sequel gives equal thrills in a closer, more character-focused story.
Kangaroo has gained confidence since the events of book 1, but he still wields his trademark quips and a certain, youthful insecurity. He knows the world around him has become if anything more dangerous since his mission on the cruise-spaceship to Mars, as one of the biggest threats from that book is still wreaking havoc with insider knowledge about the agency.
Kangaroo Too send Kangaroo and his long-suffering doctor, Jessica "Surge" Chu, are sent to the moon to meet a mysterious contact who might have clues about robots going rogue. Along the way, Kangaroo will have to negotiate what it means to trust when you work for an agency that is all about secrets, and to team up with people he wants to hate.
The conflicts and fight scenes are dynamic, and the situations complex yet utterly believable within Kangaroo's world. Curtis Chen's deft writing continues to convey humor and tension on every page.
Kangaroo has gained confidence since the events of book 1, but he still wields his trademark quips and a certain, youthful insecurity. He knows the world around him has become if anything more dangerous since his mission on the cruise-spaceship to Mars, as one of the biggest threats from that book is still wreaking havoc with insider knowledge about the agency.
Kangaroo Too send Kangaroo and his long-suffering doctor, Jessica "Surge" Chu, are sent to the moon to meet a mysterious contact who might have clues about robots going rogue. Along the way, Kangaroo will have to negotiate what it means to trust when you work for an agency that is all about secrets, and to team up with people he wants to hate.
The conflicts and fight scenes are dynamic, and the situations complex yet utterly believable within Kangaroo's world. Curtis Chen's deft writing continues to convey humor and tension on every page.
July 28, 2019
If you enjoyed Waypoint Kangaroo there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Kangaroo Too. I don’t think you need to have read the first before this one, but it would give you a little extra background and perhaps better introduce the main character, Kangaroo, a special spy working for the government. These books bring to mind Inspector Gadget. Lots of humor and interesting things being pulled from seemingly nowhere. The story takes place mostly on the moon, and in an interesting stroke of coincidence I was reading it during the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 without realizing the Apollo 11 anniversary (though not the 50th anniversary) and landing site plays a part in the story. To sum it up, someone appears to have attempted to take out Kangaroo at the end of a mission, so he and his doctor are sent on a mission to the moon to gather intel about who might be behind the attempt. And, of course, before long things go south and they have to start improvising, something Kangaroo thinks he does very well, though others are not always so sure. A fast, fun read.
September 30, 2024
Fans of the MURDERBOT series, take note. This has many of the same pleasures.
Bother series are blessed with excellent genre writing and intelligent plot twists.
Where Murderbot is more sci-fi tropes taken in new directions, Kangaroo Too is trope free. Even tho it starts as a procedural: uncover mission, begin mission, etc. by halfway thru it's written more in the vein of Murphy's Law, the question, "What else could go wrong which would be funny or dramatic?" The sci-fi tropes are left behind (not easy to do in a genre novel).
Where Murderbot is a well-defined character who we learn to see deeply into, Kangaroo is more of a foil, a Jerry Seinfeld foil, surrounded by strong characters--most of them women. These supporting characters are not burdened with predictable sci-fi character tropes--a real accomplishment.
The world-building in both Murderbot and Kangaroo Too is exceptional. Here the inhabited moon and its inevitable commercial tourist traffic is built out believeably and pays off with wonderful anti-consumerist twist in the third act.
Three cheers!
Bother series are blessed with excellent genre writing and intelligent plot twists.
Where Murderbot is more sci-fi tropes taken in new directions, Kangaroo Too is trope free. Even tho it starts as a procedural: uncover mission, begin mission, etc. by halfway thru it's written more in the vein of Murphy's Law, the question, "What else could go wrong which would be funny or dramatic?" The sci-fi tropes are left behind (not easy to do in a genre novel).
Where Murderbot is a well-defined character who we learn to see deeply into, Kangaroo is more of a foil, a Jerry Seinfeld foil, surrounded by strong characters--most of them women. These supporting characters are not burdened with predictable sci-fi character tropes--a real accomplishment.
The world-building in both Murderbot and Kangaroo Too is exceptional. Here the inhabited moon and its inevitable commercial tourist traffic is built out believeably and pays off with wonderful anti-consumerist twist in the third act.
Three cheers!
February 12, 2019
an excellent sequel to the marvelous Waypoint Kangaroo. Chen continues to develop Kangaroo into one the most fun wisecracking characters in recent memory.
The pace is slower at first as the intro scenario must develop from which the overly overtly simple (we know the overtly simple plot is always going to hilariously disintegrate at some point) mission derives and when said mission blows up spectacularly. There is also mixed throughout a lot of Kangaroo's backstory which also takes things temporarily off the boil by necessity.
Once things spectacularly go FUBAR, the pace quickens and its off to the races until the thrilling conclusion.
Delightfully fun space/spy thriller with undertones of government conspiracy and afrightening indifference to those it serves. Great fun and I hope to read many more Kangaroo novels.
The pace is slower at first as the intro scenario must develop from which the overly overtly simple (we know the overtly simple plot is always going to hilariously disintegrate at some point) mission derives and when said mission blows up spectacularly. There is also mixed throughout a lot of Kangaroo's backstory which also takes things temporarily off the boil by necessity.
Once things spectacularly go FUBAR, the pace quickens and its off to the races until the thrilling conclusion.
Delightfully fun space/spy thriller with undertones of government conspiracy and afrightening indifference to those it serves. Great fun and I hope to read many more Kangaroo novels.
July 16, 2017
A fun and funny sequel though I missed bumbling Kangaroo a bit--he's gotten much more competent in this installment!
There was a plot point that made it much less enjoyable for me because I couldn't reconcile it with the kind of world-in-peril-but-it's-zany vibe of the book. As it was the entire second half of the book it dimmed my enjoyment. Kind of a personal thing but . Also there was a very obvious plot logic problem that had me scratching my head .
There was a plot point that made it much less enjoyable for me because I couldn't reconcile it with the kind of world-in-peril-but-it's-zany vibe of the book. As it was the entire second half of the book it dimmed my enjoyment. Kind of a personal thing but . Also there was a very obvious plot logic problem that had me scratching my head .
March 11, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
This will be short and sweet. I read the first book in this series and gave it 3 stars. I was interested enough in what would happen next to try the sequel. I dnf'd after about 60 pages, in which the set-up was still happening. The humor is okay but the sort that gave me the occasional quirk of the lips instead of a chuckle, the main character still seems like he ought to be in high school instead of a grown man, and the setup of getting to Mars and the reasons to do so too a lot of exposition that wasn't especially interesting. After putting the book down I didn't feel like picking it up again. I don't care what happens to these people.
This will be short and sweet. I read the first book in this series and gave it 3 stars. I was interested enough in what would happen next to try the sequel. I dnf'd after about 60 pages, in which the set-up was still happening. The humor is okay but the sort that gave me the occasional quirk of the lips instead of a chuckle, the main character still seems like he ought to be in high school instead of a grown man, and the setup of getting to Mars and the reasons to do so too a lot of exposition that wasn't especially interesting. After putting the book down I didn't feel like picking it up again. I don't care what happens to these people.
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