Captain Bartholomew Quasar: Starfaring Adventures

Captain Bartholomew Quasar #2

by Milo James Fowler

Join Captain Bartholomew Quasar and the crew of the Effervescent Magnitude in this hilarious collection of short stories as they confront bands of nefarious space pirates, cantankerous bandits, exotic aliens, devious powers of persuasion, mysterious ghosts from the past, deep space identity crises, a runaway hyperspeed train, an insidious computer virus, and a villain with the fastest thumbs in the quadrant.Short Stories - Science Fiction / Action and Adventure / Humor

Genres: Science Fiction

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Milo James Fowler is the cross-genre author of more than thirty books: space adventures, post-apocalyptic survival stories, mysteries, and westerns. A native San Diegan, he now makes his home in West Michigan with his wife and all four seasons. Some readers seem to enjoy the unique brand of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and humor found in his ever-growing body of work. Soli Deo gloria.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
This book had me laughing many times. It is a parody of a sci-fi space opera, and Milo James Fowler's use of the corny is genius! Captain Bartholomew Quasar is commander of the Effervescent Magnitude that is sent on an exploratory mission for resources into outer space for a type of quartz. They seem to attract trouble like a magnet though. There is a bounty on him from some spider-like creatures because he and his crew accidentally blew one of their ships out of the sky, killing everyone on board. While trying to dodge them, he gets drawn into an ancient civil war between 2 other civilizations. But, never the daunted, Captain Quasar is confident that his dashing smile (with teeth so sparkling white that are capable of blinding others), his Commander pose (meant to best display his biceps and pecs), and his charming good looks can be used to his best advantage (along with his ship's superior technology) to save the day. I won a copy of this book in a giveaway from the author-- thank you!

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bouncing from episode to story to quick thought, like the Rocky and Friends cartoon shows of my youth, these nuggets of Quasar-tastic hubris give nod to such heroes of yesteryear as Mighty Mouse, Underdog, and Superman. Some chapters are little more than sound bites, others provide a full story that enhances the universe being built. All poke fun at the "here I come to save the day" action figure hero, Captain Quasar, while "taking the Mickey out of" most of the space dramas ever produced from before Buck Rogers to beyond the stars.

These tales are designed to be sampled and savored, not read through as a novel; perfect for a five or ten minute break (some are a bit longer). Each is written as if you are unfamiliar with the series, repeating with glee the descriptions of various characters. Narrator E.M. Carberry romps through them with all the joie-de-vivre and self-important smugness of our hero, gleaming like Captain Quasar's teeth as he strikes his favorite Starfarer pose, then voicing Hank in a convincing growl and giving Bill, the Janitor cum Chief Engineer, a laid back California hipster vibe. The broader your fields of reference, the more Easter eggs you are going to find lurking in the deft prose.

[Audiobookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Bartholomew Quasar, Starfaring Adventures by Milo James Fowler is a collection of short stories focusing on the life and times of Captain Bartholomew Quasar and his crew.  The stories center around the Captain and his antics as he encounters space pirates, aliens, ghosts, and so much more!  The stories are very short and fun – this is a spoof of Star Trek (the series from the 60's) and the movie Galaxy Quest.  Fun, light yet intriguing.  A perfect listen after a hard day!

E.M. Carberry performed the audiobook keeping the tone light, energetic and fun!  Much like the story, the narrator was appropriately campy as well.  How he was able to deliver some of the lines without cracking up, I’m not sure but he was a true professional!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

A wonderful book if you need some fun, campy entertainment.  Guaranteed to move you to laughter!

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You should write science fiction, captain."
The swashbuckling, pompous, bumbling but, somehow, endearing Captain Quasar sails his magnificent star cruiser, the Effervescent Magnitude, from tale after even more outlandish tale in this full pack of short stories. Together with his trusty helmsman -sorry, helmscarpathrian - Hank, a four armed sloth cum orangutan looking hairy individual, excelling in hand-to-hand-to-hand-to-hand fighting, and Commander Selene Wan, his Number Wan, Quasar meets with, and impresses, numerous other creatures in the galaxy.
All of the stories are ridiculously good fun: just the thing for a very quick read to bring a little burst of sunshine into a cloudy day. Don't expect any serious science fiction. These stories are all character led - by the Captain, himself, of course.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starfaring Adventures is an anthology of story stories featuring Captain Quasar and the crew of his ship, the Effervescent Magnitude.

The stories do not have any continuity, they are merely fun jaunts, purely episodic. I believe they come after the first book in the Quasar trilogy, as one story mentions the timeline hopping that occurred in that book.

All told though, these are fun, quick reads. great for the sci-fi lover on the go.

Narrator E.M. Carberry reads with gusto and gives each character a voice fit for the over acting of a sixties TV star.

These stories are the perfect length for anyone looking to find new joy in a short commute, Or looking to entertain themselves while brushing teeth.

* I was given and code for a free review copy by the author. All opinions are my own and are given honestly and willingly.*

[Chiyaa Pasal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rollicking fun read! A cross between the original Star Trek, The Orville, Space Balls, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Galaxy Quest and every other fun filled space adventure.

This is a collection of short stories. Some so short they are less than a page long. Each, though, is a full story. Overall, very well written, witty and funny. The only drawback is that some character descriptions are repeated but that’s the nature of a collection of short stories featuring the same characters.

The stories are definitely more on the characters than on any science but that’s what makes it good.

[Ken Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the ebook version of this, if you enjoy a compilation of short stories, with an OTT centre figure then this is the book for you.
Captain Bartholomew Quasar is like a steampunk hero, transposed into sifi. Always striking heroic poses and stroking his chiselled chin ;-)
We journey with him and his crew of 1492 (of whom we only meet a few) seeking out goods to help Earth conquer the stars. Meeting strange aliens, some/most of whom seem to want to kill him and or his crew.

Overall enjoyable if not taken too seriously ;-)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
This book is perfect for an afternoon of fun reading. This is not a serious science fiction story, but a very humorous book of short stories. Captain Quasar is the perfect pompous leader that you really do like. The characters and settings are very imaginative, yet believable. And the situations they find themselves in are highly entertaining. I definitely recommend this to to anyone that is looking for a good laugh.

[Gigi Sedlmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Here is my honest review.

I have joined Captain Bartholomew Quasar on his journey through space. Fought with him, with my life, all the different types of alien species.
It was, as if I flew out with him in his famous starship to different planets to find quartz.
I really came to like him as he came into my life.

Thank you Milo for giving me the opportunity to read your story. Loved it

[James Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was harmless fluff. If you enjoy the TV show The Orville, you will likely enjoy this. If you do not like the Orville, I expect you will not care for this, either. It is very light reading. It is sci fi that is lite on the sci. This particular book is a series of short stories. Some of them are only a page or two. None of the stories relate to each other, except that most of the characters are the same.

[odedo1 Audio book worm. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magnet for troubles.




The author Milo James Fowler with his beautiful imagination creat a beautiful series of short stories that are so great that are hilarious and impossible to put down till the ending.


Narration by E. M. Carberry in perfection for each of the characters in this awesome creation.


This great joy got my full
recommendations !!!




Oded Ostfeld.

[Jessica Mcbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free in return for an honest review. I enjoyed following the captain in his adventures through space. He made me smile. I definitely like the longer shorts better because you got more of a flavor of Captain Quasar and his relationships with his crew. I wanted the short stories to be longer so I could get more of them all. Very enjoyable.

[Karl Hakimian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every bit a silly as the first one. A bit more self aware as it pokes fun at itself. An entertaining read.

[Ms. Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review....

This is a wildly entertaining book that I found amusing. It is great for sci-fi fans and young readers who enjoy an crazy, out-there adventure. It does leave you hungry for more, wishing that the author didn't make these books so short.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light reading. I read all of the stories in this volume but found them really too silly for my taste.

[Jeremy Spring]

A good comedy space romp ala space balls crossed with Galaxy Quest with inspration from Monty Python as well. A great fun read, but if you like only serious sciece fiction this isnt for you (and lighten up, have a laugh). This book is definately on the lighter side, and I wish it was longer but every page was a load of fun.