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Space Team #12
The Hunt for Reduk Topa
Featuring unexpected stabbings, maniacal puppets, and a dog with a head like a testicle, Space Team: The Hunt for Reduk Topa is the twelfth book in the Space Team series, and the perfect jumping on point for new readers.
Sick of the stress, aggravation, and multiple genocides they've had to put up with lately, accidental space hero Cal Carver and his crew set off to start a new life in a distant corner of the galaxy.
Six tedious days of warp-speed and board games later, they arrive in a sector filled with new hope, new opportunities, and new adventures. Too broke to take advantage of any of these things, they are forced to accept a series of increasingly demeaning jobs just to make ends meet.
When one such job leads them to the offices of a sector-wide TV network, Cal signs-up to star in smash-hit gameshow, The Hunt, confident of winning the big cash prize.
What he fails to realize is that the show's premise involves him being chased and killed for the amusement of the viewing public and so Cal must run, fight, and occasionally beg for his life as he attempts to win the game, the money, and his freedom.
But in the entire history of the show, no competitor has ever survived The Hunt, and the network will stop at nothing to keep that record intact...
Sick of the stress, aggravation, and multiple genocides they've had to put up with lately, accidental space hero Cal Carver and his crew set off to start a new life in a distant corner of the galaxy.
Six tedious days of warp-speed and board games later, they arrive in a sector filled with new hope, new opportunities, and new adventures. Too broke to take advantage of any of these things, they are forced to accept a series of increasingly demeaning jobs just to make ends meet.
When one such job leads them to the offices of a sector-wide TV network, Cal signs-up to star in smash-hit gameshow, The Hunt, confident of winning the big cash prize.
What he fails to realize is that the show's premise involves him being chased and killed for the amusement of the viewing public and so Cal must run, fight, and occasionally beg for his life as he attempts to win the game, the money, and his freedom.
But in the entire history of the show, no competitor has ever survived The Hunt, and the network will stop at nothing to keep that record intact...
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2019
133 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Barry J. Hutchison
50 books732 followersBarry J. Hutchison is an award-winning author, screenwriter and writer of comics. Having written over 70 books for children and teenagers, Barry is now writing books for adults. Space Team is his first grown-up novel.
Barry lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and irritatingly upbeat dog.
Barry lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and irritatingly upbeat dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 24, 2019
Hutchison does it again! The author creates a novel with plenty of inspired plot twists, for an elaborate and exhilarating and hilarious space adventure. It is masterfully written, with a wild imagination!
July 30, 2020
07/30/2020 Notes:
Rating Raised from 4 Stars to 4.5 Stars
On the re-read, while there are still plot holes, I liked the serious & heartfelt messages that the story contained. Most of it is about the main crew. The best thing about Space Team is the way they will fight for each other at the end. It doesn't matter what the odds are. =)
Hopefully #13 will be out sooner vs later!
10/05/2019 Note:
I read this in 10/05/19 but my GR Rating/etc is not on here. This is the 3rd book rating I've had to update for 2019. Sheesh.
Rating Raised from 4 Stars to 4.5 Stars
On the re-read, while there are still plot holes, I liked the serious & heartfelt messages that the story contained. Most of it is about the main crew. The best thing about Space Team is the way they will fight for each other at the end. It doesn't matter what the odds are. =)
Hopefully #13 will be out sooner vs later!
10/05/2019 Note:
I read this in 10/05/19 but my GR Rating/etc is not on here. This is the 3rd book rating I've had to update for 2019. Sheesh.
March 10, 2019
He does it all for the Vajacox (dollars...SPACE dollars)
Featuring not one, but TWO of the most advanced AI in the universe.
Terrifying, shizznod Muppets that aren't Muppets.
Life lessons about working together and following orders for a twelve year old shark girl with a murder complex.
And Cal? Cal Carver? He's the star of a hit TV show so good it'll make you DIE.
Miss this exciting episode, and Mizzette will show up in your dreams to roll her eyes and, like, sarcasm you. Whatever.
And that's a Cal Carver promise.
Featuring not one, but TWO of the most advanced AI in the universe.
Terrifying, shizznod Muppets that aren't Muppets.
Life lessons about working together and following orders for a twelve year old shark girl with a murder complex.
And Cal? Cal Carver? He's the star of a hit TV show so good it'll make you DIE.
Miss this exciting episode, and Mizzette will show up in your dreams to roll her eyes and, like, sarcasm you. Whatever.
And that's a Cal Carver promise.
February 10, 2020
12 books in and no sign of slowing.
Tom Petty once said, "I don't know but I've been told, you never slow down, you never grow old." Rather sums up this series perfectly.
Tom Petty once said, "I don't know but I've been told, you never slow down, you never grow old." Rather sums up this series perfectly.
March 8, 2019
A breath of very funny fresh air. I actually started smiling as I placed my advance order for this. It absolutely didn't disappoint. I don't quite understand how Barry J. Hutchison does it, but for me the characters are all perfectly, beautifully, flawed and work together very badly, yet totally brilliantly. There are very few things that I read that make me me laugh out loud, and then pester my friends to read, but Space Team does it for me.
Many series that I have read in whatever genre have weaker books, where you find yourself thinking "Meh! It was OK". This hasn't happened to me yet in Space Team, though to be fair I have only read all of them and the Dan Deadman spin offs, so I am living in hope that it is very early days - and I fully live in hope of being disappointed by around number 43, but that will be a mere blip that doesn't happen again until the series hits triple figures.
The only thing I don't like about the Space Team series of books is that Barry J. Hutchison only seems to be able to manage to produce about 3 of them a year, which sadly, whilst quite prolific, is slower than I can read them. I am genuinely envious of anyone picking up the first Space Team book, knowing that they have the whole series to laugh through. I am almost glad to be getting old enough to have a bad enough memory, which might justify me restarting the series.
Read this if you like laughing.
Many series that I have read in whatever genre have weaker books, where you find yourself thinking "Meh! It was OK". This hasn't happened to me yet in Space Team, though to be fair I have only read all of them and the Dan Deadman spin offs, so I am living in hope that it is very early days - and I fully live in hope of being disappointed by around number 43, but that will be a mere blip that doesn't happen again until the series hits triple figures.
The only thing I don't like about the Space Team series of books is that Barry J. Hutchison only seems to be able to manage to produce about 3 of them a year, which sadly, whilst quite prolific, is slower than I can read them. I am genuinely envious of anyone picking up the first Space Team book, knowing that they have the whole series to laugh through. I am almost glad to be getting old enough to have a bad enough memory, which might justify me restarting the series.
Read this if you like laughing.
March 8, 2019
Loved it!
There's really not much I can say about this book other than "Superb!". It's another excellent addition to the series and is possibly my favourite 'Space Team' book to date.
I genuinely consider that Barry J. Hutchison is one of the finest authors in the field of humorous Sci-Fi at the current time (and I read just about everybody in this genre) so if you enjoy this sort of 'silly' fiction, he's someone you have to check out because it's extraordinarily difficult to do well but he manages it every time.
There's really not much I can say about this book other than "Superb!". It's another excellent addition to the series and is possibly my favourite 'Space Team' book to date.
I genuinely consider that Barry J. Hutchison is one of the finest authors in the field of humorous Sci-Fi at the current time (and I read just about everybody in this genre) so if you enjoy this sort of 'silly' fiction, he's someone you have to check out because it's extraordinarily difficult to do well but he manages it every time.
October 28, 2019
Consumption method: audio book. No, 'space' audio book. 😉
The narrator, Phil Thron, is absolutely fantastic. And this is one of the best in the series. I love the deeper relationships being developed by Barry, too.
Keep 'em coming!
The narrator, Phil Thron, is absolutely fantastic. And this is one of the best in the series. I love the deeper relationships being developed by Barry, too.
Keep 'em coming!
March 31, 2019
Kindle Unlimited, last book gave it a 4 because don't like how amazon's 3 'okay' is actually negative, but this one just seemed to me to be a convoluted drawn out mess, so it's getting amazon 3 on both goodreads and amazon, though on goodreads 3 actually means liked versus okay.
Featuring unexpected stabbings, maniacal puppets, and a dog with a head like a testicle, Space Team: The Hunt for Reduk Topa is the twelfth book in the Space Team series, and the perfect jumping on point for new readers. Sick of the stress, aggravation, and multiple genocides they've had to put up with lately, accidental space hero Cal Carver and his crew set off to start a new life in a distant corner of the galaxy. Six tedious days of warp-speed and board games later, they arrive in a sector filled with new hope, new opportunities, and new adventures. Too broke to take advantage of any of these things, they are forced to accept a series of increasingly demeaning jobs just to make ends meet.
When one such job leads them to the offices of a sector-wide TV network, Cal signs-up to star in smash-hit gameshow, The Hunt, confident of winning the big cash prize. What he fails to realize is that the show's premise involves him being chased and killed for the amusement of the viewing public and so Cal must run, fight, and occasionally beg for his life as he attempts to win the game, the money, and his freedom. But in the entire history of the show, no competitor has ever survived The Hunt, and the network will stop at nothing to keep that record intact...
Space Team 1
Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle 2
Space Team: The Holiday Special 2.5
Space Team: The Search for Splurt 3
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
Space Team - The Wrath of Vajazzle - The Search for Splurt
Space Team: Song of the Space Siren 4
Space Team: The Guns of Nana Joan 5
Space Team: Return of the Dead Guy 6
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 2
Song of the Space Siren - The Guns of Nana Joan - Return of the Dead Guy
Space Team: Planet of the Japes (Space Team #7)
The Time Titan of Tomorrow((Space Team #8}
The King of Space Must Die (Space Team #9)
Sting of the Mustard Mines(Space Team #10)
Sentienced to Death (Space Team #11)
Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories
Space Team Universe books include the Dan Deadman Space Detective books
Also wrote The Bug series & Sidekicks series
Featuring unexpected stabbings, maniacal puppets, and a dog with a head like a testicle, Space Team: The Hunt for Reduk Topa is the twelfth book in the Space Team series, and the perfect jumping on point for new readers. Sick of the stress, aggravation, and multiple genocides they've had to put up with lately, accidental space hero Cal Carver and his crew set off to start a new life in a distant corner of the galaxy. Six tedious days of warp-speed and board games later, they arrive in a sector filled with new hope, new opportunities, and new adventures. Too broke to take advantage of any of these things, they are forced to accept a series of increasingly demeaning jobs just to make ends meet.
When one such job leads them to the offices of a sector-wide TV network, Cal signs-up to star in smash-hit gameshow, The Hunt, confident of winning the big cash prize. What he fails to realize is that the show's premise involves him being chased and killed for the amusement of the viewing public and so Cal must run, fight, and occasionally beg for his life as he attempts to win the game, the money, and his freedom. But in the entire history of the show, no competitor has ever survived The Hunt, and the network will stop at nothing to keep that record intact...
Space Team 1
Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle 2
Space Team: The Holiday Special 2.5
Space Team: The Search for Splurt 3
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
Space Team - The Wrath of Vajazzle - The Search for Splurt
Space Team: Song of the Space Siren 4
Space Team: The Guns of Nana Joan 5
Space Team: Return of the Dead Guy 6
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 2
Song of the Space Siren - The Guns of Nana Joan - Return of the Dead Guy
Space Team: Planet of the Japes (Space Team #7)
The Time Titan of Tomorrow((Space Team #8}
The King of Space Must Die (Space Team #9)
Sting of the Mustard Mines(Space Team #10)
Sentienced to Death (Space Team #11)
Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories
Space Team Universe books include the Dan Deadman Space Detective books
Also wrote The Bug series & Sidekicks series
April 26, 2023
A brilliant end to this brilliant series.
Blimey, what can I say that I haven't said before?!
I don't usually read sci fi but it promised humour and as I'd been let down before when this was promised I was a bit reluctant but on reading some of the reviews I decided to give it a try.the
It turned out to be some of my favourite reading. The regular characters are larger than life and develop throughout to become well loved, each one is totally individual. In this last book I enjoyed Kevin getting 'parental' and Miz having a wagging tail (but in my heart I'm totally in love with Splurt; who wouldn't like a Splurt in their life?).
The humour is next to none and when a book makes the reader laugh out loud, you realise that the author knows his job!
I'm very sad that this series has come to an end but I can understand.
I can't recommend this series highly enough, go on and read it, it has the Cal Carver guarantee!!!!!
Blimey, what can I say that I haven't said before?!
I don't usually read sci fi but it promised humour and as I'd been let down before when this was promised I was a bit reluctant but on reading some of the reviews I decided to give it a try.the
It turned out to be some of my favourite reading. The regular characters are larger than life and develop throughout to become well loved, each one is totally individual. In this last book I enjoyed Kevin getting 'parental' and Miz having a wagging tail (but in my heart I'm totally in love with Splurt; who wouldn't like a Splurt in their life?).
The humour is next to none and when a book makes the reader laugh out loud, you realise that the author knows his job!
I'm very sad that this series has come to an end but I can understand.
I can't recommend this series highly enough, go on and read it, it has the Cal Carver guarantee!!!!!
June 28, 2019
One for fans only?
A strange disconnect with previous tales, this is very much a stand alone story, although lurks on the side of padding,, whilst remaining in the land of daftness for fans already signed up it misses out greatly on the continuity of the earlier books and what was promising to be a great connected saga. The ending felt rushed (why was the King and his advisors annoyed, the story forgot them). Generally with regards to the series arc, finding Bobby Ewing in the shower and everything that came before a dream is simply not good enough. There were also a few noticeable misspelled or wrong words adding to a rushed feel.
A strange disconnect with previous tales, this is very much a stand alone story, although lurks on the side of padding,, whilst remaining in the land of daftness for fans already signed up it misses out greatly on the continuity of the earlier books and what was promising to be a great connected saga. The ending felt rushed (why was the King and his advisors annoyed, the story forgot them). Generally with regards to the series arc, finding Bobby Ewing in the shower and everything that came before a dream is simply not good enough. There were also a few noticeable misspelled or wrong words adding to a rushed feel.
March 10, 2019
Another Hilarious Tale
More fonking good times in the Cal Carver Universe. Enjoyed this so much, adore all the characters, especially Splurt. Loved the reality TV aspect of it, and the Puppets in Puppetopia reminded me of Zig and Zag!!! Sadly Mr Hutchison cannot write as fast as I can read, so I may have to start again at the beginning of the series. Can we have a Splurt heavy story next?
More fonking good times in the Cal Carver Universe. Enjoyed this so much, adore all the characters, especially Splurt. Loved the reality TV aspect of it, and the Puppets in Puppetopia reminded me of Zig and Zag!!! Sadly Mr Hutchison cannot write as fast as I can read, so I may have to start again at the beginning of the series. Can we have a Splurt heavy story next?
April 15, 2022
After traveling across the know galaxy to find somewhere new their chip thing fails and the go to a planet run by a Sentient TV being. Of course Cal becomes the feature prey as everyone tries to kill him but it’s all special effects and Mec and Tyrra save the day
Yes stupid funny punny and entertaining. I’m plugged in the way the TV mesmerizes it’s audience… haha I’ll just listen to one more book and then listen to something good.z
Hooked!! (Gotcha)
Yes stupid funny punny and entertaining. I’m plugged in the way the TV mesmerizes it’s audience… haha I’ll just listen to one more book and then listen to something good.z
Hooked!! (Gotcha)
March 7, 2019
This series just gets better and better. As usual, the team are plunged from one comical situation to the next, this time in an inept search for enough credits to buy a new warp drive. It’s hard to give too many more details without spoiling the story. This is the funniest book series I’ve ever read, and I can’t wait for the next one!
April 13, 2019
I loved the story.
Not as funny as the earlier books, and tons more mistakes. It's possible the mistakes are more to do with this being a digitized version of the book. The not as funny bit could be because the crew are more emotionally involved, especially Cal and Loren. Also all the horrible things done in the 'game'. Kevin really shines🚀
Not as funny as the earlier books, and tons more mistakes. It's possible the mistakes are more to do with this being a digitized version of the book. The not as funny bit could be because the crew are more emotionally involved, especially Cal and Loren. Also all the horrible things done in the 'game'. Kevin really shines🚀
October 19, 2019
Results Topa proves it....
Yep. Proves it. J.D. Kit.....I mean, Barry Hutchison is a decent writer. Ok, better than decent. Fonking decent. Say it. Out loud. It’s true.
This book is funny. Seriously. I haven’t listened to any of the audio versions but it would be worth hearing the last line of this book out loud. 🤓
Yep. Proves it. J.D. Kit.....I mean, Barry Hutchison is a decent writer. Ok, better than decent. Fonking decent. Say it. Out loud. It’s true.
This book is funny. Seriously. I haven’t listened to any of the audio versions but it would be worth hearing the last line of this book out loud. 🤓
October 26, 2019
This book is a parody of "The Running Man" and it knows it.
In a rare dip, this book isn't as enjoyable as it sounds. It remains light hearted but definitely falls short in the comedy aspects. The action isn't as good as previous entries. Just overall not quite as good as the other books.
The only thing that is just as good as every other book is Phil Throng's voice narration.
In a rare dip, this book isn't as enjoyable as it sounds. It remains light hearted but definitely falls short in the comedy aspects. The action isn't as good as previous entries. Just overall not quite as good as the other books.
The only thing that is just as good as every other book is Phil Throng's voice narration.
May 26, 2020
So sad I've finished this thoroughly entertaining series of books that are available to me. An excellent and funny series with characters that are in many ways real in their reactions to situations rather than the heroic response of epic stories. I'll be replaying and reading these books as often as my other favourite authors. Thank you Barry Hutchinson.
May 20, 2024
The crew wants to get out of the neighborhood since the timeline is all jacked up and they ain't got much keeping them around there. But they end up in a system ruled by mass media, system wide tv is the name of the name of the game and The Hunt is the THE HOT SHOW. Little does space team know but they're gonna become the next big stars.
January 4, 2025
Последната книга от Space Team. Излушах ги всичките разказани от Graphic Audio. Цялата поредица е pulp fiction - леко, забавно ненатоварващо четиво. Нещо като забавен firefly. Всяка книга нашият отбор (група от странни създания) спасяваше някой/света/вселената. Ако ви се четат забавни и абсурдни приключения в космоса, това е вашата поредица.
August 15, 2025
This one gave big Star Trek energy, think Voyager-era episodes with genetically engineered animals bred for the hunt. Definitely a nod to classic Trek, just with more ridiculousness (and a lot more stabbing). It wasn’t my favourite in the series, but far from the worst. The premise was fun, the satire landed, and I’m still enjoying seeing where this chaotic crew ends up next.
March 6, 2019
Best book yet by Barry Hutchison
This is yet another precious gem written by Mr. Hutchison. I strongly recommend this read as well as the rest of the Space Team books. If you like epic zany space comedy, this is your banoffee pie.
This is yet another precious gem written by Mr. Hutchison. I strongly recommend this read as well as the rest of the Space Team books. If you like epic zany space comedy, this is your banoffee pie.
March 12, 2019
Reduce Topa found..
What other rating can be given to this story. The space team sagas just keep getting better and better. Well done Barry, Cal and the rest of the crew. You fonking rock....
What other rating can be given to this story. The space team sagas just keep getting better and better. Well done Barry, Cal and the rest of the crew. You fonking rock....
March 14, 2019
Bamstons.
This is a disaster beyond all disasters that Cal has faced up until now, but he is Cal Carver and the luckiest spaceman in the universe (mostly).
I was alternately stunned, horrified, happy, mortified. Most of all though, I had a great time reading this.
This is a disaster beyond all disasters that Cal has faced up until now, but he is Cal Carver and the luckiest spaceman in the universe (mostly).
I was alternately stunned, horrified, happy, mortified. Most of all though, I had a great time reading this.
March 15, 2019
Great story
This is a great space fantasy with characters you can't help but love. They have more miss adventures but so much fun. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun fantasy.
This is a great space fantasy with characters you can't help but love. They have more miss adventures but so much fun. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun fantasy.
March 18, 2019
One of the best
Read it. Immediately. It's worth at least a trillion Vajacox.
Although I've enjoyed all of the Space Team books, some haven't been 5 star reads. This one is. Love this and it's one of Barry's best. What are you waiting for?
Read it. Immediately. It's worth at least a trillion Vajacox.
Although I've enjoyed all of the Space Team books, some haven't been 5 star reads. This one is. Love this and it's one of Barry's best. What are you waiting for?
March 19, 2019
Tired of saving the galaxy (generally after causing the crisis in the first place), the Space Team crew flies off to a distant sector in an attempt to lead a quieter life. This, of course, goes completely wrong almost immediately.
March 25, 2019
Great
I have read all of Cal' s stories and I think this one was the best . Not to say the others were bad cause by far , they were not . Great they were . But this showed Cal as a leader and I liked that .
I have read all of Cal' s stories and I think this one was the best . Not to say the others were bad cause by far , they were not . Great they were . But this showed Cal as a leader and I liked that .
April 14, 2019
Good book, lot of typos, doesn’t advance the story any
This book had so many typos - like it was rushed to market. Also it felt less like a continuity of the space team saga, and more like an episode. It was still fun to read, with all the familiar characters back
This book had so many typos - like it was rushed to market. Also it felt less like a continuity of the space team saga, and more like an episode. It was still fun to read, with all the familiar characters back
April 20, 2019
Fun
I have really enjoyed all of the books in the series. This story like each of the others before it are silly narratives with just enough heart to establish a genuine connection with the characters. Raw entertaining fun.
I have really enjoyed all of the books in the series. This story like each of the others before it are silly narratives with just enough heart to establish a genuine connection with the characters. Raw entertaining fun.
October 1, 2019
Love this series! I'm impressed with Mr Hutchison's ability to keep this series going while keeping it fresh and funny. Most get stale before reaching the 10th book but I always get a much needed laugh when reading the Space Team series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews