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Space Team #7
Planet of the Japes
While trying to stop a cyber-attacker stealing all Space Team's hard-earned money, the cyborg, Mech, unlocks a secret partition in his hard drive, revealing a mysterious set of co-ordinates.
The co-ordinates lead the team to Funworld, a planet-sized theme park with a worrying number of artificially intelligent clownbots, and a shocking disregard for Health & Safety.
With no weapons, and a shapeshifter who can no longer shift shape, Space Team's quest to unlock Funworld's mysteries leads them deep into the planet's core - and to the horrors that inhabit it - where they uncover the shocking secret Mech had no idea he was keeping.
Featuring space clowns, the second-last human alive, and at least one fleeting reference to Scooby Doo, Space Team: Planet of the Japes is the seventh hilarious book in the internationally bestselling Space Team series.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2017
208 people are currently reading
199 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 72 reviews
June 18, 2020
*** 4.55 ***
So very good and so funny in a very painful way! I love this series more and more with each new installment! Our Space Team is great, but Splurt, Splurt is something special! I adore the little green Kool-Aid pitcher dude! ❤️ He makes this book shine. I am even considering buying apparel with his likeness, just so I can proclaim my love for it to the world at large 😃👍 Now, since this book was the beginning of a new arc, I am ready to jump in the next book right away. Have fun, y'all 😃
So very good and so funny in a very painful way! I love this series more and more with each new installment! Our Space Team is great, but Splurt, Splurt is something special! I adore the little green Kool-Aid pitcher dude! ❤️ He makes this book shine. I am even considering buying apparel with his likeness, just so I can proclaim my love for it to the world at large 😃👍 Now, since this book was the beginning of a new arc, I am ready to jump in the next book right away. Have fun, y'all 😃
May 20, 2018
I just can’t get enough of the Space Team! What an imaginative and creative series! When I think they cannot get into more disastrous adventures, wham! there they are, solving- or trying to- the issue and it turns in a worse one! I never ever want this series to end!
June 13, 2022
I fonking love this space book!!
October 16, 2019
My favourite Space Team tale so far. Loads of puns and laugh out loud moments.
This is not a series if you want serious sci-fi.
This is not a series if you want serious sci-fi.
June 10, 2020
06/10/2020 Notes:
- A fun & twisty plot.
- Lots of Earth References
- Loved Splurt & his morphs.
- Kevin needs "how to be an efficient mega-ship" training but he wouldn't be the screw up if his programming was cleaned up to be normal. =P
- A fun & twisty plot.
- Lots of Earth References
- Loved Splurt & his morphs.
- Kevin needs "how to be an efficient mega-ship" training but he wouldn't be the screw up if his programming was cleaned up to be normal. =P
January 27, 2022
I absolutely love this series. I highly recommended it.
June 15, 2023
Another fun-filled, zany adventure.
October 29, 2024
Loved it!
Read
July 21, 2019Planet of the japes is the seventh book of the Space Team series. Like the others, it is fun to read, but things are starting to stick out.
Barry is running a pattern with his writing. One, he always has a little introductory story, and two, the main story has nothing to really do with the introduction.
There are good and bad with this work, so let's go over them together and you decide if it is something you want to read.
The Good
It's a romping good time to read comedy filled with satire and little twists. Barry does a good job in pulling us through the story and to the final ending that ties some of the plot up nicely. The editing, though not perfect, is better than most self published work out there (big plus in my book).
The characters do not change (much) and the story arc, though predictable, is fun to watch roll out. There are some issues to concern yourself with but not many. It is refreshing to have an author use their own style instead of taking on someone else's to make the writing fun.
The Bad
This part may not interest you a lot for I delve into the art of writing. I'm noticing an increasing amount of head hopping in the writing now. For those not familiar with the term, it is when the internal character thoughts of secondary (not the main) characters as present. Example, we are in Cal's head most of the time, but then we're in Mech's, and Lauren, then Missette's. It makes you wonder why he is not able to convey needs without having to break the POV. It shows juvenile writing abilities and is not practiced by many authors. Barry uses it with a limiting factor like he does. These head changes only happen in little bursts so they are not something planned on, just used as author interjection.
The jokes are getting a little stale. There needs to be more refreshing references done with a more intelligent approach. It's like the well is there with a short bucket rope and no one wants to change it up a little. And how many times did Cal have to look at the nipples of the other characters on the planet? Time to wipe that part of the reference away.
I'm noticing a lot of issues with even the simplest of research as well. It's good for an author to make notes so when a trip in the ship takes weeks or months. Then when the next one that is further takes a few hours, you'll see it. This inconsistency is okay for the old Star Trek series. It is not good for a writer of Science Fiction in today's world. Time to fix up the science a little.
And speaking of science, a cyborg needs to have a brain, not a hard drive. Maybe an enhanced memory core would have worked better. Just saying you have to get the science at least in the same ball park as the other technology out there.
Last is the cover art. I know, it's made to convey the silliness of the work, but maybe if a little more care was used for it the sales would increase a little more.
All in all the work is fun to read, but the potty jokes are starting to wear away at me.
Barry is running a pattern with his writing. One, he always has a little introductory story, and two, the main story has nothing to really do with the introduction.
There are good and bad with this work, so let's go over them together and you decide if it is something you want to read.
The Good
It's a romping good time to read comedy filled with satire and little twists. Barry does a good job in pulling us through the story and to the final ending that ties some of the plot up nicely. The editing, though not perfect, is better than most self published work out there (big plus in my book).
The characters do not change (much) and the story arc, though predictable, is fun to watch roll out. There are some issues to concern yourself with but not many. It is refreshing to have an author use their own style instead of taking on someone else's to make the writing fun.
The Bad
This part may not interest you a lot for I delve into the art of writing. I'm noticing an increasing amount of head hopping in the writing now. For those not familiar with the term, it is when the internal character thoughts of secondary (not the main) characters as present. Example, we are in Cal's head most of the time, but then we're in Mech's, and Lauren, then Missette's. It makes you wonder why he is not able to convey needs without having to break the POV. It shows juvenile writing abilities and is not practiced by many authors. Barry uses it with a limiting factor like he does. These head changes only happen in little bursts so they are not something planned on, just used as author interjection.
The jokes are getting a little stale. There needs to be more refreshing references done with a more intelligent approach. It's like the well is there with a short bucket rope and no one wants to change it up a little. And how many times did Cal have to look at the nipples of the other characters on the planet? Time to wipe that part of the reference away.
I'm noticing a lot of issues with even the simplest of research as well. It's good for an author to make notes so when a trip in the ship takes weeks or months. Then when the next one that is further takes a few hours, you'll see it. This inconsistency is okay for the old Star Trek series. It is not good for a writer of Science Fiction in today's world. Time to fix up the science a little.
And speaking of science, a cyborg needs to have a brain, not a hard drive. Maybe an enhanced memory core would have worked better. Just saying you have to get the science at least in the same ball park as the other technology out there.
Last is the cover art. I know, it's made to convey the silliness of the work, but maybe if a little more care was used for it the sales would increase a little more.
All in all the work is fun to read, but the potty jokes are starting to wear away at me.
December 17, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, yes I've read them already, individually and as sets, own some, but it's my ku and I can do what I want to. Hutchison is more fun than a barrel of {space} monkeys!! Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories {preorder, I already did, due out 15th of this month} on the once The Shatner, now The Currently Untitled !
While trying to stop a cyber-attacker stealing all Space Team's hard-earned money, the cyborg, Mech, unlocks a secret partition in his hard drive, revealing a mysterious set of co-ordinates. The co-ordinates lead the team to Funworld, a planet-sized theme park with a worrying number of artificially intelligent clownbots, and a shocking disregard for Health & Safety. With no weapons, and a shapeshifter who can no longer shift shape, Space Team's quest to unlock Funworld's mysteries leads them deep into the planet's core - and to the horrors that inhabit it - where they uncover the shocking secret Mech had no idea he was keeping. Featuring space clowns, the second-last human alive, and at least one fleeting reference to Scooby Doo
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)
Dial D for Deadman: A Space Team Universe Novel (Dan Deadman Space Detective Book 1)
Dead Inside: A Space Team Universe Novel (Dan Deadman Space Detective Book 2)
"Dead Men Don't Get Paid"
Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories {preorder, I already did, due out 15th of this month} -- A collection of short stories gathered from the far reaches of the Space Team Universe. Some of these stories have been available elsewhere over the past few months, while others are new for this collection. The spectacular tales of space adventure you'll find within its pages are:
"Dead Men Don't Get Paid" -- A brand new Dan Deadman Space Detective adventure, set in the aftermath of "Dial D for Deadman".
Space Team: The Holiday Special -- Die Hard meets The Nativity in Space! Originally published in December 2016 as a standalone short story.
The Last Bounty -- Originally published as part of comedy scifi anthology "Pew Pew - Sex, Guns, Spaceships... Oh My!"
Death Comes to Carverville - A Tobey Maguire Mystery -- The first ever solo Tobey Maguire adventure, written just for this collection.
Nun Shall Pass -- First published in "The Expanding Universe - Volume 2" anthology.
Splurt Home Alone -- An all-new short solo adventure starring everyone's favorite adorable green blob, Splurt.
amazons, bookstores, and all finer truck stops near you, VAT at Restaurant at End of the Universe Book Store Emporium -- Featuring spaceships, spacemen, space battles, space spiders, and lots of space stuff in general, isn't it time you set (space)
sail with Space Team?
While trying to stop a cyber-attacker stealing all Space Team's hard-earned money, the cyborg, Mech, unlocks a secret partition in his hard drive, revealing a mysterious set of co-ordinates. The co-ordinates lead the team to Funworld, a planet-sized theme park with a worrying number of artificially intelligent clownbots, and a shocking disregard for Health & Safety. With no weapons, and a shapeshifter who can no longer shift shape, Space Team's quest to unlock Funworld's mysteries leads them deep into the planet's core - and to the horrors that inhabit it - where they uncover the shocking secret Mech had no idea he was keeping. Featuring space clowns, the second-last human alive, and at least one fleeting reference to Scooby Doo
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)
Dial D for Deadman: A Space Team Universe Novel (Dan Deadman Space Detective Book 1)
Dead Inside: A Space Team Universe Novel (Dan Deadman Space Detective Book 2)
"Dead Men Don't Get Paid"
Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories {preorder, I already did, due out 15th of this month} -- A collection of short stories gathered from the far reaches of the Space Team Universe. Some of these stories have been available elsewhere over the past few months, while others are new for this collection. The spectacular tales of space adventure you'll find within its pages are:
"Dead Men Don't Get Paid" -- A brand new Dan Deadman Space Detective adventure, set in the aftermath of "Dial D for Deadman".
Space Team: The Holiday Special -- Die Hard meets The Nativity in Space! Originally published in December 2016 as a standalone short story.
The Last Bounty -- Originally published as part of comedy scifi anthology "Pew Pew - Sex, Guns, Spaceships... Oh My!"
Death Comes to Carverville - A Tobey Maguire Mystery -- The first ever solo Tobey Maguire adventure, written just for this collection.
Nun Shall Pass -- First published in "The Expanding Universe - Volume 2" anthology.
Splurt Home Alone -- An all-new short solo adventure starring everyone's favorite adorable green blob, Splurt.
amazons, bookstores, and all finer truck stops near you, VAT at Restaurant at End of the Universe Book Store Emporium -- Featuring spaceships, spacemen, space battles, space spiders, and lots of space stuff in general, isn't it time you set (space)
sail with Space Team?
May 4, 2018
So this is my 7th read in the series. Note that I'm giving 3 stars. Most people think this is low, but only a few books have ever gotten 5 stars from me, and 4 is also pretty rare. Not much choice there.
Question for people who have read this: Is anyone else starting to call people "shiznod"? I'm doing it all the fonking time now. Yeesh.
These books are fun. They are playful in a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" way. Outlandish, but they make a certain amount of sense in this crazy universe Barry writes. Or one of the crazy universes.
I enjoy the characters, and I admit I do laugh out loud sometimes. This is a little weird when you're alone, but reading is usually a solitary activity. But, if it's funny, it's funny. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
Question for people who have read this: Is anyone else starting to call people "shiznod"? I'm doing it all the fonking time now. Yeesh.
These books are fun. They are playful in a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" way. Outlandish, but they make a certain amount of sense in this crazy universe Barry writes. Or one of the crazy universes.
I enjoy the characters, and I admit I do laugh out loud sometimes. This is a little weird when you're alone, but reading is usually a solitary activity. But, if it's funny, it's funny. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
September 17, 2017
Cal and the rest of the Space Team are back and just as funny as ever. A portion of Mech's hard drive is unlocked and they end up at Funworld, a world that is run down fun in the usual way that all of Cal's adventures end up being. I laughed through most of the story as usual either at Cal being Cal or the horrible references to pop culture that show up randomly that somehow fit the story. Plus the rest of the crew were a hoot as usual. Loved the bots and the clowns in the story. What a funny story that I had to finish in one sitting to see what craziness Cal would end up in this time. I was not disappointed.
December 26, 2017
Cal Carver is such a likable goofball I just really enjoy spending time with him. His friends on board the spaceship, called “Currently Untitled,” are also an important part of the attraction of all these stories... through thick and thin (including a planet full of scary clown monsters in this book) the crew has a great chemistry.
I really like how the author keeps his sci fi rolling forward with lots of action at all times but still manages to include small moments for each of the characters to reveal themselves and grow.
Also I have to say that this is one of the few series that I have seen advertised as “humorous” that is actually funny. Definitely made me laugh out loud at times.
I really like how the author keeps his sci fi rolling forward with lots of action at all times but still manages to include small moments for each of the characters to reveal themselves and grow.
Also I have to say that this is one of the few series that I have seen advertised as “humorous” that is actually funny. Definitely made me laugh out loud at times.
June 25, 2018
Space Clowns Run Amuck
While, in my opinion, not one of the better books in the series, (think The Search for Spurt, The Guns of Nana Joan and, Return of the Dead Guy), Planet of the Japes was still a bit of a fun read. I'm sure my aversion to clowns played a role in that opinion for me.
It was cool to get more background on Mech, especially since it led to more questions that I look forward to having answered.
And as a life-long Scooby Doo fan, the references made me smile.
It did feel as if this novel was rushed a bit as there were quite a few areas proofreading seems to have missed.
Now, on to book 8!
While, in my opinion, not one of the better books in the series, (think The Search for Spurt, The Guns of Nana Joan and, Return of the Dead Guy), Planet of the Japes was still a bit of a fun read. I'm sure my aversion to clowns played a role in that opinion for me.
It was cool to get more background on Mech, especially since it led to more questions that I look forward to having answered.
And as a life-long Scooby Doo fan, the references made me smile.
It did feel as if this novel was rushed a bit as there were quite a few areas proofreading seems to have missed.
Now, on to book 8!
May 26, 2019
After seven books in the Space Team series, this one is probably my favorite of the bunch. It still packs an enormous amount of humor and originality into the series, but now comes with a couple added bonuses, namely that the character and the readers now have a wealthy of past experiences to draw their humor from, and Barry Hutchison is a markedly improved writer in these later books. He's really developed his voice and his ability to play with the tone and atmosphere of his books. And it's an added bonus that he's starting to fill in the backstories for some of these characters we've come to know and love. Seven books in, I'm still hooked on this series and looking forward to more!
August 21, 2023
auggghhhhhhh so auuuuggghhhhh
Seriously hahahahaha. Let’s just say I have always hated those painted face circus things. Not as much as Cookie from the undead by RR Haywood (different books but also awesome read). But close to it. This is sick. To be fair I’m beginning to wonder about Mechs origins now. I have suspicions. Anyway I can’t say much more without a spoiler alert. Suffice to say. Funny, exciting, gory, ludicrous, infuriating and brilliant. But not necessarily in that order. Or at least a mixture of that order repeated randomly. Barry you are pure genius!! By the was if this ever gets made into a series it will be awesome and a little scary!!
Seriously hahahahaha. Let’s just say I have always hated those painted face circus things. Not as much as Cookie from the undead by RR Haywood (different books but also awesome read). But close to it. This is sick. To be fair I’m beginning to wonder about Mechs origins now. I have suspicions. Anyway I can’t say much more without a spoiler alert. Suffice to say. Funny, exciting, gory, ludicrous, infuriating and brilliant. But not necessarily in that order. Or at least a mixture of that order repeated randomly. Barry you are pure genius!! By the was if this ever gets made into a series it will be awesome and a little scary!!
October 19, 2017
Japetastic...
A great big laugh out loud, hold your breath fonking space adventure with a twist in the tale.
Again, well written and imaginative featuring my favourite disfunctional heroes and again, cannae wait 'till the next episode.
Just one more thing.... can't help but wondering if Geronimus Krone is some future version of Cal, locked away for "crimes" against the universe (The Pandorica Opens: subtle Dr Who reference). Time will tell (see what I fonking did there).
Bring it on, Barry....
A great big laugh out loud, hold your breath fonking space adventure with a twist in the tale.
Again, well written and imaginative featuring my favourite disfunctional heroes and again, cannae wait 'till the next episode.
Just one more thing.... can't help but wondering if Geronimus Krone is some future version of Cal, locked away for "crimes" against the universe (The Pandorica Opens: subtle Dr Who reference). Time will tell (see what I fonking did there).
Bring it on, Barry....
September 30, 2017
Another excellent book in the Space Team series, I didn't quite like this one as much as the previous six books. The fact that I still gave "Japes" five stars shows how much I liked the others. Cal Carver's character is beginning to wear a little thin: he plays (or is he playing?) the idiot a little too much. Still, the book was very entertaining, and the plot had enough twists in it to keep me reading way too late at night.
October 4, 2017
Great Space Fun
Hutchison turns out stories that are character, dialog and narration driven. The plots though creative and engaging are secondary. What this means is that with any luck at all Hutchison can keep writing Cal Carved books for years to come because we will all want to keep up with our Space Team friends in their next adventure. Space Team is our drug and Hutchison is our connection.
Hutchison turns out stories that are character, dialog and narration driven. The plots though creative and engaging are secondary. What this means is that with any luck at all Hutchison can keep writing Cal Carved books for years to come because we will all want to keep up with our Space Team friends in their next adventure. Space Team is our drug and Hutchison is our connection.
July 2, 2018
I was so incredibly impressed by the last Space Team book that I was afraid that Planet of the Japes would be a let down. But I really liked it! I found it fun to get back to the Space Team formula. The book has a couple of curve balls that surprised me and I found the whole thing fun throughout.
In every review of Space Team, I praise the great work done by Phil Thron. He maintains that high level of performance here.
In every review of Space Team, I praise the great work done by Phil Thron. He maintains that high level of performance here.
March 16, 2021
Out of all the space team books, this one was by far the best, and the funniest I have read. As always, it takes you through the adventures of Cal, Miz, Loren, Mech and Splurt, and introduces a new character ... Dave (from Earth).
Follow them all as they travel through space, clowning around on another “space” mission... *cue echoing narrators voice*
a mission with Space Team. (Team, team, team) *echo teeters off*.
Follow them all as they travel through space, clowning around on another “space” mission... *cue echoing narrators voice*
a mission with Space Team. (Team, team, team) *echo teeters off*.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2022
Another 'cray-mazing' episode in this epic adventure series.
Yet again we find Cal and his crew battling more weird space creatures on a planet named 'Funworld' but fun is NOT what they get. They meet up with Dave, another earth man, who helps the team to try and find vast wealth but of course, nothing is as it seems.
The last paragraph is a great ending leading to the promise of another fun filled adventure to come.........
An addictive series.
Yet again we find Cal and his crew battling more weird space creatures on a planet named 'Funworld' but fun is NOT what they get. They meet up with Dave, another earth man, who helps the team to try and find vast wealth but of course, nothing is as it seems.
The last paragraph is a great ending leading to the promise of another fun filled adventure to come.........
An addictive series.
September 11, 2017
Another fun installment in the Space Team series, this one takes things a step further by laying the groundwork for many future volumes. All the humor and hijinx we've come to expect from the series, with the ever-increasing stakes.
The universe may be doomed with these guys in charge of saving it, but at least we'll all die laughing.
The universe may be doomed with these guys in charge of saving it, but at least we'll all die laughing.
February 1, 2022
This one was not my favorite one, but unlocked some more information about the characters which I totally enjoy. I do enjoy the fact that while Cal is the main character, each other person gets plenty of time on the page. Graphic Audio is doing a great job with these and I can't wait for more. Keep it up.
March 16, 2023
I love this series so much. The characters, the pop culture references and the witty dialogue. The narration by Phil Thron is the icing on the cake. This series are what audiobooks were made for. If you need a laugh, a fun, ridiculous story do yourself a favor and download Space Team. you wont be disappointed.
June 21, 2025
This one’s a ride. Mech uncovers a secret folder in his brain, crashes them into a murdery theme park run by clownbots, and now there’s a new villain draining their bank account from the shadows. Arize steps up, shapeshifter’s broken, weapons are gone, and Mech’s hiding something huge from himself. Not my favorite, but I’m into where it’s going.
September 14, 2017
Splurt.
Funworld, a planet of fun for all the family, or maybe not.
An adventure with the team united in one place. A fun romp in a crazy theme park, I have to say that, despite his inability to talk, Splurt is the star of this story.
Funworld, a planet of fun for all the family, or maybe not.
An adventure with the team united in one place. A fun romp in a crazy theme park, I have to say that, despite his inability to talk, Splurt is the star of this story.
September 25, 2017
Cal and team are back and are heading to Funworld, what could possibly go wrong!!! This book sees a new chapter begin in the Space Team world, as a new enemy enters the fray. The team interaction is as good as ever, as the dysfunctional family try to save the day, in there own unique way!!
October 4, 2017
Another awesome Space Team Book
I was so excited when I saw this was released. I've been a huge fan since book one and this did not disappoint.
I love the interaction with Calvin and the gang and they are just fonking funny!!!
I'll now have to read the Deadman books :)
I was so excited when I saw this was released. I've been a huge fan since book one and this did not disappoint.
I love the interaction with Calvin and the gang and they are just fonking funny!!!
I'll now have to read the Deadman books :)
April 26, 2018
Continuing adventures of Cal and Team bring lots of laugh out loud funny moments and further character development. The character development of Splurt is a little jarring, however. Kinda sad that this is that last novel for now. Going to have to be satisfied with short stories for awhile.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews