Space Force

by Jeremy Robinson, Jeffrey Kafer (Narrator), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator)

Five years ago, the US Space Force became a reality. And while those writing the checks took things very seriously, the other military branches did not. As a result, Space Force was populated by undesirables: men and women who made too many mistakes, didn't follow the rules, or...slept with the wrong general's daughter. Three times. On camera. It was a mistake, okay?
My name is Captain Ethan Stone, a decorated member of SEAL Team Six turned Space Force "recruit". While the powers that be attempted to make Space Force an embarrassment, they also sent some of the very best minds, fighters, and pilots to the program, because sometimes the best of us decide to take a stand against those same powers. Yeah, yeah. Not me. Though I seem to recall I was standing when...sorry. It's a distracting memory.
Flash forward five years and between tenses. President West is in office. Power has shifted. And Space Force is defunded. With just a handful of us still living on base, we find ourselves being evicted. But before all of us can leave, aliens invade. Really ugly ones, too. Super nasty. I don't think I could describe them here without getting the audiobook banned.
Anywho, using their advanced technology, they seal off Space Force Command behind a shrinking force field and kick off a battle royale to the death. Human vs. alien. To the victors goes the Earth. While my boy Frank Taylor and I throw down inside the force field, my main squeeze, First Lieutenant Jennifer Hale, leads an international strike team into freakin' space. It's nuts. Crazy action. Super funny, too, in like a Deadpool way, if that's your thing.
The only way to really know what went down is to snag a copy of this audiobook and listen to it for yourself...before it's too late. Or wait for the movie. There is going to be a movie, right?
Hale and I agreed to let "best-selling"* author Jeremy Robinson tell our tales. He's not my favorite person in the world, but I think he captured our voices and the reality of what happened, printing every word we spoke, no matter how offensive, blunt, disgusting, or violent it was. If you're upset by what you hear in this audiobook, first, lighten up, but then blame me. Jeremy Robinson is a fragile flower. He's only to blame for hackneyed writing.
*Best-selling is in quotes because the only best seller status that matters is New York Times. Doesn't matter if it's not a true reflection of actual sales, popularity, or quality. Everyone knows that, Robinson.
©2018 Jeremy Robinson (P)2019 Jeremy Robinson

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Comedy, Space

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 26, 2018

About the author

Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas, including Apocalypse Machine, Island 731, and SecondWorld, as well as the Jack Sigler thriller series and Project Nemesis, the highest selling, original (non-licensed) kaiju novel of all time. He’s known for mixing elements of science, history and mythology, which has earned him the #1 spot in Science Fiction and Action-Adventure, and secured him as the top creature feature author. Many of his novels have been adapted into comic books, optioned for film and TV, and translated into thirteen languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children. Visit him at www.bewareofmonsters.com.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space Force
By: Jeremy Robinson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer, Emily Woo Zeller, Machelle Williams
This is a fantastic book that keep me giggling from beginning to end! It is so clever, witty, and hilarious that I laughed out loud many times! I loved the fun characters and crazy plot and aliens! It was just what I needed. Can't wait for the next book.
The s were awesome! They made the book super!

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I grabbed this one on audible because I loved Infinite. It remains one of my favourite sci-fi books ever! When I saw that Mr Robinson had written it, to be honest I didn’t really bother to look at the synopsis. I just clicked purchase. And so got a huge shock when I started listening and realised that the whole thing was a comedy!

The Story
Ethan Stone and Jennifer Hale are members of a space force, designed to prepare if there was ever an alien invasion. However, it is a creche for the unwanted people of the military. People who had made silly decisions but the airforce couldn’t get rid of (except for Hale who volunteered to be there). When the government finally decides to get rid of the program they cart them all away on a bus… And then aliens attack.

My Thoughts
So I was shocked that it was a comedy. I didn’t open my eyes to the cover! “All your base are belong to us”… I mean COME ON MEL!!

I love a good laugh and so I settled in for the ride. The first part was awesome, there was so many laughs and an awesome storyline with an awesome brewing romance between some characters that was done really well and then the aliens struck and… well…

I got bored…

The action scenes were really dull. I found myself constantly having to hit the rewind 30 second button just to keep track of what was happening and pretty soon I stopped doing that and just went with it.

Sure, there were some laughs in there. But it wasn’t like the first part of the book where I was actually spitting my drink it was so funny.

Hale and Stone being separated for 90% of the book just didn’t work for me after such a solid start.

I really REALLY wanted to like it more than I did! I enjoyed the characters and the premise was great, but for me it just fizzled out.

Did I enjoy the audio version?
Ohhh yes! I loved Stone and Hale’s narrators! They both did such a fantastic job at the sarcasm and wit! There were lots and lots of laughs. I bet they had a lot of fun recording it

Would I recommend Space Force?
I think you will enjoy it if you like Deadpool-like sarcastic humour and a lot of blood and gore with your aliens. And if you enjoy lots of action and more action, and a bit more action in between your laughs you will probably enjoy it more than I did.

A solid 3.5 stars. However, I can’t bump it up to a 4 for GoodReads.

I purchased Space Force at my own expense at audible.com

For more reviews check out my:
Blog
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

[Dan Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Jeremy Robinson’s books. Without fail they have been entertaining, and nearly always thought-provoking. There has also been a good amount of humor. With Space Force, the humor takes center stage!
It is clear that Robinson sought to have fun with this book. Oh sure, there is depth hidden within the subtext, but to be honest it is easy to miss due to all the laughing readers will be doing. Reading this book is bound to give fans an ab workout! I was genuinely sore after reading just the first half of the story!
The most important thing to know is that this story is meant to be fun. It is full of sophomoric humor that will totally appeal to the teen inside us who laughs at names like Lake Titicaca (Peru), the Isle of Lesbos (Greece), and the planet Uranus. If none of those caused even the slightest mirthful reaction then you may not like this story. If you cracked even a little smile at those three names, find a place to release your inner teen and be ready to laugh hysterically!

[Sarah Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I found this stupid funny. It's comic book/cartoon level campy sci-fi space adventure dripped in sarcasm and contains every trope in the book. This is not great literature, but it is a funny break from the despair that is watching the news these days, and it takes an actual event and makes fun of it: Space Force. It's wonderfully rude, tacky and fun–a good laugh.
So if you're in the mood to be entertained for a few hours, I recommend this break from reality to spend some time with some military gamers trying to save the world from giant penis shaped galactic gamers who want to take over the Earth all while dealing with Space Force being disbanded by President West (Yes, there is now an Armenian First Lady), and other elite military organizations from Russia, China and Canada trying to take over. There's a lot of really bad jokes and sophomoric humor which probably would appeal most to 12 year old boys, but it's so campy it worked for me. I am looking forward to the writer writing a sequel.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a silly sci-fi comedy with fart jokes, gratuitous use of dirty words, and many 80s pop references. I can't figure out if the intended audience is 15 or 50. It did make me laugh. A bonus star for the multi-performer narration on Audible.

[Yoly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stuff! :D

[Reeda Booke · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, no, no....I am sorry, Jeremy, you know I'm a big fan, but this was my least favorite of all your books. For the reasons some of the other reviewers loved it, I did not. Didn't care for the potty humor, gamer references, (guess cuz I'm not a gamer), the over-the-top silliness of the whole thing, and the obvious storyline. Just not my cup tea, but don't worry, I am still a fan and will always read anything you write.... except a Space Force sequel.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been struggling through this. I am a huge Jeremy Robinson fan, but this one I really had a hard time pushing myself through. Where I got into it immediately, as I do most of his books, the characters are began to sound the same to me the further along I went. I had to keep turning back to the beginning of a chapter to remind me who was talking to me. The double first person was not at all working for me. I would have liked this novel to be in third person. As a side note, I wish Jeremy Robinson would write more often in third person. All His novels these day seem to be in the first person, not that that is necessarily bad, it’s just, maybe beginning to get a little too routine.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Robinson's books often have an element of humour to them, usually within the dialogue, that make his books such an enjoyable experience. In Space Force, he has let his sense of craziness free and the result is a fantastic science fiction read that is equal parts funny and gross. His books have never shied away from the grotesque imagery, but he's really raised the bar this time around. Such a great read... don't miss it!

Originally read 30 Oct 2018; listened to via Audible 1 July 2019

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! Reading this book was fun, but listening to the audio version was laugh-out-loud fun. The narrators did an amazing job of capturing the humor of the characters.

Next, I want to see this as a movie!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, sci-fi, and a galactic butt-load of laughs. These are the characters you would want to hang out with, go drinking with, and might already be playing online games with. This book has all of the action readers have come to expect from a Robinson adventure, but there's a double helping of something special. Jeremy lets his inner comic shine and the book delivers on new levels. You just can't help smiling while reading. Seriously—your face will hurt.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Master Of Science Fiction Adds Humor! Jeremy Robinson, the modern day Master of Science Fiction, has now added even more to his stories: literal laugh out loud, and very nearly literally roll on the floor laughing, level humor to a science fiction adventure that is just as breathtaking as his other books.

If you like science fiction at all, this is a must have. If you like geek humor and/ or battle royale gaming, this is a must have. If you just want to laugh amidst all the drama in the world right now, this is a MUST. HAVE.

So stop reading this review and go buy this book and start reading it instead already! President Kanye West demands it!

[BookLoversLife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read!! I haven't laughed as much at a book in a long time.

The plot was simple enough but with an added twist. 5 years ago, the then President of the United States created a Space Force, it was supposed to be a serious branch of the military, but everyone eventually poked fun at it and in the end, it was filled with the "undesirables". As the blurb says.."As a result, Space Force was populated by undesirables: men and women who made too many mistakes, didn't follow the rules, or...slept with the wrong general's daughter. Three times. On camera. It was a mistake, okay?". But just when Space Force is being disbanded, Aliens attack, but they attack like it's a video game and it's the battle royal to the death, the victors get the earth. Can the band of misfits save them all?

I really don't want to go into the plot too much because it's such a fun experience reading it with no forewarning! All I'll say is go into this with no expectations at all and you will love it. It's a tongue in cheek book and one that the author had fun with!! Filled with witty banter, great characters, wierd a&& aliens and loads and loads of fun!! I will say that it is silly at times...picture teenage humour, but that's what made me love it all the more. It was a breathe of fresh air to read such an entertaining, funny, laugh out loud book, in a time when politics is so messed up. The author pokes fun at a lot of things and It. Was. Awesome!

In all, I loved this. I loved the characters, the immature humour (cause honestly, life is too serious at times, it's nice to let go!!) and I even loved the aliens, they are definitely the most interesting looking ones I've ever read about!! Be warned though, it is gory, it is bloody (and other bodily fluidy) and it's got lots bad language, but it's a easy, fun and entertaining read and one I know I'll read again.

Jeffrey Kafer, Emily Woo Zeller and Machelle Williams did an amazing job narrating this. You can tell they had fun and enjoyed doing it!! They made me enjoy it all the more because they were able to bring the characters to life and make me laugh more. I couldn't picture anyone other than Jeffrey Kafer doing Stone because he brought across his dry humour so well. Brilliant performance!!

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, of course, completely ridiculous. Also absolutely hilarious. Switch off your brain, grab the popcorn, sit back and enjoy the crazy rollercoaster of action and madness that ensues when alien invasion meets online gaming culture and pokes fun at pretty much everything and everyone while it's at it.

[katherine gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreverent, sardonic, Laugh out loud entertainment!!

This fast-paced, action-packed, hilarious ride suggests what could be "out there" and what we as earthlings are informing the universe about us!

[Rachel England-Brassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally enjoyable romp where everything is up for grabs including the author and the book itself!
If only there were more audiobooks like this.
Highly recommended.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is funny from start to the very end. Sometimes witty, sometimes fart humor, sometime subtle, sometimes in jokes but the humor is alway there. And if you like pop culture this book is ripe with them. And if you look past the humor you will find a pretty good action story. And past the action to me is the heart of the story. This is a book about great characters with supurb interaction. I can see how the humor may becomes a bit too much for some but it is the characters that make this so great. And if that is not enough there are touching parts that hit you in the heart.

[Wayne Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2nd read, and it’s even better than the first time around. So many LOL moments.

[Mark Woodcock · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Jeremy but this book was so different. It felt like it was written for teenage boys who do nothing but drink beer and play videogames.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is only so much sarcasm, pop culture references and breaking the fourth wall that can be crammed into one book before it becomes annoying or predictable. This book managed to do both.

This book had received some praise and the majority of reviews said the book was rather funny. Also, I heard the concept of Space Force was being crafted as a mockumentary series starring Steve Carell for Netflix, so I thought I'd pick up the book quasi related to the material. I certainly think the show on the topic will be better than the book.

The characters were so over the top which could be funny if the writing wasn't equally over the top. Silly isn't even the right word to describe the book as I enjoy silly, the Caverns and Creatures series is silly, the Magic 2.0 books are silly and both have plenty of enjoyable content. This bordered more along the lines of stupid, I think. I strongly dislike using that work to describe a book about invading aliens forcing humans to partake in a video game challenge to the death, but even when embracing the world Robinson creates, nearly everything is just, well stupid.

For any one enjoyable part of the book, there were maybe five that were unenjoyable and had me rolling my eyes. I considered even skipping some parts which is akin to sacrilege to me. Alas I didn't and suffered through the book. Perhaps it just wasn't to my taste.

[Dan Barbier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this novel in exchange for an honest review. I just enjoyed this novel tremendously. It is a funny Alien invasion adventure. It makes fun of everyone including the Author himself. If you ever read Jeremy Robinson, you are going to be surprised at the irreverent style of humour he displays in this story while remaining true to his true action writer self. Great entertainment. This Canadian wasn’t offended by it, even though it promised it would.
Space Force rocks, Bigly!

[Scott - Book Invasion · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Parts Duke Nukem meets South Park meets classic Kevin Smith. Sophomoric humor abound in this ‘Battle Royale’ but with aliens. Although the redeeming factors are some toilet humor chuckles and an epilogue author interview with the characters which was pretty hilarious.

Enjoyable for the self-aware characters and sharp-tongued banter.

No this is not related to the Netflix show.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 14-year old boy inside me that still laughs at fart and dick jokes really liked it.

[Jeroen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action and fun, tong in cheeks humor, story doesn't take itself too seriously.

[Linzi Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly funny

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amusing book, not your usual Jeremey Robinson thing.

[Xander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilariously bad space opera full of hand waving that gets bored with itself part way through and breaks the fourth wall. Nice and pulpy; won’t read it again but don’t feel my time was wasted. Would give it 2.5 if I could, charitable 3 since I couldn’t. Better title would have been Team America vs. The Dick-Shaped Alien Internet Trolls.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

there were some funny parts but i think it is meant for a younger generation. all the endless "battle scenes" and gaming refereces were just not my thing. i have forwarded it to my grandson. i think he will enjoy it.

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

See this and many more reviews on Brian's Book Blog

The Funniest Book I’ve Read This Year

5 out of 5 stars

First and foremost, holy crap was this book funny. Seriously, this might be one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Robinson wrote a perfectly timed book that included pretty much everything that we’re mad or happy about in later 2018 and early 2019.

The premise: Space Force (you know, the branch of the military that Trump made to fight aliens) is being disbanded. They’re a joke and were where all the misfits of the other military branches were sent as punishment. Right when this happens – aliens attack and force military bases to fight in a real battle royale and the last man or alien standing wins (wins what?). These aliens (I refuse to ruin the first scene where they see them. I had to pause the d**n audiobook I was laughing so hard) learned about us through video games. So, this is what life has become.

The book itself will not be for everyone. Robinson knew that when he wrote it. But I promise you, if you are unhappy with our orange leader or think that all things related to him are ridiculous I would be shocked if you didn’t like this book. Now if you happen to sport a red hat and think that by hating other cultures and people we’re making ourselves better… steer clear.

Now that the MAGA wearers have left the review, know that this seriously was a well-written book. Robinson goes meta at one point talking about himself (but kind of not at the same time). The lines leading up to it where he describes how this author just keeps going and never gives you a break between chapters and then ENDS THE CHAPTER was just absolute brilliance.

Space Force is all of the things you like about SNL skits, parody movies like Space Balls, and the perfect reminder that other people think things are as ridiculous as you do. Bravo Jeremy Robinson, Bravo.

The characters are well explained and thought out. The main two were Halle and Ethan and they were perfect. Ethan was the snarky one who always had something to say and Halle was the quieter one who got stuff done while Ethan was making his jokes. The other tertiary characters were so good. The bus driver might even top Ethan and Halle for my favorite character. She was absolutely amazing.

There were obvious and borderline offensive stereotypes written into Space Force, but I only say borderline because they were so funny I almost felt guilty laughing. Easily the funniest was the scene involving the Canadian Special Forces. I won’t ruin that either, sorry.

There is something about a snarky book and character that just mends itself perfectly to Jeffrey Kafer’s voice. He’s able to play into the snark and the sarcasm so well. This isn’t the first book, nor is it even the tenth book that I’ve read where gets the narrate a smarta** but know he’s the perfect man for the job. I believe that Emily Woo Zeller did Halle’s narration and absolutely crushes it. Machelle Williams didn’t do too much but was the perfect finishing touch to this audiobook.

I could go on and on about this book and get deeper and deeper into all the reasons that I liked it, but know that it’s easily the funniest book I’ve read this year. I do hope we get another Space Force book!

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Space Force is definitely better than both The Divide and The Others, I still have to admit, I’m still disappointed in Robinson’s latest novel.

Before I get hate and people tell me that I suck for not liking a book, let me explain. Space Force is far from a horrible book. I actually enjoyed many parts of it, and, in true Robinson fashion, the story was action packed and had some enjoyable and exciting moments. There were even some genuinely funny moments and I gotta give Robinson credit in the fact that this book was obviously written for fun and wasn’t ever meant to be taken as seriously as some of his other work.

My biggest gripe with Space Force is that it felt like Robinson was trying too hard to make the story funny. Many times the humor felt forced or unnecessary. I mean, how many times do we need juvenile potty humor or jokes at the expense of characters names? It’s funny the first time and it gives the story a light hearted tone, but when it’s all the time, not only does it lose its original humor, but it just gets old and feels immature. I know Robinson was trying to make Space Force like Thor: Ragnarok but to me, it came off as more of The Last Jedi with awkward jokes that just fell flat.

This is the 4th, or maybe 5th, Robinson novel in a row that just failed to really reach the greatness that I know he’s capable of. I’m still an big fan and will continue to read everything he publishes, but I just want him to return to the kick ass form that he showed in Secondworld and the entire Project novels.