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Starship Ass #1
Of Donkeys, Gods, and Space Pirates: The Adventures of Harold the Donkey
What's more badass than a space pirate? A donkey space pirate.
"Fast, funny, and fresh sci-fi writing."—Cameron Coral, Sci-Fi Author
Harold is a symbiont. He’s also an ass. Banished from his planet of Cern, imprisoned in the carrier form of a donkey, Harry gets swept up by an interstellar livestock trading vessel—the SS Bray. His only companions? The other donkeys and livestock.
Pirate captain Cass and her crew of misfits are desperate for a score. So, when they encounter and board the cargo herding vessel registered as the SS Bray, she’s less than sure of how they might cash in on a hold full of farm animals (including a naive talking donkey!). Lucky for them, there’s a prize donkey contest with a game-changing purse … and they just happen to have a hold full of potential contestants.
Meanwhile, the ghosts of Cass’s past are determined to find her. A Federation Navy deserter, her hijacking of the cargo ship sets off alarm bells with the top brass, who are quick to pursue this new lead. Giving them the slip might be easy, were it not for a double-crossing informant...
Can Captain Cass and her gang of pirates evade the Federation and cash in on their cargo? Can Harry the donkey-riding symbiont find a new home with the space pirates, or better yet, become a prize donkey and gain the adoration of an entire planet?
Are you a fan of fast-paced funny space operas, featuring quirky unique characters you can't help but love? You'll love the first entry into the world of Starship Ass.
- GenresScience Fiction
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2019
111 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Freckleton
20 books24 followersWhether I’m writing self-help books, songs, or absurdist low-brow comedies, my works embody the authentic and sometimes irreverent perspectives of a person who has tried to live in two worlds at once: one of professional and technical excellence, and another of romantic abandon, in search of a world that values love over fear.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 3, 2019
A humorous and adventurous space opera, fast paced and fun read. It’s refreshing, with a unique storyline, sometimes hilarious and heart warming too, lots of action and impossible situations. Harry the symbiont donkey is so lovable, innocent and gullible, but smart and sharp. The characters are so original, with disparate personalities that somehow form a unified and strong team. I’m loving more and more this misfit team, with the now added to it Harry, the pirate “intern”. Looking forward to reading the next installment, The Nose of Truth!
May 30, 2019
Of Donkeys, Gods and Space Pirates - a review by Rosemary Kenny
What a laugh-out-loud comic romp this book is - it could easily be made into a stage show, musical feelgood family movie or sitcom like Red Dwarf - as it's fast-paced, funny and the best comic novel I've read in a long time.
Harold the Donkey is not the grey furry equine family member you see at first glance - he's actually an exiled inhabitant of the planet Cern, imprisoned in the form of an Ass.
Were that not humiliating enough, Harold's also taken off-world with unexpected and unintended consequences, when former Federation officer Cass goes on the run, rather than be court-martialed. She forms a motley crew of Pirates, with herself as Captain and steals the aptly-named SS Bray, to effect a getaway - and of course it's the ship 'Harold's ' in the hold of!
What happens next will excite and engage you - but be sure you're well stocked with tissues, as this hilarious novel will make you cry with laughter at times!
What a laugh-out-loud comic romp this book is - it could easily be made into a stage show, musical feelgood family movie or sitcom like Red Dwarf - as it's fast-paced, funny and the best comic novel I've read in a long time.
Harold the Donkey is not the grey furry equine family member you see at first glance - he's actually an exiled inhabitant of the planet Cern, imprisoned in the form of an Ass.
Were that not humiliating enough, Harold's also taken off-world with unexpected and unintended consequences, when former Federation officer Cass goes on the run, rather than be court-martialed. She forms a motley crew of Pirates, with herself as Captain and steals the aptly-named SS Bray, to effect a getaway - and of course it's the ship 'Harold's ' in the hold of!
What happens next will excite and engage you - but be sure you're well stocked with tissues, as this hilarious novel will make you cry with laughter at times!
June 2, 2019
A fun read with a unique character.
May 31, 2019
Cute! Very entertaining story about a talking donkey who inadvertently joins a space pirate crew. Great humor and an enjoyable story. Can’t wait to read the next one.
May 9, 2020
I absolutely love this entire series! It has a great deal of humor and wit. It’s well written and I enjoyed all of the characters. I sincerely hope that there will be more books in this world (universe?). I highly recommend it!
October 9, 2020
Light hearted story of a symbiont tick and the donkey he shares a body with. Good although not terribly in depth world building. It was clearly presented and served the story well. The main character, Harold the tick, was a sweetheart actually. The story moved right along and I totally enjoyed it. The secondary characters were distinct and interesting. The was a low level of farce that didn't descend into ludicrous campiness so that was good. Although just at the very end there was a reference to rickrolling that seemed just a step too far and sort of jerked me out of the story.
August 15, 2020
The first time I saw the cover of "Starship Ass," I snorted hot tea out my nose. Fortunately, it turns out the book is worth the scalded sinuses.
"Starship Ass: Of Donkeys, Gods, and Space Pirates" begins the unlikely chronicles of the inseparable companions, Harry and Buddy. No, but seriously, Harry and Buddy are literally inseparable. You see, Buddy is a run-of-the-mill donkey, and Harry is a symbiotic alien tick burrowed into his spinal cord and driving him like a puppet.
And if that sounds like your brand of insanity, you are going to love this book.
When Harry/Buddy are taken into space as part of a herd of livestock, they quickly end up entangled with a hilarious crew of space pirates. This is such a fun bunch of characters. The badass captain in a mechanical exosuit (who is described as looking like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's" Jadzia Dax, but who I always pictured as Captain Janeway), a ridiculously piratey bearded giant with a propensity to say "arr," his alien feline companion, and an android named Spiner who may not be as smart as he probably should be.
"Starship Ass" is quick-paced and funny, but I think the thing I enjoyed most about it is how sincere it is. In an age were funny tends to equal snarky and put-downs are often mistaken for jokes, it was refreshing to meet a protagonist like Harry. This donkey-riding-tick's kindness, innocence, and endless optimism are a heartwarming break from the cynicism of the real world.
This book is a great set-up for the world of "Starship Ass," and I look forward to reading more of Harry and the crew's comic adventures!
"Starship Ass: Of Donkeys, Gods, and Space Pirates" begins the unlikely chronicles of the inseparable companions, Harry and Buddy. No, but seriously, Harry and Buddy are literally inseparable. You see, Buddy is a run-of-the-mill donkey, and Harry is a symbiotic alien tick burrowed into his spinal cord and driving him like a puppet.
And if that sounds like your brand of insanity, you are going to love this book.
When Harry/Buddy are taken into space as part of a herd of livestock, they quickly end up entangled with a hilarious crew of space pirates. This is such a fun bunch of characters. The badass captain in a mechanical exosuit (who is described as looking like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's" Jadzia Dax, but who I always pictured as Captain Janeway), a ridiculously piratey bearded giant with a propensity to say "arr," his alien feline companion, and an android named Spiner who may not be as smart as he probably should be.
"Starship Ass" is quick-paced and funny, but I think the thing I enjoyed most about it is how sincere it is. In an age were funny tends to equal snarky and put-downs are often mistaken for jokes, it was refreshing to meet a protagonist like Harry. This donkey-riding-tick's kindness, innocence, and endless optimism are a heartwarming break from the cynicism of the real world.
This book is a great set-up for the world of "Starship Ass," and I look forward to reading more of Harry and the crew's comic adventures!
June 4, 2019
All I have to say is WOW!! This book was highly entertaining, humorous and fast paced!
The characters are very well developed and I love all of them from the computer Node to the fluffy Kitt! The banter between the crew is very entertaining and at times quite funny! I recommend not reading before bed or when you can wake others up! Laughing out loud is guarenteed in quite a few scenes.
The plot is fast paced and engaging. I could not stop reading needing to know what happened next at all times!
I recieved an ARC of this book and have since purchased the paperback version. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves sci-fi fantasy and looking for a great fast paced and comedic read, you definately will not regret picking this one up! Can't wait for the next!
The characters are very well developed and I love all of them from the computer Node to the fluffy Kitt! The banter between the crew is very entertaining and at times quite funny! I recommend not reading before bed or when you can wake others up! Laughing out loud is guarenteed in quite a few scenes.
The plot is fast paced and engaging. I could not stop reading needing to know what happened next at all times!
I recieved an ARC of this book and have since purchased the paperback version. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves sci-fi fantasy and looking for a great fast paced and comedic read, you definately will not regret picking this one up! Can't wait for the next!
August 9, 2019
So I read the prequel which was a blast so had to try book 1. If you like funny space opera stories then this book is worth reading. All I can say is that they make horrible pirates and end up in funny situations. The banter between the pirates themselves was a blast and the references to other "great " works were a hoot. And of course watching Harry run around the universe with his new friends the pirates and Node was equally funny. Add in some other characters and the story was even better. There was a lot of mayhem and things blowing up but that was half the fun. Just a good story that made me keep reading until the end to see what craziness would happen next.
May 31, 2025
Best pirate intern ever
This was a really fun story. The main character was a blast, and all the references and side naming was great. Love the computer and its antics. This was just a joy to read. I am glad this is a series as I can’t wait to see what the team gets into next. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
This was a really fun story. The main character was a blast, and all the references and side naming was great. Love the computer and its antics. This was just a joy to read. I am glad this is a series as I can’t wait to see what the team gets into next. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
February 10, 2026
This book is hilariously silly and I'm here for it!
You have space pirates, a talking donkey with a symbiote, and a crew of likeable tropey characters to become enamored with. A great base for some silly adventures if you're happy to have your sci-fi stories that don't take themselves seriously, sprinkle in some pop culture references and have a good dose of humour.
You have space pirates, a talking donkey with a symbiote, and a crew of likeable tropey characters to become enamored with. A great base for some silly adventures if you're happy to have your sci-fi stories that don't take themselves seriously, sprinkle in some pop culture references and have a good dose of humour.
June 10, 2019
Oh, what good fun…
I love fun storys and this my friends will not disappoint. We get action, humor, unforgettable characters and things being blown up. I found this to be one of the best humor/adventure of the year. I can't wait for the next book.
I love fun storys and this my friends will not disappoint. We get action, humor, unforgettable characters and things being blown up. I found this to be one of the best humor/adventure of the year. I can't wait for the next book.
March 26, 2020
😂 Irreverent Sci -fi
What a trip! Thanks authors, I really needed this escape into a world of adventure with the most motley misfit crew ever encountered. Love every crazy member! Got next one immediately. Don't miss this; it's just what we currently need.
What a trip! Thanks authors, I really needed this escape into a world of adventure with the most motley misfit crew ever encountered. Love every crazy member! Got next one immediately. Don't miss this; it's just what we currently need.
September 16, 2020
What fun!
How can a donkey get on a spaceship much less, aspire to be part of the crew? Read'em and find out. Harry, the cheerful naive tick riding on Buddy the donkey, has wonders spread before him in this humorous adventure.
How can a donkey get on a spaceship much less, aspire to be part of the crew? Read'em and find out. Harry, the cheerful naive tick riding on Buddy the donkey, has wonders spread before him in this humorous adventure.
October 13, 2020
Immature, not funny
I thought this book was frivolous and immature. I didn’t think anything was funny. It felt like it was written by the same people who write modern commercials that are supposed to be funny but are actually terrible and just plain strange.
I thought this book was frivolous and immature. I didn’t think anything was funny. It felt like it was written by the same people who write modern commercials that are supposed to be funny but are actually terrible and just plain strange.
November 25, 2020
Good ass or badass, there's no ass like harry.
Author freebie. The adventures of a symbiote who rides a donkey. A comedy about a jackass who becomes a pirate. Really good quality. Would make a good anime.
Author freebie. The adventures of a symbiote who rides a donkey. A comedy about a jackass who becomes a pirate. Really good quality. Would make a good anime.
July 17, 2021
Ticks in Space
Really enjoyed this romp! DS9 references and parallels...so funny. And Spiner as the android's name - chortle - amazingly more appealing than Data! Definitely looking forward to book two.
Really enjoyed this romp! DS9 references and parallels...so funny. And Spiner as the android's name - chortle - amazingly more appealing than Data! Definitely looking forward to book two.
March 19, 2024
a clopping good time
I already had a soft spot for donkeys … Now I freakin love em! Harry is so sweet and innocent plus so kind and thoughtful a perfect hero. Lots of good laughs a great break from my usual diet of hard science.
I already had a soft spot for donkeys … Now I freakin love em! Harry is so sweet and innocent plus so kind and thoughtful a perfect hero. Lots of good laughs a great break from my usual diet of hard science.
March 24, 2024
Hilarious
Great shoutouts to various ST characters.
A bizarre homage to many science fiction characters in the form of swashbuckling and blissful ignorance....twisty laugh out loud fun
Great shoutouts to various ST characters.
A bizarre homage to many science fiction characters in the form of swashbuckling and blissful ignorance....twisty laugh out loud fun
February 9, 2026
Harold is a symbiont who co-exists with a donkey. He can control it or just observe through it.
Harold is abducted (with other donkeys) by a group of pirates. Suddenly life is a lot more interesting for Harold - and the pirates generally like their new shipmate.
Entertaining story
Harold is abducted (with other donkeys) by a group of pirates. Suddenly life is a lot more interesting for Harold - and the pirates generally like their new shipmate.
Entertaining story
June 4, 2019
Unique characters and story. Laugh-out-loud funny.
June 5, 2019
Is this a spoiler?
I hope not had it is about a lot of reference to ST: DS9 and the Borg. Just saying. A new fan!
I hope not had it is about a lot of reference to ST: DS9 and the Borg. Just saying. A new fan!
June 18, 2019
How can you not love space pirates?
Great characters and a fun story. After I read the prequel I bought this book right away. Already pre-ordered book 2.
Great characters and a fun story. After I read the prequel I bought this book right away. Already pre-ordered book 2.
July 7, 2019
Spectacularly amusing
This is a very entertaining tale set in space. An abduction, space pirates, donkey racing, sacrifices and amazing escapes. Wha could go wrong? Enjoy!
This is a very entertaining tale set in space. An abduction, space pirates, donkey racing, sacrifices and amazing escapes. Wha could go wrong? Enjoy!
September 27, 2020
this was a fun book! a completely different perspective on the space pirate genre. there wasn't much backstory on the human characters, but it was fine as the story was from the view of a donkey.
October 2, 2020
Very well done and funny
Terrific story, funny, irreverent. Well thought out, of course total nonsense but fun, poking fun at everything was the strong point
Terrific story, funny, irreverent. Well thought out, of course total nonsense but fun, poking fun at everything was the strong point
October 5, 2020
Offbeat and very imaginative.
Enjoyed the life of Harry. The Donkey who learns the universe is big and Deep Space 9 is a special TV show. A very Funny story.
Enjoyed the life of Harry. The Donkey who learns the universe is big and Deep Space 9 is a special TV show. A very Funny story.
October 9, 2020
Good fun
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, looking forward to reading book 2. The story just runs along. Harry is hilarious and nose is something else
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, looking forward to reading book 2. The story just runs along. Harry is hilarious and nose is something else
December 9, 2020
This is a brilliant book! I really enjoyed it! Good fun for all big kids! Amusing & intriguing story! Great characters & ideas!
April 7, 2021
Not what I expected, but it was okay. I thought a couple of things were dropped that could have been covered more but overall the book did a good job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews