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Dakota Adams #2
Spoilers: Things Get Worse
Time travel is messy.
And I don’t mean morning hair after prom, messy.
I mean flushing dynamite down the toilet, messy.
Long story short:
Ship, trashed.
Food stores, gone.
Ravenous monsters, everywhere.
Worst of all, I have to listen to my best bud and his new harem of space cats constantly “repopulate” their species. I swear to god, if I don’t find some ear plugs soon, I’m going stick my head in a warp coil.
The silver lining to our predicament is that the abandoned facility we found has some sweet tech we might be able to use to escape—assuming we can bring it back online before we’re eaten.
That said, should this be the end of my epic adventure, always remember: if I die, I want a Viking funeral.
Spoilers: Things Get Worse is the faced-paced, immensely fun sequel to Apocalypse How? and the second book in the Dakota Adams sci-fi adventure series.
And I don’t mean morning hair after prom, messy.
I mean flushing dynamite down the toilet, messy.
Long story short:
Ship, trashed.
Food stores, gone.
Ravenous monsters, everywhere.
Worst of all, I have to listen to my best bud and his new harem of space cats constantly “repopulate” their species. I swear to god, if I don’t find some ear plugs soon, I’m going stick my head in a warp coil.
The silver lining to our predicament is that the abandoned facility we found has some sweet tech we might be able to use to escape—assuming we can bring it back online before we’re eaten.
That said, should this be the end of my epic adventure, always remember: if I die, I want a Viking funeral.
Spoilers: Things Get Worse is the faced-paced, immensely fun sequel to Apocalypse How? and the second book in the Dakota Adams sci-fi adventure series.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2019
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14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 13, 2020
Publishing Date: 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.2/5
Review: A solid follow up to the first novel. Just leave your literary discernment behind and have a good time yah uptight bastard.
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.2/5
Review: A solid follow up to the first novel. Just leave your literary discernment behind and have a good time yah uptight bastard.
December 15, 2019
I concluded my review of Apocalypse How with:
Well, I got a free copy of Spoilers: Things Get Worse, and while I did have other things to read, I read it.
It's a lot like the first book.
It's probably a bit better, in fact. Maybe because there's less chaotic bouncing around in time, the story seems stronger.
But it's still not a very good book. Here's the thing: Surlak-Ramsey is trying to be wacky, and he shouldn't. Wacky is hard, very hard, and very few writers can pull it off. Douglas Adams could do it, but Surlak-Ramsey is no Adams. And when wacky isn't very good... it's very bad.
Adams might have been able to write a damaged AI that thinks it's a jilted older woman without its being painful. Surlak-Ramsey isn't. Adams — well, no, I don't think even Adams could have pulled off an alien speaking in CB radio jargon, or would have tried to. He'd've known better. And maybe Surlak-Ramsey knew too, at some level, because he abandoned both of those jokes and indeed both those characters midway through the story. They didn't get an exit. They just sort of stopped participating for a while, came back briefly later, and then dropped out of sight permanently. I didn't miss them much, but that's no way to handle your players.
Those weren't the only threads dropped. Yseri's attitude toward Dakota doesn't get a resolution. Neither does the Empress's secret. Of course there's another book coming in the series, but that doesn't excuse an inconclusive ending.
The author shows signs of being able to tell a good story and come up with good characters. Signs, because the attempted humor gets in the way, but I'll say those, and not the jokes, are the strongest points of this book. Surlak-Ramsey probably would be doing himself a favor if he'd focus on writing straight-up space opera, rather than trying to be silly. This is not to say he ought to get All Serious, mind you. I can imagine he might be able to do fairly well in the kind of light-but-not-goofy SF Bujold used to do in her Miles Vorkosigan books, or something along those lines. I'm not saying he displays the talents of a Bujold, but who knows? An effort in that direction might be fruitful.
Instead we're getting the aforementioned Dakota Adams III. Or rather, you are. Even if it's a freebie, I don't think I want to go through any more of this.
There's a sequel due to be published in a couple months. I guess if I can snag a really cheap copy, or borrow it, and if I can't find anything else to read, I might consider reading it.
Well, I got a free copy of Spoilers: Things Get Worse, and while I did have other things to read, I read it.
It's a lot like the first book.
It's probably a bit better, in fact. Maybe because there's less chaotic bouncing around in time, the story seems stronger.
But it's still not a very good book. Here's the thing: Surlak-Ramsey is trying to be wacky, and he shouldn't. Wacky is hard, very hard, and very few writers can pull it off. Douglas Adams could do it, but Surlak-Ramsey is no Adams. And when wacky isn't very good... it's very bad.
Adams might have been able to write a damaged AI that thinks it's a jilted older woman without its being painful. Surlak-Ramsey isn't. Adams — well, no, I don't think even Adams could have pulled off an alien speaking in CB radio jargon, or would have tried to. He'd've known better. And maybe Surlak-Ramsey knew too, at some level, because he abandoned both of those jokes and indeed both those characters midway through the story. They didn't get an exit. They just sort of stopped participating for a while, came back briefly later, and then dropped out of sight permanently. I didn't miss them much, but that's no way to handle your players.
Those weren't the only threads dropped. Yseri's attitude toward Dakota doesn't get a resolution. Neither does the Empress's secret. Of course there's another book coming in the series, but that doesn't excuse an inconclusive ending.
The author shows signs of being able to tell a good story and come up with good characters. Signs, because the attempted humor gets in the way, but I'll say those, and not the jokes, are the strongest points of this book. Surlak-Ramsey probably would be doing himself a favor if he'd focus on writing straight-up space opera, rather than trying to be silly. This is not to say he ought to get All Serious, mind you. I can imagine he might be able to do fairly well in the kind of light-but-not-goofy SF Bujold used to do in her Miles Vorkosigan books, or something along those lines. I'm not saying he displays the talents of a Bujold, but who knows? An effort in that direction might be fruitful.
Instead we're getting the aforementioned Dakota Adams III. Or rather, you are. Even if it's a freebie, I don't think I want to go through any more of this.
June 24, 2020
Spoilers:Things Get Worse - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Dakota Adams' troubles continue in Book 2 of Galen Surlak-Ramsey's Dakota Adams series, Spoilers: Things Get Worse, as Tolby's ship begins to disintegrate, with both fires and explosions in the engine room. Meanwhile, her space-feline side-kick (think Cat from Red Dwarf),Tolby's 'busy' (very noisily), with his Empress's warrior-handmaids/ bodyguards, Jainon and Yseri and Daphne the ship's sarky AI seems to have gone haywire - leaving Dakota and Empress to try to save everyone before they all die horribly!
As Dakota says, "If I die, I want a Viking funeral." (i.e she wants to be laid out on a longboat, set on fire and sent drifting out to sea!).
Will things really end this way?
With lots of laugh-one-minute, cry-the-next action, you're sure to love this sequel to Book 1, with its continuing tale of heroics, light-hearted whimsery, time-travel, endearing characters, overcoming the odds and all the elements needed for a rollicking comic adventure you certainly won't want to miss.
Get your copy of, Spoilers:Things Get Worse (Dakota Adams Book 2), to find out how it all ends...a highly recommendable 5-star winner!
Dakota Adams' troubles continue in Book 2 of Galen Surlak-Ramsey's Dakota Adams series, Spoilers: Things Get Worse, as Tolby's ship begins to disintegrate, with both fires and explosions in the engine room. Meanwhile, her space-feline side-kick (think Cat from Red Dwarf),Tolby's 'busy' (very noisily), with his Empress's warrior-handmaids/ bodyguards, Jainon and Yseri and Daphne the ship's sarky AI seems to have gone haywire - leaving Dakota and Empress to try to save everyone before they all die horribly!
As Dakota says, "If I die, I want a Viking funeral." (i.e she wants to be laid out on a longboat, set on fire and sent drifting out to sea!).
Will things really end this way?
With lots of laugh-one-minute, cry-the-next action, you're sure to love this sequel to Book 1, with its continuing tale of heroics, light-hearted whimsery, time-travel, endearing characters, overcoming the odds and all the elements needed for a rollicking comic adventure you certainly won't want to miss.
Get your copy of, Spoilers:Things Get Worse (Dakota Adams Book 2), to find out how it all ends...a highly recommendable 5-star winner!
July 9, 2020
Sci-fi is not normally my cup of tea, but I have enjoyed some time travel books in the past so I thought I'd give this one a try. What I should have done was read the first book first, but I didn't so I was a bit confused at first, but quickly caught on and followed along. Although there are references to the first book, it didn't detract from this story. Lots of humor, unexpected twists and, as the title indicates, things get worse! Fast-paced keeps your interest and certainly made me want to go back and read the first book in the series, and I enjoyed it enough to look up other books Surlak-Ramsey has authored. Funny, entertaining, well-written, I'm glad I read this and you will be too. I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my unsolicited review.
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June 25, 2020Spoilers: Things Get Worse (Dakota Adams Book 2), my third enjoyable read from author Galen Surlak-Ramsey, and the second book in the Dakota Adams series. A fast-paced, fun-to-read humorous science-fiction story. Character & plot development are great. When I was given a Kindle copy of So Close To Home (Dakota Adams Book 3), I didn't know it was the third book in an ongoing series Now I'm going back & reading the first & second books in the Dakota Adams series. I was given a Kindle copy and I'm voluntarily reading & reviewing it I look forward to reading more in this series. I have to get One Step Behind (Dakota Adams, #4). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this SciFi story.
It does work as a stand alone as I seem to have missed the first book.
The characters are well defined and the story is funny and witty.
I loved learning about the Kibnali and the history of the universe.
Quite a bit to think about as well - if you "manufacture" something strong, it might just come back and bite you in the behind.
Certainly have to catch up on book one and continue with the next books as I really want to know how it all pans out. I'm hooked.
I enjoyed an advance kindle copy for review which has not affected my rating on the book as I am reviewing with my honest opinion.
It does work as a stand alone as I seem to have missed the first book.
The characters are well defined and the story is funny and witty.
I loved learning about the Kibnali and the history of the universe.
Quite a bit to think about as well - if you "manufacture" something strong, it might just come back and bite you in the behind.
Certainly have to catch up on book one and continue with the next books as I really want to know how it all pans out. I'm hooked.
I enjoyed an advance kindle copy for review which has not affected my rating on the book as I am reviewing with my honest opinion.
January 5, 2021
He surprised me yet again! The sequel was equal to, if not better than his first book! I really like the story. It has lots of action in it, and the protagonists just can't seem to catch a break before trouble finds them, yet again. I have been a hard core Science-Fiction fan from the first time I read "Star Man's Son" by Andre Norton as a barely teenager. This book was just as good, just in a different way. I highly recommend this book and the first one!
July 25, 2020
Well do you always want dour marines kicking ass and never smiling? If so, give this a miss. But if you like aliens ( who doesnt?) and treasure, and robots and comedy, and a hero(ine) who I really want to meet sometime, then this is the book you have been looking for. No spoilers as usual, but I did get a baleful glare from the the other occupant of our living room when I burst out laughing.
April 6, 2020
This second in the series was so much fun, probably easier to keep up with the plot line than in the first as there isn’t so much time hopping. Plenty of perilous adventure for Dakota and co, awesome aliens and annoying b...bots! Great fun. Can’t wait for the next, which releases next week! Yay!
December 5, 2019
Reading this book was a wild ride. Pretty much if something could go wrong, it did. The action picks up right after the events of the first book and little by little, Dakota learns how to use the Progenitor tech more and more. We also learn a little bit of the history of the Kibnali and what brought about their downfall. This second book of the series was better than the first and wasn’t as confusing.
I loved the author’s humor and ability to throw bits of geeky history into his books as well. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start. (It was A, B start, but close enough) I love the little Easter eggs from the author’s other books too. He talks about Little computer people and Euryale the Gorgon. Probably more, but I haven’t read them all yet. All in all, a highly entertaining read. I received an Arc in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the author’s humor and ability to throw bits of geeky history into his books as well. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start. (It was A, B start, but close enough) I love the little Easter eggs from the author’s other books too. He talks about Little computer people and Euryale the Gorgon. Probably more, but I haven’t read them all yet. All in all, a highly entertaining read. I received an Arc in exchange for my honest review.
December 10, 2019
Our heroine is a treasure hunter and explorer out to liberate all the best treasures, but she might be in a bit over her head.
This is book two of the series and it picks up roughly where the first book ended. It can be read as a standalone, but might be better read in order.
This is a comedic SF action adventure and I mean exactly that. This story takes them all, mixes them up and spits them back out in a happy jumble. Accent on the happy.
This book was just as entertaining and fun to read as the first book. I love the mix of genre and the humor was spot on, sometimes hitting you in the face and others surprising you around the corner. It was also non-stop action that kept things moving at a brisk pace. Still loads of fun and I look forward to the next book.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC through StoryOrigin for review purposes.
This is book two of the series and it picks up roughly where the first book ended. It can be read as a standalone, but might be better read in order.
This is a comedic SF action adventure and I mean exactly that. This story takes them all, mixes them up and spits them back out in a happy jumble. Accent on the happy.
This book was just as entertaining and fun to read as the first book. I love the mix of genre and the humor was spot on, sometimes hitting you in the face and others surprising you around the corner. It was also non-stop action that kept things moving at a brisk pace. Still loads of fun and I look forward to the next book.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC through StoryOrigin for review purposes.
January 5, 2021
We follow Dakota and her motley crew as they’re spit out into space following the explosion of the museum. Things go from bad to worse as they become stranded on an inhospitable planet and all hell breaks loose. This is a fast paced, fly by the seat of your pants, wild ride of a book. There really isn’t much down time and it picks up right after the end of the first book. Dakota begins to learn more about how to work the progenitor artifact attached to her arm and they learn more about the progenitors and what they were doing. Dakota saves the day in the end but it does end with a cliffhanger so beware. I am waiting with excitement to find out what happens next to our sassy smart mouthed heroine and her crew of misfits. So much fun!!
September 14, 2020
Dakota's snarky, irreverent adventures continue in this non-stop thrill ride. Just when you think she might get a break - spoiler - things get worse!
Having barely escaped certain death to be flung to some corner of space even Janeway never dreamed of, things take off in a quite unexpected direction. This book is packed with sci-fi and fantasy references; some quite blatant, others more subtle. Many favorite jokes that just keep being funny.
I thought this book was even better than the first, while it still had a crazy story line, it was not quite so frenetic as the first. As book 2, this book builds on the first, but could be read as a standalone. It contains a full story arc but introduces a huge cliff hanger twist at the end.
Having barely escaped certain death to be flung to some corner of space even Janeway never dreamed of, things take off in a quite unexpected direction. This book is packed with sci-fi and fantasy references; some quite blatant, others more subtle. Many favorite jokes that just keep being funny.
I thought this book was even better than the first, while it still had a crazy story line, it was not quite so frenetic as the first. As book 2, this book builds on the first, but could be read as a standalone. It contains a full story arc but introduces a huge cliff hanger twist at the end.
December 11, 2019
An amazing time travel to keep you intrigued. Loved the plot and characters.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews