Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash

Jacques McKeown #2

by Yahtzee Croshaw

Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash is the follow up tale to Will Save the Galaxy for Food from the mind of writer Yahtzee Croshaw (Mogworld, Jam, Differently Morphous).

With the age of heroic star pilots and galactic villains completely killed by quantum teleportation, the ex-star pilot currently named Dashford Pierce is struggling to find his identity in a changing universe.

Then, a face from his past returns and makes him an offer he can't take part in just one small, slightly illegal, heist, and not only will he have the means to start the new life he craves, but also save his childhood hero from certain death.

What could go wrong? If you need to ask--you don't know Dashford Pierce.

Before long, Pierce is surrounded by peril, and forced to partner with the very same supervillains he'd spent his heroic career thwarting. But when he's confronted by the uncomfortable truth that star pilots might not have been the force for good, they had intended to be, he begins to wonder if the villains hadn't had the right idea all along...

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

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2019

About the author

Benjamin Richard "Yahtzee" Croshaw is an English comedic writer, video game journalist and author of adventure games created using Adventure Game Studio software. He writes articles for Australia's Hyper magazine, a major games publication. He uses his website "Fully Ramblomatic" as an outlet for his own work, including weekly dark humour articles, essays, fiction, and webcomics. He is currently making a series of video-reviews named Zero Punctuation for The Escapist, as well as the weekly column Extra Punctuation. In the February 2008 issue of PC Gamer (US), Croshaw took over Gary Whitta's "Backspace" column as a contributing editor. He is also one of the four founders of The Mana Bar; an Australian cocktail bar and video gaming lounge in Brisbane, Australia.

Reviews

[Jenny]

Fast paced and funny story that is hilariously narrated by the author. Our protagonist finds himself looking for work--again--and runs into a certain trouble maker from his past who throws a big wrench into his plans.

It has been fascinating to watch Croshaw's storytelling skills evolve. I am a huge fan of his earlier works like Jam and MogWorld, and also appreciate these newer stories where he spends more time on plot and character development. Well, that sounded like a backhanded compliment, which it was not meant to be, as his earlier works were fun romps where as his more recent works are a bit more in depth.

As always, his narration just makes the story for me. His inflections and pacing are hilarious. I really want to see how the protagonist gets himself out of his newest predicament!

[Irene ♡]

Plying hilarious!

[Jason Parent]

This sequel lost some of the magic of the first book, but it is still quite an enjoyable read, and I will definitely keep on the lookout for the next one.

[Aaron]

Wonderful book. The kind of book that you enjoy so much you don't want to stop listening. Then find yourself sad that you've finished it.

[Dianthaa]

Fast-paced and easy to follow, which was exactly what I was looking for. Some parts were a bit ehhhh but overall a quick fun listen.

[Andra-Mihaela]

4.5 stars!

This was a lovely sequel! ^_^
Our protagonist is finally trying to tackle the huge problem of moving on from his star-piloting days when luck has him in an impasse once again! :))))

CW: death, implied slavery and forced labour, exploitation on a minority/species

This was a step-up from the first book: Jacques's complex feelings on his past and future, his morals whom are challenged quite brutally , albeit in a comical way; the whole aftermath with Mr. Henderson, Daniel and Miss. Worden, Malcolm Sturb and Daversham Derby ....and the heist! 0_0...a packed novel I must say.

As it was with the first instalment, the audio done my the author himself was great and on point with the action! :)

For me, this worked on multiple levels, some people won't stand our protagonist at all, thus, won't like at all what's happening... although Jacques is giving a lot of knowledge on this future post-quantunnelling era, we don't really explore the setting as some would want; instead we simply watch our MC as he tries to get out from every sticky situation he ends up. For me, that worked really well because I WANT TO SEE A WORLD IN WHICH GETTING TO KNOW EVERY LITTLE INCH OF IT ISN'T THE POINT...I just want to feel as it's real and Jacques has more important thoughts that politics, space-travel and good vs evil debates (don't get me wrong, I love that as well, but it was clear from the first line in book 1 that we won't get that ^^)..even though those thoughts are mundane and somewhat silly.

Despite all that, we have once in a while a glimpse in what the human race did and still does: the constant issue we discuss is the star-piloting era and how everyone sees it..some moved on, some didn't, others managed to profit from it now that it passed, and another portion just got stuck in a limbo (Jacques, Derby, Sturb and even Terrorgorn/Terragorn (I'm not sure how to write his name) are a few of those);
Other issue brought up is corruption and mafia/empire building through the Henderson Org. and Worden...which present multiple stories for the same topic....I cannot believe I say this..but Daniel gets his villain origin story in this at the same time as Jacques begins to care for him >..>...everything that happened at the end with Terrorgorn and the Biskottis...and how corruption, neglect and exploitation has created such a horrible circumstance for a new unpredictable force to appear.
And lastly, the racism mixed with slavery is touched upon in this book with the Biskottis(again...I hope I write the name correctly)...really briliant to paint the picture using the fastfood and tourism industries...very telling as how people will treat others different from them and later on blame the outcome on the victims.

In the end, I feel Jacques doesn't need a new book as he managed to take a step in a new life and also helped others to do so(I'm quite proud of him actually! ^_^ ), but if Croshaw ever returns to this series and decides Jacques is done in his adventures, I will be here! (I'm a little sad,not gonna lie, about the direction his and Warden's work relationship went and all that well-deserved hostility...never thought Blaze would be a problem, but oh well...not something worth crying over.)

I only want one thing....TO FIND OUT IF MY THEORY ON WHO'S JACQUES MCKEOWN IS RIGHT!!! >..<... I need to know....I really do...0_0...so please, give me another book!!! >..<

In conclusion, I highly recommend this series to those of you wanting a funny and satirical space-opera where we care more about one person's exploits and desires than the overall universe..this is more or less someone's journey in getting over his past glory and learning how to live in the present while facing some truths about himself and the rest of his pears...yeah...that's it...like your grandpa who cannot let go of his outdated worldview and only makes some realisations when the past clashes with his present and things suddenly weren't that great back then... ^^

Enjoy

[Filip]

Finished this last month, review to come!

[Chris Jones]

As a longtime fan of Yahtzee's video series and his other books, I was eager to read Will Save the Galaxy for Food. Having found it engaging and hilarious, the moment I heard it was getting a sequel, I immediately snapped it up, hoping it would be worthy successor. I was not disappointed!

This one picks up some time after the end of its predecessor, with "Dashford Pierce" living in Ritsuko City and looking for a way to get away from it all. What begins as an attempt to join a long expedition into deep space soon spirals out of control as he's enlisted to once again impersonate famous author Jacques McKeown, gets involved in an elaborate heist that goes hilariously wrong, and inadvertently unleashes one of the greatest evils in the history of the universe. Just another day in the life of an unlucky ex-starpilot!

If you've read the previous book, his other works, or are familiar with Zero Punctuation, you know what you're getting here. The writing is punchy, it's bitingly funny, and it likes to play with well-known tropes. The plot is engaging and remains so even as things go from bad to worse for not-Jacques. It even ends with a hook for a third book, which I'd happily read.

The audio edition remains a fantastic way to experience his work, though fans of Zero Punctuation will want to speed it up!

Highly recommended. Five stars.

[Kathy]

Just as good as the first one! Can't wait for book 3!

[Ckret msage]

The reason that I liked the first book (Will Save the Galaxy for Food) so much, was that it was a cute take on what might happen to unemployed space heroes. It reminded me of the Lucky Starr books by Asimov, but in a tongue in cheek kind of way. It was enjoyable and funny.

Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash, takes the happy ending of the first book and smashes it with a giant rocket propelled sledgehammer in the first few pages, then sets off to explore the space super-villain side of the equation. It's not as enjoyable, but makes sense for Jacques (?) character development.

My main complaint is that every decision Ms. Warden makes, doesn't make sense in any logical way.

Here come the spoilers :

1. Why does Warden want the pod? This is never explained, in the ending Blaze clearly isn't sick, so what was the play? She clearly new what was in the pod before the heist. Why, or what is the play here from her perspective? Were they trying to release the Terrorgorn to have the Salvation Space Pilots save the day in some concocted way to show the galaxy that they are still needed? It's never even brought up or addressed, we got nothing.

2. Why would Warden send the two thug pilots after Jacques once he has the pod?
Her excuse was she doesn't handle stressful situations well. That clearly doesn't make sense, a complicated heist is put together, they pull it off, then she panics? What? She doesn't even know that Henderson is awake and on board.

3. Why does Warden mess with Henderson at all? She's made him comatose and removed him as a threat, and has an inside both with a guard and from her previous relationship with Daniel who thought that they (Warden and Jacques) put together the "best trip ever". Why bother with them at all? Or just ask him to borrow the pod? For whatever freaking reason she needed it for... (sorry still ranting on this)

The Warden character who is supposed to be calculated and extremely efficient, none of these actions make sense. It's like a whole subplot with Blaze and Warden was removed, forgotten or held back for the 3rd book.

Who knows.

Still enjoyable for the sloppy mess it is. :)

[Ajay]

The story felt a little loose in the middle, but Yahtzee brings it home for an amazing ending and set up for the third book. I can't wait. Highly recommend 👍🏼

[Nenad Pavlović]

You know how those old Sierra Space Quest P&C adventure games had sequels that were better in every way than the previous entries, with more intriguing stories, better tempo, funnier jokes, and properly fleshed-out characters?

No you don't, because Sierra never made those.

But imagine if they did! And that it was a book instead of a video-game!

Now stop imagining because this is it.

[Lance kozel]

An interesting sequel while the first book was about a man past his prime trying to recreate his former glory this one is him realizing his prime wasn't that good. the supporting cast of a former supervillain turn Mile manner nerd and unemployed 40s y/o turn Victorian gentleman theft acts as deomen on he shoulder. the main villain being extremely sheepish, powerful and unforgiving is just plain fun

[Critter]

After his last adventure, the hero, now going by the name Dashford Pierce, is looking for a new job so he can quit being a star pilot. He ends up agreeing to a job with Warren where he must take up the name of the man he hates most, Jacques McKweon. This job leads Pierce on a cynical adventure to once again save the galaxy from destruction.

While this book seems to be intended as satire, the satire completely fails and doesn’t come across as satire. The entire book comes across as hateful. There were several misogynistic descriptions that began right in the first few pages and continued throughout the narrative. Later on, there are some comments in the book that come across as transphobic and these comments especially seem to target nonbinary people. The humor of the book comes off as demeaning and there are several instances of fatphobia within the book. What is supposed to be humorous towards the end with the conflict with the Biskottis also comes across as racist.

Otherwise, I felt that the plot lacks substance. A lot of the narrative seemed to rely on things happening to the main character rather than the main character doing something. The characters were all flat, many of which seemed to rely on stereotypes. The main character is insufferable and has virtually no redeeming qualities to him. The character development is nonexistent.

I really hate that there were so many problems with this book, as it has a vast and interesting setting. There is an enormous world to explore with many different narratives that could be explored, but these ideas were never pursued in a meaningful way. The concept of workers who were once essential and viewed as heroes being left behind with the advent of new technology in space exploration is an interesting one that never felt like it was truly explored.

I would like to thank Dark Horse Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Wreade1872]

Ok so i really liked the first of these books, 5-stars, and while i didn't see a need for a sequel i was onboard.
However a number of things bothered me. There's a heist, not a fan of a heist. Also Yahtzee's books always contain elements of parody, but its a fine line he's going for, that Shaun of the Dead, parody but with heart and real consequences, vibe.

It's a hard needle to thread but this was the first time i felt like the parody didn't gel with the seriousness. The hero vs villain parody elements are used with purpose later in the story but it still didn't quite work.

Everything past the Trebuchet Gate is better and there's some really good stuff in here. It's complete chaos but compelling and built up until i was having to think about whether to give it 4-stars.

Some of the ending elements were quite unsatisfying but it was in a realistic way, which i was ok with.
However the very end, was so unsatisfying and setup yet another sequel, that it took away any hope of a 4th-star.

Overall, still a lot of good ideas, but they pass quickly and this is actually the Yahtzee book i would least want to reread. Don't think i'll be trying the next one in this series.

Rankings:
Will Save the GAlaxy for Food
Differently Morphous
Jam
Mogworld
Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash

[Bert Heymans]

I was expecting more of the same, but it was different and I like this book better than "Will Save ...". The story starts slower than the first book but has a better core and ending. The jokes where not as good as in the first book but the story was better.

This book does not take itself serious, and I feel sorry for whoever thinks otherwise. The poetical underlining of this is illustrated in the absurd ending.

I enjoyed it very much.

You can't read this book without reading the other one first.

[Dalton Erickson]

A good sequel. An accidental hero of the last book becomes an accidental villain in this one. The escapades of name stealing Jacques McKeown. Excited for the series to continue for more wacky space captain adventures.

[Shan]

Another fun vacation from reality. I finished it in the middle of the night with a bit of a toothache, and it successfully took my mind off the pain.

Our hero is still entwined with the author who stole the star pilots' stories and sold them as his own adventures. This time, he's manipulated into attending a conference where he poses as the author: the conference sponsor has an antidote for a terrible disease a beloved star pilot is suffering from, and attending the conference will give cover for a heist, master minded by a straight-laced woman named Warden (I think she showed up in the earlier book) but carried out by a pair of wacky super villains. Disaster and hilarity ensue.

There's an abandoned truck stop kind of place inhabited by the workers left behind when the corporation closed down thanks to the new quantunnel technology that made star pilots obsolete. There are other star pilots, a particularly horrible super villain named Terrorgorn, and a snooty literary author named Geranium Pleasant. Our hero goes through a crisis in which he thinks he might be a villain himself, not the selfless hero he's always thought he was.

There might be plot holes - I think there probably are - but who cares? The swearing-using-math-terms was a little annoying. Overall, though, lots of fun.

[cardulelia carduelis]

When this first started I wasn't sure I'd like it. It had the same 'plying brackets from the first book and some of them were very annoying in that read-through so I wasn't sure I'd enjoy their dynamic a second time.
But I'm stupid of course, because this is Croshaw we're talking about and he's better than that.
The original cast of characters has grown, somehow in a more stunted sort of way, since the last book resulting in new dynamics between each other. But they're not really around for too long - instead we have the introduction of some new characters: supervillains! Or.. reformed supervillains? And they're on a quest to save the Blaze - star-pilot hero! Except.. well.. hmm.
Croshaw, annoyingly, gets everything right here. The action, the humor, the surprises - it's all there! He also introduces my favourite supervillain of all time who has the mannerisms of an emotionally stunted teenager. It's fantastic.

I don't want to spoil anything, go read these - nay listen to the Jacques McKeown books right now. And this one definitely sets itself up for a third book so I'll be eagerly looking out for that this year.
Recommended!


Some footage from McCon, Ritzicko City

[Ovidiu Joldea]

A solid follow-up to the first book, just as funny and with an equally fast pace.

One thing that didn’t fully click for me was the mismatch of the theme—growth and reframing one’s past—and the MC who, except for learning to begrudgingly tolerate some people he deeply disliked, doesn’t seem to evolve at all.

I’d guess that’s because the MC didn’t exactly live up to the ‘star pilot’ standards, being already broken and bitter at the start of book 1, so him going on a personal journey to decide that he doesn’t, in fact, identify with a job that no longer exists and he no longer held from the start of book 1 isn’t a big revelation. Especially when his personality remains equally bitter from start to finish.

That being said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I didn’t expect a cliffhanger ending, though. Really curious about book 3, now, since it has a really solid premise going for it!

[Shawn Edrei]

A good follow-up to Will Save the Galaxy for Cash - Croshaw's cynicism can wear very thin after a while (as was certainly the case with Differently Morphous), but he seems to be reining it in just a bit here. The result is an entertaining novel about unlikeable people, rather than a tiresome slog about uninteresting people. Well-paced and structured, with some enjoyable twists along the way.

[Dan Stefanovich]

Putting its hero in a less interesting scenario and surrounding him with far less compelling allies certainly drags it down, but Yahtzee Croshaw’s "Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash" still proves that even an unnecessary sequel can be a devilishly entertaining read - fast, smart, and so much fun that you can’t help but enjoy being back in this universe.

[Fred Hughes]

A rousing tale of high jinks by a cavalier Space Captain.

Lots of action and twist and turns including the release of a super villan.

Super fun to read

[Kate the Great]

There’s no such thing as too many analogies in my book… er… well… in Yahtzee Croshaw’s book.

[Kristofer S]

A much stronger second outing with some interesting characters and good humour.

[Jon Silvester]

Great book love the story and the book narration I highly recommend listening or reading this book 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📖

[Liam Oliver]

This book like the first is great. I really find myself a fan of Yahtzee's writing style. This book definitely has less of the "red dwarf" style humor and more of a serious tone.
Still excellent

[Benjamin Wilson]

i liked it

[Rick Stephen]

The biggest review I can give for both this and the first book in the saga, is that both were completed at a record setting pace. Can't wait for the next installment. Plying brilliant.

[carmen!]

these have all been super silly and fun!