The Rats, the Bats & the Ugly

The Rats and the Bats #2

by Eric Flint, Dave Freer

The intrepid team of mentally uplifted rats and bats, and their vat-born human leader had not only pulled off the only victory the beleaguered colony's feeble military forces had won against the invading aliens, but had also uncovered the secret that the invaders were really a feint, being under the control of the other aliens which the naive humans had thought were their allies. Unfortunately, that was the easy part, because now they had to convince their boneheaded military bureaucracy (burdened with incompetents and riddled with quisling humans) of their discovery, and keep from being court-martialed, drugged into submission, or executed by the human traitors. And they had to do this quickly, before the aliens launched their surprise attack. Fortunately, they had found a way around the alien's mental programming. What's more, the daring and resourceful Fluff, apparently the ineffectual pet of one of the colony's ruling class, was on their side. Only Fluff can save us now. . . .

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Ebooks, Military Science Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy

560 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Eric Flint was a New York Times bestselling American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works were alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures.

Reviews

[Dayl Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was just as good as the book before it, which means it was utterly fantastic! Really, it's not so much a sequel as a straight continuation from where we left off in the first book Rats, Bats and Vats (RBV). The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly (RBU) could be put in the same volume as RBV and you would never know they were two seperate books. it is that seamless and that good.
What I like about RBU is that it adds new characters, fleshes out older ones even more than RBV and adds the dimension of political intrigue. Very entertaining, very thoughtful and with subtle humor, it is hard to beat.
My only complaint is that even though the ending was great, I wish things were a little bit more flushed out and explained, but you figure out what happens with everyone. Can't recommend RBU and the book before it, RBV enough. Do yourself a favor and read them both. You will thank me, I'm sure of it.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK. I think it earned 3 stars, but... we are talking about juvenile humor, although not as vulgar as the first novel in the series. It was more of a situational comedy.

The Story: In order to cover their useless, traitorous backsides, the powers-that-be must discredit and prosecute the heroes from the previous book for crimes so ridiculous that it had to be clear to the biggest moron on the planet that someone was being bribed big time or blackmailed mercilessly. In the process, the aliens have activated the chips in some people's heads in order to force compliance... in particular in Shareholder Virginia Shaw. In the midst of all this the rats and the bats are organizing a ... crime ring... rebellion... army. And it is up to these uplifted animals to save the day... if only to get a lifetime supply of booze.

Any problems with this story? Well... it makes the first novel look like crap. However, that does not mean that somehow this book is literature. My major complaint is that this book is not a standalone... at least not very easily. Most of the context is lost unless you have read the first book which used a lot of potty humor and was gross except for the ending which saved the book.

Any modesty issues? Yes. All over the place. Although sex is not described in any detail, it does happen. Virginia is described as being scantily clad, but again, no real detail.

I'm not sure I would read this book again. I'm not a prude, but it suffers too much from the previous book. I'm not sure I have the heart to read it all again.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

This review is from: The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly (Rats, Bats and Vats Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

Hilarious sequel to RATS, BATS, AND VATS. The sequel is a stand alone book but can better be appreciated after reading the first volume. The court room scenes with the bats and rats testifying are timeless humour so long as we have lawyers and a military.

[Tom Hailand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peanut butter and banana samiches,

I'm all shook up after this second book.I cannot wait to start the 3rd book, I believe it will be today, can-na wait any longer.
Thanks Dave and Eric

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, which I checked out of my local library years ago.

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun second romp though the world of harmony and reason. the bat and Rat dynamic and witty dialogue keep the story moving.

[Darby J. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The king lives!

Long live the king! Read it, you’ll understand!

Another fun read, you’ll truly enjoy it, puns and all.

Thank you.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly, fun read.

[Clinton Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced mad-cap mix of MASH, Catch-22 and Firefly.

[Mike Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the first book was fun it wasn't nearly as good as this one. 83/100

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Booklist

Another zany tale of the planet Harmony & Reason, which is somewhat short of both at the moment, thanks to its hierarchical society and the invasion of the alien Korozhet. The victorious, vat-cloned Corporal Chip Connelly and his love, the Shareholder heiress Virginia ("Ginny") Shaw, return to Bernard Shaw City and a welcome very different from what they expected. The authorities want to preserve the hierarchy by executing Chip and kidnapping Ginny. Fortunately, the uplifted (i.e., intelligent) bats and rats are on the job, complete with accents, and so are a good many lawyers. In fact, the book's complex legal scenario may occasionally come between readers and the fullest enjoyment of the book, which isn't as fast-paced as Rats, Bats & Vats (2000). Not that it will disappoint anyone, especially given an ending that leads one to suspect that Ginny will have to get out her chain saw for the battles of a third volume. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

The intrepid team of mentally uplifted rats and bats, and their vat-born human leader had not only pulled off the only victory the beleaguered colony's feeble military forces had won against the invading aliens, but had also uncovered the secret that the invaders were really a feint, being under the control of the other aliens which the naive humans had thought were their allies. Unfortunately, that was the easy part, because now they had to convince their boneheaded military bureaucracy (burdened with incompetents and riddled with quisling humans) of their discovery, and keep from being court-martialed, drugged into submission, or executed by the human traitors. And they had to do this quickly, before the aliens launched their surprise attack. Fortunately, they had found a way around the alien's mental programming. What's more, the daring and resourceful Fluff, apparently the ineffectual pet of one of the colony's ruling class, was on their side. Only Fluff can save us now. . . .

[Tredain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comedic sci fi at its best. Unfortunately I missed the prior novel, Rats, Bats and Vats, but this segment covers that so its fairly self contained and you can pick it up without losing out. Though I'm remiss that picking up the first book has already been fully spoiled. Still, this was very good. The writer clearly knows his military workings as the main cast are all military personnel, some more unusual than other, and the story presents a well illustrated depiction of how beauracracy and corruption work in a system similar to our own. Throw in a nice little conspiracy and a bunch of intelligent animals with some blood and guts action in the end and you have an interesting read. Something I'd consider more pulp sci fi with less of the hard edge. For what it is its quite entertaining.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally enjoyable sequel that takes place mostly in courtrooms, detention cells, and places of house arrest, but stays fully entertaining throughout. The characters are all fully engaging, and the growth of several of them from the first book to the next is natural and interesting. The commentary on the potential for ridiculousness in government and military bureaucracy is keen, well thought, and at turns amusing and maddening :) Great book, a very much recommended two-book series, and I do actually hope for more if they ever get around to it.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series picks up directly where book one left off. Chip and Fitz are unfairly accused, Virginia is drugged and hidden. The Korozhet are known by our heroes to be the enemy, but they hold all the cards.

The first half of this book, while necessary, is not really that much fun and humor. And that is a problem. Without fun, this series is too absurd to be really good. Thankfully, the second half more than makes up for it. A good read assuming you’ve read the first book.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1766

[Nathan Balyeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the story of an incompetent government waging a failing war against insect invaders with an army of clones, and uplifted bats and rodents. It's a great story full of action, personal heroics, and great characters. Once again, like the previous book in this series, Freer shines but the book gets a little bit dull with Flint's usual contribution of an incompetent corrupt government going a little too far with solutions coming a little too easy when they arrive.

[Jessica Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like the second half of the story started in "Rats, Bats, and Vats" than a stand-alone story, but it wraps up the conflicts very well. Most of the battles take place in courtrooms this time, but there is plenty of rat sass, bat demolition, and Crotchet spine-kicking. Plus Super Glue and a chainsaw!

[Globalt38 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series (this is 2nd of two books)! Very well written with the right touch of humor in a solid SF Military story. Don't let the title fool you into thinking this is cheesy pulp SciFi - if you're familiar with these two authors at all you know they do quality SF!

[Camilo Emiliano Rosas Echeverria · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not really fair, but English is not my native tongue and, despite having completed graduate studies in a USA university, for my life I cannot understand what four fifths of the characters say in this book. Non-native english speakers beware!

[Freyja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! It had plenty of action, intrigue, humor, and even some romance. There are good and bad aliens, and creatures that seem familiar and alien at once. This is a stand-alone book, so you don't need to read the first book before reading this one. Just read it.

[Lynn Calvin]

baen ebook

[Michael Roper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked as much as the first, but it didn't really involve the rats and the bats that much in the first half of the book.

[Havva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the Baen Books e-book.

Not a stand alone book, you must start with Rats, Bats and Vats.

Worth reading the first one just for this.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny SciFi: Drunk and lecherous rats, Keats quoting Irish accented bats on one dumb human. Sound about right!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sequel. I didn't like it as much as the first book, but still couldn't put it down. Good action SF.

[Zechy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love it.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix Shakespearean rats with Irish revolutionary bats who've been secretly enslaved to traitorous aliens through their cyber mind chips? A whole lot of