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Constance Verity #3
Constance Verity Destroys the Universe
The third and final book of Constance Verity’s epic adventure in which saving the world is easy—everything that comes after is the tricky part.
The Adventurer. The Great Snurkab. The Caretaker. Constance Verity returns, having accepted and secured her place in the universe while juggling her expanded life. Until she comes up against The Caretaker’s nemesis, a foe she can’t just beat the hell out of, Connie must defeat the idea of inevitable entropy, the end of everything.
Impossible you may think, but Connie always has an angle, and this time it’s by upping her game, by stopping enough calamities, by answering every tug at her innate sense of adventure, she can build up enough power to counteract the end of the universe. The problem is, she’s still a human woman, and even she can’t keep this up for long. As she starts to fade her friends figure out a way to Destroy the world.
The Adventurer. The Great Snurkab. The Caretaker. Constance Verity returns, having accepted and secured her place in the universe while juggling her expanded life. Until she comes up against The Caretaker’s nemesis, a foe she can’t just beat the hell out of, Connie must defeat the idea of inevitable entropy, the end of everything.
Impossible you may think, but Connie always has an angle, and this time it’s by upping her game, by stopping enough calamities, by answering every tug at her innate sense of adventure, she can build up enough power to counteract the end of the universe. The problem is, she’s still a human woman, and even she can’t keep this up for long. As she starts to fade her friends figure out a way to Destroy the world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2022
24 people are currently reading
4784 people want to read
About the author
A. Lee Martinez
31 books2,109 followersA. Lee Martinez was born in El Paso, Texas. At the age of eighteen, for no apparent reason, he started writing novels. Thirteen short years (and a little over a dozen manuscripts) later, his first novel, Gil's All Fright Diner, was published. His hobbies include juggling, games of all sorts, and astral projecting. Also, he likes to sing along with the radio when he's in the car by himself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 11, 2022
Thanks to Saga Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 📚 🥰 ❤️
Well, I’ve never dropped acid before but…. now I kinda feel like I have! 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 A definite 5-star explosion!!! I didn’t read the first two books in this trilogy but I had a darn good time running wild with these characters. Author A. Lee Martinez is just brilliantly ridiculous and I feel exhaustedly entertained beyond my wildest dreams. Excellent Summer 2022 Read. Get Your Copy!!! Excuse me now, I have to go get book 1 and 2!!! Bye… ✌️
Well, I’ve never dropped acid before but…. now I kinda feel like I have! 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 A definite 5-star explosion!!! I didn’t read the first two books in this trilogy but I had a darn good time running wild with these characters. Author A. Lee Martinez is just brilliantly ridiculous and I feel exhaustedly entertained beyond my wildest dreams. Excellent Summer 2022 Read. Get Your Copy!!! Excuse me now, I have to go get book 1 and 2!!! Bye… ✌️
September 19, 2022
This is a very light-hearted, enjoyable, and amusing romp that manages to incorporate and lampoon just about every trope and cliche from your favorite cartoon, comic book, adventure movie, pulp fiction, space opera, monster flick, and any other genre entertainment you can bring to mind. It's very imaginative and clever, and is about the fastest-paced thing I've encountered for a very long while. It's the third book of a trilogy, and I'll be placing an order for the first two books as soon as I finish here. I won a copy of this one in a Goodreads giveaway, thanks very much! Lots of fun!
April 15, 2022
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S CONSTANCE VERITY DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE ABOUT?
This book starts off with Constance Verity doing something almost unbelievable for her—normal things. She attends a dinner party to celebrate her best friend's/sidekick's upcoming wedding, she spends a day hanging out with her fiancé at a park and museum—sure, there's a duel with an alien in there, as well as dealing with an international crisis, etc. But for Connie, that's pretty sedate.
Then things stop happening—no death rays, mad scientists, pan-dimensional threats—not even a kitten stuck in a tree. It's unnerving to all who know her well. On the plus side, Tia and Hiro's wedding should go off without an interruption, right? And it does—the reception, however...
When things start happening again, there's a distressing trend—people from all over the universe and time show up because they've been told that Constance Verity is going to destroy the universe, and they're going to stop her. The assassins are plentiful enough that Connie's getting nervous—so she does what she can to keep her loved ones safe and then sets out to see why people are saying she's going to destroy the universe. All she's ever done is save it, why would she change?
A PLETHORA OF IDEAS
In a sentence or two—or five brief paragraphs in the above quotation—Martinez is able to tell a whole story—or at least hint at one. Most of these little stories could be fodder for a novella or a novel, but in this trilogy, they're given anywhere from a sentence fragment to a page. And then he moves on to something else so the plot can be advanced.
Every A. Lee Martinez novel has a surfeit of ideas that come flying at you, that's nothing new. But I think in these Constance Verity novels that he's outdone himself. Martinez treats these all as throw-away remarks, with no real investment of time on the reader's part. But it has to be the kind of thing that would drive your average novelist to exhaustion just trying to come up with them all.
You get just a taste of a fantastic adventure or death-defying feat that Connie's pulled off (frequently with Tia at her side) in these. You add enough of these together and you really start to see all the things that Constance has done and you understand how much is riding on her successes and how she's become a legendary figure throughout the universe.
SORRY, DESIDERIUS ERASMUS ROTERODAMUS*
It probably says something about the way my brain works that my favorite writing on Free Will vs. Determinism comes from Science Fiction—particularly those prone to a comedic tone. Okay, it says a lot about me, but that's for another time.
Constance Verity Destroys the Universe plays with those ideas a lot—even knowing (after being told repeatedly from reliable sources) that she's going to destroy the Universe, Connie refuses to believe it and flat out says she won't. This idea is treated with derision by some (rightly) and supported and echoed by others (also, rightly). The mostly retired demigoddess of destiny that has moved into Connie's apartment building cannot muster up the desire to weigh in on this, and of anyone, you'd think she'd have a lot to say about it.
I'm not saying that I think Martinez has penned a well-developed treatise on the idea in the middle of this SF/Fantasy Action novel—I'm just saying he has a lot of fun playing with the idea and that anyone who enjoys that sort of thing will find the Free Will vs. Determinism discussion a tasty side dish to accompany the SF/Fantasy entree.
* Okay, not really sorry.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CONSTANCE VERITY DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE?
I hate that this volume is the end of the road for this trilogy—but I'm not sure what else he could accomplish in this world. When the series started, Connie was an adventurer/savior-of-the-universe wanting a normal life and being unable to; and we wrap up things up with her finding her own brand of normal, which she'll be able to enjoy if she survives the assassination attempts and doesn't destroy the universe. That's a pretty decent arc.
I think I like the arc that her side-kick/best friend Tia goes on a smidge better, but that might be because Tia's a bit more relatable to those of us not burdened with cosmic destiny. Either way, it's a good run.
The ending of this is perfect on several levels—exactly how a novel (or a series) like this should end.
Could you read this apart from the other two novels? Yeah, I suppose. But I don't think it'd be a great stand-alone, but you could get away with it. Why you'd want to, I don't know—the first two books in the series are a blast.
On Twitter and his blog, Martinez will insist that he doesn't write humor or comedy, that he's not that satirical. I'm not so sure, but let's take him at his word. His SF/Fantasy adventures (this one and all his others) are so funny that you can see why people would make that mistake. But when you ignore the humor, you get a very satisfying SF/Fantasy story that takes tropes and themes you're very familiar with and presents them to you in a way that makes you see them with fresh eyes and frequently makes you re-evaluate the trope/theme to come at it with a new appreciation. If you happen to chuckle along the way, consider that a bonus.
Obviously, I recommend Constance Verity Destroys the Universe to you—and everything else Martinez has penned. Thank me later (if you remember to).
---
She pushed a chair into a corner of the room not visible from the street and sat. There was a feel to her life. Danger didn’t usually feel this dangerous. Danger was just background noise. But this was a lot of people trying to kill her. More than normal.
WHAT'S CONSTANCE VERITY DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE ABOUT?
This book starts off with Constance Verity doing something almost unbelievable for her—normal things. She attends a dinner party to celebrate her best friend's/sidekick's upcoming wedding, she spends a day hanging out with her fiancé at a park and museum—sure, there's a duel with an alien in there, as well as dealing with an international crisis, etc. But for Connie, that's pretty sedate.
Then things stop happening—no death rays, mad scientists, pan-dimensional threats—not even a kitten stuck in a tree. It's unnerving to all who know her well. On the plus side, Tia and Hiro's wedding should go off without an interruption, right? And it does—the reception, however...
When things start happening again, there's a distressing trend—people from all over the universe and time show up because they've been told that Constance Verity is going to destroy the universe, and they're going to stop her. The assassins are plentiful enough that Connie's getting nervous—so she does what she can to keep her loved ones safe and then sets out to see why people are saying she's going to destroy the universe. All she's ever done is save it, why would she change?
A PLETHORA OF IDEAS
Connie had a problem with Nebraska. And that problem was that it was too close to Kansas.
Kansas, where dark gods waited to rise from their forgotten tombs and bring about the extinction of mankind.
Kansas, where all time travel led to a black void where a pale, wizened figure would greet you, playing a banjo and singing endless choruses of “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Kansas, where Connie had come the closest to death on more than one occasion.
Kansas, her kryptonite.
In a sentence or two—or five brief paragraphs in the above quotation—Martinez is able to tell a whole story—or at least hint at one. Most of these little stories could be fodder for a novella or a novel, but in this trilogy, they're given anywhere from a sentence fragment to a page. And then he moves on to something else so the plot can be advanced.
Every A. Lee Martinez novel has a surfeit of ideas that come flying at you, that's nothing new. But I think in these Constance Verity novels that he's outdone himself. Martinez treats these all as throw-away remarks, with no real investment of time on the reader's part. But it has to be the kind of thing that would drive your average novelist to exhaustion just trying to come up with them all.
You get just a taste of a fantastic adventure or death-defying feat that Connie's pulled off (frequently with Tia at her side) in these. You add enough of these together and you really start to see all the things that Constance has done and you understand how much is riding on her successes and how she's become a legendary figure throughout the universe.
SORRY, DESIDERIUS ERASMUS ROTERODAMUS*
It probably says something about the way my brain works that my favorite writing on Free Will vs. Determinism comes from Science Fiction—particularly those prone to a comedic tone. Okay, it says a lot about me, but that's for another time.
Constance Verity Destroys the Universe plays with those ideas a lot—even knowing (after being told repeatedly from reliable sources) that she's going to destroy the Universe, Connie refuses to believe it and flat out says she won't. This idea is treated with derision by some (rightly) and supported and echoed by others (also, rightly). The mostly retired demigoddess of destiny that has moved into Connie's apartment building cannot muster up the desire to weigh in on this, and of anyone, you'd think she'd have a lot to say about it.
I'm not saying that I think Martinez has penned a well-developed treatise on the idea in the middle of this SF/Fantasy Action novel—I'm just saying he has a lot of fun playing with the idea and that anyone who enjoys that sort of thing will find the Free Will vs. Determinism discussion a tasty side dish to accompany the SF/Fantasy entree.
* Okay, not really sorry.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CONSTANCE VERITY DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE?
"I don’t have a lot of other leads, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that when in doubt, point myself toward the nearest adventure and let it work itself out.”
I hate that this volume is the end of the road for this trilogy—but I'm not sure what else he could accomplish in this world. When the series started, Connie was an adventurer/savior-of-the-universe wanting a normal life and being unable to; and we wrap up things up with her finding her own brand of normal, which she'll be able to enjoy if she survives the assassination attempts and doesn't destroy the universe. That's a pretty decent arc.
I think I like the arc that her side-kick/best friend Tia goes on a smidge better, but that might be because Tia's a bit more relatable to those of us not burdened with cosmic destiny. Either way, it's a good run.
The ending of this is perfect on several levels—exactly how a novel (or a series) like this should end.
Could you read this apart from the other two novels? Yeah, I suppose. But I don't think it'd be a great stand-alone, but you could get away with it. Why you'd want to, I don't know—the first two books in the series are a blast.
On Twitter and his blog, Martinez will insist that he doesn't write humor or comedy, that he's not that satirical. I'm not so sure, but let's take him at his word. His SF/Fantasy adventures (this one and all his others) are so funny that you can see why people would make that mistake. But when you ignore the humor, you get a very satisfying SF/Fantasy story that takes tropes and themes you're very familiar with and presents them to you in a way that makes you see them with fresh eyes and frequently makes you re-evaluate the trope/theme to come at it with a new appreciation. If you happen to chuckle along the way, consider that a bonus.
Obviously, I recommend Constance Verity Destroys the Universe to you—and everything else Martinez has penned. Thank me later (if you remember to).
December 17, 2021
A Lee Martinez is one of my favorite authors, so you can bet I was stoked to win an early reader copy of this book!
It was the best of the series. It was funny and quotable. I love Constance’s insane life (just not for myself!).
I now hear they’re making a Constance movie? I hope it’s half as good as the books
It was the best of the series. It was funny and quotable. I love Constance’s insane life (just not for myself!).
I now hear they’re making a Constance movie? I hope it’s half as good as the books
November 15, 2021
What? Constance Verity, heroine extraordinaire, destroying the universe? Isn't this the diametric opposite of her entire raison d'etre?! So us long-time Martinez fans are hooked from the start, dying to see how this could possibly come about.
This teaser notwithstanding, I found the first part of the book difficult to get through, as it was mostly about her relationship (or attempts to have a normal one) with her husband, and the issues her sidekick (Tia) faces when trying to marry a super-ninja. But when the story moved on to foiling bad guys, the pace and the plot picked up quite a bit. Connie faces a seemingly impossible mission in this one, as even the infallible oracle says that she is destined to destroy the universe. But, of course, helped by her trusty crew, and not-so-trusty converted evil scientist, Verity always has a solution.
This is not quite up to the wit of some of Martinez's earlier books, but once you put the whole ridiculous relationship angst to the side, it is as full of grotesque alien entities, mad scientists, roller-coaster action and laughs as his other works. My absolute favourite character is Chestnut, the best wonder dog ever (although my cat might give him a run for his money), but the different evil characters are very funny too. An amusing, light-hearted read, so thanks very much to Ededweiss and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
This teaser notwithstanding, I found the first part of the book difficult to get through, as it was mostly about her relationship (or attempts to have a normal one) with her husband, and the issues her sidekick (Tia) faces when trying to marry a super-ninja. But when the story moved on to foiling bad guys, the pace and the plot picked up quite a bit. Connie faces a seemingly impossible mission in this one, as even the infallible oracle says that she is destined to destroy the universe. But, of course, helped by her trusty crew, and not-so-trusty converted evil scientist, Verity always has a solution.
This is not quite up to the wit of some of Martinez's earlier books, but once you put the whole ridiculous relationship angst to the side, it is as full of grotesque alien entities, mad scientists, roller-coaster action and laughs as his other works. My absolute favourite character is Chestnut, the best wonder dog ever (although my cat might give him a run for his money), but the different evil characters are very funny too. An amusing, light-hearted read, so thanks very much to Ededweiss and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
March 6, 2024
Having wrapped up this trilogy I'm in a positive space, but have mixed feelings. What Martinez does best, the evisceration of pulp-fiction tropes, he still does very well, and he does have a convincing climax and a charming coda. Less good is that I never quite bought Connie's romance, and it really felt like the middle book in particular was a rerun of the first book. In as much as a rating of 3.75 is not an option, I'm going to be charitable and give the series the full four stars, and I look forward to the author's next book.
June 27, 2024
I honestly only listened to this to finish the series. I didn't much care about it anymore going in, so you might enjoy this more.
One word to the audiobook, it had too many breathing noises. Not a fan at all of those, so if you are like me pick up the book and read yourself.
One word to the audiobook, it had too many breathing noises. Not a fan at all of those, so if you are like me pick up the book and read yourself.
March 12, 2022
My thanks to Quercus Books Jo Fletcher Books for an advance review copy via NetGalley of ‘Constance Verity Destroys the Universe’ by A. Lee Martinez in exchange for an honest review.
This is the final book in A. Lee Martinez’s Adventures of Constance Verity trilogy. As this is a proper trilogy with a plot that develops over its three books, I suggest that the books are best read in order. As a result, no plot details in order to avoid spoiler territory for the earlier books.
Having read and enjoyed the first two books I looked forward to seeing how Connie’s story played out. Martinez’s style is fast paced as he skilfully combines a number of genres and attendant tropes as well as continues to catalog the trials of his quirky ensemble cast.
I tend to be cautious about comic takes on genre fiction as I find that they can be a bit hit or miss. However, after reading this trilogy Martinez is now firmly in my list of authors whose sense of humour appeals to me.
Overall, I found ‘Constance Verity Destroys the Universe’ a satisfying conclusion to this fun SFF/horror/adventure comic trilogy. While saying goodbye to Connie and friends (plus some great adversaries) I am now planning to explore more of Martinez’s writings.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This is the final book in A. Lee Martinez’s Adventures of Constance Verity trilogy. As this is a proper trilogy with a plot that develops over its three books, I suggest that the books are best read in order. As a result, no plot details in order to avoid spoiler territory for the earlier books.
Having read and enjoyed the first two books I looked forward to seeing how Connie’s story played out. Martinez’s style is fast paced as he skilfully combines a number of genres and attendant tropes as well as continues to catalog the trials of his quirky ensemble cast.
I tend to be cautious about comic takes on genre fiction as I find that they can be a bit hit or miss. However, after reading this trilogy Martinez is now firmly in my list of authors whose sense of humour appeals to me.
Overall, I found ‘Constance Verity Destroys the Universe’ a satisfying conclusion to this fun SFF/horror/adventure comic trilogy. While saying goodbye to Connie and friends (plus some great adversaries) I am now planning to explore more of Martinez’s writings.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
April 16, 2022
A fitting end to the adventures of constance verity.
November 2, 2022
I can only say: "Cool"
November 20, 2021
Connie has grown used to saving the world from megalomaniacs, mad scientists, rampaging cryptids and alien invaders. She's been doing it since childhood, and she's come to terms with the fact that the mantle of Caretaker has fallen to her. It puts her at the right place at the right time, and she has developed the skills to cope with pretty much anything. Then comes the day when assassins from every corner of reality start targeting her, all regretful to inform her that the sacred entrails, or probabilistic equations, or whatever, have determined that she is destined to destroy the universe. Staying ahead of multiple attempts on her life is hard enough. Balancing work with a chance to start a family with her long-suffering boyfriend, Byron, is even tougher.
And now it seems there may really be something to all this buzz about the universe coming to an end, what with an ancient artifact that hastens entropy (i.e. the heat death of the universe) out in the open again for the first time since forever. Once it's in play, Connie is on a non-stop race either to destroy everything or save it, while her friends and loved ones only make things harder for her despite their helpful intentions. These characters, by the way, include the world's greatest ninja, a kleptomaniac wonder dog, a childhood friend who has the ultimate passive-aggressive mother, a retired goddess, a shape-shifting alien, a mostly reformed mad scientist and his artificially intelligent robot wife, a supervillain lair designer and her genius partner, and several more characters who, I take it, were featured in previous books but only make cameos here.
I was constantly engaged by this book's nonstop parade of cracked fantasy-adventure sequences, gags and scenes from the life of a career Snurkab (a title that's much more impressive than it sounds). Whatever it is, no matter how far out, no matter how ridiculous, Connie really does seem to be cut out to handle it. And handle it she does, with a remarkable sensitivity and sympathy toward even the most mustache-twirling of villains. She takes attempts on her life in stride, with no hard feelings, and makes friends with her enemies in a really charming way. If anything, this book throws too much at her, and at us, bubbling over with mini-adventures almost to the point of undercutting the coherence of the plot. But it also offers many all-too-rare opportunities to laugh out loud, after which you'll surely forgive it that and much more.
This review is based on an uncorrected, pre-publication proof that I received in a Goodreads giveaway. The book, due to go on sale in March 2022, is the third in a series that also includes The Last Adventure of Constance Verity and Constance Verity Saves the World – both of which I ordered online after this book fell into my lap. I haven't read them yet, but I'm already a big fan of Martinez, a Texas-based author of hilarious horror and speculative fiction. His other novels, most of which I have read and would heartily recommend, include Gil's All Fright Diner, In the Company of Ogres, A Nameless Witch, The Automatic Detective, Too Many Curses, Monster, Divine Misfortune, Chasing the Moon, Emperor Mollusk vs. the Sinister Brain and Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest. There's also a collection of his shorter fiction titled Robots vs. Slime Monsters.
And now it seems there may really be something to all this buzz about the universe coming to an end, what with an ancient artifact that hastens entropy (i.e. the heat death of the universe) out in the open again for the first time since forever. Once it's in play, Connie is on a non-stop race either to destroy everything or save it, while her friends and loved ones only make things harder for her despite their helpful intentions. These characters, by the way, include the world's greatest ninja, a kleptomaniac wonder dog, a childhood friend who has the ultimate passive-aggressive mother, a retired goddess, a shape-shifting alien, a mostly reformed mad scientist and his artificially intelligent robot wife, a supervillain lair designer and her genius partner, and several more characters who, I take it, were featured in previous books but only make cameos here.
I was constantly engaged by this book's nonstop parade of cracked fantasy-adventure sequences, gags and scenes from the life of a career Snurkab (a title that's much more impressive than it sounds). Whatever it is, no matter how far out, no matter how ridiculous, Connie really does seem to be cut out to handle it. And handle it she does, with a remarkable sensitivity and sympathy toward even the most mustache-twirling of villains. She takes attempts on her life in stride, with no hard feelings, and makes friends with her enemies in a really charming way. If anything, this book throws too much at her, and at us, bubbling over with mini-adventures almost to the point of undercutting the coherence of the plot. But it also offers many all-too-rare opportunities to laugh out loud, after which you'll surely forgive it that and much more.
This review is based on an uncorrected, pre-publication proof that I received in a Goodreads giveaway. The book, due to go on sale in March 2022, is the third in a series that also includes The Last Adventure of Constance Verity and Constance Verity Saves the World – both of which I ordered online after this book fell into my lap. I haven't read them yet, but I'm already a big fan of Martinez, a Texas-based author of hilarious horror and speculative fiction. His other novels, most of which I have read and would heartily recommend, include Gil's All Fright Diner, In the Company of Ogres, A Nameless Witch, The Automatic Detective, Too Many Curses, Monster, Divine Misfortune, Chasing the Moon, Emperor Mollusk vs. the Sinister Brain and Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest. There's also a collection of his shorter fiction titled Robots vs. Slime Monsters.
September 16, 2022
Another wonderfully entertaining novel by A. Lee Martinez. Humorous, action packed and just a fun read. What more can you ask from a book
Our favorite characters continue to enchant, and the ending sets the stage for a new epoch of awesomeness. We could all use a chuckle and his books are good for that. I had fun reading this entire trilogy. They’re the kind of light, silly reading that puts a smile on your face. It deserves rounding up for showing me a steadily good time throughout the three books.
The last installment still kept me interested in the adventures of Ms. Verity. I'm just as interested as I was in the first and second trilogy. I am a sixty five year old mom, and have a twenty year old daughter away at college and a forty five year old son at home. When I won your third book in the trilogy from Goodreads my son had opened the package and started reading it. I have read the first and second books in the trilogy, but he hasn't. He was really enjoying it but I persuaded him to read the first and second books in the trilogy so I could enjoy reading the the third book. Good thing my daughter is away because we are all readers and I don't know who would have one the battle in getting to read the third book. Probably mom. Bring us more great writing A. Lee Martinez. I am going to order a few sets from Amazon to give out for Christmas presents. Our family loves to read and these books are for all ages. I highly recommend.
Our favorite characters continue to enchant, and the ending sets the stage for a new epoch of awesomeness. We could all use a chuckle and his books are good for that. I had fun reading this entire trilogy. They’re the kind of light, silly reading that puts a smile on your face. It deserves rounding up for showing me a steadily good time throughout the three books.
The last installment still kept me interested in the adventures of Ms. Verity. I'm just as interested as I was in the first and second trilogy. I am a sixty five year old mom, and have a twenty year old daughter away at college and a forty five year old son at home. When I won your third book in the trilogy from Goodreads my son had opened the package and started reading it. I have read the first and second books in the trilogy, but he hasn't. He was really enjoying it but I persuaded him to read the first and second books in the trilogy so I could enjoy reading the the third book. Good thing my daughter is away because we are all readers and I don't know who would have one the battle in getting to read the third book. Probably mom. Bring us more great writing A. Lee Martinez. I am going to order a few sets from Amazon to give out for Christmas presents. Our family loves to read and these books are for all ages. I highly recommend.
January 16, 2022
I got a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for a review. Someone hit that button and pull that lever! Review incoming!
I love A. Lee Martinez. He's one of my favorite authors and I have yet to read a book of his I disliked. His last two books focused on the character of Constance Verity- a woman who continuously saves the world, universe, small alien life forms, etc. This is the third (and I hear final) Constance Verity book.
The story involves Constance having to save the universe. Or maybe destroy it. Or both. Contance's life has been complicated and dramatic, but she always rises to the challenge with a quip and at least an idea of a plan. So how bad could things get?
This is a fun summation of the series. Plot threads introduced in the first two books continue and Constance faces yet another shift in perspective of her role in the universe. And there are cfrazy mad scientists, aliens, a kleptomaniac dog. and all sorts of other wacky characters and scenarios. Martinez always writes engaging stories, and this book is no different.
If you haven't read the first two books, go read them! Then read this! Then read other books by A. Lee Martinez!
I love A. Lee Martinez. He's one of my favorite authors and I have yet to read a book of his I disliked. His last two books focused on the character of Constance Verity- a woman who continuously saves the world, universe, small alien life forms, etc. This is the third (and I hear final) Constance Verity book.
The story involves Constance having to save the universe. Or maybe destroy it. Or both. Contance's life has been complicated and dramatic, but she always rises to the challenge with a quip and at least an idea of a plan. So how bad could things get?
This is a fun summation of the series. Plot threads introduced in the first two books continue and Constance faces yet another shift in perspective of her role in the universe. And there are cfrazy mad scientists, aliens, a kleptomaniac dog. and all sorts of other wacky characters and scenarios. Martinez always writes engaging stories, and this book is no different.
If you haven't read the first two books, go read them! Then read this! Then read other books by A. Lee Martinez!
March 20, 2023
In Destroys the Universe, Martinez for the third (final?) time welcomes us into the amazing, if ludicrous, world of Constance “Connie” Verity, the very active, yet down to earth, protector of the Universe. Martinez, not just with CV, but with all his various imaginary universes, is extremely entertaining and always a fun read. Destroys the Universe, possibly the last of this series, did not disappoint. I was both giggling, and very worried about the characters, right up to the last page. I wait excitedly for Martinez’s next adventure – whichever fantastical world he chooses to place it in. Especially if you are a fan of “fantasy” books, and don’t take them too seriously, you are really missing out if you are yet to experience Martinez.
August 29, 2023
Constance Verity is back and fighting the good fight against entropy. Or something like that. She claims she's not a super hero, but she is an extremely competent one who has saved the world (actually, several worlds) from aliens, monsters, mythical entities, supernatural manifestations, and a plethora of crazy cultists. And she has a sidekick, and a larcenous dog, and a boyfriend, and good neighbors who may be even stranger than she is.
This is the third book in the series, which is difficult to categorize but falls somewhere in the realm of comic fantasy with some vague similarities to works of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. Readers of those two greats will probably like Lee's books as well.
(4.5 stars rounded up)
This is the third book in the series, which is difficult to categorize but falls somewhere in the realm of comic fantasy with some vague similarities to works of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. Readers of those two greats will probably like Lee's books as well.
(4.5 stars rounded up)
May 14, 2022
The final book in the trilogy about a superheroine who's constantly having adventures of many different sorts and spanning many different genres, and her attempts to have some semblance of a normal life. One interesting thing about these books is how so much of this happened offstage, so we're introduced to a whole lot of strange characters Constance knows from past adventures, but only bits of what these adventures actually were. The Caretaker, who's considering marriage to her boyfriend and adopting a kid, learns of a prophecy that she'll destroy the universe, and becomes the target of those who hope to prevent it by doing away with her.
June 13, 2022
As usual, Connie's caretaker role often interferes with her personal life, but the marriage of Hiro and Tia is important. However, when 2 days go by with no emergencies, Connie starts to get jittery and worries about the consequences on the wedding which are catastrophic. During the reception, Connie learns that the universe has a hit out on her because if she doesn't die, the universe will be destroyed. As the 4 friends fight off assassins, kidnappings, and various assaults, Connie uses all of her connections and skills to protect both the ones she loves and the universe. A great ending to a fun trilogy with lots of the usual spoofs and jokes.
March 31, 2022
The final chapter pulled this up to a full 4 stars for me. The actual climax of the book was kind of meh. This entire series has been about free will and whether we really make our own choices and it gets kind of redundant. I enjoyed all the science fiction/fantasy elements and the humor. The characters were great. Few authors can handle such a large cast of characters so well. I don't know if we'll get any more from this universe in future books, but we certainly could. A collection of short stories following various side characters would be great.
March 12, 2023
A fun light romp which could up the stakes if the author decides to up the stakes, though I wish it had stayed a little longer and explored more of Key-bound Hiro. That said, I'm very much over Byron and Hiro at this point, so will be happy if these one-note characters stay home for the next book. I suspect though that the introduction of yet another adventurous support character in the form of an adopted daughter will keep Byron on the front lines and discourage me from continuing with these.
I'd really much rather have some pulpy prequels than continue down this path.
I'd really much rather have some pulpy prequels than continue down this path.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
Probably a 3.5 but I'm going to round up because it was just a fun story. It was a quick read and I think the story may have run its course at this point but I liked the world it was in. I liked characters and the background characters off doing their own things.
I'm glad they didn't suddenly try and shift the tone and make a tragic ending. But then again this book has a pet dog that's a master thief, I didn't really think it would kill off the main characters. I did slightly worry about Hiro for a bit there.
Still, a fun, if light trilogy, and I'm glad I read it.
I'm glad they didn't suddenly try and shift the tone and make a tragic ending. But then again this book has a pet dog that's a master thief, I didn't really think it would kill off the main characters. I did slightly worry about Hiro for a bit there.
Still, a fun, if light trilogy, and I'm glad I read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
The third book is a pretty decent wrap-up for Connie. Go OP on the already OP and ham up the humor that's all wrapped up in the genre-aware milieu, then slam it home with mirror-archetypes and cozy genre-specific tropes.
It's smart, very 007, and has more heart than the second book.
Plus, it has less of the relationship angst and more of the outright universe-destroying plot-funny.
Not a bad UF adventure-SF novel. Works best with the other two, of course, but it's entertaining, nonetheless.
It's smart, very 007, and has more heart than the second book.
Plus, it has less of the relationship angst and more of the outright universe-destroying plot-funny.
Not a bad UF adventure-SF novel. Works best with the other two, of course, but it's entertaining, nonetheless.
December 24, 2021
I was excited to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I had to read the first two before I could start this one. Having read all three, I think you could jump in with this one and be just fine. The plot of each book is not strictly dependent on the plot of the previous, although you would miss out on character development. These books are ridiculous and they revel in it. It was a really fun read that I would definitely recommend!
March 19, 2022
This is probably closer to 3 star, but I enjoy A Lee Martinez so much I’ll round up. I love his books. I’m a little done with Constance Verity, and hoping he moves on to something else, not what might be the book being set up at the end. The ogre book, A Nameless Witch, all his books are stellar. This is entertaining, don’t get me wrong. If he does another in this series, of course I’ll read it. And the fifth. But maybe not the sixth. Who am I kidding, I’ll read the sixth.
September 4, 2022
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but it was fun. What more could you ask for? And no I didn’t feel lost reading this as a standalone.
Lots of jokes with tons of action and adventure. The dog that steals is too funny. I liked the characters. The ending is cute. So if you want a book with a cool sidekick and a super-ninja check it out.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
Lots of jokes with tons of action and adventure. The dog that steals is too funny. I liked the characters. The ending is cute. So if you want a book with a cool sidekick and a super-ninja check it out.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
June 28, 2022
An enjoyable science fiction novel with a decent amount of action to keep one interested, although I’m not too certain that I would go back and read the other books in the series. The author was great story teller, but it all comes down to this: if I were younger, perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more.
September 6, 2022
3.5
Love the writer... Not a big fan of the character Constance. I can't really put a finger on it but I just didn't warm to her.
Thrilled that the third book is here though, because that means there will be a new standalone in the near future
I the meantime check his blog. There are quite a few very good short stories.
Love the writer... Not a big fan of the character Constance. I can't really put a finger on it but I just didn't warm to her.
Thrilled that the third book is here though, because that means there will be a new standalone in the near future
I the meantime check his blog. There are quite a few very good short stories.
October 9, 2022
This book did NOT disappoint! Constance Verity, Tia, Byron, Chestnut, Hiro, and the wide assortment of supporting characters are the heart of this story, and they are like family. This was a good end to the trilogy, but I am sad to see them go. Might there be a Risky trilogy in the future? One can only hope...
March 1, 2022
Another entertaining and gripping story in this series: it's the best and I had a lot of fun.
Constance is a great characters and the plot flows keeping you hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Constance is a great characters and the plot flows keeping you hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 7, 2022
I love this series. Once again Connie must try to balance saving the universe with having a personal life. It never seems to go as smooth as she hopes. This is the final book in the trilogy and it's just as fun as the first two.
March 9, 2022
A Tour De Force of humanity and adventure
One of the greatest of all adventure series returns with another outstanding installment. Our favorite characters continue to enchant, and the ending sets the stage for a new epoch of awesomeness. Please don’t stop now!
One of the greatest of all adventure series returns with another outstanding installment. Our favorite characters continue to enchant, and the ending sets the stage for a new epoch of awesomeness. Please don’t stop now!
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