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This Fine Crew #1
The Signal Out of Space
Welcome to the Initiative!
A declawed reptilian engineer.
A furry medic concealing her noble heritage.
An insectoid programmed to adore humans.
An overeager Human pilot named Lidstrom.
Everyone already knows that the reptiles adapt, the brutes endure, the bugs explore, and the Humans… make war. Together, they aim for a fresh start with a brave new venture: the Interstellar Initiative, the galaxy’s best hope for peace, cooperation, and rewriting some nasty first impressions.
Unfortunately, this Human-led venture is off to a rocky start. Tensions run high, and the species enrolled in the Initiative’s Academy are only a few mistranslations from tearing each other apart. They’ll have to learn to work together quickly, though, or an uninvited guest will destroy them all first.
A declawed reptilian engineer.
A furry medic concealing her noble heritage.
An insectoid programmed to adore humans.
An overeager Human pilot named Lidstrom.
Everyone already knows that the reptiles adapt, the brutes endure, the bugs explore, and the Humans… make war. Together, they aim for a fresh start with a brave new venture: the Interstellar Initiative, the galaxy’s best hope for peace, cooperation, and rewriting some nasty first impressions.
Unfortunately, this Human-led venture is off to a rocky start. Tensions run high, and the species enrolled in the Initiative’s Academy are only a few mistranslations from tearing each other apart. They’ll have to learn to work together quickly, though, or an uninvited guest will destroy them all first.
- GenresScience Fiction
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2021
60 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 17, 2023
Marxist Maoist Drivel Driven
“The Signal Out of Space (This Fine Crew Book 1), authored by Mike Jack Stoumbos, is an example of the advocacy of Marxist / Maoist ideology prevalent amongst the contemporary sci-fi genre.
The storyline is driven by the ‘goodness’ of diversity of the protagonists as they ferret out xenophobic (read racist) villainy while attending a spanking new inter-species academy on Mars, steered by a pink-haired lgbtmnopqrs+ academy officer. The limited profanity contained within is overwhelmingly directed at Christianity, a trademark of marxism and Maoism..
As to writing execution, it is poor with dozens of examples, some highlighted and noted on Goodreads.
“The Signal Out of Space” was read via K.U. and is not recommended.
“The Signal Out of Space (This Fine Crew Book 1), authored by Mike Jack Stoumbos, is an example of the advocacy of Marxist / Maoist ideology prevalent amongst the contemporary sci-fi genre.
The storyline is driven by the ‘goodness’ of diversity of the protagonists as they ferret out xenophobic (read racist) villainy while attending a spanking new inter-species academy on Mars, steered by a pink-haired lgbtmnopqrs+ academy officer. The limited profanity contained within is overwhelmingly directed at Christianity, a trademark of marxism and Maoism..
As to writing execution, it is poor with dozens of examples, some highlighted and noted on Goodreads.
“The Signal Out of Space” was read via K.U. and is not recommended.
December 24, 2022
This space opera hits so many tropes just right! It’s a school story (well, cadets in the Interstellar Initiative, but close enough), a patchwork of alien species learning to work together (shades of Star Trek) and a mystery. After a brutal interspecies war, the Interstellar Initiative is the galaxy’s best hope for peace, cooperation, and rewriting nasty first impressions.
To begin with, our motley crew includes:
A declawed reptilian engineer who goes “Mmmmmm!”
A furry medic with a secret noble heritage, like a werewolf with tusks
An insectoid programmed to adore humans, whose chosen name is Paul Newman and who has four arms, rather than wings
A barely-legal-age human pilot who reminds me of the kid in the film, The Last Starfighter with his gift with video games and puppy-like enthusiasm.
The prolog throws us into action as the crew hurtles across the Martian terrain in a test run when matters go seriously pear-shaped. It’s confusing because (a) there’s no context for any of these characters or their relationships (for example, one is referred to as “Paul,” but later turns out to be the sentient insectoid who has adopted the name, “Paul Newman”); (b) prologs at best are incredibly challenging to pull off and are usually a terrible idea. However, it’s soon over and when we return to the scene later in the book, we are better equipped to understand what’s going on.
From there, the story shifts into multiple POV, not-quite-linear time as we experience each character’s arrival and interactions. These chapters are brilliant. The depiction of the differences as well as similarities between the five characters/five species are gorgeously well done.
No book is perfect (not even mine!) but I found the few flaws trivial in comparison to the wonderful voices of the characters, the unfolding mystery, and the intricate politics of each species. It’s the first of series but stands alone very well. Fans of space-opera-with-aliens will love it!
To begin with, our motley crew includes:
A declawed reptilian engineer who goes “Mmmmmm!”
A furry medic with a secret noble heritage, like a werewolf with tusks
An insectoid programmed to adore humans, whose chosen name is Paul Newman and who has four arms, rather than wings
A barely-legal-age human pilot who reminds me of the kid in the film, The Last Starfighter with his gift with video games and puppy-like enthusiasm.
The prolog throws us into action as the crew hurtles across the Martian terrain in a test run when matters go seriously pear-shaped. It’s confusing because (a) there’s no context for any of these characters or their relationships (for example, one is referred to as “Paul,” but later turns out to be the sentient insectoid who has adopted the name, “Paul Newman”); (b) prologs at best are incredibly challenging to pull off and are usually a terrible idea. However, it’s soon over and when we return to the scene later in the book, we are better equipped to understand what’s going on.
From there, the story shifts into multiple POV, not-quite-linear time as we experience each character’s arrival and interactions. These chapters are brilliant. The depiction of the differences as well as similarities between the five characters/five species are gorgeously well done.
No book is perfect (not even mine!) but I found the few flaws trivial in comparison to the wonderful voices of the characters, the unfolding mystery, and the intricate politics of each species. It’s the first of series but stands alone very well. Fans of space-opera-with-aliens will love it!
January 10, 2022
This book had everything needed to keep me hooked from cover to cover. The various 1st-person perspectives (all but one being human) kept me wanting more from that character every time a chapter ended. The amount of detail was just enough for the reader to tease out some info while not being overloaded with species details and galactic history. I became a part of the cadet squad as the book progressed and I cannot wait to see where this adventure takes me in the future. Excellent book that I would recommend for non sci fi fans as well. 5 out of 5 stars. The only downside being that I have to wait any amount of time for the next book in the series.
January 29, 2023
ASensational sci fi Mystery. Advennture. Everything you want from a true Adventure.
Addictively rendered multiple character rendered i sci fi tale. Collaborative diverse Space Cadets facing and pursuing untold dangers whilst faced with denounced Mystery on Mars events. Their aim? The Truth. Their Enemy, The very system of which they are a part. Risking all to track down a phantom audio source and to unpick Mans Duplicitous actions in defense of the vulnerable. Bravery, hope, determibation. They truly are A Fine Crew.
Addictively rendered multiple character rendered i sci fi tale. Collaborative diverse Space Cadets facing and pursuing untold dangers whilst faced with denounced Mystery on Mars events. Their aim? The Truth. Their Enemy, The very system of which they are a part. Risking all to track down a phantom audio source and to unpick Mans Duplicitous actions in defense of the vulnerable. Bravery, hope, determibation. They truly are A Fine Crew.
January 23, 2022
This book is rad. The POV characters are unique individuals who you feel for and laugh with and there is enough mystery to keep a reader guessing and turning pages. Whenever I feel like I have decided on a favorite character, someone else does something relatable, likable, or exciting and I have someone new to root for the most in the crew. This is accessible science fiction that allows itself to be fun. Excited to see what happens next!
May 12, 2022
Might Be OK
The story starts well and then, for me at least, slowly unraveled as more details and characters were added. Eventually and long before the ending, the details began obscuring the storyline and I fell out of the narrative. Setting the book aside, I tried returning a couple of times but just could not regain the original interest which had gotten me started. At that point I closed the book and returned it.
The story starts well and then, for me at least, slowly unraveled as more details and characters were added. Eventually and long before the ending, the details began obscuring the storyline and I fell out of the narrative. Setting the book aside, I tried returning a couple of times but just could not regain the original interest which had gotten me started. At that point I closed the book and returned it.
June 12, 2022
Great interspecies academy book!
After a war brings four species together, they begin an interstellar initiative to work together in peace. Alien perspectives feature strongly as the cadets work to comprehend one another and earn a place aboard its latest and greatest ships. Young adults, problem solving, social interactions but no romance in the picture, and a mystery that slowly unfolds across the book. Recommend!
After a war brings four species together, they begin an interstellar initiative to work together in peace. Alien perspectives feature strongly as the cadets work to comprehend one another and earn a place aboard its latest and greatest ships. Young adults, problem solving, social interactions but no romance in the picture, and a mystery that slowly unfolds across the book. Recommend!
March 5, 2022
Awesome sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is incredible, the non-human sapients are fantastic, and the story is absolutely engrossing. I love the "alien" pov chapters, and the "good" characters are wonderful. If you think I used too many superlatives, I don't care because this book deserves them. I read it in KU but will buy it to reread.
The worldbuilding is incredible, the non-human sapients are fantastic, and the story is absolutely engrossing. I love the "alien" pov chapters, and the "good" characters are wonderful. If you think I used too many superlatives, I don't care because this book deserves them. I read it in KU but will buy it to reread.
March 18, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down! I absolutely loved THE SIGNAL OUT OF SPACE! There is a plot that you can believe, wonderful dialogue, talented world building, and fantastic characters - human as well as alien. It took me a while to keep the primary characters sorted out in my mind’s eye but it was well worth the effort. I’m on to the next book in the series.
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March 8, 2022I'm going to refrain from rating this book for 2 reasons. 1) this seems to be a young adult space adventure and not a military sci-fi novel like I thought. And 2) it's obvious this is multiple books into some series I'm not aware of due to references the author assumed I would know.
August 15, 2023
This was an interesting one
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews