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The Toxic Masculinity of Planet Grk: an Interstar Exchange Novel
After a video showing high school freshman Frances Ninestein sacking his own quarterback goes viral, he is desperate to escape the ridicule of his classmates. Enter The Interstar Exchange, an interplanetary student exchange organization dedicated to maintaining cosmic balance. They arrange for Frances to swap bodies with the lizard warrior Krg of planet Grk.
Trapped in Krg's body on the desert world of Grk, Frances must get in touch with his lizard brain in order to survive. He must learn to ride giant war chickens, wrestle stampeding herd animals, and fight duels to the death over literal lines in the sand--tall orders for a laid back boy from Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, the warrior Krg must curb his violent impulses in order to assimilate into polite Wisconsin society. He must learn to wear clothes, master human courtship rituals, and control his desire to eat his neighbors' pets. He also hopes to become Homecoming King.
The Toxic Masculinity of Planet Grk is the first book in The Interstar Exchange, an exciting new series by internationally acclaimed author Sabra McWayne.
Trapped in Krg's body on the desert world of Grk, Frances must get in touch with his lizard brain in order to survive. He must learn to ride giant war chickens, wrestle stampeding herd animals, and fight duels to the death over literal lines in the sand--tall orders for a laid back boy from Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, the warrior Krg must curb his violent impulses in order to assimilate into polite Wisconsin society. He must learn to wear clothes, master human courtship rituals, and control his desire to eat his neighbors' pets. He also hopes to become Homecoming King.
The Toxic Masculinity of Planet Grk is the first book in The Interstar Exchange, an exciting new series by internationally acclaimed author Sabra McWayne.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2023
A Brilliant Bonkers Sci Fi Fantasy That Blew My Thinkmeat
Right from the first page this book draws you into a crazy surreal world as Frances an bullied awkward teenager from Wisconsin meets a stranger who has the fascinating name of Martin Martin (with a stress on the last I) who explains about the Interstar Exchange. Frances immediately signs up just so he can skip school. But it doesn’t go according to plan. He swaps bodies with an alien called Krg a young Hrkl from a region called Grr on the subcontinent of Irgg on a planet called Grk. The Hrkl are alien species who resemble a buff pig-lizard-walrus. They are warriors who are incredibly xenophobic and paranoid and live to fight each other to the death. So will Frances in Krg’s body survive this violent, inhospitable planet long enough to get home. And will Krg in Frances’s body survive being in a weak inferior body in a deviant world. Not if he keeps eating the neighbours pets and fail to claim the homecoming king crown. Which as a warrior he cannot do at all costs. As I said in the title this is a brilliant bonkers read which goes along at lightning speed with plenty of action, humour, threat and teenage angst. There are some genuine laugh out moments and some awe inspiring moments. This is easily one of most memorable and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Right from the first page this book draws you into a crazy surreal world as Frances an bullied awkward teenager from Wisconsin meets a stranger who has the fascinating name of Martin Martin (with a stress on the last I) who explains about the Interstar Exchange. Frances immediately signs up just so he can skip school. But it doesn’t go according to plan. He swaps bodies with an alien called Krg a young Hrkl from a region called Grr on the subcontinent of Irgg on a planet called Grk. The Hrkl are alien species who resemble a buff pig-lizard-walrus. They are warriors who are incredibly xenophobic and paranoid and live to fight each other to the death. So will Frances in Krg’s body survive this violent, inhospitable planet long enough to get home. And will Krg in Frances’s body survive being in a weak inferior body in a deviant world. Not if he keeps eating the neighbours pets and fail to claim the homecoming king crown. Which as a warrior he cannot do at all costs. As I said in the title this is a brilliant bonkers read which goes along at lightning speed with plenty of action, humour, threat and teenage angst. There are some genuine laugh out moments and some awe inspiring moments. This is easily one of most memorable and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
August 17, 2023
A Brilliant Bonkers Sci Fi Fantasy That Blew My Thinkmeat
Right from the first page this book draws you into a crazy surreal world as Frances an bullied awkward teenager from Wisconsin meets a stranger who has the fascinating name of Martin Martin (with a stress on the last I) who explains about the Interstar Exchange. Frances immediately signs up just so he can skip school. But it doesn’t go according to plan. He swaps bodies with an alien called Krg a young Hrkl from a region called Grr on the subcontinent of Irgg on a planet called Grk. The Hrkl are alien species who resemble a buff pig-lizard-walrus. They are warriors who are incredibly xenophobic and paranoid and live to fight each other to the death. So will Frances in Krg’s body survive this violent, inhospitable planet long enough to get home. And will Krg in Frances’s body survive being in a weak inferior body in a deviant world. Not if he keeps eating the neighbours pets and fail to claim the homecoming king crown. Which as a warrior he cannot do at all costs. As I said in the title this is a brilliant bonkers read which goes along at lightning speed with plenty of action, humour, threat and teenage angst. There are some genuine laugh out moments and some awe inspiring moments. This is easily one of most memorable and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Right from the first page this book draws you into a crazy surreal world as Frances an bullied awkward teenager from Wisconsin meets a stranger who has the fascinating name of Martin Martin (with a stress on the last I) who explains about the Interstar Exchange. Frances immediately signs up just so he can skip school. But it doesn’t go according to plan. He swaps bodies with an alien called Krg a young Hrkl from a region called Grr on the subcontinent of Irgg on a planet called Grk. The Hrkl are alien species who resemble a buff pig-lizard-walrus. They are warriors who are incredibly xenophobic and paranoid and live to fight each other to the death. So will Frances in Krg’s body survive this violent, inhospitable planet long enough to get home. And will Krg in Frances’s body survive being in a weak inferior body in a deviant world. Not if he keeps eating the neighbours pets and fail to claim the homecoming king crown. Which as a warrior he cannot do at all costs. As I said in the title this is a brilliant bonkers read which goes along at lightning speed with plenty of action, humour, threat and teenage angst. There are some genuine laugh out moments and some awe inspiring moments. This is easily one of most memorable and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
August 14, 2023
I picked up this book due to the tilte. I was thinking this book would get strongly political, but it didn't. Don't get me wrong there is a moral and purpose to the story if you apply your think meat, but at its core this is a coming of age story for two very different young men (and a begrudged interdimensional agent). This immeditaly appeals to me as; one I like duality in characters, and two I like churlishness and reluctance in my comedy. And this is funny. I did catch myself laughing quite a few times, and smiling throughout. This was a quick read and refreshing read, admittedly the first book this year I have read in a day.
Only thing I will say is if you can't handle characters being awkward and committing many social faux pas, this might not be for you. But if you like the good old trope of a body swap, this is going to give you something you love.
Only thing I will say is if you can't handle characters being awkward and committing many social faux pas, this might not be for you. But if you like the good old trope of a body swap, this is going to give you something you love.
November 14, 2022
A humorous science fiction novel that harkens in style to the likes of Douglas Adams. Written within a vast universe of alien species and future technologies, yet focuses on individuals' experiences throughout their daily lives. TTMOPG is about an interplanetary student exchange program that allows two native resident species from different planets to exchange bodies and experience the life of their counterpart. It is well-written and thoroughly engaging, with a keen and developed eye for detail and a great story. This is a funny and intelligent book that will keep you entertained from the first page to the last.
October 27, 2022
I really liked this book!
One of the reasons I picked this up is because it has a really eye-catching title, and the rest of the book did not disappoint. Essentially, it centers around an "exchange program" between two planets, where two people swap bodies, but not perspectives or memories. Therefore, we get two fish-out-of-water scenarios on a planetary scale, which leads some interesting setups!
The novel was easy-to-read, and was quite funny in parts. Like I mentioned above, I enjoyed it, and would be looking forward to the next Interstar exchange!
One of the reasons I picked this up is because it has a really eye-catching title, and the rest of the book did not disappoint. Essentially, it centers around an "exchange program" between two planets, where two people swap bodies, but not perspectives or memories. Therefore, we get two fish-out-of-water scenarios on a planetary scale, which leads some interesting setups!
The novel was easy-to-read, and was quite funny in parts. Like I mentioned above, I enjoyed it, and would be looking forward to the next Interstar exchange!
February 11, 2023
I don’t really know how to explain the absurdity of this book. It was definitely something different. But it was hilariously funny in places and the story was entertaining.
A young boy is selected for an intergalactic student exchange program with a being from planet Grk. They exchange places and live in each others skin and hilarity ensues. The perfect read of you’re in the mood for something funny and unusual.
A young boy is selected for an intergalactic student exchange program with a being from planet Grk. They exchange places and live in each others skin and hilarity ensues. The perfect read of you’re in the mood for something funny and unusual.
June 21, 2023
Funny Book With Substance.
This novel is not just a funny science fiction book. It is definitely science fiction and is definitely humorous, but it also has substance. Especially when the great character of Martin Martin is focused on. Did he have to sign his life away? Can he face his fears? Which is also a good question for the two wonderful main characters, Krg and Frances. Will anyone make it out alive? Great writing, and great story!
This novel is not just a funny science fiction book. It is definitely science fiction and is definitely humorous, but it also has substance. Especially when the great character of Martin Martin is focused on. Did he have to sign his life away? Can he face his fears? Which is also a good question for the two wonderful main characters, Krg and Frances. Will anyone make it out alive? Great writing, and great story!
October 10, 2023
A sci-fi body swap story. Frances became trapped in a lizard alien body on Planet Grk. The plot is interesting and unique. The author’s boundless imagination deserves praise and recognition. At the same time, a substantial amount of telling and author intrusion moments can be quite distracting. The author seems to have the inclination to use the word “but” and dialogue tags (hundreds of “but” and “said” throughout the pages).
January 12, 2023
Krg of Grr of Irrg of Grk comes to a high school in Wisconsin, so you know there's going to be quite a sense of humor here, since even the names are satire. I liked the humor and the writing; of course you have to suspend some belief. But good job to the author!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews