Critical Mass

Expeditionary Force, Book 10

By: Craig Alanson

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

The Merry Band of Pirates are in desperate trouble after the end of their last mission, and the real danger to humanity is just getting started.

Hostile aliens have discovered there is something odd going on with wormholes in the galaxy, and their investigations could lead to finding a shortcut to Earth....

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Craig Alanson (P)2020 Podium Audio

Saved my life

Yes, the author has a formula. Yes, I would like to see the characters evolve a bit more, beyond the seemingly childish relationship many of them seem to have with Skippy. But give the guy a break. He tells a good story, and I don't care how much you hate his "formula", the details are rarely predictable. Alanson has an amazing imagination, and he meshes the (mostly) theoretical/fanciful science of his universe (well, galaxy) into the story seamlessly, to the point that it becomes a type of characterin its own right.

I listened to the first book while commuting 3 hours r/t, 5 days a week, back and forth, to the nearest hospital for radiation treatments for cancer. I made that commute for 6 weeks, and as time marched on, and the side effects of the "therapy" became harder to live with, and harder to deal with (two separate things), I looked forward every day to my little escape from reality. Later, I would listen while receiving chemotherapy and it was an even more welcome escape then.

From May through November, these well crafted stories have kept me company. Yes he left us hanging after book 9. So what? People are never happy about cliffhangers but a good writer of this genre must know how to write one! Yes, "the beer can is an asshole" is an unrelenting thread through these stories, as are the other characters' various attitudes toward him. Again, so what? There is plenty of change, plenty of new things to discover, and new characters to acquaint ourselves with, in each book. I've pre-ordered book 11, and am very much looking forward to hearing it in a couple of weeks, with cancer officially in my rear-view mirror.

Review

This audiobook was a little bit better than nine. They actually made progression in this book. Unfortunately I spent too much time dragging out the story when they could’ve made that time progress of the story forward pushing the characters forward. If you listen to the series and you have a extra credit it’s worth listening to.

Meh

I was hoping for more deeper plots. The plots are ok but really they are the same plots replied over and over and over and over again. It made it hard to listen to for the first half. I enjoy them but have decided the last 4 books will be just more of the same. It feels like Robert Jordan’s 10th and 11th books of the wheel of time. Kinda boring. And the dialogue is killing me after hearing the same thing over and over again.

I do love the writer for bringing out books fast. That is more important than the plot and dialogue being perfect in my opinion.

this book series made me default on my mortgage

absolutely love the entire series. I find myself not wanting to do other things just captivated in the performance of my man Bray.

must listen

Wow never disappointed. The voice and the story is fantastic. Definitely recommend if its you type of novel.

Skippy is truly magnificent, but Joe is better

This was a great way to wrap up the merry band of pirate's adventures. Nail biters often enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, although it is always clear the Skippy and the Merry Band of Pirates will come through. RC Bray is, as usual, brilliant will all the characters. Keep up the good work

Amazing as predicted

Not much you can say, this whole series is amazing. This might have been one of the best of the bunch.

Predictable ending but still lots of fun

This was another fun Skippy story by Mr. Alanson although it is a little flat as to why Skippy the Magnificent bailed in the last book and then returned and how and why the inevitable elder weapons I have been waiting for through out the entire series were finally procured. I did resent the racism displayed by Mr. Alanson by his use of the Term "Karen" to describe a White woman. Racism cuts both ways in my book and I do not like it whatever the color. I have tried to learn more about this author but have failed as he is keeping a very low profile(Why)?. He appears to have served in the US Army(talks the talk) as did I but his race and sex for that matter are an open question after reading all of his books to date.

Who is this person?

Amazing... simply, amazing

A gripping ride that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!

Loved this book

I have been listening from the beginning. Every book gets better and better. If you listen to the first one you’ll be hooked. Great series. Please continue the story.