Happy Jack and the Scary-Ass Book of Doom

Shadows Over Earth-That-Was, Book 1

De: Rich Partain

Narrado por: JP Adams

What happens when the geeks inherit the Earth? For starters, things get a little weird.

In the year 2475, the remnants of humanity have taken to the skies, inhabiting massive domed cities that hover five miles over the ruined ecological disaster of old Earth. The Powers That Be, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the few million people left deserved to live their best lives, so they gave each sub-orbital platform its own theme and legally enforced tech level. Named for afterlives and sacred places from all of the world's great cultures, Elysia, A'Aru, Valhalla, Tian and the other orbitals range from cyberpunk metropolises to Tolkienesque medieval fantasy lands; from Victorian steampunk cities of glass and copper to snowbound Viking kingdoms.

Not content with merely cosplaying their days away, a significant portion of the population have become transhuman "cybernaturals," electing to transform into creatures from myth through cybernetic enhancements and advanced genetic therapies; orcs, dwarves, elves, vampires and werewolves now exist through super-scientific means, not supernatural ones.

In the middle of this madness, Daniel Davidson, a pop culture archaeologist and mercenary of dubious repute and his band of foul-mouthed friends are charged with tracking down an ancient book that could, in the wrong hands, erase all of reality. It could be a huge payday and might even involve saving the known universe as a tidy bonus. That is, if they manage to NOT die at the hands of cannibal sex cultists, swashbuckling rogue vampires, prankster demigods, Templar knights, horrifying biblical angels, the angry star-spawn of elder things, and Satan himself. And possibly food and/or alcohol poisoning. Or suffocation in a sex dungeon.

It's a filthy, hilarious, epic journey through an off-kilter future filled with bullets, blades, beasts, and boat drinks. If you like your profane sci-fi action comedies with a side order of urban and traditional fantasy, look no further.

©2023 Rich Partain (P)2024 Rich Partain

Hilarious Fantasy/SciFi Crossover

If you've ever wondered what it would be like if Terry Pratchett and Sacha Baron Cohen collaborated to reimagine the premise for the TV show Firefly, then this is your answer. Imaginative writing and a solid vocal performance by the reader make this audio book a must listen if the above speaks to you at all.

Great story, poor choice in narrators

Fun entertaining story, goofy with some good laughs. Literally only complaint is the narrator. I don’t understand the decision

Rollicking Multi-faceted Tale

This was a fun-to-listen to tale full of many great call backs and enough action to keep me engaged. The narration added great depth to the pacing and tone of the story.

hilarious

one of the funniest books ever. Great characters and story. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time

Every thing you’re told about the character and his relationships is forced and unearned

Main character comes off as pretentious and self absorbed. All the female interactions are caricatures of real conversations with women, and all the women love him…because we’re told they do. He comes off preachy and hypocritical often. Still some moments are fun and likable. Also way too forced Firefly stylings throughout

Best Science Fiction this century

A well crafted story in an unusual fully realized version of an alternate earth. The audio book is well read at a reasonable pace, your mom liked the pace anyway and By Josh this is just one of my favorite books ever.

Not diagnosed but peer reviewed mischief and mayhem

This being my 4th trip through the book I knew what to expect but narration added life and nuance to the story in unexpected places. Well worth replacing the morning jams to work or distraction on the treadmill.

The snark

The story keeps getting better and the snark escalates with every chapter with the ending being a bit of a surprise.

popular culture for the win 10/10!

an amazingly hilarious story, including was screaming "LETS GO!" by the end. I'll wait with baited breath for the next book.

Middle school humor without charm. Don't waste your time, money, or credits.

DNF - The book wins, I can't finish it.

A little character development would have been nice. Maybe some foreshadowing at some sort of bigger payoff. Something?

The humor begins and ends at: Tee-Hee-Hee look at me I'm so naughty.

The main characters motivation for taking the job is....money. Is it a lot of money? Who knows, we have no point of reference to judge what is being offered. Why does the main character need money? Reasons!

The narration isn't good. I don't know if it's the narrator, bad direction, or bad editing; but it's not a good performance.

I've already spent more time than this book is worth writing this much.

Just avoid it and be greatful someone else bought it so you don't have to.