The Last Volunteer

The Doomsayer Journeys, Book 1

By: Steve Wetherell

Narrated by: CC Hogan

Fans of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - your long wait for a successor is over!

The fate of the world lies with one man: Bip Plunkerton.

Talentless scientist and frequent drinker at the Empty Goat, young Bip Plunkerton will follow in his father’s footsteps as a volunteer...footsteps that have yet to return from the wilds of the wide world outside. Traverse the harsh weather of the formidable ice plains, navigate the boiling sea, and suffer the ravaging heat of the bone desert. Bip’s impossible task, continually thwarted by the semi-corporeal Mr. Random, is to warn the rest of the world of the coming doom of the Massive Ball of Death hurtling through space.

Will the last volunteer be any more successful than the first? Will Bip save planet Bersch from a fate set into motion millennia before? Probably not, but we can likely drag this question out for a couple more audiobooks, though. Right?

©2018 Steve Wetherell (P)2019 Falstaff Books

An Epic Quest

So glad I finally started this book. Once I started listening, I couldn't stop. I loved the humor and adventure of the story, and I cannot wait to read the next one.

Love this book

I had read this book before the audio, but it is even better in audio. I can not wait for the next book to come to audio!

Worthy of Adams/Pratchett comps! Perfect narrator.

Lots of books are advertised with comparisons to comedic SF/F authors such as Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, but few deliver on those promises. The Doomsayer Journeys deliver. Tightly written, fast paced, lots of fun, and just really funny in that perfect, wry, intelligent, ridiculous way. The long wait for audio--thank you Falstaff Books!!--was well worth it. CC Hogan could not be more perfect in voice and tone for these works and his delivery is polished and thoroughly enjoyable. Loved it.

Classically humorous!

Wetherell's The Last Volunteer is a fun adventure of the most unlikeliest of heroes. As many others have pointed out, the story is reminiscent of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in all the right ways. The comedy is clever in its delivery, and holds up well as a performance. Listening to the story pulls things together in the way that Montey Python skits needed to be acted out to fully be appreciated. The story itself is full of twists and turns leaving you wondering how someone so inept will be able to achieve such a daunting task. Little by little, Wetherell pulls you in and has you cheering for the most unlikely of characters.

Wetherell's style may not be for all, as there are a number of people who do not like to be burdened with the task of contemplating their humor. Those that appreciate a sly remark or a quirky play on words will find this story to be more than entertaining.

Big fan of Steve Wetherell

I loved the humor of this book and the heroes the author created. I enjoyed how the story flipped from past to present to where exactly are we again. If you enjoy the writings of Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams, and the like, you should definitely give this book a go. If you listen to the podcast of Authors and Dragons you'll find that Brandon Thighmaster is one hell of a writer.

I wish the narrator created more distinctive voices for all the characters but that would be my only complaint. I enjoyed listening to C.C. Hogan regardless.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Worth it

I usually use my credits on books 30+ hours long, but I've familiar with the authors brand of humor from his works in the Shingles series and from the A&D podcast. I was not dissatisfied. While the style was a bit out of my comfort zone, I really enjoyed the book. The narrator was great, and I can't help to feel that the experience was bettered by his contribution. If you like funny Science Fiction / Fantasy stuff, like say Hitch Hikers guide to the Galaxy, give this book a shot.

Loved it

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I have to say, I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was a fun and wild ride. It has tons of humor and there is lots of action to keep things going. The narrator does a great job of bringing the story to life. If you are looking for a fun, tongue in cheek, sci fi/fantasy story, this is a solid choice. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who likes books like Hitchiker's Guide.

Good Fun!

A good fun read. The narrator brings a touch more mirth with his tone. A bit science fiction, a bit fantasy. You can feel the loving influence of Terry Pratchett. There is absolutely beautiful world/universe building that I want to see more of. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

Very Funny Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel

I really enjoyed this book, it very much reminded me of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, in that it was very funny/ridiculous and also had an interesting story involving aliens. I find the Magic/Science system pretty interesting and want to see how Bip progresses with it in future installments. The overall story is interesting with the Present Day story of Bip and his journey being told concurrently with the past story of Handen Strike and his journeys keeps things fresh. It was a bit short and seemed to end a bit abruptly but that just leaves me waiting for the second part.

The author C.C. Hogan was a great choice, he has a great voice and did a great job with the humor and comedy in the book.

"Please note I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Loved this book!

The style of writing reminds me of Neil Gaiman, Terry Prachett, and Douglas Adams with a touch of Guy Ritchie for the seedy back alley characters that are just awesome. Thanks Steve, can't wait for more!