Terminal Uprising - Book Review

 

Terminal Uprising (Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse #2)

by Jim C. Hines

What is it about:

It’s been four months since Marion “Mops” Adamopoulos learned the truth. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago.

Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full.

Mops’ mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans … or drown the galaxy in chaos.

To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears most: return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.

Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.

What did I think of it:

I very much enjoyed the first book in this series, so when I was in the mood for something funny and entertaining I decided to give the second one a try.

And this book is just as enjoyable as the first. I will confess I was a little disappointed that my favorite character from book 1, Grom didn't play  large role in this one, but that was about the only grumble I had.

Mops and her crew once again find themselves in hot water and have to be resourceful and quick on their feet to survive. I loved how Mops manages to get on top of situations that seem disastrous, and how she and her crew outsmart the Krakau and other enemies in surprising ways.

The ending is satisfying but there's still enough going on that I want more. I hope there will be a next book!

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and action-packed SF read.

Terminal Alliance - Book Review

Terminal Alliance (Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse #1)
by Jim C. Hines

What is it about:
When the Krakau came to Earth, they planned to invite humanity into a growing alliance of sentient species.

This would have worked out better for all involved if they hadn’t arrived after a mutated plague wiped out half the planet, turned the rest into shambling, near-unstoppable animals, and basically destroyed human civilization. You know—your standard apocalypse.

The Krakau’s first impulse was to turn their ships around and go home. After all, it’s hard to establish diplomatic relations with mindless savages who eat your diplomats.

Their second impulse was to try to fix us.

A century later, human beings might not be what they once were, but at least they’re no longer trying to eat everyone. Mostly.

Marion “Mops” Adamopoulos is surprisingly bright (for a human). As a Lieutenant on the Earth Mercenary Corps Ship Pufferfish, she’s in charge of the Shipboard Hygiene and Sanitation team. When a bioweapon attack by an alien race wipes out the Krakau command crew and reverts the rest of the humans to their feral state, only Mops and her team are left with their minds intact.

Escaping the attacking aliens—not to mention her shambling crewmates—is only the beginning. Sure, Mops and her assortment of space janitors and plumbers can clean the ship, but flying the damn thing is another matter. As they struggle to keep the Pufferfish functioning and find a cure for their crew, they stumble onto a conspiracy that could threaten the entire alliance.

A conspiracy born from the truth of what happened on Earth all those years ago…

What did I think of it:
I absolutely love Hines' Jig the Goblin trilogy, but couldn't get into his Princess series. Then I saw this book and knew I had to try it!

And what a fun SF adventure.

Mops is the head of the janitor crew aboard the Pufferfish. When things go horribly wrong she , her crew, and an alien technician named Grom are the only ones who might be able to save the day.

This book mixes a really suspenseful adventure with lots of humor. I was both on the edge of my seat and laughing. I immediately bonded with Grom, they might be alien, but they were so easy to relate to. Mops and her team were really cool as well. I rooted for all of them to stay alive and to find out what was going on.

Each chapter starts with either a short piece of history or a conversation log, filling in gaps and providing entertainment. As Mops and her crew chase the truth danger stalks them from every side. I had to keep reading to see how this story would end.

All in all a really fun and entertaining read. You bet I will get my trotters on the next book.

Why should you read it:
Janitors in Space! Need I say more?


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