Sean Randall reviewed Randoms by David Liss
Review of 'Randoms' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
“It was me,” she said. “You’re good for a beginner. If you’d like, you can meet me in the officers’ lounge after 2200 and we’ll play a few rounds.” “I’d love that!” The humans didn’t much like me, but the beaked otter thought I was okay.
Oh, my word. If there was one book worth starting in bed and staying up after 02:00 hours on my last night of school holidays, it was this one. Of course I don't have school holidays per se anymore, working at one rather than learning in one, but I almost wished I was young enough to still be at school because although this book totally got me at my age it would have utterly and unashamedly knocked my socks off as a teen.
“You’re being daft,” Steve said. “It’s only a plasma wand.” “No it’s not,” I told him, as I whoomed back and …
“It was me,” she said. “You’re good for a beginner. If you’d like, you can meet me in the officers’ lounge after 2200 and we’ll play a few rounds.” “I’d love that!” The humans didn’t much like me, but the beaked otter thought I was okay.
Oh, my word. If there was one book worth starting in bed and staying up after 02:00 hours on my last night of school holidays, it was this one. Of course I don't have school holidays per se anymore, working at one rather than learning in one, but I almost wished I was young enough to still be at school because although this book totally got me at my age it would have utterly and unashamedly knocked my socks off as a teen.
“You’re being daft,” Steve said. “It’s only a plasma wand.” “No it’s not,” I told him, as I whoomed back and forth. “It’s an elegant weapon for a more civilized age. This is a light saber.”
Each part builds on the next with inevitable, astoundingly pull-you-in progress. I mean I was hooked at chapter 3, the quality of the writing alone did that, but then to have the character and plot click into place so brilliantly felt like a bonus. And so, by the time we end the first part we're already firmly on the side of our hero and wondering just how on earth he's going to pull off his task.
“not only did I not forget regulation 46-A, I’m counting on it. Our lives, at this point, depend on a scheme I’m stealing from Star Trek Two.”
At the end of the second part, when we get the - what's the word for the literary punch that snaps things into clarity and lets you see where things are going? - after that, it was a good, old-fashioned roller-coaster of adventure, and when the mission seems to be over and there are wisecracking geeks bouncing off each other I felt as if I could really quite happily just go join in with them.
Of course, I won't spoil anything for you, so you're gonna have to read this to find out what happens. But I felt as if I were reading an [b:armada|16278318|Armada|Ernest Cline|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377284428s/16278318.jpg|22378124] for a slightly younger audience (Yes, it's marketed to kids, but don't let that put you off), because it's seriously the best book I've read this month. I've only given one other 5 stars in August and I think if I had to choose one of them, it'd be this one. It has it all, including a character who reminded me a little of Ron Weasley, and I cannot wait to pick up more of Liss's works. The jacket calls him "a proud science fiction geek". The man deserves recognition for this novel. I can't wait to give it to my kids and have them just "get it". I just need to work on finishing the Trek reruns. And having another kid...