307:(2022) in that both are riffs on genre film tropes. The current work is fluffier and sillier than the previous novel and, indeed, many of Scalzi's other books, although there is the occasional jab about governments being in bed with unscrupulous corporate enterprises or the ways in which people can profit from human suffering." The reviewer concludes the novel is "un while it lasts but not one of Scalzi's stronger books."
172:. Mathilda was his chief assistant, and cats Hera and Persephone are genetically modified super-intelligent spy cats, who had long kept watch on Charlie for Jake. Moreover, Jake had enemies, who are now Charlie's enemies: the Lombardy Convocation, an organization of rival villains with whom he has long fought a private war.
252:) "examines tropes in a tale of an ordinary individual being cast into an extraordinary situation with his trademark quick pacing, clever banter, and ability to find humor in desperate situations." He concludes that "ith a ... clever premise, Scalzi's latest will appeal to his legion of fans and draw in new ones.
151:, and audiobook by Audible Studios, on September 19, 2023; British hardcover and ebook editions were released by Tor UK on September 21, 2023. A large print hardcover edition was issued by Thorndike Press on November 28, 2023, and a trade paperback edition is due to be issued by Tor Books on October 1, 2024.
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calls the book "one of many available stories about a good-hearted
Everyman thrust into fantastical circumstances, struggling to survive as a fish out of water, and, while well executed for its type, the plot doesn't go anywhere that will surprise you." It "serves as a follow-up of sorts to Scalzi's
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calls the book a " clever, fast-paced thriller" that subverts classic supervillain tropes with equal measures of tongue-in-cheek humor and common sense. ... Scalzi balances all the doublecrosses and assassination attempts with ethical quandaries, explorations of economic inequality, and humor ...
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When his long-estranged uncle Jake
Baldwin, billionaire owner of a parking lot empire, dies, Jake's assistant Mathilda Morrison approaches Charlie with a proposition: represent Jake at the memorial service, and he will receive enough money from the estate to buy out his siblings, get his loan, and
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The funeral is attended by various dubious individuals who have a bizarre obsession with confirming Jake's death; one attendee, Tobias, even attempts to stab the corpse. Afterwards, Charlie's house is destroyed by a bomb. An intruder, later found to be a government agent, is blown up with it, and
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stored by Jake in exchange for peace. The plan takes a turn during the meeting to access the treasure when Gratas betrays his associates and kills them. However, the cache is discovered to be empty, and Gratas's retaliatory efforts against
Charlie's staff are foiled. Charlie's dolphins, having
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Charlie Fitzer, ex-business reporter, spouse, and caregiver to his now-deceased father, is in reduced circumstances. Now living with his cats Hera and
Persephone in the old family home co-owned with his half-siblings who are keen to sell it, he barely makes a living as a substitute teacher. He
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in a plot by Jake, his allegedly deceased ally Anton Dobrev, and
Mathilda to dismantle the Convocation. As part of his exit, Charlie is exonerated, awarded a safe house for his cats, gains ownership of the tavern, and is eventually reunited with his cats, who also retire from the supervillain
203:, Italy. There he is pressured to join and pay a substantial membership fee or face severe consequences. However, a private meeting with Anton Dobrev, head of the Convocation, ends up with the latter apparently dead, the hotel burned, and Charlie once again being framed.
270:, calls the novel a "story of snark with a heart reminds readers that the logical conclusion of 'dogs have owners, cats have staff' is that cats are management and never let anyone forget it." She characterizes the book as "ombining the sarcastic humor of Scalzi's
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292:) as much as those cats; it’s also for those who enjoy seeing superhero stories folded, twisted, and mutilated and anyone wishing for a righteous villain lair surrounded by intelligent sharks . Highly recommended."
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Back at St. Genevieve, Charlie and his allies prepare for the inevitable showdown. He retaliates for an attack on the island by
Roberto Gratas, the new head of the Convocation, by destroying his enemies'
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pledged allegiance to him after settling a strike on terms favorable to them, suborn the enemy whales. Gratas attempts to eliminate
Charlie but is stopped and taken out by the dolphins.
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Charlie is framed for the deed. Mathilda and
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Natalie Zina Walschots." She concludes that "eaders of humorous fantasy are sure to love Scalzi’s latest (after
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aspires to acquire a revered local tavern whose owner is retiring but is denied a bank loan.
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Marlene Harris, in a double-starred "Pick of the Month" review in
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The result is a breezy and highly entertaining genre send-up."
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304:The Kaiju Preservation Society
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372:Miltner, Terrence. Review in
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191:and guarded by intelligent
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317:Hugo Award for Best Novel
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561:The Collapsing Empire
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240:Terrence Miltner in
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666:The Android's Dream
553:The Interdependency
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749:Categories
526:Zoe's Tale
385:Review in
278:James Bond
232:business.
682:Redshirts
273:Redshirts
236:Reception
201:Lake Como
177:Caribbean
149:Tor Books
106:hardcover
77:Tor Books
73:Publisher
727:" (2011)
374:Booklist
243:Booklist
193:dolphins
55:Language
604:Head On
596:Lock In
588:Lock In
211:with a
189:volcano
181:Grenada
104:Print (
58:English
735:(2019)
720:(2009)
701:(2023)
693:(2022)
685:(2012)
677:(2011)
669:(2006)
661:(2005)
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634:(2020)
626:(2016)
607:(2018)
599:(2014)
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493:series
412:Review
311:Awards
217:whales
37:Author
327:Notes
283:Hench
139:is a
113:Pages
63:Genre
122:ISBN
88:2023
414:in
199:on
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