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Paradise

Expeditionary Force, Book 3

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Paradise

By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
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About this listen

While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed "Paradise."

The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.

©2017 Craig Alanson (P)2017 Podium Audio Adventure Fantasy Fiction Military Science Fiction Space Opera Funny Interstellar Witty Military Fiction
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My oh my what a wonderful book. These are just such great fun. Powered by the thoroughbred that is RC Bray there are likeable characters, plenty of action and actually some reasonably clever popcorn sci-fi ideas.

Of course there is also Skippy the vastly intelligent alien AI beer can through which most of the delicious humour is delivered. Highlights in this one include him giving Joe some "live" relationship advice and a little fashion parade including a false moustache which had me genuinely laughing out loud.

At some point I have to believe that this might start to seem repetitive . . . no sign of it yet though!

Skippy De Doo Da!

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Would you consider the audio edition of Paradise to be better than the print version?

Craig Alanson is the master of sarcasm especially when its delivered by R C Bray, this is the third in a series which just gets better and better, the story keeps you going but its the interaction between Col Joe and his omnipotent little beer can is superb and when delivered with R C Brays dulcet tones brings everything to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

has to be Skippy the magnificent, no other character can be so sarcastic yet with a roguish quality.

What about R.C. Bray’s performance did you like?

i have listened to a lot of R C Brays work and this narrator is the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

how can you get moved by a beer can calling you a dumb monkey all the time lol

Any additional comments?

superb work by craig and R C dont keep us waiting for the other books.

its skippy time

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Craig Alanson has done it again! I waited for this third book in the excellent Expeditionary Force series and was not disappointed. Yet again Alanson has delivered a fast paced, funny and clever story and has shown amazing consistency with these 3 books. I've seen other writers start a new series strongly but fade with each successive book to finish with a lacklustre effort but Alanson has bucked this trend and this third instalment is every bit as good as the previous two in my opinion.

Alanson has such a natural writing ability that it's as if he's transcribed real conversations the flow of the dialogue and narrative is so good. Not one part of this book is dull or irrelevant and this is again where the author has excelled as even the best writers have failed in this respect from time to time. Perhaps this shows a clear and well planned story arc prior to the actual writing process, I don't know but what I do know is that this is an entertaining and enthralling book that is perfectly paced.

Unlike a lot of science fiction stories I've read where the characters do silly things or miss seemingly obvious ways of dealing with situations, Alanson has crafted a character in Joe Bishop that is able to come up with truly clever plans from time to time and I end up wondering why I didn't think of that as opposed to wondering why the main character didn't think of it.

Part of this book deals with the events on the planet known as "Paradise" in the time Bishop escaped that world until now and fills us in on the plight of his friends he left behind which is also a nice touch as it brings back into the fold those characters seen mainly back in the first book and are seamlessly re-integrated into the current plot.

The great writing of Craig Alanson is half the story when it comes to the audio book release as the superb R.C. Bray forms the other half of this wonderfully told tale. I cannot think of any other narrator here on Audible that could pull off such naturally delivered narration to the point where you wonder if he's actually reading this or being spontaneous. His voice, method of delivery and fluid cadence make for a wonderful listening experience that truly completes this book. I would go so far as to say that the audio version of these books has to be the definitive version and the best way to experience the story.

Alanson also manages to very cleverly weave recaps into the narrative to remind us all where things were left as well as the state of play with respect to other key elements. This is much appreciated as important details can get rather fuzzy after waiting several months for the next in the series and so I did appreciate the natural way the reader was reminded of the key points.

The only big issue I have is the fact that I am now left having to wait far too long for what is sure to be another book as we are left on somewhat of a cliff hanger.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Oh, and finally a mention of my favourite American import, Fluff!!

No Fluff, No Compromise

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The third in this series, and once again, an terrific romp. Funny, pacey, the story bowls along and is an engaging listen from start to finish.
Great scifi, and with a wonderful twist of humour running all the way through, there's nothing I can see to dislike about this book, and an awful lot to love.
And wonderfully read as well - the complete package. The next book can't come quickly enough.

Wowsers!

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Mr Alanson deserves full props for these characters and story line, and Mr Bray is his usual sublime self!

This series just keeps getting better

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