Critical Mass Audiobook By Craig Alanson cover art

Critical Mass

Expeditionary Force, Book 10

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Critical Mass

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

The Merry Band of Pirates are in desperate trouble after the end of their last mission, and the real danger to humanity is just getting started.

Hostile aliens have discovered there is something odd going on with wormholes in the galaxy, and their investigations could lead to finding a shortcut to Earth....

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Craig Alanson (P)2020 Podium Audio
Adventure Fiction Military Science Fiction Space Opera Space Interstellar Funny Thought-Provoking
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What listeners say about Critical Mass

Highly rated for:

The Book Delivers A Highly Entertaining And Imaginative Continuation Of The Expeditionary Force Series, Progressing The Overarching Storylines In A Satisfying Way While Maintaining The Trademark Humor And Character Interactions That Fans Love. Though Some Felt The Pacing Dragged At Times With Excessive Filler, The Creative Worldbuilding, Epic Story Progression, And Resolution Of Long-running Plot Threads Made Up For It. The Book Ties Up Loose Ends From Previous Installments While Also Setting Up Future Adventures, Leaving Readers Eager For What's Next In This Witty, Action-packed Sci-fi Saga.
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    3 out of 5 stars

Like a boring sitcom you can't stop watching.

I've long since thought these books are like episodes of a sitcom that has lasted way past it's prime and they're just trying to squeeze every last cent out of it. Joe and Skippy have their usual routine of banter, something threatens the earth/crew and it's solved by the end. Exactly like any hour long CW shows but in book form. Just when Alanson writes himself into an interesting corner in the last book with the disappearance of Skippy, he immediately retcons it in the next book so things can go back to the usual. It's lazy and a shitty way to make a cliffhanger that amounts to literally nothing. Even the interesting possibility of a new alien AI joining the crew is shot down and instead we get an annoying stoner AI.

The only reason I listen to these books at all are because of RC Bray. His acting is on point and breathes life into a story without much substance. There are multiple times where Alanson blatantly puts advertisements for his other books in the character's mouths.

Don't get me wrong, I like the world building, lore and some characters. However, I would have stopped reading probably after the second book were it not for Bray.

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4 people found this helpful

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Love These Books

After much anticipation I finally got to hear the next "chapter" in the life of "The Merry Bamd of Pirates ". I've been reading/listening to these book since they first came out. Each book seems to be a little bit better than the last one. The continuing story line of these books keep the reader listening almost as if they are a part of the crew. It was interesting to hear the bloopers at the end of the book. Now I can not wait for the next book to come out to see what happens next and to see if Joe Bishop finally gets to have some much needed intamate time with the Gunny.

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3 people found this helpful

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Oh Skippy!

Really folks, this is an excellent story! Great twist and turns, just when you think the pirates are going to die.... ta-da! Something fantastical happens.
I’m ready to start #11. You guys enjoy this one😁

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3 people found this helpful

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Another Great Work

The "world" that Craig Alanson has created is magical. The characters are SO real. The stories are so compelling. I love them.

And RC Bray is AWESOME. He has truly embodied Skippy.

I highly recommend reading all of these books. I can hardly wait to start the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

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Finally tied things together!

Craig Alanson finally tied things together. There were a lot of loose ends and lingering story lines in this series, so thankfully, this book addressed many of them.

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2 people found this helpful

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Craig hits another one out of the park

Expeditionary force Hass to be one of my all-time favorite sci-fi series ever just the right amount of humor battle and humanity

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Final book of the series Absolutely Rocks!

This was a fantastic series. Just great science fiction. Absolutely loved it and I can’t believe how much I laughed about a smart ass beer can name Skippy. Really really enjoyed this entire series. This final book was also excellent. Absolutely hope they’ll be another adventure to come. A whole different series.

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1 person found this helpful

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Still fun!

Even if some of the story gets repetitive at times, it is still a fun story. Skippy and Joe save earth. Again. But they do it in a new way with new ideas and I can't stop listening! R.C. Bray is the best! As usual he brings this story to life in a way that only he can!

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Amazing

I love this series I love the characters I love the author all hail Skippy I cannot wait for the next book in the series the author is very creative and comes up with the best he humor and good scifi action it's an amazing book anybody should be lucky to read this series

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Favorite Series

I love this series! i look forward to every release. the story and characters make me laugh and stay connected. R.C. Bray is an amazing Narrator i look for him all the time. thankyou so much for making this series so memorable!

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