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Scrapyard Ship #1
Scrapyard Ship
Lieutenant Commander Jason Reynolds has had a string of bad luck lately -- evident by the uncomfortable house arrest bracelet strapped to his right ankle. Worse yet, he’s relegated to his grandfather’s old house and rambling scrapyard. To complicate things, the women in his life are pulling from every direction. But It’s through a bizarre turn of events that Jason is led to a dried up subterranean aquifer hundreds of feet below ground. Here he discovers an advanced alien spacecraft, one that will propel his life in a new direction.
The adventure begins… and with it new troubles for Jason: The Craing, an unstoppable interstellar threat, is headed right for Earth. A desperate situation goes from bad to worse as the Alliance crumbles.
Fortunately, Jason’s unorthodox and impetuous nature seems to work in his favor as he moves up to the captain’s chair. First order of business is to reconnect with his SEAL team compatriots and face this enemy head on. What's at stake? The very survival of the human race.
This is a full-length 70,000-word novel, first in the science fiction adventure series for Scrapyard Ship.
The adventure begins… and with it new troubles for Jason: The Craing, an unstoppable interstellar threat, is headed right for Earth. A desperate situation goes from bad to worse as the Alliance crumbles.
Fortunately, Jason’s unorthodox and impetuous nature seems to work in his favor as he moves up to the captain’s chair. First order of business is to reconnect with his SEAL team compatriots and face this enemy head on. What's at stake? The very survival of the human race.
This is a full-length 70,000-word novel, first in the science fiction adventure series for Scrapyard Ship.
243 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2013
507 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
October 13, 2013
I have to say that I had some difficulty deciding what rating to give this book. For some parts I really wanted to give a higher rating and for some parts not at all. I think the biggest problem with the book is that it is constantly jumping between being suitable as a young adult book with a teen target audience and being a more adult book with an adult target audience.
Now, from what I understand this is a first effort from a new author and given that I think it is not a bad effort at all. I would encourage the author to continue and I feel pretty sure that I would pick up a second Scrapyard Ship book if one were to come out.
As for the book, I like the story. Then I always like these first contact, surprise, surprise you are not alone type of stories. Naturally not all of the aliens are nice guys and I like that too. It usually means some action and alien butt kicking is about to take place and this book does not disappoint on that subject. The characters are likable, the story in general is nice reading and the action is, as I mentioned before, not disappointing.
The things that drags everything down is that some parts of the story is just too unbelievable almost juvenile. Like what the heck would they expect to happen when testing alien weaponry of unknown strength down on the surface of Earth? Oh, I’m sure no one will miss that mountain ridge??? Plopping down a 170 meter alien ship in the middle of the pentagon and then in no time at all having all the high brass there walking aboard said alien space ship. Eh I do not think so. It is also rather amazing that they make more advances in understanding previously mentioned alien ship in a few days than had been done in what, 15 years of trying, before. The discoveries just comes like manna from heaven just in time to save the day. And so on…
Having said that, I did quite enjoy reading the book and, as I wrote above, if a continuation comes I am likely to pick it up.
Now, from what I understand this is a first effort from a new author and given that I think it is not a bad effort at all. I would encourage the author to continue and I feel pretty sure that I would pick up a second Scrapyard Ship book if one were to come out.
As for the book, I like the story. Then I always like these first contact, surprise, surprise you are not alone type of stories. Naturally not all of the aliens are nice guys and I like that too. It usually means some action and alien butt kicking is about to take place and this book does not disappoint on that subject. The characters are likable, the story in general is nice reading and the action is, as I mentioned before, not disappointing.
The things that drags everything down is that some parts of the story is just too unbelievable almost juvenile. Like what the heck would they expect to happen when testing alien weaponry of unknown strength down on the surface of Earth? Oh, I’m sure no one will miss that mountain ridge??? Plopping down a 170 meter alien ship in the middle of the pentagon and then in no time at all having all the high brass there walking aboard said alien space ship. Eh I do not think so. It is also rather amazing that they make more advances in understanding previously mentioned alien ship in a few days than had been done in what, 15 years of trying, before. The discoveries just comes like manna from heaven just in time to save the day. And so on…
Having said that, I did quite enjoy reading the book and, as I wrote above, if a continuation comes I am likely to pick it up.
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February 16, 2016A poor story about the worst commanding officer of all time
This is a seriously sloppy work of pulp fiction. The writing is for pre-teens. The science is magic. The characters are so thin it's hard to see them. The plot is so preposterous that there is no point in criticizing it further. But, I will.
Amongst all the other criticisms I have of this book, the characterization of the protagonist is my most vehement complaint. Could he be any worse? He throws himself and everyone around him directly into the path of whatever is oncoming. He's reckless, irresponsible, self-centered, egotistical and a monomaniac. He lets his personal needs drive his decision making regardless of the risk to the men under his command. He knowingly places the people he supposedly cares about most in the world in harms way, frequently. So many of his people die on his watch I'm flabbergasted that his subordinates didn't mutiny and hang him from some magical multi universe yard arm that can exist in more than one place at a time and is so prescient that it has already hung him before they decided do it. In fact, if it weren't for the pseudo-magic/science, he'd be dead.
Indeed, I felt brain dead by the end just reading about him. I'm in psychic shock from having to suspend disbelief so long and so hard. Oh, and let's not forget that his 8 year old daughter swears like a sailor and seems to be the smartest person around.
I'm befuddled. Some people seem to like it a lot. I can't imagine why, but hey, more power to ya. I wonder if Amazon could come up with a system that would allow an individual user to filter out all reviews from anyone who would rate this book 4-5 stars. I know I'd appreciate it.
This is a seriously sloppy work of pulp fiction. The writing is for pre-teens. The science is magic. The characters are so thin it's hard to see them. The plot is so preposterous that there is no point in criticizing it further. But, I will.
Amongst all the other criticisms I have of this book, the characterization of the protagonist is my most vehement complaint. Could he be any worse? He throws himself and everyone around him directly into the path of whatever is oncoming. He's reckless, irresponsible, self-centered, egotistical and a monomaniac. He lets his personal needs drive his decision making regardless of the risk to the men under his command. He knowingly places the people he supposedly cares about most in the world in harms way, frequently. So many of his people die on his watch I'm flabbergasted that his subordinates didn't mutiny and hang him from some magical multi universe yard arm that can exist in more than one place at a time and is so prescient that it has already hung him before they decided do it. In fact, if it weren't for the pseudo-magic/science, he'd be dead.
Indeed, I felt brain dead by the end just reading about him. I'm in psychic shock from having to suspend disbelief so long and so hard. Oh, and let's not forget that his 8 year old daughter swears like a sailor and seems to be the smartest person around.
I'm befuddled. Some people seem to like it a lot. I can't imagine why, but hey, more power to ya. I wonder if Amazon could come up with a system that would allow an individual user to filter out all reviews from anyone who would rate this book 4-5 stars. I know I'd appreciate it.
January 26, 2018
AMERICANS VS ALIENS!
You might want to keep an American flag close at hand while you read this book. Multiple races from across the galaxy could not defeat the enemy aliens, but once US SEALS were in space, it was all over for the aliens.
**SPOILER ALERT**
The alien special shielding that protected their ships, was forgotten once Team USA engaged them.
Once rescued, after a brief capture, the admiral became a doddering old man sitting in a ship cabin with his granddaughter and ex-daughter-in-law.
The captain never mentions to his father that he met his missing brother.
No matter how intense the combat, the captain can find time to check on his daughter.
The soldiers from other Earth nations never show up, it’s all about the US SEALS.
When American leaders visit the ship, the captain’s little daughter shows them around the the ship. Isn’t that cute and adorable? Perhaps they have a pretend tea party afterwards.
You might want to keep an American flag close at hand while you read this book. Multiple races from across the galaxy could not defeat the enemy aliens, but once US SEALS were in space, it was all over for the aliens.
**SPOILER ALERT**
The alien special shielding that protected their ships, was forgotten once Team USA engaged them.
Once rescued, after a brief capture, the admiral became a doddering old man sitting in a ship cabin with his granddaughter and ex-daughter-in-law.
The captain never mentions to his father that he met his missing brother.
No matter how intense the combat, the captain can find time to check on his daughter.
The soldiers from other Earth nations never show up, it’s all about the US SEALS.
When American leaders visit the ship, the captain’s little daughter shows them around the the ship. Isn’t that cute and adorable? Perhaps they have a pretend tea party afterwards.
February 6, 2014
3.5
It's a great adventure, if you can suspend your disbelief in the beginning. He almost lost me because the plot is borderline implausible, but I'm glad I hung on. I don't know if I will read the next book or not since he ends the book abruptly right in the middle of a battle scene. I hate when authors do that. It's very inconsiderate considering the time invested in reading and how much time you have to wait until the next book, usually a year.
It's a great adventure, if you can suspend your disbelief in the beginning. He almost lost me because the plot is borderline implausible, but I'm glad I hung on. I don't know if I will read the next book or not since he ends the book abruptly right in the middle of a battle scene. I hate when authors do that. It's very inconsiderate considering the time invested in reading and how much time you have to wait until the next book, usually a year.
November 14, 2016
I tried, honestly. I wanted to actually enjoy the work, even though it starts off with dialogue and the characters are not set up correctly. But when they are in the middle of a desert and the author says it's 100,000 miles wide, well, that tells me they really don't do much research, let alone know how big the world is. I say that because it starts on Earth. Did he even look up what the circumference of the planet is?
Besides that, it gets worse. Characters are one dimensional and you get just barely a hint of what things look like. Rhinos as infantry? They took their troops from the zoo and they expect me to believe they can actually take direction and know how to rip legs off stone tables? Really? Do you know what an opposable thumb is?
That's about where I put it down and hope the author actually reads reviews to see where they lose a lot of their readers.
Besides that, it gets worse. Characters are one dimensional and you get just barely a hint of what things look like. Rhinos as infantry? They took their troops from the zoo and they expect me to believe they can actually take direction and know how to rip legs off stone tables? Really? Do you know what an opposable thumb is?
That's about where I put it down and hope the author actually reads reviews to see where they lose a lot of their readers.
December 26, 2013
4/5th of this book was great and I really enjoyed it. That other 1/5th though, wow. It dragged along. Luckily it was a short book, and i got through the boring parts. Like other readers I found the plot line to be a bit thin and the ship provided things just in time all the time..... But I got over that. It was just a fun, fast read and i will be reading book 2.
July 5, 2016
Lazy, Sloppy, Ignorant, Corny Execution Scuttles SciFi Story
"Scrapyard Ship," Book 1 of the series, had some potential story merit. However, the lazy, sloppy, ignorant and corny execution of the story, totally scuttled the entertainment. The author notes he had multiple editors and a military advisor. If true, can he explain the multiple, repetitive phrases and passages, the numerous simple proofreading errors, or finally, the flagrantly stupid lack of knowledge regarding any and all aspects of the U.S. military in his book?
It was disappointing that the story, that did have potential merit, was so badly served by its author.
Read fully via Kindle Unlimited.
"Scrapyard Ship," Book 1 of the series, had some potential story merit. However, the lazy, sloppy, ignorant and corny execution of the story, totally scuttled the entertainment. The author notes he had multiple editors and a military advisor. If true, can he explain the multiple, repetitive phrases and passages, the numerous simple proofreading errors, or finally, the flagrantly stupid lack of knowledge regarding any and all aspects of the U.S. military in his book?
It was disappointing that the story, that did have potential merit, was so badly served by its author.
Read fully via Kindle Unlimited.
June 27, 2019
I really wanted to like this book because a fast paced space opera mil-scifi is right up my street, and there’s a massive series of books to follow up. Unfortunately, I found a lot of things frustrating about this read.
One major issue for me is how a lot of unrealistic backstory is totally glossed over. I’m ok with suspension of disbelief, but throw us a bone, a little bit of detail as justification every so often. Here I felt I just had to suck it up. (A counterpoint is that in a 7-10+ book series, if you count the follow ups, there’s a chance that there’s more background at some point, if you have the patience). I get that this is more aimed at a YA audience, but even so.
Another bug bear for me is when characters faced with a problem don’t see A Really Obviously Solution that’s standing - literally in this case - right in front of them. Then later, it’s revealed as some kind of genius last minute answer to their woes.
Finally, and this is what brings it from a 3/5 down to a 2 for me, the ending. Or lack thereof. I’m all for ending a book on a cliff hanger, but this was more than that: this was taking the entire ending and moving it to book 2. (A tip: if you want the ending without needing to buy the next book, it’s in the free sample on kindle).
I really, really wanted to like this book and series, it’s fun and an interesting world. I think it would make a great TV series or movie. But there’s not enough attention to detail for me in this one. If you like fast paced, YA style space opera, give it a try, but if you like the more intellectual end of the spectrum this probably is not for you.
Update: I tried to read book 2, had to abandon. Hodor. 0/5
One major issue for me is how a lot of unrealistic backstory is totally glossed over. I’m ok with suspension of disbelief, but throw us a bone, a little bit of detail as justification every so often. Here I felt I just had to suck it up. (A counterpoint is that in a 7-10+ book series, if you count the follow ups, there’s a chance that there’s more background at some point, if you have the patience). I get that this is more aimed at a YA audience, but even so.
Another bug bear for me is when characters faced with a problem don’t see A Really Obviously Solution that’s standing - literally in this case - right in front of them. Then later, it’s revealed as some kind of genius last minute answer to their woes.
Finally, and this is what brings it from a 3/5 down to a 2 for me, the ending. Or lack thereof. I’m all for ending a book on a cliff hanger, but this was more than that: this was taking the entire ending and moving it to book 2. (A tip: if you want the ending without needing to buy the next book, it’s in the free sample on kindle).
I really, really wanted to like this book and series, it’s fun and an interesting world. I think it would make a great TV series or movie. But there’s not enough attention to detail for me in this one. If you like fast paced, YA style space opera, give it a try, but if you like the more intellectual end of the spectrum this probably is not for you.
Update: I tried to read book 2, had to abandon. Hodor. 0/5
March 18, 2022
This is my first book. After bankruptcy, I told my wife I think I'm going to write a book. She said do it.
This first book, Scrapyard Ship, became a best-seller. And now I am fortunate enough to make a living writing.
Here is a review from Richard Picon. Thanks, Richard:
Everything I like in a book, mystery, suspense, adventure, space, war, soldiers, and action, action, action. Love it when the good guys kick and come out on top. Could not put it down!
This first book, Scrapyard Ship, became a best-seller. And now I am fortunate enough to make a living writing.
Here is a review from Richard Picon. Thanks, Richard:
Everything I like in a book, mystery, suspense, adventure, space, war, soldiers, and action, action, action. Love it when the good guys kick and come out on top. Could not put it down!
January 8, 2014
Liked it, but still a very predictable and a little cartoony. Spelling mistakes aplenty. Found myself just wanting to get it over with for some parts.
February 10, 2015
sigh...I couldn't make it through the first chapter....
March 19, 2018
This book is simply too ridiculous to be enjoyable. Things just happen for no apparent reason and it comes across as very childish. DNF
January 8, 2019
Poorly written
This novel was apparently written for 12 year olds. No real plot, lots of overwhelming odds, doesn't really end, etc.
This novel was apparently written for 12 year olds. No real plot, lots of overwhelming odds, doesn't really end, etc.
April 8, 2019
This book came across an email showing free books so I grabbed it. Then I followed the author and pretty much every book this guy ever wrote was free each day after that. I thought that was cool, but know I had not read any of it and now had a boatload of books in my kindle from a guy I never heard of. So I decided I better read it and know if I made a good decision. I didn't.
This was a hard book to stay into because the characters were just .. flat. There is an incredible potential world from within the pages of this book. I even think that the story itself is pretty great, in theory; but I felt that too much was forced and the plot runs by so quickly that nothing really takes hold. Decisions made by characters just did not make sense, but maybe if there had been more development of the characters it would have been easier to understand their decisions and believe them, but maybe not.
I will not continue to read this series.
This was a hard book to stay into because the characters were just .. flat. There is an incredible potential world from within the pages of this book. I even think that the story itself is pretty great, in theory; but I felt that too much was forced and the plot runs by so quickly that nothing really takes hold. Decisions made by characters just did not make sense, but maybe if there had been more development of the characters it would have been easier to understand their decisions and believe them, but maybe not.
I will not continue to read this series.
November 17, 2015
It's quite a ship
And what a ship it is! And a Hotel, a hospital, a cafeteria. I gotta get me one of these ship! I wouldn't have to work for the man anymore with this vessel. Apparently the ship provides one with everything one needs without feeding it anything? Maybe this oversight is explained later? Anyways, this book 1 of the series is a great read. Full of discovery. A adventure into the unknown. One man thrown into a quest he'd rather not obey, but if he refuses, he gets no cake for dessert. So on he goes, to battle, to war, to survive for the cake and his family and friends, the entire world of earth. The bad guy's are continually knocking at his door. Come get some!
And what a ship it is! And a Hotel, a hospital, a cafeteria. I gotta get me one of these ship! I wouldn't have to work for the man anymore with this vessel. Apparently the ship provides one with everything one needs without feeding it anything? Maybe this oversight is explained later? Anyways, this book 1 of the series is a great read. Full of discovery. A adventure into the unknown. One man thrown into a quest he'd rather not obey, but if he refuses, he gets no cake for dessert. So on he goes, to battle, to war, to survive for the cake and his family and friends, the entire world of earth. The bad guy's are continually knocking at his door. Come get some!
October 1, 2014
Even though the title of this book put me off and the cover was equally unexciting (yes I know, don't judge a book by its cover). However, this book was excellent! I loved the technology, the ideas, the mystery of the unknown race who built the ship and even how the book started at the end of the story, then jumped back to the beginning before catching up again at the end.
Scifi at its best, highly recommended.
Scifi at its best, highly recommended.
December 14, 2013
Wow!
The title grabbed my attention and I just had to read. The plot lines were well thought out and had my attention from the end of the first chapter. Intriguing story about modern day Earth and what happens when we get invaded by aliens and a ship hidden in a scrapped. A must read to find out more can't wait for next book!
The title grabbed my attention and I just had to read. The plot lines were well thought out and had my attention from the end of the first chapter. Intriguing story about modern day Earth and what happens when we get invaded by aliens and a ship hidden in a scrapped. A must read to find out more can't wait for next book!
September 3, 2018
Short but entertaining
This is ultimately very entertaing but in the beginning borders on the incredulous. The reader however quickly gets caught in the story and it becomes hard to put down. It is a quick read due to length and interest. A man fighting for his family and planet becomes a formidable match for the aliens intent on bad things for humans. Definitely and good read.
This is ultimately very entertaing but in the beginning borders on the incredulous. The reader however quickly gets caught in the story and it becomes hard to put down. It is a quick read due to length and interest. A man fighting for his family and planet becomes a formidable match for the aliens intent on bad things for humans. Definitely and good read.
June 20, 2019
A MWM. SYFY. Novel. (SSSB - 1)
MWM. has penned a SYFY. novel, the first in the Scrapyard Ship Series, which begins with a disgraced naval officer finding a space ship underground below his Grandfathers junk yard. He locates a sentinel robot and together they raise the ship to fight off an invading alien force. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
MWM. has penned a SYFY. novel, the first in the Scrapyard Ship Series, which begins with a disgraced naval officer finding a space ship underground below his Grandfathers junk yard. He locates a sentinel robot and together they raise the ship to fight off an invading alien force. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
July 14, 2019
Entertaining Read
Jason finds out that an advanced space ship is hidden beneath the family scrapyard. Aliens are on the way to subjugate earth. Will the shelved SEAL master the old ship in time to protect his loved ones and the rest of the planet? I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Jason finds out that an advanced space ship is hidden beneath the family scrapyard. Aliens are on the way to subjugate earth. Will the shelved SEAL master the old ship in time to protect his loved ones and the rest of the planet? I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
October 17, 2013
Scrapyard ship is an enjoyable and engaging read from author Mark Wayne McGinnis. The author combines elements of space opera, swashbuckling adventure, and military science fiction in this series starter. I'm looking forward to future installments.
March 18, 2015
This book disappointed me. Success isn't a matter of devising creative solutions, but rather have lucky breaks and fortunate coincidences falling on you. This is a more inferior version of the typical 'hick stumbles upon alien technology and then proceeds to kick ass' story.
June 1, 2017
What a cool book
The title intrigued me, but the writing kept me reading and in parts made me laugh I loved the daughter and she really sets the book I plan on getting the rest of the series as I loved the ingenuity and creative writing of the author
The title intrigued me, but the writing kept me reading and in parts made me laugh I loved the daughter and she really sets the book I plan on getting the rest of the series as I loved the ingenuity and creative writing of the author
March 21, 2018
Great book!
I was getting tired of the usual sci fi space books, it seemed they all had the same plot just different names for the characters. This book was refreshingly different. I highly recommend it.
I was getting tired of the usual sci fi space books, it seemed they all had the same plot just different names for the characters. This book was refreshingly different. I highly recommend it.
April 7, 2018
EXCITING STORY, and also really cute cuz it's sci-fi but pretty much PG - Im a bit daunted, however, because there are so many segments. I wish the ENTIRE series was in one volume.
The story is actually pretty solid, and this is the second series by this author I have started ;-)
The story is actually pretty solid, and this is the second series by this author I have started ;-)
June 11, 2018
Wow!
Exciting book from start to finish! I love the characters, the story, and the excitement! Very clever plot. It makes me want to be part of the crew. I don’t think my wife would let me, though. She doesn’t let me have any fun... 😧
Exciting book from start to finish! I love the characters, the story, and the excitement! Very clever plot. It makes me want to be part of the crew. I don’t think my wife would let me, though. She doesn’t let me have any fun... 😧
May 24, 2019
Surprisingly amazing story
While expecting a story about space ships dealing with a scrapyard, it was amazing to find a story that deals with things with things that are impossible (as we understand our world); it shows what will be possible, as we learn more.
While expecting a story about space ships dealing with a scrapyard, it was amazing to find a story that deals with things with things that are impossible (as we understand our world); it shows what will be possible, as we learn more.
January 20, 2020
Great read!
Everything I like in a book, mystery,suspense, adventure, space, war, soldiers, and action, action, action. Love when the good guys kick and come out on top. Could not put it down!
Everything I like in a book, mystery,suspense, adventure, space, war, soldiers, and action, action, action. Love when the good guys kick and come out on top. Could not put it down!
March 16, 2014
decidedly mediocre, interesting and some good story but nothing special
July 7, 2016
This book is great as teen sci-fi, but a bit lacking for adults. Shallow character development, thin plot line, minimal science, and poor battle scenes combine to make this a weak novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews