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Chronicles of Isambard Smith #2
God Emperor of Didcot
Tea . . . a beverage brewed from the fermented dried leaves of the shrub Camelli sinensis and imbibed by all the great civilizations in the galaxy's history; a source of refreshment, stimulation, and, above all else, of moral fiber — without which the British Space Empire must surely crumble to leave Earth at the mercy of its enemies. Sixty percent of the Empire's tea is grown on one world—Urn, principal planet of the Didcot system. If Earth is to keep fighting, the tea must flow! When a crazed cult leader overthrows the government of Urn, Isambard Smith and his vaguely competent crew find themselves saddled with new allies—a legion of tea-obsessed nomads, an overly-civilized alien horde. and a commando unit so elite that it has only five members. Only together can they defeat the self-proclaimed God Emperor of Didcot and confront the true power behind the coup—the sinister legions of the Ghast Empire and Smith's old enemy, Commander 462.
323 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2008
5 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Toby Frost
26 books109 followersToby Frost studied law and currently works as a legal journalist. Unable to become Great Britain's foremost space explorer, he wrote the Space Captain Smith series, a set of six comedies about intrepid galactic explorer Isambard Smith and his barely-competent crew.
Toby has also written short stories and the novel Straken for Black Library, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
He has recently started a series of fantasy novels, the first two of which - Up To The Throne and Blood Under Water - are now available. He is currently working on the third in the series.
Toby has also written short stories and the novel Straken for Black Library, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
He has recently started a series of fantasy novels, the first two of which - Up To The Throne and Blood Under Water - are now available. He is currently working on the third in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 23, 2013
New Eden and the Ghasts take over Didcot using the Grand Hyrax, a fanatical lunatic, as a figurehead. Didcot is the primary source of the British Empire's tea supply. With no tea, the British Empire has no moral fiber and is therefore finished. It's up to Isambard Smith and his crew, Carveth, the renegade sex droid, Suruk, the alien headhunter, Rhianna, the space hippie, and Gerald, the ship's hamster, to liberate Didcot. Suruk goes to his people for help. Unfortunately, they aren't nearly as warlike as he remembers...
God Emperor of Didcot is the sequel to Space Captain Smith. Is it as good? It's a sequel so of course not. They are rarely as good as the originals. But it's still delightfully hilarious, full of dry wit and jabs at sf classics. As you can tell by the title, its plot is inspired by the Dune series. There are references to a multitude of other sf stories as well. Carveth wakes up complaining about that dream of electric sheep again, for example.
Speaking of Carveth, she gets even more of the good lines in this one, as well as some character development. Suruk also benefits from more time in this one. You can almost taste his rage at what his society has become. Still not to keen on Rhianna but at least Frost hasn't forced a relationship between her and Captain Smith yet.
I'd recommend this to fans of the previous book, Space Captain Smith, as well as fans of Red Dwarf, Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams, and British humor in general. Now, the wait for the third volume begins...
God Emperor of Didcot is the sequel to Space Captain Smith. Is it as good? It's a sequel so of course not. They are rarely as good as the originals. But it's still delightfully hilarious, full of dry wit and jabs at sf classics. As you can tell by the title, its plot is inspired by the Dune series. There are references to a multitude of other sf stories as well. Carveth wakes up complaining about that dream of electric sheep again, for example.
Speaking of Carveth, she gets even more of the good lines in this one, as well as some character development. Suruk also benefits from more time in this one. You can almost taste his rage at what his society has become. Still not to keen on Rhianna but at least Frost hasn't forced a relationship between her and Captain Smith yet.
I'd recommend this to fans of the previous book, Space Captain Smith, as well as fans of Red Dwarf, Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams, and British humor in general. Now, the wait for the third volume begins...
April 12, 2017
Isambard Smith and his crew are on another mission that becomes something else. Again. What was supposed to be a simple assignment on planet Urn (one of the most important places for the British Empire because of its tea) turns into a full-scale rebellion against the Ghast and their religious human allies the Edenites. Smith, Suruk, Carveth and Rhianna are in the thick of it.
Isambard Smith will face two of his greatest enemies. Both 462 and Gilead want revenge, of course. Rhianna finally realises that he is too decent and clumsy and whatnot to make the first move. The man offered her a cup of tea when she tried to seduce him in the previous book, for God's sake.
Suruk visits his family. He will have to deal with certain changes on his home planet.
Carveth is still Carveth. She finds her own brand of courage on Urn.
As for the people who help them when they get stuck on Urn, there are so many hilarious moments I can't even begin to describe them all. Also, every now and then the author nods at well-known films ('This is Richard Dreckitt, former bounty hunter and now owner of Rick’s Bar and Dinerama. He also happens to work for us from time to time.’; ‘These are not the humans we are looking for.’ or '‘Then know now,’ she cried, ‘that Isambard Smith is no man! Wait – no mere man! I’m a girl,’ she added. ‘Um. . .’ are just some of the examples).
He also slightly mocks certain aspect of our own culture (I won't give examples since some people get offended by smallest of things).
There is a lot of wordplay too ('This must be Sam O’Varr, he realised, the Sauceress of Urn.').
Some of that mocking goes beyond slightly and it is hilarious.
I loved Suruk and his straightforwardness in every situation.
Suruk and gambling:
Suruk's advice on weight loss:
When they have to deal with some unruly children:
The ending of this book introduces the next antagonists: the lemming-men from Yull. 462 finds the craziest people to use them in his Ghast agenda.
Isambard Smith will face two of his greatest enemies. Both 462 and Gilead want revenge, of course. Rhianna finally realises that he is too decent and clumsy and whatnot to make the first move. The man offered her a cup of tea when she tried to seduce him in the previous book, for God's sake.
Suruk visits his family. He will have to deal with certain changes on his home planet.
Carveth is still Carveth. She finds her own brand of courage on Urn.
As for the people who help them when they get stuck on Urn, there are so many hilarious moments I can't even begin to describe them all. Also, every now and then the author nods at well-known films ('This is Richard Dreckitt, former bounty hunter and now owner of Rick’s Bar and Dinerama. He also happens to work for us from time to time.’; ‘These are not the humans we are looking for.’ or '‘Then know now,’ she cried, ‘that Isambard Smith is no man! Wait – no mere man! I’m a girl,’ she added. ‘Um. . .’ are just some of the examples).
He also slightly mocks certain aspect of our own culture (I won't give examples since some people get offended by smallest of things).
There is a lot of wordplay too ('This must be Sam O’Varr, he realised, the Sauceress of Urn.').
Some of that mocking goes beyond slightly and it is hilarious.
I loved Suruk and his straightforwardness in every situation.
'The pen is mightier than the sword, and all that.’ ‘That depends very much where you ram it,’ Suruk observed sourly.'Suruk giving love advice:
'‘Get another one?’ Smith cried, appalled. ‘She’s not a bloody cheese sandwich, Suruk. More like. . . a sandwich made of gold.’ ‘So, inedible,’ Suruk said. ‘Completely useless.’
Suruk and gambling:
'‘I had a bad night too,’ Suruk said. ‘I played a game called poker. Nobody could read my expression because of my tusks, so I won a pile of little round biscuits and something called a yacht. The biscuits turned out to be plastic so I threw them all away. Most disappointing.’
Suruk's advice on weight loss:
'‘None of which stops me weighing far too much,’ Carveth said. Suruk turned from his study of the stars. ‘You’d be lighter if I cut your head off,’ he said. ‘How about that?’
When they have to deal with some unruly children:
'‘Right then. What works with children?’ ‘Cranberry sauce!’ Suruk said. ‘I think you may have misunderstood the question.'See what I mean?
The ending of this book introduces the next antagonists: the lemming-men from Yull. 462 finds the craziest people to use them in his Ghast agenda.
'You are asking me to send my men to their deaths for the sake of indulging my own petty sadism.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘When can I start?’Also, there are dragons in the book.
January 1, 2023
Still very silly ,and it certainly had its entertaining moments ,but maybe not quite as good as the last one.
February 11, 2011
4.0 stars. The continuing adventures of the extremely proper Captain Isambard Smith and his ragtag (but properly sorted out) band of cohorts that include: Surak, the fun-loving, homicidal alien, Carvath, the sex-starved female android, and Rhianna, who takes a break from her Platinum U.S. singing career to play a psychic space angel.
In this installment, the evil Ghasts have hatched a plan to take over the planet Didcot IV (also known asDune...I mean Urn) which is the primary source of Spice tea to the British Empire. As it is explained to Smith (in a truly funny history lesson about the origin of tea), tea (when combined with Milk) is the source of the British people’s moral fiber and if the tea supply is cut off, the British Empire will fall.
From there our intrepid band are on the job and chaos and laughs ensue (including a particularly funny chapter in which the group travels to Surak’s home world and finds that his people have...let’s just say changed from the warriors he remembered.
This is an really good sequel that should please fans of the first one. Not quite as good as Space Captain Smith, but still certainly a worth-while read. I would describe it as a “feel good” book that will certainly keep you smiling and entertained if you are in the mood for something light. There is a lot of dry humor and a ton of references to classic science fiction and fantasy books that are fun to spot. In fact, as I alluded to above, the whole plot of protecting the tea supply is loosely based on Dune, including Smith’s superior cautioning him that ....The Tea Must Brew.
A good fun read and one that I recommend.
In this installment, the evil Ghasts have hatched a plan to take over the planet Didcot IV (also known as
From there our intrepid band are on the job and chaos and laughs ensue (including a particularly funny chapter in which the group travels to Surak’s home world and finds that his people have...let’s just say changed from the warriors he remembered.
This is an really good sequel that should please fans of the first one. Not quite as good as Space Captain Smith, but still certainly a worth-while read. I would describe it as a “feel good” book that will certainly keep you smiling and entertained if you are in the mood for something light. There is a lot of dry humor and a ton of references to classic science fiction and fantasy books that are fun to spot. In fact, as I alluded to above, the whole plot of protecting the tea supply is loosely based on Dune, including Smith’s superior cautioning him that ....The Tea Must Brew.
A good fun read and one that I recommend.
May 30, 2018
A fluffy 4 stars.
After the heart-crushing book I just finished, I needed something that went completely in the other direction. Thus, this book. Readers once again join the bumbling, but well-intentioned, Captain Isambard Smith and his (also bumbling) crew as they spearhead a rebellion to drive back the Ghast Empire’s invasion of the planet of Urn, from whence all of future Britain’s tea comes. The tea must brew! And yes, the story gives a shout out to Dune…and The Lord of the Rings…and The Fonz, of all people. There are puns, parodies, and pernicious despots – all served up with a heaping helping of British humor. It was grade A nonsense and good for several laughs.
After the heart-crushing book I just finished, I needed something that went completely in the other direction. Thus, this book. Readers once again join the bumbling, but well-intentioned, Captain Isambard Smith and his (also bumbling) crew as they spearhead a rebellion to drive back the Ghast Empire’s invasion of the planet of Urn, from whence all of future Britain’s tea comes. The tea must brew! And yes, the story gives a shout out to Dune…and The Lord of the Rings…and The Fonz, of all people. There are puns, parodies, and pernicious despots – all served up with a heaping helping of British humor. It was grade A nonsense and good for several laughs.
July 22, 2009
With this sequel to Space Captain Smith, Toby Frost brings back Isambard Smith and his near-competent crew for an adventure that rocks the very heart of the British Space Empire... The Tea is Under Threat.
If anything, God Emperor of Didcot is even funnier than the first book in the series. The main characters return from Space Captain Smith and Frost makes use of this familiarity to develop the characters further and give them some space to grow. And they really do benefit from this – especially in the case of Carveth and Suruk.
This is still comedy first and foremost, though, and the jokes come quick and fast. There are digs at and references to plenty of SF tropes and classics as well as some well aimed barbs and a stream of well-written smuttiness that was far funnier than it deserved to be.
I don't doubt that plenty of people will compare Toby Frost to the likes of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Red Dwarf and much else. But the truth is that he really is in a class of his own.
If anything, God Emperor of Didcot is even funnier than the first book in the series. The main characters return from Space Captain Smith and Frost makes use of this familiarity to develop the characters further and give them some space to grow. And they really do benefit from this – especially in the case of Carveth and Suruk.
This is still comedy first and foremost, though, and the jokes come quick and fast. There are digs at and references to plenty of SF tropes and classics as well as some well aimed barbs and a stream of well-written smuttiness that was far funnier than it deserved to be.
I don't doubt that plenty of people will compare Toby Frost to the likes of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Red Dwarf and much else. But the truth is that he really is in a class of his own.
December 30, 2024
Just as funny and as brilliant as the the first time I read it.
Is the series slightly marred by the author blocking me on Instagram after I DM'd him at two in the morning asking then the sequel would be out? Yes. Absolutely.
Is the series slightly marred by the author blocking me on Instagram after I DM'd him at two in the morning asking then the sequel would be out? Yes. Absolutely.
March 1, 2013
The British Space Empire's source of tea is threatened. Who better than Captain Isambard Smith to take on the evil ant people, the Ghasts, and their righteously right-winged allies, the New Edenites, along with the Great God Emperor Hyrax of Didcot? God Emperor of Didcot is a fitting sequel to Frost's Space Captain Smith with all of the wacky characters you came to know and love in the first tale along with some new weird friends. The M'Lak have become metrosexual accountants and architects rather than blood-thirsty warriors. Suruk has to convince his family members that sometimes you have to get your golf sweater dirtied in battle in order to really live. Will Polly ever find her hitman crush? Will Smith ever get up the nerve to tell space hippy Rhianna that he really cares for her? All this and water-tankfuls of morally uplifting tea awaits the happy reader.
April 26, 2015
Not a deep meaningful story but one that has a nice tempo, some wit and characters I like if you enjoyed the first book you will enjoy this.
February 17, 2020
You can read my review here: http://embracingmybooks.blogspot.be/2...
August 7, 2023
Any fan of Douglas Adams Hitchhikers work or Michael Palin’s Ripping Yarns TV series will love this ridiculous, silly and very funny story of a small British Space Fleet crew and its efforts to protect the all important supply of tea to the British Space Empire and so maintain the “moral fibre” fundamental to its ongoing existence. After all, the original Empire was only lost because people stopped drinking so much tea! I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud at the stiff upper lipness, word play and sexual innuendo that appears on at least every other page. A throwaway story about a bunch of space whales destroying the entire Japanese space fleet and claiming it was for scientific investigation was brilliant, although the ancient and mystic British art of Shau Teng, only capable of being used by those with The Bearing was probably the high spot. (My brother-in-law may well be a practitioner, judging from how he orders baguettes in boulangeries on skiing holidays.) The M’Lak allies are superb - whether they are the murderous skull collecting type or those who prefer a G&T whilst doing their architecture and accountancy.
If I can find them I’ll be reading every book in the series.
If I can find them I’ll be reading every book in the series.
July 15, 2019
This isn’t going to be as long or in-depth as my usual reviews, because I finished it almost a week ago and I was reading it with my brain almost entirely turned off (I was on vacation). Did I enjoy it? Of course! It’s a fun romp with the same likeable characters and the return of two villains. I can’t say any of the new characters are memorable – in truth, I can’t name of any of them, but they served the plot well.
I liked the relationship between Smith and Rihanna – I honestly thought we were done with her after book one, but I was glad she was back. Polly didn’t undergo any arc in this book, but most of the humour (for me anyway) came from her comments and antics. I’m still wondering whether her past is going to come back to haunt her in later books. Because Suruk is my favorite character, I found the sections with his family the most enjoyable of the story.
I did feel like I was missing some of the jokes in this one, but that is likely because I’m not British.
Still, I had a great time reading it and look forward to the third.
I liked the relationship between Smith and Rihanna – I honestly thought we were done with her after book one, but I was glad she was back. Polly didn’t undergo any arc in this book, but most of the humour (for me anyway) came from her comments and antics. I’m still wondering whether her past is going to come back to haunt her in later books. Because Suruk is my favorite character, I found the sections with his family the most enjoyable of the story.
I did feel like I was missing some of the jokes in this one, but that is likely because I’m not British.
Still, I had a great time reading it and look forward to the third.
November 24, 2022
What can I say? These books are like a warm blanket on a winter's evening... easy to slip into, easy to read, I read this one out of sequence, but that really doesn't matter... the cast of characters are like old friends, the structure is formulaic (but that only adds to the lovely feeling of cosy familiarity) and the wit and clever use of cultural references for comic effect are fabulous! (The reference to dreaming of electric sheep had me laughing out loud...) And the plot is totally bonkers, in an utterly British way. Perfect escapism, probably best read in sequence (there are, I believe, six novels in all), but hey, if you enjoy a good, old-fashioned comic space romp, this series is most definitely for you!
May 24, 2021
I remember thinking that the first book in this series was amazing, with a slapstick funny kind of humour that really appealed. This book I just found stupid. The characters just seemed to annoy me, they came out with some funny one liners but were obviously moved into those positions rather than being seamless. I also found the story line very far fetched. But that might be because I'm not a tea drinker.
August 2, 2022
More stiff-upper-lip silliness, this time surrounding the key tea-making planet Urn in the Didcot System. Like with the previous book, there is a story in here somewhere, and an enjoyable one at that, however the focus is very much on Isambard and his 'crew'. Very satirical of out-of-tough Britishness and pulls no punches, this is a real delight to read. Filled with many moments that made me laugh out loud, I enjoyed this all the way through.
July 1, 2025
A book full of war, treachery, destruction, heroics, some love etc. And yet, it makes you chuckle almost continuously, often causing laugh-out-loud moments!
This is a special book indeed, deeply rooted in British humour and general fondness for silliness.
Enjoyed this one. Would be highly interested in reading the next volume of this saga.
Recommended.
This is a special book indeed, deeply rooted in British humour and general fondness for silliness.
Enjoyed this one. Would be highly interested in reading the next volume of this saga.
Recommended.
May 31, 2017
It's not often that you read books where the author carefully sets up a pun over the course of an entire page and then drops it in your lap with obvious relish. Lots of eye-rolling (i.e., clever and inventive) double entendres for those who like wordplay. Silly and entertaining.
July 28, 2018
Don’t judge me, it’s fun and silly.
February 28, 2019
A rip-roaring tale of alien invasion and the magical qualities of tea. An excellent sequel to Space Captain Smith. I am certainly going to continue reading this series.
June 12, 2019
a fun take on the british empire but could have been funnier
July 29, 2023
Terry Pratchett does sci-fi. Silly, funny and well worth a read.
March 16, 2017
Smith seems to be getting his act together on several fronts.
462 continues to not wipe the small pink beings from the face of the galaxy, largely due to the moral fibre supplied to the British Space Empire by tea.
462 intends to stop that once and for all by destroying the main source of tea in the Didcot system. Smith and his motley crew happen to get stranded on the planet and end up with major roles in the fight back.
The usual humour, if you enjoyed the 1st book you shouldn't any problems with this one.
Insufficient biscuits.
PS Is there a list of all the references? I know my daughter missed one because she still hasn't read The Caves of Steel; leads me to wonder how many I missed.
462 continues to not wipe the small pink beings from the face of the galaxy, largely due to the moral fibre supplied to the British Space Empire by tea.
462 intends to stop that once and for all by destroying the main source of tea in the Didcot system. Smith and his motley crew happen to get stranded on the planet and end up with major roles in the fight back.
The usual humour, if you enjoyed the 1st book you shouldn't any problems with this one.
Insufficient biscuits.
PS Is there a list of all the references? I know my daughter missed one because she still hasn't read The Caves of Steel; leads me to wonder how many I missed.
December 29, 2010
If you liked Space Captain Smith, you'll like this one too—it's more of the same. God Emperor of Didcot (which, it transpires, is pronounced "did-COT," as in COTtage, though it took me awhile to figure that out... I kept wanting to Frenchify it "did-COE" but of course that would not do for this British novel) (my, that parenthetical went on rather long, didn't it? I'd better start again).
God Emperor of Didcot's title is lifted from one of the later (and therefore lesser, though not yet ghastly) novels in Frank Herbert's Dune series, and much of its plot is from Dune as well, filtered (see what I did there?) through a veddy British sensibility: here, the Spice is tea, and it comes primarily from the planet Urn... a planet which is in danger, from the antlike Ghasts, from the grim fundamentalism of New Eden, and most of all from the eerily charismatic Grand Hyrax, the God-Emperor himself. Or maybe I have these swapped around a bit; Isambard Smith's enemies tend not to have very distinctive personalities, with one or two exceptions.
This is by no means a standalone work, I'm afraid—not only does it help to have already been introduced to Isambard Smith and his jolly crew, but also many of the jokes depend on having seen or read lots and lots of science fiction in general. You must also be oblivious to, or at least willing to ignore, the novel's sometimes wistful subtext—while it may seem at first glance to wish for the return of British colonialism, that's not at all the right reading. Through foils like the winsome Rhianna Mitchell (half-human, half... well, not), it becomes clear that Isambard Smith is an heroic type, but a good guy only in embryo; it's going to take some serious education before Smith truly becomes a hero. As Rhianna and Isambard grow closer (much closer), their disparate viewpoints seem destined to meet in some middle ground, a synthesis which could be better and stronger than either of its parts.
Or I could be reading way too much into it. In the end, God Emperor of Didcot isn't great literature, and its apparent themes may be no more than accidental echoes of its source material... but it is still a fun way to while away a couple of hours before tea-time.
And, don't forget, coming up next is Wrath of the Lemming-Men!
God Emperor of Didcot's title is lifted from one of the later (and therefore lesser, though not yet ghastly) novels in Frank Herbert's Dune series, and much of its plot is from Dune as well, filtered (see what I did there?) through a veddy British sensibility: here, the Spice is tea, and it comes primarily from the planet Urn... a planet which is in danger, from the antlike Ghasts, from the grim fundamentalism of New Eden, and most of all from the eerily charismatic Grand Hyrax, the God-Emperor himself. Or maybe I have these swapped around a bit; Isambard Smith's enemies tend not to have very distinctive personalities, with one or two exceptions.
This is by no means a standalone work, I'm afraid—not only does it help to have already been introduced to Isambard Smith and his jolly crew, but also many of the jokes depend on having seen or read lots and lots of science fiction in general. You must also be oblivious to, or at least willing to ignore, the novel's sometimes wistful subtext—while it may seem at first glance to wish for the return of British colonialism, that's not at all the right reading. Through foils like the winsome Rhianna Mitchell (half-human, half... well, not), it becomes clear that Isambard Smith is an heroic type, but a good guy only in embryo; it's going to take some serious education before Smith truly becomes a hero. As Rhianna and Isambard grow closer (much closer), their disparate viewpoints seem destined to meet in some middle ground, a synthesis which could be better and stronger than either of its parts.
Or I could be reading way too much into it. In the end, God Emperor of Didcot isn't great literature, and its apparent themes may be no more than accidental echoes of its source material... but it is still a fun way to while away a couple of hours before tea-time.
And, don't forget, coming up next is Wrath of the Lemming-Men!
September 5, 2010
Captain Isambard Smith and crew are back again, this time trying to stop the Ghast and their Edenite allies from destroying the planet Urn and its crops of tea - good for drinking and instilling the whole of the British Space Empire with with moral fiber and fighting spirit.
This one's full of great dialogue, character interaction and slightly more than a passing nod to Frank Herbert's "Dune" and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" among other books. The exchanges between Carveth and Suruk are a joy to behold, being sharp, witty and at times quite biting in tone. Poor Rhianna finally has to almost bludgeon Smith to get him to do more than just kiss her and I got a great kick out of Suruk going around collecting money on bets about Smith and Rhianna's relationship.
The Grandmaster of the Collective Union of Plantation Production Associates: "The tea *must* brew."
(If that quote rings bells here is its "Dune" (film) equivalent: A member of the Spacing Guild: "The spice *must* flow.")
This one's full of great dialogue, character interaction and slightly more than a passing nod to Frank Herbert's "Dune" and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" among other books. The exchanges between Carveth and Suruk are a joy to behold, being sharp, witty and at times quite biting in tone. Poor Rhianna finally has to almost bludgeon Smith to get him to do more than just kiss her and I got a great kick out of Suruk going around collecting money on bets about Smith and Rhianna's relationship.
The Grandmaster of the Collective Union of Plantation Production Associates: "The tea *must* brew."
(If that quote rings bells here is its "Dune" (film) equivalent: A member of the Spacing Guild: "The spice *must* flow.")
August 4, 2015
Good Heavens!
This 2nd volume of the "Chronicles of Isambart Smith" is - what a pleasant surprise - even better than the first one. You do not need to read the first volume Space Captain Smith, but I'm convinced anyone who reads this one, will do so before s/he buys the third volume.
Genuinely funny, smart, several laugh-out-loud scenes and comments (my favourite: the secret meaning of Smith's M'lak-name) and several wonderful folk music- Spaceport Convention and SF-references.
I only wish Gerald would play a bigger role.
Highly recommended.
This 2nd volume of the "Chronicles of Isambart Smith" is - what a pleasant surprise - even better than the first one. You do not need to read the first volume Space Captain Smith, but I'm convinced anyone who reads this one, will do so before s/he buys the third volume.
Genuinely funny, smart, several laugh-out-loud scenes and comments (my favourite: the secret meaning of Smith's M'lak-name) and several wonderful folk music- Spaceport Convention and SF-references.
I only wish Gerald would play a bigger role.
Highly recommended.
November 4, 2016
Reads a lot darker in a post-Brexit world where, as ridiculous as it sounds, we literally do now have as a dominant element in the political culture a chauvinistic form of English nationalism that combines a foundation myth of Empire And Tea with racist hate crimes and economic suicide pacts. Frost's satire is far too affectionate and gentle for the occasion, and the results can sometimes be grotesque to read only seven years after its publication.
It is perhaps unfortunate for the author that the possibility for parody is currently dying around us, but we do live in stirring times; tea-stirring times.
It is perhaps unfortunate for the author that the possibility for parody is currently dying around us, but we do live in stirring times; tea-stirring times.
January 3, 2013
A fun, light-hearted space adventure with wit, parodies aplenty and gratuitous violence against nasty alien bugs. What's not to like? As other reviewers have noted, this isn't the all-out comedy of Space Captain Smith, but it had a better story. My one complaint is that I bought the Kobo ebook version, which isn't formatted very well at all and had numerous random line breaks in the middle of dialogue. I look forward to Wrath of the Lemming Men - and I heard a rumour that the author is finally writing book four!
April 22, 2012
Isambard Smith and his crew once again are up against the Ghast, the Edenites and a few fanatical Zealots who take over the world of Urn, the empire's greatest source of Tea, yes Tea, the direct reason for the Empire's Moral Fiber. I cannot begin to tell you how bizarre this series is. I recommend it to any person who finds british imperialism even remotely funny, let alone giant ants, over the top religious nuts and hippy tree hugging pacifists. Need I say more?
August 30, 2015
A splendid steampunk space romp that licks along at a fair pace with its tongue wedged firmly in its cheek. Full of contemporary references to Dune (obviously), Star Wars, Star Trek, Bladerunner, H.P. Lovecraft, the Archers, Cold Comfort Farm, Monty Python, Iain M Banks, Rage Against The Machine, Casablanca, Apocalypse Now, and 1984; and that's just the ones I picked up on!
If you enjoy sci-fi, comedy, silliness and tea then read this book whilst lying back and thinking of England.
If you enjoy sci-fi, comedy, silliness and tea then read this book whilst lying back and thinking of England.
August 8, 2009
If you have read the first of Isambard smith's adventures you will definitely enjoy this latest installment as Smith's crew bravely defend the planet the Urn (home of the British Space Empire's tea plantations)from the Ghast hordes.
there are plenty of puns and jokes as Frost takes a swipe at everything from Pcness to the chattering classes Saying anymore would spoil it.
there are plenty of puns and jokes as Frost takes a swipe at everything from Pcness to the chattering classes Saying anymore would spoil it.
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