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Rex Nihilo #2
Aye, Robot
After interstellar con man Rex Nihilo hijacks a cargo freighter on a whim, he decides that he and his long-suffering robot sidekick Sasha have found their calling as space pirates. But when the ship's cargo turns out to be a cryogenically frozen religious fanatic who holds the secret to a vast galactic conspiracy, Rex and Sasha find themselves on the run from real pirates--as well as agents of the oppressive Malarchy, crazy space cultists and the Ursa Minor mafia. If Rex is going to get out of this jam alive, he might just have to save the galaxy... again.
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First published March 5, 2017
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About the author
Robert Kroese
70 books629 followersRobert Kroese's sense of irony was honed growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan - home of the Amway Corporation and the Gerald R. Ford Museum, and the first city in the United States to fluoridate its water supply. In second grade, he wrote his first novel, the saga of Captain Bill and his spaceship Thee Eagle. This turned out to be the high point of his academic career. After barely graduating from Calvin College in 1992 with a philosophy degree, he was fired from a variety of jobs before moving to California, where he stumbled into software development. As this job required neither punctuality nor a sense of direction, he excelled at it. In 2009, he called upon his extensive knowledge of useless information and love of explosions to write his first novel, Mercury Falls. Since then, he has written 18 more books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 6, 2021
So, instead of continuing my Isaac Asimov project, that I started in 2018(!) I read this book here. I’m not so good with those long-term reading projects, am I? Maybe it’s because I have the attention span of a
First book of the year, first disappointment. *sigh*
I loved its predecessor, which I have read in December of The Forgotten Year. It was so funny I just couldn’t stop laughing. Simply wonderful space farce.
This second book, unfortunately, is not nearly as funny. It starts with Rex and his robot sidekick Sasha both having lost their memory, and Rex also having gone through a stark change in personality. He’s become generous. *gasp* He just can’t stop giving away things. A joke that overstayed its welcome quite a bit. Then we go into a longish flashback that explains what has happened to our two “heroes”, including them becoming space pirates. Hence the cover and the title.
It had some fun moments, but wasn’t all that exciting, to be honest. There are some second book issues as well, like having to explain parts of the world/tech again, which is a little boring if you’ve finished the previous book only a week ago. The jokes are just as silly as in the first book, but without the same underlying cleverness. And the good ones are far less frequent, I’m afraid. The first laugh-out-lout moment came only after more than 20% of the book’s length. That was probably the most disappointing thing, as the frequency didn’t really increase after that point either. Just way too many misses this time around. The plot however got a little more interesting after the flashback was in the rearview mirror. Which was close to the halfway mark of my e-book. A little too late. Especially considering that the last fifth of the book is not part of the main story, but a Pepper Melange novella (a side character).
I did not read the novella, because I had to return the book to the library. So much for my New Year’s resolution to not be pressed for time in my reading quite so often. But it would have made no difference for the rating, as I would have rated that one separately anyway.
Overall, this was surprisingly mediocre. I will probably still continue with the series, because I
Wait, is that a robot parrot?
2.5 stars, generously rounding up.
First book of the year, first disappointment. *sigh*
I loved its predecessor, which I have read in December of The Forgotten Year. It was so funny I just couldn’t stop laughing. Simply wonderful space farce.
This second book, unfortunately, is not nearly as funny. It starts with Rex and his robot sidekick Sasha both having lost their memory, and Rex also having gone through a stark change in personality. He’s become generous. *gasp* He just can’t stop giving away things. A joke that overstayed its welcome quite a bit. Then we go into a longish flashback that explains what has happened to our two “heroes”, including them becoming space pirates. Hence the cover and the title.
It had some fun moments, but wasn’t all that exciting, to be honest. There are some second book issues as well, like having to explain parts of the world/tech again, which is a little boring if you’ve finished the previous book only a week ago. The jokes are just as silly as in the first book, but without the same underlying cleverness. And the good ones are far less frequent, I’m afraid. The first laugh-out-lout moment came only after more than 20% of the book’s length. That was probably the most disappointing thing, as the frequency didn’t really increase after that point either. Just way too many misses this time around. The plot however got a little more interesting after the flashback was in the rearview mirror. Which was close to the halfway mark of my e-book. A little too late. Especially considering that the last fifth of the book is not part of the main story, but a Pepper Melange novella (a side character).
I did not read the novella, because I had to return the book to the library. So much for my New Year’s resolution to not be pressed for time in my reading quite so often. But it would have made no difference for the rating, as I would have rated that one separately anyway.
Overall, this was surprisingly mediocre. I will probably still continue with the series, because I
Wait, is that a robot parrot?
2.5 stars, generously rounding up.
May 15, 2021
Aye, Robot
A Rex Nihilo Adventure - Starship Grifters, Book 2
By: Robert Kroese
Oh my gosh! Anyone that loves humor and/or science fiction needs to start this series! I have read and listened to the audio and listening is definitely better! The narration is remarkable! It's so funny and the narrator performs all the voices perfectly and does the comedy just right!
Rex and Sasha are in a real mess that Rex has gotten them into! They have to deal with a super cult, mind wipe, agents that are crooked, and Rex decided to become a pirate, and they end up saving the galaxy! At the end of the Audible book the is a short story about Pepper too! She is a popular character in here.
This book is full of puns, snark, fun, crazy dialogue, silly situations, great characters, unusual plots, and a heck of a ride! I know I will have a good time when I start these books! Sasha the robot is my favorite! Can't wait to start the next book!
A Rex Nihilo Adventure - Starship Grifters, Book 2
By: Robert Kroese
Oh my gosh! Anyone that loves humor and/or science fiction needs to start this series! I have read and listened to the audio and listening is definitely better! The narration is remarkable! It's so funny and the narrator performs all the voices perfectly and does the comedy just right!
Rex and Sasha are in a real mess that Rex has gotten them into! They have to deal with a super cult, mind wipe, agents that are crooked, and Rex decided to become a pirate, and they end up saving the galaxy! At the end of the Audible book the is a short story about Pepper too! She is a popular character in here.
This book is full of puns, snark, fun, crazy dialogue, silly situations, great characters, unusual plots, and a heck of a ride! I know I will have a good time when I start these books! Sasha the robot is my favorite! Can't wait to start the next book!
April 3, 2017
This novel is a fantastic follow up to the hilarious Starship Grifters. Rex Nihilo, a man who has been engineered to take insane risks to get money (and the dirtier the means the better) is a unique and memorable character who generates constant amusement, and his straight man robot sidekick, Sasha, is a perfect partner. He's full of crazy plans, and if she ever has an original idea she crashes and reboots immediately. These books are as funny, in their way, as the Hitchhiker series, and if you like science fiction mixed with comedy, they shouldn't be missed.
October 12, 2018
Hilarious sci-fi adventure in the vein of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. The actual adventure isn't as important as the humor, and the book certainly doesn't take itself too seriously.
One of my favorite parts was the adaptation of "Who's on First". I've seen several people try to adapt it, but nothing really measures up to Abbott & Costello's original. This one comes pretty close, though.
One of my favorite parts was the adaptation of "Who's on First". I've seen several people try to adapt it, but nothing really measures up to Abbott & Costello's original. This one comes pretty close, though.
August 15, 2017
Further adventures of Rex Nihilo and his faithful robot Sasha. Serious spoilers for Starship Grifters ahead.
As in, the opening discussing their work for the Spossels. Memories have been tampered with and restored. Further hijinks ensue. Fewer parody elements, but they run across villains making people happy. They also deal with a robot parrot, Pepper's reappearance, an Oracle with an unusual sleep pattern, stories of ghosts, someone trying to get back in the good graces of the Malarchy, a cryogenically frozen man, and more.
As in, the opening discussing their work for the Spossels. Memories have been tampered with and restored. Further hijinks ensue. Fewer parody elements, but they run across villains making people happy. They also deal with a robot parrot, Pepper's reappearance, an Oracle with an unusual sleep pattern, stories of ghosts, someone trying to get back in the good graces of the Malarchy, a cryogenically frozen man, and more.
October 5, 2017
I listened to this as an audiobook.
I loved Starship Grifters, including the perfect choice of Kate Rudd. So when I saw that this audiobook arrived, I bought it immediately and started listening. And it was okay.
My first impression listening to the book was that J.D. Ledford is no Kate Rudd. I guess that's obvious. J.D. Ledford pushed the robotic voice way too far in her reading and it got really annoying. And her voice characterizations were nowhere near as fun as Kate Rudd's. J.D. Ledford sounds like a new narrator with potential, but she just doesn't have the skill. Over and over again, I really found myself missing Ms. Rudd's voices, especially for Pepper and Vlak. I actually got so tired of Ms. Ledford that I left the audiobook for another and then came back.
While still fun, the story just didn't get to the level of Grifters. It continued to be funny and quirky, but I didn't have near the amount of laugh-out-loud moments as I did with its predecessor. And the author almost completely did away with the movie and book references that made Grifters even funnier. The book had several gags that it spent too much time on, including one at the opening of the book that had me wondering when it would move on.
Honestly, though, I have to circle back to J.D. Ledford. I think that I would have loved this book had Kate Rudd returned. Instead, I liked it okay.
I loved Starship Grifters, including the perfect choice of Kate Rudd. So when I saw that this audiobook arrived, I bought it immediately and started listening. And it was okay.
My first impression listening to the book was that J.D. Ledford is no Kate Rudd. I guess that's obvious. J.D. Ledford pushed the robotic voice way too far in her reading and it got really annoying. And her voice characterizations were nowhere near as fun as Kate Rudd's. J.D. Ledford sounds like a new narrator with potential, but she just doesn't have the skill. Over and over again, I really found myself missing Ms. Rudd's voices, especially for Pepper and Vlak. I actually got so tired of Ms. Ledford that I left the audiobook for another and then came back.
While still fun, the story just didn't get to the level of Grifters. It continued to be funny and quirky, but I didn't have near the amount of laugh-out-loud moments as I did with its predecessor. And the author almost completely did away with the movie and book references that made Grifters even funnier. The book had several gags that it spent too much time on, including one at the opening of the book that had me wondering when it would move on.
Honestly, though, I have to circle back to J.D. Ledford. I think that I would have loved this book had Kate Rudd returned. Instead, I liked it okay.
August 21, 2018
Warning!! Reading this book may make you smile, chuckle and even laugh. It's a rather light-hearted book and the puns and jokes are not all ones that will be obvious unless you happen to be an American Science-Fiction fan, but even then, enough of them will be caught that if you don't smile or chuckle... well, get that sense of humor examined!
September 18, 2018
Aye, Robot is the latest in a short series of Starship Grifters book. It’s the second of three, the prequel, Out of the Soylent Planet, being published after its release. A few dialogue lines refer to previous events and none of the main characters need reintroduction, but it stands on its own.
Sasha, the narrator of the story, tells us the space grifter Rex Nihilio is reckless enough to need someone to hold him back (or get in his way) so he doesn’t get killed while off on a wild hair. That’s where she comes in. She begins by wondering about loss of memory, because she realizes nether she nor Rex can recall details of their actions from minutes before the conversation above. Plus Rex is acting generously, completely out of character for him.
They quickly fall into trouble through Rex’s new behavior patterns and just as quickly go from fryer to fire as something very big watches them from the shadows. As their adventure continues, they run afowl common criminals, Space Apostles, and the Malarchian government’s worst law-enforcer, Heinous Vlaak.
The story leans more light-hearted crime novel than full-throated comic. Most of the comedy comes in funny names and misused words. Nothing dark. Gullible stooges get their just desserts. It’s all good. I enjoyed it. One of my children did too, but a younger one didn’t get it.
Also included in this book is the novella, “The Yanthus Prime Job,” another light-hearted crime story with one of the characters we meet in the main story. It raises questions about how we treat those we deem unimportant. (First posted on my blog.)
“Don’t be ridiculous,” snapped Rex. “What’s my name?”
“Rex Nihilio,” I said.
“And what’s my occupation?”
“You’re the self-described ‘greatest wheeler-dealer in the galaxy.'”
“Correct,” said Rex. “It sounds better if you leave off the ‘self-described,’ though. What’s your name?”
“Sasha.”
“Which stands for what?”
“Self-Arresting near Sentient Heuristic Android.”
Sasha, the narrator of the story, tells us the space grifter Rex Nihilio is reckless enough to need someone to hold him back (or get in his way) so he doesn’t get killed while off on a wild hair. That’s where she comes in. She begins by wondering about loss of memory, because she realizes nether she nor Rex can recall details of their actions from minutes before the conversation above. Plus Rex is acting generously, completely out of character for him.
They quickly fall into trouble through Rex’s new behavior patterns and just as quickly go from fryer to fire as something very big watches them from the shadows. As their adventure continues, they run afowl common criminals, Space Apostles, and the Malarchian government’s worst law-enforcer, Heinous Vlaak.
The story leans more light-hearted crime novel than full-throated comic. Most of the comedy comes in funny names and misused words. Nothing dark. Gullible stooges get their just desserts. It’s all good. I enjoyed it. One of my children did too, but a younger one didn’t get it.
Also included in this book is the novella, “The Yanthus Prime Job,” another light-hearted crime story with one of the characters we meet in the main story. It raises questions about how we treat those we deem unimportant. (First posted on my blog.)
May 17, 2019
Not worth 4 stars IMO.
Plot is good and serviceable. Character development is good and serviceable, but is it a "late for work because I'm reading this"? No it's not
Reminds a lot of the Stainless steel rat books and probably pays homage to that style.
If you've read the first book already, then it's worth buying the second. If you haven't read the first book, then maybe give both a skip.
This review is probably overly critical, and not intended as such. I guess you just start to think to yourself.. "If I'm xxx years old and I have capacity to read only YYY books in my lifetime, would I read this book?". To me, I don't regret reading the book if I only have capacity to read xxx books in my lifetime, but I would not say that my overall book portfolio is increased because of it.
Plot is good and serviceable. Character development is good and serviceable, but is it a "late for work because I'm reading this"? No it's not
Reminds a lot of the Stainless steel rat books and probably pays homage to that style.
If you've read the first book already, then it's worth buying the second. If you haven't read the first book, then maybe give both a skip.
This review is probably overly critical, and not intended as such. I guess you just start to think to yourself.. "If I'm xxx years old and I have capacity to read only YYY books in my lifetime, would I read this book?". To me, I don't regret reading the book if I only have capacity to read xxx books in my lifetime, but I would not say that my overall book portfolio is increased because of it.
September 30, 2018
More Rex Nihilo shenanigans
I learned of this book on Goodreads and read it using Kindle Unlimited. This book was another space opera parody. The jokes and banter are still funny, but I didn't care for the pirate mission as much as I liked the planet destruction mission from the first book. The last 20% was a short story about Pepper Melange's origin. I love her as a character, but the jewel heist wasn't as funny as the rest of the book. I need the straight bot and funny man combination of Sasha and Rex. Sasha's deadpan acceptance of life make these novels for me. I can't wait to read the new prequel novel.
I learned of this book on Goodreads and read it using Kindle Unlimited. This book was another space opera parody. The jokes and banter are still funny, but I didn't care for the pirate mission as much as I liked the planet destruction mission from the first book. The last 20% was a short story about Pepper Melange's origin. I love her as a character, but the jewel heist wasn't as funny as the rest of the book. I need the straight bot and funny man combination of Sasha and Rex. Sasha's deadpan acceptance of life make these novels for me. I can't wait to read the new prequel novel.
December 6, 2017
Very enjoyable! Zero complaints.
Humor is solid and consistent. Action is a lot of fun! This author delivers good work with every book. I enjoyed this one more than the first, maybe because it has a larger cast. The characters were all easily distinguishable and added something worthwhile to the book. Nothing felt superfluous or stupid.
I did the audiobook version and the narrator was great. I enjoyed this narrator more than the one from Starship Grifters, she felt less stiff and had a wider range of voices.
I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.
Humor is solid and consistent. Action is a lot of fun! This author delivers good work with every book. I enjoyed this one more than the first, maybe because it has a larger cast. The characters were all easily distinguishable and added something worthwhile to the book. Nothing felt superfluous or stupid.
I did the audiobook version and the narrator was great. I enjoyed this narrator more than the one from Starship Grifters, she felt less stiff and had a wider range of voices.
I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.
August 14, 2017
THEY'RE BAaaaaaCK!!!
After a 3 year break, Rex and Sasha are at it again!
Rex decides to take a break from get-rich-quick schemes, double-dealing, double-crossing, theft, prison-breaks and the general mayhem and confusion that ensues and pursue a more rewarding and reputable career... piracy!
The new narrator, J.D. Ledford does a good job but I miss Kate Rudd's performance, from the first book.
After a 3 year break, Rex and Sasha are at it again!
Rex decides to take a break from get-rich-quick schemes, double-dealing, double-crossing, theft, prison-breaks and the general mayhem and confusion that ensues and pursue a more rewarding and reputable career... piracy!
The new narrator, J.D. Ledford does a good job but I miss Kate Rudd's performance, from the first book.
August 30, 2017
"Oh my god, it's full of olives." I'm sure that I only caught 10% of the references... but this is another great book in a series that sends up space operas, pulp fiction, and hardboiled detective genres - and more... However, the plotting is great, never bogged down by being too clever. Mr Kroese is an awesome and prolific author that becomes more assured with every new offering. His Keane / Fowler series is superlative as well.
February 2, 2024
It’s perhaps not as perfect as the first book but Aye, Robot is still hilarious in a way few books pull off. Rex and Sasha are a perfect double act running from disaster to disaster. Rex is the eternally optimistic con artist with hints of Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses but in space. The classic science fiction references are great for fans but subtle enough that if you don’t notice them it won’t matter. I love this book.
July 12, 2025
You'd think that taking a decade long pause between reading the first two novels in a series would be a problem, but within the first chapter I fell right back into Kroese's world and consumed the entire book in a single sitting. It's flippant, funny, ridiculous, and grounded in recognizably human characters (even the robotic ones) who bring what could otherwise be a paint-by-numbers tale to life.
July 17, 2017
Another rip roaring (with laughter) Rex Nihilo sci-fi adventure from Rob Kroese. While he may never be able to top the hilarious lazecannon/Gulagatraz scene from Starship Grifters, Kroese makes up for it with hilarious characters like Boggs and Donny, oh yeah, and Steve the squaky pirate parrot. Read this book and you will feel so fine! (You will also get that joke.)
August 30, 2017
I really like comedic space books - I'm really tired of depressing Sci Fi that tries to tell some deep message. This book as funny, and enjoyable - just what I needed during a vacation. There are some great jokes about how Rex loves and misses his pet robot parrot, while completely ignoring Sasha.
May 29, 2024
Good enough to read and pass time
Unnecessary language is always disappointing and it is in this book. Seems to be in all the Rex Nihilo books and likely in all of Robert Kroese's books. But, I'm like to try another. I usually like dragon stories and I see some titles to try.
Unnecessary language is always disappointing and it is in this book. Seems to be in all the Rex Nihilo books and likely in all of Robert Kroese's books. But, I'm like to try another. I usually like dragon stories and I see some titles to try.
June 12, 2017
Self-centered space pirate Rex Nihilo flings himself into one high-profit but certain-death scrape after another, accompanied by his long-suffering but tolerant robot companion Sasha. Echoes of Hitchhikers guide here... with maybe more puns. Ugh, the puns.
July 6, 2017
What a charming book! I haven't read anything by Kroese that I did not like. He is a master of dialogue, and I even enjoy his (many) puns. This book is fast-paced and well-plotted. The characters are engaging and you are left wanting to read the next book as soon as possible. More, please!
July 10, 2017
Kroese came into his own with this one. I haven't laughed out loud to a sci-fi book since Old Man's War. There's a 'who's on first' bit that goes on way too long, but this is an enjoyable read and I'm hooked for the future.
February 17, 2018
Space farce with some funny moments. With the exception of Pepper, Sasha and occasionally Rex, the people of the future ridiculously stupid. Amusing moments but cant say I would rate it above 3.5 stars.
February 5, 2019
Oh man. This book is exactly what I needed. HILARIOUS SHENANIGANS. Space pirates. Drug running. Cults. A guy who had his consciousness removed to keep from being distracted from Space Sirens. And a robot parrot to top it all off! This series is definitely worth checking out!
October 27, 2019
I listened to this during the summer, but forgot to log it until months later. Don't read anything into that. I enjoyed the book, but maybe not as much as Starship Grifters. It is still entertaining and fun and the plot is nothing anyone would predict.
May 19, 2021
More great sci-fi parody humor!
I must say, I am really enjoying the Rex Nihilo books - clever sci-fi spoofs full of nifty allusions (and even a bit of Latin, now and then!) - I look forward to the next book!
I must say, I am really enjoying the Rex Nihilo books - clever sci-fi spoofs full of nifty allusions (and even a bit of Latin, now and then!) - I look forward to the next book!
June 7, 2022
Audiobook. I think I said it before but Rex Nihilo is my hero. Another swashbuckling tale from Robert Kroese. If you like your Sci-Fi with a healthy dose of dry humor and irreverence the Rex Nihilo series is for you. Bonus: the audiobook also includes the Yanthus Prime Job.
November 3, 2024
Straight from the crazy idea factory
While the narration by a robot can by a bit dry at times, the jokes, shenanigans, hi jinx, punts, etc. will make you get dirty looks from people when you laugh out loud at the wrong time or location (WARNING: do NOT read this at a funeral!
While the narration by a robot can by a bit dry at times, the jokes, shenanigans, hi jinx, punts, etc. will make you get dirty looks from people when you laugh out loud at the wrong time or location (WARNING: do NOT read this at a funeral!
March 15, 2017
Another fun Rex Nihilo book. Not as ...crazy as the first one, but still had some moments of "Did I really just read that? And why did I enjoy it so much?"
August 9, 2017
Pirates in space! What more could you ask for?
Very good read.
Very good read.
August 25, 2017
Absolutely hilarious. SASHA is the best, and even goofy old Rex grows on ya.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews