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To Infinity
It is a dark time for the Galactic Republic. Fusion reactor fuel rod prices have gone sky high and people can't afford to switch their lights on. Even more importantly, the Halreptors are ravaging the edges of known space, destroying outposts, hijacking freighters, stealing every copy of Galactic Heat magazine and leaving nobody alive to tell the tale. Emboldened by their successes, their last attack was deep inside Republic borders. The Space Corps, relegated by centuries of peace and decadence to little more than glorified traffic wardens, cannot cope. The Senate is either in bed or disarray. The Galaxy is in desperate need of a leader, a hero. What it gets is Kaymer Haynes, con man and currently inmate of the escape-proof prison planet Srindar Djem. Can one man succeed where the might of the entire Star Fleet has failed? Can Haynes overcome telepaths, homicidal pigs, love androids, bounty hunters, unfriendly ship computers, floating palaces and being the holy prophet of the God of Dung in order to save the day? Or even the hour?
- GenresScience Fiction
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2010
5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Darren Humphries
48 books65 followersI am English and recently bade a fond farewell to my forties. I have been writing stories since school when I won a parker pen for being shortlisted in a national schools writing competition.
My particular genre of choice wanders around all over the place, but has mainly settled into humorous fantasy and science fiction (or at least I think they're humorous and some people who have kindly left reviews seem to agree).
During any spare time (of which there isn't much since I'm recently widowed and dealing with two children) I edit a website focussed on science fiction television at www.scififreaksite.com and a similar blog on the side.
I then try to cram in a few books on my kindle to read.
My particular genre of choice wanders around all over the place, but has mainly settled into humorous fantasy and science fiction (or at least I think they're humorous and some people who have kindly left reviews seem to agree).
During any spare time (of which there isn't much since I'm recently widowed and dealing with two children) I edit a website focussed on science fiction television at www.scififreaksite.com and a similar blog on the side.
I then try to cram in a few books on my kindle to read.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 11, 2022
Darren's pace and humour always make for such fun, escapist stories, making me feel confident every time I pick a new one that it will be another success. It is probably because his writing style is similar to my own that they really resonate so much with me.
April 7, 2024
Moodchanging.
Good to read at the end of the day before I go to sleep. Problems are raised and dealt with, be it with luck or tactful skill. Not for the havy hearted pessimist. Excellent read.
Good to read at the end of the day before I go to sleep. Problems are raised and dealt with, be it with luck or tactful skill. Not for the havy hearted pessimist. Excellent read.
February 7, 2012
I’d been hearing good things about Darren Humphries work for some time now and, on that basis, decided to give one of his books a spin. I’ve always been a science fiction fan, as my groaning bookshelves will attest, so this title came as the ideal starting point.
Mr Humphries has written this book with a Douglas Adams / Terry Pratchett voice. In that respect it has succeeded very well. The interplay between the characters is sharp and entertaining at every point. The story moves along well and there is plenty of enjoyable dialogue.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book, but, and there is a but, something happened to the end. Everything was going wonderfully until it got to 97%. I think the problem with this book is that the enemy is too good. There is a fine line between the hero being cornered and being able to fight his way out and the same hero being painted into a corner. I felt this was the case with this book, where the author had succeeded with the painting, thrown away the brush and decided to have the wall demolished from the other side by the next door neighbour.
I know this is going to sound odd, but don’t let the ending stop you reading this book, it really is a treat. There were times when I cursed the end of my lunch break as I was enjoying myself so much. On a number of occasions, I was howling out loud with laughter and annoying my colleagues by insisting on reading out sections of dialogue.
On that basis, I’m going to have to knock off a star for the ending, otherwise it would have got a perfect score. If you are a Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett fan, you’ll feel very at home with this Darren Humphries book and enjoy it immensely.
Mr Humphries has written this book with a Douglas Adams / Terry Pratchett voice. In that respect it has succeeded very well. The interplay between the characters is sharp and entertaining at every point. The story moves along well and there is plenty of enjoyable dialogue.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book, but, and there is a but, something happened to the end. Everything was going wonderfully until it got to 97%. I think the problem with this book is that the enemy is too good. There is a fine line between the hero being cornered and being able to fight his way out and the same hero being painted into a corner. I felt this was the case with this book, where the author had succeeded with the painting, thrown away the brush and decided to have the wall demolished from the other side by the next door neighbour.
I know this is going to sound odd, but don’t let the ending stop you reading this book, it really is a treat. There were times when I cursed the end of my lunch break as I was enjoying myself so much. On a number of occasions, I was howling out loud with laughter and annoying my colleagues by insisting on reading out sections of dialogue.
On that basis, I’m going to have to knock off a star for the ending, otherwise it would have got a perfect score. If you are a Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett fan, you’ll feel very at home with this Darren Humphries book and enjoy it immensely.
August 10, 2011
Story
The plot moves along at a good pace with lots of adventurous action. I liked the unexpected changes of direction and the way the plot developed. I was a little disappointed by the twist at the end. Twists that reframe the whole situation can strain credibility, particularly when you're deeply involved in the story.
Characters
Kaymer Haynes is an interesting character, a con man with a sense of humour. I found him very engaging, with a sense that there was always a lot more going on than he was letting on. Other characters are lightly but effectively drawn. I loved the stroppy computer and the bonkers Dennis Crump.
Presentation
There is an error in the book description; "ever copy" instead of "every copy". There are similar grammar/punctuation errors in the book (I noted 13), such as "Huge blocks of plas-wrapped cargo was floating free". If small errors of this kind irritate you when reading then you may find that detracts from your enjoyment of the story.
Overall
I was intrigued by the title of this story and slightly puzzled by the end of the book because it wasn't clear why it was called that other than as a jokey take on "To Infinity and beyond". I enjoyed the humour and adventure in the story, and I liked the characters, too. The first couple of chapters are brilliant and it is a very entertaining read. If it hadn't been for the imperfect proofreading and the credibility-straining twist at the end, I would have given this 5*.
The plot moves along at a good pace with lots of adventurous action. I liked the unexpected changes of direction and the way the plot developed. I was a little disappointed by the twist at the end. Twists that reframe the whole situation can strain credibility, particularly when you're deeply involved in the story.
Characters
Kaymer Haynes is an interesting character, a con man with a sense of humour. I found him very engaging, with a sense that there was always a lot more going on than he was letting on. Other characters are lightly but effectively drawn. I loved the stroppy computer and the bonkers Dennis Crump.
Presentation
There is an error in the book description; "ever copy" instead of "every copy". There are similar grammar/punctuation errors in the book (I noted 13), such as "Huge blocks of plas-wrapped cargo was floating free". If small errors of this kind irritate you when reading then you may find that detracts from your enjoyment of the story.
Overall
I was intrigued by the title of this story and slightly puzzled by the end of the book because it wasn't clear why it was called that other than as a jokey take on "To Infinity and beyond". I enjoyed the humour and adventure in the story, and I liked the characters, too. The first couple of chapters are brilliant and it is a very entertaining read. If it hadn't been for the imperfect proofreading and the credibility-straining twist at the end, I would have given this 5*.
March 21, 2013
One of those books that will have you laughing throughout. Seriously, read the sample chapter. The whole book is like that.
The book starts with the hero escaping a inescapable prison, hidden in pig poo. Not only that, he is frozen in the poo for a long time. Once he has escaped, he goes after the man who betrayed him. There is also a plot about a violent alien ship that is destroying human ships. Of course, our hero will get tangled in it.
A funny character is a psycho spaceship, who takes every chance to insult the hero. The hero has to threaten to fry her circuits to get the ship to do anything.
The middle slows down a bit, but the book then picks up slack. The funny moments are spread out through the book, and kept me interested.
Recommended.
The book starts with the hero escaping a inescapable prison, hidden in pig poo. Not only that, he is frozen in the poo for a long time. Once he has escaped, he goes after the man who betrayed him. There is also a plot about a violent alien ship that is destroying human ships. Of course, our hero will get tangled in it.
A funny character is a psycho spaceship, who takes every chance to insult the hero. The hero has to threaten to fry her circuits to get the ship to do anything.
The middle slows down a bit, but the book then picks up slack. The funny moments are spread out through the book, and kept me interested.
Recommended.
October 6, 2011
I enjoyed this - a lot! It's one of those stories that begs to be read in a sitting once you've been sucked in, and it's an antidote to many of those po-faced sci-fi books.
Our hero, Kaymer Haynes, is suitably disreputable, and established as a Man To Be Reckoned With during the first few pages as he escapes an inescapable prison.
A story that romps along, good characters and plenty of humour make for a really good read. I shall read more by Darren Humphries.
Our hero, Kaymer Haynes, is suitably disreputable, and established as a Man To Be Reckoned With during the first few pages as he escapes an inescapable prison.
A story that romps along, good characters and plenty of humour make for a really good read. I shall read more by Darren Humphries.
March 29, 2014
In my eyes, Darren can do no wrong. Another book that I just loved from the start!
August 16, 2015
I guess "out of the Adams' stable" of scifi humour, light and funny with a sense there might be a series in it. Straightforward entertaining and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews