A Game of Battleships

Chronicles of Isambard Smith #4

by Toby Frost

In the 25th century the future of the galaxy rests on a knife-edge. The actions of one man could save the British Space Empire or leave Earth at the mercy of deadly legions of ant-people. That one man is Captain Isambard Smith, and Earth is in a lot of trouble. After blowing up a top-secret enemy base, Space Captain Smith and his crew deserve a rest. But their holiday ends when forces unknown destroy the robot convoy they were meant to be guarding. Smith finds himself in hot pursuit of a mysterious vessel that can pass through dimensions, incurring the wrath of the dreaded Grand Witchfinder of New Eden—which would be much easier to deal with if his pilot wasn't cowering under the dashboard and his spaceship wasn't infested with man-eating toads. Meanwhile, the Empire is gathering its allies to form a united front against alien tyranny. Unfortunately, the delicate negotiations have been entrusted to Major Wainscott, a man who knows no fear and very little about diplomacy or trousers. Once again, Captain Smith must summon all his courage to unite humanity behind the Empire. His quest will take him on a journey to face his greatest fears: from the depths of space, through hell itself—and even to France.

Genres: Science Fiction, Steampunk, Humor, Fiction, Aliens, Comedy, Adventure

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2013

About the author

Toby 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.

Reviews

[John McDermott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best of the series so far. Anyone who can pay tribute to The Two Ronnie Four Candles sketch ,and include The Prodigy’s lyrics in a highly amusing and spiffingly ripping yarn ,is alright by me.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing I hate about these novels is that I read them so fast. It’s not because they’re too short or too simplistic, but because I can’t put them down!

This iteration (Number 4), follows Smith and his crew on a mission to determine the origin of a dimension-jumping ship and assist in building diplomatic treaties with the alien races to help in the war against the Ghasts, Yullians, and Edenites.

I’m tempted to say that this one is my favourite. I’ve probably said this after almost every one, but this one has all the aspects I’ve come to love about the series, as well as some development on the part of the characters. While the “plot” of this novel took a little longer to get going, I liked the slower pace - it let the crew interact in downtime, rather than jumping from action scene to action scene. And the space battle at the end made up for it.

This isn’t going to be a huge review, as this is part 4 of a series that is very consistent, so a lot of what I would say would be repeating my previous comments. But, where the previous book had a major focus on Suruk (my space boyfriend), this one gave Polly some screen time (a surprising turn of events - I expected Smith would be afforded the opportunity). The battle took on a subtly different style than the rest of Space Captain Smith, reminding me more of Frost’s serious fantasy Up to the Throne in its detail and tension. This wasn’t jarring or took away from the comedic aspect of the rest of the story, but it was nice to get a “real” action scene.

I loved the inclusion of jokes and references, Suruk’s evil toad-kids , new character Captain Fitzroy, and that 462 was present but not the main villain yet again.

Anyway, if you haven’t read the previous novels in the series, I highly recommend starting with Space Captain Smith. It’s a fun ride and while I can’t wait to read the next one, I’m going to hold off as long as possible to draw it out!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit trepidation when coming to reading science fiction humour - don't get me wrong I love a good laugh as much as the next person - what I am always wary of is that its far too easy to make fun of science fiction rather than having fun with it - its too easy to laugh at the kid in the corner reading about aliens and space ships than coming out with witty and clever puns and jokes that a science fiction fan would spot and under stand (ok I know that science fiction has a great heritage of humour from hitch hikers guide to the big bang theory but they are few are far between).
Anyway the book- well it has been some time since I have read or even seen a new space captain smith adventure so you can imagine the speed I pounced on this book. It didn't disappoint - well to start with at least. It had all the old characters in it - (at times it did feel like they were be paraded out simply to acknowledge them and prove that they were still part of the plot) and the same level of absurd logic that just seemed right - my only complaint was that the end felt a little rushed (or was it that I could have easily read twice the length of book and not realised how early it was in the morning) and the plot device really did feel so incredibly unexpected and bizarre it did feel like it needed more explanations and integration in to the story - possibly for another story I hope. Anyway it was great to read a book again from this series and I hope its not too long before we see another. If you want something different this series is really worth it.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun sci fi satire. Book 4 of the very funny series featuring the very British Captain Isambard Smith and his plucky crew on the space ship John Pym. Captain Smith is a bit dim when it comes to dealing with the women crew members, one who happens to be his lady love, but he is very gung ho and brave. Especially when he drinks his tea, for tea gives him his needed moral fibre. Tea is what makes the British Space Empire strong. Along with lots of tea breaks there's a plethora of goofball aliens. This is where Toby Frost has great fun coming up with weird and funny aliens. Not just the bad guy giant Lemming men, or the Ghast ( Giant Ants ) or the idiotic and fanatical Edenites who look like the outer space version of the KKK with their white robes and pointy ( dunce like?) hats. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weirdness abounds in this latest venture into the realms of the British Space Empire and beyond (sometimes way beyond, courtesy of a strange and portentous mirror). A Game of Battleships is another gripping foray into the adventures of Space Captain Smith and his unlikely crewmates, wryly amusing and filled to the brim with tea and stiff upper lip. I thought it wasn't quite up there with its predecessors, perhaps that's simply because I've become acquainted and acclimatised to this eccentric world, but having said that said it remained a spiffing read. Good show, old boy.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuous tours, tasks, and general mayhem had kept me so occupied, that this wonderful adventure took a long time to be read from cover to cover.
But it was an awesome read!
Highly recommended. Now for some tea, and another spiffing read.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the mayhem (and puns) carries on.

[Damian Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a fun read

[Eddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to have confused zany characters with telling a good story.

[Steph Bennion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to reading this for a while, having enjoyed the previous books. Like the first three, this is a fun, entertaining read and it was good to reconnect with Captain Smith and his crew (my favourite is Polly, who gets to be a hero in this one!). However, I felt the pacing was way off: once the Where Eagles Dare prologue was out of the way, the story dragged a lot and didn't really fire up on all rockets until two-thirds through. The 'wonderland' bit and the final battle were both over so quickly and I couldn't help thinking so much more could have been made of the ideas in this book. It's still funny and Isambard still reminds me of a British version of Stan Smith from American Dad!. Fans of sci-fi comedy will find much to like.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow to get going but it does help reintroduce you back to old characters (I last read this series about five years ago, loved the previous ones), so I was thinking ho hum... but as the story went along I became more intrigued and entertained. There is a great deal of laughs and thrills to be had here and plenty of literary references to keep the reader involved, I bought the next in the series straight after I read this.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather lacking in a plot, this was possibly the weakest of the series so far in many ways. However, the comedy was very present and I was seldom between chuckles and the book had more than one laugh out loud moment. This definitely turned it from a incoherent ramble into something which was worth the read. A large amount of the humour was quite specific though, and there existed a lot of in-jokes, so it very much may not be everyone's cup of tea, moral fibre or no.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable romp through space with the British Space Empire's Isambard Smith and his crew of misfits. All the usual cast are here along side a few new characters for a tale of moral fibre, daring deeds and a jolly exciting scrap or two.
The best way to enjoy this book is to read the three previous ones. If you haven't read them, go away and read them. Now. With a cup of tea.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

What ho chaps! Do you enjoy tea? Cricket? And generally feeling superior to foreigners and aliens? Then this may be the book for you! Follow the exploits of space Captain Smith and his crew of cowards and psychopaths as they give a damn good thrashing to Edenites and Gnats alike!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of the series Starts off fairly well but gets lost in the erratic plot changes. LOL moments didn't start until well past half way unlike the earlier tittles. I got the impression that this was a 'rush job'. I was definitely disappointed.

[Paul Tisserant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? They just keep on getting better! Come on toby! I want the next one NOW! Need I say more?

[Mark Jardine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Frost does it again, another fantastic Ripping yarn, capt. Smith's adventures go from strength to strength. I eagerly anticipate the next installment.

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking story, laugh out loud funny, though most Americans will be bemused by it all.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking read, as always! Can't wait til the next one!

[Dale Haxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

AlthoughI enjoyed the book it certainly wasn't as good as the other books in ther series which left me a bit unsatisfied.

[Ian Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in a couple of days. As with the others, they just make me laugh which can't be bad.

[Mike Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run out of time review.

These books keep getting better. This one almost nudged up into 5 stars. Just huge amounts of fun!

[Iain Parkes]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13409162

[Everard · Rating 5 out of 5]

another solid entry in this series. More please