Agent to the Stars

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The space-faring Yherajk have come to Earth to meet us and to begin humanity's first interstellar friendship. There's just one problem: They're hideously ugly and they smell like rotting fish. So getting humanity's trust is a challenge. The Yherajk need someone who can help them close the deal. Enter Thomas Stein, who knows something about closing deals. He's one of Hollywood's hottest young agents. But although Stein may have just concluded the biggest deal of his career, it's quite another thing to negotiate for an entire alien race. To earn his percentage this time, he's going to need all the smarts, skills, and wits he can muster.

©2005 John Scalzi (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Wil Wheaton animates the slapstick text with a tone that is appropriate for the story of a young Tinsel Town agent whose other clients are either equally deranged or aren't making him much money.” ( AudioFile)

So Fun and Funny

Excellent book to listen to. Narrator does a fantastic job and brings the characters to life. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope for a sequel.

Fun little story!

After listening to several longer, more serious books in a row, I was ready for a book that would be easy to listen to, entertaining and light. This fit the bill. Fun story! Wil Wheaton gives a great performance.

Listen to this book!

Hilarious, serious, thought provoking. I throughly enjoyed this book. Maybe better than Old Man's War.

Lightweight fluff

I picked up a few of these Scalzi books during Audible's latest twofer deal, mainly on the strength of some other Will Wheaton performances I'd heard and enjoyed. As far as this book goes, the first half or so was pretty interesting and humorous, the second half, not so much. It just seemed to run out of gas. (and ideas) I was glad when it ended and I could move on to bigger and better things.

Fun & entertaining

A enjoyable story with likeable characters. A touch predictable at times but overall well worth the time!.

funny and refreshing

gives you something new to think about. funny and the reader is great, every character has a different voice.

loved it

I totally loved this story. the sarcasm was great and funny

I really enjoyed the narration aa well.

entertaining

Loved it! A comedic romp with aliens. And the narration captured the tone of each of the characters.

Witty, Unexpected, and Fun Sci-fi

A book titled, "Agent to the Stars" is not one I would typically read, because I'm really not into celebrity. I cannot think of a worse question than, "Do you KNOW who I AM?!" First, no, I don't care who you are. Second, I don't want to know anyone who would seriously ask that question.

However, since I'm on a John Scalzi binge right now, I dove into this story. After I got over its premise (Really? This is the story?), I was hesitant to continue because it seemed too, well, simplistic. I am sorry, Mr. Scalzi, for my momentary lack of faith. I really liked the previous 3-4 books I had listened to, which had contained far more serious plots, so I pushed on. Within minutes I was all in -- laughing and snickering at the scenarios and banter, visualizing the characters, and trying to figure out what was around the next corner. The only detail I will give is that the aliens speak to each other not through speech, but by onerous odors.

This book was just the kind of Sci-fi that I needed after the stress and distress of 2020, especially following the presidential election. Its plot is not all fun and games, but it was personally a relief to laugh and enjoy myself so much. I really enjoy Scalzi's sense of humor, and Wheaton's interpretation of it. In fact, Wheaton is my first favorite Sci-fi Narrator. I know, I know, I'm late to the party. If you need some Sci-fi Lite (and I'm talking more humor less horror, not -- without any depth) definitely check this one out!

Hollywood Stars Today - Alien or Human?

First off, if you don't like cursing of any kind then give this book a skip; while there was foul language it was not to the extreme. This was a good comedic book about honest and polite aliens attempting to introduce themselves to Earth. After having listened to years of the Brady Bunch and other television shows that have been broadcast out into space, the aliens feel they might have an idea on the best approach - introduce themselves to a Hollywood agent. Hilarity ensues as Thomas Stein takes this alien race on as his biggest client. Narrator Will Wheaton was able to give each character a unique voice and carried Scalzi's humorous story well. I will definitely be looking into other books by this author.