Paradise

By: Craig Alanson

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure people that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed "Paradise". The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can't do anything about it without endangering Earth.

©2016 Craig Alanson (P)2017 Podium Publishing

running out of ideas...

Loved book 1, book 2 seemed long winded but still had me and this book leaves me wondering if this saga is done with me. I enjoy skippy but he has become very meh... same old same old and Bishop's interactions with him have become underwhelming. Perhaps some more drama between the two...? Idk... I guess I want more elders... or introduce the superior species.

Performance is in my opinion the best around. I Really enjoy Bray's work. He brings characters to life.

I'm a fan of both Alanson and Bray. But book 1 is still the best by far.

101 people found this helpful

Slowing down but still great

This series is full of laughs and Joe and Skippy share an entertaining relationship but it may be time to come up some new dynamics for the two. Grrr Joe how did you out smart me again is getting a little old.

74 people found this helpful

R C Bray never disappoints.

the overall story was a 3.5 stars for me. There is a good bit of action, some interesting and unique scenarios, but the dialogue between Skippy and Joe gets a little old. It just follows the same and repetitive formula; There's a sticky situation, Skippy the super duper artificial intelligence can't find a solution, Joe a monkey brain human comes up with a clever solution, Skippy hates himself and bemoans his existence. repeat this 1000 times and you have a book. That said the banter and scenarios are interesting, the characters are fun, and I found the book to just be a great listen in the background while doing other things.

27 people found this helpful

This is a bridge Novel

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

While the reading by R.C.Bray was excellent, I can't say that I enjoyed this story as I had enjoyed the first two books in the series. It bounces about from Paradise to Joe, To Paradise to Joe every few minutes. The first 5 hours was a chore to get through.

Has Paradise turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all. All series sometimes takes you in directions, or just seem to stall on certain events as the author gets his bearings.

Any additional comments?

I don't want to give away anything here, and I certainly do encourage readers to give this series serious consideration, but Alanson could have made this into a shorter story, and I hope the next book in the series will not stall out and become so repetitious as this one was.

41 people found this helpful

Better than Book 2

I wrote a review for Book 2 of the Expeditionary Force that basically said it was terrible, and that I hoped Book 3 would be better. I don't know why I bought this book, to be honest. I had low expectations. But I did buy it, and listened to it. My expectations were slightly exceeded.

First, R.C. Bray is excellent. I think that's a given at this point, but I'm still perfectly happy to listen to him for long periods of time.

Otherwise, this one was better than the second Expeditionary Force book, but not drastically so. Alanson still repeats the same jokes over and over. His problem solving usually involves introducing solutions that are impossible according to modern physics, and then uses hand-waving/"you monkeys aren't smart enough" to explain why it worked. It's poorly done science fiction by any measure. And his books feel too long, as if he is purposefully adding material to extend the length of the novels.

I think three stars is accurate for an overall score, with the performance being what keeps bringing me back.

10 people found this helpful

These books are so much fun

Let me just get it out there. I'd read anything that had Skippy and Col. Joe at the heart. Their relationship grows in this installment, but the humor and wit are still at its core.
The story picks up where book 2 ended. There's a brief period back on earth, but the real begins once the Flying Dutchman is back in space.
This plot has some good twists and turns, but in the end the plot is just the way that we get to ride along with Skippy and Joe. And what a fun ride it is.

And the end sets up book 4.

Finally, RC Bray is absolutely perfect for this book. He's an awesome reader. He gives each character unique, memorable voices. But it is more than that. RC captures the essence of the story. He didn't miss a beat. I don't know if the book would be as good as it is without his talent at telling the story.

15 people found this helpful

Great writing and reading

I have been waiting for this third book and it didn't disappoint! I have loved this whole series so far. Many times I literally laughed out loud.

Best Sci-Fi trilogy I have heard to date and the reading and interactions between characters are done to perfection! Bravo

24 people found this helpful

Repetitive

Narrator and story are great. I absolutely loved the first book and immediately bought the second because of it. The second was a bit too much arguing between Joe and Skippy and what seemed (in my opinion) to be a lot of added filler that did very little for the story. Because of this I was fairly hesitant to listen to the third but I really wanted to know what happens and unfortunately it is quite similar to the second book.

I did enjoy how the book jumped to different perspectives of characters and even alien races however, I feel as though it was just filler for very mild plot influences. still way too much Skippy and Joe arguing about predictable crap that could be reduced quite a bit so the author could add more to the story. it's makes you want to scream get to the point several times

I was really hoping the author would reach a point of the elders/Skippy making some headway. instead the whole book seemed to come to a disappointing end and a cliff hanger that doesn't really entice me to want to listen further. I really like the story I just wish there was as much action as there is talking/arguing.


I just finished the first book of the Fear the Sky saga which is a kind of similar story line (minus the space travel) but I enjoyed that book much more and recommend it.

31 people found this helpful

Very original and entertaining - a classic story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Paradise to be better than the print version?

I have not read the book versions but very much enjoy the audio versions while driving. My twenty minute daily commute is spent listening to a wide variety of books and I have this series at the top of my list. I can't wait to get back in the car so that I can listen to this tale of high adventure across the galaxy.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a very original story line that is very entertaining to listen to while doing other things.

Have you listened to any of R.C. Bray’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I have listened to all three books in this series narrated by R. C. Bray and intend to get the others as they are available. His narration is "just right" for this series.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is a classic and varies from high drama to making you laugh out loud.

Any additional comments?

I listen to and read quite a bit of science fiction and have found this series one of the best so far. The story line is original and timely (set in current time today). However, it engages technology left behind by the Ancient Elder Race who have mysteriously disappeared from the Milky Way Galaxy along with the technology of competing ET's who fight over and claim other planets (including Earth). The competition among the various races for who controls the area of space around Earth as well as the other planets visited in this series is well thought out and destined to make this series a classic. Being a retired Colonel myself who rose through the ranks I identify with the characters in these books very much. The strategies, politics and tactics are correctly explained (I'm picky about that). R. C. Bray's narration is outstanding and brings to light a fascinating storyline that I have heard nowhere else. This series has me hooked and I can't wait for Book 4.

6 people found this helpful

the awesome awesomeness of Skippy!

There was action right up up until the end! I thought this was the end of the series so was disappointed in the ending, but no, there will be more. Thank goodness!

These are books you don't want to put down, you don't want to go to work or to sleep, just so you can keep listening. There are brave deeds done by humans, dastardly deeds done by aliens, and then there's Skippy. It's rare to laugh out loud in a Sci-fi book, but there is honest-to-goodness humor here! And RC Bray delivers it so well, you really do forget you are listening to a book--you think you are there with Joe. Thank goodness Skippy is on our side, or humans would be sunk. Even with all Joe's inventiveness, the humans could never have gotten anywhere without Skippy. It doesn't even seem contrived, that's how good the writing is.

The dynamic between Joe and Skippy is good. Some of the angles may be sliding into becoming tropes, but it's so well done, it's okay. Joe keeps thinking up schemes and plans that a super AI never could. And Craig Alanson thinks up new problems and solutions that most of us never could. It's astounding!

6 people found this helpful

its skippy time

Would you consider the audio edition of Paradise to be better than the print version?

Craig Alanson is the master of sarcasm especially when its delivered by R C Bray, this is the third in a series which just gets better and better, the story keeps you going but its the interaction between Col Joe and his omnipotent little beer can is superb and when delivered with R C Brays dulcet tones brings everything to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

has to be Skippy the magnificent, no other character can be so sarcastic yet with a roguish quality.

What about R.C. Bray’s performance did you like?

i have listened to a lot of R C Brays work and this narrator is the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

how can you get moved by a beer can calling you a dumb monkey all the time lol

Any additional comments?

superb work by craig and R C dont keep us waiting for the other books.

8 people found this helpful

Still a lot of fun

Definitely a fun series with plenty of likable characters, but we need to ease off on Joe having ideas Skippy hadn't thought of. This has been taken to a knowing level in the third book and is a little overused.

Doesn't stop it being fun.

2 people found this helpful

Even a stinky monkey can be clever. If not genius.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes from R C Bray`s great delivery to the writer`s character driven story line. Makes this another great addition to the sci-fi genre. I have recommended this to dear friends I believe would appreciate the pop culture and story driver narrative.

What did you like best about this story?

The character interaction and personalities are well rounded and lend themselves to the story. The verbal comedy is fluid and well scripted.

Which character – as performed by R.C. Bray – was your favourite?

He does "Skippy" like no one else could and pulls it off brilliantly!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I fought for my right to listen to audio books whilst at work and great books and delivery like this vindicate my conviction.Even if my colleges just don`t get the audio book buzz.But all they care about is golf and football. Good luck with that.

Any additional comments?

I found this series through the narrator rather than the author. Just shows the power of a great voice actor on the right story can drawn fans to new authors. The writing deserves credit for a top notch story to. Loved every adventure minute of it.

2 people found this helpful

an alright space opera story

the constant repetitive smack talk from the elder AI spoils an otherwise relatively entertaining story.

7 people found this helpful

Skippy De Doo Da!

My oh my what a wonderful book. These are just such great fun. Powered by the thoroughbred that is RC Bray there are likeable characters, plenty of action and actually some reasonably clever popcorn sci-fi ideas.

Of course there is also Skippy the vastly intelligent alien AI beer can through which most of the delicious humour is delivered. Highlights in this one include him giving Joe some "live" relationship advice and a little fashion parade including a false moustache which had me genuinely laughing out loud.

At some point I have to believe that this might start to seem repetitive . . . no sign of it yet though!

9 people found this helpful

another great book in this serie

again loved it. the relationship between the meiin characters is played very nice. the space battles are great

1 person found this helpful

Very enjoyable

couldn't stop listening. this series has me completely hooked. looking forward to next edition. cheers

1 person found this helpful

good read

well read & fun, interesting plot line. overall a good series of stories so far & I have already brought the next 2 books in the series.

1 person found this helpful

To similar

The boss need to progress more, introducing the other alien races. It is constant problem, joe comes up with idea skippy couldn't think off and they carry it out, anything that is impossible is done by skippy magic and done. This was the same in the other book the story needs to move on with the more advanced alien races and what happened to the elders etc

1 person found this helpful

Getting a bit repetitive

Too much 'Skippy hates his life as Joe has a good idea'. However, this was handled better in the last third of the book. Still fun, though.

1 person found this helpful