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Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse #2
Terminal Uprising
Human civilization didn’t just fall. It was pushed.
The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau’s defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of.
It’s been four months since Marion “Mops� Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago.
Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full.
Mops� mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans � or drown the galaxy in chaos.
To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.
Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.
The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau’s defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of.
It’s been four months since Marion “Mops� Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago.
Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full.
Mops� mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans � or drown the galaxy in chaos.
To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.
Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
86 people are currently reading
899 people want to read
About the author
Jim C. Hines
97books2,335followersJim C. Hines began his writing career with a trilogy about the irrepressible Jig the goblin, which actor and author Wil Wheaton described as "too f***ing cool for words." He went on to deconstruct fairy tales in his four-book Princess series, made all the world's literature a grimoire in the Magic ex Libris series, and explored the heroic side of spacecraft sanitation in his Janitors of the Post Apocalypse trilogy. His short fiction has appeared in more than fifty magazines and anthologies. Jim has been outspoken about topics like sexism and harassment, and was the editor of the Invisible series—three collections of personal essays about representation in sf/f. He received the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 2012. Jim currently lives in mid-Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
June 29, 2022
4.5
Listened to this one as well as the first hook as a Graphic Audio (Movie in your mind) and had fun with it too!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Listened to this one as well as the first hook as a Graphic Audio (Movie in your mind) and had fun with it too!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
June 27, 2019
Book two in this fun series and it was every bit as good as book one!
Mops and her team still have control of the Pufferfish and they end up back on Earth which is still under the control of the Krakau. Feral humans are everywhere but there is also a small band of normal humans who were somehow immune to the initial plague. Of course they are Librarians (this is Hines writing after all) and they are living in secret whilst preserving Earth's history and knowledge. Many other things are happening too and Mops again demonstrates her amazing ability to get everyone out of the tightest of corners.
Lots of action, lots of fun, this was a really good read!
Mops and her team still have control of the Pufferfish and they end up back on Earth which is still under the control of the Krakau. Feral humans are everywhere but there is also a small band of normal humans who were somehow immune to the initial plague. Of course they are Librarians (this is Hines writing after all) and they are living in secret whilst preserving Earth's history and knowledge. Many other things are happening too and Mops again demonstrates her amazing ability to get everyone out of the tightest of corners.
Lots of action, lots of fun, this was a really good read!
August 31, 2022
One of the best cast of characters ever + HAHAHAHAHA everywhere + relaxing holidays in a Comacean's lung + Private Eva Perón + Nusuran war romances + Advocate of Violence the certified legal advocate and part-time spy + heavy-duty battle mops (complete with spiked hand guards, laser sight, an electrified head, and a clip-on rocket launcher) + Wolf & Cate = 💕 a romance for the ages 💕 sort of + databases of 60+ million insults + those chapter intros 😂😂😂 + Grom, aka the cross between a pincushion and a giant Merraban sausage + the celebrated prosecution of the cannibal cultist Eats Necks First + the EDFS Puffership + �Stop trying to lube my tentacles� = let's dance in space and stuff.
📝 Note to self: when all else fails, try seasoning the enemy with Sautilk sauce.
📝 Note to self #2: decapitation isslightly fatal, even for humans.
📝 Note to self #3: eating sentient beings is illegal. Now that really sucks.
� Book 1: Terminal Alliance ★★★★
· Book 3: Terminal Peace ★★★★�
📝 Note to self: when all else fails, try seasoning the enemy with Sautilk sauce.
📝 Note to self #2: decapitation is
📝 Note to self #3: eating sentient beings is illegal. Now that really sucks.
� Book 1: Terminal Alliance ★★★★
· Book 3: Terminal Peace ★★★★�
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February 16, 2019
Book 2 does not disappoint as the janitors head to the most dangerous place in the universe...Earth.
It's like Jim C. Hines looked into my soul and saw exactly what I wanted in a military space opera.
I love milSFF, but I've been so damn tired of the over-used grunt/pilot tropes that float around. Yes yes yes, infantry and pilots are the fighters, but hear me out on this. In current times, we've got four support personnel for every 1 grunt dude (honestly the number is probably higher but I'm too lazy to look it up)...and that four people includes air crew and pilots.
But do we have a lot of fiction (SFF or otherwise) that reflects the support personnel?
Think of all the stories featuring SEALs, Force Recon, Delta Force, CIA boom-booms, Rangers, fighter pilots and other high-speed, low-drag bubbas and their SF counterparts.
Can you think of one military space opera where the MC isn't infantry/pilot/gunner person?
Nope.
So I'm super excited by military space janitors. And the concept works so damn well too.
Also, I felt like this book really came into its own. The first book was a little jarring and disjointed, but this one flowed smoothly. There was the usual bumbling, but it didn't feel like they were blindly staggering from incident to incident. There was a purpose and an active plotline throughout the story.
Of course, I could be biased because but eh.
Just read it.
The stakes are higher. The action is more intense. And it's a fun ride all the way through.
Oh, and Puffy gets an upgrade.
A maniacal, scary upgrade.
That may or may not involve a battle mop.
Yeah. You read that right.
Battle. Mop.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
It's like Jim C. Hines looked into my soul and saw exactly what I wanted in a military space opera.
I love milSFF, but I've been so damn tired of the over-used grunt/pilot tropes that float around. Yes yes yes, infantry and pilots are the fighters, but hear me out on this. In current times, we've got four support personnel for every 1 grunt dude (honestly the number is probably higher but I'm too lazy to look it up)...and that four people includes air crew and pilots.
But do we have a lot of fiction (SFF or otherwise) that reflects the support personnel?
Think of all the stories featuring SEALs, Force Recon, Delta Force, CIA boom-booms, Rangers, fighter pilots and other high-speed, low-drag bubbas and their SF counterparts.
Can you think of one military space opera where the MC isn't infantry/pilot/gunner person?
Nope.
So I'm super excited by military space janitors. And the concept works so damn well too.
Also, I felt like this book really came into its own. The first book was a little jarring and disjointed, but this one flowed smoothly. There was the usual bumbling, but it didn't feel like they were blindly staggering from incident to incident. There was a purpose and an active plotline throughout the story.
Of course, I could be biased because but eh.
Just read it.
The stakes are higher. The action is more intense. And it's a fun ride all the way through.
Oh, and Puffy gets an upgrade.
A maniacal, scary upgrade.
That may or may not involve a battle mop.
Yeah. You read that right.
Battle. Mop.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
March 3, 2019
Hines� second outing with the hero Janitors involves Mops and crew going back to Earth. There are references to Farscape (living ships), Willard Scott, and sports (as well as possible current US politics).
I like the sports in this book.
It is also a love novel to books and libraries.
While I didn’t find the novel as funny the first one in the series, it is still an excellent book. In part, this is because, like Terry Pratchett, Jim C Hines� heroes are those that would not have even been mentioned in the epic fantasy or sci-fi. This is only one reason why Hines is really deserves the title of America’s Answer to Terry Pratchett. Mops and her crew of janitors are heroes with such a level of doneness that it is wonderful.
The janitor crew travels to Earth because of certain rumors involving whether or not there might be change in feral humans. They discover a bit more about the lies that were revealed in the first book. Hines also gives a solution to that plot and brings up another plot thread to lead into the next book. (The ending report of this book is so wonderfully funny).
It is also important to note that unlike much writing where the motives of the evil doers are never fully examined, Hines does the opposite. The motivates of the head boss are examined. This is something that is rarely done. Furthermore, this is a book where the ones in command positions are all female.
But honesty, the price of the book is well worth reading Doc’s interrogation scene.
I like the sports in this book.
It is also a love novel to books and libraries.
While I didn’t find the novel as funny the first one in the series, it is still an excellent book. In part, this is because, like Terry Pratchett, Jim C Hines� heroes are those that would not have even been mentioned in the epic fantasy or sci-fi. This is only one reason why Hines is really deserves the title of America’s Answer to Terry Pratchett. Mops and her crew of janitors are heroes with such a level of doneness that it is wonderful.
The janitor crew travels to Earth because of certain rumors involving whether or not there might be change in feral humans. They discover a bit more about the lies that were revealed in the first book. Hines also gives a solution to that plot and brings up another plot thread to lead into the next book. (The ending report of this book is so wonderfully funny).
It is also important to note that unlike much writing where the motives of the evil doers are never fully examined, Hines does the opposite. The motivates of the head boss are examined. This is something that is rarely done. Furthermore, this is a book where the ones in command positions are all female.
But honesty, the price of the book is well worth reading Doc’s interrogation scene.
January 31, 2023
The second book in the series didn't disappoint. It continues the story started in book 1 and amps up the stakes!
We pick up the story a couple of months after the events of the last book where Mops and the crew of the Pufferfish single-handedly saved the Krakau homeworld. Now they are on the run, declared criminals and wanted throughout the Alliance. Their ship is falling apart and their future seems bleak. They have no choice but to accept the highly illegal mission Admiral Parchelbel gives them in exchange for funds needed to keep Pufferfish flight-worthy. Even if this mission takes them back to the one place none of them wants to go back to - Earth.
We finally get to see the ruins of our civilization. It's made even more painful by the fact that we now know the role the Krakau played in the destruction of humanity.
It's very interesting to see our band of ragtag characters confront the place of their biggest fears. They grow and mature as individuals and as a group by the end of it. They understand each other and rely on each other. They protect each other and finally coalesce as a found family, not just a team of people thrown together by circumstances.
It was also fun to see all the ingenious ways they come up with to resolve some pretty dire situations. I love the dry and somewhat dark humor that permeates this series.
And the Librarians! Loved the whole idea behind a group of human survivors immune to Krakau venom and their battle to preserve the knowledge of an entire civilization.
The story is so well done in this book. In case you are wondering how far is too far when trying to save the world, or if the need of the many really outweighs the need of the few, go read this book.
We pick up the story a couple of months after the events of the last book where Mops and the crew of the Pufferfish single-handedly saved the Krakau homeworld. Now they are on the run, declared criminals and wanted throughout the Alliance. Their ship is falling apart and their future seems bleak. They have no choice but to accept the highly illegal mission Admiral Parchelbel gives them in exchange for funds needed to keep Pufferfish flight-worthy. Even if this mission takes them back to the one place none of them wants to go back to - Earth.
We finally get to see the ruins of our civilization. It's made even more painful by the fact that we now know the role the Krakau played in the destruction of humanity.
It's very interesting to see our band of ragtag characters confront the place of their biggest fears. They grow and mature as individuals and as a group by the end of it. They understand each other and rely on each other. They protect each other and finally coalesce as a found family, not just a team of people thrown together by circumstances.
It was also fun to see all the ingenious ways they come up with to resolve some pretty dire situations. I love the dry and somewhat dark humor that permeates this series.
And the Librarians! Loved the whole idea behind a group of human survivors immune to Krakau venom and their battle to preserve the knowledge of an entire civilization.
The story is so well done in this book. In case you are wondering how far is too far when trying to save the world, or if the need of the many really outweighs the need of the few, go read this book.
February 3, 2024
A beautifully written, occasionally humorous, fast paced adventure through space and back to zombie infested Earth to uncover the what-ever-it-is the Krakau are hiding. Characters evolve, Puffy the help widget gets a battle mop (!!), a Prodryan lawyer joins the crew, Wolf learns about skunks, and janitors get up to ingenious (and often amusing) shenanigans with cleaning supplies. I will never look at my cleaning agents or vacuum cleaner the same way again. A lovely sequel to Terminal Alliance.
Re-read: February 2024
Re-read: February 2024
February 23, 2020
Another one I should have written at once!
You really have to listen to book 1 first!
Ok, so, what can I say that is not a total spoiler. Earth is overrun by ferals because some stupid aliens messed up. And now they cure humans and use them as super soldiers. In comes janitors who take over a ship and, well things happened, and now they are on their way to earth.
It's quite the crew and are they the best? Eh, no not really, but they know what they know and they do it their way. With humour and lots of shenanigans.
Was it Hines funny? In a way yes, but it was also different from his other works. Not as light. It is also not the best book to be listening to when you are really tired. Poor book. So even though I enjoyed it, it also made me fall asleep
I enjoyed it, and at the same time it I could not keep my attention on it. So I am torn
The narrator was a first for me, and I did enjoy her style
You really have to listen to book 1 first!
Ok, so, what can I say that is not a total spoiler. Earth is overrun by ferals because some stupid aliens messed up. And now they cure humans and use them as super soldiers. In comes janitors who take over a ship and, well things happened, and now they are on their way to earth.
It's quite the crew and are they the best? Eh, no not really, but they know what they know and they do it their way. With humour and lots of shenanigans.
Was it Hines funny? In a way yes, but it was also different from his other works. Not as light. It is also not the best book to be listening to when you are really tired. Poor book. So even though I enjoyed it, it also made me fall asleep
I enjoyed it, and at the same time it I could not keep my attention on it. So I am torn
The narrator was a first for me, and I did enjoy her style
September 28, 2020
The Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse saga continues ...
Mops and her crew are now considered outlaws and on the run from the Alliance. But, through her contacts within the command structure, she receives some information that could point the way to a cure for the plague that reduced humanity to mindless ferals. But investigating means returning to Earth, widely considered to be one of the more dangerous planets in the galaxy �
This series warms my heart. It's got action and humor and intelligent plotting and great characters. In tone, it reminds me a bit of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat books: great action, snappy dialogue, memorable characters � not to mention spaceships and aliens galore. Sure, it's light entertainment, but it's lovingly-crafted, highly readable light entertainment. I love Mops and Doc and Wolf and the whole crew.
Of course we get a teaser about the next book. I’ll keep reading these as long as Hines keeps writing them. Highly recommended!
Mops and her crew are now considered outlaws and on the run from the Alliance. But, through her contacts within the command structure, she receives some information that could point the way to a cure for the plague that reduced humanity to mindless ferals. But investigating means returning to Earth, widely considered to be one of the more dangerous planets in the galaxy �
This series warms my heart. It's got action and humor and intelligent plotting and great characters. In tone, it reminds me a bit of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat books: great action, snappy dialogue, memorable characters � not to mention spaceships and aliens galore. Sure, it's light entertainment, but it's lovingly-crafted, highly readable light entertainment. I love Mops and Doc and Wolf and the whole crew.
Of course we get a teaser about the next book. I’ll keep reading these as long as Hines keeps writing them. Highly recommended!
November 3, 2020
Mops and the crew of the EMCS Pufferfish have gone rogue and are wanted across the galaxy for what they know about what really happened to the humans on Earth. With the unlikely help of a Prodryan spy (whose species is intent on wiping out all other sentients), they discover that the Krakau admiral Sage has a secret laboratory on Earth which is working on bioweapons which might swing the war. But when Mops and her team visit the Earth they make discoveries that may mean that humanity isn't down for the count after all.
This is just as much fun as the first book, and the introduction of the Prodryan lawyer/spy Cate is a welcome addition to an already fun cast. The author treads a fine line between serious and tragic on one hand and absolutely hilarious on the other very well.
Of note for anyone waiting for a third book: there's clearly room for more with a straight up hook for a new story at the end, but these two book alone tell a complete story themselves.
This is just as much fun as the first book, and the introduction of the Prodryan lawyer/spy Cate is a welcome addition to an already fun cast. The author treads a fine line between serious and tragic on one hand and absolutely hilarious on the other very well.
Of note for anyone waiting for a third book: there's clearly room for more with a straight up hook for a new story at the end, but these two book alone tell a complete story themselves.
February 17, 2019
In “Terminal Alliance� Jim Hines sensational space opera, a motley crew of bio-engineered janitors is forced to step up and save the universe. After a bio-weapon decimates the alien Krakau command crew on the space cruiser EMCS Pufferfish, Marion “Mops� Adamopoulos, the senior, and very smart, janitor, and her small crew of cleanup specialists thwarts the savage alien Prodryan’s plan for universal conquest, while learning the truth about what caused humanity's descent into feral cannibalistic behavior on Earth (hint it was not because of something humans did, there was an outside agency involved) and simultaneously having to figure out how to pilot and defend the ship in space battles. While Hines milks the entire janitor motif to the hilt, he combines a sharp wit and sly humor as he skewers a lot of sf tropes in this super fun read. We need more books like Terminal Alliance in science fiction.
“Terminal Uprising�, Hines humorous follow-up to the terrific “Terminal Alliance� continues Mops and her crew’s adventures. Now free from Krakuan dominance, Mops and her crew are piloting their stolen space cruiser, the Pufferfish, but running into issues with supplies. Admiral Pachelbel, a Krakuan, who wants to do the right thing has provided information to Mops, which requires them to pick up Cate, a Prodryan lawyer, with all the nasty lawyer tricks, with a secret agenda (and everyone has a secret agenda). Pachelbel wants Mops to go back to Earth, which is guarded by the Krakua space force, because there have been sightings on Earth of non-feral humans. During her trip to get Cate, Mops slyly defeats an Krakua armada trying to capture her ship with another awesome display of alien anatomy and janitorial knowledge.
Continuing their journey to Earth, Mops continues her talent for milking all of the alien races fear of human warrior talents. One of the story elements of Terminal Alliance is that the Krakuan's bio-engineered most humans into ferocious unstoppable space warriors, who they have been using to dominate the universe. While they breach the Krakuan space barrier surrounding on Earth, Mops, Cate, Monroe and Wolf, one of her crewmates, and a woman who really wants to be a warrior, if she only could shoot straight, get to the surface, but lose their shuttle, while the rest of the crew hide in space.
On Earth, Mops and her cohort find the non-feral survivors living in fortified underground towns. Its not that people have found a cure. Rather, some people were just immune from the bio- weapon that decimated Earth's populous. But Mops and her crew and the earthlings come under attack from Krakuan forces illegally on Earth. It seems like there is another secret plot afoot to keep the Krakuans in power. Since Mops crew defeated the Procydans, some Krakuans think they need help to stop the surging Procydans from destroying the universe. In the ensuing confrontation, the human survivors of Earth and Mops ragtag group of janitors will have to use all of their wits and strategically placed cleaning supplies to defeat the Krakuan traitors. There are some very good scenes here. Confrontations between Mops and the evil Krakuans and between Wolf and the earthlings.
Besides Hines' witty prose and humor, what made Terminal Alliance such a fun read was three things - the juxtaposition of Mops lowly janitor position with the saving the universe plot, the likability of the characters and a fast moving adventure story set in different alien locations. In Terminal Uprising, Hines shifts the setting to Earth, and away from space battles, and the action involves a whole new group of characters. There is less journeying around the universe meeting new aliens and more stationary settings. I think this detracted a bit from the freshness of the first book. Maybe it’s just hard to still milk the same jokes as is the first novel. But I think it’s also hard to strike lightning in a bottle. This is a really good novel, a fun read that will keep you fully engaged, and for a second book in a trilogy it more than holds its own against other books out there. Its just not as fun a read as Terminal Alliance.
But it’s definitely worth a read. In the crowded field of fantasy, paranormal superheroes and fantasy mystery mashups, it’s good to pick up a fun witty sf space opera novel filled with likable characters and humorous situations. Snap up the pair.
“Terminal Uprising�, Hines humorous follow-up to the terrific “Terminal Alliance� continues Mops and her crew’s adventures. Now free from Krakuan dominance, Mops and her crew are piloting their stolen space cruiser, the Pufferfish, but running into issues with supplies. Admiral Pachelbel, a Krakuan, who wants to do the right thing has provided information to Mops, which requires them to pick up Cate, a Prodryan lawyer, with all the nasty lawyer tricks, with a secret agenda (and everyone has a secret agenda). Pachelbel wants Mops to go back to Earth, which is guarded by the Krakua space force, because there have been sightings on Earth of non-feral humans. During her trip to get Cate, Mops slyly defeats an Krakua armada trying to capture her ship with another awesome display of alien anatomy and janitorial knowledge.
Continuing their journey to Earth, Mops continues her talent for milking all of the alien races fear of human warrior talents. One of the story elements of Terminal Alliance is that the Krakuan's bio-engineered most humans into ferocious unstoppable space warriors, who they have been using to dominate the universe. While they breach the Krakuan space barrier surrounding on Earth, Mops, Cate, Monroe and Wolf, one of her crewmates, and a woman who really wants to be a warrior, if she only could shoot straight, get to the surface, but lose their shuttle, while the rest of the crew hide in space.
On Earth, Mops and her cohort find the non-feral survivors living in fortified underground towns. Its not that people have found a cure. Rather, some people were just immune from the bio- weapon that decimated Earth's populous. But Mops and her crew and the earthlings come under attack from Krakuan forces illegally on Earth. It seems like there is another secret plot afoot to keep the Krakuans in power. Since Mops crew defeated the Procydans, some Krakuans think they need help to stop the surging Procydans from destroying the universe. In the ensuing confrontation, the human survivors of Earth and Mops ragtag group of janitors will have to use all of their wits and strategically placed cleaning supplies to defeat the Krakuan traitors. There are some very good scenes here. Confrontations between Mops and the evil Krakuans and between Wolf and the earthlings.
Besides Hines' witty prose and humor, what made Terminal Alliance such a fun read was three things - the juxtaposition of Mops lowly janitor position with the saving the universe plot, the likability of the characters and a fast moving adventure story set in different alien locations. In Terminal Uprising, Hines shifts the setting to Earth, and away from space battles, and the action involves a whole new group of characters. There is less journeying around the universe meeting new aliens and more stationary settings. I think this detracted a bit from the freshness of the first book. Maybe it’s just hard to still milk the same jokes as is the first novel. But I think it’s also hard to strike lightning in a bottle. This is a really good novel, a fun read that will keep you fully engaged, and for a second book in a trilogy it more than holds its own against other books out there. Its just not as fun a read as Terminal Alliance.
But it’s definitely worth a read. In the crowded field of fantasy, paranormal superheroes and fantasy mystery mashups, it’s good to pick up a fun witty sf space opera novel filled with likable characters and humorous situations. Snap up the pair.
April 4, 2020
In the second installment of The janitors of The Post-Apocalypse our beloved team goes to Earth to search for some sentient people. They of course find trouble there, but also some allies. I liked this one even more than a first book, probably because now I could feel fully attached to characters as I know them better. Mops grows on me as protagonist and I loved that Wolf had a voice, too. It was full fun adventure, and it seems it's not, yet, the end, so I hope to see more of our janitors.
February 22, 2020
Picking up a few months after the conclusion of Terminal Alliance, Terminal Uprising brings listeners up to speed on unlikely heroine Marion "Mops" Adamopoulos and the crew of the EMCS Pufferfish. They are wanted by the Krakau Alliance for rebellion, but it’s really because they know the true cause of the virus that wiped out humanity, turning humans into mindless zombies. The group continues to receive support on the sly from Admiral Pachelbel, who puts the crew in touch with a genocidal Prodryan named Advocate of Violence, or Kate for short. The crew of the Pufferfish must return to Earth and uncover deadly secrets before it’s too late.
Terminal Uprising is an entertaining space adventure with a spunky heroine and her cast of unlikely heroes. Humans have been taught they are stupid and need the help of the Krakau to survive. I loved watching the crew come into their own, learning and growing beyond what they believed capable. Mops is a great character: one of those underdogs who is destined for more. The David to the EMC’s Goliath. I love how Mops thinks things through and how loyal she is to her crew. She was born to be a great leader and through this series of unfortunate events, she’s coming into her own. I enjoyed sitting back and listening to Mops figure it all out, never second guessing her analysis.
The side characters are equally fun and interesting. They each play their part and through Mops’s leadership, form a team and family. And though working as a team under stressful situations, each character grows and matures. Additionally, the story is filled with silly humor and fun pop culture references. I love the world building - how detailed each species is and the depth of the entire human history. The different creatures are creative and interesting.
Narration: Overall, the performance by Ms. Mitchell is solid and entertaining. The story is primarily shared via the third person POV of Mops, but it is also shared from the POVs of a couple of the supporting characters. While the narrator maintains the same voice, Ms. Mitchell gives just enough variation between the different characters that I was able to know who was speaking just by voice. Additionally, the narrator gives each character it’s own suitable flair - the “mechanical� feel of the Grom, no-nonsense from Monroe, calm wonder from Kumar, and guns-blazing Wolff.
Terminal Uprising is an enjoyable and humorous tale with a lot of heart. I love the David versus Goliath story and how determined Mops is to survive and uncover the truth, while maintaining her morality and genuine kindness.
My Rating: B+
Narration: B+
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
January 3, 2019
Publishing Date: February 2019
Publisher: DAW
ISBN: 9780756412777
Genre: ScFi
Rating: DNF
Publisher’s Description: The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau’s defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of. It’s been four months since Marion “Mops� Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago. Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full. Mops� mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans � or drown the galaxy in chaos. To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears most: return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.
Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.
Review: Wow, they should put spoiler alerts on the Publisher Descriptions.
I just couldn’t get through this novel. Too much tongue and cheeky crap that seeks to emulate Douglas Adams in everything but the depth of his characters. A motley cleaning crew of misfits, outwitting everyone and everything while on a quest for righting humanities wrongs. Really? Where have I heard this before?
If you like reading bad space opera with characters and situations that are neither believable nor endearing, then by all means, get this.
Publisher: DAW
ISBN: 9780756412777
Genre: ScFi
Rating: DNF
Publisher’s Description: The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau’s defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of. It’s been four months since Marion “Mops� Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago. Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full. Mops� mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans � or drown the galaxy in chaos. To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears most: return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.
Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.
Review: Wow, they should put spoiler alerts on the Publisher Descriptions.
I just couldn’t get through this novel. Too much tongue and cheeky crap that seeks to emulate Douglas Adams in everything but the depth of his characters. A motley cleaning crew of misfits, outwitting everyone and everything while on a quest for righting humanities wrongs. Really? Where have I heard this before?
If you like reading bad space opera with characters and situations that are neither believable nor endearing, then by all means, get this.
March 13, 2021
The janitorial crew of the Pufferfish gets back to the devastated Earth crawling with feral humans (and worse), with half of the aliens in the galaxy hot on their heels. They team up with an alien who wants to kill them and discover Earth has a secret last line of defense: librarians.
Lots of twists and a couple moments that made me laugh. (“Hey! Who changed my clothes?!�) I hope another one is coming because I’m thoroughly enjoying this series.
Lots of twists and a couple moments that made me laugh. (“Hey! Who changed my clothes?!�) I hope another one is coming because I’m thoroughly enjoying this series.
February 2, 2020
I love this series. I especially love the fact that the people usually behind the scenes are the heroes. The ending was great. I can't wait to see what happens with Earth.
April 23, 2019
I really loved the first book and would have to say I loved this one even more. We go on another adventure with the janitors and they are just as crazy, clean and tough as ever. This time they have their mission... head to earth. It is one of the most terrifying places ever but this team is ready to do what is needed.
In the last book, Mops really was a favorite character for me. This time Wolf was the top of my list. She caused many laughing fits throughout the book. I am so ready for their next adventure!
In the last book, Mops really was a favorite character for me. This time Wolf was the top of my list. She caused many laughing fits throughout the book. I am so ready for their next adventure!
February 21, 2020
Will review at .
March 17, 2019
What it's about: Janitors... In... SPACE...! Part... Two...! This book picks up a few months after the previous volume. (There have been several hundred books between when I read the first book and this one, so I wasn't sure if some of the "Here's what's been happening" was actually in the first book or whether it was off-stage action.) Our intrepid Shipboard Hygiene and Sanitation crew is on the run from the Krakau alliance - they're hopelessly outmanned, outgunned, and running out places to hide. When their "inside man" has them pick up an alien lawyer/spy, their pursuers are even more assured of the dastardly mien of our beloved protagonists. And their latest mission brings them to the most dangerous place in the known galaxy: Earth.
What I thought: I am probably going to pick up every book Hines writes from here on out, and at some point, I'll go back and check out some his stuff that is not in this series or the Ex Libris series. He has a nice way of creating and capturing interesting characters, and he often provides multidimensional antagonists - they often have a good reason to be doing what they're doing. Also, his stories are creative in their use of the non-traditional roles his characters inhabit (like librarians and janitors).
Speaking of librarians, and having done zero research, I have to assume Hines either is/was a librarian, or a close family member is/was. He not only created a series about them, but he's also managed to incorporate them into this volume of future space janitors as important and respected figures.
Why I rated it like I did: This second book didn't grab me as much as the first. It was still a good book, but it felt to me like it was more trying to move the plot along, which happened in a relatively linear fashion; the last book felt a bit more unpredictable and engaging. Part of that might just be that the first book was introducing an entirely new universe, while the second book was not only already picking up from there, but it was extremely limited in setting.
This book had a little less humor, and definitely upped the ante to some serious stakes and topics for some of the characters.
Overall, it was less fun, though still a good action-adventure story.
What I thought: I am probably going to pick up every book Hines writes from here on out, and at some point, I'll go back and check out some his stuff that is not in this series or the Ex Libris series. He has a nice way of creating and capturing interesting characters, and he often provides multidimensional antagonists - they often have a good reason to be doing what they're doing. Also, his stories are creative in their use of the non-traditional roles his characters inhabit (like librarians and janitors).
Speaking of librarians, and having done zero research, I have to assume Hines either is/was a librarian, or a close family member is/was. He not only created a series about them, but he's also managed to incorporate them into this volume of future space janitors as important and respected figures.
Why I rated it like I did: This second book didn't grab me as much as the first. It was still a good book, but it felt to me like it was more trying to move the plot along, which happened in a relatively linear fashion; the last book felt a bit more unpredictable and engaging. Part of that might just be that the first book was introducing an entirely new universe, while the second book was not only already picking up from there, but it was extremely limited in setting.
This book had a little less humor, and definitely upped the ante to some serious stakes and topics for some of the characters.
Overall, it was less fun, though still a good action-adventure story.
May 1, 2021
3.5 stars
A fun caper across the galaxy with a bunch of rebels/janitors, this novel was a quick and exciting read. It is the second in the series, and I enjoyed it as much as the book #1, . A glut of interesting aliens, lots of hair-raising danger, a clever antagonist, and a marvelous heroine Mops made reading this series a guilty pleasure.
Mops and her loyal crew risk their lives again and again in their drive to save humanity. They are true heroes, even though they don't exactly look like ones, and they apply their plumbing supplies to solving problems as effectively as guns and explosives.
Furthermore, Mops's inventiveness reminded me of the old TV series MacGyver, where the hero could use hair pins, scotch tape, and glue to construct anything from air balloons to bombs. So could Mops, as she aptly demonstrated multiple times in this wonky series. Her courage and compassion earned her my deepest admiration, and her team was worthy of their leader. The pacing of the story was furious, the writing professional, and the author's subtle humor didn't hurt this book either.
Overall: a weird and wonderful sci-fi adventure.
A fun caper across the galaxy with a bunch of rebels/janitors, this novel was a quick and exciting read. It is the second in the series, and I enjoyed it as much as the book #1, . A glut of interesting aliens, lots of hair-raising danger, a clever antagonist, and a marvelous heroine Mops made reading this series a guilty pleasure.
Mops and her loyal crew risk their lives again and again in their drive to save humanity. They are true heroes, even though they don't exactly look like ones, and they apply their plumbing supplies to solving problems as effectively as guns and explosives.
Furthermore, Mops's inventiveness reminded me of the old TV series MacGyver, where the hero could use hair pins, scotch tape, and glue to construct anything from air balloons to bombs. So could Mops, as she aptly demonstrated multiple times in this wonky series. Her courage and compassion earned her my deepest admiration, and her team was worthy of their leader. The pacing of the story was furious, the writing professional, and the author's subtle humor didn't hurt this book either.
Overall: a weird and wonderful sci-fi adventure.
August 8, 2023
Terminal Uprising has a different tone than the prequel and it was certainly a most enjoyable read! It was everything I was hoping for and more. I really like the direction that the overarching storyline is taking in this series. In addition, I loved all the tongue-in-cheek humor that this novel delivers but there is also a seriousness to what the characters are uncovering and that is what keeps me so intrigued with the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse series. Lots to love in Terminal Uprising and I know that I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series!!
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
January 2, 2020
A worthy follow up to Terminal Rising by Jim C. Hines. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and proof that humanity will not be saved by the rich and powerful, but those who clean our toilets and guard our culture.
August 1, 2022
As with all of Hines' books, I'm left saying that I need the next one, right now. Love it. When does book 3 come out?
November 26, 2019
Terminal Uprising is the second book in the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse trilogy by Jim C. Hines.
I came to love this book more so than the first, this outcome was entirely unexpected. My love for this book generally stems from the dialogue of the main characters, the inventive and further outlandish ways for cursing presented in comparison to the first, along with Doc’s more prominent role here.
I was excited to travel with Mops and Co. to Earth and discover its state and inhabitants, along with the danger and surprises it presented. Even more surprising is how much I enjoyed the primary Prodryan, Advocate of Violence. He added an excess of humor to the story.
There happened to be one Earth character that I am sad to see go, given that the short time he was prominent in the story had already endeared me to him. But all this aside I cannot wait to see where the next book in the trilogy will take us and the outcomes of their attempts to rescue the imprisoned Rokkau and discovery mission to Tuxatl.
Why can’t the third book be out already!?!?!?
I came to love this book more so than the first, this outcome was entirely unexpected. My love for this book generally stems from the dialogue of the main characters, the inventive and further outlandish ways for cursing presented in comparison to the first, along with Doc’s more prominent role here.
I was excited to travel with Mops and Co. to Earth and discover its state and inhabitants, along with the danger and surprises it presented. Even more surprising is how much I enjoyed the primary Prodryan, Advocate of Violence. He added an excess of humor to the story.
There happened to be one Earth character that I am sad to see go, given that the short time he was prominent in the story had already endeared me to him. But all this aside I cannot wait to see where the next book in the trilogy will take us and the outcomes of their attempts to rescue the imprisoned Rokkau and discovery mission to Tuxatl.
Why can’t the third book be out already!?!?!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2019
How can you not love a book when plumbing supplies are used as weapons? Or how about janitors and librarians as the heroes who save the day? This is the second book in the Janitors in Space series. I was prepared to like this since I really loved the author's Jig the Goblin trilogy. The author did not disappoint as Wolf moved into a title role and the rest of the crew of the Pufferfish uncovered the dastardly plans of Belle-Bonne Sage with the timely assist of Advocate of Violence. It was a great way to spend a snowy day.
April 8, 2019
The second book in the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse series is a great read. Humour is difficult, but Jim C Hines has nailed it here with a close to Douglas Adams level of comic invention and absurdity, whilst still providing an excellent story.
Humanity has fallen prey to the inevitable zombie apocalypse, and visiting aliens have managed to partially cure some of the zombies, or at least make them sentient again. Naturally the durability of the changed humans makes them perfect as infantry troops to fight a war on behalf of those friendly aliens. Unfortunatley it turns out that the plague was actually caused by them in the first place, so they are in a somewhat morally difficult position. The first book tells this story, along with the introduction of the eponymous janitors who, since the first episode, have been travelling around in a stolen and jury rigged spaceship.
Now they are returning ro Earth at the behest of a friendly General who has something of a conscience.
Excellent comedy and very decent science fiction.
Humanity has fallen prey to the inevitable zombie apocalypse, and visiting aliens have managed to partially cure some of the zombies, or at least make them sentient again. Naturally the durability of the changed humans makes them perfect as infantry troops to fight a war on behalf of those friendly aliens. Unfortunatley it turns out that the plague was actually caused by them in the first place, so they are in a somewhat morally difficult position. The first book tells this story, along with the introduction of the eponymous janitors who, since the first episode, have been travelling around in a stolen and jury rigged spaceship.
Now they are returning ro Earth at the behest of a friendly General who has something of a conscience.
Excellent comedy and very decent science fiction.
November 28, 2020
2 stars for writing quality, 4 stars for a sequel that added fun and interesting bits to an already-creative universe. Is it high-brow sci-fi? Certainly not. But it was a great junk food read for the holidays.
March 2, 2019
Builds on and deepens the world of the first book. Adventure, suspense, humor, characters changing and growing.
It's all there.
It's all there.
March 21, 2019
מתחיל קצת חלש אבל מהר מאוד תופס תאוצה. יופי של ספר.
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