Steadily maintaining the same lightly humorous style, daredevil antics, and brisk action-driven pace, Mickey7 is back and sequelized. Of course, the man in no stranger to replication; in fact, that’s kind of his thing.
Mickey7 is a once professional and since retired Expendable colonizer of a distant world. Once he specialized in risky/impossible jobs and being brought back as a rebootable clone of sorts.
But not anymore. Now Mickey’s retired from all that, enjoying the good life of mindless chores and spending time with his girlfriend, Nasha.
Now the winter is coming…and if we learn one thing from seven season of Game of Thrones it’s that you gotta prepare for the winter.
The retirement was only good until Mickey’s inimitable services are needed once again. Now he must go retrieve the bomb he left with the locals two years ago. Absolutely must as in the survival of the colonizing mission depends on it.
And so once more into the…exoplanetary madness of it all. This time with a team, reluctant as they may be. Follow Mickey’s adventures amid the semi-hostile planet and its fascinating denizens. Follow the fun.
And it is fun, Almost exactly as much fun as its predecessor, which is to say considerable amounts. Mickey’s story is slick and movie adaptation-ready. The characters have that winsome easy-breezy charm that almost seems glib, an action-flick devil-may-care attitude, always ready with a joke or spunky banter.
It might be great art or great literature for that matter, but it’s very entertaining and enjoyable, well written with some nice world-building, and reads very, very quickly. No wonder it’s one of my favorite recent science fiction reads. Sometimes you just want pure snack food sort of fun and Mickey got oodles of it. And by the looks of it, is gearing to return in further adventures. Because, you know, colonizing a planet is complicated…and series from a marketing perspective are easy money. And I’d probably read the next one too, though I’m not much into series, because, you know, fun. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

This excellent sequel to Mickey 7 maintains the rapid pacing, good dialogue, and engaging characterization of its predecessor. It is a sequel in the real sense that it builds directly on the first book, with decisions and relationships from Mickey 7 directly informing the plot. While one needn’t read the first book, readers who haven’t should treat themselves and start at the beginning for maximum enjoyment.

The second 'Mickey 7' adventure and it does not disappoint. If you haven't read the first book in the series, everything is laid out for you again so you can manage, but you'll want to go back and read the first to fill in the details.
This was a very quick read and expanded on Mickey's character. New characters introduced were welcome and the ending was very satisfactory, but I have a feeling we will see this group again...

Such a gripping read! Literally had me reading this SO fast to figure everything out. Pretty fast paced and constant action throughout. I haven't read Mickey 7, which this book refers to alot of what happened in it, but without reading it I still believe this book was AMAZING. Now I need to get Mickey 7 and read it to get the back log. Fascinating. Mickey's character development by the end of the story was truly remarkable! Absolutely loved The Speaker throughout the story as well Nasha's fierceness! The author truly knows how to build a world that seems so real and submerges you into it so you feel you're in the middle of all of the action. Loved this! I'll absolutely have to read more by the author now!

I received this ARC by the publishers and NetGalley to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

"Here's a moral quandary for you: Which takes more precedence-- a promise to a living enemy, or a promise to a dead friend?"

Our story takes place two years after our first and life seems great! A little boring, but Mickey is alive and well!

Well, it turns out that the energy levels in the dome are running low and winter isn't far off. Without recovering the extremely dangerous bubble bomb, the entire colony will starve to death in the dark.

I could not put this book down as I read of Mickey trying to navigate hostile species in an attempt to save those in his colony at the risk of his own life. Afterall, the bomb is the only bargaining chip Mickey holds over Marshall to stay alive. But what happens when the bomb isn't where we thought it was?

Action packed, laugh out loud funny, with characters you can't help, but to love. (Heck, I even respect Marshall. He may be severe, but he does whatever is needed to keep his people safe.)

I enjoyed this journey so much, that is among some of my favorite reads of all time. I hope we will see more to come.

It is unusual for a sequel to be even better than the original, but I loved this second book in the Mickey7 series even more than the first book. The action kept me on the edge of my seat, adding new twists to the unpredictable landscape already established in the previous book. I also loved the characters because they were real and complex. What made this book really stand out to me was the humor. This book made me literally laugh out loud. I loved how clever this book was and how the author managed to balance this humor with weighty philosophical questions involving personal responsibility, loyalty, and identity.

Edward Ashton is my new favorite author when it comes to the ingenious world of science-fiction stories in a thrilling and chilling voice.
Antimatter Blues is a worthy follow-up to the soon-to-be-seen-in-cinemas Mickey7. Mickey Barnes establishes a shaky peacetime with the inhabitants of the alien world known as Niflheim when he gives them a nuclear weapon as peace offering much to the dismay of human colony’s Commander Marshall. All is fine with the world for a while, before winter comes along and the existing nuclear reactor starts malfunctioning. With a plausible threat of losing power and freezing to death, Barnes must go back into the danger zone and retrieve the peace offering. It’s only then he realizes the repercussions of what he did to secure his freedom the first time; he may not make it out alive a second time.
Antimatter Blues is the awesome embodiment of how science fiction can be blended with thriller elements to create something exotic and exciting. In Barnes’s quest to retrieve the nuclear weapon, he and his team face off against scary spider-like aliens in descriptive and artistic action sequences reminiscent of those in Robert A Heinlein’s Starship Troopers with futuristic weapons that are quite cool to visualize.
The action works so well because it’s led by characters that you actually root for. The first person POV centered on Mickey Barnes is mind-blowingly written with a mix of sarcasm and confidence in the face of grave danger. The realistic dialogues and thought processes of Barnes are fierce enough to put you in his shoes until someone taps you on your shoulder to snap you out of the experience, which is quite annoying at times. Even better are the interactions with the alien race. Barnes forms unlikely alliances with a representative of the alien clan and forges a bond that ironically teaches Barnes (and us) what it means to be a human.
Strap in for an edge-of-your-seat breathtaking journey across the universe with a story so amazingly atypical and thought-provoking that you will want to take at least a 3-day break from everything to process the entire book in all its glory.


Full review on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

The gang from "Mickey7" returns, as former expendable Mickey must deal with the consequences of his actions at the end of the first book and save the colony of humans from untimely extinction in the hostile environment of their new home.

Edward Ashton's first book in this series was an eye-opener, creating humor through well-realized characters, much as John Scalzi does in his work. This second book builds on the events of the first. While it gives the reader the basics needed to follow the story, this book really does require a reading of the first to fully appreciate it. That said, it balances action, drama, and humor just as well as the first book and makes for an enjoyable, fast-paced read.

Edward Ashton demonstrates two great strengths in his writing here. First, he is adept at characterization. Each character has a unique voice and displays consideration of who they are by the writer, even though some may have limited roles in the story. While each has a purpose they serve, none are treated two-dimensionally, allowing for the characters to surprise us, though in an organic rather than forced manner.

Also, Ashton shows an address at world-building. This book expands on the world we were introduced to in the first book, reintroducing and developing characters, species, and environments to complement rather than sidetrack the reader from the story. Historical elements are presented and groundwork is laid for potential future installments in the series.

Ultimately, while I found myself enjoying the first book a little more, this sequel is still delightful and cements Edward Ashton as one of the better voices in modern humorous science fiction.

*** 4 Stars ⭐️ ***

Heart ❤️ strings pulled. This ended up being
a fun, emotional, satisfying sequel to Mickey7.

Antimatter Blues picks up two years after Mickey7 has retired from being an expendable. He is kind of a free loader at this point, assistant rabbit tender (basically plays with them) and helps with tomatoes. Then when he's not doing that he's withNasha. Marshall still barely tolerates him.

This is basically the first quarter of the book. For me the slowest part, I was a little worried. It seemed to have lost that spark that made the first Mickey7 unique and a fun/unique read. Honestly I just couldn't stand Mickey anymore. he was a bit annoying. Rest assured though it got better after the super slowness of the first bit.

The book then changes pace when Marshall tells Mickey he needs him to get the bomb back from the creepers. As the ship running out of energy, Mickey being the only one that can communicate with them is the only person for this task. Let's just say though when Mickey goes to get the bomb from his hiding place he finds gone.

The remaining of the book is the story of Mickey, Nasha, Berto, Cat, and two newcomers Jamie and Lucas go on a dangerous journey of recovering the bomb with an unexpected Ally.

I really enjoyed the last 3/4s of this book. I liked the tension that Edward Ashton brought to this adventure of recovery. I also fell back in love with the Mickey character. I now tolerate Nasha (but still don't really like her). Berto also had a create character arc.

The unexpected friend that's made (you'll know who it is once you read) ended up being my favorite character. I loved his dialogue and how annoyed he was when the others wouldn't listen and then ask him why he didn't warn them about danger.

The dialogue in this book is again as witty and light hearted just like the first book. I really enjoyed it soo much. In the end I enjoyed this book more than the second. Both are great, this is a great book for fans of Project Hail Mary.

Thank you to Netgalley, St Martins Press and Edward Ashton for the opportunity to read this advance copy. My review is voluntary.

Publication of this book is 14 Mar 2023. I will be posting to my Instagram page closer to the publication date.

“Not sure I’d want to live in a colony that would be willing to go that far.”

Mickey is an Expendable. When dangerous tasks need to be completed for human survival and for the advancement of space exploration/colonization sometimes mech doesn’t cut it. But who can? An expendable. They can eat that dangerous plant so we can see exactly what happens when a human ingests alien flora and fauna. We can withstand some radiation in the moment more than other tech but of course we die a gruesome death. But, with Expendables they upload their memories and personalities and ext and then BOOM 3D print out a new body where everything is downloaded. Cloning at its finest.

Usually, this job is a sentence for criminals as no one volunteers for this even if it means in some way you live forever…well, except for Mickey. Mickey is the unglamorous every-day-man. He’s not good enough at anything to be the best and selected for the great jobs and he accidentally got himself into some terrible loan shark situation on his home planet of Midguard. So, signing up with his best friend for a one-way space colonization mission seemed like a good idea. And for a man with no talents, the only job open was Expendable. Heh, at least he’ll live longer than anyone…well via the long road as it’ll only have to cost him dying over and over again to achieve it. All's fair for love and space exploration.

Here, in Antimatter Blues, we come across Mickey who has dutifully survived (So to speak) the first novel title ‘Mickey 7’ but not as gracefully as any standard space hero. This sequel picks up two years later which is the perfect amount of time for consequences of the first novel to kick in. That’s right, we actually have a sequel that is a result of the first novel. Hizzah! Mickey has retired. That’s right, no more dying on command, and he gets to live his life as anyone should. But, on a space colony, that makes him a freeloader. Cleaning up after rabbits or trimming tomato vines isn’t enough work to justify the resources Mickey needs and his saving grace, a relationship with the locals, isn’t really enough to please the colony’s leader.

When the colony’s future survival in the planet’s upcoming winter is at stake, Mickey has to suit up and test his relationship with the creepers. They have something of his that he really needs back or all the human’s future is non-existent. To bring it back, he will have to make empty promises and go back on his word. Which is a testament of what would you do when you would be responsible for the total destruction of your found family? (Okay, they’re not exactly found family but they are all the family he’s got). This time, it’s a mission he doesn’t have to go in on alone but, that doesn’t make it any easier. Is there a point where the survival of ourselves exceeds the damage it would do? Humanity are monsters and we don’t make sense which this book explored just enough.


Antimatter Blues has everything I could ever want in a Sci-Fi adventure action novel and is a perfect sequel. That’s right, I said it. A perfect sequel. Don’t mind me as I order every edition and cover of this series that I can get my grubby hands on.

If you're looking for science facts and over explanation of alien intentions and so forth, this isn't it. It's meant to be just a good time and it does that exceedingly well. Sit back and enjoy the adventure!

**Also, I’m begging the author/publisher to please release a Speaker plush. This ancillary would love to have the cuddles.***

Antimatter Blues is a fantastic popcorn thriller. I had some issues with but really enjoyed Mickey7, but I got through this book even faster.
Its been two years since the end of Mickey7, and the colony has been doing well, especially since the winter of Niflheim broke. But the colony's energy might be running out, and Mickey thinks he saw another expendable version of himself pulled out of the tank. Ashton's sequel to Mickey7 is a great follow-up to his original book, expanding on a lot of the side characters and the life that has lived on Niflheim. Ashton introduces a new character that was so great to read. The dialogue remains fast-paced and the plot moves along much faster without the diversions to the universe building that Mickey7 had.
The book is mostly a fetch quest for the anti=matter that Mickey uses at the end of the last book. As the colonists go on the journey, they are faced with a lot of unique and interesting sci-fi challenges. The ending ties up the story sweetly and emotionally, and everything resolves itself in a very satisfying manner. If you are looking for an easy-to-read enjoyable sci-fi adventure, then this book will be great for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

More fast paced than the first novel- Antimatter Blues is a story of Milcey saving the colony through circumstances that seem impossible. I like this more than the first book, though I do think the first book did a very good job at setting up the story and setting. I love the title for this one and I can't wait to see Mickey on screen!

Antimatter Blues is the follow on novel to Mickey 7. Mickey continues his journeys and discovers another sentient species. Mickey is empowered to settle the peace between all three species in the way only Mickey could.

Thanksk to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Mickey7 so I was excited to see him back again in a sequel. This one explores more the other sentient beings that live on the planet while they tried to get back the antimatter bomb that was hidden at the end of the first book. The story moved quiickly and some great twists and surprises. I love the complicated world that Mickey lives in and I hope to see more in the series.

While this sequel is an interesting adventure, it fails to deliver something new. Mickey 7 is still in the same planet we left him, still—more or less—facing the same problems, although he's no longer expendable. Two years have passed. He has gained his freedom. Although, given his lack of skills, and knowledge, he's relegated to an assistant position in attending to plants and animals inside the colony. This book reads as if no time has passed. Mickey 7 still is hold in contempt by the leader of the colony, still has the same inane arguments with his good friend Berto...Mickey still holds a two year old grudge against him.

The colony is running out of energy. Mickey has to return the antimatter bomb he left out in the open, below some boulders and rocks, before winter comes, less the inhabitants face certain death if he doesn't.

I was expecting this book to come up with some different threat, with something unexpected. It didn't.

As you might expect, the antimatter bomb is no longer where he left it. He has to confront the 'creepers' again, to get it back. Unfortunately the neighboring creatures no longer have it, they offered it to anther 'creeper' clan. So events unfold in similar fashion to book one. Bad creepers trying to get the humans, the invencible Mickey out to save them.

While written in an enjoyable fashion, I felt as if I was reading the first book all over again.

Thank you for the free copy!

Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton is one of those fun reads. It takes place somewhere in the universe with a wiseacre protagonist that is both lovable and frustrating. Mickey7 is an Expendable, in other words, a disposable employee. When a mission is dangerous or suicidal an Expendable is sent. When one version dies a new body is pulled from the tank with all the knowledge and memories of its predecessor intact. Unfortunately, that included the often gruesome and painful memories of their various deaths. Mickey7 has been irradiated twice, killed by lung worms, gut worms, heart works and slowly vivisected so it’s easy to see that he’s being exceedingly careful in his current iteration.


In this second book in the Mickey7 series the location is planet Niflheim (pronounced “NIF-el-hame;” from Old Norse Niflheimr, “World of Fog”) The author could not have chosen a better muse name for his planet. For earthly context this is one of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology and the homeland of primordial darkness, cold, mist, and ice. The current setting is summer but at any time now the planet’s unplanned winter could emerge.

The set up in this, before winter arrives and the colony freezes Mickey7 and his galpal Nasha are sent on a scouting mission to recover a bomb that Mickey7 hid under a pile of rocks. This bomb will provide the fuel for the reactor to keep the colony fed, warm and lighted over the winter. Unfortunately, it’s not where he left it. The local and dangerous creatures found it first and gave it away as a goodwill gesture to even more dangerous creatures. Now Mickey7, Nasha and Speaker must proceed south on a recovery mission. What could possibly go wrong?

#NetGalley #AntimatterBlues #EdwardAshton #Mickey7 #SIFIHumor

Pub Date: 03/14/23
CW: minor depictions of violence

Before I dive into my review, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Edward’s publisher for approving me for an eARC.

So first: oops.

And the only reason I say oops is because I requested Antimatter Blues without realizing it was a sequel. I saw the cover, thought “ooh pretty”. Read the description, thought “oh hello”. Hit request.

So. Oops.

But that didn’t really matter, if I’m being honest. Am I a bit mad at myself for not realizing it was a sequel before requesting? Sure. Did it make any difference as I read the book? Ehhh not really. While obviously events from Mickey7 were referenced, I didn’t really find myself struggling to follow along. It’s an incredibly easy book to read and follow along with.

Did I also go get Mickey7 the first chance I got? You fing bet I did.

Mickey’s personality is TOP FRICKIN NOTCH. He’s such a sarcastic little shit I love it and his narration is absolutely the best. I love his character. Edward Ashton did AMAZING with Mickey’s character.

THE STORY?! I MEAN??? YALL??!!

If book two was this good, I can only imagine what book one is gonna be like.

Ugh I am forever envious of some author’s brains. They’re such amazing little globs of goo.

If I could rate this book more than five stars, I would in a heartbeat. No doubts.

PLEASE.

do yourself a favor and buy the series.

Blog Post Review goes live on Feb 28th 2023

It’s not very often I read a book and immediately go lower my rating on the first one because the second one really just beat home the flaws and issues of the first one.
Antimatter Blues takes place - supposedly 2 years after the events of the first Mickey7 book. Mickey is still alive and he’s been puttering around the colony, seemingly fine and unbothered by everyone. Now - I say supposedly because several pages just past the opening we have a scene with Berto and Mickey in which Mickey brings up Berto’s abandonment of Mickey in the beginning of the first book. Almost as if they hadn’t spoken in two years. That strange exchange of telling us one thing but the characters definitely not acting appropriately set the tone for the entirety of this book.
Mickey is no longer an Expendable at the time of this book. Instead he’s a rabbit feeder/tomato tender/useless bum but somehow - based entirely on his fictional ‘ambassador’ status to the Creeper colony outside their Dome. As you can expect this unravels very quickly (especially since it doesn’t seem to make any sense in the first place). The bomb that Mickey hid is missing and he in fact DOES become an ambassador to the Creepers to try to locate and return it.
My list of problems with this books is long and frustrating. We’ll make it short. I'll focus on the characters - starting with Mickey himself who is the ultimate Mary Sue. Bad things happen - but not to Mickey. He is never really held accountable for his actions, he doesn’t truly actually have any trauma from his time as an Expendable (besides a vague feeling of ‘I don’t want to do that’ when things seem familiar), and ultimately he’s just fine. The secondary characters are simply devices to prop up Mickey. Nasha is a glorified sex pillow with a sad family backstory to give her the façade of a personality (she never actually changes, just develops a dangerous brain tumor that fuels Mickey - which is a WHOLE other can of worms). Speaker is the ‘cute animal companion’ we didn’t need. Berto is still a unnecessary asshole whose only contribution or change is his fancy new glider. No one else mattered - except the Marshall who heroically sacrifices himself. A fact of which Mickey gets jealous.
It's really easy to ignore the plot because ultimately isn't important. Mickey fixes everything. As mentioned above, he's right all the time. Things might surprise him but ultimately it all works out. The people who end up hurt are the people who doubted him so we clearly aren't meant to care about them anyway. And honestly, they are the ones who carry the consequences of all of Mickey's actions. So no need to beat those two poor dead shells of characters.
This book reminds me of Ready Player One. And it’s not a good reminder. I don’t recommend this one. I barely recommend the first one.
One Star. I can’t even make a fun rating out of this one. One Star - do not recommend.

If you liked the first book then you have got to get your hands on the sequel. The same snark and wit from our main character Mickey but in a faster pace story that I could not put down. I loved getting to go deeper into the interactions with the creepers and seeing more of how they think. It gave me Project Hailmary and Murderbot Diaries vibes while still being its own unique story.

The adventures of Mickey7 continue on Niflheim. After Mickey resigned from his position as an expendable 2 years prior, he must set out to complete a task only he can accomplish - retrieve an antimatter bomb from a bunch of alien creepers without getting eaten.

An entertaining and enjoyable follow up to Mickey7.