Like many of their characters, they can take a serious situation seriously, while simultaneously telling jokes to make you laugh about a situation you really probably shouldn't be laughing at.

I don't feel the jokes are driving the plot, rather that they’re just very good at pulling jokes off during the story that is happening. As I've also come to expect of them, they manage to walk that balance between ridiculous humor and a good plot. He is pretty much immediately thrown into situations where is he in way over his head and comedy ensues while he tries not to die. Vance is the lovable rogue with a heart of gold type character, I liked him from the start. And it's wonderful, witty, banter dialogue that'll have you laughing quite often from beginning to end. As usual for these authors, the book is largely driven by the dialogue. Hopefully in future books we'll get even more about some of the different cultures as the pieces we get here are well done, intriguing, unique, and well, alien. The alien races were really fun, and fleshed out the right amount for a book 1. As well as showing some of the messy inner workings behind all that polished utopia.

It's the poking fun from a place of love kind of humor. It's more in the vein of Lower Decks than 'classic' Trek, which is fantastic. Space Academy Dropouts is definitely a love letter to Trek, and as a Trekkie, I loved it. Really expands the world building which is also done so well! All while I read, smile, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Can't wait for book two! Terrific narration! it's deadly out in space! It's also interesting to get a grasp of the story's history, bad guys, god like characters, and more. Unpredictable and a pure joy to read! The dialogue really brings the characters to life! Lots of action, twists, humor, but we do lose a few characters along the way. She is strange but funny! But characters are not the only thing this book and these authors use to make great books! The dialogue makes the story flow and kept me giggling! Lots of references to movies and books. He thinks he is right! The ship's computer that decides to possess a sexbot to get new input. Each character in here is so unique and enjoyable or totally different/creative in personality or species it's a total brain treat! Even the small primate General, that is the enemy, is kind of endearing in a weird way. Phipps has a way of creating characters that really make you remember them, even the side characters. Our snarky but loveable dropout we follow is Vance. The dropouts from the Space Academy are 'recruited' (or die), by a Space hero for a secret mission.

I love all their books but this one was the best one so far in my opinion. Phipps, Michael Suttkus Now these two authors write such great books that it's hard to explain what really makes them stand out.

Lucifer's Star by C.T. Phipps