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Space Team #2.5
The Holiday Special
Die Hard meets the Nativity - in space! A Space Team short story.
Having successfully saved the galaxy on his very first day in space, Cal Carver and the crew of the Shatner drop by the North Star space station for Kroyshuk - an annual celebration of peace and goodwill - and some well-earned rest and relaxation.
But the universe has other plans, and Cal soon finds himself playing guardian angel to a mysterious pregnant woman, whose unborn son is being hunted by a malevolent baby-eating king.
With the king's forces closing in, and the woman's contractions coming at an increasingly alarming rate, it looks like Cal's first Kroyshuk might just turn out to he his last.
A short festive tale packed with space pirates, bounty hunters, Godzilla-lions and Dorothy out of the Golden Girls, Space Team: The Holiday Special provides the perfect entry point to the Space Team universe.
Having successfully saved the galaxy on his very first day in space, Cal Carver and the crew of the Shatner drop by the North Star space station for Kroyshuk - an annual celebration of peace and goodwill - and some well-earned rest and relaxation.
But the universe has other plans, and Cal soon finds himself playing guardian angel to a mysterious pregnant woman, whose unborn son is being hunted by a malevolent baby-eating king.
With the king's forces closing in, and the woman's contractions coming at an increasingly alarming rate, it looks like Cal's first Kroyshuk might just turn out to he his last.
A short festive tale packed with space pirates, bounty hunters, Godzilla-lions and Dorothy out of the Golden Girls, Space Team: The Holiday Special provides the perfect entry point to the Space Team universe.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2016
About the author
Barry J. Hutchison
54 books715 followersBarry J. Hutchison is an award-winning author, screenwriter and writer of comics. Having written over 70 books for children and teenagers, Barry is now writing books for adults. Space Team is his first grown-up novel.
Barry lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and irritatingly upbeat dog.
Barry lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and irritatingly upbeat dog.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 5, 2019
Quirky holiday fun.
World: World building here is basic for the short story, there are some details but not much, it mainly relies on what came before in the first book and also SF genre cliches.
Story: Stupid holiday fun with lots of humour. The banter is great, the humour is on point and does not take itself to seriously. The holiday theme was nice and the end of the story was a good one.
Characters: Cal and the crew are all about the same from the first book, there is not much more depth and development here and merely just them for the holiday short story. The new pieces are fun and made me giggle.
A solid holiday story that’s fun and not to serious.
Onward to the next book!
World: World building here is basic for the short story, there are some details but not much, it mainly relies on what came before in the first book and also SF genre cliches.
Story: Stupid holiday fun with lots of humour. The banter is great, the humour is on point and does not take itself to seriously. The holiday theme was nice and the end of the story was a good one.
Characters: Cal and the crew are all about the same from the first book, there is not much more depth and development here and merely just them for the holiday short story. The new pieces are fun and made me giggle.
A solid holiday story that’s fun and not to serious.
Onward to the next book!
November 10, 2023
First I want to note this story was previously available as a standalone volume both as an eBook and Audio book. Since that time it has been combined with 5 other short stories set in the Space Team Universe called, Space Team: A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories, and is considered volume 6.5 in the series. Weather you have access to the standalone version or read it as part of the collection, it is a fun read in a good series.
Nearly a year ago before reading this I encountered the works of J.D. Kirk I also discovered that Kirk publishes children’s books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. I have read 24 stories published under the Kirk Name and I am now branching out to the ones under the Hutchinson names. This is the 19th I have read under one of the Hutchison names. He is published over 200 books across the three pen names, and books he has ghost written. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. I have enjoyed all I have read from his pen and this one was no different. This is the second in the Space Team Series I have read, and I have read the first in the spin off Deadman Detective Series.
The description of this story is:
“Die Hard meets the Nativity - in space! A Space Team short story.
Having successfully saved the galaxy on his very first day in space, Cal Carver and the crew of the Shatner drop by the North Star space station for Kroyshuk - an annual celebration of peace and goodwill - and some well-earned rest and relaxation..”
The introduction states:
“Welcome to the Space Team Holiday Special! This short story is set between the events of the first two novels in the series, Space Team and Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle. While the title of the story is inspired by the hypnotically dreadful Star Wars Holiday Special, you can rest assured that there the similarities end. Mostly.
This story was originally written as a free giveaway for members of Team Space Team, a group of readers who have signed up for notifications and news on the Space Team series, and who I regularly shower with free reads.
If you’re reading the preview of this book and haven’t yet bought it, go ahead and grab it for free via my website. If you’ve already paid for it then, hey, at least it was cheap, and you can still grab some other free books at that same link, including an exclusive prequel to my Space Team spin-off, The Bug, and a short horror story, The Bone House.
But for now, settle down, make yourself comfortable, imagine the cast of the story waving awkwardly at the camera while someone announces their name in an overly-enthusiastic manner, and enjoy this Space Team Holiday Special…”
Even the cover asks: “So, Uh, This isn’t actually canon, is it?” again giving a hat tip to that ill fated Star Wars tv special. The team finds themselves on a station during a regional holiday. Due to Cal always finding a way to get into trouble they are soon protecting a pregnant woman from pirates, bounty hunters and just about anyone without a conscious. So unto the Space Team a child we be born. It’s not quite space Christmas, but it comes close for Cal, a human so far from home.
This was another fun read. There is a lot of slap stick humour. Some over the top antics, and at times it is laugh out loud funny. This book and the series reminds me of several series and authors, most of whom, I read when I was much younger. So, in a way it was like a jump back in time for me. The first to come to mind was Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steal Rat series with his Bill the Galactic Hero series, the next was Robert Asprin’s Phule’s Company Series, it also brought to mind the works of Tom Holt and of course the comparison to Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker Series are going to abound. But for all the sense of a mash up of these other series there is something different about this offering, and that is even more evident in this second offering in the series. The series now comprises 13 novels and 6 published short stories or novellas, and three side stories in this universe featuring Dan Deadman. Recently Hutchison in an article talked about how the first in this series was written to learn about self publishing so he could speak to school students about it. I for one am thankful he took the gig and started along this path. I think that has to do with Hutchinson’s characters and sense of humour. And the characters in this story are wild. Delenn in Babylon 5 states:
“Of course it is, for the simple reason that no one else would've ever built a place like this. Humans share one unique quality. They build communities. If the Narns or the Centauri or any other race built a station like this, it would be used only by their own people, but everywhere humans go, they create communities out of diverse and sometimes hostile populations. It is a great gift and a terrible responsibility, one that cannot be abandoned.”
Cal a low-level con man, who is scooped up from Earth by the Zertex corporation to help stop an intergalactic war, is that type of character. He builds community and he tags this odd assortment or military personnel, criminals, and a shape shifting blob and forges them into the Space Team. In this second story there is a lot of action, some body humour, and also some serious moments.
I freely admit I have greatly enjoyed all the books by Hutchinson that I have read to date, no matter what name they are published under. This one is a fun read in an entertaining series, it is shaping up to be a terribly humorous series. It has more of a Young Adult feel to it than mainline adult fiction to me, but I am certain it will have fans in both categories. Another good read from the pen of Hutchison.
Nearly a year ago before reading this I encountered the works of J.D. Kirk I also discovered that Kirk publishes children’s books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. I have read 24 stories published under the Kirk Name and I am now branching out to the ones under the Hutchinson names. This is the 19th I have read under one of the Hutchison names. He is published over 200 books across the three pen names, and books he has ghost written. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. I have enjoyed all I have read from his pen and this one was no different. This is the second in the Space Team Series I have read, and I have read the first in the spin off Deadman Detective Series.
The description of this story is:
“Die Hard meets the Nativity - in space! A Space Team short story.
Having successfully saved the galaxy on his very first day in space, Cal Carver and the crew of the Shatner drop by the North Star space station for Kroyshuk - an annual celebration of peace and goodwill - and some well-earned rest and relaxation..”
The introduction states:
“Welcome to the Space Team Holiday Special! This short story is set between the events of the first two novels in the series, Space Team and Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle. While the title of the story is inspired by the hypnotically dreadful Star Wars Holiday Special, you can rest assured that there the similarities end. Mostly.
This story was originally written as a free giveaway for members of Team Space Team, a group of readers who have signed up for notifications and news on the Space Team series, and who I regularly shower with free reads.
If you’re reading the preview of this book and haven’t yet bought it, go ahead and grab it for free via my website. If you’ve already paid for it then, hey, at least it was cheap, and you can still grab some other free books at that same link, including an exclusive prequel to my Space Team spin-off, The Bug, and a short horror story, The Bone House.
But for now, settle down, make yourself comfortable, imagine the cast of the story waving awkwardly at the camera while someone announces their name in an overly-enthusiastic manner, and enjoy this Space Team Holiday Special…”
Even the cover asks: “So, Uh, This isn’t actually canon, is it?” again giving a hat tip to that ill fated Star Wars tv special. The team finds themselves on a station during a regional holiday. Due to Cal always finding a way to get into trouble they are soon protecting a pregnant woman from pirates, bounty hunters and just about anyone without a conscious. So unto the Space Team a child we be born. It’s not quite space Christmas, but it comes close for Cal, a human so far from home.
This was another fun read. There is a lot of slap stick humour. Some over the top antics, and at times it is laugh out loud funny. This book and the series reminds me of several series and authors, most of whom, I read when I was much younger. So, in a way it was like a jump back in time for me. The first to come to mind was Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steal Rat series with his Bill the Galactic Hero series, the next was Robert Asprin’s Phule’s Company Series, it also brought to mind the works of Tom Holt and of course the comparison to Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker Series are going to abound. But for all the sense of a mash up of these other series there is something different about this offering, and that is even more evident in this second offering in the series. The series now comprises 13 novels and 6 published short stories or novellas, and three side stories in this universe featuring Dan Deadman. Recently Hutchison in an article talked about how the first in this series was written to learn about self publishing so he could speak to school students about it. I for one am thankful he took the gig and started along this path. I think that has to do with Hutchinson’s characters and sense of humour. And the characters in this story are wild. Delenn in Babylon 5 states:
“Of course it is, for the simple reason that no one else would've ever built a place like this. Humans share one unique quality. They build communities. If the Narns or the Centauri or any other race built a station like this, it would be used only by their own people, but everywhere humans go, they create communities out of diverse and sometimes hostile populations. It is a great gift and a terrible responsibility, one that cannot be abandoned.”
Cal a low-level con man, who is scooped up from Earth by the Zertex corporation to help stop an intergalactic war, is that type of character. He builds community and he tags this odd assortment or military personnel, criminals, and a shape shifting blob and forges them into the Space Team. In this second story there is a lot of action, some body humour, and also some serious moments.
I freely admit I have greatly enjoyed all the books by Hutchinson that I have read to date, no matter what name they are published under. This one is a fun read in an entertaining series, it is shaping up to be a terribly humorous series. It has more of a Young Adult feel to it than mainline adult fiction to me, but I am certain it will have fans in both categories. Another good read from the pen of Hutchison.
August 24, 2021
This book should be placed at #1.5 as it happens right after the first book and not the second. The team stops at a space station to get some rest, and so that Mech can clean his metal body. Then Cal decides to get drunk with Splurt and things go downhill from there. Doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but it is good fun!
March 2, 2017
I truly enjoyed this humourous comedy!
This was my first book by this author and series. A stand alone that easily introduces the characters to the reader with a quick yet simple connection!
Read this for laughs and a brief thrilling moments.
Fonk. Love it!
This was my first book by this author and series. A stand alone that easily introduces the characters to the reader with a quick yet simple connection!
Read this for laughs and a brief thrilling moments.
Fonk. Love it!
June 3, 2017
Love this series! These stories are so funny, hilarious, warms my heart to read them. Space team can't help themselves doing good, albeit sometimes forced by Cal always getting involved with other "people's" problems, unintentionally? Ha,ha,ha.
August 25, 2017
The Space team return, in a space Christmas special!! This is a short story, but still deserves four stars, as Cal celebrates his first space holiday. The characters keep getting better, Cal and Splurt are out for a quiet drink, but nothing ever goes to plan when Cal is involved!!
March 1, 2022
I have decided to read all of this hilarious series in the order the author has suggested on his website. This latest short story did not disappoint!! I love this series so much. Some days you just need a good laugh and that is exactly what these books provide!!
February 6, 2017
Space Christmas tale!
Thank you Barry J. Hutchison for this story that I will add to my Christmas reading list. A new fan
Thank you Barry J. Hutchison for this story that I will add to my Christmas reading list. A new fan
April 16, 2018
Space Team 2.5. this is three short stories
The Bone House (Horroe)
Doctor Who (Sci Fi)
Space Team (humorous sci fi)
The Bone House (Horroe)
Doctor Who (Sci Fi)
Space Team (humorous sci fi)
April 29, 2018
Great to see he's staying true to form. How does trouble find Cal so? But still they save the day.
August 2, 2018
Super-quick read, same silly-but-entertaining hijinks as usual from the Space Team.
November 18, 2019
Oh dear. These are extremely childish, and exactly my cup of tea. Bea Arthur!
November 5, 2021
This made me pee my pants! Absolutely hilarious!
November 11, 2022
This was just ok. I get it, but not as funny as I would have hoped for.
April 15, 2023
An enjoyable novella that covers “space-Christmas”, remaining true to the fun that is the Space Team series.
March 18, 2021
A good filler for the series, but probably not the best place to start the series - a great supplement. As always, hilarious.
October 16, 2017
A wondrous play on the Nativity Story....wait, sorry, the SPACE Nativity Story. Real stakes and danger, excitement, and some tussles with space pirates round out another fun entry in the Space Team saga.
March 17, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, tho some got free some from ku etc, 'space opera' type genre, definitely worth a read with all the different elements, only reason didn't select full of surprises instead of some twists is because I read a LOT
Space Team
Space Team: The Holiday Special
Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle
Space Team: The Search for Splurt
Space Team: Song of the Space Siren
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
Space Team - Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle - Space Team: The Search for Splurt
*coming to amazons, bookstores, and all finer truck stops near you, VAT at Restaurant at End of the Universe Book Store Emporium
Space Team
Space Team: The Holiday Special
Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle
Space Team: The Search for Splurt
Space Team: Song of the Space Siren
Space Team: The Collected Adventures: Volume 1
Space Team - Space Team: The Wrath of Vajazzle - Space Team: The Search for Splurt
*coming to amazons, bookstores, and all finer truck stops near you, VAT at Restaurant at End of the Universe Book Store Emporium
September 19, 2017
They're back And just in time for Space Christmas. That wonderful holiday filled with good cheer, dangerous liquor, space pirates and bounty hunters. What could possibility go wrong?
If you're looking for adventure, mixed with HAlarity, a bad night of drinking, and a prophecy, this short story is for you.
So, lift up a toast and Merry Kroyshuk to you and yours.
If you're looking for adventure, mixed with HAlarity, a bad night of drinking, and a prophecy, this short story is for you.
So, lift up a toast and Merry Kroyshuk to you and yours.
January 24, 2017
NSFW - unless your co-workers are used to you laughing out loud
I simply cannot get enough of Hutchison. This space Christmas tale will warm your heart and make you want to rush off to sing space carols.
I simply cannot get enough of Hutchison. This space Christmas tale will warm your heart and make you want to rush off to sing space carols.
December 10, 2016
An enjoyable quick read.
December 11, 2016
Happy Kroyshuk!!
A short but merry instalment from our favourite space team, fast paced and hilarious as ever! Looking forward to reading more.
A short but merry instalment from our favourite space team, fast paced and hilarious as ever! Looking forward to reading more.
December 31, 2016
A quite enjoyable read. I will be looking for more of this series.
February 7, 2017
I got it free from...somewhere...
Quick read, nothing special...
Quick read, nothing special...
June 29, 2020
Merry Space Christmas.
April 21, 2017
I fonking love this shizz!
(That will make sense if you read any of these)
Barry's books rank right up there with my other favorite Funny SF with Actually Dangerous Situations - Schlock Mercenary, Jaime Retief of the CDT...
The team can get into more trouble doing a good deed than most people can when they actually try to stir things up.
None of the characters - good guys, bad guys, undecided guys - are thinly written. There is motivation and personality there. You get to know the recurring antagonists ("Yeah, that's the sort of thing the President would do") almost as well as Our Heroes.
(That will make sense if you read any of these)
Barry's books rank right up there with my other favorite Funny SF with Actually Dangerous Situations - Schlock Mercenary, Jaime Retief of the CDT...
The team can get into more trouble doing a good deed than most people can when they actually try to stir things up.
None of the characters - good guys, bad guys, undecided guys - are thinly written. There is motivation and personality there. You get to know the recurring antagonists ("Yeah, that's the sort of thing the President would do") almost as well as Our Heroes.
December 2, 2017
Too funny
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews