Waypoint Kangaroo

April 4, 2016
In this rollicking splice of mystery and high-tech SF, a smart-aleck spy forced to take vacation after a mishandled assignment plunges into perilous intrigues that no one on a pleasure cruise should have to face. Evan Rogers—nicknamed Kangaroo for his ability to store and retrieve items from an extra-dimensional “pouch” that only he can access—is Mars-bound on the passenger liner Dejah Thoris when he’s roped into the investigation of an onboard double murder. While he labors to solve the crime without blowing his cover, the murderer hijacks the ship, setting in course a series of potentially world-shaking events that tax Kangaroo’s nimble skill for saving the day. Chen’s debut keeps the plot twisting as the story builds to a powerful climax, leavening the suspense with Kangaroo’s droll quips. This book is an auspicious start for its author and his wisecracking series.

April 15, 2016
A fast-paced spy thriller set on a cruise ship to Mars. Kangaroo has the top-secret clearance, the experience, and the fancy scanning implants in his eye to be a very good spy. And there's one thing he has that nobody else does--the mysterious ability to open a "pocket universe," a portal to empty space in a parallel universe where he can stash stuff. Pretty handy. You might even say irreplaceable. But that doesn't stop his boss from sending him off-world on a mandatory vacation while their department gets audited, "like a parent banishing a noisy child who's preventing the adults from getting their work done." A pleasure cruise to Mars might be fun for some people, but it turns out that Kangaroo doesn't really know what normal people do on vacation, and he kind of would prefer to keep on being a spy. Only problem is, there's nothing to use his skills on--at least until the crew finds two dead bodies and Kangaroo gets drawn into an investigation that turns up more than anyone on board was bargaining for. Like, way more. Could-start-an-interplanetary-war more. The pace never flags in this high-stakes thriller, the plot never stops twisting and turning, and our hero never loses his sense of humor. Debut novelist Chen has created an engaging character and a rich, believable world. Sci-fi fans will love this fun, high-tech adventure.

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June 15, 2016

As the spy agency he works for is being audited, Kangaroo is sent off planet for a vacation on a luxury spaceliner heading to Mars. He is a valuable asset to his handlers, not only because of his training and augmented senses but also owing to his unique and infinitely useful ability to open a portal to a pocket universe. Unfortunately Kangaroo doesn't really know how to be a regular tourist, so he starts nosing around the ship. Much to his surprise, he uncovers a murder scene. Throwing himself into the investigation, he soon realizes this is not a simple homicide but the tip of a conspiracy that could endanger an entire planet. Zippy pacing and a hyperactive, wisecracking hero are two big reasons this space adventure succeeds. Kangaroo's pocket portal is an unusual plot device that could have been gimmicky but gets used sparingly and to good effect. Furthermore, the hero's constant disobeying of orders and recklessness are offset and humanized by his nonstop humor, his puppy-like enthusiasm, and a romantic relationship he develops with a crew member. VERDICT For those looking for a lively spy adventure in space, this is a fun debut.--MM

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2016
Kangaroo is a wisecracking, mistake-making American spy, whose skill set includes the ability to open a pocket of space for storing items. After a particularly bad mess-up on a mission, Kangaroo is sent on a space cruise to Mars. His boss feels that Kangaroo needs to leave the planet while his mess and internal politics are handled. At first, Kangaroo is apprehensive about the forced vacation that he is on, but life gets more interesting when he meets two more spies and two murders occur. As the nature of the murders becomes clearer, Kangaroo slowly realizes that this is about the recent war between Mars and Earth. Mars fought for its independence as a sovereign planet, but the war did not end with a perfect resolution. Kangaroo's adventure is a great, fun read for anyone who loves a mystery or a spy story. The light narrative tone and funny side comments make the subject matter seem less serious, but the themes and comparisons to our current world are not lost on the reader.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)