Hard Luck Hank: Screw the Galaxy

I’ll be honest: I went into *Hard Luck Hank* expecting another snarky space adventure, but what I got was a masterclass in how to make an unlikeable protagonist compelling. Hank isn’t just flawed—he’s *actively* terrible at times, a self-sabotaging mess of ego and bad decisions, and yet Liam Owen’s performance makes you root for him anyway. Owen’s timing is impeccable, especially in the book’s rapid-fire dialogue, where a paused beat or a sarcastic inflection can turn a throwaway line into a gut-punch. The action scenes, meanwhile, are visceral and well-paced, though I’ll admit the mid-book lull (where political maneuvering takes over) drags just enough to test your patience. Campbell’s worldbuilding is where the audiobook *really* shines. Belvaille feels lived-in, from its seedy underbelly to the way power shifts like quicksand underfoot. The supporting cast—particularly the morally ambiguous allies and the terrifyingly competent villains—steal scenes left and right. My biggest critique? The humor, while often hilarious, occasionally undercuts tension in moments that *should* feel heavier. And if you’re squeamish about gore or creative profanity, this isn’t your book. But if you want sci-fi that’s equal parts brutal, clever, and darkly funny—with a narrator who sells every line like he’s lived it—*Screw the Galaxy* delivers. Just don’t expect to finish it with your faith in humanity intact.