Junkers (Junkers #1) by Benjamin Wallace

Junkers (Junkers #1) Reviews

• 
  Jordan Anderson

  Yes, there are much better novels in the genre of the robot apocalypse...or rather robopacolypse. There are more realistic, more believable, and overall much better written books, screenplays, and theories when it comes to the subject of a robot uprising (here's looking at you Daniel Wilson and T2), but rarely are they so ridiculous or as less serious as Junkers.
  
  Junkers at its core isn't really all that amazing of a book if we are being honest. Like PANW before it, it's decently written in the sense that it lacks any major grammatical errors, is formatted correctly, and keeps the story moving along. However, also like PANW, it's lacking in the depth department. Characters aren't all that well fleshed out or very deep and when the main "apocalypse" happens, it isn't nearly as exciting as it could be.
  
  Then again, there's not anything wrong with a short, semi-humorous look at an often feared and even more theorized future. Like I said, it's hard to find a book in this subject that doesn't take itself too seriously and while Junkers could have been expanded a couple dozen more pages, or cut out the overused insult of "dick", I can't say that I hated the story. Sometimes wea ll need something fast, light hearted and funny, and Junkers did a decent job of filling that hole.
• 
  Ralph

  4 stars - A hilarious read, great dialogue, and just the right length.
  
  The Internet of Things (IoT) becomes the Internet of Terror when our connected devices and robots turn against us and go on a killing rampage. The jokes come fast and furious when two fierce competitors vie to be the one that neutralizes the wayward robots. Will they be able to save the day and perhaps win each other's hearts?
• 
  Ziggy Nixon

  3 1/2 stars. Please don't get too locked up on this very flawed rating system as this book more than delivered on everything it promised and everything I wanted / expected. A one-sitting (barely), good-time-had-by-all airport-bookstore scifi romp that you'll be glad you picked up with your Coke and pack of peanuts!
  
  First and foremost, it does contain humor. Good gods, if I had a dollar for every book that I've read that promised 'rip-roaring, side-splitting laughs' that DID NOT DELIVER, I'd be a much wealthier man! But 'Junkers' has its own quirky sense of the haha's that definitely earned more than a smirk on my part. Not Pratchett level by any stretch of the imagination but enough to have my brain flash a few memes now and then (as in "I understood that reference!"). Good stuff Mr. Wallace!
  
  And no, it's not Scalzi-esque or Crouch-like in terms of its science fiction-y approach and it won't leave your brain bleeding as you try to comprehend what is going on (yeah, I just recently tried a few Peter Watts books). But it moves at warp speed, delivers a very good if not great story and is, above all else, entertaining! The prose is more than passable, the action sequences are good to very good and for the most part the story-line makes sense and flows organically. Or maybe with all the robots, inorganically, I don't know. And tbh it didn't even really need the back-story about (waves vaguely) things that is almost totally missing ... which is great for a book such as this! Plus, it's on Kindle Unlimited, so applause and a round of affordable non-craft beers for everyone!
  
  Is it perfect? No, of course not, but it doesn't try to be. The 'rag-tag group of misfits' is a little odder than I would have made them (I still don't get why the arrogant programmer was even included). And the final bit with the giant (no spoilers) which was piloted by (no spoilers) didn't make sense at all (um, you have to have some computer-y bits attached to be able to no spoil it don't you?) but hey, at that point, I think we were all tired of just shooting toasters.
  
  Most importantly?
  - One, I think you should read this book. Yes, you. Now.
  - Two, I'm going to read the 2nd one today myself. Watch this space.
  Can't ask for much more than that, can you?
• 
  Ryan H

  So I had mixed feelings about this one. It had glimpses of greatness and at other times lacked just that little something. The humour and witty sass department was great. The characters were always quick with a one liner or joke. On the other hand there was little to no character development not giving much depth to the characters. I can appreciate this because it went great with how this story was told but I think it could have had more development adding to the story. This was a light and quick listen about the robot uprising and it kept a really good pace and this is why I was conflicted about the character development because I think it would have slowed down the storyline considerably. I found that when the action scenes came up they could have been more intense and I loved the idea of a robot uprising. I also loved the quick descriptions of the robots doing human daily tasks too. I loved the shoutouts the author gave to vintage things that might even seem out of place in today’s society. It was a nice touch. The narration was done very well. There were different voices given to each character that fit well with their personality. You could really tell there was a hint of sarcasm when he was saying those witty one liners. Even the male narrator’s female voices were done well. All in all, a good performance that added value to this story. I did like this audiobook but like I have stated before was just missing something. Perhaps if it was a little longer it would have been better. It does keep your attention though so if you are looking for a quick and light read then this is for you. I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a honest review via Audiobook Boom. This in no way affected my opinion of this work.
  
  
• 
  Ben Bass

  The Robot Uprising Is Here - And it's hilarious!
  
  For such a short book, Junkers is a lot of fun.
  
  I read the "Robopocalypse" by Daniel H. Wilson and was so disappointed that I almost gave up on the genre as a whole. But along comes Benjamin Wallace with his team of Junkers - Jake, Kat, Mason, Savant and Glitch - and I'm back in the game!
  
  Life is supposed to be easier when robots do all the work, right? Then why are they murdering people? The story starts out with a murder, is followed up by a murder, and ends with another murder or two... and, yet, I found myself laughing and eagerly consuming page after page of this story.
  
  It's fun, lighthearted, and full of characters that I couldn't help but like - and want more of in the future. Junkers is the Robot Uprising we should all be reading... and we should also be calling our movie representatives and asking for this to be optioned. Seriously, folks, Benjamin Wallace's wit and sense of humor make him a national treasure.
• 
  Jay Batson

  Well, this is fun.
  
  Junkers isn't really a sci-fi book. It's a book to read when you need something light. Where the humor is in both the story line, and in the dialog. When there are characters both lovable and irritating, which makes them all kinda lovable.
  
  It's a book you *know* will basically come out ok, but where there will be silly, dumb, fun bad-outcomes for some of the characters / elements.
  
  But in the meantime, you can relax, know you're picking up a book that will be satisfying, and kinda not want to end. Which is why it's awesome that there is another "Season 2" to read immediately afterward!
  
  (Four stars because the bar ought to be high for 5-star books. Like, you read the last page, say "Whoa, I need to read that again right now" kinda high. Junkers is good; recommendable; I'm happy I read it. But it's not that 5-star, life-changing book. Nonetheless, read it!)
• 
  Colin Rowlands

  The robot apocalypse is a commonly used theme in scifi, but this less serious and humorous take on the subject gives it a fresh twist that works well. The varied cast of characters is led by Jake, a fairly down-at-heel everyman character who is struggling to keep his business going in a very corporate world and he is aided by a fairly motley crew that mostly help him in the fight.
  
  The narrator's general tone was clear and pleasant, for the various characters he managed to convey a suitable level of distinctiveness without going over the top.
  
  Overall, this was a fun book and I will look out for more from this author in the future.
  
  [Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
• 
  Bonnie Dale Keck

  Kindle Unlimited for 1 and ARC for 2, which is why I pulled 1 to check it out from the beginning.
  
  Then the machines possibly rise, it's not going to be Terminator type, just billionaires on 2 sides, a not really an ex, a workshop full of employees and a shop badly in need of funds, glow in the dark 'junk', and okay it might still mean cyber-pocalypse that could become all too real. Can Jake and his team {Kat, Mason, Savant and Glitch} from a broken down bunch of bits at Ashley’s Robot Reclamation Of Green Hill {ARRGH} keep ignoring 3% owner Uncle Aaron and his crazy girlfriend while possibly having to save the world, and their lives?
  
  Junkers - Junkers Season 2
• 
  Trever

  Really enjoyable and often laugh-out-loud funny, this near-future story of a company of rogue appliance "Blade Runners" reads like a blend of the A-Team and Laurell and Hardy. Our wacky group is forced to upgrade from chasing down errant AI dishwashers and lawnmowers to fighting a fullblown robot AI apocalypse as more and more "smart things" start going nuts. Don't look for deep characters or complex relationships, but if you're in the mood for some SF laughs and heroes who punch the villain and get the girl, this is the ticket, at least for the short 4 hour running time of the audiobook version.
• 
  Victor

  A fun read, it doesn't feel like the book aspires to be too much more than that. But it succeeds in the endeavor. The premise that any machines made complex enough to perform human labors will occasionally go "renegade" and kill people is kind of funny. The accompanying solution of destroying these machines which one can presume are exhibiting some level of sentience, is darkly hilarious, and very human.
  
  From the scarecrow with a minigun shooting corn kernels to the glowing penile prosthetic, the book was a fun quick read.
• 
  Sean Duggan

  Decent read, but not filling
  
  I enjoyed the book. I'll get that out of the way. But it's not one to take seriously. The characters are caricatures. The action becomes forgettable after the first few scenes, and the detective work basically consists of accusing one obvious suspect after another and ruling them out after they either deny their guilt or get killed. And it's shorter than the page length would indicate. Still, it's a decent airline book, and cheapish at 99 cents.
• 
  Joseph Inzirillo

  I love Wallace's writing style. Humor and action. This is actually the second book I've read of his. The first was from the Duck and Cover series which is my favorite by him so far. Junkers is a great look at what could happen in the future and does this with that kind of tongue in cheek humor that makes Wallace fun to read.
  
  He just released Junkers season 2 so I'm definitely looking forward to that.
• 
  Dave Agans

  In a world where robots do just about everything, sometimes one goes rogue. Or even several. Enter the Junkers, a rag-tag team (what else?) of robot wranglers who take on the jobs too dangerous for anyone else. This first book in the series is really funny, mostly from the hilarious banter among the team. But there were some laugh-out-loud moments, like the battle scenes with renegade office machines who’s tactics are limited by their specific office tasks. Story 5, Craft 5, Humor 5
• 
  Ryan

  Fantastic book. Genuinely made me laugh out loud.
  
  A great book with great, flawed characters. You can't stand some of them, and you love others. I wanted to kill Savant several times, but didn't want him to fail either.
  
  This is the first book that made me laugh out loud for a long time. Highly recommended :)
• 
  Ami

  Excellent read!
  
  I love to read well written action/adventure tales that are also humorous. Benjamin Wallace has nearly perfected this combination and Bunkers is one of many successes. The characters are great and most have found a place in my mind as favorites. I highly recommend it. Now I'm off to get Bunkers 2, I'm so excited!
  
  Read via Kindle Unlimited
• 
  Rob Paczkowski

  I read this prior to being on Good Reads. So just saying I love this author and all his books. Just check him out. Trying anything if you are into the unusual humor. Love it all. But this is actually his 3rd book of the series ( short story.) Junkers, The Missing season, C.H.U.M. Great filler until his next masterpiece!
• 
  Jake

  Fun and fast read
  
  Well Benjamin Wallace didn't disappoint in this book, it was a fun read. I enjoyed his take on the robot "uprising". The characters were all very enjoyable. And I can't wait to read junkers season 2.
• 
  Matt

  A fun and creative adventure filled with likeable and interesting, if simple, characters. You won't find anything here earth-shattering or amazingly creative, but you will find a fun romp with a side of Science Fiction fit for a good Saturday afternoon film.
• 
  RJ

  Here we have a humorous romp through the future of smart machines. This is a great change of pace story; fun characters and a quick read. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
• 
  odedo1 Audio book worm.

  This book is pure joy.
  Benjamin Wallace wrote this fun story beautifully, it’s simple to follow, great characters and completely possible.
  Together with Doug Tisdale Jr. narrating this book could not go wrong !
  
  Truly recommend for all.
  
  
  Accepted this audiobook for free for an honest review.
• 
  allan graham

  Good
  
  A very easy read, a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. Definitely not for the "grammar police" or the 'space opera" brigade. Not a serious book, written for the big kid inside us all. Will be keeping up with the series.
• 
  Neil Robinson

  I am surprised how much I enjoyed this book.
  
  I picked it up at random and did not expect much as I am usually a fantasy fan. but it was a pleasant surprise. Its short and dose not try to be a deep and hardcore read. I laughed out loud a few times which is always a big plus for me
• 
  Daniel McGill

  This was often actually fairly hilarious. I'm sure I looked ridiculous laughing out loud in the grocery store during the part with the cat. I have a pretty similar cat, though fortunately mine prefers to pee in the neighbors' flower garden.