Stringers, by Chris Panatier

 Don't panic, Douglas Adams's status as the greatest sci-fi comedy writer of all time is safe.  But Adams did pave the way for some worthy successors like Chris Panatier.  Stringers is a wild galactic trip with aliens, artificial humanoids, and a swarming extragalactic super species.

When Ben and his buddy Patton head for a rural rendezvous with a stranger they met in an internet chat room, they had no idea they were going to be abducted by an alien slave trader.  As it turns out, Ben has the key to the destruction of the galaxy in his untapped memories, and the swarming super species wants to tap him.  With the help of his fellow trafficking victims, maybe they can save the galaxy.

Stringers is an enjoyable story that doesn't dwell on the meaning of life, but has a fun plot and likable characters. There are plenty of good moments and memorable lines, like this character's comments about immortality.  In response to another character's question about whether he is immortality, the artificial humanoid character says, "If no one kills me, yes. Of course, how does one prove immortality? Forever has no endpoint. So, I suppose I'm immortal in the sense that I will live until I die."  This kind of thoughtful humor is sprinkled throughout an adventure story that will leave you asking for more. And, not to give a spoiler, but Panatier does leave it open further adventures. . . .  I would go on another adventure with this crew!

Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary electronic review copy!