4 out of 5 stars Fun read - like a popcorn movie with brains. Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Small-town schlump Sammer saves the world, with his misfit "brother" Paulie, Bonk the testicle-smashing labrador, and Melvin, the schmoe who secretly loves him. Reading Beta Test on my Kindle Fire gave me shivers and giggles. Fun read! One person found this helpful
5 out of 5 stars It's the End of the World As We Know It - And I'm LMAO! Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. BETA TEST could almost have been subtitled, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Eschaton." Yes, it's that funny. Go ahead and buy it, NOW. I'll wait. All done? Good. The story begins with a series of sudden mass disappearances. Then things really get weird. Despite the obvious connection to Rapture novels of the "Left Behind" school, this is in NO way a religious novel, unless you're the sort who thought The Matrix was a documentary. It's a desperate bid to save reality as we know it by a couple of guys from a Dilbert comic, a cougar, a crotch-terrier, an ex-soldier who could only be played by R. Lee Ermey, and a heroine transgendered in ways that get funny looks even in San Francisco. All of this comes to us in a form that reads like the case notes of an omniscient observer. The text even includes footnotes to explain just how funny this book is. The style doesn't so much require getting used to as forgetting the way you're used to reading fiction. It's a new and unique approach, that leaves you thinking, "I didn't know you could write a book like that!" You can't. Eric Griffith can. And it works. Tells you something about his literary prowess, doesn't it? Read the book. Tell friends about it. Demand more like it! 2 people found this helpful
4 out of 5 stars Sci-Fi? Try Sci-FUN! Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Sci-fi novels can be at once groundbreaking and breathtaking as they take us on journeys that allow us glimpses of our future selves and the world(s) we know. They can also be very dry and humorless reads, nearly devoid of emotion. This is anything but the case in Eric Griffith's debut novel, Beta Test. The author shatters the illusion of the dry-as-a-desert-planet sci-fi novel by crafting a fun, well-written plot that follows a group of mega-geeks led by one Sam Terra as he embarks on a quest to save the Universe as we know it. While not overtly a comedy, there are plenty of laughs to be had along the way, but make no mistake - this is very much a story for adults, and at the heart of the novel lurks a concept as intelligent as any you will find in the pages of traditional sci-fi reads. As Sam and his pals uncover the mystery of The Vanished, Mr. Griffith sprinkles references to classic sci-fi movies and TV shows of the 70's and 80's throughout the book, and as if that isn't fun enough, the author makes clever use of footnotes - once the harbinger of universal reader boredom - to flesh out the characters in short, witty anecdotes, avoiding pages and pages of flashbacks. Or flash-forwards. And - since this is sci-fi - flash-sideways! If you are a fan of traditional science fiction novels, and have a sense of humor, give this book a read. Is it groundbreaking? Probably not, but that's a term that's usually reserved for the serious books anyway. As for breathtaking - if that means big laughs, then yes! If you're not a fan (like me) of traditional sci-fi novels, definitely give this book a read! The author will have you enjoying all that highly conceptualized sci-fi hoo-ha by using his razor-sharp wit - and a crotch-sniffing dog. 2 people found this helpful
4 out of 5 stars Really fun read Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2011 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of this book at a book reading by the author at a small bookstore in Ithaca, NY. The first few pages, frankly, left me unimpressed, and at first I thought the way the author had footnotes to his own jokes interrupted the flow of the book. But after the book settled into a rhythm, the footnotes seemed to take on a point/counterpoint reminiscent of 'the Word' on the Colbert Report, and added a new dimension to the book for me. Once the book got into the real meat of the plot (which happens pretty quickly), I found it fascinating. Griffith really 'gets' geek culture - I could see my own friends easily filling some of the roles in this book with the way they talk, what they joke about, etc. And the plot is based on exactly the same kind of existential questions asked by any self-aware geek who wants to understand the meaning of life and turns towards tech analogies to do so. Unusually lighthearted? Sure, but it also leaves me pondering some of the 'bigger questions', much like Joss Whedon's TV show "Dollhouse" did. I'm hoping to find other people who have read it, just so I can discuss some of the philosophical implications. No real plot holes, which frankly I find unusual for a first time author, and its got a warm ending that would make it worthy of a made-for-tv movie. One more thing I like about the book - I don't think it leaves room for a series or sequel based on the same material - its a self-contained story. I'd like to see more from the author, and I like that he'll have to create a new environment to raise the 'big questions' in. 2 people found this helpful
4 out of 5 stars Starts out "B" movie the makes a sudden turn into wonderful Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. When I first started reading this book I thought it was like a "B" movie. I mean here was this story in third-person limited following this schlep, Sam, a big beefy, man who is secretly in love with a pixyish woman, Molly, at his office. His office is a Dilbert-ish office, complete with his best friend, office loud mouth Melvin. Then the day he finds out that the girl he likes also likes him, she quits. He follows her down the stair and they share a sweet kiss. He offers to go with her, take care of her, unable to understand what is going on... when she vanishes. (GASP, what?!? Then what?) Well that was certainly a sharp twist. Now I really want to read the story. This twist definitely moved it up to an A+ grade. Unfortunately due to computer error, I only received the first chapter... thus the gasp, what?, and a sharp cry because I SO want to know what happens next. I give this preview a 4 out of 5, leaning toward 4.5 with the fabulous twist in the end of chapter one (be sure to read the excerpt). This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
5 out of 5 stars Not just for the science fiction lover Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. This book is fantastic! I'm not really your typical science fiction lover. My husband is, so I have been exposed to a fair amount of it, including the entire series of Farscape, but I'm not inclined normally to pick it up, so I was a tad skeptical. The first chapter of this book was a little slow for me, but as the characters developed, I found that I became more and more engrossed with it. The writing is intelligent and hysterical, and the story line is fantastic. The footnotes are the punchline in half of the book, and it's great. I'm not sure how the footnotes read in the physical book, but in the Kindle it's really easy because you just tap on the hyperlink for the note. I found this author's writing to be descriptive in a way to leave you with a great visual, but without going overboard. I'd say that this book would lend itself perfectly to being made into a screenplay, and as a movie, might be in the same genre as "Sean of the Dead" . Perhaps. Regardless. There were a few evenings that I was jumping at the bit to put my toddlers to bed so I could get back to reading this book. I loved every minute of it! I recommend it to anyone. One person found this helpful
4 out of 5 stars A new author worth reading Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. An unusual twist on a familiar sci-fi tale but one that works. I often find myself bogged down by unnecessary technical details. Beta Test is the perfect read for those who enjoy an action story with the sci-fi bent. The language is rough for younger readers but it lends to the credibility of the characters. I think we have all known people like those in this story and can easily relate. The author skillfully gathered the most uncommon band of heroes and drew me in on every page. I also enjoyed the use of footnotes and asides to strengthen characters (I could almost hear the main character narrating the movie version of this book). If you like action mixed with science fiction, read Beta Test. 3 people found this helpful
1 out of 5 stars Tripe Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2012 Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. I have been a science fiction fan for years. I even have taught science fiction at the college level. I had hoped upon opening this book, which was recommended to me by a friend who knows the author personally, that this would be funny and an example of a true science fiction fan converting his love of sci-fi and writing to create something great. I was completely disappointed. The humor in this "book" is childish and simply street level. While the author attempts to be witty and creative it just is unsuccessful. I understand that this is the author's first real publication, but I honestly believe it should be his last.