Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

Mickey Barnes is having a no good, very bad day. Well, to be precise, Mickey7 is having a no good, very bad day. See, Mickey is an Expendable – the designated redshirt on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a suicide mission that needs doing, they send Mickey. And when Mickey inevitably bites the dust, they just print up a new one with most of his memories intact. It’s a living…sort of.

But Mickey7’s day is about to get a whole lot worse. After a routine scouting mission goes sideways, he returns to the colony base to find Mickey8 has already taken his place. Having two Expendables is strictly verboten – if they’re caught, it’s straight to the recycler to be turned into protein paste. Now Mickey7 has to keep his existence secret while unraveling the mysteries of Niflheim and its natives before the paranoid colony commander gets everyone killed.

Talk about an existential crisis.

A Hilarious Romp Through Deep Space

Edward Ashton’s “Mickey7” is a laugh-out-loud funny sci-fi adventure that tackles big questions about identity and consciousness with a hefty dose of gallows humor. Think “The Martian” meets “Multiplicity”, with a dash of Beckett-esque existential dread thrown in for good measure.

Ashton has a knack for snappy dialogue and perfectly timed comedic beats. The banter between Mickey and his various iterations crackles with wit, even as they contemplate the horrifying implications of their existence. There’s a delightfully madcap energy to the whole affair as Mickey7 and Mickey8 try to maintain their charade while uncovering the secrets of Niflheim.

But for all its humor, “Mickey7” doesn’t shy away from deeper themes. Ashton deftly explores weighty concepts like the nature of consciousness, the ethics of cloning, and humanity’s penchant for colonialism. Mickey’s stream-of-consciousness narration often veers into fascinating asides on history and philosophy. It’s the kind of book that will have you laughing one minute and pondering the meaning of existence the next.

A Protagonist You Can’t Help But Root For

At the heart of the novel is Mickey himself—sardonic, self-deprecating, and utterly relatable despite his bizarre circumstances. Ashton does a masterful job crafting Mickey’s voice, striking just the right balance of world-weary cynicism and stubborn optimism. You can’t help but root for the poor schmuck as he’s sent on one deadly mission after another.

Mickey’s relationship with Nasha, the colony’s combat pilot, provides some of the book’s most poignant moments. Their romance feels refreshingly authentic, filled with awkward fumbling and genuine tenderness. It also raises fascinating questions about love and identity when you’re dating someone who keeps dying and being reborn.

The supporting cast is equally colorful, from the paranoid Commander Marshall to Mickey’s frenemy Berto. Even minor characters feel fully realized, each with their own quirks and motivations. Ashton has a gift for revealing volumes about a character with just a few deft brushstrokes.

A Vividly Realized Alien World

Niflheim itself is practically a character in its own right. Ashton paints a haunting picture of this frozen wasteland and the challenges of surviving there. From the deadly ice crevasses to the mysterious native “creepers”, the planet feels genuinely alien and hostile.

The gradual reveals about Niflheim’s true nature and its inhabitants are perfectly paced, building to some genuinely shocking twists. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say things are not at all what they seem on this frigid world.

Ashton’s world-building extends beyond just Niflheim though. Through Mickey’s reminiscences and historical asides, we get tantalizing glimpses of humanity’s interstellar diaspora. References to failed colonies and apocalyptic wars hint at a rich backstory just begging to be explored further.

A Meditation on What Makes Us Human

At its core, “Mickey7” grapples with that most fundamental of questions – what makes us who we are? If our memories and consciousness can be downloaded and implanted in a new body, are we still the same person? Or just a copy?

Mickey’s existential musings on this topic are both hilarious and profound. His interactions with his various iterations highlight the subtle ways each Mickey diverges based on their experiences. It’s a clever exploration of the nature of consciousness and identity.

The novel also serves as a biting critique of colonialism, drawing parallels between humanity’s expansion to the stars and historical Earth colonization. Mickey’s historical knowledge provides some truly cringe-worthy examples of first contact gone wrong, adding depth to the tense situation on Niflheim.

A Few Minor Quibbles

If I had to nitpick, the pacing in the middle section drags a bit as Mickey and his clone try to maintain their deception. A few too many scenes of the Mickeys awkwardly swapping places started to feel repetitive.

Additionally, some readers may find the frequent historical and philosophical digressions distracting from the main plot. Personally, I found them fascinating, but your mileage may vary.

These are minor gripes though in an otherwise stellar read. Ashton’s prose flows effortlessly, striking a perfect balance between humor and pathos. The climax is genuinely thrilling, bringing together all the novel’s threads for a satisfying conclusion while still leaving room for potential sequels.

A Promising New Voice in Science Fiction

“Mickey7” is Ashton’s third novel, following “Three Days in April” and “The End of Ordinary”. While those earlier works showed promise, “Mickey7” feels like a true breakout – the work of an author really hitting their stride.

Fans of Andy Weir, John Scalzi, and Becky Chambers will find a lot to love here. Ashton brings a similarly irreverent sense of humor to his sci-fi, grounding cosmic concepts in relatable human experiences.

The novel also bears some thematic similarities to Ann Leckie’s “Ancillary Justice” in its exploration of distributed consciousness, though with a much lighter touch. Readers who enjoyed the philosophical musings of “The Dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin might also appreciate Mickey’s frequent deep dives into ethics and metaphysics.

Final Verdict: A Must-Read Sci-Fi Comedy

“Mickey7” is that rare sci-fi novel that manages to be both uproariously funny and genuinely thought-provoking. Ashton has crafted a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end, while also giving you plenty to ponder long after you’ve finished.

With its blend of humor, heart, and heady concepts, “Mickey7” feels like the start of something special. I, for one, can’t wait to see where Ashton takes this universe (and poor Mickey) next. Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or just looking for a clever, entertaining read, “Mickey7” is well worth your time.

So grab a copy, strap in, and get ready for a wild ride through the cosmos. Just try not to think too hard about how many times you’ve died along the way.