The Shootout Solution: Genrenauts Episode 1

by Michael R. Underwood

Overview

When Stories Break, You Send in the Genrenauts.
Struggling stand-up comic Leah Tang is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the Genrenauts, a secret organization of dimensional travelers. Leah learns that our world is just one of many, and every other world is the home of a story genre — Science Fiction or Romance, Fantasy or Western — populated by archetypal characters and constantly playing out familiar stories.

The Genrenauts’ mission: find and fix broken stories. If they fail, the ripples from the story worlds will cause havoc and devastation on their home world.

Leah joins the team as they travel to Western World to stop a bandit posse on the rampage. But the Western's hero isn't interested in winning, and the safety of Earth hangs in the balance...

The first episode of the exciting science fiction novella series. If you like Leverage, Redshirts, or Quantum Leap, check out Genrenauts for a brand-new adventure.



PRAISE FOR THE SHOOTOUT SOLUTION

"If you like the TV show Leverage or the books of Jasper Fforde, Genrenauts is absolutely the series for you. Exploring genre tropes while saving the world has never been more fun." — Between the Covers

"Who hasn't wanted to imagine themselves parachuting into a story gone wrong and putting it back on track? It's storytelling as heroism, genre savviness as power. Endless fun. Catnip for genre geeks." — Marie Brennan, World Fantasy nominated author of A Natural History of Dragons

“A clever, exciting, and seriously fun twist on portal fantasy that sends a geeky stand-up comedian into the Wild West. Sign me up to be a Genrenaut, too!” —Delilah S. Dawson, author of the Blud series and Hit

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765385321
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/17/2015
Series:	Genrenauts , #1
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Michael R. Underwood has circumnavigated the globe, danced the tango with legends and knows why Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro. He also rolls a mean d20. His novels include Geekomancy, Celebromancy and Shield and Crocus. He lives in Baltimore with his wife and an ever-growing library, and when he's not writing/gaming/living the dream he's the North American Sales and Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books.

He's also part of the Hugo-nominated podcast, The Skiffy and Fanty Show.

Editorial Reviews

"A Tardis of a novella, The Shootout Solution is packed full of ideas... The possibilities are endless... Tor.com continues to blaze a bookish trail in terms of both originality and diversity. More like this, please."
- Geek Syndicate

"Snappy dialogue, twisting plot turns, and efficiently written action scenes combine with a strongly realized protagonist that reminds me of a old friend from my art school days, not a cardboard cut-out of the “strong female character” trope."
- Polychromantium

"The entire book is just FUN"
- Page Turners Inc.

"A wonderfully executed idea that uses the strengths and background of the writer to great effect… An excellent start to an exciting series, and another highlight of Tor’s novella program.”
- SF Signal

"The Shootout Solution is Genre blending fun."
- Fangirl Nation

“I enjoyed this book tremendously. Leah is a smart, savvy, snarky young woman whose character nicely balances the calm goodheartedness of Shirin, the experienced competency of King, and the attractive cockiness of Roman. They make a great team.”
- Fang Fiction

"We like nerdy Leah and were able to immediately identify with her. She should return for many more episodes!"
- Bull Spec

"I can see this really appealing to readers who are into browsing TV Tropes, or who liked Ready Player One but want a more satisfying experience."
- One Last Sketch

"The concept of Genrenauts is awesome."
- The Book Plank

"It’s told with a light touch — the debt to Leverage and The Librarians is obvious (and readily acknowledged), with a good dose of action, a hint of a looming catastrophe/conspiracy. There’s a good deal of literary/narrative theory under-girding this whole project — it’s not as frivolous as it may seem."
- Irresponsible Reader

"It’s got a clever, rather cool central idea. It has a plot built around that which keeps up suspense, whilst giving you a protagonist to care about, portrayed well, in a world which feels believable – perhaps by virtue of the setting for that world. I’d like to see more of all of the characters, and really, more of the setting in general, but that’s more recommendation than complaint!"
- SF & F reviews

From the Publisher

11/15/2015
Stand-up comedians such as Leah Tang have to have a certain flexibility when they are on stage, especially when an act falls flat, as Leah's seems to more often lately. That flexible, just-go-with-it spirit is something highly desired by the mysterious group called the Genrenauts. Leah is recruited into their ranks and immediately sent on a mission. It seems that there are story worlds out there, and when things go off the rails in those realms, the effects spill out into our own. The Western hemisphere is currently broken, causing outbreaks of violence and vigilantism on Earth, so Leah and her new teammates are sent in to set things right. VERDICT This is fun, if extremely lightweight fare from Underwood (Geekomancy), who doesn't dwell on the whys and wherefores of his worldbuilding but instead rockets along on the action of the plot. Luckily, the brief length means that the cute premise doesn't get tired. Readers will be looking forward to Leah and company's next trip to a story world.—MM

Library Journal