Read Mickey7 by Edward Ashton before the new film!
I just finished Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. It wasn’t flawless, but it was a great book that explores identity, humanity, philosophy, morality, and a whole load of other good stuff.
If that sounds a bit too deep or serious, I would add that Mickey7 is also a witty, lighthearted romp through a bleak future that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The result is an enjoyable and engaging read that feels like The Martian meets Altered Carbon.
Which is a great combo.
A Spoiler-Free Overview
Mickey7 introduces us to Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” human working on the harsh, icy colony planet of Niflheim. Quite often they are conscripted or a criminal because as jobs go, it really, really, suck.
This idea isn’t new – see, for example The Expendables by Edmond Cooper written in the 1970s (also a lot of fun although I haven’t read them in 40 years). But there is twist.
Expendables are the ones sent to handle dangerous tasks because, well, their deaths aren’t exactly permanent. Mickey7, the seventh iteration of Mickey, is resurrected every time he dies, with his memories intact. Or at least up until his mind was last uploaded. Given that he signed up for this, he has to risk his life and die with no real say in the matter. To make things worse, setting up a new colony has a lot of dangerous jobs. Some of his death are pretty unpleasant.
It’s a grim setup, and it is a bit dark when you think about it, but Ashton injects the story with humor and humanity, as Mickey grapples with being both disposable and indispensable to the colony’s survival.
Is Mickey7 worth a read?
First off, Mickey7 is undeniably fun. Ashton’s prose is brisk and conversational, peppered with Mickey’s sardonic wit that keeps the tone from becoming too grim despite the dire circumstances. It really reminded me of Andy Weir’s The Martian or Project Hail Mary.
However, it’s not a dense or hard sci-fi story; instead, it’s an accessible, character-driven tale with a dash of philosophical intrigue. Mickey is an immensely relatable protagonist, and comes across as a kind of likeable loser. His wry commentary on the absurdities of his existence and his reflections on identity and self-worth make him a compelling, if somewhat self-deprecating, guide to his grim life and how humanity has fared more generally.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to pose big questions without feeling heavy-handed. The concept of expendables opens the door to debates about what makes us human, the ethics of cloning, and whether our consciousness is more than just a collection of memories. Yet these questions are often left simmering in the background, allowing readers to chew on them at their own pace rather than being lectured. It did remind me of multiple drunken conversations I have had in pubs about whether the trasporter in Star Trek is essentially killing people and creating identical ones (it totally is and I don’t care what you say).
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The plot, while serviceable, isn’t particularly deep or complex. Some readers might find the stakes less than gripping, especially compared to more action-driven science fiction. I was hoping for a bit more from the climax, even if the ending does actually make a lot of sense.
The supporting cast, too, can feel underdeveloped, as the focus remains squarely on Mickey’s ongoing inner turmoil and dry humor. He has a decent character arc, but the rest of the characters… not so much. While this works for the lighthearted tone Ashton is aiming for, it does leave the narrative feeling a bit shallow for those craving intricate worldbuilding or character dynamics. It is definitely not a deal breaker though.
Mickey7 is more about the personal, human (or constructed human?) experience in a believable science fiction setting. The book is told from a first-person perspective, which allows for a lot of introspection and humour. Again – like Andy Weir.
Conclusion: Give it a go before the film comes out.
Mickey7 has been sitting on my Kindle for ages. I had bought it before I even knew a film was coming out as it had great reviews and seemed exactly like something I’d enjoy. But a film is coming out and it looks like some things will change. For one, it is called Mickey 17, which implies an amusing montage of death scenes. I also suspect, having watched the trailer, it will have more action and bigger more exciting ending.
While Mickey7 may not be the most profound or action-packed sci-fi book you’ll read this year, it doesn’t need to be. Edward Ashton delivers a story that’s witty, thoughtful, and immensely readable, with a protagonist who’s as likeable as he is expendable. It’s a book that reminds us that science fiction can be both philosophical and fun. I read it in a couple of days while on a beach in Thailand. I highly recommend doing the same.
If you’re in the mood for light science fiction that doesn’t shy away from big questions, Mickey7 is a great pick. It’s perfect for fans of books like The Martian or Redshirts. I should add that I loved The Martian but was left a bit cold on Redshirts as it was a little too meta. This is nearer The Martian end of my did-I-like-it spectrum. Give it a go before the film comes out so you be superior and say snobby stuff like the book was better. Because it often is.
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