📖 Overview
Robert Kroese is an American author known for writing humorous science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels. His work often combines elements of satire and philosophical themes with genre fiction storytelling.
Kroese's most recognized series includes Mercury Falls, a comedic urban fantasy about a reporter who becomes entangled with angels and demons, and his Rex Nihilo space opera series, which parodies classic science fiction tropes. He gained additional recognition for his Starship Grifters series, which combines science fiction with comedy and noir elements.
His writing style draws influence from authors like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, incorporating absurdist humor while exploring deeper themes about consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality. His novel "Schrodinger's Gat" notably weaves quantum physics concepts into a noir thriller framework.
Beyond fiction, Kroese has written works examining philosophical and religious topics, including "The Robot's Rebellion" and discussions of artificial intelligence. He maintains an active online presence through his blog and social media, where he engages with readers about writing, philosophy, and technology.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Kroese's blend of humor with complex ideas, particularly in his Mercury series and science fiction works. Many reviews point to his ability to make philosophical concepts accessible through comedy, with Amazon reviewers often comparing his style to Douglas Adams.
Readers liked:
- Smart humor that doesn't rely on cheap jokes
- Clear explanations of complex scientific concepts
- Fast-paced plotting
- Character development across series
- Consistent quality across different genres
Readers disliked:
- Some jokes can feel forced
- Plot resolutions sometimes too convenient
- Occasional overuse of meta-references
- Philosophical tangents that slow the pacing
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.3/5 average across titles
Goodreads: 3.9/5 overall author rating
- Mercury Falls: 3.8/5 (12,000+ ratings)
- Starship Grifters: 4.1/5 (3,000+ ratings)
- Schrodinger's Gat: 4.0/5 (1,500+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Like Adams writing noir fiction while explaining quantum mechanics." Another: "Smart without being pretentious, funny without being silly."
📚 Books by Robert Kroese
Mercury Falls - A hapless journalist becomes entangled with angels and demons during the impending apocalypse.
Mercury Rises - The story continues as Christine Temetri investigates a mysterious stone tablet and its connection to Biblical events.
Mercury Rests - Christine and Mercury face their final battle against forces attempting to trigger the apocalypse.
Distopia - A man wakes up in a future Los Angeles with no memories and discovers he's being hunted by the Department of Preservation.
City of Sand - A detective investigates a murder in a Las Vegas-like city where reality itself seems to be breaking down.
Schrodinger's Gat - A time-travel noir following an investigator who discovers quantum physics may determine human free will.
The Big Sheep - A genetically enhanced detective takes on a case involving a missing sheep in a near-future Los Angeles.
The Last Iota - The sequel to The Big Sheep explores cryptocurrency and reality TV in a dystopian Los Angeles.
Dream of the Iron Dragon - Time-traveling astronauts become stranded in Viking-age Norway and must build a spacecraft using medieval technology.
Iron Dragons Rising - The stranded astronauts continue their mission while navigating Norse politics and preparing for an alien invasion.
The Dawn of the Iron Dragon - The Viking-era trilogy concludes as the crew races to complete their spacecraft before the alien arrival.
Starship Grifters - A con man navigates space adventures while trying to escape both the law and his robot companion's sarcasm.
Out of the Soylent Planet - Rex Nihilo returns for another space adventure involving a mysterious planet and corporate intrigue.
Aye Robot - The third Rex Nihilo adventure involves artificial intelligence and interstellar banking schemes.
Mercury Rises - The story continues as Christine Temetri investigates a mysterious stone tablet and its connection to Biblical events.
Mercury Rests - Christine and Mercury face their final battle against forces attempting to trigger the apocalypse.
Distopia - A man wakes up in a future Los Angeles with no memories and discovers he's being hunted by the Department of Preservation.
City of Sand - A detective investigates a murder in a Las Vegas-like city where reality itself seems to be breaking down.
Schrodinger's Gat - A time-travel noir following an investigator who discovers quantum physics may determine human free will.
The Big Sheep - A genetically enhanced detective takes on a case involving a missing sheep in a near-future Los Angeles.
The Last Iota - The sequel to The Big Sheep explores cryptocurrency and reality TV in a dystopian Los Angeles.
Dream of the Iron Dragon - Time-traveling astronauts become stranded in Viking-age Norway and must build a spacecraft using medieval technology.
Iron Dragons Rising - The stranded astronauts continue their mission while navigating Norse politics and preparing for an alien invasion.
The Dawn of the Iron Dragon - The Viking-era trilogy concludes as the crew races to complete their spacecraft before the alien arrival.
Starship Grifters - A con man navigates space adventures while trying to escape both the law and his robot companion's sarcasm.
Out of the Soylent Planet - Rex Nihilo returns for another space adventure involving a mysterious planet and corporate intrigue.
Aye Robot - The third Rex Nihilo adventure involves artificial intelligence and interstellar banking schemes.
👥 Similar authors
Douglas Adams writes science fiction with absurdist humor and interconnected plot threads that reveal deeper meanings. His Hitchhiker's Guide series shares Kroese's mix of philosophical concepts with comedic storytelling.
Christopher Moore combines supernatural elements with satirical commentary on modern society and religion. His narrative style incorporates similar irreverent humor and genre-bending approaches as found in Kroese's work.
A. Lee Martinez creates fantasy and science fiction tales featuring unlikely heroes in bizarre situations. His books contain comparable elements of metafiction and dry wit while exploring existential themes.
Terry Pratchett crafts intricate fantasy worlds that use humor to examine human nature and societal structures. His Discworld series parallels Kroese's approach of using comedy to address philosophical questions.
John Scalzi writes science fiction that balances action with social commentary and sardonic humor. His Old Man's War series shares similar traits in combining big ideas with accessible storytelling.
Christopher Moore combines supernatural elements with satirical commentary on modern society and religion. His narrative style incorporates similar irreverent humor and genre-bending approaches as found in Kroese's work.
A. Lee Martinez creates fantasy and science fiction tales featuring unlikely heroes in bizarre situations. His books contain comparable elements of metafiction and dry wit while exploring existential themes.
Terry Pratchett crafts intricate fantasy worlds that use humor to examine human nature and societal structures. His Discworld series parallels Kroese's approach of using comedy to address philosophical questions.
John Scalzi writes science fiction that balances action with social commentary and sardonic humor. His Old Man's War series shares similar traits in combining big ideas with accessible storytelling.