Waypoint Kangaroo by Curtis C. Chen

Book Description

Kangaroo isn’t your typical spy. Sure, he has extensive agency training, access to bleeding-edge technology, and a ready supply of quips and retorts. But what sets him apart is the pocket: a portal that opens into an empty, seemingly infinite, parallel universe. Kangaroo is the only person in the world who can use the pocket, and he’s pretty sure his agency only keeps him around to exploit this superpower for their own purposes.

After he bungles yet another mission, Kangaroo gets sent away on a mandatory “vacation.” While trying to make the most of his exile aboard an interplanetary cruise to Mars, two passengers are found dead, and Kangaroo risks blowing his cover to investigate. However, it turns out he’s not the only spy on the ship-and he’s just starting to realize that there is a massive conspiracy to unravel.

Review

I have a soft spot for books that make me laugh out loud. Curtis C. Chen’s author’s edition of Waypoint Kangaroo did just that.

The novel is a smart, fast-paced space spy adventure with just the right amount of chaos, character-driven charm, and comic relief. It’s Murderbot meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, with a healthy dose of awkward relatability.

Evan “Kangaroo” Rogers isn’t your typical secret agent. He’s got a special ability, but he’s also got a kind of bumbling, hapless energy. It makes him feel like your well-meaning friend who accidentally spills the beans during a covert operation.

I found Kangaroo utterly endearing. His combination of competence and chaos gives the story heart while keeping the stakes refreshingly human, even in the middle of interplanetary intrigue and murder investigations. The dialogue, pacing, and world building are terrific. Prepare to laugh: Chen’s wit shines through every scene.

Now, I admit I *might* have a positive bias toward this story. Chen is a fellow Rainforest Writer, and I’ve been lucky enough to cross creative paths with him in person. But knowing Chen only made reading Waypoint Kangaroo more delightful.

Note, Thomas Dunne Books originally published the novel in 2016. I don’t know what changed between the original and the author’s edition Chen put out in 2024 (other than page count) so this review is for the newer edition.

Waypoint Kangaroo is an action-packed romp through space that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And it delivers a fun story with emotional depth and clever world-building. Give Waypoint Kangaroo a read, and then come back and tell me what you would stash in your pocket dimension!

Content Warning

Alcohol, Blood, Death, Mild Language, Murder, Trauma, Violence, War

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Олег Мороз on Unsplash