# Screw the Galaxy

By Steven Campbell · Hard Luck Hank, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/screw-the-galaxy-54e4d161/

On the criminal space station Belvaille, Hank makes his living negotiating between gangs. His mutation lets him survive punishment that would end most arguments. A mysterious woman's job offer brings trouble on a scale the station isn't used to.

## What makes it funny?

Hank saves himself a walk to the stairs by dropping fifty feet onto a metal sidewalk. Landing on his head earns little more than a complaint. His approach to convenience makes sense only for someone built to survive it.

### The comedy at work

Being hard to injure changes Hank's idea of an ordinary working day. It also lets Campbell put him through extravagant physical trouble while leaving him problems that toughness alone can't settle.

### Try this if…

Gritty action comedy with a criminal protagonist is the appeal. Book-group readers describe the books as fun, original and easy to read, though some were lukewarm on this first installment.

### Good to know

The Book Roulette reviewer preferred the station-level action to the later shift toward space opera. Book-group readers say the series improves as it goes, while recommending starting here.

## What to expect

- Genre: Science fiction
- On the shelf: Space opera
- Kind of humor: Dry wit · Situational comedy
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2013

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Death Is Bad review](https://deathisbadblog.com/sf-f-review-hard-luck-hank-screw-the-galaxy)
- Review: [Book Roulette review](https://bookroulette.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/steven-campbells-hard-luck-hank-screw-the-galaxy)
- Library catalog: [Google Books record](https://books.google.com/books/about/Hard_Luck_Hank.html?id=x25MnwEACAAJ)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/LitRPG.books/permalink/4691482920875007)
- Book information: [Series bibliography](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/steven-campbell/screw-the-galaxy.htm)