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Joshua Gayou
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Worldship: Udo the Digger: (Worldship Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Joshua Gayou (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 179 ratings
Their world isn't quite what it seems. It might not be a world at all...

Udo's biggest problem isn't being a digger (that's low class), or staying drunk (that's damn expensive), or avoiding the Dwergaz (they're monsters), or even pissing off the supposed Gods.

It's that his reality... well, it isn't what he thought.

And now, he can't even afford to drink because his so-called friend Nicz is cutting into his business, digging up tin, iron, and copper. So Udo forms a new plan: clay. After all, clay jars are used to store everything: meat, herbs, and, his personal favorite, ale.

But in his hunt for clay, Udo drills too far, is captured by the Dwergaz, and brought to the goddess Ing–or what he believes is a goddess. As Udo digs deeper into his world, and not just by digging holes, what he discovers is far beyond mountains and gods and monsters.

There may be other worlds beyond his. Worlds surrounding other stars. In fact, his own home may not be a world at all.

Udo the Digger bends the tropes of science fiction and fantasy into a wild adventure that will amuse and surprise even veterans of both genres. It's perfect for fans of Arthur C. Clarke's Rama, Horizon Zero Dawn, Aurora, and Book of the Long Sun.

Also available on Audible narrated by R.C. Bray (The Martian, Hell Divers, Commune).
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Worldship
  2. Print length
    450 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    May 26, 2020
  5. File size
    5.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joshua Gayou lives in Southern California with his wife Jennifer and son Anthony.

When he isn’t writing, he divides his time between being a senior engineer at a prominent In Flight Entertainment (IFE) company, accomplishing tasks around the house as assigned by his wife (The Boss), building stuff out in his wood shop, playing board games with his kid, and whatever else his twisted little mind takes an interest in.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0862GKH8T
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aethon Books (May 26, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 450 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 179 ratings

About the author

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Joshua Gayou

Joshua Gayou

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Joshua Gayou lives in Southern California with his wife Jennifer and son Anthony.

When he isn’t writing, he divides his time between being a senior engineer at a prominent In Flight Entertainment (IFE) company, accomplishing tasks around the house as assigned by his wife (The Boss), building stuff out in his wood shop, playing board games with his kid, and whatever else his twisted little mind takes an interest in.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
179 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and consider it worth the money. They appreciate the premise, with one customer highlighting its wonderful and interesting concept.

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4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and worth their time.

"I REALLY enjoyed this book! Im currently self quarantined in Florida. This book actually made forget about COVID-19 for hours!..." Read more

"Slow Start, but once you get into it, very entertaining" Read more

"Fantastic!!!!!" Read more

"Great book and premise!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Premise"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the premise of the book, with one mentioning its wonderful and interesting concept, while another appreciates the rich storytelling and the twist at the end.

"Great character development and a wonderful interesting premise. Loved the twist at the end. Can't wait to read the next one!" Read more

"...And I hate you for it. On to the book; rich story telling, complex characters, the typical works you'd expect to find in Gayou's stories...." Read more

"...The ending is both anticlimactic and intriguing, leaving you eager for the next book. As always, Gayou does not disappoint." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • DeJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Step Apart
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Worldship was not what I was expecting. That the parenthetical says it's Book 1, I expect there will be more tales that will open our eyes to this unexpected realm.
    Udo's story, in the beginning, gives us the impression that this is some medieval Germanic or Nordic tale, but there are hints that take a while to register. For Udo, this is a medieval tale because Erde is all he knows; however, as his world view broadens, we are introduced to even more about the true nature of Erde and its inhabitants.
    Udo is just about the lowest caste in his society. He is shunned by everyone, except the prostitutes who are willing to take his money and the tavern keepers who are willing to provide drink for money as long as Udo stays out of sight of more favored company. His world begins to change when, through circumstance purposely vague, he meets the goddess, Ing.
    Ing (aka Irpitia) gives him diamonds on the backs of his hands, she calls him her son, and tasks him with the care of another son whom Udo names Reise. Where Udo describes himself as short, Reise is described as a giant. Where Udo is calloused, physically and mentally, Reise is an innocent. Through Reise, Udo's life and fortunes begin to improve. We see that the vision of himself that he allows us to see is not really the man he is.
    As Udo's story opens up, our understanding of what Erde and it's "gods" really is expands as well. His relationship with Reise (and before that, his donkey, Ambrosius) tells us Udo's true nature.
    The ending is a cliffhanger that makes us want to know more about Erde and all its inhabitants--to unravel more of the mystery that begins with Udo the Digger.
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  • Krystn Elizabeth Hood
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gayou's foray into fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2020
    I've listened to every book Josh has written, starting with Commune 1-4, then All Gifts Bestowed. I guess the first thing to note here is that AGB was wholly different from Commune, and Udo is wholly different from Commune and AGB. I don't know if Josh is trying to avoid being pigeonholed into a certain niche, if he's trying to find his niche, or if he just wants to write what he wants to write. I don't say this is a negative at all - just be aware that the thematically, this is a new beast.

    To start off with, I'm not the biggest fantasy person. I like a "Hell Divers" flavor of sci-fi. Udo was outside my comfort zone, which is partly why I read it. So big questions first. Was it good? Yes. Would I buy the sequel? I feel like I have to. Would I recommend it? Yes.

    The description from the book that says "There may be other worlds beyond his. Worlds surrounding other stars. In fact, his own home may not be a world at all"? Udo pretty much lays the groundwork for that snippet, but with a clear understanding that there is much more story to come. There isn't any kind of "gives away the whole punchline" sort of moment in the book. Sure, there are a couple of important revelations, but Josh has written a story that *follows* Udo's story rather than rushing it. Like other reviewers have said, I can't really get into specifics without including spoilers, but by the end of the book, you definitely have a "oh holy crap" moment that makes you ready for book two.

    Is this in the running to be the new #1 favorite book of my life? No, hence the 4 stars. However, Udo is a fun read that had me laughing at several points along the way, and I'm genuinely curious to see how the story plays out.

    Note: I was provided with an advance copy of this title for review purposes.
    Other note: I already bought the audiobook because, Gayou + Bray = auditory crack.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • JR
    3.0 out of 5 stars Rough start to a promising idea.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2020
    Udo is a digger. Diggers are at the bottom of the social ladder. Therefore Udo is poor. Udo doesn’t want to be poor, so he devises a way to not be poor. Insert some crude humor here and there, along with a lot of world building and attempted character building, and you have the first book in this series.

    I say “attempted,” because I didn’t care for anyone in this book (except maybe a donkey,) even though I feel I should have. The protagonist is rather unlikeable (maybe that’s on purpose?)

    I want to like this book. I like the idea. It’s not fantasy. It’s a medieval/science fiction mashup at best, and if you hadn’t devised the location of the story by the title, you understand a few chapters in.

    This book shouldn’t have been the first complete book in the series. I feel it could have been edited down and been the first half, at most, of the larger story. The story quite literally just stops. There’s a minor cliffhanger but nothing mind blowing or unexpected. The author says it through Udo: “So it is good that I stop here. It’s not much of a climax, I guess, but then I’m not much of a storyteller...”

    I shook my head as I read that line.

    All that being said, I will more than likely continue the series, as I am intrigued by the ideas at play. I just hope the next installment is better.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and premise!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great character development and a wonderful interesting premise. Loved the twist at the end. Can't wait to read the next one!
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  • NoBS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really, Gayou?
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If you aren't familiar with Gayou's titles, I cannot recommend them enough. This one included.

    But seriously?! Joshua, can I call you Joshua, I feel like that's impolite but I've invested quite a few emotions into your stories over the years and I feel like it's only fair. But Joshua, your cliffhanger game is immaculate. And I hate you for it.

    On to the book; rich story telling, complex characters, the typical works you'd expect to find in Gayou's stories. Also available with the option to listen to R. C. Bray. Perfection!

    Caveat, the story features dark elements. Grimdark is practically a hallmark of Gayou, and if it doesn't start there, it will get there. There's also a lot of narrative that may seem pointless now, but will come into play again in later installments, our at least it has in the past so don't criticize on that until the series has ended.

    Enjoy the read/listen!
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dave
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The book was very different than most of what I have come across recently. It drew me in right from the start and kept my interest throughout as it gradually allowed you to see Udo’s world. I will be waiting for book 2.
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