Whenever I see a new trailer for a film or series, my first thought is: Is it based on a book? I always prefer to read the source material first and then, if I enjoy it, watch the cinematic version. That was exactly the case with the movie “Mickey 17”, which prompted me to read the novel it’s based on: Edward Ashton’s “Mickey7”.

“Mickey7” follows Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” on a human expedition attempting to colonize the hostile ice world of Niflheim. His job is to undertake the colony’s most dangerous, often suicidal, missions. When he dies, a new clone of him is generated with most of his memories intact, essentially making him immortal—though he’s now on his seventh life.

The main plot begins when Mickey7 is presumed dead after a mission, and a new clone, Mickey8, is created. When Mickey7 unexpectedly survives and returns to base, an illegal and potentially fatal situation arises. Now, with two versions of the same person existing simultaneously, the two Mickeys must try to keep their existence a secret from the rest of the struggling colony as they deal with a hostile alien environment.

I was immediately hooked by the fascinating premise of the regenerating “Expendable” clone and the ethical questions of identity and expendability it brings with it. I loved the book’s fast-paced, humorous, and satirical tone, finding the main character’s cynical voice both witty and relatable. Still, I have one big issue: the unique crisis of Mickey7 and Mickey8 co-existing should have been the main event, yet it felt underdeveloped. Instead, the story pivoted to a “colonists versus aliens” plot (with some interesting reflections about the challenges of interspecies communication). This shift, combined with a lack of mounting central conflict as the end neared, made me feel I was reading the first installment of a series rather than a self-contained story. Ultimately, I felt the book concluded too abruptly, and a few more chapters would have been needed to deliver a truly satisfying climax and resolution.

The question now is: will I go watch the film? My answer is yes. Despite my critique, the book did create an interesting imaginary world, and I’m very curious to see how the director of “Mickey 17” has brought that specific vision to life. As for a final rating, I’m torn between a high 7 and a low 8… For the record, I’ll settle on a 7 on 10.

– S –

Note: If you are looking for more from this world, Edward Ashton published a follow-up in 2023, “Antimatter Blues: A Mickey7 Novel,” which follows Mickey’s journey two years later.