What do readers think of The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy? Write your own review.

Wow! What a hilariously irreverent but fun thriller about a heavy metal band in the late 1980s being recruited by the CIA to “topple the Eastern Bloc through the power of rock.” Strange and weird premise but it works! The author has created a great character in Richard Henderson aka “Rikki Thunder”. He’s a sweet guy who’s just looking for love and acceptance but on a dead end course with his current band, Qyksand, when he’s unwittingly recruited by Tawny Spice (undercover CIA operative, Amanda Price) to replace the drummer of the up-and-coming Whyte Python, a glam-pop band, and who eventually gets the band on a “youth corrupting” world tour of Soviet bloc countries.

The humor is tongue-in-check as the band is a group of misfits as are the CIA operatives - think the Apple series, Slow Horses, if you’ve seen it, with its MI15 misfits and you get the idea of the humor! I laughed so many times but there is also a seriousness to the story in how Rikki grows up and how he gains acceptance with his new band. The Whyte Python band has some crazy characters too whom you grow to love. I really enjoyed this ARC from Penguin Books. I highly recommend it.

The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy is a fun caper about a struggling, but talented drummer in a small time metal band. All RIkki Thunder has ever wanted to do is make music and his band is desperately trying to make a name for themselves in L.A. One night after a show, Rikki meets Tawny Spice, a groupie/CIA operative, who quickly becomes his girlfriend & RIkki's life takes on an unexpected trajectory.

Through a fortuitous (although suspect) turn of events, RIkki is the new drummer in a successful metal band, Whyte Python, and embarking on a world tour to eastern bloc countries and, unbeknownst to everyone but RIkki, influencing the nascent youth revolution taking place in those countries through their music. Of course, things don't go exactly as planned, and the mission gets dangerous.

Who is the mole? Does the band stay together? You'll have to read to find out!

Perfect for anyone who likes rock and roll with a side of espionage!

I was anxious to read this book as I love when the topic is music/bands/1980's. The beginning of the book reeled me in but then I did feel after the CIA got more involved it became more hard to follow. I know these circumstances fit the history at the time but there were so many characters thrown in that it became hard to follow. But I did enjoy it after all and really dig Travis' prose and look forward to his future work as well. I really did like the way this book ended because it wasn't at all predictable or pathetic. Rock on!

An amusing and well-written tale of rock music and the fall of the eastern bloc in the 80s. T Rikki Thunder,Tawny Spice, and Whyte Python are fantastic stand-ins for the heavy metal scene. Enjoyed that the power ballad turned out to be their biggest hit (which, the band mates note, is a cliche). Book also speaks to the power of music as a common language.

I enjoyed being immersed in the 80s rock scene as well as the intrigue of the CIA in the Cold War. The short chapters kept me turning the pages. This was an adventure with many light-hearted and laugh-out-loud satirical moments. Although the book was on the lighter side there was some emotional depth as well. I found the book to be unique, with a well-written plot and a satisfying ending. I'm glad I read it.

It was a fun read with entertaining characters and humorous dialogue. It was an interesting premise for a covert operation if a bit unbelievable but it added to the absurd antics. There was a nostalgic view of metal (don‘t say hair) bands and some old school Cold War times. If a story about a rock and roll spy working with a group of CIA operatives on probation to end communism in the Eastern Bloc through music and T-shirts is your kind of story, this is the book for you!

The Whyte Python World Tour was not what I had expected. I enjoyed this book even though sometimes the writing felt forced. I like the main character Rikki Thunder a lot and felt he had depth and became a likable character. The writing creates a vivid picture in your head of what the characters are experiencing and their surroundings. I think this is a good book for anyone that enjoys fiction with a twist; this is not really a book about a band.

How did the author ever dream up such a fun adventure! I always enjoy books with unique and quirky characters and this story was no exception. I was happy to be taken on the ride and look forward to more of his writing.