Is the story funny? Sadly, not really.
Is the writing tedious? Sigh, yes.

Terminal Alliance is another case "it's not the book's fault, it's me". I buy the ebook version because it was on sale and I pick up this to read because I expect the story will be humorous like Scalzi's (even I only read Kaiju Preservation Society). The premise of the "janitors in space" is pretty unique as well. However, the funny things is just how the way human rename themselves like the men choose name Marilyn Monroe, Doctor Curie or Anna May Wong, while the women have name like Wolfgang Mozart. Also, the main character, Marion Adamopolous aka Mops love Jane Austen's books. The other humorous part are basically a pun of sewage and excrement from alien, because you know, the main characters are part of cleaning service. I admit, I don't find it funny.

I actually applause Hines's decision to not info dumping in the first chapters, rather than reveal it bit by bit. But, I admit I'm kinda lost and then my interest just keep waning by each chapter. Mops characterization feel bland, just like your usual captain and I can't find myself to warm and feel connected toward her. The others are 0kay and actually I like Wolfgang (aka Wolf), the glacidae, Grom and Mops' AI monocle, Doc. You can tell that I lost interest because I'm not bothering to thinking why it's only Mops and her janitor crews that save from the virus that turn other human crews in Pufferfish ship to be a mindless zombie (or feral) while the said virus is supposed to be airborne. Maybe it's just for..plot. The last part is actually entertaining to read, despite my waning interest in the book.

Do I want to read the next book? No, I don't think so. The problems that Mops and her crews face in this book is concluded nicely while still open other problems left unsolved. But, since it's hard for me to enjoy the first book and I forced myself to finish Terminal Alliance, I guess me and this series is just don't mean to be.