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Sword of the Bull Mongoni

by James J. Caterino (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 5 ratings · 2 reviews

Tarmok is the last of the Bull Mongoni.

The Bull Mongoni were a fierce and noble species of hominids that once roamed the mountains of Eurasia and the forests of Africa.

"Sword of the Bull Mongoni" opens with Tarmok rescuing an escaped slave girl from the clutches of the notorious Roman General Galvon. Afterwards, he hears a strange and haunting musical voice that captivates...more

Paperback, 128 pages

Published April 11th 2012 by iUniverse

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Mar 14, 2013 Robert Slaven rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I received this book, like many before it recently, through a GoodReads giveaway. It arrived in the mail just days ago and bore a return address label with the author's name on it so I know that they mailed it themselves. This always makes me a bit soft-hearted since I wish to encourage those who are just starting out.

Unfortunately, try as I might, I find precious little to say that would be at all encouraging about this book. The story line is embarrassingly cliche and overly graphic. The writi...more I received this book, like many before it recently, through a GoodReads giveaway. It arrived in the mail just days ago and bore a return address label with the author's name on it so I know that they mailed it themselves. This always makes me a bit soft-hearted since I wish to encourage those who are just starting out.

Unfortunately, try as I might, I find precious little to say that would be at all encouraging about this book. The story line is embarrassingly cliche and overly graphic. The writing is primitive and rife with typographical and editorial errors. When I gave it to my fiancee to look over her exact words were, "Is this written by a fourth-grader?" I'm not sure I'd go quite that far but it did strike me as something Napoleon Dynamite might write. All that's missing is a few ligers.

In an attempt to at least be constructive, since I apparently cannot stretch my writing prowess far enough to be supportive, let me merely make a few suggestions. Firstly, pick better cover art. In today's day and age photoshopping a sword into someone's hand is not sufficient for the cover of a large format book. We can all tell. Secondly, lose the screenplay format. No community theatre in the universe has the budget to enact such a play and no movie company will ever produce this. Ever. For your next story go with a format that readers can actually tolerate and then if it takes off you'll have plenty of time to adapt it for the screen. Lastly, and easier to resolve, STOP capitalizing every fifth word. It's ANNOYING and DISTRACTING even if you are trying to add EMPHASIS to the blood that is constantly SPURTING.

PS: Anybody who wants my signed copy of this just drop me a line with your address and it's yours, no strings attached (Bit surprised though that I've had this offer out there for a while and there are no takers yet).

PPS: I see that the author has published response to this review. I think it important to say that none of this should be taken personally, at least to the extent that such is possible. I provide feedback in the spirit of trying to help and in the hope that future product will be more geared towards a literary readership. Clearly there is an audience for this type of writing and I don't dispute that or attempt to make a mockery of it. This just isn't a work that will appeal to the main stream reader. It is apparent that the author doesn't wish to target that audience and that's completely within his right. I wish him nothing but the best.(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

A few things first in the interest of full disclosure so that you know where I am coming from.

I purchased this book because I am familiar with some of the author's earlier work, including "Gunner Star", a novel from 2004 which is sort of a prequel for both this book and its predecessor "Rise of the Bull Mongoni".

Both "Rise of the Bull Mongoni" and "Sword of the Bull Mongoni" are written in the screenplay format. I read screenplays often. It is a quick, graphic, visual style where structure mean...more A few things first in the interest of full disclosure so that you know where I am coming from.

I purchased this book because I am familiar with some of the author's earlier work, including "Gunner Star", a novel from 2004 which is sort of a prequel for both this book and its predecessor "Rise of the Bull Mongoni".

Both "Rise of the Bull Mongoni" and "Sword of the Bull Mongoni" are written in the screenplay format. I read screenplays often. It is a quick, graphic, visual style where structure means everything and this author knows how to structure a story with an exhilarating sense of pacing and timing. Although I admit I would love to see this book novelized in order to have access to what is happening in the heads of the characters, especially Allie (a great character). But the screenplay format works perfectly with this material.

As the back cover blurb indicates, this is the story of Tarmok, the last of the Bull Mongoni, "The Bull Mongoni were a fierce and noble species of hominids that once roamed the mountains of Eurasia and the forests of Africa". There is a bit of science and anthropology stuff here, but it is always presented in a quick, visual way that keeps the fast paced story moving forward. Many things are hinted at but not fully explained. Part of that is the format and part of it is that I suspect the author intends to keep building the "Bull Mongoni" mythology in future adventures. I hope so!

Tarmok is a wonderful creation and a fearsome character. He was talked about as a historical legend in "Gunner Star" and in "Rise of the Bull Mongoni" his philosophy became the basis of Gunner Star's Bull Mongoni revolution. And now at last, Tarmok has arrived here in our time and he does not like what he sees.

Stylistically the language is wildly over the top and the action very visceral.This is above all a kick ass story with a testosterone overload and it works. But the author does do a great job with all the characters, especially the relationship between Tarmok and Allie. I absolutely loved the makeshift family unit that develops at the Wildlife Sanctuary that Tarmok calls home and I absolutely loved this book.

"Sword of the Bull Mongoni" is a blast of pulpy sci-fi action adventure with a heart.(less)

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Feb 08, 2013 Barry marked it as to-read

Oct 17, 2012 James Caterino rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

Shelves: action-adventure, screenplays, science-nature-philosophy

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About James J. Caterino

James J. Caterino is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He currently writes for Examiner.com and has a blog "The Word of Tarmok" at http://jamescaterino.blogspot.com/

He has been a gravedigger, a steelworker, a football player, a bodybuilder, a stockbroker, a screenwriter, and an author. Books by James J. Caterino include Sword of the Bull Mongoni, Gunner Star, She, Action Figure, All Abou...more

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Gunner Star: The Story of One Man's Escape from Reality

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