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Dead Dwarves Don't Dance
Noose, a genetically engineered dwarf mercenary, barely survives a terrorist attack on a neohuman dance club. Injured and alone, he embarks on a brutal quest for vengeance into the squalid underbelly of the Regional Atlanta Metroplex, through the desert wasteland of the not-so-pristine wilderness, and to the peerless towers of elite society.
The year is 2134. The nations of previous centuries are gone, consumed by the United Globe government. Citizens are confined to vast metroplexes while the rest of Earth is restored to wilderness. Neohumans are grown in vats, each type genetically engineered to serve humanity – flawless pleasers for gratification and ecstasy, hulking goons for war and violence, accidental psykers wreaking havoc, and more of any shape and size imaginable.
An action-packed, hard-boiled science fiction novel of redemption and revenge.
The year is 2134. The nations of previous centuries are gone, consumed by the United Globe government. Citizens are confined to vast metroplexes while the rest of Earth is restored to wilderness. Neohumans are grown in vats, each type genetically engineered to serve humanity – flawless pleasers for gratification and ecstasy, hulking goons for war and violence, accidental psykers wreaking havoc, and more of any shape and size imaginable.
An action-packed, hard-boiled science fiction novel of redemption and revenge.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2010
16 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Derek J. Canyon
11 books8 followersDerek J. Canyon is a young adult and science fiction author living in the perilous wilderness east of Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 18, 2011
this book delves into the racial questions that would arise from a manufactured/engineered form of humanity. it's best to accept the implausible and enjoy the book
June 1, 2011
The Author said on his blog that the goal of this novel was to be 'Fun.' He was successful.
This is not the second coming of Phillip K. Dick but instead is a fast paced, high octane, and video game tier violent read.
Some characters work better than others, thankfully the protagonist, Noose, works best. The characters are not as dynamic as they could be, I hope that future installments improve on this front.
The book features all the strengths and weaknesses of the thriller genre with loads of excitement and also a predictably shark jumping series of twists leading up to the end.
The first act was not as well written as the second, and the third felt a tad rushed. I also loved how the mode of investigation often boiled down to mind reading and checking a suspect caller ID.
The world that the story takes place in is a strength of the novel. It provides a solid backbone for the events that take place and the plot makes good sense within the context of the universe.
It is not a long read, but I felt I got my money's worth.
If you like cyber punk, action, and the thriller genre than feel comfortable supporting this self published indie author's debut novel.
For adults and young adults 17 on up with violence and suggestive themes.
This is not the second coming of Phillip K. Dick but instead is a fast paced, high octane, and video game tier violent read.
Some characters work better than others, thankfully the protagonist, Noose, works best. The characters are not as dynamic as they could be, I hope that future installments improve on this front.
The book features all the strengths and weaknesses of the thriller genre with loads of excitement and also a predictably shark jumping series of twists leading up to the end.
The first act was not as well written as the second, and the third felt a tad rushed. I also loved how the mode of investigation often boiled down to mind reading and checking a suspect caller ID.
The world that the story takes place in is a strength of the novel. It provides a solid backbone for the events that take place and the plot makes good sense within the context of the universe.
It is not a long read, but I felt I got my money's worth.
If you like cyber punk, action, and the thriller genre than feel comfortable supporting this self published indie author's debut novel.
For adults and young adults 17 on up with violence and suggestive themes.
January 15, 2012
I spent my youth as a voracious reader of fantasy and science fiction, and as I get back into enjoyable reading as an adult, I'm drawn to new and different areas (superheroes, contemporary and urban fantasay). This is one of my first attempts at urban fantasy. This particular book is set in a world where "neohumans" are genetically engineered to handle things humans don't want to. For example, dwarves are created to brave difficult climates and handle jobs that take a bit more endurance than normal humans. In Dead Dwarves Don't Dance, a hit goes sour, leading to a trio of killers on the run, chased by the police, the military, and a vengeful dwarf. The book was enjoyable, but didn't have a writing style that made me want to come back read other books by the other; and didn't make me care enough about the characters to want to read more about them. I tought that maybe urban fantasy would have a bit more supernatural surrounding it, and was a bit disappointed to find that this was more like a post-apocalyptic jaunt (which is fine when I'm looking for that) with merely a couple of different genetically engineered races. I guess I was hoping for less "urban" and more "fantasy". Maybe that's my fault in not knowing what I was looking for.
November 5, 2011
I've been sorta following the progress of author Derek J. Canyon's writing career, and I'm happy I tried this book. Canyon has a flair for creating memorable characters; Noose, Earless, Munk and Grue among others will stick in my mind for a while. I also love the extrapolation of today's world and problems into the future as we see what becomes of the United States somewhere down the road.
I recommend this book based on the quality and originality of the story as well as the quality of the writing; the author has obviously put a lot of effort into creating a slick, well-thought-out universe populated by interesting beings. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I felt this book was well worth the price on Kindle. Grab it while you can!
I recommend this book based on the quality and originality of the story as well as the quality of the writing; the author has obviously put a lot of effort into creating a slick, well-thought-out universe populated by interesting beings. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I felt this book was well worth the price on Kindle. Grab it while you can!
March 14, 2013
This is your standard "futuristic" book where the author comes up with some dark dystopian society and makes up all sorts of weird enhancements, conflicts and technology. You know the drill. So how well does he pull it off? The book started a little slow as far as pulling me into the story and liking the characters, but by the end I was into it. Not my favorite of all time, but I liked it and would read the sequel when it comes out.
The new terms and ideas are explained pretty well and not too "high brow" and confusing like some sci-fi books, so that makes it an easy read when you don't want to think too much. There are some twists and action included too.
I'm not going into the plot since other reviewers have already covered that.
The new terms and ideas are explained pretty well and not too "high brow" and confusing like some sci-fi books, so that makes it an easy read when you don't want to think too much. There are some twists and action included too.
I'm not going into the plot since other reviewers have already covered that.
August 17, 2011
Interesting characters, solid sci-fi, fun to read, but it falls short because it feels and sounds like an 80's action movie. The quips have GOT to go. One-liners belong to Arnold Schwarzenegger, not solid, good fiction. Also the author must have watched Starship Troopers too much, the "funny" news scenes were just dated and unnecessary. Otherwise shows tons of potential, if the author matures. The novel Dead Dwarves, Dirty Deeds reads like the later work of a more seasoned author, but was published a bit before this... don't know the history behind it but hopefully that is the later work and the author has progressed beyond one-liners and "wacky" humor.
June 15, 2011
This went by very quickly on my Kindle. Set in a future dominated by media, this cyber-noir imagines life among a variety of genetically engineered species all trying to survive. Noose, a "dwarf" with specialized skills, plays the Philip Marlowe role, as he tracks down those responsible for the mass murder at Stiltzkin's Dance Club.
Canyon has a fair imagination for this brave new world where cyber augmentation is an option for many "humans" and judgments shift daily about who is "us" and "them." The author's cynicism about politics and crime fits well with Noose's solitary role.
Canyon has a fair imagination for this brave new world where cyber augmentation is an option for many "humans" and judgments shift daily about who is "us" and "them." The author's cynicism about politics and crime fits well with Noose's solitary role.
April 15, 2014
I am not sure about this book yet.... I am a hardcore Shadowrun fan from 20 years ago. This spin on the Shadowrun world is different. Instead of a world of Tech vs. Magic, it's more about Humans vs. Genetic Creations ( Dwarves, Elves, etc...) Don't get me wrong, it's good so far, just not what I remember. It does make me want to dig out my old paperbacks and reread them! To finish, I stick with my current rating. For the old school Shadowrun folks, this book is alright. For newer readers it will be pretty good.
August 4, 2013
Pretty decent cyberpunk ala Shadowrun-esque style and feel. I enjoyed the author's writing style, but feel that he could have really benefited from having some input from fellow writers and an editor or two in reigning the story in a bit to help with the flow.
I will definitely be reading any follow up novels staring Noose and the gang.
With the way I normally rank books this would be a 4/5 stars, but I think I have been a bit too lax with my ratings and I'm trying to fix that.
I will definitely be reading any follow up novels staring Noose and the gang.
With the way I normally rank books this would be a 4/5 stars, but I think I have been a bit too lax with my ratings and I'm trying to fix that.
October 30, 2011
Fast paced, quick read. The story did good job of having you pull for different characters at various points. It had a lot of potential, but the ending was on the cliched side and kind of fizzled for me.
Still a good read, though.
Still a good read, though.
July 7, 2012
This was almost really good. The author is reasonably clever, and can be funny, but the writing style needs to mature toward something a little more subtle or artistic, and less cartoonish (sentence struggle could be more varied and less blunt). But other than that it was reasonably fun.
October 31, 2014
What a crazy blast
Four solid stars for a unique setting and story. The characters are robust, quirky, despicable and fun to cheer and reviled. The future of humanity is twisted. This is an excellent story and I will purchase the next one.
Four solid stars for a unique setting and story. The characters are robust, quirky, despicable and fun to cheer and reviled. The future of humanity is twisted. This is an excellent story and I will purchase the next one.
May 29, 2011
Ok it has cool cyberpunk characters and a believeable future setting. Funny and easy to read, moving onto book two.
June 12, 2011
Excellent read, very fun and fast paced. Canyon has built a very interesting world and brings readers along for a ride. Highly recommended if you're a fan of hard-boiled fiction and cyberpunk.
August 20, 2011
I liked it so much I made a version of the fictional song in the book. It is a fun action sci fi future noir romp ride.
http://kleptonaut.bandcamp.com/album/...
http://kleptonaut.bandcamp.com/album/...
August 28, 2012
This is a 'Shadowrun' book, even though its not marked as such.
April 10, 2014
Fun read with an interesting premise.
November 23, 2015
A fun read
It's got gene manipulated human subspecies, distopian future mega cities, and a fast paced plot with plenty of explosions. What's not to love
It's got gene manipulated human subspecies, distopian future mega cities, and a fast paced plot with plenty of explosions. What's not to love
March 7, 2016
When I saw the title, I had to read the book. Very eye-catching. I was in no way disappointed. The characters are engaging, the humor is dark, and the universe intriguing.
Read
April 12, 2016Decent, good characters and stayed good on the world.
September 2, 2011
amusing and entertaining
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews