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The Legend of Adam Caine
Summer 2006: 42 people are snatched from the London Underground in a blinding flash of light. They are unsure where they have been taken, or who has taken them. They are in mortal peril, but there is one among them who can break them Adam Caine, a reluctant war hero.
After escaping, Caine is dragged again and again into conflict after conflict. As the violence escalates, can even a war hero make the right decision? Or will he damn himself forever, and lose everything he holds dear?
After escaping, Caine is dragged again and again into conflict after conflict. As the violence escalates, can even a war hero make the right decision? Or will he damn himself forever, and lose everything he holds dear?
- GenresScience Fiction
734 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2010
77 people want to read
About the author
John Charles Scott
11 books42 followersWarped by many years of gratuitous violence and mayhem, and owing my writing to many more years of reading books and being more warped, am now living in Somerset, married to a wonderful wife and living with a multitude of amazing kids. Occasionally i like to write a bit and spar with madmen (Rowland, Ploss and Abhinav) and dabble some reading... If you've read my stuff, let me know...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 12, 2013
This has got to be the hardest book I have read in a long time. Not because it’s a bad book or a poorly written story. The problem with it for me was the complicated plot and the heavy sci-fi content.
I found it hard to follow, (I’m never good with anything that includes time travel) and it has taken me weeks to read, with lots of breaks to give my brain a rest. (which probably added to my confusion) On top of that it is an enormous book, I’ve read full series’ with less pages!
Attention to detail is both a good and bad thing… Over written scenes can be annoying and long-winded, not allowing the reader to use their own imagination. While not enough information can leave you scratching your head in wonder. The Legend of Adam Caine didn’t suffer with underwritten scenes, hence the length of the book!
I have no doubt that hard-core sci-fi fans will love this story, but for me, who just dips my toe in that world occasionally, this was too much. Sorry.
Copy supplied for review
November 4, 2011
(Original Post on The Founding Fields)
Okay, first of all, I’m going to apologise for not putting up any reviews since the 29 October. That was because I was reading this, The Legend of Adam Caine, which stands at 700 odd pages long, and is probably one of the biggest fiction books that I’ve ever read. If you’re looking for a comparison with it on the size, it stands at the same level as the currently in print versions of novels The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham and Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey.
But size doesn’t stop the novel from being full of action, and a fast-paced read that will have you flicking through the pages determined to find out what happens to Adam Caine.
This novel takes a normal, average situation and adds some sci-fi perspective to it. In this case, it is summer 2006. 42 people are snatched from the London Underground in a blink of an eye. They’ve got no clue who’s taken them, and why they’re taken. The 42 people kidnapped include retired veterans, a writer, a paedophile, police constables, and a woman and her child. Then, without explanation, they’re thrust from one encounter to the next throughout time and space, where we briefly visit a wide range of settings such as the Falklands War, and Earth’s future.
And this is barely the beginning. Caine becomes the only man with the hope of getting everybody out of there alive, but once they do, they find themselves catapulted into the 41st Century, and nothing will ever be the same. Packed full of more villains, sci-fi devices and battles than you could possibly think would be in one TV series, let alone on book, The Legend of Adam Caine becomes a novel that you will enjoy if you’re a fan of Space Opera fiction (Leviathan Wakes, for example), or TV shows like Star Trek, and even movies like Star Wars.
With a self-published novel, there will most likely be a few errors though. Punctuation mistakes are found through the pages of this novel and the size of the font changes at least twice. Several references are also included, from His Last Command by Dan Abnett to the Rugby World Cup Final of 2006. You also have to pay close attention to what you’re reading as well, as you will find yourself lost if you come back to it after a long absence period, as the amount of ship names like the Kara Mazarov (a particular favourite) are about as frequent as the countless battles that Adam Caine finds himself thrust into.
If you don’t mind reading Self-published fiction and paying the hefty £17.81 price that you can get it for on Amazon, then The Legend of Adam Caine will be a book for you, particularly if you enjoy science fiction. I believe that this is an impressive debut from John Charles Scott, even if there are a couple of things that I feel out of place. For example, both love interests of a certain man (I won’t mention the name of due to spoilers) have been cheated on at some point in their lives. It’s not much of a biggie, but it just kinds of bugs me for some reason. I mean, in the century-spanning novel, couldn’t they have not have had different issues?
The plot isn’t simple as well, and it leaves no prisoners. If you enjoy any form of science fiction you should like this, particularly space opera fans as this covers sci-fi in all its forms. This is by no means an easy read, but the reward that you get out of this will be worth it. Non Sci-Fi fans may struggle getting into it, but then it’s not really aimed at non-Sci-Fi fans in the first place.
I look forward to reading more from the tales of Adam Caine. This was an exhilarating read indeed.
Rating: 3.5/5
Okay, first of all, I’m going to apologise for not putting up any reviews since the 29 October. That was because I was reading this, The Legend of Adam Caine, which stands at 700 odd pages long, and is probably one of the biggest fiction books that I’ve ever read. If you’re looking for a comparison with it on the size, it stands at the same level as the currently in print versions of novels The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham and Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey.
But size doesn’t stop the novel from being full of action, and a fast-paced read that will have you flicking through the pages determined to find out what happens to Adam Caine.
This novel takes a normal, average situation and adds some sci-fi perspective to it. In this case, it is summer 2006. 42 people are snatched from the London Underground in a blink of an eye. They’ve got no clue who’s taken them, and why they’re taken. The 42 people kidnapped include retired veterans, a writer, a paedophile, police constables, and a woman and her child. Then, without explanation, they’re thrust from one encounter to the next throughout time and space, where we briefly visit a wide range of settings such as the Falklands War, and Earth’s future.
And this is barely the beginning. Caine becomes the only man with the hope of getting everybody out of there alive, but once they do, they find themselves catapulted into the 41st Century, and nothing will ever be the same. Packed full of more villains, sci-fi devices and battles than you could possibly think would be in one TV series, let alone on book, The Legend of Adam Caine becomes a novel that you will enjoy if you’re a fan of Space Opera fiction (Leviathan Wakes, for example), or TV shows like Star Trek, and even movies like Star Wars.
With a self-published novel, there will most likely be a few errors though. Punctuation mistakes are found through the pages of this novel and the size of the font changes at least twice. Several references are also included, from His Last Command by Dan Abnett to the Rugby World Cup Final of 2006. You also have to pay close attention to what you’re reading as well, as you will find yourself lost if you come back to it after a long absence period, as the amount of ship names like the Kara Mazarov (a particular favourite) are about as frequent as the countless battles that Adam Caine finds himself thrust into.
If you don’t mind reading Self-published fiction and paying the hefty £17.81 price that you can get it for on Amazon, then The Legend of Adam Caine will be a book for you, particularly if you enjoy science fiction. I believe that this is an impressive debut from John Charles Scott, even if there are a couple of things that I feel out of place. For example, both love interests of a certain man (I won’t mention the name of due to spoilers) have been cheated on at some point in their lives. It’s not much of a biggie, but it just kinds of bugs me for some reason. I mean, in the century-spanning novel, couldn’t they have not have had different issues?
The plot isn’t simple as well, and it leaves no prisoners. If you enjoy any form of science fiction you should like this, particularly space opera fans as this covers sci-fi in all its forms. This is by no means an easy read, but the reward that you get out of this will be worth it. Non Sci-Fi fans may struggle getting into it, but then it’s not really aimed at non-Sci-Fi fans in the first place.
I look forward to reading more from the tales of Adam Caine. This was an exhilarating read indeed.
Rating: 3.5/5
November 27, 2013
It’s hard to know what exactly to make of The Legend of Adam Caine. While hardly bad, it seems to almost work in spite of itself. Beginning in mid-2006, a group of travellers on-board a tube service are flung out of their time by an inhuman stranger lurking in their midst. The reason for their abduction lurks in the ambitions of a race far ahead of their time, and it does not bode well for any of them…
The plot itself contains plenty of points people will be familiar with. An alien abduction, time travel, a race bent upon subjugation and extermination, but a big part of the book’s charm is that it displays an awareness of these traits. It reminds us why such ideas were originally enjoyed, while throwing in esoteric references which will please major fans of this genre and putting a new spin on others. While some of these are laid on a bit too heavily, especially one Gaunt’s Ghosts reference early on, they are rarely so intrusive they will confuse those not familiar with what is being referenced.
Much of the actual meat of the story originates from the battle scenes, which emphasise the confusion and chaos of battle. Thanks in large part to the fast pacing of these scenes and the graphic descriptions, the book holds your attention and rarely feels as if it is dragging, despite being over 700 pages long
The titular Adam Caine is often at the heart of things, and it’s his delineation which will ultimately split audiences. Pushing the super-soldier angle a little too hard without initial reasoning, Caine seems to repeatedly survive things which should kill him. While a likeable enough character, and hardly the only protagonist to show remarkable recuperative abilities, he would have benefited from a stronger backstory. The same might be said of the other characters in the book, few of whom are as well-established as one might wish.
A good, solid book then, but its flaws are apparent for all to see. Buy it if you like the concept, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
The plot itself contains plenty of points people will be familiar with. An alien abduction, time travel, a race bent upon subjugation and extermination, but a big part of the book’s charm is that it displays an awareness of these traits. It reminds us why such ideas were originally enjoyed, while throwing in esoteric references which will please major fans of this genre and putting a new spin on others. While some of these are laid on a bit too heavily, especially one Gaunt’s Ghosts reference early on, they are rarely so intrusive they will confuse those not familiar with what is being referenced.
Much of the actual meat of the story originates from the battle scenes, which emphasise the confusion and chaos of battle. Thanks in large part to the fast pacing of these scenes and the graphic descriptions, the book holds your attention and rarely feels as if it is dragging, despite being over 700 pages long
The titular Adam Caine is often at the heart of things, and it’s his delineation which will ultimately split audiences. Pushing the super-soldier angle a little too hard without initial reasoning, Caine seems to repeatedly survive things which should kill him. While a likeable enough character, and hardly the only protagonist to show remarkable recuperative abilities, he would have benefited from a stronger backstory. The same might be said of the other characters in the book, few of whom are as well-established as one might wish.
A good, solid book then, but its flaws are apparent for all to see. Buy it if you like the concept, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
July 3, 2013
Reposted from my Amazon review.
Originally, I wanted to give this novel 3.5 stars, but that is not possible. Since the book rests closer to a 4-star rating than a 3-star rating, I went with what was more deserving.
The Legend of Adam Caine (TLoAC) is a book filled to the brim with peril, intrigue and a hearty helping of violence to tell the tale of a man saving a galaxy and in the process saving his own soul. The title character is a deeply troubled man with a colorful past, who stubbornly comes to terms with his destiny. John Charles Scott did a commendable job in creating a fully-developed character in Adam Caine and the multitude of characters filling the novel. Another one of Scott's strengths is his ability to write clear action sequences the reader can easily follow.
If I had one criticism about TLoAC, it would be that in almost right in the middle of the novel, there is a definite shift in the overall tone of the book. (Read the book, I am confident you will know the point at which I reference.) The Legend of Adam Caine became The Adventures of Adam Caine. The change in pace and in tone is as jarring as riding in a shuttle with an FTL (Faster Than Light) drive. As such, I feel the novel could have been broken into separate volumes. To the author's credit, Scott pulls the story full circle, giving readers a satisfying ending with just enough of a tease of a bigger threat to come.
Remember the name John C. Scott. If he continues to grow as a writer -- which I have no doubt he will -- I can see a Nebula Award nomination in his future.
Originally, I wanted to give this novel 3.5 stars, but that is not possible. Since the book rests closer to a 4-star rating than a 3-star rating, I went with what was more deserving.
The Legend of Adam Caine (TLoAC) is a book filled to the brim with peril, intrigue and a hearty helping of violence to tell the tale of a man saving a galaxy and in the process saving his own soul. The title character is a deeply troubled man with a colorful past, who stubbornly comes to terms with his destiny. John Charles Scott did a commendable job in creating a fully-developed character in Adam Caine and the multitude of characters filling the novel. Another one of Scott's strengths is his ability to write clear action sequences the reader can easily follow.
If I had one criticism about TLoAC, it would be that in almost right in the middle of the novel, there is a definite shift in the overall tone of the book. (Read the book, I am confident you will know the point at which I reference.) The Legend of Adam Caine became The Adventures of Adam Caine. The change in pace and in tone is as jarring as riding in a shuttle with an FTL (Faster Than Light) drive. As such, I feel the novel could have been broken into separate volumes. To the author's credit, Scott pulls the story full circle, giving readers a satisfying ending with just enough of a tease of a bigger threat to come.
Remember the name John C. Scott. If he continues to grow as a writer -- which I have no doubt he will -- I can see a Nebula Award nomination in his future.
October 22, 2013
I was given an e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
I usually don't read much Sci-Fi or War type books. I have to say, the blurb sounded really interesting to me. Don't let the rating throw you. I think the book was well written and had lots of action and a great plot. My issue was that it wasn't my cup of tea. Though it was well written, there seemed to be lots of description, which did seem to drag things out a bit. There was lots going on, and I mean lots. I had a hard time keeping up at times, especially when there were 10 people in the room and I was trying to remember who was who and what and where, etc. I know that doesn't sound like much, but when there are 20 or more characters in a book, and each one plays some part, it gets kind of confusing, well, for me anyway.
All in all, if you love sci-fi that has time travel, outer space war themes, with some imaginative creatures, this is the book for you. The story is very imaginative and original.
I usually don't read much Sci-Fi or War type books. I have to say, the blurb sounded really interesting to me. Don't let the rating throw you. I think the book was well written and had lots of action and a great plot. My issue was that it wasn't my cup of tea. Though it was well written, there seemed to be lots of description, which did seem to drag things out a bit. There was lots going on, and I mean lots. I had a hard time keeping up at times, especially when there were 10 people in the room and I was trying to remember who was who and what and where, etc. I know that doesn't sound like much, but when there are 20 or more characters in a book, and each one plays some part, it gets kind of confusing, well, for me anyway.
All in all, if you love sci-fi that has time travel, outer space war themes, with some imaginative creatures, this is the book for you. The story is very imaginative and original.
August 26, 2014
I bumped into the author online and found his book going free after his online series http://shavenwookiee.wordpress.com and enjoyed it. It is a monster of a book but has its problems as its made up from lots of little stories strung together. I really shouldn't bee to mean as I get on with the author as he rips into my own work. It is a very violent book at times but there are also time where the action is simple unbelievable in both good and bad ways.
Has it put me of his work? No, cant wait to finished my reading back log and get onto the net in the series
Has it put me of his work? No, cant wait to finished my reading back log and get onto the net in the series
September 13, 2012
Author John C. Scott opened a new world filled with time travel, an epic quest and guns… lots of guns. Adam Caine, the reluctant hero forced into a conflict greater than the one inside himself, has your interest from page one. Sci-Fi fans should pick this up and be prepared for a while ride not only through space, but through time.
September 4, 2014
What an epic sci-fi - and that's epic in terms of size and content! Put this on my kindle for holiday and after 2 days of reading I still had several hours of reading ahead of me according to the e-reader! Loved it, complicated as it was, at the time couldn't face going straight on to next book in series but will be revisiting it very soon.
September 4, 2012
Have to admit, the body count was a bit high for my taste but the writing is well done and the action sequences, amazing. I'd recommend it to my friends who have heartier appetites for combat in their sci-fi.
September 2, 2012
I have just finished reading this book and enjoyed it very much. I even went as far as getting a nexus 7 so I could read this book better. Cannot wait for more books from John.
Want to read
January 22, 2013Kindle freebie, 1/22/13
August 4, 2014
sorry tried really hard to get in to this book...but just couldn't sorry
March 15, 2012
What? It's my book....
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews