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Gailsone #2
Red Rook
Alice Gailsone is back, and bigger than ever in the second novel in the Gailsone series! Alice was promised a vacation after her ordeal in Japan, and her employers at the Collective Good have held up their end of the bargain. She and her mother have been booked on the Aquatica Goliath, the crown jewel ship of the Tanner fleet. With her grouchy assistant, Aika Fukijima (also known as the International assassin, the Lotus) in tow, she plans on kicking back and enjoying herself. Unfortunately, her mother plans on spending some quality time with billionaire Alan Tanner, who has agreed (at the request of Alice's mother) to accompany them on their vacation. With a blatant agenda of trying to set her daughter up and getting some grandchildren before her cancer can claim her, Dorothy is keeping her daughter on her toes. It's all Alice can do to stay sane and professional as things heat up, in every sense of the word. Alice's plans for relaxation get derailed, however, when Aika accidentally stumbles across a bloody conspiracy that puts everyone on board at risk. With the death toll rising and questions abound, can Alice keep her family and friends safe from what looks to be a major operation? Will Aika survive at the hands of the superhuman soldiers onboard? Meanwhile, Allison Gailsone, Alice's niece and closest confidant, finds herself thrown into the middle of a bloody and botched kidnapping attempt on a seemingly-innocent little girl. When Allison steps in to help, she finds herself dragged into a tangled and dangerous web of deception, lies and violence that gives her a run for her money. Even with the help of Victoria Green and of a mysterious, bubbly waitress, Allison is going to have to use every trick she knows to keep her new charge safe, even if it kills her. And with sections of New York going up in flames and a mad dash for survival before her, it very well might. With villains becoming bolder and plans becoming clear, it's only a matter of time before things come to a head. The Purge is making their move, and the Gailsone clan is caught right in the middle. With heroes and villains alike dropping like flies and the deadly Totallus stepping out of the shadows at last, things are about to get serious. Join Alice, Allison and the rest of the gang in this action-packed follow-up to Big In Japan. The puzzle pieces are coming together as to whom Anna and Totallus are and what they are after, and as more players take the stage, the Red Rook Scenario promises to change the playing field between good and evil, forever. Red Rook is the second in a series of Action/Adventure Urban Fantasy novels about the Gailsone family. Join Alice and Allison as they deal with insubordinate golems, super villain gangs, secret psychics, armed soldiers and insane, killer androids. Follow along as secret plots and sinister forces worm their way out of the shadows to test not only Alice, but the other 'heroes' of the Gailsone universe. A larger plan is unfolding with terrifying implications for the world, and Alice, whether she likes it or not, is still stuck smack dab in the middle. Red Rook is the second book in the Gailsone series, and follows Big In Japan and the novella collection, Black Days.
- GenresSuperheroes
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Casey Glanders
21 books9 followersCasey Glanders has been writing professionally for over a decade as a ghost writer and corporate author. He has published technical manuals, trade articles, westerns, horror stories, science fiction, romance and a host of other genres. This is his first full-length novel to be released under his own name.
Casey holds a MA in Organizational Communications with dual bachelors in Sociology and Communication Studies. When not writing, he earns a living as a corporate trainer for a GPS Solutions firm and as a Communications instructor for Ivy Tech University. He is a father of four and when not working, can be found with his family.
Casey holds a MA in Organizational Communications with dual bachelors in Sociology and Communication Studies. When not writing, he earns a living as a corporate trainer for a GPS Solutions firm and as a Communications instructor for Ivy Tech University. He is a father of four and when not working, can be found with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2015
Some good things, some things I didn't like as much. Love the new character, Lotus. Will likely read more of the series though, it's fun.
July 14, 2014
The full-length sequel to Gailsone: Big in Japan is the best of the Gailsone tales so far. It's a tight punchy caper story that continues growing the world and developing the characters and relationships Glanders has laid out so far, while not skimping on the action and adventure. Glanders proves his appreciation for the world of comics and superheroes again and again, particularly in a very clever "How to take out a Superman" scenario. Be forewarned, the Gailsone books are heavily serialized, with major story elements being teased out and left quite intentionally unresolved. Still, like great TV, each episode contains satisfying B and C story lines within its larger arcing narrative, and about the worst you can say is that you're always left wanting more. I hope more sci-fi and superhero prose fans discover Glanders' work and get hooked. He deserves it, and so do Alice, Allison, Aika, Alan and all his other characters.
July 17, 2014
So I'm a little bias right out of the gate. Allison being one of my favorite characters in the series got a lot mute attention than I expected and she didn't disappoint.
I was a little worried at first with all of the jumping around at first, but realized that even if you hadn't read the expanded novellas, You wouldn't be all that in the dark with certain characters, though it certainly helps.
The whole book has that whole, can't get a break attitude, but these are former supervillains and their pasts are catching up them.
Many questions in the first novel are answered but more are raised which left me starving for the next entry.
This entry, however was a lot more emotional and involved than big in Japan. Both heroines are explored in a way I didn't expect and really delves into their personality quirks and what they hold inside as well as the bond they share.
I highly recommend this entry. It improves on everything from Big in Japan and never fails to disappoint!
I was a little worried at first with all of the jumping around at first, but realized that even if you hadn't read the expanded novellas, You wouldn't be all that in the dark with certain characters, though it certainly helps.
The whole book has that whole, can't get a break attitude, but these are former supervillains and their pasts are catching up them.
Many questions in the first novel are answered but more are raised which left me starving for the next entry.
This entry, however was a lot more emotional and involved than big in Japan. Both heroines are explored in a way I didn't expect and really delves into their personality quirks and what they hold inside as well as the bond they share.
I highly recommend this entry. It improves on everything from Big in Japan and never fails to disappoint!
July 10, 2014
Disclaimer: I wrote this.
This book is considerably longer than anything else I've ever written. There's a lot going on, but that's expected with an expanded universe of characters. This book hits the ground running with action, and doesn't let up, however it also has something else, more interaction and comedy than most of the other Gailsone stories. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I think it serves as a worthy addition to the existing Gailsone stories.
One thing.
My wife mentioned Allison's involvement in this story and how she seemed different than before. That's because, in my mind, she's continually growing as a character. The series highlights Alice, but there are two main characters, and Allison is just as much the hero as her aunt. In this book, we get to see both of them shine at what they do best.
Hope you enjoy!
This book is considerably longer than anything else I've ever written. There's a lot going on, but that's expected with an expanded universe of characters. This book hits the ground running with action, and doesn't let up, however it also has something else, more interaction and comedy than most of the other Gailsone stories. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I think it serves as a worthy addition to the existing Gailsone stories.
One thing.
My wife mentioned Allison's involvement in this story and how she seemed different than before. That's because, in my mind, she's continually growing as a character. The series highlights Alice, but there are two main characters, and Allison is just as much the hero as her aunt. In this book, we get to see both of them shine at what they do best.
Hope you enjoy!
June 26, 2015
Good Story. Waiting for the 3rd novel Head of the Dragon. Thanks for a good story
May 18, 2019
Excellent story let down by author reverting to usual romantic tropes (cringeworthily cheesey too). Alice seems to be stuck in a bipolar disorder swinging between a reformed supervillian and a blatant man chaser. Drags the story down and ruins the glorious profile of Alice from Book 1.
Not all is bad, Allisson saves the book. She just explodes and we see the full side of Allison and that is just phenomenal. Amazing character arc.
Plot is fast (excluding the romantic interludes) and despite the weak sub-plot in this book, it serves to move the overarching plot quite nicely.
Can't wait to read Bk 3.
Not all is bad, Allisson saves the book. She just explodes and we see the full side of Allison and that is just phenomenal. Amazing character arc.
Plot is fast (excluding the romantic interludes) and despite the weak sub-plot in this book, it serves to move the overarching plot quite nicely.
Can't wait to read Bk 3.
May 18, 2019
Fast paced story let down a bit by standard romance.
Lovely story and good sequel, but the author seems to have succumbed to the usual trips that litter women protagonists which was disappointing. There was no need for the love triangle and the holiday events were contrived and not in character with the Alice from previous book.
Allison saves the book.
Lovely story and good sequel, but the author seems to have succumbed to the usual trips that litter women protagonists which was disappointing. There was no need for the love triangle and the holiday events were contrived and not in character with the Alice from previous book.
Allison saves the book.
November 27, 2014
Disclaimer: I helped edit this book.
This is another solid Gailsone adventure that hits all the right notes - action, adventure, familial love, and sharp dialogue.
Alice Gailsone, recently back from her adventure in Japan (see Big In Japan), is leaving on a cruise with her employer, Alan Tanner, for some well-deserved R&R. Her old friends in The Purge have other plans for the trip, however... Meanwhile at home, Allison runs into a mysterious young girl who is pursued by a shadowy gang, and does what she does best.
The story alternates between the two women's stories, and occasionally drifts into the past to reveal events that shaped who they have become. I found Alice's story to be enjoyable, but faltered from time to time. Allison's story starts off with an opening that could be found in many action movies and keeps up the pace from there. I love seeing her in action, and she doesn't disappoint. We also get insight into her character and the cards that life has dealt her, which made me care more about the character. I thoroughly enjoyed her story all the way through to the explosive finish.
I'm looking forward to what else Glanders pens in this universe of strong women, deadly foes, and superheroes.
This is another solid Gailsone adventure that hits all the right notes - action, adventure, familial love, and sharp dialogue.
Alice Gailsone, recently back from her adventure in Japan (see Big In Japan), is leaving on a cruise with her employer, Alan Tanner, for some well-deserved R&R. Her old friends in The Purge have other plans for the trip, however... Meanwhile at home, Allison runs into a mysterious young girl who is pursued by a shadowy gang, and does what she does best.
The story alternates between the two women's stories, and occasionally drifts into the past to reveal events that shaped who they have become. I found Alice's story to be enjoyable, but faltered from time to time. Allison's story starts off with an opening that could be found in many action movies and keeps up the pace from there. I love seeing her in action, and she doesn't disappoint. We also get insight into her character and the cards that life has dealt her, which made me care more about the character. I thoroughly enjoyed her story all the way through to the explosive finish.
I'm looking forward to what else Glanders pens in this universe of strong women, deadly foes, and superheroes.
July 9, 2020
The Gailsone gals are back: Alice, Allison, and… Holly? Yup, the cast keeps getting bigger with each new adventure. And don't forget about Blackbird and Lotus. They're important members of the Gailsone family too. I'm betting Carol Danvers joins the crew in the next novel. That would be awesome.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews