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God of the Dead
They emerged from their ancient lairs beneath the pyramids, sacking civilizations, spewing fumes that reduced our world to ash. But when the smoke cleared, humanity faced an even more insidious threat than the gigantic Khepra.
In a smoldering world pounded back to steam technology, spiritual medium Cecile Raquet is deployed on a strange mission to track down the world’s most elusive terrorist—with a little help from the dead. Guided only by the restless ghosts inside her head, she and her Special Forces protector penetrate the blackened heart of a wasteland by balloon, steam boat, and rail, crossing horrific warzones where civilizations burn, where devolved men cower in the shadows of Earth’s new masters, the Khepra.
In a smoldering world pounded back to steam technology, spiritual medium Cecile Raquet is deployed on a strange mission to track down the world’s most elusive terrorist—with a little help from the dead. Guided only by the restless ghosts inside her head, she and her Special Forces protector penetrate the blackened heart of a wasteland by balloon, steam boat, and rail, crossing horrific warzones where civilizations burn, where devolved men cower in the shadows of Earth’s new masters, the Khepra.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
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321 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Norris
10 books70 followersM.C. Norris is Kansas City's bestselling author of speculative fiction, with five novels published by Severed Press: DEEP DEVOTION (2014), KRENGEL & THE KRAMPUSZ (2014), THE DREAD OWBA COO-COO (2014), GOD OF THE DEAD (2015), and FALLING PREY (2015). The short stories of M.C. Norris have appeared in nineteen magazines, e-zines and paperback anthologies, including: DEAD BAIT, MADE YOU FLINCH, MALICIOUS DEVIANCE and NECROTIC TISSUE Issue #3. M.C. Norris also took fifth in Chizine/Leisure Books 13th Annual Short Story Contest.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 31, 2015
God of the Dead is one of the burgeoning genre of giant monster novels known as Kaiju books thanks to the success of the movie Pacific Rim. The premise behind these books is so simple that, like zombies, it can easily fall into a rut of rehashed tropes and cash-in quickies. This book attempts to preempt that with an admirable show of originality, but narratively spreads itself too thin and distracted itself too often.
After a quick introduction, the story transports us to a world where the Kaiju have already won. Mankind viewers in small underground bases beneath the acid washed and desolate world above. When a young spirit medium is brought on board a secret mission to try and locate one of the outsole responsible for the world catastrophe, she and an SAS operator trek across country in an attempt to locate the terrorists whereabouts.
As you can already see, the plot is going in a lot of different directions. Part travel adventure, part Insidious spirit journey, part Reign of Fire type monster movie, the book has trouble adequately exploring any of them. The writing, description, and word choices are all great, the author has a great knack for writing, but he needs to focus more on a complete plot. At times the writing gets a bit technical, but otherwise, it's spot on.
Another area for improvement would be with the SAS character and characterization in general. He doesn't seen very British or very elite. The spirit medium on the other hand, is well formed and you get a good sense of her motivations, but the connection they form grows way too quickly and doesn't quite make sense. Furthermore, she feels like the only one who's well formed, because we spend so much time inside if her head, so much so that it tends to get a bit repetitive and breaks the flow or pacing of some scenes. While it's good that we know what makes her tick, I feel like it's at the expense of the other characters.
There's a few other minor things, but without question the author is a good writer. Points for trying something original even if there was too much going on at times; a bit more focus on a coherent and bracketed plot will go a long way in future efforts.
After a quick introduction, the story transports us to a world where the Kaiju have already won. Mankind viewers in small underground bases beneath the acid washed and desolate world above. When a young spirit medium is brought on board a secret mission to try and locate one of the outsole responsible for the world catastrophe, she and an SAS operator trek across country in an attempt to locate the terrorists whereabouts.
As you can already see, the plot is going in a lot of different directions. Part travel adventure, part Insidious spirit journey, part Reign of Fire type monster movie, the book has trouble adequately exploring any of them. The writing, description, and word choices are all great, the author has a great knack for writing, but he needs to focus more on a complete plot. At times the writing gets a bit technical, but otherwise, it's spot on.
Another area for improvement would be with the SAS character and characterization in general. He doesn't seen very British or very elite. The spirit medium on the other hand, is well formed and you get a good sense of her motivations, but the connection they form grows way too quickly and doesn't quite make sense. Furthermore, she feels like the only one who's well formed, because we spend so much time inside if her head, so much so that it tends to get a bit repetitive and breaks the flow or pacing of some scenes. While it's good that we know what makes her tick, I feel like it's at the expense of the other characters.
There's a few other minor things, but without question the author is a good writer. Points for trying something original even if there was too much going on at times; a bit more focus on a coherent and bracketed plot will go a long way in future efforts.
February 28, 2015
God of the Dead: A Kaiju Novel is great. I read it in two days, and it normally takes me about a week or so to finish a book. I haven't read a book like it in years since my last Koontz book. I know profanities aren't the best descriptors, but the word Norris created is fucked up. Every situation in it is fucked up. There's not really any other way to describe it.
While I was reading it, I thought of Martin Sheen's character from Apocalypse Now. I was also reminded of Koontz work. Koontz, I don't consider horror. I think his books are wildly inventive crazy bat shit situations you thank God are only words in a book and not real life. Norris created a novel exactly like that in God of the Dead.
I recommend it to anyone really, well anyone at least in high school and older. It's highly entertaining. And that's exactly what a book should be: entertaining
March 19, 2015
Fast and interesting read
A world where mindless bug beasts are spraying their toxic gas and killing all human kind. As a last hope they call in a woman who can travel into the spirit world. Which reminded me of the story Sabriel.
Not the most fulfilling book but is quite entertaining. Smooth flowing words and well developed characters.
A world where mindless bug beasts are spraying their toxic gas and killing all human kind. As a last hope they call in a woman who can travel into the spirit world. Which reminded me of the story Sabriel.
Not the most fulfilling book but is quite entertaining. Smooth flowing words and well developed characters.
July 18, 2015
This is another great M.C. Norris novel. While this wasn't quite what I had expected for a kaiju novel, it certainly lives up to its title. I really liked the creatures in this book, and would love to see more. I highly recommend it to everyone who has a love for "strange creatures".
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews