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Days of Future Past #3
Days of Future Past - Part 3: Future Tense
Since being brought forward in time to the post apocalyptic wastelands of what was once his home, life has been pretty hard on Paul. Though it has had two good points, namely Sarah and Heather. But now Coyote wants him to take care of the task that he was brought here to deal with in the first place: Aybem.
While it has always been clear that destroying Aybem is supposed to be Riggs' job, Coyote remains unconvinced that Riggs can do it without Paul's help. After seeing just what Riggs is capable of doing, Paul isn't as convinced that he needs to be there, but he also knows he's not going to get any choice in the matter.
And of course, just what does happen to you once Coyote no longer needs your help?
This is the last book in the Days of the Future Past trilogy, a story of a young man brought forward in time because he came to the attention of Coyote, who thought that the gods' chosen hero just might need some help
While it has always been clear that destroying Aybem is supposed to be Riggs' job, Coyote remains unconvinced that Riggs can do it without Paul's help. After seeing just what Riggs is capable of doing, Paul isn't as convinced that he needs to be there, but he also knows he's not going to get any choice in the matter.
And of course, just what does happen to you once Coyote no longer needs your help?
This is the last book in the Days of the Future Past trilogy, a story of a young man brought forward in time because he came to the attention of Coyote, who thought that the gods' chosen hero just might need some help
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2017
About the author
John Van Stry
49 books366 followersI've had a very varied life. I grew up in New York, on Long Island.
I went to school to become an Engineer, then joined the Air Force.
After that I worked first in Robotics, then in Aerospace as a Flight Test Engineer. I moved into the medical fields, then into more Technical markets working for a number of high tech companies where I became a Contractor.
I used to own and raise big cats. I love motorcycles and old cars. I'm a pilot and former martial arts instructor. I'm a fan of the Reno Air Races.
Then there's the stuff I'm not supposed to talk about, but that's another story.
I've seen a lot of interesting stuff go by, met a lot of interesting, wonderful, strange, or sometimes just psychotic people. I've had the opportunity to work on some truly game changing technologies. And while I've had some very bad things happen to me in my life, I've never let it stop me.
Keep smiling.
-John
I went to school to become an Engineer, then joined the Air Force.
After that I worked first in Robotics, then in Aerospace as a Flight Test Engineer. I moved into the medical fields, then into more Technical markets working for a number of high tech companies where I became a Contractor.
I used to own and raise big cats. I love motorcycles and old cars. I'm a pilot and former martial arts instructor. I'm a fan of the Reno Air Races.
Then there's the stuff I'm not supposed to talk about, but that's another story.
I've seen a lot of interesting stuff go by, met a lot of interesting, wonderful, strange, or sometimes just psychotic people. I've had the opportunity to work on some truly game changing technologies. And while I've had some very bad things happen to me in my life, I've never let it stop me.
Keep smiling.
-John
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 16, 2020
Note: I read all three books in this series one after another so I'm giving them all the same review. (Note also that I actually listened to three audio books but an audio version isn't listed on Goodreads.com for book three so this review will appear under the Kindle edition there.)
The worst thing about this series is it would have made a good book. Unfortunately the author turned it into three books with books 1 and 2 ending in the middle of the story. That is extremely unprofessional story telling and the reason why I'll be giving each of these books 1 star even though they have some good qualities. What is really sad is that it was completely unnecessary- the books aren't that long: Book 1, 220 pages; book 2, 228 pages; book 3, 186 pages. With some editing this could have been a really good 500 page book instead of a crappy money grab in three installments.
So the MC is a pilot who has the misfortune of being in a training plane with the Navajo "chosen one" when that plane is taken 500 years into a post-apocalyptic future. So the MC isn't THE CHOSEN ONE, he is, however, a chosen one, having been chosen by the minor god Coyote who perceives some problems with the other gods' plans.
This brings me to the two major good points of this story: First, with a MC who is potential secondary to the saving of the world there is at least some possibility that he could die. Second, Coyote doesn't like assholes so, when the MC starts acting like one he gets smacked. I have long been sick of authors who make their MC a chosen one and then turns that chosen one into an ass. Why would anyone tolerate, let alone follow, such a person?
The chosen one in this story turns out to be a huge ass, selling the MC into slavery at the first opportunity. This brings us to the one scene the author really screwed up: The MC and the chosen one hated each other and the MC was planning on going his own way and had been TOLD BY THE GODS THAT THEY DON'T CARE IF HE LIVES OR DIES. Why then did he stand still while a bunch of Navajo approached? It was completely obvious that the Navajo were on the chosen one's side. What good could come of standing still while your enemy gains reinforcements???? The author completely failed to explained the MC's behavior here. Which is how the chosen one was able to sell him to the Navajo as a slave.
STOP HERE TO AVOID SPOILERS.
Coyote rescues the MC and sends him to a high tech town where the MC, with Coyote's help, gambles to raise funds for the mission Coyote has picked out for him. It turns out that before the apocalypse the USA had developed AI and a large marine armory remains intact under the watchful eye of one such AI. The MC, having picked up a couple of wives along the way makes the dangerous trek through the wilds to the armory, losing a man to a dragon attack along the way. Coyote tells the MC to grab a nuke and head north. Turns out dragons are evil and aligned with the bad guy and there is a major dragon nesting ground to the north.
The MC and wives encounter a wizard and free his genie. Then they encounter elves who imprison them since they won't discuss their top secret mission to nuke the dragons. In the midst of their escape the MC & co. encounter a dwarf who hears enough (and knows a nuke when he sees it) to figure out MC & co.'s mission. The dwarf immediately signs on and helps MC & co. complete their escape and mission.
After that, and several other small adventures, the MC joins the main army for the taking of a city (Reno, I believe). More adventures until in book 3 the MC is set up by Coyote to be captured by the big baddie. The big baddie is a cyborg of the rebel leader who brought about the apocalypse. However, his human part died a long time ago but the rebel leader saw his death coming and programmed his robot self to pretend otherwise so his followers wouldn't find out. By this time the MC is well known enough that Coyote knows the rebel leader will keep him close, like in the command center where the rebel leader is. This means the robot's requirements to pretend to have some human limitations will kick in hampering its defense against the chosen one's attacking army, which is a large part of what lets the good guys win.
Afterwords Coyote tells the MC he must go to Area 51 and take a ship to the moon because otherwise automated systems on the moon will simply make another robot bad guy. So MC & co. go to the moon and the story is brought to a fairly satisfactory conclusion although I'll leave those details out here.
Bottom line: Would have been a good single book but it isn't worth the price of three books and authors shouldn't be rewarded for pulling that crap.
The worst thing about this series is it would have made a good book. Unfortunately the author turned it into three books with books 1 and 2 ending in the middle of the story. That is extremely unprofessional story telling and the reason why I'll be giving each of these books 1 star even though they have some good qualities. What is really sad is that it was completely unnecessary- the books aren't that long: Book 1, 220 pages; book 2, 228 pages; book 3, 186 pages. With some editing this could have been a really good 500 page book instead of a crappy money grab in three installments.
So the MC is a pilot who has the misfortune of being in a training plane with the Navajo "chosen one" when that plane is taken 500 years into a post-apocalyptic future. So the MC isn't THE CHOSEN ONE, he is, however, a chosen one, having been chosen by the minor god Coyote who perceives some problems with the other gods' plans.
This brings me to the two major good points of this story: First, with a MC who is potential secondary to the saving of the world there is at least some possibility that he could die. Second, Coyote doesn't like assholes so, when the MC starts acting like one he gets smacked. I have long been sick of authors who make their MC a chosen one and then turns that chosen one into an ass. Why would anyone tolerate, let alone follow, such a person?
The chosen one in this story turns out to be a huge ass, selling the MC into slavery at the first opportunity. This brings us to the one scene the author really screwed up: The MC and the chosen one hated each other and the MC was planning on going his own way and had been TOLD BY THE GODS THAT THEY DON'T CARE IF HE LIVES OR DIES. Why then did he stand still while a bunch of Navajo approached? It was completely obvious that the Navajo were on the chosen one's side. What good could come of standing still while your enemy gains reinforcements???? The author completely failed to explained the MC's behavior here. Which is how the chosen one was able to sell him to the Navajo as a slave.
STOP HERE TO AVOID SPOILERS.
Coyote rescues the MC and sends him to a high tech town where the MC, with Coyote's help, gambles to raise funds for the mission Coyote has picked out for him. It turns out that before the apocalypse the USA had developed AI and a large marine armory remains intact under the watchful eye of one such AI. The MC, having picked up a couple of wives along the way makes the dangerous trek through the wilds to the armory, losing a man to a dragon attack along the way. Coyote tells the MC to grab a nuke and head north. Turns out dragons are evil and aligned with the bad guy and there is a major dragon nesting ground to the north.
The MC and wives encounter a wizard and free his genie. Then they encounter elves who imprison them since they won't discuss their top secret mission to nuke the dragons. In the midst of their escape the MC & co. encounter a dwarf who hears enough (and knows a nuke when he sees it) to figure out MC & co.'s mission. The dwarf immediately signs on and helps MC & co. complete their escape and mission.
After that, and several other small adventures, the MC joins the main army for the taking of a city (Reno, I believe). More adventures until in book 3 the MC is set up by Coyote to be captured by the big baddie. The big baddie is a cyborg of the rebel leader who brought about the apocalypse. However, his human part died a long time ago but the rebel leader saw his death coming and programmed his robot self to pretend otherwise so his followers wouldn't find out. By this time the MC is well known enough that Coyote knows the rebel leader will keep him close, like in the command center where the rebel leader is. This means the robot's requirements to pretend to have some human limitations will kick in hampering its defense against the chosen one's attacking army, which is a large part of what lets the good guys win.
Afterwords Coyote tells the MC he must go to Area 51 and take a ship to the moon because otherwise automated systems on the moon will simply make another robot bad guy. So MC & co. go to the moon and the story is brought to a fairly satisfactory conclusion although I'll leave those details out here.
Bottom line: Would have been a good single book but it isn't worth the price of three books and authors shouldn't be rewarded for pulling that crap.
November 2, 2017
I obtained this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
The cover is worth talking about a bit: the scene is a good depiction of a critical scene in the book, and the author's name, series name, and the name of this volume are all legible when the cover is viewed normal size (although not in thumbnail). I don't know anything about "eBook Launch, " the company who supplied the cover, but I've heard lots of discussion about picking a cover, and I think they might be worth checking out.
Favorite this about this book: The main character, Paul, gets resolution for all the plat lines which bug him. It's a sho'nuff end-of-series volume.
Favorite thing about this series: Paul is NOT picked as the hero to save the world; he just got dragged along by accident. I LOVE that! It's sort of a reversal of a Superman myth, almost as if Jimmy Olsen were to get a starring role. If there is another example of this anywhere in Bookworm Food Land, I don't know about it. It's also not a one-time gag; it runs until it gets closure in this volume, along with the other plot lines.
Paul and his two wives, Sarah and Heather, use the resources of a post-apocalyptic world to defeat their enemies. Those include bad guys with rocks, malevolent artificial intelligence with lasers, and lack of proper maintenance to ancient equipment. The wives each have combat skills, as well as affection and kisses sweeter than wine. And one of them gets space-sick, so they don't totally fall into Wonder Woman territory.
Personal prejudice: Monogamy is a difficult relationship to work out, but it is the working out of those difficulties that brings strength to the relationship. Polygamy, on the other hand, is a bomb with a fuse of variable length. The use of a stable form of polygamy in this book is a greater fantasy element than time-travel through the power of supernatural beings.
The book needs another run-through by a competent text editor. I didn't take any stars away, but it was close.
The cover is worth talking about a bit: the scene is a good depiction of a critical scene in the book, and the author's name, series name, and the name of this volume are all legible when the cover is viewed normal size (although not in thumbnail). I don't know anything about "eBook Launch, " the company who supplied the cover, but I've heard lots of discussion about picking a cover, and I think they might be worth checking out.
Favorite this about this book: The main character, Paul, gets resolution for all the plat lines which bug him. It's a sho'nuff end-of-series volume.
Favorite thing about this series: Paul is NOT picked as the hero to save the world; he just got dragged along by accident. I LOVE that! It's sort of a reversal of a Superman myth, almost as if Jimmy Olsen were to get a starring role. If there is another example of this anywhere in Bookworm Food Land, I don't know about it. It's also not a one-time gag; it runs until it gets closure in this volume, along with the other plot lines.
Paul and his two wives, Sarah and Heather, use the resources of a post-apocalyptic world to defeat their enemies. Those include bad guys with rocks, malevolent artificial intelligence with lasers, and lack of proper maintenance to ancient equipment. The wives each have combat skills, as well as affection and kisses sweeter than wine. And one of them gets space-sick, so they don't totally fall into Wonder Woman territory.
Personal prejudice: Monogamy is a difficult relationship to work out, but it is the working out of those difficulties that brings strength to the relationship. Polygamy, on the other hand, is a bomb with a fuse of variable length. The use of a stable form of polygamy in this book is a greater fantasy element than time-travel through the power of supernatural beings.
The book needs another run-through by a competent text editor. I didn't take any stars away, but it was close.
May 1, 2019
I had a really great time with this book. I don't have a lot to say though. I really enjoyed this book the whole way through, and the ending was satisfying. There were no obvious loose ends that I could think of, so the series was ended very well. I wouldn't mind more books taking place before or after this series though. I highly recommend this series. I would also be more interested in a book about a magic user in this universe. The way magic works in the book seemed really interesting and full of potential for exploring in more stories. Magic wasn't really explained or explored much in this series despite a really interesting description. I would highly recommend this book and the whole series. It is superior to the Portals of Infinity series, which is also great and recommended.
November 13, 2023
Captivating Conclusion to the Trilogy
Van Stry delivers again, in the conclusion to his "Days of Future Past" trilogy. This time, Paul heads into space to complete the takedown of the enemy. Van Stry's descriptions of space activities are better than so many space operas, with realistic descriptions of the perils of space. Our protagonist continues to get bruised and beat up, but with the aid of his wives and the Native American trickster god Coyote, brings this story to a satisfying conclusion
Van Stry delivers again, in the conclusion to his "Days of Future Past" trilogy. This time, Paul heads into space to complete the takedown of the enemy. Van Stry's descriptions of space activities are better than so many space operas, with realistic descriptions of the perils of space. Our protagonist continues to get bruised and beat up, but with the aid of his wives and the Native American trickster god Coyote, brings this story to a satisfying conclusion
November 19, 2021
pretty good, Wonky ending
Well the good news is that the series delivers on the premise and answers all the questions posed at the start. There are almost no loose threads, so that's good. And even when you get to the end there is more, So that's good too but those extra bonus chapters feel like they are out of another book. Still better they are tacked on here than having a long drawn out book four with only that material.
Well the good news is that the series delivers on the premise and answers all the questions posed at the start. There are almost no loose threads, so that's good. And even when you get to the end there is more, So that's good too but those extra bonus chapters feel like they are out of another book. Still better they are tacked on here than having a long drawn out book four with only that material.
January 16, 2019
I thought this series was pretty decent, I read them all back to back having finished book 8 of the portals of inifinty series and whilst I think it ended quite well I rather suspect theres a great avenue for more books in the aftermath of it and certainly I wouldn't be adverse to reading it :)
some of the twists were good, and since I dont want to spoiler anything i'll leave it there
some of the twists were good, and since I dont want to spoiler anything i'll leave it there
November 2, 2020
A Perfect Trilogy
First, a hero who is normal, not enhanced by a god/goddess.
Second, interesting future setting.
Third, well fleshed out main characters.
Fourth, interesting conflicts.
A totally enjoyable read.
Escapism across settings and cultures with a nod to the Navajo Nation.
Also, got the asshole officer down pat.
Highly recommend to all my veteran friends.
First, a hero who is normal, not enhanced by a god/goddess.
Second, interesting future setting.
Third, well fleshed out main characters.
Fourth, interesting conflicts.
A totally enjoyable read.
Escapism across settings and cultures with a nod to the Navajo Nation.
Also, got the asshole officer down pat.
Highly recommend to all my veteran friends.
August 7, 2017
Good addition to the series
It was a good book the characters were consistent and I enjoyed the twists at the beginning that threw me off a bit before we went somewhere I wasn't expecting I always appreciate John's writing.
It was a good book the characters were consistent and I enjoyed the twists at the beginning that threw me off a bit before we went somewhere I wasn't expecting I always appreciate John's writing.
September 29, 2017
Swifty
I like this author. I like the mc. I liked the story. It was fun but somehow never got to the point of being an out and out power fantasy because the mc rarely ever got to be on top till the end. In any case the story was a lot of fun.
I like this author. I like the mc. I liked the story. It was fun but somehow never got to the point of being an out and out power fantasy because the mc rarely ever got to be on top till the end. In any case the story was a lot of fun.
March 4, 2018
Aaah... Good Stuff!!
A very enjoyable series! This book was at least as action packed as the previous two, and even better! Love the plot twists and character developments. His other books and series are awesome, as well!!
A very enjoyable series! This book was at least as action packed as the previous two, and even better! Love the plot twists and character developments. His other books and series are awesome, as well!!
April 8, 2018
Having finished all 3 parts, it's now clearer to me that this has been an elaborate marriage of fantasy and sci fi, reminiscent of the Dark Tower trilogy if that had been written by Terry Pratchett. It is my intention to read many more books by this author. Solid characters. Solid plot. I couldn't really predict anything that happened in any of the 3 books (except the sex, which happened with clockwork regularity), and the ideas are very much unlike anything I've read so far. I hope to read much, much more by this author.
July 17, 2018
Great sci-fi/fantasy series
A very well thought out sci-fi/fantasy series. Great, well fleshed out characters. I really liked this third installment of this series. The typos were the only drawback. Great story Jan!
A very well thought out sci-fi/fantasy series. Great, well fleshed out characters. I really liked this third installment of this series. The typos were the only drawback. Great story Jan!
September 6, 2020
Outer space to fight a....well you’ll find out
The series was fantastic and I am sad to be done with it. But I was over joyed with the characters and adventures in these three books. The journey has ended but the memory of it will live on.
The series was fantastic and I am sad to be done with it. But I was over joyed with the characters and adventures in these three books. The journey has ended but the memory of it will live on.
October 1, 2020
Outstanding tale!!
Outstanding tale with characters who grow. It is a different take on gods and a bit different retelling of the Odyssey. Well, kind of. But a great story from a wonderful author.
Outstanding tale with characters who grow. It is a different take on gods and a bit different retelling of the Odyssey. Well, kind of. But a great story from a wonderful author.
March 13, 2023
Conclusion
Alternate universe, post apocalypse, high tech, magic, harem fade-to-black, dragons
Paul Young gets more life-or-death situations to handle as Coyote keeps him busy fighting dragons, orcs, and rogue AIs. Enjoyed, and recommended.
Alternate universe, post apocalypse, high tech, magic, harem fade-to-black, dragons
Paul Young gets more life-or-death situations to handle as Coyote keeps him busy fighting dragons, orcs, and rogue AIs. Enjoyed, and recommended.
August 7, 2017
Phenomenal series
I read a lot of books of this type, and this one kept me wanting more. Couldn't stop laughing. I recommend this series to anyone.
I read a lot of books of this type, and this one kept me wanting more. Couldn't stop laughing. I recommend this series to anyone.
June 29, 2018
Another fun book.
This is another fun series. The only reason I don't give it give stars is the editing. Please keep the good reads coming.
This is another fun series. The only reason I don't give it give stars is the editing. Please keep the good reads coming.
September 8, 2018
Another late night
Good end to the series, once again need to thank author for rejoicing kindle unlimited. Now it's time try his portal series
Good end to the series, once again need to thank author for rejoicing kindle unlimited. Now it's time try his portal series
August 13, 2020
End Game
Good ending to a fun story. Will continue on with this authors other books. Would like to see a similar world with coyote as the MC causing mischief.
Good ending to a fun story. Will continue on with this authors other books. Would like to see a similar world with coyote as the MC causing mischief.
January 21, 2022
Good ending to the series, questions are answered, plots resolved, and little left for the reader to wonder about. I enjoyed the series immensely, and my biggest complaint about the final book is that it is a bit short.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews