Thrill Kings: Sparrows And Hawks: High Action Sci-Fi Horror –Flavor: No-Nonsense Combat. Species VS Species Survival in Review / Write / Read Club (Indie & Self-Published)

Jun 14, 2022 E.K. Frances rated it it was amazing

Entertaining, action-packed and dark

Having already enjoyed Thrill Kings Fragmented Sky, I was looking forward to enjoying this prequel, which can definitely be read as a standalone book.

Thrill Kings: Sparrows And Hawks: An interdimensional battle in the mountains of Oregon takes place on one fairly horrific night, where some Inter-Ds (monsters) arrive on Earth and carry out all kinds of carnage. Four inter-dimensional bikers (Nonstop, Krork, Varrage and Skyde) arrive on Earth to send the monster Entertaining, action-packed and dark

Having already enjoyed Thrill Kings Fragmented Sky, I was looking forward to enjoying this prequel, which can definitely be read as a standalone book.

Thrill Kings: Sparrows And Hawks: An interdimensional battle in the mountains of Oregon takes place on one fairly horrific night, where some Inter-Ds (monsters) arrive on Earth and carry out all kinds of carnage. Four inter-dimensional bikers (Nonstop, Krork, Varrage and Skyde) arrive on Earth to send the monsters home.

The monsters, which are part-dragon, part-shark, part-bee or simply “dragon-things” sound truly terrifying with their pack hunting, eagerness to feed their queen live humans, and bone-crushing abilities, which they readily display.

In case the bone-crushing comment didn’t make it clear, this book is dark and there is graphic violence and some quite horrible elements, but if that doesn’t deter you, it’s a well written, exciting book, the pace is good throughout and there is more or less nonstop (😊) action. The author has put the age at 15+ which sounds about right.

The novel is very creative and there are lots of imaginative features, some I had already come across in Fragmented Sky, (Bleed Zones, inter-dimensional motorcycles, taps), then there are the creatures themselves, including the “queen”, that are very well done. When none of the characters can agree how to describe a monster, you know the “dragon-bug-wolf-shark thing” must be quite terrifying.

The story follows the same four bikers as Fragmented Sky and also has a few Earthlings thrown in. There is a nice section right at the end of the book that gives the characters’ back stories, including the scientist, Norel. As all the events take place over the course of one night, the switches of POV work well, adding to the sense of urgency and rapid pace, keeping the reader engaged.

Personally, I found Fragmented Sky was a more pleasant read, but Sparrows and Hawks has a consistently faster pace, is very exciting, and a great book. If you are looking for an action-packed read, and don’t mind some violence and quite dark concepts, you should enjoy Sparrows and Hawks. ...more

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Apr 23, 2023 Ed Morawski rated it really liked it

So I must say at first I felt like I walked into the middle of a movie. The characters were already developed and I felt like a stranger in a group of long time friends. When the action shifted to the Earth, namely Oregon (of all places), I started enjoying myself and the story. Personally I would have started the book at that point and made the beginning the back story.

I would place this book solidly in the YA category as it seems written for teen fans of super heroes. The continual reference t ...more

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Jul 01, 2023 Seth Hobbs rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book, and while some of the portal/interdimensional technology stuff was kind of original, it also dragged on a bit with too much sensational stuff happening. I am just more into a little bit more grounded realism, even in a fantastic world, but that is just my preference. Overall, though, I must say that the author does a good job with basic themes and thrusting you into a crazy story of war and adventure. If you enjoy fast-paced action and old school, beloved tropes and themes o ...more

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May 20, 2023 Marco Santucci rated it really liked it

Ok, so it took me a bit to organize the character landscape, and unfamiliar terminology, and certainly would appeal to the YA audience with transformers-type all-terrain vehicles. I loved the idea of the tap beam laser used to teleport enemies back to where they came from.

Now, portals and interdimensional travel I am very familiar with in the real world but that's another story, so I appreciate it.
The story picks up for me later in the forest, though the act of constant war became far too repet ...more

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