I like good military science fiction... that is I'm usually looking for an action read. If it gets into deep thought and political ideology I'm goingI like good military science fiction... that is I'm usually looking for an action read. If it gets into deep thought and political ideology I'm going to be a lot more critical as that becomes an entirely different type book. So I suppose what I like (most of the time) is just good Space Opera.
That's what we have here with a twist. You're going to get a little depth. You'll find yourself (at least I think you will) sort of wondering who the "good guys" really are.
This is one of those futures where everything seems to be run by large mega-corporations... (but are they?)/
Anyway follow the story of our young(ish) hero as he leaves the hopelessness of savage ruined slums taking the one way out common people may have, the military. In this universe we don't travel at FTL but only at near-light speed, so the characters are dealing with time dilation. While they travel for decades aging not at all (in cryosleep) the people they knew on Earth age and die.
So liked this one, have started the next (Masoul). Recommended, enjoy....more
So, John Smith is now looking as if he's an obsolete asset... Has technology made even John Smith with his ability to read minds a thing of yesteryearSo, John Smith is now looking as if he's an obsolete asset... Has technology made even John Smith with his ability to read minds a thing of yesteryear? Will he join the ranks of the paper phone-book, the print newspaper, the VCR????
Another good read. I'll say that I did enjoy the first book in the series a bit more, but that is a personal decision, a matter of taste and both are excellent reads. With a crazed, mad techie using the zombies of the internet (you know, you and me) to wreak havoc and kill...can John triumph?
You know, I'd read the synopsis of this book and thought, "a book about a guy who reads minds. So he'll know what the antagonists are thinking beforeYou know, I'd read the synopsis of this book and thought, "a book about a guy who reads minds. So he'll know what the antagonists are thinking before they act??? Yeah, sounds boring."
I'd decided against it. Then a friend recommended it (thanks Soo) and you know what??? This is a great read.
Yep the author manages to take what sounds like a predictable story and draws the reader into a fast, action packed story that holds you on the proverbial edge of your proverbial seat.
Like some other heroes our protagonist (creatively named John Smith) was discovered by the government to have certain abilities which the CIA trained him to use and made use of. Now however John is freelancing and making money with his gift...
Of course things do not run smoothly for our hero, if they did we wouldn't have a book.
The story continues here. We get deeper into the world of the Orphans. Death ensues, tragedy ensues...and tragic death ensues. We meet new people (orThe story continues here. We get deeper into the world of the Orphans. Death ensues, tragedy ensues...and tragic death ensues. We meet new people (or possibly a new person, no spoilers). We also follow people we've already met.
If you've read my reviews of the other books in the series the story stays the course and is a very readable tale...though I do worry about our hero's vodka intake.
I can recommend this one (and the series), enjoy....more
I've read most of the Mitch Rapp books but somehow I missed this one. Taking place in the past (a bit) we get a good set up for where we've gone and aI've read most of the Mitch Rapp books but somehow I missed this one. Taking place in the past (a bit) we get a good set up for where we've gone and a story that is a un-putdownable as any of the Rapp books.
With a move on the President and the White House itself we have a good to great fast moving story and without a long drawn out review I can recommend this one. Enjoy....more
This volume (and indeed the last) delved into an area that I (in general) don't care for. I mean I saw it coming from the time I started the series...This volume (and indeed the last) delved into an area that I (in general) don't care for. I mean I saw it coming from the time I started the series...but it's a plot point or plot device I tend to hate, or at least strongly dislike.
Yeah, our protagonist has a child, a built in Achilles' Heel. Sooner or later the evil overlords of the story were going to move heaven and earth to track down the kid. It was totally inevitable. So we get that as part of the last volume and this one (no spoiler there I won't go into details). I simply mention it as at times it took me to the point of considering dropping a star as I simply don't get into that. It's been done so often...but it's been done because it's so reliable. Hitler and Stalin always had the threat of "I know where your family lives", and bad guys still find that (and of course did before the 2 I mentioned) a reliable pressure point.
Sigh.
Anyway despite that the story stays pretty good with nicely done characters and reliably well done plotting. Things are now beginning to (predictably) spin out of control for the Techno Arcadians and it don't look good for the rest of us (humanity) either.
Good series I can recommend it...though of course start from Book 1...recommended, enjoy....more
Well...as I've said before, lately I've read a lot of mediocre/blah reads. I've been looking for a book that would draw me in and hold my interest. ThWell...as I've said before, lately I've read a lot of mediocre/blah reads. I've been looking for a book that would draw me in and hold my interest. This one did.
Before I read it/picked it up I wasn't aware that it was the second in a series. I may go back and pick up the first even though I already know what happened.
This is a book about...well it's about David Dixon who always wanted to go into space. He trained as a pilot just to get into space. However he got involved in space spy/fy, sort of. Now he's just glad he came through it without going to prison, or maybe vanishing into a secret CIA prison...somewhere.
However (again) because of his...recent past...he is now called on to, well called on to get involved in the plot of this book.
And it's good...really. Here you'll get lots of action, lots of story, lots of plot...and I can recommend it. And I do recommend it. Enjoy....more
Here we go again. Jack is post military here (again) and he...well he sort of puts his foot in it this time. See the book opens with Reacher on a subwHere we go again. Jack is post military here (again) and he...well he sort of puts his foot in it this time. See the book opens with Reacher on a subway and he notes a woman who rings all the bells as a possible suicide bomber....and that's all I'll say as I assume you want to actually read the book.
The Reacher series is an interesting one where the books while telling a continuing story about the same character have some very different details and different feels. Jack Reacher himself is an odd character who as a character He also constantly meets the most fabulous, unbelievably, inconceivably, incomparably beautiful, sexual women in the entire world and all of them are smitten by him a d fall into his arms.
Amazing, especially as at times his first meeting with these women takes place while he's in a shirt he's worn for a week while doing manual labor and not showering...
Oh well. Like I said, they tend to be good reads and in general I can recommend them. Same here, enjoy....more
You know, over time I've read quite a few of the Reacher books now. I read them in groups of 2 or 3 at a time. I've commented before on why that is.
ThYou know, over time I've read quite a few of the Reacher books now. I read them in groups of 2 or 3 at a time. I've commented before on why that is.
This one is a good read and I decided to go all 5 stars. The books run a gamut from excellent to...oh well better luck next time". This one? As I said, I liked it.
Here Jack is post military (some books take place while he's still an MP Major [or captain whatever] some after he's...well not military). He has had occasion to talk to the new commander of his old outfit (the 110th Military Police) and he liked her voice. So, being Jack (I mean Reacher...everyone calls him Reacher) he decides to travel across the entire country and ask her out (at least he did wear semi-clean clothes when he went to meet her this time).
The thing is that when he gets there...to the old office he remembers so well, the new commander (Major Susan Turner) has been relieved of command, locked away in a cell and there are charges pending against Jack (Reacher). These are charges from 15 years ago. Jack points out that the military has no jurisdiction over a civilian, and he's promptly reinstate into the Army at his old rank (Major Reacher) and placed under arrest.
At least Reacher is confined to a grade triple D motel room instead of a cell...at first.
From there we launch off into another farfetched but enjoyable Jack Reacher adventure as he (and Major Turner of course) unravel a major (no pun intended there) conspiracy.
Look this is a good story. There are still the logical inconsistencies that plague this series for me but I suppose that I've read so many now that I've beefed up my suspension of disbelief muscles. If you like good fast moving action thrillers this will probably not disappoint.
By the way this is the book the last Reacher movie with Tom Cruise was loosely based on. The movie isn't bad either so enjoy both. Good brain candy. ...more
This book is a little odd...I mean it's not that you haven't seen anything like it. It's just that as it's put together it's a bit...unusual.
This is aThis book is a little odd...I mean it's not that you haven't seen anything like it. It's just that as it's put together it's a bit...unusual.
This is a short book and can be read in one sitting if you're will to read for a few hours. I'd sayn it's sort of like The Time Machine/The Island of Doctor Moreau meets The Most Dangerous Game. Our "hero" is a young man who was in a German prison camp during the war (WW2). He's home but, he's not the same. His mother has observed that, "the Germans didn't send all of him home".
We get to view a discussion that sets things up and then he goes off alone with a friend and tells the story of an attempted escape from a German prison camp and how he "seems to have" landed in an alternate future where the Nazis won the war and there are horrors unthought of.
This isn't a bad book. It's dated as the story set up is very slow and even the "horror" we find is a bit paler than you'd see today (the way it's told). Still interesting story and I'm thinking of looking up more of Sarban's (John William Wall) work.
I think I can give it a "mild" recommendation. Try it yourself maybe....more
I tend to read Jack Reacher (or simply Reacher as everyone calls our hero) in "batches". I've got to say I like the books but after a while the logicaI tend to read Jack Reacher (or simply Reacher as everyone calls our hero) in "batches". I've got to say I like the books but after a while the logical flaws begin to bother me a bit and I lay them aside until I can beef up my "suspension of reality" muscles again. You know jack travels around with no change of clothes, sometimes no money and meets extremely, unbelievably, impossibly beautiful women who all fall helplessly in love with him...oooookay.
But here we get a really good addition to the series. This one has an intricate plot that is well detailed and hangs together well.
The synopsis says it. Jack being Jack (I mean Reacher) stumbles on to some very odd oddities and won't let it/them go... Of course he won't, even if it means his career.
But then, that's Reacher.
Well told, very interesting and absorbing. Recommended. ...more
Yep, went with 5 stars on this one and am planning to go download the second in the series in a very few minutes.
I started this with a mild hope I'd lYep, went with 5 stars on this one and am planning to go download the second in the series in a very few minutes.
I started this with a mild hope I'd like it. I'm a big military science fiction fan and this is another the aliens come out of the sky and humanity gets its collective ass err, I mean keister, yeah that's it keister, kicked. Of course I assume you get the title. The aliens arrive on Columbus day hearkening back to the European arrival here in the New World.
It started out about like that, seen the plot before if not the Columbus Day twist. It did have some good humor and the story was well told. Helping that I have the Audible version and R.C. Bray does a great job. However as the story rolled along I found that this one has a bit more depth, an engaging main character (plus a great second protagonist you meet about a third of the way through the book) and kept up or actually improved the humorous banter and narrator commentary.
All in all I came to the conclusion that at least for this volume it broaches the not to be missed status of only the best brain candy... So from a possible 3 or 4 stars this one moves to the 5 out of 5 rating I don't often give.
I can recommend this one. It's not Dostoevsky. it's not Dickens, nor Wells, nor Orwell....but it is a rollicking (and how often can you actually use the word "rollicking"?) good read.
The interesting thing here is that when I began the book, the way it opened I "felt" sure that the book would get no more thThis is an excellent book.
The interesting thing here is that when I began the book, the way it opened I "felt" sure that the book would get no more than a 3 star raring from me. BUT more and more I became (again) more involved in the plot. The characters were well formed without being overly detailed. We learn about each of them within the story's body and not in what would be called "dumps".
Of all the characters I found the female sub-protagonist...Michael's wife well, most annoying. That my friends is simply, "me". I'm sure that some of you will like her a great deal and simply see a lot of what got under my skin as simply a primary part of her character...
To each.
The story concerns the story of Michael Osbourne a CIA agent pulled from the field when his love had been killed by an assassin. Michael had over the years since tracked certain clues as to who the killer was and came to the conclusion that he (the assassin) was a master killer whom had killed all over the world.
We follow Michael and then we follow the assassin through the book to our inevitable climax...and I'd say it's well worth the trip.
I like these, I've said that before. AND this one is a good one...or " is a good one". If you've followed these by now you know Parker as well as I doI like these, I've said that before. AND this one is a good one...or " is a good one". If you've followed these by now you know Parker as well as I do. This one does not disappoint at all.
You get Parker being introduced to another job and then pulling together a crew. Also Parker is moving into the...modern(?), current(?) present(?) world. He has to bring a techie into the said crew. This requires a lot of, adaption and patience on Parker's part. It also leads to (another) job with lots of action and lots of problems.
I first noticed this book (second in a series) and thought the subject matter looked interesting. Then I saw that the author was one of our GoodreadsI first noticed this book (second in a series) and thought the subject matter looked interesting. Then I saw that the author was one of our Goodreads authors. So I got it from the library.
Let me say first that I like this book. I gave it 4 stars. I recommend it. I say this because I'll be saying a couple of things that may sound a little negative. Don't be deterred by that. I think that this is a good read.
When I picked this one up and started it I found that at first the book seemed to be treading some pretty...well....well trodden ground. At first the book seemed to be closing in on cliche. It did however veer off and make a hard right turn into a nice twist. This was also buoyed up by some grand story telling and good writing.
There is a bit of graphic sex in the book (given the subject matter that can be understood). I don't think you will find any more than is needed for the subject and the story. The book's characters stay true to themselves and the book avoids the (possibly) expected ending but instead has the main character stay what he's been written to be.
So, I plan to look for more by Mr. Thane and I can recommend this one. Enjoy....more
(By the way, I know some people hate the use of "..." but I find it conveys a pause that differs from the use of a coma, especially whWell...not bad.
(By the way, I know some people hate the use of "..." but I find it conveys a pause that differs from the use of a coma, especially when a coma is not called for anyway.)
This is the first book in a series about (and there's no spoiler here as going into the book and knowing it's a series you'll know this) a material witness who will eventually become an FBI agent. (view spoiler)[ The ending sets this up. (hide spoiler)]
Throughout this short book we see the "witness" get into the position of being a witness and then moving forward into solving...things.
Not a bad book but it really didn't draw me in. I had no trouble finishing it but I simply wasn't all that involved. Will I follow the series? I don't really know yet. Maybe try it yourself. I'm at best a little lukewarm on this one....more
I just gave the first in this series a 4 star rating (I read it a few weeks ago but just now got to reviewing both the first and second in the series)I just gave the first in this series a 4 star rating (I read it a few weeks ago but just now got to reviewing both the first and second in the series). A friend here noted that she didn't care for the second book as much as she did the first. I can see a little of why as the 2 books are in some ways quite different.
Here we get a bit more of a convoluted story with false leads and dead ends as the author sets out to (attempt to) fool his readers. That works somewhat and sometimes. The book still however (for my taste that is) holds up with good action, good plotting and characters that hold up. While things go somewhat differently here I think the character of Evan Smoak remains true to "himself" and we get a good read.
Happy to be able to recommend the second in the series....more
This Parker book (adventure) is the inspiration for a fairly recent movie (2013) staring Jason Statham as Parker. I didn't even hear of it when it wasThis Parker book (adventure) is the inspiration for a fairly recent movie (2013) staring Jason Statham as Parker. I didn't even hear of it when it was in the theaters but have since seen it (USA Network has it on On Demand now).
So doing my "due diligence" as movies based on books MUST be addressed in reviewing the book. In this case the movie isn't bad. They do a pretty good job of staying with the plot and destroy the book's plot with changes and deletions. I think Parker fans can feel safe in watching it...I liked it.
Now "what we got here" is the almost standard beginning of Parker novels. A crew put together by a friend of Parker's agrees that if Parker will plot a job he'll be in charge. While Parker doesn't know these people personally he trusts his friend and does the job...and it's a great success...and Parker gets double-crossed and left for dead.
From there the book launches off into another great book with double blinds and some good plot twists...and of course Parker.
As has been the rule in this series this one is good to great, very fast and the readabilit never flags.
You'd think that after a while these might sort of run together or become repetitive, but they don't. They even stand up well to re-reading. I supposeYou'd think that after a while these might sort of run together or become repetitive, but they don't. They even stand up well to re-reading. I suppose it has to do with the quality of the writing and how well we get to know Parker.
I mean (generally) the books open with Parker being introduced to a "job" or coming up with a job himself. Then he plans said job and pulls together a crew. Then however things always (somehow) go off the rails and we get a suspenseful thriller ...yeah, there is actual suspense. Stark (Westlake) is simply a good (great?) writer.
Here there is a kind of double blind set up in the job (jobs) and while you may figure it out going along it's still an absorbing read with characters you get to know (some more than others of course) set in a thrill filled plot.
I'd say by now it's pretty obvious I'm a "Parker fan". I always "feel" obligated to mention that it surprises me somewhat that this violent antihero (I'd say by now it's pretty obvious I'm a "Parker fan". I always "feel" obligated to mention that it surprises me somewhat that this violent antihero (possibly even a psychopath) is one of the characters who's story I've followed...
So the book before this came out in 1974...this one was published in the 1990s (around 1997). So for 20+ years it seemed that our favorite thief had shuffled off this mortal coil...or had at least been relegated by "Richard Stark" ( Donald E. Westlake) to some form of eternal waiting. But no like a wolf loosed from it's cage Parker makes a Comeback.
AND it's a good one. Still a great idea/planner and thief who can put together a crew and plan/run a "job" like no one else there is no loss of quality here either in story or character.
Of course sometimes it seems as though some of the people who get involved in Parker's jobs have about the same luck or fate as the Enterprise crew member with the red shirt in a landing party...
This is the longest Parker book I've read and I think the longest in the series (more than twice as long as the others). That said you don't lose anyThis is the longest Parker book I've read and I think the longest in the series (more than twice as long as the others). That said you don't lose any quality here and there is very little if any flagging. Here Parker goes back to retrieve the money he left behind in Slayground. For Parker (in the book) only a couple of years have passed (though for the reader when the books were published for the first time more than 20 years had gone by). Now Parker and the surviving partner from the fiasco that the armored car job in Slayground turned out to go back to "simply" retrieve "their" money...
But it's not there and before things are over Parker is involved in (possibly starts?) a full-fledged gang war...
Another "good" entry into the Parker bio-files, though "good" may not be the right word...as it were.
Parker is an interesting (there's that word I oveAnother "good" entry into the Parker bio-files, though "good" may not be the right word...as it were.
Parker is an interesting (there's that word I over use) character. I often wonder why I like these books and what that says about me. Parker is a thief. He's cold calculating and arguably a psychopath. That said he's good at what he does, maybe the best at what he does. He'll keep his word and do what he says, but don't cross him.
This book is a slight departure from most of the other Parker ventures into larceny and mayhem. We don't don't open with a planning session and the assembly of a crew. No here the "score" has already taken place and we join Parker just as everything...well let us say as the solid waste strikes the rotary impeller.
From there an excellent, fast and very bloody story takes off.
This book started out better than it finished. That's too bad as I did like the way things opened.
The idea here is that a way to download a person's mThis book started out better than it finished. That's too bad as I did like the way things opened.
The idea here is that a way to download a person's memories and personality into a digital format has become a reality. So some people...very, very wealthy people...may have found a way to live on after death.
The thing is that when Samantha wakes "there" she'd never heard of Valhalla Online. She thought a friend had somehow dressed her in a full immersion game suit and put her into his favorite game. She was ticked... Being career military and not really interested in games, RPG or otherwise, she was planning to give him...well something painful.
However once there's time to talk to other people in the game and discovered that they are all...dead and that she should be dead to (to be there) things change for her. How did she get here, she's definitely not wealthy and had made no provision to be, "downloaded". Was she dead? Was she unconscious somewhere? Why didn't she have any memory of how she got here, what had happened?
From there the story moves on with some pretty good familiar game elements but there's always the mystery sort of overshadowing the rest of things.
I liked it. BUT as the story went on it seemed to drag a bit and get more and more uncertain. There's a lot of "lets build the mystery" but so far the clues are a bit sparse. Maybe things will get better as it goes along. I found that by the time I'd finished this one (2 volumes in one book) that my mind was wandering and I wasn't really dying for the next book. Will it draw me back in? Don't know, hope so.
Still it's a good read and I plan to eventually follow it (if possible). So 3 star brain candy. ...more
As to the shelves...we would have to call this, "mild horror" but as it's largely based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft lets put it on the horror shelfAs to the shelves...we would have to call this, "mild horror" but as it's largely based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft lets put it on the horror shelf also.
Okay...I'M GOING TO ASSUME YOU HAVE READ BOOK 1 SO THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 IN THIS REVIEW OF BOOKS 2. IF YOU DOUN'T WANT TO READ SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 DON'T READ FURTHER! REPEAT DON'T READ FURTHER!
To be safe: (view spoiler)[ the first book ended with the world as they (and we) knew it ending. Now our heroes (Lovecraft and Carter) face a world where the Nazis won WW2, the "N" word that no one uses is Nazi as it might offend the Party. America is the only power that could possibly challenge the modern Reich as the Germans defeated the Russians before the U.S. ever entered the war, the Germans convinced the Japanese not to attack the U.S. The Germans sued for peace and since England was now alone peace was made...and Nazi Germany is the world power.
Except there are things that don't seem right about the world. The Waites are gone, the spit of land where they lived is gone and Providence is gone replaced by Arkham where Miskatonic University is "just up and around the corner from the Carter and Lovecraft book shop.
Okay so it's still a pretty good and at times fun read. I am enjoying the series (though I have no idea when the next will be out). I will say be ready for some mild lectures on political correctness. The point is often made that racism under the Nazis is even worse than before and as the U.S. is on or having good diplomatic relations with the Reich...well. The other "N" word is used and no one seems to find it offensive. (that word is not used in the book only referred to). It doesn't detract from the story just thought I'd mention that the book does seem to be striving for some redeeming or relevant content.. (hide spoiler)]
Well... I've got a bit to say here. Some of it will refer specifically to this edition, that is the audio. Other things will be general comments. I liWell... I've got a bit to say here. Some of it will refer specifically to this edition, that is the audio. Other things will be general comments. I liked the idea behind this book . I'm a fan of "weird westerns", "science fiction westerns" etc. and frankly they are either way too few of them or their just really hard to find. I've picked up most every book I've come across that might/may fit the title/description fantasy type western...and sadly most have been, well to be charitable weak.
This book has it's pluses and it's minuses. For one thing the book has trouble deciding whether it's adult level or YA level. The main character is a "YA" but the story takes place in a world where there has been another Civil War, lots of people are dead, lots of females are sterile and life is still pretty cheap. Of course women are still dealing with their lot of being second class citizens in some places (the settlements will "sell" young women who are fertile to other settlements who may "need them". You know when the first settlement has more fertile women than they can marry off to locals...
Of course then we meet the "badest" leader in the badlands and she's a woman so maybe times be a changin". Who knows? Not me.
See that's one of the minuses here. We know that there was a war, we know Pity's (short for Serendipity) mother fought for the Patriots (who lost) and that they now live in the CONA The Confederacy of North America...but that's all we really know. It seems as though things may have collapsed at some point...maybe across the entire world but we don't know. Anyway the war (wars?) were nasty even including bio-war (thus the sterility) and the CONA victors are still ready to kill those who fought for the Patriots (seems a lot like a more violent version of the Unification vs. Brown Coats war in Firefly).
What did the Patriots stand for as opposed to the Confederationists? we don't know, however there may be later books so maybe we'll find out more.
Another thing, the book was a good 12 chapters in before we really got moving. Just hang in, a story does develop if you stay with it. For a good while (or maybe "fir a good while" as Pity does "talk western talk") Pity is very young and she acts it. I was a little frustrated with that part of the story for...well for as long as it went on but again, it was done intentionally and fit into the book.
Finally this edition. I find of late I do much more "brain candy" than anything serious. I suspect it's just a function of age and the fact that I'm tired. I just don't need to go looking for the seriousness of life, it finds me on it's own.
Also I listen to a LOT of books now. I like audio books. They allow me to do other things (like my leather craft) and still "read". However I am/we are at the mercy of the reader. Now this book is about a young woman...so apparently the producer thought it would be a good idea to get a reader who sounds...well very young. Now the book is not first person it's told by a narrator. Thus to hear this rather high soprano trying to read the story was (for me) not the most ideal. The novel is about a young woman who is a good marksman (markswoman?) and the book has a good many scenes involving gunfire. When this young woman reads "BANG, BANG,BANG" I kept hearing a child playing cowboys.
Oh well, you get the idea. I found this one a mixed bag but in the end went all the way to a 4 star rating. By the end of the book I'd gotten used to the reader and was interested in the story.
I'd just like to know a little more about the history here...naybe just me.
Well...the adventure goes on. Dave is still a jerk, I know he can't help it but there you are. He's a jerk and we might as well say so.
After becomingWell...the adventure goes on. Dave is still a jerk, I know he can't help it but there you are. He's a jerk and we might as well say so.
After becoming a hero (super-hero?) and a TV darling Dave really hates that he has to stop his partying and go back to fighting monsters.
Inconsiderate monsters.
But things are still changing and the monsters have their own agenda...I mean just because they're monsters doesn't mean they can't think, plan, have feelings...enjoy really disgusting foodstuffs. Let us not be monsterphobes...do they not have feelings...do they not bleed as we do...oh well no their blood is a bit different. But come to think of it they will eat each other as well as us.
Anyway the story is progressing, sort of. This might be called "Horor-Humor".
Well....humm. I've seen this compared to Harry Dresden. I can see that, however Dave is nothing like Harry. But then I suppose that's not what the "coWell....humm. I've seen this compared to Harry Dresden. I can see that, however Dave is nothing like Harry. But then I suppose that's not what the "comparers" meant. I'd say the book may be a little like Harry Dresden meets Monster Hunter International...sort of.
Dave is a Jerk, he's also an idiot and worse he is often the kind of idiot who doesn't realize he's an idiot until he's already done or said too much. Maybe the first quarter to half of the book Dave is a whiny ne'er-do-well who's screwed up being a husband, a father and pretty much everything else. However he is good at his job. We meet Dave headed out to the deep sea drilling platform where he works. He's on a chopper, hungover and sick. He's also realizing that he posted pictures of himself with two imported hookers on Facebook where his soon to be ex-wife AND his kids can see them.
Also lets not forget that he spent most of what he'd made while the IRS is hunting him down over back taxes and unfiled tax returns.
Get the picture?
Then the chopper gets the call that there's a fire on the oil rig...then word of what seems to be a terrorist attack.
It's not.
From there the book takes an upturn into it's true genre as an action urban fantasy. The book is not funny in the vein of Harry Dresden Dave is simply too big a jerk.. But it's a good read. I can recommend it. ...more
Okay....I'm going out on a limb here and placing this on my Epic Fantasy shelf even though we only have a single book in what is obviously planed to bOkay....I'm going out on a limb here and placing this on my Epic Fantasy shelf even though we only have a single book in what is obviously planed to be a...well and epic fantasy.
I liked this one. I won't reveal a lot about the actual story as the synopsis while being accurate led me to believe that the novel would go in a different direction than it actually did. In this case that wasn't bad it simply led into a different story than I expected.
You'll note (I assume) that I gave this one the entire 5 stars. That is a borderline 5 as I was on the line between the 4 and 5 often (yes we all wish for the 10 star system, though at this point going back an "re-rating" all the books I've reviewed would be a nightmare.) The book is a good read and falls into the "place" I like if I have to choose between Character driven and plot driven. It is predominately plot driven but still provides good solid filled out characters. While we won't know the details of each one, their favorite color, how they feel or felt about their mother (or father or siblings etc.) we do know them. Who's a reliable soul, who's a conceited bas errr, I mean creep and so on.
A major spoiler is in the next paragraph so don't read beyond the spoiler tag if you don't want to know!
There is also a twist in the book in the (view spoiler)[ magic sword. It is somewhat like Moorcock's Stormbringer or Mournblade in that it sucks in the life-force (maybe the soul but that may be argued later on. At least once someone assumes it captures the soul) of those it kills. However in a twist I haven't seen done quite this way before the souls all continue to live in and power, even try for control of, the Red Sword. Thus if there are more or more powerful Evil souls in the sword the sword is evil. If there are more or more powerful good souls in the sword it becomes good. Thus say a good person slays a very powerful evil person...at that moment depending on the balance of power in the sword it may go evil and turn on it's wielder. (hide spoiler)]
So anyway ending here an excellent read. A great beginning with just a little weakness but not so much as to cause me to drop a star. I'm going 5 on this one, recommending it for fantasy fans and hoping for a short wait on the next volume.
Enjoy.
I stand corrected. I just found that The Red Sword Trilogy is complete...it just doesn't show up here in the way trilogies usually do. so, you know...cool. ...more
Mike (the Paladin)
>
Books:
action
(334)
Loading...
