Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

Story the first: I liked it and then I did not. It was mysterious, dangerous, intriguing, and ended nicely at its climax. And then it's denouement brought set up for a larger story and took us into an intergalactic/planular world that dismayed me.

Received 4 books today (3 anthologies) and began with this one. I like the cover art and one of my favorite authors is in the TOC. Just finished the 'Introduction' - which was most unusual as it did introduce the contributors but said not a word on the contents or topic.

And then at 234 we discover why nothing remains unchanged, nothing is answered, by this book: he flatly begins a further unrevealing explanation by stating "It is wrong to speak of God's need of love from his creation..." WHY? Why is that wrong? Is it truth we dare not speak? Truth we dare not question? What a terrible choice of wording, yet it reveals the overall pointlessness of this book.

So far nothing beyond what I basically anticipated. One of the best things read thus far is a quote from another author: "When there is no longer any opportunity for doubt, there is no longer any opportunity for faith either." By Paul Tournier

Terrific opening sequence, art, and chapter! I loved this presentation of Conan and this setup of the story. Well-done all around.

Quite the fabulous works, but my favorite thus far is the underpainting unfinished sketch of a Mongol-looking barbaric warrior (page 33). That would make a terrific cover.

Prime example of lacking information: The Spectre & Phantom Stranger. Both are allied with known good-guys yet are each other's enemy. So who to root for? And then both are said to get their all-powerful powers from the even-more-all-powerful Voice...who is not included in this book. Many of these characters have listed allies, foes, and creator/benefactors who are not explored beyond a name.

Another enjoyable Enge/Morlock tale, this one nicely demonstrating some true depth to Morlock's powers and person. Also a big fan of Stoddard's Shartoom, an admirable character I'd love to read more of but unfortunately will not it seems. Strong tales!

Fun & interesting, but also oddly irritating in its inclusion of non -hero and -villain characters (I really don't care about any more secretary or journalist friends!) and derivative/duplicative characters (especially when their names all fall in a row!). Most irritating of all is the regular listing of characters' major foes but those very same 'major' foes are not found in this book!

The first pool book of the summer, not my typical cup of tea but something that I don't mind getting wet by the water.

Skharr is...an interesting and entertaining fellow. The telling of his story is super long in the tooth though. I'll see where it and he leads, but certainly not an addictive nor mandatory read.

Doom Patrol. A name I've heard and been aware of, and now truly wish I didn't know anything more about. Dear God! Ignorance was bliss. I'm dumber knowing what I now know.

Well here I'd thought I'd read Joiry's adventure "Black God's Kiss" and turns out I never had. Super descriptive & evocative, and Joiry is a pistol of a fun read. I enjoyed the tale, though it is another of those super long in the telling of the buildup but then too short a climax with no or little denouement.

Well I guess one shouldn't sell cordage to gnoles, eh?

Sure are a lot of Super-Docs, heroes & villains. Perhaps I should investigate my doc a bit more closely.

'The Abstract Art: The Techniques of Storytelling' is a wonderful chapter, especially from the 'Show, Don't Tell' point on. Very illustrative and informative in its presentation.

Great thought: "What makes a good storyteller is not his ability to create harmony or concord, then, but rather his ability to create convincing conflict."

My first contact with Kardios...he's quite the card, eh? Or thinks he is. And thinks quite highly of himself. Still a bit uncertain on how to take him, or if I even wish to. Funnish tale though one with much ado about not all that much.

I am entertained by learning of so many characters I know nothing or little of...and fascinated by the overwhelming overlap and sameness of so many of them.

David Madison's "Tower of Darkness" was a blast of adventure. Nice inclusion.

"Where light and life are, night and death were and will be again." David Madison, whose new-to-me tale only half read is more entertaining than HPL's preceding descriptive historical no matter how colorful its telling words.

Elric and I just never rightly cottoned to one another. I mostly enjoy Moorcock's writing style and storytelling, but I'll take Conan and Kane over this fellow every time. This story was epic, its components clicked and whirred, its characters danced and performed well. Elric lived up to his doomed and doom-ladened role.

Hot damn, but Tyler Boone (hmmm, same initials as the protagonist...?) has written a humdinger of a tale! Unless something derails this train of awesomeness (and I sure ain't expecting such!), this is one tightly woven mystery in a six-gun-a'popping Western. Not at all the Western I set out in, but I for one am certainly delighted by the turn of events.

Chambers' written two distinctly different books and somehow/why delightedly shoved them together making each the lesser and not delivering what this reader sought or thought he bought. I'd never have begun this book if I'd known its last half distanced itself from its beginnings and still overwhelmed the whole. Sold a false bill o'goods was I, and 'tain't to my liking or a'seeing a things.

The Formula of Storytelling section is thorough and easily digested. Not too difficult, many case examples, and a decent guide to storytelling.

Almost 20% of this book was devoted to 'The Streets of Our Lady of the Fields,' which turned out to be the biggest waste of time in this book, a 'story' that invests and requests the reader invests much in its establishment and character development to simply end on an apparent whim. Despite the often oddity of lots preceding this section, I've not disliked what I've read till now, and leave frustrated, seeking end.

Arrg! The best story of this ensemble just became a lame duck. Clines' "The Banner of the Bent Cross" was awesome and brought a terrific character and sound sidekicks with an exciting premise and great vision with looming mystery and tense expectation...only to chicken out and simply stop without truly ending or resolving anything. Not only wasted my time and dashed my excitement, left a great character useless. Sad.

"Lynortis Reprise" is not only a great tale told well, it is Kane and it delivers a sweetly sublime 11-paragraph climactic battle between Kane and about 18 others who are soon to be deceased. These paragraphs are awesomely written, delivered, and prime exemplars of the art.

"Operation Starfish' from Peter Rawlik is well-written and well-told, great voice and POV. Doesn't redeem this anthology, but helps it go down a bit easier.