Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

Dobie is quite the loquacious storyteller. Inventive, crafty, folksy - legends and history and interviews and experience all rolled loosely into a porch-sitting-n-telling style. Would have liked to seen the original Texas Longhorn Mavericks, as described behemoths of the river brush bottoms, but they last ranged in 1900. Based on some longhorns I've seen, I can only imagine how huge they once were.

Part the 4 begins after a plot surprise, not in action but in timing. The event in question was long foregone and foretold, but its implementation came earlier than anticipated. This tale is eccentric and really offers no character to hold me yet I am bound by a morbid curiosity to learn its close and thus its purpose. Oddly endearing.

Finishing The Scary Stuff section with the enjoyable "A Pirate Remembers" and two great lines from other poems:
From "Shadows from Yesterday": 'For every sin that we revel in we must make right some time.'
And from "The Ghost Kings": '...but the world, unheeding, sleeps.'

I've gained two story titles from these.

Learning of some very entertaining & interesting facts, folks, and familiar sayings in the past of the Texas Longhorn.

I've enjoyed quite the number of Howard's 'Scary Stuff' verse, though as could be expected as this is the largest section of this collection. "The Bell of Morni" is the latest, and it shares a warning of a looming dangerous doom.

This is a tale of an unlikable prodigal son who is neither hero nor antihero; at best a Byronic hero, at worst just a cut-rate villain. An adventuring swashbuckler set in space amidst pulse plasma guns and sentient AI swords and wristlets. Once the writing on the blade is explained, the writing on the wall is a bit more clear. A few secondary characters are nicely rounded out and add flavor as well as folks to cheer.

Interesting beginning to this cross-genre jaunt. Went into this not certain of what to expect and thus far holding to course.

"The Ride of Falume" is mostly spectacular, a wonderful rhythm and tale 'till the closing stanzas. Quite fun pattern though. "Shadow Thing" and "Dead Man's Hate" are dang enjoyable too.

Interesting history of the evolution of the Texan Longhorn. Also learning a cool word or two, such as 'avoirdupois,' scattered about.

Re-beginning this saga of the Old West, Texas, cowboys, cattlemen, and one of the icons of them all - The Longhorn.

"Sundered Man" was very dark and deadly and desperate all around. Great plot devices but an overall oddity if given too much thought.

"Luck and Swords" was fun yet unfulfilling. Lots there, but it ended right when it was beginning.

I'm enjoying the mystery looming behind all the swords and sorcery and finding several likeable characters to root for. They all sure do blink a lot, and the storyteller catches every. one. of. those. blinks. But the magic and its use is exciting.

Quite interesting and entertaining, though obviously a first, or near-first, novel. Great characters with motivations and powers I'm looking forward to exploring.

"Slugger's Holiday" was a quite fun homage to REH's Sailor Steve & Mike tales. Nicely told, I say. I'll say nothing about the two preceding tales of attempted humor.

"Remembrance" - what a clever verse.

Rhing is a chip off the old Thal block. I'm glad you included "Coin and Steel," Charles.

Thal is a fun dude. A very serious, very subtle, very dangerous fun dude.

Thal Kyrin's first tale "Dark Wind" is a doozy of an introduction to the mighty warrior. A powerful tale told well.

"Names in the Black Book" was a hoot! A terrific riot of boisterous fistfights,deadly knife and hatchet and iron mace fights, poisons and primitive, guttural, deadly traps and words and plans and escapes, all drenched in blood and muscled heroes and great action storytelling!

"Solomon Kane's Homecoming" is always a rousing read. Now on to The Scary Stuff!

"The Return of Sir Richard Grenville" is not only one of Howard's best poems, it is an epitome of epic, powerful, passionate, storytelling verse. And it's quite fun.

"Lord of the Dead" was great! Thoroughly enjoyed my read.

Part I gave me pause and ponder; Part II does not. It actually irritates me. God is in control of a game He designed, set the rules to, knows the result of, made the opening move in, and referees. Sure, humanity has free will; what of it?

"The King and the Oak" opens with some of the strongest, most vivid descriptive two stanzas of all Howard's verse. These powerful lines rock one to the core, and even though the poem as a whole does not nor even live up to its opening, they still resound with beats and rhythms that echo far beyond their reading.

Nathan Long's "The Two Crowns of Ras Karim" brought much joy and entertainment. Tumult and betrayal, monsters of myth and man, blood and guts - what else is necessary?

And thus closes my first read of Howard's "Skull-Face," a most thrilling tale set in and told of times that today could never be written of or in or akin to. Storytelling from another era, wherein thrills of fear, adrenaline, anger, audacity, courage, and sorcery cover all the very many pitfalls of illogical writing. Entertaining for certain, and probably something I would have reread in youth, but not now.

First time reading "Skull-Face" - simultaneously what and not exactly what I anticipated. Totally enjoy that cover art even more now though.

Boxing and Barbarism sections were great, really liked "In the Ring" and "John L. Sullivan" is rousing joyful fun. "A Word from the Outer Dark" is not only the title of this collection, it is also a terrific verse. Now on to the Heroic poetry!