Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

It's good to be back amongst friends! Amra and Holgren haven't lost a step, though between them they've lost an eye and a home. Despite the grand bits of humor, this is shaping up to be a rather serious tale.

Hands-down the best story in the book thus far and the longest is Lawrence Block's "Keller's Designated Hitter." Marvelous timing with mystery, action, and humor. Very well-drawn and cool character set. Almost worth keeping this book for just this one story.

Lisa Mannetti finally delivers a good tale with "Everybody Wins."

2 straight stories whose authors irritatingly misuse anti-hero.

A flurry of okay stories.

I'm going to call this book a winner before I am even finished. Outside the first two pages of that introduction, this has been non-stop goodness, a truly excellent introduction to the works of Robert E. Howard. I intended on giving this to someone after reading, but I want to keep this to myself now. I'll have to find another copy.

Having recently watched the old b&w version, I can unequivocally declare the written version of "Pigeons from Hell" much more intense. They could make a modern version, flesh it out just a bit, and get a nice 90-minute terror flick.

"Worms of the Earth" is one of the best stories ever written. It is an awesome story every time I read; everytime it gives me the chills, the fierce intensity of Bran is strikingly evident, the taste of vengeance palpable...and delectable. I love the distinct difference between Kull and Bran that REH makes plain: the previous two Kull stories are filled with dreams of the big man, Bran flatley states: I do not dream.

Wherein I admit to this being my first time reading "Kings of the Night" and loving it. Kull, Bran, and Cormac unite to eradicate a Roman kill team. This reads like a Cormac tale, though it could honestly belong in any of their collections. Kull is most magnificent, as are Howard's depictions of battle and blood.

Bob Howard: "A man will fight for his woman, and he'll fight for his food. In which order, I don't rightly know." Got a good laugh out of me.

Always good to ponder the deep thoughts of REH's characters whilst those very same characters sling some bloody blades about. 😎

Intro ended much, much better than it began. Actually on several strong notes I'm happy with. I'm thinking I'll recommend readers skip Clute's first 3 paragraphs (almost 2 pages).

A decent chapter, once again balanced.

My wife and I enjoyed the first half of this book quite a bit. The last 2 chapters have rather irked us though, coming across rather male chauvinistic.

I've read John Clute before, and this is recommended as a quality intro to REH for beginners. That is the only reason I pushed beyond Clute's first 2 pages of his intro - he pissed me off. Presenting, nay, pushing a negative description of REH is NOT my idea of a strong beginning for a new-to-Howard reader. It is literally not until the last 2 lines of the 2nd page of his 10-page intro that he speaks well of the man.

Read perhaps the least of Conan tales in 'The Vale of Lost Women.'

I find this book quite fascinating. Can't say I've ever read anything akin to it. Even with authorial bias, this journalling real-life story sharing is so personally revealing about both characters.

"The Toy Theater" - clever, eloquent, picturesque, pleasant.

First story - elegant, ephemeral, effective as usual. Yet I enjoyed Gene's reminiscence at its close more. Gene is an acquired taste for me; one has to be in the right mood to read him, and find the right him to read.

A fun and revelatory set of pages, but come on, Bob! I just read of your feelings about coffee:
'a worthless concoction developed by some fool to try to keep its imbibers from facing life as it really was.' Funny, but what the hell dude?!

"Fin de Siecle" by William O'Farrell, while cheerfully clever in a different manner than the previous, is another delight. Book is closing much stronger than it opened. Still don't think I'll be keeping it though.

Michael Gilbert's "Mr. Portway's Practice" has been a delightful read, perhaps the best story in this book yet. Clever, eloquently told, no ludicrously blase humor or insults of feminine characters.

Finally! #17 is a helluva chapter!

Not near as good as the first book. Rampant stupidity, no 'good' female character left alive, and dozens of pages of description that often lead to predictable results.

Things have definitely escalated, though most has been predictable. Lots of color, lots of deceit, lots of female characters dying or getting subverted. Seems in this story there is no goodness that escapes punishment and terror.

Restarted this massive tome. Just now getting a hint of the 'breakneck pacing' blurbed on the front. Lots of telling and background thus far. I enjoyed book 1 for the most part, though most the characters I was interested in died. I find 'the shapers' behind all to be more irritating than alluring. Let's see where this goes.

Odd book. Like the author is trying to be Anne Rice. Lestat fan fic lite. I enjoy vampires and Lord Byron is one of my favorite poets, so I was intrigued by this book. Now it's all rather droll and I should probably toss it aside but I wish still to know its close. Like its protagonist though, this is sucking the life from me.

Chapter 17 poignantly displays what a cluster war can be and what even more of a cluster idiot officers are.

Exciting! Surprisingly well-done storytelling and characterization. Many interesting and compelling moving parts.

Wow, chapter 16 'Wise Endurance' made this whole book. Just wow. I wasn't planning on keeping this book but this chapter has changed everything. This very candid eye-opening and heart-moving examination of cowardice, bravery, wisdom, and being a hero rocks. Outstanding chapter.