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| 1634761626
| 9781634761628
| B01HLX8XE8
| 3.90
| 154
| Jun 21, 2013
| Oct 06, 2015
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I don’t often re-read books, but when Andrew Q. Gordon sent me an updated copy of his book Purpose, I dove back in right away. I had remembered enjoyi
I don’t often re-read books, but when Andrew Q. Gordon sent me an updated copy of his book Purpose, I dove back in right away. I had remembered enjoying the story the first time around and am always in the mood for something a little different. Here’s the bit that hooked me the first time: Forty years ago the Spirit of Vengeance—a Purpose—took William Morgan as its host, demanding he avenge the innocent by killing the guilty. For forty years, William Morgan has been avenging the innocent. Every year as host for the Purpose has him withdrawing farther from his humanity. He has adopted a new name � Gar � and has had his emotions on lockdown for nearly as long. He exists merely to fulfil his purpose, his days filled with the training that makes him strong and capable, his nights filled with stalking the guilty. One evening, on the way home from delivering vengeance, he meets the young man who will challenge everything he has come to believe about his Purpose and the way in which he fulfils it. From the beginning, there is something about Ryan that calls to William and Gar. Ryan feels like a victim, but he is alive. His soul is not crying out for vengeance. He is also obviously troubled. Surprising himself, William makes an attempt to befriend Ryan. After several miscommunications, the men go their separate ways. Immediately, William senses danger and is possessed by the need to save Ryan. He does. A friendship develops from there, one that quickly deepens into something more. William’s relationship with Ryan is a complication in many ways. He has not used anything but the name Gar in decades and in revealing his real name to Ryan, he opens himself to inquiry and memories he’d rather not revisit. We get a peek of the man behind the Purpose. His past, how he came to be a host for the Spirit of Vengeance and what it has cost him. We also learn his humanity is not totally lost. It’s just been hidden and without purpose. Further complications arise when the FBI expresses an interest in a series of unsolved crimes. William is aware of the attention. It’s why he moves on so often and tries so hard to make vengeance look as if it’s the work of balance rather than one man. Counting on gang rivalry and accidental confessions to out his perps and see them brought to justice or dead are are two of his favourite tricks. Then there is Ryan. There’s something about Ryan. It’s more than the fact his eyes are sometimes familiar or that he’s widening the chinks in Gar’s armour, exposing William to daylight. He’s making William question everything: his Purpose, the way he fulfils it and the biggest one of all, why him? Why was he chosen and why was one of the first innocents he avenged directly tied to him? Purpose is one of those stories that begins simply and complicates beautifully. Gordon answers all of these questions while challenging the reader with more. The third person narrative (from Gar/William’s point of view) is interspersed with journal entries written in first person. These are the chapters where Gar answers the calls of the innocent, delivering vengeance to the guilty. Increasingly, however, these journal entries become more complicated and, through these alone, we can track William’s evolution or revolution, if you will. For action lovers, there is a lot to like here. The FBI plot is well developed and escalates quickly and believably. William’s inventiveness and experience holds off the inevitable for a while but, the introduction of Ryan into his life, gives him a weakness he’s fully aware of but isn’t given time to explore. The relationship between William and Ryan is very sweet. Ryan is so very young and written with just the right balance between annoying and sympathetic. His past hurts are significant but not splashed across the page. What he does for William is very significant and written with careful beauty. The part I like best, however, is the revelation of just what the Spirit of Vengeance is. This is the reason I picked up this book and the reason I re-read it. The concept is quite unlike anything I’ve read before. At first, I thought it might be a situation akin to Justice in the Dragon Age: Origins expansion Awakening. Spoiler alert: it’s not. But the real story is equal parts compelling and fascinating. The end of the book leaves us with a very big question. It’s one readers can answer on their own and further adventures can be written in our own heads. I do hope Gordon returns to this world, as I believe there are more stories to tell. But if he doesn’t and, as a writer, I understand the drive to explore new territory, to tell the next story, Purpose is still an absolutely satisfying read that I recommend without hesitation. Reviewed for . ...more |
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0
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not set
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not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1928048269
| 9781928048268
| B0BH6F66B7
| 4.44
| 75
| unknown
| Oct 15, 2022
|
'The Hollow Boys� by Douglas Smith is a fast-paced and entertaining introduction to a new series. Will Dreycott has a secret. Actually, he has more tha 'The Hollow Boys� by Douglas Smith is a fast-paced and entertaining introduction to a new series. Will Dreycott has a secret. Actually, he has more than one, but the most important is his identity. By day, he’s an agoraphobic seventeen year-old whose parents are missing, presumed dead. Left in charge of their wealth, he has outfitted a city building to accommodate his enclosed life with floors devoted to gardens, entertainment, research and work. Will isn’t just a poor little rich boy, though. He’s a bit of a lost soul. In fact, he’s more than a bit hollow, himself, as he searches for meaning and purpose. By night, Will becomes the Dream Rider, he main character in the comicbook he draws by day. The realm of Dream might be on a lot of minds right now with the new ‘Sandman� TV series on Netflix. But Smith makes it his own place or, rather, Will Dreycott’s place; a realm where a lost young man can not only experience what he misses during the day, but actively feed his dreams. After dark, Will is a hero. He and his Doogles (dream-constructed bloodhounds) chase down missing children. Case (‘Hard� Case) has been on her own for a while now and she’s been doing the best she can. She’s tough and wary, on a constant lookout for threats to her and her brother, Fader. When street kids start disappearing, she goes into full protective mode, only it’s not enough. While on the run from an odd pair of characters, she sneaks past security and into Will’s building and their stories become inextricably linked. Together, they will unravel the mystery of the Hollow Boys. Who they are or were and what their purpose is. Will and Case are fighting a lot of the same foes: supernatural forces, as well as being on their own. They find themselves drawn to one another but, though they have much in common, they each have their secrets. We’ve talked about Will’s, briefly, but not Case’s. I’m going to let you read the book to learn more about her. What I will say here is that her ‘talent� is super-mysterious and I can’t wait to learn more about it as the series progresses. I’ve always enjoyed Smith’s books and the characters in ‘The Hollow Boys� are further proof of why. They’re rendered in more than three-dimensions, with the ‘good guys� having their faults and even the villains having the odd tender spot, except for that one guy but every book needs one complete berk. As villains go, he’s properly villainous. Honestly, he made my skin crawl. His sidekick, Morrigan, though? I hope we meet her again. Her story is definitely unfinished. The action rolls forward relentlessly and the stakes grow higher with every chapter. But Smith takes time out to let his characters talk, giving everyone a short break, which this reader appreciates, while also sharing back story and deepening the connections. The plot is straightforward, but there are lots of delicious complications, meaning that while this chapter of the story comes to a satisfying end, there are plenty of questions left for future novels in the series. My one quibble would be the romance aspect. It felt a little fast to me but, even as I was reading, I found myself offering up the perfect excuse: young people feel things hugely and instantly. The romance makes sense, even if I wasn’t totally on board at the beginning. If I haven’t made it clear up to this point, I enjoyed ‘The Hollow Boys� immensely. I don’t read a lot for review, anymore, so when I am offered a title, it’s usually one I know I will love. Still, I was so pleased to have my opinion of Douglas Smith’s work confirmed. He’s a talented writer, equipped with two of my favourite traits: imagination and pathos. I look forward to continuing ‘The Dream Rider Saga� with ‘The Crystal Key�, due to be published March 15, 2023. Written for SFCROWSNEST.INFO October 2023 Merged review: 'The Hollow Boys� by Douglas Smith is a fast-paced and entertaining introduction to a new series. Will Dreycott has a secret. Actually, he has more than one, but the most important is his identity. By day, he’s an agoraphobic seventeen year-old whose parents are missing, presumed dead. Left in charge of their wealth, he has outfitted a city building to accommodate his enclosed life with floors devoted to gardens, entertainment, research and work. Will isn’t just a poor little rich boy, though. He’s a bit of a lost soul. In fact, he’s more than a bit hollow, himself, as he searches for meaning and purpose. By night, Will becomes the Dream Rider, he main character in the comicbook he draws by day. The realm of Dream might be on a lot of minds right now with the new ‘Sandman� TV series on Netflix. But Smith makes it his own place or, rather, Will Dreycott’s place; a realm where a lost young man can not only experience what he misses during the day, but actively feed his dreams. After dark, Will is a hero. He and his Doogles (dream-constructed bloodhounds) chase down missing children. Case (‘Hard� Case) has been on her own for a while now and she’s been doing the best she can. She’s tough and wary, on a constant lookout for threats to her and her brother, Fader. When street kids start disappearing, she goes into full protective mode, only it’s not enough. While on the run from an odd pair of characters, she sneaks past security and into Will’s building and their stories become inextricably linked. Together, they will unravel the mystery of the Hollow Boys. Who they are or were and what their purpose is. Will and Case are fighting a lot of the same foes: supernatural forces, as well as being on their own. They find themselves drawn to one another but, though they have much in common, they each have their secrets. We’ve talked about Will’s, briefly, but not Case’s. I’m going to let you read the book to learn more about her. What I will say here is that her ‘talent� is super-mysterious and I can’t wait to learn more about it as the series progresses. I’ve always enjoyed Smith’s books and the characters in ‘The Hollow Boys� are further proof of why. They’re rendered in more than three-dimensions, with the ‘good guys� having their faults and even the villains having the odd tender spot, except for that one guy but every book needs one complete berk. As villains go, he’s properly villainous. Honestly, he made my skin crawl. His sidekick, Morrigan, though? I hope we meet her again. Her story is definitely unfinished. The action rolls forward relentlessly and the stakes grow higher with every chapter. But Smith takes time out to let his characters talk, giving everyone a short break, which this reader appreciates, while also sharing back story and deepening the connections. The plot is straightforward, but there are lots of delicious complications, meaning that while this chapter of the story comes to a satisfying end, there are plenty of questions left for future novels in the series. My one quibble would be the romance aspect. It felt a little fast to me but, even as I was reading, I found myself offering up the perfect excuse: young people feel things hugely and instantly. The romance makes sense, even if I wasn’t totally on board at the beginning. If I haven’t made it clear up to this point, I enjoyed ‘The Hollow Boys� immensely. I don’t read a lot for review, anymore, so when I am offered a title, it’s usually one I know I will love. Still, I was so pleased to have my opinion of Douglas Smith’s work confirmed. He’s a talented writer, equipped with two of my favourite traits: imagination and pathos. I look forward to continuing ‘The Dream Rider Saga� with ‘The Crystal Key�, due to be published March 15, 2023. Written for SFCROWSNEST.INFO October 2023 ...more |
Notes are private!
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3
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not set
not set
not set
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Oct 15, 2022
not set
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 1928048285
| 9781928048282
| B0BJ1T51W5
| 4.46
| 35
| unknown
| Mar 15, 2023
|
Reviewer’s note: As per the author’s note in the front of The Crystal Key, you need to read these books in order, starting with The Hollow Boys. There
Reviewer’s note: As per the author’s note in the front of The Crystal Key, you need to read these books in order, starting with The Hollow Boys. Therefore, this review may contain spoilers for book one. Douglas Smith’s imagination and empathy are on full display in The Crystal Key as Will, Case, and Fader navigate being both heroes and teenagers. The second book of the Dream Rider Saga has a very direct purpose for all three: move forward. For Will, this means finding a way to overcome the agoraphobia that has kept him a prisoner for nearly a decade. He can walk freely with his girlfriend in his dreams, but not during his waking hours. Will believes that finding out what happened to his parents will reveal clues to his condition. Finding out where his parents are now would be an added bonus. Case wants to find a way to overcome the guilt she feels while staying in Will’s building. Aside from her need to remain independent of Will’s wealth, there’s the fact most of her friends, including the former Hollow Boys, are still living on the streets. Working with Will on a shelter for Toronto’s street kids helps, but her new role will take getting used to. Fader is having a hard time staying present as his ability to evade notice becomes something more and dangerous; he’s disappearing from the sight and minds of even the people he’s closest to. Will’s focus is further narrowed when ‘watchers� appear in his dreams and intruders begin popping in and out of the warehouse floors of his tower. It seems they might all be looking for the same thing: any artifacts brought back from his parent’s last expedition. But the search is interrupted when Will is suddenly forced out of his body, Case is forced out of the tower, her Voice screaming and confused, and Fader fades from the world entirely. Their powers have become stronger and each must learn to contend with their greater gifts—all while figuring out what triggered the growth. And, as you might imagine, anything—an artifact, for example—granting that kind of power would be highly sought after, hence watchers and visitors. The question becomes who will find it first? The Crystal Key is even more fast-paced than the first book, with the three main characters barely pausing for breath. With the fate of the entire world—or multiple worlds—at stake, taking a moment could prove disastrous for Will, Case, and Fader. They have to come to grips with their new reality as fast as possible, or risk losing the most important clue Will has found regarding the disappearance of his parents to date: the Crystal Key. Of course, figuring out what the key is and where it came from leads to more questions, and adventures in universes adjacent to their own, all of which combines into a compelling story. While I usually set aside certain hours to read, I found myself picking up The Crystal Key when I should have been doing something else, and I finished the book in only two days. As before, I enjoyed Smith’s characterization, as Will, Case, and Fader continue to bond. I loved the humor that sparks between them, particularly from Fader as he defines and redefines his ‘hero� origin story. Will and Case’s relationship continues to evolve. Case grows a lot in this book and I found myself liking her even more. Revelations toward the end promise more thrills ahead as Will continues to piece together what happened to his parents—and, more importantly, what happened to him. Where did his power come from? For that matter, where did Case’s Voice and Fader’s Fading come from? Could their abilities be related in some way? I look forward to finding out. Reviewed for Sfcrowsnest. Merged review: Reviewer’s note: As per the author’s note in the front of The Crystal Key, you need to read these books in order, starting with The Hollow Boys. Therefore, this review may contain spoilers for book one. Douglas Smith’s imagination and empathy are on full display in The Crystal Key as Will, Case, and Fader navigate being both heroes and teenagers. The second book of the Dream Rider Saga has a very direct purpose for all three: move forward. For Will, this means finding a way to overcome the agoraphobia that has kept him a prisoner for nearly a decade. He can walk freely with his girlfriend in his dreams, but not during his waking hours. Will believes that finding out what happened to his parents will reveal clues to his condition. Finding out where his parents are now would be an added bonus. Case wants to find a way to overcome the guilt she feels while staying in Will’s building. Aside from her need to remain independent of Will’s wealth, there’s the fact most of her friends, including the former Hollow Boys, are still living on the streets. Working with Will on a shelter for Toronto’s street kids helps, but her new role will take getting used to. Fader is having a hard time staying present as his ability to evade notice becomes something more and dangerous; he’s disappearing from the sight and minds of even the people he’s closest to. Will’s focus is further narrowed when ‘watchers� appear in his dreams and intruders begin popping in and out of the warehouse floors of his tower. It seems they might all be looking for the same thing: any artifacts brought back from his parent’s last expedition. But the search is interrupted when Will is suddenly forced out of his body, Case is forced out of the tower, her Voice screaming and confused, and Fader fades from the world entirely. Their powers have become stronger and each must learn to contend with their greater gifts—all while figuring out what triggered the growth. And, as you might imagine, anything—an artifact, for example—granting that kind of power would be highly sought after, hence watchers and visitors. The question becomes who will find it first? The Crystal Key is even more fast-paced than the first book, with the three main characters barely pausing for breath. With the fate of the entire world—or multiple worlds—at stake, taking a moment could prove disastrous for Will, Case, and Fader. They have to come to grips with their new reality as fast as possible, or risk losing the most important clue Will has found regarding the disappearance of his parents to date: the Crystal Key. Of course, figuring out what the key is and where it came from leads to more questions, and adventures in universes adjacent to their own, all of which combines into a compelling story. While I usually set aside certain hours to read, I found myself picking up The Crystal Key when I should have been doing something else, and I finished the book in only two days. As before, I enjoyed Smith’s characterization, as Will, Case, and Fader continue to bond. I loved the humor that sparks between them, particularly from Fader as he defines and redefines his ‘hero� origin story. Will and Case’s relationship continues to evolve. Case grows a lot in this book and I found myself liking her even more. Revelations toward the end promise more thrills ahead as Will continues to piece together what happened to his parents—and, more importantly, what happened to him. Where did his power come from? For that matter, where did Case’s Voice and Fader’s Fading come from? Could their abilities be related in some way? I look forward to finding out. Reviewed for Sfcrowsnest. ...more |
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2
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Mar 15, 2023
not set
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Mar 15, 2023
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0593357663
| 9780593357668
| 0593357663
| 4.33
| 2,825
| Sep 17, 2024
| Sep 17, 2024
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None
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Notes are private!
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0
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not set
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not set
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Sep 17, 2024
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0778368157
| 9780778368151
| 0778368157
| 4.09
| 172,624
| Sep 27, 2005
| Apr 23, 2024
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None
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0
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not set
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not set
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Apr 01, 2024
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Paperback
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| 1982175443
| 9781982175443
| 1982175443
| 4.15
| 284
| 2024
| Apr 16, 2024
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None
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0
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not set
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not set
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Mar 31, 2024
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 059309932X
| 9780593099322
| 059309932X
| 4.28
| 1,537,921
| Jun 01, 1965
| Oct 01, 2019
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None
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0
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not set
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not set
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Mar 19, 2024
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1928048307
| 9781928048305
| B0BY1Q5TRV
| 4.65
| 31
| unknown
| Jan 15, 2024
|
it was amazing
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When thinking about Douglas Smith’s ‘Dream Rider Saga,� and The Lost Expedition: The Dream Rider Saga, #3 in particular, the word epic kept bouncing a
When thinking about Douglas Smith’s ‘Dream Rider Saga,� and The Lost Expedition: The Dream Rider Saga, #3 in particular, the word epic kept bouncing around in my mind. The scope of the entire story, especially the last book, is huge, and one best enjoyed from the beginning—as the author note explains at the start of books one and two. To understand how the characters got to where they are, and even who they are, you need to start on page one. This review, therefore, may contain spoilers for The Hollow Boys: The Dream Rider Saga, #1 and The Crystal Key: The Dream Rider Saga, #2. Briefly, Will is the author of the Dream Rider comic series which reflects his own astral powers—the ability to walk the world of dreams. Awake, however, he cannot leave his home. His girlfriend, Case, only survived her time on the streets because of her strange power: a voice that warns her of danger. Fader, her brother, has the power to fade, or disappear. In the previous two novels, they defeated a body swapper and a witch and battled warring cults, all to protect the Chakana, the crystal key. In this final book, they must figure out what the key unlocks. But, first, they need to find a way to get Will free of his agoraphobia. The Lost Expedition begins on the heels of the last book, allowing Will, Case, and Fader only a few days to gather themselves. The urgency to continue their quest means they must press on, and the most logical place to keep searching for answers is Peru. But how is Will going to travel halfway around the world if he can’t even leave the tower? They have also discovered a link between their powers—they all began at the same time, suggesting a link between their parents. But how were they connected? As if this wasn’t all enough, new strangeness has manifested in the form of large creatures who appear and disappear. Are they there to guide or harm? And, more importantly, who sent them? Everything seems to point back to the Chakana, an artifact too many people have died for. The why is just another question that needs answering and all the answers are in Peru. The journey to Peru, solving the equation of how Will might get there takes up about half the book and it’s compelling reading as clue after clue is unraveled and lined up. That’s not all, though. Morrigan’s story is far from over and Rani is back, whether she likes it or not (mostly not from her point of view, but she really does rise to the occasion). Smith never forgets that his main characters are young, with young concerns, however, and Case is still trying to reconcile her past and present (living on the street versus being the girlfriend of a very wealthy man), and Will, Case, and Fader all have questions for their parents, the first and foremost being why did you leave me behind? Once the mystery of Will being tied to his tower is resolved (somewhat), the story moves to Peru, and greed, lies, mistrust, and rivalry further complicate the quest. A lot of people have been trying to solve the puzzle of the key for a long time and no one is willing to give it up easily. There’s also a new villain on the scene—one who wants the key for a very specific purpose. And not stopping them will mean that no one’s questions are answered because everyone will pretty much end up, well, gone. Not dead, exactly. Just� not here. I loved that Smith brought Rani back from book two and continued to weave Morrigan’s story into the main plot. I enjoyed both characters' perspectives with Rani adding her brand of sarcastic humor and Morrigan questioning her history and purpose more deeply. I also liked the suggestion that Will, Case, and Fader—everyone, in fact—were being subtly guided. It raised the question of fate and self-determination, which is something Will and Case have talked about and thought a lot about. The steps of the final journey inward (I can’t describe it any other way without giving away too much!) are intricate, perilous, and exciting. This book is about a hundred pages longer than the previous two. It did feel longer, but no less thrilling. There was just more to love and more room to answer every question we had. The conclusion is worth the journey, but for me, the absolute highlight was the last epilogue with Fader and the reflection of his unique and special relationship with Morrigan. I really quite liked her character and would love to talk about her journey, but again, spoilers. In case I haven’t made it abundantly clear, I loved The Lost Expedition. In itself, it was a good story. As the conclusion to the Dream Rider Saga, it exceeded every expectation. I enjoyed every minute I spent with these characters and I will miss them now that their story is done. Written for Sfcrowsnest. ...more |
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1
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Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 15, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1984817116
| 9781984817112
| 1984817116
| 4.39
| 1,748
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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None
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0
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Nov 13, 2023
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Hardcover
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| B0CGYXJHG9
| 4.39
| 41
| Oct 30, 2023
| Oct 30, 2023
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Reese Daniels might not want to be a hero but in the second novella in the T.D. Wilson’s series chronicling the smuggler’s adventures, he might not ha
Reese Daniels might not want to be a hero but in the second novella in the T.D. Wilson’s series chronicling the smuggler’s adventures, he might not have much choice. In the first story, ‘Smuggler’s Valor�, Daniels follows his heart as he comes to the aid of a marine troop marooned on Ariel. Alas, no good deed goes unpunished and in the second story, ‘Smuggler’s Guilt�, Daniels finds himself again between a proverbial rock and a hard place. The Earth Defense Forces have a job for him and are not shy about using his past as leverage. He is tasked with getting the goods on a criminal cartel. But, once inside, he’ll have to use every trick in his bag to get back out with his head still attached to his body. ‘Smuggler’s Guilt� is another fast-paced SF action adventure that takes full advantage of the shorter page length. Wilson gives us just enough to appreciate Daniels� character, good at heart, even if he tries not to show it, and not an ounce more. As I stated in my previous review, there’s enough world-building here for the reader to appreciate the setting without getting lost in it. The side characters, too, are ripe for the story. I’m enjoying these bite-sized stories. It’s nice to be able to read another chapter of Daniels� adventures without having to sit for a week or more holding up a doorstop of a book. I’m looking forward to seeing where Daniels goes next but, if I had one hope for the following adventure, we would finally get to meet the family he’s doing all of this for. Reviewed for . ...more |
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1
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Oct 14, 2023
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Oct 14, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1250780942
| 9781250780942
| 1250780942
| 3.73
| 574
| Aug 22, 2023
| Aug 22, 2023
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None
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0
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not set
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not set
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Sep 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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| B0DN85L663
| 4.14
| 166
| Jun 26, 2023
| unknown
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Reese Daniels is no hero. He is, as the title of this novelette suggests � a smuggler � and as the story opens, he’s transporting precious cargo throu
Reese Daniels is no hero. He is, as the title of this novelette suggests � a smuggler � and as the story opens, he’s transporting precious cargo through a warzone. After being shot down over Ariel, one of Uranus� moons, his attention is immediately split between securing the cargo and his own survival. The fate of the former is dependent entirely upon the latter. His family back home would be more concerned about the latter, too. But times are tough and he really needs this payoff. With his ship destroyed and oxygen reserves limited, Daniels� only option is to head to the closest dome and look for alternate transport. Unfortunately, his little ship isn’t the only target for the alien force. Things are looking pretty grim when he runs into what’s left of a troop of military cadets. Used to using his talents while hiding his intentions, Reese teams up with the cadets. They’re his best option of getting home. He’ll have to use every trick at his disposal to pull this one off, though, and then some. Before the end of the first page, Smuggler’s Valor not only had me fully engaged, but in the mood for science fiction adventure. I’d been looking for something to pull me out of a recent slump and this novelette proved to be just the thing. Although I’d read Wilson’s Epherium Chronicles nearly a decade ago, I remembered being similarly engaged with the world and the characters. I also remembered the careful plotting, and by the time I reached the end of Smuggler’s Valor, I felt once again immersed in his world. The highlight of the story, however, is Daniels, himself. I connected with him immediately and enjoyed his voice. He’s the sort of guy I love to read about—good at heart, even if he tries not to show it. I also liked the relative simplicity of the plot. It was easy to tell there was a lot more to the world, but the novelette isn’t overburdened by worldbuilding. We learn just enough to appreciate this adventure and are left hoping for more. As such, I look forward to reading Daniels� adventures in future stories. Reviewed for ...more |
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1
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Jun 22, 2023
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Jun 22, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1554556007
| 9781554556007
| 1554556007
| 4.80
| 10
| unknown
| May 23, 2023
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Any good heist consists of three components: a team, a plan and something worth stealing. ‘The Shadow Of War�, the fifth novel in Timothy S. Johnston�
Any good heist consists of three components: a team, a plan and something worth stealing. ‘The Shadow Of War�, the fifth novel in Timothy S. Johnston’s ‘Rise Of Oceania� series, has all three. As I’ve come to expect, the something worth stealing is another bleeding-edge technology that Johnston has taken from the pages of history, researched and then developed into a believable device. He has a true knack for this, which is one of the reasons his books are so enjoyable to read. Though set in the near future, there is a hefty component of realism to the setting, the characters and the stories. Always, I read with the question of not ‘what if� but ‘when�? Briefly and hopefully without too many spoilers, here’s the story so far: Due to climate change, the oceans have risen, plunging our world quite literally into catastrophe. Cities, resources and livelihoods are washed away and the population is on the verge of starvation. Fortunately, not everyone had their heads in the clouds and there are thriving underwater colonies dotted across the globe where dedicated citizens farm and mine the resources not only to keep themselves alive but to aid the countries they’re affiliated to. The relationship between the underwater colonies and the overland government is not an easy one, however, and the ‘Rise Of Oceania� series chronicles the underwater cities� bid for independence, with Truman ‘Mac� McClusky as the driving force. With every new novel, the stakes get higher as the powers that be not only refuse to bow to the colonists� requests for more freedom but actively try to tighten their control. The friction has resulted in some epic battles. For Mac, the quest is a bit more personal, however. His father died for this cause, as have countless others he cared deeply about. His journey so far has been fraught with despair and betrayal and he’s had to come to terms with his anger and his desire for revenge on those who have wronged him personally and the duty he feels to the burgeoning nation of Oceania. This brings us to book five, ‘The Shadow Of War�. While visiting Churchill Downs, an underwater city under the purview of the BSF (British Submarine Fleet), Mac meets several people who have the potential to impact the rise of Oceania: Sahar Noor � the mayor of Churchill Downs; Commodore Clarke � ranked highly in the BSF, but linked to the struggle for independence in surprising ways; Alyssna Sonstraal � the inventor of a new weapon that’s ‘not a laser,� and Chalam Kaashif, who is perhaps the first unfortunate victim of this weapon. Two things are clear: the Russians have Mac in their sights and this weapon could make the difference for the underwater city of Trieste. What’s not clear early on is the difficulties each of these new players will bring to the struggle. But, as always, the multiple conflicting personalities are engaging and serve to drive the action forward as Mac struggles not only with staying ahead of the race for independence but his own personal demons. A mission is prepared and the team is assembled and though Mac didn’t fail to plan, his plan is doomed to fail because someone in the mix is going to betray him and has already betrayed him in ways he couldn’t possibly have predicted. As always, Johnston has written a thriller with hot-off-the-presses technology, edge-of-your-seat moments, separated into heart-pounding seconds, and characters who don’t always do what they’re supposed to. Personally, I experienced a little frustration with Commodore Clarke. I had a hard time buying into his motivation, though it’s well-documented and supported. It may be that I simply didn’t get the time to connect with him because there are a lot of characters in this book, with the team being quite expanded. Also, Johnston allocates more attention to Noor. I truly enjoyed her as a character and thought what she brought to the story was a much-needed balancing element. Mac has struggled with his anger and need for revenge and we’ve had an entire novel on the fallacy of how revenge is not best served cold or really best served up at all. Noor’s religious beliefs and call for peaceful resolutions, if at all possible, is something Mac will have to take on board if he’s to reach the end of this journey with his sanity and morality intact and I fully believe a reckoning is coming, if not in the next book, then perhaps the one after that. ‘The Shadow Of War� is a relatively long book, however, at just over 400 pages. This means that the time devoted to Sahar Noor, while well deserved, robbed Clarke of the time I needed or perhaps the team needed to get a really good read on him. As a result, Mac comes across as a little naïve where his character is concerned. With that being said, I did very much enjoy this book and every nail-biting moment and look forward to the next instalment in the series. In particular, that reckoning. Mac’s been pushing hard and fast for a long time now and, with the revelations of this book, a new philosophy to try to cling to, the Russians bearing down and the future consequences of the heist all contending for his time, he’s going to be pulled in multiple directions. How much longer can he hold it all together? Written for ...more |
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Dec 06, 2022
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Who writes the sequel to three books at once? Jeremy Robinson. ‘The Order� is the direct sequel to �Exo-Hunter.� It’s also a sequel of a sort to �The
Who writes the sequel to three books at once? Jeremy Robinson. ‘The Order� is the direct sequel to �Exo-Hunter.� It’s also a sequel of a sort to �The Others� and �Flux.� You don’t need to read either of the latter to dive in, but you should probably read ‘Exo-Hunter,� if not only because it’s awesome and a uniquely Robinson book. Also, Dark Horse is simply the best � a reference Dark Horse would probably get. In fact, I’d be disappointed if he didn’t. Before I get to my review, a short note: I did go back to read ‘The Others� and ‘Flux� because I’m a completionist. They’re both exciting and engrossing reads and everything I’d expect from Robinson. I enjoyed getting to know Dan, Wini and the kids from ‘The Others,� and Owen McCoy and ‘Mazzola� from ‘Flux.� I was glad I had a more than passing familiarity with these characters before catching up with them in ‘The Order.� But Robinson does do a fine job of bringing up-to-date readers who dive in here. That being said, however, ‘The Order� is perhaps the first part of the countdown to the end of the Infinite Timeline. Now is probably a great time to catch up on anything you missed. On to my review: Dark Horse is once again our man of the moment and he has lost none of his snark, questionable humour and love of all things created in the 80s. I enjoyed traveling with him again so much that this book could have been twice as long and I’ve have remained entertained. But I’m not sure everyone would have lived to see the end. Like most Robinson novels, the action pretty much kicks off on page one, with Dark Horse and his crew finishing what they think might be the last task on their list: destroying a future plague before it’s even developed. Despite a confusing development, the mission appears to be a win � until Dark Horse and Co. realize that despite winning this particular battle, they’ve barely scratched the surface of a war they knew nothing about. When half of Dark Horse’s team is captured, along with someone very dear to Wini, new allies are called upon to not only effect a rescue, but to battle a new enemy: the Order. And the best way to fight order? Introduce chaos. What makes this book extremely awesome is, well, a lot of things. But I’ll start with my favourite: the character development, which is not confined to only Dark Horse. I’m going to veer a little into spoiler territory here but I’ll try to keep it vague. At the end of ‘Exo-Hunter,� Dark Horse has become more than a callsign. He is the unexpected; the winner who came from behind. He also is also carrying a passenger, a being he has much more in common with than he might ever understand. Without giving too much away, Dark Horse and his passenger will need to learn to share a single space and this aspect of his/their development is so beautifully executed � in both halting and sure steps � that I found myself in tears more than once. Fans of Hildy and Burnett (‘Exo-Hunter�) will also be pleased with how they mature here. Cassidy Rose from ‘The Others� continues to delight while teaching Dark Horse that chaos isn’t necessarily all bad. Mazzola didn’t have a name in ‘Flux.� Now he does and� Just read the book, okay? (Which book? Any book.) The scope of ‘The Order� is vast. The further development of three separate stories, now woven into one vast timeline, is masterfully done, and the result is so huge that I’m glad we have two more books with which to experience it. The final battle in ‘The Order� is big enough that I actually put the book aside for just long enough to check back with the Infinite Timeline to make sure I hadn’t missed anything � that this wasn’t the end. But, for as much as Dark Horse and his newly expanded team have accomplished together, there is more yet to come and it promises to be epic. Finally, as with ‘Exo-Hunter,� I loved the banter, the pop culture references and the playlist of new songs to hunt down on YouTube. The humour is spot on. My very middle-aged self laughed out loud several times and even read certain sequences out to passersby. (My husband, my daughter, a friend who called to chat.) I’m not sure who will lead the team in the upcoming finale, ‘Singularity� but I very much hope it’s Dark Horse again. He not only has the grit and pathos of a worthy hero, he’s funny, too. And even the darkest moments need a little light. Before we get to the end, however, the other half of the team (or a second team) needs to come together: the characters from ‘Tribes,� ‘The Dark� and ‘Mind Bullet� in the forthcoming novel ‘Khaos.� I hope the wait isn’t long. Written for . ...more |
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Apr 15, 2022
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| Nov 20, 2021
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‘An Island of Light�, the fourth book in Timothy S. Johnston’s Rise of Oceania series is perhaps the darkest chapter in the saga yet. Truman “Mac� McC
‘An Island of Light�, the fourth book in Timothy S. Johnston’s Rise of Oceania series is perhaps the darkest chapter in the saga yet. Truman “Mac� McClusky has accomplished much in the battle for independence, but at what cost? Personally, he has endured torture and deprivation, sustained countless injuries, and lost many of the people he was closest too. Then there are the lives he has taken and the destruction he has wrought. It’s a lot for one man to bear, and that’s the question this book asks: how much is too much? Being that he is deep in the burgeoning nation of Oceania’s fight for independence, Mac doesn’t have a lot of time to ponder his answers. He is forced to, however, by the actions of others, the most devastating of which drives the plot of the book. His sister, Megan McClusky, is accused of murder. She did it, no question. She also didn’t have a plan beyond simple revenge, so when the USSF comes looking for their missing admiral, Mac and the rest of the team scramble to hide the evidence—to no avail. When the USSF leaves Trieste with Megan and Mac’s chief of security in their custody Mac has to gather the shreds of his current plans and tie them off to the dangling threads of what comes next: rescue his sister while interrupting the USSF occupation of a neighboring colony. Oh, and the Russians are apparently building three more dreadnaughts similar to the one that took everything they had (and just a little bit more) to sink in the last book, and something’s up with the German Submarine Fleet. One of the things I look forward to with every installment of this series is the new technology introduced in each book. So far, we have superfast submarines, propelled using super cavitating fusion drives. Mac also has a fleet of Swords—the same superfast subs can now dive deeper than ever before, a tactic that comes in handy when avoiding torpedoes that might reach speeds of up to 1000 kph underwater! They’ve developed new oxygen mixes for deep dives, and as I mentioned in the third book, they have figured out how to sink the unsinkable. In ‘An Island of Light�, the new tech is a rather large bomb. Actually, it’s quite small, requiring only a smear of active material to produce an explosion on the scale of Hiroshima. With Russia on the way to introducing three more dreadnaughts into the fray, they’ll need every last ounce of power. The question that comes with this sort of breakthrough, however, underlines the themes of this book: what is the true cost of a weapon of mass destruction and how are we supposed to feel about such an invention? The technology can be used for good—adapted toward medicine, for instance. But right now, the cost will be in lives and Truman McClusky is going to be the one to pay the bill. While I enjoyed the action sequences in this book—as always, there are many—the true value of ‘An Island of Light� is in Mac’s war with himself. He’s not alone in his struggle. His sister was unable to live with the fact her father’s killer remained alive, free, and in the position to make her life hell. The USSF—in fact all the submarine fleets—are known for their use and abuse of the underwater colonies. A former agent of Trieste’s intelligence agency surfaces with his own case of trauma, and the scars of his protracted torture will make Mac’s mission to rescue Meg all the more difficult. As author Johnston explores the morality of torture, murder, and retribution, he manages to keep Mac’s moral compass pointing north—but only just. And it’s this aspect of the book that will stay with the reader. Mac has always been a very real character. One the reader can empathise with; one we’re willing to follow into the depths. So it’s very fitting that he should struggle so mightily before pulling off the most inventive and daring rescue yet. ‘An Island of Light� is a worthy installment in the Rise of Oceania series and I look forward to the next book. Written for ...more |
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Apr 15, 2022
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| 9781771485067
| 177148506X
| 4.71
| 21
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| Nov 19, 2019
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Set in a possible future, ‘The Rise Of Oceania� series tells an old story, a war for independence in a new and inventive setting. As the oceans rise,
Set in a possible future, ‘The Rise Of Oceania� series tells an old story, a war for independence in a new and inventive setting. As the oceans rise, humanity takes refuge beneath the water, creating cities thirty metres under the surface. Life underwater is tough and consequently breeds tough men and women. Any threat to their way of life, therefore, is treated censure it deserves. In the first book of this series, ‘The War Beneath�, former intelligence operative Truman ‘Mac� McClusky is drawn back into the politics governing the underwater city of Trieste against his will. Once enmeshed, however, he finds he has little choice but to continue. His future, and that of the city he loves, is at stake. In ‘The Savage Deeps�, that future is again in peril. Conditions above the water are worsening and the countries of the world are looking toward the oceans for their salvation. Their intent is far from peaceful, however. The oceans hold valuable resources such as food and whoever holds those resources holds power. As the submarine fleets of the world jostle for position, Mac is the man standing in their way. Our reluctant hero is not the type of man to back down and, in this second book, we will follow him to the edge and just over as he seeks to unite the cities of Oceania in a move for independence from the world above. The stakes are higher. So will be the price Mac has to pay. As with all great movements, this one has had a rocky start and the past two years have been spent in recovery and recalibration. But before Mac is ready to launch his ambitious plans, the death of one of his operatives brings to light a fact he has long suspected. Mac is not the only one playing the intelligence game and his greatest secret is under threat. He has to act now. Just as author Timothy S. Johnston’s characters often find themselves in tight spaces, literally and figuratively, they also find plenty of action on their way to everywhere. Mac’s bid to begin bringing the other underwater cities to his cause is interrupted by French torpedoes. His dream of unification will have to be delayed as he deals with current and building threats. But what he will accomplish in this novel, despite the cost, will show both Oceania and what’s left of the powers ruling the above world what they’re up against…and just how Mac might win. As a sequel, ‘The Savage Deeps� delivers on every level. The action is perilous, but not an exact repeat of what we’ve seen before. New technology abounds, all detailed with exhaustive research. Once again, Mac is the star of the production, a wonderfully complicated character written with delicacy. There is a point when you can push a character too far. Mac is nudged up against the edge and held there until you think he might break. These scenes, for me, are just as thrilling as watching Mac perform daring underwater maneuvers. The emotional impact of this book is just as compelling as in the first one. I’m really looking forward to the final chapter of this trilogy, ‘Fatal Depth�. Despite the portentous title, I’m eager to see what new technology Timothy S. Johnston will invent to help Trieste and Mac win the war for an independent Oceania, and will hope that Mac is around at the end of the book to enjoy it. Reviewed for . ...more |
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Jan 27, 2020
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May 17, 2021
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| 1771484713
| 3.84
| 50
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| Nov 20, 2018
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Timothy S. Johnston knows how to write thrillers set in tight spaces, so the setting for his latest novel, ‘The War Beneath�, may seem a little expans
Timothy S. Johnston knows how to write thrillers set in tight spaces, so the setting for his latest novel, ‘The War Beneath�, may seem a little expansive, until you consider just how tight a space the ocean can really be. Despite the fact water covers over seventy percent of our planet, it’s actually a rather closed environment. Set in a new world beneath our oceans, this story follows reluctant revolutionary, Truman ‘Mac� McClusky on a quest to prevent war. The book begins with a quick history lesson, detailing the genesis of underwater living and the various cities that now hug the ocean floor. Basically, as the water level rose, swallowing islands and dissolving continental shorelines, several countries established new cities under the sea. These cities spawned new industries as the sea floor is mined for gas and other necessary commodities. The cities, themselves, are home to a new breed of pioneer. Living there requires extraordinary commitment. Once at that depth, it would take approximately a hundred hours of decompression to return to the surface. Travel between the cities is limited only by the vast distances of the oceans, but not as safe as easy as you might think. Vessels are also pressurised to a certain depth. Going deeper adds stress to the hull. There are some very deep trenches in the ocean. Very deep. Surfacing isn’t an option neither, because of the decompression issue. See what I mean about tight spaces and we haven’t even talked about the living spaces inside the underwater cities. Onto the story. Mac retired from the intelligence business several years ago to live a quieter and, what he believes is a more productive life, helping his underwater city, set just off the coast of Florida, thrive. But when his former partner steals a valuable piece of technology, Mac is drawn back into the game of secret politics, only to find out the stakes are much higher than before. The governing bodies of the underwater cities want independence from the countries above the surface, meaning a war they can’t win. There are only a handful of underwater cities and the submarine naval forces of Earth’s most powerful nations could crush them in minutes. The stolen technology could change the outcome of this war, though, and when Mac learns what it is, he has to decide between two seemingly impossible outcomes. ‘The War Beneath� is a thrill ride from beginning to end, with several heart-stopping scenes that clearly illustrate the boundaries of underwater living and warfare. The technology is well researched and stretched to the limit as Johnston tests every boundary, throwing Mac into many seemingly possible situations. Sometimes I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough as I waited for Mac and his team to figure out how to live through their next quandary. The environment is well-described to the point where I nearly had to hold my breath for the entire book, something I find myself doing in underwater scenes in movies. The politics are sharp and twisty. What I really enjoyed about the story, though, was the evolution of Mac, himself. The plot challenges his past, present and future and he has to decide not only who he is, but who he wants to be. He has to balance his wish for a safe future for his city against the future of all the underwater cities and he has the legacy of his father and his relationship with his sister to consider as well. All in all, I really enjoyed ‘The War Beneath.� This novel is everything I’ve come to expect from Timothy S. Johnston and a promising start to a new series and one I look forward to following. Reviewed for , ...more |
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| 4.53
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| May 27, 2021
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Truman McClusky is a man on a mission. Since the beginning of Timothy S. Johnston’s ‘The Rise Of Oceania� series, Mac has twice prevented war and ensu
Truman McClusky is a man on a mission. Since the beginning of Timothy S. Johnston’s ‘The Rise Of Oceania� series, Mac has twice prevented war and ensured the safety of Trieste, the underwater city he governs. He has incorporated new technology into his submarine fleet: faster drives and deeper dives. Weapons and defences. He has offered and made bargains of incalculable cost as he strives to unite the underwater cities of the world into a new nation, one with allegiance to itself first and the grasping hand of the crumbling overworld second. Mac has sacrificed much for his cause. But like any true hero, he knows the only way out is forward. In ‘Fatal Depth,� the third novel in the series, that way forward is blocked by his greatest challenge yet. Mac’s mission: To sink the unsinkable, a massive submarine unlike anything they’ve ever encountered before. Over 400 metres in length, 100 metres high and able to travel at an astounding 467 kph. For those of you on my side of the pond, that’s over four football fields in length and nearly another high with thirty decks in between. It’s a skyscraper turned on its side and powering through the ocean at seven times the speed of a conventional submarine. Imagine how many torpedo tubes can fit along one side. Finished with that? Now imagine what would happen if an object this massive were to come to a sudden stop in the ocean. Further imagine such an action was planned and that the submarine has been outfitted with an apparatus to drive water forward. It’s called a tsunami plow and it’s about the most devastating weapon the oceans have seen since supercavitating technology was attached to torpedoes. Sinking such a massive submarine is nearly impossible. It’s so large, that even if all the submarine fleets of the world were to expend all of their ordinances, thus blowing apart every square meter of the hull, the interior of the submarine would maintain neutral buoyancy. Such a vessel has to be taken down from the inside. With the city of Trieste once more in danger, it’s a ‘do or die� mission. Perhaps both because Trieste isn’t just Mac’s home it’s the birthplace of his dream, the city that will hopefully give rise to a united Oceania. Timothy S. Johnston is also a man on a mission. With every new novel, in this series and ‘The Tanner Sequence�, he seeks out not only a new story to tell and the right way to tell it, but new technology to examine, explain and exploit. For me, one of the delights of picking up one of Johnston’s novels is the tech. He has a knack for creating not only what feels possible but explaining it in a way that makes sense and then further using that technology in a way that rivets the reader. The deeper into one of these novels you get, the faster you will turn the pages. The excitement factor in ‘Fatal Depth� is no joke. You could almost compare it to a tsunami plow. The threads in the story culminate in an almighty push that will carry you all the way to the end in a dizzying rush. I read the second half of the book in one sitting. Johnston strives to develop his characters just as thoroughly, introducing new folds and wrinkles into his existing cast while adding new names and faces. Heroes to cheer for and villains to growl at. Old faces pop up now and again, too. Friend and foe and every character is an emotional body rather than a cardboard cut-out. They have goals, motivations, and conflicts. I especially appreciate the way Johnston writes women. They’re as tough and strong as his male characters but also read as female. They’re allowed to be scared and unsure and emotional, as are the men. They’re allowed to be women. It’s a fine distinction and not always easy to carry off. But it’s part of why all the characters in this series matter and why I look forward to catching up with them in each new novel. Then we have Truman McClusky, the hero who never stops. I especially appreciate the time taken to get inside Mac’s head now and again so the reader remains fully in touch with the awesome cost of what one man will sacrifice to achieve what must at times feel like an impossible dream. I almost don’t want to see what he’ll have to give up next and, in fact, hope he might gain something instead. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. We can expect to see ‘An Island Of Light,� the fourth novel in the series, later this year. Reviewed for . ...more |
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May 05, 2021
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Apr 29, 2021
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| 3.92
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| Apr 13, 2021
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Unity is a bold and impressive debut novel from author Elly Bangs. The premise and the plot are made out of big ideas spread over a landscape scarred
Unity is a bold and impressive debut novel from author Elly Bangs. The premise and the plot are made out of big ideas spread over a landscape scarred with the detritus of innumerable lifetimes. War is coming to Bloom City, an underwater ‘aquapolis,� and three people are looking to get out before it happens. Danae wants to return home to reunite with her other selves. Her lover, Naoto, will not leave her side. But, Alexei, the mercenary they hire to help them escape, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. That would be because he really doesn’t care whether he dies in the attempt. They do manage to escape disaster. As in all great adventure novels, however, this is merely the start of their journey. The world portrayed in Unity is more than a post-apocalyptic dystopia. It’s a vision of Earth battered and scarred by multiple disasters, the latest of which looms over the horizon as a deadly gray cloud. Danae might be able to stop this latest threat if she can get home before it’s unleashed. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s saved the world. But the conflict she has left behind is following her, and so is a mysterious stalker from her past. One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is the concept of unity. While I grasped early on that Danae was the current, chosen body of a group consciousness, sorting out who was who and how it all worked did take a little work � work I didn’t at all mind. I enjoy being thrown in at the deep end and learning a world as I go. Bangs� descriptions of how Danae connects and communicates with others were some of my favourite parts of the novel—especially the conversation she has with herself toward the end. The very important conversation and the revelation that comes along with it. Deeply thoughtful and worth the read just for that. What I did find as I swam up from the deep end, however, was that a heck of a lot of this story happens before the novel begins. Backstory is important an important facet of any character, but when it threatens to bury the current plot, or drives it too directly, I often end up feeling as though a book has started in the wrong place. For as much as I enjoyed Unity as a novel, and I did, I found myself wishing we’d been able to start at the beginning, when Danae first discovered the concept unity. This event is covered, but as a recollection � one that pauses the novel at a pivotal point. This choice on the part of the author does work in a way, in that all is revealed in a sequence of memories that flesh out the characters and connect them more securely to each other. But as each backstory unfolded, I found myself wishing that I was experiencing them in real time, as part of the story rather than the explanation for ‘how we ended up here, as this person.� I felt somewhat as though I was reading the last book of a trilogy without the benefit of having fully experienced what had come before. The characters of Danae and Alexei didn’t grow on the page for me. I had joined them at their lowest point, when they were worn down and exhausted. So completely done. This feeling robbed a little of the joy out of the ending for me. That being said, I did enjoy the book. I read it all the way to the end because I did want to know how it ended. And when it was all done, I did feel a sense of awe over Elly Bangs� achievement. It’s a fantastic story and very capably told. I just wish there had been more of it. I’d love to have ridden alongside Danae, Alexei, Naoto, Kat, and even Luther, through the early days of discovery, to have learned their characters as they grew and changed, as their innocence was squashed and hope became buried. That would have been epic. I look forward to seeing where this author takes us next. Reviewed for . ...more |
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Apr 10, 2021
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Apr 13, 2021
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| 3.90
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It’s been a few years since I read Infinite, the first book in the ‘Infinite� series by Jeremy Robinson. The first few pages of Infinite2 took me righ
It’s been a few years since I read Infinite, the first book in the ‘Infinite� series by Jeremy Robinson. The first few pages of Infinite2 took me right back there. William Chanokh seems to be right back there, too. Trapped in an infinite universe, living countless lives. Will isn’t sure what’s real and what’s not. Heck, I wasn’t even sure some of the time, which is the evil genius of this book. To catch you up, in Infinite, Will is part of a mission to the distant planet, Kepler 452b. Earth is no longer viable and the Galahad and her crew are the last best hope for humanity. The crew is supposed to be in stasis, but there’s a lot of malfunctioning going on. Will spends ten years living a nightmare. His body is asleep; his mind is not. I can do a sixteen-hour flight to Australia with just my thoughts for company. I can close my eyes and daydream for about half of it. I usually spend the rest of the time finding people to talk to. Yes, I am that person. The one lingering by the rear of the plane, stretching, bouncing on my toes, getting ready to trap weary travelers in conversation. Ten years, though. If we had a Tom on the plane, I would be the crew member everyone voted to sacrifice first. Who’s Tom? The guy killing everyone on the <1>Galahad. I guess he wasn’t into long flights with only his thoughts for company, neither. He actually has another agenda, but you’ll need to read the book to learn what it is. What I will tell you is that Will only escapes because he’s immortal. Even more intrigued? Read Infinite, it’s a wild ride. I loved the constant stretch of reality and the inventiveness of Will. I was both excited and a little anxious about a sequel. Before I get into what Infinite2 is about, let me just put this out there--it’s an amazing book. In the world of sequels, it measures up in two important ways: It’s not an unnecessary extension of the first story and it’s not the same story told again. There are definite similarities, though, which at the beginning serve well to remind the reader of what’s gone before. The book starts with Will in the Great Escape, an infinite alternate reality created by himself and Gal, the sophisticated AI who becomes Will’s lover and partner in the first book. It’s not unexpected that we’d find him there. What doesn’t fit is the voice calling him back. At first, the Great Escape feels so real, the voice and clues that connect from reality to reality don’t fit. Eventually, Will becomes aware that his life is a series of stories where he has chosen a character to play and that reality exists somewhere outside these stories. Then he wakes or thinks he does. Then, he realises he’s trapped and that the AI he’s trapped with, his constant companion and lives-long love, Gal, is his jailor. What happened? What went wrong? The only way to find out is to wake up and so begins a series of what we could call nightmares as the Gal thrusts Will into ever more terrifying alternate realities where the only way out is death. Will might be immortal in both real life and his alternate lives, but dying that many times, over and over and over again, takes its toll. Add that the AI he loves is not herself and the Great Escape is now a great big trap. When Will does finally wake, he’s not sure what’s real and what’s not and that’s partly due to the fact he’s lost a lot of himself along the way. A part of it could be the countless deaths but, to fully immerse himself, he locked most of his memories away. Now he needs to reclaim them, which won’t be as easy as plugging in and resetting the program. Virtual reality has become a trap and guess what? Real reality (I can’t believe I just typed that) is something of a trap, too. Infinite2 is another wild ride, but beneath the almost endless cycle of lives and realities, the stories Will, Gal, various iterations of Gal and the only other human crew member, Capria, run through is a deeper story asking the same question over and over: What is real? This is a question I’ve asked myself. You probably have, too. Tell me you haven’t lain awake at night wondering whether it’s all a dream? Many of us have questioned the meaning of life and the purpose of reality. In any given lifespan, we often have the time to live multiple stories. To reinvent ourselves, over and over. Life is confusing. How do we keep it all straight? We have to peel the layers back and examine the core of ourselves. That’s what Will has to do here. He has to not only remember who he is and what he wants, but he has to feel it. To want it, all over again. One of the aspects of Jeremy Robinson’s books I always enjoy is the relationships he writes and the amount of emotion he layers into them, whether it’s friendship, romance or even something antagonistic. His characters are always well-rounded in that they think and feel. They act and react. They read like real people. Will feels even more so and the reason for that would be in the author’s note at the end of the book which, to me, was another highlight. As a writer, myself, I’m always interested in what inspires the stories of others and after reading about where Infinite2 came from, I was even better able to appreciate the blend of virtual and real. Infinite2 is an entertaining read. Deeply thoughtful, but not so esoteric as to be unreachable. It’s a story of adventure, survival, the question of reality and what it is to be human. I highly recommended it. Reviewed for . ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 02, 2021
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Mar 08, 2021
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Mar 02, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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my rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 3.90
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not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.44
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Oct 15, 2022
not set
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.46
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Mar 15, 2023
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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| 4.33
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not set
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Sep 17, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.09
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not set
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Apr 01, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.15
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not set
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Mar 31, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.28
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not set
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Mar 19, 2024
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||||||
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| 4.65
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it was amazing
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Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 15, 2024
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|||||
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| 4.39
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not set
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Nov 13, 2023
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||||||
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| 4.39
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Oct 14, 2023
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Oct 14, 2023
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| 3.73
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not set
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Sep 07, 2023
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||||||
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| 4.14
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Jun 22, 2023
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Jun 22, 2023
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||||||
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| 4.80
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Dec 06, 2022
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Dec 06, 2022
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||||||
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| 4.33
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Apr 15, 2022
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Apr 15, 2022
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| 4.58
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Mar 27, 2022
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Apr 15, 2022
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| 4.71
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Jan 27, 2020
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May 17, 2021
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| 3.84
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Dec 20, 2018
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May 17, 2021
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| 4.53
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May 05, 2021
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Apr 29, 2021
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||||||
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| 3.92
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Apr 10, 2021
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Apr 13, 2021
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||||||
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| 3.90
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Mar 08, 2021
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Mar 02, 2021
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