Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer tWilliams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?
Merged review:
Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?...more
I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm (trying again) to at least note books I've enjoyed immensely.
Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).
"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.
So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.
Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.
He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.
So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy. Edit Review...more
I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm (trying again) to at least note books I've enjoyed immensely.
Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).
"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.
So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.
Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.
He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.
So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy. ...more
Those of you who know me or have followed my reviews know I haven't reviewed a book in probably a couple of years. I have to change that form this oneThose of you who know me or have followed my reviews know I haven't reviewed a book in probably a couple of years. I have to change that form this one. Dean Koontz has written many (many) books. Some of these are among my favorites others I don't care for at all. His books can even be said to hit multiple genres.
Now this one. I think I can be said to love this novel. It isn't overtly deep but has hidden depths. It isn't a lecturing screed but expresses so much common sense wisdom (which is anything but common in this time) and does so with so much feel good humor (both overt and subtle) I must give it 5 stars and recommend it.
So, my advice??? Do yourself a favor and grab this book in whatever form you prefer, sit back (maybe grab a Coke-a-Cola, cup of tea or coffee...whatever) and enjoy....more
Look, I'm sorry. If you like this...book, please enjoy.
I got halfway through this one and returned it to Audible, and it's not the reader. The book clLook, I'm sorry. If you like this...book, please enjoy.
I got halfway through this one and returned it to Audible, and it's not the reader. The book claims to be "Lit-Rpg", but really it's not. I'll be good and stay away from spoilers but I will say it's long winded and has an internal cosmology that is so loose as to pretty much allow anything. It never really establishes an internal logic and what it does have can be changed at the drop of the proverbial hat.
We moved from Lit-Rpg, to cosmic struggle, to family angst and so on.
Frankly I just got bored. It didn't really seem worth the time (this is a 33+ hour listen. This is usually good news...but not here).
Well, that's it. I can't recommend this one. If you like it I'm happy for you....more
This book may (in it's print form) be a bit better than my rating here. This is for the Audible version and frankly the reader is the problem.
I have nThis book may (in it's print form) be a bit better than my rating here. This is for the Audible version and frankly the reader is the problem.
I have nothing against him of course and wish him well. However, he reads this in such a monotone (which is a bit ironic as the main character [Rick] has a real problem with his handler/bodyguard as she is so deadpan and emotionless). I put this book down at one point and simply forgot about it, but decided I should at least finish it.
See I bought it and knowing I liked the author put off starting it for a year or so. That means I can't return it to Audible, bummer.
Anyway, very young story (another kid secret agent only this time he's in a sort of virtual reality setting), a monotone reader and somewhat stock characters overall.
My opinion throughout of course.
Maybe you'll like it better but I can't go more than 2 stars. It gets more than one as it did sort of wake-up and look around for a few minutes now and then before dropping back off to sleep....more
This one dragged a little bit in a few places but not badly. I like it also and stayed with a 4 star rating. As noted, good brain candy. There is stilThis one dragged a little bit in a few places but not badly. I like it also and stayed with a 4 star rating. As noted, good brain candy. There is still a lot of action and gallons of blood with huge explosions and lots of carnage.
So now we get to debate the meaning of, "innocence" and what it means to be innocent. We also get the biggest single "battle" yet.
Yep, get ready for your your room to smell of gunpowder and blood...and enjoy, if that's the word for all this violence????...more
I know, brain candy and a new version of let's do a version of folklore creatures. However this one is still a good read and I really enjoyed it. Our I know, brain candy and a new version of let's do a version of folklore creatures. However this one is still a good read and I really enjoyed it. Our hero has been a police officer (cop, yes he uses the word, no disrespect here) who finds himself...well drawn into a world where everything from vampires to dragons are real.
No long review. Good, enjoyable, sometimes corny and I can recommend it. Enjoy. ...more
I had to "stop and consider" before I went the entire 5 stars on this book. At first I thought, "well another fantasy". I even thought it was going toI had to "stop and consider" before I went the entire 5 stars on this book. At first I thought, "well another fantasy". I even thought it was going to be a little slow (after the initial intro). However...that changed.
The characters here drew me into this somewhat "different" take on a fantasy world. Our "hero" (semi-antihero) lives in the obligatory rundown slum section of our semi-European style fantasy city. However he's okay with it. He keeps his place up and doesn't sneer at nor look down on his neighbors. As a matter of fact he sees them as his friends and as under his protection (from other denizens of the area or outsiders). He loves animals. Before the book begins he'd adopted a female kitten. Now a cat she rules the house (as any cat person will know the dominate female can) plus he's "adopted" many more cats that need a home.
He notes that he also likes dogs but cats are more self-sufficient when he needs to be gone for extended times.
Ezra (Toth) is an assassin without par. I get the idea that most targets if they know he's coming for them simply give up. However in a twist he's also a bodyguard par excellence. (Thus the title Sword AND Shield). As the book opens this is a bit of a bother for him as he's just getting back from a arduous job and he's called to protect...well a VIP also " par excellence".
With just enough action (never flags but doesn't ever seem forced) and satisfying plot and characters I can recommend this one and hope to see more from the writer.
This is what I suppose must be called a "dark fantasy". There is the impending feeling of doom all around it and in it. That said there is also the thThis is what I suppose must be called a "dark fantasy". There is the impending feeling of doom all around it and in it. That said there is also the thread of hope that comes from a protagonist who/that struggles against his or her preordained doom.
I read the first book, liked it and went on to the next. This one while great and holding my interest didn't "stick with me" so well. I had to do some rereading as I got ready for the 3rd in the series. Thus the drop to 4 stars instead of 5. That said however I quickly fell back into the story and "got it all back".
While as is so often the case in the last few years the writer gives us his own take on many traditional fantasy staples that doesn't take away from the book (for example just because he uses the word "demon" you need to follow the story to see what he means by that word). The story here picks up as the last book ended and we follow The Hunter on in his quest. Personally while I'm not a huge fan of overly dark books (I struggle with a certain amount of depression) this book is one I can heartily recommend (and do). As the plot and the character(s) develop we get more drawn in.
So, yes good book I can recommend, enjoy (if "enjoy" is the right word for this somewhat blood soaked dark world)....more
First I wish to point out I did not put this under Christian fiction of any type. I will clarify why in the review.
First as a general review, if you aFirst I wish to point out I did not put this under Christian fiction of any type. I will clarify why in the review.
First as a general review, if you are non-Christian, unchristian, non-religious etc. what you will find here is a slightly mediocre fantasy. The book is not really badly written but it isn't really well written either. It often cones across as a slightly extended outline but then shifts to a repetitive and somewhat strained story. The protagonist comes across as a jerk and sadly he never seems to put it together that he comes across as a jerk. He's not only a jerk but sometimes he's an idiotic jerk. Whenever he can say or do something...anything to make a situation worse, that's what he says or does. And I mean always, he never learns.
Still the story is a story and it has an interest factor. i believe that for those listed above (non-religious simply seeking a fantasy) it will draw you in at least a bit and hold your interest.
Now...I will try to avoid any overt spoilers so I don't need to hide any of this.
I finished this last night and had I reviewed it then this would have been a far more negative review.
I am (as many of my regular reads here know) a Christian. I think I've shown that I can read fiction from other belief systems without a problem. I can read Christian fiction or nonfiction without it being a problem when we have theological differences. The problem here is the story in the book completely mispresents much of what the Bible teaches about God.
The novel is part of a fiction sub-genre we've seen a lot of lately. I'd call it Angel Fiction. The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about Holy Angels except that they love God and are fellow servants with His people. Much of Angel Fiction takes the existence of angels and sort of runs with it. Another thing the Bible (or Apocrypha) never refers to "Fallen Angels" (those Angels who followed Lucifer/Satan into rebellion against God) as "Angels" after they rebelled. They are Demons. Here they are referred to as "Angels" and "demons" are the gargoyle like souls of dead " Nephilim" (I'll discuss "Nephilim" in a moment). He refers to Holy Angels and fallen angels interchangeably at one point picturing them sort of hobnobbing together and catching up since they don't see each other often anymore except in battle. One of the (supposedly) Holy Angels observes that "Lucifer still looks good".
The amount of misinformation here about the Bible and amount of what would almost have to be called heresy if someone takes it as seriously about God is staggering. There is a point near the end where he slightly softens the picture he's painted of God but just barely.
Now the "Nephilim". In Genesis 6 (the first book in the Bible) there is a short passage that simply says that the sons of God had children by the daughters of men. It is observed that among these were heroes of the day and the Giants. There is a debate as this is one of those passages that is something mentioned in passing that isn't part of the Bible's main story. I get it though. It's so intriguing people wonder about it.
Another example of that in the New Testament seems to indicate that at some point Jesus spoke to the "souls" in "prison" or in "Hell", but that's all it says. No details.
There are several theories about the Genesis verse. Many theologians think it refers to the sons from the line of Seth (Adam and Eve's third son) marrying into another bloodline of humans who don't worship God but worship false gods.
This novel however follows an alternate theory. This theory assumes that fallen angels took on flesh and mated with human women producing the Nephilim. These are interrupted in this novel to be "half or quarter or whatever" angel.
The problem (for me anyway) is that the book assumes that God has condemned the offspring (children) of such unions automatically to hell (or Hell). This paints a pretty dim picture of God (especially since in 2 Peter the Bible says that "God is not willing that any should perish"). Thus I do not include this on my Christian fiction shelf, it sort of flies in the face of Christian teaching...
Also just a note, you can barely tell the difference in the fallen and Holy Angels. According to this novel when not "killing each other" (yes he pictures the Angels dying in battle, again maybe check scripture). they're sort of willing to hob-nob with each other and catchup on "things". One of the pictured "Holy Angels" actually observes that, "Lucifer looks good"....
Oh well, I finished it hoping he'd sort of make all that turn out to be some sort of "misunderstanding. He did sort of change the picture of God late in the book, but not much.
Will I follow it up to see how things get handled? Frankly I don't know. My opinion, not great and much of the "religious" part can be almost offensive and the Theological part is just flat wrong. Up to you can't recommend.
***Just a note FYI, I have returned the book to Audible and don't plan to follow the series.***...more
I was a bit slow about adding this to my "Epic Fantasy" shelf. It is setting up a longer story and it is concerning the fate of a world. Still...it's I was a bit slow about adding this to my "Epic Fantasy" shelf. It is setting up a longer story and it is concerning the fate of a world. Still...it's not got what I would call an "epic feel". I guess we'll see.
We are treading ground that has become a bit familiar recently as we have a story here of a 21st century "Earther" who finds himself in a fantasy world. If I go much into any of the "happenings" here it will entail spoilers so I'll simply give a few, remarks.
I only go 3 stars here as while the book has some good points there are also a few negatives. Thus while I have started the 2nd book these will most likely never hit my favorites shelf.
The story here is okay, pretty good brain candy even if you have met some of the characters elsewhere under different names... AND even if there are times our protagonist (Abraham Jenkins termed a "washed up pro pitcher) seems too thick to live. I don't get that. There is a difference in being ignorant of the world and simply....well stupid. Happily isn't that way a;; the time.
The book has some pretty well written action scenes (okay A LOT of action scenes). The story as (as I said before) okay. I enjoyed it, mostly. Try it for yourself if you like action fantasy. It gets a solid, not bad....more
I really liked this book in some ways so don't take some of the things I'll say below as my saying "don't read it". It's actually a good read...but itI really liked this book in some ways so don't take some of the things I'll say below as my saying "don't read it". It's actually a good read...but it's a bit...well flawed.
I mean first of all the hero's name...I mean "Gewey"(?). I know it's supposed to be pronounced "Gu-ewey" with the "GU" sound but every time I see it I think "Gooey". In my head I'm saying, "our hero gooey" or "our gooey hero". I can't help it I make jokes as I read the book.
Then the way he's written. I mean the author goes to great lengths to tell us he's 17 years old, one year away from "manhood" at 18 in this society. Yet he often acts and sounds like a 12 year old...and occasionally like a 6 year old.
"Shut up and stop asking questions while this guy is trying to kill us!" "Why? I was just wondering where we're going after the fight."
I wanted to pull my hair out...or maybe his. Good grief he's a young 17.
Then there's the unnecessary, strained, silly love triangle...never mind, just live through it.
Oh...by the way. The great evil, the dark overlord...the terrible villain is called (are you ready?)...DA,DA,DA, THE DARK KNIGHT. I kept thinking Batman had gone really bad.
Anyway, despite all my fun here the book is a good reliable epic fantasy read and I'm on to the next volume in the series. No real problems with it just minor stuff. On the whole I like it and recommend you try it.
Carl and Donut are still with us! Will they survive? Will they Level up? Will there intergalactic TV appearances continue to draw huge numbers???
The sCarl and Donut are still with us! Will they survive? Will they Level up? Will there intergalactic TV appearances continue to draw huge numbers???
The suspense and adventure continues...as does the somewhat kinky AI's interest in Carl's feet... pardon my shiver.
Anyway, do you like circuses? When you were young did you ever dream of running away and joining the circus? Yeah, well prepare to be disillusioned, badly.
And remember even cute things can kill you.
Oh, and the Crawler numbers just keep going down.
Yeah, I still like these. Really, recommended, enjoy....more
Okay, full disclosure here. I've already finished book 3 in this series...in audio.
Just a message to Matt (Dinniman). I listened to the epilogue on boOkay, full disclosure here. I've already finished book 3 in this series...in audio.
Just a message to Matt (Dinniman). I listened to the epilogue on book 3 and just wanted to draw your attention to the rating... See, not 1 star and an insult! As a matter of fact, I love these books and at least through #3 I highly recommend them. I'll say a bit more later but from some...comments made after the body of book 3 it seemed MD may have had some bad experiences with reviewers and I wanted to reassure him and hopefully buck him up. So far the only negative I have is that there are so far only 3 to read.
Go man, I'm almost 70 I may not have that many years of reading left!
Oh, and my cats love the books too.
Now, to the review. As I noted under a different (and much more serious book) I was in a reading funk. I got this and another novel from Audible. At the time I wasn't finding anything that interested me at all. Nothing drew me in. Worse, I'm not a TV person...
Anyway This book is, dare I say it(?) Great. I mean I have to call it a light read. But then I'm not sure if calling a book that opens with the complete devastation of human civilization and the death of most of humanity light. Then again, you know, we didn't know most of those people and of course all of us (the readers) believe we'd be among the survivors (else how can we vicariously participate in the book's story) so well... I mean I think Joe Stalin was probably one of the worst if not the worst villain ever to walk the Earth and as he said "one death is a tragedy a million is a statistic." What a madcap, that Stalin was a million laughs,
Anyway yeah, the Earth pretty much gets flattened as EVERYTHING, buildings, structurers, vehicles, etc. gets sucked under the Earth's surface and a loud announcer...well announces that the people who happened to be outside and didn't get squished they have a certain amount of time to "duck into" the nearest Dungeon entrance or be left on the barren (winter) surface.
Of course it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer down under but our heroes are in the Northern so...you know.
This book is told with adventure, action and laugh out loud moments. Do I tell you more? Do I mention how Princess Donut gains her... no that would be telling.
Look, just read it, or listen to it. The audible version is also great.
I like this one. I was in a reading funk. I suppose many of you who read a lot know what I mean there. Sometimes you read a lot of things in a row andI like this one. I was in a reading funk. I suppose many of you who read a lot know what I mean there. Sometimes you read a lot of things in a row and suddenly nothing draws you in. You simply can't find anything that interests you.
This one is a bit of a unique story (as I've said before I don't think there are many if any truly unique stories now after a few thousand years of oral and written stories). Our "hero" (antihero???) is an assassin, a killer par excellence. His name, The Hunter is feared throughout his city and it's environs. He wields a dagger with a glowing bloody gem in it's hilt that seems to drain the soul from "it's" victims (a'la Stormbringer or Mournblade). When he kills with Soul Hunger it passes strength and power on to him...
Oh and by the way he has no memory from more than forty or fifty years ago, though he seems quite young....and of course he's half demon.
The book is a read that draws the reader in. We get involved in The Hunter's life and suffer with him (and boy does he suffer) and join him as he decides where to stand in the good vs. evil battle going on and the planned NEW demon invasion. We join him in finding the shocking revelations about the gods (yeah none of that is really new but it's sort of put together in a different way)...
Anyway, interesting read and a relief for me as I couldn't find anything that interested me. This is one of 2 books that broke my funk (the other much different from this one) and I can recommend it. I'd say "enjoy" but there's an awful lot of bloodshed, suffering and angst here so if you enjoy it that could mean you need therapy or something I suppose. Anyway (I seem to be saying that a lot) well written book I recommend it. ...more
This book could have been (in my opinion of course) much better. There were times I thought this would be at least a 3 star book, but when I'm just glThis book could have been (in my opinion of course) much better. There were times I thought this would be at least a 3 star book, but when I'm just glad to get to the end...yeah, 2 stars is about it.
I got this from Audible. It was/is in their Audible Plus catalog, which means I got it free. I'm glad I didn't buy it/use a credit on it.
The biggest problem here is simply this. We have an almost 20 hour long read that has about a 10 hour story to tell. Aside from that there are just so many times our protagonist (Annev) comes across as, well...stupid. So many times (as I was listening) I said out loud, "you're an idiot"!
Oh well, not one I'll follow up (even though it ends with a cliff-hanger). I jus didn't care any more by the time it was over...
This is an example (about me anyway) that when you start a book may effect how you like it. I started this before and ditched it.
Now after giving it sThis is an example (about me anyway) that when you start a book may effect how you like it. I started this before and ditched it.
Now after giving it some time I've found a good serviceable fantasy. Not the best and you have seen a lot of the plot points and characters before but that is true of most books if you think about it. With a star-crossed love having set much of the story in motion (had our protagonist not been banished he'd never have been where he needed to be) we follow our characters into an (almost) hopeless war their doom possibly caused by a proud but inept leader...
So okay, not a great narrator for the audio version but at least listenable I'll go 3 stars and maybe follow the series.
Well...sigh. I've read 1 other book by Jennifer Roberson (one of the Tiger and Del books). It is totally different from this one, but I can see the stWell...sigh. I've read 1 other book by Jennifer Roberson (one of the Tiger and Del books). It is totally different from this one, but I can see the style I think...maybe.
Anyway, the sulfur and the molasses...well for me there's only a little bit of molasses, just enough to give it a 3 rather than a 2. So, if you are non-religious, irreligious, an atheist, and/or possibly an agnostic what bothers me will probably not bother you. If however you hold any actual belief...well, we'll talk about it.
If you can read this as just a story (as I try to) you'll find an okay tale. This is however one of those novels where all belief systems are more of less dumped together. If you're a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Christian, a worshipper of the Gods of ancient Egypt, or Rome, or Greece or Scandinavia...or what or where ever then you're on the side of the good angles (and we do see angels, of both camps). Now I've read books like this before and I (as I said going in)sigh and just read it as a fantasy. But here it gets a little...well, blasphemous. Our holy warriors cheerfully use God's and Jesus' name in oaths along with His title (Christ).
So anyway if this doesn't bother you, cool. I give the story 3 but don't know if I'll follow it up. This is for me of course. As I said if it doesn't bother you cool....more
Mike (the Paladin)
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