REVIEW: CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Publishing Information: Paperback;
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press; 28 February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827139-4-5
Series: Book 2 in the Cassa series
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…"

It seems like just yesterday when I reviewed the debut novel from Cavanaugh, CassaStar. and I remember liking the book as it was a great debut and had lots of room for sequels and further adventures. In this second installment, CassaFire, the story leaps ahead a few years to tell what feels like a completely different story, but with old friends.

When we catch up to our hero he has left his life of a frontline fighter pilot and taken up the less dangerous life of a shuttle pilot for a scientific vessel. Byron is haunted by his past and this is his way of dealing with the events from the first book. He is broken and damaged and doing his best to keep life in check. I really enjoyed Cavanaugh's writing in this book. The characters are deeper and the emotions are no longer just skin deep. A lot of new characters are added to the mix as well as some alien races that were missing from the first book. Byron has grown up and become responsible while still keeping his edge as the best pilot around.

Of course, CassaFire has action and Cavanaugh writes that well too. The battles are written much better this time around. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Cavanaugh's writing, if anything he has improved and told a tighter story with more complex characters. His craft has visibly improved. My only complaint is that there was a huge build up to a final confrontation and it didn't really live up to my expectations. That said it was still a satisfying conclusion and there is plenty of room for more action and adventure in the next installment.

As I stated in my first review for CassaStar, CassaFire is a great book perfect for someone looking for a light space adventure with a great characters and story. Highly Recommended. CassaFire is available next Tuesday.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7.5/10
Style  7/10

Overall  7.5/10

REVIEW: Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington

Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington
Publishing Information: Paperback; 24 March 2011
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN 10: 0316087343
ISBN 13: 978-0316087346
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "As the witch-pyres of the Spanish Inquisition blanket Renaissance Europe in a moral haze, a young African slave finds herself the unwilling apprentice of an ancient necromancer. Unfortunately, quitting his company proves even more hazardous than remaining his pupil when she is afflicted with a terrible curse. Yet salvation may lie in a mysterious tome her tutor has hidden somewhere on the war-torn continent.

She sets out on a seemingly impossible journey to find the book, never suspecting her fate is tied to three strangers: the artist Niklaus Manuel Deutsch, the alchemist Dr. Paracelsus, and a gun-slinging Dutch mercenary. As Manuel paints her macabre story on canvas, plank, and church wall, the apprentice becomes increasingly aware of the great dangers that surround her. She realizes she must revisit the fell necromancy of her childhood . . . or death will be the least of her concerns..."

When Bullington's The Sad Tales of the Brother's Grossbart arrived on bookshelves, I quickly ordered it and then devoured the novel as it was something fresh and yet spoke to the darker side of what I imagined the middle ages were. In Enterprise of Death, Bullington returns to that dark time in human history. This time around, we have a young woman as the protagonist and I think Bullington did an excellent job of bringing her to life. She seemed plausible and real. She is joined by a small group of individuals that help her and slip in and out of her life. However, they really had a hard time capturing my imagination and as I continued to read, I found myself loosing interest in the quest and the cast.

It is probably why I can't give a shining review of Enterprise of Death. my interest began to wane half-way through the story. Where his debut novel had great characters, Enterprise of Death's cast is lackluster at best. The plot is interesting, but without really caring about anyone in the story, I found myself drifting on to other thoughts. While I can't recommend The Sad Tale of the Brother's Grossbart high enough, I have to say stay away from this particular novel. Enterprise of Death just does not keep you interested.

With that said, I do look forward to Bullington's next novel what ever that novel may be. He is very talented but Enterprise of Death was not an entertaining read for me and that is what I look for in a novel.

Plot 7/10
Characters 4/10
Style 5/10

Overall 5/10

REVIEW: King of Plagues (Joe Ledger #3) by Jonathan Maberry Kindle Edition

King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry
Publishers Information: Kindle
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffen
ISBN 10: 0312382502
ISBN 13: 978-0312382506
ASIN: B004H1TM1Q
Series: Book 3 In the Joe Ledger Series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Reeling from the tragedy at the end of Ledger The Dragon Factory, Joe is pulled back into the DMS after the Royal London Hospital is destroyed in a terrorist attack. The group The Seven Kings is responsible, and they hit with more attacks, paralleling the seven plagues of Egypt, and go after Ledger and the DMS."

It has been a while since I last checked in with Maberry's Joe Ledger, but I am glad I did. Ledger has faced off against lab created zombies and human/animal hybrids already but after the death of his beloved he is drawn back in to face the latest threat, the biblical plagues from Egypt. Even with Ledger reeling from the loss of his girlfriend, he does his best to get back to work and stop the bad guys from taking over the world.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this particular novel was one chapter was sent in the present day while the next was set at the very beginning as the plans for global domination by the evil group known as the Kings begins to take shape. It allowed us a glimpse behind the curtain as recent events caught up with the past. While not exactly a mystery it did have a fairly mysterious feel to it. It was a nice effect and if the action won't keep you reading late at night (and it will) then the mystery should. However, when things are finally revealed, I did feel as though the big "secret" could have been kept a little longer as it lessened the impact of the ending, but only slightly.

The Kings are an eclectic bunch of individuals and their individual motivations for being apart of the group is interesting none are more interesting than the Queen, who heads the group and her lover, Sebastian Gault. Between the mystery that is the queen and Gault (and Toys) we have several worthy opponents for Ledger to tackle. Those of you Ledger faithful may recall that Gault and Toys have a history with our hero Joe.

Joe also has a new partner, Shadow, his well trained canine companion. It was a nice addition to the story line and something you rarely see in our adventure books these days. Shadow's introduction into the series is great. As a huge dog lover I thought it was a perfect fit and partner for Joe. There are also a few more new characters that have been added to the series and I look forward to learning more about them as the series continues. The story should continue as there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. Fans of the series should enjoy these newest edition to the legend that is Ledger. Recommended.

Plot 8/10
Characters 8.5/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye by Michael McClung

The Thief who Spat in Luck's Good Eye by Michael McClung

Publishing information: 14, 647 words (apporximate) Free at Smashmouth

Publisher: Smashmouth

ISBN 10: N/A

ISBN 13: N/A

Standalone

Copy: Given by Author: free copy at Smashmouth

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Thief Who Spat In Luck's Good Eye is a free, stand-alone novella that introduces readers to the characters and the world of THAGOTH, the Del Rey Digital first novel competition winner published by Random House:

In the proud tradition of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser comes a new team of daring, quick-witted heroes in a swashbuckling sword and sorcery adventure. . . .

Amra is a thief with morals—she won’t steal from anyone poorer than she is. Fortunately, anybody that poor generally doesn’t have much worth stealing! Holgren is a mage with a distaste for magic and a soul bartered away to dark powers who will transport him to an eternity of torment on the instant of his death. Together they embark on a quest for the fabled city of Thagoth, where the secret of immortality is rumored to be hidden.

But Amra and Holgren aren’t the only ones after the secret. Many others seek to utilize the hidden magic for their own twisted ends. And waiting in the ruined city with dark plans for the world are the twin gods Tha-Agoth and Athagos, a brother and sister whose illicit passion is as destructive and vengeful as they are.

Now, as potent sorceries clash in a violent struggle for dominion over all that lives, Amra and Holgren face a choice between the unthinkable and the unbearable—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. . . ."

A little while ago I read and reviewed the anthology Flesh and Bone: Rise of the Necromancers and one short story that stood out from all the rest was Michael McClung's All the World's a Grave. So, when the author had another short story coming out he asked me to take a look at it. I am glad he did. The Thief Who Spat in Good Luck's Eye has a classical fantasy feel to it. A female thief and a quirky but powerful sorcerer teaming up to grab the ultimate prize. Everyone in the story is well written and seem real.

While the story is fairly quick to read it leaves you wanting more. McClung has an impressive ability to write compelling characters and a fast paced and action packed plot that never seems to let up. The only problem with this story is that it is far too short. Just when you find yourself hooked in to the world and the players it all comes to an end. While there may be more to come you just never know.

McClung has the ability to write a compelling story, it is just far too short for my liking. He needs to start writing full novels. When he does, there is no doubt that he will find himself on the bestsellers list. Highly recommended and since The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye is free, there is no reason not to download it and take a peek. To download click here.

Plot  9/10

Characters 9/10

Style 9/10

Overall 9/10

REVIEW: Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky

Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky
Publishing Information: ARC; Paperback
Publisher: Pyr; 320pgs
ISBN 10: 1616141999
ISBN 13: 978-1616141998
Series: Book 3 of the Shadow of the Apt series
Copy: Won in a contest
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Driven by the ghosts of the Darakyon, Achaeos has tracked the stolen Shadow Box to the marsh-town of Jerez, but he has only days before the magical box is lost to him forever. Meanwhile, the forces of the Empire are mustering over winter for their great offensive, gathering their soldiers and perfecting their new weapons. Stenwold and his followers have only a short time to gather what allies they can before the Wasp armies march again, conquering everything in their path. If they cannot throw back the Wasps this spring then the imperial black-and-gold flag will fly over every city in the Lowlands before the year’s end. In Jerez begins a fierce struggle over the Shadow Box, as lake creatures, secret police and renegade magicians compete to take possession. If it falls into the hands of the Wasp Emperor, however, then no amount of fighting will suffice to save the world from his relentless ambition."

The third novel in the Shadow's of the Apt series, Blood of the Mantis is not quite as good as The Empire of Blackand Gold or Dragonfly Falling, the first to novels in the series, mainly because it is a novel that is bridging things that are to come. A few questions are answered and resolved but overall this is another book to set up conflicts for later books. With book four, Salute the Dark, finishing up the first story arc. This book look to tie up some loose ends and set things up.

In Blood of the Mantis the magical and mysterious Shadow Box takes front and center. Achaeos is obsessed with obtaining the box and the wasp army is also hot on the boxes trail. Even though Achaeos takes center stage there is still not a lot of forthcoming knowledge about his character brought out. Truth be told there is very little character development for any of the players in the series. We do go to a few new locations and meet a few new kinden but nothing earth shattering or exciting.

The pacing of the novel is slower than what readers are used to from the series. Considering that this is a book that sets things up for things to come it is expected. There is a decent build up for the showdown that should occur in the next book, which I plan to read soon. While I was a bit disappointed with this novel, I also now that from word of mouth that the series is worth continuing and that Thaikovsky has many tricks up his sleeve. This novel is necessary as the things that occur in it are needed to continue the story but one cannot help if some of it could have been edited into some of the previous novels and still kept the action we come to expect moving. That said, it is still a book worth checking out. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: Shadow's Lure By Jon Sprunk

Shadow's Lure by John Sprunk
Publishing Information: Paperback; 391 Pages
Publisher: Pyr June 21, 2011
ISBN 10: 1616143711
ISBN 13: 978-1616143718
Series: Book 2 of the Shadow's Saga
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson


Synopsis: In Othir, he was at the top of the food chain—an assassin beyond compare, a dark shadow in the night. But Caim left that life behind when he helped an empress claim her throne. And now his past has come calling again.

Searching for the truth behind the murder and disappearance of his parents, Caim discovers a land in thrall to the Shadow. Haunted by temptations from the Other Side, he becomes mired in a war he does not want to fight.

But there are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some fights from which he can't run. In this battle, all of Caim's strength and skill won't be enough.

For none can resist the Shadow's Lure.

It seems like it was ages ago when I read Shadow's Son, the first book in the Shadow's Saga. And for that reason when Shadow's Lure began I had a lot of catching up to do. I remembered the key players but some of the finer details escaped me. It was a few chapters in when everything started coming back together.

Shadow's Lure is more of a personal journey than a quest or adventure. As Caim travels back to his long forgotten homeland he learns a great deal about himself and his family origins. The complete story remains a mystery but a lot of what everyone was wondering from the first novel is brought to light.

Josey also does a lot of growing up in the course of this book. She is no longer quite as naive as she once was and by the end of this novel proves she is worthy of the throne. Anyone looking for a strong female character needs to look no further as she does a fine job of balancing her new role as empress and that of a young woman with very little knowledge of court politics.

While I did enjoy Shadow's Lure quite a lot it didn't have the non-stop action I recall from the first book. It definitely has that middle book feel that many fantasy novels suffer from. Because it is more of a personal/spiritual journey this time around it drags a little from time to time. However, that said it is still a favorite and does its best to uncover many mysteries while preparing us for what is ahead of Caim and Josey and those that reside in Othir. Anyone who is a fan of the first book will notice that the pacing in this book is a little slower and is preparing us for whatever may come in book three which looks like a doozy.

Plot 7/10
Characters 8/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan

Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Ridan Publishing; 16 January 2012
ISBN 10: 1937475018
ISBN 13: 978-1937475017
ASIN: B005IGVSIO
Series: Book 6 of the Riyria Revelations
Copy: Provided by publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS...THE ELVES HAVE CROSSED THE NIDWALDEN. TWO THIEVES WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE.

"I saw a great journey. Ten upon the road, she who wears the light will lead the way. The road goes deep into the earth, and into despair. The voices of the dead guide your steps. You walk back in time. The three-thousand-year battle begins again. Cold grips the world, death comes to all, and a choice is before you." -- Fan Irlanu, Tenkin Seerer of Oudorro Village

Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the wrong place at the right time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron's heir to act has arrived."

The adventure was bound to end at some time and I am a little sad that it has. The Riyria Revelations has to be one of my favorite series in all of fantasy. I was a little late to the show when The Crown Conspiracy was released, but once I read it, I was hooked. I was then lucky enough to be on good terms with his publishing company and the author himself, and received advanced copies of nearly every one of the books from that point on. I am also fortunate to have received the final installment of the series in advance as well.

The beginning Percepliquis moves at a much slower pace than the past installments. It does turn up the heat towards the end of the book. But before you get there the pace seemed a bit off, as there was a lot of questing and not much action. There are a lot of loose ends tied up in this novel that will have people wondering how they could have missed all of the clues. I like how the novel does its best to answer all of the questions fans and readers have had over the course of the series. The big questions that everyone had on their mind was answered for me before the big reveal which lessened its impact when it finally came to light.

The problem that I had with the novel is the ending. The ending was a little too over the top for me. The reason I have enjoyed the previous installments of The Riyria Revelations is that it is a gritty story that can be told to anyone. At the end of Percepliquis, that does not occur. The grittiness that readers have come to expect is missing.

Now that the series is complete, I still recommend the series whole-heartedly, but this is the weakest novel in the series by far. The pacing is slow and the ending is way too happy for my taste. It was a bit of a let down. Sullivan is still of on my favorite authors and may actually be my favorite author in all of fantasy, but I was expecting something much darker or at the very least grey and the ending that I received was a rainbow at full blast.

Plot 7/10

Characters 9/10

Style 6/10

Overall 7/10

If you want to read the series now I recommend that you check out the trilogy versions instead:

Book 1 - Rise of Empire (contains The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
Book 2 - Theft of Swords (contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
Book 3 - Heir of Novron (to be released 31 January 2012) (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

REVIEW: Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Pyr 2 April 2010
ISBN 10: 1616141956
ISBN 13: 978-1616141950
ASIN: B005J6BLZS
Series: Book 2 of the Shadows of the Apt series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Two young companions, Totho and Salma, arrive at Tark to spy on the menacing Wasp army, but are there mistakenly apprehended as enemy agents. By the time they are freed, the city is already under siege. Over in the imperial capital the young emperor, Alvdan, is becoming captivated by a remarkable slave, the vampiric Uctebri, who claims he knows of magic that can grant eternal life. In Collegium, meanwhile, Stenwold is still trying to persuade the city magnates to take seriously the Wasp Empire's imminent threat to their survival. In a colourful drama involving mass warfare and personal combat, a small group of heroes must stand up against what seems like an unstoppable force. This volume continues the story that so brilliantly unfolded in Empire in Black and Gold - and the action is still non-stop."

I do not know why I do not read this series back to back each one just seems to get better and better. Tchaikovsky is truly a hidden gem. In Dragonfly Falling we continue the story of the Wasp Empire marching to take over the known world. Only Stenwold and his band of agents seem to have an understanding of what is about to happen to Collegium and the nearby cities.

In this installment of the series, the story progresses along quite a bit and only a few new characters are introduced. One in particular is Uctebri of the mosquito kinden. A magical race that uses blood to do their will. We also learn a great deal more about the Wasp emperor Alvdan and while he is an interesting character, his enslaved sister is much more interesting and I foresee her playing a much larger role in the series as it progresses.

There is a lot of movement on both sides in Dragonfly Falling and just as many things occur behind the scenes as they do on the battlefield. In this novel we have the true set up to the rest of the story arc as the story comes to an end we are introduced to a relic of great importance. It is further explored in Blood of the Mantis.

If you liked Empire of Black and Gold, I think this book will definitely be enjoyed as it is much richer and the characters start to come into their own. Lots of battles and intrigue are also found within it's pages. It is definitely a step up from the first book in the series and should prove to many that Tchaikovsky is a force to be reckoned with. It also begins the true motivations for the first story arc. A great edition to the series.

Plot 8/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: Resurrection: Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz

Resurrection: Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Damnation Books
ASIN: B005347SZ8
Series (Book 2)
Copy: Given by Author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Book 2 in the Demon Squad series.

Armageddon averted, the world returns to business as usual. Unfortunately for Frank "Triggaltheron" Trigg, business as usual sucks.


His night out interrupted by a horde of kidnapping zombies, what could possibly be worse? The resurrection of the Anti-Christ, that's what. Caught in the middle of a supernatural pissing match between the Devil's wife, a legion of undead, and an overachieving necromancer, Frank must survive long enough to stop Hell from being unleashed upon humanity; Again."

It is no secret that I am a fan of Tim Marquitz. Aside from being a all-around good guy, he does a great job of writing fast-paced and action packed stories. Resurrection: Demon Squad is no exception.

Resurrection takes place not long after the events in the first book Armageddon Bound. However, instead of giving the reader a lot of background and infodumping. Marquitz assumes that you already know the events from the last book and sets out to continue the adventures of Trigg. There are a few clues interwoven within the story to jog your memory but it is so well done that you really forget that it is there.

Many of our favorite, and not so favorite characters are back for round number two and we also have a few new individuals who enter into the story. Each character is well written and provide a new wrinkle in the mythology that is being created. The only real complaint that I have with the characters is Trigg himself. He does not grow much as a character. He also does not seem to learn from his mistakes. That said, it is a minor complaint and I hope that it is something that Marquitz thinks about when he gets around to writing his next novel in the series.

Without giving things away I will say that the story is interesting. The historical references are given a new twist and I think Marquitz had a lot of fun with the plot of the story and all of the characters we are introduced in this edition. The addition of zombies was also a nice touch and a great way to start the series up and build up from there.

Overall, there is very little if anything to complain about in this sophomore effort to the series.

Why this series has not been picked up by a major publishing house is beyond me. With every new short story and novel Marquitz continues to write interesting and compelling stories. It is hard to go wrong with anything he has written. If you have not read Marquitz then now just might be the time to start. Resurrection: Demon Squad is a long awaited sequel to a great Urban Fantasy series. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: Green Lantern: Blackest Night By Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke

Green Lantern: Blackest Night By Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke
Publishing information: Hardback; 272 Pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 13 July 2010
ISBN 10: 9781401227869
ISBN 13: 978-1401227869
Series
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Comics hottest writer Geoff Johns (GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS WAR, THE FLASH, ACTION COMICS, JSA) and superstar artist Doug Mahnke (JLA, BATMAN, SUPERMAN) raise the dead in this must-read tie-in to the most anticipated comics event of the year, BLACKEST NIGHT. This hardcover collection starring Hal Jordan expands on the War of the Light as the evil Black Lanterns descend on all of the Corps throughout the universe, explains villain Black Hand's connection to death and the Black Lantern corps and features key plot points that are essential to enjoying the storyline to it's fullest.

For those of you that don't know there is not just the Green Lantern Corps., there are eight other colored rings. One of them happens to be Black, which gains its power through death. The Black Lantern Corps. wants to kill every living thing in the universe. It is up to the Green Lanterns and the other colored Corps. to remove the threat the Black Lanterns bring to the universe. Following on the heels of DC's Final Crisis series the Black Lanterns have drafted nearly every dead character in the DC Universe: Martian Manhunter, Batman, and a host of others.

The problem with Blackest Night is that as each issue comes to a close it feels as if a panel or two is missing to bridge the story together for the next chapter. While not difficult to piece things together it does interrupt the story a little bit. However, that said the story is interesting and anyone who loves Hal Jordan will enjoy this installment. There are only a few key players and I would have liked to have seen some of the other Earth Lanterns but Hal is a favorite for most GL fans so he takes stage front and center. Jon Stewart does play a part but Kyle and Guy are not seen which is disappointing. The ending is also not that satisfactory and there are a few plot holes, but with comic books you know that those holes are intentional and will come up in later issues.

The artwork is fantastic and with all the different colored rings in the story there are a lot of colors used in nearly every panel. While not my favorite Green Lantern story arc. Blackest Night is a major turning point in the mythos that is Green Lantern and the DC Universe. Any fan of Green Lantern needs to know about the events that took place and this is one of the easiest ways to read about it. With a sequel to the movie Green Lantern on its way you never know if some of the plot points to this arc may show up in future installments of the movie series. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 9/10
Style 7/10
Artwork 10/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: Serial Killers Incorporated by Andy Remic

Serial Killers Incorporated by Andy Remic
Publishing Information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Anarchy Books; 25 March 2011
ISBN 10: 1908328045
ISBN 13: 978-1908328045
ASIN: B004TTX5SM
Series: Book One
Copy: Provided by Author
Reviewer: Tyson


Synopsis: "Meet Callaghan, a hard-drinking, drug-fuelled, womanising no-good son-of-a-bitch. He's the amoral hardcore photographer for Black & White, the tabloid rag that tells it as it is. Or at least, how it should be.

Callaghan's in way too deep with Mia, his Mexican stripper girlfriend... and even deeper with Sophie, estranged wife to Vladimir "Vodka" Katchevsy, infamous Romanian gun-runner and self-eulogising expert at human problem solving. People start to die. And Callaghan's caught in the middle. A situation even his Porsche GT3, Canary Wharf Penthouse suite and corrupt politician contacts can't solve.

At the nadir of his downward spiral, Callaghan is approached by a man: a serial killer who brings him a very unique and dangerous proposition..."

It is no secret that I am a fan of Remic's work. He does a great job of creating very visceral scenes and situations. Not to mention in his latest novel he takes a new direction and goes for a well done mystery. There is a lot of murder and mayhem in Serial Killers Incorporated. In fact, the mystery is what made it such a hit for me. Remic is known for his Clockwork Vampire trilogy (Kell's Legend and Soul Stealers reviews), which is in a similar vein to Gemmell and his military sci-fi novels which I have yet to get to. With this novel we see a different side of him, and it is a side that I want more of.

Callaghan is not the most likable character. He likes designer drugs, fast women, and fast cars. To make matters worse he is part of the paparazzi. He finds the recently deceased and takes the pictures that end up on the front page of London's most successful tabloid. While he is very self-centered in the beginning, he does show some signs of becoming more human towards the end of the book, and maybe something else. The people he surrounds himself are not very likable either. From the married woman he is seeing on the side to his estranged stripper girlfriend. Things get even more strange when he is approached by a serial killer with a job. To document and report on the killers' activities.

The story takes place in modern day England. Callaghan and his report friend do there best to uncover the underbelly of the streets of London and beyond. Of course Callaghan and his buddy do very well for themselves and live a lifestyle most would only dream of. Between his stable of exotic cars and motorcycles and bevy of beauties, Callaghan is lost. He is constantly finding himself on the wrong side of trouble and barely squeezing by when he gets out of each scrape.

As the story progresses things are not as they seem and Remic does a great job of hiding the truth from the reader, while at the same time building up suspense and ratcheting up the action. Just when you think you have all of the pieces figured out and the book is coming to a close, Serial Killers Incorporated throws you for a major curve. To tell you would spoil the entire book. The book also leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions. Which admittedly, I liked. It could be read as standalone, but rumor has it that Remic has the next book outlined and ready to go once he finds the time to work on it. I for one, am very glad to hear there will be a sequel. Serial Killers Incorporated is Remic at his best. If this does not make you a fan, I don't know what will. Highly recommended, the perfect stocking stuffer.



Plot  9/10
Characters 9/10
Style 9.5/10

Overall 9.5/10

REVIEW: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Kindle Edition)

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Scholastic Paperback; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0439023521
ISBN 13: 978-0439023528
ASIN: B002MQYOFW
Series: Book 1 of the Hunger Games trilogy
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator.' "

The Hunger Games by Collins is not a new concept. It has been done several times. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Japanese version entitled Battle Royale, which is one of my favorite dystopian novels and novels in general. There are a few differences but the overall idea is the same. Instead of killing your classmate like Battle Royale, here you are pitted against children from other regions or cities. Two children from each of the twelve regions are picked. One boy, one girl and only one person is left standing. That person then wins fame and glory and more food and resources for their region.

Admittedly, I originally wanted to see how bad this book was in comparison to Battle Royale, what I found was a really entertaining novel. Each book has its own quirks, but it is really hard to find fault with the novel. It reads really well, has interesting characters, and builds up tension at a breakneck pace.

Katniss is the main character and it was nice to see a young girl take the lead in the novel. She does possess many of the traits of a boy, but since this is considered Young Adult fiction that works for readers of either gender. She is smart, emotional, and in over her head but doing the best she can given the situation. She is very likable. Some readers may say she is a little to "Mary Sue" but for the story it works. She is joined by her male counterpart, Peeta, he is not cut out for the Hunger Games but does his best to survive. Even though the book tends to focus on these two competitors, there are glimpses of the other contestants and their motivations. I think that BR does a better job on character development but I really can not complain with the way Collins wrote her characters.

The world building is minimal and it is intentional. At some point in time the states rebelled against the federal government. From that rebellion the government struck back and annihilated most of the American population. The country, which only appears to be the East Coast, is divided into twelve regions (there was a thirteenth but they were made an example). Each region is isolated from one another and the capital. The Hunger Games is what keeps the regions in line and serves as a brutal reminder of how things came to be.

I think that the reason I ended up enjoying Hunger Games instead of hating it was that it was entertaining. It is not a difficult read, it is just a lot of fun. The perfect book to take on vacation or to sit out on the beach. The series is currently a trilogy with Catching Fire and Mockingbird already released. The movie, based on the book is scheduled to be released this Spring (March). Highly recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 8/10
Style 8/10

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Book of Tongues Volume 1 by Gemma Files (Kindle Edition)

Book of Tongues Volume 1 by Gemma Files
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: ChiZine Publications; First edition 15 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0981297862
ISBN 13: 978-0981297866
ASIN: B003ICWGX6
Series: Volume 1 of the Hexslinger Series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Two years after the Civil War, Pinkerton agent Ed Morrow has gone undercover with one of the weird West's most dangerous outlaw gangs-the troop led by "Reverend" Asher Rook, ex-Confederate chaplain turned "hexslinger," and his notorious lieutenant (and lover) Chess Pargeter. Morrow's task: get close enough to map the extent of Rook's power, then bring that knowledge back to help Professor Joachim Asbury unlock the secrets of magic itself.Magicians, cursed by their gift to a solitary and painful existence, have never been more than a footnote in history. But Rook, driven by desperation, has a plan to shatter the natural law that prevents hexes from cooperation, and change the face of the world-a plan sealed by an unholy marriage-oath with the goddess Ixchel, mother of all hanged men. To accomplish this, he must raise her bloodthirsty pantheon from its collective grave through sacrifice, destruction, and apotheosis.Caught between a passel of dead gods and monsters, hexes galore, Rook's witchery, and the ruthless calculations of his own masters, Morrow's only real hope of survival lies with the man without whom Rook cannot succeed: Chess Pargeter himself. But Morrow and Chess will have to literally ride through Hell before the truth of Chess's fate comes clear-the doom written for him, and the entire world."

At the heart of Book of Tongues is a strong western; however, Files has decided to add a pinch of magic and a dash of steampunk into the mix. Set just a few years after the American Civil War we have a former preacher, Asher Rook, who was hung for his crimes only to return with a vengeance. With his newfound powers which manifests itself through his bible, he has the ability to summon plagues and level whole towns. There was not much to like about this character but he is impressive. Make no mistake, he is a bad man.

Edward Murrow is the other major player in the novel. He has joined Rook's gang but is actually an undercover Pinkerton agent. He is charged with the duty to uncover just how much arcane power Rook has. The only thing I really enjoyed about this character was his double barreled eight shot shotgun. The rest of the gang is not very involved other that to fill out the group. All except Reverend Rooks, lieutenant, the vicious Chess Pargeter. He would rather spit on you than look at you. To add a twist into the early portions of the book. Chess and Rook are lovers. Very early on we have a fairly graphic discussion on gay sex and there is a scene or two that has them in a erotic embrace. While not ground breaking it was unexpected in a western.

The world building is fairly limited. While Files brings up England and China not much is really brought up as you read the book. There is also very little infodumping, the reader is left in the dark. But the background on Rook is amazing. We are slowly told how he went from upstanding preacher to the evil magic user, or hexslinger. There are a lot of loose ends as you get towards the end of this first volume. You are also left with a major cliffhanger by the time you reach the last page.

While I enjoyed Files' style of writing. She has an impressive way to keep you turning pages, the story and characters never really won me over. There is a lot of grey and black, but not a lot of white. I need someone to root for and I just never found anyone worth caring about in Book of Tongues. I would like to recommend the book as she is a very talented writer but the fact that I have no plans to continue with the series keeps me from doing so. I think you will have to make up your own mind on this one.

Plot 6/10
Characters 5/10
Style 8/10

Overall 5/10

REVIEW: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol. 1) by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
Publishing information: Paperback; 160 pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 1 April 2005
ISBN 10: 1401202209
ISBN 13: 978-1401202200
Series/ story arc
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In Public Enemies, a huge remnant of Superman's home planet, Krypton, menaces Earth. Lex Luthor, U.S. president in current Superman stories, accuses the Man of Steel of complicity in the threat and commissions a squadron of superheroes to bring him in."

I am a fan of Jeph Loeb's work, he tends to write a compelling story for the few graphic novels that have featured his writing. In this case we have to iconic superheroes, Superman and Batman. They both have the same goal to bring the guilty to justice. Superman the boy scout and Batman the ruthless detective team up when the President of the United States, Lex Luthor, accuses Superman of being the vanguard from Krypton who are planning to attack and enslave the Earth.

The only issue I really had with the concept was that Superman was a fairly well established hero at this time and why he would now change his stripes made very little sense to me but again it is a comic book so, some suspension of disbelief is required. On top of the impending invasion there is also a very large Kryptonian meteor heading on a collision course with Earth which is weakening Superman. With Luthor putting a price on Superman's head, Batman steps in to work along side the Man of Steel.

The best thing about the graphic novel is that through out story arc are the thoughts of both Batman and Superman and while their methods may be completely opposite there is an understanding between then and it shows how well they work together. Superman the most powerful being on the planet and Batman, the World's Greatest Detective create a fairly powerful team, even if their methods vary greatly.

Knowing that Superman is a tough adversary, Luthor puts together his own super powered bounty hunters which are charged with bringing in Superman and anyone else that is harboring or associate with him. The team plays to win and again we see how well Superman and Batman work together. There are some unexpected surprises along the storyline as well as a lot of cameos. It makes for a exciting read and as I said before a fun storyline.

Ed McGuinness' artwork is colorful and bold. It has his own style and flair while doing its best to show of the classical images we associate with Superheroes. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol.1) is a highly charged graphic novel with a lot to look forward to as you read it. It packs a lot of adventure in only a few pages. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 9
Style 8
Artwork 8.5

Overrall 8.5/10

REVIEW: The Drowning City (Kindle Edition) by Amanda Downum

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Publishing information: Kindle; 384 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0316069043
ISBN 13: 978-0316069045
ASIN: B002LHRME2
Series: Book 1 of the Necromancer Chronicles
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting."

I originally bought this book because I found the cover to my liking. Add to the fact that you have an assassin, a female assassin, and you should have a really good book.

While reading The Drowning City there is a lot to enjoy. The city and atmosphere that Downum has created is very impressive. From the Asian feel of the city to the lore that surrounds the various groups and factions. There a lot to look forward to as you read the novel. The city is alive and very vibrant. I find I really like novels that do an amazing job of creating a complete picture of your surroundings.

However, it is really hard to stay with the novel as the plot and prose of the novel have some serious flaws. For the plot, it was similar to a lot of other books I have read in the past and I personally just could not get past that fact. It seemed as if they just switched out a male assassin for a fairly interesting female protagonist and then forgot what to do with her once the author had built up her mythology.

The prose had its highs and lows. But by the time I reached the end of the novel I have to say there were more lows than highs. There are times where things have no narrative flow and I found myself going back a page or two to see if I had skipped something. Many of the characters take action without any emotional response as to why they are doing it, which I find few people act that way. The Drowning City felt as if the emotional portions of the book were left out on purpose.

While the book was not awful, it certainly was not spectacular. Downum has a few redeeming qualities. Her world building is outstanding and is her saving grace. Isyllt Iskaldur is a powerful creation and while this is her story it just never really got off of the ground for me and it was a major disappointment. As a debut novel, flaws are expected and I do think that Downum will be able to overcome the issues I found with the novel in later novels. With that said I have no plans pick up the remaining books in the series. The Drowning City left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Plot 7
Characters 5
Style 6

Overall 6/10

REVIEW: Superman Birthright by Mark Waid

Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid

Publishing information: Graphic Novel paperback; 314 pages

Publisher: DC Comics; 1 October 2005

ISBN 10: 1401202527

SIBN 13: 978-1401202521

Standalone

Copy: Out of Pocket

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Superman's origins have been imagined and reimagined over the years. Here is a new take on the character's roots. Superman: Birthright retells the early chapters of Superman's story, from escape as an infant from the doomed planet Krypton to arrival as reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet and his first public exploits. Writer Waid puts his own spin on the legend, rethinking nearly every aspect of the venerable character while remaining respectful of his established history. Waid wisely integrates ideas from the popular TV series smallville but doesn't slavishly follow its innovations; for instance, a young Lex Luthor befriends Clark in high school, but unlike in the series, his sinister nature is clear even then. Waid similarly tweaks the rest of the well-known cast, from Lois Lane and Clark's other Planet colleagues to Ma and Pa Kent. Ironically, though he updates the character, Waid evokes Superman's pre-World War II incarnation, whom his Depression-reared creators kept engaged in righting society's ills. Leinil Francis Yu's stylized artwork is expressively dynamic to the point of caricature, but this larger-than-life visual approach befits the retelling of a myth."

Superman has been re-invisioned many times, but coming of the tails of the successful television series Smallville DC must have wanted an updated version. There are a few changes. Befriending Lex Luthor during his time as a teenager is new; However, Lex is an evil genius even then. I did like some of the dynamic presented. It showed Clark as a helpful person even then, but he was rather naive as he still had not figured out that Kryptonite could weaken and possibly kill him. Even though Lex had figured it out within seconds. I know that as a teenager Clark is suppose to not know much about the world but he should also be a fairly good student with the ability to quickly think things through and act even quicker. Many of the other characters were also present and they all had slight re-imaginings but nothing really stood out. I was surprised that Waid did not take advantage of adding Chloe or Pete, but then again Lana Lang played a very small role and if I recall only had one or two panels dedicated to her. The overall story arc is the beginning of Clark's rise to become Superman and Lex Luthor's nemesis.

The artwork is impressive. It has a touch of the Superman of old, while also keeping it closer to the present. Overall Superman: Birthright is a great read and earns its spot on the shelf as a retelling of Superman's origins. Birthright does not shock the readers with anything drastic and plays well to those who are super fans. It updates without deviating too far from what we are use to. It would have been nice to see something new to add to the legend it decided to play it very straight laced. While not necessary to read to gain anything new or insightful about Superman or Lex Luthor it is a great story arc and features some nice artwork.

Plot 7/10

Characters 7/10

Style 7/10

Artwork 8/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson (Kindle Edition)

The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor; 18 September 2007
ISBN 10: 0765348837
ISBN 13: 978-0765348838
ASIN: B003L1ZZEQ
Series: Book six in the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Bonehunters begins two months after the events of House of Chains. The Malazan Fourteenth Army has destroyed the army of the Whirlwind, and Adjunct Tavore Paran has executed Sha'ik. The Fourteenth is now pressing westward, pursuing the remnants of the Whirlwind rebellion (under Leoman of the Flails), as it seeks refuge in the fortress city of Y'Ghatan, where the Malazan Empire had previously faced its greatest defeat. Meanwhile, Onearm's Host, restored to the favour of Empress Laseen, has landed on Seven Cities' north coast to complete the task of subduing the rebellion, but a deadly plague has been unleashed. Ganoes Paran, the new Master of the Deck of Dragons, arrives from Genabackis to help deal with the chaos. Elsewhere, the balance of power is shifting in the Malazan Imperial Court, and strange black ships have been sighted in the waters surrounding Quon Tali and Seven Cities. The quest of the expeditionary force of the Letherii Empire to find warriors worthy of facing Emperor Rhulad Sengar in battle is about to be answered twice over..."

Not long ago I read and reviewed the fifth book in the series, Midnight Tides and quickly remembered why I enjoy Erikson's Malazan series. So, I quickly jumped back into the fray and started The Bonehunters. When we left off in Midnight Tides we were just really starting to get a feeling of things to come. The first four books set up most of the player and the world, Midnight Tides reads like the prequel to the remaining novels and with The Bonehunters things finally start to unravel and unfold. It is also the direct sequel to The House of Chains, the fourth book in the series.

While anyone who reads the Malazan novels know, there is a degree of catch up and a lot of fog of war when you start each novel but as you slog your way through things start to make sense and the bigger picture begins to take shape. Many of your favorite characters return in this installment and we start to understand their place in the events that are sure to come.

Many of my favorite characters make a return. Ganoes Paran for one, he is slowly coming to realize his potential as Master of the Deck. He plays a pivotal role in this book. Apsalar also returns and shows what she is capable of as well. As with all of Erikson's novels, you never know where the characters stand of what they are capable but I think quite a bit of information was brought forth in this book. Major clues as to what is unfolding are brought to the forefront and I look forward to getting to the end of the journey. There is a lot of information contained within the novel and while there is some infodumping it is part of the journey and not something that you want to skip and it certainly does not detract from the story.

As with all of the Malazan books, there is a lot of great dialogue and some dark behind the scenes plotting and magic. The big problem with The Bonehunters is that it ends without getting all the answers, of course we know that there are four more books to get those answers but the clues that he leaves us with in this novel make you want to jump right into the next novel to see if they come to pass or if he has thrown another haymaker when you were not looking. If you are fan of the previous installments in the series this one has a lot of revelations and as always, the ending leaves you at the edge of the cliff. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 8.5
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Midnight Tides (Kindle Edition) by Steven Erikson

Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor Books; 1 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0765348829
ISBN 13: 978-0765348821
ASIN: B000UZJRH2
Series: Book 5 in the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "After decades of warfare, the five tribes of the Tiste Edur have united under the rule of the Warlock King of Hiroth. But peace has been exacted at a terrible price - a pact made with a hidden power whose motives are at best suspect, at worst deadly."

Not long ago Andy reviewed Midnight Tide and he did an excellent job.

It has been a while since I delved into the wold of Wu. I stopped reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series to tackle a few other books and series as the fifth book does not continue on from the previous novels. It takes place on another continent and with two new races before jumping back into more familiar places and characters.

While the two races we meet in Midnight Tide are not new to readers of the series as they have been discussed and in some cases we have met some individuals from the respective clans, this is an in depth look at the continent and the people that inhabit it. We have the Letherii, the dominant race on the continent where it gets its name and the Tiste Edur, a once powerful race that has gone on to lose its former glory, but looking to regain it by any means necessary.

As with any Erikson novel, there are a multitude of characters some with major roles, others with smaller roles or cameos which could have implications later on down the road. I will only focus on a few. Perhaps my favorite in this book was Bug and Tehol. Aside from their plan to topple the Letherii economy, they provide plenty of laughs from their dialogue. Their discussions are fast and furious and always fun to read. Whenever one of them is in a scene it was light and entertaining. I know they are in future installments of the series and I look forward to meeting them again.

We also have the Sengar brothers: Fear, Trull, Binadas, and Rhulad. Trull, Rhulad, and Fear play much bigger roles in this novel and they are constantly evolving as the story progresses. I have nothing but empathy for Rhulad as his fate is one I would not wish upon anyone. Fear is your typical big brother, full of responsibility and holding on to it by his fingernails. Trull is a wild card as he is different from his brothers as he sees a bigger picture and must come to terms with his personal decisions. They made for a very interesting read.

Since I had taken a hiatus from the series, it took me a little while to get back all the places, people, and powers that the series has to offer. I thought that since it starts a new string of stories which finally tie back to the original story I would be fine. And to a certain extent I was, but I was lost a little while and had to jump on Malazan Wiki to find my place as there were a few things that I had forgotten and had to relearn. Once I found myself back into the world I remembered why I liked these books so much. The mystery that unravels in each of the books makes for a read that you must stay on your toes to keep up with the pace Erikson is taking you on. In these volume we learn a lot more about the magic system and the Chained God. As the Tiste Edur attempt to reclaim their once powerful empire by attacking the Letherii, we also have a old god reclaim is glory through manipulation. Midnight Tide really is the set up to the next act in the overall story arc.

While this is a favorite for a lot of Erikson's fans, I found it a decent read with some great characters, places, and of course a new bump in the road to the final confrontation, but it was not my favorite read. Fans will enjoy it but since this is as far as I have read into the series so far, I don't see its far reaching implications just yet. That said Midnight Tides a very satisfying read that will impact the rest of the series.

Plot 8
Characters 10
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: The Strain Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (audiobook)

The Strain Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (audiobook)
Publishing information: Audiobook
Publisher: HarperCollins 2 June 2009
ISBN 10: 0061715204
ISBN 13: 978-0061715204
Series: Book 1 in the Strain Trilogy
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Just as a jumbo jet on a flight from Germany to New York is touching down at JFK, something goes terribly wrong. When Ephraim Goodweather, of the Centers for Disease Control, investigates the darkened plane, he finds all but four passengers and crew dead, drained of blood. Despite Goodweather's efforts to keep the survivors segregated, they get discharged into the general population. Soon after, the corpses of the tragedy's victims disappear. The epidemiologist begins to credit the wild stories of Abraham Setrakian, an elderly pawnbroker who's the book's Van Helsing figure, and concludes that a master vampire has arrived in the U.S."

I am a fan of Guillermo Del Toro's movies, the fact that he is moving into novels did not take me long to decide on whether or not to pick up his first book in The Strain Trilogy. Del Toro and Hogan attempt to take us back to a time when vampires were scary and not out to seduce young high school girls with no personality. Borrowing heavily on Eastern European folklore we find the vampires as deadly killers with little or no remorse.

The Strain focus a lot of detail on what makes a vampire, their physiology and how they are transformed from human to vampire. At times it was interesting, but most of the time it was a large infodump. Our hero is Dr. Goodweather, a CDC worker who is in charge of the investigation since the infested plane landed. He is a likable character, but he never really managed to have me join his side and start rooting for him. The authors also include a character similar to Van Helsing, one Abraham Setrakian who has encountered the creatures before when he was in a holocaust encampment. His character had a rich background and I really enjoyed the scenes that he was in. Truth be told his character was the only reason I continued to listen to the story. The vampires are also pretty impressive. Their mythology makes a lot of sense. About half of the ways to kill them work and the reasons why make a lot of sense.

The majority of the novel is not much fun to read and quite boring. It takes a really long time for things to happen and when they do they failed to keep me reading long into the night. Admittedly, I am not a huge vampire reader but if the book manages to keep me interested I have no problem reading past my bedtime. With The Strain I found that I would look forward to lights out.

I was really disappointed in the story from someone who directs some of my favorite movies I expected something more. The only real impressive feature of the book was the talented reading of Ron Perlman. I swear he should read every novel. However, he did have a hard time keeping me interested in this book. The Fall is already out and the third book in the series, The Night Eternal is scheduled to be released on 25 October 2011. I have no plans to continue with the series.

Plot 7/10
Characters 6/10
Style 6.5/10
Voice Talent 10/10

Overall 6.5/10

REVIEW: The American Book of the Dead by Henry Baum

The American Book of the Dead by Henry Baum
Publishing information: Paperback; 248 pages
Publisher: Backwards Books; 1 November 2009
ISBN 10: 9780578026930
ISBN 13: 978-0578026930
Standalone
Copy: Provided by author
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Eugene Myers is working on a novel about the end of the world. Meanwhile, he discovers his daughter doing porn online and his marriage is coming to an end. When he begins dreaming about people who turn out to be real, he wonders if his novel is real as well. Eugene Myers may just be the one to stop the apocalypse.

In the tradition of Philip K. Dick and Robert Anton Wilson, The American Book of the Dead explores the nature of reality and the human race's potential to either disintegrate or evolve."

The first thing I would like to say is that for some reason I really like the cover. Maybe it is because I just finished playing Portal 2. With that said, there is no shortage of books featuring the apocalypse; however, Baums The American Book of the Dead is a very different spin on the events that bring an end to humanity. We have a writer, Eugene Myers, has somehow channeled the future and knows the end of days is coming.

Eugene Myers is a typical male. He teaches at the local college and dreams of his female students, his wife barely has time for him and thinks he is inept. When his dreams become very specific he decides to track them down only to find that they too are having strange dreams. As things continue to spiral down to doomsday he and his new friends look for a way to survive. While Baum does his best to keep Myers grounded and humble he never really comes off as anyone I wanted to cheer for. The people that he surrounds himself with also have very few (if any) characteristics that make you want to get to know them.

Then there is the President of the United States of America, he has decided to bring about the biblical end of the world and proclaims himself the Anti-Christ. There was a lot of bible talk and a few verses. I have no problem with one here or there but they just made me annoyed. The babble that he spewed and how he twisted it to his own needs is nothing new and you can find it on many channels. But as a villain who we are told is highly intelligent, we are never shown that fact and the way in which he just does things off the cuff without much thought of his actions does not show me an intelligent person. His father was a much more interesting character and would have been a craftier antagonist.

While The American Book of the Dead started out strong it quickly started to show its weakness and once the cracks began to show they grew larger. There is a slight twist to the story but even with that looming on the horizon it did nothing to save the book. The ending was also a little too tidy for me to enjoy the novel. We are talking about an apocalypse and it seems far too happy and uplifting. We all like our books coming to a sunny conclusion but this was just too much to bear. While the book may be right up many people's alley it was not to my liking.

Plot 6
Characters 5
Style 7

Overall 5/10