Lamplighters Society
(Land of Szornyek #3)
by Ariele Sieling (2020)
After escaping the voro, Askari, Harcos, Shujaa, and Fane seek refuge in Greystone City.
Despite some good action and intrigue, not much happens and the forward narrative of discovery in the first two books just stops.
So while an OK read, it doesn’t inspire the reading of the subsequent three books.
The Land of Terror
(Doc Savage)
By Lester Dent (1965)
A vile green vapor was all that remained of the first victim of the monstrous Smoke of Eternity. There would be thousands more if Kar, master fiend, had his evil way.
Only Doc Savage and his mighty five could stop him. But the corpse-laden trail led to a prehistoric crater and mortal combat with the fiercest killing machines ever invented by nature.
During the read of this book I watched a few videos on Doc’s origins. Turns out he predates Superman and Batman. A lot of the subsequent superheroes are clearly modelled on Doc.
Because he is this superman; smart, strong and invincible there is little peril for the guy. At one point, as he is about to get shot it is revealed that he i wearing armour !
Despite this, the story is fun and fast. At the end they take off for New Zealand, make a few offensive remarks about the natives and journey to the land that time lost. The final chapters could have come out of the Jurassic Park film.
City of Dod
(Land of Szornyek #2)
by Ariele Sieling (2019)
A pall still hangs over the Baratok community from the rarohan attack only a few months before, and all Askari wants is to stay out of trouble and help her grieving community heal.
Until a stranger rides into camp. He offers her a chance to obtain something rare and valuable—monster blood with healing properties that could help prevent more of her people from dying.
The second continues on from the first. This time things take longer to get going. But it’s much the same as before. Lots of monsters to slay and places to visit. It does get a bit darker and meaner in tone. But still interesting enough for the reader to wonder just what is to come, and if the history of the world will be revealed.
Tentacles and Teeth
(Land of Szornyek #1)
by Ariele Sieling (2019)
The apocalypse wasn’t what anyone expected–no rising flood waters, no zombies, no nuclear bombs. Instead, monsters. Their sudden invasion left the world in shatters, and now, decades later, all that’s left of human civilization are a few nomadic bands struggling to survive off the land.
Askari was born to this world, and lives, fights, and survives alongside the community that raised her. But when she breaks one too many of the community’s rules, her punishment is severe: leave.
A new author to me, only read as it was free on Kobo, and I liked the cover. The prose flows easily and illustrates the landscape and characters well. There is peril, excitement and tension that moves at a good pace. This feels like an experienced author with an interesting premise. It will be interesting to see where the series will go.
Tangled
(Fractured Fairy Tales #4)
by J.E. Taylor (2018)
Imprisoned in a tower from the time she was old enough to walk, Danae longs to experience more than just what is within her ornate cage. But her mother insists the world is just too dangerous for a precious light-bringer.
When Danae encounters a disgraced dark-bringer, their combined power lights a fire within her soul, illuminating the tangled web of lies her captor has spun.
This takes a lot from the Disney film. Girl in a tower, jovial savior rescues her. Things pan out in a predictable way. And without much in the way of suspense or surprise.
Brave
(Fractured Fairy Tales #3)
by J. E. Taylor (2018)
May Stewart’s father, King James VII, demands she choose a husband within a fortnight. The list of approved suitors leaves her uninspired at the courtship festivities until fate intervenes, and an uninvited stranger sparks her interest.
Of course, and when a horny teenager wants her way, things go off course.
This has many of the elements of the Pixel film. There are bows, kings, queens and bears (also bared bodies). It’s all a bit sordid as one bad decision by the protagonist is followed by another.
Of course the nature of this is that the Princess must get what she desires. But really, it would have been a better story is she had died a horrible death as a result of her raging hormones.
Cinder
(Fractured Fairy Tales #2)
by J. E. Taylor (2018)
Elle must escape a life of despair to find magic in a Prince’s arms.
Elle Seeley’s world turns upside down when her mother passes unexpectedly. Her father brings her into his business, teaching her the art of negotiation in the marketplace and how to defend herself against attack.
Well, obviously this is a new take on Cinderella. Told from her point of view; her mother dies, then her father leaving her with a step-mother. It’s unfortunate that the author had to resort to making the step-mother such an evil vilian. Having some subtlety (or a backstory) would have provided a more interesting story.
Of course Cinderella is still obsessed with the prince, and this would surely lead to a very dysfunctional relationship, as explained in Cinema Therapy:
But ultimately the good must prevail and vanquish the evil. This leads to a predictable ending. Even when there is the hint for a nice twist at the end. Because of this, not as good as the first.
Doctor Who: The Behemoth
(Big Finish)
Bath, 1756 – and a very dashing gentleman known only as the Doctor is newly arrived in town, accompanied by his lady friends Mrs Clarke and Mrs Ramon. He’s created a stir among the gentlefolk of Georgian high society – and a stir in the heart of merry widow Mrs Theodosia Middlemint, rumour has it.
But there’s something terrible beneath the veneer of Georgian gentility. As awful a horror as the Doctor has ever exposed, hidden inside Balsam’s Brassworks. Something that needs to be brought to light, for the sake of all humanity.
Written by Marc Platt
Cast:
Colin Baker (The Doctor)
Miranda Raison (Constance Clarke)
Lisa Greenwood (Flip Jackson)
Ben Arogundade (Gorembe)
Wayne Forester (Rev Mr Philip Naylor)
Diveen Henry (Sarah)
Liam McKenna (Titus Craven)
Georgina Moon (Mrs Middlemint)
Giles New (Captain Douwemout Van Der Meer / Nehemiah Hawnch)
Glynn Sweet (Sir Geoffrey Balsam)
Unashamedly a historical drama, concerning slavery and with a heavy handed moral theme.
Jekyll & Hyde Inc.
by Simon R. Green (2021)
The first book read from the Baen Oct 2022 Monthly Bundle
Daniel Carter was a London cop who just wanted to do the right thing. But during a raid on an organ-selling chop shop, he is almost torn to pieces by monsters. And no one believes him. Hurt and crippled, his career over and his life in ruins, Daniel is suddenly presented with a chance at redemption.
A first read of Simon R Green, and if this is anything to go by, I will be trying more. Writing is sharp, witty and has a nice balance between the characters and the plot.
Danial & his cohorts feel like something out of a Noir film, but from a comic and super bad. He dies, becomes invincible and takes on the night life (to kill). While it does have a satisfying ending, it does open the possibilities for further stories.
The Beetle Horde
Victor Rousseau (1930)
An expedition charged with locating the south pole with precision comes upon marvels. Aviator Tommy Travers and scientist Jim Dodd find evidence of man-sized beetles near the pole. Then, their plane is sucked into a vortex and drawn inside the Earth.
A story of brave men, big bugs (it’s a bug hunt) and an impeding invasion and take over the earth. But don’t worry, our heroes are on to it.