Space Cowboy
Justin Stanchfield (2008)

Travis is a boy living on the remote planet of Aletha Three. A genetically engineered creature has begun stalking the struggling population. Armed only with his dad’s old rifle, cowboy Travis must find out where the predator came from and how he can stop it.

Science Fiction in a western style. This was an easy read that kept me engrossed  for 70,000 words. Well written with a few twists. that sometimes lag behind the readers attention.

Purchased as part of the “To The Stars Adventure SF’ bundle

Harm’s Way
(Star Trek TOS)
David Mack (2022)

Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise go in search of a missing Federation scientist—only to become trapped between a Klingon warship and Starfleet’s mysterious Operation: Vanguard.

This one plays out as another ‘Monster of the Week’ story. There are multiple plotlines involving Kirk, Klingon Kang and two away teams out to battle technology gone haywire.

But in the ends it’s just another monster story. Not much science fiction here. It even has a sort of Deus ex Machina ending.

All the same, it was well written and with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Skeleton in the Closet
The Dragon Business #2
Kevin J. Anderson (2023)

Following on from the first book, our trusty band of misfits, scoundrels, scammers and a Princess move on the the next targel.

The first act involves killing a sea serpent (large Pike). As usual, the Princess applies her chemistry skills to an explosive effect.

On to the main plot, involving King Longjohn, whose castle is supposedly bursting at the seams with treasure. But the caper turns sour when Wizard-Mage Ugnarok and his army of orcs takes over the castle.

Very similar to the previous story, the humour is more consistent and a major setup is rewarded in the appropriate manner.

The Dragon Business
Kevin J. Anderson (2013)

Long ago, in a kingdom not far from Mediaeval times,  young Cullin traveled the countryside as squire to brave Sir Dalbry, along with Dalbry’s trusted sidekick Reeger, selling dragon-protection services to every kingdom with a coffer. There were no dragons, of course, but with a collection of severed alligator heads and a willingness to play dirty, the trio of con men was crushing the competition.

It’s a mix of Monty Python and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Kevin Anderson must have gotten tired of epic space stories and wanted to take on the hardest genre of all: Humour.

In large part he succeeds. You can imaging Mel Brooks directing a film of this. But it’s Anderson’s years of experience in writing that makes it work. There are memorable characters and the story keeps up the pacing to the end.

Og-Grim-Dog and The War of the Dead
(Me Three #3)
Jamie Edmundson (2020)

When a brutal war comes to Gal’azu, Og-Grim-Dog believe things can’t get any worse.

They’re wrong. For the Dead now walk the land. As the world around them begins to disintegrate, Og-Grim-Dog face their greatest challenge yet.

This book drops a lot of the wit and humour of the previous stories. As a result it is fairly standard fantasy fiction. Lots of murder and mayhem with a less than satisfactory ending.

Og-Grim-Dog and The Dark Lord
(Me Three #2)
Jamie Edmundson (2020)

What does a three-headed ogre do when they are banned from being a hero? Why, apply to be a henchman of The Dark Lord, of course.

Can’t help but assume that the author has read Paul Dale’s Dark Lord Trilogy. As well as a number of Sandon Branderson books .

The Ogre is on the dark side and goes around dispensing with the Dark Lords enemies. And there are a lot. Things take a turn when he is tasked with capturing a princess.

Og-Grim-Dog: The Three-Headed Ogre
(Me Three #1)
Jamie Edmundson (2020)

Og-Grim-Dog is no ordinary ogre, having three heads that can talk to each other. The middle head operates the legs while the side heads operate the arms.

Recruited by a team of eccentric dungeon crawlers, all three heads are determined to prove their worth.

It’s a very familiar Dungeons & Dragons world. Taken straight from table role playing games. Most of the book is making fun of the rules and clichés of the world.

But it’s well written and takes unexpected turns in a fun matter. Complete with swords, elves, goblins etc. etc.

The White Invaders
Ray Cummings (1931)

Just the normal invasion novella length story of its time. Told in breathless first person, our hero is there at the beginning of the invasion and charts the progress.

There is the damsel in distress, the aliens with magical power to be overcome and a world in danger.

Not bad for it’s time, but is it the plot for Mars Needs Women ?

Collateral Damage
(Star Trek: The Next Generation)
David Mack (2019)

The U.S.S. Enterprise is sent to apprehend pirates who have stolen vital technology from a fragile Federation colony. But acting captain Commander Worf discovers that the pirates’ motives are not what they seem, and that sometimes standing for justice means defying the law.

Meanwhile, in a plot far, far away Captain Jean-Luc Picard faces court for a crime he thought long buried has been exposed, and he must return to Earth to answer for his role in a conspiracy that some call treason. This just seems like filler. The story could have easily been a separate novella and it would have helped the pacing of the main plot.

The main plot is both interesting and surprising.  Worf is in charge of Enterprise, dealing with a Section 31 agent of considerable ego. Parts are written in first person, from the point of view of two people. Having Okana’s narrative gives the book a sharp wit and a but of fun, almost like a Harry Flashman character. But the first person from the other character, on the other side adds nothing.

Despite these shortcomings, an enjoyable read.