Book Review – Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

1. Aftertime
2. Sophie Littlefield
3. Luna
4. 2011
5. Trade Paperback
6. 375 pages
7. ISBN: 9780373803361

Anyone who has read this book review blog for long knows that I really enjoy a good post-apocalyptic zombie story every once in a while (actually find them hard to resist) and that’s exactly what Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield is, a very good zombie book. Forget the Beaters (zombies) for a moment and why they’ve changed into crazed flesh-eaters. Put aside the fact that the world has pretty much come to an abrupt and disappointing end. What carries this narrative is the character development and quest motif. Littlefield’s characters are fully fleshed out (pun intended) and real. Some are mysterious, others evil and self-serving, most are flawed and a few even resemble people I know. Which is what makes them so compelling. Everyone who’s ever loved a child will understand the motive driving the main character. That it occurs in a savage, wasted land makes it that much more interesting. There’s nothing inherently unique about this particular zombie story but because it reads so quickly and the plot is so compelling you won’t want to put it down. An enjoyable time away from the mundane this novel is a recommended for all the zombie and post-apocalyptic fans out there. (You know who you are!)

4 out of 5 stars

1. The Alternative
2. Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Official Author site

Author Blog

Amazon Author site

Author Wiki Site

Aftertime Page

* The Alternative Blog

Book Review - Millennial Mythmaking by John Perlich and David Whitt

• Millennial Mythmaking: Essays on the Power of Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Films and Games
• John Perlich and David Whitt
• McFarland
• 2009
• Trade Paperback
• 202 pages
• ISBN: 978-0-7864-4562-20

     Perhaps because of a misunderstanding on my part I originally believed this book of essays would be a comfortably written, easily readable, and pedestrian collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy themes. (Think Stephen King’s On Writing.)I’m not entirely sure where I got that impression but it turns out that Millennial Mythmaking is more of a college textbook or scholarly master thesis than a compilation of soft essays on the subject of SF&F myths. And while that isn’t at all bad it really wasn’t what I expected. Putting my obtuseness aside if you’re the type that loves an in-depth analysis of contemporary Science Fiction and Fantasy then you’ll definitely enjoy this book. However, through all the studied rationalizations, numerous footnotes and references, and in some cases, over-analytical rhetoric, much of the message of each essay will be lost to the casual reader. If you are a college-level student studying the myths of current fiction or enjoy the detailed and often subtle underpinnings of Science Fiction and Fantasy then I recommend this collection of essays for you.

     One slightly irritating theme I encountered was the constant homage and mention of Joseph Campbell. Every essay held an element dealing with or concerning Campbell or his work and almost every reference cited Campbell and Moyer’s The Power of Myth. It seemed the deck was stacked with a pat hand. In other words, the editors may have only solicited essays relative to Joseph Campbell as the common denominator which isn’t a bad thing overall but should have probably been mentioned up front if that was the intention. (I can’t imagine this was coincidental.) On a positive note, and I’d like to end this review on an optimistic note if I may, the subject matter included more modern SF&F examples then many other works of this genre (i.e. Harry Potter, Wicked Witch of the West, Doctor Who, Star Trek, etc.) This gives Millennial Mythmaking an advantage over many other essay collections published in the past few years.

3 stars out of 5

• The Alternative
• Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Stephen Hunt (SF Crows Nest) Review

Perlich’s College Site

Author Interview

Book Review - Nebador - Book One – The Test by J. Z. Colby

1. Nebador - Book One – The Test
2. J. Z. Colby
3. Nebador Archives (Self-Published)
4. ISBN 978-936253-02-9
5. 292 pages
6. Review copy via Librarything.com

Nebador Book One: The Test is an entertaining young adult narrative set in a medieval kingdom where the institution of slavery is an integral part of society. Enter Ilika, a ship captain from the mysterious land of Nebador who is looking for crew members to man his vessel. It is revealed that Ilika is on a quest and one of his major tests is to recruit his own crew. What he doesn’t know is that the only eligible young men and women that fit his recruitment criteria are slaves. The story develops as the young ship captain purchases, manumits, and then educates ten teenaged slaves as possible crewmembers. “The Test” of the title manages to work on two levels. Ilika’s test is to find and train a competent crew for his ship and the test for each slave is to learn enough to be chosen as a crewmember. We get the feeling, though are never really told, that Ilika is no ordinary captain and that his ship is no ordinary craft. Indeed we are told via subtle inference that the vessel is so unusual that is it not a “ship” in the traditional sense at all. I’m sure you can see where this is going…

The first chapter of this book could have been stronger structurally, in my opinion, but the mystery of the strange ship captain was interesting enough to keep me reading the narrative. A stronger introduction to the main character might have given the story a better, less confusing, start. For instance, Ilika unnecessarily talking to animals to introduce himself was to me a bit confusing. Is this a fantasy about a young man that can talk to animals? Or is he just psychotic? No, it was just an awkward way to introduce the reader to the character. An encounter with a fellow traveler or a local farmer might have set up the opening a little better. However, once past that minor fault the book picks up in both pace and plot and I found it to be an enjoyable read.

As a reviewer of a certain age, over 50 but under dead, I feel well-qualified to comment on the plot and content of this young adult narrative which I found to be entertaining, educational, and nostalgic. Entertaining in the fact that the plot was well-written, the characters believable and real, and the premise was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end of the story. When I say that I found the book educational I mean in the sense that it contains elements of basic math and logic intended to educate the young reader (a rare occurrence these days in most young adult fiction.) More often than not we are riddled with YA stories that contain only emotional and relationship driven narratives. Nebador does indeed include relationship building but it is more in the line of binding a team together rather than focusing on romantic alliances although there are elements of romance found in the story. As for why I felt the book nostalgic I have only two words for you, Andre Norton. Yes, the prolific YA and science fiction author. I recall to this day that warm afternoon in the early 70’s when I first opened a borrowed copy of Witch World. I was completely drawn into and enthralled by that story. In fact, I wanted to go and write similar stories. Though I never did get around to writing those tales the important thing was that it made me want to and, in some ways, that experience turned me into a voracious reader. I read more because of it in my search to find books written in a similar style with parallel content. I hope that this book does the same for the young readers that come in contact with it. Hopefully, there are those who will read this in jaw-dropping wonder and begin a long life of reading Science Fiction for the pure pleasure of it. Of course, I am no longer a doe-eyed young adult looking to be blown away by a Science Fiction story (though I often am) and I remember fondly what it feels like and I believe that Nebador has the potential to cause that same type of wonderment in a new generation of young adults.

3 ½ stars out of 5

1. The Alternative
2. Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Official Nebador site

Author page at Goodreads.com

BookReview.com review

Book Review – In This Hospitable Land by Lynmar Brock, Jr.

1. In This Hospitable Land
2. Lynmar Brock, Jr.
3. Publisher: AmazonEncore
4. On Sale: April 26, 2011
5. ISBN-10: 9781935597469
6. Trade Paperback
7. AmazonVine Program - ARC – Uncorrected Proof
8. 414 pages

In This Hospitable Land is based on the factual account of a Jewish family forced from their home in Belgium during the Nazi invasion of Europe in World War II. Members of the Severin family ultimately settled in the Cevennes area of rural southern France only to find themselves caught between occupied German soldiers, suspicious townsfolk, and the local pro-Nazi Vichy government. The family, trapped in the middle of this chaos, is forced to depend upon already wary neighbors to hide them from possible capture by the Nazis. It is a remarkable story of perseverance, paranoia, brotherhood, and survival.

Thoughtfully researched and carefully studied In This Hospitable Land is an informative work of historical fiction but unfortunately suffers from a number of conspicuous weaknesses and inconsistencies. It is more than evident that the author has supplemented actual conversations with additional exposition which, in the main, is overformal and wooden and, at times, hard to follow and often illogical. The style is awkward and the explanations and details drone on in places and I found myself drifting away from the story during some of the longer explanations.

Fortunately, the strong suit of this novel lies in its plot and the heart-rending story of suffering and survival and I recommend it for fans of historical or war fiction and those wishing to educate themselves concerning this little-known account of the Holocaust. No matter the shortcomings In This Hospitable Land deserves high praise for its subject matter. Stories like this warrant publication because the message they contain is always more important than the mechanics used to create them. Otherwise we never would have heard the names Elie and Shlomo Wiesel, Oscar and Emilie Schindler, Art and Vladek Spiegelman, or Tuvia and Zus Bielski and learned of their exceptional stories. Without them we might never have known the suffering endured or the strength of heart our fellow men experienced during those chaotic times. With many of the key figures that lived through these times reaching the end of their lives we risk losing these stories forever. They are integral to our growth as a race and should not be lost to obscurity.

3 ½ out of 5 stars

1. The Alternative
2. Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Art Spiegelman Wiki site

Art Spiegelman Maus site

Oskar Schindler Wiki site

Schindler’s List movie at IMDB

Schindler Article The first magazine article about Schindler (written 1949 unpublished until 1994)

Elie Wiesel Wiki site

Elie Wiesel Book Night

Tuvia and Zus Bielski (The Bielski Partisans) Wiki site

Defiance movie at IMDB

P.S. For five informative reviews concerning excellent Holocaust literature please see my post Book Reviews - Essential World War II Stories from a July 2009 post.

 

Book Review - The Ballad of Bob Dylan: A Portrait by Daniel Mark Epstein

1. The Ballad of Bob Dylan: A Portrait
2. Daniel Mark Epstein
3. On Sale: May 3^rd, 2011
4. Trade Paperback
5. Amazon Vine Program ARC – Uncorrected Proof

You might ask why we need another biography of one of the most iconic songwriters and lyricists of our time. And you’d be within your right to ask it. After all, there are currently dozens of well-written books already published about (some even by) Bob Dylan. Here’s the short answer as to why I feel this one is necessary - should, in fact, be near the top of the list. Simply put, I found The Ballad of Bob Dylan (A Portrait) unlike most personal accounts of Dylan’s life because it is written not by a commentator per se but by an obvious fan of both Dylan and the folk genre in general. Whereas a biographer researches and collects the most important facts of a subject’s life and delivers what he’s found Mr. Epstein takes that concept twenty steps further. He disseminates four important concerts and reports back to us as if he were Elizabeth Barrett Browning writing, “… let me count the ways…” He takes us back stage behind the scenes and revisits the honky-tonks and dives of the 60’s and 70’s forging a nostalgia that even the youngest reader will appreciate. He interviews many of the most influential stars that have ever practiced the art of folk music and writes with such intuitive attention to detail that you can feel the historic longing of those he’s consulted. Most importantly, Daniel Mark Epstein knows and loves his subject matter.

This book is divided by four significant concerts from various stages of Dylan’s career spanning more than forty-five years - all of which Epstein attended. The first, held at the small venue of the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. on December 14^th, 1963 was Epstein’s first Dylan concert. He was thirteen years old. The second, Dylan’s (with The Band) Madison Square Garden appearance on January 31^st, 1974, was, by all accounts, a cultural phenomenon. In some cases the U.S. Post Office had to set up extra mailboxes for ticket orders in many major cities. Over five million paid mail orders were reportedly sent in for the 650,000 tickets available over the course of the tour, making them the most in-demand ticket in the history of rock music. The third concert, part of “The Never- Ending Tour,” was held at the Tanglewood Music Shed, Lenox, Massachusetts on August 4^th, 1997 with special guest Ani DiFranco. The fourth concert was held at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland on July 24^th, 2009. Special guest stars were Willie Nelson and John Mellancamp. Through these rare live experiences the author delivers a song by song and decade to decade analysis of Dylan’s live shows and on-stage behavior. Epstein’s familiarity with Bob Dylan, the music, the lyrics, and the core personalities who performed them is glaringly evident. This author is no poser. Epstein really knows his folk history!

Along with the concert attendance and resulting personal notes the biography is built on comprehensive examination of the roots of folk music and its lyrics, a lifelong study of the subject, and personal interviews with a wide range of legendary folk notables including: Eric Andersen (folk celebrity and Dylan contemporary), Tom Paxton (legendary folk singer/songwriter), Nora Guthrie (Woody Guthrie’s daughter), Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (noted American folk singer), Pete Seeger (iconic folk musician and storyteller), Maria Muldaur (folk-blues singer), and John P. Hammond (blues singer/guitarist).

Interestingly enough the only real flaw I could find with the book actually occurs on the front cover. Mr. Epstein sub-titled this biography “A Portrait.” As you know a portrait can be interpreted as simply a snapshot, static image, or vision frozen in time. The Ballad of Bob Dylan: A Portrait, on the other hand, is far from singular. It does not focus on a single event or a stationary moment but envelops many of the most important moments in the life of one of the most influential song-writers the world has ever seen. The Ballad of Bob Dylan is, in short, a fluid, brilliant, and astute portrayal of one of the most prolific and significant artists of our time and well worth the price of admission.

4 out of 5 stars

1. The Alternative
2. Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

For Bob Dylan fans:

Bob Dylan Wiki site

Official Bob Dylan site

Expecting Rain (A Dylan website)

Bob Dylan on IMDB

One of the first Bob Dylan sites on the internet

A listing of Bob Dylan books and resources

For Folk Music fans in general:

Official Eric Andersen site

Official Tom Paxton site

Official Woody Guthrie site

Official Ramblin’ Jack Elliott site

Official Pete Seeger site

Official Maria Muldaur site

Book Review - Of Blood and Honey (A Book of the Fey and The Fallen) by Stina Leicht

• Of Blood and Honey
• Stina Leicht
• Night Shade Books
• Urban/Historic Fantasy
• 296 pages
• Trade paperback edition
• (ARC ePub ebook from Night Shade Books Editor In Chief)
• Cover art by Min Yum
• ISBN: 978-1597802130

     Inference and subtlety, in my opinion, has become somewhat of a lost art in literature. While this talent hasn’t disappeared entirely and some writers continue to maintain the proficiency of suggestive narrative I’ve noticed a decline in its use. What surprised me then was the skill in which Stina Leicht, a first time novelist, uses the ability of suggestion and nuance in her debut urban fantasy Of Blood and Honey. The literary foreplay leading up to the violent, traumatic sexual assault of the main character, Liam, for instance, is handled with a great deal of subtlety – more the fodder for our imaginations and more effective than a straight telling of the incident which, by the way, never happens. And the first time Liam unwittingly allows the otherworld beast inside him to escape we are shown more than told of that transformation. Because of the competence employed utilizing the art of supposition Ms. Leicht makes us a better audience. We are allowed to use our imagination to fill in the subtle nooks and crannies that remain unwritten but which are obviously present.      

      Of course, Of Blood and Honey is not a perfect urban fantasy but, then again, none really are*. What I feel missing from this tale was the intricately woven account connecting the Fey and human worlds. In truth, and perhaps in defense of this omission, I was under the distinct impression during reading - and here again is the subtleness of inference at play - that the Fey would become more prevalent in later books. Additional works would certainly offer the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Fey and meld it with that of the commonplace home of humanity. On this point only time (and the publication of additional volumes in the series) will tell but the author would do well to bring the compelling world of Bran and Redcap** to the forefront in at least one subsequent story. I also found a number of very dark moments scattered throughout this novel which may offend some readers. I, on the other hand, felt that those sobering flashes provided a certain “punch” and the “hard edge” moments made it more emotional, therefore more enjoyable to me. And giving a novel sentiment and mood is what every writer strives for, or should. While the unimaginative and angry step-father cliché has been overdone those scenes were crafted skillfully enough that I could appreciate the struggle between the love and duty suffered by Liam’s mother and the emotional tug-of-war she endured. Fortunately, the step-father character is only found in a few scenes for abbreviated stretches of time.     

       Some of Ms. Leicht’s strengths are simply a result of blood, sweat, and hard work. The time period and politics of 1970’s Ireland and the clash between the Irish Republican Army and the British Army has been meticulously researched and she reveals to us the enviable ability to construct entire worlds in just a few short but concise paragraphs. Mingling Irish folklore and the mundane and then throwing a mystery into the mix is a stroke of genius. Every one of her characters are elaborate and intricate, even those that are flawed, secondary, or cliché and she reveals surprises in delightfully proportioned servings. The worlds she’s created are foreboding and rough and magical and dark and we are fortunate to be able to visit there, if only for a short while. The Fey and The Fallen is a series I’ll be following closely. If you enjoy finely crafted fantasy then you should too.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

• The Alternative
• Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Author site

SF Reviews.Net review

Fantasy Book Critic Review

The Big Idea: Stina Leicht

Author’s LiveJournal site

(P.S. While you’re visiting Leicht’s LiveJournal site be sure to click on the link HOW TO STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST (AND 9 OTHER THINGS NOBODY TOLD ME – Pay special attention to “#10 Creativity is Subtraction” then read my first paragraph above again. ‘Nuf said.)

* Samuel R. Delaney’s Dhalgren comes very close to perfect and I’d rally behind just about any of Emma Bull’s urban fantasies or Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim books, but I digress.

** More on Redcap

*** More on the Fae

Book Review – Dustlands Book One - Blood Red Road by Moira Young

• Blood Red Road
• (Dustlands Book One)
• Moira Young
• Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Scheduled Release Date: June 7, 2011
• Trade Paperback
• ISBN: 9781442431386
• (Review copy: ARC uncorrected proof direct from publisher.)
• 498 pages
• Tags: Young Adult (YA); Dystopian Fiction, Action-Adventure, Quest Fiction

Blood Red Road, a Young Adult dystopian title scheduled for release June 7^th, 2011, is a fast paced action-adventure filled with dark, post-apocalyptic settings and truly likable characters on a quest. Written in the first person perspective with the voice of an illiterate, but not unintelligent, main character the narrative is presented entirely in the dialect of the uneducated. While it may take some readers a while to get beyond the trimmed-down minimalistic language the quaintness of the dialogue holds a certain sui generis charm and is what really made this book an exceptional read for me. It was unusual enough to catch and hold my interest from the start and once it had my attention I was hooked. In some ways this novel reminded me a little of Cormac McCarthy’s works Outer Dark and Suttree which contain their own flavor of dialect and Blood Red Road will inevitably be compared to The Road for its murky settings, ruined landscapes, and quest motifs. Another remarkable thing about this book is that while it is admittedly aimed at the 14+ crowd of young adults there is no doubt that it will appeal to almost every age group. Take it from someone who’s been in almost every age group. It’s a catchy, well-written story and I still find it hard to believe it’s a debut novel. The author’s narrative voice, lurking beneath the dialect, is a surprisingly mature one. Add the fact that it can be read almost overnight (it really is that fast-paced and readable) and you’ll find that Moira Young has created a decidedly fresh and enjoyable novel that will not disappoint.

Somewhat predictable (the deaths of two main characters, a heated, young romance, and somewhat clichéd characters) Blood Red Road never-the-less kept me entertained throughout with its many unique and uncommon elements. The crow that thinks and acts as if it is human is a wonderful, inventive character that tends to steal the show whenever in scene. Jack, the mysterious thief, embraces untold secrets which we hope to see revealed in the later books of the series. The dark and foreboding ninja-like Tontons have yet to show their dark side and there is a mystifying familiarity between Saba, the main character, and the Tonton leader DeMalo. There are some really nasty and evil antagonists as well, especially The King and Miz Pinch. Far be it for me to reveal any spoilers here but there’s a lot of potential in this series and I for one can’t wait to read and review the future exploits of this band of survivors.

Blood Red Road is the first book in the planned Dustlands trilogy but even so Moira Young does a great job of making the book stand alone without resorting to one of those aggravating cliff-hanger endings that have become so prominent in serial novels. I truly enjoyed this read and finished the book in only a few nights. As a result I will definitely make note to purchase the remaining books in the series when they’re released.

At its heart, Blood Red Road is an old story of new love, loss, and friendship in a world where survival seems next to impossible. And perhaps that’s why it’s so interesting to me. I am, after all, a huge fan of post-apocalyptic narratives and this one mixes the very best elements of familiar stories like City of Ember, Mad Max, Desolation Road, and 70’s spaghetti westerns and turns it upside down. I should also mention that the film rights were optioned by Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, etc.) It’ll be interesting to see what Scott makes of it and, of course, I’ll also make a mental note to look for the movie in the coming years.

Blood Red Road is a fast paced, intelligent, and fun read.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

• The Alternative
• Southeast Wisconsin

Additional reading:

The Story

Excerpt of Blood Red Road

Short GalleyCat Article

Review of Blood Red Road at Dark Fairie Tales.com

Purchase at Amazon.com

Goodreads Review

Snarky Mama Blog Review

The Author

About Moira Young

Official Publishers Page for Moira Young

Author Interview (Video)

Book Review - Contra Alliance Book One – Shadows of the Past by Tom Kolega

1. Contra Alliance Book One – Shadows of the Past


2. Tom Kolega


3. BCH Fulfillment & Distribution (2010)


4. Edition: 1st Edition


5. Hardcover


6. 376 pages

2035 A.D. The United States has lost status as a world-dominating superpower. A global struggle for supremacy, hybrid high-tech warfare, and rogue genetic laboratories on two continents has split America’s focus from maintaining world order to combating insurrection. If that’s not enough chaos for one planet there’s also the looming threat of global warming, the mass depletion of natural resources, and a mysterious faction known as The Revolution that has only one goal – total world domination. But that’s just the tip of the action iceberg in Tom Kolega’s debut novel Shadows of the Past. In the midst of this turmoil the worst of the Earth’s problems are just beginning to come to light. A specialized group of NATO freedom-fighters known as CONTRA has just uncovered a conspiracy that apparently began out in the void of space. Could the Contra Strike Force be the catalyst that starts a galactic war?

One of the many things I found particularly fascinating about this book and its entire accompanying concept is the obvious amount of time, preparation, and meticulous attention to detail taken in creating it. The characters are wholly fleshed out in narrative form and have been beautifully illustrated by renowned comic artist Joe Benitez (Lisa Mechanika, Weapon Zero, and G.I. Joe.) in the cover art. The members of each faction (The Revolution, The Nerrial, and the Contra Strike Forces) have been painstakingly illustrated each with their own unique physical features, wardrobes, and weapons. [See media guide P.R. kit here: http://www.contraalliance.com/contraalliance/prkit/prkit.pdf ] It would also appear that a monthly comic, Contra Alliance # 0 adapted from the novels, is set for release in late 2011. The worlds and galaxies Tom Kolega has created here are in-depth and thoroughly studied. The events leading up to the so-called “Revolution” are uncannily believable, hopelessly frightening, and entirely plausible. To believe that the United States, a leading world power for over 100 years, could fall apart so quickly becomes even more frightening as recent real-world events unfold in Japan. (A sobering thought indeed.)

The only real critique I have concerning this book, and it’s a minor one at best, is that there are a lot of acronyms and government agency names sprinkled throughout the narrative which slightly bogged down the pace of the story for me. Fortunately, while Mr. Kolega seemed to understand the need to include them for clarification’s sake he more importantly knew when to transition back to the narrative which is done smoothly and effortlessly.

The Contra Alliance universe will be issued in two separate but related trilogies. The first, Contra Alliance, consists of Book I: Book of Shadows, Book II: Blue Star, and Book III: Return of the Starforce. The second trilogy is a prequel called War of the Stars and consists of Book I: Time of Legend, Book II: Union of Adena, and Book III: Rise of the Alliance. Contra Alliance # 0 is the much-anticipated comic book.

Apparently Kolega has been working on this for almost ten years and his dedication and hard-work has paid off. This is a great story with an imaginative premise and a promising future. I recommend this to every fan of X-Men, future world politics, superhero comics, Star Trek, high-tech war, Space Opera, Star Wars, genetic manipulation, or general Science Fiction. I, for one, totally enjoyed this book cover to cover and will be purchasing all the upcoming releases, including the comic.

4 out of 5 stars

1. The Alternative


2. Southeast Wisconsin

Additional Reading:

Contra Alliance website (Feel free to explore this site. It’s packed with lots of information and you can download a preview of the first few chapters.)

Contra Alliance Blog site

Market Watch Review

Review at Sci-Fi Fan Letter

Contra Alliance # 0 – The Comic

Save These Books

If you had to leave your house in a hurry, and you could only grab five volumes off your shelf, which five would they be and why?

We answered that question over at Grasping For The Wind a Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog we follow.

Here’s my 2 cents worth but there are a lot of other blogs represented there. Please visit by clicking the link above and perusing the list. Its eclectic and catholic in scope.

The Alternative @ The Alternative One: The five books I’d have to take if fleeing a fire are (in no particular order):

• Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany (fantasy and poetry – just can’t beat that combination)
• The Stand [Complete and Uncut version] by Stephen King (because, you know, it’s 1150 pages and like 4 books long)
• Gateway by Fredrik Pohl (one of my all-time favorites)
• Old Man’s War by John Scalzi (great story –well worth re-reading over and over again)
• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (ditto)

If I could squeeze in five more I’d take:

• Midnight at the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker
• Mindbridge or The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
• A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Which books would you take?

Music Reviews – Six in One Album Reviews

Music Review #1 – Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars

•  The Civil Wars
• Album: Barton Hollow
• Genre: Alternative/Punk
• Style: Folk Singer-Songwriter, Singer-Songwriter, Contemporary Folk
• Label: sensibility music LLC / TuneCore

The Swell Season’s lyrical American cousin but with more bluegrass/folk undertones. Astounding harmonies, perfect pitch, and beautiful lyrics make this duo’s performance a must for your music collection. The first track, 20 Years, and the title track, Barton Hollow, stand out but the entire album is a solid collection of great songs. Also, Poison and Wine may be the most haunting love/hate song ever scored.

5 stars out of 5

• 01. 20 Years 3:02
• 02. I've Got This Friend 3:24
• 03. C'est la Mort 2:30
• 04. To Whom It May Concern 3:31
• 05. Poison & Wine 3:40
• 06. My Father's Father 3:21
• 07. Barton Hollow 3:26
• 08. The Violet Hour 3:25
• 09. Girl With the Red Balloon 3:50
• 10. Falling 3:58
• 11. Forget Me Not 2:57
• 12. Birds of a Feather 3:09
• 13. I Want You Back (Bonus) 3:15
• 14. Dance Me to the End of Love (Bonus) 3:05

The Civil Wars Official Website

Music Review #2 – All Alone In An Empty House by Lost In The Trees

•  Lost In the Trees
• Album: All Alone In An Empty House
• Genre: Rock/Pop
• Style: Alternative, Indie Rock, Commercial Alternative
• Label: Anti/Epitaph

Classic/Alternative/Orchestral combination of highly lyrical music by songwriter Ari Picker. Evidently, the lyrics from the title track are bits and pieces taken from arguments Picker's parents had when he was growing up. But that’s not to say that the album is an indictment of despair and depression. For all that the album is packed with optimism and courage. Oh, it also has lots of stringed instruments. Check out Mvt. I Sketch and Mvt. II Sketch for a glimpse of what Mozart might be doing today (had he lived that long.) Don’t get the wrong idea though in my comparison to Mozart… this is not your father’s classical music.

4 ½ stars out of 5

• 01. All Alone In An Empty House 5:44
• 02. Walk Around the Lake 2:57
• 03. Mvt. I Sketch 3:12
• 04. Song for the Painter 3:20
• 05. Fireplace 3:32
• 06. Love on My Side 3:25
• 07. Wooden Walls of this Forest Church 1:51
• 08. A Room where your Paintings Hang 3:25
• 09. We Burn the Leaves 2:44
• 10. Mvt. II Sketch 5:35
• 11. For Leah and Chloe 2:03

Lost in the Trees Official Website

Music Review #3 – The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Aeroplain

•  Aeroplain
• Album: The Wind-up Bird Chronicles

Inspired by the literary works of Haruki Murakami and found on his website Aeroplain’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles is an interesting contrast between classical/jazz/electronica music and the literary works of an exceptional writer. Each tune corresponds to a different section of Muakami’s book of the same name, but of course, you don’t have to read the book in order to enjoy the music.

P.S. Free download at the site: http://aeroplain.interiority.com/

4 stars out of 5

• 1. the wind-up bird theme 6:32
• 2. quiet 6:17
• 3. mr. wind-up bird 5:48
• 4. kumiko 3:04
• 5. music of words (the creta kano song) 6:11
• 6. reunion 4:43
• 7. the well 4:36
• 8. jellyfish from all around the world 5:43
• 9. a dangerous place 7:00
• 10. goodbye, may kasahara 6:08

Music Review #4 – Hunger and Thirst by Typhoon

•  Typhoon
• Album: Hunger and Thirst
• Genre: Alternative/Punk
• Style: Indie Rock
• Label: Tender Loving Empire / IODA

Fertile instrumentation (horns/strings/guitars) and soulful vocals by front-man Kyle Morton make this an exceptional album and one I listen to over and over again. There’s a hint of Bright Eyes to their sound but only a hint. This is truly unique and fun. My favorite cut is the poignant Old Haunts, New Cities. Great harmonies, haunting guitars, and a story (for a change). P.S. Also, Typhoon had a song on the American re-make of the BBC program Being Human, which is where I first heard them (using the Shazam app on my iPhone).

5 out of 5 stars

• 01. Starting Over (Bad Habits) 3:33
• 02. White Liars 4:46
• 03. CPR / Claws Pt. 2 6:59
• 04. Ghost Train 2:58
• 05. Body of Love 3:52
• 06. Intermission 1:13
• 07. Happy People 4:08
• 08. Old Haunts, New Cities 4:39
• 09. Mouth of the Cave 0:44
• 10. Belly of the Cavern 7:11
• 11. The Sickness Unto Death 3:20

Typhoon Official Website

Music Review #5 – Alexander by Alexander

•  Alexander
• Album: Alexander
• Genre: Rock/Pop
• Style: Alternative
• Label: Community Music
• Copyright: (C) 2011 Community Music (US)

Perhaps the oddest sound of the six bands listed here Alexander may also be my new favorite. Its quirkiness alone demands attention. This album is Beatlesque-Dylanesque-Clashesque (from their fun years), lyrical, nostalgic, playful, full of pop hooks, and totally endearing and amusing. Alexander is that rare combination of songs that both sound great and entertain at the same time.

5 out of 5 stars

• 01. Let's Win! 2:57
• 02. Awake My Body 5:04
• 03. Truth 4:21
• 04. In The Twilight 3:14
• 05. Bad Bad Love 3:29
• 06. Old Friend 5:02
• 07. A Million Years 4:51
• 08. Remember Our Heart 3:17
• 09. Glimpses 5:40
• 10. Lets Make A Deal To Not Make A Deal 3:15

Alexander @ MySpace

Music Review #6 – Brothers by The Black Keys

•  The Black Keys
• Album: Brothers
• Genre: Rock/Pop
• Style: Alternative, Commercial Alternative, Indie Rock
• Label: Nonesuch
• Copyright: 2010 Nonesuch Records, Inc.

All I can say about this album is “Freakin’ Awesome!” Okay, that’s not all I can say about it. How about this: This is an exceptional album that A) sounds better every time you listen to it, B) every song on the playlist is better than the last, C) is a smoky, haunting blues album that will last the test of time, D) has some of the best lead guitar work I’ve heard in a very long time, E) has great bass rifts (probably because they’re performed by the lead guitarist), F) should be on every iPod, MP3 player, and computer in the world, G) has no contemporary comparison, H) did I mention it’s freakin’ awesome!, and I) this is a duo (unbelievable!). My favorite cuts are “Ten Cent Pistol” and “I’m Not the One” but that may change later today when I listen to this for the third time. Locate it, download it, listen - find bliss!

5 out of 5 stars

• 01. Everlasting Light 3:24
• 02. Next Girl 3:18
• 03. Tighten Up 3:31
• 04. Howlin' For You 3:12
• 05. She's Long Gone 3:06
• 06. Black Mud 2:10
• 07. The Only One 5:00
• 08. Too Afraid To Love You 3:25
• 09. Ten Cent Pistol 4:29
• 10. Sinister Kid 3:45
• 11. The Go Getter 3:37
• 12. I'm Not The One 3:49
• 13. Unknown Brother 4:00
• 14. Never Gonna Give You Up 3:39
• 15. These Days 5:12

The Black Keys Official Website

The Alternative

Southeast Wisconsin

Book Review – The Vampire Federation – Uprising by Sean McCabe (Scott Mariani)

 

·       The Vampire Federation – Uprising

·       Sean McCabe (Scott Mariani writing as Sean McCabe)

·       Paperback: 480 pages

·       Publisher: Avon (10 Jun 2010)

·       ISBN-10: 1847562124

·       ISBN-13: 978-1847562128

 

 

The Three Laws of the Vampire Federation:
1. A vampire must never harm a human
2. A vampire must never turn a human
3. A vampire must never love a human

 

With a system of bylaws like that you just know they’re all going to get broken…

If you are looking for two-hundred year old vampires full of angst pretending to be teenagers or glowing, angelic creatures who want to better mankind, or romantic walkers of the night pining for their human lovers then I suggest you take your reading proclivities elsewhere. You’ll find none of that here. In fact, what you will discover in Uprising are vampires on both sides of the law (those who abide by the three laws and those who don’t) who’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. And when they meet you know it’s going to get damn bloody. As a result, a war that could jeopardize the peaceful co-existence between the vampires of the Federation and humans by those who wish to cultivate human-kind as a food supply becomes more and more of a reality.

 

In my opinion the beginning of The Vampire Federation – Uprising suffers from the introduction of too many characters too quickly in too many too short chapters. (Yes, that’s exactly how I felt [at first].) However, after the swift introductions are over the story develops rather well into a fast paced urban fantasy thriller that just happens to contain vampires. Mr. McCabe manages to deliver an adventure story that reads like a Hollywood blockbuster. As a matter of fact, it took very little imagination to visualize the all-to-vivid scenes being played out on the big screen in my head as I read this. There are a lot of surprises, some unconventional vampire thinking (drugs to walk in daylight, etc.), and lengthy scenes of heartless, plot-provoking violence. Finally, here be vampires with bite (pardon the pun.)

 

I rather enjoyed the character development, interaction, and dialogue that McCabe created in this story but was absolutely fascinated and captivated by his descriptive, action-packed scenes of violence. (I’m a guy – what can I say! And McCabe certainly knows his audience.) Gabriel Stone, the main antagonist in this story is, to me, quite the evil character and while Joel, the human detective and Alex, the vampire agent, struggle with their own emotional baggage we find that their problems are those many of us struggle with ourselves. There’s plenty of page-turning action here and more then a few thrilling exploits that make up for some of the obvious plot twists and re-cycled devices but there are some surprises thrown in for good measure, as well. One of the more interesting scenarios involves a sleazy politician who more-or-less sells his soul to a vampire and then, realizing the price he’ll have to pay, attempts to redeem himself in an unconventional manner.

 

Fast-paced and fun.

 

3 ½ out of 5 stars

 

The Alternative

Southeast Wisconsin

 

 

Additional Reading:

 

Vampire News

 

Scott Mariani Uprising site

(Note: Sample Chapters can be downloaded from this site.)

 

LibraryThing.com book site

 

Author's website (Scott Mariani)

 

Blog Review

 

Please report broken links.

 

 

 

 

Book Review–Two-Fisted Tweets by James Hutchings

• Two-Fisted Tweets
• James Hutchings
• EBook
• Smashwords
• February 2011

I’ve never really read much flash fiction before but in my opinion James Hutchings has crafted thirty short, remarkably humorous, entertaining, and thought-provoking micro-fiction stories in this much, too-brief anthology. The brevity of these stories forces the author to tell us as much in what isn’t written as what is. And Hutchings does this wonderfully. While Two-Fisted Tweets fits into the category of sudden, micro, or short-short-fiction it is so very much more. Structured to be less than 140 characters in length these thirty mini-stories were created to fit within the parameters of a Tweet, which in and of itself is quite a unique notion. I’m not sure if they were ever sent as actual Tweets but if they were Mr. Hutchings followers are certainly an entertained bunch.

Some might scoff at this type of fiction, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect either when first approached with a request to review it but you might be surprised to learn that flash fiction has roots that are as old as Aesop’s Fables and that some of the world’s leading writers practiced the skill. Among them Anton Chekhov, O. Henry, Franz Kafka, H.P. Lovecraft, Ernest Hemingway, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and Fredric Brown, to name a few. Perhaps the most famous was reportedly penned by Hemmingway in the example. “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

One sample from the book which might give you an idea of the creativity involved and which made me chuckle out loud is this one:

“Rotting hands reached from the darkness. At last, someone was attracted to her for her brains.”

And here’s one of my own:

Two–Fisted Tweets by James Hutchings, in short, is a unique, humorous and satisfying, though too brief (puns intended), read.

4 stars out of 5

• The Alternative
• Southeast Wisconsin

P.S. In addition, the author has graciously agreed to give away 10 copies to the loyal readers of this blog. The first 10 readers to send me an e-mail with a request and format choice will receive a free electronic copy of the book direct from the author. For everyone else, the book can be found at Smashwords for .99.   Two-Fisted Tweets

(Note: My e-mail address can be found in my profile at the top right sidebar.)

Additional Reading:

Flash Fiction entry at Wiki

Evidently, Flash Fiction is even more popular than I thought. Here are a few websites dedicated to the craft. Some are actual flash writing while others are informational blogs and others are tutorials. I had no idea…

Flash Fiction Online

Flashfiction.net

Fiction Factor.com

Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction Blog

ZenVirus.com Flash-Fiction

Percontra.net Flash Fiction

R Jane Flash Fiction Blog

S Joan Popek.com

Flash Fiction Forums

Book Review - Equinox- Six Declinations by Richard S. Freeland

• Equinox- Six Declinations
• Richard S. Freeland
• Short Story Collection
• Dragonlyre
• 125 pages

Book Contents

• Equinox
• Family Tradition
• Anomalies
• The Last Angel
• Garbage Man
• Bygones

Equinox – Six Declinations is a solid collection of six short stories generally categorized as horror, fantasy, suspense, or the macabre. But don’t let the genre tags mislead you. This is one complex and unique anthology containing superior stories that should appeal to just about everyone. Forget that they’re listed as horror stories. All you really need to know is that each story is highly creative, tightly woven with strong, unforgettable dialogue, and has that unique “hook” ending (or segue) that so many short stories lack these days. If you like your macabre fiction complete with twists, turns, and a slightly off-kilter bite than Richard S. Freeland’s Equinox – Six Declinations is a short story collection just waiting for you. In one way or another each of the stories presented here reminded me a bit of Stephen King’s early works. The characters all live in the real world, have that working-man’s mentality, speak not like characters in a novel but like genuine people, and will frequently be subjected to the worst terror of their short lives.

“Equinox,” the title story, was nostalgic for me personally in the sense that it brought back memories of the classic vampire movies I used to watch as a kid. Don’t get me wrong, this is a modern tale not an old classic but taking a tired cliché like “Look into my eyes!” and making it fresh is always a difficult task yet Freeland manages to do just that with exceptional skill. The seduction inherent in Vampire films literally jumps off the page in this story (even though we’re never really sure that the antagonist is actually a vampire at all) and the depiction of the victim’s disorientation by supernatural hypnosis is chilling.

“Family Tradition,” the second story, is a cautionary tale of poaching in the wrong place and time. It’s also an uncommon rite-of-passage fairy-tale with a unique and lycanthropic surprise ending. You’ll never hunt on your neighbor’s land again…

“Anomalies” is by far the strangest story in the collection yet is remarkably amusing and decidedly entertaining. The residents of Booster’s Roost, an eclectic lot if ever there was one, experience a very strange and fantasy-filled day. Fire-and lightning-storms, nano-bots, and a boulder with a mind of its own blend with the characters and round out the action. The strong suit of this particular yarn is the punch ending and the smooth and believable dialogue leading up to it. In fact, Freeland’s strongest asset is, in my opinion, his use of free-flowing dialogue which reeks of realism and sounds, in my head, like people I know speaking to each other.

“The Last Angel” is the very best of the stories here and in my opinion really deserves to be more completely fleshed out and written into a full length novel (or even a series – wink to Mr. Freeland.) Set in a post-apocalyptic America this is a haunting quest story of heroic proportions with an unlikely mission. I’ve always loved post-apocalyptic tales that delve into the differences between our world today and the new world forced upon our descendants after a devastating environmental change. The Last Angel does not disappoint. The story left me eager to learn more about the ravaged, dying land. What happened to the world so many years before that turned it backward? Who or what is the angel? Where is it from? Where is it going to? Hopefully, Freeland will see fit some day to tell us more of this story. I, for one, can’t wait.

In “Garbage Man,” Henry Hatcher is a garbage man and an unlikely serial killer who can hear the voices of those wrongly murdered. Watch him take vengeance on their behalf. (Warning: This is not a story for the squeamish or faint of heart. Reader beware. There is a tragic scene here that will be heart-rending to those of you with small children.)

“Bygones,” the last story in the collection, deals with mortality, regret, and fear. After his oldest and closest friend dies of a stroke in a nursing home an elderly man confronts the denizens of a crack house as he rushes head-long to meet his own fate.

Equinox – Six Declinations is an engaging and compelling collection and I thoroughly enjoyed each of the six stories included in the anthology. The only real criticism I have is that the book lacked only one thing - another ten or twelve stories for me to enjoy.

Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 stars

• The Alternative
• Southeast Wisconsin

Additional reading:

Author’s website

Preview of Freeland’s upcoming novel Seed

Author site at AuthorDen.com

Book Review - Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey

Kill the Dead

Richard Kadrey

Publisher: Eos (2010)

Hardcover

448 pages

Demon Hunter extraordinaire, escaped Nephilim from Hell, and all-around bad-ass Sandman Slim is back in action and hot on the trail of yet another underworld killer. This time, however, he has to quell a major zombie infestation shambling out of the bowels of Los Angeles, join forces with a zombie-slaying porn star, and interact with the strangest cast of characters since The Wizard of Oz met Lord of the Rings. And even then you still couldn’t touch the zany antics of this son-of-a-fallen-angel, James Stark, aka Sandman Slim. Intrigued yet? Well, you should be. Kadrey’s second Sandman Slim novel is grittier, more guttural, and ultimately more satisfying than the first. And that’s something that just doesn’t happen too often!

In my earlier review of Sandman Slim, the first book in the series (see August 2009 post) I said, “Kadrey definitely knows how to spin a dark tale. His language, while offensive to some, fits the character of the story perfectly. Gritty, dark, angst-ridden and graphic the dialogue and fight scenes are coarse, bloody, and down-right mean-spirited.” Kill the Dead is doubly so.

Kadrey’s story treaties with demon-killing and the required weapons needed to do so and with the pre-requisites necessary to become the Devil’s bodyguard and with three different “types” of zombies and with the ability to walk away from earth into shadows and with fallen angels and father issues and gruesome, blood-splattering annihilation. So, why then do I find this macabre story so fascinatingly entertaining and downright funny? Because Kadrey is as compelling and comedic a writer as you'll ever come across. And I mean that in the best possible way. While the supernatural aspects drive the story the twisted/sick humor kept me reading page after page. And believe me when I tell you that the grisly humor is not gratuitous in any way but necessary to make the whole thing work. Because even gruesome needs a break before it crawls into the sewer forever and Kadrey instinctively understands exactly when to sprinkle in those lighter moments. His dialogue and banter knows no equal and his characters, the dregs of the earth, are painfully fun to watch. The bikers, two- dollar whores, meth addicts, murderers, hexed ghouls, and numerous nasties living right around the corner - seen but unnoticed - help drive this story and the zombies make you want to run like hell as fast as you can in the other direction. Which might explain why I associated with them in my head as I read Kill the Dead and perhaps tells you more about me personally then I usually divulge. But Sandman Slim was really an entertaining and fun read for me and many a scene of dialogue made me laugh out loud. I’m certain this book isn’t for everyone but for me it’s right there… dark, macabre, grisly, and hilarious.

Opening line:

Imagine shoving a cattle prod up a rhino’s ass, shouting “April Fool!”, and hoping the rhino thinks its funny. That’s about how much fun it is hunting a vampire.

Favorite quote:

"The universe is a meat grinder and we're just pork in designer shoes, keeping busy so we can pretend we're not all headed for the sausage factory."

Dialogue banter:

"Marshall Wells said you liked to talk."

"I'm a people person."

"Is that before or after you cut people's heads off?"

"I only cut off my enemies' heads. I break my friends' hearts."

"So, that's, what, zero hearts broken?"

"The night's still young."

Additional reading:

Google Books excerpt of Kill the Dead

Kill the Dead Review

Kadrey’s Wikipedia Entry

Author Website

 Harper/Collins Site for Kill the Dead

Blog Review

Cory Doctorow’s Review

Oh, and one other thing regarding the actual composition of this book. In an unusual editorial decision Richard Kadrey wrote Kill the Dead with no obvious chapters and very few breaks in the action (or perhaps the entire book is one huge 430 page chapter, hard to tell.) When the reader wants to set the book aside Kadrey gives them no hints as to where to leave the bookmark. That fact didn't really bother me much, but I can see how it might be irritating to some. So, if that’s the kind of thing that bugs you then be forewarned.

By the way... Kill the Dead is also a very quick read (for those who like their death and destruction cranked up to level 11!)

Buy it. Read it. You won’t be dissatisfied.

4 out of 5 stars

The Alternative

Southeast Wisconsin

Book Review – "The Breach" and "Ghost Country" by Patrick Lee

Travis Chase Series
Patrick Lee
1. The Breach (2009)
2. Ghost Country (2011)

The Breach
Patrick Lee
Harper
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780061584459
384 pp.
Publication Date: December 2009

The other day I received Ghost Country, the second book in the Travis Chase series, as an Advance Readers Copy in exchange for a review. (Shout out to the Early Readers program at LibraryThing.com for the opportunity.) Looking through my “to read” pile, which is more of a wall than a heap, I noticed that I already owned a copy of The Breach, the first book in this series, and it was in queue to be read soon. Needless to say it went to the top of the pile. I had to read the series in order, you see. I’m delighted to report that both books were a pleasure to read. The Breach, Patrick Lee’s debut novel and the first book in the series, is a fascinating and engrossing read from start to finish and the premise is decidedly unique and vastly creative.

Thirty years ago, in a buried government think-tank beneath the wastelands of Wyoming, an experiment went terribly wrong. During the process a mysterious fissure opened into an impossible unknown. Is there an incredibly distant alien universe on the other side? Or is the breach a conduit from one section of space to another? No one is sure but what they do know is that mysterious gadgets and scientific anomalies have begun to appear through the rift. They range from the mundane to the improbable. Medical guns that cure disease and injury with a touch, foot-long dishrags that weigh 25,000 pounds and defy the laws of nature, and other items so dangerous a secret organization is developed to hide and protect them. But, when Travis Chase, an ex-con with a checkered past, stumbles upon the wreckage of a crashed aircraft the world he once knew is changed forever and he begins to understand how dangerous the breach may be. When Travis rescues a breach operative being tortured near the plane crash he is pulled into the secret world of a conspiracy like no other.

Patrick Lee has an uncanny ability for building great Science Fiction stories. Period. That he incorporates elements of conspiracy theory, murder mystery, spy thrillers, intrigue, and future/alien technology into the mix is pure bonus for the reader. (Note: I’m not convinced the technology is alien or from our own future yet. There are other possibilities which I hope will be explained in later installments.) That Lee’s premises and plot twists are eerily believable and skirt the edge of our own technological advances borders on the genius and his story will keep the average reader not only engrossed but totally entertained. You’ll be on the edge of your seat anticipating the “what’s next” surprise through the entire story. And that’s not even the best part…

What’s really intriguing to me are the possibilities Lee presents and the places The Breach may ultimately take us. What or who is on the other side of the breach and why are they sending bits and pieces of their technology through it? Are the artifacts alien? Or are they from our own distant future? Are we depositing our treasures to preserve them from eminent collapse? Hopefully, Mr. Lee will eventually explain it to us all… ten or twelve books from now. This is, for me, a captivating series full of credible technological advancements that are just half-a-step out of synch from our own. Ideas like these are the reason we have micro-wave ovens, lasers, and communication satellites. They are the reason we advance scientifically. Keep up the great work Mr. Lee and I’ll keep spreading the good word to anyone who’ll listen.

4 out of 5 stars

The Alternative
Southeast Wisconsin

Ghost Country
Patrick Lee
Harper
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN 9780061584442
384pp.
Publication Date: January 2011

It’s not often that the second book in a series exceeds the first but in this case Patrick Lee has outdone himself. Ghost Country is every bit as good as its predecessor and exceeds it on a number of different levels. Foremost, I have to mention that the plot twist to this story is both mind-blowing and immeasurably intelligent and the main reason that I give the second book a higher rating then the first.

Curious technology has passed through the breach into our world for decades. The most recent device is an artifact (hole-punching flashlight) that opens a fissure seventy years into our own future. [Think of it as Breach².] The only problem is that once you stick your head in and glimpse the future you come back scared out of your mind. Everything on the other side is dead. Buildings are crumbling, wild animals roam the streets, and mankind has disappeared. Worse, newspaper accounts found on the dead side of the hole reveal that Bleak December, the time when the entire world begins to unravel, is only two months away [in real time.] Travis Chase along with Tangent operatives Paige and Bethany must head into that dead world and unravel the mystery to what happened to the world this coming December.

Again, this is a solid performance by Patrick Lee and the premise is both captivating and frightening in its complexity and realism. My hat goes off to Patrick Lee who’s created and delivered a sophomore story that surpasses his debut. If you haven’t read The Breach or Ghost Country yet I highly recommend that you do so. If you’re anything like me you’ll be a fan in fewer than five pages.

4 ½ stars out of 5

The Alternative
Southeast Wisconsin

Additional reading:

Author Sites

Patrick Lee Biography

Author Website

The Breach

SF Signal Review (The Breach)

John Scalzi’s “Whatever” on The Breach

YouTube Book Trailer

Tor.com Review of The Breach

Patrick Lee Interview

Ghost Country

Harper/Collins Ghost Country Page

SF Signal Review (Ghost Country)

Buried Under Books Review