The title's "nakedness" refers not to being unclothed, but rather, being unarmed-- i.e. weaponless. The title comes from the musings of the title charThe title's "nakedness" refers not to being unclothed, but rather, being unarmed-- i.e. weaponless. The title comes from the musings of the title character at the end of the novel.
A decorated soldier, recuperating from a severe wound, is refused entrance into combat troops because of a psychological "hold." There is a segment of time in the last battle that he cannot recall and if he would submit to a psych exam it would be cleared up. Fearing what they might find, or the 1 in 100 chance that it would render him permanently unfit for service, he opts instead to join another branch of the military called the "contact corps." This group is part corpsman/medic, part P.O.W. custodian, and part diplomat to work out issues with a conquered enemy. These men are despised by the combat soldiers and called "gutless wonders."
Dickson uses the novel as a bully pulpit. First, it reflects to an extent, the military's treatment of Native Americans, though the parrallel is never actually stated. Cleverly, the author suggests such a reflection by the naming of some of the alien enemies. The story and dialogue certainly is very pointed as it draws a distinction between the military mindset and those who prefer a more peaceful (Think Star Trek's Federation) approach to encountering alien cultures. The military says conquer while the diplomat says practice diplomacy. The author clearly feels that there is a time and place for both-- it isn't really anti-military as much as it is suggesting that the military need to have a more balanced approach to future space exploration and settlement.
In between the preaching and posturing, there's a pretty good Science Fiction novel.... not a great one.. but it was worth my time and effort. ...more
The Third of the Gray Man series is Ballistic, and the hero Court Gentry indeed goes ballistic. This one is another action-packed episode in the life The Third of the Gray Man series is Ballistic, and the hero Court Gentry indeed goes ballistic. This one is another action-packed episode in the life of the most wanted man in the world. Court is living in South America, working in underwater salvage, when he is discovered by those in the employee of his former Russian gangster employer, who he double-crossed in book # 2. After a thrlling (and pretty much unbelieveable) escape, he finds his way to Mexico, where he learns that man who once saved his life has been murdered by a druglord. He isn't really interested in vengeance, just paying his respects and moving on with his life as best he can. This all changes when the druglord targets the man's family and Court is caught in the middle of the conflict.
Okay, you've got the idea of where the novel is going. Eventually, the drug lord faces the full fury of the Gray Man. Again-- over-the-top action is the hallmark of this series and this volume is no exception. It is pulpy comic book action with Gentry killing more people than all of the silly John Wick movies combined.
However, the author makes a good point about the attitude of Latin American people towards the drug trade. In several places, characters blame the people of the United States for the prosperity brought by the drug trade. They speak of how the demand from the users in the United States is the real cause of the rise or the cartels and the accompanying corruption. While that demand may or may not be the root cause, it certainly rings true as the attitude of those involved in such trade.
Another fun read, as long as one is willing to accept it is simply an action novel with as hero who seems practicly invlunerable. ...more
Steel Fear introduces Finn X (no last name)-- a naval Seal being recalled because of some sort of war atrocity that he and his team may have committedSteel Fear introduces Finn X (no last name)-- a naval Seal being recalled because of some sort of war atrocity that he and his team may have committed. One of the strange things was that he joins the navy without any documentation like a birth certificate and when he is required to put his name he puts X. That seems less than realistic-- and there are a few places that offer a minor strain on my suspension of my disbelief.
At the time Finn arrives on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, a serial killer is starting his own personal reign of terror, but by timing his murders with Finn's arrival it makes Finn look like a suspect. The two authors create an interesting cast of characters and suspects-- the material is competently written, but at times shows the strain of being authored by multiples authors... Some of the chapter breaks seem odd, almost as if one author told the other-- You finish that scene... The switching of points of view sometimes happens much too quickly, as if the authors felt the need to balance the pages written... in other words... at times the organization makes it feel as if it was structured by a committee.
The characters are interesting and the emotions are well-developed. As the book progresses, the reader is forced to view Finn as a flawed character, and even occasionally wonder if indeed Finn has had a mental lapse and is guilty of the murders. The readers learn more of Finn's past and finally understands his flaws. This makes the character more interesting and the fact that it is late in the novel as the character's backstory is revealed make it more enjoyable.
The conclusion of the novel seemed rush. Suddenly, the actual murderer commits and overt act and exposed. I HATE that. Rather than the people investigating finding the bread crumb trail of clues that lead to him, he chooses to reveal himself to the READER-- the investigators eventually get there through the trail of clues... but I was annoyed to know who the bad guy was before the end.
This is a good story... The description of life aboard the aircraft carrier is offered in detail and carefully constructs the scene... the flawed character adds a curiosity factor... The final conclusion offers the opening for a sequel. ...more
Although Goodreads list this as being by Curt Cannon, that was the psuedonym uses in the original publication-- the hard case crime version is retitleAlthough Goodreads list this as being by Curt Cannon, that was the psuedonym uses in the original publication-- the hard case crime version is retitled and properly attributed to Ed McBain.
This one is a throwback to the classic Private Eye story with a bit of a twist-- this Private Eye has lost his license and is nothing more than a drunken bum. Not a recovering alcoholic like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder, but a guy with nothing left to lose. He lost his license after catching his wife in the arms of another man and beating him half to death with the butt of his pistol. In his pain and misery he turns to alcohol. And he's sitting on a park bench drinking when he is approached by an old friend wanting him to check out a situation at his shop--- despite not having a P.I. license. -- there he finds the man's partner has been murdered.. and this leads to even more mystery to come.
As the book progresses, his urge to drink seems subdued, though he certainly does enough drinking to keep the liquor industry going.
The mystery and its solution take second place, though-- to the solid writing of the author. The author brings raw emotions to the surface and I could genuinely feel the hero's pain and anger. His description of New York city in the heat of summer is excellent, as he provides a vivid conception of both the sights and sounds of the big city. His account of the musicians playing in a club is nothing short of delightful.
The breakthrough of solving the mystery is odd and further illustrates the pain of the hero, as a powerful flashback provides the mental gears meshing together to resolve it.
It isn't the best I've ever read, but it is a quality novel, worthy of the McBain name. ...more
The Gray Man series is sort of a guilty pleasure. I thoroughly enjoy the gadgets, the spycraft, and the action. The plots (thus far) seem plausible anThe Gray Man series is sort of a guilty pleasure. I thoroughly enjoy the gadgets, the spycraft, and the action. The plots (thus far) seem plausible and the author makes a generous amount of callbacks to earlier entries in the series. So, it's fun.
The hero, is an almost unstoppable force. He's tough and quick-witted. He has sort of a white knight attitude, which often puts him at odds with his handlers. As an assasin, he is unparralled. However, from time to time, he lays aside his job as he struggles with his own moral code. He doesn't take "contracts" on those that he does not feel are deserving of death.
This series of books is almost COMIC book at times. It is pure pulp. It is amazing how much damage the hero can take and just keep going. Thus far, of the three novels I have read, he has taken more damage than a skunk under the wheels of a semi-truck, and sometimes he smells a bit the same.
Okay, I like this series more than I like Reacher. I used to be a big Reacher fan, but he seems to have lost his moral compass. Court Gentry is an interesting character, often conflicted about staying with the mission (on target) or taking a sidestep in order to maintain his loyalty to his own moral code. Occasionally, the choice is removed from him-- but his conflict is pretty interesting to read.
The second book of the Damien Seeker series is nearly as good as the first. The setting is England under Cromwell, as dissension over his rule is growThe second book of the Damien Seeker series is nearly as good as the first. The setting is England under Cromwell, as dissension over his rule is growing and Seeker is tasked with ferreting out conspiracy and insurrection in order to keep the Lord Protector in power. This often means he acts as sort of a detective, but most of his detective work is done through interrogation, threats, or informants providing information.
Still, the characters are well-drawn and interesting and thus far, there is a mixture of simple mysteries to be resolved in order to bring an end to whatever plot is afoot. This series makes me want to study more of the Cromwell period-- I knew that he beheaded the king and ruled for some time, but it seems to have been longer than I am aware of. The author does an excellent job of portraying the division of the people over the political structure, and the strong feelings and hatred for the other side seem surprisingly like modern day America, as does some of the heavy-handed manners of maintaining power that have taken place during the last two administrations.
Still, the book isn't about America.. It is a wonderful tale of an agent who is conflicted over his love for a women who is sister to a staunch royalist and his loyalty to Cromwell himself. The most interesting characters in the book were a dim-witted boy, who wasn't nearly as dim-witted as his family believed-- and his sister, who was cruel and wicked in her own way. Richard, nicknamed the Rat, also was an interesting villain, who has his own conflicts.
This is great historical fiction. The author seems to understand the growing use of things like coffee and tobacco in England during this time and the relationship with the colonies in America. Further, though I know nothing of the topography of London, the author brings me to a place where I can almost see Seeker visiting as he investigates. At times, I can almost smell the coffee shop or the garbage and sewage in the streets.
Seeker's dog is also an interesting "character" as he seems to possess not only solid training and loyalty, but Seeker often has this dog standing guard over someone he feels needs protection. The dog's ability to stay focused on that job seems almost supernatural, but the dog adds a special element to the novel as well.
After finding the first of these in a Thrift store, I've ordered the next two (of which this one was #2) in the series and have to offer a strong recommendation of those who like mysteries set in a historical setting. Good stuff. ...more
See my review on Dead of Night-- this is the sequel and carries the story forward.
The reader is permitted in following the seriel murderer, the prisoSee my review on Dead of Night-- this is the sequel and carries the story forward.
The reader is permitted in following the seriel murderer, the prisoner zero, who started this zombie outbreak when a cruel prison doctor seeks to extend the suffering of his death by injecting him with a chemical parasite cocktail that will allow him to remain conscious after death. He is the only zombie who can speak, can explain, think, or reason. He is big and powerful and because he can think and plan he is difficult to stop. His evil plan to spread the infection is put into play. He has taken hostage the reporter's cameraman who is recording his diatribes and evil doctrines.
Meanwhile, the government has bungled its handling of the outbreak and if anything, made it worse and caused it to spread faster. The story becomes more and more frightening as the outbreak begins to reach pandemic proportions.
Meanwhile, Dez and her reporter boyfriend are seeking to save a school full of children. He convoy of school buses becomes like Noah's Ark-- will it be the last hope for humanity to survive. Will the evil murderer be stopped?
The tension really mounted and when the book was over it left open whether or not humanity was really going to survive, or if the children would be the the seed for a new world. It left me wanting more. ...more
I often enjoy zombie movies and books. Picked up this series at a Thrift store and found myself reading a really cool, if disturbing, horror novel. A I often enjoy zombie movies and books. Picked up this series at a Thrift store and found myself reading a really cool, if disturbing, horror novel. A prison doctor, charged with performing a lethal injection on a despicable murderer, adds a little spin of his own-- a zombie cocktail that will give the prisoner consciousness after death. He doesn't expect it to do anything except cause the killer to lay in his coffin, fully aware of his body rotting away. Of course, things go wrong and soon there is a deadly outbreak of zombies roaming Stebbins County, right in the midst of the worst storm in decades.
There are interesting characters-- the killer is a zombie allright, but completely aware and cognitive of his actions, capable of speech-- and GREAT evil. Dez, a female cop, is overwhelmed at the speed and violence of the zombies as well as how quickly her bitten friends turn into zombies. She seeks inner strength, even as she fights sorrow and exhaustion. Her on and off boyfriend is a reporter and his coverage blows the lid off the government's response as well complicates their possible survival.
Like the Walking Dead program, occasionally we see bitten characters act in a heroic fashion before they turn into zombies themselves.
But the most interesting thing about both of these novels-- is that the zombies are self-aware. They are not simply mindless eating machines, but retain their identity and are horrified by their own horrific actions (except for the dead prisoner)-- they try to speak-- but only moans escape. They want to shout "Shoot me! Stop me! End this suffering!" but only manage a croaking moan. They recognize loved ones, but the "hunger" doesn't allow them to stop from committing acts of violence against them.
The speed of the spread of the disease is frightening, as is the poor handling of the government. The story builds to an intense cliff hanger-- which continues into the next book-- also worth reading.
If you don't like Zombie stuff- skip these two... If you do, you won't be disappointed. ...more
The Law at Randado is a competently written western populated with interesting characters and genuine western Americana. The young deputy sheriff had The Law at Randado is a competently written western populated with interesting characters and genuine western Americana. The young deputy sheriff had only been approved by the city council for about a month before the story begins. The story concerns a group of citizens who have decided that the county seat is too far away to deal with their crime problems. Shortly thereafter, they try and hang two cattle rustlers. This puts the young deputy in as tough a position as there can be. He is forced to serve warrants on the ringleaders, but is badly abused and shamed. This is done in a manner that is cruel and in keeping with western justice.
The characters are mostly well-drawn and their emotions drive their actions. In an attitude of pride they decide that they can form their own court. In an attitude of fear, they run from being served with the warrants. A huge Mexican watches over the rich eccentric rowdy rancher, and his words about why he does so with such eagerness make perfect sense. The actual sheriff, who should be mentoring the young deputy, at times seems to be learning more about enforcing the law from the deputy than the other way around.
Leonard serves up an unexpected conclusion in a final showdown. That conclusion, so atypical of the traditional western, makes this one a great variation.
After reading Gunmetal Gray (#6 in this series) I thought I would enjoy this series more. First, I have to say that there was a certain pleasure in reAfter reading Gunmetal Gray (#6 in this series) I thought I would enjoy this series more. First, I have to say that there was a certain pleasure in reading this material. There is certain amount of spycraft involved and Greaney obviously researches his locales, weapons, and equipment fairly thoroughly.
However, there is a point at which this novel stopped being a realistic action thriller and read more like a comic book superhero. We are to imagine that this man gets wounded, but never a wound that completely incapacitates him. He can go days without rest after being wounded. He can suffer multiple injuries, any of which would put a reasonable person off work for months, and just keep going towards his goal.
In this instance, a private security company with ties to an African nation complies with the request of a vengeful official who wants the hero's head on a platter because of an assisinaton he carried out. Hit teams of specialists from all over the globe are brought to find and kill him, His employer is forced to sell him out because his family is threatened. He battles through more opponents than Bruce Li in a kung fun movie. Finally, his only goal is to rescue the grandchildren of his employer as he runs the gauntlet of hit teams, who he makes look like the gang that couldn't shoot straight.
Don't misunderstand me--- it is pleasureable reading-- but so is a Batman comic book. This is modern day pulp fiction where the hero is next to invincible and far more cunning than the bad guys he faces. I'm not giving up on it-- it is a pleasure, but it is a guilty pleasure....more
I love both the book and film versions of True Grit by this author. Never really seeing any other titles by this author- jumped at it when I saw it atI love both the book and film versions of True Grit by this author. Never really seeing any other titles by this author- jumped at it when I saw it at a Thrift Store.
The basic plot of this one is that Ray's wife runs off with her ex husband, a lunatic jailed (until nice guy Ray bails him out, for writing threatening letters to government officials. Ray begins tracing them via the credit card receipts (before internet and electronic tracking of this info) and finally goes to Mexico (and eventually Belize) to bring her back. Even if he doesn't get her back, he wants his car and credit cards back. He meets old Doc Symes, who has an old school bus converted to sort of an R.V. , and since the old bus (with DOG OF THE SOUTH) hand painted along the side is broken down, Symes bums a ride with Ray and it becomes a road trip into total lunacy.
Dog of the South had some very interesting moments, an interesting starting point, a terribly disappointing conclusion, and a whole lot of eccentric activity and dialogue in between. We had a lot of this eccentric behavior by the drunken Rueben Cogburn in True Grit, but this novel seemed to wallow in eccentric characters who had absurd ideas. At first, when the hero meets old Doc Symes, it is quite interesting to see his absurd money making schemes-- at times they are cute-- but after awhile it just becomes overload. Sadly, as we meet other characters along the way they are just as eccentric and the novel turns into utter nonsense with very little plot development.
Maybe I was overly optimistic going into this novel, but it turned into an utter disappointment. I enjoyed a little bit of the eccentricity, but the novel moved into a stream of such absurd ideas and I found it difficult to care about any of these "stupid" people. I just couldn't really see what the author was striving for except the advancement of crazy, zany ideas.
Fans of Demille's John Corey novels should rejoice-- the only real criticism I have to offer this novel is that the male hero, Brodie, seems to be chaFans of Demille's John Corey novels should rejoice-- the only real criticism I have to offer this novel is that the male hero, Brodie, seems to be channeling a lot of John Corey's character. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but seemed a little unoriginal.
With that said-- Brodie and his partner are assigned to go after a highly decorated Delta Force Officer who has deserted in Afghanistan and supposedly resurfaced in Venezuala. The goal is to arrest and bring him back for trial, but the implied message is that it might be better if he was killed during the arrest efforts. Brodie quickly suspects that there is more to this desertion that meets the eye and feels that the brass are covering something up... Well, it wouldn't be much of a thriller if they were not-- but the fun is watching Brodie piece it all together.
The real star of the book is actually the country of Venezuala. The authors blend the poverty, the crime, the corruption, and the beauty and ugliness of the country into the store almost seamlessly. By the book's conclusion, the reader has been given bits of history, culture, and current events about a nation that has fallen on the worst of times.
Watching Brodie and Taylor figure out where the deserter has gone is also quite exciting. Brodie is clever, and he is also brash and impulsive to the point of frequently endangering the mission and risking losing their lives.
About 3/4 through, the action shifts to the deserter's story, where he is, why he is there, how he got there-- all information that was suspected earlier on, but confirmed as we see his descent into darkness as he hears that the CID officers are seeking him and ponders how he should deal with them should they actually stumble upon him.
Then, suddenly, the Demille's wrap up the tale and bring the story to a fine conclusion... it doesn't leave everybody happy, but it seems to sum up the book quite well. ...more
This particular book contained two Science Fiction novels (pubished separately elsewhere) featuring a strange fellow who uses the psuedonym "Pilgrim" This particular book contained two Science Fiction novels (pubished separately elsewhere) featuring a strange fellow who uses the psuedonym "Pilgrim" (among others) who is something of a time manipulator-- which is almost a time traveler.
Saberhagen's first offering is called "Pyramids" and features an adventure to ancient Egypt. There is an interesting cast of characters, but the conclusion was far too surreal for me. I can't go into better detail because it would provide spoilers and I don't want to ruin it for those who like the surreal frosting on their literary cake.
The second offering in the book was "After the Fact." In this book we get a great time travel adventure as Pilgrim manipulates (kidnaps?) a college student and sends him to 1865 America with the mission to save Abraham Lincoln from assasination. He assures the student that it will not create a paradox and we see Pilgrim's chicanery while the student struggles to remain alive, get to Ford's Theater, and stop Booth from killing Lincoln. The conclusion is interesting, but Saberhagen's reasoning for the mission's purpose is bewildering and murky, at best. Still, we get a fine time traveller story with a clever conclusion.
Preston and Child write the Pendergast mystery/thriller novels, but this is a solo effort by Preston.
The first thing I have to say is that this partiPreston and Child write the Pendergast mystery/thriller novels, but this is a solo effort by Preston.
The first thing I have to say is that this particular novel is very well researched. Personally, if I was writing it I would have gone mad with the research necessary to provide this novel with a very realistic feel. The research into the history of biological research, as well as gene splicing, is extremely thorough. The back of the book suggests that Bill Clinton read this when he was president and immediately ordered a study to see how real of a threat such bio-tech could actually be. Whether that is hyperbole to sell books or a valid point-- the fine quality of research makes it that frightening.
As much as I appreciate the efforts of the author to provide this realism-- at several points he pauses the narration of the story to provide background that interrupts the flow of the action, and I felt that was a tactical error. Still, once the action resumed the pacing built to a satisfying climax.
My own opinion is that Preston is better balanced when writing with his writing partner, but this was still an entertaining thriller. There are times when the reader is forced to wonder whether or not one of the bio-response team has been infected or not, or if he or she will survive somehow. The thriller is exceptionally frightening....more
Leave it to an old geezer like me to pick up a book in a thrift store, read it, enjoy it to the max, and then discover it is the sixth book of what apLeave it to an old geezer like me to pick up a book in a thrift store, read it, enjoy it to the max, and then discover it is the sixth book of what appears to be a fantastic espionage series. You can already tell I'm enthusiastic about this particular novel.
Court Gentry, contract hit man, known to the intelligence community as the gray man, is finally in the good graces of the CIA and in this outing he is sent to discover the whereabouts of a Chinese defector from the top secret Cyber division of the People's Liberation Army. This defector has knowledge that will put the Chinese government at extreme risk. Complicating the matter is the fact that a Russian team is also looking for the defector. If that were not enough complications, and old friend of Court's is being held by the Chinese, and Court is forced to pretend to be searching for the defector on their behalf in order to secure his friend's release.
The author manages to blend intense action, spycraft, and more bad guys to fight than John McClane ever saw in a Die Hard film into a tense and exhilirating action novel. As is the case in a lot of the best spy novels, the hero isn't been told everything and that lack of information causes him repetitive frustrations as he continues working out the details concealed from him, which only serves to highten the story's tension like an over-tightened guitar string.
By the time the reader reaches the end, he is hoping for a happy ending.. what he gets is fairly bittersweet. Some things work out in the way that the hero planned and requests and some things do not. The mixed conclusion also adds to the quality of the writing.
Okay, sometimes, the action is a bit over-the-top. The Gray Man character is awesome in action, quick-thinking, and at times almost superhuman. He is a great hero.
I'll be looking at other titles in this series, I am very impressed at how the author strings all of the pieces together in an excellent action novel with a great hero, wonderful settings (China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) clever spycraft, strong villains, and careful plotting....more
Cardboard is a wondereful graphic novel. A down on his luck construction worker stops at a roadside toy stand to buy his son a birthday present. AfterCardboard is a wondereful graphic novel. A down on his luck construction worker stops at a roadside toy stand to buy his son a birthday present. After determining the worker had no money, he gives the man a cardboard box, describing the "adventure" he and his son can have building something from their imagination. The son, rather than being an entitled jerk, accepts the challenge and they build a cardboard boxer, complete with boxing gloves. The cardboard comes to life, thus propelling the story into a delightful fantasy. Soon, there are problems as a rotten neighbor brat steals some of the cardboard and creates a major problem.
A story full of wonderful ideas and a clever implementation. Cardboard is loads of fun.
I rarely give a book a five star review. I save that for the most exceptional reading and this historical mystery novel, set in Cromwell's England, isI rarely give a book a five star review. I save that for the most exceptional reading and this historical mystery novel, set in Cromwell's England, is indeed exceptional reading material.
Damien Seeker is one of Cromwell's most trusted agents. He is known and feared by the community. His team of spies and military officers are the best when it comes to locating and identifying royalists advocating the overthrow of Cromwell's government. Seeker has a secret past (which gets a bit of a revelation at the end of the book) and this adds a cloak of mystery to the man which serves his position well.
One of the best sources of information for Seeker's group is the "Coffee shops" of the day, where people gather to share news, discuss politics, while they consume coffee and smoke pipes of tobacco. In this particular case, the Kent coffee house becomes the center of an investigation into possible Royalist plots. That investigation is complicated by the murder of an army officer.
The author manages to weave in a number of plots as well as what mystery afficianados call red herrings. Everytime I thought I had the murderer identified I discovered that I was wrong. The characters are rich and and provided with deep historical backgrounds. This is a period of English history I know little about and the richness of this novel left me with a desire to know more about it. Seeker is convinced that the rabble-rouser arrested for the crime is innocent.
Cromwell is acting as if he is King and silencing dissenters right and left. We get a fairly solid view of both sides of the political issues through the discusssion and character backgrounds. The various occupations of coffee seller, peddlar, lawyer, and preacher each are explored with deft prose. The daily activities of these folks is described with great clarity, as is London during this period.
There was a great resolution and this is where some of the mystery of Seeker's background is revealed... and for the first time in the novel, we get a glimpse of of the agent's humanity, which he has attempted to block out for the entire novel.
This was a wonderful mystery and its period is so vividly drawn by the author that it kept me turning page after page in enthisiastic literary joy. ...more
The Last Best Friend has a lot of good qualities. The opening chapter is one of the most powerful descriptions of a man on a ledge. The writing drew mThe Last Best Friend has a lot of good qualities. The opening chapter is one of the most powerful descriptions of a man on a ledge. The writing drew me in immediately because I could feel the man's panic, the man's desperation, and even the wind as he teetered on the edge of a ledge.
The descriptions in this book were, sadly, the very best part. The author excels at describing people, their clothing, their facial shapes, etc. Some of the most interesting parts of this book were in the descriptions of people. He also did a good job describing various architecture.
Set in the 1960's The plot has its familiar roots in World War II. The hero is on holiday when he getrs a telegram from his best friend urging a long-distance phone call to discuss a terrible decision. That telegram is followed almost immediately by one which notifies the hero of the friend's death. Knowing that his friend had a terrible fear of heights is the planted seed that grows into the serious doubt that his friend's death is a suicide. As the plot progresses, the hero begins to investigate and discovers that the plot involves antique manuscripts (which he happens to buy and sell) and a Nazi connection.
There are a few moments of danger, but it isn't handled as deftly as his desriptions of people and places. In fact, the conclusion is wrapped up in four or five overly rushed pages with an ending that must be English in style, because the bad guy simply surrenders.
While this is not a great book, the descriptions made most of it a wonderful experience to read. I won't be seeking out the author's other works, if they exist, but this was a pleasant change-of-pace for me. ...more
I read the three books of this series ALL in one volume... Of those three books, this one was the best. The setup seems simple... Aliens come to EarthI read the three books of this series ALL in one volume... Of those three books, this one was the best. The setup seems simple... Aliens come to Earth, show benovolence, convince Earth to assist them in war against a cruel oppponent... Soldiers get caught in battle.
Now, if that's all there was to this series, it would be worthless. Bear creates a mystery cache of information on Mars, a psychic connection, and a society of colonists that are unique. This first novel, a battle "drop" goes all wrong, a squad of soldiers barely survives, and winds up being rescued by a colonist and taken to a hidden facility where weird stuff happens.
Overall, this series had some very interesting ideas. Bear has created unique motives, unique aliens, unique spaceships, -- everything is unique... As the series moves forward it begins to get bogged down in Bear's imagination, which sometimes seems like he's writing about an LSD hallucination-- which isn't always bad when reading Science Fiction, but before the reader gets through the storyline, he is indeed mired in Bear's attempts to dazzle the reader with his ideas, while the storyline seems to receive second place and the trilogy suffers for it.
It's not really bad, has moments of cleverness, at times the story moves at a frentic pace, but overall bogs down in Bear's fantastical imagination, as if he just wanted to show that he can dream up clever new aliens and tcchnology. The conclusion isn't really worth it,. ...more