Review: Darkness Weaves by Karl Edward Wagner

Darkness Weaves by Karl Edward Wagner. A writer in the wrong time. If he had lived in 1920/30/40 he would have been in the same league of Robert E Howard and H P Lovecraft and the lot. He was nihilistic, anarchistic and absurdist. He died because of alchool. I think that explains a lot. He sets his work (some of it) in the same timeline of Conan and Bran Mak Morn. He created a hero called Kane. This book is one of the three novels and three collections. This is the first of the tales. So what's good in it? Well Kane stories are set in a grim, pre-medieval world with rich in history. He is powerful, left handed and read hair and have said to killed his brother Abel (Cain and Abel anyone?) and cursed by a mad god with an eternal life of wandering. (again Cain and Abel?). He is vulnerable to wounds but heals fast. He is both a warrior and a sorcerer.Elric by Moorcock and Conan by Howard are heavealy influenced. But as I said this is an excelent character with both the brains but also the strenght. This tale was quite good to read. The history is these... The Thovnosian Empire is made up of several islands that join forces to destroy Red Kane but his body was never found. Now Efrel the mutilated ruler of Pellin intends to take over the empire and exact revenge on her enemies. Using dark arts she learns that Kane is alivce and due to his genius naval strategy is recruited and regards the all deal an unfinished business. There are some references to Kane past and indicated why Kane prefers violence when has other skills. Violence is an addiction. The dialogues are quite good and the reference to Efrel are quite disgusting (in a good way). In these tale don't expect good hearted characters... 10/10

Review: Bran Mak Morn - Robert E Howard

These book needs no introduction. Bran Mak Morn was one of the famous characters created by the mythic Robert E Howard, the creator of Conan, Kull or Solomon Kane. It's quite amazing that some of these stories he had only 13 years old. And they are beautiful. I must say that the painter Gary Gianni was the right one to do the job. I've search some books with pictures of Bran Mak Morn and even Conan ones and this one was the better one. Trully beautiful. The history on this book as some not fidegin since they were romanticized by Howard but that doesn't drove people away. He made the picts a noble savage people alike the indians. To be precise he put the picts from a group of islands near Valusia and when Atlantis, Lemuria and Valusia sank the picts society began to decline. The forgot their trades including metal working. The migrated to Caledon (noawadays scotland). After the invasion of the Celts they fled northward and interbred with a red-haired barbarians (and so they were shorter than other tribes) and following the invasion of the romans and later breton and saxon the picts sought refuge underground just like the natives they had displaced before. There are two types of Picts. The first is from the Bran timeline where he tries to restore the picts honourable place in the world and the later ones who were litte more than savages produced by many years of hatred. The picts, some of them at least, could also turn into werewolves or wolves. What is great on this book and at the same time sad its the image that Howard gives to Bran Mak Morn that is depicted as a leader of a dying and degenerate people and deeply aware of their inevitable path to extinction (and coincidenly with all other characters he chooses to fight rather than succumb). Their natural enemies are the Romans.

 In the Kings of the Night story we know the tale of Bran as he was the descent of Brule the Spear-Slayer (compantion of Kull). We even get to see him summon Kull to fight the romans. It's one of the best waring story I had the pleasure of reading. In The Dark Man we get a dark version of the picts centuries after Bran. This is their decline. A sad story. In Worms of the Earth Bran makes a unholy alliance with beings that his own ancestors have banished.  This is quite a tale. The ending meaning... some weapons are too foul to use, even against the bitter romans. There are other small stories some without Bran. There are also some plays, fragmants and poems.

Would I advice these book? Go get it. Now. 10/10

Unfinished: Books that I stop reading...

There are some books that I stop reading altogether and couldn't get into the story. I hate leaving a book un-read but sometimes it happens...This is my complete list back from 2006. I have a period in 2009 that I left 10 books in a row. I think I wasn't good on my mind and so I left the books. I wonder why it happens. Sometimes I hate a book but still I read it until the end. Most of this book will have a second try but not now. Maybe in a couple of years when I unpack my things in my to be house. Let us start:

• Ash, a Secret History by Mary Gentle. This is a book I should have loved. An alternative historical fiction heavily influenced in medieval history. I stop reading twice. I have the book and I will read it in the future.
• Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton; I've seen the movie a dozen times at least but the book never appealed to me. I didn't care for the characters and all the history behind with all that scientific terms didn't appeal to me which is strange since I like those themes. Maybe in the future I will give it a try.
• The Werewolves of London by Brian Stableford. I had these book and I offered it. Sometime later in the future I will buy the book again and read again. It was strange book with deep philosorfical themes.
• The Dragon Never Sleeps - Glen Cook: To me it was a strange book. I didn't enjoy reading what I read. I don't know if I will ever return to it.
• The Burrowers Beneath by Brian Lumley - A good book heavily influenced in H P Lovecraft world. I gave the book as well. I will try again later. I have two books with small stories.
• Earth Factor X - A E Van Vogt - Odd book. I couldn't finish it. It didn't appeal to me. I wonder what was on the mind of the author... or maybe I am the odd one. I will not try it again.
• The Book with No Name by Anonymous - Such a fuss about this book. Too strange with a strange plot. It remind me of movie El Mariachi which I like. This book I did not.
• The Devil's Day - James Blish: A book where the world is like ours but all that supernatural is real. It has a good premise but I couldn't finish. I will try again.
• Knowledge of Angels - Jill Patton Walsh - Another interesting book that reminds me of Tarzan and Mogli goes back to civilization. Unfortunaly something didn't felt right. I will try again later.
• Only Forwad - Michael Marshall Smith - A good scientific book in a strange world. It had a good premise. I will return later.
• Bloody County - Curt Selby - A vampire book. I couldn't read it. It felt wrong. Something on the writing...
• Sweet Silver Blues - Glen Cook - Another book that I didn't could finish even if I was enjoying in the begginning. It reminds me of Terry Prattchett. I will return later.
• November Mourns - Tom Piccirilli - I talked about this book in December. I said I will try again later this one or another by the author.
• Blood Eagle - Craig Russell - A detective novel. I couldn't finish. But I will return later.
• The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham - A Classic but unfortunally I didn't finish. I have the book near me so one day I will finish.
• Out of the Ashes by William W Johnstone - I should have loved this book because of the apocalpytic theme. I couldn't finish it. Maybe I will return later.
• Storm Front by Jim Butcher - Interesting premises by this supernatural detective. I will try again.
• Mass Effect Revelation by Drew Kapyshyn - Good game but not so good book.
• Age of Ra - James Lovegrove - I only try the first chapters but it didn't appeal to me. Maybe I will return later.
• To Challenge Chaos - Brian Stableford - Another author that I love. This book didin't work.
• Jennifer's Goverment - Max Barry - Interesting story. I couldn't finish but I will return
• Last Nazi - Stan Pottinger - didn't work for me and I will not return.
• When the wind Blows - James Patterson - Second book by him that failed to me. I will not return.
• Servants of Twilight - Dean Koontz - Having love some books this one was not that good. But I will return.

Why do we stop reading a novel sometimes? Why do we read a book that we hate then another time we stop reading a novel that we are enjoying? Is it the moods? The phase of the moon? Why? Can you answer?

Review: Damnation Crusade, Blood and Thunder, Exterminatus, Fire and Honour and Defenders of Ultramar (Graphic Novels)

After reviewing the Warhammer Fantasy graphic novels by Boom! Studios I read the Warhammer 40k five novels. Damnation Crusade, Blood and Thunder, Exterminatus, Fire and Honour and Defenders of Ultramar. The first three were written by Abnett and Edginton. The last two were written by Grahamn McNeil.

Now for the reviews... The first tale is called Damnation Crusade and is a tale of the Black Templars. There is an interlinked stories of a sword-bearer Gerhart as he batle throught several warzones. Their brethern think he has some flaws that are considered a sin in the Black Templars Chapter. The second tale is of Tankred a dreadnought who battles in the name of the emperor. The third tale is a of a recruit called Raclaw as he fights is kinsman to become a neophyte (a space marine student (?). This tales are interlinked are hinted that Raclaw was Gerhart before he was a battle brother then he was injured and incorporated into the dreadnought where he comes Tankred. The last scene is interlinked with the first as the dreadnought battles a Daemon Prince where he fights and wins.

The second tale is called Blood and Thunder. This is a tale of Orks one of the most interesting because we learn a bit of Orks culture. This tale is set on a planet where the orks are attacking the empire defended by the Tallarn. Ths tale begins as the orks attack and destroy a fortress and capture one of the humans. This human was full of snot and so the Ork leader appreahanded thinkiing that he was his lucky charm. During the chapters we learn of the orks culture as they fight among themselves and against others. We learn of their supersitions and their weapons. It was an interesting tale. The only problem was that sometimes I couldn't read their lines. They were so changed that it was difficult to me to read. Maybe an american or english can read it but I couldn't. This tale ends as it began. With orks fighting humans. There is also three small tales. The first is about the coming of the orks into a medieval-like planet and the deliverance of the space marines. After defeating their opponents the space marines left. In the end the people of the planet were more afraid of the angels.. The Second tale is one of despair. A Space marine left in a battlefield asks for help from the emperor. It's quite nice. The third is another black templar story. 

The third tale is called Exterminatus and his plot follows the first book. After finding two titans on a planet the inquisition comes. After deeming the world for exterminatus after a strange storage with a blank psychic and a chaos marine he searches from where this storage as comes. Here and after being duped he is helped from some unexpected visitors. As he grabs some allies he lay siege to the thousand sons chaos space marines. In this book the inquisition also enlists the help of Black Templars. As I said the first and third story are linked.

The fourth story was Fire and Honour and in this tale of betrayal we meet Cadian shock troopers, Vostroyans and in the opposite field the Tau. This is a tale of betrayal and honour at the same time. As the Cadian are attack by the Tau they learn that they were betrayed by the governor of the battle that is in league with the Tau. It's quite a nice tale.

The fifth and last story is a story of the Ultramarines and is called Defenders of Ultramar. Most precisely the fourth company of the Ultramarines. The same company of Uriel Ventris. This tale sets Ultramarines and PDF against the Orks. I think this tale is set after Warriors of Ultramar book (I think). This tale is quite good but not as good as the other four.

There isn't a best story. I think the first was the most strange and had a twist that gave a nice touch of it. The second I got to know the ork society. The third I got to get into the mind of a Inquisition. The fourth the mind of Cadian and strong feelings of betrayal and honour and the fifth we got to know another space marine chapter. Overall I would give 8 to every story with the exception of the last which I will give 7.5.

On the plus side on all books is the artwork in the beginning and the end of every chapter. Some books also have some drawings in the end of the book. They are quite good and some would be excelent posters. Maybe one day they will be printed in a larger scale.

So the last book to read is the Blood Bowl single book.

Review: Death Hulk - Matthew Sprange

Title - Death Hulk

Author - Matthew Sprange

Year - 2006

Stand Alone or series - Part of Tomes of the Dead Series but Stand Alone

Pages - 276

Rating - 7/10

Reading Time - 9 days (May & June 2008)

Summary

Orders to chase down the French frigate Elita off the Cape of Good Hope came as welcome news to Captain Havelock. Stranded with the rest of the fleet at Spithead while waiting for France to initiate hostilities was an unwelcome duty for any up and coming officer. Here was a chance for glory - and prize money! The duel between the Whirlwind and its enemy would prove to be far from easy though. Very soon, Captain Havelock would come to realise that theirs were not the only two warships in the southern ocean, and an enemy long since thought to be vanquished would return from the dead to exact a terrible vengeance!

Review

I have all Abaddon books of all series. I enjoy the premises so I bought them. This book was the first one I had the pleasure of reading. Now the best book in the block but I wasn't dissapointed. Zombies in ships. It reminds of Pirates of Carabean and Fell Cargo by Dan Abnett. It also reminds me of some old 70's movies.

In this story we follow the british as they track down the french frigate Elita. As they track it down they descover a third ship that harbours some undead fiends. The story develops rapidly as we get to know some of the members of the british navy. The sea battles are a must read. I think in the end I was pleased but as Fell Cargo I must say something felt not right. This was the first book and I am impressed to read the next ones on the series.

Book Review: Realms of the Underdark by Various

Title - Realms of the Underdark
Author - Various
Year 1996
Stand Alone or series - Short Stories Collection
Pages - 345

Rating 8/10

 

Summary

The Underdark

Beneath the surface of Faerûn lies a whole different world.

A world of drow, deep gnomes, and other denizens of the dark.

A world of cities like Menzoberranzan and Skullport, of warriors and rogues like Drizzt Do'Urden and Liriel Baenre and numerous others.

Leave the security of the surface world and seek out the darkness that lies below.

Welcome to the Realms of the Underdark.

Review

The Fires of Narbondel - Mark Anthony - 75pag

A Slow Day in Skullport - Ed Greenwood - 67pag

Rite of Blood - Elaine Cunningham - 63pag

Sea of Ghosts - Roger E Moore - 51pag

Volo Does Menzo - Brian M Thomsen - 36pag

The Fires of Narbondel - Mark Anthony - The first story was the best one as well. This story follows the mythical father of Drizzt; Zaknafein Do'Urden in his quest to find a dagger to Malice, the Matron mother of Do'Urden house as to gain Lloth's favor. This author Mark Anthony portrayed exemplary the small passages of Drizzt as Zaknafein. I really hope that he had done a book on this character/house but unfortunally after 15 years I doubt it will ever be published. There is also an important thing on this story. Drizzt meets even if unware Lloth. As I said the writer really can do Drows. I have fail to met any fault on this story. I think this author should have been brought to write in sixth book series War of the Spider Queen 10/10.

A Slow Day in Skullport - Ed Greenwood. Last time I tried a story by him I didn't enjoy it. This one was no better even if it was a little more ease to follow. There are several poiny of views as they quest to the underdark to try their luck on a Beholder. I must say I didn't understant half of what was happenning. At least Elminster appeared as well as Shandril. Both of them own their own series. Another good point was the Beholder. 4/10

Rite of Blood - Elaine Cunningham - I have yet to read a full novel written by her. This story focus on the early years of Liriel Baenre which have her own story. She is the daughter of Gromph Baenre who is the archmage of Menzoberranzan. Liriel is highly gifted and her tutor, Xandra, is jeoulous of her. As Liriel goes into the trial of The Blooding that every drow must pass, she is set against a powerful human wizard of Thay. This story is quite good I learn about drows and their religion. Not only Lloth but her counterpart of Elistrae. As Liriel grows up she is turn into a drow and as the first story of Drizzt I get the feeling that the drow society work and how they end up the way the are. Twisted and Evil. I will be looking for her trilogy. 10/10.

Sea of Ghosts - Roger E Moore  In this story we get to know a deep gnome Wykar and a derro called Geepo as they search a treasure. I must say I couldn't get into this story. I will not give a rating right now. I will try again later in the year.

Volo Does Menzo - Brian M Thomsen - This story is about a cook called Percival Gallard Woodehous and Volo (the one with all the sourcebooks) as they journey to Menzoberranzan. This is a story that was a funny read. The only bad thing if you can call it that it's the characterization of the two drows on this story. They are dumb as orcs in my opinion. Percival and Volo are great characters and the story is quite fun. I really hope for another Percival and Volo story. 7.5/10

In the end I would advice anyone who loves drows to read this book. I think this is a great beginning for all the books with drows out there. Drizzt, Liriel, War of the Spider Queen and Lady Peninent. Probably there are more...

Review: Forge of War; Condemned by Fire & Crown of Destruction - Warhammer Graphic Novels

I am not that keen to graphic novels. I a word guy. But after reading some old graphic novels by Black Library, I still hated most graphic novels, but since is the universe I loved, I kind of enjoy it. Those Marvel or something like that never did work for me.They were printed by Boom! Studios by 2008/2009 and I bought the 8 books. Three from the Warhammer World, One from Blood Bowl and Five from Warhammer 40k.

Two of my favourites were the first two.

Forge of War and Condemned by Fire and Crown of Destruction.

The first two books were written by Dan Abnett and  Ian Edginton and illustrated mainly by Rahsan Ekedal. And my opinion they worked nicely. The last book was written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Dwayne Harris. I must say they weren't that good. Some of the chapters (each book is divided in five small chapters) were truly awful. The drawings and story didn't felt so warhammer. The main characters in the first two were Greatsword Vogel and the Dwarf Vargni. In the second book they join band with the witch hunter Maguns Gault.The third book the main character was Greatsword Frohlich (a minor character in the first book).

In the first book we join two sides battling against chaos. Dwarves and Humans from Averland province. In the midst in the battle something goes wrong and the humans flee. Ashamed and defeated they tried to regroup. The Dwarves seeing what's happening vow death to the humans. As they bundle together they are brought together to a temple that is a lair of some vicious Lamia Vampires. Meanwhile two dwarves battle for survival in some pit. One of them escapes and vow the death of humans. Humans and Dwarf meet again and after some bad start (second start for that matter) they join and with the help of a Celestial Mage ridding a Griffon they battle the Chaos invasion in a no-winning situation. They only want to find redemption. If you want to see some drawings click here . 9/10

The second book was called Condemend By Fire. In this book we join a witch hunter in a pursuit to find a Slasnesh worshiper that corrupted some sisters of a chapel. In the way he finds greater evil on course. First with a village full of plague zombies corrupted by a water current. As he follows the stream he discovers even danger foes. At the same point he finds the main characters from the first book that help him in a village. After they follow the tracks that lead them to the skaven that were the main architest of the pollution. Even if unaware. We also have some glimpses of what happened to our duo before joining the witch hunter. 9/10

The third book is called Crown of Destruction. This name comes from a world game that Games Workshop made a couple of years back. All factions join into a setting to retrieve the Crown. Each have their goals. Some are allies but eventually they all can battle against themselves. As I said this was the worst book. We join a minor character from the first book. Also a greatsword (in this book some paintings the great sword is more of a longsword). In this chaos we are join we Chaos adepts, Magicians, Skaven and Vampires and the Undead.. As I said the book is not that good. Read if you like warhammer. 4/10

Small Reviews (8): Smoke and Mirrors, I am Legend, The Skeleton Closet of Jules de Grandin

I will review three more books. I have two more Small Reviews posts on sight. One with Science Fiction books and another with Fantasy ones.

Let us start with a Famous one called Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman. I read this book last year in February. At that time I was at the hospital due to my ashtma where I spent one week. I remember reading a lot. Around 200 pages per day. It was great. Well not the hospital part. The reading one. I remember that this book was lend to me by my neighbourh whom I never met and probably never will. I remember hating the book as well. This didn't made me get away from him so I tried another book a year later called Stardust and again I hated it. The movie was better in my humble opinion.. And before this book I read Good Omens and I enjoy it. But this one was written with Terry Pratchett so... I will try American Gods in the near future. I really hope to enjoy it. Well now for this book... It had around 30 stories. And most of them didn't work with me. There was a couple that I remember but some of them are just a blur. Most of them I just forgot. 4/10

Next the short stories in the book I am Legend. The story I am legend is a classic and one of the best books I have ever read but the short stories that came with it are... well in my view awful. Some of them I couldn't finish. Most of them I hated them. Fortunally the I am legend story is worth the book on it's own. 4/10

Now let us speak of the one book I gave away to C L Werner The Skeleton Closet of Jules de Grandin by Seabury Quinn. Quite good stories. Unfortunally that was the only book I had and I've search the internet and they are quite expense. Can anyone make an omnibus of this books? There are four or five of them. Inside them you can find six stories by Jules de Gradin. I think there are almost one hundred stories with Jules de Grandin. What made him different? Well he is an investigator but with supernatural side. Think of Sherlock Holmes now think him the opposite. His stories are full of curses, voodoo and supernatural themes. They worked. Nowadays I guess nobody knows whom he is. He published most of his tales in Weird Tales magazine alongside Lovecraft, Robert E Howard or Clark Ashton Smith. But he is not in the same league. but believe me when I say if you like those writers I wrote then you will enjoy this one. 8/10

Review: The Reapers Are The Angels - Alden Bell

Title The Reapers Are The Angels

Author Alden Bell

Year 2010

Stand Alone or series Stand Alone

Pages 225

Rating 10/10

Reading Time 22 days (August 2010)

Summary

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

Review

When I saw some great reviews with this book I knew I had to had it and read as soon as possible. I started nicely then I stopped to read another two anthologies then I came back in this weekend and finish it... with a bang. I must say what a ride.

This is a post-apocalyptic novel full of zombies or meatskins but in this book they aren't the main protagonists or antagonists if you want. This book starts twenty five years after the outbreak. Our main character is called Temple and she was born after the collapsed so she doesn't knew the world we know so it brought some perspective to this genre/character. Our main character is quite an interesting protagonist that is haunted by hidden horrors from her past (we learn about them as the chapters go) that she is constantly battling. She is more afraid of herslef and her actions than of the walking dead and that's why she shuns everyone. She also thinks that god hates her and won't forgive her actions... The book starts with "God is a slick god. Temple knows. She knows because of all crackerjack miracles still to be seen on this ruined globe." Then she meets Maury an retarted mute and she sees a chance to right some wrongs. In her travels she mets zombies (that aren't that oponnent) and other humans. Some help her and some don't. As she arrives at some place a guy tries to abuse her and she kills her and so she leaves the place and from this moment the brother of the abuser tries to find her to kill her. But this is not just a assassin against another assassin. He, called Moses Todd is a diferent kind of killer. He is the only one who understand her. As he tries to kill her he also tries to reasure her that she is not as evil as she thinks she is. As I said there is affinity, and understanding between them and it's quite good to see how it affects them. He performs a dual role as a father figure (as he helps her soul) and at the same time as a potential murderer. Temple as I said its a good character with a tragic life forced to live a lonely life.

The writing is also important with a prose beautiful to read. It's in the present tense and the lack of conventional dialogue is also a new thing to me. I thought I was listening rather than reading it. Maybe the audiobook (if there is one) can make this even at a greater scale. But believe me when I say that this book has a dark aura in it but at the same time there is something that makes you hope for a better world. As Temple travels to arrive at her destination she meets people on the road and there is friendship in them (most of them). There aren't that many meatskins as well. Most of the books on this genre paints a dark scenery where people loses her virtues and become not better than savages. I think the author risk in this way but I think he was compesated. It worked very well. This book is a must have not only to people who loves zombies but also to anyone who likes post apocalyptic fiction and books that dwell on people, characterization and their relations. Excelent. This writer has a future and I am sure to buy his next book...

Small Reviews (7) : Something from the Nightside and Agents of Light and Darkness, Dark Wars - The Tale of Meiji Dracula, Song of Kali

This is the seven post with multiple books.

First let us start with the two first books from Simon R Green's Nightside. First Something from the Nightside and Agents of Light and Darkness. I bought the first Omnibus that solaries printed a couple years back. I read them one after another. The first one I read in one day (which for me is quite good) and the second one in one week (I was reading another book at the same time. The setting is quite different from other books..

John Taylor is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things. That's why he's been hired to descend into the Nightside, an otherworldly realm in the center of London where fantasy and reality share renting space and the sun never shines.  For John Taylor, there's no place like home...

In the first book  we get to know a little bit from the Nightside and our main character John Taylor and some other characters like Alex Morrisey, Razor Eddie, Punk God of Straight Razor and a killer called Suzie Shooter. Each have unique skills. John Taylor have a gift that he calls it Private Eye. He is also the son of Lilith (the one who first created the Nightside). He is also the target of several parties within and out of the Nightside. Then we have Alex Morrisey the owner  of a neutral bar within the Nightside. He helps the Detective with information. Then we got Razor Eddie a former gang member turn vigilante that kills bad guys with his Razor that coincidently is the only thing that can kill him. He is for all purposes immortal. Then we've got Suzie Shooter aka Dear God it's Her Run!!. The most dungerous bounty hunter and with her trademark Shotgun he brings hers bounties ... dead. There is quite a love tension between her and John Taylor.

Well as I said the first book deals with Taylor as he returns to the Nightside as he tries to find the girl child of Joana Barrett. As he returns he meets with several people (whom I introduced before) and we get a gimplse of the world of Nightisde. We get to know several parties inside Nightside and we get to know a bit of John Talyor fears and self discovery. The book is full of dark humour and references to some english movies/series like Monty Python or Dr Who. I thought it was quite good book. The second book deals with John Taylor trying to find for the Vatican the unholy grail that Judas drank at the Last Supper. In this book we get to see a bit more of our personages and their tales. It's quite an advance from the frist book. As Taylor and Suzie band together to stop armageddon. The angels are nothing like the sweet creatures and we get to see a bit of old Magickal themes. This book revels and excels because Simon Green tries to blend different sets and themes that work very nicely. I will read in the near future the third and fourth book of this twelve planned series. 7/10 and 7.5/10

The next book was Dark Wars - The Tale of Meiji Dracula by Hideyuki Kikuchi the writer of the famous Vampire Hunter D

Japan, 1880. Seventeen-year-old Daigo possesses a wicked talent for the sword. Though many have come to challenge him, none has triumphed. But one moonless night, a stranger arrives in Daigo’s quiet village, bearing the key to a mystery that haunts Daigo’s family–a tale too incredible to be believed, the proof too compelling to be doubted.

Count Dracula cannot change who he is, or what he craves, or how many souls he must steal to slake his undying thirst. An entire country is about to fall prey to the count’s bloodlust–and no one’s at greater risk than those closest to Daigo, especially the beautiful, love-struck Chizuru. Only Daigo can save his community from this demon of the night. But Daigo has never faced a more formidable opponent. He’s never confronted a vampire’s speed, a vampire’s strength, and, perhaps most dangerous of all, a vampire’s seduction. . .

This book was quite good to read. I read it in four days. This was before I had a glimpse of Vampire Hunter D. It was quite good book. Well the plot is quite simple. Vlad or Count Dracula  arrives and sets a residence in Edo (Tokyo). Daigo Shoichiro, a 17yr old swordsman and his friend meet count in the eventing as they are trying to see a painting. As Dracula victims pile up Jigoro a sensei builts a team to hunt Count. The final battle between Daigo and the Count was quite good. Kikuchi brings Edo's settng beautifully. He crafted a beautiful tale and gives us some insights into Edo's changing years as the old classical Japan was reforming into a new technological empire. The scorn that was setting in against the Bushido code and the old religion. Not to mention the amazing drawings made by Amano. 7.5/10

Dan Simmon's Song of Kali is quite a book. I've got several books by Dan Simmons and this one was the first  book I read. This is a novel hard to compreehend which genre it is. It's part Terror and part an Adventure novel. There was something in this book that make me sick. In the beginning as our protagonist family arrives at Calcuta they discribe it a dirty city, our main characters sweat with miasma and everything awful. It's quite bad image. I remember being sick and re-reading it several times that couple of pages. It's quite disgusting. I think I've nver felt that from a novel before or even afterwards. Now the plot... Luczac and his wife and baby go to Calcuta to find a poet who apearently is writing new things despised being dead for 8 years. If he is alive where can he be found. They met Krishna (a local intelectual) who have been asked to assist them by a mutual friend. They meet the local writers guild who denies a meeting between him and Das (the indian writer).  Luczac and Krishna then meet a man that tells them about a secret society dedicated to Kali a Hindu godess of death and destruction. He also tells them that to join the sect he had to bring a corpse from the river. And the corpse was of Das. Again Luczac goes to the guild and this time they let him see the writer. Das is suffering from leprosy an confirms the story that they had heard fromt hat man but Luczac refuses to believe. Then they give him a extensive collection of Das poety very different from what he knew. In exchange Das asks him to bring books of poetry.  Luczac as he is drawn into the tale and getting frightening tries to send hims wife and child home but they are unable to do it.  Concealing a gun inside a book of poetry given by Krishna he returns to Das and gives him the books. As he tries to return home he hears two shots and the guards knocked him out. After a supernatural manisfestation of Kali he escapes only to find that his child was kidnapped. After days of dead-ends a couple is caught trying to smuggle jewels hidden within the child who died of trauma. With their child dead they return to America and he destroys the poetry and their life returns slowly to normal. In the end we learn that the whispers of the Song of Kali can be heard.

This book is a evil book but excelent believe me. When you start to read the book you will not want to stop. It's a book dedicated to an evil side of humanity. Calcuta here has done as Sodoma and Gomorra has done to chrstianity. It's quite scaring book and without an happy ending. I would advice to anyone who loves a horror novel. It's quite excelent. 9.5/10.

Review: Sword of Demon - Richard A Lupoff

Title Sword of Demon
Author Richard A Lupoff
Year 1976
Stand Alone or series Stand Alone
Pages 239

Rating 5/10

Reading Time 7 days (April 2008)

Review

When I bought this was book I was in a phase of Japanese books. Most of them made by western writers. This one was not an exception. I remember one thing. Beautifuly prose language but unfotunally it didn't work for me. I will try to read in a few years when I have more books under my belt. This book mix japanese folklore and culture. I remember being confuse with the story. Most of time I didn't knew where the writer wanted the main character to go. The ending was as confusing as the rest of the book, and I didn't enjoy the book. I felt cheated. 

Thoughts (II) Warhammer and Warhammer 40k

Being a fan of both worlds and having read dozens upon dozen books I would like your opinion on which is your favourite book/series or author.

I am currently reading Duty Calls by Sandy Mitchell. A novel in the Commissar Cain series and a question pop into my head. Who would win the battle if a Tyranid Hive fleet tried to consume a tomb world of the Necrons. Wouldn't be a nice battle to see? Machines without heart against vicious beasts with a single mind and without human emotions. They both don't understand fear and would never quit fighting until the end. Ahh... how sweet to read those pages would be. But how would we see it? Maybe throught a mind of a human scout/explorer? We can't enter both Necron and Tyranid minds...
Another novel I would like to read would be about Chaos Dwarves society. I know they aren't an army anymore but would be nice to have a novel in that setting. Unfortunally I won't be seeing both will I?

Thoughts anyone?

Small Reviews(6): The World Without Us, Death of Grass, Infected, Cell & The Waking

The first book I am going to review is The Waking by T M Jenkins. I read it in July of 2008. When I bought this book I start reading straight away. With 454 pages I read it in only three days which is quite good for me. Around 150 pages per day. Quite a feat. Well I still remember a lot from this book... This book is kind of Frankenstein in nowadays. Well for the plot... Dr Nate Sheehan is gunned down in the parking lot of a Los Angeles, the apparent victim of a random robbery gone wrong. Mary his wife, a researcher in cryogenic regeneration, severs Nate's head from his body before police can claim the corpse in hope of a future regeneration. After several decades in the future with a changed LA due to a massive earthquake and the change of energy because of lack of oil or even the water they drink is fruit of desalination, his head is put into the body of Duane Williams a convicted criminal. With the help of Dr Persis Bandelier wife of the director Rick Bandelier. Over time, Sheehan learns to walk and talk again under the guidance of Persis and Nate's personal nurse Monty. He's not the man he used to be, though. Confused by all that's happened in the world since his death, and devastated by the knowledge that his wife and son died in the 2012 earthquake, Nate tries to end his life through suicide. He's saved by Monty, only to face a worse future at the hands of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, an arm of the Center for Disease Control. The EIS has been monitoring Dr Bannerman's work, and when they find he's succeeded in reviving Dr. Sheehan, they invade Icor and take Nate to a detention center for examination. Nate's escape from the center sends him on a journey of discovery that ends back in Los Angeles. There his past clashes with his present life when he finds the canister of mementoes once hidden in his home. Was his murder a random act as everyone thought? Or was his death ordered by someone who wished to claim Wasserstrom's work as his own? He soon discovers of John Rando is the son of Martin Rando (a man he suspected that kill his closed friend and which he had some proofs). With several parties searching for him he must find himself in this new world and find what happened to him... Well the end was not predictable and it ended wanting for more. Jenkins sure can make a good reading book. I've tried to find another book by him but it seems that he only wrote this book. Most unfortunally. 8/10

My second book was Cell by Stephen King. When I discover that Stephen King was doing an apocalpytic zombie book I knew I had to read it. So far I've never loved a book by him. I enjoyed it but never loved. Most of them I hated them. This book was excelent into half the book then it felt apart and I hate it. When Riddell is walking through the city of Boston "the Pulse" happenend. A signal sent out through the global cell phone network that turns everyone in contact into mindless killer. With the help of two survivors they hind and discover that the "phoners" are gathering in flocks. Our main protagonist is trying to get to Maine to his son. They arrive at a prep school and join with two other surivors. There they learn more about this "pulse". They think that the "phoners" are acting like a Hive Mind and at night they join in the soccer field. (In the day they kill the no-phoners). They then decide to kill the phoners and afterwards they share a joint dream where they met a mysterious man. Another phoners arrive and make them go to a place in Maine called "Kashwak". As they go they are shunned by the normies (the no-phoners). They arrive at Maine and find Clay's son notes. They also find more about the Pulse and why it happenend. With the sacrifice of a several Clay's group they destroy the flock of the mysterious man. The group head north and Clay search for his son only to discover that his son as suffer a corrupted signal and even if not a turned to a flcok member but he is fomer shadow of himself. Clay then put's the cell phone in the ear of his son to get him another pulse because he think that this pulse will cancel whatever his son have. The book ends with that cliffhanger to make you wonder... 8/10

Infected by Scott Sigler had a good premise but then it failed in the end. Basicaly some people where infected with something that make them paranoin. As the novels enfold we get to see the mind of this infected and how they react to it. We get to see how the authorities also work against them. They soon discover that this things that infected the hosts are alien beings that are trying to hope a portal to their world. Our main character is paranoid but also fights against them. We get to see some bloody, gory parts as he rips off his skin of that things. This part was quite good. In the end I felt a bit ot cheated and I didn't enjoy the end. 6/10

Death of Grass by John Cristopher is another apocalyptic novel written 60 years ago. A viral strain has attacked rice crops in East Asia causing massive famine; soon a mutation appears which infects the staple crops of West Asia and Europe such as wheat and barley, threatening a famine engulfing the whole of the Old World, while Australasia and the Americas attempt to impose rigorous quarantine to exclude the virus. The novel itself follows John Custanae and his friend Roger Buckley along with their familes as they cross England that his falling rapidly into anarchy. They hope to arrive to a Farm in a isolated valley. Along the way they join forces with Pirrie a gun shop owner. This book is all about sacrifices as they change from normal beings to beings that must change their morals to survive. In one point they kill a family to steal their bread as they justify as "it was them or us". The ending was quite good. I would adive to anoyone who likes apocalpytic fiction but also a book about psycological changes under stress and under some situations. It's a classic. 9/10

The World Without Us - Alan Weisman is the last book I am reviewing in this post. This is not-fictious story about what would happenend to earth without us. I thought it would be like a series that pass on TV on the History Channell but it wasn't. I was a bit dissapointed with the book. I recommend the TV Series instead. Our Life After People or Aftermath: Population Zero. This book only deserves a 5/10