Search

Search only in certain items:

V(
Victorious (The Lost Fleet, #6)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The final book in Jack Campbell (the pen name of John Hemry)'s <i>The Lost Fleet</i> series, <i>Victorious</i> sees 'Black Jack' Geary returning to where the series started: back to the Syndic's Home System. While the last 5 books in the series ahve all dealt with the long retreat home (even if the Alliance Fleet never believed it was, or called it as such, and which ended in the finale of <i>The Lost Fleet: Relentless</i>), this sees that fleet go on the offensive in a bid to end the century-old war.

Without giving anything away (or, at least, any more than the blurb on my edition does!), the previously hinted-at alien forces on the far side of the Syndic space also have a role to play in this novel, leading plenty of space for that to be developed in the planned next series of books: <i>The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier</i>. I may just be convinced to pick those up ...
  
Iron Angel (Deepgate Codex #2)
Iron Angel (Deepgate Codex #2)
Alan Campbell | 2009 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first novel in the Deepgate Codex trilogy, Scar Night, explored the immediate surroundings of the suspended city of Deepgate. This second entry follows the fallout from the battle of Deepgate as the balance between the powers of the world realign themselves.

As with Scar Night, Campbell's imagination creates some stunning characters and imagery; the Soft Men, John Anchor, a nightmarish journey through hell. The descriptions are extremely evocative, the whole having a sort of Gothic Steampunk feel to it.

This is, however, weaker than Scar Night, partly because there is just so much Campbell is keen to show us that the detail gets lost, and at times the story grinds to a halt for some lingering descriptions of something that although interesting has no real bearing on the story and just means momentum is lost. The result is unfortunately a bit of a mess.

Not a bad book by any means, but a case of an author's enthusiasm for their own creations reducing the focus on developing an interesting and coherent story
  
TT
The Thing: Zero Day
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

The Thing: Zero Day </i>is a short science fiction, horror story by Lee McGeorge. Inspired by John Carpenter’s film <i>The Thing</i> and the story <i>Who Goes There? </i>by John W. Campbell, McGeorge has created a creepy, fast paced thriller for readers to enjoy.

It is 1982 and a group of twelve Norwegian climatologists witness the crash landing of an unidentified flying object. Curiosity getting the better of them, they try to salvage what they can of the craft and discover an alien in a block of ice. What at first seems like a magnificent discovery turns frightening after all but three of the climate scientists begin behaving strangely, becoming impassive as if something has a psychological hold over them. The story becomes more horrific as it goes on with gruesome descriptions of the things that happen to the men.

The book is short enough to be read in one sitting, however it ends, annoyingly, without a definite conclusion, leaving the reader to imagine what happens next. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is not a novel but a piece of fan fiction for the film <i>The Thing</i>. Although I have not seen the film I am led to believe that this book is a sort of prologue to the main story line.

Being short, the narrative is gripping from start to finish, jumping straight into the story. Readers are sucked into the tale and will most likely read it from beginning to end without putting it down. <i>The Thing: Zero Day</i> is obviously recommended for lovers of the film, however people who have not had the opportunity to view it, yet enjoy horror and science fiction, will also enjoy this book.