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Immortal: Curse of the Deathless
This fantasy novel is bursting at the seams with an intricate world waiting to be discovered, not only by the reader, but also by the main character, Asher. He is a college student in a world that appears to be similar to the Earth we know and love, but he is also an immortal. He uses his power to help people with their issues for small fees. This earns him enough money to survive, but it also earns him some powerful enemies and sends him on a trip to learn about his past and parentage.
In the Fae Realm, Asher gets caught up between two feuding noble houses, Summer Court and Winter Court. While he is there to meet his mother, the inhabitants of the realm look to exact some favors from Asher before his quest can reach its end. Will his immortality prove to be a blessing, or will he come to think of it more of a “curse of the deathless”? What will he discover about his birth and will the evil organizations of his home planet come for him?
This novel is gritty, funny, and entertaining. The narration is mostly in third person, although Asher will interject his thoughts directly to the reader whenever he deems necessary. For example, while trying to survive what would otherwise be a fatal sword blow, he thinks “Note to self: Lungs and swords don’t play nice together”.
However, there are some pitfalls that come with a fantasy novel of this scope. The author has created a universe that is seemingly vast and full of magic creatures and objects, of which the reader and the protagonist know very little. Because of this, it gives the reader difficulty when it comes to finding out what is going to happen next. I felt that issues were resolved by seemingly random events which then spawned the next set of events. The plot points come across as if they were written for a video game, as there are checkpoints to be met before the story can progress. For example, Asher has to gain favor with the rest of the family members before his step-sister will let him meet his mother.
If you can ignore these minor issues then you will find an entertaining adventure story in a world that is rich and worthwhile. The universe has plenty of depth, lore, and legend for any fantasy fan. The narration is spectacular despite a couple of minor grammatical mistakes. The characters are fun, and the dialogue is original although parts of the story may be a bit cliché. I’m not sure how nearly every woman in the story came to be so attractive, but there it is.
Overall, this story is quite the undertaking, and I can’t wait for a sequel, which the author seems ready to deliver.
Pages: 319 | ASIN: B01F0ING16
The Transient, The Emperor, and the Man Left Alone
The Transient, The Emperor, and the Man Left Alone is a science fiction story that follows Derren, a common man from planet Earth, and his interstellar misadventures. The novel opens on our protagonist losing his apartment in a demolition, of which he was notified several times but didn’t bother to read his mail. From there, the story gets stranger. After calling his co-worker and asking to stay with him, the two men are ripped from the surface by an alien spaceship and a grotesque alien wanting to conduct an anal probe.
However, things are not as simple as they seem, in all regards. The aliens might be much more human than they pretend, and their motives are much deeper than a simple probe. Will Derren be able to survive what his extraterrestrial friends have in store for him? And why do they keep calling him an Emperor? A long, scattered journey is in store, and hopefully readers will be able to follow along for the ride.
Overall, this story does a few things very well. It offers some outrageous situations that serve as biting commentary on the average human’s need for entertainment in all of its forms. The satirical situations, and even the satirical descriptions of characters, will cause readers to pause and reflect on why those institutions exist in our society today. Specifically, the hilarity of an alien courtroom is much more familiar than it should be, and the author does well to demonstrate that point, especially by describing the judge’s experience in terms of wins and losses. Further, seeing Derren travel through space and how he chooses to use his ample free time is a fascinating read and gives an in depth look at a character that many novels struggle to do as well as Harrell does.
However, the plot of the story does have some trouble spots. After about 150 pages, the writing becomes dull, and the plot is hindered by cliché turns and seemingly disconnected events. While much of it can be considered satire, it is not as sharp or witty as it should be. It was as if there was a long a list of points that had to be made, so they were included without regard for the plot. The text itself has some minor grammatical errors, which are jarring, but thankfully are not too frequent.
The narrator has a unique voice that I have not experienced before. This voice introduced itself by attempting to clean up some foul language, but then realizing it wasn’t worth the trouble. With some sharp commentary and an “intermission”, I was kept guessing at what the narrator would choose to describe next. If only the narrator chose to make himself heard more often!
From a village of women to a rock becoming Derren’s best friend, you have to be prepared for the story to go wherever it wants.
Pages: 202 | ISBN: 1480828998
Bar Nights
Bar Nights by Dave Matthes is the first book of the Mire Man Trilogy, a chronicle of the life of Arlo Smith. Arlo comes home from work to find his wife and another man in the throes of passion on the kitchen counter. He decides that’s as good as a divorce decree, packs a bag, and walks out. In the driveway, his daughter and her boyfriend spark his rage, and he trashes the young man’s car with a baseball bat before he leaves. Arlo drives until his car breaks down, walks to a roadside bar, and stays. The owner, Vance, hires him as the janitor and gives him a tiny apartment above the bar.
Arlo doesn’t want to start over. His soul is already crushed by his former life and marriage, and in this bar, ironically named Purgatory, he has the freedom to be as drunk and indolent as he cares to. His only pleasure is in music. While he gets drunk in his apartment, the piano player downstairs fills his room with music. almost every night. He clings to the music but doesn’t want to meet her. When they do meet, she becomes the catalyst that forces him to face his life, his lies, and the hell he created along the way.
The plot of the story is simple, but there are so many nuances that I’d compare it more to Jazz than literature. Some of the barflies that come and go are character studies of people on the edge, or close to it, and reflect Arlo and Vance’s personal demons. The flow of the chapters adds texture and rhythm. The language is lyrical, sometimes pulling me out of the narrative just to appreciate the prose. Finding these gems was something I enjoyed while reading the novel.
Outside my window, the snow fell like the ash from a volcano…. I remembered looking out my window on Christmas morning as a child, and seeing the snow…. Little moments like that stole me from time to time. Burps and hiccups of nostalgia. A staple of regret temporarily sewing the rips and tears shut.
The author uses chapters in an unorthodox way, some as short as two words. Sometimes this works beautifully, but on occasion, a chapter seems more like a side note, or stray thought. I felt that the novel was repetitive in places, revisiting events and even phrases a few too many times, but in retrospect, some of that was clearly intentional. Addicts can be stuck on emotions or trauma, and that broken-record effect gave more realism to the characters.
Arlo is locked in a vicious cycle of self-hate, addiction, and depression that is reflected in the people he meets. Through Arlo’s eyes, we meet the patrons at the bar, his interactions with them colored by his personal misery. He’s afraid to meet Constance, the piano player, for fear that his illusions will crumble. Of course, fate intervenes, and he finally meets her by accident. They’re not in love, but they need each other to get through the desperation of their lives. Constance shoves him toward rehab, trying to save his life before he kills himself or becomes just like all the other drunks at the bar called Purgatory. Even that irony isn’t lost on Arlo.
This is a book for adults, as the language and situations are not for readers who are easily offended. It’s an examination of addiction and desperation that doesn’t sugar-coat anything. The author doesn’t spare any of the senses on this dive into skid row, and I could see, feel, and smell every detail. If you like Bar Nights, also pick up Paradise City, the next book in the trilogy.
Pages: 209 | ISBN: 1506198961
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