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Saint Frank and the Dragon
Simon Carr, celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, delivers another masterclass in humor with Saint Frank and the Dragon. This uproarious satire chronicles the chaotic exploits of Sir Frank, an utterly inept knight hailing from the unremarkable kingdom of Little Hampton Upon Sea. Tasked with slaying a fearsome dragon tormenting local villages, Frank’s only allies are his laughably inept “army” — the hapless trio of Russell, Owen, and Tiny. Together, they embark on a quest riddled with absurd perils, peculiar allies, and an abundance of killer potatoes.
Carr leans heavily on irreverent satire, weaving sharp humor into every aspect of the story. His deftly written prose lampoons the brutalities of the medieval era while cleverly skewering the quirks of modern life. The narrative dances between fantasy and farce, with clever wordplay and relentless hilarity keeping the pages turning. Carr’s fourth-wall-breaking asides add an extra layer of comedic brilliance, whether he’s delivering Frank’s musings on the impracticality of metal footwear or indulging in a pseudo-scientific debate about whether dragons blow or breathe fire. In one particularly memorable twist, the author humorously scolds the reader for their perceived lack of attention.
Beneath the humor lies Carr’s biting commentary on societal issues. A cult venerating Eric, the divine rainbow trout, offers a sharp parody of religious fanaticism, highlighting the absurd lengths people go to defend their beliefs. Themes like social inequality and prejudice thread through the tale, with the dragon disproportionately targeting the poor and vulnerable, while the inept King Greek Tony satirizes the failings of contemporary leadership. Sir Frank, an unwilling hero grappling with challenges far beyond his abilities, becomes a relatable symbol of the average person navigating an overwhelming world.
While the book embraces its comedic identity, its characters are more than mere caricatures. Emotional depth may be rare, but the quirky cast radiates charm. Frank’s companions, despite their incompetence, deliver impeccable comedic timing and a surprising dose of heart. Villains, such as a scheming goblin named Rayflex and a giant spider, are more absurdly entertaining than genuinely threatening. The humor is relentless yet remarkably consistent, whether Frank is lamenting that his steed is a cow with delusions of horsehood or undertaking a side quest to retrieve a legendary mace with disappointingly mundane powers.
Saint Frank and the Dragon is a treasure for fans of satirical fantasy. With its witty prose, imaginative world-building, outlandish plot, and incisive critiques of both medieval and modern absurdities, this novel is a laugh-out-loud adventure from start to finish. Carr’s humor shines brilliantly, and one can only hope this is the first of many bizarre escapades featuring Sir Frank.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0DQ16ZXPD
A Disturbing Warning
Control Spark follows a recently dumped man who takes a trip to Egypt, where a trinket he purchased at the airport transports him to the pyramids, and he encounters an ancient power that gives him the ability to manipulate matter. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The premise for the book started around the true story of a Genius Russian child Boriska Kipriyanovich who amazed scientists back in the nineties with his knowledge of the cosmos, what made him unusual though was he claimed he was the reincarnation of a Martian and he had a disturbing warning for mankind about their impending doom. Boriska offered hope though, he claimed a secret was hidden inside the Great Pyramids of Giza that could save mankind, it is pretty nailed on he was just a very smart kid messing with people, but I ran with that idea and created Control Spark from it.
This book has some amazing creatures. What was your favorite character to create and write for?
My favourite creature to write was The Mop, I loved starting with a mundane household object and then adding layers to it as we progress through the story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme that I wanted to get across was the idea that the Universe and all of reality could just think themselves into existence. You ask the question, how can something come from nothing? I propose that it cannot, but an idea can come from nothing, and something can come from an idea.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I literally just finished it last week. It’s with my editor now and should be published next week, the last week of November. Saint Frank And The Dragon is a fantasy book and a spoof parody of Saint George And The Dragon.
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Second! If particles are everywhere all at once until they are observed, then why do we all see the same thing when we observe them, who is doing that, it can’t be us or we would all see something different, who or what controls what particles become when we look at them?
Nigal is about to discover the answer to that question when he stumbles across a secret that’s been hidden under the great pyramids for thousands of years, a discovery that throws his, and everyone else’s life into utter chaos!
Control Spark
Simon Carr’s Control Spark plunges readers into a whirlwind adventure that begins with heartbreak and ends with an epic battle for Earth’s survival. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Nigel invites his friend Sandra on a preplanned escape to Egypt. What should have been a simple getaway transforms into a pulse-pounding odyssey when Nigel, on a whim, buys a seemingly harmless trinket at the airport. That innocuous purchase draws him and Sandra to the enigmatic Whackowiki pyramids, where a hidden, ancient power known as the ‘Control Spark’ alters the course of their lives forever. Suddenly imbued with the astonishing ability to manipulate matter, Nigel becomes a magnet for forces far beyond his understanding. Alien civilizations, each with their own agendas, soon descend upon Earth, determined to seize the Control Spark. What follows is a frantic struggle as Nigel must defend his friends, navigate the treacherous waters of international diplomacy, and ward off a looming extraterrestrial invasion. Humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Carr’s ambitious exploration of scientific concepts and alien cultures stands out as a highlight. The narrative boldly tackles complex theories, yet the writing remains accessible and engaging. The scientific elements, which could easily have overwhelmed the story, are deftly handled and surprisingly easy to grasp. Furthermore, the diversity of extraterrestrial civilizations is nothing short of mesmerizing. Each alien race is crafted with remarkable attention to detail, boasting unique physiologies, societal structures, and motivations that bring the intergalactic conflict to vivid life. The novel’s global perspective offers a breath of fresh air. Unlike many science fiction tales that default to a US-centric approach, Control Spark unfolds across international landscapes, with countries from around the world playing pivotal roles. Carr paints a realistic picture of how nations might truly band together in the face of an existential threat, adding a layer of authenticity to the unfolding crisis.
Control Spark still delivers an exhilarating ride packed with action and thought-provoking ideas. Sci-fi enthusiasts who revel in tales of alien intrigue and grand scientific concepts will find much to appreciate. This novel demands the attention of adult readers ready for a story that’s thrilling, ambitious, and unafraid to imagine the unimaginable.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B0DFDT534V
Dystopian Story Inside of a Dystopian Story
Da’Resistance follows five friends who somehow managed to survive an alien invasion apocalypse and now are forming a resistance to save Earth. What I love about these characters is how realistic their interactions are. Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing, or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?
I let the characters develop as I went along, I always start with a very basic premise for all of my books, with Da’ Resistance I simply used the start of a very common joke that people tell in the UK. An English man, an Irish man, and a Scottish man are in a pub, that gave me the starting point, so I just let it progress from there.
With so many laugh-out-loud moments in this story, what was your favorite scene to write?
I think it was when they found the people hiding underground, I really enjoyed putting a separate dystopian story inside of a Dystopian story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
It’s already available, it’s the second book in my One-Eyed Cy series called, One-Eyed Cy And The Army Of The Toad People. I am currently working on the second Da’ Resistance book called Still Resisting, which will be available sometime towards the end of November 2023.
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Forming the resistance did not take long, there’s only five of them, but they will put up a fight none the less.
This is a tale of something or other, and what a tale it is. There was, something, then there was this other thing. Nobody saw it coming, nobody expected it, and nobody could have imagined the fight that followed, from Da’ Resistance!
Da’ Resistance
In the quaint pub of a seemingly unremarkable South Timbriture in Yorkshire, an unusual morning silence pervades. Upon switching on the TV, the regular patrons are flabbergasted to learn that our beloved Earth has succumbed to an alien conquest, oddly without a single bullet being fired. Thus, it embarks the reader on a whimsically humorous journey through Simon Carr’s sci-fi adventure, Da’Resistance.
Carr unfurls a narrative that is unabashedly and primarily a comedy, emanating an infectious hilarity that permeates every page. The story commences with an oddly amusing predicament involving Drew and his pet snail’s supposed erectile dysfunction, which, after a vet visit, spirals into a revelation about its sexual orientation. Though the humor often skates on the edge of crudeness, those who relish a laid-back, self-deprecating wit will discover an abundance of chuckles in the text.
While the plot may appear secondary, serving chiefly as a vehicle for the cascade of jokes, it successfully anchors the reader’s interest amidst the comic tempest. The book’s essence is not hinged upon intricate plot twists or a notably ingenious premise. Still, it is derived richly from the interplay among its characters and the ensuing laugh-out-loud dialogue. A substantial portion of the book luxuriates in extended, meandering conversations, a feature that, contrary to typical narrative expectations, enhances rather than impedes the storytelling, thanks to Carr’s sharp and consistently entertaining wit.
Da’Resistance provides not just a reading experience but a jovial escapade through a world where the improbable becomes the norm, and every situation is a ripe opportunity for humor to blossom. Against the backdrop of an alien invasion, the characters decide to tackle the insurmountable: negotiate with interstellar beings, all while navigating through a sea of nuclear weapon jargon, forging an adventure that is as audaciously amusing as it is uniquely compelling.
Carr’s Da’Resistance stands out as a vibrant recommendation for those on the hunt for a hearty comedy, where beneath the umbrella of science fiction, readers are invited to relinquish the seriousness and embrace a world where every page proffers a potential for a hearty laugh.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0C2VZCMMQ
Opposite Of A Stereotypical Hero
Khaos Has Come follows an eclectic group of people who have taken on the responsibility to stop Khaos from taking over the Earth and causing destruction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the main story centres around Rick Tonail who is a character I created a long time ago when I was just a boy. Rick is a stereotypical hero, perfect looks, perfect body, perfect hair, the full experience. I wanted to give Rick a sort of Avengers assemble or Justice league type set-up, but I wanted to make all the other heroes the complete opposite of a stereotypical hero in the way that they look and behave also their age, the Blockers are all middle-aged apart from Green who is a moody goth. All imperfect with lots of flaws, I wanted people to relate to them more than just wanting to be like them also if they did want to be like them, well, its not that hard.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Difficult to answer that, my favourite to write for in this book was Villager number three because he had such a pivotal roll. I feel a strong affection for Villager number three and I think everyone who has read Noobs also has that affection so that’s why he is in most of the more serious plot lines that tied the story together, and why he had a slightly tougher time of things. The part I loved writing the most was when Khaos caught up to Villager number three who refused to run away from him so that he could finish building a world for everyone to escape into. There was a reference to Noobs in what Villager number three said at that meeting and what friends mean to somebody with autism that was very out of character with the rest of the book and serious, but it summed up Villager number three brilliantly, for me anyway.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I knew how I wanted it to end, but other than that I found out what was happening at the same time as the reader does. There was honestly a few times when I reeled back from my computer muttering, “well, I never saw that coming!”
Will there be book 21 in the Apocalypse Blockers series? If so can you tell readers what to expect and when will it be available?
Possibly, I was not going to write any more as the Blockers storyline is done. I’ve written another book since, and I’m working on something else right now, but I have been playing around with the idea of doing something in the future centering around Max Pain and the crew of the Olive. If that comes to pass it wont be for a while yet, possibly 2024
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It’s this point; well, several points but all happening at the same time, well not the same time.
It’s super complicated, some question whether it really happened at all, or will happen, don’t listen to those people they just don’t understand super complicated stuff.
Khaos Has Come
Fast-paced events, swift yet meandering dialogue, and hilarious wit combine with a convoluted yet wonderfully wacky plot in Simon Carr’s Khaos Has Come. The next book in the Apocalypse Blockers series, this science-fiction book can be read independently without feeling too lost—the nature of the plot and the dialogue ensures that.
The entertaining book is reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Terry Pratchett’s universe-building. Rick Toenail, leader of a small group of people known as the Apocalypse Blockers, and his team are desperate to stop Khaos from taking over Earth in all its versions and simulations. To do this, they must stop Khaos from crossing over from the realm of information into the material realm. The team comprises various characters (two priests, a Goth girl, a vampire, a blob, and a seventeenth-century English scientist, to name a few). It picks up several others along the way, not restricted to humans (Evil Mouse, the kangaroo being one such). The directness of the writing, along with the sometimes deliberate repetitions and humorous stating-of-the-obvious, certainly puts the reader in mind of Adams’ writing, and the side-splitting laughter on account of the Pratchett-esque wit of subtlety and ribaldry makes this book utterly gripping.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Khaos Has Come. The characters were well-drawn, the dialogue was rambling and delightful, and it juxtaposed nicely with the fast-moving plot. I also especially liked how the author breaks the fourth wall and makes known his feigned exasperation with readers who pick up the nineteenth book in a series and expect to understand all references. I’d most definitely go back to read the previous nineteen books!
Khaos Has Come is a rousing dark humor science fiction novel that will have readers laughing and also asking, “what just happened here” as the characters take them on a journey they will not forget. This addition to the Apocalypse Blocker series is sure to keep readers of the series coming back for more.
Pages: 403 | ASIN : B0BJC6H589
I Used Kaos
Apocalypse Blockers follows an odd group of unlikely heroes that take on a mission to prevent the apocalypse. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Apocalypse Blockers is a culmination of several different books of mine, each character has their own book in which they already stopped an apocalypse, all very different books and different genre’s, they all have very long back story’s that are not linked, I used Kaos as a way to link them and bring them all together in one place, I don’t think you need to read the other books first but the idea being they will be better after you have read Apocalypse Blockers or Apocalypse Blockers will be better after you have read them.
I enjoyed the creativity imbued in your characters. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to move the characters on a bit, I did not just want to throw them all together without any of them changing or growing, this would be the last time I work with any of them so I wanted to leave them all in a good place, the Running theams with Rick Tonail in every book he has been in was that he needed to stop doing everything alone and get some freinds, Bob and Karen found eachother and a new dynamic was born for them two, the good father’s and Green had their own issues that they worked through and Larry and Max finnaly got to stop being in a post- apocalyptic zombie apocalypse.
This seemed like a fun book to write. What was the funnest scene for you to write?
For me the scene were Bob and Rick first meet fathers O’Malley and O’Riley who were coaching at the over 80s wrestling championships was the funniest thing to write.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on my first young adults book at the moment called, Noobs, it’s a story about two friends caught in the afterlife when a meteor takes out the kabab shop they were in, the Grim reaper makes a deal with them that they can go back if they retrieve ten keys from inside different video games, it should be finished by June.
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LITERARY TITAN 