Dungeon Samurai Volume 2: Kami no Kishi Review

Dungeon Samurai Volume 2: Kami no Kishi

By Kit Sun Cheah

If you have read my review of volume one of this saga found here, then you will know that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The second volume starts six months after the first. Our heroes have now gotten somewhat used to their situation, and things are starting to become a little routine for them in some ways. However, it wouldn't be much of a story if things just became run-of-the-mill, and Kit Sun does not disappoint.

Not only do the antagonists start to learn and adapt tactics, much like our heroes, but newer tougher enemies pop-up too. The stakes increase, even as our heroes gain an extra edge or two against the forces of the dungeon.

The way that Kit Sun actually shows the humans constantly adapting their tactics and equipment to newer threats and situations is refreshing compared to some stories that I have read where things remain somewhat stagnant. Not only that, but he also continues to show the 'behind-the-scenes' parts of military endeavours such as the miners, the farmers, the blacksmiths, etc, that fuel the war-machine, as it were, without getting bogged down in minutiae. Every little glimpse of this background detail is woven in to the story seamlessly, and you barely notice it happen without looking for it. Our heroes also constantly adapt too, growing as individuals, and as a group.

If the story had remained like the original entry, I would have been fine with it, but Kit Sun manages to not only take the original entry's strengths and maintain them, he manages to amp things up without them being overwhelming.

Overall, this is a great sequel to the original entry, and manages to not only match it's predecessor, but surpass it in every way. Definitely worth reading!

Triple Review

Today we have three different books to review, so let's get started.

Combat Frame XSEED: Coalition Year 40

By Brian Niemeier

I previously reviewed the first part in this series here. To recap, the first book was brilliant, and set the series off to a great start. Therefore the sequel had a high bar to surpass, which I am happy to say it managed.

The book takes place after the events of the first, and things have only gotten more complicated for the folks fighting for freedom. Once again, we have an interesting cast, political intrigue on a grand scale, and of course, big mecha battles that makes anime shows in the same vein look like amateur hour.

Suffice it to say that I fully enjoyed the sequel as much as I enjoyed the original.

If you read the first in this series, you will definitely enjoy this entry, and if you haven't checked out the original entry, then there's no time like the present to rectify that.

Dungeon Samurai Volume 1: Kamikaze

By Kit Sun Cheah

For more on how this series was created, drop by the author's website where he goes in to detail about the story behind the story.

I haven't read any isekai fiction before, as far as I can recall anyway, and what I have seen said of the usual fare turned me off from the genre in general. However, this is not your average isekai story as can be seen by the rules Kit Sun set for himself when he decided to write this.

When I read Dungeon Samurai, I could not help but notice how much it reminded me of the Wizardry series of games. As I am a big fan of those kinds of games, this book already hit the right notes for me. Throw in the detailed way that the characters of the story handle the dungeon in question, among other details, and this story was a winner for me.

A fantastic read, and as usual, I was left wanting more. So if you like isekai, or just feeling adventurous, get this book.

Superluminary: The Lords of Creation

By John C. Wright

I have read just about everything by John, and I am always surprised at how crazy some of the stories he tells can get without losing you. This book is no exception. The first in a three part series, Superluminary is once again one such crazy science fiction story, and should be read with its other two parts in one sitting for the best effect.

If characters being assassinated twice (successfully) and still being around to talk about it, space vampires (you read that right), or interstellar warfare involving Dyson-spheres outfitted for war (yes, war Dyson-spheres) don't intrigue you, you should get your pulse checked. You might be a space zombie. Yes, they too, are a thing.

Hollow City (Song of Karma Book 1) (Heroes Unleashed) Review

Hollow City (Song of Karma Book 1)

By Kai Wai Cheah

Next up after Morgon Newquist's Heroes Fall: Serenity City (which I reviewed here) was Kai Wai Cheah's entry, Hollow City. After the first book in the Heroes Unleashed series was released the bar was set high for future offerings, so was this lofty goal reached?

That would be a resounding 'yes'.

Hollow City is set in the same universe as the first, but in a different city. This time we follow the life of Prime, Adam Song, a police officer whose life is turned upside down after he takes out the son of a powerful cartel boss. A hit is then called in on Adam, the higher-ups in the police force play politics, and things proceed to get out of hand from there.

Much like the first Heroes Unleashed novel, the world feels real without being bland. Although we see super-powered individuals on both sides of the law, it remains grounded in reality without losing the more 'magical' aspects. The attention to detail was also fantastic with guns, and all the attachments Adam has customized them with, shown to great effect.

Adam Song is a great character, with an interesting background. His sense of justice, and background in the military combine to make a character that, while restrained by his morals, could just as easily remove every target he chose if he so wished. The way that he wrangles with the dilemma this creates I found great, and when he finally decides to handle the situation he is handed, it was really satisfying. In fact it was so satisfying that when the book finished, I was itching for more.

The book was a real page-turner, and much like the first Heroes Unleashed novel, I blazed through it and loved every moment. Now I can't wait for the next installment.

If you like superhero fiction, or action-packed thrill-rides, this is the book for you. Get it now. You won't regret it.

Star Knight Saga, Book One: Reavers of the Void Review

Star Knight Saga, Book One: Reavers of the Void
By Bradford C. Walker

Some time last year, a few folks were discussing the decline in the quality of mech-focused sci-fi from Japan, and the disappointment that was most of western sci-fi. From these discussions sprung the #AGundamn4Us movement, led by authors Brian Niemeier, Bradford Walker, and Rawle Nyanzi. Each author set to work on their own answer to this gap in the market, hoping to remedy the lack of quality that had been seen so far.

Personally, I was not that big of a fan of Mecha sci-fi, I don't generally watch anime, and the sci-fi I read does not exactly focus on big stompy robots. But as I have enjoyed the work of the authors mentioned previously, I was interested to see what they came up with.

Both Brian and Bradford crowdfunded their entries on Indiegogo, and I have backed both of them.

As far as I know, Rawle Nyanzi's foray launches later this year. However, Brian Niemeier's fantastic Combat Frame XSEED has already launched successfully and was an excellent start which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, does Bradford's attempt succeed?

In a word? Yes.

Reading the first entry in Star Knight Saga, I couldn't help but feel both the anime and western influences that obviously inspired Bradford's work. The cast is colourful, with valiant heroes, graceful ladies, scheming nobles, and so on. But don't let that fool you. There is intrigue, and high stakes, plenty of action-packed battles and thrilling fights, and the characters are varied and interesting.

There wasn't a moment that passed where I felt that the story dragged, and in fact, the pace steamed along so much so that I was saddened when I reached the end, and realised that I now have to wait for the next entry.

If you are in the market for sci-fi, with a slice of mecha-combat, and a good helping of intrigue and action then you may just want to check out Star Knight Saga: Reavers of the Void. I certainly enjoyed it, and I think you might too.

Maxwell Cain: Burrito Avenger Review

Maxwell Cain: Burrito Avenger
By Adam Lane Smith

I remember when I first saw the original idea for Burrito Avenger being discussed (or Burrito John Wick as it was code-named back then) and I thought the idea was hilarious, insane, but most importantly, brilliant. Usually when someone bandies an idea like this around, they laugh, but ultimately move on to more 'serious business'. I thought it would, at most, be a short story, and that would be it. But Adam, bless his soul, was all for this idea, and ran with it. And run with it he did, because half-measures are not in Adam's dictionary apparently, as we can clearly see being demonstrated during the course of this book's journey from concept to finished product.

I was excited when he announced his intention to set up a Kickstarter to help fund this madcap idea, and I happily threw money at the screen immediately. The book was basically described as John Wick meets Demolition Man and Die Hard. A winning formula if ever there was one.

The story follows Maxwell Cain, a city cop, dedicated to Justice, unfairly fired by the corrupt system for doing his job just a tad too well. While trying to enjoy a burrito, he is interrupted, his meal spoiled, and soon chaos ensues.

It quickly escalates from there, and never lets up. It was an action-packed thrill-ride from start to finish. I was knackered by the end, and I was just reading it! I'd hate to know how Maxwell Cain felt considering all that happens to him. His one-liners and no-nonsense approach was fantastic, and more than once I found myself laughing at things he utters, or smiling with nostalgia at little nods to inspirations for this book.

Maxwell Cain quickly became one of my favourite characters, but the story wouldn't be what it was without other great characters. Love interest Kate Valentine, a baker, with a keen aim, was a refreshing change from the usual action heroines. She simultaneously manages to be a bad-ass without being bitchy, kicking ass alongside our intrepid hero, while retaining her feminine charm. This all adds up to a personality that you can't help but like; a far cry from the usual vapid, or angry female characters action blockbusters feel the need to force on us. The dynamic between the two was great as well, with great interactions, and some hilarious moments.

Hunter and Nick, Maxwell's colleagues in the force, were great too. Although they didn't get as much time in the spotlight, they didn't feel like throwaway characters either. The camaraderie between the friends was evident, even from the little time they were present.

Finally, what would an action story be without it's villains? The main bad guy is a mafia boss, who is as sleazy as he is criminal, but the real standout villain was Johnny Legion. Cool and professional, he is a great rival to Maxwell Cain, contrasting perfectly with the main character's more fiery personality.

In conclusion, this book is a roller-coaster ride of gunfights, burritos, car chases, burritos, explosions, and burritos. Did I mention burritos? Get this book, you won't regret it!

I right fancy a burrito right about now. This is your fault Adam!

Heroes Fall: Serenity City Book 1 (Heroes Unleashed) Review

Heroes Fall: Serenity City Book 1
By Morgon Newquist

I will be honest, I'm not usually the biggest of superhero fiction fanatics. I like the occasional Batman film, The Shadow is my favourite superhero of them all but he's been ruined in recent years, and all the rest of the malarkey going off in the superhero comics/film/etc industry? Miss me with that nonsense. So you can understand my usual lack of interest in the genre.

Vox Day re-ignited my interest in comic superheroes with the Alt-Hero comics, but beyond that, there has been only one or two superhero-focused products that I was mildly interested in, such as Flying Sparks and so on.

Then Silver Empire's Russell and Morgon Newquist launched their Kickstarter for their Heroes Unleashed project. Featuring Kai Wai Cheah, Jon Mollison, J. D. Cowan, Richard Watts, and the initial book by Morgon Newquist, I decided I'd give the series a chance to make up for the lack of superhero goodness. That it was novels rather than comics, which were what every man and his dog were crowdfunding at the time, pleasantly surprised me. I'm much happier with books than comics, so that alleviated some initial indecisiveness on my willingness to jump in. So I backed the project with the thought that even if I didn't personally enjoy the finished product, at least it would help out some good folks in some small way. I would have been able to make a better dent in my 'to-be-read' list, so that would have been a bonus in that outcome.

Instead Morgon delivered a top-notch book. Curses.

I just finished reading this book yesterday, and it was good. Really good. I was beyond pleasantly surprised, I was hyped for more. No simple Marvel/DC knock-off, this was an original universe, with a unique cast of characters, and a frankly better approach to superhero morality than anything the current crop of superhero universes provide. Heroes that were in it for themselves, for fame, for fortune, or the simple wish to do good, there was a nice mix. There was kind of less focus on the villains, but to be honest, there was plenty of villainy done, and adding more villains in would have crowded the scene somewhat.

I'd like to make special mention of the main villain who was a nice change of pace too. The usual approach with villains these days is a split between "I'm insane" and "I like being evil." The main villain in Serenity City is so good at his job he doesn't even make a true physical appearance until nearer the end the book. Morgon does a great job of painting the picture of this almost omnipresent evil master puppeteer. His reasons for what he does, why he does it, and how he goes about it are great as well.

The main plot is riveting, just so you know, keeping you turning pages, with that 'I'll just see what happens next' feeling that is all too common in good books. So you'll probably not want to start reading late at night if you have somewhere to be in the morning in a coherent state.

All in all, this was a great book, that I fully enjoyed, and I would heartily recommend it to anybody who enjoys superhero fiction, or good stories in general. Now I can't wait to see what is in store in the future for the Heroes Unleashed project.

Four Interesting Books To Check Out

I thought today that I would talk about some books that I'm interested in. Maybe you'll be interested too. These were all crowdfunded, and I backed each of them, so I was already on-board the hype-train, but they far-outstretched what I hoped for, and the first one isn't even out yet!

Maxwell Cain: Burrito Avenger

By Adam Lane Smith

If the title alone doesn't get you, then why even live? Joking aside, if you're a fan of stuff like John Wick or just about any great 80's action film then check this book out. It'll be released on 30th March, so you've plenty of time to be ready for the greatness to come.

Infernal Affairs (Saint Tommy, NYPD Book 3)

By Declan Finn

What happens when you takes a cop in NYC and send demons after him? What happens if that cop has powers like a Saint? Well, then you get this awesome series. The first book features a serial killer possessed by a demon, and the second book features a Death Cult. Just an ordinary day in New York, I'm sure. This is the third in the series. Get the first two as well, you won't regret it. This will probably be the next book I read after I finish the current book I'm reading (more on that in a moment), and I can't wait to see what's in store for poor Tommy.

Heroes Fall: A Heroes Unleashed Novel (Serenity City Book 1)

By Morgon Newquist

This is one for fans of all things superhero. This is the first book in a project featuring great authors Jon Mollison, Kai Wai Cheah, J.D. Cowan, and Richard W. Watts. I haven't finished this book yet, but what I have read so far has been great, page-turning stuff. I can't wait to see what else is in store with this project. Definitely a project to keep an eye on, and you won't go wrong starting here. (Especially considering it's book one).

Combat Frame XSeed

By Brian Niemeier

I loved the Soul Cycle series, so when Brian announced that he was working on this, I was excited. And you should be too! This book is great. Big Mech battles, political intrigue, and military conflict. Fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action from cover to cover. Pick it up, and you won't be disappointed!

Well, that's all for now. I'll probably just spotlight one book at a time in the future, but these needed to be mentioned. Check out the books, follow the authors. They are great folks that write great fiction. At the risk of repeating myself too often, you won't regret it.