Azarinth Healer Book One: A LitRPG Adventure by Rhaegar

4/5 Stars, With a psychotic hero, this was a surprisingly fun read

First up, I enjoyed this book, more so as I got deeper into the story but I will say it did start in that rather cliched way of being in our world one minute and somewhere else the next with nobody any the wiser as to what the heck just happened or why. That is not a bad thing in this genre per se, long introductory openings are rare and let’s face it superfluous. Like all good action movies, you just want to buckle up for the ride.

That said and done Ilia, the story’s protagonist, came across as pretty shallow and two-dimensional and dare I say it, yes I dare, a little bit of a psychopath. Why is that? Well, I found for the first three-quarters of the book Ilia revelled in levelling at any cost, even torturing herself and taking on ridiculous challenges that should have crushed her. Self-absorbed, narcissisticly so and happy, almost gleeful at beating a creature or person to death without fear or consequence. I never felt her life was in jeopardy and that removed an edge that would have elevated this story from the beginning. She did not play well with others and was a lone wolf, another cliché but all good stuff, my criticism is it felt such an abrupt departure from her mundane life, she had a remnant of a moral compass left but let’s just say she didn’t check it that much. It wasn’t until the last quarter of the book that I felt some real emotion and anxiety from her for her fellow humans. To exhibit guilt and fear and a whole range of emotions that frankly she previously lacked. This to me is what saved this book along with the actual threat that yes, she could die here.

I also, as a long-time RPG gamer, had a somewhat difficult time accepting that Ilia could beat a mob or creature not just a few levels above her own but in some cases hundreds of levels higher. I mean comeon, I struggled to beat Hogger in WoW as a level 7 paladin, so a boss many hundreds of times higher than your own is going to pummel you with an AOE ground stomp you cannot escape. Rant over. Once I accepted this was not WoW but its own story and just went with it, the fights were pretty well done and plentiful. Very plentiful.

Her class was a battle healer and was, cliché alert, a nigh unheard-of talent that allowed her to battle with her fists in close-quarters combat but also heal herself and others. She was pretty badass and one great thing about LitRPG is that it is an instant leveller, literally so. A five-foot-five-inch heroine can outmuscle and outfight anyone regardless of sex, height, bone density, muscle mass etc. Hey, don’t look at me like that it’s magic, not physics. So as you can imagine, stats play a big part in everything and the stat and ability displays were excellent, easy to comprehend and follow.

The actual story was kind of like one big-level grind but without the ‘go kill ten sheep’ bit. In the beginning, Illia stumbles upon a temple unlocks her unique class and spends a long time learning her abilities and levelling. This was all fine, I like that time was taken for this part of the story but Ilia and her class were so overpowered I never feared she might die and neither did she!

I am not sure where this story is heading. There were the villainous elves but other than that no stereotypical bad guy or black agency lurking in the shadows plotting against her. No dark lord waiting in the wings to defeat. It felt more like a journey of discovery, she didn’t know where she was going or what she was going to do next until she got there and that is pretty much how it ended.

If you like LitRPG you will probably like this book. If you like a kickass female lead you will probably like this book but have patience with it because it is a long, though fun, read.

Click on the cover if you want to take a look.

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

4/5 Stars Masterfully penned, vividly brutal, wonderfully unique fantasy

I borrowed this book from my son who recommended it to me and after hearing much about it I was intrigued to give it a read. I love Asian-inspired fantasy and historical fiction,  R E Feists’ and Janny Wurts’, Daughter of the Empire Series and James Clavell’s Shogun being two of my favourites.

It is easy to see the parallels drawn in this book to ancient China. The Nikan Empire being China utilising the 12 Chinese zodiac signs for each province (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar). The Mugen Federation is Japan and Speer, Taiwan (maybe) but set to an obvious mythological fantasy theme.

It centres around our young hero, Rin, a dark-skinned peasant girl from Rooster province who is a war orphan. Rin passes the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire for training in the prestigious Sinegard academy in the capital and is set against the backdrop of a looming menace in the east, the Mugen, who are warlike and threatening an invasion and a third Poppy War. It’s the title of the book so you can kind of guess what happens.

First of all, the book is masterfully penned, you get a real sense of old-world China and the seedy underbelly that exists in big towns and cities, the crime and squalor of the poor. The corruption, aggrandisement and self-interest of the rich and powerful, wonderfully underpins it all. Rin is a young girl, smart and quick-witted but one with few choices of her own. At best destined to a servile life married to whichever merchant pays her bride price and at worse to a brothel, Rin forces her own path and chooses her own destiny.  But with each decision she makes she is confronted with harder choices and newfound fears.

I thoroughly enjoyed Rin’s journey and the careful construction of events which unfold throughout the story. There are twists and turns, great protagonists and antagonists abounding, all with a mythical hint of ancient gods and shamanistic magics in play that felt wonderfully unique. This is not a book for the faint of heart though. Many scenes, especially from Act 2 onwards are very graphic and visually brutal, painting a grim and dark picture of war and the wickedness and gratuitous violence that one human can do to another.  It is an allegory in many ways of what is going on in the world today.  

However, as much as I enjoyed this book and as much as it was uncomfortable to read sometimes, which I mean in a good way (because it makes you think and feel) there was a tiny part of me that was unsatisfied. It stemmed from my expectation that this was a military fantasy and in many ways, it was and is. But I felt the military actions lacked in depth and execution, narratively speaking. Some scenes were imaginatively told but I could not square them in my head, they seemed unrealistic or out of scene. For instance, a street battle in a city at one point had troops retreating into the forest which made no sense. Likewise, I question the ability of some of the events to have occurred, especially given what was read and what transpired. The eradication of the Speerlies in a single day for example seems nigh on impossible when they had shamans and were the foremost fighters in the realm. A day seems rather fanciful at the least.  Also, the martial arts scenes were peripherally told, nuanced rather than detailed and I would have preferred a bit more detail.

That aside though, and moving with the story, I enjoyed the tale very much. It is an easy read but serious and thought-provoking and the story and the immense consequences of Rin’s actions will stay with me until I read the next book. Surely it can’t get any darker?

This is a young coming-of-age book but there is not much light in the telling and consequently is not suitable for young readers in my opinion. I will finish by saying that R.F. Kuang is a supremely gifted storyteller in my eyes and very talented and if you like your fantasy dark then you would do well to give this fresh and original book a try.

P.S. A final footnote for my subscribers. The first three books of the Morhudrim Cycle (comprising Rivers Run Red, Shadows Fall and Darkness Resides are on a Kindle Countdown deal on Amazon.com and Amazon.uk for 0.99 each until the 27th of May. Please help me generate a few sales by spreading the news to friends and family who might be interested in my fantasy books. Thank you.)

The Grand Game – Books 1 -8 By Tom Elliot

5/5 Stars – (Adult, YA) Unputdownable LitRPG shenanigans.

Well, it has been a little while since my last review and it’s not my fault, really it’s not. I blame Tom Elliot because I have had my nose stuck in his Grand Game Series and I lost track of time. Sooo…. it looks like I have a new author to wax lyrical about. I blew through all 8 volumes in six weeks and I am thinking of doing it all again if my withdrawal symptoms get too bad.

Over the past few years I have, by and large, enjoyed my LitRPG but few of them have lived up to my first experience in the genre ‘He Who Fights With Monsters’ by Shirtaloon and many frankly have been repetitive, not very engaging past the first few books, overpowered, overhyped and fallen (for me) by the wayside. But my word, Tom Elliot knocked this series out of the park and thankfully he is not done yet.

The story starts with no fluff, no back story and no Mr Nice Guy with a sorry past, because other than his name, Michael, our protagonist knows nothing at all about himself or where he is from let alone the world he finds himself in. It begins with him falling through a void of nothingness only to awaken in a strange world he does not recognise or understand. So begins Michael’s journey in the Grand Game.

This is a portal adventure, that barely pauses for breath. The character levelling is typical but also quite nuanced and very detailed such that it can fill a few pages but at the same time is easy to follow. The opening book deals primarily with a dungeon crawl, a proving ground in which few survive the many challenges and whilst most of the players band together for strength in numbers Michael, not knowing anything or anyone and certainly not who to trust, goes it alone. It’s a harsh lesson but in the crucible of fire, you are tempered or you are broken (That is my line – I did not pinch it from the book, honest, in fact I might use it in myself in my own writing, it sounds like something Hiro would say or Keeper). Anyhow… back to the review… As Michael adapts to this new reality, the only one he now knows, he learns more about not just the dungeon he is in but the Powers that rule.

I found the story riveting. The books are one big continuous tale, indeed the chapters follow on from each book. As he progresses, Michael will learn a bit about the adjudicator, the mysterious entity that oversees the Grand Game and about the machinations of the many Powers that rule and the Factions of Light, Dark and Shadow that balance the world. He will navigate alliances, find friends in unlikely places, make many enemies and uncover along the way the hidden history of the Forever Kingdom and his purpose in it.

It has been a while since I have blown through a series as quickly as this one. I found it utterly compelling. The world-building is well done and gradually introduced as we see the world through Michael’s eyes and learn as he learns.

This is a LitRPG, and there are many nods to fantasy gaming, MMOs and the like so if that is not your bag then this book may not be to your liking. However, if you do, or if you are curious about LitRPG I couldn’t think of a better series to sink your teeth into. Be warned though, there is a lot of blood-letting along with our hero’s daring-do but it is more than just that. Trust me, give it ago and I think you might just find a new favourite too.    

   

Sleight of Hand by Mark Henwick

5/5 Stars – Urban Paranormal Fantasy Fun

I haven’t read a paranormal Fantasy for a while and I was intrigued enough by the synopsis and the reviews for Sleight of Hand to give it a go. I confess my last binge into this genre was Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files which I absolutely loved, particularly the first 8 or so volumes and so Mark Henwick had a lot to live up to and I am pleased to say he did, pretty much.

No spoilers, but our protagonist is Amber Farrell a paranormal P.I. in Denver. She was bitten by a vampire but has not turned, yet, which creates a nice ticking timebomb throughout the story. Will she turn? If she does what does becoming a vampire mean? She is desperate not to lose who she is but at the same time, she’s got bills to pay and being half-vamp has its advantages.

I really enjoyed the story, our heroine is suitably badass and had the cliched ticks to start with, ex-special forces, a loner and a back story that teases and tantalises some of which is revealed throughout her adventures. This aspect of the book was very well done. I liked the reveals and the growing nods to her ex-military pals. It was well done. This though is all foundational and solid as it is it is the case she is on that is the main rider of this book.

Having just finished a tricky case that did not end particularly well for her client, Amber looks to be on her downs. A lack of money leaves her struggling to meet her obligations until a wealthy businesswoman walks through her doors and offers her a job she can’t refuse, not least because she can’t afford to turn it away.

The case involves a missing chef and a motorcycle gang-turned-drug cartel looking to ruin her client’s business and reputation but why and to what end? And of course, hidden behind it all is a plethora of supernatural perils; werewolves, warring vampire factions and magic. Somewhere in this new world, Amber has to not only survive but find her place in it.

It is well-written and edited.  The story flows at a relentless and action-packed pace that kept me fully engaged. I think this may be my next paranormal fantasy binge! As an aside, I like that the editor Lauren Sweet gets a mention alongside the author’s name. It is a nice touch and good to see.

If you like paranormal urban fantasy books (Vampires, werewolves and all things magical set in a modern world) or you are intrigued and want to try something in this genre then I can highly recommend this book to you.

A D Green’s Fantasy Newsletter January 2025

Hello Good people,

I hope this finds you well and that you had (as Bill and Ted would say) a most excellent Christmas. If you were really good and fortunate you got a book from Santa. Unfortunately, I must have been on the naughty list, no books for me ☹

I ate too many mince pies and had enough chocolate to fill a shoebox. I binged Squid Games and watched ‘The Holiday’ for the first time and I confess, it was pretty good. I balanced that out by watching ‘Zombieland Doubletap’ straight afterwards which I also recommend. I think next year I might try ‘Love Actually’, another Christmas classic which I have never seen. I must admit here, that my idea of settling in to watch a movie at Christmas usually consists of putting on Lord Of The Rings or something non Christmassy. Maybe I am mellowing.

Still, it’s over now for another year and 2025 is upon us. Here’s hoping for a joyful and prosperous year for all of us.       

RECENT BOOKS I HAVEN’T REVIEWED.

Okay, I admit the above banner needs a bit of work, it is not all that catchy.

So I have been finishing installing a new downstairs toilet and basin, tiling etc, etc (that’s what happens when you’re married, you get jobs left and right) so I have not had much time on my hands to write many book review’s though I have posted ratings on Amazon and Goodreads.

Below is a list of books I have read but not reviewed along with a brief summary and my rating. You know the drill, click on the pic or link if any catch your eye and give them a try.

Saint Justice by Mike Grist – 4/5 Stars (Adult) An action Thriller in the mould of Jack Reacher. You know the drill, ex-CIA black ops, anti-establishment kickass guy with a strict honour code who has the obligatory colourful back story. It starts well, our protagonist Chris Wren is betrayed by his own in a drugs meet with a cartel. He exacts bloody and brutal revenge and that is just chapter One. The story is fun and non-stop action but I must confess I had to suspend my credulity more and more as the story unfolded. I mean, it got so implausibly big so quick. It’s like Hollywood got hold of the second half of the script and added lots of bangs and explosions. Not sure I will continue with the next book, I have a dozen Reacher books to read yet that will do it better.

The System Apocalypse Books 1-3: The Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG Fantasy Series (The System Apocalypse Omnibus Book 1) by Tao Wong – 5/5 Stars (Adult). Good Lord that is a chunky title. The winner of ‘How many times can you get apocalypse in your book title’ goes to Tao Wong. Title aside I thoroughly enjoyed this 3 book release. It is great value and an even better read. It is the fairly standard ‘world-gets-taken-over-by-technologically-advanced-aliens’ trope. Yawn. However, that aside it is a fun and brutal read. John (nice and simple) is camping out in the wild when the world as he knows it ends. Where he is, has suddenly become a high-danger zone of monster manifestations and he’ll be lucky to survive (Spoiler alert – he does). The story exceeded my expectations, it was well-written, the characters nuanced and engaging and the fight scenes intense. Give it a go – it is a whole lot of fun.      

Unnatural Laws (The Whispering Crystals: A LitRPG Series Book 1) by H.C. Mills  – 4/5 Stars (Adult, YA). I know, I know, another LitRPG but this one is pretty decent. The protagonist is female (which is a nice change from most) called Emma and the system is very well constructed and thought out. Emma and the other players are not OP (overpowered, come on keep up nerds) and it is a real struggle. I also read the second book ‘Unusual Enemies’ and rate it similarly. Emma is fun, wisecracking and a bit of a masochist truth be told. Well written and executed and overall very enjoyable but it just missed the mark for me for a 5-star.

He Who Fights Monsters 10 by Shirtaloon – 5/5 Stars (Adult) – Just catching up on a series I love. It is awesome although each book gets a little darker and grimmer. I appreciate the physiological toll it takes on Jason. The mental anguish as well as physical ordeals he goes through. Great characters, and great depth. Read Book 1 if you haven’t already.

MY BOOK OF THE YEAR

It feels like slim pickings this year. I can’t say there have been any out-and-out standouts vying for my arbitrary and ultimately pointless title of book of the year. I’m not even going to bother to tease you with a top 3. So I will get straight to it.

My Book of the Year Winner is…

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. 5/5 Stars. Good fun silliness, fun story, exciting and often gory action and different. Oh, and it has a talking cat called Princess Donut (As funny as that sounds trust me, it is not a Terry Pratchett esc humourist book but it has plenty of fun moments in it that will make you laugh). Check out my full review.

THE MORHUDRIM CYCLE

I am deep into writing book four Chaos Reign.

Book one Rivers Run Red is getting a re-edit – nothing major just a bit of fine-tuning.

There is not much else to report really. I hope to pick up my writing pace now the ‘toilet project’ is finished. I have not done much marketing (any) or promotion (any) other than on my website, facebook author page and X. If you love my books then please help spread the love by telling your mates or even people at the bus stop!

As ever, thank you for your support. I appreciate it.  Cheers and may you have a great year!

A D Green  

Midshipman Henry Gallant At The Academy by H. Peter Alesso

4/5 Stars (YA) Richard Bolitho in Space.

I’ve had this book on my reading list for a while and I was overdue a sci-fi read so here we are.

It’s pretty softcore sci-fi, with the science and tech easy to follow with enough to it that it satisfied my itch. It is a coming-of-age tale that is well suited to a young adult audience and is set on Mars as the title suggests in a space naval academy. It was interesting because in a time where genetically engineered humans are the norm the protagonist Henry Gallant is not, he is a ‘Normal’ the only one in the academy. This led to many of his fellow cadets discriminating against him, despite his gifts and performance being more than a match for them. It was a nice allegory to life today in many respects.

The story itself is told in a fairly straightforward, somewhat perfunctory manner, moving from one scene to the next with very little jam in the filling. By that I mean the story moved from one act to the next which were sometimes months apart with nothing in between. Also, I didn’t get to feel Gallant’s emotions or thoughts other than in an overarching way, usually, a one or two-line sentence to indicate his feelings and I would have liked this to have been explored more. Despite that, however, Henry Gallant is still an engaging character. He is honourable and conscientious and not afraid to face every challenge. I rooted for him, I just wanted to feel a bit more.

There was a clear divarication between the good guys and the bad guys as well, making it easy to know who to root for. There was no swearing, the violence was peripheral with no gore or blood so it is suitable for all ages. There are 9 books in the series where you get to follow Henry Gallant throughout his naval career and I may well do so if only to find out more about the aliens. Aliens? I forgot to mention, there are aliens too although we do not see much of them in this opening volume.

All in all, it was an easy read, and the story ticked over at a good pace. If you like the sound of that why not give it a try?

The Bootneck by Quentin Black

5/5 Stars (Adult) – A great start to a new series

A very enjoyable all-action thriller set in the United Kingdom. Connor Reed our protagonist is an interesting character not least because he comes across as a little psychotic at times. Quick-witted and intelligent Connor seems to enjoy causing pain to those who deserve it. What he does certainly doesn’t give him bad dreams and he doesn’t hesitate about doing what needs to be done. He feels a bit like James Bond if Joe Abercrombie wrote him.

I don’t think this book will be for everyone, probably a marmite kind of thing. It reeks of male testosterone. If you loved the Commando comics when you were a boy then you will probably love this since it is very alpha-male.

Connor is a Royal Marine with the marine code of honour running through him, however, he comes from a gentlemen-crook background, where his father runs a criminal enterprise but in a vaguely moralistic way which is designed I guess to make him sound like one of those nice criminals, it’s fiction remember! It reads better than I am making it sound but it did feel like there was a checklist of things that Connor had to be. Ladies man tick, badass tick, honour code tick, patriot tick, warrior tick, you get the idea.

The story itself is pretty good, although some may say a little unlikely but only as unlikely as say Mission Impossible is unlikely and who doesn’t like Mission Impossible? The characters were very credible and the dialogue between them flowed smoothly.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I am a Jack Reacher fan and this book has been compared by others to it but I disagree with them. Reacher is a lone wolf whereas Connor is the sharp end of a covert organisation so not the same, apart from the testosterone.

As I usually recommend, take a look inside and read the opening scene. It will give you a taste of what is to come.

A D Green’s Fantasy Newsletter November 2024

Hello Good People

It’s been a while since I last posted, I hope this finds you well.

Coming up in this newsletter:

  • Mindless rambling
  • Book News and Deals
  • Book reviews

Mindless Rambling

Thanksgiving is just around the corner for my US friends and followers, the starting gun for the run into Christmas, which over here in the UK has already begun in earnest in the shops and on the high street.

I like the idea of Thanksgiving. It sounds the most altruistic of the yearly holidays to me. The idea of spending the day with family and friends and eating a ton of food. It sounds a lot like my Christmas day but without the overbearing need to give gifts to people who don’t need anything just for the sake of it. As my mother-in-law likes to tell me, when she was a tiny girl she got an apple in a stocking and that was it. I’m not suggesting we go back to that… or am I? It’s nice to spoil the little ones, but it’s too much and too excessive these days it seems to me. (Ah, first-world problems.)   

Anywho, sorry to wax on. This is a fantasy newsletter so up your game Greenie!

Book News and Deals

I am having a special, 0.99 Kindle Countdown deal from the 28th of November through to the 5th of December on all 3 books, released so far in the Morhudrim Cycle. This deal is only available in the US and UK, which is an Amazon restriction. Again, I must apologize to the rest of the world for this slight but I’m pointing the finger here at you know who.

So look, instead of giving an apple for Christmas (see Mindless Rambling above) why not give an ebook? It’s for life and makes a great gift and everyone is digital these days, right? (not for the kiddies though).

Click on the pretty books to get the links on Amazon.

As for book 4, Chaos Reigns, I am progressing steadily (slower than I would like but it’s complicated) and I am really happy with where I am at.

Books Reviews

I have been tardy lately with my book reviews. This is mostly because I have been catching up on some series I have read, like He Who Fights Monsters and The Bladeborn Saga. Series that I highly recommend to you all.

I have not been totally barren of new fantasy reads, I just wasn’t taken away enough with any of the books I read to write a full review. Here are a couple of honourable mentions:

Qing’s Quest 1: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure – It was an okay read. A little too obvious in the plot but the action was fun. If you like YA/Adult LitRPG take a look for yourself. I rated it 4 stars.

Wrong Divinity: Oh Sh*t! I F*cking Hate Spiders! – Okay I confess I picked this up on a whimsy because the title made me laugh. I mean comeon! It has Sh*t and F*ck in the title AND not one but two exclamation marks which seem to be a theme in the author’s book names. This is a role reversal LitRPG where the bad guys (goblins et al) are good and the good guys are not so much. It was kind of fun but it just wasn’t my thing. I feel a bit jaded with LitRPG at the moment. I rated it 4 stars.

Well, that’s it, folks. I might squeeze a Christmas/New Year newsletter out with my book of the year announcement so keep an eye out for it. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it and Merry Christmas to All (Just in case this is it for the year).

Stay Safe, Be Happy. Love and Peace.

P.S. As ever, if you want to reach out and say hello or discuss my books (good, bad or otherwise) you can reach me or follow me on:

 Email: adgreenauthor@gmail.com

X (nee Twitter): @ADGreenAuthor

BlueSky: @adgreenauthor.bsky.social

Website : adgreenauthor.com

Bloodline, The Root of All Evil #1 by ThinkTwice

4/5 Intriguing and at times a fun fantasy tale

I wanted something quick and light to read so I picked this and got neither. I was intrigued enough however to continue reading and overall I have to say I rather enjoyed the MC and the story. It was different from other fantasy books of this genre where the protagonist finds themselves transported to a new world they have to make sense of (usually in the first chapter) because in this instance ThinkTwice takes his time in the first third of the book to establish Dollar’s history and background which is conveyed in an engaging overarching style.

Whilst I appreciate this approach and the method, the book took a fair bit of time to get going for me and I found it hard to engage with Dollar or empathise with him. It was well thought out and great in establishing why Dollar was so successful in his business life but so poor emotionally. It added depth to the journey of self-discovery he was on but I found myself frustrated at having to wait so long for it to ‘begin.’

Also, with so much groundwork done by the writer occupying the first third of the book and the investment needed in understanding who Dollar was, it felt quite an adult approach yet the book and much of the action and adventure side of it are written like a live-action anime and for a younger audience, which is not to say it can’t be enjoyed by everyone. There is no swearing or graphic violence which lends itself to this. I’m just not sure if a twelve-year-old me would read the first 200 pages and be engaged enough but then it has been a long time since I was twelve to remember (I did read LotR at that age so….).

Without giving any major spoilers, it threw me a bit in Dollar’s new life that he was a newborn baby but I liked that he retained all his wit and know-how from his old life. He then ‘started’ his adventuring life at the ripe age of seven which all felt a little too incongruous to me but heyho, I stuck with it and there is a reason for it all. I just didn’t entirely buy it because the seven-year-old acted like an adult and other characters seemed to accept it and not question what a seven-year-old was doing out in the big bad world.

I would read the next book, for me the story ramps up about halfway through when Dollar ventures out into the wider world and meets up with two adventurers. For me, this is when the fun really started and I liked the new characters and their interactions very much. It injected some much-needed fun into the story in my opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience. The story was clever and at times quite interesting and thought-provoking and the magic system was intriguing and different enough that it stands out in a saturated genre and the characters, particularly in the back half of our tale, lifted and carried the story.

Caleb (Caleb Lambert Thriller Book 1) by Jeff Menapace

4/5 Stars – Popcorn action anti-hero that was a fun read.

I was craving an action thriller and this one sounded quite interesting and was well-reviewed and with KU I thought why not? Well, it was certainly full of action and our anti-hero ticked all the cliché boxes. Kickass tick, badass tick, tough-as-nails tick, damaged past tick, narcissistic and full of sass tick, strong moral code tick and, for you John Wick fans, loves his dog TICK.

I have to say I enjoyed the book and the story which held much promise. I’m not sure I liked Caleb exactly, he barely tolerated his assistant who along with the rest of his ‘team’ seemed to love the guy though it was hard to see why or what brought them into Caleb’s inner circle to make them feel as loyal as they did. Really, the only one Caleb treated with any real affection was the dog. That’s fine, it worked and with hints of his tortured past and with further books in the series maybe that backstory stuff will all come out. I have to say, his therapist certainly went above and beyond her professional requirements and she did it all for us (that’s you and me pilgrim).

So what is it about? Well, Caleb is a gun for hire, a hitman so to speak only he has a code, he only takes jobs on people who deserve to be punished (which in plain speak means killed, often brutally so and which Caleb takes way too much pleasure in). When Caleb takes a job that is all but impossible for him to turn down it goes suddenly sideways on him. I don’t want to give any spoilers but suffice it to say Caleb finds himself turning from hunter to hunted and his hunter has deep pockets.

Fast-paced and full of action this book was a quick, easy and fun read. It was boldly unrealistic and is what I call popcorn action, you know like those fast-action Jean-Claude Van Damme movies of the 90s or a Diehard movie, add a teaspoon of Smokin’ Aces and a splash of Hard Target and you get the picture (unless you are twenty-something and thinking ‘what the hell are you talking about’ and if you are one of those people then I can only encourage to go watch a few or indeed all of said movies).

So my criticism. It was over too quickly with no real character depth even for Caleb other than the ‘addition’ of his dog to show his soft side. The villains were all caricature villains with no effort to develop them so we can see what made them tick, other than an introductory scene to show us how badass, evil or psychotic they were (but also how good they were at killing). It all felt pretty shallow in all honesty and really, Caleb is a massive, self-centred @%^& and is as guilty as any of the villains for what transpires. I can’t believe he wasn’t arrested for what he did and what he brought to the doorstep of Hicksville USA. If you read this book you will see what I mean. The ending showdown too I found a little disingenuous. And, as for the bad guy who fell for the old gravel-in-the-eyes trick, shame on you evil dude, shame on you, totally unprofessional!   

For the record, Caleb is not as clever as Dexter though he may be as twisted, nor is he as badass as John Wick or for that matter Jack Reacher. If I was being generous Caleb Lambert sits somewhere in the middle of those orbits. I can only hope in the next book we get to understand a bit more about Caleb’s past and what makes him tick.

That all being said I did enjoy the book and if you are looking for a fast-action story with a broken protagonist who has a penchant for kickarsery then you might too. So give this book a go.