Immortal Clay by Michael W Lucas - a review

A while back I used to belong to a really tough critiquing group, SFFEditors. They are still going and as soon as I have enough material together I'll be going back to knock the shit out of my next novel.

There are some great writers there, and one of them, Michael W Lucas has just released his first novel, Immortal Clay.

Here's my short review...

Michael W Lucas has crafted one hell of a ride. Immortal Clay is SF, horror, Stephen King small town America, and twisted New Weird - but most of all, it’s great entertainment.

In a world invaded by an alien entity known as Absolute, Kevin Holtzmann, or what used to be Holtzmann, tries to understand what has happened and more importantly, how he and the few people allowed a second chance fit into the new order.
The alien and craziness of Lucas’s ideas would fit neatly into the New Weird pages of Interzone and Black Static. His imagination takes you to places at once bizarre and frightening. It's made all the more scary because he manages to evoke the everyday setting of small town America in loving detail. Lucas has a nice economic style and his description is first rate, sometimes stunning.

There were a couple of things that detracted - in a few places, a tendency for too much internal dialogue interrupted flow, and I was frustrated by the ending.  That said, there’s scope for a sequel and I’ll be keeping my eye out for it. Well, worth a read. Recommended.

The novel is fast paced and real page turner.

Now, I know what you are thinking. They were in the same crit group, they're friends, blah, blah, blah...

Well, Michael Lucas would be the first to admit that we didn't always see eye-to-eye on things and to be honest, when I started to read Immotal clay I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it.  But you need to give things a chance right? And boy am I glad I did; I'll be able to say I was there when it all started, I read his first book.

Treat yourselves and grab a copy.

http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Science-Fiction-Alien-Invasion-ebook/dp/B00P8ACXDO/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1#_

A Book Review

 

 

 

In the End - a small apocalypse.

In the End is a small novel (only 218 pages Amazon) form Edward M Wolfe, following a limited number of survivors after an apparent nuclear attack on Denver.  

The writing is paced beautifully; in a clear, no nonsense style that pulls you along, tantalising with some lovely hooks as it goes. Once I was half way through, I needed to finish, because I was so wrapped up in the character’s situations. The plot felt realistic in its mechanics, resolving all the threads nicely in a finale involving them all. True, it was sign-posted and any seasoned reader might see it coming, but the read’s so enjoyable that I didn’t mind.

It’s not Alas Babylon, Fail Safe or On The Beach, but it’s a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours getting to know these characters and their world.

There are negatives, hence the four stars (I would really have given 3 and half, but don’t have that option. I ‘m a hard ass when it comes to reviews; 3 and half is good).  The novel is too short. There’s a situation involving Mormons which should in my opinion have been longer.  The characterisation is okay, but at the beginning, I felt they were a little flat – these two points are just nit picking because the issues didn’t detract from a great read. Also, some of the characters made choices which I felt were less than sensible under the circumstances.  But that’s people right, making mistakes.

A good read and I would read more of this guy’s work.

Recommended.



Nice review for Unbound Brothers at Underground Book review magazine.

Check out this review for Unbound Brothers.

http://www.undergroundbookreviews.com/3/post/2013/07/review-of-unbound-brothers-by-rob-rowntree.html?fb_action_ids=10200637780204655&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210200637780204655%22%3A220072774808984%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210200637780204655%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

"Rob Rowntree’s debut novel is a mix of Arthur C. Clark and Michael Crichton. In fact, about a fourth of the way into the book I kept thinking how much it reminded me of Sphere. From fascinating concepts like “blue space” to an interesting take on “wet-ware,” the novel explores several fascinating sci-fi themes. Overall, Rowntree’s writing is clean and tight, with excellent dialogue and good pacing. The characters are well written and believable, with plenty of tension to go around and keep the reader involved."

See the rest by following the link above and then don't forget to buy your copy while it's on sale at $2.99/£2.07.