I feel ya Devlin. Once more regulated to the grand mis-adventure in fugitive training. Maybe take a page from Mr. Indiana Jones himself.
But in all seriousness, this is an interesting character moment between Dev and Best Pirate. Get a bit more on Silvio too.
Haagrim hates the Sea. My grumpy man. He's one of my favorites. I wish I could put him in front of Karens at work and watch the fun happen. So far, there's been a good mix of exposition, dialog and character moments. Sometimes that can be very out of balance ala Wheel of Time. Not so with Seekers.
That Sheep Line: King Midas of Wooltimes. HA! No, the wizards didnt use the wool. XD
Plus a sense of dread, even with just a chapter or two I don't want to see bad things happen to this particular ship's crew.
Seagulls, the harbingers of Doom in this book. Something unfortunate happens when they appear. In a way, by having so many varied POVs, it pulls you into the story more. In terms of their experience and skills.
These are hefty length chapters but the words flow well. Methinks Ill add A certain Smuggler's side novella at the last part of the deep dive. Its that good.
Chapter 6: Old Ghosts Rise
This story is gritty without going into Fake Grim for shocks ala Game of Thrones.This story really is taking its ques from old Sword and Sorcery. The heroes are various levels of gruff and worldly. In their own ways. Even if this world is a perilous place, some characters will not hide from it but face it head on.
This damn book makes me want to play Black Flag to have a ship. That's it, I am going to make a thief/party in Wizardry 8 based off these characters.
(Work did a number today. Ill post the rest tomorrow. This book deserves me at my best when making remarks. This thing should be as big as Conan.)
Oh snap! We have the Dreaded King of Pirates: Plus he has what our team is looking for. Double the trouble there. I get the feeling this guy is more akin to the actual Blackbeard.
This fight is gonna be a one of wits. For sure.
Dev's right, it wouldn't be a fun time if that guy can put all the power objects together.
Still my favorite of that series. Rest of them got pretty bloated. As for our intrepid crew, Sil suggests: LETS JUST TAKE IT BACK! Might as well make a turnabout in fortunes. Ill give him this, when it comes to certain things, he's a honey badger. I can see why chapters are so long in this book, a whole lot happens in each one, but its not bloated with over explanation or excessive descriptions. I counted, 44+ pages of fun. If you are going to have longer chapters, have them move quick. That's what like about S&S, you can get alot done with a big punch.
Sidenote: The Creeper, feels like this poor guy is the Urkel instead.
I still love it though.
You gotta love the symbolism of what kinda present she got. Oh boy. I want to go more meta but I also want people to read this book. Yus. Hmmmm....how to put this. THAT PLOT BUNNY IS GONNA HOP ON EVERYTHING!
Girl has to accessorize. Yea! That will work.
In this day and age: A man that can cook and has an awesome job? Nice. Very nice. We'd be cooking buddies too. Plus this is a normal thing. Girls have a habit of doing these things. Esp Ice cream. I love my cookies and cream. Yes please.
And yes, women will infiltrate things differently. And that's ok. Men and women should approach situations differently. Because we are legit different. And yes, women will use all their WEAPONS if you know what I am sayin.
Chapter 7: These are the Days of Our Lives. Round 2! FIGHT!
Lady in Yellow also reminds me of this particular game:
This book has a bit of spaghetti/splatter western in it too. As far as the antagonist goes. The idea of femme fatale does play a role too. Its what makes superhero stories and books fun. Just like in the old pulps. Or the older Bond Movies.
This guy gets it: Men vs Men act different. Women vs Women act different and Men vs Women act differently. When put into situations were conflict happens. I'd say more but it would be pretty spoiler like.
Chapter 8: Family Matters (More Puns Intended)
The way her parents are described had me thinking:
But well the actual context would mean more spoilers but they are a def. power couple, with mama and papa wolf tendencies. Yes. Oh my. Here we are to save the day!
That whole chapter is ouch worthy. Parents really do want to try to be the best they can for their kids. The good ones do anyway. Let the Heroic Times roll baby! I am a sap that likes the fact that these characters will indeed hug the things they love. Sometimes you never know when it will be your last hug.
(I hope that my writing will become as smooth as these Deep Dive books.) With practice! Onward and Upward! :D
Chapter 9: Life after Abby Normal
More Instructor woes. Its sad to say I had a good quarter of my professors that acted this way. I imagine that has gotten even worse over the years. The high and mighty Ivory Tower. But I digress. Our intrepid Heroine is handling things. After a fashion. Hehehehe, FASHION!
Super hearing would be pretty useful indeed.
Queen Bee doesn't like to be examined. But I was in the Navy, they give you the full poking over. With Tons of Shots.
She's basically modern day Harley Quinn sassy without the annoying factor. I like it. IE: You can tell the smarmy attitude is masking a whole ton of hurt. But it doesn't feel cardboard or cheap.
The Queen def. didn't consent. They kinda went all, "We must have a baseline! YES! That's the perfect protocol so she behaves!"
Her exam also reminded me of MEPS.Because us women also have to get certain kinds of plumbing checked. Monotone Expression: Yay.
This chapter feels like this movie meets what suicide squad failed to do for the DCEU.
Bee is a bit broken but not to the point that Harley Quinn is. Each of these chapters packs their own little punch. Makes you really want to see what happens next. Which is vital in any book I pick up. The makeup of the eventual whole team, when the deep dive gets to that point, is rather interesting. Until next time.
PS: Now that I think on it more, the super prison, also gave me flashes of the Psi-Corp. Its like, ahh! We have a resource that has powers. The jailers have a distaste for those they watch over. Kinda reminded me of how some telepaths view mundanes. Want less time? Work for the good of the govt. This book doesn't get preachy about it though. Just a thing that happens with the supers on the wrong side of things.
I also do love how this book opens: giving a sense of scale and lore in very concise world building exposition.
A few pages in and we have derelicts, ancient wars, spooky stuff and a Flying Dutchman of Sorts:
Very nicely done. All with a sci fi veneer. Yeah buddy. Plus you kinda have a Mulder and Scully dynamic with some of these characters. The True Believer and Skeptic. But like I was saying in one of my other entries: Give readers little mysteries in each chapter. That will keep them reading.
Kinda like what the Sphere did: Derelict Ship with Mysteries. This book does things differently but the idea is the same. The plot is very active and so are the protags. They go out and seek the mysteries.
Chapter 2: Lifeforms
To me, this is very tight prose: You get the sense of the strange in a few sentences
Mystery upon mystery piles up. In a good way.
*munches french fries*
Da plot thickens. Yes. Good.
In fact: this book gets as much important plot out that took the Expanse to do in one entire novel. Words matter. And there's multiple threads already running. In just 2 chapters. Nice.
Following the Road even Further.
Chapter 3: Plans with Plans
Yes, some of these boys know how to use their Liberty Devices (aka Guns.)
We have more plot bunnies hopping off to create havoc. You get the sense that this universe is well lived in. IE: Stuff is going on besides our protags poking the Plot. Plus we get to know the cast a bit more outside of the mysteries swirling around them.
It's a nice pitstop before more shenanigans begins.
You get some personalized family elements too. :D
Chapter 4: Objects in Motion.
Plus, again, in just a few pages Mr. David has pretty much made a well built universe. All the while the characters are just talking for a moment about their govts and situations. BUT ITS NOT PREACHY! Its the idea of having some politics serve the setting.
Plus since this type of setting is well known to me: He doesn't have to go into exhaustive detail about how everything works. He lets the reader put it together without much worry. That way we have more time to concentrate on all the little mysteries falling into the narrative.
I love Evvie's comment about freezer food:
So far:
Interesting Protagonists
Interesting Lore/Events
Jokes I find appropriately timed
Characters that are unknowns
Different factions with different goals but overall, this reader wonders what's gonna happen next.
Chapter 5: These are the Voyages of......
Yes, this crew has their quirks. But when you describe clothing in such a way....plot bunny senses tingling.
Yes, goooood. It made me look into symbolism of said triangles. That's how you know you gots a reader invested.
But no wonder she's not scared of mundane things. Just dang. Yup. Here it is: The bit of Cthulhu factor. Even more so. Swing away!
Yes, certain passages in books make me think of other things. That's good. It gets me more into a book. The freak factor of the unknowable.
The way she describes her dream reminds me of Sheridan having his out of body experience moment.
All I know I wouldn't want to dream about that damned thing either. Swing away Evvie. Jesus. This chapter really highlights how this certain plot element spirals out of her and feeds her fear/despiration. Is it real? Fake? Why her? Honestly, there's more then enough drama with trying to figure out the Evvie angle and how that will effect the crew.
As a reader I love to spot what I call "localized threads" vs "overworld threads." Some can be there to tantalize and if needed: expanded on.
Its up to the writer to see which way things will go but damn if its not fun to find out.
Chapt 1-4: Ahh, so this is the Sword and Sorcery you Are Seeking! (These are pretty good sized chapters.)
The Prologue: That Deer Knows Whats Up.
Ahh yes, nice peaceful forest that won't do nothin wrong or various levels of evil.
No, dear fellow readers, its something else. Whatever could be wrong within this forest?
A good way to catch my attention. What the heck is goin on with that place? In fact, the mystery man of the Prologue:
Chapt 1: Of Seagulls and N'wahs.
Clawson describes this particular set of wings perfectly!
Yes, beware the over zealous screeches of mindless Sea-fowl, barring the times its screeching about books. Heh.*
*Please note, I do really enjoy all these books I am reviewing. I just decided I'd bring my epic level cornball to it all. :P
So he decides to make the best of his situation and strikes up a conversation with a fellow "traveler." Yes. That's what we will call it. They are riding economy class. Awesome!
See? This right here. Perfect. You can get so much across with First Encounters. The both of them are doing their best in a bad situation. But how Devlin and Silvo talk to each other in this bit, gives me a decent window into their personalities.
Things get rather choppy for them. Yes. Kur-thunky. I gotta admit: This part really did its job. Will they win? Oh my. What the hell is Silvo clinging to? He's too nimble for his own good. Gave me good Conan the Barbarian vibes with this fight.
Chapt 2: Deliverance or Something Else is Rotten Here?
You get the sense of just how degraded this empire is. It's full into the Bread and Circuses phase. In only a page or two of spitfire exposition. Plus with a few well placed words, the world grows much bigger.
Ahh, freshly minted. What is an enterprising Protag supposed to do now? I ugly cackled in a good way when I read about what he did to get initial funds. And via whom. So much Bread. Yup.
A Whale of a Tale. Hehehehehehehehehehehe. Even offshoot characters, one liner types can really convey a whole lot about a setting. The group of Three gets a real quest though. Now the real fun begins in earnest. More banter or its absence really highlights their personalities. Esp. with the taciturn Jarrod.
But something is def. not right about all of this. What is the game this quest giver is playing? That's also a little mystery that kept me reading.
My Brain Just Knows TO suspect the PLOT.
Chapt 3: Follow the White Raven Road.
Nothing like a First Class Delivery Service. Then the oddity of the situation comes to the forefront.
The Quest was not Appreciated!
So the Trio is determined to find out why this particular quest was so important to (Plot Instigator.) I am describing some things this way because this book is fun and I don't want to spoil the really interesting parts so for the sake of all, this point will be called....Tim.
Why did he want that particular product so much? Mysteries that will lead to more mysteries. Like any good yarn. Plus I know this feeling, so much damned rain. FL gets this in spades. Sometimes on one side of the street. While the other half is bright and sunny.
I feel ya Davlin.
Spotted: Later in the chapter....a most interesting rivalry. Oh yes. Sil is a snarky one indeed. Kinda like if you would put a Bruce Campbell type character into the mix. With some Conan spice.
When a side character has a big voice and even bigger stick to break up this ancient rivalry. Yes.
Oh man, yeah. This is the stuff readers look for. Esp. genre readers. Its like putting on a really well worn jacket that you can't help but enjoy. Even if I am a broken record with this: Know what kind of audience you want to reach. We will gobble it up.
Now we get to the heart of the Matter. The Trio becomes embroiled in another conundrum. Every thing has a key and a place. An even bigger call to adventure. You can spot the pieces. It's all coming together now.
Good books, like the ones I review here, have a key formula: Keep a balance of character interaction, exposition and that little bit of mystery that keeps you turning pages. So we now have the new additions to the crew sorting out things.
Pretty much if you love LoTR, Conan, or just adventure in general, this series will be right up your alleyway.
Chapt 4: The Blind Leading the Blind to Buxom.
Funny, when I went to Basic Training at Great Lakes, there were some people there who didnt know how to swim either. SO I understand what Haagrim is currently going through. Not all of us can be Florida Woman.
When I first read this part: Besides my sides going into orbit.
He failed his deduction roll.
Or in this case: a slight quip on the reverse of "All dwarven women and beards thing."
Yes, Us women have to be rather weighty in the rear. Otherwise mistaken identity. XD
See, this is how you do commentary in your setting. Make it fit your setting and just entertain people.
The Bar: Oh man. That name is quite accurate. Our poor Sil, making all sorts of "friends."
Jerrod gonna knock you out. And there goes the neighborhood! This former Imperial is just primed to hulk out when he needs to. Nearing the end of this chapter lets just say: Yes. Now that's a halfling I can appreciate. Wont spoil that part because it was too damned fun.
It doesn't take much for me to be entertained. Esp since it was a nice set of jugs that caused all this mayhem in the first place. Funny how that works. Again, readers can tell when a writer is having too much frackin fun. Chapt. 4 is worth the price of admission alone in my opinion.
Additional Thoughts:
If you enjoy fantasy, get this. It will appeal to the adventurer inside.
If you just want to be entertained.
Want to see an epic quest evolve.
Characters that are genuinely fun to follow.
Clawson knows his stuff. This series has self awareness of what it wants to do but doesn't knock the reader out of the story. Has the archetypes you'd expect but he does his own thing too.
Its like a blender of Conan, LOTR, Black Company, and some D&D sprinkled in.
Following my own advice, I broke up these reviews so I wouldn't overdo things with walls of text. So Ill be Updating these Via Links. On to the show.
The Opening: In hindsight, even if it wasn't apparent: The Cloud Atlas movie did something similar. Protag retelling things to their children or grandchildren. Makes you wonder how the "World" ended. I promise, even with this opening this book has much more lighter moments too. And hi-jinks you'd expect from gold or silver age stuff. Along with some tropes of more modern comic eras. What I am saying, most superhero prose incorporates a fair amount of various eras. But then does their own thing.
My own reader bias is seeing more Hope and Various level of Cornball. But that's just my own preferences. Many readers out there really dig into the anti-hero or villain pov trope. It's whats in style right now.
Chapter 1: The Fall Guys and a Certain Kind of Cameo Reference.
Most times, you add little mysteries in each chapter. Something to keep the reader going. Who is that lady and why does she need these common thugs for something. Hmmmmmm. Yes, my reader brain was interested enough to keep turning.
That's what was in my head when this figure appeared.
The Lady in Yellow.
A way to set expectations without derailing the overall narrative. Or at the very least you get a, "OH! I know that reference moment." But the writer isn't outright saying "Kill Bill." It's very blatant but very tongue and cheek as well. It's a way to use pop culture without throwing the reader out of the book. In my opinion.
A big element of this cast setup: You have the daughter of supers. Who, wrapped in protective layers, wants to strike out on her own. Emily and friends, considering this setting, will play a bigger part later. Because I knows my comic book tropes. Which is part of the fun for me.
So that's a pretty standard goal: To prove one's self. That's alright, a good way to keep a reader engaged is easily identifiable goals. Esp considering Penelope's own situation. Doesn't have one iota of super ability displayed by her parents. So like any silver age scenario, they didn't want their kid used as hostage girl basically. So that gives an personal element between parents and child for tension.
Biggest fun for me:OMG BOTH PARENTS ARE ALIVE! Holy shit. In the sea of super prose, there are many many Uncle Bens or Pa Kents with heart attacks. Or Missing Mom, Died Years Earlier or Mom isnt here because she's an Alien Princess who cannot see her children right now. SO this was fun to see for me personally.
Yes, the Aquaman movie pulled that one with his mom, 20 years trapped. But it does have them both alive....so that still qualifies as both parents still together. Cause the Dad never found anyone else. But I prefer seeing old school, oh wow! The protag has family to fall back on. Even if the situation has complications.
Chapter 2: Lady Killer (I loves me some puns. :P)
Ahh yes, the Parents. They mean well. I like to think most parents really do. So mom is like: My kid needs a super powered mate, yes! That will fix everything!
So it sets up some sympathy on the end of both the protag and her Parents. This whole part made me laugh because my own parents had variations of conversations like this with me.
In my case it went like this:
Grandma: Are you eating enough?
Mom: Loose more weight dear.
Dad: I am not commenting on this. I will loose.
This is a very girl thing to do. Believe me. On one hand, yes! Parents do their best to make their kid independent but on the other: That's my baby. Oh boy. Yes, even my Superman had these moments with his parents. The Earth ones that is. But sons vs daughters are approached very different.
Chapter 3: College is Useless and Professors Even Moreso.
There's a specific part that hit close to home to remind me of my own college experience:
AH! Navel Gazing Professors? AT my University?! Its more likely then you think!
If I could list one super power they had: Their Farts were far more important than everyone else. Oh man, this was especially true in what most would term general education or the Humanities. But back to the book. Dude has a meltdown.
Over what he considers Frivolous. Yep, this is college. On point. But this is a way to poke fun at culture without being heavy handed. He's the anti-Edna Mode basically.
So our Heroine basically writes this off as: WTH is wrong with people. Cause she was raised in a very secure controlled environment in her younger years. So its a big shock to her.
So she reaches a type of crisis point. What is worth saving in this world. Why do her parents even bother? For me, when it comes to comics and other mediums, I always have a glass is half full kinda outlook. So I like seeing that displayed in books I read.
Esp. since dystopia is on the rise. I don't mind those settings but again, I want more to choose from but back to the business at hand. She's hitting a wall at the moment but what kicks her out of this mode of thought: Akin to Superman, even if there's one good soul to save, that makes the world a better place, worth fighting for.
Which reminds me of this:
Again, if a book can remind me of Babylon 5 in some way, shape or form, its on golden ground for me. HA!
Chapter 4: The Blond Returns!
Well in this part you learn why she likes yellow. Plus in a very roundabout way: Women can be very very explosive at one another. In other words....thar be Plot Bunnies here. Look at them bounce around without a care in the world....it stings. Them bunnies.
Endless Corny Puns from this Reviewer! It's Delicious.
Coffee shop vs Everyone:
Protagonist: OH NO! CANT HAVE PROPERTY DAMAGE!
The Street: Awww shit, not again.
Phone Home to family that wont put you under Superhero Level Protection.
IE: Ahh yes, A mix of Alfred and The Bulleteer for a family friend!
Sidenote: More delicious world building with the Uncle Character. Ahhh yeah, the classic tropes are in full swing.
In Wall-lee you trust. I couldnt help it, puns by the bucket load:
Chapt 5: The PLOT BUNNY COMMETH! So now our plucky Crew has a Beginning Antagonist's Gallery.
That American Feeling!
Getting in to the Foundation of Superhero History. Its easy to do without bringing up things that break people out of the expected setting. A true feeling of escapism. Plus you get the sense of "AH! So that's the cape our tinkering friend might wear or come into." Emily that is. Noice.
As a reader to writers: You don't have to break the wheels that came before. Make your own world. Add your 2cents and the rest will still carry on down the road. Readers love these roads and will continue on them for a while yet.
I got a good sense for the characters personalities. And their villain. Very on Point name for her. Heh. Sometimes the most apparent things will work. Buzz buzz!
Some Additional Thoughts:
Walton also Invoked this Part to Me:
Like the Doc, he did something similar in WW2 that Franklin did during the Earth-Minbari War.
Hell, even the other two stood by him like Sheridan and Ivanova would.
These are characters. To cheer on for.
After work Ill reformat the other two reviews and start putting up their links/entries as well. To make this easier for people on phones, Part 2 will have Chapt 6-10 ect.
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