The THIRD: Book Review

The Third, by Abel Keogh is a dystopian thriller set in the not too terribly distant future - 2065. In so many ways, you can compare it to 1984 for 2011.
Environmentalism run amok has changed the very fabric of peoples lives, cars are a distant memory and inefficient green laws control all aspects of society. These are especially affecting our main characters Ransom and his wife Teya-Why? Because they are about to have an illegal third child.

Keogh has painted a gritty picture of the future, we are drawn immediately into the story with Ransom having to make a tough choice on the way to work one morning-causing ripples that will affect him and his family forever.
A good man has to do something in the face of evil-but Ransom doesn't see himself as hero, just a guy trying to do the right thing.

Teya has been keeping secrets further complicating things in a society used to monthly pregnancy tests, bread lines, rationing and waiting weeks for paperwork to be approved. As a reader some of her actions drove me crazy-BUT were I in Ransom's shoes, I would have had to react the same as he did-gotta support the wife.

I got a kick out of the naming of buildings after environmental extremists-Edward Abbey, Ted Kaczynski or even Population Bomb author (and wildly inaccurate doomsayer) Paul Ehrlich. Where's Gore plaza?

Abel has villains you sure love to hate, Census Bureau thugs and technocrats Dragomir & Mona. Even allies (Esperanza=Hope) keep you guessing. Mentions of rebel John Gaulters and Sons of Jefferson made me smile.

But neither Esperanza or Ransom are any kind of Black Prometheus, this sinister society is not brought down in one fell swoop. We are beside Ransom and Teya in a very poignant and worrisome way. Keogh's writing is intense and vivid. This is a close point of view in a harsh realm. The realistic problems by such a totalitarian government still exist and it is all the characters can hope for to just escape.

We are set for a sequel.

You can visit Abel here and grab a copy of The Third here. Highly recommended.

Strange Sights of the Week

One Year Later: New Review

It's been almost one year since Heroes of the Fallen was released and Author J. Lloyd Morgan (The Hidden Sun & The Reluctant Wanderer in the How the West Was Wicked antho) gives me a great review.





He writes, "I must say, I'm impressed. - - I can't praise this book enough--not only for its pacing and story, but the vivid characters West brings to life."



I surely appreciate that-sales (I know they occasionally happen) are very nice, but it makes your day to know you are being read and that someone catches that fire your were trying to spark.

The full review is at J. Lloyd Morgan's Blog here.

Sword Throne...

Preparing to take my place.
Ok, yes I suck at photo shop-this was my first try ever and I am not nearly patient enough.

Late Night Inspiration

I have taken much longer than I ever intended (or believed) I would take on my sequel-especially considering it was mostly done in the first place. But splitting a 230,000 word book in half has its problems. When I broke it, I had no idea of the continuity issues that would come trying to make sure that the sequel can stand on its own. I want to write it so that if someone misses the first Heroes of the Fallen they won't be lost-perhaps even have them later discover the first and be delighted that there is more to read in reverse order.

I am looking on the bright side that some great inspirations have come at this late hour (both tonight and lately) to better flesh out the sequel and just make that crazy diamond shine all the better.

Kristine-it will be in the mail by next weekend. Chuckle if you like.
Pic by the Phenomenal Gregory Manchess

What I Want to See...Soon

I have got to see this... Looks to be the best Samurai movie since Mifune passed.


And now I would even consider getting HBO to see this...
even if I know season 3 (A Storm of Swords) will be the best one.

April Fools Sights of the Week