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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
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Paraworld Zero by Mathew Peterson
Category: Writing and Poetry
Paraworld Zero
Author: Matthew Peterson
Release Date: January 1, 2008
Genre: Young Adults/Science Fiction/Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Blue Works
Pages: 251
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 1590924916
Reviewer: Paige Lovitt
Paraworld Zero" is the first book in the Parallel Worlds series by Matthew Peterson. It is written for young adults, however, as a middle aged adult, I really found myself enjoying it. The story begins with the mysterious birth of Simon Kent. His birth mother was disease ravaged and unknown. When she gave birth to him, something magical happened, and then she died. She left him a medallion. Simon is raised in a foster home. He feels the loss of never having known either parent. His self-esteem is very low.
Butch is a bully who lives with Simon in foster care. Butch is totally set on making Simon's life more miserable than it already is. One day, while Simon is trying to escape from Butch, a strange girl appears. Her name is Tonya. Her hair changes color to reflect her moods. She mistakeningly believes that she is on another planet. This is when the adventure really begins. After a great deal of hysterical calamities, she takes Simon off with her to a parallel world. Simon and she are taken in by a strange alien family whose mom cooks up some pretty disgusting creatures.
In this parallel world, there are two groups of people. The little people are the smart scientists; the big people appear to be unintelligent slaves. They are not treated well. In spite of the little people's knowledge, they lack the capacity to understand the wrongness of the treatment of the slaves. This troubles Simon and his friend. He has visions of a beautiful woman appearing to him, who leaves him with special gifts, such as the ability to absorb poison. He learns that this world is about to be destroyed by lizard like creatures. He is given the tools to try to save the people, but he needs them all to work together. He also learns to feel better about himself.
I really enjoyed Peterson's book. He obviously puts his vivid imagination to use in his writings. I loved the fantasy elements that he incorporated, such as gigantic poisonous spiders, gigantic pigeons that spew fire, evil dumpsters, and then of course the magic of Tonya. I also liked the fact that Simon is trying to do good for others. Even though his life is totally turned upside down, he still tries to help others. I look forward to seeing how he evolves in future books in the series. I highly recommend this novel to fantasy fans of every age. If you have a young adult in your life, buy it for them, and then read it first!
Five spaceships out of Five.
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Saturday, December 29, 2007
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Cimmerian City by Rae Lindley
Category: Writing and Poetry
Cimmerian City
Author: Rae Lindley
Release Date: October 10, 2007
Genre: Science Fiction/Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press
Pages: 188
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0979367476
Reviewer: Andrea Johnson
A fast paced adventure novel, Cimmerian City blends the concept of La Femme Nikita with the action (and wardrobe) of Underworld and throws them into cities out of The 5th Element. In this future, the government is run by the Tech Corporation, who have accidentally (or not), exposed humanity to dangerous toxins capable of changing our genetics forever.
In 1999, Raven Blackheart goes into a coma after being assaulted. Her boyfriend is killed, and she wakes up in 2010 under the care of the Tech Corporation, and it's sinister Vice President, Tyler Deamond. Trained from youth in martial arts, Raven must survive attacks from every direction, she doesn't know who she can trust. She has become a mutant, half human, half Dracin, with all the bloodthirsty lust that comes form being half a vampire. In the eleven years Raven has been sleeping, war broke out between humans and Dracin; the Dracin were simply learning how to live with their mutated bodies, and the humans were reacting to these strange creatures. The Tech Corporation saved Raven's life, allowed her to grow, to change, but can she trust them?
Lindley takes a standard plotline, that of toxins in the air turning people into vampires or other creatures, and puts her own spin on it. The corporation responsible for the toxins has volunteered to build a colony space ship to take humans and Dracins to a terraformed planet where the two groups can start fresh. But sabotage and political intrigue abounds, does the Tech Corporation care about Raven, or is she simply another one of their tools?
With so many interesting subplot lines and a well thought out backstory, I expected this novel to be longer and more detailed. I would have preferred more information on the Human/ Dracin war, and how it ended in a truce. After only eleven years, how did those two groups manage to try to kill each other, then quickly become trusted friends? Most of the book is Raven running errands for Tyler Deamond, which consists of beating people up that he doesn't like. If the characters and plot were well written, I could forgive Raven and her naïve trusting of Tyler and other characters. However, the action is written sloppily and is often choppy, and characters are mostly defined by what they are wearing (black clothing) and how they wear their hair. There is a lot of potential to be explored in this particular treatment of this thematic story, but it falls short. I had so many questions about interesting things that were going on in the background, but so many of them were ignored, or unsatisfactorily explained.
If you're looking for a quick read, this might be up your alley. Readers looking for substance, characterization, and depth, may be dissapointed. If Lindley plans to expand on this series, I suggest she work with a writing workshop that includes peer review.
One spaceship out of Five.
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Saturday, November 24, 2007
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The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
Category: Writing and Poetry
The Shadow Speaker
Author: Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
Release Date: October 2, 2007
Genre: Fantasy/Children's Literature
Publisher: Jump At The Sun
Pages: 352
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 1423100336
Reviewer: Paige Lovitt
The shadow speaker's story begins in the year 2070, in Niger, West Africa. The time is after the Big Change. Ejii is a shadow speaker. This means that the shadows tell her stories of the people around her. This is very powerful magic; many people fear those with this power. Ejii is identified as a shadow speaker by her unusual eyes. She finds herself feeling isolated because of this and the fact that her father's children with other wives are treated as more important. Her father does not help her feelings of self-worth. He plans to marry her off to a lowly, lazy son of a baker. Ejii does not want this. Her father has claimed himself to be in charge of her people. He takes away women's rights and puts them in a lower status. To do this, he superseded the power of queen Jaa.
When queen Jaa comes to town with her two husbands, she immediately beheads Ejii's father and takes back control. Unfortunately, Ejii had to witness this. Still she is relieved to have her father's rule ended. She is sad because he was not always the evil, control hungry person that he had evolved into. Ejii is dealing with her own issues of who she and has not come to realize her worth. Queen Jaa wants to apprentice Ejii to her. Her mother feels that at 14 years of age, Ejii is still too young. Ejii feels pulled to leave, especially when the shadows tell her that she must go to help prevent a war.
Ejii leaves with her family's talking camel named "Onion." Along the way, she meets Dikeogu, a young man with a mysterious past. He was sold into slavery by his parents because they feared his powers. Dikeogu tries to hold on to his secrets. Having been betrayed by those close to him, he is afraid to trust. A big part of this adventure involves both of them discovering who they really are and learning to command their powers. As they journey to different places, they learn to develop their powers and they experience tremendous personal growth. They also learn to trust each other.
"The Shadow Speaker" is an incredible story. It is written for children aged 12 and up, yet as a middle aged adult, I totally enjoyed it. Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu has such a gift with words. She takes you into the hearts of Ejii and Dikeogu and makes you feel their pain. She also paints colorful pictures of the different places that they travel through. The magic, the people and the creatures all come alive through her writing. There are also a lot of messages contained with in the pages about personal growth for all of us. I would not want to miss this book for the world!
5 out of 5 spaceships
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Sunday, October 14, 2007
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Infoquake by David Louis Edelman
Category: Writing and Poetry
Infoquake
Author: David Louis Edelman
Release Date: July 5, 2006
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Pyr
Pages: 421
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 1591024420
Reviewer: C.C. Ekeke
Nowadays, many science fiction and fantasy novels are simply retelling previous ideas through new sets of eyes. Some do this well, others not so much. Therefore, it is always welcome when a sci-fi author jumps into the speculative fiction genre with a new approach, a new idea or a new sub-genre even.
In his award-winning debut novel Infoquake, David Louis Edelman attacks the sci-fi genre and infuses it with his stunning vision of humanity's future. Sure there are splashes of other sci-fi subgenres in this book, a bit of cyberpunk here, some hard sci-fi there. But honestly, this book truly follows its own path as I delved deeper into the world of "Infoquake."
Set in a not-so-near future, the world as we know it has gone through a tremendous upheaval, only to rebuild itself into a cutting edge wonder of technological advancement and global interconnectivity. Earth's population has increased by a factor of 10, to the point that humanity has orbital colonies in space as well as settlements on the moon and the Solar System's asteroid belt. Software and nanotech corporations (or 'fiefcorps' as they are called) are the main driver of the world's economy, their owners the equivalent of celebrities in the public eye.
The industry that gets the most focus is bio/logics, which allows humanity to interact with nanotechnology to better their quality and length of life. The only thing is, at this point in time, humans are utterly dependent on bio/logics and it is actually considered taboo not to have any bio/logics hardware or software in your body.
Our protagonist is an immoral, workaholic fiefcorp owner named Natch, who has no life outside of his career. Despite the small size of his company, and his horrendous treatment of his underlings, Natch's bio/logics company is on its way up to the top of the Primo charts (the equivalent of a movie box office or Billboard Hot 100 chart for music). And when he does achieve his dream, albeit through despicable and underhanded means, this attracts the attention of not only his countless enemies, but also the heir to the technological revolution that brought humanity back from the brink. The heir in question, Margaret Surina, comes from a long line of technological innovators that have shaped the direction of humanity. Now, she claims that her mysterious new technology, MultiReal, will do the exact same thing. So she enlists the help of Natch and his fiefcorp to belt out the technology into a usable product in less than two weeks. And he has to do this before his many enemies, including the head of the world government, get their hands on MultiReal.
Let me just say that this is a wonderfully written book. It kept me engrossed and riveted, with well-written dialogue and engaging characters. In addition, as an avid fan of world building, I loved the world that Edelman created. This book carved a brand new universe using alternate history, detailed imagination and Edelman's computer programming background. Whenever he described a character's usage of a bio/logic's program to hide their shock or enhance their body's functioning in any way, it was always fascinating.
What also added to the back story of "Infoquake" were the wonderful timeline and glossary that Edelman added, so one could never get lost or confused.
The issues I had with the book were minor, and kept me from giving this gem a perfect rating. For one, there was next to no redeeming qualities or true depth to our protagonist. I liked the fact that Natch was not a goody-two shoes and that we get a lengthy chunk of chapters that described why he became the way he was, but Natch was still far too unlikable. Plus, he had no life or personality outside of his career. The one thing he did that was not completely job-related was a regular pilgrimage to the Redwoods in the northwest, but this was done to ruminate about more business strategies.
Also an issue was one of Natch's subordinates named Jara. Granted, I loved how Edelman made her this kind of pathetic person who hated Natch as a boss yet would have had no issue if he mounted her and said "Let's get it on." But her opposition to each and every idea that could have provide advancement to the company she worked for could have been lessened as it became tiresome. Lastly, there was this 3D program called See-Na-Ree, which I could have done without.
Other than that, I wholeheartedly recommend "Infoquake" for anybody and everybody. I know I am just one of many who eagerly await Edelman's follow up novel to the fantastic Infoquake.
4.5 out of 5 spaceships
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Sunday, September 09, 2007
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Portraits in the Dark by Nancy O. Greene
Category: Writing and Poetry
Portraits in the Dark: A Collection of Short Stories
Author: Nancy O. Greene
Release Date: August 9, 2006
Genre: Horror/Short Fiction
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Pages: 78
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0595392806
Reviewer: Paige Lovitt
"Portraits in the Dark" reminds me of a train wreck; you really don't want to watch it happening, but you just can't help yourself. The main reason why you don't want to watch it is because it makes you look at your own human nature. This 78 page book contains a collection of nine short stories. Each one has a touch of darkness and in some a touch of the supernatural. Sometimes, you are uncertain if there is actually supernatural involvement or if the person is just insane.
I found myself caught up in these stories. My biggest disappointment was that they are short stories. I wanted more! Ms. Greene has a talent for drawing you in and getting you hooked, but since the story is short, she quickly lets you go. I was very impressed with her ability to do this. She rapidly gets to the heart of the story, and envelopes you in its darkness.
Each tale has its own flavor and stands well by itself. Her talent allows you to dwell in the mind of an insane person, or suffer along with someone that is being afflicted by an evil being. Of course some stories combine both elements. She covers a variety of topics, and torments. Jealousy, lust, and greed are dominating elements that she includes in most of the stories.
Because it is a short book, it is perfect for taking on a trip. You can read it, enjoy it and not have to worry about not being able to finish it when you get back. I would much rather enjoy reading a well written, emotional collection of these tales, than an overly priced, advertisement ridden magazine while I am traveling or waiting somewhere. If you enjoy horror, do not miss out on this one!
5 out of 5 spaceships
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Monday, July 30, 2007
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Brasyl by Ian McDonald
Category: Writing and Poetry
Brasyl
Author: Ian McDonald
Release Date: May 3, 2007
Genre: Science Fiction/Cyberpunk
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Pages: 480
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN : 1591025435
Reviewer: Andrea Johnson
Coming on the heels of McDonald's blockbuster hit "River of Gods", Brasyl is part cyberpunk, part historical narrative, part bladerunner, part parallel universe epic, and part introduction to a culture most Americans know nothing about. Throwing standard American/Western European scifi on it's head, McDonald sets his story in Sao Paulo, the capitol of Brazil. I don't know about you, but everything I know about Sao Paulo can be summed up with "they speak Portuguese, right?". I am a sad, sad American that I know next to zero about one of the worlds largest cities. Forget Tokyo and New York City, this future is in South America. While he overwhelms you with local slang and culture (don't worry, a lot of it is in the glossary in the back), we are introduced to three different Sao Paulos in three very different times.
Sao Paulo, 1730's, father Luis Quinn is on a Jesuit mission to bring a rogue priest back into faith by whatever means necessary, before this man can burn and kill his way through the jungle. Beyond treacherous waters, dangerous animals, unpredictable natives and poisonous everything, Quinn has no idea what to expect. And the reports of gigantic angels flying over the river followed by fiery death are especially disturbing.
Sao Paulo, right now. Marcelina Hoffman produces trash reality tv shows by day, and sleeps with a highly respected news reporter by night. Always chasing the new big thing to beat the competition, she has no idea when she is in over her head. While on a wild goose-chase for the story of her life, no amount of capoeira will save her from the a fast death by a q-blade, which cuts down to the quantum level.
Sao Paulo, thirty years from now. The population is higher, the stakes are higher, the technology is faster. Uncontrolled consumer garbage is a marketplace unto itself, where children mine for metals, and quantum computing crime is organized. Enter Edson, a sometimes talent agent, sometimes petty thief, always protector of his family. Getting involved with the beautiful Fia pulls him into her dangerous world of quantum computations, digital hacking, and parallel universes. While visiting the scene of her gruesome death, Edson looks up to see Fia staring at him from across the street.
What could these three story lines possibly have in common? McDonald braids them around each other, bring them together only at the knot at the end. Sure, I've read parallel universe plotlines before, but Brasyl takes it to a whole new level of weirdness. McDonald's characterization is great, the characters feel realistic, fleshed out, and for the most part, unlikeable. Marcelina and Edson seem to be drowning in their own distaste for themselves, looking for new people, new thrills, new drugs, new anything to help them run from who they are. Quinn is a quiet man with a violent past, who has found his personal salvation. The man with the strongest faith, he has the most to lose. We get whispering and rumors of a behind-the-scenes "order", who are trying to keep knowledge from the general public. What are they hiding? It's these shadowy details that become the most fascinating part of the book, but are rarely expanded upon. Quinn, Marcelina, and Edson, they do not exist in a vacuum. the Universe and all its secrets exists around them. How much knowledge can they handle? will the truth set them free? Or imprison them further? Enjoy their stories for what they are, don't rush to the end for the action. The enjoyment of the journey makes the unexpected and bizarre kicker even sweeter.
Although alluring, Brasyl is not an easy book to read. Peppered with what's become the standard cyberpunk shock value and constant barrage of Portuguese slang and reference to indiginous religons, you've got to get through a lot of interference to hear what McDonald is trying to say. There is a line between imersion, and drowning. I'm sure the next time I read a book that culture shocks me, I'll enjoy it more. the first time is always the hardest. Perhaps it is time to for me to pick up McDonalds earlier work - River of Gods, his view of a future India. Also a center of population whose details I am ignorant of.
3 and a half out of 5 spaceships
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The Revenge of the Elves by Gary Wassner
Category: Writing and Poetry
The Revenge of the Elves
Author: Gary Alan Wassner
Release Date: August 28, 2007
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Windstorm Creative
Pages: 280
Binding: Paperback
ISBN : 1590925696
Reviewer: Andrea Johnson
Imagine hundreds of threads going into a loom. Multiple strand braids are created, separated, rebraided, the web is formed. Colors are blended, fade, and are recreated, exposing a secret pattern, one this loom was not designed to create. From a distance, this is GemQuest.
Wassner continues in his style of smaller teams of three or four characters being sent on separate quests, usually teaming characters of different races (Dwarf, Elf and Human) together, to help their races better understand each other. This allows a lot (and I mean a lot) to be happening at once within the ensemble cast, but it also makes it hard to remember who is up to what, with who, and on their way to which city, so pay attention! I'm looking forward to the "GemQuest Companion", not to mention the prequel about Odelot.
The writing and dialogue in this volume is smoother and faster than in previous books. Gone are the passages that begin with characters realizing the enemy is just over the next hill, and they must get away now or die, just to start in on 3 or 4 pages of philosophical conversation (didn't the bad guys show up a few paragraphs ago?), only to barely escape with their lives. Also, the rules of noble politeness have been lifted. People are impatient and testy, they know the time for action has come, and they can't bear to sit idly by. It's actually nice to see this human side of everyone, instead of all the sugar coated greetings, formal "epic" talk, and teary goodbyes of the previous volumes.
For most of the book, the focus is off the twins, and on the adventures of other characters, such as Caroline and Dalloway who are on their way to find the well at Odelot, Colton Dar Agonthea's creation of his creepy golem army, The three Elven brother kings who decide to send troops to Tamarand against Colton, just to name a few. Robyn Dar Tamarand will have to choose who to aid - The Heir Davmiran, his family and home city which will soon be under attack by Colton, or Promanthea, his bonded Lalas, who stands just outside his home city?
It stands to reason the Revenge of the Elves involves their battle ready and highly disciplined troops heading to Tamarand to destroy Coltons soulless army. And it does involve exactly that. When the Revenge does come, it is subtle, brutal, and lethal. By the time I saw it coming, it had nearly already happened. Something like this changes your view of an author, when he allows beloved characters to be so easily taken advantage of.
Briefly seen in previous volumes, other Chosen make more of an appearance. Through them, we hear their conversations with their Lalas, along with the confusion of being shut out and possibly betrayed. We learn the Lalas die at the time of their own choosing. They do not get sick, and nothing kills them, but when a Lalas dies, it's chosen soon follows, for this is the way. The roots of the great trees hold the earth together, if they all die, so does the earth. Who in their right mind would ever contemplate breaking the bond between a chosen and it's bondmate, nearly it's personal deity? This "breaking of the bond" is a theme throughout the novel, and I'm sure will become even more important as other secrets reveal themselves.
In this complicated puzzle, the hidden peices must come together from the corners of the earth. Only when the pieces are in place can the true quest for The First begin. and it is so easy to assume The First is the first Lalas, because what else could it be? Wassner plays on the trust of his reader. Pay close attention to the details, Wassner is telling you everything you need to know to see the truth, knowing you have probably already chosen what to believe. Choice lies at the heart of GemQuest. The Choice to do what you want, or what you must. Choose to stay on the path you have been on, or to choose a new way of survival.
I suggest this series to readers of any age who are a fan of Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and other epic fantasy series. You will not be dissapointed. Earlier volumes have ended on a cliffhanger, and it was nice to get some closure at the end of this one. Although I was certainly left needing to know what was going to happen next, many questions had been answered to my satisfaction. Regardless if Wassner does what I think he's going to do, this series is going to pack one hell of a punch. Even if my guess is completely off base, Wassner has proven, and continues to prove his mettle.
4 and a half out of 5 spaceships
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
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The Eye of Alloria by Rae Lindley
Category: Writing and Poetry
The Eye of Alloria
Author: Rae Lindley
Release Date: 2007
Genre: Science Fantasy
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press
Pages: 107
Binding: Paperback
ISBN #: 0979367409
Reviewer: Paige Lovitt
The Eye of Alloria" is an illustrated novella written by Rae Lindley. It takes place during the reign of a man named Saron Bravewind. He is the ruler of the city of Orland during the years of 3010 to 3010. With his wife, Jacina, and his daughter Saria by his side he has it all. When a health crisis strikes his daughter, he feels called to take her by spaceship into the stars to find a cure. What he finds is the Allorian race of elves.
Mellinia Salestar is the elven ruler on the Alloria Moon. This is where the race currently resides. Her people have been sending messages to the people of earth to warn them of an impeding attack by another race of creatures known as the Aurans. These creatures thrive on war and destruction. The Allorians have offered to help Saron's people. Meanwhile they also find the means to save his daughter.
A side effect of the treatment of saving Saria turns her into an elven state. It also ages her a few years, so now she appears to be in her late teens. Many of the earth people are distrustful of the Allorians. To show good faith, Mellinia and Jaron unite their children in marriage. Saria is not too sure about this. She is attracted to Mellinia's son, however, she is not happy about being married at this young age. She also notices a distance between her parents. This is caused by Mellinia's relationship with Jaron. He loves his wife, but feels pulled to Mellinia.
While dealing with these political and emotional issues, Orland is under attack by the Aurans. The Aurans are after an object that will enable them to be the master race. It is up to the earth people and the Allorian's to thwart their goals. Jaron is deceived by someone close to him. This situation forces Saria to grow up quickly. She also has to learn to trust her husband.
"The Eye of Alloria" is a fun, short tale. Ms. Lindely manages to pack a great deal of description and depth into her story. I highly recommend it and I hope that there will be a series developed from this story.
4 out of 5 spaceships
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
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Storms of Vengeance by John Beachem
Category: Writing and Poetry
Storms of Vengeance: Book I of the Lorradda Stone
Author: John Beachem
Release Date: October 31, 2006
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Mundania Press
Pages: 396
Binding: Paperback
ISBN #: 1594262144
Reviewer: Paige Lovitt
"Storms of Vengeance: Book I of the Lorradda Stone" is the first novel written by John Beachem. The adventure begins when a councilman, in Faranin, is found murdered and an artifact is discovered to have been stolen from the city. This artifact is a piece of stone that was originally part of the Lorradda stone. Lorradda was a spell caster who figured out how to channel magic into inanimate objects. He and his followers channeled a great deal of magic into this stone. It became too powerful for mortal men to handle so it was destroyed. As it was being destroyed it fractured into pieces. These pieces were sent to different places to be destroyed and forgotten. Now one of the pieces is missing.
Palace guard Calton is sent out on a mission to find out information about this stone. He goes to a library in Tarlone where he meets a one armed scholar named Keras. Keras agrees to join him in his journey back to Faranin, so that he can provide the king with more information about this stone. Their return journey is dangerous. Along the way, they are joined by Nalu, a Vessarian who comes to their rescue and Elerad who is an elf. Elves in this time are not very popular. They are also called, "Forest Demons." Elerad proves his worthiness when he helps save them. Ratel, another palace guard and childhood friend of Calton is also involved in the investigation at Faranin.
Magic, mayhem, trolls, elves, ogres, and sea serpents are all part of this great story. The characters are well developed and have a great deal of depth. I love the description of elves in this story, they are more earthy and wild. They aren't the beautiful, mystical, creatures as presented in most fantasies. The majority of the characters in this story are complex individuals with mysterious aspects regarding who they really are and what their motives are. This makes for a fun ride!
John Beachem has written an excellent fantasy novel, especially for a first book. This is definitely one of the best fantasies that I have ever read. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
5 out of 5 spaceships.
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Monday, April 23, 2007
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Perverted Realities by Jennifer Caress
Category: Writing and Poetry
Perverted Realities
Author: Jennifer Caress
Release Date: August 23, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Stonegarden.Net Publishing
Pages: 124
Binding: Paperback
ISBN #: 097654265X
Reviewer: Andrea Johnson
Through three short stories of paranormal fantasy/horror, we get to know best friends Sammy (a punk who can astrally project himself), and Frankie (who is half-dragon). Although Sammy and Frankie often introduce themselves as self-proclaimed freaks, they see themselves as totally normal. Frankie doesn't bat an eyelash at Sammy experiences astrally projecting himself into a cartoon drawing, and Sammy find it totally normal that parts of Frankie's body is covered in dragon scales. Through the lens of Caress, we see them as completely normal, as someone we might have known once.
Although the writing style has choppy moments, the stories are humorous, scary, and clever, all at the same time. It reminds me of early Stephen King, the psychological horror/suspense with open endings, adrenaline rushes, and very little actual physical danger. You're pretty sure the good guys won, but you're not completely sure the bad guys lost, either. Two of the stories involve paranormal happenings, ghosts, seances, astral projection, and the like. The third one involves aliens, and although a fine story, did not seem to fit with the other two.
My biggest beef with this piece was the length. While reading, I got the impression Caress had a lot more to say, so the short suite surprised me. At first, I thought the short length was great, as I finished the book in two sittings, but by the time I got to the end, I was ready to demand Caress e-mail me what happens next. Caress is clever, obviously cares about her characters and the pain and suffering they may go through, so I'm happy to hear she's decided to turn "Frankie and Sammy" into a (hopefully) paranormal series. Editing can usually take care of any choppy writing or syntax issues, and I want to know what happens next with Sammy and Frankie. They remind me of someone I know, someone I care about, and I know Caress cares about them too.
3.5 out of 5 spaceships.
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