The Thirteenth Man by J.L. Doty

Frankly I am annoyed that I haven't read many of J.L. Doty's work before.  I really enjoyed this book.   This intro is contrary to my normal review process.   Generally I give an idea of the nature of the book, then I talk about the characters and plot and lastly I provide my recommendation.   In this case, if you don't care to read any further, I highly recommend this book!

  

A systems wide civilization is the set for this story.   A deluded king wants to be an emperor but is held back by a feudal system of strong dukes.  Said deluded king forms questionable alliances and disrupts the lives of his subjects.

Charlie has returned from the dead. A prisoner of war, he has suffered for the delusions of his king.   A bastard, he has not be recognized by the duke he serves and loves. 

The plot is somewhat predictable but still highly entertaining.   This is not an intellect challenging book but it is a darn good read.   There are simplistic scenarios that still make you want to turn the page.

The author has a sense of humor with which I can relate.  The trampsie names are hysterical and really did make me LOL.

Doty writes an entertaining book that kept my interest, made me laugh and satisfied my need for the good guy winning.

I highly recommend the book and I will be seeking out more of his work.

Web: http://www.jldoty.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Spotlight on The Thirteenth Man

NOTE: I am currently reading this book and the review will be up soon.  It is excellent and I can already tell it will be a series I want to pursue.  It will be rated with the coveted 5 ship salute.

 Harper Voyager

195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

Publicity Contact: Kibi Irving, 212-207-7159, kibi.irving@harpercollins.com

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of a single hero in this star-spanning story of sci-fi adventure.

The Thirteenth Man

by

J.L. Doty

After five years as a prisoner of war, Commander Charlie Cass-bastard son of the Duke de Maris-is finally home. But his arrival is cause for consternation as much as celebration, because when he was thought dead, he was considered a hero to the Empire.

Alive, he's a political liability. Because the war with the Syndonese is not yet over, and while the King technically answers to the Nine-the Dukes of the various planets and moons of the Empire-there are others actually pulling his strings. And they certainly don't need Charlie Cass messing up their delicate plans. Unfortunately for them, that's what he's best at. And when the next war always seems to begin as soon as the ink is dry on the peace treaty, only a true hero can set things right.

Spanning the galaxy, The Thirteenth Man (ISBN: 9780062562081, on sale 08/23/2016, $3.99) blends the best traditions of space opera and military sci-fi into a non-stop adventure that's as much Patrick O'Brien as it is John Scalzi.

# # #

About the Author:

Trained as a scientist with a PhD in Electrical Engineering (specializing in laser physics), J.L. DOTY has been writing science fiction and fantasy for over thirty years. He has nine published novels, including the three series: The Treasons Cycle, The Gods Within, and The Dead Among Us. Born in Seattle, he now lives in Arizona with his wife and three cats. He writes full-time now and continues to focus on speculative fiction, but never with lasers as a weapon, since most writers invariably get that wrong.

About Voyager: Harper Voyager is a thriving global imprint dedicated to science fiction and fantasy. The imprint was originally founded as Eos Books in 1999 and relaunched in 2011 as a global brand, in conjunction with HarperCollins Australia and HarperCollins UK. Harper Voyager publishes some of the most notable names in science fiction, epic fantasy, and urban fantasy, including worldwide bestselling authors Raymond E. Feist, Kim Harrison, Robin Hobb, and Sheri S. Tepper. For more information about the publisher and other Witness titles, please visit: www.harpervoyagerbooks.com.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

my dad the policeman--my latest book

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Urban Allies edited by Joseph Nassise

 

Normally I am not fond of short stories, however I am fond of Nassise's work so I thought I would give this a chance.  It is an outstanding collection of Urban Fantasy.

The problem with reviewing a book of short stories is that the review is of necessity either very brief or exceptionally long if you try and review each story.

This will be brief.  The focus of the stories is supernatural, monster and weird happenings.  Two authors collaborate on bringing their unique characters together to work on a problem.  Great premise that worked very well.   Larry Correia's Special Agent Franks was a new character and author that piqued my interest, as well as Jonathan Mayberry's Captain Joe Ledger in the same story.

Nassise's wit in Pig Roast was most amusing.   I was familiar with quite a few of the authors but not all of them.

This is a good read and frankly that is high praise from a guy who doesn't like short stories. 

Web:http://josephnassise.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Breath of Earth by Beth Cato

In one of my previous reviews I stated that "Cato is becoming a force to be reckoned with".   I will revise that by removing the word "becoming"  and change it to "absolutely, positively, butt kicking force".   This novel introduces a new character and hopefully is just the first of many stories to follow.

An alternative world setting in 1906 provides the scene.   Women are treated in a despicable fashion that sadly was pretty much true in that time period's reality.  One of the things I liked about this book was that Cato based her story on actual events and actual mores.   That certainly doesn't detract for the fantastical elements imbued in both the setting and the characters.

Cato did her homework.   The basis of her discrimination was sadly accurate.  History frequently ignores events that are either embarrassing or politically sensitive. Genocide has plagued reality on all together too many historical occasions. 

If you haven't noticed by particular bias in past reviews, I will draw note to the fact that I enjoy fictional butt kicking females as well as surrounding myself in day to day life by accomplished strong women.  I have a section on my blog in an homage to strong women. 

Ingrid hides her magic and enormous frustration well.  In what appears to be both a prejudicial and misogynistic society her mixed race has dictated her seemingly dominated personality.  Unbeknownst to the Wardens she serves, she has secrets that could literally knock them off their feet.  She finds herself in the company of other misfits who must discover who is threatening the security of America.  

Fenris, Jennings and Lee accompany and support her adventures, all of whom have deep dark secrets of their own.  

Cato has crafted a world that I like even better than the Clockwork world.  My reviews of several her books are below.  

Wings of Sorrow and Bone

The Deepest Poison

The Clockwork Crown

The Clockwork Dagger

I highly recommend.  

Site:  http://www.bethcato.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

In the Shadow of the Gods by Rachel Dunne

This novel is based on the mythology of parent gods disavowing their twin children. 

There is a dichotomy in some of the characterizations.  The book has multiple main characters, each of whom has their own story.   The methodology of some character lines is so different from others that it is almost like multiple authors.   That isn't a problem but the diverse character lines led to some confusion.

The author did pull the characters together before the end of the book.  

I have mixed feelings about the book.   Scal and  Rora were the characters that successfully grabbed my interest.  I felt Joros was the most despicable of the characters.  

The book has an interesting premise but I had some difficulty in maintaining my interest.

web site: http://racheldunne.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Never Forget

Dark Victory by Brendan DuBois

Surprise!  That was what I felt when I read this book.  DuBois hit a towering home run!  The earth is invaded, the conquerors have destroyed the bulk of technology and the defenders are primarily teenagers.

The main protagonist is Sgt. Randy Knox and his K-9 partner Thor.   They are tasked to protect civilians and to kill Creepers.   Creepers are mysterious(I pictured them as lobster looking, who knows how you will see them, the beauty of imagination) entities in impervious battle armor who appear to be randomly attacking.  

Randy is depicted as a 16 year old kid who  is a four year veteran.   Randy is put on the sharp end of the stick when he is assigned to escort a politician to the new capitol.   Pretty much nothing goes easily on the trip.

DuBois loads this story with plenty of action, adventure and soul searching.   The ferocity of child soldiers is aptly illustrated.   There are plenty of surprises and twists to intrigue the reader.

This was an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

web site: http://www.brendandubois.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Admidst the Falling Dust by Oliver Kennedy

This is another post apocalypse novel.   A handful of people escape a zombie like infection by hijacking a nearly completed air craft carrier.

The story centers around Patrick Redmayne, a self proclaimed coward.   He was a geek working in the defense industry prior to the release of whatever doomsday weapon escaped from some unknown nation's arsenal.  A lack of self esteem characterizes his behavior and his relationship with his fellow refugees who he perceives as stronger and more capable then he sees himself. 

The story focuses on a scavenging mission that goes awry.

The cast of characters includes a power hungry petty despot, weird creatures and cruel peers.

web site: http://www.silverwinter.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.