Fezariu’s Epiphany by David M. Brown

This is a tale of sadness, sacrifice and misunderstanding.

Fezariu bases his life on incorrect assumptions.  His misery and withdrawn behavior may be a metaphor for life’s misunderstandings.   I found myself wanting to point in the direction of his redemption.   He and his 3 Merelax Mercenaries’ companions discover truths about themselves as the fulfill the duties and obligations thrust upon them.

The settings of a declining metropolis, a prominent brothel, demoralizing battlefields and a loving warm bakery are crafted and described well.  The only complaint I had with the book was the letters that Fezariu sent to Alycea taxed my 20/20 corrected vision to the limits.  I found the font size and the script made the letters very difficult to read.

Jessamine is the saddest character in the book and her self sacrificing behavior is as misguided as it is laudable.   You can almost smell the filth and corruption that permeates Clarendon, a true cesspool of a city.   This is a story of how a boy grows into being a man and accepting his faults and redeeming his failures. 

I recommend it.

Body of work of David M. Brown

Web site:  http://elenchera.com/fezariusepiphany.html

The Egyptian by Layton Green

Dominic Grey and Viktor are back.   Grey has accepted a position  with Viktor to be his investigator into strange phenomena.   A meeting in a graveyard, murder and bandage wrapped figures combine with the fable of eternal life to draw both Viktor and Dominic into trouble.

As in the Summoner, Dominic Grey is certainly not the white knight but a more believable, emotionally conflicted hero.   He appears to be a man with a moral compass that is undeterred by legal and illegal restraints.  While he is not exactly likeable he is admirable.  

Viktor is a mysterious, international, professorial enigma.   His character was shrouded in mystery.   Jax is a bit of an enigma, a bit player who is too well developed not to be seen in future books.  

As in the Summoner, Grey finds himself tangled with a woman who is not his type, what ever that may be.   So there is some sexual tension and romanticism as well as plenty of action.   I think Layton Green has carved a niche in the world of books that he can fill with many more Dominic Grey books.  

BTW I read this book on my Droid X using the FBReader from Geometer Plus free application. 

I highly recommend the book.

Body of work of Layton Green

Web Site:   http://laytongreen.com/

Star Rangers by Andre Norton

In a post galactic apocalypse, the Star Rangers, the former peace keepers find their true home and look forward to reestablishing galactic peace.

I mentioned in my last review how Norton does a wonderful job examining motivation and behavior. She paints honorable protagonists and sinister villains. She shows the evils of intolerance and the benefits of integration when racial inequities were still common place in our own nation.

The galactic empire was dissolving into anarchy. Without support the Star Rangers continued to try and keep the peace but without resources and support their efforts were futile.

This book depicts a small band of rangers and demonstrates their ability to shape their own destiny and to maintain honor and integrity in trying circumstances.

A mixed band of extraterrestrials solidifies even further when faced with a talented bigot. Sergeant Kartr is the center of the fray and shows his tolerance and acceptance clearly. Once again, Norton demonstrates her readability and sustainability, this book was first published in 1953 and certainly has survived the test of time.

I strongly recommend the book!

Body of work of Andre Norton

Web site: http://www.nndb.com/people/586/000029499
Not really her site but a nice biography.

Forbidden The Stars by Valmore Daniels

I often refer to other books when I recommend. That is not in any way denigrating either one I am commenting on. I had visions of Clark’s 2001 when I read this book. Actually I had strong recollections of being in the movies at the release of the movie. My wife, good sport that she is, has no interest in scifi but went with me anyway. I was quietly trying to explain the rather confusing opening when two couples in front of us asked if I could speak not more quietly, which I expected, but more loudly as I apparently was the only one in the vicinity who had read the book and had some clue what was going on in the movie. All of which has little or nothing to do with this book. A near future world, dominated by corporate entities, discovers an alien artifact on Pluto. That in combination with the inadvertent and deadly discovery of a potential FTL fuel leads to intrigue and deceit.

I found the author’s portrayal of Michael (corporate exec) and Justine’s (pilot) concern for Alex to be a nice side bar to the story. It was refreshing to have some compassion shown in a very cutthroat setting. The story moved well and tied together Mayan mythology with purely human vices of greed and revenge. I’ll be surprised if there isn’t a sequel, if there is I will be reading it.

I recommend it.

Body of work of Valmore Daniels

Site: http://valmoredaniels.com/