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Book Review: On Her Majesty’s Behalf: The Great Undead War, Book II by Joseph Nassise


On Her Majesty’s Behalf: The Great Undead War: Book II by Joseph Nassise

Harper Voyager, 2014

ISBN-13: 9780062048783

Available: Paperback, Kindle

 

This is the second book in The Great Undead War series (the first book is By The Blood of Heroes. Normally I would never start a story in the middle, but I jumped at a review copy of this novel because I have read and heard great things about Joesph Nassise’s work.

This isn’t just another post-apocalypse undead story; it hits several popular genre publishing trends at once. The Great Undead War is an alternate history/zombie/steampunk series. It’s a combination that in lesser hands could easily fail, but Nassise pulls it off.

In this novel, set during the Great War (World War I), the world is under siege from zombie hordes created by German chemical weapons. Our hero, Major Burke,  and his company, are given the job of getting into zombie-occupied London to rescue the royal family. They must battle their way through zombies: the shamblers of the first novel, and the more vicious shredders.

This short novel is a rare case where I could have handled another hundred pages. The pace is great, and the action moves quickly. The vibe is that of a military action novel, but it also succeeds as a horror novel. It is well written and thoroughly researched.

This is a great crossover novel. I highly recommend this book for readers who like adventure fantasy, zombie novels, steampunk, and military adventure fiction. Libraries should also have this available for young adult readers ages 14 and up– they will love it. I intend to go back and read the first book, and will be in line when the next one comes out.

Contains: Zombie violence

Reviewed by David Agranoff

 

Book Review: A Dark Angel by Hal Kowalski

A Dark Angel by Hal Kowalski

Amazon Digital Services, 2014

ASIN: B00P392B0K

Available: Kindle edition

 

Kowalski presents us with a first-rate anti-hero, Silas Shivers: husband, father, businessman, and Hell’s emissary/assassin. Three years ago, Silas answered a too-good-to-be-true ad headlined “Catch Lightning in a Bottle.” Even after his prospective employer introduced himself as Lucifer, the Lord of Hell, Silas bound himself to a ten-year contract. In this world, the denizens of Hell are not humans who have gone astray. Lucifer’s domain is “an everlasting prison for Abominations. Monsters. Demons.” Silas’s job is to hunt down and kill any monsters who escape from Hell, and his first mission is to find Molecc, the Boogeyman, a pedophilic predator who steals prepubescent children so that he can dine on their fear and their blood.

The second story line involves Silas’s agreement to investigate the supposed suicide of his neighbors’ teenage son, Ian. The boy’s mother doesn’t believe that her son killed himself, and begs Silas to look into his case. Reluctantly, Silas agrees, even though he believes that the boy committed suicide.

Silas tells his story in the first-person voice, which Kowalski handles with great finesse. In fact, the strongest element in this novel is Silas’s self-deprecatory, sardonic, sometimes weary voice as he stumbles through his search-and-kill Boogeyman mission, puts his assistant on Ian’s case, and tries to keep his wife and family from finding out about his dark and devilish second job. The situation gets even more difficult when the beautiful, red-haired Jaelle—another of Lucifer’s assassins—unexpectedly becomes his partner and seems to be making a play for him.

The action alternates between the two story lines, with a third character appearing intermittently to add a fiery twist to the tale. The blood and gore don’t start to flow heavily until the final chapters, but the suspense begins building up right from the beginning.

There are a few areas of weakness, and they are mostly copy-proofing problems and one minor continuity error. In general, these lapses did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book. A few of the more violent scenes seemed to go on just a bit too long, but since this is a horror novel, maybe I’m wrong about that.

Silas’s unique voice is the key to the novel’s overall strength. His just-get-it-done attitude and his darkly sarcastic humor are sometimes his only means of surviving some horrific situations (plus a powerful antique knife and body armor from Hell). Silas himself states the theme of the book: “Anyone is capable of hiding pieces of themselves they deem the outside world is not ready, or worthy of accepting.” Recommended for all libraries.

Contains: blood, gore, and violence

Reviewed by Patricia O. Mathews

 

Book Review: The Frenzy Wolves by Gregory Lamberson

The Frenzy Wolves (Frenzy Wolves Cycle) by Gregory Lamberson

Medallion Press 2014

Available: New paperback

ISBN-13: 978-1605427164

Book three in the Frenzy Wolves Cycle sees Father Tudoro having been taken into custody by the government. The Brotherhood of Torquemada has been wiped out, and many wolves from the Greater New York Pack have been lost. Gabriel and his family are in hiding, and Rhonda, who suffered the loss of her family and boyfriend, is bitter and angry, and looking for some revenge. Tony Mace and his special task force are on the hunt for Rodrigo Gomez, the Full Moon Killer, who has escaped prison and is heading for New York City—and he’s got a secret. Unfortunately, Tony also has to contend with freelance reporter Carl Rice, and the potentially dangerous information he’s looking to sell to the highest bidder.

As with the first two books in the series, Lamberson continues to write an engaging story with characters that the reader can identify with and care about. Tony Mace is on his game, as usual, hoping to save the day and keep the damage to a minimum, while also trying to keep peace between the humans and wolves. The Frenzy Wolves moves at a quick pace without losing any detail or suspense. Lamberson is an excellent storyteller and nothing ever feels contrived or forced. If you haven’t read any of the Frenzy Wolves Cycle, I recommend that you do. If you have read the first two, then you will be very happy with The Frenzy Wolves. Recommended for adult readers.

Contains: graphic violence, blood and gore, sexual situations

Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund