originally published September 20, 2010

Title: Peace Lord of the Red Planet
Author: Steven H. Wilson
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Released: 14 June 2010 – 12 September 2010
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: Podcast, Dead Tree and electronic versions (Amazon)
Rating: R for sexual situations and violence

I wrote the following as an intro to Steven H. Wilson’s Taken Liberty back in Podcast Review 38:

Occasionally, I listen to a podcast for no apparent reason. This is one of those times. After having listened to the first couple of eps, I was interested enough to continue with it, but I’m not sure who recommended this story to me. If YOU did, please let me know and I’ll be sure to give you credit.

Well, the credit for that recommendation was my good friend Dan Sawyer, author of Down from Ten and the Antithesis Progression books. I like Dan and I think of him as one to push boundaries of mainstream thought and perception (what he thinks of himself in this respect, I have no idea). I didn’t really care for Taken Liberty, but not due to content, but rather lack of it. I wanted more backstory. I felt the characters were much to rich to not have got to know them better. So, when Dan recommended another book by Mr. Wilson, it was unnecessary to persuade me, as I was eager to see if the characters were able to grab me this time.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: Shepherd Autrey is a Quaker, a physician, and a man deeply disturbed by the madness around him as the War Between the tates bears down on his America in 1863. Dared by a friend to take an active role, Shep volunteers to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of Sherman’s scorched earth campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. There he runs foul of a Confederate recruiting drive and fi nds himself hanged by the neck from a tree. Awakening in a strange land which can’t possibly be earth, Shep is plunged into battle and saves the life of an alien warrior prince. Hailed by bloodthirsty killers as the bravest man alive, Shep combats his conscience, his fl agging faith, and an ever-growing number of people who want him dead.

Production: It is apparent that Mr. Wilson knows what he’s doing when it comes to putting together a podcast. There really is no need to worry on this account. All aspects of the production, audio quality, consistent use of musical themes, appropriate audio levels, etc. Now, I’ve said before, production is probably the area that I most easily give a pass on. However, I have recently realized that is simply because so many of the podcasts I listen to do a completely adequate job of production. (Stay tuned in weeks to come for an exception or two.)

Cast: The story was a straight read by the author, Steven H. Wilson. He does a nice job and does a good bit of differentiating the voices both with modulating his tone and inflection. Well done indeed when you figure a good number of his characters are women. I like straight reads, and this is a good example of one well done.

Story: Peace Lord of the Red Planet seemed to me to be a purposeful attempt to give the antithetical account of Edgar Rice Burroughs Princess of Mars Barsoom stories. In both cases we have an Earth man transported, at a moment of impending doom, to an alien world (Steven H Wilson’s Red Planet is purposefully explained to not be Mars, however.) Instead of a valiant fighter and lover however, we have for our hero, a Quaker.

Verdict: I have a feeling regardless of how I rate this one, I’ll have someone eventually disagree with me. Oh well, i’m up for it!

Okay, so the good: Mr. Wilson has really strung together an interesting mythos here. I enjoyed listening to Shep Autrey make one discovery after another while trying to reconcile his beliefs (which are diametrically opposed) to the inhabitants of the red planet. Although here is yet another example of placing your character in a new world to see him squirm (WHY am I hearing so many of these lately?) it is a good example.

The bad: Some of the things Shep holds to be repugnant and unable to be justified within the bounds of his belief system, he much to quickly comes to grips with. I found this to seriously detract from the story to some degree.

The observation: I found it interesting that Mr. Wilson did a very decent job in copying the writing style of Burroughs. Of course, this observation might be totally off the mark and something my fevered mind conjured up, but it made the story even more interesting to me.

And finally, the Verdict: I liked Peace Lord. It isn’t going to be for everyone. If you can’t take your Christian theology as a device to look at other possible mythos, then stay away. I have no problem reading/listening to a work of fiction without it threatening my belief system, so this didn’t really bother me. But again, I do suggest you use caution if you can be offended by fiction tampering with the Christian scriptures. If this doesn’t bother you, or perhaps you don’t subscribe to the Christian belief system to begin with, then you shouldn’t have a problem with most of this story. Give it a try. I’m glad I did.

As an aside, as I prepared to write this review, I realized there was an additional chapter and an epilogue from where I thought the story ended. Yes, I stopped at chapter 16, and when you hear chapter 16, you’ll understand that the story actually ends much differently than I originally thought. Even if it had ended at chapter 16, I would have written basically the same review, although I’m glad to have heard the rest.

Disclosure: I do not believe I know Mr. Wilson, or follow him on Twitter . I was not paid or asked to write this review, although after having listened to it, I am even more convinced that Dan Sawyer has a deviant mind. And of course, that isn’t always a bad thing.

originally published September 13, 2010

Title: Traitor
Author: Mark Eller
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Released: 13 May 2009 – 21 June 2009
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks, Author’s Site
Formats Available: Podcast, Dead Tree version, electronic version
Rating: PG for violence and sexual situations

Recently I made the statement that I really don’t enjoy the premise of someone from one world being magically or scientifically transported into another dimension and/or world. I don’t. I’ve just read to many stories where that is the premise of the book and it really never moves beyond that. I know it is an age old device, but I still find it weak. However, it seems like lately that is all I’m running into, and largely, these stories are done very well. Some however, are done better than others. This weeks review is yet another recommendation from Nathan Lowell. It isn’t that I only listen to stories he suggests, it is that he has suggested more stories to me than anyone else. (Maybe you all should change that.)

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: Last Chance – a small town set on the edge of the far frontier. It is a place of gentle manners and common civility. After all, it should be since more than three quarters of its residents are women. However times change when a Talent Master runs rampant, savages threaten war, and an illegal militia from an alternate universe plans invasion and empire. A hero is needed. A Savior. Meet Aaron Turner, the small unassuming man who runs the Last Chance General Store. He is this town’s–this world’s–only hope. Unfortunately for the town, Aaron also happens to be a soldier and Militia spy whose job is to prepare the ground for the Militia’s invasion. To help him with this task, he has a cellar filled with advanced weaponry and the unique ability to teleport between the two worlds. However after a year of living within Last Chance, Aaron is no longer sure in which direction his loyalties lie. (Stolen for Podiobooks.com)

Production: The production of Traitor begins less than average but ends up pretty decently. While listening to the first episode or two, I was aware of many little irregularities that didn’t seem to fit with the professionalism the rest of the story seemed to be leveling at. However, after several more eps, the quality of the story reached the regular levels of the story, which is a good thing. One thing in the production of this story that I did notice, repetitively, is that the lead in music just didn’t seem to match the story that well. That never changed. I still don’t think it was the best match of intro music I’ve ever heard.

Cast: Mr. Eller presents Traitor as a straight read. He does a very good job of it and is easily able to draw me in. His reading style is a bit different from the norm as he uses a bit of stylization with his voice work. Don’t get me wrong. He isn’t trying to do what Hutchins or Sigler does, but he is much more dynamic with his reading than most I’m used to hearing.

Story: As you can tell from the synopsis, Traitor is indeed another dimension/world changing story. However, neither of the worlds is Earth as we know it. One is based more clearly on science as we know it than the other, but neither function as would our world. Even if you’re not a big fan of this device, I would suggest you give this story a few eps because the changing is bit different than any other that I’ve run into.

Verdict: Traitor was easy for me to like. The characters, the story, the reading. Everything. I will say that the alternative world our hero visits seems more like the dream world of a pubescent male teen than a real world, but given that, the evolution of the society does make a modicum of sense. Much more than some I’ve read/listened to lately. I could easily believe the motivations and actions of both the protagonist and the antagonist. I’d also been looking for something a little less pure science fiction or fantasy for that matter, and Traitor fits that bill nicely. If you’re looking for a story that moves along at a good pace and will draw you in to the characters, you should give Traitor a try.

Disclosure: I once met Mr. Ellar in a bar back on Tatooine. He offered me a million credits if I would provide a favorable review of his story Traitor. I of course, being a man easily bought..

Sorry, the deviant in charge of writing the disclosures has been sacked.

Although if offered a million credits in a bar on Tatooine..

Sorry again for the disclosure. The individuals in charge of sacking the disclosure writer have been sacked.

Mr. Ellar has never met the writer of this review and neither follow either on Twitter.

To the best of our knowledge, neither has ever been bitten by a moose.

originally published September 07 2010

originally published August 30, 2010

originally published August 23, 2010

 

originally published August 16, 2010

originally published August 9, 2010

Title: Shadowmagic
Author: John Lenahan
Genre: Fantasy
Released: 16 July 2006 – 24 December 2006
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: Podcast, Dead Tree version, electronic versions
Rating: G/PG but with some violence and intense scenes

Occasionally, I run across a podcast that has been around for quite a while. For one reason or another, it just hasn’t crossed my path. That is why I ask for recommendations. Recently, I got several recommendations for the same podcast. One that was quite old. (In podcast years that is.) And very soon after that, I got a query asking me about the same podcast and wondering if it was worth listening to. So, Mr. Sterling and Mr. Reed, here’s your review.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: “Hi, my name is Conor. Other than my father being a bit of an eccentric lunatic, my life was pretty normal until I got attacked in my living room and whisked away to Tir na Nog, the mystical land of the ancient Celts, where it turns out Dad is the usurped heir to the throne and everybody wants me dead because of some prophecy. Don’t you just hate when that happens?”

Shadowmagic is a rip roaring fun fantasy adventure novel by John Lenahan very loosely based on Irish mythology where every chapter ends on the edge of a cliff (or at least a high curb.) Join Conor as he grapples with typical teenage problems like, how to deal with a father’s high expectations, how to survive in the world on your own and how to woo a beautiful girl – that wants you dead. Shadowmagic a podcast novel for young adults from 12 to 112. (stolen from Podiobooks.com)

Production: For a legacy podcast, I mean we’re talking 2006 here, this podcast sounds amazingly good. In fact, it sounds as good or better than most of the podcasts being created today. Mr. Lenahan does a superb job. He follows a pattern that I’ve noticed adopted by several of my current favorite podcasters, in that he plays a theme to begin and end an episode and another piece that signals a scene transition. The only complaint I have as far as production goes is that through the majority of the podcast, that scene change transition music is mixed a bit too loudly and can be quite startling when listening to through headphones.

Cast: Mr. Lenahan does a fantastic job with a straight read for this podcast. He uses quite a bit of inflection and is able to differentiate quite well between the characters simply by using his voice. Yes, even the women. One of the things that I appreciated the most concerning his reading of the characters though was the sarcasm that he imbued his characters with. I love sarcasm and find it quite well done here.

Story: The story reminds me of Zelazny’s Amber Chronicles in that we’re introduced to characters that travel between dimensions and are royalty in a family hell bent on murdering each other. At this point, the similarity ends however. Where Amber is very much a serious series, Shadowmagic strives for a tongue in cheek charm. Both are effective if done well. So, how well done was it?

Verdict: Well done indeed! As stated in Podcast Review #40 last week, fantasy tends to be my “home” genre. It is the one where I feel the most comfortable. The one that when I step into a good one, I find myself most easily immersed. Shadowmagic was a great follow up to last week’s The Crown Conspiracy. When I mentioned that I had only heard of this story recently on Twitter, I seemed to split my followers in two camps. The first, like me, had never heard of it. The second ribbed me and with a good heart asked me what the heck was wrong with me. Well, to the first group I say, go download this immediately. You won’t be disappointed.  To the second I reply, WHY THE HECK DIDN’T YOU SUGGEST IT TO ME!?

Disclosure: I’d never heard of John Lenahan until I started this podcast. I do not follow him on Twitter and am not even sure he has an account. I have found out there is a sequel to this story which I can guarantee you will be listened to. Nothing was offered by anyone in return for this review.

originally published August 2, 2010

Title: The Crown Conspiracy
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Genre: Fantasy
Released: 11 July 2010 – 24 July 2010
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: Podcast, Dead Tree version, electronic versions
Rating: G but with some mild violence and intense scenes

There are few people that get me excited by just telling me what the next project they are going to be working on is. Fewer still that can cause this excitement when they explain it isn’t their own story. Nathan Lowell is one of those for me. You see, I just respect the guy, and to this point, he hasn’t steered me wrong. So earlier this year when he started talking up fellow Ridan Publishing stablemate Michael J. Sullivan, I have to admit, my interest was piqued. I was even to the point where I was about to lay down $5 for the Kindle version (to read on my iPhone, LOL) when Mr. Lowell announced he would be turning it into a podcast. Well, I might trust Mr. Lowell, but “try before you buy” always appeals to me, and having it be a Nathan Lowell reading is sure to add value. At least that was my thought at the time.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: They killed the king. They pinned it on two men. They chose poorly.

There’s no ancient evil to defeat, no orphan destined for greatness, just two guys in the wrong place at the wrong time. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats in a plot to kill the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out…and so begins this tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend. (stolen from Podiobooks.com)

Production: The production of this work of podfiction is exactly the same as previous Lowell productions. I know he has just built a new recording booth, and it looks very nice and I hope Mr. Lowell found it comfortable, but to be honest, I didn’t notice any quality differences between this and previous works. On a positive note, I didn’t notice any differences between this and any of Mr. Lowell’s previous works. (Yes, I did mean to write that twice.) Mr. Lowell put every bit as much effort into this production as he has on any of his own. If you’re a fan, you know what I mean. One complaint, and I really don’t know whom it belongs to. There are only ten episodes. Don’t let that fool you into thinking this is some novella. It isn’t. Most of the eps clock in at close to, or over, an hour. And that is without any author/reader meta stuff going on. That is story. No no. That isn’t a complaint. The complaint is that when you download the entire story, the eps don’t load in a sequential order, so you might (if unwary) skip an episode and find out something you didn’t want to know. You have been warned.

Cast: Not much to say hear. Again, it is a Mr. Lowell straight read. Again, if you’re a fan, you know what that means. If you’ve been living somewhere that for some reason has banned Mr. Lowell’s podcasts, suffice it to say, he is a master of the straight read.

Story: Ah… the story. So far you’ve heard me talk a lot about Mr. Lowell. But that will be the last mention because the story belongs to Mr. Sullivan. And wow. WOW. What a story. I make no bones about it. When done well, fantasy is my favorite genre. Done well to me means creating believable characters and sticking them in situations where they behave believably. You can add never seen races and throw in some magic if you want (I mean you have to make it speculative somehow right?). I have heard rumblings when someones favorite series takes a shortcut into “it was God” and I must agree, unless that has been part of the story line all along, it is a cop out. Mr. Sullivan doesn’t use that device or any other, because this is a solid story that stands on its own merits and characters. One other thing I found to be true about Mr. Sullivan’s writing also brought me much joy. Have you ever read a book, and you wonder to yourself why the characters didn’t do certain obvious things before going to the extremely obscure but fun solution? Or at least ask the obvious questions? I have the feeling Mr. Sullivan has read these types of stories, because the characters do ask. They do think. They live.

Verdict: This is a fantastic book. Truly and simply fantastic. For those of you that despise dragons and magic, take heart, there are no dragons and little magic. There are some fantasy elements, but truly not that many. For me, the mark of a good story is wanting more. By the time the end was drawing nigh, it occurred to me I was going to be truly peeved if this was a one shot book. (Yes, I know, the full synopsis gives that away. I didn’t read it.) For those of you that have given up on the free model. Don’t listen to this work of podfiction. Seriously. Because if you’re reaction is remotely like mine, you’ll be heading to Ridan Publishing’s or Mr. Sullivan’s site to buy the electronic version of the Crown Conspiracy and it’s three existing sequels (with two more to follow) now and a bound copy for later.

Disclosure: I follow almost everyone involved with this book, including Mr. Lowell, Mr. Sullivan, and Ridan Press. I was also contacted by Mr. Sullivan’s publicist, Mrs. Robin Sullivan, about possibly doing a review for the book. At the time I had, I believe, one episode left to listen to. I ensured her it would be given consideration but there was never a promise implied. Also, nothing was offered or received in return for this review.

originally published July 28, 2010

Title: Brave Men Run
Author: Matthew Wayne Selznick
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 10 December 2005 – 25 March 2006
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks, Author’s Site
Formats Available: Podcast, Dead Tree version, electronic versions
Rating: PG for violence and some adult situations and content

Brave Men Run is another of what I refer to as a “legacy review”, simply meaning that it is one that finished quite a while back and one that I listened to long ago. I generally review podcasts that I’ve either been subscribed to during their duration and have just ended or ones that have been completed for a bit but that I’ve still just finished listening to. I listened to Brave Men Run fairly early on in my listening of podcast fiction and now I believe is a very good time to share my thoughts on it.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: April 18, 1985 — Into a world already wound tight with the desperate tensions of the Cold War comes a man with a startling Declaration: Metahumans exist, they demand autonomy, and Dr. William Karl Donner has the reality-bending power to enforce their status. The balance of power is thrown askew by the addition of not one more Superpower, butsix thousand.

Before the Donner Declaration, high school sophomore Nate Charters was just an outsider and self-proclaimed freak. His unusual appearance, hair-trigger reflexes, and overactive metabolism should have made him something special, but his differences and low self-esteem have long since marked him as a target for the jocks and popular kids.

Now, just as his unique nature brings him the attention of a self-assured older girl, Nate must find his place in the world. Why is he the way he is? Where did he come from? Is he part of a remarkable, powerful new minority… or just a misfit among misfits?

He’d better find out fast… others want the truth, and they’re closing in…

(minor accolade – now THAT is a synopsis!)

Production: Brave Men Run is an older podcast, and relistening to it now, that age shows a bit in comparison with some of the newest and best. However, it is still better produced than a majority of the podcasts out there. Mr. Selznick should be proud of this production and of the work that he put into it.

Cast: Mr. Selznick did all of the voicework on this podcast and he did quite a good job. This was one of the first solo read podcasts I’d listened to and in at least some small part, it is one of the reason’s that I enjoy this style of casting so much.

Story: Brave Men Run is a very interesting amalgamation of story types. It is a science fiction project at heart that through it’s science borders on fantasy and gives many and varied nods to the world of comics. I will say that throughout the story I felt like someone was reading a multipart comic story arch to me. Although I don’t have the budget to be an avid comic collector any longer, at one time I was, and I still greatly enjoy this style of storytelling. This is not a story I would call great literature or great writing. If it were ever optioned into a movie, I would anticipate it would be a summer popcorn flick, and I would not begrudge the price of the ticket.

Verdict: If you click on the Podiobook link I provided above, you will see that Mr. Selznick has garnered rave review statements from some of the premiere names in podcasting. Hutchins, Lafferty, Jeffrey, Terra, Wilson and more. I’ve always wondered if author’s read or listen to the writings that they’re commenting on, or if they listen to the whole story at least. I still don’t know and I don’t claim to, however, I do believe that Mr. Selznick’s story deserves to be heard. Do I think everyone will like it? No. Of course not. There is never anything that everyone can agree on. I am not even claiming this is one of the very best stories I’ve heard. I will say it is a good one though and if you like a good story and have ever enjoyed comics, you should give it a listen.

Disclosure: I don’t follow Mr. Selznick on Twitter. To my knowledge, he doesn’t follow me either and I don’t remember every exchanging Tweets with him.

Originally posted July 19, 2010

Title: Taken Liberty
Author: Steven H. Wilson
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 31 March 2006 –  25 May 2006
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: Podcast and Dead Tree
Rating: R for sexual situations and some violence

Occasionally, I listen to a podcast for no apparent reason. This is one of those times. After having listened to the first couple of eps, I was interested enough to continue with it, but I’m not sure who recommended this story to me. If YOU did, please let me know and I’ll be sure to give you credit.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis: Aer’La only wants to be free…

The Confederated Worlds are unparalleled as a society of free people, yet, somehow, slavery still manages to exist. Aer’La, a non-human, was bred to serve as a pleasure slave. Years ago, she escaped her masters and masqueraded as a human, joining the Confederate Navy, where she worked her way up to ship’s Bos’n under the heroic Captain Jan Atal. Now, Aer’La’s secret has been discovered by Atal’s superiors, the media, and the world at large. Branded a sociopath, she learns that even a free society isn’t willing to grant freedom – or justice – to all.

Production: The production on this story was really well done and I was fine with the results. I know that production really seems to get the least knocks from me, but the reason is that as long as the production doesn’t interfere, or really enhance, I can give it a pass. So, again, the production for Taken Liberty was well done, but nothing extraordinary.

Cast: The story was a straight read by the author, Steven H. Wilson. He does a nice job and does a good bit of differentiating the voices both with modulating his tone and inflection. Well done indeed when you figure a good number of his characters are women.

Story: The story is actually quite a bit different from what I was expecting after the first episode. In that first episode, you meet the crew of the Titan, flagship of the Confederation. I was expecting a space fairing tale of daring do. What I got was a future version of JAG. Kind of.

More of that in the verdict.

The thing you should know coming into this story, which I didn’t, is that the Arbiter Chronicles seems to be a series of stories prodcast from Prometheus Radio. I really don’t anything about Prometheus Radio and am neither recommending or suggesting you avoid them. However, Taken Liberty, is a novel taken from season 2 of their series. I was still able to follow easily enough, but you definitely got the feeling that there was a depth to the characters that somehow you were missing. I also can’t recommend you listen to season one, as I have not. So, are you feeling brave?

Verdict: Taken Liberty was a very interesting story for most of the story. I can say I enjoyed it. I can’t say the big reveal was really as unexpected as I would have hoped. I love a twist. I felt this was more of a speed bump.

So, do I recommend it. No. Not really. Do I suggest you avoid it. Again no. I did find it interesting, and it is a rather short novel, so if you feel like giving it a chance, it really isn’t a huge investment of your time. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t find anything that really frustrated me, I just didn’t finish it and think “good story”, either. So, if you’re a fan of space law, you might find this interesting. If you give it a shot (or all ready have), let me know what you think!

Disclosure: I do not believe I know Mr. Wilson, or follow him on Twitter (you can’t always be sure). I can say, for sure, that I was not asked to write this review, or offered anything in return for it.