Mark Wandrey - Cartwright’s Cavaliers (The Revelations Cycle #1) (Audio book)
Mark Wandrey – Cartwright’s Cavaliers (The Revelations Cycle #1) (Audio book)
Links uz grāmatas Goodreads lapu
Izdevniecība: Seventh Seal Press
Manas pārdomas
Nākotnes pasaulē, kurā algotņu armijas ceļo pa Visumu, lai izpildītu līgumus un karotu citu miermīlīgāku citplanētiešu rasu vārdā, Džima apkārtmēri neiedvēš pārliecību par viņa lietderīgumu un spējām šajā jomā. Bet kas gan cits atliek, ja dažādu un ne pārāk pozitīvu iemeslu dēļ tavās rokās nonāk vienas no četru…
Mark Wandrey - Cartwright’s Cavaliers (The Revelations Cycle #1) (Audio book)
Mark Wandrey – Cartwright’s Cavaliers (The Revelations Cycle #1) (Audio book)
Links uz grāmatas Goodreads lapu
Izdevniecība: Seventh Seal Press
Manas pārdomas
Nākotnes pasaulē, kurā algotņu armijas ceļo pa Visumu, lai izpildītu līgumus un karotu citu miermīlīgāku citplanētiešu rasu vārdā, Džima apkārtmēri neiedvēš pārliecību par viņa lietderīgumu un spējām šajā jomā. Bet kas gan cits atliek, ja dažādu un ne pārāk pozitīvu iemeslu dēļ tavās rokās nonāk vienas no četru…
It’s been a while. For those of you who don’t know me (or have — quite reasonably — forgotten about me), I’m Thomas A. Mays, intermittent sci-fi author. Welcome! For those that do know me, hello again, sorry for the significant delay.
When last I wrote, back during the innocent days of November 2016, I would have called myself a semi-pro author (self-published category). I had…
Review of Asbaran Solutions: Book Two of The Revelations Cycle.
Review of Asbaran Solutions: Book Two of The Revelations Cycle.
https://www.amazon.com/Asbaran-Solutions-Revelations-Cycle-Book-ebook/dp/B01N4NOPP2 Asbaran Solutions can be found on Amazon here. First, a confession. I have known Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey for several years, having met them at Liberty Con in Chattanooga. But I have met a lot of authors at conventions, and sometimes I review their books. Also, I don’t do bad reviews. I’m not in this…
Mark Wandrey, author of Earth Song: Overture was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions I had. Here's what he had to say.
1. I want you to sell me your novel, Earth Song: Overture in one sentence. Word count doesn’t matter as long as it is still structurally correct. Go!
I believe you will find Earth Song Overture a unique take on a well explored genre, the end of the world, and it will launch you on the beginning of an epic journey taking you through time and space to places undreamed of.
2. How long was Earth Song: Overture rattling around in your head before you finally decided to write it down? And how long did it take to actually write it down?
I conceived of Earth Song Overture after watching a particularly good episode of Stargate SG-1, and having recently also watched Armageddon and Deep Impact. One thing led to another, particularly how I believed SG-1 had squandered many opportunities to explore a diverse galaxy full of alien species in favor of a more typical 'all aliens are human' universe. Instead the Earth Song universe is replete with a startling diversity of aliens from familiar to those based on non-carbon based. The later books really push the boundaries of sci-fi and will leave the readers head's spinning with the possibilities.
3. What would you say your greatest writing influences are and why?
Without a doubt, Robert A Heinlein. He was one of the greatest sci-fi writers in history. After that would be David Brin (who's influences will be felt later in the series) and Alan Dean Foster. I've also said my works resemble the collaborations of Pournelle and Niven, and I suppose there is some truth in there. I've always enjoyed their combined works, in particular Lucifer's Hammer, of which also provided some help in destroying earth.
4. What was the hardest part about writing Earth Song: Overture?
The initial writing in 2003 was actually quite easy. I'd discovered I was actually a novelist (as opposed to short story writers as I'd believed) only a few years before, and was finding the wide open canvas of a novel to be a target rich environment. The hard part was going back for this second edition, cleaning it up, and making it fit into a series. Something I've heard from other novelists can be the biggest challenge. Orson Scott Card once said making Ender's Game work with the later books proved the most frustrating undertaking of his adult life.
5. Are you reading anything right now, and what?
Reading? Who has time to read? Actually, I'm in a ZA (zombie apocalypse) reading binge because I'm working on my first novel in the genre. I guess I can't resist destroying the planet once again in a different manner? I just finished "Thunder and Ashes", the 2nd book in the Morningstar series by ZA Recht, and Day by Day Armageddon - Beyond Exile by JL Bourne. Both wonderful novelists in this genre. And as I'm a sci-fi writer, I'm giving the genre a decided alien twist. Not saying another word on this one!
6. Deep Impact or Armageddon?
Both. Run them through a "The Fly" teleporter pod and you have the perfect asteroid destroys the earth movie. Deep Impact had science and believable characters (mostly), and Armageddon had kick as actors, snappy music, and dynamite action. But space ships that go "swoosh"? Really?
7. What has been your favorite character to write, and why?
Hmmm...that's a fun one. I'd say Mark Volant. I have to admit, I pulled a Stan Lee with that one. He was a deliciously fun villain to write. The most satisfying was Victor. African-Americans are portrayed as useful tools in fiction written by white writers far too often. He's one of the most power, intelligent, and tragic characters in the story. I enjoyed him a lot.
8. When can we expect to see the sequel to Earth Song: Overture?
Earth Song - Sonata in Orionis is due out in April. Editing is a little behind schedule so I don't want that chiseled in stone, but that's still the target!
9. If Earth Song: Overture was an icecream flavor what would it be?
I'm going to have to punt on the ice cream question, I'm not a huge fan of that confection. I'd say it's a nice orange/lime sherbert covered in that cool chocolate shell that hardens when it hits the ice cream. So it just looks like chocolate, but when you crack the shell you find something completely different under neath.
10. Name three songs that would be on the Earth Song: Overture movie soundtrack.
Music? Awesome. I'd have some original score done for the action sequence. For the intro as the astronomer is spotting the asteroid, I'd go with Palancar - Elysium Planitia - Abalos Undae. I love ambient electronic for those kinds of scenes. I'd use Meatloaf - I would do Anything for Love - during the first love scene between Billy and Mindy.
Maybe something by Nickelback in there too. I'm so sucker for that sort of stuff, it worked great in Spider Man. Whew, I need a cigarette.
That was great! Thanks for your time Mr Wandrey.
Mister? Really? Call me Mark, Nick. And the pleasure was all mine.
Any final words for readers?
Be sure to drop by Amazon.com and B&N and drop a line if you liked the books. One of the biggest challenges for the self pub field is driving sales through the big sites. I make next to nothing through them, but they drive sales. And ultimately, if I'm going to land at a traditional brick-n-mortar publisher, I have to get noticed. Going through the front door is becoming almost impossible. The explosion of self pub has caused them to be inundated with books from people who probably couldn't write greeting cards.
I'm going to come out and admit it. I had apprehensions about reading an independently published novel. I think a lot of people probably share the same bias. Somewhere deep in my subconscious I equated reading self-published work with drinking off-brand cola. And then after I started reading Earth Song: Overture by Mark Wandrey and remembered that I love Dr Thunder and Mt Lightning. Sure, Earth Song: Overture needs some polish. There are a few typos and such, but this is a book that was edited solely by a team of volunteers and they did a fantastic job. So how is Mark Wandrey's science fiction thriller, Earth Song: Overture? Out of this world.
I'm so sorry for the pun. Please, oh please find it in your heart to forgive me. I stayed up till 5:48 AM to finish reading this one. Even after snatching some sleep my brain isn't fully recovered. So what is Earth Song: Overture about?
Asteroid LM-245 is on a collision course with Earth. This asteroid is a planet killer, a high velocity bullet fired at a watermelon. The only hope for survival are the portals, strange devices that have appeared across the Earth over night. These portals are the key to the continued existence of the human race but they come with a few complications. With the arrival of LM-245 imminent the masses descend into anarchy while shadow plots are enacted to ensure the survival of a select few. Caught in this web of intrigue we find a disgraced astronomer who may have answers to the nature of the portal, a homeless crack addict turned prophet of God, and a police officer who finds himself treading deep water.
Earth Song: Overture is sort of like Deep Impact mixed with Stargate only with better science and a more realistic portrayal of the end times. From the military coups to the riots and government cover-ups, Wandrey really channels the feeling of despair and chaos appropriate for such a major event. The entire globe is in a state of turmoil and millions die before the asteroid even gets near Earth. It all starts with the discovery of the alien portal in NYC's Central Park and begins to spiral out of control from there. I was pleasantly surprised with how well Wandrey juggled the civilian, military, scientific, and governmental portions of the novel. Very consistent as a whole.
As far as characters go, Wandrey successfully managed multiple PoV's and provides a cast of people you genuinely don't want to see die. At first I was concerned about the growing number of PoV's but eventually it tapered off and contracted focus to the most important players. Victor, homeless crack addict turned prophet was a definite favorite of mine. We've all seen those interviews with vagabonds in ratty clothes and it is fun to watch one become a full blown leader of an End Times cult. Mindy is another strong character, an intelligent and strong willed female on the search for answers. There was one relationship that sprang up that seemed a little too hurried to me but I suppose given impending doom I can comprehend the need for expediency.
There are some pretty sweet action, including a battle at the end that is especially atmospheric due to the clock ticking ever closer to zero. Once again, Wandrey really seems to know his stuff. The battles aren't overly long or descriptive but they really add urgency and weight to the novel.
The only real problem I had with the novel is with the ending. The climax seems to drag on, or more appropriately there are like three climaxes. The first one alone would have been sufficient but I understand that would have most likely left some loose ends.
Earth Song: Overture is a hell of a ride. I am pleased to say that Wandrey completely shattered my shallow expectations of independently published fiction. This is a series that deserves to be picked up by a big publishing house. The whole thing is so cinematic, I could easily imagine it being turned into a Hollywood blockbuster. I can't wait to see what direction Wandrey takes for the sequel.
*The magical Goatfairy grants Earth Song: Overture by Mark Wandrey, 8.5 out of 10 cheesewands*
It looks like I have my reading cut out for me for the next month at least. I finished The Hunger Games last night and got a start on Mark Wandrey's Earth Song: Overture which looks to put the science back in science fiction. The prologue was so intense that Michael Bay and Roland Emmerich decided to compete in pitched combat for the movie rights. After that I have Ari Marmell's YA debut, Thief's Covenant. You could say I'm psyched to read the first Widdershins novel but it would be an understatement. And last (for now) but not least, last night I got in contact with author/editor Paul Genesse who was kind enough to send me e-ARCs for his Iron Dragon series.
In other news we may have our first music review coming to us at the end of the week. Also, with all this hype over Mass Effect 3 I would love to get a review posted and soon. Anyway, spread the word and keep checking back for updates. Have a good evening!
Just several days old and GRB is already doing better than expected! A crack team of critic commandos is being assembled as we speak, with specialties that range from music to videogames. I have also made some great contacts, like Mark Wandrey and Stephen Zimmer of SpecFic Haven. Here's a run down of what I'll be reading the next few weeks...
