Night of the Triffids by Simon Clarl

A follow up to classic John Wynham novel Day of the Triffids which was left very much open ended. Nothing at all like the original novel which was slow going and thoughtful. It was written in 1951 after all. 

Simon Clark's novel is much more of an action novel. There are lots of surprises, a good degree of violence and plot twists galore. I liked it. I was taken by surprise on several occasions by the direction the narrative took. 

The action does detract from the depth of the novel at times and it felt a little too fast at times. I wanted to take a breath and explore this altered world in a little more depth at times.

However, Clark didn't do a bad job overall and I can honestly say it was a fun and entertaining read. 

The Rapist by Les Edgerton

A surprising book from start to finish! It starts with an act of supreme violation and we're in the mind of the perpetrator and it's a nasty place. It's clear that the lead character, Truman Pinter, is a psychopath. He's disconnected from the rest of society by his total lack of emotion or feelings of empathy towards his fellow man. We follow his thought processes as he awaits his fate in prison on death row. This is a visceral, fascinating, imaginative glimpse into the mind of someone clearly outside "the norm", whatever that is!

It's a book in three chapters that feel more like acts in a play. A short read that has all the emotional power of a much longer epic. Fantastically written Edgerton has done himself proud by not shying away from a difficult, upsetting subject. If the book shocks the ending will deliver a knockout blow. Destined to become a cult classic.

April Skies by Ian Ayris

To use the oldest of clichés they say the pen is mightier than the sword. In the case of April Skies this holds true. Such is the power of Ian's writing I found myself deeply affected by main character, John’s, thought train. The novel picks up after the tragic events that concluded the first novel, Abide with Me.

The first 50% of the novel was for me a dark and quite depressing read, almost a stream of consciousness as we follow John's day-to-day struggles and believe me it is a struggle for him. It's been a VERY long time since I've read a book with such emotional depth that grabs you by the heartstrings in the way that April Skies did. The closest comparison I can make is with Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Yes, this book is that good. I was inside John's head and feeling his pain. Alienation, guilt, fear, helplessness and loneliness are eating away at John.

I may be painting an overly bleak picture here and that would be doing April Skies a disservice. The characters make many funny observations and there were laugh out loud moments of observational and dialogue related humour. I’ve talked about the darkness of the book but there is also the exploration of the joy and sense of community we feel about football. Music too is described with particular fondness by John and listening to a favourite album and how it makes us feel is one of my own great joys in life.

There’s more than emotional content to the book. There’s a well rounded plot and the book draws to a close you don’t know which way things will go and this reviewer certainly won’t spoil things for you. April Skies will be probably the best book you read this year.


April Skies by The Jesus And Mary Chain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPPP3BXurHk

For All is Vanity by Robert Cowan

We’re all living day-to-day, taking everything for granted. Then one day, usually on some dull Tuesday afternoon, comes the news that changes your hum drum life forever. It’s the diagnosis of cancer or the unexpected death of a relative, a sibling, a lover.
It’s walking along with a head full of the daily minutiae and suddenly you fall and it’s a broken ankle and weeks of struggle.

A series of terrible events changes Jack Laurence’s life forever and he must learn how to cope with them and find the light on the other side, but will he? He descends into the darkness of addiction, madness and hatred. Seeking revenge upon those that do wrong in the world.

Robert Cowan has excelled himself here. This book has a raw, visceral emotional brilliance that captivated me throughout. As expected with Robert’s sometimes playful style it’s not lacking humour but it’s as dark as a pint of Guinness. The story is told in two styles and that’s all I’m prepared to reveal here but this gives more power when things start to go wrong for Jack. Stunning, powerful, brilliant. Five blood drenched stars.

Ersatz World by Richard Godwin

Ersatz World is a deliciously weird novella. I expected nothing less from Richard Godwin whose writing is always different and always compelling. Ersatz World was no exception. 

Samuel is a publisher who believes that e-books are eroding literature. His wife's odd behaviour is a worry and his best selling author has gone missing. Sam's paranoia quickly descends into what feels like madness and the lines of reality start to blur.

What follows the first few chapters is something truly different and I found myself ever more bewildered and yet gripped at the same time. Godwin has a real talent for sucking you into a story and I found myself finishing this fantastic novella the same day I started it.

If you read closely enough I believe Godwin is trying to teach the reader a lesson about our gadget reliant society but do you have courage to listen? Top marks for a great read.

On the Seventh Day by Mark Wilson

I've always enjoyed fiction that portrays supernatural or divine entities as if they were people. I'm thinking Pratchett & Gaiman's Good Omens, soMe of Tom Holt's fiction and films like Dogma. So I was looking forward to Mark Wilson's novel.

It differs from the aforementioned works in that it is more sweary, adult and perhaps more cynical.  However, this gives it a more cutting edge for me. Wilson tells his tale from a number of perspectives including that of Jesus and Moses who have returned to Earth in order to try and save the human race. The cynical response they get from people is the source of much of the humour in the novel and feels as close to reality as it's probably possible to get in this kind of novel.

If you're easily offended by swearing and sexual references then this probably isn't the book for you. However, if you can look past that then you'll enjoy this book. In his own way Wilson tackles a number of deep philosophical ideas, albeit with his tongue firmly within his cheek. Interesting, funny and thoughtful. Read it.

When the Music's Over by Aidan Thorn

I've been a fan of Aidan Thorn's writing ever since I saw a story of his in an anthology from Byker Books. I've been following his work since then. What I like about When the Music's Over is that it is unashamedly British. I've seen so many English author's trying to replicate the high quality U.S. noir fiction they've obviously read and love. The author knows his roots and it comes across better because of it.

Another thing I like about this novella is that we get to see a large part of it from the perspective of the hit man that has been hired to take out our hero. The killer is a well-drawn character who acts tough and talks tough but has some very human failings. He's confronted with his own mortality in the form of an illness and he finds that this is changing his perspective on things and hampering his ability to do his job. Given his failing health will he be able to close the hit and take his pay out? This is question I asked myself a lot as I read this story.

The story flow smoothly and the imagery the author created was effective and compelling. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining short read that was told from a refreshing perspective.

Number 13 Press have done an excellent job in assembling top quality novellas in this series and Paul Brazill's offering is no exception. They say home is where the heart is....if you're a character in a novella by Paul D. Brazill that heart will probably soon be removed and by a gangster with vicious intent! However, home is where Mark Hammonds, former member of the briefly famous band, Blue Coronet, heads when his chips are down. In this case Seatown is home a place described by the author as being awash with kebab shops and seventies theme bars.

If you've read any of the author's work before you'll know what to expect and that is a motley cast of characters with crazy nicknames such as Bryn Laden, Tuc Plenty and Captain Cutlass. You'll be expecting dry humour and jokes to come flying at you like bullets from a gun.

Brazill delights in torturing his main characters and Mark Hammonds is no exception. He gets beaten, threatened, chased by bikers and generally abused throughout the course of the story as he heads blindy from one disastrous scenario to another all in pursuit of the green folding stuff. As always with all of this author's stories it's entertaining, witty and always a fun read. A great crime caper that is a steal at the price. Five stars.

Carpet Diem by Justin Lee Anderson

If you locked Tom Holt in a room with Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett with a PC and gave them Tequila for long enough the resulting novel would probably be something like Carpet Diem.

The permanently befuddled main character Simon is extremely reminiscent of Adams Arthur Dent. I liked him immediately. It's clear that Justin Lee Anderson is also a fan of some of the greats I mentioned above.

Carpet Diem has everything that the fan of comic fantasy could possibly want. We have angels, demons, witches, assassins, pirates and ninjas! There is a deadly battle that will decide the fate of the world and our hero Simon must step up to the plate and make the final decision about who will be the victor. Confused? You will be. I loved it.

Satan's Sorority by Graham Wynd

New beginnings are tough. So it is for Sandra, dragged to a Connecticut University against her will by a disapproving Father following what is referred to simply as an incident.

Sandra is shy, quiet and naive. She's an innocent and socially awkward girl. The last place she'd feel welcome is a rowdy sorority.  However, her new room mate drags her along to choose one. She's naturally drawn to the outsiders, the mysterious Sigma Tau Nu and their beguiling sexy leader, Trixie.

Having read some of Wynd's shorter fiction I had a good idea what to expect.  I wasn't disappointed.  Dark humour, the occult, loss of innocence and sex are all themes that featured strongly in this novella. Wynd has well developed, intelligent and believable characters. The flow of the story is perfectly paced with no overly verbose passages which made all the action and tension so much more effective.

The novella is not for the faint of heart with a couple of quite graphic scenes and sexual references, but these are neither gratuitous or overdone. I read through the quickly - a sure sign that it's a thumping good read. Top marks here Wynd is a talent I'd love to read more from.

Daydreams and Devils by Robert Cowan

Robert Cowan has improved upon his excellent first novel, The Search for Ethan. He's brought something I've always hoped to convey in my own fiction - believable characters. Like his first novel this is also a coming of age novel. The story of a young band just finding their feet and trying to have fun, despite all of the fear and anxiety that performing brings.

In a separate plot strand a would be gangster is also finding his feet but for him the consequences of failure are a very real thing to be feared. His boss, Vincent, is not a patient man.

Cowan brings the plot strands together slowly, but thoroughly. There's a playfulness here that wasn't present in the first novel. The dialogue is interesting and at times very cleverly conveyed. Cowan plays about with the word structure often in a comical and entertaining way and it adds a sense of fun to the book.

There are lots of musical references and it's clear this is a particular passion of the author. In short it was a great read. The author has paid attention to the little details to bring a polished and engrossing read. A fantastic novel that can be enjoyed by all, no hesitation in rating this five stars.

Elysian Wonderland by Stuart Ayris

There's one guarantee with any novel by Stuart Ayris - it will always make me smile. Ayris is never a preacher but always a guru. Elysian Wonderland is like a fairy tale for adults.  Alice in Wonderland if you like for the tired, cynical and jaded. Stuart would be the first to admit that he keeps no strict narrative or structure to his novel, he makes up words, throws in rhyme and the result is somehow...magical.

In his latest offering a married couple worn down by the grind of normal, boring everyday life seek out a little excitement, an adventure in order to rekindle their lost spark. What they find is their inner child along with swearing hedgehogs, chain smoking gurus, a magical chef and a strange old man who cries black tiers. In short the usual Ayris magic, as I call it.

Good humour and sharp observation can be found throughout this novel alongside Stuart's true gift of making a tall tale truly entertaining. You can find the magic if you read this book with an open mind and a loving heart. Keep on keeping on Mr. Ayris you sir are a legend.

News From the Clouds by Robert Llewellyn

I have been looking forward to the third instalment in the trilogy for ages. In this novel Gavin Meckler finds himself once more in a strange and futuristic world. Imagine a world where the surface is deadly and uninhabitable.  Winds of up to five hundred miles an hour and huge storms that are tens of kilometres wide daily sweep the surface of the Earth. What option would mankind have but to live underground or in the sky? They choose to do both. 

All of the books in this fantastic series cover ecological issues and without ever preaching. You will find Llewellyn's writing is thoughtful and civilised from the outset. There is no excessive language, sex or violence. Just an interesting and intelligent narrative exploring not only the larger issues that face us all but Gavin’s own personal journey to get in touch with his emotional side. 

There’s a gentle touch to the author’s work that is not often found and very appealing. Like Pratchett and Adam’s it seems quintessentially British. Perhaps the best compliment I can give Llewellyn is that I could imagine Gavin Meckler in a dressing gown bumbling around much like Arthur Dent! This trilogy was a thoroughly entertaining read with depth, heart and a subtle moral message. More of the same please Robert!

Paul Carter is A Dead Man by Ryan Bracha

As I often do when purchasing Kindle books I downloaded Paul Carter is A Dead Man with no preconceptions and having only briefly read the blurb. I wasn't disappointed.  This was a refreshingly different read. The novel, the first in a trilogy, is set in a dystopian Britain of the very near future. A worryingly bleak near future.  A vision of the future that felt frighteningly real. So England has gone ultra-nationalist, it has closed its borders, isolated Scotland and turned in on itself. UKIP voters - you'd love it! Technology has gone a step further and everyone is addicted to the network - A state sponsored Internet feed. Swearing is outlawed and anyone showing anti-British sentiment is likely to be hauled up for judgement by a state-sponsored crew, who are essentially a privatised police force. Chillingly the general public decides the fate of offenders and that fate is usually death.

Bracha's point with the novel is, I think, largely about the damage social media and new technology is doing to us as individuals and to society as a whole. It so easy to judge others online without being in possession of the full facts. The Internet is the ultimate mob, bullies and cowards can easily hide behind a keyboard where anonymity is king. 

The novel flowed very fast and the author let the reader fill in a lot of blanks for themselves, which was refreshing and helped the flow of the book. I found it exciting and I really cared for the little band of outlaws that Carter assembles. Five well deserved stars.

This is How You Disappear by Allen Miles

I've said this about Allen's short stories before - there is an innate, uncontrived emotional intelligence to them. It feels like you're sharing something intimate with the author about himself,  such is the feeling of honesty in his fiction.

Yes, you were right there is a "but" coming! Allen's work is downbeat, sad, melancholic. There is little or no joy to be found here, but isn't that realistic - like the daily grind of life sometimes? It's an arguable point and it's perhaps one reason his work is a bit like marmite. You'll either love it or hate it.

If, like me, you see beauty in the melancholy lyrics of Nick Cave or you understand where Cohen and Waits are coming from then you'll get the brillance here and give it 5 stars like me.

The Long War (Long Earth 2) by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter

An interesting sequel to the Pratchett and Baxter’s The Long Earth. We return to the character of Joshua a generation after the events in the original novel. Joshua has a family now and mankind has spread across the Long Earth like some deadly violence. This has repercussions on the trolls and we see the emergence of a new species, the Beagle’s, to the series.

As with the first novel in the series it was, perhaps, a little over long and overly ambitious. There were lots of plot strands and just when you are settling into one, it jumps back to another. However, with two writers of such a high calibre it’s still a very enjoyable read and I’m hoping some of those stray plot strands are tied up in book three, The Long Mars. If you’re looking for an enjoyable sci-fi epic this is a decent and intelligent read.

Who is Killing the Great Capes of Heropa? by Andrez Bergen

Who is Killing the Great Capes of Heropa is a fantastically different and entertaining novel. Set in a dystopian post apocalyptic future where there is only one city left on earth. Therefore is it any wonder that the oppressed citizens of this city seek escape within a virtual world? Our hero, who is just fifteen, lives alone his parents long ago dragged off by the fascist police. He ekes out a meagre existence by scavenging for food. It's on one of these food hunts that he discovers a hoard of ancient comics. From that moment on he is hooked. Later, his knowledge of comic books will lead to him securing a place in a virtual world that is quite unlike any other. As with any virtual realm there are defined rules. Andrez Bergen is clear in outlining these: No swearing and no drinking among others. Breaking these will result in our player being kicked from Heropa with a two-day penalty.

I'm no reader of comics. I grew up reading the classic sci-fi novels so just about all of the author's carefully crafted references and in jokes probably flew right over my balding head. However, I enjoyed the witty comic book banter, which was always effective, and it was great to read a book with no swearing in for a change! In my own fiction there's foul language on almost every page.
What I enjoyed most about this novel is the interplay between the characters. Humour is very much the backbone of this Chandler style who dunnit. Our hero, Southern Cross, attempts to find out who is killing the great capes of Heropa. It’s not a perfect world and relationships are flawed, things start to go wrong in the game with sometimes comic and even sinister consequences.

Bergen has created a spectacular world here and I could easily see it running to a series of novels, comics and spin offs. Interesting artwork enriches the kindle edition I read. A very different read that I enjoyed from page one until the conclusion. The author has researched his subject painstakingly and meticulously and the novel flows like warm butter from a pan. A well deserved five stars from me.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Thomas Sweterlitsch

Thomas Sweterlitsch has created a downbeat, dystopian vision of the near future dressed up as a whodunit. Dark from the outset, this tale follows John Dominic Blaxton, who works as a researcher in what is known as the archive. This is a virtual record of the city of Pittsburgh, which has been destroyed by a terrorist with a nuclear bomb.
John is obsessed with the archive as his pregnant wife died in the blast and he is unable to let go of the past.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow  isn't an easy read, as the prose is often detailed and this hampers the flow of the story somewhat. However, you feel more immersed in the story for the same reason. Imagine a world where there is no escape from augmented tech hard wired into your head and as you walk along adware and commercials vie for your attention.  The thought of a world like this horrifies me and I'm a self-confessed gadget geek. This   society is obsessed with fashion, images, art and sex. These are the overriding factors that come out of the page. A chilling and melancholic read at times where you know a happy ending is unlikely. An absorbing and interesting read that could well prove to be prophetic.

Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin

The past might feel like ancient history, but no one knows better than Rebus how it has a habit of catching up with you.

When politics and policing mix no stone is left unturned and everyone can be hurt when those in powerful places are looking to score points against their enemies.

Rebus finds himself torn between doing the right thing and protecting old friends. As the bodies start to pile up Rebus must put his trust in Michael Fox, a man who has little respect for Rebus, and whose actions could lead to John's loyalties being tested to the limit.

Rankin on top form showing us once again that there is always another Rebus story to tell and this one was absolutely gripping.

The Ocean At The End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

A lovely and thought provoking novel that made me smile and made me sad in equal measure. When we are children monsters are real and anything is possible.  When we're older the monsters become other people and, perhaps, the grim realities of the human condition. This book reflects upon both - beautifully. Like all master wordsmiths Gaiman makes the connection between the story and the reader so effortlessly. He never over complicates the prose.

A book in which impossible things happen, as they do daily in the fervent imagination of a seven year old. Never let the child inside you die. Who's for a game of conkers?