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Rating: 
Summary: Deathlands the way it used to be!
Review: After some of the latest entries in the Deathlands saga this is like a breath of fresh air, or more accurately a breath of old air. This title reeks of old school Deathlands so much as to be uncanny. Many long time readers will relive memories of the classic 'Crater Lake' - in fact the book even refers to events that occurred during that title. This gives this book a lot of mileage in this particular grizzled old fans eyes, there's a lot of back referencing and it helps to make the book feel comfortable, actually part of the series as a whole. Whereas some of latest entries have really suffered from their stand-alone approach to continuity, this embraces the series' history and even refers slyly to the master himself - Mr Laurence James (R.I.P). It's not entirely perfect but it's a great first effort, any nit-picking just seems redundant really. If anyone from Gold Eagle is reading this then please give this author free reign on the series, this guy really knows his stuff! The characters are spot on and it feels like the old Deathlands novels used to (as was noted by a previous reviewer). So forget the faintly risible 'Pandoras Redoubt' and its ilk, this Deathlands really hits the Mark!
Rating:
Summary: Deathlands the way it used to be!
Review: I have finished Rat King and here are my thoughts on it. The author did a fairly good job in getting the characterization down, the characters were acting in the way that we've all become accustomed to over the years. I did enjoy seeing people who've been not mentioned in many novels brought up again, such as Michael Brothers, Lori Quint, Uncle Tyas and so forth. It's nice to see they are no longer forgotten. The basic story is that the group of warrior survivalists find themselves inside a redoubt that is filled with the inbred and mutated descendants of military personnel who believe that the war against the Soviets is still taking place and where rank is determined through hereditary instead of skill. They are also at war with a small tribe of equally inbred and mutated survivors who live hours away, who they call the Outsiders. The arrival of the group is a godsend to the insiders as they have Doc Tanner with them. General Wallace needs him to be joined with a supercomputer called Mobius, or the Rat King. Ryan's group are actually encouraged to escape, as Wallace has a plan to capture Doc Tanner. It goes off without a hitch, but at the same time Ryan and his other people encounter the Outsiders and are subsequently captured and forced to return with the survivors. At the survivors camp the group are to be sacrificed. But they quickly turn the tide. Instead of killing their captors, they cut a deal with them and agree to train them in order to use them in assaulting the Insiders redoubt and rescuing Doc Tanner. The results are as to be expected. I won't go into any more details. I had three problems with the book. They are as follows: Inside the redoubt, Those hooked into the comp claimed that they had no idea what had happened over the years, but were able to access Doc's memory. Through this they should have been easily able to discover what Doc told them about the holocaust to be true. The second problem I had with the book was that the author kept bringing up that Doc was always on the brink of insanity. Which is not the case. Over the series, Doc gained more and more control over his faculties. I hope that the authors would realize this. The third and final problem I had with the book was in a fight between Jak and one of the Outsiders. Jak has been described as one of the best hand to hand fighters there are and has been able to fight multiple attackers and win. I seriously don't think that one man would take him down. Here is the reason why. The author did an exceptional job describing how both insider and outsider groups believe that they are exceptional combatants, due to the fact that they have never really had anyone else to fight other than each other. The arrival of Ryan's group prove otherwise. SO, if that is the case, Jak should not have been beaten so easily. Overall, I give the novel a 3 and a half out of five. It was worth while reading.
Rating:
Summary: RAT KING ROCKS!
Review: RAT KING ROCKS! I felt like I was reading one of the original Deathlands novels of yesteryear. Did Laurence James write this before his untimely death? Whoever this writer is - he definately captures the Deathlands theme and everybodys character to the exact way it ought to be. I was so enthralled by the tight-nit storyline and the action scenes were so well written I was beside myself. Long-time Deathlands fans will love this one. The story of what the RAT KING really is was a good surprise, and very different. Its not so much that the storyline is so original, its the way in which it was written that makes it so good for me. The story starts with a bang and never lets up. Ryan and his band of post-holocaust survivors revive in a redoubt where they find the residents never left since skydark. The inbreeding of the soldiers and scientists thru the ages are showing and things are falling apart as Ryan stumbles into the middle of it. Ryan and the survivors fight everything from within as without, including the deadly elements themselves! Mutants, mad soldiers and scientists, plus ragtag outlanders - this ones got it goin on! A must read for anyone who likes a good action/adventure read. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Chained Memories, Inbred Insanity
Review: The Rat King's description of future man depicts bedlam and insanity. It is a combination of inbreeding within families, inherited insanity and prejudices dictating a person's station in life. The Rat King becomes the symbol of survival, it works but noone knows why or how, it just keeps on working with old mens brain. It seems for a while that Doctor Tanner will become totally absorbed in the Rat King. I was waiting for the rescue up to the very last chapter. This book is very good reading.
Rating:
Summary: Chained Memories, Inbred Insanity
Review: The Rat King's description of future man depicts bedlam and insanity. It is a combination of inbreeding within families, inherited insanity and prejudices dictating a person's station in life. The Rat King becomes the symbol of survival, it works but noone knows why or how, it just keeps on working with old mens brain. It seems for a while that Doctor Tanner will become totally absorbed in the Rat King. I was waiting for the rescue up to the very last chapter. This book is very good reading.
Rating:
Summary: Rat King is no dog!
Review: Yes! That's right, kiddies! Read Rat King now because it's a strong story with well-rounded characterization of the characters. I'm hoping to see more badinage between Doc and the gang in future installments because one can use the Doc's antedeluvian inisghts to create great jokes. Deathlands should have at least one great laugh in it, like old times. This ghost writer is delivering consistent quality, and hopefully more fresh surprises as we all continue on our Deathlands journeys -- hopefully more detail on each character, and more arctic adventures, including some jumps to alien planets such as Mars, with time spent more on what is found there is what I favor most. More discoveries of technological weapons and other inventions would elevate the series into more sophisticated levels of chills and thrills too. Put it this way, it ain't going to hurt!
Rating:
Summary: Rat King is no dog!
Review: Yes! That's right, kiddies! Read Rat King now because it's a strong story with well-rounded characterization of the characters. I'm hoping to see more badinage between Doc and the gang in future installments because one can use the Doc's antedeluvian inisghts to create great jokes. Deathlands should have at least one great laugh in it, like old times. This ghost writer is delivering consistent quality, and hopefully more fresh surprises as we all continue on our Deathlands journeys -- hopefully more detail on each character, and more arctic adventures, including some jumps to alien planets such as Mars, with time spent more on what is found there is what I favor most. More discoveries of technological weapons and other inventions would elevate the series into more sophisticated levels of chills and thrills too. Put it this way, it ain't going to hurt!
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