J. B. Bouman

This is the first in a series. It introduces us to Lange, a soldier of fortune and his world. It is a dangerous world, full of monsters, sorcery and conspiracy. There are many layers to the story. The main plot follows him as he starts out on what he thinks will be a simple favor for a woman he likes. This favor quickly changes into an epic quest to find her kidnapped brother, his wife and an artifact stolen from a sorcerer. He agrees to take on some young people on the trip with him thinking it will be an easy trip, but that doesn't happen. They face many creatures, villains and dangers, and then when you think they are finally safe, something else happens. I like that it ends on a positive note setting up for the next book. Which I hope will include the team for this one plus his girlfriend Marlia.

The subplot revolves around him coming to grips with what he wants and helping the students to gaining confidence and work as a team by learning to accept themselves and others.… (más)

Many years ago, the Affliction came. It killed off most people and plants and animals, but of those who survived, many had changed. If metal encounters afflicted metal-dust, it will catch it (and be destroyed). If a person or animal gets contaminated with an afflicted live thing, they may die, they may change horribly then die, they may change horribly then be killed and wiped carefully off the streets, or they may change not all that horribly (there are some ‘stable afflictions’). The world is a dangerous place where evil can get away with anything.
The main character, once-thief and somewhat handyman Lange, happens into a situation he thinks he can do something about — first, as a favor to a pretty girl, then following some personal agendas as he is drawn further into the mystery.

The plot, world, and characters in this book all had promise. I forced myself to keep reading almost halfway through, because I really wanted to know how the story turned out, and to learn more about the world. Unfortunately, the way the whole thing is delivered was too painful.

First thing I couldn’t stand was the info dumping. Yes, it’s a cool world. Yes, there are lots of cool things and races, and I’m certain every person has a detailed backstory. But I don’t need to know it all, and I don’t want to know it all. (At least, not all at once, and not unless it’s relevant.)

The dialog reminded me of those multiple-choice selections on an RPG adventure game — something like ‘what is that?' 'it's a~ I got in~' 'where is~' 'it's~’ 'tell me more about[previously mentioned thing of no apparent significance]’. It was used to go over tons and tons of info on the world, species, history, magic, and so forth, which like I said is totally cool, but does not need to be there. So it was just boring.

The writing also lacked a certain.... pizzaz. Short sentences. No exclamation marks. Strange creatures appear and are destroyed like this. Even when reading parts where a lot is happening, I was intensely bored.

I sincerely wish the author might rewrite the book, because I found the setting really interesting, and it could be a super fun book. Lots of promise.… (más)