Jack Wallen

I really only have three criticisms of this book. Otherwise, it's good stuff and I look forward to the sequels.

First, the "snarky narrator" bit is too much. I have nothing against comedy - far from it! - but the story is serious, and the narrative voice clashes with that in a big way. It works okay in the "catty/playful Shero" scenes as a Deadpool-esque "battle of the caption boxes," but the numerous breaches of the fourth wall just felt gratuitous. I think making a brutal edit pass to chop that snark out would make the book much better; the story is strong enough to play it serious and leave the snarky commentary in Shero's head and in dialogue.

Second, the terminology is problematic in a couple of ways. Shero is referred to from the start as a straight male crossdresser who isn't trying to pass for or transition to a female persona, which threw me for a big loop when he repeatedly referred to himself as "transgendered." Aside from the preference for women's clothes, he seems to be a completely cisgender man. I would suggest considering "crossdresser" or "genderqueer," or at least qualifying the term "transgender" (and please, no -ed) to better convey the intended meaning - especially in the crucial first few chapters.

Finally, there are some copyediting and continuity goofs. Most of it is minor stuff, but in one memorable instance, a Black Squad member shifts from male to female and back to male within the space of a couple of paragraphs. Either Shero's not the only super who likes to mess with gender, or that needs to be fixed. Likewise, there's a very obvious background hole that could be fixed with a couple of careful omissions: why does a fingernail-firing superhero need manicures or care about breaking a nail? Just drop it and regrow; that seems to happen instantly anyway.

Aside from those, this is a very good story. The "hidden history" and "disgraced hero" tropes are used well, and the interactions felt authentic. Just as some people are fine with Shero's mode of dress, others are not, and it's good to see that spectrum of reactions. Some more information on certain motives would have been appreciated; we are told that a character did something shocking, but not shown anything of the thought processes behind it or even how that character obtained the one piece of knowledge needed to make the decision in the first place.

Recommended, but not without (the above) reservations. I intend to pick up the two sequels soon.… (más)

Okay, full disclosure: Jack and I know each other, and yes, he's even reviewed one of my books. This in no way effects my judgment. If the book was bad, I would simply not review it. I have a reputation for being brutally honest, and I will not sully that by shilling a review for a fellow author.

Hell's Muse is a piece of unflinching horror fiction. Jack tackles some rather controversial subject matter that ranges from the state of publishing today to the fallacy of religion. With a price tag of $6.66, Jack's not trying to hide the fact that the book challenges all things religion, even going as far as calling the "Word" a lie. If that's not your thing, skirt this book like the plague. Jack's writing will offend you.

The book is a challenge to read. Not that the writing's bad, don't get me wrong, but Jack Wallen makes you think. He's not going to hold your hand in this novel. Hell's Muse is a Russian doll. Once you pull the top off, you find another item underneath, then another under that. The novel is a book inside a book inside a book... and so on. The depths of the layers is astounding. You have to pay attention or you will wander off into the woods and lose your way. I love books like this, ones that challenge my reading comprehension. When you get it - really, really, GET IT - you can't help but feel a little proud of yourself. It's like piecing together a puzzle with over a thousand pieces.

I've read Jack's Zombie series, his Fringe Killer series and even the Shero books, but this book, Hell's Muse, towers above the rest. I was definitely impressed.
… (más)

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

I'm a huge fan of Rex Jameson and I've known M. Edward McNally for ages on Facebook. I've never gotten around to reading his stuff until now.

I truly enjoyed all the stories. Saving Suzanna by Rex Jameson was so very dark and scary, especially given the political climate right now. I literally took the rest of the night off to digest this one. Gay people were being hunted like animals, and they all knew it would be a matter of time until other "undersirables" would be hunted as well. I'm straight, but as a pagan this was quite sobering.

That was followed by "Shero: Glam, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am!" by Jack Wallen, at first it seemed a strange placement. But having something so light, funny and LOUD was great. It lightened the mood considerably.

The rest were fairly serious but not overly so. I had never read such a story of fantasy as "Moon Blossoms" by P.J. Jones. 2 female sprites that find love, even at the cost of losing their homes.

Another funny one was "Be Careful What You Wish For" where Branwen grants a cross-dressing man his wish of being a woman for a day. Do you think he is happy and enjoys every minute of it? Us women know better. ;)

It's only 99cents at Amazon, and the entire book is in recognition of LGBT Pride Month.… (más)

I Zombie I starts with a bang, literally right from the first line ‘The blast ripped through the air, stopping all time and thought’. So from the get-go, if you can’t stand the long wind up at the beginning of some Zombie novels, this book will appeal to you.

Jacob, a reporter, is awoken by the bang and the subsequent obliteration of most of the human population. Unfortunately, the human population reanimates and is quickly roaming the streets of Munich, looking for lunch....

This book has some good elements that aren’t the standard zombie fare – there are different types of zombies, a mad scientist and a very likable feisty red-head female lead who is pretty damn impressive in her knowledge and ability – a top choice to be with during the Zombie apocalypse.

And my favourite part of all is, you’ll never guess the ending.

A well written book and I’ll certainly be reading the next installment!… (más)