C. J. Daley
Thanks to the publisher for this one! This is an Antarctic contagion thriller that was actually written on the continent! That’s so sick.
A team of scientists and engineers have begun to hunker down for the winter season on the ice of Antarctica. The author does a good job of letting the reader know right off the bat that these two groups don’t really get along, foreshadowing future tensions. He also does an incredible job of juggling quite a large cast of characters, which was something I initially worried about—but no need.
When a trio of Chinese scientists make an incredible trek across the frozen wasteland, with quite a heinous scene on display in the back of the truck, you know this is not your normal winter on the ice. One of their team had been brutalized, completely unrecognizable, and no one knows why. And even worse, the station’s Dr. Wei now thinks that all those that stepped foot on the truck after may now be infected.
What follows is a truly high octane, nightmare fueled battle from start to finish. Where the author brings us scientific reasoning just as often as shockingly brutal violence. This is a well paced, and intricately organized thriller, and the author does not let off the pedal until it’s over. It’s a unique take, where the infestation is fighting just as hard (if not harder) for its survival as the humans.
The novel takes place during WWIII, where its near-future take on politics extrapolated to their almost inevitable conclusion, is almost more frightening than the violence itself. But it also gives the novel this truly grounded feeling, that even without stepping foot on that ice, you can know it’s actually happening.
To touch on this quick, the back cover says Contagion meets The Walking Dead. While I have not seen Contagion, this really is nothing like TWD, and while there are some zombie-ish descriptions it’s more like a rage-fueled illness. It felt kind of like they grabbed the biggest IP they could think of and rolled with it, even though it’s not a perfect fit. Maybe to further itself from The Thing? Now, this really in no way marred my enjoyment of this novel, I was definitely looking for it though because they put it there. Maybe more I Am Legend, fresh-turned Z Nation zombies, Days Gone even. Coincidentally the use of worms and infestation did go hand in hand with Angela Sylvaine’s Frost Bite, which I read right after, or even The Troop by Nick Cutter and Infected by Scott Sigler.
Thanks to the publisher for this one! This is an Antarctic contagion thriller that was actually written on the continent! That’s so sick.
A team of scientists and engineers have begun to hunker down for the winter season on the ice of Antarctica. The author does a good job of letting the reader know right off the bat that these two groups don’t really get along, foreshadowing future tensions. He also does an incredible job of juggling quite a large cast of characters, which was something I initially worried about—but no need.
When a trio of Chinese scientists make an incredible trek across the frozen wasteland, with quite a heinous scene on display in the back of the truck, you know this is not your normal winter on the ice. One of their team had been brutalized, completely unrecognizable, and no one knows why. And even worse, the station’s Dr. Wei now thinks that all those that stepped foot on the truck after may now be infected.
What follows is a truly high octane, nightmare fueled battle from start to finish. Where the author brings us scientific reasoning just as often as shockingly brutal violence. This is a well paced, and intricately organized thriller, and the author does not let off the pedal until it’s over. It’s a unique take, where the infestation is fighting just as hard (if not harder) for its survival as the humans.
The novel takes place during WWIII, where its near-future take on politics extrapolated to their almost inevitable conclusion, is almost more frightening than the violence itself. But it also gives the novel this truly grounded feeling, that even without stepping foot on that ice, you can know it’s actually happening.
To touch on this quick, the back cover says Contagion meets The Walking Dead. While I have not seen Contagion, this really is nothing like TWD, and while there are some zombie-ish descriptions it’s more like a rage-fueled illness. It felt kind of like they grabbed the biggest IP they could think of and rolled with it, even though it’s not a perfect fit. Maybe to further itself from The Thing? Now, this really in no way marred my enjoyment of this novel, I was definitely looking for it though because they put it there. Maybe more I Am Legend, fresh-turned Z Nation zombies, Days Gone even. Coincidentally the use of worms and infestation did go hand in hand with Angela Sylvaine’s Frost Bite, which I read right after, or even The Troop by Nick Cutter and Infected by Scott Sigler.
I have a physical copy of this somewhere, so I know I was already interested, but as I’m mostly doing audio lately, and had the chance to listen to judge for the Indie Ink Awards, I couldn’t resist.
I’m sure you’ve seen this around the internet. The author is just a real nice guy, talking about his clean and classic fantasy series, and showing off a nice green library. It’s probably on your TBR, and I’m here now to tell you you should read it. The narration by Peter Leppard is real solid too!
This has the classical feel he’s aiming for. It’s clean, with nothing gratuitous in its fighting or language. There’s emotion, understanding, and heart, with loving parents and displays of affection. It felt almost like the cast of The Lord of the Rings thrown into the earlier, lighter world of The Hobbit, but the orcs have been fleshed out and they’re not mindless, evil things. And while there is originality within for sure, I do warn you of the similarities. If that’s a feel you know and love, but are open to something new, this is exactly for you.
Earlier in the story I struggled slightly with conflict. The author is telling you why things are important, why the characters must do something, but I just didn’t feel it yet. I struggled with being drawn into their tale past just the words spoken, and while I understand the choice with the author showing both sides of the conflict, it made it hard to feel pull to side with someone. Later, this gets entirely erased though, as the author does an incredible job of building a climax with action that doesn’t even need violence to feel in your face. He somehow balances stakes while keeping it clean for readers. I cared for the survival of the characters, and each of them is well balanced with their own skills and areas of expertise. This emotional connection ensured I was ready for anything, and hoping for everyone’s survival.
The author’s take on elves had me thinking of Adam R. Bishop’s A Sea of Cinders, though of course with less violence. I really enjoyed this, and I’m still feeling somewhat concerned for anyone making me feel for an orc.
I have a physical copy of this somewhere, so I know I was already interested, but as I’m mostly doing audio lately, and had the chance to listen to judge for the Indie Ink Awards, I couldn’t resist.
I’m sure you’ve seen this around the internet. The author is just a real nice guy, talking about his clean and classic fantasy series, and showing off a nice green library. It’s probably on your TBR, and I’m here now to tell you you should read it. The narration by Peter Leppard is real solid too!
This has the classical feel he’s aiming for. It’s clean, with nothing gratuitous in its fighting or language. There’s emotion, understanding, and heart, with loving parents and displays of affection. It felt almost like the cast of The Lord of the Rings thrown into the earlier, lighter world of The Hobbit, but the orcs have been fleshed out and they’re not mindless, evil things. And while there is originality within for sure, I do warn you of the similarities. If that’s a feel you know and love, but are open to something new, this is exactly for you.
Earlier in the story I struggled slightly with conflict. The author is telling you why things are important, why the characters must do something, but I just didn’t feel it yet. I struggled with being drawn into their tale past just the words spoken, and while I understand the choice with the author showing both sides of the conflict, it made it hard to feel pull to side with someone. Later, this gets entirely erased though, as the author does an incredible job of building a climax with action that doesn’t even need violence to feel in your face. He somehow balances stakes while keeping it clean for readers. I cared for the survival of the characters, and each of them is well balanced with their own skills and areas of expertise. This emotional connection ensured I was ready for anything, and hoping for everyone’s survival.
The author’s take on elves had me thinking of Adam R. Bishop’s A Sea of Cinders, though of course with less violence. I really enjoyed this, and I’m still feeling somewhat concerned for anyone making me feel for an orc.
I received this as a gift, but ended up doing the audio for it due to time.
Strangely enough, I’ve seen handfuls of people talk about this book with the warning “just don’t treat it like scripture!” I’ve had it said to me personally and I’ve seen it said online, and honestly, I’ve not actually seen anyone treat it like that. Could it be because of all of our well meaning warners, or is it just a strange attachment it’s gotten over time?
Anyway, this is a strange little mix of memoir and writing instructional. For someone that claims they don’t really remember their childhood (or maybe he just meant that in relation to the other book he mentioned) this is a pretty detailed recounting. Doctor’s visits, school mishaps, and even somethings with quoted dialogue. I’m not sure I could recount as much! It’s interesting, well paced, and short enough to be entertaining as well as it is informative. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of King, not by any stretch, but it is interesting to learn more about someone that so many consider a master.
Now for the instructions, habits, and necessities of writing, there are some things in this that I took away as fantastic, and there were things I really disagreed with. On one hand, King’s opinions on adjectives, dialogue, and characters were things I will focus and think over in the future. He is another firmly set in the department of “said” being all that’s needed. And he states that your dialogue and characters actions will dictate how they’re speaking, not a simple word attached to said. Are your characters fighting? Readers will assume they may be getting loud. Are you characters hidden in a closet while a madman hunts them? Readers will assume they are whispering. That doesn’t mean that a well placed word can’t help, but to do it often is just fluff.
King is a big reader, and he spent a lot of his time growing up writing. But he then says that he firmly believes that a bad writer cannot become good, and a good writer cannot become great. And it feels as if we’re just supposed to believe that by him writing and reading as a teen that he was just miraculously chosen as one of the greats (of the three options given, I figured this one is the one people would label him as, he certainly does not do so himself)? I do believe in natural talent, but with something so obviously learned like writing skills, I can’t believe someone like him could believe that these people are simply made, or somehow chosen? Furthermore, when he goes into his best “practices” (his daily routines) he mentions needing to continually write, always working on the craft, and to read voraciously. Both things I’d personally consider to be PRACTICE. It almost seems like what he said and what he does are at odds there…
Regardless of if you agree with him or me, this is short on being a masterclass in writing technique, and frankly, he wasn’t trying to make it one. He remarks on how many of these exist, what he could possibly add, and who is he to even do so. And in that sense, as well as the personal tidbits, this remains an informative, enjoyable and grounded read. I am getting into more reads by the author, and I can see he’s a fantastic writer, so it was also nice to see that he doesn’t have a big head. And the narration by the author is always a nice touch.
I received this as a gift, but ended up doing the audio for it due to time.
Strangely enough, I’ve seen handfuls of people talk about this book with the warning “just don’t treat it like scripture!” I’ve had it said to me personally and I’ve seen it said online, and honestly, I’ve not actually seen anyone treat it like that. Could it be because of all of our well meaning warners, or is it just a strange attachment it’s gotten over time?
Anyway, this is a strange little mix of memoir and writing instructional. For someone that claims they don’t really remember their childhood (or maybe he just meant that in relation to the other book he mentioned) this is a pretty detailed recounting. Doctor’s visits, school mishaps, and even somethings with quoted dialogue. I’m not sure I could recount as much! It’s interesting, well paced, and short enough to be entertaining as well as it is informative. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of King, not by any stretch, but it is interesting to learn more about someone that so many consider a master.
Now for the instructions, habits, and necessities of writing, there are some things in this that I took away as fantastic, and there were things I really disagreed with. On one hand, King’s opinions on adjectives, dialogue, and characters were things I will focus and think over in the future. He is another firmly set in the department of “said” being all that’s needed. And he states that your dialogue and characters actions will dictate how they’re speaking, not a simple word attached to said. Are your characters fighting? Readers will assume they may be getting loud. Are you characters hidden in a closet while a madman hunts them? Readers will assume they are whispering. That doesn’t mean that a well placed word can’t help, but to do it often is just fluff.
King is a big reader, and he spent a lot of his time growing up writing. But he then says that he firmly believes that a bad writer cannot become good, and a good writer cannot become great. And it feels as if we’re just supposed to believe that by him writing and reading as a teen that he was just miraculously chosen as one of the greats (of the three options given, I figured this one is the one people would label him as, he certainly does not do so himself)? I do believe in natural talent, but with something so obviously learned like writing skills, I can’t believe someone like him could believe that these people are simply made, or somehow chosen? Furthermore, when he goes into his best “practices” (his daily routines) he mentions needing to continually write, always working on the craft, and to read voraciously. Both things I’d personally consider to be PRACTICE. It almost seems like what he said and what he does are at odds there…
Regardless of if you agree with him or me, this is short on being a masterclass in writing technique, and frankly, he wasn’t trying to make it one. He remarks on how many of these exist, what he could possibly add, and who is he to even do so. And in that sense, as well as the personal tidbits, this remains an informative, enjoyable and grounded read. I am getting into more reads by the author, and I can see he’s a fantastic writer, so it was also nice to see that he doesn’t have a big head. And the narration by the author is always a nice touch.
