Three Helmets SciFi & Fantasy Reviews

Scott's Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Quick Reviews

I have been a fan of science fiction and fantasy and other great works for over forty years. Here are some of the eBook novels I've enjoyed reading by a variety of publishers and authors.

Monster Hunter International, by Larry Correia: I have read four of the six books in this series and have enjoyed every one. They are a great change of pace for many of the lighter litrpg books I am reading as are about a very tough character fighting the most evil monsters ever written about. Let's say "bloody" and "gruesome" are terms you can use a lot to describe the books. The characters are well developed heroes you can get behind and cheer for as they fight vampires, werewolves, undead, and (insert monster type). There are some grammatical errors, but nothing distracting. I may not give the book a full five stars, but would be reluctant to give it four. Put it at a 4.5 and go for it. It's worth the read.

A Dragon of A Different Color, by Rachel Aaron: this series is a favorite of mine. I fell in love with it in the first book, Nice Dragons Finish Last. It is a story about a young dragon, Julius, who is a "nice" dragon (unlike pretty much all other dragons who are conniving opportunists quick to chomp or burn you to a crisp). Julius has wrested control of his family clan and managed to become one of three clan leaders. He is set on making the Heartstriker family into an actual family and not just "every dragon for themselves." Only the Heartstriker clan is invaded by the Chinese clan before they can set their house in order (see the first three books for how it became a mess). The Chinese demand surrender, but not for the reason you might expect! One Heartstriker has history with one of the Chinese dragons that changes everything and Julius has to figure out what it is while also trying to survive the rages of the Lady of the Lakes spirit that is trying to wipe out humanity. Did I mention the Mortal Spirits popping up? Or Marci, Julius' human girlfriend? You'll want to read the story because it is well worth it.

Patch 17, by G Akella is a another LitRPG novel from a Russian author (which typically means it is GOOD litrpg as the Russians excel in the genre and the only ones that are translated are successful books already). Patch 17, and its four (so far) other books in the series are a good read. There are really two stories going on in the books. The first is a first person story about Krian (RL name is Roman), a player forced into the game by a powerful executive at the gaming company. Krian starts off just as the game cuts off 30 million players lives and traps them in the game. Unfortunately (at first) Krian is sent to the Demon lands where there are no other players. It turns out to be a blessing, albeit a dangerous blessing, as Krian is able to make powerful allies (game gods) and elite quests where he rapidly levels and becomes incredibly powerful. Tied to Krian is the other half of the story about Krian's best friend and his sister who are in elven lands (along with the rest of the 30 million players trapped in the game. Their progress is MUCH slower, but they get going and by Book 4, things are looking up (and their story is expanded). Enjoyable books with appealing characters and a unique world. There are a number of typos, but they were not too distracting.

Adventures on Terra (Books1 & 2), by R A Mejia are the story of a young man who is transported to another world based on an MMORPG game. Armon starts life in the “game” world as an adult level 1 with a fairy guardian named Mary. The story is fairly well written and edited. I like the characters and world the author has created. After a while I liked the very slow leveling and loot. The author was consistent in the leveling and it added to the challenges that the characters were not overpowered or find uber weapons to use. What I did not like was the many references to real world things and events that in many cases were just silly and childish. It would be fine for a YA book, but there was some cursing in the book that made me think that was not the goal. Still, I liked the books, although not a five star effort.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob), Bobiverse Book 1, by Dennis Taylor. This is a pretty unique book that I really enjoyed. A bit goofy, but fun. The main character is a digitized conscious of Bob Johansson, who had is head frozen until a medical breakthrough could be found to create a replacement body. Unfortunately, for Bob, the government declared all frozen people "dead" and all their assets were seized. Those who were not trashed, were sold. Bob was sold to a venture who digitizes his brain (destroying the original) and puts it in a spaceship that is sent to nearby star systems where Bob is supposed to look for and prepare habitable planets and replicate himself to self-expand the search. Unfortunately, there are competing interests, some extremely hostile to both Bob and what he is doing. This is a fun read for a SciFi lover. Book 2 is out & Book 3 is out August 8, 2017.

The Weirdest Noob, by Arthur Stone, a Russian author whose real name is Sergeevich Smirnov. I have to say, I love Russian LitRPG, and this is an excellent bit of what I love. The story is about Yevgeny (in game name, Ros), a victim of an industrial accident with massive damage to his body and brain. Ros agrees to become part of a MMORPG game called "Second World" as a temporary (and possibly permanent) place for his conscious to stay rather than an induced coma as they try to either repair his body or grow a replacement clone. Ros joins the game and seeks to make money (transferrable to the real world) to pay for his medical bills, which are growing. Ros chooses the ulta-rare Rrokh race, a race seemingly planned for greater things by the game's AI, and becomes a miner with a Level 0 account that is very limited. Little did he know his race has special abilities that work out that he is a MUCH better hunter of monsters than miner. So, off he goes on an adventure where he gets way too much fame that attracts way too much attention. It is a well written story with very interesting character and world. The sequel comes out at the end of July 2017, so I just re-read it to refresh myself and was just as happy with it the second time as the first. #Recommended.

Super Sales on Super Heroes, by William D. Arand, is a well written, adult themed, superhero novel about a very low powered super living in a super villain run city that is selling superheroes as slaves. The main character, Felix, discovers his superpower is increased based on the number and level of power of the superheroes he purchases as slaves as their powers feed his own. He is definitely a benevolent dictator and has a good relationship with his slaves, who realize they would be dead if they did not agree to work with him. Felix quickly finds a couple super heroines who are amorously interested in him and things just keep getting better and better as Felix sets up his own little fiefdom. Of course, not everyone is excited by the idea of Felix becoming powerful and threatening their own little empires and conflict soon ramps up. This is a well written story of an adult nature as there is some sexual content and adult themes. That said, I enjoyed the book and do recommend it to anyone who likes a more mature superhero story.

Lion's Quest: Undefeated, by Michael-Scott Earle, and its sequels, are LitRPG novels of the champion of MMORPG gaming taking on a new job game testing Ohlavar Quest with a beautiful game designer and owner of the company. But, all is not as it should be as there are repeated professional attempts to assassinate the Champ and destroy the game. Also, as the Champ plays the game it is changing him in ways he does not understand. This is a well written and edited book. Interesting and fun characters and a complex magic system and politics in the game. If I have a knock on the series at all, it is slowness in which the reveal on what is going on with the game is taking (3 books in and still being teased). The story is an action packed romp through the game world and I recommend it for a fun read.

P.S. Don't be turned off by the outrageous cover art (feel free to be turned on, though).

The Dragon's Wrath: A Virtual Dream Series, by Brent Roth. I really liked this story. The world is not dissimilar to other LitRPG (fantasy world without excessive monsters and I don't recall seeing a dragon - Dragon's Wrath is the game title, not the theme), however having a character who is simply trying to build a community of his own in an out of the way place brings a newer element (not unique as Chaos Seeds is similar in this respect) to the genre that I really enjoy.

The main character (story is in first person) starts in the far North where no other players want to be. This serves two purposes, access to a unique game item and an out of the way place for him to build his little piece of the pie (community). There are plenty of obstacles to overcome, and the inevitable conflict with other players, that keeps the story moving and fun to read.

My final nod to the book is that I am now re-reading the 3 book series and enjoying it once again.

Armchair Safari was an interesting looking LitRPG novel, but it did not stand up to the test of a good reading. Unfortunately the author split the story too many ways and did not focus more on a single main character (split between player, hacker, Romanian crime boss, and the CFO of the game developer was just too much). Splitting a story that many times, unless you are Tom Clancy or George R. R. Martin willing to put out a 700 page book, you may want to avoid that much complexity. Armchair Safari by Jonathan Paul Isaacs just never pulled you into any of the characters enough to get into the book. Which was sad, because the author's effort to show the terrible effects of PTSD in Marines who fought in Iraq was worthwhile.

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf, L.G. Estrella: I picked this title up on a whim and a need for a humorous and fun to read book. It did not disappoint. L.G. Estrella's Unconventional Heroes series, is fun to read, a bit dark, and will have you laughing throughout.

The story is about a necromancer and his apprentice who are recruited by their country's mage council to "work off" all of their crimes by doing difficult missions for the council. Sent along with them to keep an eye and manage their expenditures is a rather timid bureaucrat who can pull just about anything out of thin air (pretty much his only magical ability).

Needless to say the missions they are sent on are extremely dangerous and hilariously funny. I definitely recommend reading all three of the books out so far in the series.

Horatio Hornblower: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, C.S. Forester: A few years back I bought a copy of "Captain Horatio Hornblower," a 1951 color film with Gregory Peck. It was a movie I had seen when I was a kid and have fond memories. (Don't hold your 21st Century movie standards against it.) Anyway, seeing it led me to look up the books by C.S. Forster, and I was happy to discover there are a number of books in the Horatio Hornblower series, that I had my wife get me for Christmas.

Once I started the books I could not put them down. I have read everyone of them 2-3 times, with my favorite, the HB and the Hotspur at least five times.

Horatio Hornblower is an officer in Her Majesty's Service during the Napoleonic Wars and the series takes place from the early years of Hornblower as a Midshipman up until he is a lord under command of all naval forces in the West Indies. Most of the books have Hornblower in command of a ship and engaged in some adventure or another to thwart ol' Boney (Napoleon).

Very well written series with a great character in Hornblower and his crews. His writing of sailing ships is superb (I'm no expert) and you will become completely immersed in his world on the high seas.

Fimbulwinter: Daniel Black Book 1, E. William Brown: In exchange for his life, modern day Daniel Black agrees to be the champion of a goddess who needs him to save her last priestess. Transported to a world of magic in a medieval fantasy world based on Norse Mythology, Daniel become the goddesses champion and learns to use the powerful magic granted him by the goddess.

This is a very original and well written fantasy story (even while using the well used Norse Mythos), with excellent characters and setting. Five Stars all day and twice on Sunday.

Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: Lord Foul's Bane, Stephen R. Donaldson: Thomas has leprosy and has isolated himself from other people, not just to protect them from becoming infected, but to give him a place of solitude to wallow in his misery.

Thomas is summoned and willingly goes to another world where he finds he is supposed to be the champion of the people of the Land to resist Lord Foul's corruption. Only Thomas does not know how to use his power and does not believe in himself after so long a time living as a leper.

This is an amazing fantasy novel set in a rich and original world with the ultimate anti-hero as the main character. It is a must read for any lover of fantasy who wants to be able to say they have read the best stories fantasy writers have to offer.

Sandman Slim: Aloha From Hell Book 1, Richard Kadrey: Sandman Slim is an enforcer for hire, who also occasionally does the bidding of Lucifer. This is not a nice man, but don't misunderstand, that does not mean he does not champion the good side of things (good being relative). This is not a feel-good book, but if you like a tough anti-hero who busts heads and drinks too much, you'll love this.

Well written urban fantasy anyone who is not shy of reading about the good guy gone bad (or maybe the other way around) should have no trouble enjoying.

Young Ancients: Strange Land Book 15, P.S. Power: I am 15 books into P.S. Powers', Young Ancients Series. Strange Land is the 15th book in the series and is about the long-time character, Sara Debri. Sara has the ominous task of bringing aid to the religiously fanatic, Tellerand people who shun all magic.

The story moves at the usual pace of the author that I will forgo going into as anyone who would want to read this book already know what I mean. I would not say this is the best book in the series, but it is well done, better edited, and leaves out the gratuitous sex (which may not be what people who have read the entire series want to hear). All in all, the story is worthy for anyone who has read the other 14 books (and can deal with the plethora of grammatical errors throughout the series) and moves the story along what little it can be at this point.

Other Great SciFi and Fantasy eBooks for Kindle

Long Time Favorites

In the past several years I have come to appreciate new authors and genres of science fiction and fantasy. Independent authors, never ending book series', and LitRPG have become a staple diet of daily reading for me that severely cramps the time I should be writing!

If you have even a little nostalgia for the 1980s, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is a must read.

Yes, the whole damn world is out to get Calvin Stringel, not really better known as Mechani-Cal. Jim Bernheimer's Confessions of a D-List Supervillain series is a fun read.

Russian LitRPG is awesome and Vasily Mahanenko contributes more of the same. Serving his prison sentence in a virtual world, Mahan takes up the Way of the Shaman.

More Russian LitRPG, this time by the great D. Rus in his AlterWorld series. The Perma Effect may be a curse for many, but for some it is a new beginning and immortality.

Rachel Aaron created a unique modern fantasy world worth visiting. It can be difficult to survive in a world where Nice Dragons get eaten. Finishing last could be worse.

LitRPG. Building a place of your own would be great if everyone wasn't trying to take it away from you. Aleron Kong's Chaos Seeds series is a must and starts with The Land: Founding.

The very best in Urban Fantasy is Jim Butcher's, Dresden Files Series.

Patrick Rothfuss' first book, Name of the Wind, is a homerun. Epic Fantasy. To know the true name of a thing is to know truly powerful magic.

Alexey Osadchuk's Mirror World starts off with this wonderful story. LitRPG. Mirror World is Oleg's last hope for making enough money for his daughter's life-saving operation. It's his Project Daily Grind. A must for genre lovers.

LitRPG. Who knew "Goblin Herbalist" could be a job description? Adventures in Plotline Testing! Michael Atamanov starts off this fun to read story with Video Game Plotline Tester: The Dark Herbalist.

LitRPG. The alien invasion changed everything. But, mostly is changed how to play The Gam3, an internet like MMORPG, only for the whole galaxy. Cosimo Yap's first novel.

Penelope Akk discovers using her mad science powers are more fun used for villainy. But don't tell her parents! Richard Roberts has written a wonderful YA novel in Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain!

Steampunk. Flying sailing ships, swords & sorcery. By one of the great fantasy authors of our age.

Adventurers get all the glory. And the loot. But what about the Dungeon? What does it get? Your life!

Humanity was annihilated in a matter of hours. Unfortunately for them, they didn't finish the job.

LitRPG. Recently finished reading this for the second time and enjoyed it just as much as the first.

Three Helmets Books is the publication name used by Scott Olen Reid published works. For more information contact Scott at [email protected]

Note regarding Scott's favorite books linked to Amazon.com: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Even so, all books shown have been read by, and are favorites of, Scott Olen Reid and are strictly his choice to share with you.