Tag: Time Travel

Kenneth Thomas – Vanwest: The Past | Review

Title: Vanwest: The Past

Author: Kenneth Thomas

Type: Fiction

Page Count: 197

Rating: 3.75/5

Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a free copy of this book and was compensated for my time.

This book is interesting because it blends a bunch of different things together in a sort of YA-focussed sci-fi caper involving everything from time travel to a sort of Hunger Games/Triwizard Tournament style event right at the beginning that sets up the world and kicks us off.

The subject matter and the ideas here are pretty cool, but I personally would have loved to see something a little grittier. In particular, the constant “roaching hell” and “roachtardswear word substitutes kind of grated on me as being a little too twee. But if that’s the only complaint I have, it can’t be too bad, right?

Overall, it was an interesting little indie read with a lot to offer, and it hopped between genres as easily as the characters hopped between timelines. It also did a good job of worldbuilding and contrasting the differences between the future and the past, and sets up the series pretty well.

Learn more about Vanwest: The Past.


Oli Jacobs – Kirk Sandblaster Faces Montague Santiago| Review

Title: Kirk Sandblaster Faces Montague Santiago

Author: Oli Jacobs

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 196

Rating: 4/5

 

 

This is the second Oli Jacobs Kirk Sandblaster novel that I’ve read and so far it’s easily the best. That’s because on top of the stellar plot and the cracking world building, this one was also better edited and in fact didn’t have a single mistake in it so far as I could tell.

I also liked the way that this revolves around the Universe Man of the Year competition and the rivalry between Sandblaster and his arch nemesis, Montague Santiago. He actually made for the perfect foil without feeling too over the top like a pantomime villain. In fact, as the reader, it’s easier to sympathise with Santiago than it is with Sandblaster, purely because of Sandblaster’s ego.

Then there’s the way that this book deals not only with space travel but
also with time travel, which is what made Santiago’s name and helped him to upstage Kirk Sandblaster. And poor old Xlaar is dragged along for the ride too, against his better judgement. Definitely recommended by me!

 

Oli Jacobs

 

Click here to buy Kirk Sandblaster Faces Montague Santiago.