Customer Reviews

Dead Easy (Halflife Chronicles)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lupe and Deidre have left Chris and gone to his enemies for protection and won't talk to him, and as a result he's been left clinically depressed and isolated. This state of mind infuses the first 4 chapters of this book and made it hard for me to get into the story at the start. The Depression also makes the constant quips and pop-culture references (which are a real feature of these books) have a some what desperate air to them. At times you want to hit Chris and tell him to shut and listen when people are trying to tell him important things about the coming-end-of-the-world which apparently, much to his disgust, only he can prevent.

I have to say that this book is probably my least favourite in this series so far. All the strengths that have been accumulated in previous books seem to have been mostly expended in this novel as Chris is left isolated and feared by most people around him. The end of the book brings Chris either to a new starting point or a rather sad end. Either way this series needs another book as this would not be a good way to end the series. If I could, I'd probably give this book 3.5 stars as I don't think it lives up to previous instalments in the series, but it's not bad enough to stop me reading any new books which might be published.

I really have enjoyed the half-life chronicles and was looking forward to the next in the series, my mistake. The story was okay, but the ending was just lazy writing. I assume the only reason he didn't use "and then the alarm went off and I woke up" was because it was already in use by every grade school kid forced to write a story, but unable to come up with an ending.

Dead Easy (2007) is the fourth fantasy novel in the HalfLife Chronicles series, following Habeas Corpses. In the previous volume, Christopher Csejthe spent some time in an immaterial state, with a silver cord connecting his astral projection to his body. Then Wendy cut the cord and a pair of docs stole his body. He traveled out west and raised chaos among the body snatchers.

Chris recovered his body, but it had been enhanced with nanobots. He returned to New York City within his body, but then bloodwalked among the master vampires of the New York City demesne. After terrifying them out of their traditions, he gave them specific orders. Returning into his physical body, Chris departed NYC and went back to Louisiana.

In this novel, Chris finds himself in a strait jacket within a padded cell. The very blond and voluptuous Doctor Fand was trying to talk him into facing reality. She also wants him to sign a paper releasing his unborn son to foster care.

Despite the drugs, Chris begins to think coherently. He decides that the self-described psychiatrist isn't really a medical doctor. He also notices that the blonde has pointy ears, a violet glow and a nasty disposition.

Chris jams the blonde through the door and escapes his cell. Fleeing through the halls -- that turn into stone tunnels -- Chris confronts the oversized orderly and extends claws from his fingers capable of chipping the stone walls. The man says something about Chris's eyes, then turns and runs away.

In this story, Chris returns to his houseboat to find that he has been gone for three weeks. It seemed like three months, but time passes more quickly in a fairy mound. He manages to stay awake long enough to get a quick briefing on the current situation.

Two enforcers from the New Orleans demesne are on his boat preparing to take Mama Samm to the Big Easy. Marie Laveau has been minding Lupe as she carries his unborn son. Doctors Mooncloud and Barton have been tending to Lupe's needs while she is nearing the end of her pregnancy.

Chris is talking to Zotz the bat god on the rear deck of the houseboat when something pulls the demon into the water. Three fish men come up from the depths and attack him. After they fall into the river, Chris again grows claws as well as metal blades on his forearms. Cutting up the fishmen, he returns to the houseboat.

Apparently the nanobots within his body have activated beyond the basic tissue repair level. They are not only generating personal weapons, but also breathing apparatus to keep him alive under the water. Still, the energy has to come from somewhere and he starts craving even more blood.

This tale introduces Chris to the ancient and outer gods a la H.P. Lovecraft. They infest his dreams and even cause hallucinations while he is awake. Apparently the bad gods are returning to Earth and the not-so-bad gods are trying to prevent their return.

Chris is living in deep doo-doo in these final days. The world is coming to an end and his son, daughter and former wife will be born any time now. The Werewolves are revolting and the vampires are not so friendly. Enjoy!

Recommended for Simmons fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of preternatural creatures, ancient gods, and desperate love.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Not your run of the mill author. If you are into vampires and werewolves and the Sidhe and ... well, let's just describe this series as Dracula meets the Godfather by way of Monty Python and you've almost hit it. This series is totally unique and this book promises to continue the tradition.

Our main character, Chris Csejthe, really takes it on the chin in this book, where he ends up taking on Deep Ones and an Elder God at the behest of various Hindu deities. To make matters worse, he's also up against zombies and he's lost most of his backup. What's a guy supposed to do?

There is very little I can tell about the plot without giving away spoilers - this book is packed full of surprises (good and nasty) and far be it from me to ruin them for you! What I can say is that apparently Mr. Simmons takes out all his frustrations with life on poor Chris Csejthe, because Chris just can't seem to win.

Folks who have been following the Half-Life Chronicles (containing, in addition to the reviewed book, One Foot in the Grave, Dead on My Feet (The Halflife Chronicles), and Habeas Corpses) won't want to miss this latest installment. If you haven't been following them ... WHY NOT?? These are awesome books! Get them all, and read them NOW!

So many literary and pop references per page it makes your head spin. I actually LEARNED things while reading a book about vampiric werewolves. It is so much fun to be entertained AND educated at the same time. Be it mythology, classic literature, or actual history, this book manages to cram it all in with a healthy dose of wit and a keen eye for the absurd.

One word of caution: you need to start with the previous book in the series (Habeas Corpses) in order to keep up with the score card. Especially when you get to the end. Ideally you should read from the beginning (One Foot in the Grave).

Another side-splitting story from Wm. Mark Simmons. Once I picked up this book, I couldn't stop reading it and laughing. I even let my elderly mother read it... and she was giggling away. We both loved it and we both want more. So don't let it end with Dead Easy, bring on more of this series. It's refreshing to have a book character that has a mouth that is as smart as mine. ;-)

I loved this book. I could hardly put it down. Simmons has this ability to twist so many angles into a page that you either become totally immersed in it or are lost forever. I cant wait for the next book. Whats up with the nanites, his family, what next?