Customer Reviews

Dog Warrior (Ukiah Oregon, Book 4)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wen Spencer's latest Ukiah Oregon novel, Dog Warrior, is remarkable in several ways. First, it maintains the headlong pace and action of its three predecessors, but while doing so, and seemingly by accident (ha!), it sheds light on the varieties of experience of both humans and aliens. The alien Ontongard, the mutant Prime, the Pack, and the cult all are illuminated in the eye of experience by the new lead character, Ukiah's "brother" Atticus. Originally one body, Ukiah and Atticus were separated by a cleaver, and never reunited physically in time. Atticus passes his "test" to become a Dog Warrior by showing his love for his partner Ru, and for his little brother Ukiah, in the same way that Ukiah passed his own test by loving his Moms and Max Bennett...and later, Indigo and his son. The novel is both structured and kaleidoscopic, and manages all of this with an effortless unpretentiousness that is the hallmark of the mature and superb novelist. I really liked the book, even though I was redshirted in it in a very messy way...after all I did volunteer. Go buy this book, so Wen will be asked to write more of them.

Walt Boyes
Editor-in-Chief
CONTROL Magazine

First, if you haven't read the other 3 books about Ukiah Oregon run out and buy them. While they're not NEEDED to thoroughly enjoy Dog Warrior, you won't want to have to run to a bookstore or wait on them to be shipped to you once you get hooked on Wen Spencer's amazing story.

Secondly, don't start reading before bed the night before you have somewhere to be in the morning. You might not get there. Or you might get there clutching your copy of Dog Warrior and growling at the insensitive people taking you away from your book.

On to the good stuff. Dog Warrior is a wonderfully written book with a concise plot, characters who make you feel for them deeply, and an interesting premise. Though alien invasions have been done to death in science fiction, Wen Spencer has found a new twist to an alien species bent on world domination/destruction.

In all, Dog Warrior is an exciting and enjoyable read, my only complaint about it is that I wish it were longer!

Three "Ukiah Oregon" books ago, Wen Spencer was a new novelist with an engaging character and some new novelist faux pas under her belt. I still read "Alien Taste" in one sitting and went out and got the next two books. "Bitter Water" is the toughest read of the group, but every one of them is enjoyable and pulls you through the story.

The first thing I will say about Book Four is you don't need the first three books to read and understand it. But, I believe you will be so engaged by Ukiah Oregon's story that you will WANT them.

In this novel, Ukiah Oregon discovers he has a big brother. While the feeling of not being the only one is good, neither brother can trust the other.

Strongly recommend you read this book when you have several hours to devote to it. You will not want to put it down.

From the moment the book starts you know something is different. Instead of Ukiah, the book opens from the viewpoint of Atticus Steel. Atticus we soon learn has the same amazing abilities that Ukiah has. Like Ukiah at the start of Alien Taste Atticus knows only that he is different, but not how or why he has abilities no one else seems to have.

In Dog Warrior, Wen Spencer shows that she can keep a series fresh even after three previous books. More of the background is revealed and some questions are answered only to open up new questions. Atticus and Ukiah also reveal in different ways that even those with amazing abilities can still be human, often much to their own dismay (When you have utterly perfect memory, every painful moment of your past is a mere reminder away).

Unlike Alien Taste, Tainted Trail, or Bitter Waters, Dog Warrior is told primarily from Atticus's point of view, not Ukiah's. Even if Ukiah and Atticus share the same genes and powers, we quickly learn that they have grown into different personalities. Ukiah's Mothers allowed him to grow up without losing his innocence. In Alien Taste Ukiah is still passing from childhood into adulthood, and in Dog Warrior we are reminded how little time has passed in the series as Atticus sees the child that is still in Ukiah's personality. Atticus however did not have nearly as easy a childhood. When he is found as a young child he is slips into the care of the state, passing from one foster home to another, never having the chance to form lasting family ties. Unlike Ukiah, Atticus is forced by life to give up his childhood and seize control of his life.

With a new and subtly deadly drug on the street, a cult that is engaged in a hidden war, and a collision of government agencies, Atticus and Ukiah must decide whether they are family or foes. Neither quite trusting the other they each set out doing as they feel they must as the story unfolds with hardly a moment of rest.

I can easily give Dog Warrior five stars. One I started reading it was difficult to stop for any reason. Even better Wen Spencer writes books that are a pleasure to reread; each time subtle details emerge showing not just clues to events to occur in the current book, but also ties between each of the books. By the time I finished Dog Warrior it was no longer late at night, it was early morning. Wen Spencer owes me several hours of missed sleep, but I will be more than happy to take payment in future books.

Spencer introduces Atticus Steele and friends in this latest novel following the trials and tribulations of Ukiah Oregon.

Atticus and his partner discover Ukiah dead in a trunk of a car surrounded by mice. Obviously something they have seen before. Apparently, Atticus had more than his share of run-ins with death and mice. Not to mentioned this "kid" looked exactly like him. So, of course they decide to save him.

I like the fact Spencer decides to add a new character and for much of the book, the story is told from Atticus' view point. The reader also dicovers Atticus' love interest is different from Ukiah, also. Which continues the homosexual theme that began with Ukiah's moms. It also gives the Dog Warriors reason to leave another "breeder" alone. The action is nonstop and the reader can't help but feel for these characters. I really enjoyed all the books from this series.

The reason I chose to give it four stars instead of the usual five is that I felt Spencer should have explained situations more fully. For example, in this novel she shows the cult as trying to save mankind. Yet, they know by know that the sex drug is lethal to humans (many of their own have died from it) and does absolutely nothing to the "demons." Still they continue to manufactor it and sell it the the people. This completely goes against their agenda. There were several other things I found that were a contradiction to the character's or group belief.

Still, if you can overlook these things, I'm sure you will enjoy this novel.

I must admit that when I dicovered that Dog Warrior was to be from another POV, I was somewhat disappointed. After reading Alien Taste, Tainted Trail, and Bitter Waters I wanted to know more of Ukiah's story, not someone else.

However, everything that I have read from Wen Spencer has exceeded my expectations, and she did not disappoint me this time. Even though much of the story is seen from Atticus Steel's POV, I felt like I learned even more about Ukiah. The action is non-stop excitement, but the characters resonated deeply with me.

Bottom line: This book expands the series and grows the characters in ways that make me want more. Highly recommended.

Wen Spencer is one of those rare authors who can write a series, with each book being a full and satifying meal. In Dog Warrior, the fourth in the Ukiah Oregon series, we again get to hang out with the innocent/wise boy/man Ukiah, as he struggles to save himself and the human race. This time things are complicated by his discovery of his "brother" Atticus, who, at one time, literally, was the same person. (What a provocative plot point--something Wen is becoming known for.) When you're done relishing the Ukiah books, you'd be foolish if you didn't read the first book in Wen's other series, Tinker (my personal favorite), about a girl genius living in a Pittsburg which is transferred to an alternate Earth for 29 days out of each month. There is something about Wen's writing that reminds me of Lois McMaster Bujold's. Both create characters that feel real, that you wish were real. Their writing styles don't simply draw you in--they leap from the page and create their worlds around you. Engaging, different, satisfying. Start reading her books now--this is what a Master looks like at the beginning of her career.

This is Wen Spencer's fourth Ukiah Oregon book and it's a corker. I won't go through the plot since you can get that from the editorial review and the blurb on the book. The action picks up almost immediately after the end of the third book (Bitter Waters).

This book is different from the first three in that most of the point of view is that of Atticus Steele (Ukiah's newly discovered brother). The two have had radically different upbringing and this causes tensions between them (mostly on the part of Atticus). The two of them end up working for a common goal even though their misunderstandings make progress difficult.

This book is similar to the first three in the breakneck action pace. It has all the mystery detection and science fiction theories of the first books. I think this book, however, says much more about the loss and gain of love, sibling rivalry, families, birth and death. Ukiah thinks about his three? four? families and you wonder. Ukiah and Atticus stumble toward a sibling relationship and you wonder. Ukiah dies over and over again and you wonder. The Pack regenerates and you wonder. Ukiah describes his birth and Atticus' and your mind goes uhhhh. This book is in the best science fiction tradition in that it confronts issues and makes the reader Think.

Wen has not indicated that there is another Ukiah book coming. The storyline is tied up enough at the end of this book that it could complete a cycle, I suppose. It's rough, though, not to anticipate another Ukiah book next year. These books are a wonder and great fun to read. I urge you to run out and buy a copy, many copies, to convince the publisher to continue the series.

The latest in the Ikiah Oregon series maintains the standards of the series; lots of action, mystery, humor, blood and a little sex on the side. Now we find the DEA entering the action. Nice character development with the addition of Atticus and Ru, a real charmer.

Wen Spencer's trademark is her blistering pacing, and her incredible creative twists, both in plotting and characters' self-discovery.

And Dog Warrior, the fourth installment in Spencer's Ukiah Oregon series, doesn't disappoint in any way. Like all the others in the series, I strongly suggest giving yourself sufficient free time to be able to read it in one sitting -- because you won't want to put it down.

While I highly recommend reading the rest of the series first, it's primarily because I highly recommend the series *grin*. If you haven't read Alien Taste, Tainted Trail and Bitter Waters, you will be missing lots of subtle adventures, and may find the immensely creative universe where Ukiah lives a bit disorienting at first, but Spencer slips in enough back story to get the reader through it without too much trouble, and impressively enough, without slowing down the pace of the book at all.

Wen introduces a new viewpoint character in this book -- Atticus Steele, who is another, and more mature (joined human society more than a decade before Ukiah's moms "found" Ukiah), piece of Magic Boy.

The multiple-viewpoints are a stylistic departure for Spencer, but one which she handles with ease and seemingly effortless comfort.

Overall, a great addition to a truly outstanding series -- and one gaining in recognition and popularity.