Customer Reviews

Gaia's Demise (Deathlands)

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

 

 

This, the second of the 'Baronies Trilogy', shares many of the same faults and upsides as the first entry in the mini-saga. Again it is well written and is an enjoyable read, also this time around the characters ring true which is a definite bonus. I wasn't too fussed with the the return of Dr Jamaisvous or the way with which it was explained, for me it ruined the excellent poetic justice ending of the fantastic 'Dark Emblem'. Mythology? Let's not even bother with that anymore... Like 'Gemini Rising' the book seems to sway uncomfortably close to setting up the backstory for Outlanders, which I personally feel it's a bit too early for. Otherwise it's a definite improvement which bodes well for the next, and last, entry in the trilogy.

I have to say that this new author did a better job of keeping the characters IN character in this one! This is not to say that the 1st of the Baron Trilogys was bad - just off kilter a bit. Now the action scenes and weaponry in both books is told exceedingly well. A good action/adventure read with bizarre mutants and situations - this is what a long-time Deathlands reader loves, great job!! The adventure is fast and furious and I love when they don't always have those damn luxury places with baths and plenty of food - BAH! This is Deathlands and its bare-knuckles survival, and thats what this new writer gave us. Good work and keep it up and can't wait for the next one, I just ordered it today in fact. Read this one fans, you will not be dissappointed. Mike says check it out!!

The series started out interestingly enough but this book was a disappointment. Granted I did enjoy the technology that was involved, the Kite system mainly.

However, Several things really bothered me about it. First and foremost the mutants. Evolution takes millions of years to create new species. How could an entire new species, these mutated friendly water beetles, appear as a stable race in less than 100 years? Again this is the Deathlands but things are starting to get a little silly.

I understand that you are trying to go for a more Science fiction feel but... How about a little explination on how these things happen?

My biggest complaint is that there was not even an attempt to explain how Silas got back from the past, where he had been trapped after Dark Emblem.

Another, lesser complaint is that Ryan had indeed seen an Aircraft before. Ice and Fire if my memory serves.

I hope that Book 3 is not such a disappointment.

hey its been a month and a half sence i ordered the book and i have not gotten it yet! Sometimes the mail is like the airlines with lost bagage.

Great story, plot, characters, mutants, action, and suspense. Truly one of the best.

The sequel, DARK RECKONING, also was excellent; however, it was riddled with missing words, hence incomplete sentences, and occasional errors in tense. Which means I had to subtract three points from the overall five points it would have gotten otherwise.

As a long time Deathlands fan, I have to say that the new author is doing a great job but I have some reservations on whether this is a little too much for the series. There is a lot I'd recommend about this book: A quirky plot-line, good mix of nasty characters as antagonists, and a different view of the Deathlands shockscape (i.e. from horseback and vehicle as opposed to mat-trans jump). What I didn't care for is the trite way in which the action seemed to be handled. Also, it is a formidable task to tie in two series together that show a major change in both the world and its rulers in a little less than 100 years. While this book wasn't unenjoyable as a whole, it is a near miss. I am looking forward to the third novel in the series and would still like a trilogy (at least) of Ryan and J.B.'s adventures with Trader.