Customer Reviews

Kren of the Mitchegai (The Boy and His Tank)

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

 

 

Leo Frankowski (and Dave Grossman) have done it again in the newest of the New Kashubia series which started with A Boy and His Tank then The War with Earth, very good books I might add, and now finally covers a war with some other species than humans. Namely the Mitchegai a very well done, nasty, villain species who due to their biology are seen as evil- they practice faginism (infanticide cannibal style)! However, the reason I knocked this wonderful book from 5 to 4 stars is because, and this is a bit of a spoiler, the whole book is basically a hook or rather a extended introduction to the next book, It even ends with TO BE CONTINUED!!!! But for fans of the New Kashubia series such as my self it is a invaluable must buy and I recommend this book along with the rest of the New Kashubia series to anyone who injoys good Science-Fiction.

This book is one of the best I have ever read of its kind. If you like the Heinlein style of sci-fi, this is a must - truly an homage to his works, and a fascinating story in its own right. I wish he would write the sequel soon!

Frankowski's New Kashubia series has been a lot of fun since the first book, but this latest work, which focuses more on the upcoming villain than on the hero-to-date, is by far the best in the series, and is in my opinion the author's best work so far.

The Mitchegai are truly nasty, sadistic critters on the scale of Moorcock's Melnibonéans, though in a definite sci-fi world rather than the fantasy land of the Elric saga. They torture and eat their own offspring alive, among other things, and Kren is no exception. Nonetheless, I really found myself rooting for Kren to succeed, and actually liked his character in many ways more than I like the human main character.

This book tells the story of Kren in parallel with the story of the humans' preparations for his invasion. The human side of the equation is a bit too reminiscent of a future Conrad Stargard, but the Mitchegai story is really original, and a real winner.

The story ends just before the big battle is about to commence. It reminds me a lot of Ringo's "Gust Front" in that (and other) ways; spending lots of time developing the villain, ending just before the action heats up, etc. I think this is a far better book, though.

According to Frankowski's web site, his publisher thinks this book should be the last in the series, which would be a terrible pity. Perhaps if the hardcover sales go well enough, they'll reconsider.

Leo Frankowski's latest edition of the "A Boy and His Tank" series let's us see the enemy that destroyed humanity. Kren is a reptillian Duke, who has been granted rights to conquer a world populated by humanity. The story covers the preparation of the protagonist Mikolai and the history of Duke Kren. A very enjoyable read.

This is REAL science fiction. No ghosts, goblins, witches or goddesses. Mr. Frankowski has come up with a totally original, absolutely believable, fascinating alien race and a great monster. The Kren side of the book reads so fast that just you can't put it down.

Warning: While it stands alone very well, it IS a prequel and you will spend restless nights waiting for the rest of the story. This is the probably best thing that this author has ever written.

This was a good series. I was disappointed to learn the author died and there will be no more sequels.