Customer Reviews

Raven Dance: A History of the Utopian Revolution

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

 

 

If someone had told me I would enjoy reading a book about a revolution set in the far future that included supernatural characters, I'd have been surprised. Both ESP and FTL are standard fare in SF, but vampires and even a werewolf aren't. What makes it all the better is that author, Robert Sloan, makes it work. Raven Dance is an epic following a host of characters who battle "against all odd" the faceless, impersonal tyranny of the entrenched, hierarchical bureaucracy of supposedly egalitarian Utopia. With a nod to Heinlein sensibilities and values, Sloan crafts a tale of intrigue and espionage leading to a cultural revolution for personal liberty. His descriptions of FTL (Ander's run) and psionics are fun, engaging, and exciting. I hope you enjoy this action-packed novel as much as I did.

I have a fondness for stories about rebellions. This one is particularly good. The characters are rich and very likable. The world these poor rebels are forced to deal with will give you the creeps. You will be rooting for these feisty protagonists mere pages into the book. Read and enjoy!

Greta F. Hogan Author of Cabin on Riddle Mountain and Other Stories Coming Soon from Merlin House

That's why I gave my own book a five star rating. There's quality and there's anyone's individual tastes. Having been my own worst critic for far too many years, I didn't send this book to print until I was satisfied with it. I've rewritten it so often that it's an old friend and sits comfortably between Dean Kootnz and Ray Bradbury on my personal 'reread list' where I wait a few months to forget the details before I enjoy it again.

I got it just right to my own taste. Skim it for yourself and see if you're one of my readers. If you like it, most of my books are pretty much like that. If they're fantasy, they have some science fiction buried deep. If they're horror they have both. It's like a gumbo. You like the mix or you want a little more of this or a little more of that. The one thing you can be sure of is there will be many more of them, because I love what I do and I love my readers.

So if I fall somewhere on your list, drop me a line sometime. Let me know what you think. The one thing I promise is every time I will do these books a little better than the last, while I'm alive. That comes like breathing.

Till the next time. You can find my webpage if you'd like to leave some comments. I'll also read them here. Have a good time. Live forever or die trying...

Robert A. Sloan author of Raven Dance

Coming Soon... Cabin on Riddle Mountain and Other Stories By Greta F. Hogan Edited by Robert A. Sloan

It takes a lot of imagination, but also a good grasp on what might be possible or could be credible in a fantastic world to write SF. Mr. Sloan shows both in Raven Dance. It's a classic storyline about rebellion, about the fight for freedom. The scenes are action and dialogue driven. Crisp writing, a fine plot, well drawn characters and sumptuous imagery, but best of all: a hero who is ultra-sensual, wise beyond age and capable, immortal and frail, intelligent and still human enough to have ideals and compassion. I particularly enjoyed the flashes of humour...Mr. Sloan surprised me with very funny lines he sprinkled into his narrative. All of this makes for a treat. I can't wait to read Malcolm's next adventures.

This book was a wonderful read. Not only was it suspensful and exciting, it was also rich and smooth, with a pleasing cadence. It is beautiful.
It also put a strangely sweet spin on familiar topics: vampires, for example, and werewolves.
If you like quality, read this book!