Customer Reviews

Shadow Box (Outlanders (Unnumbered))

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

 

 

The latest chapter in the Outlanders saga combines high action with an intelligent story of forgotten gods and a slave race's tragic bid for freedom. The Cerberus rebels, fighting to prevent aliens mounting a stealth invasion of a desolate future Earth, stumble across a plague that turns people into babbling, mindless automata, and a monster that can't be killed - which both turn out to be directly connected to their alien enemies. The creature is on their tail, and the plague is a threat to the whole human race - but how do you kill something that won't die, or cure a disease that isn't a disease...?

Blending science and myth with a powerfully imagined future world and plenty of guns and girls, Shadow Box moves at a good pace, skillfully interweaving the pieces of the puzzle and building to a genuinely moving conclusion. Occasionally it's hard to keep track of the minor characters and their allegiances, but the central action is clear and gripping and the main characters well-drawn. If you're looking for a fast-moving action story that also has something intelligent to say about humanity, this is the book for you.

Shadow Box is the second Outlanders novel from Rik Hoskin and is a definite improvement on the last. There are some nice touches throughout which mark him as a writer to watch, in particular, a scene with 'Nicola' reminded me of something David Gemmell would have written. Without giving anything away, the outcome is surprising and not just your typical 'shoot the monster until it's dead'. Good stuff and I can't wait until the next one.

I have to say that this outlanders series has gone downhill fast. When i was halfway through this book and the characters were still tromping in the desert i got bored stiff. The bad guys quickly became allies and the cerberus team has now become the savior of everybody on the planet. Whether they ask for it or not. Kind of like our own government. This rick hosken dude just doesnt have what the main author had in terms of characters and movement and all round action. I roll my eyes when enemies become friends within minutes, just because they survived a tsunami or some such crap. When does one survive such a catastrophe and come out without a scratch?

Shadow Box belongs in a box and should be left there.

I started out with the Deathlands series, back when it was well written and could follow a plot line. Then Outlanders came along, and since it's been basically the same author throughout the series, it's been able to keep its focus, follow a decent plot line, and keep the characters straight (unlike the recent Deathlands books.) Shadow Box is an average installment - nothing special. It takes over ½ the book to get to the main plot line, and unlike most Outlandres, this one really drags.

The plot has its interesting points, but the plot really falls apart towards the end. The wrap-up and final couple of chapters are rushed and really don't make sense. Really a big cop-out. Too many plot holes, shallow characters, unoriginal beastie