Wesley Britton's Blog - Posts Tagged "distopian-fiction"
Book Review: Learning the Hard Way 1 by H.P. Caledon
Learning the Hard Way 1
H.P. Caledon
Publisher: Devine Destinies (January 27, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B01N9ULKFM
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Hard-...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Judging from the countless dystopian stories pouring out in literature and on film, it seems obvious that most sci fi writers see humanity’s future in very dark and bleak terms.
It’s difficult to get much more dark and bleak than to open a novel set in a prison where the guards are rarely visible and the inmates are left to create their own rules. That’s where former soldier and mercenary Mike Marshall is sent. There, he quickly learns he’s going to be somebody’s property. He’s won in a brutal fight by Keelan who is an assassin under the thumb of the biggest dog of the prison gangs.
Mike indeed learns much the hard way in brutal confrontations with inmates who see him as mere meat in their twisted power games. The only salvation Mike has is to trade inside information about mercenary tactics with Keelan in return for protection from the most ruthless of prisoners. To both their surprises, Mike and Keelan find themselves in an uneasy alliance.
The second half of the book moves outside the prison where we encounter authorities at war with slavers on a distant planet. At least, it must be distant. We’re not really told much about it. Instead, we get an espionage plot that takes Mike down urban alleys and inside military barracks.
In fact, it’s hard to see how this novel can be classified as science fiction. Yes, the setting is clearly in the future, but nothing is futuristic except for spaceships in the final sections. We hear fleeting mentions of alien species, but we never get any descriptions or see any interactions with them. Yes, the settings are given as being on different planets, but again we get no descriptions of them or how humanity settled on them. What happens could plausibly happen on earth and not all that far into our future.
In fact, everything is extremely terrestrial and there’s really no need for the sci fi veneer. The heart of the story is the education of Mike Marshall and how he is forced to adapt to constantly shifting circumstances. That includes what happened in his life before prison, what happens inside, and what happens thereafter. It’s his internal torments, especially his self-disgust for his betrayal of his cell-mate that makes him a psychologically damaged human, covered with scars on his body, heart, and soul.
So it doesn’t really matter where Mike experiences his learning the hard way, but rather watching him move from simple survival to being able to make his own decisions to, well, that would be telling.
Learning the Hard Way is for readers who like harsh, brutal stories where the main protagonist can’t be considered a hero but instead a man capable of being more than a pawn in the clutches of remorseless criminals from horrible pasts with equally horrible futures in front of them. It’s the sort of sci fi for readers who don’t like most sci fi. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the galaxy they inhabit in the inevitable sequel.
This review first appeared Feb. 1, 2017 at BookPleasures.com:
goo.gl/aTyhOs
Learning the Hard Way 1
H.P. Caledon
Publisher: Devine Destinies (January 27, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B01N9ULKFM
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Hard-...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Judging from the countless dystopian stories pouring out in literature and on film, it seems obvious that most sci fi writers see humanity’s future in very dark and bleak terms.
It’s difficult to get much more dark and bleak than to open a novel set in a prison where the guards are rarely visible and the inmates are left to create their own rules. That’s where former soldier and mercenary Mike Marshall is sent. There, he quickly learns he’s going to be somebody’s property. He’s won in a brutal fight by Keelan who is an assassin under the thumb of the biggest dog of the prison gangs.
Mike indeed learns much the hard way in brutal confrontations with inmates who see him as mere meat in their twisted power games. The only salvation Mike has is to trade inside information about mercenary tactics with Keelan in return for protection from the most ruthless of prisoners. To both their surprises, Mike and Keelan find themselves in an uneasy alliance.
The second half of the book moves outside the prison where we encounter authorities at war with slavers on a distant planet. At least, it must be distant. We’re not really told much about it. Instead, we get an espionage plot that takes Mike down urban alleys and inside military barracks.
In fact, it’s hard to see how this novel can be classified as science fiction. Yes, the setting is clearly in the future, but nothing is futuristic except for spaceships in the final sections. We hear fleeting mentions of alien species, but we never get any descriptions or see any interactions with them. Yes, the settings are given as being on different planets, but again we get no descriptions of them or how humanity settled on them. What happens could plausibly happen on earth and not all that far into our future.
In fact, everything is extremely terrestrial and there’s really no need for the sci fi veneer. The heart of the story is the education of Mike Marshall and how he is forced to adapt to constantly shifting circumstances. That includes what happened in his life before prison, what happens inside, and what happens thereafter. It’s his internal torments, especially his self-disgust for his betrayal of his cell-mate that makes him a psychologically damaged human, covered with scars on his body, heart, and soul.
So it doesn’t really matter where Mike experiences his learning the hard way, but rather watching him move from simple survival to being able to make his own decisions to, well, that would be telling.
Learning the Hard Way is for readers who like harsh, brutal stories where the main protagonist can’t be considered a hero but instead a man capable of being more than a pawn in the clutches of remorseless criminals from horrible pasts with equally horrible futures in front of them. It’s the sort of sci fi for readers who don’t like most sci fi. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the galaxy they inhabit in the inevitable sequel.
This review first appeared Feb. 1, 2017 at BookPleasures.com:
goo.gl/aTyhOs
H.P. Caledon
Publisher: Devine Destinies (January 27, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B01N9ULKFM
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Hard-...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Judging from the countless dystopian stories pouring out in literature and on film, it seems obvious that most sci fi writers see humanity’s future in very dark and bleak terms.
It’s difficult to get much more dark and bleak than to open a novel set in a prison where the guards are rarely visible and the inmates are left to create their own rules. That’s where former soldier and mercenary Mike Marshall is sent. There, he quickly learns he’s going to be somebody’s property. He’s won in a brutal fight by Keelan who is an assassin under the thumb of the biggest dog of the prison gangs.
Mike indeed learns much the hard way in brutal confrontations with inmates who see him as mere meat in their twisted power games. The only salvation Mike has is to trade inside information about mercenary tactics with Keelan in return for protection from the most ruthless of prisoners. To both their surprises, Mike and Keelan find themselves in an uneasy alliance.
The second half of the book moves outside the prison where we encounter authorities at war with slavers on a distant planet. At least, it must be distant. We’re not really told much about it. Instead, we get an espionage plot that takes Mike down urban alleys and inside military barracks.
In fact, it’s hard to see how this novel can be classified as science fiction. Yes, the setting is clearly in the future, but nothing is futuristic except for spaceships in the final sections. We hear fleeting mentions of alien species, but we never get any descriptions or see any interactions with them. Yes, the settings are given as being on different planets, but again we get no descriptions of them or how humanity settled on them. What happens could plausibly happen on earth and not all that far into our future.
In fact, everything is extremely terrestrial and there’s really no need for the sci fi veneer. The heart of the story is the education of Mike Marshall and how he is forced to adapt to constantly shifting circumstances. That includes what happened in his life before prison, what happens inside, and what happens thereafter. It’s his internal torments, especially his self-disgust for his betrayal of his cell-mate that makes him a psychologically damaged human, covered with scars on his body, heart, and soul.
So it doesn’t really matter where Mike experiences his learning the hard way, but rather watching him move from simple survival to being able to make his own decisions to, well, that would be telling.
Learning the Hard Way is for readers who like harsh, brutal stories where the main protagonist can’t be considered a hero but instead a man capable of being more than a pawn in the clutches of remorseless criminals from horrible pasts with equally horrible futures in front of them. It’s the sort of sci fi for readers who don’t like most sci fi. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the galaxy they inhabit in the inevitable sequel.
This review first appeared Feb. 1, 2017 at BookPleasures.com:
goo.gl/aTyhOs
Learning the Hard Way 1
H.P. Caledon
Publisher: Devine Destinies (January 27, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B01N9ULKFM
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Hard-...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Judging from the countless dystopian stories pouring out in literature and on film, it seems obvious that most sci fi writers see humanity’s future in very dark and bleak terms.
It’s difficult to get much more dark and bleak than to open a novel set in a prison where the guards are rarely visible and the inmates are left to create their own rules. That’s where former soldier and mercenary Mike Marshall is sent. There, he quickly learns he’s going to be somebody’s property. He’s won in a brutal fight by Keelan who is an assassin under the thumb of the biggest dog of the prison gangs.
Mike indeed learns much the hard way in brutal confrontations with inmates who see him as mere meat in their twisted power games. The only salvation Mike has is to trade inside information about mercenary tactics with Keelan in return for protection from the most ruthless of prisoners. To both their surprises, Mike and Keelan find themselves in an uneasy alliance.
The second half of the book moves outside the prison where we encounter authorities at war with slavers on a distant planet. At least, it must be distant. We’re not really told much about it. Instead, we get an espionage plot that takes Mike down urban alleys and inside military barracks.
In fact, it’s hard to see how this novel can be classified as science fiction. Yes, the setting is clearly in the future, but nothing is futuristic except for spaceships in the final sections. We hear fleeting mentions of alien species, but we never get any descriptions or see any interactions with them. Yes, the settings are given as being on different planets, but again we get no descriptions of them or how humanity settled on them. What happens could plausibly happen on earth and not all that far into our future.
In fact, everything is extremely terrestrial and there’s really no need for the sci fi veneer. The heart of the story is the education of Mike Marshall and how he is forced to adapt to constantly shifting circumstances. That includes what happened in his life before prison, what happens inside, and what happens thereafter. It’s his internal torments, especially his self-disgust for his betrayal of his cell-mate that makes him a psychologically damaged human, covered with scars on his body, heart, and soul.
So it doesn’t really matter where Mike experiences his learning the hard way, but rather watching him move from simple survival to being able to make his own decisions to, well, that would be telling.
Learning the Hard Way is for readers who like harsh, brutal stories where the main protagonist can’t be considered a hero but instead a man capable of being more than a pawn in the clutches of remorseless criminals from horrible pasts with equally horrible futures in front of them. It’s the sort of sci fi for readers who don’t like most sci fi. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the galaxy they inhabit in the inevitable sequel.
This review first appeared Feb. 1, 2017 at BookPleasures.com:
goo.gl/aTyhOs
Book Review: Blue Gold by David Barker
Blue Gold
David Barker
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Urbane Publications (June 1, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1911331655
ISBN-13: 978-1911331650
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gold-Davi...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Blue Gold is one of those fast-paced thrillers that demand focused reader attention. That’s because there are so many moving parts including changing global settings and Barker introducing a wide cast of important characters.
Set in the not-so-distant future, as they say, this addition to the “cli-fi” (climate fiction) genre revolves around two major protagonists, British agents Sim Atkins and his partner, Freda Brightwell. Atkins is a relative rookie whom the experienced Brightwell doesn’t accept with much enthusiasm. She’s distinguished by an ornate walking stick which doesn’t discourage Sim from an ongoing study of his “boss’s” legs. Sim is doubtful this pair can accomplish what is asked of them; Freda believes just a few brave souls can do what inactive masses won’t, even preventing World War III.
Their investigations begin by looking into the projects of very sophisticated worldwide terrorists and rogue governments who destroy satellites over Iceland, blow up airships, and infiltrate the most sensitive of governmental military computers all over the world. In fact, side stories and parallel plot lines occur in England, America, Ethiopia, Egypt, Israel, India, Pakistan, Japan, Canada, and China, among other locations. All the events and back-stories in these places aren’t presented in a linear flow but do establish just how turbulent the world order has become.
Easily speculative fiction if not overtly sci fi, Blue Gold occurs in a world with acute water shortages due to global climate changes. Most of the international conflicts are responses to the growing crisis. There are also riots and terrorism based on economic inequality, especially the workers of the world unhappy about corporations not paying their fair share of taxes. The rich are leaving behind their land based citizenships to live on the sea where they owe no taxes to anyone.
Futuristic elements include a reliance on AI (artificial intelligence), hyper-sonic surveillance drones, and a moon base mining for minerals. Through it all, the author says the point of the book is to expand awareness of what might happen to our planet’s water supply if we don’t address the growing problems of global warming. In addition, the author says he is using Blue Gold to help raise awareness for the charity, WaterAid, one of the organizations he describes in one of his lengthy appendices.
I highly recommend Blue Gold to pretty much every reader who likes intelligent fiction. It can be classified, if you need labels to determine your reading list, as an espionage thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, a mystery, sometimes a political thriller, certainly “cli-fi.” Happily, while the book has a polemic point to make, Barker doesn’t preach to us and doesn’t hit us over the head with his themes. This is an entertaining, action-packed, vividly descriptive tale with memorable characters and, sadly, a more than plausible future for us to worry about. Speaking of the future, while I wasn’t crazy about the final scene on the last page of the main text, I was delighted to see Blue Gold is the first volume of a new trilogy. In the teaser chapter for book 2, I see why Blue Gold ended the way it did. So I have two more books to look forward to.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com at:
http://dpli.ir/D18hmZ
David Barker
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Urbane Publications (June 1, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1911331655
ISBN-13: 978-1911331650
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gold-Davi...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley Britton
Blue Gold is one of those fast-paced thrillers that demand focused reader attention. That’s because there are so many moving parts including changing global settings and Barker introducing a wide cast of important characters.
Set in the not-so-distant future, as they say, this addition to the “cli-fi” (climate fiction) genre revolves around two major protagonists, British agents Sim Atkins and his partner, Freda Brightwell. Atkins is a relative rookie whom the experienced Brightwell doesn’t accept with much enthusiasm. She’s distinguished by an ornate walking stick which doesn’t discourage Sim from an ongoing study of his “boss’s” legs. Sim is doubtful this pair can accomplish what is asked of them; Freda believes just a few brave souls can do what inactive masses won’t, even preventing World War III.
Their investigations begin by looking into the projects of very sophisticated worldwide terrorists and rogue governments who destroy satellites over Iceland, blow up airships, and infiltrate the most sensitive of governmental military computers all over the world. In fact, side stories and parallel plot lines occur in England, America, Ethiopia, Egypt, Israel, India, Pakistan, Japan, Canada, and China, among other locations. All the events and back-stories in these places aren’t presented in a linear flow but do establish just how turbulent the world order has become.
Easily speculative fiction if not overtly sci fi, Blue Gold occurs in a world with acute water shortages due to global climate changes. Most of the international conflicts are responses to the growing crisis. There are also riots and terrorism based on economic inequality, especially the workers of the world unhappy about corporations not paying their fair share of taxes. The rich are leaving behind their land based citizenships to live on the sea where they owe no taxes to anyone.
Futuristic elements include a reliance on AI (artificial intelligence), hyper-sonic surveillance drones, and a moon base mining for minerals. Through it all, the author says the point of the book is to expand awareness of what might happen to our planet’s water supply if we don’t address the growing problems of global warming. In addition, the author says he is using Blue Gold to help raise awareness for the charity, WaterAid, one of the organizations he describes in one of his lengthy appendices.
I highly recommend Blue Gold to pretty much every reader who likes intelligent fiction. It can be classified, if you need labels to determine your reading list, as an espionage thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, a mystery, sometimes a political thriller, certainly “cli-fi.” Happily, while the book has a polemic point to make, Barker doesn’t preach to us and doesn’t hit us over the head with his themes. This is an entertaining, action-packed, vividly descriptive tale with memorable characters and, sadly, a more than plausible future for us to worry about. Speaking of the future, while I wasn’t crazy about the final scene on the last page of the main text, I was delighted to see Blue Gold is the first volume of a new trilogy. In the teaser chapter for book 2, I see why Blue Gold ended the way it did. So I have two more books to look forward to.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com at:
http://dpli.ir/D18hmZ
Book Review: The Dictator of Britain: Volume One: The Rise to Power by Paul Michael Dubal
The Dictator of Britain: Volume One: The Rise to Power
Paul Michael Dubal
Paperback: 430 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (April 26, 2013)
ISBN-10:1478712686
ISBN-13:978-1478712688
https://www.amazon.com/Dictator-Brita...
Volume One –
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
A review of a book that came out in 2013 might seem woefully behind the curve. While that may be true, I’m going to be reviewing book two of this series—The Dirty War—that came out in April 2017 and the third volume of the trilogy, The End of Days—which came out this June. I didn’t think I should bypass the first part of the series so my reviews of volumes two and three can be as informed as possible.
I have both good and bad news. The good news is that The Rise to Power is a powerfully written epic that is absorbing as it builds and builds with changing settings, evolving characters, and a wide panorama of events that demonstrate what England might become if the country undergoes such a social collapse that voters bring in a far right government that promises, at the very least, to make life difficult for immigrants and reduce the impact of the welfare state.
The bad news is that this not-so-brave new world is unnervingly realistic and seems much too believable and prophetic. In 2013, Paul Dubal seemed to see Brexit coming. His prime minister, Lawrence Pelham, has a lot in common with America’s Donald Trump. The main difference is that Pelham has a five year plan which is much more sweeping and destructive than Trump’s immigration cuts, proposed wall with Mexico, and deportation of illegal U.S. residents.
Dubal’s Pelham has a far tighter grip on power than any leader of a Western democracy has had since Hitler. Young brutal British males on the prowl, calling themselves FREE—the Fight to Return England to the English—are more than evocative of similar Nazi thug squads in the 1930s. Donald Trump may complain that news items he doesn’t like are “fake news”; Pelham’s government suppresses any news stories they don’t like. In addition, the internet and social networks are severely censored. Further, Pelham plans to create a totalitarian state with measures like deportation camps, the Minority Registration Act, ethnic cleansing and the end of pretty much all civil rights.
Many characters are actors in specific scenes and passages that illustrate one aspect or another of the chilling vista of Pelham’s new Britain. One continuing and important figure is disgraced journalist Harry Clarke who becomes the center of a far-reaching manhunt when he is given a disc containing Pelham’s secret five year plan before it’s revealed to the general population.
But it’s not official “law enforcement” who capture Clarke. It’s a small cell of the Independent Socialist Party led by Clarke’s former girlfriend, Julianne. Can a small, ragtag group of untrained rebels accomplish anything against the might of England’s military and political might? Can they act more humanely than Pelham’s forces?
While the era we live in is filled with often depressing if very readable dystopian novels, I can’t help but think of Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 It can’t Happen Here where circumstances very like what happens in Rise to Power take place, only in the U.S.. Depending on an author’s own political stance, their books either worry about
a too socialist left wing takeover or a right wing Fascist regime. More sci fi oriented writers explore the impact of climate change and global warming. Whatever a book’s themes, few speculative novels are very optimistic beyond offering us the independent and rebellious natures of future heroes and heroines opposed to whatever authoritative rule has taken control.
If you’re like me, you’ll find it difficult to read The Rise to Power and not plan on going on to delve into The Dirty War and The End of Days. Perhaps that’s where I will find an reasonably optimistic outcome. It can’t happen here, whether the U.K., the U.S., wherever you live? Why not?
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Aug. 18, 2017
http://dpli.ir/TX1GNt
Paul Michael Dubal
Paperback: 430 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (April 26, 2013)
ISBN-10:1478712686
ISBN-13:978-1478712688
https://www.amazon.com/Dictator-Brita...
Volume One –
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
A review of a book that came out in 2013 might seem woefully behind the curve. While that may be true, I’m going to be reviewing book two of this series—The Dirty War—that came out in April 2017 and the third volume of the trilogy, The End of Days—which came out this June. I didn’t think I should bypass the first part of the series so my reviews of volumes two and three can be as informed as possible.
I have both good and bad news. The good news is that The Rise to Power is a powerfully written epic that is absorbing as it builds and builds with changing settings, evolving characters, and a wide panorama of events that demonstrate what England might become if the country undergoes such a social collapse that voters bring in a far right government that promises, at the very least, to make life difficult for immigrants and reduce the impact of the welfare state.
The bad news is that this not-so-brave new world is unnervingly realistic and seems much too believable and prophetic. In 2013, Paul Dubal seemed to see Brexit coming. His prime minister, Lawrence Pelham, has a lot in common with America’s Donald Trump. The main difference is that Pelham has a five year plan which is much more sweeping and destructive than Trump’s immigration cuts, proposed wall with Mexico, and deportation of illegal U.S. residents.
Dubal’s Pelham has a far tighter grip on power than any leader of a Western democracy has had since Hitler. Young brutal British males on the prowl, calling themselves FREE—the Fight to Return England to the English—are more than evocative of similar Nazi thug squads in the 1930s. Donald Trump may complain that news items he doesn’t like are “fake news”; Pelham’s government suppresses any news stories they don’t like. In addition, the internet and social networks are severely censored. Further, Pelham plans to create a totalitarian state with measures like deportation camps, the Minority Registration Act, ethnic cleansing and the end of pretty much all civil rights.
Many characters are actors in specific scenes and passages that illustrate one aspect or another of the chilling vista of Pelham’s new Britain. One continuing and important figure is disgraced journalist Harry Clarke who becomes the center of a far-reaching manhunt when he is given a disc containing Pelham’s secret five year plan before it’s revealed to the general population.
But it’s not official “law enforcement” who capture Clarke. It’s a small cell of the Independent Socialist Party led by Clarke’s former girlfriend, Julianne. Can a small, ragtag group of untrained rebels accomplish anything against the might of England’s military and political might? Can they act more humanely than Pelham’s forces?
While the era we live in is filled with often depressing if very readable dystopian novels, I can’t help but think of Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 It can’t Happen Here where circumstances very like what happens in Rise to Power take place, only in the U.S.. Depending on an author’s own political stance, their books either worry about
a too socialist left wing takeover or a right wing Fascist regime. More sci fi oriented writers explore the impact of climate change and global warming. Whatever a book’s themes, few speculative novels are very optimistic beyond offering us the independent and rebellious natures of future heroes and heroines opposed to whatever authoritative rule has taken control.
If you’re like me, you’ll find it difficult to read The Rise to Power and not plan on going on to delve into The Dirty War and The End of Days. Perhaps that’s where I will find an reasonably optimistic outcome. It can’t happen here, whether the U.K., the U.S., wherever you live? Why not?
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Aug. 18, 2017
http://dpli.ir/TX1GNt
Book Review: The Dictator of Britain: Book Three: The End of Days by Paul Michael Dubal
The Dictator of Britain: Book Three: The End of Days
Paul Michael Dubal
Print Length: 428 pages
Publisher: Paul Dubal (June 16, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B072S2HQ92
https://www.amazon.com/Dictator-Brita...
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
The End of Days, book Three of the Dictator of Britain trilogy, opens much like volume one, The Rise to Power. This means author Paul Michael Dubal introduces us to many of his characters, both established and new, in a variety of settings that give us an extensive overview of life in England after the ascendency of Fascist Lawrence Pelham to power. Dubal presents the circumstances of what is happening to whom ranging from dictator Pelham arguing with his doomed wife and equally doomed lover to imprisoned dissident Harry Clarke being prepped for his trial to Clarke’s 12 year old son learning medicine in a deportation camp. While it’s clear the monstrous Pelham still has a strong grip on power, Dubal shows us the growing cracks in the foundation of that power, in particular, the beginnings of rebellion from Pelham’s own cabinet.
This rebellion is most obvious in the actions of Eleanor Beaufort, the Secretary of State for Health, who is beginning to realize her own compliance with what she learns about an often fatal man-made disease being spread around the deportation camps. After Pelham has both his wife and lover murdered, he attempts to rape Beaufort just before an assassination attempt orchestrated by Pelham’s power hungry Deputy PM, Giles Chamberlain, changes everything.
For example, can anything save Harry Clarke after he’s caught, convicted, and sentenced to execution? Is Pelham so insane that he’d actually release the artificially created virus in Europe as revenge for the long belated military intervention by the United Nations?
As with the previous two novels, The End of Days is so startling and worrisome because so much of what happens is entirely believable. This is especially true when people of good will stand back and allow tyranny to have its way unchallenged. Admittedly some scenes are a tad melodramatic and thus erode a little of the book’s verisimilitude. On the other hand, I was amazed and disturbed to read a speech from Pelham where he explains his motivations. He makes a lot of sense, at least in terms of the economic erosion of his country. While nothing can justify his barbarism, for one scene Pelham seems far more than a narcissistic and deluded monster. He spins out a believable if grim case for being regarded as an important patriot for England. Some of his complaints should resonate with American readers, especially regarding his unhappiness with political correctness and “fake news.”
Throughout the series, Paul Michael Dubal has created a cast of memorable characters, some of which most readers will end up caring about and hope for salvation in the face of all the carnage and bloodshed. The settings and events are too believable to be dismissed as being unrealistic or far-fetched. In fact, Dubal may be short-selling some matters as with the abilities of the British military. While we can hope the Dictator of Britain books don’t end up being prophetic, no reader can deny how thought-provoking all the events become. How would we behave if faced with similar circumstances? Perhaps the most surprising paragraphs are the final pages when the completely unexpected happens. There’s no way to prepare readers for the final outcome.
Wes Britton’s Aug. 18 BookPleasures.com review of The Dictator of Britain: Volume One: The Rise to Power is available at:
http://dpli.ir/TX1GNt
Wes Britton’s Aug. 25 BookPleasures.com review of The Dictator of Britain: Book Two: The Dirty War is posted at:
http://dpli.ir/EcMBRB
The above review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Aug. 29:
http://dpli.ir/8u1gTX
Paul Michael Dubal
Print Length: 428 pages
Publisher: Paul Dubal (June 16, 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B072S2HQ92
https://www.amazon.com/Dictator-Brita...
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
The End of Days, book Three of the Dictator of Britain trilogy, opens much like volume one, The Rise to Power. This means author Paul Michael Dubal introduces us to many of his characters, both established and new, in a variety of settings that give us an extensive overview of life in England after the ascendency of Fascist Lawrence Pelham to power. Dubal presents the circumstances of what is happening to whom ranging from dictator Pelham arguing with his doomed wife and equally doomed lover to imprisoned dissident Harry Clarke being prepped for his trial to Clarke’s 12 year old son learning medicine in a deportation camp. While it’s clear the monstrous Pelham still has a strong grip on power, Dubal shows us the growing cracks in the foundation of that power, in particular, the beginnings of rebellion from Pelham’s own cabinet.
This rebellion is most obvious in the actions of Eleanor Beaufort, the Secretary of State for Health, who is beginning to realize her own compliance with what she learns about an often fatal man-made disease being spread around the deportation camps. After Pelham has both his wife and lover murdered, he attempts to rape Beaufort just before an assassination attempt orchestrated by Pelham’s power hungry Deputy PM, Giles Chamberlain, changes everything.
For example, can anything save Harry Clarke after he’s caught, convicted, and sentenced to execution? Is Pelham so insane that he’d actually release the artificially created virus in Europe as revenge for the long belated military intervention by the United Nations?
As with the previous two novels, The End of Days is so startling and worrisome because so much of what happens is entirely believable. This is especially true when people of good will stand back and allow tyranny to have its way unchallenged. Admittedly some scenes are a tad melodramatic and thus erode a little of the book’s verisimilitude. On the other hand, I was amazed and disturbed to read a speech from Pelham where he explains his motivations. He makes a lot of sense, at least in terms of the economic erosion of his country. While nothing can justify his barbarism, for one scene Pelham seems far more than a narcissistic and deluded monster. He spins out a believable if grim case for being regarded as an important patriot for England. Some of his complaints should resonate with American readers, especially regarding his unhappiness with political correctness and “fake news.”
Throughout the series, Paul Michael Dubal has created a cast of memorable characters, some of which most readers will end up caring about and hope for salvation in the face of all the carnage and bloodshed. The settings and events are too believable to be dismissed as being unrealistic or far-fetched. In fact, Dubal may be short-selling some matters as with the abilities of the British military. While we can hope the Dictator of Britain books don’t end up being prophetic, no reader can deny how thought-provoking all the events become. How would we behave if faced with similar circumstances? Perhaps the most surprising paragraphs are the final pages when the completely unexpected happens. There’s no way to prepare readers for the final outcome.
Wes Britton’s Aug. 18 BookPleasures.com review of The Dictator of Britain: Volume One: The Rise to Power is available at:
http://dpli.ir/TX1GNt
Wes Britton’s Aug. 25 BookPleasures.com review of The Dictator of Britain: Book Two: The Dirty War is posted at:
http://dpli.ir/EcMBRB
The above review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Aug. 29:
http://dpli.ir/8u1gTX
New review of new version of Return to Alpha!
While this review hasn’t been published anywhere just yet, I couldn’t resist sharing it with y’all today. It’s about the greatly revised Return to Alpha about to come out in paperback. Actually, it already is via Lulu; coming to Amazon in a few days. The e-book version is already good to go for your reading pleasure:
Return to Alpha is one of these books that opens up a window to another reality inhabited by
other volumes about the universe that sprang from his writer's imagination, Dr Wesley Britton
The book is a rather unique take on the aliens visiting earth concept. Fiction of course is no stranger to this concept, from ET to war of the worlds and many other works.
This time however there is a twist, we, the readers, or at least me, feel like we have more in common with the "aliens", than with the earthlings around them.
The story is set in a dystopian, post pandemic earth some 20 years in the future.
Population reduced, countries are broken apart. Covid-19 and other plagues ricked havoc on the planet and the result is a weakened humanity, riddled with fear and isolation.
Into this earth, 6 visitors arrive from parallel earths with different names, hence the title, "return to Alpha".
works that come to mind with similar themes are "water world". Star gate" and the Sci Fi classic "winter" by Ursula Le Guin.
RTA however is different as I said as we are immediately feel connected to the so called aliens and develop empathy towards them. There is a good reason for the way we feel towards the aliens. I will not disclose it here as it is a bit of a spoiler.
The main character, Malcolm Renbourn the 2nd, is portrayed with strong colors and bold hand, accompanied by a compelling supporting cast of family members.
Of note is also the character of Major Mary Carpenter from Texas, and the unfolding of her relationship with Malcolm is one of the main and colorful threads of the story.
Dr Britton pays great attention to details, which makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, in their landing, in the gilded prison called the "citadel" they are being placed at by suspicious earth security and law enforcement officials and elsewhere in their journeys and adventures.
I also like the rich assortment of secondary characters the main heroes of the story run into, the not-so Christian orphan Brian is a good example of that, pay attention to him when you get to this part of the story.
RTA has a rather clear message for humanity. and good messengers to deliver it. the message is especially relevant and poignant in our post pandemic, deeply divided current reality.
i enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it to anyone who like science fiction with more than just the science and more than just the fiction.
Dan Bar Hava, author of the 36 Watchers
Return to Alpha is one of these books that opens up a window to another reality inhabited by
other volumes about the universe that sprang from his writer's imagination, Dr Wesley Britton
The book is a rather unique take on the aliens visiting earth concept. Fiction of course is no stranger to this concept, from ET to war of the worlds and many other works.
This time however there is a twist, we, the readers, or at least me, feel like we have more in common with the "aliens", than with the earthlings around them.
The story is set in a dystopian, post pandemic earth some 20 years in the future.
Population reduced, countries are broken apart. Covid-19 and other plagues ricked havoc on the planet and the result is a weakened humanity, riddled with fear and isolation.
Into this earth, 6 visitors arrive from parallel earths with different names, hence the title, "return to Alpha".
works that come to mind with similar themes are "water world". Star gate" and the Sci Fi classic "winter" by Ursula Le Guin.
RTA however is different as I said as we are immediately feel connected to the so called aliens and develop empathy towards them. There is a good reason for the way we feel towards the aliens. I will not disclose it here as it is a bit of a spoiler.
The main character, Malcolm Renbourn the 2nd, is portrayed with strong colors and bold hand, accompanied by a compelling supporting cast of family members.
Of note is also the character of Major Mary Carpenter from Texas, and the unfolding of her relationship with Malcolm is one of the main and colorful threads of the story.
Dr Britton pays great attention to details, which makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, in their landing, in the gilded prison called the "citadel" they are being placed at by suspicious earth security and law enforcement officials and elsewhere in their journeys and adventures.
I also like the rich assortment of secondary characters the main heroes of the story run into, the not-so Christian orphan Brian is a good example of that, pay attention to him when you get to this part of the story.
RTA has a rather clear message for humanity. and good messengers to deliver it. the message is especially relevant and poignant in our post pandemic, deeply divided current reality.
i enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it to anyone who like science fiction with more than just the science and more than just the fiction.
Dan Bar Hava, author of the 36 Watchers
New Reviews of Return to Alpha!
Most of these are brand-new reviews! Even the 3 stars are positive!
Angela Hayes
3.0 out of 5 stars A sci-fi adventure.
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021
3 Stars
Return to Alpha: A new Saga Begins appears is a standalone spin-off from the Beta-Earth series by Wesley Britton. This is a sci-fi adventure story, with dystopian and post-apocalyptic elements that gave the story some intensity.
Environmental issues and plagues have decimated the human population and fear and danger are ever present. So, when Aliens land in Jamaica- you can imagine the reaction from the humans, who are already on edge. What was meant to be a ‘coming home’ of sorts for the ‘aliens’ soon turns into a dangerous and dramatic cross country chase. And so, the adventure begins.
This is an original story, with an interesting plot and quirky characters. The story opens up the possibility of parallel worlds, a multi-verse where there are several “earths’- which is an intriguing concept. The only issue I had with it was that story does get a bit wordy at times, which interrupted the flow for me.
Thank you, Wesley Britton!
Melissa saxton
4.0 out of 5 stars Return To Alpha by Wesley Britton review by Melissa Saxton
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
it's 2040, the world has been decimated by plague after plague and every part of the world is our for themselves....until a spaceship lands with aliens turning earth upside down.
from your first introduction to the characters you know you are about to see the worst earth has to offer be thrown at these "alien" visitors. what you don't expect is mistrust, fear, longing, traitors and love bloom inside this action packed story. as their adventure unfolds you find yourself page turning frantically to see if they make it safely out of a post apocalyptic world run by power and greed. can star crossed lovers prevail? can lies be forgiven? can different worlds and beliefs combine?
when you finish their journey your immediate hope is there will be more to come in this tale as you are left wanting to know if these characters can prevail
Bobbi Jo Wagner
4.0 out of 5 stars great story
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021
I enjoyed this scientific adventure story. This is a newer author for me and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. This is a well written story that is full of action and adventure. There is a lot going on in this story from humans to aliens to even some romance. The author’s use of detail made the story understandable, engaging and easy to read. This is a fast paced story that was entertaining and kept me turning pages to the end. I enjoyed how the characters were unique and interesting. They are strong and brought the story to life on each page. They truly made the story for me. I really enjoyed the growth of this story and the growth of the characters. This is a great story that is worth picking up. I highly recommend this book.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars More than science fiction
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021
Return to Alpha is one of these books that opens up a window to another reality inhabited by other volumes about the universe that sprang from his writer's imagination, Dr Wesley Britton.
The book is a rather unique take on the aliens visiting earth concept. Fiction of course is no stranger to this concept, from ET to war of the worlds and many other works.
This time however there is a twist, we, the readers, or at least me, feel like we have more in common with the "aliens", than with the earthlings around them.
The story is set in a dystopian, post pandemic earth some 20 years in the future.
Population reduced, countries are broken apart. Covid-19 and other plagues ricked havoc on the planet and the result is a weakened humanity, riddled with fear and isolation.
Into this earth, 6 visitors arrive from parallel earths with different names, hence the title, "return to Alpha".
works that come to mind with similar themes are "water world". Star gate" and the Sci Fi classic "winter" by Ursula Le Guin.
RTA however is different as I said as we are immediately feel connected to the so called aliens and develop
empathy towards them. There is a good reason for the way we feel towards the aliens. I will not disclose it here as it is a bit of a spoiler.
The main character, Malcolm Renbourn the 2nd, is portrayed with strong colors and bold hand, accompanied by a compelling supporting cast of family members,
Of note is also the character of Major Mary Carpenter from Texas, and the unfolding of her relationship with Malcolm is one of the main and colorful threads of the story.
Dr Britton pays great attention to details, which makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, in their landing, in the gilded prison called the "citadel" they are being placed at by suspicious earth security and law enforcement officials and elsewhere in their journeys and adventures.
I also like the rich assortment of secondary characters the main heroes of the story run into, the not-so Christian orphan Brian is a good example of that, pay attention to him when you get to this part of the story.
RTA has a rather clear message for humanity. and good messengers to deliver it. the message is especially relevant and poignant in our post pandemic, deeply divided current reality.
i enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it to anyone who like science fiction with more than just the science and more than just the fiction.
Jennadb
4.0 out of 5 stars interesting array of characters
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2021
3.5 stars
Return To Alpha: A New Saga Begins by Wesley Britton is an interesting futuristic sci fi tale. The storyline is original and is a spin off from the original series Beta-Earth. Wesley explores different concepts that reminds me a bit of the concept from the TV series Stargate or Sliders, in that different parallel universes exist. He gives us an intriguing premise and he has a unique writing style. He has created a story which is complex and has a lot of layers. With an interesting array of characters that are unique and quirky. If you are a sci fi buff you will enjoy this tale.
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Alpha-N...
Angela Hayes
3.0 out of 5 stars A sci-fi adventure.
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021
3 Stars
Return to Alpha: A new Saga Begins appears is a standalone spin-off from the Beta-Earth series by Wesley Britton. This is a sci-fi adventure story, with dystopian and post-apocalyptic elements that gave the story some intensity.
Environmental issues and plagues have decimated the human population and fear and danger are ever present. So, when Aliens land in Jamaica- you can imagine the reaction from the humans, who are already on edge. What was meant to be a ‘coming home’ of sorts for the ‘aliens’ soon turns into a dangerous and dramatic cross country chase. And so, the adventure begins.
This is an original story, with an interesting plot and quirky characters. The story opens up the possibility of parallel worlds, a multi-verse where there are several “earths’- which is an intriguing concept. The only issue I had with it was that story does get a bit wordy at times, which interrupted the flow for me.
Thank you, Wesley Britton!
Melissa saxton
4.0 out of 5 stars Return To Alpha by Wesley Britton review by Melissa Saxton
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
it's 2040, the world has been decimated by plague after plague and every part of the world is our for themselves....until a spaceship lands with aliens turning earth upside down.
from your first introduction to the characters you know you are about to see the worst earth has to offer be thrown at these "alien" visitors. what you don't expect is mistrust, fear, longing, traitors and love bloom inside this action packed story. as their adventure unfolds you find yourself page turning frantically to see if they make it safely out of a post apocalyptic world run by power and greed. can star crossed lovers prevail? can lies be forgiven? can different worlds and beliefs combine?
when you finish their journey your immediate hope is there will be more to come in this tale as you are left wanting to know if these characters can prevail
Bobbi Jo Wagner
4.0 out of 5 stars great story
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021
I enjoyed this scientific adventure story. This is a newer author for me and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. This is a well written story that is full of action and adventure. There is a lot going on in this story from humans to aliens to even some romance. The author’s use of detail made the story understandable, engaging and easy to read. This is a fast paced story that was entertaining and kept me turning pages to the end. I enjoyed how the characters were unique and interesting. They are strong and brought the story to life on each page. They truly made the story for me. I really enjoyed the growth of this story and the growth of the characters. This is a great story that is worth picking up. I highly recommend this book.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars More than science fiction
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021
Return to Alpha is one of these books that opens up a window to another reality inhabited by other volumes about the universe that sprang from his writer's imagination, Dr Wesley Britton.
The book is a rather unique take on the aliens visiting earth concept. Fiction of course is no stranger to this concept, from ET to war of the worlds and many other works.
This time however there is a twist, we, the readers, or at least me, feel like we have more in common with the "aliens", than with the earthlings around them.
The story is set in a dystopian, post pandemic earth some 20 years in the future.
Population reduced, countries are broken apart. Covid-19 and other plagues ricked havoc on the planet and the result is a weakened humanity, riddled with fear and isolation.
Into this earth, 6 visitors arrive from parallel earths with different names, hence the title, "return to Alpha".
works that come to mind with similar themes are "water world". Star gate" and the Sci Fi classic "winter" by Ursula Le Guin.
RTA however is different as I said as we are immediately feel connected to the so called aliens and develop
empathy towards them. There is a good reason for the way we feel towards the aliens. I will not disclose it here as it is a bit of a spoiler.
The main character, Malcolm Renbourn the 2nd, is portrayed with strong colors and bold hand, accompanied by a compelling supporting cast of family members,
Of note is also the character of Major Mary Carpenter from Texas, and the unfolding of her relationship with Malcolm is one of the main and colorful threads of the story.
Dr Britton pays great attention to details, which makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, in their landing, in the gilded prison called the "citadel" they are being placed at by suspicious earth security and law enforcement officials and elsewhere in their journeys and adventures.
I also like the rich assortment of secondary characters the main heroes of the story run into, the not-so Christian orphan Brian is a good example of that, pay attention to him when you get to this part of the story.
RTA has a rather clear message for humanity. and good messengers to deliver it. the message is especially relevant and poignant in our post pandemic, deeply divided current reality.
i enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it to anyone who like science fiction with more than just the science and more than just the fiction.
Jennadb
4.0 out of 5 stars interesting array of characters
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2021
3.5 stars
Return To Alpha: A New Saga Begins by Wesley Britton is an interesting futuristic sci fi tale. The storyline is original and is a spin off from the original series Beta-Earth. Wesley explores different concepts that reminds me a bit of the concept from the TV series Stargate or Sliders, in that different parallel universes exist. He gives us an intriguing premise and he has a unique writing style. He has created a story which is complex and has a lot of layers. With an interesting array of characters that are unique and quirky. If you are a sci fi buff you will enjoy this tale.
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Alpha-N...
New reviews of Return to Alpha!
Here are two more new reviews of Return to Alpha: A New Saga Begins as posted at Book Bub! Now-go ye and do likewise!
Fascinating! Britton is a new author to me and I found the concept behind this book to be very intriguing. The multiverse concept is one I am seeing more and more. I really enjoyed the author’s take on this theme. I found the characters fascinating and the storyline was original. True scifi lovers will enjoy this new world that Britton has created.
-Heather Lovelace, Book Bub
This is a really good Sci fi adventure. The author does an amazing job of making the story seem so realistic that you could imagine it actually happening. This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I love how the author mixed a scifi story with current events happening in the world. It makes the story more realistic and relatable.
Planet earth is slowly being destroyed with terrorists, disease and global warming. Things on Earth are going from bad to worse.
So when a group of 6 aliens land on the shore of Jamaica how are the people of Earth going to react. Are we going to embrace the new arrivals or is fear going to get the best of us and we end up destroying them as well. The aliens now have to learn to live in a world that is strange to them all the while protecting themselves from being hunted by the people that they had come to learn from and help.
This book is really good as it is so relevant and uses things that are happening currently such as pandemics and global warming. It also plays on people's theories and fears and makes us ask the question how would we react if we knew for certain we weren't the only living beings. That other living beings lived on other planets.
-Party Girl 1985, Book Bub
Fascinating! Britton is a new author to me and I found the concept behind this book to be very intriguing. The multiverse concept is one I am seeing more and more. I really enjoyed the author’s take on this theme. I found the characters fascinating and the storyline was original. True scifi lovers will enjoy this new world that Britton has created.
-Heather Lovelace, Book Bub
This is a really good Sci fi adventure. The author does an amazing job of making the story seem so realistic that you could imagine it actually happening. This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I love how the author mixed a scifi story with current events happening in the world. It makes the story more realistic and relatable.
Planet earth is slowly being destroyed with terrorists, disease and global warming. Things on Earth are going from bad to worse.
So when a group of 6 aliens land on the shore of Jamaica how are the people of Earth going to react. Are we going to embrace the new arrivals or is fear going to get the best of us and we end up destroying them as well. The aliens now have to learn to live in a world that is strange to them all the while protecting themselves from being hunted by the people that they had come to learn from and help.
This book is really good as it is so relevant and uses things that are happening currently such as pandemics and global warming. It also plays on people's theories and fears and makes us ask the question how would we react if we knew for certain we weren't the only living beings. That other living beings lived on other planets.
-Party Girl 1985, Book Bub
Wesley Britton's Blog
This just came in. My favorite two sentences of all time!
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
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