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Sentinels Superhero Novels #1
Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord
Ultraa... Pulsar... Vanadium... Esro Brachis... Who are... the Sentinels? From the moment Lyn Li foils an attempt to kidnap her from her own college campus, she is plunged into a new world, and a new life. Working-- and battling-- alongside a brilliant inventor, a famous super hero, and an enigmatic alien powerhouse, Lyn will confront the monstrous menace of the Warlord and his minions. When at last they clash atop his vast, floating city, can the world itself survive? Equal parts old-fashioned pulp adventure, comics-style super hero action, and science fiction wonderment, SENTINELS: WHEN STRIKES THE WARLORD has something for everyone who enjoys a brisk, fast-paced journey into excitement.
Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
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76 people want to read
About the author
Van Allen Plexico
75 books46 followersVan Allen Plexico has written a dozen novels and contributed to at least that many anthologies, but is best known for his popular and critically-acclaimed SENTINELS superhero novels, as well as the two-time Novel of the Year Finalist LORDS OF FIRE and its sequels in the "Shattering" space opera series. In the realm of nonfiction, he co-wrote the best-selling DECADES OF DOMINANCE and SEASON OF OUR DREAMS books about Auburn football and created the ASSEMBLED! books, exploring the history of Marvel’s AVENGERS comics. He writes and edits for numerous publishers including Airship 27, Pro Se Press, Permuted/Swarm Press, Maple Street Press, New Babel Books, Adamant, and White Rocket, along with occasional columns for RevolutionSF.com and the War Eagle Reader. He serves as an Associate Professor at Southwestern Illinois College.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 11, 2012
Have you ever had a book you weren't sure you would like, but then once you started reading it, you couldn't put it down?
That's what happened with the first volume of Van Allen Plexico's Sentinels series. I've known this author's name for a very long time, had it come up many times in the writing circles I run in. But until now, I'd never read anything of his. And despite all the positive reviews about the Sentinels series, I was a bit gunshy.
You see, when it comes to original superheroes, it really is hit or miss with me. When superheroes first appeared. there was some hook to them. Superman was...well, Superman. He was the first, the big one. Batman was an evolution of characters like the Shadow, mixed with the burgeoning superheroes. When we came up to the Marvel heroes of the early 60s like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, etc., they all had these great hooks to set them apart.
But now, it's 2012. If you're a fan of superheroes, you've got over seventy years of stories to choose from and chances are you've read more than a few. So if you're trying to get people with a new hook, you've got a pretty tall order. Most of the times, people think they've got a good hook, but it's really not and the characters aren't well developed.
Plexico, however, takes a different route. He knows that you know all these stories. He knows that there's no hook you haven't heard. And instead of trying to find the next hook, he does what writers of all other mediums do -- he makes you care about the characters instead.
And really, that's all that matters, isn't it? How many times have you seen the basic hero legend retold over and over? How many times have you see the lone warrior story? If you show someone Yojimbo, A Fistful of Dollars, Brick, and then ask them to read Red Harvest, chances are they will get a very different experience each time, despite the fact that it's basically the same story. And when it comes to superheroes, I doubt you could come up with a super power that hasn't already been thought up. But does that matter? Are there many differences between the abilities of James Bond and Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne? Not really, it's the characters that make them different.
And it's the same with superheroes. The Sentinels does not have a unique hook. There aren't any reality TV shows or hidden conspiracies or trying to overthrow the existing order or anything like that.The Sentinels are superheroes who fight supervillains, pure and simple. But if you're expecting a cheap, Avengers/Justice League knock-off. you will be pleasantly surprised. Because despite the superficial similarities with popular comic book heroes (and while they're there, they are very much in passing -- I doubt you'll confuse Ultraa with Superman or Esra with Iron Man), what sets Plexico's Sentinels apart from the numerous other books is that he focuses on his characters as characters, not as powersets. Even the Cavalier, who is set up from his first appearance as unlikeable, becomes someone you can relate to. And that's a real testament to Plexico's characterization skill. Even when Plexico hits the familiar story beats (and I won't detail what they are because I don't want to spoil them), there's a sense of originality because of the great development he's invested in these characters.
And because of these characters, I could not put this book down. When it comes to books, some take me longer to finish than others. On average, I take about a month or so to finish a book. I finished all 236 pages of this book in a week. Whenever I had some downtime, my first inclination was to read more of Sentinels, and I found myself thinking about it even when I didn't have the time. It's rare for a writer to inspire that kind of dedication in a first-time reader.
Needless to say, immediately after I finished this book, I bought the next in the series. And that's a rare thing for me. Not long before this, I finished The Gunslinger, the first book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. But I have not yet bought the second book. Yet I already bought the next Sentinels book.
Van's got me hooked. Fortunately, I've got quite a bit of material to catch up on.
That's what happened with the first volume of Van Allen Plexico's Sentinels series. I've known this author's name for a very long time, had it come up many times in the writing circles I run in. But until now, I'd never read anything of his. And despite all the positive reviews about the Sentinels series, I was a bit gunshy.
You see, when it comes to original superheroes, it really is hit or miss with me. When superheroes first appeared. there was some hook to them. Superman was...well, Superman. He was the first, the big one. Batman was an evolution of characters like the Shadow, mixed with the burgeoning superheroes. When we came up to the Marvel heroes of the early 60s like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, etc., they all had these great hooks to set them apart.
But now, it's 2012. If you're a fan of superheroes, you've got over seventy years of stories to choose from and chances are you've read more than a few. So if you're trying to get people with a new hook, you've got a pretty tall order. Most of the times, people think they've got a good hook, but it's really not and the characters aren't well developed.
Plexico, however, takes a different route. He knows that you know all these stories. He knows that there's no hook you haven't heard. And instead of trying to find the next hook, he does what writers of all other mediums do -- he makes you care about the characters instead.
And really, that's all that matters, isn't it? How many times have you seen the basic hero legend retold over and over? How many times have you see the lone warrior story? If you show someone Yojimbo, A Fistful of Dollars, Brick, and then ask them to read Red Harvest, chances are they will get a very different experience each time, despite the fact that it's basically the same story. And when it comes to superheroes, I doubt you could come up with a super power that hasn't already been thought up. But does that matter? Are there many differences between the abilities of James Bond and Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne? Not really, it's the characters that make them different.
And it's the same with superheroes. The Sentinels does not have a unique hook. There aren't any reality TV shows or hidden conspiracies or trying to overthrow the existing order or anything like that.The Sentinels are superheroes who fight supervillains, pure and simple. But if you're expecting a cheap, Avengers/Justice League knock-off. you will be pleasantly surprised. Because despite the superficial similarities with popular comic book heroes (and while they're there, they are very much in passing -- I doubt you'll confuse Ultraa with Superman or Esra with Iron Man), what sets Plexico's Sentinels apart from the numerous other books is that he focuses on his characters as characters, not as powersets. Even the Cavalier, who is set up from his first appearance as unlikeable, becomes someone you can relate to. And that's a real testament to Plexico's characterization skill. Even when Plexico hits the familiar story beats (and I won't detail what they are because I don't want to spoil them), there's a sense of originality because of the great development he's invested in these characters.
And because of these characters, I could not put this book down. When it comes to books, some take me longer to finish than others. On average, I take about a month or so to finish a book. I finished all 236 pages of this book in a week. Whenever I had some downtime, my first inclination was to read more of Sentinels, and I found myself thinking about it even when I didn't have the time. It's rare for a writer to inspire that kind of dedication in a first-time reader.
Needless to say, immediately after I finished this book, I bought the next in the series. And that's a rare thing for me. Not long before this, I finished The Gunslinger, the first book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. But I have not yet bought the second book. Yet I already bought the next Sentinels book.
Van's got me hooked. Fortunately, I've got quite a bit of material to catch up on.
October 23, 2008
What do you get when you combine pulp-style fiction and superheroes? A tale that doesn't take itself too seriously and yet manages to entertain on the same campy level as a Bruce Campbell film. Think the campiness of Army of Darkness and you'll have a good idea what Plexico's world of super heroes is like. (This is a compliment, because I absolutely love Bruce Campbell).
Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord starts off in a world very much like our own. Lyn Li is a college student who harbors a special gift, but she doesn't want anyone else to know; she just wants to be normal. But we all know how well that's going to work, right? Her best friend, of course, suspects something is up, though: after three TVs mysteriously explode in Lyn's presence it's hard to argue that she's entirely innocent and normal. Then a strange man tries to kidnap her and all hell breaks loose. Soon she finds herself training with Esro Brachis--a legendary inventor--and Ultraa--the city's biggest superhero--to control her powers and to battle The Warlord, a god-like being who wants to unite all the alternate universes into one and turn everyone into his slaves. And that's not exactly going to work for Esro, Ultraa, and Lyn...not at all.
This is what I would call a good airport book. It's quick, it's relatively simple, and it's fun. It's designed to be action-packed and entertaining and I think it does a good job. Readers of comic books may find this to be a good jump-novel from the visual medium to the more literary medium--meaning one who primarily reads comics might find this a good novel to start with if trying to get into the super hero literature out there. Comic fans will also notice plenty of similarities to Marvel and DC universes here, although the characters in Plexico's work are unique in their own way--mostly personality.
The story moves pretty quick, being a book of only 221 pages. It digs right in and keeps pretty steady throughout: lots of action, lots of superhero battles, explosions, and other goodies. The pulpy feel comes through strongest with The Warlord, who, in typical "bad guy" fashion, likes to monologue here or there and spout campy and rather humorous lines about world domination and the like. You should go into reading this book with the right mindset: this isn't a serious book; as far as I am concerned it's not meant to be taken seriously like a Margaret Atwood book. I imagine the folks who read Mur Lafferty's work or Matthew Wayne Selznick will enjoy Plexico's work too (which makes sense since they're all published by the same publisher: Swarm Press).
I had some minor complaints about the writing. While the style is, in my opinion, more simplistic and pulpy, I get the sense that some of the sentences and what not could have been edited to be more, shall we say, snappy. Certain phrases here or there didn't seem to fit or read somewhat amateur (for lack of a better phrase). Some of the dialogue was also set up a bit strange, but you get used to it after a while. There was also one minor inconsistency in how the author named the Warlord: sometimes it was "Warlord" and other times "the Warlord". I also was a bit iffy on the circular plot: things sort of came back to the starting point, but I suppose I understand the reasoning for this because it does fit well into the circular plots of comic books, where bad guys get recycled over and over--come on, we've all seen X-men and Spiderman and what not.
Leaving the complaints to the side, I think the snappy dialogue will help draw in urban fantasy readers and the comic book feel will draw in all those comic nuts. Those of you who read neither may find the fun, pulpy feel to be a fresh break. For everyone else, consider giving this one a look It's a quick read, fun, and much more entertaining than that crappy Daredevil movie, or Elektra for that matter. In fact, I can almost guarantee that Plexico's novel will not cause seizures due to being a mediocre attempt at a superhero-romp; lightning, explosions, interdimensional travel, evil villains with insane powers, and distinct characters make this a worthy addition to an ever growing field of superhero fiction.
Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord starts off in a world very much like our own. Lyn Li is a college student who harbors a special gift, but she doesn't want anyone else to know; she just wants to be normal. But we all know how well that's going to work, right? Her best friend, of course, suspects something is up, though: after three TVs mysteriously explode in Lyn's presence it's hard to argue that she's entirely innocent and normal. Then a strange man tries to kidnap her and all hell breaks loose. Soon she finds herself training with Esro Brachis--a legendary inventor--and Ultraa--the city's biggest superhero--to control her powers and to battle The Warlord, a god-like being who wants to unite all the alternate universes into one and turn everyone into his slaves. And that's not exactly going to work for Esro, Ultraa, and Lyn...not at all.
This is what I would call a good airport book. It's quick, it's relatively simple, and it's fun. It's designed to be action-packed and entertaining and I think it does a good job. Readers of comic books may find this to be a good jump-novel from the visual medium to the more literary medium--meaning one who primarily reads comics might find this a good novel to start with if trying to get into the super hero literature out there. Comic fans will also notice plenty of similarities to Marvel and DC universes here, although the characters in Plexico's work are unique in their own way--mostly personality.
The story moves pretty quick, being a book of only 221 pages. It digs right in and keeps pretty steady throughout: lots of action, lots of superhero battles, explosions, and other goodies. The pulpy feel comes through strongest with The Warlord, who, in typical "bad guy" fashion, likes to monologue here or there and spout campy and rather humorous lines about world domination and the like. You should go into reading this book with the right mindset: this isn't a serious book; as far as I am concerned it's not meant to be taken seriously like a Margaret Atwood book. I imagine the folks who read Mur Lafferty's work or Matthew Wayne Selznick will enjoy Plexico's work too (which makes sense since they're all published by the same publisher: Swarm Press).
I had some minor complaints about the writing. While the style is, in my opinion, more simplistic and pulpy, I get the sense that some of the sentences and what not could have been edited to be more, shall we say, snappy. Certain phrases here or there didn't seem to fit or read somewhat amateur (for lack of a better phrase). Some of the dialogue was also set up a bit strange, but you get used to it after a while. There was also one minor inconsistency in how the author named the Warlord: sometimes it was "Warlord" and other times "the Warlord". I also was a bit iffy on the circular plot: things sort of came back to the starting point, but I suppose I understand the reasoning for this because it does fit well into the circular plots of comic books, where bad guys get recycled over and over--come on, we've all seen X-men and Spiderman and what not.
Leaving the complaints to the side, I think the snappy dialogue will help draw in urban fantasy readers and the comic book feel will draw in all those comic nuts. Those of you who read neither may find the fun, pulpy feel to be a fresh break. For everyone else, consider giving this one a look It's a quick read, fun, and much more entertaining than that crappy Daredevil movie, or Elektra for that matter. In fact, I can almost guarantee that Plexico's novel will not cause seizures due to being a mediocre attempt at a superhero-romp; lightning, explosions, interdimensional travel, evil villains with insane powers, and distinct characters make this a worthy addition to an ever growing field of superhero fiction.
April 15, 2021
This one doesn't work for me. It is a prose fiction superhero story, and frankly would have worked better as an actual comic book. Why? This story is all action. There is almost no world building, almost no character building, just fighting almost non-stop until a few pages from the end. A prose story lends itself more to character and world-building, where the visual nature of comic books lends itself more to action. Therefore the form does not fit the content. In addition, as one of the author's earliest works, the writing quality in this story is not as good as other works I have read from the same author. Here is quote from chapter 27 to provide an example: "Vanadium said nothing, merely turning back to look in through the small window at the unconscious, fiery man where it sat, apparently unconscious." Awkward stuff, man.
December 13, 2013
For those who like their superheros in the classic Marvel Comics manner, especially The Avengers between Stan Lee and Roy Thomas' time on the title as writer, this book is for you.
Author Plexico (a self-admitted Marvel "zombie") sets up his own universe with this first novel to feature the fledgling team.
Author Plexico (a self-admitted Marvel "zombie") sets up his own universe with this first novel to feature the fledgling team.
March 9, 2022
quick and digestible. possibly too much so, I don't feel like I got to know the characters beyond very basic archetypes
November 1, 2012
*Pulp Warning* All my e-reading skews towards e-pulp. So do my reviews. Reader beware :) *Pulp Warning*
Overall: 4 stars (Recommended)
The first book in the Sentinels series is everything it claims to be: old school comic book storytelling but in this old school prose stuff. And it's a lot of fun. A must read for old school comic readers and a lot of fun for anyone who likes to read about people in figure-hugging costumes punching robe-clad people who like to plot the end of the world.
Pacing and Action: 4 stars.
Fight scenes, baby. That's what you'll get. And people who can fly and/or teleport. That generally makes for a fast, action packed story.
Seriously though, this is comic book storytelling so there's absolutely no let up to the fights. If that's your thing then this is your thing.
The writing also has a good sense of humour. Very funny. There's a scene with an errant marsupial that comes to mind. Hi-larious for its 'what the...' value. And down right stereotypical (I should know).
Pulp Concept: 5 stars.
Can't get a pulpier concept than 'superheroes'. If you can, I want to know about it.
I suppose there's a slight chance that old-school fanboys may get agro about the thin veneer of DC or Marvel-iness that wafts around each of the characters but the rest of us geeks will get a kick out of a world in which Darkseid (with an Arnold-esque '6th Day' predicament) is desperately trying to fight off Superman before Galactacus shows up to eat the Multiverse.
Character Development: 4 stars.
It's not the strongest but it's definitely there. The characters do have personalities and they do have their own stories to be advanced, although I think most of this story is a set up for the larger trilogy. It's okay without being brilliant.
Production: 4 stars.
Does the job with a cover that tells you exactly what you're getting and professional editting. Had a weird thing going where all dialogue, even after logical action tags, would take a new line, making it hard to work out who was talking on occasion. But that may have been a Kobo thing or something.
All up though, good stuff.
Series Potential: 4 stars.
This is obviously an ongoing story with a much larger set of stakes on the table and many character threads left open for more exploration. Hopefully this will also include expanding on the world a lot more. This is, after all, a world in which superheroes fly the skies. Let's discuss that a little more.
Also, good news, there's at least six stories in the series so far. So if you do end up liking this stuff, there's plenty more where that came from.
Wrap Up.
A very fun little romp through the superhero genre which makes you wonder why modern-style superhero prose pulp isn't written more often. Not quite the epic must-read title but a pretty good start.
Most Quotable moment:
"The Second German Reich? Again?" He glared at Francisco. "Remind me to recalibrate the dimensional transporter. You're spending far too much time studying that particular alternate reality."
Francisco looked crestfallen.
For many more e-Pulp reviews check out my book page at http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Overall: 4 stars (Recommended)
The first book in the Sentinels series is everything it claims to be: old school comic book storytelling but in this old school prose stuff. And it's a lot of fun. A must read for old school comic readers and a lot of fun for anyone who likes to read about people in figure-hugging costumes punching robe-clad people who like to plot the end of the world.
Pacing and Action: 4 stars.
Fight scenes, baby. That's what you'll get. And people who can fly and/or teleport. That generally makes for a fast, action packed story.
Seriously though, this is comic book storytelling so there's absolutely no let up to the fights. If that's your thing then this is your thing.
The writing also has a good sense of humour. Very funny. There's a scene with an errant marsupial that comes to mind. Hi-larious for its 'what the...' value. And down right stereotypical (I should know).
Pulp Concept: 5 stars.
Can't get a pulpier concept than 'superheroes'. If you can, I want to know about it.
I suppose there's a slight chance that old-school fanboys may get agro about the thin veneer of DC or Marvel-iness that wafts around each of the characters but the rest of us geeks will get a kick out of a world in which Darkseid (with an Arnold-esque '6th Day' predicament) is desperately trying to fight off Superman before Galactacus shows up to eat the Multiverse.
Character Development: 4 stars.
It's not the strongest but it's definitely there. The characters do have personalities and they do have their own stories to be advanced, although I think most of this story is a set up for the larger trilogy. It's okay without being brilliant.
Production: 4 stars.
Does the job with a cover that tells you exactly what you're getting and professional editting. Had a weird thing going where all dialogue, even after logical action tags, would take a new line, making it hard to work out who was talking on occasion. But that may have been a Kobo thing or something.
All up though, good stuff.
Series Potential: 4 stars.
This is obviously an ongoing story with a much larger set of stakes on the table and many character threads left open for more exploration. Hopefully this will also include expanding on the world a lot more. This is, after all, a world in which superheroes fly the skies. Let's discuss that a little more.
Also, good news, there's at least six stories in the series so far. So if you do end up liking this stuff, there's plenty more where that came from.
Wrap Up.
A very fun little romp through the superhero genre which makes you wonder why modern-style superhero prose pulp isn't written more often. Not quite the epic must-read title but a pretty good start.
Most Quotable moment:
"The Second German Reich? Again?" He glared at Francisco. "Remind me to recalibrate the dimensional transporter. You're spending far too much time studying that particular alternate reality."
Francisco looked crestfallen.
For many more e-Pulp reviews check out my book page at http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
March 1, 2015
*Review originally written for Audiobookreviewer.com
I chose this book for one reason: I wanted a superhero story. Ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly what I got a superhero book!
I’ve been a comic book fan for a long time and I still read them to this day. I’ve listened to various other Marvel and DC audio books adapted from series; 52, Civil War, among others. While I enjoyed them, they just didn’t stand up to the comics, and they left me wanting.
Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord is what I’ve been looking for. Warlord, an evil being whose technology has brainwashed millions of followers, or more accurately slaves, has returned for a new world…Earth. Enter a small group of superheroes set to save the day. Still early in their careers, with one whom just manifested their powers, the four heroes set out to stop Warlord.
This story is brimming with comic booky goodness. From wise cracks to evil monologues I was entertained the whole time. It’s probably not a book that is going to make your top 10 list but it is exactly what it claims to be, and it excels. Van Allen Plexico does a very good job of developing the characters in such a short book, and the story progressed well. The characters are fairly cookie cutter but have enough unique characteristics that they didn’t feel old and used, and the chosen narrator fit them perfectly.....
Complete review at http://audiobookreviewer.com/reviews/...
I chose this book for one reason: I wanted a superhero story. Ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly what I got a superhero book!
I’ve been a comic book fan for a long time and I still read them to this day. I’ve listened to various other Marvel and DC audio books adapted from series; 52, Civil War, among others. While I enjoyed them, they just didn’t stand up to the comics, and they left me wanting.
Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord is what I’ve been looking for. Warlord, an evil being whose technology has brainwashed millions of followers, or more accurately slaves, has returned for a new world…Earth. Enter a small group of superheroes set to save the day. Still early in their careers, with one whom just manifested their powers, the four heroes set out to stop Warlord.
This story is brimming with comic booky goodness. From wise cracks to evil monologues I was entertained the whole time. It’s probably not a book that is going to make your top 10 list but it is exactly what it claims to be, and it excels. Van Allen Plexico does a very good job of developing the characters in such a short book, and the story progressed well. The characters are fairly cookie cutter but have enough unique characteristics that they didn’t feel old and used, and the chosen narrator fit them perfectly.....
Complete review at http://audiobookreviewer.com/reviews/...
February 11, 2017
This book had me smiling at every turn of the page and laughing out loud at times. Plexico has created a world of superheros and villians that remind me a lot of the of Adam West Batman series. It doesn't take itself seriously. It exists to make you smile and have fun with.
He includes a score of familiar tropes that he pokes fun at, but not to be critical. He highlights all the things that makes us fall in love with comic characters and stories and weaves them in a comical but exciting way. If you like comic books, comic movies, or just like to read a lighthearted tale that keeps you wanting more, then this story is for you.
He includes a score of familiar tropes that he pokes fun at, but not to be critical. He highlights all the things that makes us fall in love with comic characters and stories and weaves them in a comical but exciting way. If you like comic books, comic movies, or just like to read a lighthearted tale that keeps you wanting more, then this story is for you.
April 20, 2020
I normally listen to cozy mysteries but fancied a change. I have never been into comics but I have watched the Avengers films so thought I would given this book ago. Glad I did because I enjoyed it and have already downloaded the next book in the series. It is action packed and didn't let up until the end, very much like the film's. It is a real good against evil battle with the old character you are not to sure of. From the sample and the picture I did think the story was going to be more of a tounge in check story but that wasn't the case, it did have some nice one liners but was more action than comedy.
A new team of super heroes is forming just in the nick of time because they will have to fight the most deadliest villain earth has ever seen. The Warlord is back and looking for more power to control his minions using mind control and he has discovered a power source currently in the care of Esro Brachis, a brilliant inventor and friends and mentor to three other super hero's. Lyn a college student who only recently found out she had powers, Ultraa a hero with no past and memory but a civilian hero and Damon a ladies man with an eye to fame. Can they stop the Warlord dead in his tracks? Or is there more going on than even he knows?
I liked the narrator and thought he put his voice to good use giving each character very different sounding voices.
A new team of super heroes is forming just in the nick of time because they will have to fight the most deadliest villain earth has ever seen. The Warlord is back and looking for more power to control his minions using mind control and he has discovered a power source currently in the care of Esro Brachis, a brilliant inventor and friends and mentor to three other super hero's. Lyn a college student who only recently found out she had powers, Ultraa a hero with no past and memory but a civilian hero and Damon a ladies man with an eye to fame. Can they stop the Warlord dead in his tracks? Or is there more going on than even he knows?
I liked the narrator and thought he put his voice to good use giving each character very different sounding voices.
April 8, 2012
Some books make you feel like you're watching a movie when you read them. Others feel like a TV show. Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord is what I would consider the first book that successfully translates the feel of a comic book into prose. All the tropes and elements are there, from the nonstop action to the pithy dialogue. If I had to point to one single source of inspiration for this novel, it would have to be the work of Jack Kirby, and that's a good thing. The Warlord is reminiscent of DC's Darkseid, while the Sentinels themselves take cues from Iron Man and the Silver Surfer. The action really popped off the page and had cosmic implications, as promised in the cover blurb.
If there's one complaint I have, it's that the writing felt a little unpolished. Lots of adverbs pepper the tale, as does headhopping and some odd dialogue tags. But in the end, it's a downright enjoyable read for anyone who wants their superheroes with a lot less angst and a lot more energy blasts and force fields.
If there's one complaint I have, it's that the writing felt a little unpolished. Lots of adverbs pepper the tale, as does headhopping and some odd dialogue tags. But in the end, it's a downright enjoyable read for anyone who wants their superheroes with a lot less angst and a lot more energy blasts and force fields.
June 23, 2011
When Strikes the Warlord is the first in the Sentinels series and overall a pretty good book. I found that the story was slightly disjointed and often I had to re-read passages to understand the point of view or the character speaking at that moment.
The first in the series brings together the group of characters, that eventually forms the team. Conceptually, the characters are well rounded, fairly original and interesting. He does create a squad of villains that appears mid-way through the book that offered some interesting concepts and who doesn't love Nazi super-villains.
I would like to see the subsequent books appear on the Kindle. Right now, it is book one and then it jumps to like book 6. If available I would continue to invest in the series, but until then, I don't want to jump ahead.
The first in the series brings together the group of characters, that eventually forms the team. Conceptually, the characters are well rounded, fairly original and interesting. He does create a squad of villains that appears mid-way through the book that offered some interesting concepts and who doesn't love Nazi super-villains.
I would like to see the subsequent books appear on the Kindle. Right now, it is book one and then it jumps to like book 6. If available I would continue to invest in the series, but until then, I don't want to jump ahead.
February 21, 2020
I received a review copy of this audiobook.
Honestly, based on the full title “Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord” I was expecting more of a tongue-in-cheek cheesy romp in the vein of old radio dramas. This book surprised me. While it is certainly not without its flaws, I enjoyed its description and dialog nine times out of ten. The story isn’t the most original, but neither is it trite. I wish it had been handled with more subtlety at times, and there were a couple choices of the author with which I outright disagreed, but I’m legitimately looking forward to the sequel, which I have already downloaded.
The narrator did a fine job overall, but assigned accents to two of the characters that seemed totally off. This was exacerbated by other characters with actual accents mentioned in the narration.
Honestly, based on the full title “Sentinels: When Strikes the Warlord” I was expecting more of a tongue-in-cheek cheesy romp in the vein of old radio dramas. This book surprised me. While it is certainly not without its flaws, I enjoyed its description and dialog nine times out of ten. The story isn’t the most original, but neither is it trite. I wish it had been handled with more subtlety at times, and there were a couple choices of the author with which I outright disagreed, but I’m legitimately looking forward to the sequel, which I have already downloaded.
The narrator did a fine job overall, but assigned accents to two of the characters that seemed totally off. This was exacerbated by other characters with actual accents mentioned in the narration.
March 11, 2014
What to say...
Superheroes lend themselves to clichés, and this provides them in spades. If you really, really love the old 60s Batman TV series and the really old, black and white, Superman, if you think Man of Steel is a pale and inglorious shadow to Reeve's Superman, then you might like this book more than I did.
It has some good bits, it really does. Unfortunately they are outweighed by the bits where the story clicks along quietly and you really wish the author would get on with telling the story of the interesting characters. Sadly, I don't think those are the ones he thinks they are.
So, not too bad, but despite the supposedly cliffhanger ending (which comes over in the audiobook as intensely badly written stodge), I doubt I'll bother with any sequels.
Superheroes lend themselves to clichés, and this provides them in spades. If you really, really love the old 60s Batman TV series and the really old, black and white, Superman, if you think Man of Steel is a pale and inglorious shadow to Reeve's Superman, then you might like this book more than I did.
It has some good bits, it really does. Unfortunately they are outweighed by the bits where the story clicks along quietly and you really wish the author would get on with telling the story of the interesting characters. Sadly, I don't think those are the ones he thinks they are.
So, not too bad, but despite the supposedly cliffhanger ending (which comes over in the audiobook as intensely badly written stodge), I doubt I'll bother with any sequels.
October 5, 2025
Most of this book is good. I like most of the characters, the pace, most of the plot, most of the dialogue, and most of the descriptions in this Kindle eBook. I don’t like that the author didn’t describe Esro Bachis’ appearance and his age. I don’t like that two of the descriptions in this Kindle eBook is repetitive. I don’t like that the overseer that worked for The Warlord overreacted when he punished the aliens that worked for that warlord. I don’t like that an old-fashioned word is in one of the sentences in this Kindle eBook. I don’t like that the author didn’t reveal the name of the agency or department in the federal government Richard Hammond worked for. When Strikes the Warlord isn’t grammatically correct. I rate this Kindle eBook four out of five stars.
October 6, 2011
I have been hearing about Plexico's Sentinels books for a long time and figured it was time I checked one out for myself. I was anything but disappointed. Plexico writes very much in the "Mighty Marvel" style of the 70s and, for me, that's a very good thing. The book was a lot of fun, introduced some really cool characters and set up a world that I am anxious to return to.
This book is essential for any fan of superhero prose. I can't wait to read book 2!
This book is essential for any fan of superhero prose. I can't wait to read book 2!
September 12, 2012
A silver-age tale that has all the action and dialog of those heroic days of yesterday. The good guys wear white and the villains wear black. The heroes may resemble those you know but don't be too hasty to "label" them. These are new heroes with new origins and grow into their own with each book. I can not wait to finish this first trilogy. Well done.
July 10, 2020
Bickering superheroes unite to defeat a gasser named the Warlord. "I am the Warlord!" he says every time he walks into a room. He's either the most polite supervillain in the galaxy, or he needs a good press agent.
March 12, 2011
Liked it and plan on reading more!
May 8, 2011
I enjoyed reading it. It wasn't the best but a large portion of the book was setup for the series.
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September 23, 2011Currently reading this...it is very well written and moves along very quickly.
December 16, 2013
Superhero fiction done right. Come for the action, stay for the characters. Excellent starting point to get into Plexico's stuff.
February 7, 2013
Fun, but not well thought out.
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