A Tail Spun

by Joseph Beekman

Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for B003XIJ6P6.

130 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2010

About the author

An author with a degree in fine arts, Joseph writes books and screenplays, and is an avid supporter of animal rescue and protection. He is a follower of science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, horror, history, and mythology. Books published include: "A TAIL SPUN" - a post-apocalyptic, war fantasy novella; "THE DRIFTING VOID" - a new paranormal, sci-fi short story series; and The Complete Trilogy of "LITTLE ORPHAN ANVIL" - the paranormal-fantasy, sci-fi adventure concerning an orphaned robot and its strange journey to help save a forgotten realm from the sinister sorcery of an evil witch. Book I "a Tale of Magic and Metal"; Book II "The Shades of Fate"; and Book III "The Gravelands of Fate". These books are published in print and digital. Also available, "SHADES IN SHADOWS" - a short collection of dark poetry. Joseph currently dwells in the "Wild West".

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this futuristic fantasy, the rats led by Rule, their commander, live underground in the space between the earth's surface and the fiery pits of hell below. Although the human race, together with ninety percent of all other creatures destroyed by a biologically enhanced bubonic disease - have been extinct for centuries, the fight between good and evil continues. The surface alliance, led by the cats, must exterminate the rats before they succeed in their quest for global domination. This is a tale of war on an almost uninhabitable, barren earth.

I thought the author very creative with his idea of a surface alliance consisting of spiders, scorpions inhabited by the spirits of the long dead pharaohs, the crows and blackbirds; and the snail, Adonis X who exhorts and encourages the troops from his seat on Turin the turtle’s back. Jack, the very special and brave cat born of the sun and raised by Muin the Tarantula, stole my heart from the start. Muin, in spite of her personal concern for her daughter whom she had to sacrifice to go live in hell with the evil Root, leads the Spindletin Spawn troops; and is always there to help and protect Jack. There is also a healthy dose of suspense in the story when Mute, the rat who developed the deadly strain of bubonic disease, comes up with a far worse evil plan to kill off the cat population.

I was completely enthralled from the very beginning of the story. The characters are realistic and utterly fascinating. Despite the exhilaratingly fast pace of the story, it is full of originality and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed the clever wordplay and the wickedly funny puns distributed throughout the book and I would recommend “A Tail Spun” as a must read, to all who love animals and who are looking to read an unforgettable war fantasy. (Ellen Fritz)

[Heather Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in return for an honest review. This is a straight up Sci-fi book. I was a little out of my element with the book as I haven't read anything quite like it. Humans and most other living creatures have been wiped off the planet by a plague initiated by inteligent rats. Left to fight the evil rats are the cats, crows, praying mantisis,turtles, snails, scorpions, spiders, leeches, blackbirds, and a few others. Led by Muin the spider and the cat she raised, Jack, they are also aided by some of the gods. The rats are aided by The Root, literally a root straight from hell, which is holding Muin's daughter, Zeta captive. They will have to strategize and battle their fiercest battle ever because the rats have a couple of tricks left to, including a plague they have created to wipe out the cats. There will be an epic battle, who will win, will anybody win, and will they be able to save Zeta in the pocess? If you are a hardcore Sci-Fi, war, futuristic, dystopian,animal lover, you are in for a treat. It's a short story but may be a bit difficult for younger kids to follow, I would recommend for ages 13-adult. WaAr

[Lindsay Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, erm, I don’t really know what to say about this little story. When I first started reading it I thought “eh, what the... what am I reading here?” but I was so... weirded out, that I had to carry on.

This is definitely different and most certainly original. I’m not telling anything about the storyline, other than this, I don’t think I will ever look at a spider the same way again! (and that’s a really good thing.) I want my very own Muin! And, if you have a love of cats, you will adore this book and want your very own Jack!

A tail spun needs to be read by all. This author’s imagination is amazing, to be able to write something like this, and make it so intriguing – is bloody brilliant. The writing style is good, everything flows and makes this book a fascinating, but a quick and easy read.

A truly brilliant little adventure.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

10*s. I absolutely love it when authors write about animals and when the animals talk to each other. This author however, made it a war between animals. This was a marvelously intriguing and a fun and very enjoyable story to read. This book is one to remember and read over and over again!! I enjoyed this story from beginning to end!! It's a MUST read for animal lovers everywhere!! Thank you, Joseph Beekman, for this memorable story!! GO CATS!!!

[Linda Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do spiders, scorpions, cats and crows have in common? A desire to eliminate their enemy, the evil rat hordes which fester away below Earth's ruined surface.
This is a fast paced book, full of action so pay attention. I thought the praying mantises were a lovely touch as were the snail and the turtle. This extremely creative book was inspired by the author's own cat - Jack, who is the hero of this story and leads the allies in their fight against evil.