Baxter Mariah

by Cassian Brown

Baxter Mariah - An SF Horror Adventure

"Goodnight, Baxter. Sleep tight. Hope the bunyips don’t bite …"

Yet Baxter Mariah, fighter pilot, has more to contend with than beasts that are part human, part troll, and which, in this blighted Australia steadily sliding under the sea, might not be so mythical after all. He believes he is destined to rescue his people … if he only knew how.

Among those thwarting him is Toby Ellameine, cricketer and militia captain, whose spirit is also under siege — he fears an atrocity he commits during a war shows that a monster lurks within. Another threat is Zinzan Evangeline, ace pilot and sociopath. He comes to see great danger in Baxter, and takes action.

Genres: Science Fiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2011

About the author

Cassian Brown is the author of SF conspiracy thriller "Ave Judas" and the SF horror adventure "Baxter Mariah", both available as paperbacks and ebooks.
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I was born in London in 1957 and grew up on the Isle of Ischia off Naples and in New Zealand. I now live in a very multicultural part of Sydney, Australia, with my wife, Jie, and Bobo, a spirited Pomeranian-Chihuahua.

I am a newspaper and magazine sub-editor, and have also worked as a farmhand, roofer, dishwasher, wine waiter, armoured-van guard and cheese-truck driver.

While a lover of science fiction since my wonder years, I read a range of styles. With my own writing I find myself blending SF with other genres. I am the author of the SF horror-adventure novel "Baxter Mariah" and of the SF conspiracy thriller "Ave Judas". Both are 2011 publications.

My next project is an SF military mystery provisionally titled "The Peacekeepers".

If you'd like to know more about my published books, try these links:

"Ave Judas": http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

"Baxter Mariah": http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

Reviews

[Dkattean · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a dystopian future Australia a fighter pilot crashes on the fringes of the Crook-sick, a dessicated wasteland poisoned by a government-sponsored environmental experiment gone wrong. He harbors a secret phial hidden inside a digeridoo, the contents of which could obliterate what remains of the fragile surviving post-apocalyptic society. He is rescued by the village healer, who eventually takes him as her lover in order to unlock his closely-guarded secret.

Plagued by earthquakes, duststorms, and mutant raiders from the east called HigPigs, the townsfolk divert themselves with cricket, horse racing, Friday night dances and boatbuilding. They know that the numerous threats that surround them make it unlikely they will be able to stay in their coastal village much longer. Their one hope to discover the land across the sea to their east, which they know as New Sealand. But time is running out.

At first I wasn't sure what to make of this self-proclaimed "SF horror" novel. The action began early and it took me a few disorienting chapters to catch up. (Also I didn't have my Australian glossary handy, so I had to infer the meanings of many of the colloquialisms I hadn't previously read on an Outback steakhouse menu.) But as the village and its colorful characters became more fleshed out the narrative became easier to follow. Brown has populated his novel with quirksters in varying states of mental and physical deterioration. One guy's aphasia leaves him speaking decidedly like Yoda. Every full moon, one of the town's women flogs herself with a horsewhip to drive out the snake she believes is crawling under her skin. Then there's a terrier mix who can apparently hypnotize anyone who looks directly into his eyes. And the advertised horror did not disappoint, particularly the bits involving the amesthyst python, the mako sharks, and the chillingly-described evisceration near the end. Great fun and thrilling climax make this a strong effort from this self-published author. (I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.)

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this book free from Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway:

Truthfully, even though I've just finished the book a few minutes ago, the book just doesn't leave me any strong impression. It was sure well-written with what you hope to see in an SF horror adventure: detailed intense battles , the mystery surrounding the characters with a few jokes throwing here and there. Sure the story gave an in-depth look into some of the main characters, but when you look at these as a whole story, it just didn't click or go well together.

Also the frequently jumping from one character point of view to another kinda back fire the intention of the author - their thinking and a bit of their characteristics - but it was too much information and at the end you just can't picture them and can't understand their intention(for example, I don't really get the character Mara Kaye and Lina), especially the main(!?) character Baxter Mariah. It was really hard, or should I said in my opinion, I still have no clue to what he really is or what is going on in his head. I don't feel sympathy or any particular for this character.

Overall, I think this book deserves 1.5/ 5 (but since Goodreads doesn't have a half star I gave it a 2)

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this through Goodreads as a review book, but I have to say I was quite pleasantly surprised. With the colloquial humour, violence, crude language and monsters it made a very enjoyable read. It has everything from Hig Pigs (people who live in places so saturated with toxins their bodies don't grow right) to all sorts of sharks - it's Mad Max with jet-fighters, boats and a surprising bit of cricket in there. The occasional raunchy scene and a lot of you beaut ultra violence and odd fart joke.

I give it the thumbs up.

[Belle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, finding this to be hard work. Still persevering but one of the main issues I have with this book is that it jumps to so many different characters without really getting to know any one of them. You get some great impressions but you quickly lose them when it jumps to a completely new, seemingly unrelated, character.

I will continue in the hope that it all comes together well.

[Ruby Tombstone Lives!]

Have had to put this on hold for a bit. I couldn't take the extra weight in my suitcase! I'll have to wait until the rest of my stuff arrives from Canberra now...