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Dead Weight: A Tale of the Faerie War #1
DEAD WEIGHT: The Tombs
Not all faerie tales have happy endings!
Scarred by the horrors that plague him from his time with the Marines during the Faerie War, Boy Scout just wants to numb his mind and forget any way he can. Fate has other plans.
Forces from both Earth and Faerie care nothing for Boy Scout's wishes. He is too important and both sides seek to use him again, but too what end? Boy Scout doesn't know. He only knows he's tired of being used. Will the King of Faerie and the U.S. government get Boy Scout to dance the same old dance from the strings each has tied to him, or will he cut those strings and write a new story?
Scarred by the horrors that plague him from his time with the Marines during the Faerie War, Boy Scout just wants to numb his mind and forget any way he can. Fate has other plans.
Forces from both Earth and Faerie care nothing for Boy Scout's wishes. He is too important and both sides seek to use him again, but too what end? Boy Scout doesn't know. He only knows he's tired of being used. Will the King of Faerie and the U.S. government get Boy Scout to dance the same old dance from the strings each has tied to him, or will he cut those strings and write a new story?
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2014
9 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
M. Todd Gallowglas
63 books177 followersM Todd Gallowglas has been a professional storyteller at Renaissance Faires and Medieval Festivals for over twenty years. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University in 2009, he used his storytelling show as a platform to launch his fiction career. He is the author of the Tears of Rage and Halloween Jack series, which have spent time on various bestseller lists. He was a fiction contributor for Fantasy Flight Games and developed creative content for the reboot of the children's classic Reading Rainbow. Now he spends most of his time trying to find the perfect balance between family, writing, airsoft (because it's not as messy as paintball), and gaming while he's not off somewhere telling stories.
M Todd Gallowglas is a proud member of the Genre Underground.
M Todd Gallowglas is a proud member of the Genre Underground.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 22, 2014
Dead Weight is based on an interesting premise: Set in San Francisco in the aftermath of a world-changing war, this Urban Fantasy focuses on a veteran of that war who has the power to alter reality. Yet he feels he has done too much and seen too much, and he would rather be drugged, numb, and forgotten. He can't stay hidden forever, and someone [who has a far longer life span and timetable than his] sets events in motion from the world of faerie, America's opponent in the war. The protagonist, code name Boy Scout, is suddenly at the center of a lot of people's designs.
The elements as well as the premise of the story are intriguing. Boy Scout, is a warrior bard, a recorder of truths as much as events, whose abilities far eclipse those of "reporter." There is another player who also has the ability to alter reality, and as the book progresses, her motives and alliances seem questionable. Boy Scout has assistance from a young woman who not only wields fire, but is part magical/fire elemental.
The premise, setup, and characters are very good. I had some problems, however, with the story itself. Multiple references to important events in the past have a lot of punch. There's nothing wrong with starting at the middle if it's a turning point (and this is), but as the large, low-energy middle of the story meandered, I wondered if the earlier stories would have been more engaging. There are sections in the book that feel like writing experiments and while interesting, they reduce this short book's cohesion. Based on the setup and on the author's Tears of Rage books, I had expected the storytelling to be a lot more intense than it was.
A minus for me: The story theoretically is set in near-future, but except for how San Francisco may have changed because of the war, there is no sense of a jump forward into the future. The story is peppered with current-culture references, ostensibly near-past, which are a little too "precious" and kept interrupting the reality of the book. Those who have more affection for current nerd-culture will undoubtedly enjoy this aspect more than I. There is a lot of room for the series to grow, which is good news.
February 4, 2014
First of all, I received this for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I'm having a difficult time coming up with a review for this book. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was lacking in some ways. The story concept was great and I loved it, but I found myself backtracking a lot and trying to figure things out. I think this book, being the introduction to this new series, could have used a bit more world building and explanations for how certain things worked. I think I "got it," but I'm really not sure.
Because of my uncertainty, I'm finding it a bit hard to actually review this book, beyond just saying whether I liked it or not.
Pros:
Good concept
Good characters
Ok pace
Dialogue was pretty good and believable
Cons:
Lack of details and explanations
That was basically my only "con" for this story. I felt like I need more information to enjoy it more, and if there had been a few more details/explanations, I probably would have given it 4 stars. Even so, I'll probably read the next installment, and I recommend this one.
I'm having a difficult time coming up with a review for this book. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was lacking in some ways. The story concept was great and I loved it, but I found myself backtracking a lot and trying to figure things out. I think this book, being the introduction to this new series, could have used a bit more world building and explanations for how certain things worked. I think I "got it," but I'm really not sure.
Because of my uncertainty, I'm finding it a bit hard to actually review this book, beyond just saying whether I liked it or not.
Pros:
Good concept
Good characters
Ok pace
Dialogue was pretty good and believable
Cons:
Lack of details and explanations
That was basically my only "con" for this story. I felt like I need more information to enjoy it more, and if there had been a few more details/explanations, I probably would have given it 4 stars. Even so, I'll probably read the next installment, and I recommend this one.
May 2, 2016
The story is good. It's interesting in many ways and carries well. There are many unknowns in the book that you just have to accept. The characters are all interesting with a supposedly deep past driving their decisions, but it doesn't get delved into really. I really enjoyed this book, though I wish there was more.
September 3, 2014
Considering my reads the last few weeks I’m happy to have hit two solid gems in a row. I had misjudged the length of The Tombs, for some reason thinking it was longer than it was, or I would have read through it back when I first received it. As it is, even having the ARC copy I have I’ll likely buy an actual copy and pre-order the second if it’s available. This was a great read and one I have already started a second track through just be sure I got everything out of it. There are some books you can read once and be satisfied but there are some that make you want to read again, and this novella was exactly that. I was not expecting what I got from it but I am so excited to see the next installments.
The books take place after the Faerie Wars, and follows a 28 year old veteran Bard as he deals with some of the blowback from his role in the war. The reader isn’t left initially with a lot of history, what you do get is gleamed from the pages and from conversations within the bulk of the story. I went in wanting to know immediately what had happened that left Boy Scout the way he was but I’m infinitely more happy learning about him as I did. Having the pieces click into place at the end was a great reward.
“Not all stories happen in a linear narrative”
“That makes no fucking sense.” -- Dead Weight – The Tombs
Boy Scout was a not a guy I liked at first, I’ll admit that, but by the end I feel like I understood and appreciated him more. My favorite character however was Cendrine. She is the companion character to Boy Scout who shows throughout the entirety of the book a hard, crude exterior. It isn’t until I went back through my bookmarked quotes and passages (and I had a lot for the size of this thing) that I really saw her fleshed out in my mind. One single piece of information, withheld the entire book makes brings her into a clear picture on reveal. It was great. (I need to add as a disclaimer she is a female who blows things up and wears a peacock coat, these things definitely swayed me in her favor) I can appreciate the hell out of a unpredictable plot and character reveal, it’s not often that books surprise me with such things.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, war stories, or just wants an amazing short read. Mr. Gallowglas’s work has convinced me, I’ll be picking up copies of his other works and signing up for the next installments of this story. I encourage everyone else to do so as well.
The books take place after the Faerie Wars, and follows a 28 year old veteran Bard as he deals with some of the blowback from his role in the war. The reader isn’t left initially with a lot of history, what you do get is gleamed from the pages and from conversations within the bulk of the story. I went in wanting to know immediately what had happened that left Boy Scout the way he was but I’m infinitely more happy learning about him as I did. Having the pieces click into place at the end was a great reward.
“Not all stories happen in a linear narrative”
“That makes no fucking sense.” -- Dead Weight – The Tombs
Boy Scout was a not a guy I liked at first, I’ll admit that, but by the end I feel like I understood and appreciated him more. My favorite character however was Cendrine. She is the companion character to Boy Scout who shows throughout the entirety of the book a hard, crude exterior. It isn’t until I went back through my bookmarked quotes and passages (and I had a lot for the size of this thing) that I really saw her fleshed out in my mind. One single piece of information, withheld the entire book makes brings her into a clear picture on reveal. It was great. (I need to add as a disclaimer she is a female who blows things up and wears a peacock coat, these things definitely swayed me in her favor) I can appreciate the hell out of a unpredictable plot and character reveal, it’s not often that books surprise me with such things.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, war stories, or just wants an amazing short read. Mr. Gallowglas’s work has convinced me, I’ll be picking up copies of his other works and signing up for the next installments of this story. I encourage everyone else to do so as well.
February 4, 2014
I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Dead Weight: The Tombs is part one of a six part story set in the United States about a former soldier of the Faerie War who goes by the name “Boy Scout”. Not only is he a former soldier, he is a very important part of the war as was his job of being a Bard during the war. Boy Scout is being hunted and he knows who is after him and he knew that it was coming but he isn’t completely sure why. This book is not intended for children. It is graphic at time and there is some strong langue and other elements that I will expand on in the spoiler section.
Spoiler Section: I’m not going to give too many spoilers away so you can read it for yourself but this is for people who are thinking about it but not completely interested. Hopefully this will help you make up your mind.
When the story really starts going there are a group of faeries after Boy Scout called “Red Caps.” An elite force of powerful faeries that get their power from soaking their caps in the blood of humans. The more drenched the cap is the more powerful their magic is. At this point in time Boy Scout isn’t prepared to take them on and has to call on the help of some one he has known for a long time to help him. This person’s name is Cendrine. When he calls her she busts out of his closet and takes care of the Red Caps fairly easy. This is where they begin their journey.
Onto the elements that make this not for children. As you read above the Red Caps. They soak their caps in the blood of humans. When they show up Boy Scout is currently getting high so he can forget all the pain that was left with him during the Faerie War. The language can be strong at times too but it is never unnecessary to the story. Characters do die in the book and some in violent ways, and some you get attached to. But then again, what good book doesn't have loving characters that die?
End Spoiler Section
Over all I feel that this was an Excellent read. I’m normally not fond of fantasy stories that are set in our world at all. But M Todd Gallowglas knows how to do it right. I was hooked from the start of the first page and didn’t want to put it down until I was finished. I can’t wait to see the next part of the series!
Dead Weight: The Tombs is part one of a six part story set in the United States about a former soldier of the Faerie War who goes by the name “Boy Scout”. Not only is he a former soldier, he is a very important part of the war as was his job of being a Bard during the war. Boy Scout is being hunted and he knows who is after him and he knew that it was coming but he isn’t completely sure why. This book is not intended for children. It is graphic at time and there is some strong langue and other elements that I will expand on in the spoiler section.
Spoiler Section: I’m not going to give too many spoilers away so you can read it for yourself but this is for people who are thinking about it but not completely interested. Hopefully this will help you make up your mind.
When the story really starts going there are a group of faeries after Boy Scout called “Red Caps.” An elite force of powerful faeries that get their power from soaking their caps in the blood of humans. The more drenched the cap is the more powerful their magic is. At this point in time Boy Scout isn’t prepared to take them on and has to call on the help of some one he has known for a long time to help him. This person’s name is Cendrine. When he calls her she busts out of his closet and takes care of the Red Caps fairly easy. This is where they begin their journey.
Onto the elements that make this not for children. As you read above the Red Caps. They soak their caps in the blood of humans. When they show up Boy Scout is currently getting high so he can forget all the pain that was left with him during the Faerie War. The language can be strong at times too but it is never unnecessary to the story. Characters do die in the book and some in violent ways, and some you get attached to. But then again, what good book doesn't have loving characters that die?
End Spoiler Section
Over all I feel that this was an Excellent read. I’m normally not fond of fantasy stories that are set in our world at all. But M Todd Gallowglas knows how to do it right. I was hooked from the start of the first page and didn’t want to put it down until I was finished. I can’t wait to see the next part of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2014
I love the freedom a self publishing author has with their material. Exposure is so important. I follow M Todd Gallowglas on Facebook and his blogs. He was kind enough to run a contest for an advanced reader copy of the book. A beta if you will. I was selected to read the ARC and his only request was an honest review of the book.
I will say, I enjoyed it. Very much so. It was an interesting read. It kept me engaged even when I felt a little lost on some of the story. It is a story that requires you to pay attention to the details and you will find yourself re-reading parts because you will be saying "did that really just happen?" There are minute twists and turns that lead you to believe one thing is going to happen because it always does in these kinds of stories and then NOPE! Something else happens and you think, that was cool. There is just something about the darkness of this story that works. It's not the Disney Fairies most people think of. There is another kind that people are afraid to acknowledge, the author does that well here.
Knowing this is a series, I look forward to more in depth history of the characters and their relationships. For a beginning book of a series, I thought the characters histories were not explained well enough. It just felt like something was missing. Like you were just expected to know them because you jump right into the meat of the story. There are little glimpses of character development but just when you start learning about one, it goes back to an action sequence.
Overall, this has an ok setup for the series and was an entertaining read and more importantly, has a uniqueness too it away from the cookie cutter stories.
I will say, I enjoyed it. Very much so. It was an interesting read. It kept me engaged even when I felt a little lost on some of the story. It is a story that requires you to pay attention to the details and you will find yourself re-reading parts because you will be saying "did that really just happen?" There are minute twists and turns that lead you to believe one thing is going to happen because it always does in these kinds of stories and then NOPE! Something else happens and you think, that was cool. There is just something about the darkness of this story that works. It's not the Disney Fairies most people think of. There is another kind that people are afraid to acknowledge, the author does that well here.
Knowing this is a series, I look forward to more in depth history of the characters and their relationships. For a beginning book of a series, I thought the characters histories were not explained well enough. It just felt like something was missing. Like you were just expected to know them because you jump right into the meat of the story. There are little glimpses of character development but just when you start learning about one, it goes back to an action sequence.
Overall, this has an ok setup for the series and was an entertaining read and more importantly, has a uniqueness too it away from the cookie cutter stories.
February 9, 2014
Before I really dig in, let me say I really loved this novel. It does things that most of the time would have made me put it down. Yet, I didn’t care. Gallowglas pulled off doing things that shouldn’t have worked. Which is freakin’ cool.
A protagonist I didn’t like, yet I cared about, hoped he’d succeed. The story started off in a very weird way, (which to avoid spoilers, I won’t go into), and wasn’t part of the meat of the plot, but it worked beautifully. There were a lot of references thrown in, but none of it is overdone. And, frankly, I loved the concept of the arts being a way to look into another world. The tale is very dark, gritty, depressing, yet still manages to have a thread of hope running through it. It truly feels like a mirror into another reality.
The novel manages to bring some very interesting concepts without beating you over the head with them. What defines goodness, is one that I felt came up a lot. Is it a person’s actions? Is it what a person does? Is it their intentions? Perhaps, it is a combination of all these things. I don’t know. The book doesn’t know either, but that’s what makes it interesting.
As I read another question occurred to me. What does society lose when cultures change, are absorbed, and destroyed? Is there really a loss? Should such things be preserved in some way? I’m not sure the author intended me to think of that. However, this book made lots of odd questions like that show up to plague me, in only the very best way.
An excellent start to what I hope will be a continuing book series.
A protagonist I didn’t like, yet I cared about, hoped he’d succeed. The story started off in a very weird way, (which to avoid spoilers, I won’t go into), and wasn’t part of the meat of the plot, but it worked beautifully. There were a lot of references thrown in, but none of it is overdone. And, frankly, I loved the concept of the arts being a way to look into another world. The tale is very dark, gritty, depressing, yet still manages to have a thread of hope running through it. It truly feels like a mirror into another reality.
The novel manages to bring some very interesting concepts without beating you over the head with them. What defines goodness, is one that I felt came up a lot. Is it a person’s actions? Is it what a person does? Is it their intentions? Perhaps, it is a combination of all these things. I don’t know. The book doesn’t know either, but that’s what makes it interesting.
As I read another question occurred to me. What does society lose when cultures change, are absorbed, and destroyed? Is there really a loss? Should such things be preserved in some way? I’m not sure the author intended me to think of that. However, this book made lots of odd questions like that show up to plague me, in only the very best way.
An excellent start to what I hope will be a continuing book series.
July 29, 2015
I received this copy for free on reddits /r/fantasy page from the author. I would probably give another 0.5 to 0.75 stars just for that fact if goodreads had a better star system.
I wanted to really like this one. I've been searching for something fantasy related in a modern setting for awhile now.
First issue was I was a bit lost. I don't mind things being explained to me over time but I felt like the book ended too quickly and without explaining more.
I also really didn't like the main character all that much. Just seemed like he had all the right things to say at just the perfect time. Like if I mastered the art of time travel and could go back in time to say all those perfect comebacks I thought of while I was taking a shower later that night.
The main character is apparently extremely powerful. This is sorta glossed over
All in all I would probably recommend this to a friend if they were looking for this type of book. It's priced right for an afternoon read. I might be persuaded to read on in this series.
I wanted to really like this one. I've been searching for something fantasy related in a modern setting for awhile now.
First issue was I was a bit lost. I don't mind things being explained to me over time but I felt like the book ended too quickly and without explaining more.
I also really didn't like the main character all that much. Just seemed like he had all the right things to say at just the perfect time. Like if I mastered the art of time travel and could go back in time to say all those perfect comebacks I thought of while I was taking a shower later that night.
The main character is apparently extremely powerful. This is sorta glossed over
All in all I would probably recommend this to a friend if they were looking for this type of book. It's priced right for an afternoon read. I might be persuaded to read on in this series.
September 21, 2015
Be aware that this is a serialized novel, so this installment felt like the first few chapters of a longer book. However, I was left wanting more at the end, which is a sign of a good story.
Dead Weight is an urban fantasy that mixes old tales of faerie with a modern action-adventure. The faerie theme is in the style that Emma Bull or Charles de Lint did so well, but Dead Weight is able to find its own voice. I could basically imagine the whole thing as a movie storyboard.
The main character, Boy Scout, does fall into the action-adventure-badass-with-a-dark-past trope a bit. This is meant more of an observation instead of a criticism, because the trope is a fun one, and it works well for the story. The character is still interesting enough that I wanted to know more about him, and look forward to what's revealed later in the story.
I haven't read very much self-published work before, so I wasn't sure how it would compare to a normally published work. I did notice some minor editing goofs, but nothing that hindered understandability or was too jarring. I've certainly read professionally-published books with a comparable amount of typos. Overall it was well-formatted and very readable.
Full disclosure: I received the ebook for free when the author distributed a coupon code with a polite request for reviews. However, I would not have been disappointed if I had paid the full dollar it normally goes for, and intend to pick up the later installments.
Dead Weight is an urban fantasy that mixes old tales of faerie with a modern action-adventure. The faerie theme is in the style that Emma Bull or Charles de Lint did so well, but Dead Weight is able to find its own voice. I could basically imagine the whole thing as a movie storyboard.
The main character, Boy Scout, does fall into the action-adventure-badass-with-a-dark-past trope a bit. This is meant more of an observation instead of a criticism, because the trope is a fun one, and it works well for the story. The character is still interesting enough that I wanted to know more about him, and look forward to what's revealed later in the story.
I haven't read very much self-published work before, so I wasn't sure how it would compare to a normally published work. I did notice some minor editing goofs, but nothing that hindered understandability or was too jarring. I've certainly read professionally-published books with a comparable amount of typos. Overall it was well-formatted and very readable.
Full disclosure: I received the ebook for free when the author distributed a coupon code with a polite request for reviews. However, I would not have been disappointed if I had paid the full dollar it normally goes for, and intend to pick up the later installments.
February 3, 2014
Full Disclosure - I was given an ARC in return for an honest review.
A survivor of the Faerie War, Boy Scout finds himself the target of a group of Red Caps sent to retrieve him. But he’s not just any survivor. Boy Scout is a Bard, a soldier tasked with remembering the fallen during their battles in Faerie realms so they will not be forgotten in mortal lands. He and his companion Cendrine have to figure out who wants him, and why, before he ends up dead, or worse.
I’ll admit it. Most of my knowledge of the Unseelie and Seelie courts comes from some half-remembered Shaekspeare and Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and if I’d be running to Wikipedia every paragraph. M. Todd Gallowglas does a good job of giving you the information you need if you don’t have any familiarity of the Old Knowledge used to fight Faeries. After shooting off to a rapid start, the middle section does slow in pace, mostly to give you information about the state of the world after the Faerie War. The ending had a satisfying twist I did not see coming.
Will I be buying the next installment when it comes out? Yes. M. Todd Gallowglas has created a world and a story that have captured my interest, and I cannot wait to see what he has planned for it.
A survivor of the Faerie War, Boy Scout finds himself the target of a group of Red Caps sent to retrieve him. But he’s not just any survivor. Boy Scout is a Bard, a soldier tasked with remembering the fallen during their battles in Faerie realms so they will not be forgotten in mortal lands. He and his companion Cendrine have to figure out who wants him, and why, before he ends up dead, or worse.
I’ll admit it. Most of my knowledge of the Unseelie and Seelie courts comes from some half-remembered Shaekspeare and Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and if I’d be running to Wikipedia every paragraph. M. Todd Gallowglas does a good job of giving you the information you need if you don’t have any familiarity of the Old Knowledge used to fight Faeries. After shooting off to a rapid start, the middle section does slow in pace, mostly to give you information about the state of the world after the Faerie War. The ending had a satisfying twist I did not see coming.
Will I be buying the next installment when it comes out? Yes. M. Todd Gallowglas has created a world and a story that have captured my interest, and I cannot wait to see what he has planned for it.
February 7, 2014
The first in a serialized series titled, Dead Weight, The Tombs is a futuristic tale set after a war between the United States and the Unseelie of the Faerie world. It follows a man named Boy Scout who served on the front lines in the war as a writer. In the years since the war he’s attempted to numb himself to his memories through any means necessary. Unfortunately for him, the war isn’t quite over as forces on both sides once again try to draw him in.
In Dead Weight, the author does a marvelous job at bringing a new twist to Faerie stories as their world and ours clash. Instead of the perfect order of things, we’re introduced to a damaged individual suffering as much or more than anyone in history for his actions.
One of the grittier books I’ve read in a while, it muddies the lines between good and evil to the point you don’t know who is on what side. Even the main character proves difficult to figure out from time to time, making this a fantastic story I can’t wait to see more of.
In Dead Weight, the author does a marvelous job at bringing a new twist to Faerie stories as their world and ours clash. Instead of the perfect order of things, we’re introduced to a damaged individual suffering as much or more than anyone in history for his actions.
One of the grittier books I’ve read in a while, it muddies the lines between good and evil to the point you don’t know who is on what side. Even the main character proves difficult to figure out from time to time, making this a fantastic story I can’t wait to see more of.
August 11, 2016
Boy Scout has a problem and it's not just that he can't let anyone know his birth name. He's flooded with devastating memories from the Faerie War and he's doing everything he can to numb himself to them in a useless attempt to forget. Fate intervenes as it always does, and he finds himself on the run with Cendrine, a woman whose hair turns to flame when she gets her power on. Boy Scout is determined not to be a pawn to anyone, no matter how important his talents as a Bard may be, and he's going to have to fight for all he's worth to avoid it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and while I enjoyed it, I was at times confused and left wondering if I missed something. It is the start of a series, however, and as the copy I read was an advanced but not 100% completed copy, I'm guessing the published edition cleaned up some of these issues. As talented as this author is, I'm willing to forgive a few hiccups and look forward to further installments.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and while I enjoyed it, I was at times confused and left wondering if I missed something. It is the start of a series, however, and as the copy I read was an advanced but not 100% completed copy, I'm guessing the published edition cleaned up some of these issues. As talented as this author is, I'm willing to forgive a few hiccups and look forward to further installments.
February 3, 2014
We won, or did we? War is hell.
I have never been a huge fan of serialized novels. As I read the first few pages of Gallowglas’ new entry, I was not that intrigued. The deeper in I read, the more the story grabbed me. It is a gritty, noir urban fantasy with a great amount of potential.
As the story starts in the aftermath of a war, it has so much room to grow. There is a huge potential for the back story, and of course, an interesting ride to see where the primary arc is taking the reader.
I found the characters interesting, but with this just being the first installment, there was not enough room to really flesh the characters out to my satisfaction.
I look forward to seeing where this story leads.
Note: I received an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.
I have never been a huge fan of serialized novels. As I read the first few pages of Gallowglas’ new entry, I was not that intrigued. The deeper in I read, the more the story grabbed me. It is a gritty, noir urban fantasy with a great amount of potential.
As the story starts in the aftermath of a war, it has so much room to grow. There is a huge potential for the back story, and of course, an interesting ride to see where the primary arc is taking the reader.
I found the characters interesting, but with this just being the first installment, there was not enough room to really flesh the characters out to my satisfaction.
I look forward to seeing where this story leads.
Note: I received an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.
March 9, 2014
This book has some serious potential, and I would be interested to read more in the series. This new author has a marvelous sense of world creation, and he gave the characters dimension to really make them come alive. I had the pleasure of reading an early copy that still had some copy errors. The editing advice I would have would be to remove the extraneous quotes that pull the reader out of the story at the beginning of each chapter, and to proofread thoroughly, especially towards the end. The one area in which this book was lacking was in clarity of plotline. It was difficult to follow whenever the point of view changed, whenever the chronology seemed to shift, and whenever the plot device of the journal was introduced. Since this is such a small book, future books could have beefier word counts for transitions that are easier to read.
February 5, 2014
Note: I received this from the author as an ARC in return for an honest review.
I admit it, I was caught by the end of the first chapter (or the second last, if you put it in chronological order).. After that, it seemed a bit slow pace for a section, then went into overdrive. Because of my tendancy to read fast the first time to satisfy my plotline "must know what happened" self, I needed to do a second read through since there was a lot to miss.
You are not given chapters or paragraphs in how the magic of the Fae work, it's assumed that you know and will learn more as the series progresses. There is so much story that is waiting to be told and I can't wait to hear it.
I am looking forward to the next installment when it comes since the ending left me looking for more.
I admit it, I was caught by the end of the first chapter (or the second last, if you put it in chronological order).. After that, it seemed a bit slow pace for a section, then went into overdrive. Because of my tendancy to read fast the first time to satisfy my plotline "must know what happened" self, I needed to do a second read through since there was a lot to miss.
You are not given chapters or paragraphs in how the magic of the Fae work, it's assumed that you know and will learn more as the series progresses. There is so much story that is waiting to be told and I can't wait to hear it.
I am looking forward to the next installment when it comes since the ending left me looking for more.
February 10, 2014
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this, and the book exceeded all of my hopes. The dark war story exists on a gut reaction/emotional level and that is a fine and difficult art to create. Everything seemed plausible. I truly hope Mr. Gallowglas continues to write novels and I will happily buy them! I intend to recommend this to my friends. I can even say that this is probably one of the best books I've read so far this year (and I've read plenty already). But in the end, the one thing that truly says the most about this story is - I believe. I believe in the world that was created, and I believe in the characters that populate that world. Most of all, I believe in the story as a whole and am so glad I had a chance to lose myself in it for even a short while.
February 19, 2014
Despite this being the first of six installments it is still a complete story in and of itself. I am quite impressed with the way Gallowglas has managed to put a whole new twist (at least to me) on urban fantasy.
You get a glimpse of one man's day in San Francisco during what appears to be a lull in the war between Faerie and the "real" world. Yes, Faeries, goblins, Bards, and magic are real in this world, and both sides are using all of their weapons to try and win this war.
Boy Scout (no true names, please) is a Bard; someone who can write a tale and have it come into reality. He was a soldier but something has happened to make him leave and try despearately to forget. But what?
You get a glimpse of one man's day in San Francisco during what appears to be a lull in the war between Faerie and the "real" world. Yes, Faeries, goblins, Bards, and magic are real in this world, and both sides are using all of their weapons to try and win this war.
Boy Scout (no true names, please) is a Bard; someone who can write a tale and have it come into reality. He was a soldier but something has happened to make him leave and try despearately to forget. But what?
February 12, 2014
This story, at first, appears as fractured and frayed as it's protagonist; but as it progresses becomes clearer and more captivating. The apocalyptic events which make this world what it is, are only referred to as events of the past and with little clarity. It is a world where names have power and the magic of the fae is a reality. Mr. Gallowglas weaves the threads of gritty, stark reality and mythic tale into a compelling tapestry, though an incomplete one; leaving readers such as myself, waiting to see what more this world has in store for us.
January 16, 2015
This is an awesome start to a serialized novel. It's like a combination of a Tarantino film and the Dresden Files books. Lots of bloody action, mixed with urban fantasy. Non-linear story telling at its best here. If you're familiar with the author, you'll even notice sly references to his own works as well. It may seem like a regular fantasy/adventure, but at its core, there's a lot about the love of the writing craft thrown in. It makes for a very layered experience. Cannot recommend this--or any of M. Todd's--books enough.
July 30, 2015
As another reviewer said, this book does several things that normally make me drop a book like a hot potato; specifically skipping back and forth in time and leaving the reader feeling confused and lost. Those are perfectly acceptable literary devices, but not my cup of tea. But I kept reading anyway, because I was fascinated by the concepts. And when I hit the end at 11:45 last night, I immediately went to Amazon and purchased the next two. (Thank the stars for modern instant literary satisfaction).
February 27, 2014
My only issue with this book is that it ended. I want more! The story jumps right into the action. The world-building is equality quick and thorough. This book is just a taste... just a tease... of wonderful things to come. If you like The Dresden Files, urban fantasy, interesting characters, and amazingly descriptive settings, get this book. Even if you are iffy about any of those other things, get this book. Read it. Read it today!
February 22, 2014
“He loved the sight of an unblemished paper, full of infinite possibilities of what a writer or artist might create.”
In Dead Weight: The Tombs, a Tale of the Faerie War M. Todd Gallowglas has turned a blank page into magic.
I started reading this book in the afternoon and when I next looked up from the page, it was dark.
There is a dreamlike quality to the book, almost as if you are viewing the world created underwater. It will stand up to a second reading.
In Dead Weight: The Tombs, a Tale of the Faerie War M. Todd Gallowglas has turned a blank page into magic.
I started reading this book in the afternoon and when I next looked up from the page, it was dark.
There is a dreamlike quality to the book, almost as if you are viewing the world created underwater. It will stand up to a second reading.
April 12, 2015
Interesting mix of themes, very good writing. Urban fantasy is not my cup of tea but this held my attention. Meta writing abund, the characters were fresh and we are getting just a glimpse of a world changing war and someone in the middle of it all.
May 16, 2015
I enjoyed it, especially after the long prologuey sort of thing, but it needed more for me. Intrigued enough to give the second bit a shot -- the worldbuilding is very interesting -- but frustrated all the same.
July 28, 2015
To be honest it started off really meh for me. the wording for the first 8 pages seemed clunky and repetitive. but il be damned if by page 9 it didn't turn into a page turner. it really reminded me of a Dresden/ Darker then Black (anime) mix with a unique twist. i really recommend it to anyone.
May 18, 2017
It's always something interesting when the protagonist starts the story off by being stabbed to death.
Long before his sudden and surprising end, Max was called Boy Scout. He was a Bard, wielding the magic of words during the war between the United States and Faerie.
Honestly, he didn't come out of it very well.
Events later forced him out of the haze of drugs and self-recrimination he was hiding in. This novella is about how he dealt with agents of Oberon seeking to drag him back into the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
The world building is very nice. Gallowglas gives us a contemporary US, then diverges from history with the incursion of Faerie into the world. Exactly what happened, when it happened, and why, is left vague. We get enough hints to have some ideas, but we're left curious for more. The magic used is consistent and mythical, but never tightly explained. It remains mysterious throughout.
The main character, Boy Scout, is multilayered and interesting. I don't know if the author has served in a conflict himself, or did a lot of research, but his characterization as a haunted survivor of war resonates.
Definitely recommended. I'll be reading the rest of the series sooner rather than later.
Long before his sudden and surprising end, Max was called Boy Scout. He was a Bard, wielding the magic of words during the war between the United States and Faerie.
Honestly, he didn't come out of it very well.
Events later forced him out of the haze of drugs and self-recrimination he was hiding in. This novella is about how he dealt with agents of Oberon seeking to drag him back into the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
The world building is very nice. Gallowglas gives us a contemporary US, then diverges from history with the incursion of Faerie into the world. Exactly what happened, when it happened, and why, is left vague. We get enough hints to have some ideas, but we're left curious for more. The magic used is consistent and mythical, but never tightly explained. It remains mysterious throughout.
The main character, Boy Scout, is multilayered and interesting. I don't know if the author has served in a conflict himself, or did a lot of research, but his characterization as a haunted survivor of war resonates.
Definitely recommended. I'll be reading the rest of the series sooner rather than later.
January 1, 2018
An interesting book. It felt more like an introduction to a full story rather than a full novel. Didn't really make much sense until about halfway through the book, and even later to pick up. Not sure I'd recommend, but an ok start to the series.
February 27, 2014
This review was originally posted on Avid Reviews:
http://avidfantasyreviews.wordpress.c...
Dead Weight is the first installment of an independently published serialized novel. It is a wonderful example of a well written, engrossing, and original self-published novel that is pushing the norm of the format in which we read. This novel is an urban fantasy that takes place in San Francisco after the Faerie War, and even though it is only the first installment it is worth reading as a story in its own right.
The main character in this noir-like urban fantasy is Boy Scout; a veteran of the war that occurred after a realm was opened to the land of Faerie. Boy Scout has obviously been greatly affected by this conflict. He is a complex character, whose psychological state can be attributed to PTSD, guilt, and a convoluted personality. His attempt to hide from his past is completely shattered when Red Caps enter his home intending to kill him. Despite his best efforts, he is pulled back into the affairs of the denizens of Faerie, and this time he may not survive the encounter.
I thought that this story was very well written, and the plot was fast- paced and captivating. It did take me a little longer than usual to become immersed in the story because the mystery behind Boy Scout’s circumstances creates a good amount of confusion for the reader in the book’s beginning. Luckily, the plot does not take long to resolve itself into an intriguing tale that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. I liked the moral ambiguity of Boy Scout’s character, and the pacing of the story and excitement of the plot line have guaranteed that I will be purchasing the rest of the installments for this book.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the seriousness of this book’s themes. At its heart, this is a story that makes the horrors of war tangible to the reader despite its fantastical elements. It is like a cross between The Things They Carried and The Dresden Files, and somehow this makes for a wonderful story. I can always be on board with a fantasy that makes me think hard about real issues.
Overall, I would rate this installment an 8/10.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of this book from the author, even though I have done a poor job of putting up an advanced review.
http://avidfantasyreviews.wordpress.c...
Dead Weight is the first installment of an independently published serialized novel. It is a wonderful example of a well written, engrossing, and original self-published novel that is pushing the norm of the format in which we read. This novel is an urban fantasy that takes place in San Francisco after the Faerie War, and even though it is only the first installment it is worth reading as a story in its own right.
The main character in this noir-like urban fantasy is Boy Scout; a veteran of the war that occurred after a realm was opened to the land of Faerie. Boy Scout has obviously been greatly affected by this conflict. He is a complex character, whose psychological state can be attributed to PTSD, guilt, and a convoluted personality. His attempt to hide from his past is completely shattered when Red Caps enter his home intending to kill him. Despite his best efforts, he is pulled back into the affairs of the denizens of Faerie, and this time he may not survive the encounter.
I thought that this story was very well written, and the plot was fast- paced and captivating. It did take me a little longer than usual to become immersed in the story because the mystery behind Boy Scout’s circumstances creates a good amount of confusion for the reader in the book’s beginning. Luckily, the plot does not take long to resolve itself into an intriguing tale that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. I liked the moral ambiguity of Boy Scout’s character, and the pacing of the story and excitement of the plot line have guaranteed that I will be purchasing the rest of the installments for this book.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the seriousness of this book’s themes. At its heart, this is a story that makes the horrors of war tangible to the reader despite its fantastical elements. It is like a cross between The Things They Carried and The Dresden Files, and somehow this makes for a wonderful story. I can always be on board with a fantasy that makes me think hard about real issues.
Overall, I would rate this installment an 8/10.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of this book from the author, even though I have done a poor job of putting up an advanced review.
February 24, 2014
I loved this book.
I don't normally buy serial works like this until they are collected.
This, this is how it should be done.
"Dead Weight: The Tombs" is complete in and of itself, and yet uses broad strokes to paint a backstory that hints at the larger tale. There is no ramping up to a cliffhanger ending, because the story has been told, but every turn and crossroad on the journey promises that there is both more to learn, and more to come.
The overarching narrative is non linear but the pieces are coherently layered, using flashbacks gave enough exposition to keep the story going, while still leaving me with a strong sense of:
"But that's another story..."
There is a thread of self-referential 'meta-story' which, while fully justified in a story about a Bard and Bardic magic, verges on the self indulgent at times.
But I can forgive that because the author shows a deep and subtle understanding of 'fairy' magic and folkloric tradition. He creates a rich stew of cantrips, liminal spaces, art, prophecy, debts, deals and obligations, then seasons it to perfection with pop culture and genre references.
While the 'magic' made my day, the setting is actually a contemporary one. 'Overhill' a near future USA dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected war on its home soil, fae creatures inhabit the cities near the remaining 'gateways' mixing monsters and magic with, guns, drug dealers, gangsters, opportunists. People hiding dark pasts and others falling prey to mundane and faerie glamours.
We only see glimpses of 'Underhill', but there are hints of dark and gritty fairy cities with their own cast of noir characters, locales and cutthroat politics.
Overall, a great piece of writing by a polished storyteller.
I received a retail copy of this book in exchange for money.
The honest review comes freely and without obligation.
I don't normally buy serial works like this until they are collected.
This, this is how it should be done.
"Dead Weight: The Tombs" is complete in and of itself, and yet uses broad strokes to paint a backstory that hints at the larger tale. There is no ramping up to a cliffhanger ending, because the story has been told, but every turn and crossroad on the journey promises that there is both more to learn, and more to come.
The overarching narrative is non linear but the pieces are coherently layered, using flashbacks gave enough exposition to keep the story going, while still leaving me with a strong sense of:
"But that's another story..."
There is a thread of self-referential 'meta-story' which, while fully justified in a story about a Bard and Bardic magic, verges on the self indulgent at times.
But I can forgive that because the author shows a deep and subtle understanding of 'fairy' magic and folkloric tradition. He creates a rich stew of cantrips, liminal spaces, art, prophecy, debts, deals and obligations, then seasons it to perfection with pop culture and genre references.
While the 'magic' made my day, the setting is actually a contemporary one. 'Overhill' a near future USA dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected war on its home soil, fae creatures inhabit the cities near the remaining 'gateways' mixing monsters and magic with, guns, drug dealers, gangsters, opportunists. People hiding dark pasts and others falling prey to mundane and faerie glamours.
We only see glimpses of 'Underhill', but there are hints of dark and gritty fairy cities with their own cast of noir characters, locales and cutthroat politics.
Overall, a great piece of writing by a polished storyteller.
I received a retail copy of this book in exchange for money.
The honest review comes freely and without obligation.
October 17, 2015
An interesting take on the urban fantasy genre. Gallowglas is releasing this as a serial, so this is just a taste of the world he created. The world of Faerie enters our modern world and there is a war between factions, but this is only alluded to in memory. Told from the point of view of a soldier that fought in the war, it deals with how the world has moved on and hints about coming events that could change everything... again. I like the idea of the artist and the bard as integral players in the events and I can't wait to see how the story progresses. The balance of toughness and fae magic is a bit refreshing as is the fact that it's an urban fantasy with no vampires, werewolves, or zombies. And it's written for adults, not teenagers (though teens could certainly enjoy it.)
Note: I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Note: I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review.
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