What do you think?
Rate this book
His Majesty's New World #0.5
The Count: The First Novella Introducing His Majesty's New World
In 1881, explorers in the Rocky Mountains discovered gateways to another planet. Britain and the United States quickly partnered to colonize and exploit this rich new world.
Now it's 1896, and the promise of a new beginning has drawn ex-Sergeant Edwin Barnes, his wife Evangeline, and a group of former British colonial soldiers to the new world. Having faced the Zulu, the Ashanti, and the Boers, this outfit is well-equipped to provide security for one of the many exploration companies seeking riches on the unknown planet.
But work is scarce; with the wild west becoming civilized, American gunhands have swarmed the new world, promising protection at low cost. As Barnes and his wife lose yet another contract, the prospects for the veterans and their families seem grim. Then, almost too conveniently, an aristocrat arrives in New World City. Could a German Count be the answer to the outfit's problems... or is his agenda more dangerous than anyone can imagine?
This novella introduces the His Majesty's New World series, which commences with 'The Grasslands'. For more, visit newworldempire.com.
Now it's 1896, and the promise of a new beginning has drawn ex-Sergeant Edwin Barnes, his wife Evangeline, and a group of former British colonial soldiers to the new world. Having faced the Zulu, the Ashanti, and the Boers, this outfit is well-equipped to provide security for one of the many exploration companies seeking riches on the unknown planet.
But work is scarce; with the wild west becoming civilized, American gunhands have swarmed the new world, promising protection at low cost. As Barnes and his wife lose yet another contract, the prospects for the veterans and their families seem grim. Then, almost too conveniently, an aristocrat arrives in New World City. Could a German Count be the answer to the outfit's problems... or is his agenda more dangerous than anyone can imagine?
This novella introduces the His Majesty's New World series, which commences with 'The Grasslands'. For more, visit newworldempire.com.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2014
177 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Tam
104 books12 followersOriginally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Kenneth has lived all across Canada, and has driven as far east (Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador), west (Beaver Creek, Yukon), and north (Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories) as you can within the country.
He is a founding Partner with the award-winning independent Canadian publisher Iceberg Publishing, the author of more than 60 novels and novellas, and currently serves as Communications Manager for the University of Alberta’s $75-million Future Energy Systems research program.
He is a founding Partner with the award-winning independent Canadian publisher Iceberg Publishing, the author of more than 60 novels and novellas, and currently serves as Communications Manager for the University of Alberta’s $75-million Future Energy Systems research program.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 12, 2020
A Western as strange as I've ever read. It did pique my interest enough to want to read the next book.
February 13, 2018
Intriguing!
The premise of "tunnels" from 1890s earth to another world where men and women journey in search of a better life intrigues the reader. Then the characters, the world, and the story really take off. What are the savages? What is the German-Scot aristocrat soldier really there for? What is he and where/when does he really come from? An exciting, mesmerizing beginning to a unique and promising tale!
The premise of "tunnels" from 1890s earth to another world where men and women journey in search of a better life intrigues the reader. Then the characters, the world, and the story really take off. What are the savages? What is the German-Scot aristocrat soldier really there for? What is he and where/when does he really come from? An exciting, mesmerizing beginning to a unique and promising tale!
April 18, 2021
Solid start to the series. Entertaining and engaging page turner.
I downloaded this book, along with about two dozen others, as a free download about five years ago after discovering them on a “free ebook” group on Facebook. Over the next several years I trudged through the bulk of these self published book with varying degree of difficulty. Some were entertaining, some were deeply flawed. But I can’t say I found a true gem among them.
Until I read The Count.
Author Kenneth Tam did an incredible job in this short novella and has me eager to continue to read this series.
First was the world building. I honestly had no idea ahead this book was about when I started reading. I didn’t know the subject matter but in the first few pages I was able to ascertain that it was a Canadian Western. It seemed to follow a familiar pattern with westerns: outsider (in this instance the titular Count) arrived in a lawless town seeking adventure. He easily dispatched three unwise Canadian roughnecks, establishing that this German Count is well equipped to handle whatever this Wild West town might throw his way. And then Tam dials it up to eleven with a fun and crazy twist: this Wild West town is on another planet. We soon learn that shorty after the frontier was settled in the old world a secret tunnel was discovered in the Rocky Mountains that leads to another planet where a feral species of super human human like men abound. Having this book radically switch from a standard western with a Canadian angle to a steam punk sci fi isn’t always the easiest transition but Tam did a great job of it.
Also, his characters were well written, relatable (even Tarvers, a relatively minor character who foolishly elects to hire a group of American cowboys as opposed a former British soldier and his outfit due to cost constraints.). The teams of British soldiers, let by Sergeant Barnes, eventually team up with the Count in search of a figurative “gold mine”, (what this gold mind is becomes one of the more interesting reveals later in the book). I would say the only drawback is I felt later in the book that Tam was trying a bit too hard to make the Count likable as the story progressed. He quickly establish him as an honorable and progressive man early in the story, but he would periodically add something new to reinforce this portrayal. As the book progressed I started to feel like they stopped adding the character and just seemed to be a bit of overkill.
I downloaded this book, along with about two dozen others, as a free download about five years ago after discovering them on a “free ebook” group on Facebook. Over the next several years I trudged through the bulk of these self published book with varying degree of difficulty. Some were entertaining, some were deeply flawed. But I can’t say I found a true gem among them.
Until I read The Count.
Author Kenneth Tam did an incredible job in this short novella and has me eager to continue to read this series.
First was the world building. I honestly had no idea ahead this book was about when I started reading. I didn’t know the subject matter but in the first few pages I was able to ascertain that it was a Canadian Western. It seemed to follow a familiar pattern with westerns: outsider (in this instance the titular Count) arrived in a lawless town seeking adventure. He easily dispatched three unwise Canadian roughnecks, establishing that this German Count is well equipped to handle whatever this Wild West town might throw his way. And then Tam dials it up to eleven with a fun and crazy twist: this Wild West town is on another planet. We soon learn that shorty after the frontier was settled in the old world a secret tunnel was discovered in the Rocky Mountains that leads to another planet where a feral species of super human human like men abound. Having this book radically switch from a standard western with a Canadian angle to a steam punk sci fi isn’t always the easiest transition but Tam did a great job of it.
Also, his characters were well written, relatable (even Tarvers, a relatively minor character who foolishly elects to hire a group of American cowboys as opposed a former British soldier and his outfit due to cost constraints.). The teams of British soldiers, let by Sergeant Barnes, eventually team up with the Count in search of a figurative “gold mine”, (what this gold mind is becomes one of the more interesting reveals later in the book). I would say the only drawback is I felt later in the book that Tam was trying a bit too hard to make the Count likable as the story progressed. He quickly establish him as an honorable and progressive man early in the story, but he would periodically add something new to reinforce this portrayal. As the book progressed I started to feel like they stopped adding the character and just seemed to be a bit of overkill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2017
Most splendid
This is an incredible novella and I know they're hard to do well. The picture of British colonial troops and their families makes their historical context come alive.
This was as compelling as Ian Banks and I'm really looking forward to the series. If you've not been interested in Alternate History before, this might be the perfect place to start.
This is an incredible novella and I know they're hard to do well. The picture of British colonial troops and their families makes their historical context come alive.
This was as compelling as Ian Banks and I'm really looking forward to the series. If you've not been interested in Alternate History before, this might be the perfect place to start.
September 25, 2018
Didn't know what to expect, but liked this
A Good story, with elements of a lot of 19th century history, i.e. American West,.Queen Victoria's empire and army, weapons, etc. Then enough personal drama with relationships to be forged or enumerated between characters, and you have the beginnings of a probably good series. We'll see.
A Good story, with elements of a lot of 19th century history, i.e. American West,.Queen Victoria's empire and army, weapons, etc. Then enough personal drama with relationships to be forged or enumerated between characters, and you have the beginnings of a probably good series. We'll see.
March 11, 2019
Surprisingly good
The plot gets off to a slow start but like a locomotive picks up momentum until I was totally hooked. Then it suddenly stopped. I checked and it seems like the author considers this a novella. It's not. It is the first few chapters of a promising novel that needs to be written.
The plot gets off to a slow start but like a locomotive picks up momentum until I was totally hooked. Then it suddenly stopped. I checked and it seems like the author considers this a novella. It's not. It is the first few chapters of a promising novel that needs to be written.
March 22, 2018
"The Count" appear to be the prequel to a fantastic
alternate history, where the British and Americans
discover a gate to off world. If the rest of the series
is half as good, it will be:
A MUST READ SELECTION * * * * * FIVE STARS
alternate history, where the British and Americans
discover a gate to off world. If the rest of the series
is half as good, it will be:
A MUST READ SELECTION * * * * * FIVE STARS
June 4, 2018
A good start
I chose 3stars because while interesting, the story is just beginning, and a little disjointed... But I believe the author and book deserve my trying out the first full book of the series...Here's hoping for many hours of enjoyment in this series
I chose 3stars because while interesting, the story is just beginning, and a little disjointed... But I believe the author and book deserve my trying out the first full book of the series...Here's hoping for many hours of enjoyment in this series
February 13, 2019
Easy read short story
Very descriptive narrative and an easy read.Language usage was so perfect and easy to understand. Characters were portrayed very well without any confusion.worth reading!!
Very descriptive narrative and an easy read.Language usage was so perfect and easy to understand. Characters were portrayed very well without any confusion.worth reading!!
March 3, 2019
What an intriguing bit of world building.
The stage is set. The characters are introduced. The plot is outlined. Some points make it difficult to suspend all disbelief. This seams like the type of story that will take hold of my imagination, forcing me to feed my book addiction.
The stage is set. The characters are introduced. The plot is outlined. Some points make it difficult to suspend all disbelief. This seams like the type of story that will take hold of my imagination, forcing me to feed my book addiction.
August 19, 2019
Racist foolishness.
Somehow a squad of 19th Century British Army ends up on some unknown planet with two moons fighting off 'savages' with their ancient weapons. Ridiculous, sloppy writng and a mess of a plot. I could't do it.
Somehow a squad of 19th Century British Army ends up on some unknown planet with two moons fighting off 'savages' with their ancient weapons. Ridiculous, sloppy writng and a mess of a plot. I could't do it.
April 4, 2020
Good story
Well done combat! Savages with excellent speed is a good concept. But there has to be a cost, they may have a problem of eating disorders. Meat has proper calories and is dense. They also need greens for nutrition, but they need to eat a lot of it.
Well done combat! Savages with excellent speed is a good concept. But there has to be a cost, they may have a problem of eating disorders. Meat has proper calories and is dense. They also need greens for nutrition, but they need to eat a lot of it.
March 1, 2021
New World
This isn't your typical book series. Combines the old world with the new world thinking. The old British empire and the wild American West Attempting to call and as a new world. This doesn't make for an interesting read. I can't wait to get more of the series.
This isn't your typical book series. Combines the old world with the new world thinking. The old British empire and the wild American West Attempting to call and as a new world. This doesn't make for an interesting read. I can't wait to get more of the series.
June 29, 2017
Great story
Interesting idea and a well crafted tale. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest. Thanks
Interesting idea and a well crafted tale. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest. Thanks
September 2, 2017
Intriguing premise--a blend of Edgar Rice Burroughs and steampunk. Vintage writing style suits it well. Seems to be a good introduction to this series.
September 15, 2017
Very good! I can't wait to delve into the rest of this series.
July 7, 2018
Very very good
A great read by Kenneth tam ,between the count and sargent Barnes and company a great book to start a series off
A great read by Kenneth tam ,between the count and sargent Barnes and company a great book to start a series off
July 19, 2018
Good intro
Setting the stage for a new world still needs some back story about how and why there is a connection looking forward to a longer story
Setting the stage for a new world still needs some back story about how and why there is a connection looking forward to a longer story
July 23, 2018
This book certainly does its job: entice me to look into more books from this series. It is vaguely steampunk and a lot of fun.
December 20, 2018
Lost its way.
December 2, 2019
I got this for free and it was worth that. If I'd paid for it, I would have been disappointed.
January 11, 2015
Intriguing start to a new series of books. Now I have to decide if I want to invest in pursuing the story or not.
March 10, 2015
Access to a parallel(?) Earth is discovered in late 19th century western North America. Interesting enough to look for the sequel.
November 28, 2016
This was an interesting read think it may well be worth purchasing the next book
April 2, 2019
Pleasantly readable, and does pique one's interest in the rest of the series.
August 11, 2018
This is an engaging is somewhat grisly tale of meeting and building confidence in extreme conditions. This book is an alternate history of British and Americans of the 19th and early 20th century on a wild frontier of another planet, a new one, but strangely earthlike. The exception is that some of the humans on this frontier have become mindless powerful cannibals. It is essentially a zombies vs humans story with enough of survival in under extreme and primitive conditions. Very little is explained, like what is the connection between earth and this planet and why are humans turning into beasts? There is just enough hook in this to make me want to read the next edition, New World Frontier to find out. 0
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews