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The Brimstone Network #2
The Shroud of A'Ranka
Bram Stone and the other young teens he has recruited to join the BRIMSTONE NETWORK are still learning about their powers. When the telekinetic Dez gets angry, there's little that can stop the damage. Emily can barely control the wolf inside, and after her parents finally discover her secret, she isn't sure she wants to. Bram himself knows he still needs to master his specter half. But the group is going to have to learn fast. Terrifying SUPERNATURAL beings continue to make their presence known on earth, including one the new network can't even imagine how to stop: Vladek, a VAMPIRE who can't be killed.
As Vladek gains power, Bram and rest of his new network race to learn how to stop the vampire prince before he can fulfill his devastating agenda and plunge humanity into total darkness forever.
281 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2008
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Tom Sniegoski
180 books29 followersTom Sniegoski is the name under which Thomas E. Sniegoski publishes some YA and comics.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 3, 2010
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/
March 7, 2011
Another exciting tale of adventure and mayhem. There is a dash of a Buffy quality to these books. Not just because this one is mostly about fighting a vampire, but in the dark nature of the story and in the mixed up group of kids who are fighting evil and trying to grow up at the same time. Plus the sense of humor along side the violence and terror gives it a young Buffy quality for me.
The books would be best for older pre-teens and young teenagers who aren't easily upset by edge of your seat adventures with vivid scenes of violence and gore. It's good for both girls and boys. The easy read and fast pace would make it a good choice for reluctant readers.
The books would be best for older pre-teens and young teenagers who aren't easily upset by edge of your seat adventures with vivid scenes of violence and gore. It's good for both girls and boys. The easy read and fast pace would make it a good choice for reluctant readers.
July 25, 2025
I would recommend this series (I'm 2/3rds of the way done with it) to those who want to introduce a youngish reader to urban fantasy. There is more violence than usual for some current American series, and I think the British have been a little more forthright in how they approach YA fiction (yes, I understand YA dystopia fiction can/is pretty brutal at times).
You're not going to find much in the way of romance, arguably an urban fantasy staple. Characterization is minimal, but I will credit Sniegoski for adding some nice moments for Dez and Emily (the werewolf).
Otherwise it is a fairly mundane plot. Vampires seek to take over the world, dim the sun and raise an ancient goddess (yawn). Maybe less yawn if the execution had been more inspired. Plus, lead character Bram's is barely two-dimensional.
I have the 3rd book in the TBR pile, but it is not high on the mountain at this moment.
You're not going to find much in the way of romance, arguably an urban fantasy staple. Characterization is minimal, but I will credit Sniegoski for adding some nice moments for Dez and Emily (the werewolf).
Otherwise it is a fairly mundane plot. Vampires seek to take over the world, dim the sun and raise an ancient goddess (yawn). Maybe less yawn if the execution had been more inspired. Plus, lead character Bram's is barely two-dimensional.
I have the 3rd book in the TBR pile, but it is not high on the mountain at this moment.
October 22, 2020
Genre, but entertaining.
September 11, 2009
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Since the full-scale destruction of the entire Brimstone Network, Abraham (Bram) Stone, the half-specter son of the last leader, has been left to rebuild the Network from the ground up.
With the help of Stitch, a man constructed from the body parts of the Network's best agents, Bram has assembled the base of a new Brimstone Network, consisting of a wheelchair-bound boy with incredible telekinetic powers, the boy's deceased father (who the boy's ability manages to keep in a lifelike state), a reluctant girl werewolf, and a Mauthe Dhoog with the prime ability to rift passageways between worlds.
Picking up where the old Network left off, they have already saved the world once, but the resulting explosion weakened the magickal barriers that have protected the earth from otherworldly hostiles. With the sudden increase in supernatural attacks, the infant group has their work cut out for them, but Bram still hesitates in making the official announcement that the Brimstone Network still exists.
A serious threat emerges when one of the secret storehouses of magickal objects is broken into by thieves, who unwittingly release a dangerous vampire that has been imprisoned for centuries. A member of the vampire royal family who is nearly impossible to kill, Vladek seeks to complete a mission that he and the wizard Gideon set out to accomplish long ago - one that will end with the death of all humanity and the blotting out of the sun.
Can the new Brimstone Network figure out Vladek's plan before it's too late?
This second book in THE BRIMSTONE NETWORK series lives up to the graphic nature of the first. For older boys who like a bit of paranormal gore along with comic book-like action, this series does not disappoint.
Since the full-scale destruction of the entire Brimstone Network, Abraham (Bram) Stone, the half-specter son of the last leader, has been left to rebuild the Network from the ground up.
With the help of Stitch, a man constructed from the body parts of the Network's best agents, Bram has assembled the base of a new Brimstone Network, consisting of a wheelchair-bound boy with incredible telekinetic powers, the boy's deceased father (who the boy's ability manages to keep in a lifelike state), a reluctant girl werewolf, and a Mauthe Dhoog with the prime ability to rift passageways between worlds.
Picking up where the old Network left off, they have already saved the world once, but the resulting explosion weakened the magickal barriers that have protected the earth from otherworldly hostiles. With the sudden increase in supernatural attacks, the infant group has their work cut out for them, but Bram still hesitates in making the official announcement that the Brimstone Network still exists.
A serious threat emerges when one of the secret storehouses of magickal objects is broken into by thieves, who unwittingly release a dangerous vampire that has been imprisoned for centuries. A member of the vampire royal family who is nearly impossible to kill, Vladek seeks to complete a mission that he and the wizard Gideon set out to accomplish long ago - one that will end with the death of all humanity and the blotting out of the sun.
Can the new Brimstone Network figure out Vladek's plan before it's too late?
This second book in THE BRIMSTONE NETWORK series lives up to the graphic nature of the first. For older boys who like a bit of paranormal gore along with comic book-like action, this series does not disappoint.
August 14, 2012
Summary
Action packed, non-stop trials keep the young Brimstone Network of paranormal fighter's on their toes while they chase down an ancient, unkillable vampire, his extremely powerful sorcerer servant, and the goddess of darkness they both serve. The Brimstone Network must stop them in order to save the world.
Story
As an adult, I found this story hilariously over the top. It is enjoyable with the mind-frame of those that like comic books, 80s and 90s extremely over the top action flicks, and little kids. In other words, give it to your young boys, they will absolutely love it. Give it to your comic book fans and really bad B-rated action film fans; they will love it as well. I know I did.
Characters
Supernatural powers are present in young teens to the point that it's nearly a mutations. The young leader of this group is only 13 years old, and is charged with saving the world from bad guys that far surpass any of them in abilities, strength and experience. Yet, somehow, their courage, youthful imagination, and possibly the fact that their enemies under estimate them is the key to their winning wars against gods. This is outlandish for adults or even older teens, but it is absolutely perfect for their target group of young and middle teens.
Writing notes
This is an amazing way to keep action flowing, if that is what your story needs. It's non-stop, so it's hard to put it down at the end of a scene because you always want to know what is going to happen next, let alone who is ahead of whom in the game of saving or destroying the world.
Action packed, non-stop trials keep the young Brimstone Network of paranormal fighter's on their toes while they chase down an ancient, unkillable vampire, his extremely powerful sorcerer servant, and the goddess of darkness they both serve. The Brimstone Network must stop them in order to save the world.
Story
As an adult, I found this story hilariously over the top. It is enjoyable with the mind-frame of those that like comic books, 80s and 90s extremely over the top action flicks, and little kids. In other words, give it to your young boys, they will absolutely love it. Give it to your comic book fans and really bad B-rated action film fans; they will love it as well. I know I did.
Characters
Supernatural powers are present in young teens to the point that it's nearly a mutations. The young leader of this group is only 13 years old, and is charged with saving the world from bad guys that far surpass any of them in abilities, strength and experience. Yet, somehow, their courage, youthful imagination, and possibly the fact that their enemies under estimate them is the key to their winning wars against gods. This is outlandish for adults or even older teens, but it is absolutely perfect for their target group of young and middle teens.
Writing notes
This is an amazing way to keep action flowing, if that is what your story needs. It's non-stop, so it's hard to put it down at the end of a scene because you always want to know what is going to happen next, let alone who is ahead of whom in the game of saving or destroying the world.
Want to read
March 27, 2008Released August 2008
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews