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Days of Future Past #1
Days of Future Past - Part 1: Past Tense
Paul's been having a bad day, perhaps one of the worst days he's ever had. And now into the middle of all this, his instructor just got drafted by some mystical goddess to help save a world.
As for Paul? Well, he's really not supposed to be there, and if he thought he was having a bad day before all of this, it just got worse, a lot worse. He's now on a one way trip, forced to help a man who despises him while at the mercy of the world's biggest trickster.
As for Paul? Well, he's really not supposed to be there, and if he thought he was having a bad day before all of this, it just got worse, a lot worse. He's now on a one way trip, forced to help a man who despises him while at the mercy of the world's biggest trickster.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2016
135 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
John Van Stry
48 books364 followersI've had a very varied life. I grew up in New York, on Long Island.
I went to school to become an Engineer, then joined the Air Force.
After that I worked first in Robotics, then in Aerospace as a Flight Test Engineer. I moved into the medical fields, then into more Technical markets working for a number of high tech companies where I became a Contractor.
I used to own and raise big cats. I love motorcycles and old cars. I'm a pilot and former martial arts instructor. I'm a fan of the Reno Air Races.
Then there's the stuff I'm not supposed to talk about, but that's another story.
I've seen a lot of interesting stuff go by, met a lot of interesting, wonderful, strange, or sometimes just psychotic people. I've had the opportunity to work on some truly game changing technologies. And while I've had some very bad things happen to me in my life, I've never let it stop me.
Keep smiling.
-John
I went to school to become an Engineer, then joined the Air Force.
After that I worked first in Robotics, then in Aerospace as a Flight Test Engineer. I moved into the medical fields, then into more Technical markets working for a number of high tech companies where I became a Contractor.
I used to own and raise big cats. I love motorcycles and old cars. I'm a pilot and former martial arts instructor. I'm a fan of the Reno Air Races.
Then there's the stuff I'm not supposed to talk about, but that's another story.
I've seen a lot of interesting stuff go by, met a lot of interesting, wonderful, strange, or sometimes just psychotic people. I've had the opportunity to work on some truly game changing technologies. And while I've had some very bad things happen to me in my life, I've never let it stop me.
Keep smiling.
-John
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 22, 2017
If I hadn't read
Wolf Killer (The Hammer Commission)
by John Van Stry [review] before this, Days of Future Past - Part 1: Past Tense would come as a real big surprise to me.
Seeing how it's the second book of his I read now, and in a short time span, I'm somewhat less shocked. Still, very pleasantly surprised. He was a complete unknown to me merely a month ago and now I want to read everything he ever wrote. And preorder both of these sequels!
No such luck though, who knows when they're planned for.
Anyway, book is simply amazing. Took no force of will to pick up again after a pause, and it was in fact quite the opposite. Couldn't concentrate at work as I couldn't wait for the shift to be over so I can start reading again! Yes, I listened during the lunch break and I'm not even ashamed :-)
Listening felt like watching a pilot episode of an unknown new TV series. You have no idea what to expect of it, but as story pans out you like it more and more. And with each passing moment you are drawn deeper into the circle of John's die-hard fans. At this point, if someone says something bad about his works - there will be trouble.
And I'm only half joking. This is his second book I've read and a second one that got straight 5* rating.
That also says something about the narrator - Doug Tisdale, Jr - as narrators can make or break your entire experience, no matter how good the book is. It's been a while since I heard someone so emotionally involved in all his characters and easy on the ears.
As soon as there's a gap in my reading queue I'll pick up some of his other works. My sample pool for him is too small at the moment to judge him fully, 2 books and about 12 hours of content, but I don't think I can go wrong with him.
For all I know, he may be next Marc Thompson or R.C. Bray. Or, Gods forbid, even Ray Porter! *gasp!* No, not really as good as Ray, but I still have high expectations for Doug :-)
Days of Future Past has no touching points with Wolf Killer at all. Yet story is again something new. How John comes up with these ideas I'll never know, but I'm certain I will read them all. His very rich imagination creates an interesting world here.
Story follows a US air force lieutenant Paul Young. And we jump in right at the very worst moment of the worst day of his life. In the few next minutes we're brought up to speed with his recent history, and see how his life takes pretty much every wrong turn possible. It also does not look like it's going to get brighter any time soon.
Can't really say much now without spoiling things, but let's just say that Paul is up for a ride of his life very soon. And neither him or you are going to see it coming. His life is again going to take a turn from bad to worse and is likely to make him a very, very angry person :-)
Buildup is similar to Wolf Killer - Describe the setting, get to know characters, their general intentions and just when you figure it all out, everything goes to Hell!
It's not as unusual, though. Well, I don't know actually. There are certainly no werewolves, but we have time travel and dystopian society. I guess it depends on your preferred flavor of fiction. As a major Fallout fan, I had a blast.
Book lasts 06:45, a bit longer than I expected, which I'm very grateful for. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Characters are well imagined, and feel alive. Of course, we also build on our own assumptions about them, and further help build their character, and those assumptions mostly come true. Mostly.
And then there are some very stubborn people who you'd wish behave rationally, but they just won't. Even though there's an overabundance of reasons for them to act like reasonable people they simply like being pigheaded. One of very real character traits. Yep, just like our real-life friends. Makes you want to punch them in the face and scream reason into them :-)
At least friends don't want to rob you. Or poison you. Or burn you alive. Or kill you in variety of other gruesome ways.
If they do, well, let's just say you're doing a very bad job with your friend selection process :-)
Interesting thing is that neither Days of Future Past nor Wolf Killer have sequels, although both of them are left open-ended. That's what usually happens with books you get to like, I suppose.
I think I'm going to scream at John via private messaging, blogs or Facebook now. Not having a sequel to either of these books is a heresy and shall not be tolerated!
But I guess I will have to be content with shaking my fist in an impotent anger and wait for him to do his magic together with Doug. I'll throw my Audible credits at preorder as soon as it gets available.
Speaking of Audible, here's where you can get the book -> [US/UK].
Strong recommendation to anyone who reads books of the same genre as I do. Compare your books to mine and see if you do. If so, go grab the book. It's that simple.
I had a strong Fallout-like feeling while following events in this dystopian world, and considering how I randomly picked up this book, it was a huge bonus to an already good pick!
I have to add that this second book by John Van Stry has also been provided to me free of charge, for which I am endlessly thankful. He got an honest review and I got great new author and narrator to look forward to in the future.
That would be it.
An abrupt end to much longer review than I intended to write :-)
Net result: Strong 5*.
Let me know if you read the book or write a review yourself. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts.
Bask in the light! Feel the glow! Embrace the Atom!
Seeing how it's the second book of his I read now, and in a short time span, I'm somewhat less shocked. Still, very pleasantly surprised. He was a complete unknown to me merely a month ago and now I want to read everything he ever wrote. And preorder both of these sequels!
No such luck though, who knows when they're planned for.
Anyway, book is simply amazing. Took no force of will to pick up again after a pause, and it was in fact quite the opposite. Couldn't concentrate at work as I couldn't wait for the shift to be over so I can start reading again! Yes, I listened during the lunch break and I'm not even ashamed :-)
Listening felt like watching a pilot episode of an unknown new TV series. You have no idea what to expect of it, but as story pans out you like it more and more. And with each passing moment you are drawn deeper into the circle of John's die-hard fans. At this point, if someone says something bad about his works - there will be trouble.
And I'm only half joking. This is his second book I've read and a second one that got straight 5* rating.
That also says something about the narrator - Doug Tisdale, Jr - as narrators can make or break your entire experience, no matter how good the book is. It's been a while since I heard someone so emotionally involved in all his characters and easy on the ears.
As soon as there's a gap in my reading queue I'll pick up some of his other works. My sample pool for him is too small at the moment to judge him fully, 2 books and about 12 hours of content, but I don't think I can go wrong with him.
For all I know, he may be next Marc Thompson or R.C. Bray. Or, Gods forbid, even Ray Porter! *gasp!* No, not really as good as Ray, but I still have high expectations for Doug :-)
Days of Future Past has no touching points with Wolf Killer at all. Yet story is again something new. How John comes up with these ideas I'll never know, but I'm certain I will read them all. His very rich imagination creates an interesting world here.
Story follows a US air force lieutenant Paul Young. And we jump in right at the very worst moment of the worst day of his life. In the few next minutes we're brought up to speed with his recent history, and see how his life takes pretty much every wrong turn possible. It also does not look like it's going to get brighter any time soon.
Can't really say much now without spoiling things, but let's just say that Paul is up for a ride of his life very soon. And neither him or you are going to see it coming. His life is again going to take a turn from bad to worse and is likely to make him a very, very angry person :-)
Buildup is similar to Wolf Killer - Describe the setting, get to know characters, their general intentions and just when you figure it all out, everything goes to Hell!
It's not as unusual, though. Well, I don't know actually. There are certainly no werewolves, but we have time travel and dystopian society. I guess it depends on your preferred flavor of fiction. As a major Fallout fan, I had a blast.
Book lasts 06:45, a bit longer than I expected, which I'm very grateful for. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Characters are well imagined, and feel alive. Of course, we also build on our own assumptions about them, and further help build their character, and those assumptions mostly come true. Mostly.
And then there are some very stubborn people who you'd wish behave rationally, but they just won't. Even though there's an overabundance of reasons for them to act like reasonable people they simply like being pigheaded. One of very real character traits. Yep, just like our real-life friends. Makes you want to punch them in the face and scream reason into them :-)
At least friends don't want to rob you. Or poison you. Or burn you alive. Or kill you in variety of other gruesome ways.
If they do, well, let's just say you're doing a very bad job with your friend selection process :-)
Interesting thing is that neither Days of Future Past nor Wolf Killer have sequels, although both of them are left open-ended. That's what usually happens with books you get to like, I suppose.
I think I'm going to scream at John via private messaging, blogs or Facebook now. Not having a sequel to either of these books is a heresy and shall not be tolerated!
But I guess I will have to be content with shaking my fist in an impotent anger and wait for him to do his magic together with Doug. I'll throw my Audible credits at preorder as soon as it gets available.
Speaking of Audible, here's where you can get the book -> [US/UK].
Strong recommendation to anyone who reads books of the same genre as I do. Compare your books to mine and see if you do. If so, go grab the book. It's that simple.
I had a strong Fallout-like feeling while following events in this dystopian world, and considering how I randomly picked up this book, it was a huge bonus to an already good pick!
I have to add that this second book by John Van Stry has also been provided to me free of charge, for which I am endlessly thankful. He got an honest review and I got great new author and narrator to look forward to in the future.
That would be it.
An abrupt end to much longer review than I intended to write :-)
Net result: Strong 5*.
Let me know if you read the book or write a review yourself. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts.
Bask in the light! Feel the glow! Embrace the Atom!
May 16, 2020
Note: I read all three books in this series one after another so I'm giving them all the same review. (Note also that I actually listened to three audio books but an audio version isn't listed on Goodreads.com for book three so this review will appear under the Kindle edition there.)
The worst thing about this series is it would have made a good book. Unfortunately the author turned it into three books with books 1 and 2 ending in the middle of the story. That is extremely unprofessional story telling and the reason why I'll be giving each of these books 1 star even though they have some good qualities. What is really sad is that it was completely unnecessary- the books aren't that long: Book 1, 220 pages; book 2, 228 pages; book 3, 186 pages. With some editing this could have been a really good 500 page book instead of a crappy money grab in three installments.
So the MC is a pilot who has the misfortune of being in a training plane with the Navajo "chosen one" when that plane is taken 500 years into a post-apocalyptic future. So the MC isn't THE CHOSEN ONE, he is, however, a chosen one, having been chosen by the minor god Coyote who perceives some problems with the other gods' plans.
This brings me to the two major good points of this story: First, with a MC who is potential secondary to the saving of the world there is at least some possibility that he could die. Second, Coyote doesn't like assholes so, when the MC starts acting like one he gets smacked. I have long been sick of authors who make their MC a chosen one and then turns that chosen one into an ass. Why would anyone tolerate, let alone follow, such a person?
The chosen one in this story turns out to be a huge ass, selling the MC into slavery at the first opportunity. This brings us to the one scene the author really screwed up: The MC and the chosen one hated each other and the MC was planning on going his own way and had been TOLD BY THE GODS THAT THEY DON'T CARE IF HE LIVES OR DIES. Why then did he stand still while a bunch of Navajo approached? It was completely obvious that the Navajo were on the chosen one's side. What good could come of standing still while your enemy gains reinforcements???? The author completely failed to explained the MC's behavior here. Which is how the chosen one was able to sell him to the Navajo as a slave.
STOP HERE TO AVOID SPOILERS.
Coyote rescues the MC and sends him to a high tech town where the MC, with Coyote's help, gambles to raise funds for the mission Coyote has picked out for him. It turns out that before the apocalypse the USA had developed AI and a large marine armory remains intact under the watchful eye of one such AI. The MC, having picked up a couple of wives along the way makes the dangerous trek through the wilds to the armory, losing a man to a dragon attack along the way. Coyote tells the MC to grab a nuke and head north. Turns out dragons are evil and aligned with the bad guy and there is a major dragon nesting ground to the north.
The MC and wives encounter a wizard and free his genie. Then they encounter elves who imprison them since they won't discuss their top secret mission to nuke the dragons. In the midst of their escape the MC & co. encounter a dwarf who hears enough (and knows a nuke when he sees it) to figure out MC & co.'s mission. The dwarf immediately signs on and helps MC & co. complete their escape and mission.
After that, and several other small adventures, the MC joins the main army for the taking of a city (Reno, I believe). More adventures until in book 3 the MC is set up by Coyote to be captured by the big baddie. The big baddie is a cyborg of the rebel leader who brought about the apocalypse. However, his human part died a long time ago but the rebel leader saw his death coming and programmed his robot self to pretend otherwise so his followers wouldn't find out. By this time the MC is well known enough that Coyote knows the rebel leader will keep him close, like in the command center where the rebel leader is. This means the robot's requirements to pretend to have some human limitations will kick in hampering its defense against the chosen one's attacking army, which is a large part of what lets the good guys win.
Afterwords Coyote tells the MC he must go to Area 51 and take a ship to the moon because otherwise automated systems on the moon will simply make another robot bad guy. So MC & co. go to the moon and the story is brought to a fairly satisfactory conclusion although I'll leave those details out here.
Bottom line: Would have been a good single book but it isn't worth the price of three books and authors shouldn't be rewarded for pulling that crap.
The worst thing about this series is it would have made a good book. Unfortunately the author turned it into three books with books 1 and 2 ending in the middle of the story. That is extremely unprofessional story telling and the reason why I'll be giving each of these books 1 star even though they have some good qualities. What is really sad is that it was completely unnecessary- the books aren't that long: Book 1, 220 pages; book 2, 228 pages; book 3, 186 pages. With some editing this could have been a really good 500 page book instead of a crappy money grab in three installments.
So the MC is a pilot who has the misfortune of being in a training plane with the Navajo "chosen one" when that plane is taken 500 years into a post-apocalyptic future. So the MC isn't THE CHOSEN ONE, he is, however, a chosen one, having been chosen by the minor god Coyote who perceives some problems with the other gods' plans.
This brings me to the two major good points of this story: First, with a MC who is potential secondary to the saving of the world there is at least some possibility that he could die. Second, Coyote doesn't like assholes so, when the MC starts acting like one he gets smacked. I have long been sick of authors who make their MC a chosen one and then turns that chosen one into an ass. Why would anyone tolerate, let alone follow, such a person?
The chosen one in this story turns out to be a huge ass, selling the MC into slavery at the first opportunity. This brings us to the one scene the author really screwed up: The MC and the chosen one hated each other and the MC was planning on going his own way and had been TOLD BY THE GODS THAT THEY DON'T CARE IF HE LIVES OR DIES. Why then did he stand still while a bunch of Navajo approached? It was completely obvious that the Navajo were on the chosen one's side. What good could come of standing still while your enemy gains reinforcements???? The author completely failed to explained the MC's behavior here. Which is how the chosen one was able to sell him to the Navajo as a slave.
STOP HERE TO AVOID SPOILERS.
Coyote rescues the MC and sends him to a high tech town where the MC, with Coyote's help, gambles to raise funds for the mission Coyote has picked out for him. It turns out that before the apocalypse the USA had developed AI and a large marine armory remains intact under the watchful eye of one such AI. The MC, having picked up a couple of wives along the way makes the dangerous trek through the wilds to the armory, losing a man to a dragon attack along the way. Coyote tells the MC to grab a nuke and head north. Turns out dragons are evil and aligned with the bad guy and there is a major dragon nesting ground to the north.
The MC and wives encounter a wizard and free his genie. Then they encounter elves who imprison them since they won't discuss their top secret mission to nuke the dragons. In the midst of their escape the MC & co. encounter a dwarf who hears enough (and knows a nuke when he sees it) to figure out MC & co.'s mission. The dwarf immediately signs on and helps MC & co. complete their escape and mission.
After that, and several other small adventures, the MC joins the main army for the taking of a city (Reno, I believe). More adventures until in book 3 the MC is set up by Coyote to be captured by the big baddie. The big baddie is a cyborg of the rebel leader who brought about the apocalypse. However, his human part died a long time ago but the rebel leader saw his death coming and programmed his robot self to pretend otherwise so his followers wouldn't find out. By this time the MC is well known enough that Coyote knows the rebel leader will keep him close, like in the command center where the rebel leader is. This means the robot's requirements to pretend to have some human limitations will kick in hampering its defense against the chosen one's attacking army, which is a large part of what lets the good guys win.
Afterwords Coyote tells the MC he must go to Area 51 and take a ship to the moon because otherwise automated systems on the moon will simply make another robot bad guy. So MC & co. go to the moon and the story is brought to a fairly satisfactory conclusion although I'll leave those details out here.
Bottom line: Would have been a good single book but it isn't worth the price of three books and authors shouldn't be rewarded for pulling that crap.
February 2, 2017
** Review of Audio Format **
Paul the Stud
Paul Young’s life is going nowhere fast. He tries to do well, but something always happens to drag him down. When we meet him, he is about to be washed out of Air Force pilot training. Things quickly go downhill when Paul and his flight instructor Riggs turns out to be the Chosen One of the Navajo tribe and pulled into the future to save the tribe from a catastrophe that’s about to happen.
The tribe doesn’t expect Paul and at first wants to kill him but Riggs convinces them to keep him as a slave instead. The only problem is that Riggs is a complete idiot and doesn’t know what he’s doing while Paul is a good fighter and slowly earns the trust of the tribal warriors, mostly by kicking their butts, and they end up asking him to train them. This doesn’t sit well with Riggs who tries to kill Paul rather than just ask the tribe if Paul can help him train the warriors.
Paul was brought to the future for a reason, though, and soon learns to accept his fate and the guidance of the tribal god Coyote. Escaping the fire Riggs sets to kill him is just the beginning of Paul’s journey. He makes his way through this somewhat bleak future while gathering a few friends around him. He learns that there are worse things waiting for him in the future than Riggs. Things like fae, elves, orcs, and dragons. Once he commits to helping Coyote, though, he is determined and resourceful in accomplishing the first mission set for him.
Doug Tisdale does an excellent narration and captures the fun of the book along with the serious parts. I will not hesitate to listen to other stories he does after listening to him here.
Truthfully, this book sets a fast pace and there is enough fighting, sex, and gambling to keep any listener happy and, for some reason, the author has a penchant for making his young hero fight in the nude. No matter, I will be looking for the 2nd installment in this series. I hope it comes soon.
I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! In exchange for an honest review.
Paul the Stud
Paul Young’s life is going nowhere fast. He tries to do well, but something always happens to drag him down. When we meet him, he is about to be washed out of Air Force pilot training. Things quickly go downhill when Paul and his flight instructor Riggs turns out to be the Chosen One of the Navajo tribe and pulled into the future to save the tribe from a catastrophe that’s about to happen.
The tribe doesn’t expect Paul and at first wants to kill him but Riggs convinces them to keep him as a slave instead. The only problem is that Riggs is a complete idiot and doesn’t know what he’s doing while Paul is a good fighter and slowly earns the trust of the tribal warriors, mostly by kicking their butts, and they end up asking him to train them. This doesn’t sit well with Riggs who tries to kill Paul rather than just ask the tribe if Paul can help him train the warriors.
Paul was brought to the future for a reason, though, and soon learns to accept his fate and the guidance of the tribal god Coyote. Escaping the fire Riggs sets to kill him is just the beginning of Paul’s journey. He makes his way through this somewhat bleak future while gathering a few friends around him. He learns that there are worse things waiting for him in the future than Riggs. Things like fae, elves, orcs, and dragons. Once he commits to helping Coyote, though, he is determined and resourceful in accomplishing the first mission set for him.
Doug Tisdale does an excellent narration and captures the fun of the book along with the serious parts. I will not hesitate to listen to other stories he does after listening to him here.
Truthfully, this book sets a fast pace and there is enough fighting, sex, and gambling to keep any listener happy and, for some reason, the author has a penchant for making his young hero fight in the nude. No matter, I will be looking for the 2nd installment in this series. I hope it comes soon.
I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! In exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2016
Major John Riggs is an Air Force pilot instructor, a decedent of the Native American Navajo, the future savior of his people, but mostly he's an asshole.
Lt. Paul Young was about to be drummed out of the Air Force by said Maj. Riggs as a personal favor for someone with a grudge against a relative.
Then they were both sent to a far distant realm by an India goddess to save the Navajo people. Well, Riggs was, Paul just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time... as was intended by another very tricky god.
Thus Paul is stuck in a ruined world where he must help a man he despises become a hero, or face the wrath of a god who can make his life a living hell if he doesn't... On the other hand, he can also make it worth his while.
This novel was an excellent action adventure with great characters and a world setting that keeps you guessing. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and I plan to read the rest of the series. The main character, Paul, is a true can-do hero who uses his mind and his body to conform the world to his own shape rather than letting it overwhelm him. He is put into dire situations repeatedly, but comes out - with some luck at times - on top. The love interest part is a bit odd... a one man two women combo... but things are kept below a graphic level, so it's really a side story. I could have done without it, but it does bring the drama into play. Overall, I give this book four stars and call it an Exciting Read!
Lt. Paul Young was about to be drummed out of the Air Force by said Maj. Riggs as a personal favor for someone with a grudge against a relative.
Then they were both sent to a far distant realm by an India goddess to save the Navajo people. Well, Riggs was, Paul just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time... as was intended by another very tricky god.
Thus Paul is stuck in a ruined world where he must help a man he despises become a hero, or face the wrath of a god who can make his life a living hell if he doesn't... On the other hand, he can also make it worth his while.
This novel was an excellent action adventure with great characters and a world setting that keeps you guessing. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and I plan to read the rest of the series. The main character, Paul, is a true can-do hero who uses his mind and his body to conform the world to his own shape rather than letting it overwhelm him. He is put into dire situations repeatedly, but comes out - with some luck at times - on top. The love interest part is a bit odd... a one man two women combo... but things are kept below a graphic level, so it's really a side story. I could have done without it, but it does bring the drama into play. Overall, I give this book four stars and call it an Exciting Read!
December 8, 2016
This is Van Stry's best series yet
Set in what seems to be the same (or at least the same kind of) universe as the author's Champion series, Days of Future Past keeps all of the fun and action of his earlier books while being more relatable, more intelligent, and a lot less derpy.
Portal Fantasy can be challenging to do intelligently, but that's exactly what the author does. His new protagonist has no special powers or abilities, at least not to start with, but right from the start he's set against people who do. Despite this, the main character is tough, smart and confident, and navigates his very large new world as adroitly as we could hope. He is very much a winner, but he does not have an, "I Win button" like some of the author's previous characters seemed to have, and the protagonist and the characters he surrounds himself with stay interesting throughout the book.
If you like this author's previous work, if you like Indie or Portal Fantasy, or if you like the Fallout games, this book is right up your alley and I can pretty much guarantee you'll enjoy it.
Recommended.
Set in what seems to be the same (or at least the same kind of) universe as the author's Champion series, Days of Future Past keeps all of the fun and action of his earlier books while being more relatable, more intelligent, and a lot less derpy.
Portal Fantasy can be challenging to do intelligently, but that's exactly what the author does. His new protagonist has no special powers or abilities, at least not to start with, but right from the start he's set against people who do. Despite this, the main character is tough, smart and confident, and navigates his very large new world as adroitly as we could hope. He is very much a winner, but he does not have an, "I Win button" like some of the author's previous characters seemed to have, and the protagonist and the characters he surrounds himself with stay interesting throughout the book.
If you like this author's previous work, if you like Indie or Portal Fantasy, or if you like the Fallout games, this book is right up your alley and I can pretty much guarantee you'll enjoy it.
Recommended.
July 29, 2020
Dischordant
I was enjoying this book until the three quarters mark, when the author threw away one hundred pages of character to have the main character stare like a spotlighted deer as death, death the combative MC had been repeatedly warned about, came into view. It was a mediocre scene with no story addition, that undercut one hundred pages of earned character credit.
After that, I couldn't respect the MC. So this book drops to a three, and I doubt that I will finish the series.
I was enjoying this book until the three quarters mark, when the author threw away one hundred pages of character to have the main character stare like a spotlighted deer as death, death the combative MC had been repeatedly warned about, came into view. It was a mediocre scene with no story addition, that undercut one hundred pages of earned character credit.
After that, I couldn't respect the MC. So this book drops to a three, and I doubt that I will finish the series.
November 18, 2016
Excellent book I really enjoyed it
This is money well spent on a book.
It's fun story with lots of action and a Butt-head that tgets what they got coming to them.
Nice story and interesting mix of future and past.
Read it!
This is money well spent on a book.
It's fun story with lots of action and a Butt-head that tgets what they got coming to them.
Nice story and interesting mix of future and past.
Read it!
March 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book and will read more.
This guy has written other books I enjoyed as well.
Go give him money.
One of the things I like about this series is that it is not the hero of the saga we concentrate on but a different guy.
This guy has written other books I enjoyed as well.
Go give him money.
One of the things I like about this series is that it is not the hero of the saga we concentrate on but a different guy.
October 18, 2016
Great read!
A bit different than what I've come to expect but very good. Can't wait to read more and I hope this becomes a regular series.
A bit different than what I've come to expect but very good. Can't wait to read more and I hope this becomes a regular series.
November 1, 2016
Good premise
Enjoyed the different style of first person that he used. Hope the next book is as fun a read as this one.
Enjoyed the different style of first person that he used. Hope the next book is as fun a read as this one.
November 11, 2016
Excellent Story Telling
Much better than I had anticipated, great sci-fi/fantasy with a little romance. so far all Van Strut books are pretty good.
Much better than I had anticipated, great sci-fi/fantasy with a little romance. so far all Van Strut books are pretty good.
April 30, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot. I may have even enjoyed it more than the Portals of Infinity books, which I liked quite a bit. It is a lot of fun trying to figure out where and/or when the goddess takes Paul and his superior officer to. I liked Paul pretty well, and found his skill set to have plenty of potential for use in the story. His relationship abilities are messed up though. He got super clingy after sleeping with a lady and was making plans for the future. I think he even may have referred to her as his girlfriend after sleeping with her the one time, and they hadn't even been out on a date really. This was super cringey, but the expected and realistic result of how he acted did not happen. For some reason, the girl did not get weirded out and actually went with it. She does seem to have a few screws loose in her head, so I guess it makes sense. He is lucky to have found someone unusual in that way. The relationship stuff got more normal after he had been actually dating the girl for a while, so it wasn't annoying by the end. I don't know if John Van Stry is deluded and actually thinks Paul and his interactions are normal or if he was just being lazy in developing a relationship for Paul. Anyway, that relationship stuff brought the book down a whole star for me. Still, the book was great and so gets four stars from me at least. I would highly recommend it. Maybe some inexperienced teenage boys will think Paul's interactions are realistic and will love it, fantasizing about being Paul. I highly recommend this book, especially to teenage boys who want to fantasize about unrealistic relationships in cool worlds with magic and high technology levels.
February 9, 2021
Paul is about to fail his flight evaluation, because it seems he has ungodly bad luck or someone is out to get him, and because Major Riggs, his evaluating officer, doesn't like him.
However, it turns out not to be all that important, as a Navajo goddess appears, makes a deal with Riggs, and transports them both into the dystopian future so Riggs can be the hero who saves them all (from what, we're not sure yet).
What about Paul? you may ask.
"Sacrifices must be made by all of us," the goddess says. "That is yours."
Well. That's nice. Thanks lady.
Luckily, a different god has his eye on Paul, so he's not doomed to remain a slave or die quickly in this world that now has dragons and goblins. In fact, he's doomed to be the backup for Riggs... just in case.
It was fun. Kinda ridiculous but that's the kind of story it is. I wasn't bored reading it... but that's because I rather skimmed most of the portions of his gambling and love life because it was mostly all the same. (I am familiar with Texas Hold 'em so I could follow the gambling but it's not something I'm interested in. Same with him watching the gals' butts.)
I liked how the antagonist is pretty much a douche the whole time. He doesn't magically reform, although this future does include magic ^^.
I enjoy listening to Van Stry in panels so I wanted to give his books a try, although I'm not the target audience for this series. I won't be reading more.
However, it turns out not to be all that important, as a Navajo goddess appears, makes a deal with Riggs, and transports them both into the dystopian future so Riggs can be the hero who saves them all (from what, we're not sure yet).
What about Paul? you may ask.
"Sacrifices must be made by all of us," the goddess says. "That is yours."
Well. That's nice. Thanks lady.
Luckily, a different god has his eye on Paul, so he's not doomed to remain a slave or die quickly in this world that now has dragons and goblins. In fact, he's doomed to be the backup for Riggs... just in case.
It was fun. Kinda ridiculous but that's the kind of story it is. I wasn't bored reading it... but that's because I rather skimmed most of the portions of his gambling and love life because it was mostly all the same. (I am familiar with Texas Hold 'em so I could follow the gambling but it's not something I'm interested in. Same with him watching the gals' butts.)
I liked how the antagonist is pretty much a douche the whole time. He doesn't magically reform, although this future does include magic ^^.
I enjoy listening to Van Stry in panels so I wanted to give his books a try, although I'm not the target audience for this series. I won't be reading more.
February 14, 2019
This is a fun, fast-paced novel, with a couple of good personalities driving it. Paul Young is a lieutenant in the Air Force about to be drummed out of flight school for reasons he personal reasons that have nothing to do with his skill at flying. Major Riggs is the man who’s helping Paul’s enemies get rid of him. Then a “goddess” intervenes kidnapping both people. She tells Major Riggs he’s been chosen to save the Navajo because he’s half Navajo; she has no use for Young but he’s in the jet with Riggs and so he gets pulled into the future too. They are quickly found by the Navajo where Riggs tells them that Young is a slave he is giving to the tribe. Young and Riggs didn’t get along well before this betrayal and their relationship quickly plummets even further.
Riggs makes the perfect jerk in this story. At every single opportunity he outdoes his last dastardly deed. Young’s a pretty good hero who fairly quickly finds out that one of the gods thinks the others made a big mistake counting on Riggs and he wants to use Young as a backup to save the world. The difference between the two men could not be more clear and this makes them great antagonists for each other.
After Young escapes the Navajo, we start to get a much better understanding of this postapocalyptic future. It includes magic, dragons, fantasy races and a sort of Mad Max style human society. IThe government of the one non-tribal organized community we really get a good look at is very cleverly constructed and helps to drive home that the America we know is long gone. The fight scenes are well done and I liked the supporting cast. I think Young’s two girlfriends are especially well developed, even if I think they got interested in him a little too easily. Overall, characterization is a major strength of the story.
If Van Stry happens to be reading this review, I have a request. Could we have a map please? I found the terrain very difficult to visualize. Young leaves Navajo territory going east but somehow ends up on the west coast by the end of the story after traveling quite a bit and going around a new inland sea. I’m quite sure Van Stry has a clear understanding of the geography but I had a lot of trouble following it. A map would totally resolve this problem.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Riggs makes the perfect jerk in this story. At every single opportunity he outdoes his last dastardly deed. Young’s a pretty good hero who fairly quickly finds out that one of the gods thinks the others made a big mistake counting on Riggs and he wants to use Young as a backup to save the world. The difference between the two men could not be more clear and this makes them great antagonists for each other.
After Young escapes the Navajo, we start to get a much better understanding of this postapocalyptic future. It includes magic, dragons, fantasy races and a sort of Mad Max style human society. IThe government of the one non-tribal organized community we really get a good look at is very cleverly constructed and helps to drive home that the America we know is long gone. The fight scenes are well done and I liked the supporting cast. I think Young’s two girlfriends are especially well developed, even if I think they got interested in him a little too easily. Overall, characterization is a major strength of the story.
If Van Stry happens to be reading this review, I have a request. Could we have a map please? I found the terrain very difficult to visualize. Young leaves Navajo territory going east but somehow ends up on the west coast by the end of the story after traveling quite a bit and going around a new inland sea. I’m quite sure Van Stry has a clear understanding of the geography but I had a lot of trouble following it. A map would totally resolve this problem.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 11, 2019
Another series by John Van Stry that I absolutely loved reading! The author also does an excellent job of building a functioning three-way relationship between Heather, Sarah and Paul by only hinting at the more intimate scenes. You won't encounter any sex scenes in these book, but the raw emotion of their relationship is obvious and heartwarming.
Major Riggs is a complete and utter bastard who you can't help but dislike from the get-go .
Paul is very much the reluctant hero, sacrificed upon the altar of "greater good" by the gods and as I read through all three books I couldn't help but empathise with Paul's plight as he struggles with everything this new and harsh world throws at him.
An excellent read that I highly recommend to others!
Major Riggs is a complete and utter bastard who you can't help but dislike from the get-go .
Paul is very much the reluctant hero, sacrificed upon the altar of "greater good" by the gods and as I read through all three books I couldn't help but empathise with Paul's plight as he struggles with everything this new and harsh world throws at him.
An excellent read that I highly recommend to others!
November 16, 2021
I liked it a lot
Transported to another world, Harem, No Sex scenes-Fade to black, Magic & monsters
This is the third of the , for lack of a better word "Portal" type stories that I've read from John Van Stry. Portals of infinity started in 2014. This one in 2016, and Take Two: VeilVerse in 2020.
Wile Portals is my hands down favorite (Even surpassing Valen's Legacy for the snuggliest place in my heart) It's no stretch of the imagination to picture these as spin-offs or companion works set in the same MetaVerse. Especially this book and Portals focus on Devine champions, although the MC of this book is not an official champion, he does receive divine guidance and protection.
A pretty good book.
Transported to another world, Harem, No Sex scenes-Fade to black, Magic & monsters
This is the third of the , for lack of a better word "Portal" type stories that I've read from John Van Stry. Portals of infinity started in 2014. This one in 2016, and Take Two: VeilVerse in 2020.
Wile Portals is my hands down favorite (Even surpassing Valen's Legacy for the snuggliest place in my heart) It's no stretch of the imagination to picture these as spin-offs or companion works set in the same MetaVerse. Especially this book and Portals focus on Devine champions, although the MC of this book is not an official champion, he does receive divine guidance and protection.
A pretty good book.
July 13, 2017
3.5 actually, About a man from our current universe transported to some time in the future, where the god Coyote, sets him up to do his bidding. Along the way he gathers not one, but two girlfriends, and they form a threesome "marriage." He goes on a trip to find "ancient" weapons (from our time) to do something with. Unfortunately, Coyote isn't telling him what. Add to that, he was transported to this time with a commanding officer of his, who is supposed to be a savior of some type, and they don't get along.
Narrated by Doug Tisdale, Jr. thought he did a pretty good job of delineating characters and had a good pace.
Narrated by Doug Tisdale, Jr. thought he did a pretty good job of delineating characters and had a good pace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2017
Interesting story.
The time travelling aspect is really just a minor setup for the protagonist and antagonist to be at odds in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world.
Most of the story is well paced building and character development.
Some of the things that happen stretch credulity and may break immersion a bit but even then it's not that bad.
It ends fairly abruptly so I would only recommend people who are commited to reading at least the second one to start this one.
The time travelling aspect is really just a minor setup for the protagonist and antagonist to be at odds in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world.
Most of the story is well paced building and character development.
Some of the things that happen stretch credulity and may break immersion a bit but even then it's not that bad.
It ends fairly abruptly so I would only recommend people who are commited to reading at least the second one to start this one.
April 5, 2018
This was a bit of an unusual choice for me. I picked it up as a result of a reddit thread about books with time travel, which this certainly does have. What they neglected to mention was the that there are also dragons, fairies, magic, and Coyote. Not the animal coyote, the trickster god Coyote. Very well written, with just a touch of smuttiness (though I enjoyed the implicit support for polyamorous relationship modalities), and lots of comedy. Very enjoyable and reminded me of the Stainless Steel Rat series meeting Discworld. So good I donated money to the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
Really good RipVan Winkle story
What can l say, John Van Stry tells a great story. The MC is a man with a target on his back when the gods push him and his flight trainer through a time portal into a post Apocalyptic future. His flight trainer is a real dick-wad who was the "chosen" of the gods, while the MC is just collateral damage because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (not). It goes down hill from there for the MC, but in the end, he overcomes. You've got to read the story to find out how it all goes down.
What can l say, John Van Stry tells a great story. The MC is a man with a target on his back when the gods push him and his flight trainer through a time portal into a post Apocalyptic future. His flight trainer is a real dick-wad who was the "chosen" of the gods, while the MC is just collateral damage because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (not). It goes down hill from there for the MC, but in the end, he overcomes. You've got to read the story to find out how it all goes down.
July 5, 2017
Plenty of action, decent idea for a book and some really good moments, but sometimes kind of going over board or dithing the interesting delelopements to explore some other and IMO not neccessary in these quantities things. E.g. waaaay too much and way too pointless sex which hardly adds anything to the story, especially in this great quantities. Unless this whole series are aimed at some horny teenagers ;)
October 15, 2022
Urban dystopia at its finest
this story is an interesting Twist on a dystopia where the character comes from the past and is now in the complicated throwback future, if that makes sense. I like the characters are interesting and they are somewhat more rough and tough and there's a lot of back to the past kind of things where things were a lot tougher. all in all it was an interesting story and I would like to see what happens next.
this story is an interesting Twist on a dystopia where the character comes from the past and is now in the complicated throwback future, if that makes sense. I like the characters are interesting and they are somewhat more rough and tough and there's a lot of back to the past kind of things where things were a lot tougher. all in all it was an interesting story and I would like to see what happens next.
October 12, 2018
Interesting setup that devolves into a Saturday afternoon serial cliffhanger with harem. The alternate reality and the method of getting there were believable. The plot setup was interesting and unique. But then it turned into white hat fighting black hat with lots of "romance." The guy is a Mary Sue.
March 12, 2023
Satisfying adventure
Alternate universe, post-apocalypse, magic and high tech, dragon, fey, harem fade-to-black
Paul Young is an unlikely hero, but despite many crappy curves thrown his way, he survives and learns. Don't let the distasteful Riggs and his attitude and behavior throw you off; he's a proper villain and villains do bad things. Enjoyed.
Alternate universe, post-apocalypse, magic and high tech, dragon, fey, harem fade-to-black
Paul Young is an unlikely hero, but despite many crappy curves thrown his way, he survives and learns. Don't let the distasteful Riggs and his attitude and behavior throw you off; he's a proper villain and villains do bad things. Enjoyed.
October 22, 2018
Outstanding
Characters that you care about, a realistic future and a believable plot. Mostly science fiction, some fantasy with action, conflict, romance and ethical/moral dilemmas. A book to grab your attention, spend your belief and give you a break from reality.
Characters that you care about, a realistic future and a believable plot. Mostly science fiction, some fantasy with action, conflict, romance and ethical/moral dilemmas. A book to grab your attention, spend your belief and give you a break from reality.
September 2, 2020
Great twist
I was so mad when the twist in the plane happened and then with the tribe. Then I loved it and don’t believe I have read one where the main isn’t the main and the goal doesn’t even have him included. Love it
I was so mad when the twist in the plane happened and then with the tribe. Then I loved it and don’t believe I have read one where the main isn’t the main and the goal doesn’t even have him included. Love it
November 13, 2023
Engaging Fantasy
What happens when you are pulled into a situation alongside "the Chosen One" who hates you? Van Stry delivers again, with an engaging fantasy as a student pilot and his instructor are pulled into a world with dragons, elves, and magic.
What happens when you are pulled into a situation alongside "the Chosen One" who hates you? Van Stry delivers again, with an engaging fantasy as a student pilot and his instructor are pulled into a world with dragons, elves, and magic.
May 30, 2017
A fun time
I greatly enjoyed this book and felt that it is a fun read for SciFi fans and fantasy fans. Just as I have come to expect from this author
I greatly enjoyed this book and felt that it is a fun read for SciFi fans and fantasy fans. Just as I have come to expect from this author
July 13, 2017
Interesting idea, however, the plot and characters are rather shallow and for me, quite lacking in quality.
July 19, 2017
The story reminded me the begining of Portals of infinity by the same author. But the MC had a tougher time to adapt to the world and its change.
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