Fray: The Champions of 1944 - Prologue

by Kenneth Tam

It is 1944, and Lady Emily’s insurgency is growing. Though the vast majority of the genetically-enhanced Champions in the British Empire and the United States remain loyal, some have heeded her call to overturn civilization, and to make themselves masters of two planets. The forces of Jimmystown must struggle to prevent open rebellion. When two renegades are captured by HMS Colette in the mid-Atlantic, only Lady Elspeth Cornish is available to assist the Royal Navy cruiser. While Lieutenant Nancy Wake and Colonel Brian Horrocks join a newly-refitted HMCS Sackville and race to the scene, Elspeth must help Colette’s crew contain a pair of powerful, proven murderers, and defeat whatever plan they possess. Who can survive in the fray? For more information, visit icebergpublshing.com/champions.

Genres: Science Fiction

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2016

About the author

Originally 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.

Reviews

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have several issues with this book, the worst is the word 'savages' and their forced reeducation. That's a term and policy straight out of 19th century Native American abuses perpetrated by the USA and Canada. Another is the ancient 'nobles' are warriors and not the common ruck, common to much military SF and fantasy. Since this book seems to take place in an alternate WWII, a war of mass conscription, the superhero nobles feel like a mismatch. Also this book is relentlessly Anglo-Saxon, using names and cliched descriptions for characters, sort of OK for the British navy (Horatio Hornblower had more diversity!), but certainly not for Canada. So I have major issues with the social setting. Use of these is sort of OK in a novella there's not much space for world-building, but it seems a tad old-fashioned. (Which makes it really creaky for most)

Next is the actual action, the poor Royal Marines are totally helpless against the badass, GMO human based supervillains, only the superhero can save them. Near the end on the other hand, Canadians, with Kryptonite in their diet, are capable of punching, tackling and tripping superbadies. It feels inconsistent and when combined with wooden dialogue is deadly to the reader. The author says this is a good? introduction to his multiple book series, looking at the publishing company, i.e. the writer's family, I'd say splurge a little and hire an independent editor.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read in a strange new world. Champions are the equivalent of superheroes. Also, there are dragons and alien technology. There is a rebellion with some Champions turning away from their respective countries to fight against those they are sworn to protect. A lot of fast-paced action makes this a super-enjoyable read. The only problem is that we don't have enough background to understand everything.