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The Eye of Hermes: A Minerva Novel
In a far corner of the universe, two intelligent insects races, the bee-like Polistine and the Beetleguise have been engaged in a bitter war that has lasted 500 years. In fact, the only place in the universe were they are able to co-exist is on the the asteroid prison, Minerva, home to the worst alien criminals in the galaxy. Even with their inability to end this conflict, both races are faced with the knowledge that greater threats are on the horizon. First, an ancient gem with an insatiable appetite for energy has awaken from its long slumber. The only thing standing in its' way is Astral Engineer Kasidy Vulkner and the crew of the Mjolnir. Second, the tyrannical warlord Diabolix is making his way back into this dimension with plans for galactic conquest. And the only being that can stop him is an Abomination.
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2017
4 people want to read
About the author
William Howard
105 books3 followersLibrarian note: Also see William Howard which was a pseudonym used by William Johnston.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 30, 2017
Yannick DcCullen is a blue and green Trionyx – seven-foot-two, spikes down his back and razor-sharp claws on paws and feet. Buddash Kyo is a Cranitian – skin cheddar-hued and large saucer-shaped eyes on either side of his oblong face. He has his own personal body armor – a scaled protective layer from the back of his head to below his ankles. Then there is Legate Prime Buzz, Diabolox, Dr. Rabun, and Sobek Bokhan, just to name a few. The names and species just kept coming. I only had a vague sense of the storyline, because I was overwhelmed by so many players. Also, there were several goals, individually, involving many characters.
What it comes down to is that these are bugs. Big bugs. Humans barely have a place in this plot and it turns out bugs are just as greed-driven as humans, and just as murderous. If they are not plotting to rob one another, they are plotting the demise of some equally nasty bug. Almost each chapter is a bombardment of some bug fighting other bugs, discussion of their ability to fight, and the body type needed for surviving fights. I was fascinated by the fact that you never want to kill a bug outright, because it immediately births a whole slew of more bugs. Incapacitation works much better, so the best way to handle bugs is to whack off appendages.
This story obviously involved a lot of brain-power from the author and, unfortunately, an awful lot from the readers. I was half-way through the book before I started recognizing who was up to what and why. Sadly, part-way through, the editing broke down and there are several confusing sentences sprinkled about. I decided by the time I neared the end of the book that I was liking the story. However, it took too long for me to appreciate it and the editing did muddy the writing. Is this a good story? I think it can be and some readers may enjoy this buggy tale. If you want to dive deeply into this, bring a roadmap and take notes. However, if you are just plain interested in what bugs may be thinking, this is the book for you.
Oh, don’t ask what the Eye of Hermes is. I barely know myself.
The rating:
Genre and general reading age – I’m going to call this sci-fi and the reading age is anybody who likes bugs.
Level of sexuality – There were some pleasure bugs, but overall I don’t think they’re too interested in that kind of stuff.
Is there graphic language? Some, but it was all spoken in Bug-ese and easily ignored.
Did I cry? Are you kidding? These are bugs!
Did I laugh? After I finished the book. After all, it’s about bugs!
Is this part of a series? No.
Level of character development – What can I say? Bugs.
I give this ⭐️⭐️…Bugs!
What it comes down to is that these are bugs. Big bugs. Humans barely have a place in this plot and it turns out bugs are just as greed-driven as humans, and just as murderous. If they are not plotting to rob one another, they are plotting the demise of some equally nasty bug. Almost each chapter is a bombardment of some bug fighting other bugs, discussion of their ability to fight, and the body type needed for surviving fights. I was fascinated by the fact that you never want to kill a bug outright, because it immediately births a whole slew of more bugs. Incapacitation works much better, so the best way to handle bugs is to whack off appendages.
This story obviously involved a lot of brain-power from the author and, unfortunately, an awful lot from the readers. I was half-way through the book before I started recognizing who was up to what and why. Sadly, part-way through, the editing broke down and there are several confusing sentences sprinkled about. I decided by the time I neared the end of the book that I was liking the story. However, it took too long for me to appreciate it and the editing did muddy the writing. Is this a good story? I think it can be and some readers may enjoy this buggy tale. If you want to dive deeply into this, bring a roadmap and take notes. However, if you are just plain interested in what bugs may be thinking, this is the book for you.
Oh, don’t ask what the Eye of Hermes is. I barely know myself.
The rating:
Genre and general reading age – I’m going to call this sci-fi and the reading age is anybody who likes bugs.
Level of sexuality – There were some pleasure bugs, but overall I don’t think they’re too interested in that kind of stuff.
Is there graphic language? Some, but it was all spoken in Bug-ese and easily ignored.
Did I cry? Are you kidding? These are bugs!
Did I laugh? After I finished the book. After all, it’s about bugs!
Is this part of a series? No.
Level of character development – What can I say? Bugs.
I give this ⭐️⭐️…Bugs!
February 28, 2018
William Howard's "The Eye of Hermes: A Minerva Novel" is a story about different alien species, all battling each other for domination of the Venusian Star System. The book begins with fellow-inmates, Yanick DeCullen and Buddash Kyo, plotting a means of escape by stealing drugs from the jailhouse drug storage facility. The plot eventually unfolds to reveal they are mere pawns in the plan of Diabolix to rise as supreme ruler. With shape shifting Clonstellars as his soldiers, doing so seemed simple enough.
However, with the surviving instincts and determination of Hunash, Kasidy, Thorn, and Buzz (all of different species) along with the self-serving nature of Hellfire, also known as The Abomination, Diabolix's return to the Venusian Star System will not occur without heavy losses on all sides.
The story possessed a neat concept and shows promise, but I had trouble following each participant in the large cast of characters. I found it difficult to connect to the individuals in the story, feeling more like a bystander rather than engaged. Perhaps, the passive leaning of the story telling lent to this. A different approach to editing would go a long way to improving the flow. Having met the author, a pleasant person, I am sorry I cannot give more than two stars to this story.
However, with the surviving instincts and determination of Hunash, Kasidy, Thorn, and Buzz (all of different species) along with the self-serving nature of Hellfire, also known as The Abomination, Diabolix's return to the Venusian Star System will not occur without heavy losses on all sides.
The story possessed a neat concept and shows promise, but I had trouble following each participant in the large cast of characters. I found it difficult to connect to the individuals in the story, feeling more like a bystander rather than engaged. Perhaps, the passive leaning of the story telling lent to this. A different approach to editing would go a long way to improving the flow. Having met the author, a pleasant person, I am sorry I cannot give more than two stars to this story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews