Fleet: The Gods Reborn

by Brian T. Marshall

A man, lost and naked, on the streets of Manhattan, pleading in an unknown tongue. The retired linguist who realizes it's an archaic Greek, unspoken for three thousand years. And the young woman who befriends them both, just in time for an unlikely quest. From New York to LA, Nebraska to Delphi, Fleet travels a labyrinth, with a mystery as old as mankind lying at its very heart.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2017

Reviews

[Jeff Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man appears naked on the streets in New York City and soon finds himself in a jail cell for, among other charges, resisting arrest. He doesn't talk and appears to understand nothing that is said to him. A linguist brought in by a senior detective discovers the man speaks an ancient dialect of Greek. The man claims to have no memory of who he is or how he came to be in New York City. The linguist pays his bail and takes him in to stay in his apartment, where he hopes to ferret out the man's story and teach him English. That's the premise of Brian Marshall's Fleet. Not a who done it, but a who am I?

As the mystery of the man's identity unravels, the characters embark on a quest taking them around the globe. Marshall excels at characterization and witty dialogue. These are real people with in depth lives and pasts struggling to understand something beyond their experience. On the downside, the pacing is very slow as the mystery unravels, so you'll need to be patient. This is not a quick read, but it is rewarding if you stick with it.

[Norma Nikutowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story feels mysterious and at the same time full of our everyday experiences. It’s like the extraordinary is among us if we stay still enough to notice it.
The first pages draw you into an ordinary world with just the right details to make you feel in the middle of the story. There are glimpses into some extraordinary events. There is mystery, suspense, and excitement.
The characters are well developed and try to understand themselves and the world around them. It will make you look more intently and pay more attention to what happens around your own life.

[K.S. Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author presents the story in a cinematic way. It begins with a wide-angle, slice-of-human-life shot before the camera dollies in on the main characters. That technique grounds the reader in the backstory of how the main characters come together while avoiding a boring backstory info dump. It's not your modern action start, but it works well here.

Once we've been introduced all around, the story continues at a pace that gives time for reflection and reaction to the subtle flow of emotions and thoughts both on the page and within the reader. It's what science fiction is supposed to be: an exploratory journey that leaves the reader still thinking about the text long after it's finished.

The writing is velvety smooth. The editing is superb. The characters, while flawed, are eminently likable. I highly recommend this interesting work to anyone who wants more than space battles, AI, and robots in their science fiction.

[Sophy Layzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This grabs you from the start with a strange unexplained incident that is slowly solved by a mix of likeable characters; Simon, a reclusive academic with onset dementia, Sarah his cleaner and Noman, who is suffering from amnesia.
I love alternative reality fantasy, especially when it's done well, like this.
Marshall's writing style is cinematic, old-hollywood-slick, easy to read and full of philosophical challenges.

[Jill L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hero's a nerdy linguist? I'm in! Marshall combines (sometimes literally) classic elements from several genres, but with enough twists and atmosphere to keep you absorbed and guessing. Hoping to soon see the second in the (I assume) trilogy.

[David Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several Brian T. Marshall's books and enjoyed them all. I was particularly impressed by his style in Fleet, The Gods Reborn. Marshall demonstrates a competence that many writers will envy. His main character, Simon, is so real to me as I married someone with very similar linguistic traits and aptitudes. The book is absorbing, the premise fascinating, and it is beautifully crafted. If you want something interesting to read that is written for a thinking adult, then I highly recommend Fleet: The Gods Reborn. The highly unusual arrival of a naked man in the streets of New York, a man who can only speak ancient Greek, is the start of a wonderful web that will keep you reading.

This book deserves to be experienced by a much wider audience. Dive in, and you'll be hooked. Don't let the cover discourage you, and after you finish it, recommend it to your friends.

[S.P. Rowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fleet: The Gods Reborn is one of those gems really stumbled upon. The storyline is cleverly put together making the reading effortless and enjoyable. It had me gripped from the very first page. The narrative and pace flowed keeping me hooked throughout. The characters were relatable to the point that I felt their emotions and actions and saw myself there with them during the story.
Brian T. Marshall is a wordsmith and a great storyteller of whom I am now a fan. I am now seeking more from this author and highly recommend Fleet: The Gods Reborn. If you want to lose yourself in a world and connect with authentic characters this is the book!

[L.J. Scar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't summarize or explain Fleet. Within the title, The Gods Reborn says it all. The book was an intriguing premise and the journey the well-developed characters traveled kept me captivated. There were some chapters that read a little slow for me but overall the pace kept my attention and the plot was very original.

Within Fleet, the author formatted some passages in a smaller font. These passages were the character in question explaining to the reader. I found it odd, yet helpful. Then the story returned to the scene at hand.

What I enjoyed the most about Fleet was the true insightfulness regarding human nature and spirit. Not tiresomely deep as so many authors try to evoke but honest perception none the less. The final chapters were my favorite. The build-up to the end which could have become sorrowful easily was the opposite and very satisfying.

[Sarah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

To start with the story is told through many different POVs, some not really needed at all as only there for one chapter or so at the beginning. It would have helped if there were names at chapter headings so you knew whose head you are in. Takes a while until the focus is pulled to the three key people – Simon, Sarah and Noman (the name they give him as he is without memories). The mystery begins with trying to figure out who, or rather what, he is. Just a man that is speaking a long dead language or something else?

So Ancient Greece and all its myths about the old gods and goddesses are about to collide with present day life. Seems Noman being a blank slate memory wise just needed a jolt to push the correct ones back to the surface. Once he knows who is really is that’s when the danger starts. He needs to figure out what they need to do next fast before chaos is created by what’s hunting them – the Ankoy. A battle is about to begin and Sarah and Simon seem to be caught in the middle of it. Just along for the ride or is there more to them being there – a purpose to be fulfilled perhaps? They can’t fight the Ankoy alone though; more help is needed, where to find that help is the next mission. Battle lines are soon formed but are they ready for what comes next?

There was a lot of description of what is happening in places without much dialogue that slowed it down. Does take a while to get going and at times felt like a bit of a chore to get through. If you can push yourself through the first half then the second makes up for it when more of the gods and goddesses 'wake up' ready for battle. Left a bit open where a battle was won but the war is coming, and so is the mission to find others of their kind. Few twists near the end with fate having a funny way of putting people together that need to be side by side.

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

[Deborah Lightfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery drew me in from the beginning, and each intriguing revelation kept me reading. I enjoyed this book's imaginative plot and especially its engaging characters. From the mystery man of the opening chapters, and all those who befriend and try to help him, then onward to the fascinatingly diverse cast of characters whom we meet as the adventure unfolds -- each one is a vivid and memorable individual. They range in age from 20-something to 60-something, to ... well, you need to read the story to truly appreciate the timescales involved. Anyone who enjoys an adventurous, globe-spanning mystery peopled by well-drawn characters will enjoy this book. I recommend "Fleet" as a well-written, intriguing fantasy adventure with great characters and lots of heart.

[D.T. Skibicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book written by Brian T. Marshall that I have read. I like his pacing and flow through his stories. The Illusionaires had me stumble to this gem of a book. His way of writing in some obscure details and relatable ones throughout his adventure was amazing. The fact, that I was able to know what he was talking about over a date of a concert, which out of irony, was what I was listening to while reading. He referenced the August 12th, 1979 Grateful Dead, Red Rocks show for all those Deadheads out there. I was blown away by that! It was interesting to see how all of the Greeks were imprisoned. I will not mention how or why, since that was the fun part of reading the story. I will most likely reread this story to catch more things that I might have missed.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey guys how's it going book review time this time with a blog tour from @readingadventuresbooktours for Fleet by Brian T Marshall and I have to be honest guys I wasn't a real fan of this the beginning was jumbly and confusing with mixing of perspectives and the main characters were just meh for me. Also the ending was also meh I would rate this book 2.5-3 stars because of these points.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I'm not sure what genre you would call this, I guess it's a hybrid, but there is suspense, there is action, there is weird supernatural stuff, and for those who care about such things, there is thoughtful characterization and witty dialogue. Marshall paces the novel beautifully and brings it to a surprising but utterly satisfying finish.

[Cara Gubbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally hooked from page 1.

Great characters, great story. A totally unique, fun ride. I felt like I lived this book rather than read it, I was so immersed in the action.

[Jane Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed it it was an interesting story. rating between 3.5 and 4 stars. full review to follow