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Brian Helsing: The World's Unlikeliest Vampire Hunter #4
Land of the Rising Damp
Several months have passed since a cruel twist of fate landed Brian with the mantle of Helsing; the Hunter of all Things That Go Bump In The Night. His reputation as a buffoon - albeit, a strangely effective one - has spread far and wide. Therefore it comes as no surprise when the Japanese Oni-Hunters call for his aid.
Well, it does to Brian, but then, most things do.
A Kappa, an invulnerable, bowl-headed, turtle-demon has been causing havoc in Tokyo. With its immense strength, razor claws and off-puttingly green skin, only an idiot would dare stand between the creature and its would-be victims.
You see where we're going with this.
Leaving his girlfriend, Scylla, in the worryingly enthusiastic care of Gertie, Brian journeys to that far-flung land of Eastern Mystery, looking forward to ninjas, manga stores, and possibly even some pretty girls in skimpy cosplay outfits. Well, all of that he finds, and more, but before long Brian finds that sometimes even the many and varied powers of a Helsing aren't enough to win the day. Sometimes it takes brains, courage, and a bit of thinking on your feet.
Oh dear.
Join Brian as he navigates gangsters, food stalls, airport security, love, life AND death in his latest mission: The One With The Weird Turtle Thing In It.
++ Warning, this book contains scenes of partial nudity, graphic violence, copious swearing, overblown tropes and complete idiocy. And those are the INOFFENSIVE bits... ++
Well, it does to Brian, but then, most things do.
A Kappa, an invulnerable, bowl-headed, turtle-demon has been causing havoc in Tokyo. With its immense strength, razor claws and off-puttingly green skin, only an idiot would dare stand between the creature and its would-be victims.
You see where we're going with this.
Leaving his girlfriend, Scylla, in the worryingly enthusiastic care of Gertie, Brian journeys to that far-flung land of Eastern Mystery, looking forward to ninjas, manga stores, and possibly even some pretty girls in skimpy cosplay outfits. Well, all of that he finds, and more, but before long Brian finds that sometimes even the many and varied powers of a Helsing aren't enough to win the day. Sometimes it takes brains, courage, and a bit of thinking on your feet.
Oh dear.
Join Brian as he navigates gangsters, food stalls, airport security, love, life AND death in his latest mission: The One With The Weird Turtle Thing In It.
++ Warning, this book contains scenes of partial nudity, graphic violence, copious swearing, overblown tropes and complete idiocy. And those are the INOFFENSIVE bits... ++
- GenresUrban Fantasy
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2018
35 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Gareth K. Pengelly
26 books46 followersGaz Pengelly lives in rural UK with his girlfriend, a hamster and a part time labrador.
When not writing, he can be found careening around on his motorcycle or sitting in the garden with a pipe and a nice pint of real ale, depending on his mood.
Gaz's fantasy and horror books are inspired by his favourite authors; namely Masterton, Herbert, Brooks, Pratchett, Gemmell, amongst others.
Find his books on his website, here:
http://www.garethkpengelly.co.uk
When not writing, he can be found careening around on his motorcycle or sitting in the garden with a pipe and a nice pint of real ale, depending on his mood.
Gaz's fantasy and horror books are inspired by his favourite authors; namely Masterton, Herbert, Brooks, Pratchett, Gemmell, amongst others.
Find his books on his website, here:
http://www.garethkpengelly.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 15, 2018
Brian Helsing is in the thick of it again in this brilliantly written book.
Sent to Japan to help the Japanese Oni-Fighters to kill a terrible supernatural foe called a Kappa, Brian gets himself straight off the plane and straight into trouble, but then again, when isn't he in trouble?
Yakuza have grabbed him, with the purpose of stopping his mission...but along the way he meets a young man, who says he maybe able to help Brian, for a few €. So Brian, hoping, that he may be able to finally find his way to the meeting accepts his help. The young man finds out who Brian is and when he hears who the meeting is with, the Oni-Hunters, he is thrilled as he is a big time fan of theirs.
As usual, everyone underestimates thd strength of resolve and power that Brian commands. They look at his thin gangly legs and arms and they feel that he cant help them. Boy does he help them to open their eyes!
The enemy is not who everyone thinks it is. Something fishy is going on here in Japan. Something is not right and Brian and the Oni-Hunters are all set to fight the wrong fight. But quickly it becomes clear that what they thought was the problem, really wasnt the problem at all.
Sent to Japan to help the Japanese Oni-Fighters to kill a terrible supernatural foe called a Kappa, Brian gets himself straight off the plane and straight into trouble, but then again, when isn't he in trouble?
Yakuza have grabbed him, with the purpose of stopping his mission...but along the way he meets a young man, who says he maybe able to help Brian, for a few €. So Brian, hoping, that he may be able to finally find his way to the meeting accepts his help. The young man finds out who Brian is and when he hears who the meeting is with, the Oni-Hunters, he is thrilled as he is a big time fan of theirs.
As usual, everyone underestimates thd strength of resolve and power that Brian commands. They look at his thin gangly legs and arms and they feel that he cant help them. Boy does he help them to open their eyes!
The enemy is not who everyone thinks it is. Something fishy is going on here in Japan. Something is not right and Brian and the Oni-Hunters are all set to fight the wrong fight. But quickly it becomes clear that what they thought was the problem, really wasnt the problem at all.
April 5, 2022
Brian Helsing travels to Japan on a particularly dangerous mission.
3.75 stars. (NO spoilers.)
I didn't become invested in this, the fourth book in the series, as the previous three. It just didn't click with me as much. It seemed predictable and at times truly unbelievable.
Brian is sent to Japan to assist the Oni-Hunters, Japan's version of the anti-Yakusa, or more accurately, the Power Rangers, to kill a particularly dangerous sea monster. What follows is the usual buffoonery, humor and close calls. But every time something goes wrong, the author delivers an outlandish escape for the protagonists, at the expense of the plot.
I really do not have much more to add to this review, other than I recommend reading it only to keep abreast with the series storyline flow. Each book has some plotline and characters carried over, so you may miss something crucial by skipping this book. Here's hoping book 5 is an improvement.
3.75 stars. (NO spoilers.)
I didn't become invested in this, the fourth book in the series, as the previous three. It just didn't click with me as much. It seemed predictable and at times truly unbelievable.
Brian is sent to Japan to assist the Oni-Hunters, Japan's version of the anti-Yakusa, or more accurately, the Power Rangers, to kill a particularly dangerous sea monster. What follows is the usual buffoonery, humor and close calls. But every time something goes wrong, the author delivers an outlandish escape for the protagonists, at the expense of the plot.
I really do not have much more to add to this review, other than I recommend reading it only to keep abreast with the series storyline flow. Each book has some plotline and characters carried over, so you may miss something crucial by skipping this book. Here's hoping book 5 is an improvement.
June 19, 2018
Great and quite poignant
Our fearful, klutz hero Brian Helsing stumbles his way through another adventure with hilarious results. Brian must face an indestructible creature, his own mortality, and the difficulty of relationships all at once. The writing is crisp, and the descriptions of places in Japan makes it so you can see them! I love the character arc and how Brian grows, not merely as a warrior, but as a person. You really care about him and want him to succeed.
Our fearful, klutz hero Brian Helsing stumbles his way through another adventure with hilarious results. Brian must face an indestructible creature, his own mortality, and the difficulty of relationships all at once. The writing is crisp, and the descriptions of places in Japan makes it so you can see them! I love the character arc and how Brian grows, not merely as a warrior, but as a person. You really care about him and want him to succeed.
March 16, 2021
Another Exciting Adventure
Loved the story. Love Brian. There are several things I like about Brian. His humbleness, his wide eyed joust seeing manga heaven, and his treating women with respect. Albeit, excluding women who are trying to kill him. The story is very good. I like how Brian thinks about what is really going on, and his ability to ferret out the real monsters. There is a lot to like about this series.
Loved the story. Love Brian. There are several things I like about Brian. His humbleness, his wide eyed joust seeing manga heaven, and his treating women with respect. Albeit, excluding women who are trying to kill him. The story is very good. I like how Brian thinks about what is really going on, and his ability to ferret out the real monsters. There is a lot to like about this series.
September 4, 2018
Neat, Japan👹👺🎏🎌🐈🐢🍜🍚🍲🗾🗻🏯
Bye to Scylla, onward with Gertie, less with Neil, growth of his own skills. Spent 3 years in Japan, but thankfully up north away from Tokyo. Liked the bit about Bertha, and extraordinary hearing, range, etc, to go with invulnerability.
If you liked the earlier ones, pretty sure you'll like this one too.
Bye to Scylla, onward with Gertie, less with Neil, growth of his own skills. Spent 3 years in Japan, but thankfully up north away from Tokyo. Liked the bit about Bertha, and extraordinary hearing, range, etc, to go with invulnerability.
If you liked the earlier ones, pretty sure you'll like this one too.
March 29, 2021
Brilliant as usual
Nice to see Brian growing into his new life. I am not sure if I fit into the usual reader type for these books but take some advice from a 74 year old recently made redundant during the pandemic women... Start at number one and keep reading, I am just going to start number 5.
Nice to see Brian growing into his new life. I am not sure if I fit into the usual reader type for these books but take some advice from a 74 year old recently made redundant during the pandemic women... Start at number one and keep reading, I am just going to start number 5.
June 26, 2018
Hysterical Adventure!
I would love to meet Brian! He is so sarcastic and every needs hero. I love that he does the right thing. It might not be the Helsing way, but it's his way. Plus the party pooper have me fits of laughter!
I would love to meet Brian! He is so sarcastic and every needs hero. I love that he does the right thing. It might not be the Helsing way, but it's his way. Plus the party pooper have me fits of laughter!
June 1, 2018
Brilliant book
Five stars again, bumbling Brian made me laugh. Love these books, hope there's going to be more. If you like weird these books are that but in a funny way.
Five stars again, bumbling Brian made me laugh. Love these books, hope there's going to be more. If you like weird these books are that but in a funny way.
January 2, 2019
The Helsing series is the first of Pengelly's series I've read and still my favorite.
February 12, 2019
Better all the time
Each book seems a little deeper than the previous but the humor and wit remain intact. Fun watching the hero grow.
Each book seems a little deeper than the previous but the humor and wit remain intact. Fun watching the hero grow.
August 20, 2020
Keeps getting better and better a must read series
April 4, 2021
Enjoyable
I'm so loving this series. Every book is an adventure that I'm enjoying being a part of. A great and epic way to escape
I'm so loving this series. Every book is an adventure that I'm enjoying being a part of. A great and epic way to escape
April 16, 2021
All the Brian books are great
Thank you, Gareth. The only thing that could make them better is the option to add audible, or better yet, graphic audio.
Thank you, Gareth. The only thing that could make them better is the option to add audible, or better yet, graphic audio.
December 28, 2021
Nicely done
I’m horrible about leaving reviews. I’ve enjoyed the series so far. Great imaginative characters that hold the illusion in your mind.
I’m horrible about leaving reviews. I’ve enjoyed the series so far. Great imaginative characters that hold the illusion in your mind.
June 18, 2024
This is the fourth book in the Brian Helsing series. This time Brian meets an invincible foe in the Kappa, a turtle-like demon-creature. The Helsing meets up with Ninjas that help him with this task.
October 10, 2024
A great story.
October 4, 2020
Very cool to see Brian step even further out of his comfort zone by going to japan. Was a little unsure at first about having so many new characters being bought into the story but Gareth seems to do a great job at making any new characters memorable without forcing them upon you. Another great read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews