The Chained Immortal

The Doomsayer Journeys #2

by Steve Wetherell

The second book in the critically-ignored comedy sci-fi series continues to solidify Wetherell's claim to the throne of Douglas Adams! After announcing to the public that the Massive Ball of Death is coming to destroy everything, Bip finds himself locked away with the other criminally insane. Aided by his psyentific talent for exploding things and creating the random igloo, Bip manages to escape and team up with the immortal Handen Strike, the first Volunteer who ventured out to spread the Clarion’s message of total world devastation. Joining their band of misfits is Azron, Genuine Diamond Geezer (1st class) and Xharon, a nearly nude warrior princess. Traveling across the face of Bersch, these four adventurers, albeit somewhat reluctant, must brave raging giants, the fountain of death, and savage birdmen to ensure their message reaches the ears of the very emperor who has been trying to imprison them. With these three gems saving the world, what’s the worst that could happen? Praise for Steve Wetherell - "Steve Wetherell is the type of writer who hits you a sarcastic edge, sharp enough to cut you down to size, while maintaining enough dry British wit to make you thoroughly enjoy it." - Rick Gualtieri, Author of The Tome Of Bill

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Humor

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2012

About the author

Steve Wetherell has written for Maxim, Cracked and CBS Local, and is a regular on the Authors and Dragons podcast. He is affiliated with Falstaff books and wrote the fantasy comedy series The Doomsayer Journeys, which he'd love you to read. He lives in Northamptonshire, England, and enjoys beer, rock music and writing about himself in the third person.
(source: Amazon)

Writes primarily as Steve Wetherell. Some covers say "Steven Wetherell."

Reviews

[Oron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Steven Wetherell.
I read very little of what he wrote, buy still. He's my favorite writer from the Authors and Dragons podcast, which kept my driving to and from work extremely enjoyable the last couple of years .
Wetherell has a unique, witty voice (both when he writes and when he's adventuring in the podcast) which makes reading/listening to him very enjoyable.
This second installment in the trilogy had some great moments, many predictable ones, and, I'm sad to say, some awkward and clanky ones.
But the charm is undeniable. The Pratchett/Adams influences are very dominant- but this is what they are - influences. This story is entirely his.

Funny, quirky and unique indy scifi/fantasy story which I highly recommend.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, first of all, I loved the series of books.

However I think the breaks between the books is slightly odd and personally I think it would work better as a duo, rather than a trilogy.

For example, there is a key part in the book where the adventurer meets a man in a cell (this is not a spoiler as it gives nothing away)

This would be a much better start for the second book than the current one. As it begins a new chapter in the story.

However I appreciate that the split might be due to financial/marketing reasons and appreciate the author wants to get paid.

Other than that, enjoyable story, with enjoyable characters.

[Troy Neenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the next instalment of Wetherell brilliant series. Wetherell uses a very a very similar comedy and writing style to such book series like Red Dwarf and Terry Pratchett. Very British and fun and it isn’t afraid to poke fun of other adventurer books.
Plot:
After getting thrown in jail for warning people about their incoming doom, Bip meets the first volunteer, Handen. We discover what happened to Haden after the events of the first book and his struggle with immortality. The pair escape and begin a journey towards the capital where they plan to tell the Emperor about the Big Ball of Death that is coming ever closer towards the planet.
Characters:
Bip. Bip hasn’t changed much since the first book. He's a boy on an impossible task that may not mean anything. But he has a goal and that’s all that a real hero needs.
Handen. The Immortal has lived for a thousand years. In the first book we have seen him slowly get closer towards the Capital, helping other towns and communities along the way. Now he's a tired man who just wants things to end the story and finally die.
Azron makes his return. A functional rogue he steals everything with a smile and finds himself on the run with Bip. I would have liked more with Azron's character development rather than just as a convenient plot tool but the party really needed a good thief.
Xharon is the girl of the party. She makes me think if Daphne from Scooby Doo was trying for a role as Red Sonya. She wants to be a competent warrior but ends up as a damsel in distress most of the time.
What I like:
Decent comedy, a nice second book, and both Bip and Handen's storylines have connected.
What I don’t like:
I don’t think that there is anything not to like about this book. It does feel like a road trip book but that’s not a bad thing.

[Robert Defrank · Rating 4 out of 5]

The misadventures of an unlikely savior of an equally unlikely doomed world facing annihilation by an even more unlikely means continues in the second volume where Bip the psyentist finds some odd allies includes a man cursed with immortality and, perhaps worse, with heroism, and a professional thief who takes great pride in his craft, and later on, a self-styled warrior princess who’s read way too many comic books.

We also get our first look at the imperial madman who I’m guessing to be the villainous ruler of this doomed planet and likely the heroes’ chief obstacle. The supposedly devilish secondary antagonist not so much, since his attempts on the heroes backfire more often than not.

But while the humor continues, the story remains a middle book, with the most impressive antics I suspect saved up for the finale.

[Amber M Stubbings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant writing - it's got everything

I give five stars for the amount of existential musings paired with excellent comedy. I truly enjoyed this span of genres and particularly enjoy Handen's internal thoughts and mannerisms. Well written.

[Michael Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

I really enjoy reading a good adventure book now through in some laughs and good characters and here you have a great series. Two thumbs up.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still Enjoying This Series

I think that Wetherell hit his stride in this book. Azron is a hilarious character and a nice addition to the quest. What started out as a quest for Bip has evolved in to a decent party.

If you're in the mood for romp, this series will fill that void.