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White Crusade
Five hundred years after Man's downfall, the ascetic "Animal-People" have rebuilt the world in their image. The memory of Mankind is of a species whose greed and avarice led to its collapse. To Tay of the Wolf-Clan, they're a species whose time has passed. Tay's only ambition was to spend his life in service to his people. He was a healer, so his Tribe made him their leader. Then a dying stranger appeared in his village, carrying a small black cube and raving about an army of invaders sweeping across the country, devouring everything in its path.
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Ben Goodridge
16 books19 followersWhile all the other kids in my class wanted to be rock stars, I wanted to be Jessica Fletcher from "Murder, She Wrote." Besides, I could only play keyboards, and there was no such thing as a sexy keyboardist. Still, this was the 1980s. Your mileage may vary.
My first story was published in 1993. My second story was...much better. I've published a bunch of short stories and a couple of novels since then, and I can still play several Duran Duran songs on the piano.
My first story was published in 1993. My second story was...much better. I've published a bunch of short stories and a couple of novels since then, and I can still play several Duran Duran songs on the piano.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2016
I thought the idea behind this was sound and interesting, but I just felt that there were a few narrative choices and styles that just didn't make sense. Things seemed to happen for no other reason than 'they just did' - both in terms of the plot and history of the world, with other events not really explained too much. The plot and characters jumped around a bit and felt inconsistent at times.
All in all, I felt like this was just scratching the surface of what could have been a much more in-depth novel.
All in all, I felt like this was just scratching the surface of what could have been a much more in-depth novel.
July 14, 2025
As a fan of unconventional post-human furry novels, I knew I had to read this book. And though I enjoyed reading it, I was left in want for some of it's wasted potential.
Mr. Goodridge (and his editor) have good command of the English Language. His descriptions are good and his dialogue is convincing (even though the characters have the tendency to repeat certain things ad nausea.)
The characters are not terribly deep, but are well described and likable. TWC is written in the third person, which allows the author to switch very rapidly between different times and places in the novel. This is done a bit too rapidlyat times. As I read from one paragraph to the next, my train of thought would completely derail. I would then re-read slowly, only to realize the time and place had changed and different characters were now being shown. Even an empty line between two adjoining paragraphs would help a lot in this regard.
I guess my real beef with this novel is that for every enlightened idea (and there are plenty) there are equally as many ambiguities and other inconsistencies to knock the overall novel down from great to average.
With a modest amount of editing (mostly removing sections) I think this novel would have notched up to four stars from the three I have given it in this review.
I love the world the author had created. I especially enjoyed the religious and cultural nuances associated with his Animal-People. A good example being the rules and customs that relate to hunting and the using of the spoils thereof. I love the way the tribes are shown to function. Especially the flying Messengers add a very nice touch.
On the other end of the scale, a prime example among the ambiguities is the extent to which protagonist and his troupe make use of human technology (which, we are reminded time and again, is inherently evil.) From flying with the Giant to the land of the Twelve Tribes in an airplane, to travelling across the better part of the former USA in a caravan with caterpillar treads. Said caravan, coincidentally, floats on water and has an unlimited fuel range, which seems very convenient.
Another ambiguity that left me puzzled was the fact that humans and some of their technology are still around... Yet they seemed to have lost the ability to use them. Most humans in the novel are portrayed as filthy feral creatures. At the same time, they are regarded as mystical, Godly beings by the White Crusade. In one scene, feral humans are shown cowering to the very cult that reveres them. Doesn't make sense at all.
The spiritual component of that-which-the-crusade-seeks isn't very well explained. Nor how this relates to man's downfall. I kind of have an idea, but I'd like to see the author indulge me a little more on this - as apposed to describing every interaction with every tribe they meet along their journey and every time the protagonist or his friends take a bath.
The romantic liaison between Tay and Ioka is very well written - even as a straight person I found it titillating. But does it really add to the plot? Not really. I think this aspect of the plot should either have been used more often, or omitted completely.
The futuristic technology portrayed in the novel requires a larger than average suspension of disbelief. A super capacitor that can absorb an arbitrary amount of energy from its surrounds. A psychic entity that can "heal" broken computers. Time Portals. A Protonic Plasma Cascade. Less might have been more in this case. Again, wasted potential for very little gained plot wise.
So-so execution notwithstanding, I will definitely give this Author another shot on the grounds of the creativity of this work.
Mr. Goodridge (and his editor) have good command of the English Language. His descriptions are good and his dialogue is convincing (even though the characters have the tendency to repeat certain things ad nausea.)
The characters are not terribly deep, but are well described and likable. TWC is written in the third person, which allows the author to switch very rapidly between different times and places in the novel. This is done a bit too rapidlyat times. As I read from one paragraph to the next, my train of thought would completely derail. I would then re-read slowly, only to realize the time and place had changed and different characters were now being shown. Even an empty line between two adjoining paragraphs would help a lot in this regard.
I guess my real beef with this novel is that for every enlightened idea (and there are plenty) there are equally as many ambiguities and other inconsistencies to knock the overall novel down from great to average.
With a modest amount of editing (mostly removing sections) I think this novel would have notched up to four stars from the three I have given it in this review.
I love the world the author had created. I especially enjoyed the religious and cultural nuances associated with his Animal-People. A good example being the rules and customs that relate to hunting and the using of the spoils thereof. I love the way the tribes are shown to function. Especially the flying Messengers add a very nice touch.
On the other end of the scale, a prime example among the ambiguities is the extent to which protagonist and his troupe make use of human technology (which, we are reminded time and again, is inherently evil.) From flying with the Giant to the land of the Twelve Tribes in an airplane, to travelling across the better part of the former USA in a caravan with caterpillar treads. Said caravan, coincidentally, floats on water and has an unlimited fuel range, which seems very convenient.
Another ambiguity that left me puzzled was the fact that humans and some of their technology are still around... Yet they seemed to have lost the ability to use them. Most humans in the novel are portrayed as filthy feral creatures. At the same time, they are regarded as mystical, Godly beings by the White Crusade. In one scene, feral humans are shown cowering to the very cult that reveres them. Doesn't make sense at all.
The spiritual component of that-which-the-crusade-seeks isn't very well explained. Nor how this relates to man's downfall. I kind of have an idea, but I'd like to see the author indulge me a little more on this - as apposed to describing every interaction with every tribe they meet along their journey and every time the protagonist or his friends take a bath.
The romantic liaison between Tay and Ioka is very well written - even as a straight person I found it titillating. But does it really add to the plot? Not really. I think this aspect of the plot should either have been used more often, or omitted completely.
The futuristic technology portrayed in the novel requires a larger than average suspension of disbelief. A super capacitor that can absorb an arbitrary amount of energy from its surrounds. A psychic entity that can "heal" broken computers. Time Portals. A Protonic Plasma Cascade. Less might have been more in this case. Again, wasted potential for very little gained plot wise.
So-so execution notwithstanding, I will definitely give this Author another shot on the grounds of the creativity of this work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
This book was very dissapointing to me, which sucks because the concept itself is very cool. I really loved the setting and worldbuilding, and the main plot of a black box being dropped in the hands of the Alpha of a small village by a dying stranger, and that Alpha's goal to stop the White Crusade from getting their hands on it.
I had two big issues with this novel. The first was the flow. It just felt like the author was focused on getting from point A to point B, and it didn't matter what happened in the journey between those points. Events seemed to happen randomly and without much explanation, and it was hard to understand why they had to happen other than for story progression. There were also a few instances where things that happened or words said directly contradicted or seemed to forget what had happened before.
My second issue is the character development. The characters themselves are alright, and I liked the main characters. I just wish the author had put more focus on some of the individual struggles they faced, because it seemed like these internal struggles would only be briefly mentioned before being swept away as if they'd either been solved right there or weren't important enough to dig further into. I also didn't like how some of the characters could've had more prominent roles in the story, but are instead just written off and never heard from again for different reasons, which really disappointed me. Even the main four characters don't get much development that I could see, even though the story claims they do.
Overall, it was a nice book to read, but there was stuff I wish had been done better.
I had two big issues with this novel. The first was the flow. It just felt like the author was focused on getting from point A to point B, and it didn't matter what happened in the journey between those points. Events seemed to happen randomly and without much explanation, and it was hard to understand why they had to happen other than for story progression. There were also a few instances where things that happened or words said directly contradicted or seemed to forget what had happened before.
My second issue is the character development. The characters themselves are alright, and I liked the main characters. I just wish the author had put more focus on some of the individual struggles they faced, because it seemed like these internal struggles would only be briefly mentioned before being swept away as if they'd either been solved right there or weren't important enough to dig further into. I also didn't like how some of the characters could've had more prominent roles in the story, but are instead just written off and never heard from again for different reasons, which really disappointed me. Even the main four characters don't get much development that I could see, even though the story claims they do.
Overall, it was a nice book to read, but there was stuff I wish had been done better.
November 23, 2016
As a fan of unconventional post-human furry novels, I knew I had to read this book. And though I enjoyed reading it, I was left in want for some of it's wasted potential.
Mr. Goodridge (and his editor) have good command of the English Language. His descriptions are good and his dialogue is convincing (even though the characters have the tendency to repeat certain things ad nausea.)
The characters are not terribly deep, but are well described and likable. TWC is written in the third person, which allows the author to switch very rapidly between different times and places in the novel. This is done a bit too rapidlyat times. As I read from one paragraph to the next, my train of thought would completely derail. I would then re-read slowly, only to realize the time and place had changed and different characters were now being shown. Even an empty line between two adjoining paragraphs would help a lot in this regard.
I guess my real beef with this novel is that for every enlightened idea (and there are plenty) there are equally as many ambiguities and other inconsistencies to knock the overall novel down from great to average.
With a modest amount of editing (mostly removing sections) I think this novel would have notched up to four stars from the three I have given it in this review.
I love the world the author had created. I especially enjoyed the religious and cultural nuances associated with his Animal-People. A good example being the rules and customs that relate to hunting and the using of the spoils thereof. I love the way the tribes are shown to function. Especially the flying Messengers add a very nice touch.
On the other end of the scale, a prime example among the ambiguities is the extent to which protagonist and his troupe make use of human technology (which, we are reminded time and again, is inherently evil.) From flying with the Giant to the land of the Twelve Tribes in an airplane, to travelling across the better part of the former USA in a caravan with caterpillar treads. Said caravan, coincidentally, floats on water and has an unlimited fuel range, which seems very convenient.
Another ambiguity that left me puzzled was the fact that humans and some of their technology are still around... Yet they seemed to have lost the ability to use them. Most humans in the novel are portrayed as filthy feral creatures. At the same time, they are regarded as mystical, Godly beings by the White Crusade. In one scene, feral humans are shown cowering to the very cult that reveres them. Doesn't make sense at all.
The spiritual component of that-which-the-crusade-seeks isn't very well explained. Nor how this relates to man's downfall. I kind of have an idea, but I'd like to see the author indulge me a little more on this - as apposed to describing every interaction with every tribe they meet along their journey and every time the protagonist or his friends take a bath.
The romantic liaison between Tay and Ioka is very well written - even as a straight person I found it titillating. But does it really add to the plot? Not really. I think this aspect of the plot should either have been used more often, or omitted completely.
The futuristic technology portrayed in the novel requires a larger than average suspension of disbelief. A super capacitor that can absorb an arbitrary amount of energy from its surrounds. A psychic entity that can "heal" broken computers. Time Portals. A Protonic Plasma Cascade. Less might have been more in this case. Again, wasted potential for very little gained plot wise.
So-so execution notwithstanding, I will definitely give this Author another shot on the grounds of the creativity of this work.
Mr. Goodridge (and his editor) have good command of the English Language. His descriptions are good and his dialogue is convincing (even though the characters have the tendency to repeat certain things ad nausea.)
The characters are not terribly deep, but are well described and likable. TWC is written in the third person, which allows the author to switch very rapidly between different times and places in the novel. This is done a bit too rapidlyat times. As I read from one paragraph to the next, my train of thought would completely derail. I would then re-read slowly, only to realize the time and place had changed and different characters were now being shown. Even an empty line between two adjoining paragraphs would help a lot in this regard.
I guess my real beef with this novel is that for every enlightened idea (and there are plenty) there are equally as many ambiguities and other inconsistencies to knock the overall novel down from great to average.
With a modest amount of editing (mostly removing sections) I think this novel would have notched up to four stars from the three I have given it in this review.
I love the world the author had created. I especially enjoyed the religious and cultural nuances associated with his Animal-People. A good example being the rules and customs that relate to hunting and the using of the spoils thereof. I love the way the tribes are shown to function. Especially the flying Messengers add a very nice touch.
On the other end of the scale, a prime example among the ambiguities is the extent to which protagonist and his troupe make use of human technology (which, we are reminded time and again, is inherently evil.) From flying with the Giant to the land of the Twelve Tribes in an airplane, to travelling across the better part of the former USA in a caravan with caterpillar treads. Said caravan, coincidentally, floats on water and has an unlimited fuel range, which seems very convenient.
Another ambiguity that left me puzzled was the fact that humans and some of their technology are still around... Yet they seemed to have lost the ability to use them. Most humans in the novel are portrayed as filthy feral creatures. At the same time, they are regarded as mystical, Godly beings by the White Crusade. In one scene, feral humans are shown cowering to the very cult that reveres them. Doesn't make sense at all.
The spiritual component of that-which-the-crusade-seeks isn't very well explained. Nor how this relates to man's downfall. I kind of have an idea, but I'd like to see the author indulge me a little more on this - as apposed to describing every interaction with every tribe they meet along their journey and every time the protagonist or his friends take a bath.
The romantic liaison between Tay and Ioka is very well written - even as a straight person I found it titillating. But does it really add to the plot? Not really. I think this aspect of the plot should either have been used more often, or omitted completely.
The futuristic technology portrayed in the novel requires a larger than average suspension of disbelief. A super capacitor that can absorb an arbitrary amount of energy from its surrounds. A psychic entity that can "heal" broken computers. Time Portals. A Protonic Plasma Cascade. Less might have been more in this case. Again, wasted potential for very little gained plot wise.
So-so execution notwithstanding, I will definitely give this Author another shot on the grounds of the creativity of this work.
October 14, 2016
While I had a good time reading this novel some of the narrative choices left me wanting more. The setting is an intriguing one with anthropomorphic animals and humans living in the same world sometimes even alongside each other.
It's set in a post apocalyptic America where the threat of the White Crusade soon looms over the tribes. The White Crusade is obsessed with humans and with their technology and they will stop at nothing to get a hold of a black cube that ends up in the main character's possession. Tay is a wolf who just wants to serve his tribe and keep them safe but soon finds himself swept into a race to keep the White Crusade away and find out why they want the black cube so badly.
While I enjoyed reading it ultimately there just isn't enough explanation behind some of the plot elements and it left me wanting to know more. The White Crusade is a big driving force but why hasn't it been a threat until now especially with such a large force? I'm also curious as to how the animals became intelligent but I can't recall seeing any in depth explanation for it or for how human society fell beyond comments about their lack of respect for the earth. Climate change could easily be a cause but I can't recall ever seeing any specific statements on it.
It's a good setting and plot but there isn't enough background information and world history given which leaves the various elements feeling a bit disjointed.
It's set in a post apocalyptic America where the threat of the White Crusade soon looms over the tribes. The White Crusade is obsessed with humans and with their technology and they will stop at nothing to get a hold of a black cube that ends up in the main character's possession. Tay is a wolf who just wants to serve his tribe and keep them safe but soon finds himself swept into a race to keep the White Crusade away and find out why they want the black cube so badly.
While I enjoyed reading it ultimately there just isn't enough explanation behind some of the plot elements and it left me wanting to know more. The White Crusade is a big driving force but why hasn't it been a threat until now especially with such a large force? I'm also curious as to how the animals became intelligent but I can't recall seeing any in depth explanation for it or for how human society fell beyond comments about their lack of respect for the earth. Climate change could easily be a cause but I can't recall ever seeing any specific statements on it.
It's a good setting and plot but there isn't enough background information and world history given which leaves the various elements feeling a bit disjointed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews