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National Park Service Rangers Kathy West and Nathan Toland are the only ones stationed at Fort Jefferson, a restored Civil War fort sixty miles off Key West, Florida. Two overnight campers go missing, but before the rangers can investigate, shady Homeland Security agent Glen Larsson arrives to close the park due to a purportedly imminent red tide.
Things quickly escalate out of control when mercenaries arrive to back up Larsson and imprison the rangers. Larsson’s plan is to free a cast of giant crabs to overrun the park, and then Florida beyond.
It’s up to Kathy and Nathan to escape the fort, and then, with the help of an old Coast Guard vet and a scientist with inside knowledge of the plot, to save millions of innocents from rampaging giant crabs. But Larsson’s evil plan has been decades in the making, and the crabs seem indestructible. It will take courage, teamwork, and perhaps the ultimate sacrifice, to avert disaster.
Things quickly escalate out of control when mercenaries arrive to back up Larsson and imprison the rangers. Larsson’s plan is to free a cast of giant crabs to overrun the park, and then Florida beyond.
It’s up to Kathy and Nathan to escape the fort, and then, with the help of an old Coast Guard vet and a scientist with inside knowledge of the plot, to save millions of innocents from rampaging giant crabs. But Larsson’s evil plan has been decades in the making, and the crabs seem indestructible. It will take courage, teamwork, and perhaps the ultimate sacrifice, to avert disaster.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2019
162 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Russell James
48 books216 followersRussell R. James was raised on Long Island, New York and spent too much time watching Chiller, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and Dark Shadows, despite his parents’ warnings. Bookshelves full of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe didn’t make things better. He graduated from Cornell University and the University of Central Florida.
After a tour flying helicopters with the U.S. Army, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight.
His wife reads what he writes, rolls her eyes, and says “There is something seriously wrong with you.”
He has published the novels DARK INSPIRATION, SACRIFICE, BLACK MAGIC and DARK VENGEANCE, the compilations OUT OF TIME and TALES FROM BEYOND, as well as numerous short stories. He founded the Minnows Literary Group.
He and his wife share their home in sunny Florida with two cats.
Drop by the website to kill some time with some short stories.
After a tour flying helicopters with the U.S. Army, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight.
His wife reads what he writes, rolls her eyes, and says “There is something seriously wrong with you.”
He has published the novels DARK INSPIRATION, SACRIFICE, BLACK MAGIC and DARK VENGEANCE, the compilations OUT OF TIME and TALES FROM BEYOND, as well as numerous short stories. He founded the Minnows Literary Group.
He and his wife share their home in sunny Florida with two cats.
Drop by the website to kill some time with some short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 24, 2019
The BEST beach read of the summer. Hot damn that was fun!
April 3, 2020
Now THIS.… is my type of story. 😀 Giant sea creatures. Yes! Thank you! And I love crustaceans! They are so cute! ❤ So it always makes me happy to see a horror story involving something like killer crabs. I absolutely LOVE publisher Severed Press. They really know how to deliver fast paced, entertaining creature feature novels.
Claws has a glorious B-movie feel to it. I really got the feeling that the author loved those sort of movies just as much as I do. He pretty much nailed the whole vibe.
You did not have to wait very long for things to go sideways in this book. Very fast paced, it was over before I knew it. Small body count, but don’t let that fool you… there were plenty of tense, tight situations the small group of people found themselves in. There was also beaucoup crab carnage and destruction! Tons of great face offs between humans and crabs.
I really enjoyed the characters. The two ranger main characters had a nice chemistry together. I would love to see these two characters in another story. The ending did kind of make it feel like…. maybe sequel? I really hope so! Everyone though, even the bad guys, were fun to watch. Even though they were the villains, they kinda grew on you. Ok, maybe not Larsson! He was a dick the whole time.
Speaking of Larsson… I kinda didn’t really get a clear view of what his deal even was? Why was he doing this crazy ass plan? He made a few remarks about revenge for what happened to his father, but I don’t really recall him or anyone else mentioning what specifically happened to his father? Was he on a boat that sank in the Bay of Pigs or something? I don’t know… I don’t think it was mentioned…? I didn’t catch it if it was.
There was another part of the story that left me scratching my head a little bit. See, there is this Fort that everyone is at, and there is a moat around the fort. Somehow the moat was supposed to keep the crabs away from the fort? How though? The crabs are in the water. The moat is water. The crabs can walk on land. Can’t the crabs just walk through the water and climb up the moat wall? Right? And then, on top of that, at one point the moat gets drained of all the water and one of the rangers acts like because the water is gone, NOW the crabs are going to climb the wall. Wha-? It just didn’t seem to make any sense? That didn’t kill the book for me, though. Claws is still extremely entertaining… but I didn’t really like feeling like I had missed something kind of important. :/
The author did a great job of inserting giant crabs into the history of the Florida Keys / Cuba area. It was clear that James did a lot of research in the area and had a lot of fun telling us all about it in the middle of this crazy ass killer crab story. It never felt like a history lecture or that the story was bogged down with info dumps or anything like that. It was a great balance of real info and crazy fiction. The whole time I was reading this, I wanted to fly down to the Florida Keys and visit Fort Jefferson and look around for any crabs! 😀
I loved this story. Extremely fun and entertaining. The only reason I’m not giving it a 5 star rating is because of the small amount of confusion in two spots. Other then those spots, though, a great ride! If you are a big fan of crazy creature B-movies, you should check this one out. 🙂
Claws has a glorious B-movie feel to it. I really got the feeling that the author loved those sort of movies just as much as I do. He pretty much nailed the whole vibe.
You did not have to wait very long for things to go sideways in this book. Very fast paced, it was over before I knew it. Small body count, but don’t let that fool you… there were plenty of tense, tight situations the small group of people found themselves in. There was also beaucoup crab carnage and destruction! Tons of great face offs between humans and crabs.
I really enjoyed the characters. The two ranger main characters had a nice chemistry together. I would love to see these two characters in another story. The ending did kind of make it feel like…. maybe sequel? I really hope so! Everyone though, even the bad guys, were fun to watch. Even though they were the villains, they kinda grew on you. Ok, maybe not Larsson! He was a dick the whole time.
Speaking of Larsson… I kinda didn’t really get a clear view of what his deal even was? Why was he doing this crazy ass plan? He made a few remarks about revenge for what happened to his father, but I don’t really recall him or anyone else mentioning what specifically happened to his father? Was he on a boat that sank in the Bay of Pigs or something? I don’t know… I don’t think it was mentioned…? I didn’t catch it if it was.
There was another part of the story that left me scratching my head a little bit. See, there is this Fort that everyone is at, and there is a moat around the fort. Somehow the moat was supposed to keep the crabs away from the fort? How though? The crabs are in the water. The moat is water. The crabs can walk on land. Can’t the crabs just walk through the water and climb up the moat wall? Right? And then, on top of that, at one point the moat gets drained of all the water and one of the rangers acts like because the water is gone, NOW the crabs are going to climb the wall. Wha-? It just didn’t seem to make any sense? That didn’t kill the book for me, though. Claws is still extremely entertaining… but I didn’t really like feeling like I had missed something kind of important. :/
The author did a great job of inserting giant crabs into the history of the Florida Keys / Cuba area. It was clear that James did a lot of research in the area and had a lot of fun telling us all about it in the middle of this crazy ass killer crab story. It never felt like a history lecture or that the story was bogged down with info dumps or anything like that. It was a great balance of real info and crazy fiction. The whole time I was reading this, I wanted to fly down to the Florida Keys and visit Fort Jefferson and look around for any crabs! 😀
I loved this story. Extremely fun and entertaining. The only reason I’m not giving it a 5 star rating is because of the small amount of confusion in two spots. Other then those spots, though, a great ride! If you are a big fan of crazy creature B-movies, you should check this one out. 🙂
October 4, 2022
I have to admit that it was the cover that caught my eye ('ala Jaws). The second chapter even has a Peter Benchley feel to it.
This book is fantastic! I am now a big fan of Russell James, and I am glad that I also purchased another book of his. I will be buying all of his others as well.
James is one of those authors who put a lot of research into their work, and I love that. You immediately connect with the characters that he has brought to life, and he builds tension throughout the story.
Fort Jefferson is now on my list of places to visit, and I will most definitely be wary of giant crabs!
This book is fantastic! I am now a big fan of Russell James, and I am glad that I also purchased another book of his. I will be buying all of his others as well.
James is one of those authors who put a lot of research into their work, and I love that. You immediately connect with the characters that he has brought to life, and he builds tension throughout the story.
Fort Jefferson is now on my list of places to visit, and I will most definitely be wary of giant crabs!
June 4, 2019
With Park Rangers Kathy West and Nathan Toland, Russell James embarks on, what I hope will be another great series of creature feature adventures. In Claws they face a formidable foe, genetically engineered by man but not only do they have monsters to contend with, they have human enemies as well. I love this author's fast and furious escapades. I always emerge from each one breathless and hungry for more. Kathy and Nathan are a great team. Can't wait to see what they take on next!
June 5, 2019
James’ new book, Claws, is another nice addition to the author’s giant bug/critter/fish series, perfect B-movie fun caught on the page. There’s nothing new under the sun here, but it doesn’t really matter. Russell excels at characterization, action and suspense. I know he’s a horror author, but to me, these scenes of breathless suspense, such as the escape through an air duct or a character trapped underwater absolutely soar. Edge of the seat stuff. Recommended not only for horror enthusiasts, but suspense seekers as well.
June 22, 2019
loved this book. loved how the history was woven in and loved the characters. I am hoping to be able to read about them more. Keep them coming
July 6, 2019
Another fun adventure from Russell James. I really had a good time with this one. My review is posted here https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1Pm
October 10, 2025
Ah, another Russell James series, how I missed you.
TL; DR: A journey into more science, monsters, and mayhem means RJ has gifted another massive success of a series that sates all your movie monster desires with just a little suspension of disbelief in between.
I like the Grant Coleman series; a wise-cracking paleontologist with no sense of decorum and a stomach rivaling any of his prehistoric creatures speaks to me on som level, but it is that very enjoyable b-movie sort of story. Kathy West takes itself much more seriously, and I love it. All the myths and conspiracies about national parks and government cover ups are brought to glorious fruition in this book and I’m excited to jump back in to RJ’s writing.
Characters: I like West, and I like Nathan; I believed the villains’ motivation. Pretty standard for an RJ novel and I’m glad he kept with that formula. I’m really appreciating the more serious nature of this book’s main characters as opposed to the Grant Coleman series and I’m hoping he keeps that tone through the rest of the series.
Setting: An interesting one; honestly. I was worried that the military base would throw me off my game, as I’m not typically a huge fan of that sort of things, but it was just…cool. I enjoyed it.
Story: Believable and fun; it wasn’t a break from what I’ve gotten used to from his other series, there are plenty of lucky breaks and wise choices that are questionable in the moment, but I didn’t care. This was the B+ movie plot where it makes sense and takes itself more seriously than it probably should, but does it justice in a way where you say “eh, I can’t complain.”
Writing: The usual from RJ: quality and consistent. Again, I repeat myself, but I enjoyed the more calculated nature of the plot, characters, and writings. Will I miss my dose of slapstick from Coleman until I get another one of those? Yeah, but it’s all good, I’ve got Kathy West to back me up.
I’m so glad to be back to RJ’s dose of awesome. I love my giant animal monsters and can’t wait for the next one.
4.0 🌟
TL; DR: A journey into more science, monsters, and mayhem means RJ has gifted another massive success of a series that sates all your movie monster desires with just a little suspension of disbelief in between.
I like the Grant Coleman series; a wise-cracking paleontologist with no sense of decorum and a stomach rivaling any of his prehistoric creatures speaks to me on som level, but it is that very enjoyable b-movie sort of story. Kathy West takes itself much more seriously, and I love it. All the myths and conspiracies about national parks and government cover ups are brought to glorious fruition in this book and I’m excited to jump back in to RJ’s writing.
Characters: I like West, and I like Nathan; I believed the villains’ motivation. Pretty standard for an RJ novel and I’m glad he kept with that formula. I’m really appreciating the more serious nature of this book’s main characters as opposed to the Grant Coleman series and I’m hoping he keeps that tone through the rest of the series.
Setting: An interesting one; honestly. I was worried that the military base would throw me off my game, as I’m not typically a huge fan of that sort of things, but it was just…cool. I enjoyed it.
Story: Believable and fun; it wasn’t a break from what I’ve gotten used to from his other series, there are plenty of lucky breaks and wise choices that are questionable in the moment, but I didn’t care. This was the B+ movie plot where it makes sense and takes itself more seriously than it probably should, but does it justice in a way where you say “eh, I can’t complain.”
Writing: The usual from RJ: quality and consistent. Again, I repeat myself, but I enjoyed the more calculated nature of the plot, characters, and writings. Will I miss my dose of slapstick from Coleman until I get another one of those? Yeah, but it’s all good, I’ve got Kathy West to back me up.
I’m so glad to be back to RJ’s dose of awesome. I love my giant animal monsters and can’t wait for the next one.
4.0 🌟
October 30, 2020
Incredible!! Again!! Another home run!!
I wish I could give this TEN STARS!! What an incredible premise! WOW! I love this book!
WHAT A RIDE!! Woooo HOOOO!!
You've GOTTA read this if you like B rated flicks! (But this is more like an A rated flick, but I hope you get my gist...)
Godzilla kinda stuff! LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Highly recommend!! Yes, READ IT! You won't be sorry!
I wish I could give this TEN STARS!! What an incredible premise! WOW! I love this book!
WHAT A RIDE!! Woooo HOOOO!!
You've GOTTA read this if you like B rated flicks! (But this is more like an A rated flick, but I hope you get my gist...)
Godzilla kinda stuff! LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Highly recommend!! Yes, READ IT! You won't be sorry!
April 21, 2021
Good Work
I really like this writer style. I have read several of his books. He really builds good characters. The only thing keeping him from getting five stars are the shortest of the novels, they could probably be called novellas. I really like his novellas.
I really like this writer style. I have read several of his books. He really builds good characters. The only thing keeping him from getting five stars are the shortest of the novels, they could probably be called novellas. I really like his novellas.
July 18, 2020
Giant Crabs, Angry former CIA, and Giant Crabs. Solid.
September 11, 2022
A gripping thrill-ride!
I know this book is a horror novel but, dang! There is a lot of action and adventure! I really enjoyed reading this story. The thing that got me interested in reading it was that it was about giant crabs! I wanted to know how the author managed to pull that off. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed. The characters in this story are all well written and I really liked the main characters. You can tell the author really did his research for this story and maybe some of his military experience helped, too. A great read! Looking forward to reading the next book.
I know this book is a horror novel but, dang! There is a lot of action and adventure! I really enjoyed reading this story. The thing that got me interested in reading it was that it was about giant crabs! I wanted to know how the author managed to pull that off. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed. The characters in this story are all well written and I really liked the main characters. You can tell the author really did his research for this story and maybe some of his military experience helped, too. A great read! Looking forward to reading the next book.
September 27, 2019
Page turning
Terror in the seas. Crazy conspiracies, tall stories about giant crabs makes me not want to go in the water.
I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen next.
The park rangers were awesome. They became real heroes.
This story makes me wonder what else our government is hiding, for our own good.
Terror in the seas. Crazy conspiracies, tall stories about giant crabs makes me not want to go in the water.
I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen next.
The park rangers were awesome. They became real heroes.
This story makes me wonder what else our government is hiding, for our own good.
Read
January 6, 2020Full review: https://supermonsternovels.com/2020/0...
January 27, 2020
I came looking for some spooky and some gory, and I got a little bit but a lot of the crab attack scenes just felt a little underwhelming. Not enough horror. It was just okay for me.
People looking for action and conspiracy and a lighthearted scifi twist may like this better though.
People looking for action and conspiracy and a lighthearted scifi twist may like this better though.
December 11, 2024
Interesting plots
April 20, 2024
Good short story
Characters were a little extreme and campy but it was entertaining. The old man veteran very entertaining. The rangers way too adventurous and the crabs came on the attack really quick.
Characters were a little extreme and campy but it was entertaining. The old man veteran very entertaining. The rangers way too adventurous and the crabs came on the attack really quick.
October 31, 2024
I've only read one other book by Russell James, so when I saw him selling books at a Comic Convention earlier this year, I couldn't help but stopping and striking up a conversation.
As a lover of the type of books Severed Press publishes, I decided to pick up Claws.
And let's just say, I'm not disappointed one bit.
Giant crabs are attacking a former base off the coast of Florida, and the Park Rangers guarding it have to defend it and save it. A cast of good guys to help them, and a group of bad guys trying to stop them set this story up for a lot of fun!
As a lover of the type of books Severed Press publishes, I decided to pick up Claws.
And let's just say, I'm not disappointed one bit.
Giant crabs are attacking a former base off the coast of Florida, and the Park Rangers guarding it have to defend it and save it. A cast of good guys to help them, and a group of bad guys trying to stop them set this story up for a lot of fun!
Read
July 12, 2025Historical places have been on my favorite places to visit lists for all my life. Probably because my mother liked to go them and instilled that in me from an early age to imagine what other people lives were like before us. This story is set in the Key West, Dry Tortugas Fort National Park that is on my bucket list to visit and swim at now that my eyes are better. Liked the story since it relies on historical instances that could be put together plausible story as to why there are giant crabs eating people.
December 13, 2024
Crabtastic. Make this into a movie immediately.
December 13, 2024
Decent and enjoyable, doesn’t overstay its welcome. Only gripe is that despite a number of people being torn apart by giant crabs, the violence feels oddly bloodless.
September 18, 2019
Excellent book. Enjoyed the farfetched yet entertaining plot, and the main characters are really likeable. Hopefully there will be a sequel. Looking forward to it if there is.
January 17, 2020
As a fan of Guy N. Smith's Crab series, I knew I was just going to have to check out Claws by Russell James. It promised to deliver the same clickety click clack excitement that Smith successfully delivered time and time again. Yeah... Well... Guess again.
The giant crabs are the stuff of legend, or more like a government cover-up, and they launch their first attach on Fort Jefferson National Park, an isolated island, in Chapter 2, so kudos to James for not keeping us in suspense as to whether or not the crabs actually exist. Kathy West, the park's head ranger is made aware of the missing camper situation when they don't show up the next day for the ferry. A search of the camp area reveals that the tent and equipment are still there, but there's no sign of the campers. Her attempt at locating the missing campers is half-assed at best, and this was my first problem with the book. For somebody who loves her job and takes pride in it, she's very sloppy in how she performs it. And she's quick to shrug off some of her responsibilities to the new recruit without making sure he's up to the job.
When an agent from Homeland Security shows up on the island with some hired muscle and some cock-and-bull story about a red tide, you know things are about to get ugly. We quickly learn that the giant crabs had been engineered by the US Government in the early 1960s as a weapon to be launched against Cuba. Larsson, it turns out, is a CIA operative who stumbled onto the crab project, and he an a group of likewise disgruntled agents plan to release the crabs and lead them on an all-out attack on Florida and the rest of the southern coast of the United States. It's up to a couple of unarmed park rangers not trained in the art of combat or espionage to throw a wrench in the government agent's plan and save the country. Along the way they are aided by Gianna Madera, a kidnapped scientist who miraculously escaped a sinking trawler and managed to survive the raging, storm-tossed seas in nothing but a kayak AND a crab attack at sea (where others who've encountered the giants crabs haven't been so lucky), and washed ashore on the island, the very same island where the crabs she was supposed to be creating a lure for are living; and Marc Metcalf, a retired Coast Guard officer who happened to be the only survivor when the crabs attacked his ship.
While the story itself has potential, this reader just found everything to be so contrived. While there were plenty of eye-roll moments throughout, the big came when Kathy, a prisoner in a secret underground room that doesn't appear on any of the maps, manages to escape through an air vent, this tall, lanky woman has trouble maneuvering through the bend in the vent, and in a panic thinks she might be stuck there and that's where she would meet her end. Yet a little later on, Larsson, a pudgy man who can barely fit into the vent, has no trouble maneuvering that corner. You would figure if a tall, thin woman had trouble, surely the little pudge bucket would have even greater trouble. But nope, he slipped through like a greased pig. And we're not even gonna talk about who survives and who doesn't.
And the twist ending that everybody seems to rave about? It's right out of the movie Big Legend. If you've seen it, you know what I mean.
The one thing I was expecting, however, never manifested, and that was the POV of the crabs as they attack that Smith throws in throughout all of his crab books, and I have to admit, I'm thankful they weren't present. If, after seeing movies like Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws, you still need a crab fix and want to read about them, save this one as a last resort and move on to Guy N. Smith's crab series or William Meikle's Crustaceans.
The giant crabs are the stuff of legend, or more like a government cover-up, and they launch their first attach on Fort Jefferson National Park, an isolated island, in Chapter 2, so kudos to James for not keeping us in suspense as to whether or not the crabs actually exist. Kathy West, the park's head ranger is made aware of the missing camper situation when they don't show up the next day for the ferry. A search of the camp area reveals that the tent and equipment are still there, but there's no sign of the campers. Her attempt at locating the missing campers is half-assed at best, and this was my first problem with the book. For somebody who loves her job and takes pride in it, she's very sloppy in how she performs it. And she's quick to shrug off some of her responsibilities to the new recruit without making sure he's up to the job.
When an agent from Homeland Security shows up on the island with some hired muscle and some cock-and-bull story about a red tide, you know things are about to get ugly. We quickly learn that the giant crabs had been engineered by the US Government in the early 1960s as a weapon to be launched against Cuba. Larsson, it turns out, is a CIA operative who stumbled onto the crab project, and he an a group of likewise disgruntled agents plan to release the crabs and lead them on an all-out attack on Florida and the rest of the southern coast of the United States. It's up to a couple of unarmed park rangers not trained in the art of combat or espionage to throw a wrench in the government agent's plan and save the country. Along the way they are aided by Gianna Madera, a kidnapped scientist who miraculously escaped a sinking trawler and managed to survive the raging, storm-tossed seas in nothing but a kayak AND a crab attack at sea (where others who've encountered the giants crabs haven't been so lucky), and washed ashore on the island, the very same island where the crabs she was supposed to be creating a lure for are living; and Marc Metcalf, a retired Coast Guard officer who happened to be the only survivor when the crabs attacked his ship.
While the story itself has potential, this reader just found everything to be so contrived. While there were plenty of eye-roll moments throughout, the big came when Kathy, a prisoner in a secret underground room that doesn't appear on any of the maps, manages to escape through an air vent, this tall, lanky woman has trouble maneuvering through the bend in the vent, and in a panic thinks she might be stuck there and that's where she would meet her end. Yet a little later on, Larsson, a pudgy man who can barely fit into the vent, has no trouble maneuvering that corner. You would figure if a tall, thin woman had trouble, surely the little pudge bucket would have even greater trouble. But nope, he slipped through like a greased pig. And we're not even gonna talk about who survives and who doesn't.
And the twist ending that everybody seems to rave about? It's right out of the movie Big Legend. If you've seen it, you know what I mean.
The one thing I was expecting, however, never manifested, and that was the POV of the crabs as they attack that Smith throws in throughout all of his crab books, and I have to admit, I'm thankful they weren't present. If, after seeing movies like Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws, you still need a crab fix and want to read about them, save this one as a last resort and move on to Guy N. Smith's crab series or William Meikle's Crustaceans.
December 2, 2025
An enjoyable and succinct thriller, that sets a foundation for the rest of the series.
September 18, 2020
I usually hate series' but I desperately hope there are sequels to this; I can't wait to read what goes on in other national parks. This could be a national park version of the Men In Black.
August 8, 2021
Great Adventure
I was always a fan of the old Monster movies and this book brought back memories. The characters were likable and the story line was well thought out. The action was fast paced and did not disappoint. Adventure, monsters,villains, history, and just plain fun.. Really like this book and read it in one day. Thank you.
I was always a fan of the old Monster movies and this book brought back memories. The characters were likable and the story line was well thought out. The action was fast paced and did not disappoint. Adventure, monsters,villains, history, and just plain fun.. Really like this book and read it in one day. Thank you.
April 9, 2023
Like my Grampa’s great sci-fi reads….
Claws was a total break for me.
I just needed something — different.
You know when suddenly you just have to have that reading “palate cleanser”??
Well, Claws, did the trick.
It reminds me of all the great sci-fi paperbacks that belonged to my Grandfather, back in the late 70’s to early 80’s.
Their covers were MUCH cheesier (sorry, “dramatic”), however. With images (watercolor, drawings, etc…) of beautiful, screaming, well-put together middle class while folks, running from things like ants or alligators bigger than their homes. Or the unlikely clashing of larger-than-could-ever-occur super predators - one each, from land & sea.
And, of course, the aliens.
The only way I think Russell James could have improved this cover is to maybe just push it all the way over the cliff & make it a twin of the infamous, “JAWS.” As it’s so close in resemblance as-is now - you just to want it to close the deal 100% already.
(Only about a 3-5%? difference?? It’s a little maddening lol!)
Especially given that the scene depicted isn’t actually IN this particular book (but no matter - the covers of those old sci-fi’s were pure genius marketing material as well!).
On the other hand, I did find the cover helpful in giving me a real reference point as far as the size the author was aiming for. As I was having a bit of a struggle fitting the story crabs into real world settings. So the cover art did help me with some perception.
Ok!! You are not at all interested in this book just to stare at the cover. Nor discuss the merits of cover art or it’s history! (Or perhaps you are …. ;)
But if you are, indeed, curious if this is a story worth checking out, I’d say to definitely give it a try.
It’s got a good hook to it. It moves along quickly.
The characters are pretty well-formed, & have histories.
The world building is so-so. James has visited the national park site where this tale unfolds, so he can picture it, I’m sure.
It’s just his getting it across to us where I think it could have been a bit better. Crisper.
It is one of those books where… you know as you read along, you often feel as though you are looking through a smeared lens with your mind’s eye? One of those.
Just hard to quite make out the details of the physical world, or of the characters, all of the time. Or good sized chunks of it.
Additionally, some professional editing would be great to help smooth out some rough edges. But I’m super forgiving in this regard. As I’m here for the story. (I have other places where I can yield the power of A Red Pen! It’s nice to just sort of … roll with it .. instead of freak out over every typo or grammar whoops. Life’s short! Lol!)
Life is extremely short for some of the unlucky people in James’ stories it seems! I’ve already started reading the book, Lords of the Deep, & it’s phenomenal.
I didn’t think to check out the publishing dates for each book prior typing up this review. I wish I had.
As in regard to the writing, & Russell James being the author in particular, there is clear & obvious growth - or a difference in a majority of areas - between the two books.
It’s like, at least thus far, the lens is squeaky clean in “Lords...”!
As for Claws… it’s not “absolutely thrilling.” Or engages you in deep philosophical thought. Or is intriguing on any deep political or sociological levels. (But it might make you think a bit about the last two…)
It’s a book you read for the overall pleasure of it.
For the adventure.
For the impossible made possible.
And - for hero’s to be born from regular old people (maybe just like me, or you??)…..
All of that adds up to a darn fine read.
Add in the sea/maritime aspect. A little mystery. Some solid government conspiracies (hmmm… or are they …. Lol! ;). A bit of shoot ‘em up’s.
And what you end up with is a, “definitely worth a shot,” book.
I don’t think you can go wrong crackin’ this one open. ;) ……
Claws was a total break for me.
I just needed something — different.
You know when suddenly you just have to have that reading “palate cleanser”??
Well, Claws, did the trick.
It reminds me of all the great sci-fi paperbacks that belonged to my Grandfather, back in the late 70’s to early 80’s.
Their covers were MUCH cheesier (sorry, “dramatic”), however. With images (watercolor, drawings, etc…) of beautiful, screaming, well-put together middle class while folks, running from things like ants or alligators bigger than their homes. Or the unlikely clashing of larger-than-could-ever-occur super predators - one each, from land & sea.
And, of course, the aliens.
The only way I think Russell James could have improved this cover is to maybe just push it all the way over the cliff & make it a twin of the infamous, “JAWS.” As it’s so close in resemblance as-is now - you just to want it to close the deal 100% already.
(Only about a 3-5%? difference?? It’s a little maddening lol!)
Especially given that the scene depicted isn’t actually IN this particular book (but no matter - the covers of those old sci-fi’s were pure genius marketing material as well!).
On the other hand, I did find the cover helpful in giving me a real reference point as far as the size the author was aiming for. As I was having a bit of a struggle fitting the story crabs into real world settings. So the cover art did help me with some perception.
Ok!! You are not at all interested in this book just to stare at the cover. Nor discuss the merits of cover art or it’s history! (Or perhaps you are …. ;)
But if you are, indeed, curious if this is a story worth checking out, I’d say to definitely give it a try.
It’s got a good hook to it. It moves along quickly.
The characters are pretty well-formed, & have histories.
The world building is so-so. James has visited the national park site where this tale unfolds, so he can picture it, I’m sure.
It’s just his getting it across to us where I think it could have been a bit better. Crisper.
It is one of those books where… you know as you read along, you often feel as though you are looking through a smeared lens with your mind’s eye? One of those.
Just hard to quite make out the details of the physical world, or of the characters, all of the time. Or good sized chunks of it.
Additionally, some professional editing would be great to help smooth out some rough edges. But I’m super forgiving in this regard. As I’m here for the story. (I have other places where I can yield the power of A Red Pen! It’s nice to just sort of … roll with it .. instead of freak out over every typo or grammar whoops. Life’s short! Lol!)
Life is extremely short for some of the unlucky people in James’ stories it seems! I’ve already started reading the book, Lords of the Deep, & it’s phenomenal.
I didn’t think to check out the publishing dates for each book prior typing up this review. I wish I had.
As in regard to the writing, & Russell James being the author in particular, there is clear & obvious growth - or a difference in a majority of areas - between the two books.
It’s like, at least thus far, the lens is squeaky clean in “Lords...”!
As for Claws… it’s not “absolutely thrilling.” Or engages you in deep philosophical thought. Or is intriguing on any deep political or sociological levels. (But it might make you think a bit about the last two…)
It’s a book you read for the overall pleasure of it.
For the adventure.
For the impossible made possible.
And - for hero’s to be born from regular old people (maybe just like me, or you??)…..
All of that adds up to a darn fine read.
Add in the sea/maritime aspect. A little mystery. Some solid government conspiracies (hmmm… or are they …. Lol! ;). A bit of shoot ‘em up’s.
And what you end up with is a, “definitely worth a shot,” book.
I don’t think you can go wrong crackin’ this one open. ;) ……
July 26, 2022
Claws by Russell James: Giant Crab action! 🦀
Claws promises giant crabs, and boy does it deliver giant crabs—by the truckload!
Mr. James knows how to spin a fun tale that zips along like a midnight creature feature. I appreciated the fact that he wasted no time delivering the goods: we immediately dive right into the giant crab action, and it never lets up.
James also weaves in interesting bits of alternate history into this tale of crustacean calamity. Giant crabs as a secret CIA addition to the Bay of Pigs invasion? Oh heck yeah!
Highly recommend this fun b-movie romp for giant monster fans and crab aficionados everywhere!
Claws promises giant crabs, and boy does it deliver giant crabs—by the truckload!
Mr. James knows how to spin a fun tale that zips along like a midnight creature feature. I appreciated the fact that he wasted no time delivering the goods: we immediately dive right into the giant crab action, and it never lets up.
James also weaves in interesting bits of alternate history into this tale of crustacean calamity. Giant crabs as a secret CIA addition to the Bay of Pigs invasion? Oh heck yeah!
Highly recommend this fun b-movie romp for giant monster fans and crab aficionados everywhere!
June 9, 2020
It was a pretty decent read with a great idea but some of the dialogue was absolutely horrible. I actually was hoping Nathan would die early as his comments were simply that bad. “Giant crabs and mercenaries can’t take down this historian!” is one of the cringiest I found. Overall, it was a good idea, just the dialogue sometimes sounded a bit too annoying to be believable that someone would actually say that.
June 29, 2023
This was another fun read. I will be checking out others in the series. Both main characters were likeable to the point where, if one had died, I would have stopped reading the story.
One of my favorite things about this book is that an old man was a hero. In a lot of books I read, the old are usually frail and some of the first to die, so it was refreshing to me. Yes, maybe it is my age.
One of my favorite things about this book is that an old man was a hero. In a lot of books I read, the old are usually frail and some of the first to die, so it was refreshing to me. Yes, maybe it is my age.
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