The Queen's Road

by R.S. Belcher

Audio Length: 10 hours 20 minutes

Ramon “Ray” Cosa’s life is not what he expected it to be. Living in a small Texas town ravaged by Hurricane Harvey, Ray has suffered many losses in his young life, and he has little hope left that anything will ever change or get better.

That is, until the vintage Ford Galaxie and its strange, dying owner enters Ray’s life. Given a jeweled ring he cannot remove and a desperate mission, Ray is plunged into a universe of secrets, wonders, and terrors he never dreamed exists.

Now, he travels the Queen's Road - a hyper-space highway that connects all the planets and galaxies in creation - in search of one man, one of the Queen of the Universe's Rangers. That journey will put Ray on the front lines of an eons-old cosmic war between the primal forces of order and chaos.

And probably make him late for his next shift at the Chug-n-Lug.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

Audible Audio

Published December 19, 2019

About the author

R.S. (Rod) Belcher is an award-winning newspaper and magazine editor and reporter.  
Rod has been a private investigator, a DJ, a comic book store owner and has degrees in criminal law, psychology and justice and risk administration, from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He's done Masters work in Forensic Science at The George Washington University, and worked  with the Occult Crime Taskforce for the Virginia General Assembly.
He lives in Roanoke Virginia with his children: Jonathan and Emily .

Reviews

[Mogsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/01/05/...

I loved this so much! I’m a big fan of R.S. Belcher, and when I saw that the was releasing an Audible Original called The Queen’s Road, my first thought based on the title was that it might be part of The Brotherhood of the Wheel series. After reading the synopsis though, I wasn’t so sure. While it’s still possible that the book takes place in the same universe (like how the Nightwise series is related), this appears to be a completely brand-new story, introducing a whole new world and a fresh cast of characters.

At the center of it all is Ramon “Ray” Cosa, a young man who has been down on his luck lately but is still trying his best to keep his life running. Almost everyone he loves is dead and gone—including his father, brother, girlfriend—until all that’s let of Ray’s family is his mother Juanita. But even she’s not altogether there now most of the time, having turned to drugs and alcohol to deal with the grief from all her losses. But despite all that, Ray loves his mom dearly, and unfortunately, his enemies know it too. Now Ray must find a way to pay back the money he owes to some very dangerous people, or they will make good on their threat to kill Juanita.

So when a dying stranger comes out of nowhere one night, bequeathing to Ray his vintage Ford Galaxie and a mysterious jeweled ring, our baffled protagonist couldn’t believe his luck. His mom would be saved, and he even has a sweet ride now to make some money street racing. But of course, as Ray will soon find out, some gifts come with strings attached—forever, in this case. It turns out that the dying man was one of the Queen of the Universe’s Rangers, a guardian who travels the network of hyper-space highways that connect all the planets and galaxies in creation, protecting its laws and its people. They are identified by the rings they wear, the very same one given to Ray which will now stay on his finger until the day he dies. Like it or not, Ray is a Ranger now, and he’s got a lot to learn.

The Queen’s Road is probably the most light-hearted of everything I’ve read by the author so far (but it’s still full of grit), and it is also the most bizarre and imaginative. And yet, most of the book’s setting is surprisingly grounded, and here Belcher is once again doing what he does best, creating a realistic urban backdrop which belies an amazing world of magic and wonder that Ray discovers once he meets Chain, an experienced Ranger who ends up being the young man’s mentor. Like portal fantasy, the Queen’s Road is a system that opens doors to infinite possibilities, and the places that Ray visits, the strange and alien beings he meets and their colorful traditions he encounters are as rich as any of those you would find in a sci-fi space opera.

The book also features a lively cast of characters. A war veteran pawn shop owner who knows more about the Rangers than he lets on. Gang members who turn out to be unexpected allies. A so-called savior who sounds more like they could be a super-villain. Inter-galactic rock stars and ambassadors. You just never know who will turn up next. In the middle of it all, Ray is a protagonist you can really root for. He’s not perfect, and at times his dumb decisions and naivete really grated on my nerves, but at least there’s no that question his heart is in the right place. Even after everything he’s lost, he’s still a fighter, maintaining a hopeful attitude and positive outlook on life. He’s very likeable and that optimism managed to win me over quickly.

And the story, oh the story. This really is a perfect one for audio. The pacing is snappy, and even with the third-person omniscient point-of-view and the occasional random switches in perspective, there was no problem with following along, thanks to the superb narration by Kaleo Griffith. His accents and voices for the characters were all spot on, and there was never any confusion of whose heads we were in. This book had everything from humor and action, and even a plot arc involving a heist where our characters had to jump through a lot of hoops (including buying a few crazy services from some interesting people) in order to break an important colleague out of prison. That was probably the most entertaining part of the book, and also my favorite, even more so than the action-packed conclusion where all our heroes come together to save the universe.

But don’t just take my word for it. Listen to The Queen’s Road and discover its awesomeness for yourself. I had a blast with this one, and I hope R.S. Belcher will continue to expand this world with more stories because clearly the potential is there.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad Book. It never drew me in as I hoped it would. I've read other books based on this same 'type" of idea (a road or route through time, or space or both). And while this one tells a serviceable story (sort of workman like writing I thought) it didn't appeal to me as much as some others I've read.

It is good enough however that I'd say try it for yourself it could be just that it doesn't appeal yo me anf others will like it more.

[Soo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini-Review:

4 Stars for Narration by Kaleo Griffith
5 Stars for Characters
4 Stars for Overall Plot
- 1 Star for Length (I wanted more!)

Belcher has a way of creating imperfect characters that really grow on you and get their hooks deep into your imagination. Gotta love it!

I had zero info on what this book would be about but I knew I would snag it as soon as it was released. I am a few days late because I forgot to save a reminder for it. I was hoping it was another book for Brotherhood of the Wheel. It's not.

Great action story about saving Earth. That's all I am saying about the story. It was fun and I wanted more when it ended.

- Great Characters
- Lots of Action
- Humor
- Dribbles of History (Setting/Characters to make you want more.)

It is not Men In Black but you will get the reference. Pretty sure the story takes place in the same world setting as Brotherhood of the Wheel.

[Bradley Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big RS Belcher fan. I sorta got in on the ground floor, I feel like, because I found Nightwise just as it hit on Audible. Brotherhood of the Wheel came along maybe a year later? It just confirmed all the excitement I felt over Belcher in the first place. These years later, a new RS Belcher book is somewhat of an event for me, as it was for The Queen's Road.

So why did I give it just three stars? First of all, in my mind 3 stars out of 5 IS good. I see 3 stars as, yeah, it's good and I got something from it. But it's without a lot of excitement. World is not shook. Maybe there's a bit of a shrug after saying I dug it. (2 stars for me is usually a less complicated pan...thankfully I haven't encountered many books that deserved a 1 star rating.)

Ultimately a 3 star rating from me says, "On to the next one!"

That's what I'm saying for The Queen's Road.

Don't take that as discouragement if you're deciding if you want to read it. If you're new to Belcher, I'd want to steer you toward Nightwise or Brotherhood of the Wheel. Maybe even Golgotha 1. Queen's Road has a different feel than these other novels to the point where I wonder of it even takes place in Belcher's established "universe." Because it's difficult to imagine these gangs battling who they battle (avoiding spoilers, but there ARE spoilers, just to warn you) without Ballard or the Brotherhood getting involved, particularly with the roads seeming like it should connect. I'm sure we'll get a hint of an explanation at least in whatever Belcher does next in his other books...

(Hmm. It never occurred to me before to wonder if the Golgotha series is the same universe as the others.)

I think it's fair to recognize Queen's Road as being a fairly more commercial book than probably any of Belcher's other offerings. To me, it feels like Belcher is taking a stab at the YA market with this one. No, there aren't any supernaturally capable children in this book like it seems in most YA. The age of the lead DOES feel younger, like maybe two or so years out of high school. The story definitely takes place in that awkward time after school when you try to decide what you want and then maybe get real about what you're capable of in life. You know what you DON'T want, which typically is what you already have or what you could readily accept.

But I don't want to talk about the story too much or the characters. Everything is basically a spoiler.

The best part of the book is the first quarter. It's easy to see it as a peak TV series with that part being a wild and compelling pilot episode. In fact, I'm 100% certain that will happen sometime in the next five years or sooner. That's part of the feel this book has to me.

Another reviewer offered that the writing feels "workman like." I don't know about that, but the comment does tell me that others are getting what I sensed, too. This book was done FAST. RS published a novelization of the last Men In Black movie last summer. Frankly, I would say THAT book is probably the most influential on Queen's Road tone and feel. The problem, at least for me, is Belcher is so much better of a world builder than the work he puts before us here. *SPOILER* There are parts of the story that end up in space. But it never feels alien to me, even these incredible space creatures, because it's invariably described as analog to very familiar things in American culture and life. So for example (examples NOT actually in the book) this thing is is like the McDonald's of SPACE. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Any writer would have to do a measure of that to keep the reader from getting lost in the details and alienness of everything. It was just done so often that I wondered why the story takes place in space at all? Because Belcher's space feels a lot of earth - but IN SPACE! (Forgive me for having a little fun, haha...in SPACE!).

So I got the feeling that maybe Queen's Road isn't necessarily for the Belcher faithful, like me. Maybe it's for the younger people who were drawn to the Men In Black novelization RS did, and a slightly YA's space fantasy along the lines of Men In Black is just his way of tricking these impressionable youngsters into walking straight into the buzzsaw that is Laytham Ballard and the Black Eye'd brats screaming "the Wheel turns, brother!" and the certain madness of Belcher's epically weird westerns.

Whatever the case, I'm still looking forward to whatever comes of Ray Cosa, be it movies, TV or just more adventures. I suspect it'll not happen, like I said, this novel doesn't particularly feel like it takes part in the universe RS has already established in his other novels. But who know? Maybe after all those myths, spirits and demons it was time to think about *whistles and points heavenward* little green men.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-imagined worlds and interesting characters/descriptions including a being that looks like a silver waterfall. Set up for a sequel and I’d definitely read it.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

High literature, it is not, but that’s more than fine by me. It’s well written and has an abundance of endearing characters. It’s also the closest to Robert Heinlein’ Glory Road of any book I’ve read since…well, since Glory Road, one of my all time favorite “pulp” Sci fi books.

My biggest complaint — my only complaint, really — is that it is the sort of book that SCREAMS for tons of sequels. Many of the characters are well drawn, and those that are under drawn are only in that statE because there wasn’t room for more development in this book alone. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why there isn’t at least one more in the works. Clearly Belcher has lots and lots of stories in him, so I’m hoping a sequel (or three) is just waiting for its turn in line.

It’s not the sort of book that will change your life, but that’s not its purpose. It’s “just” a fun and easy read, which is a treasure from my perspective.

It sits in that ill-defined genre between a tale from the road, a space opera, a quasi-urban fantasy novel that blends “soft-science” fiction with the suggestion of magic, and a low-volume heroic coming of age tale (though not a “YA” thing at all).

If anyone out there has a connection to R.S. Belcher, PLEASE, encourage him to write a sequel…and soon?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Belcher has a way with road stories involving the supernatural. I have enjoyed the Brotherhood of the Road series and, while this is not part of that series, it is a fun and enjoyable book.

Ray Cosa is a normal guy with big problems. He has recently lost both his brother, his father, and his girlfriend. His job at a convenience store does not come close to covering the debts his mother has racked up to her drug dealer. When he sees a cherry Ford Galaxie sitting in a parking lot, he is just desperate enough to boost the ride.

Unfortunately, the car's owner is inside. Even worse, he is dying. Worse still, his killers are plant-like beings from another dimension who are determined to take over the Earth and then the rest of the Universe. Ray is drawn into the inter-dimensional conflict. He unwittingly becomes one of the Queen (of the Universe)'s Rangers. With the help of other Rangers including a gambler, a con-man, an entropy viewing thief, and and assassin as well as a knight and a non-corporeal being, and the very drug dealer his mother is indebted to, he must ride the Queen's Road, the cross-dimensional freeway, to stop the alien menace.

[CEGatling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I've put Belcher in a "most have cars" box but I really enjoyed this book which is my second attempt at a new title of his this. year. I was a little wary after attempting Brotherhood of the Wheel books which I really enjoyed. It retained the essence of a squire becoming a knight and learning to face big weird odds in the name of protecting home.

The narrator was not Bronson Pinchot so I was wary but Kaleo Griffith pulled it off. I enjoyed each of his characterizations.

Story 4.5 stars
Narrator 4 stars

Total 4.25 stars

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review here:

https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...

Needless to say, it's a really enjoyable read, and everyone should read more of Belcher's work, even if this one feels a bit like Hal Jordan fighting Audrey II to defend the Frontier from the Ko-Dan Armada

[J. Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really not surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I have yet to be disappointed with anything that R.S. Belcher has written. This story was well thought out & gelled well with how all the characters interacted. I hope there will be a continuation to see Ray, Chain & the rest.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story. Lacks the depth I usually prefer, but overall it’s the equivalent of a decent movie you’d watch on cable while flipping through the channels.

[RICHARD DELIBERTY]

Some kind of fantasy thing that I just lost interest in.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with a working class hero who is a minority. I can't argue with that.

[Dale Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men in Black meets Repo Man.

One of the most unique & interesting concepts I’ve read in a long time. RS Belcher is a new favorite author.

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

review here

[Timelord Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll listen to anything RS Belcher writes... as long as the only audio option isn't Graphics Audio... also, I want everything he writes to become a series... he seems to be fashioning his own genre of highway fantasy...

[L.R. Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the fresh take on travel between worlds. The aliens are well thought out and diverse. Above all the story was captivating and fun.