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Monkey Man
"This is a new punk style novel that any fan of cyberpunk, Neo-noir style punk or any other reader of the overall genre will absolutely fall in love with" Reviewer’s Bookwatch
Alternate history? This ain’t it.
Steam-punk? Wrong again.
This is New-Burn® Coal-punk, set in the present of a slightly altered, not too distant future.
Belay that, call it future-punk and be done with it.
Global warming fixes have overshot their mark and boomeranged the world into global cooling. With global cooling came the flooding of the lower Great Lakes. Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, etcetera—all flooded out. A majority of the refugees have been relocated to The Zone, the formerly named Twin Ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI—now the third largest city in the North American Protectorate, and easily the coldest.
Four people are drawn together in this wintry port city on the far western edge of Lake Superior.
--Delores Manning, a shrewd, New York femme fatale chasing her ex-husband and the money he stole from her.
--Wally Moon, back from his fifth combat tour, on three different continents, in a world perpetually at war.
--Julie Newman, recently a civilian, laying low and wondering if it's paranoia, or is someone really after her.
--Finally, Danny "Java" Vacha (Vuh-SHAY)—who is definitely NOT a private detective. What he is is a combat vet who lives as far off the skyline as possible. However, he has been known to occasionally look into things and, perhaps, to settle the odd score or two for people. And with all the dry-grade digital and wet-grade bio military enhancements he has endured, he can be quite effective at that job.
In Wally Moon's words, "Think of Java as Robin Hood… with a lead-pipe."
Bundle up and enter their bleak world.
And watch your back.
Alternate history? This ain’t it.
Steam-punk? Wrong again.
This is New-Burn® Coal-punk, set in the present of a slightly altered, not too distant future.
Belay that, call it future-punk and be done with it.
Global warming fixes have overshot their mark and boomeranged the world into global cooling. With global cooling came the flooding of the lower Great Lakes. Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, etcetera—all flooded out. A majority of the refugees have been relocated to The Zone, the formerly named Twin Ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI—now the third largest city in the North American Protectorate, and easily the coldest.
Four people are drawn together in this wintry port city on the far western edge of Lake Superior.
--Delores Manning, a shrewd, New York femme fatale chasing her ex-husband and the money he stole from her.
--Wally Moon, back from his fifth combat tour, on three different continents, in a world perpetually at war.
--Julie Newman, recently a civilian, laying low and wondering if it's paranoia, or is someone really after her.
--Finally, Danny "Java" Vacha (Vuh-SHAY)—who is definitely NOT a private detective. What he is is a combat vet who lives as far off the skyline as possible. However, he has been known to occasionally look into things and, perhaps, to settle the odd score or two for people. And with all the dry-grade digital and wet-grade bio military enhancements he has endured, he can be quite effective at that job.
In Wally Moon's words, "Think of Java as Robin Hood… with a lead-pipe."
Bundle up and enter their bleak world.
And watch your back.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2019
3 people want to read
About the author
M.N. SNow
2 books4 followers M. N. SNow's fiction has been published in "Decimos-We Say" and "Oeuvre Magazine." Snow's first novel, "The Helper", was published in 2017. The author was also a contributing writer for "Reader Weekly", in Duluth, MN. SNow’s bio includes years as a public radio host and anchor, primarily in the south Florida market, but also for Wisconsin Public Radio. M. N. is also a published poet, a published cartoonist, and a former Marine Corps NCO. The author's time is divided between Key West and the south Florida mainland, with occasional trips back home to The Zone.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 31, 2019
Written by Rene Mitchell
An invitation into a harsh world…
In the not too distant future, life is a cruel, bitterly cold place where you have to rely on your wits and your connections with the people of your past to get by. The world is in a state of “global cooling”. The Great Lakes have flooded out big cities like Chicago and Detroit and the refugees are eking out a meager existence in a place called The Zone. SNow brings The Zone, with its terrible realities, into sharp focus in this dystopian novel about a group of four unlikely allies who must join together in order to make it.
Without going into too many details, which is difficult since the novel itself is a bit complex, we are introduced to Delores, someone who, being from New York, is completely out of her depth in The Zone. She goes to Danny to help her find her missing husband – a scoundrel who stole from her. Danny is old pals – so to speak – with Wally and Julie, both of whom just came off very difficult tours of duty. Danny, Wally and Julie were in the same orphanage together, and all joined the military when they were kids – something of a norm for orphans from The Zone. When Danny notices new tech tracking devices on Delores, Wally and Julie, the four embark on a mission of sorts to find out who is trying to find them, to find out what they want, and to come out on the other side none the worse for wear.
While I found the concept intriguing and the world building was for the most part skillfully done, I found it difficult to grow attached to the four characters. Granted, if I lived in The Zone, perhaps I would be a hard person as well. So, this was believable, but as a reader I did crave more of a connection. I also found the language surrounding the futuristic technology was a bit complex and difficult to get a grip on for the uninitiated like myself. Sometimes I found myself confused with the descriptions of the military enhancements that some of the characters possessed. I was also turned off by some of the descriptions of war brutalities – I think the author was trying to show the terrible nature of his dystopian world – and perhaps I am too weak-stomached for it.
All in all, I would say that this was an imaginative effort put forward by SNow, but perhaps he could have catered to his readers a bit more. Readers crave connection to the characters, and they want their immersion in the world of their book to be seamless. This book is lacking some of that and could be improved in some ways, but I think it is still worth a look.
An invitation into a harsh world…
In the not too distant future, life is a cruel, bitterly cold place where you have to rely on your wits and your connections with the people of your past to get by. The world is in a state of “global cooling”. The Great Lakes have flooded out big cities like Chicago and Detroit and the refugees are eking out a meager existence in a place called The Zone. SNow brings The Zone, with its terrible realities, into sharp focus in this dystopian novel about a group of four unlikely allies who must join together in order to make it.
Without going into too many details, which is difficult since the novel itself is a bit complex, we are introduced to Delores, someone who, being from New York, is completely out of her depth in The Zone. She goes to Danny to help her find her missing husband – a scoundrel who stole from her. Danny is old pals – so to speak – with Wally and Julie, both of whom just came off very difficult tours of duty. Danny, Wally and Julie were in the same orphanage together, and all joined the military when they were kids – something of a norm for orphans from The Zone. When Danny notices new tech tracking devices on Delores, Wally and Julie, the four embark on a mission of sorts to find out who is trying to find them, to find out what they want, and to come out on the other side none the worse for wear.
While I found the concept intriguing and the world building was for the most part skillfully done, I found it difficult to grow attached to the four characters. Granted, if I lived in The Zone, perhaps I would be a hard person as well. So, this was believable, but as a reader I did crave more of a connection. I also found the language surrounding the futuristic technology was a bit complex and difficult to get a grip on for the uninitiated like myself. Sometimes I found myself confused with the descriptions of the military enhancements that some of the characters possessed. I was also turned off by some of the descriptions of war brutalities – I think the author was trying to show the terrible nature of his dystopian world – and perhaps I am too weak-stomached for it.
All in all, I would say that this was an imaginative effort put forward by SNow, but perhaps he could have catered to his readers a bit more. Readers crave connection to the characters, and they want their immersion in the world of their book to be seamless. This book is lacking some of that and could be improved in some ways, but I think it is still worth a look.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2019
Ready to take a walk on the dark side? Prepared to get some grit in your teeth? Want something several steps off the beaten literary path, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic world that has anti-heroes, few boundaries, military and espionage, as well as a damsel in distress who may not be what she claims?
Boot up, MONKEY MAN is about to launch readers into a dark and gritty world where only the strong survive, because it is all they have ever known…stay alive, trust few and stay on the good side of Java and his crew.
M.N. SNow has a hit here, a fascinating and fresh style that pulls no punches and refuses to polish up the grime in the world he has created. Call it whatever genre you like, I call it amazing reading that had me locked in its grimy little paws from page one!
These characters are almost like lost souls alone, but become a loyal and fierce warrior group together, even if they are pretty unconventional.
You need something taken care of and you are on the side of right, Java is your man, if you can find him, but beware, he has his own demons to control.
Intense, detailed and sometimes far-flung, this twisted plot has more tentacles than an octopus and it never lets up!
I received a complimentary review copy from M.N. SNow!
Publisher: Vanity Pressing Books & Music (June 28, 2019)
Publication Date: June 28, 2019
Genre: Dark Fiction | Future Punk
Print Length: 322 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Boot up, MONKEY MAN is about to launch readers into a dark and gritty world where only the strong survive, because it is all they have ever known…stay alive, trust few and stay on the good side of Java and his crew.
M.N. SNow has a hit here, a fascinating and fresh style that pulls no punches and refuses to polish up the grime in the world he has created. Call it whatever genre you like, I call it amazing reading that had me locked in its grimy little paws from page one!
These characters are almost like lost souls alone, but become a loyal and fierce warrior group together, even if they are pretty unconventional.
You need something taken care of and you are on the side of right, Java is your man, if you can find him, but beware, he has his own demons to control.
Intense, detailed and sometimes far-flung, this twisted plot has more tentacles than an octopus and it never lets up!
I received a complimentary review copy from M.N. SNow!
Publisher: Vanity Pressing Books & Music (June 28, 2019)
Publication Date: June 28, 2019
Genre: Dark Fiction | Future Punk
Print Length: 322 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 26, 2020
Crazy from start to finish!
I haven’t read very many military fiction books before, but I have read a few that have caught my eye. Monkey Man is one of those. Worldbuilding was fantastic, and I felt like elements of the society that have been painted here are actually pretty similar to our own, or the one coming in the foreseeable future, which made the book even more tangible. The characters were deep and real, a few of them easier to connect with than others, and I like that in a story. I like when I’m not able to fully understand every character because that adds a bit of mystery and suspense to the story.
There are plenty of creepy and thrilling moments throughout this story, and once I really got into it, I found it next to impossible to put down. There is a touch of nearly every genre in this story so needless to say, this was probably one of the most unique books I’ve read.
Definitely worth one to check out if you’re looking to read something different.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
July 28, 2019
Today, I’m reviewing Monkey Man, a Cyberpunk style novel set in a gritty American city known only as The Zone.
~Story~
With scientific engineering preventing global warming, global cooling soon takes over. When a blizzard is set to roll into The Zone, a young soon to be divorcee, Dolores shows up looking for help from Danny Java, an ex military agent. Together, Java and his band of misfit ex soldiers attempt to help Dolores recover her stolen credits, but a hidden enemy soon raises their head.
The pursuit of pleasure is a primary focus in the story. Whether through ethanol, various drugs, or sexual relations, pleasure is a core goal of daily life in The Zone. On one side of the city live the rich with their fancy hotels and well to do manners. On the other side, people freeze to death in the snow, having overdosed on a cocktail of chemicals.
~Characters~
The setting almost felt like a character in its own right. The author describes The Zone as a ‘combination of 1940s New York meets 1950s Moscow,’ with a ‘frigid grey climate.’ It doesn’t sound like a great place to be, regardless of your social status.
Besides the gritty setting, there are four main characters I’d like to briefly discuss: Danny ‘Java,’ Wally ‘Mooner,’ Julie, and Dolores. The first three are a team of ex military special agents, trained from childhood by the government at The Androy Orphanage in The Zone.
Java is a tough, no nonsense behemoth of a man. He is instinct driven and struggles to connect with his emotions, but is an incredible force to be reckoned with, often getting into violent fights.
Mooner is a cocky man, often quick with a joke during serious situations. He’s highly flirtatious, a real pleasure seeker if ever there was one. However, he is also loyal to a fault.
Julie is a highly sensual woman that can kick more ass than any female character I’ve come across. She hides her emotions well (much like Java), but also regularly makes use of her secondary talents in order to serve her physical needs.
Dolores Manning is your typical femme fatale type at first glance, ‘used to getting her own way, especially with men.’ Dolores likes to be in control of things, otherwise she loses herself, much like a little girl playing at being an adult.
Of these four main characters, my favourite was Java, for I could never predict his next move, no matter how hard I tried. he was fun to read about, a mysterious character beyond measure.
~Writing~
The author’s style is very matter of fact and at many times, crude. Sex is rife in The Zone and there is no shying away from this in the book.
The story is told in three parts, with the third part finally introducing us to the main antagonists. The perspectives throughout vary between the four main characters previously mentioned. Sometimes, it’s in third person personal and at other times, third person omniscient.
The dialogue is sharp, cutting, and to the point but what I loved most was the range of personalities explored in this book and how each interacted with the others. While some got along well, others were constantly at odds, creating amazing amounts of character driven conflict.
~Any Dislikes?~
Just one. Around the middle of the story, it seemed to drag. Perhaps this was done to give the effect of depression as the blizzard arrives at full force and the team are sleeping through it. However, I wasn’t sure and I did find it difficult to proceed through this section.
~Quotes~
There’s one quote which really stood out to me, as far as our real world goes, and it’s this:
‘We all live in The Zone, but it’s all still pretty tribal- whatever keeps us fighting amongst ourselves, I guess.’
With the amount of political polarization going on in the Western world at the moment, it’s clear that many people are fed up. Tactics used by others to keep people fighting have been used for millennia and they’re not helping us one bit.
This is how a government controls its people, by dividing them, making them think they are choosing their own path when they are really being guided by corrupt individuals with an agenda. People turn against their fellow man because they’re taught you either support one side or the other. If we stopped doing this, I think the entire human race would be much happier.
I would definitely recommend Monkey Man to anyone who enjoys the Cyberpunk genre.
I’m rating Monkey Man 4 stars.
~Story~
With scientific engineering preventing global warming, global cooling soon takes over. When a blizzard is set to roll into The Zone, a young soon to be divorcee, Dolores shows up looking for help from Danny Java, an ex military agent. Together, Java and his band of misfit ex soldiers attempt to help Dolores recover her stolen credits, but a hidden enemy soon raises their head.
The pursuit of pleasure is a primary focus in the story. Whether through ethanol, various drugs, or sexual relations, pleasure is a core goal of daily life in The Zone. On one side of the city live the rich with their fancy hotels and well to do manners. On the other side, people freeze to death in the snow, having overdosed on a cocktail of chemicals.
~Characters~
The setting almost felt like a character in its own right. The author describes The Zone as a ‘combination of 1940s New York meets 1950s Moscow,’ with a ‘frigid grey climate.’ It doesn’t sound like a great place to be, regardless of your social status.
Besides the gritty setting, there are four main characters I’d like to briefly discuss: Danny ‘Java,’ Wally ‘Mooner,’ Julie, and Dolores. The first three are a team of ex military special agents, trained from childhood by the government at The Androy Orphanage in The Zone.
Java is a tough, no nonsense behemoth of a man. He is instinct driven and struggles to connect with his emotions, but is an incredible force to be reckoned with, often getting into violent fights.
Mooner is a cocky man, often quick with a joke during serious situations. He’s highly flirtatious, a real pleasure seeker if ever there was one. However, he is also loyal to a fault.
Julie is a highly sensual woman that can kick more ass than any female character I’ve come across. She hides her emotions well (much like Java), but also regularly makes use of her secondary talents in order to serve her physical needs.
Dolores Manning is your typical femme fatale type at first glance, ‘used to getting her own way, especially with men.’ Dolores likes to be in control of things, otherwise she loses herself, much like a little girl playing at being an adult.
Of these four main characters, my favourite was Java, for I could never predict his next move, no matter how hard I tried. he was fun to read about, a mysterious character beyond measure.
~Writing~
The author’s style is very matter of fact and at many times, crude. Sex is rife in The Zone and there is no shying away from this in the book.
The story is told in three parts, with the third part finally introducing us to the main antagonists. The perspectives throughout vary between the four main characters previously mentioned. Sometimes, it’s in third person personal and at other times, third person omniscient.
The dialogue is sharp, cutting, and to the point but what I loved most was the range of personalities explored in this book and how each interacted with the others. While some got along well, others were constantly at odds, creating amazing amounts of character driven conflict.
~Any Dislikes?~
Just one. Around the middle of the story, it seemed to drag. Perhaps this was done to give the effect of depression as the blizzard arrives at full force and the team are sleeping through it. However, I wasn’t sure and I did find it difficult to proceed through this section.
~Quotes~
There’s one quote which really stood out to me, as far as our real world goes, and it’s this:
‘We all live in The Zone, but it’s all still pretty tribal- whatever keeps us fighting amongst ourselves, I guess.’
With the amount of political polarization going on in the Western world at the moment, it’s clear that many people are fed up. Tactics used by others to keep people fighting have been used for millennia and they’re not helping us one bit.
This is how a government controls its people, by dividing them, making them think they are choosing their own path when they are really being guided by corrupt individuals with an agenda. People turn against their fellow man because they’re taught you either support one side or the other. If we stopped doing this, I think the entire human race would be much happier.
I would definitely recommend Monkey Man to anyone who enjoys the Cyberpunk genre.
I’m rating Monkey Man 4 stars.
July 6, 2019
The Review
What really stands out about this novel above all else is the effortless way the author blends so many different genres into one narrative. One moment readers are in a future punk style setting filled with people who have been physically and mentally altered or enhanced, and then in the next readers are exploring a noir style mystery with a futuristic military and espionage thriller bend. Yet the narrative never feel confusing or overstocked, instead bringing a new natural mixture of genres that really works in the reader’s benefit.
The characters themselves are also a huge draw. In this futuristic, cataclysmically different world the author has created, the characters feel both cinematic and relatable all at once. The core connection these characters share speaks of a story of makeshift families, struggles with the vices of our world and the horrors of war on the human psyche. These deep, emotional and wonderfully told elements of the characters only serve to better enhance the narrative set in this action-packed punk world.
The Verdict
This is a new punk style novel that any fan of cyberpunk, Neo-noir style punk or any other reader of the overall genre will absolutely fall in love with. It’s an evenly paced read filled with twists and turns, and creates a detailed image of the scenes playing out in the reader’s minds. From mind control and sexually driven body modifications to military black ops and the bonds of a self-made family, this adult noir-punk style novel is beautifully written and a must read book in 2019. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of M.N. Snow’s “Monkey Man” today!
What really stands out about this novel above all else is the effortless way the author blends so many different genres into one narrative. One moment readers are in a future punk style setting filled with people who have been physically and mentally altered or enhanced, and then in the next readers are exploring a noir style mystery with a futuristic military and espionage thriller bend. Yet the narrative never feel confusing or overstocked, instead bringing a new natural mixture of genres that really works in the reader’s benefit.
The characters themselves are also a huge draw. In this futuristic, cataclysmically different world the author has created, the characters feel both cinematic and relatable all at once. The core connection these characters share speaks of a story of makeshift families, struggles with the vices of our world and the horrors of war on the human psyche. These deep, emotional and wonderfully told elements of the characters only serve to better enhance the narrative set in this action-packed punk world.
The Verdict
This is a new punk style novel that any fan of cyberpunk, Neo-noir style punk or any other reader of the overall genre will absolutely fall in love with. It’s an evenly paced read filled with twists and turns, and creates a detailed image of the scenes playing out in the reader’s minds. From mind control and sexually driven body modifications to military black ops and the bonds of a self-made family, this adult noir-punk style novel is beautifully written and a must read book in 2019. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of M.N. Snow’s “Monkey Man” today!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews