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Bad Times #1
Cannibal Gold
Four men.Four Days.For the fight of their lives.
It was just a walk in the desert to a place 100,000 years in the past.
They thought they knew what to expect but they were wrong.
Now a team of scientists is trapped in a world they were not prepared for and can never return from.
Their only hope lies in a quartet of former US Army Rangers willing to travel to prehistoric Nevada and face unknown horrors and impossible odds to bring them home from Bad Times.
New York Times bestselling author Chuck Dixon presents the first in a new original science fiction series featuring the kind of action, breakneck pacing and suspense that millions of readers around the world have come to expect.
Following up on his Kindle sensation series of SEAL Team 6 books, Chuck creates a new cast of characters and a new universe of adventure starting here with Cannibal Gold.“Chuck is a damn good writer who is really good at hooking you, giving you fun characters, and telling you one hell of an adventure story.” Larry Correia, Monster Hunters International, the Grimoir Chronicles“Chuck Dixon’s prose is a perfect weld of muscular writing with razor edge wit and storytelling.”Beau Smith, creator of Wynona Earp“Chuck Dixon is a writer who brings his A Game to the table all the time.”David Finn, author of the Asanti series
Cannibal Gold was previously published as part of One Helluva Bad Time
It was just a walk in the desert to a place 100,000 years in the past.
They thought they knew what to expect but they were wrong.
Now a team of scientists is trapped in a world they were not prepared for and can never return from.
Their only hope lies in a quartet of former US Army Rangers willing to travel to prehistoric Nevada and face unknown horrors and impossible odds to bring them home from Bad Times.
New York Times bestselling author Chuck Dixon presents the first in a new original science fiction series featuring the kind of action, breakneck pacing and suspense that millions of readers around the world have come to expect.
Following up on his Kindle sensation series of SEAL Team 6 books, Chuck creates a new cast of characters and a new universe of adventure starting here with Cannibal Gold.“Chuck is a damn good writer who is really good at hooking you, giving you fun characters, and telling you one hell of an adventure story.” Larry Correia, Monster Hunters International, the Grimoir Chronicles“Chuck Dixon’s prose is a perfect weld of muscular writing with razor edge wit and storytelling.”Beau Smith, creator of Wynona Earp“Chuck Dixon is a writer who brings his A Game to the table all the time.”David Finn, author of the Asanti series
Cannibal Gold was previously published as part of One Helluva Bad Time
Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2013
121 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,426 books1,029 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 28, 2014
So here's the thing… It's a lot of Cussler, the Lost World, and a little Richard Marcinko. That last conparison is why I'm not 100% over the moon for this book. I want a hero I can cheer for, that I can really root for, and LIKE. This book doesn't give you that. In fact, there's no character in it I could really engage with. The victim that is being rescued is plucky, sure, and the main viewpoint Ranger is not all bad, but there was a disconnect. I wasn't looking for a romance, and I did enjoy the rough cameraderie between the men, but… Something was lacking.
This is an action time-travel novel, not a character development story. Once I came to grips with that, it's a fun romp. I like that it's open for a sequel, which I bought, and I will enjoy that one, as well, although I am hoping for more depth of character in it. Fun, improbable, adventures…
This is an action time-travel novel, not a character development story. Once I came to grips with that, it's a fun romp. I like that it's open for a sequel, which I bought, and I will enjoy that one, as well, although I am hoping for more depth of character in it. Fun, improbable, adventures…
February 26, 2019
If you want action, then this book has it in spades. I enjoyed it for the most part and it was a quick and easy read. It's a fairly short novel. My main problem was that it was all action and absolutely no character development, and really had very little in the way of setting.
The basic premise is that some scientists use a time machine to go back 100,000 years in the area that is modern day Nevada, and they disappear. Some retired army rangers go in to get them out and stumble upon an unexpected horde of hominids, not quite human but pretty close. I bought this book because that time range would have an amazing range of incredible animals often referred to as the megafauna--giant sloths, various huge bears, sabertooth cats, mastodons, and more. We are treated to very brief mentions of some of these creatures but they play no role in the story.
I was hoping for a little bit of a "Land that Time Forgot" vibe but the focus is all on the conflict between the rangers and the hominids. And that conflict is simply "slaughter the primitives with advanced weaponry while they charge insanely into the barrels of the guns." It felt very much to me like a first person shooter video game, which can be entertaining if you're playing it but doesn't seem so much fun to watch. I also found it somewhat hard to believe that primitives would behave in this fashion. Of course, we have no idea how they might have behaved in reality and these aren't actual known primitive hominids anyway. But I would have liked to see a bit more subtlety in their methods.
There are at least two more books in this series, and part of this book certainly felt like a setup for those books. I probably won't be reading the others myself, but I can see that some folks might like them so you have to make your own decision as to whether to read them or not. The writing is perfectly adequate to the task and pretty good in general; it's more the story that didn't quite work for me. But reactions vary, certainly.
The basic premise is that some scientists use a time machine to go back 100,000 years in the area that is modern day Nevada, and they disappear. Some retired army rangers go in to get them out and stumble upon an unexpected horde of hominids, not quite human but pretty close. I bought this book because that time range would have an amazing range of incredible animals often referred to as the megafauna--giant sloths, various huge bears, sabertooth cats, mastodons, and more. We are treated to very brief mentions of some of these creatures but they play no role in the story.
I was hoping for a little bit of a "Land that Time Forgot" vibe but the focus is all on the conflict between the rangers and the hominids. And that conflict is simply "slaughter the primitives with advanced weaponry while they charge insanely into the barrels of the guns." It felt very much to me like a first person shooter video game, which can be entertaining if you're playing it but doesn't seem so much fun to watch. I also found it somewhat hard to believe that primitives would behave in this fashion. Of course, we have no idea how they might have behaved in reality and these aren't actual known primitive hominids anyway. But I would have liked to see a bit more subtlety in their methods.
There are at least two more books in this series, and part of this book certainly felt like a setup for those books. I probably won't be reading the others myself, but I can see that some folks might like them so you have to make your own decision as to whether to read them or not. The writing is perfectly adequate to the task and pretty good in general; it's more the story that didn't quite work for me. But reactions vary, certainly.
February 11, 2015
I was not knowingly aware of Chuck Dixon until he began writing G.I. Joe comics. Prior to that, I had read some of his Batman stuff (the “Knightfall” storyline) but didn’t pay attention to the author at the time. Since then I’ve become a fan, and was interested when he talked about his book, “Cannibal Gold” on Facebook. It sat in my library for a while, but I decided to read it after finishing up “The Stranger” by Larry Hama (also a comics writer).
SUMMARY
Dwayne Roenbach is a former Army Ranger who has recently been fired from a comfortable bodyguard position. He is approached by Morris Tauber, a young engineer who wants to assemble a team to rescue his sister. The catch is that she is a brilliant scientist who invented a time machine and is now stranded in Nevada around the year 100,000 BC.
Dwayne puts together a crew that includes Chaz, Jimbo, and Renzi (each struggling through miserable post-military lives). Together they use the machine to travel back in time and find that Dr. Tauber is being held captive by a society of savage pre-human cannibals. Dwayne has to formulate a plan to rescue the hostage and escape while working around the rules and schedule of a time machine that can only be operated at specific times.
OVERALL: 2.4 out of 5
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations except that I like Chuck Dixon’s writing in comics. Now that I’ve finished the book, I feel underwhelmed. It’s mostly action (particularly the latter half of the book), and there wasn’t enough development beforehand to make me interested in the welfare of the characters.
There could have been a stronger emphasis on the adventure aspects of the story. The title is referenced near the end of the book, though it’s such a passing thing that I had to stop to remember it. A stronger “King Solomon’s Mines” vibe would have worked in a story with a title like “Cannibal Gold”.
There are two more books in the “Bad Times” series, and this first book works hard to set up the first one, but I will need some time before I dig in. I like action, but I don’t like nonstop action in lieu of stronger story. I would like to read more of Chuck Dixon’s work, but there was enough here to fill my “military reading reservoir” for a couple months.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 2 out of 5
I initially liked the tough ex-soldiers presented in the first few chapters, though Dwayne’s assembly of the team did feel uncomfortable like the first few minutes of “MacGruber” (I didn’t like the film so I turned it off, but I thought the initial few minutes, up until the blowing up of the team, was hilarious) or a 1980s action cartoon.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot to go with here. Characters are mostly developed through dialogue, and this works pretty good, but there isn’t enough time or the appropriate circumstances to grow attached to any of the characters here. I cared about them when they’re initially in danger, but by the end of the book I had stopped caring; I assumed that one or two would die and the rest would survive.
PACE: 3 out of 5
I think the pace in this book is served by how short it is. I feared at first that the scenes involving Morris Tauber in the “Now” would be a drag, but they were actually interesting (and a welcome break from the mostly nonstop action in the “prehistory” scenes).
Though I normally welcome short, concise novels, I think this one could have benefitted from more length.
STORY: 2 out of 5
Now that I’ve finished this book, I feel like there are a lot of missed opportunities.
When you trim off some of the most important factors of the story (characters, environment descriptions, etc.), what you have here is a “last stand” where one side has overwhelming technology and firepower, but is short on numbers. Because the characters and other facets of tension aren’t developed as much, this last stand did not mean as much to me. It’s a fun little adventure, but it does not (in this book, at least) branch out into unexpected territory.
DIALOGUE: 3 out of 5
The dialogue in this book is mostly good stuff, particularly the interaction between the four (and later five) former Rangers. There might be some cliché in there, but it’s enough to differentiate them as human beings. There’s also some good humor initially, which is essential in a story like this.
I also liked the scenes with a pair of gay Iranian nuclear physicists. They aren’t very central to the story, but there is something admirable in their attitudes, friendliness, and willingness to help amongst a cast of hardened ex-soldiers.
The dialogue carries a big load, in that most of the characters are defined by their words (otherwise they’re all brave combat soldiers).
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 2 out of 5
Most of this book is clear and easy to understand, but there are some technical slips that bothered me. There was one point where it felt like an important paragraph had been cut out, a part where a main character is referred to by name (even though the viewpoint is provided by someone who doesn’t know his name yet), and some confusion in attributions. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it felt like poor editing.
SUMMARY
Dwayne Roenbach is a former Army Ranger who has recently been fired from a comfortable bodyguard position. He is approached by Morris Tauber, a young engineer who wants to assemble a team to rescue his sister. The catch is that she is a brilliant scientist who invented a time machine and is now stranded in Nevada around the year 100,000 BC.
Dwayne puts together a crew that includes Chaz, Jimbo, and Renzi (each struggling through miserable post-military lives). Together they use the machine to travel back in time and find that Dr. Tauber is being held captive by a society of savage pre-human cannibals. Dwayne has to formulate a plan to rescue the hostage and escape while working around the rules and schedule of a time machine that can only be operated at specific times.
OVERALL: 2.4 out of 5
I didn’t go into this book with any expectations except that I like Chuck Dixon’s writing in comics. Now that I’ve finished the book, I feel underwhelmed. It’s mostly action (particularly the latter half of the book), and there wasn’t enough development beforehand to make me interested in the welfare of the characters.
There could have been a stronger emphasis on the adventure aspects of the story. The title is referenced near the end of the book, though it’s such a passing thing that I had to stop to remember it. A stronger “King Solomon’s Mines” vibe would have worked in a story with a title like “Cannibal Gold”.
There are two more books in the “Bad Times” series, and this first book works hard to set up the first one, but I will need some time before I dig in. I like action, but I don’t like nonstop action in lieu of stronger story. I would like to read more of Chuck Dixon’s work, but there was enough here to fill my “military reading reservoir” for a couple months.
RATINGS BY CATEGORY
CHARACTERS: 2 out of 5
I initially liked the tough ex-soldiers presented in the first few chapters, though Dwayne’s assembly of the team did feel uncomfortable like the first few minutes of “MacGruber” (I didn’t like the film so I turned it off, but I thought the initial few minutes, up until the blowing up of the team, was hilarious) or a 1980s action cartoon.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot to go with here. Characters are mostly developed through dialogue, and this works pretty good, but there isn’t enough time or the appropriate circumstances to grow attached to any of the characters here. I cared about them when they’re initially in danger, but by the end of the book I had stopped caring; I assumed that one or two would die and the rest would survive.
PACE: 3 out of 5
I think the pace in this book is served by how short it is. I feared at first that the scenes involving Morris Tauber in the “Now” would be a drag, but they were actually interesting (and a welcome break from the mostly nonstop action in the “prehistory” scenes).
Though I normally welcome short, concise novels, I think this one could have benefitted from more length.
STORY: 2 out of 5
Now that I’ve finished this book, I feel like there are a lot of missed opportunities.
When you trim off some of the most important factors of the story (characters, environment descriptions, etc.), what you have here is a “last stand” where one side has overwhelming technology and firepower, but is short on numbers. Because the characters and other facets of tension aren’t developed as much, this last stand did not mean as much to me. It’s a fun little adventure, but it does not (in this book, at least) branch out into unexpected territory.
DIALOGUE: 3 out of 5
The dialogue in this book is mostly good stuff, particularly the interaction between the four (and later five) former Rangers. There might be some cliché in there, but it’s enough to differentiate them as human beings. There’s also some good humor initially, which is essential in a story like this.
I also liked the scenes with a pair of gay Iranian nuclear physicists. They aren’t very central to the story, but there is something admirable in their attitudes, friendliness, and willingness to help amongst a cast of hardened ex-soldiers.
The dialogue carries a big load, in that most of the characters are defined by their words (otherwise they’re all brave combat soldiers).
STYLE/TECHNICAL: 2 out of 5
Most of this book is clear and easy to understand, but there are some technical slips that bothered me. There was one point where it felt like an important paragraph had been cut out, a part where a main character is referred to by name (even though the viewpoint is provided by someone who doesn’t know his name yet), and some confusion in attributions. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it felt like poor editing.
October 19, 2014
Don't let the 3 star review fool you, I enjoyed this story very much and will be reading more adventures with this time traveling squad. An exciting gun toting chase back in time, as a small squad of soldiers are on the run from THOUSANDS of killer natives. I read this as part of the Kindle Unlimited program, and Book 3 in this series is in the KU program as well, but not Book 2 ($4.99). Not much plot development, but tons of blazing action. A fun 3 star thriller.
February 28, 2014
Black Hawk Down meets Land of the Lost
A great and thoroughly enjoyable experience of 4 Rangers sent back through time on a seemingly impossible rescue mission. Take a page from Michael Crichton, add a little Tom Clancy, and a dash of the Flintstones, and you get this. Already purchased the second book and starting it now...
A great and thoroughly enjoyable experience of 4 Rangers sent back through time on a seemingly impossible rescue mission. Take a page from Michael Crichton, add a little Tom Clancy, and a dash of the Flintstones, and you get this. Already purchased the second book and starting it now...
March 24, 2014
Now THAT'S how to do an ongoing action-adventure series. And with time travel, too!
September 18, 2019
Rollicking good read!
One of the best "action" stories I've read. The characters are well fleshed. The military slang adds flavour without being detracting or tedious. I wish that more details could have been shown regarding the "skinies". They are portrayed as man-eating monsters, too stupid to be afraid of modern weapons. Modern cannibals seldom eat their brothers or cousins as depicted here. I suspect any proto-humans would be the same. The idea that these primitive people would build a permanent village of logs housing hundreds of people seems unlikely. Throughout the hundreds of thousands of human existence, probably 90% of it has been as hunter/gatherers, in small family groups. You only get large numbers of people in fixed dwellings after the advent of agriculture. If course all those limitations would have made for a less exciting story!
One of the best "action" stories I've read. The characters are well fleshed. The military slang adds flavour without being detracting or tedious. I wish that more details could have been shown regarding the "skinies". They are portrayed as man-eating monsters, too stupid to be afraid of modern weapons. Modern cannibals seldom eat their brothers or cousins as depicted here. I suspect any proto-humans would be the same. The idea that these primitive people would build a permanent village of logs housing hundreds of people seems unlikely. Throughout the hundreds of thousands of human existence, probably 90% of it has been as hunter/gatherers, in small family groups. You only get large numbers of people in fixed dwellings after the advent of agriculture. If course all those limitations would have made for a less exciting story!
October 1, 2017
Ex-Army Ranger Dwayne Roenbach gets fired from his bodyguarding position for breaking the arm of his client after he punches a cocktail waitress in Vegas. But he's soon approached with a new job, one requiring his training and skills to rescue a group of people... and he won't even have to leave the USA! There's just one twist...
it requires him to leave the present day.
This was an enjoyable read, a quick read as well that was well presented and visually effective as one would expect from one of the most prolific writers alive. Dixon's prose feels a bit like Elmore Leonard with a greater focus on events and surroundings than characters, and the situations while at one level fantastical never feel implausible.
it requires him to leave the present day.
This was an enjoyable read, a quick read as well that was well presented and visually effective as one would expect from one of the most prolific writers alive. Dixon's prose feels a bit like Elmore Leonard with a greater focus on events and surroundings than characters, and the situations while at one level fantastical never feel implausible.
September 6, 2019
Chuck Dixon in my opinion is highly underrated. He’s got a great style in his storytelling and takes the time to understand his subject. Everything I’ve read of his has been outstanding so I was very excited to find out about this series. It’s got military fiction and time travel! The characters are great and the action and drama is top notch. I also love the fact that it’s a short book. The amount of story he packs in a 250 pg book is amazing. I’ve already bought the rest of the books in the series and plan to dive into them.
May 30, 2017
I loved this book
This book was great!! It was a perfect mix of military action and SF. I loved the characters, the writing was great and the action was frenetic and exciting. The story didn't get bogged down in the science behind how everything worked, giving just enough info for me to believe the mcguffin works. The military aspect didn't get bogged down in the gun porn, which I find boring after a while. I really liked this story and can't wait to read the next one.
This book was great!! It was a perfect mix of military action and SF. I loved the characters, the writing was great and the action was frenetic and exciting. The story didn't get bogged down in the science behind how everything worked, giving just enough info for me to believe the mcguffin works. The military aspect didn't get bogged down in the gun porn, which I find boring after a while. I really liked this story and can't wait to read the next one.
July 14, 2018
Time walking
This story is a combination of Army Rangers, time travelers, and missing aborigines. In addition to the interaction of these individuals, there is gold to be found and with the gold everything that goes with it. It has often been said that he who pays the piper calls the tune… But in this case that may not be true. The story is set in Nevada today and 100,000 years ago are we looking at string theory being proven or just a wild idea?
This story is a combination of Army Rangers, time travelers, and missing aborigines. In addition to the interaction of these individuals, there is gold to be found and with the gold everything that goes with it. It has often been said that he who pays the piper calls the tune… But in this case that may not be true. The story is set in Nevada today and 100,000 years ago are we looking at string theory being proven or just a wild idea?
July 3, 2020
Something different
An interesting take on time travel using electromagnetism, nuclear power and Nikola Tesla’s science. One team is trapped and a motley crew of former military men sets out to bring them back to the present. Good character development, plenty of action and a mysterious billionaire bankrolling the project all make for a great read. This is my first book by this author and I’ll be looking for others in addition to the next in the series.
An interesting take on time travel using electromagnetism, nuclear power and Nikola Tesla’s science. One team is trapped and a motley crew of former military men sets out to bring them back to the present. Good character development, plenty of action and a mysterious billionaire bankrolling the project all make for a great read. This is my first book by this author and I’ll be looking for others in addition to the next in the series.
July 15, 2018
Seat of your pants military thriller wrapped in SciFi.
This is a great military thriller with lots of very realistic action, wrapped up in a covering of SciFi (Time Travel). Entirely plausible and worth reading if you’re former military or like military action.
Ends well without a cliffhanger but a good lead into the rest of the series.
This is a great military thriller with lots of very realistic action, wrapped up in a covering of SciFi (Time Travel). Entirely plausible and worth reading if you’re former military or like military action.
Ends well without a cliffhanger but a good lead into the rest of the series.
July 21, 2024
Fun escapists reading
Overall, it's a rousing good read. The editing could have been a little tighter. At one point, they confused CS gas and C4 explosive. But that probably didn't matter to civilian readers at all. I enjoyed it, and needed the break. Reality is not all that much fun right now.
Overall, it's a rousing good read. The editing could have been a little tighter. At one point, they confused CS gas and C4 explosive. But that probably didn't matter to civilian readers at all. I enjoyed it, and needed the break. Reality is not all that much fun right now.
July 4, 2023
an intriguing storyline
This book has an intriguing storyline. What impact will a trip to the past have on the present? With interesting characters and lots of action it is well worth reading. I’m looking forward to the next book for answers.
This book has an intriguing storyline. What impact will a trip to the past have on the present? With interesting characters and lots of action it is well worth reading. I’m looking forward to the next book for answers.
July 19, 2018
This book is loads of fun! A promising start to the series. Plenty of action and typical Chuck Dixon pacing. Good stuff.
May 29, 2019
A quick sci-fi military action story, heavy on the action. Tons of fun, and a great first installment in the series.
February 12, 2021
Good read
An enjoyable read, fast paced and action packed. If you can overlook a couple of glaring mistakes you will enjoy this book.
An enjoyable read, fast paced and action packed. If you can overlook a couple of glaring mistakes you will enjoy this book.
July 26, 2020
A less-than original idea, but fairly well executed. Lots of action and good pacing make for a quick and easy read.
April 26, 2024
Thank you Upstream Reviews for recommending this book, which did show me a good time. You got a band of time-travelling soldiers rescuing some scientists from a tribe of ice-age hominins. Lots of blood and explosions. My favorite part was the beginning, when we met all the characters. What they actually do felt a bit underdeveloped, though. I wanted to spend more time in paleolithic North America with the Denisovan ghost lineage.
January 9, 2016
I cannot say how good the author's other series, Levon, but I was very apprehensive about this series. Time traveling Rangers, really?
It took another review to change my mind and give it a try.
I was not disappointed.
On the surface the premise seem straight forward. A group of ex-Rangers are recruited for an unusual rescue mission. Time travel. Ludacris, but when there are millions of dollars at stack well then, anything is possible.
The mission seems simple enough, go back in time to rescue three lost scientists. Back to a time before humans. Precautions must be made. Nothing can be taken that would last through time, can't have something discovered that couldn't possibly exists in the time they are going to.
The mantra of all planners, soon makes itself apparent. All plans fail at first contact.
What the team runs into is so unexpected that what little protection they brought proves to be severely lacking. Retreat is the only way to save themselves. Mission failure.
These aren't the kind of men that fail and two of the team head back to The Now and when they come back they'll not only have the right equipment but with an extra team member.
Even with unbelievable fire power things don't go as planned and it's a race back to the portal, the problem is that they have no idea if and when it will be activated and if they'll be able to survive long enough to get back to The Now.
There is so much action in this book that I could not stop reading it and even after I fell asleep it was the first thing I picked up after waking up and read until I finished it.
Another book from an author that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you’re on the fence about this book then pick up his Levon series and get a feel for what the author has to offer. I guarantee that just like a well-known commercial, you won't be able to stop at just one.
It took another review to change my mind and give it a try.
I was not disappointed.
On the surface the premise seem straight forward. A group of ex-Rangers are recruited for an unusual rescue mission. Time travel. Ludacris, but when there are millions of dollars at stack well then, anything is possible.
The mission seems simple enough, go back in time to rescue three lost scientists. Back to a time before humans. Precautions must be made. Nothing can be taken that would last through time, can't have something discovered that couldn't possibly exists in the time they are going to.
The mantra of all planners, soon makes itself apparent. All plans fail at first contact.
What the team runs into is so unexpected that what little protection they brought proves to be severely lacking. Retreat is the only way to save themselves. Mission failure.
These aren't the kind of men that fail and two of the team head back to The Now and when they come back they'll not only have the right equipment but with an extra team member.
Even with unbelievable fire power things don't go as planned and it's a race back to the portal, the problem is that they have no idea if and when it will be activated and if they'll be able to survive long enough to get back to The Now.
There is so much action in this book that I could not stop reading it and even after I fell asleep it was the first thing I picked up after waking up and read until I finished it.
Another book from an author that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you’re on the fence about this book then pick up his Levon series and get a feel for what the author has to offer. I guarantee that just like a well-known commercial, you won't be able to stop at just one.
November 5, 2014
Waaaahooooooooo!
Chuck Dixon, prolific writer of action superhero comics, has made the transition to novelist in style. Dripping with his signiture action and adventure, Bad Times: Cannibal Gold is a kickass start to a great series.
Right from the start, the book revs into gear. From seedy jobs and seedy motels, to the initial introduction of the main characters, to high tech weaponry, this book combines that old pulp feel with modern times, high action combat with higher tech and characters that sound, read and feel realistic in fantastic situations. A diverse cast of characters, from evolutionary dead ends to hideaway terrorists to a band of brothers that shred the scenery with gusto.
If you are into action and danger, fun and adventure, this is the book for you. If comptemplating your navel fuzz is for you, nevermind. This Noir Pulp Battle action is gonna read fast and smooth. No fill to waste your time. Economical in style and prose, this is a book you want to read be it in your living room after the kids are in bed, on your bed while mom cooks dinner and dad watches the evening news, or at the beach drinking a nice, cold brew.
If you can't enjoy Bad Times: Cannibal Gold, you don't enjoy reading.
Chuck Dixon, prolific writer of action superhero comics, has made the transition to novelist in style. Dripping with his signiture action and adventure, Bad Times: Cannibal Gold is a kickass start to a great series.
Right from the start, the book revs into gear. From seedy jobs and seedy motels, to the initial introduction of the main characters, to high tech weaponry, this book combines that old pulp feel with modern times, high action combat with higher tech and characters that sound, read and feel realistic in fantastic situations. A diverse cast of characters, from evolutionary dead ends to hideaway terrorists to a band of brothers that shred the scenery with gusto.
If you are into action and danger, fun and adventure, this is the book for you. If comptemplating your navel fuzz is for you, nevermind. This Noir Pulp Battle action is gonna read fast and smooth. No fill to waste your time. Economical in style and prose, this is a book you want to read be it in your living room after the kids are in bed, on your bed while mom cooks dinner and dad watches the evening news, or at the beach drinking a nice, cold brew.
If you can't enjoy Bad Times: Cannibal Gold, you don't enjoy reading.
December 17, 2013
I could not put this down. It was pure escapism on a mega manly level. This is the kind of book I like to read. Lots action and zero political correctness crap. I read this book straight through in only two sittings. Started it late on a Sunday night and finished it on a Monday. It was a great book that reminded me in many ways of books like the Destroyer or Executioner series of novels. I read a lot and have read a lot of books I really liked this year, this is at the top of the heap. Chuck Dixon is one of my all time favorite comic book writers and his prose is just as good (He co-created Bane one of Batman's most famous and feared enemies. He also wrote the best Moon Knight series that was ever published by Marvel, as well as defining the Punisher with probably the longest run on that character.) BT:CG is a novel that mixes action/sci-fi and lots, and lots of gunfire. It follows a team of Ex-Army Rangers into an adventure beyond their wildest dreams. If you are a guy who loves a novel like I've described here then you cannot go wrong. This book was great. I cannot say it better than that.
October 17, 2015
I wanted a quick read and I got one.
I wanted an action-packed a story and I really got one.
I was interested in starting a series and that's what this is.
This reads like a military pulp novel.
I enjoyed it and am curious where the series goes.
After reading the Levon Cade books I was eager for more from Chuck Dixon. This fell slightly short of my expectations.
There's lots of military hardware name dropping and bloody descriptions of its usage.
Because the story runs at a constant heavy action pace the characters are described in about as much detail. The Ranger team/brotherhood includes an American Indian, an Afro American, a smart leader type and a couple of psychos. There's a genius scientist and his beautiful and genius sister. I think they are mostly likable enough to cheer for when the fighting gets intense.
It reads like a comic book in a good way but without the pictures I felt it could use more detail about the characters .
I wanted an action-packed a story and I really got one.
I was interested in starting a series and that's what this is.
This reads like a military pulp novel.
I enjoyed it and am curious where the series goes.
After reading the Levon Cade books I was eager for more from Chuck Dixon. This fell slightly short of my expectations.
There's lots of military hardware name dropping and bloody descriptions of its usage.
Because the story runs at a constant heavy action pace the characters are described in about as much detail. The Ranger team/brotherhood includes an American Indian, an Afro American, a smart leader type and a couple of psychos. There's a genius scientist and his beautiful and genius sister. I think they are mostly likable enough to cheer for when the fighting gets intense.
It reads like a comic book in a good way but without the pictures I felt it could use more detail about the characters .
July 7, 2014
After reading this book, I feel I should start this review with the old war story cliche, "So there I was..."
Because this story is immersive. I felt like I was there, rocking the Ma Deuce, throwing grenades, hurt and hungry, running and gunning for my very life. This is not great literature, and it was never intended to be so. It is good at what it does, and that is telling a good story to make you feel like part of a small military unit on the verge of disaster, fighting for survival.
The book is about mindset. You want characterization, plot, intrigue...? They are here, but they are spartan in presentation. The book is a short fast read. Action and trigger pulling are the priorities and just enough of the other things that make a story a good story are here.
I liked it. It is distractionary reading on a superior level.
Because this story is immersive. I felt like I was there, rocking the Ma Deuce, throwing grenades, hurt and hungry, running and gunning for my very life. This is not great literature, and it was never intended to be so. It is good at what it does, and that is telling a good story to make you feel like part of a small military unit on the verge of disaster, fighting for survival.
The book is about mindset. You want characterization, plot, intrigue...? They are here, but they are spartan in presentation. The book is a short fast read. Action and trigger pulling are the priorities and just enough of the other things that make a story a good story are here.
I liked it. It is distractionary reading on a superior level.
December 30, 2015
Great Book
I usually don't like time travel stories. This book pulled me in from the start and I didn't even blink when we hit the time travel. A tough as nails group of ex-Rangers are called on to retrieve some missing scientists and they get a lot more than they bargaining for. The action is pretty non-stop and the characters are very enjoyable. Once again Chuck Dixon gives as a classic action novel guaranteed to keep you excited until the end.
Now excuse me while I go and buy the next book in the series.
I usually don't like time travel stories. This book pulled me in from the start and I didn't even blink when we hit the time travel. A tough as nails group of ex-Rangers are called on to retrieve some missing scientists and they get a lot more than they bargaining for. The action is pretty non-stop and the characters are very enjoyable. Once again Chuck Dixon gives as a classic action novel guaranteed to keep you excited until the end.
Now excuse me while I go and buy the next book in the series.
March 7, 2014
The premise for this story was intriguing, and I liked the military characters, but overall it felt like a shoot 'em up video game once all the pieces were put into place. I don't mind action in context of the rest of the story, but when the point of the story is the action, I lose interest. This isn't a reflection on the book itself, merely that it's a bad fit for my interests and reading pleasure.
February 16, 2014
As a fan of both gritty action yarns and science fiction, I loved this book and give it five stars. It's a well-written, non-stop action yarn pitting heavily-armed, bad-ass ex-Rangers against hordes of damn scary cannibalistic hominids in a cool time travel scenario. I'm looking forward to a sequel!
March 3, 2014
This book was awesome. Former US Rangers against an undiscovered Neolithic people. Chuck Dixon writes a compelling story in which these two groups separated by millenia meet. The synopsis of the book gives you all the information you need about the story, but this book is incredibly well done with great action and characters. I can't wait to pick up more of the Bad Times series.
August 6, 2016
Rocked my little cotton socks off.
I expected something good, but this was better. Full on action, with a great back story and no unnecessary flourishes. This story not only sold me on the series, it sold me on the author.
Also this should totally be a genre of its own. Time-travelling, monster-battling, cold-eyed mercenaries? Sign me up.
I expected something good, but this was better. Full on action, with a great back story and no unnecessary flourishes. This story not only sold me on the series, it sold me on the author.
Also this should totally be a genre of its own. Time-travelling, monster-battling, cold-eyed mercenaries? Sign me up.
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