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Anthracite
A comedy cyberpunk novel of parallel universes, zero point energy, kamikaze druids and Welsh world domination.
Deadbeat Kevin Jones finds himself kidnapped to an alternative reality where Wales is the single global superpower. Abducted from his mundane existence by the mysterious Gwen, she tells him there are forces seeking his destruction – he has to run or die. It turns out Kevin’s story holds the key to why all worlds but ours turn out the way they do – Pax Cambria.
Ever wondered why there's not more Welsh themed comedy cyberpunk? Featuring a host of mysterious characters, cheese-on-toast based fast food, alt-right druids and robot male-voice choirs, 'Anthracite' begins the battle to set this travesty straight. Swansea has never looked more like near-future L.A. It's already got the rain.
Deadbeat Kevin Jones finds himself kidnapped to an alternative reality where Wales is the single global superpower. Abducted from his mundane existence by the mysterious Gwen, she tells him there are forces seeking his destruction – he has to run or die. It turns out Kevin’s story holds the key to why all worlds but ours turn out the way they do – Pax Cambria.
Ever wondered why there's not more Welsh themed comedy cyberpunk? Featuring a host of mysterious characters, cheese-on-toast based fast food, alt-right druids and robot male-voice choirs, 'Anthracite' begins the battle to set this travesty straight. Swansea has never looked more like near-future L.A. It's already got the rain.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2021
10 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 22, 2021
I am 25% into this one, and am absolutely loving it.
The turn of phrase is hilarious, much what I'm beginning to expect from this author.
for example, the "Driven be explosive sexual tension and crowds resplendent in bulging Lycra and spangking face paint. N=And the ladies weren't much better"
The only other time I can think of I've seen or heard anyone else use one of my favourite phrases: "extracting the urine"
Loving it sick
This was a GREAT read, and am waiting for more to flow from this story!!!
The turn of phrase is hilarious, much what I'm beginning to expect from this author.
for example, the "Driven be explosive sexual tension and crowds resplendent in bulging Lycra and spangking face paint. N=And the ladies weren't much better"
The only other time I can think of I've seen or heard anyone else use one of my favourite phrases: "extracting the urine"
Loving it sick
This was a GREAT read, and am waiting for more to flow from this story!!!
August 7, 2021
When Kev first visited his Grandad I thought this was going to be a book full of teenage attempts to get welsh innuendo past the editors but as the book went on I realised they were also trying to emulate early Robert Rankin, with running gags and sideways nods to popular culture.
Not laugh out loud hilarious but a highly amusing, fast paced adventure.
You take your chances with crowdfunding books, but I’m definitely glad I helped fund this one
Not laugh out loud hilarious but a highly amusing, fast paced adventure.
You take your chances with crowdfunding books, but I’m definitely glad I helped fund this one
August 21, 2021
A glorious romp through a world where Wales is the dominant superpower, and fascistic druids vie with sinister oligarchs to seize the secret behind Jones Corp and Wales’ rise to global hegemony. Great fun. If you’ve ever wondered how Nessa from “Gavin and Stacey” would turn out as a special forces agent, then this is the book for you.
Tidy.
Tidy.
August 13, 2021
I feel like the universe had to align just right (write, that’s a pun, right?) for a story with a galactic sized surplus of fun, science, imagination, boldness, and humility to be packed into a very fast, hits you with a blast ,rolling tongue in cheek funny stuff, and unexpectedly touching, 320 or so pages.
I feel confident that I could leave my review there, as it took a while to put that last sentence together, but it is also very true and captured for me a bit of the enjoyment I experienced while reading it. The book started in a somewhat normal fashion, as we get to know Kevin, the main character. But quickly takes off, as the woman of his dreams barges in and escorts him from one, the dangers he is oblivious to in this world, but also into a new world, physically and intellectually. Right from his favorite library into an alternate reality, that is only the beginning of a strange and exciting adventure.
I thought Kevin was great, and it was somewhat refreshing to have a character who was not the town’s outcast, because of some eccentricity or other. Kevin is confident, i felt like he considered himself magnificently unique, that he is a catch above catches, and a human being that will without a doubt, change the world. That is, he will once he’s decided on what direction in life he will go. It was like he knew he hasn’t lived up to his potential, but he also was not ashamed of it. I don’t know if I’m expressing this that well, which is ok, because there is so much more to the story than dissecting the main character’s self image in a book review.
I loved the amount of acceptance this character has for himself. I am and have always been packed full of insecurities, and although Kevin is a loner, he is in touch with his place in life, and honestly anything can be possible. My point here is that, so often, we have a story that revolves around the kid, or person who has lived a very tough, sad, and lonely life that they have endured until some gift is bestowed, or whatever, that gives them redemption. In Anthrocite, our main dude is overly confident, but because he doesn’t take himself seriously, he is supremely relatable.
The series of events that unfold, page by page, were pure fun. I love to experience the idea of parallel universes’ or the multiverse, from another person’s perspective. If there were differing future timelines resulting from the choices we make, and if it became possible to travel between them, what would it really be like? Okay, now I’m just thinking of the show Sliders. What Anthracite did well, was get the story easily from “this” world, into an alternate timeline and really bring it to life.
There are so many pop cultural mentions throughout, and as I said earlier, surprises galore. I agree with the descriptions I’ve seen that put cyberpunk, scifi, humor, as well as the relation to writers like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. My wife probably wouldn’t get all the humor, but she doesn’t even think I’m funny, so If you see humor slightly differently than the straight forward, “badda boom badda bing” kinda thing, I think you will enjoy this.
I feel confident that I could leave my review there, as it took a while to put that last sentence together, but it is also very true and captured for me a bit of the enjoyment I experienced while reading it. The book started in a somewhat normal fashion, as we get to know Kevin, the main character. But quickly takes off, as the woman of his dreams barges in and escorts him from one, the dangers he is oblivious to in this world, but also into a new world, physically and intellectually. Right from his favorite library into an alternate reality, that is only the beginning of a strange and exciting adventure.
I thought Kevin was great, and it was somewhat refreshing to have a character who was not the town’s outcast, because of some eccentricity or other. Kevin is confident, i felt like he considered himself magnificently unique, that he is a catch above catches, and a human being that will without a doubt, change the world. That is, he will once he’s decided on what direction in life he will go. It was like he knew he hasn’t lived up to his potential, but he also was not ashamed of it. I don’t know if I’m expressing this that well, which is ok, because there is so much more to the story than dissecting the main character’s self image in a book review.
I loved the amount of acceptance this character has for himself. I am and have always been packed full of insecurities, and although Kevin is a loner, he is in touch with his place in life, and honestly anything can be possible. My point here is that, so often, we have a story that revolves around the kid, or person who has lived a very tough, sad, and lonely life that they have endured until some gift is bestowed, or whatever, that gives them redemption. In Anthrocite, our main dude is overly confident, but because he doesn’t take himself seriously, he is supremely relatable.
The series of events that unfold, page by page, were pure fun. I love to experience the idea of parallel universes’ or the multiverse, from another person’s perspective. If there were differing future timelines resulting from the choices we make, and if it became possible to travel between them, what would it really be like? Okay, now I’m just thinking of the show Sliders. What Anthracite did well, was get the story easily from “this” world, into an alternate timeline and really bring it to life.
There are so many pop cultural mentions throughout, and as I said earlier, surprises galore. I agree with the descriptions I’ve seen that put cyberpunk, scifi, humor, as well as the relation to writers like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. My wife probably wouldn’t get all the humor, but she doesn’t even think I’m funny, so If you see humor slightly differently than the straight forward, “badda boom badda bing” kinda thing, I think you will enjoy this.
September 2, 2021
I enjoy Matt Thomas's book, which is the story of Kevin Jones. Kevin is...well...not quite cutting it as a human being. He's lazy and unfocused. He's also living in Aberdare. Then he gets kidnapped and finds himself in a multiverse of trouble.
This is a multiverse where, except here in our world, Wales has risen to be the dominant world power, driven by the Jones-Corporation. And, for reasons that we eventually discover, a number of people want to get their hands on Kevin Jones. Or kill him. Or both. Because he holds the key to, well, everything.
This Welsh alternative world isn't all fun and games. There's a war going on against Argentina over Patagonia, which isn't going well. There's something amiss at the Jones-Corporation and Kevin Jones is an idiot. Indeed, my one slight quibble about this book is that whilst Jones is a pretty normal bloke he's also dangerously stupid in situations when, really, he shouldn't be. Especially after the initial shock. I don't mind the initial stupidity/shock it is the ongoing. repetative stupidity. Why Gwen, a mysterious bounty hunter, spends time trying to save him after the first few chapters is, probably, the biggest mystery in the book.
Indeed, I'd quite like a book about Gwen now. Who is a more interesting character. To me.
I'm probably being over-critical there. Kevin does improve as the book goes on and his heart - in the end - is absolutely in the right place.
There are lots of nice jokes about Terra Cymru and what a globalised Wales would look like and the world-building is dropped in a chunk at a time and when we need to know it rather than being weighted too heavily at the beginning.
It's a fun read. The pace is pretty good. There's a breather when you need one and there's a breathlessness when you're on the run with Kevin and Gwen.
I now want an audiobook read by Welsh comedian Dan Thomas (heard semi-regularly on Smershpod).
This is a multiverse where, except here in our world, Wales has risen to be the dominant world power, driven by the Jones-Corporation. And, for reasons that we eventually discover, a number of people want to get their hands on Kevin Jones. Or kill him. Or both. Because he holds the key to, well, everything.
This Welsh alternative world isn't all fun and games. There's a war going on against Argentina over Patagonia, which isn't going well. There's something amiss at the Jones-Corporation and Kevin Jones is an idiot. Indeed, my one slight quibble about this book is that whilst Jones is a pretty normal bloke he's also dangerously stupid in situations when, really, he shouldn't be. Especially after the initial shock. I don't mind the initial stupidity/shock it is the ongoing. repetative stupidity. Why Gwen, a mysterious bounty hunter, spends time trying to save him after the first few chapters is, probably, the biggest mystery in the book.
Indeed, I'd quite like a book about Gwen now. Who is a more interesting character. To me.
I'm probably being over-critical there. Kevin does improve as the book goes on and his heart - in the end - is absolutely in the right place.
There are lots of nice jokes about Terra Cymru and what a globalised Wales would look like and the world-building is dropped in a chunk at a time and when we need to know it rather than being weighted too heavily at the beginning.
It's a fun read. The pace is pretty good. There's a breather when you need one and there's a breathlessness when you're on the run with Kevin and Gwen.
I now want an audiobook read by Welsh comedian Dan Thomas (heard semi-regularly on Smershpod).
August 14, 2021
When I heard there was going to be a new Matt Thomas book I didn't hesitate to invest in a copy and I wasn't disappointed - it's both funny and hugely enjoyable! Anthracite is the story of deadbeat Kevin Jones, who somehow thinks that his comic series The Windy Ninja is going to win him fame and fortunate - but instead gets kidnapped from his local library by a woman from an alternative universe where Wales is the dominant superpower run by his own family. Kevin must keep one step ahead of his murderous alt-universe relatives, alt-right druids and various factions who are all invested in his demise or who have plans for him that may not be entirely in Kevin's interest.
March 10, 2022
A fun read that explores Wales as a strange global superpower, with all the cultural jokes that entails. 3.5 stars due to the plot sometimes feeling quite repetitive (Kevin gets in trouble, there is a big fight where Gwen saves him, they go to a new place, rinse and repeat) and the ambivalence I feel about the main character. Gwen is, of course, top tier, and the setting/world building is described wonderfully.
September 24, 2021
I enjoyed the arc, I enjoyed the tempo & I enjoyed the comedy. At the same time familiar & foreign. A backdrop of the known juiced to sparkle & entertain. Visit Wales should recommend while distancing themselves.
July 25, 2021
The style of writing reminds me of William Gibson, but with more humour. I enjoyed this book very much and hope Matt will write a sequel. There is material in there for that.
November 24, 2021
Good things come to those who wait, and this was well worth the wait. I was thrilled to hear of another publication from the funny Matthew Thomas and couldn't wait to get my hands on this. So how to sum up Anthracite? You can't without spoilers. But if I was forced to under pain of death, it would be a spoonful of Pratchett, a dash of Adams and a pinch of Bladerunner.....in Wales. Anything more than this would ruin the comedic journey through other dimensions. Matt may be sick of these analogies or perhaps honoured to be compared to the greats, but great this is. From beginning to end, this is one of those books that you can’t put down and will feel a tinge of disappointment when you reach the last page, frantically looking for a few more scraps to keep the feels going.
The only thing I couldn’t get my head around was the cover (no offence art person). I guess I was expecting something to wow me from the cover, something to give me a taste of what lies within, the urge to find out what the artistic portrayal is all about. But the ZX Spectrum / Commodore 64 loading screen cover gives it the “Choose Your Own Adventure” feel. Imagine my surprise not being asked to turn to page 46 if I go North, or page 118 if want to eat the funky looking mushroom growing out of the wall.
Well, if the one thing I have to moan about is a bloody cover, then you know to get this book and enjoy it. Just put away the 20-sided die, you won’t be needing it.
The only thing I couldn’t get my head around was the cover (no offence art person). I guess I was expecting something to wow me from the cover, something to give me a taste of what lies within, the urge to find out what the artistic portrayal is all about. But the ZX Spectrum / Commodore 64 loading screen cover gives it the “Choose Your Own Adventure” feel. Imagine my surprise not being asked to turn to page 46 if I go North, or page 118 if want to eat the funky looking mushroom growing out of the wall.
Well, if the one thing I have to moan about is a bloody cover, then you know to get this book and enjoy it. Just put away the 20-sided die, you won’t be needing it.
August 5, 2021
This was the book I really wanted to hate, but simply couldn't. It was bloody genius, laugh out loud funny & everything Wales 🏴
From Pwllheli 5-0 to the Raspberry Berets this was such cleverly crafted comedy gold & Terry Pratchett would be proud of you!
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Many thanks to @randomthingstours
for giving me the opportunity to participate in the tour.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
From Pwllheli 5-0 to the Raspberry Berets this was such cleverly crafted comedy gold & Terry Pratchett would be proud of you!
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Many thanks to @randomthingstours
for giving me the opportunity to participate in the tour.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
August 19, 2021
This is a really funny book.
June 27, 2022
I loved that there were lots of references to all sorts of things.
So many ways this story could have ended … am hoping for some kind of sequel — sometime!
So many ways this story could have ended … am hoping for some kind of sequel — sometime!
August 5, 2021
🄱🄻🄾🄶 🅃🄾🅄🅁 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
ANTHRACITE
Matt Thomas
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS
Deadbeat Kevin Jones finds himself kidnapped to an alternative reality where Wales is the single global superpower. Abducted from his mundane existence by the mysterious Gwen, she tells him there are forces seeking his destruction – he has to run or die. It turns out Kevin’s story holds the key to why all worlds but ours turn out the way they do – Pax Cambria.
Featuring a host of mysterious characters, cheese-on-toast based fast food, alt-right druids and the deadly all-knowing Taffia, Anthracite begins the battle to address the woeful lack of Welsh themed comedy cyberpunk. The fearsome Jones-Corporation might run the world but they have a dirty little secret they don't want to get out. Swansea has never looked more like near-future LA. It's already got the rain.
MY REVIEW
I wasn’t convinced when I first started reading Anthracite. I had some preconceived notions of if being something ripped off from a Terry Pratchett first draft. I didn’t even want to like it. But then I found it strangely compelling, and before I knew it, I was hooked. This is a work of genius that would have had Pratchett giggling along with the readers.
Anthracite is a wholly original book, which could (I hope) launch a sequel, or a spin off book. I instantly liked habitual loser Kevin, and powerhouse Gwen was a tour de force in her own right and totally kickass! The descriptions of the techie bits were clear enough to maintain that all important suspension of disbelief. The locations were beautifully described, and made visualising scenes much easier. This only served to enhance the experience.
Overall, Anthracite was a joy to read, I would happily recommend it to readers of Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchett, and can see myself buying it for someone as a gift.
ANTHRACITE
Matt Thomas
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS
Deadbeat Kevin Jones finds himself kidnapped to an alternative reality where Wales is the single global superpower. Abducted from his mundane existence by the mysterious Gwen, she tells him there are forces seeking his destruction – he has to run or die. It turns out Kevin’s story holds the key to why all worlds but ours turn out the way they do – Pax Cambria.
Featuring a host of mysterious characters, cheese-on-toast based fast food, alt-right druids and the deadly all-knowing Taffia, Anthracite begins the battle to address the woeful lack of Welsh themed comedy cyberpunk. The fearsome Jones-Corporation might run the world but they have a dirty little secret they don't want to get out. Swansea has never looked more like near-future LA. It's already got the rain.
MY REVIEW
I wasn’t convinced when I first started reading Anthracite. I had some preconceived notions of if being something ripped off from a Terry Pratchett first draft. I didn’t even want to like it. But then I found it strangely compelling, and before I knew it, I was hooked. This is a work of genius that would have had Pratchett giggling along with the readers.
Anthracite is a wholly original book, which could (I hope) launch a sequel, or a spin off book. I instantly liked habitual loser Kevin, and powerhouse Gwen was a tour de force in her own right and totally kickass! The descriptions of the techie bits were clear enough to maintain that all important suspension of disbelief. The locations were beautifully described, and made visualising scenes much easier. This only served to enhance the experience.
Overall, Anthracite was a joy to read, I would happily recommend it to readers of Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchett, and can see myself buying it for someone as a gift.
December 27, 2024
The first time I read this book, I didn’t really ‘get’ it. Then I realised at the end that this is the same Matt Thomas who wrote one of my favourite books, Before & After, so I had to go back and give it another go, and I’m glad I did!
While the author’s debut book channelled a Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently kind of energy, this latest story is more like Robert Rankin’s farfetched fiction, crossed with some Malcolm Pryce Welsh parody noir, crossed with Back to the Future, crossed with Gavin and Stacey. And if that sounds like an unusual mix, it definitely is!
There is plenty of action and tongue-in-cheek humour; a main character who starts out as a bit of an Adrian Mole, but develops nicely as the plot progresses; and the author plays gleefully with the theme of Welsh world domination, subverting a few tropes and expectations on the way.
And with all the twists and turns the main plot takes, I ended up still being surprised by the ending (because it didn’t take the double-blind-surprise-twist that I had expected… although would it still be a surprise twist if I had expected it…? Never mind!). But my understanding is that the author may be revisiting this world and characters for a sequel, which might explain a few things… or confuse them further, you never know! I’m mainly just glad that Matt Thomas is back writing again – there’s not enough light-hearted sci-fi/fantasy in the world: we need him!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
While the author’s debut book channelled a Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently kind of energy, this latest story is more like Robert Rankin’s farfetched fiction, crossed with some Malcolm Pryce Welsh parody noir, crossed with Back to the Future, crossed with Gavin and Stacey. And if that sounds like an unusual mix, it definitely is!
There is plenty of action and tongue-in-cheek humour; a main character who starts out as a bit of an Adrian Mole, but develops nicely as the plot progresses; and the author plays gleefully with the theme of Welsh world domination, subverting a few tropes and expectations on the way.
And with all the twists and turns the main plot takes, I ended up still being surprised by the ending (because it didn’t take the double-blind-surprise-twist that I had expected… although would it still be a surprise twist if I had expected it…? Never mind!). But my understanding is that the author may be revisiting this world and characters for a sequel, which might explain a few things… or confuse them further, you never know! I’m mainly just glad that Matt Thomas is back writing again – there’s not enough light-hearted sci-fi/fantasy in the world: we need him!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
July 24, 2022
Review: 1/5 - DNF
I bought this book about 2 months ago while I was at Waterstones, they had it on a discount section and I noticed a few other books in that area that I'd read before and enjoyed so I decided to look through the rest
After reading the blurb on the back of this book, I was pretty intrigued by the concept and how different it sounded from anything else I'd seen. I decided to buy it, and after finishing some other books I'd bought I finally got to reading this one and to put it simply, I was VERY disappointed.
The whole book is just slow and dull, it felt like it was trying too hard to be "quirky" by shoving references and jokes at you constantly and just ended up feeling cringy and forced rather than like an actual comedic book.
I've read plenty of fantasy books that have comedic characters and this honestly felt like it was trying to copy what Percy Jackson does but just really badly.
I gave up on reading about half way through and just skimmed the rest, overall a disappointing buy and not something I would recommend
I bought this book about 2 months ago while I was at Waterstones, they had it on a discount section and I noticed a few other books in that area that I'd read before and enjoyed so I decided to look through the rest
After reading the blurb on the back of this book, I was pretty intrigued by the concept and how different it sounded from anything else I'd seen. I decided to buy it, and after finishing some other books I'd bought I finally got to reading this one and to put it simply, I was VERY disappointed.
The whole book is just slow and dull, it felt like it was trying too hard to be "quirky" by shoving references and jokes at you constantly and just ended up feeling cringy and forced rather than like an actual comedic book.
I've read plenty of fantasy books that have comedic characters and this honestly felt like it was trying to copy what Percy Jackson does but just really badly.
I gave up on reading about half way through and just skimmed the rest, overall a disappointing buy and not something I would recommend
Read
March 5, 2023A Preemptive Note: This book does contain unnessary use of trans slurs that are in no way vital to the plot and go on for way longer than necessary. Because of that, I am not rating it in stars.
Plot wise, the book was a new concept and anyone who asked me what I was reading immediately found the description intriguing and had me describe out the story. Sometimes it was very Douglas Adams and it was a nice change from books that contain any romance, this was entirely action comedy- even superheroes have romance arcs but Kevin is definitely not a superhero. The note at the back said that Thomas isn't done with these characters yet, and although the storyline doesn't end in a particularly open place, some of the characters could use a little more attention to detail and I'd like to see him do it- provided he can educate himself on appropriate use of language and give up the trans women as comedy trope.
I love to find a self published book with a unique concept out in the wild (without scrolling through unbound's website) but hopefully an editor would have caught this.
Plot wise, the book was a new concept and anyone who asked me what I was reading immediately found the description intriguing and had me describe out the story. Sometimes it was very Douglas Adams and it was a nice change from books that contain any romance, this was entirely action comedy- even superheroes have romance arcs but Kevin is definitely not a superhero. The note at the back said that Thomas isn't done with these characters yet, and although the storyline doesn't end in a particularly open place, some of the characters could use a little more attention to detail and I'd like to see him do it- provided he can educate himself on appropriate use of language and give up the trans women as comedy trope.
I love to find a self published book with a unique concept out in the wild (without scrolling through unbound's website) but hopefully an editor would have caught this.
February 19, 2023
Couldn't finish it. I like off beat but this was unnecessarily convoluted
June 6, 2023
As a Welsh person, I read the blurb and thought “Welsh sci fi in places i know and spoken in welsh dialects and colloquialisms ? I’m sure to love this! “
I did not.
The author, I’m sure trying to be humorous, also tried some jokes which include racial stereotypes and some unfortunate, bad landing “jokes” which are just slurs. Here’s some I found:
“Gotta warn you now, he’s so far into the closet he’s almost in narnia”
“Don’t see many tr*nnies round these parts”
“Set these f*ggots ablaze”
“Sometimes i despair the younger generation. Not so much special forces as special needs”
“Do we have an esk*m*s chance in hell”
And the worst of them, which immediately took the book down from a solid 3.5 rating to a 0 was:
“Juan had the type of tan that would have got him send to the back of the bus in the confederacy”
I know some Welsh people can be a bit dicey with their humour, and some have not evolved with the times, but I can’t find any excuses for this. I think there was a good idea, and the writer definitely can really write Welsh people and places well, but that’s where my praises end.
I was getting into the world building at first, and then the story falls apart. I’m all for suspending disbelief just to enjoy a good story, however, no amount of that would help me make sense of the story, I’m still not sure if the people he worked for were good or bad because the story changed so often.
I even checked the goodreads stars before I bought but I should’ve delved deeper into the one review that actually said there was this kind of content in a book.
I only finished because if I didn’t, I would’ve put myself into a reading slump because if I don’t finish books, I go into a slump, but by page 80 I was checked out, and then by page 200 I was just in pain trying to finish it.
I did not.
The author, I’m sure trying to be humorous, also tried some jokes which include racial stereotypes and some unfortunate, bad landing “jokes” which are just slurs. Here’s some I found:
“Gotta warn you now, he’s so far into the closet he’s almost in narnia”
“Don’t see many tr*nnies round these parts”
“Set these f*ggots ablaze”
“Sometimes i despair the younger generation. Not so much special forces as special needs”
“Do we have an esk*m*s chance in hell”
And the worst of them, which immediately took the book down from a solid 3.5 rating to a 0 was:
“Juan had the type of tan that would have got him send to the back of the bus in the confederacy”
I know some Welsh people can be a bit dicey with their humour, and some have not evolved with the times, but I can’t find any excuses for this. I think there was a good idea, and the writer definitely can really write Welsh people and places well, but that’s where my praises end.
I was getting into the world building at first, and then the story falls apart. I’m all for suspending disbelief just to enjoy a good story, however, no amount of that would help me make sense of the story, I’m still not sure if the people he worked for were good or bad because the story changed so often.
I even checked the goodreads stars before I bought but I should’ve delved deeper into the one review that actually said there was this kind of content in a book.
I only finished because if I didn’t, I would’ve put myself into a reading slump because if I don’t finish books, I go into a slump, but by page 80 I was checked out, and then by page 200 I was just in pain trying to finish it.
June 16, 2023
Excellent parody cyber-punk/SF. Great characters and world-building.
Gwen in particular is a great character, who I'd like to see more of.
Gwen in particular is a great character, who I'd like to see more of.
August 29, 2022
I’ll give it points for its imaginative and unique descriptors (at times), but overall I was disappointed. The references to Welsh locations and culture were enjoyable at times but weirdly in the second half of the book they all but disappear, leaving me wondering why the author chose to set it in Wales in the first place. In fact the whole story takes a bizarre turn in the third act where a completely unestablished “mission” is suddenly forced onto the main character, who has no stakes in the completion of this mission at all. Certain elements of the world don’t make sense, the existence of portals to other dimensions isn’t utilised in a way that would make sense. Every time you think you’ve got a handle on where the story is going, it just takes a sudden diversion for no rhyme or reason, and the main character just has to go along with it. Random scenes that have no bearing on the overall narrative slow the pacing down and are a waste of time. Also, the main draw of this book for me was its setting. The amount of Welsh representation in media is dismal so this was what intrigued me. But the location descriptors are very lacklustre and I never got the sense I was in an alternate version of Swansea or Aberdare. I realise it would differ to our version of those places, but then why bother setting the story there?
This could have been a chance to draw in non-Welsh readers and introduce them to parts of Welsh culture and history that are overlooked or underrepresented. Hell, most of the third act doesn’t even take place in Wales.
Not a fan, sorry
This could have been a chance to draw in non-Welsh readers and introduce them to parts of Welsh culture and history that are overlooked or underrepresented. Hell, most of the third act doesn’t even take place in Wales.
Not a fan, sorry
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
Enjoyed this book to a degree, I love wacky books and I loved the Welsh aspect of this one but there was just something about the humour that felt quite forced and not a super easy read I kept putting it down and not going back to it. It got a bit better towards the end.
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