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Devil's Road #1
Devil's Road
Fast and Furious meets Pacific Rim. Nobody has taken part in the Devil's Run annual road race as often as Dutch McGuire and lived to tell the tale.The racecourse circumnavigates the post-apocalyptic ruins of Teijouan, and with a choice between being eaten by the monstrous Kaiju that prowl the island's devastated cities or murdered by her fellow racers, the odds against surviving another Run, let alone winning it, are slim.
Guns, Cars & Kaiju. Dutch doesn't care about the odds nearly so much as she cares about getting back behind the wheel of her beloved Ford Falcon--except for one she's spent the last five years incarcerated in a high-security prison for her part in a heist.
So when a crooked billionaire offers to put her back in the race on condition she uses it as cover for a secret retrieval operation, she can't refuse.Can Dutch survive assassins, monsters, and psychopathic drivers long enough to complete her mission as well as take part in the race--or is this the year death finally catches up with her in a blazing tangle of wreckage?
Guns, Cars & Kaiju. Dutch doesn't care about the odds nearly so much as she cares about getting back behind the wheel of her beloved Ford Falcon--except for one she's spent the last five years incarcerated in a high-security prison for her part in a heist.
So when a crooked billionaire offers to put her back in the race on condition she uses it as cover for a secret retrieval operation, she can't refuse.Can Dutch survive assassins, monsters, and psychopathic drivers long enough to complete her mission as well as take part in the race--or is this the year death finally catches up with her in a blazing tangle of wreckage?
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About the author
Gary Gibson
52 books421 followersGary Gibson's first novel, Angel Stations, was published in 2004. Interzone called it "dense and involving, puzzling and perplexing. It's unabashed science fiction, with an almost "Golden Age" feel to it ..."
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 3, 2020
Devil’s road is a crazy hybrid science fiction novel by author Gary Gibson.
Not too far in the future, a mysterious rift has opened in the middle of the asian island of Teijouan. Regularly, kaiju emerge of several types from the rift and roam the island, kept on it by a barricade of Japanese warships. The rift also emits a « derangement field », preventing electronics from working, and even having effect on the human brain after a too long exposure.
Corporations have taken the opportunity to organize a death race running all around the island, the Devil’s Run. Because money. To take home the big prize, competitors have to race classic mechanical cars, and avoid the rather hostile and somewhat deadly monsters, with a human navigator (using an actual paper map).
Dutch McGuire has never won the Devil’s Run, but not for lack of trying. She nonetheless managed to survive it more times than anyone else. Her racing days seem to be over, however, as she has been jailed by Russians for an heist turned sour. That is, until a billionaire offers her a way out. His terms : that she enters the race once more, not to win it, but to retrieve something on the island.
The description for the book states « Pacific Rim meets Fast & Furious ». That’s not exactly how I would put it. Readers as old as I am would probably get a better idea of the story if I was to write « Pacific Rim meets Wacky Races », with an hint of « Annihilation » in the mix. Indeed, the colorful racers, their pumped up cars, and their sneaky schemes reminded me more of the Hanna Barbera cartoon of old. With added assorted light and heavy weaponry. And then, there is the rift.
It’s hard to imagine what can be the result of such a mix and, actually, it’s hard for me to describe it differently without spoiling anything. Even more so, it’s easy to see how it could work as a B-movie or an animated one, but how it could be a recipe for literary disaster. Don’t let such thoughts deter you : It’s actually quite the opposite. I’ve been really surprised by this mesmerizing, pedal to the floor adventure. No time lost in lengthy exposition, explanation or philosophy. It’s a pedal to the metal read from cover to cover.
If you’re in for a quick, fun read, full of roaring cars and giant monsters (who wouldn’t be ?), I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to Brain in a Jar books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.
Not too far in the future, a mysterious rift has opened in the middle of the asian island of Teijouan. Regularly, kaiju emerge of several types from the rift and roam the island, kept on it by a barricade of Japanese warships. The rift also emits a « derangement field », preventing electronics from working, and even having effect on the human brain after a too long exposure.
Corporations have taken the opportunity to organize a death race running all around the island, the Devil’s Run. Because money. To take home the big prize, competitors have to race classic mechanical cars, and avoid the rather hostile and somewhat deadly monsters, with a human navigator (using an actual paper map).
Dutch McGuire has never won the Devil’s Run, but not for lack of trying. She nonetheless managed to survive it more times than anyone else. Her racing days seem to be over, however, as she has been jailed by Russians for an heist turned sour. That is, until a billionaire offers her a way out. His terms : that she enters the race once more, not to win it, but to retrieve something on the island.
The description for the book states « Pacific Rim meets Fast & Furious ». That’s not exactly how I would put it. Readers as old as I am would probably get a better idea of the story if I was to write « Pacific Rim meets Wacky Races », with an hint of « Annihilation » in the mix. Indeed, the colorful racers, their pumped up cars, and their sneaky schemes reminded me more of the Hanna Barbera cartoon of old. With added assorted light and heavy weaponry. And then, there is the rift.
It’s hard to imagine what can be the result of such a mix and, actually, it’s hard for me to describe it differently without spoiling anything. Even more so, it’s easy to see how it could work as a B-movie or an animated one, but how it could be a recipe for literary disaster. Don’t let such thoughts deter you : It’s actually quite the opposite. I’ve been really surprised by this mesmerizing, pedal to the floor adventure. No time lost in lengthy exposition, explanation or philosophy. It’s a pedal to the metal read from cover to cover.
If you’re in for a quick, fun read, full of roaring cars and giant monsters (who wouldn’t be ?), I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to Brain in a Jar books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.
February 4, 2020
First, can we just pause to appreciate the awesome cover. I mean, how tragic would it be if a book with a cover like that turned out to be a dud. Well, rest assured, this definitely isn’t the case here. In fact, the book delivers all the high octane fun the cover promises. And as much as I don’t normally care for the descriptions that features this meets that or if this and that had a baby sort of thing, referencing other more famous works, here it actually works and accurately so. In fact, there are other titles they might have thrown in for good measure, but than it might have gotten clunky. And you want this thing streamlined, like a racing car. Although the kind of race this book features requires a very specific sort of vehicle. Not to mention a very specific sort of driver. Someone like Dutch, a tough street urchin who grew up into a daredevil speedracer and has now been freshly busted out of a Soviet prison to drive once again. Only this time it isn’t to win, it’s to find…something. A very special something on a very special island, populated by some pretty spectacular and very lethal monsters. Dutch’s fellow drivers are pretty lethal too. In fact, between the monsters and the assassins and all the mystery plots and subterfuge, it’s gonna be a nightmare of a ride. Well, a nightmare for Dutch, for the readers it’s actually a really fun ride. Far be it for me to advocate reading what is essentially an action driven monster mash flick, but this was actually surprisingly enjoyable. All the plot twists and secret agendas got to be too much at the end, but the actual narrative was great, very descriptive, fast paced and featuring some seriously imaginative monsters. In fact, for me it was less of an action movie, more of a creature feature. Although, of course, it is both. Plus it reads as quickly as Dutch drives, so it sped up in something like 125 minutes tops, one morning sitting and a pretty fun, fast and furious way to begin the day. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
August 12, 2020
I received this book from BookSirens in exchange for a fair review!
Let me preface by saying that I love cars. Not as much as my husband, who can tell you every car in every movie ever (in fact, when I mentioned to him about the Falcon in Devil’s Road, he said without pause, “Mad Max’s car”), but I do love a good car chase movie, preferably with a classic coupe involved. And Death Race 2000. And Mad Max itself, of course.
I also have an unabashed love of Pacific Rim and previous enjoyment in my university days of Neon Genesis Evangelion. So yeah, I’m a “kaiju” fan too.
I also love tough female leads, so … was this book written for me?
Honestly, the most disappointing thing about this novel is that it’s a novella. Had it tacked on an extra 50 (preferably 100) pages to give Dutch a proper backstory, beef up the tension with Nat, and make the race far longer, it would have been amazing.
Instead, we get a really fun and exciting story, but one that feels like we’re missing some serious character development opportunities. Don’t get me wrong - I liked Dutch. I loved her. I was also intrigued by the other racers (and Nat), but we don’t get enough of anyone. It’s really disappointing.
The action scenes were also super fun, but the entire race felt very rushed. When I hit the 80% mark I was like: wait, it’s going to wrap up in like ten minutes?
Yet, despite this rather major problem, it’s SUCH a fun novel. There is a lack of exposition at the start that allows you to tease out the state of the world from the small hints that are dropped. We’re also not even introduced to the kaiju aspect until later, which was fun.
Despite feeling like you’ve emerged from a whirlwind when you’re done, this book is a blast to read and I really enjoyed it.
Let me preface by saying that I love cars. Not as much as my husband, who can tell you every car in every movie ever (in fact, when I mentioned to him about the Falcon in Devil’s Road, he said without pause, “Mad Max’s car”), but I do love a good car chase movie, preferably with a classic coupe involved. And Death Race 2000. And Mad Max itself, of course.
I also have an unabashed love of Pacific Rim and previous enjoyment in my university days of Neon Genesis Evangelion. So yeah, I’m a “kaiju” fan too.
I also love tough female leads, so … was this book written for me?
Honestly, the most disappointing thing about this novel is that it’s a novella. Had it tacked on an extra 50 (preferably 100) pages to give Dutch a proper backstory, beef up the tension with Nat, and make the race far longer, it would have been amazing.
Instead, we get a really fun and exciting story, but one that feels like we’re missing some serious character development opportunities. Don’t get me wrong - I liked Dutch. I loved her. I was also intrigued by the other racers (and Nat), but we don’t get enough of anyone. It’s really disappointing.
The action scenes were also super fun, but the entire race felt very rushed. When I hit the 80% mark I was like: wait, it’s going to wrap up in like ten minutes?
Yet, despite this rather major problem, it’s SUCH a fun novel. There is a lack of exposition at the start that allows you to tease out the state of the world from the small hints that are dropped. We’re also not even introduced to the kaiju aspect until later, which was fun.
Despite feeling like you’ve emerged from a whirlwind when you’re done, this book is a blast to read and I really enjoyed it.
March 3, 2020
I’ve never read this author before, but I will in the future. Now, my thoughts on this novella are complicated and I’ll do my best to address them. First, this was very well-written, very descriptive, and the plot was interesting. Since this was a novella, I don’t feel we got to know the characters nearly as much as I would have liked. There was just so much potential there. But, alas, that’s hard to do in a shorter period of time. Now, the end. I’m not sure I liked the end. It’s a little…open-ended, and I would have liked to have known more. I can’t say much because of spoilers, but I can say it’s not a bad thing, just different. All in all, though, for a genre that isn’t in my top three, this was pretty good. Recommend.
May 20, 2021
Here's another story from a favourite author, blending kaiju, death races, and sci-fi into a fantastic novella.
Dutch is one of the few drivers to succesfully live through the annual Devil's Run race through the apocalyptic ruins of Teijouan and, despite being in prison and serving a long sentence, is about to find herself taking part in the latest event. Not only this, but her sponsors have something a little different in mind involving a little detour to collect a mysterious package. But can she survive when other drivers are out to stop her? And lets not forget the kaiju now roaming the ruins...
Gibson hits every note perfectly here and despite it's relatively short length, this is a story I found had endless depth and possibility. The ending did come around a little quickly, but that may have been just me wanting to spend longer in this world. Here's hoping he revisits this setting, for there is plenty more I'd like to see!
Dutch is one of the few drivers to succesfully live through the annual Devil's Run race through the apocalyptic ruins of Teijouan and, despite being in prison and serving a long sentence, is about to find herself taking part in the latest event. Not only this, but her sponsors have something a little different in mind involving a little detour to collect a mysterious package. But can she survive when other drivers are out to stop her? And lets not forget the kaiju now roaming the ruins...
Gibson hits every note perfectly here and despite it's relatively short length, this is a story I found had endless depth and possibility. The ending did come around a little quickly, but that may have been just me wanting to spend longer in this world. Here's hoping he revisits this setting, for there is plenty more I'd like to see!
December 5, 2020
For more reviews, head to my blog, Chantel Speaks
Devil’s Road is a Sci-Fi car race with alien monsters, assassins and guns, deception against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic city with more secrets than meets the eye.
Dutch McGuire is doing time behind bars when she’s busted out of jail by a billionaire. He promises freedom in exchange for one thing: Dutch compete in the Devil’s Run, a car race that takes place on the post-apocalyptic island, Teijouan, where monsters known as Kaiju prowl the devastated city ruins. Of course, Dutch accepts. She’s competed in the Devil’s Run more times than anyone, but has yet to win.
Right off the bat, Devil’s Road is fast-paced and the plot is punch-y. I liked the immediate way the reader is thrown into Dutch’s chaotic world of assassins and enemies. Dutch needs to quickly adjust to the situation at hand, all while never being sure who is friend or foe.
The Devil’s Run is deadly, not just because of the threat of alien monsters, but because of the other competitors in the race itself. Dutch is smart, and she knows this world well. She knows how navigate her way around danger and lies.
This is packed with action, fast cars and deadly monsters. I have to admit, Devil’s Road is not the exact brand of Sci-Fi I would normally read. I like Sci-Fi but not with such strong Action elements. It read a little like a short movie script to me at times. But, I was surprised at how easily I was able to pick up and read it. I would’ve liked to know more about Dutch’s past and understand more of her motivations as a character. However, being a novella I guess there was only so much time for this.
Overall, this is an enjoyable novella especially for someone who’s more into that high octane action-packed style of storytelling.
Devil’s Road is a Sci-Fi car race with alien monsters, assassins and guns, deception against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic city with more secrets than meets the eye.
Dutch McGuire is doing time behind bars when she’s busted out of jail by a billionaire. He promises freedom in exchange for one thing: Dutch compete in the Devil’s Run, a car race that takes place on the post-apocalyptic island, Teijouan, where monsters known as Kaiju prowl the devastated city ruins. Of course, Dutch accepts. She’s competed in the Devil’s Run more times than anyone, but has yet to win.
Right off the bat, Devil’s Road is fast-paced and the plot is punch-y. I liked the immediate way the reader is thrown into Dutch’s chaotic world of assassins and enemies. Dutch needs to quickly adjust to the situation at hand, all while never being sure who is friend or foe.
The Devil’s Run is deadly, not just because of the threat of alien monsters, but because of the other competitors in the race itself. Dutch is smart, and she knows this world well. She knows how navigate her way around danger and lies.
This is packed with action, fast cars and deadly monsters. I have to admit, Devil’s Road is not the exact brand of Sci-Fi I would normally read. I like Sci-Fi but not with such strong Action elements. It read a little like a short movie script to me at times. But, I was surprised at how easily I was able to pick up and read it. I would’ve liked to know more about Dutch’s past and understand more of her motivations as a character. However, being a novella I guess there was only so much time for this.
Overall, this is an enjoyable novella especially for someone who’s more into that high octane action-packed style of storytelling.
April 4, 2020
Kicking off with a prison break, this short novel rattles through 130 pages of action and skulduggery and culminates in a Wacky Races style road race around an island populated by extremely nasty Kaiju monsters. With nods to Pacific Rim, Godzilla, Escape From New York, Mad Max, Death Race 2000 and a bunch of other action classics, Devil’s Road was exactly the kind of Saturday afternoon movie adventuresome fun I was looking for this week. My only criticism is I wanted more of the priests. The priests absolutely rocked.
Absolutely recommended.
Absolutely recommended.
February 4, 2020
3,5 stars
It was good, short read that I liked a little more than average. Though I wish It'd be alittle longer because in moments the action goes too fast when it could stop so we could learn a little more about characters. Still, the worlduilding is good, very imaginative and I really like a concept of fast cars and monsters. I had some issues, mostly personal, but I've read it in one go and I liked it.
It was good, short read that I liked a little more than average. Though I wish It'd be alittle longer because in moments the action goes too fast when it could stop so we could learn a little more about characters. Still, the worlduilding is good, very imaginative and I really like a concept of fast cars and monsters. I had some issues, mostly personal, but I've read it in one go and I liked it.
March 2, 2020
A thrilling post-apocalyptic death race through kaiju-infested ruins that floors the pedal and never lets up.
Pacific Rim meets Mad Max and Death Race, with russian gansters, mad scientists and deadly car chases - how can you not like that? It's a great little slice of genre mashup fiction that hits just the right spot for me.
Pacific Rim meets Mad Max and Death Race, with russian gansters, mad scientists and deadly car chases - how can you not like that? It's a great little slice of genre mashup fiction that hits just the right spot for me.
March 9, 2020
Could have been better. Definitely could have been worse.
Devil’s Road is a fairly decent attempt at trying to mash together a bunch of different genres, and for the most part Gibson does an ok job at it.
It’s entertaining and mostly fun but nothing earth shattering or amazing. Still though, if you’re Into Mad Max and Death Race and Pacific Rim this is a good start.
Note: I received Devil’s Road from the publisher in return for a fair review.
Devil’s Road is a fairly decent attempt at trying to mash together a bunch of different genres, and for the most part Gibson does an ok job at it.
It’s entertaining and mostly fun but nothing earth shattering or amazing. Still though, if you’re Into Mad Max and Death Race and Pacific Rim this is a good start.
Note: I received Devil’s Road from the publisher in return for a fair review.
February 13, 2021
What a fun book! I don’t normally go in for car race stories but there’s kaiju! Love me some kaiju!
The tale starts off with a prison break and Dutch is quickly in the hands of a billionaire who wants something deep in kaiju country. After the ‘shift’, kaiju clutter up Teijouan. For some odd, but highly amusing, reason, there’s a super secret, yet not secret, annual race from one end of the island to the other. Several have died attempting this race. Dutch is a gifted driver who has made the run successfully a few times now, but has never won the race.
Now she’s forced into taking Nat (his name was Nat, right?) along as her navigator and to ensure she gets the real job done. Mr. Billionaire wants some super secret thing in Teijouan and Nat has a secret map that will get them that thing. Yet Nat might have more orders, orders that might include making sure Dutch never gets a chance to talk about whatever this super secret thing is.
While this novel is short, it’s a lot of fun. There’s plenty of action, the pace is fast, and I love Dutch’s smart-mouthed attitude. She knows cars and has no hesitation in fighting back. The kaiju are out to maintain their body count and since they come in several sizes and shapes, they get their wish.
I’m really hoping for a sequel. There’s still plenty left to explore, like where these kaiju come from, could this shift eventually grow to take over a lot more of Earth, and what will Dutch do now? 5/5 stars.
The Narration: Aleksi Graves was a pretty good fit for this book. She was great as Dutch and I liked her various accents. Some of the male characters could have used a touch more masculinity. The word ‘coupe’ was mispronounced (as koopay instead of koop) and since this is a car race, the word came up often. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues for this recording. 4/5 stars.
The tale starts off with a prison break and Dutch is quickly in the hands of a billionaire who wants something deep in kaiju country. After the ‘shift’, kaiju clutter up Teijouan. For some odd, but highly amusing, reason, there’s a super secret, yet not secret, annual race from one end of the island to the other. Several have died attempting this race. Dutch is a gifted driver who has made the run successfully a few times now, but has never won the race.
Now she’s forced into taking Nat (his name was Nat, right?) along as her navigator and to ensure she gets the real job done. Mr. Billionaire wants some super secret thing in Teijouan and Nat has a secret map that will get them that thing. Yet Nat might have more orders, orders that might include making sure Dutch never gets a chance to talk about whatever this super secret thing is.
While this novel is short, it’s a lot of fun. There’s plenty of action, the pace is fast, and I love Dutch’s smart-mouthed attitude. She knows cars and has no hesitation in fighting back. The kaiju are out to maintain their body count and since they come in several sizes and shapes, they get their wish.
I’m really hoping for a sequel. There’s still plenty left to explore, like where these kaiju come from, could this shift eventually grow to take over a lot more of Earth, and what will Dutch do now? 5/5 stars.
The Narration: Aleksi Graves was a pretty good fit for this book. She was great as Dutch and I liked her various accents. Some of the male characters could have used a touch more masculinity. The word ‘coupe’ was mispronounced (as koopay instead of koop) and since this is a car race, the word came up often. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues for this recording. 4/5 stars.
March 4, 2020
Short and immensely enjoyable!
Overall: +8
Just like it says on the blurb, Fast and Furious meets Pacific Rim..a race through a island filled with various Kaiju's. A roller coaster ride with enough twists and turns not just in the race but in the plot too makes this a totally fun book to read.
Freshness: +10
Dutch was sprung out of prison to participate in a dangerous race held in a Japanese Island which is run over with various types of Kaiju monsters to retrieve a secret cargo. Straight out of the gun, the action starts and doesn't stop till the penultimate page. A book, I'd love to watch as a movie. Immensely entertaining.
Writing/Plot/Pacing: +8
Nothing complex, but gripping. Very few info dumps, but even that is fascinating and kept within the context of the book. The characters are introduced early then stage is set and we get to know about the Island and monsters. Then actual race starts and action kicks in. New revelations occur, plot twists keep you engrossed.
Characters: +7
Probably my only gripe about this book, but very understandable considering it's shortness. Book just drops you in at the start and you don't get a deeper understanding of the intentions and/or background of the characters. I wish the book a bit longer and we could understand the characters and overall world more. The macro world which is totally ignores also sounds intriguing and wish author spent more time/pages there.
Overall: +8
Just like it says on the blurb, Fast and Furious meets Pacific Rim..a race through a island filled with various Kaiju's. A roller coaster ride with enough twists and turns not just in the race but in the plot too makes this a totally fun book to read.
Freshness: +10
Dutch was sprung out of prison to participate in a dangerous race held in a Japanese Island which is run over with various types of Kaiju monsters to retrieve a secret cargo. Straight out of the gun, the action starts and doesn't stop till the penultimate page. A book, I'd love to watch as a movie. Immensely entertaining.
Writing/Plot/Pacing: +8
Nothing complex, but gripping. Very few info dumps, but even that is fascinating and kept within the context of the book. The characters are introduced early then stage is set and we get to know about the Island and monsters. Then actual race starts and action kicks in. New revelations occur, plot twists keep you engrossed.
Characters: +7
Probably my only gripe about this book, but very understandable considering it's shortness. Book just drops you in at the start and you don't get a deeper understanding of the intentions and/or background of the characters. I wish the book a bit longer and we could understand the characters and overall world more. The macro world which is totally ignores also sounds intriguing and wish author spent more time/pages there.
March 10, 2020
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
So, this book was a trip. But honestly, I almost gave up in the beginning. This book presupposes that you’ve seen plenty of Japanese monster movies, and things like mad mad or death race. Really what this world is, which isn’t truly explained until a 80% point of the book, is a place where a time- space rift has opened allowing things to come through from else where- kaiju (think Godzilla and friends) from a science experiment gone horribly wrong.
You never find out why she was in prison, or what her full backstory is, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. What little I know of the main character makes her pretty badass, but this book could have easily been two or three times as long just by simply explaining things and filling in all those pesky gaps. But, in all, this was a fairly good read for what’s there. By the end you care enough about Dutch to want to see what happens next, but it’s a good ending even though we don’t.
So, this book was a trip. But honestly, I almost gave up in the beginning. This book presupposes that you’ve seen plenty of Japanese monster movies, and things like mad mad or death race. Really what this world is, which isn’t truly explained until a 80% point of the book, is a place where a time- space rift has opened allowing things to come through from else where- kaiju (think Godzilla and friends) from a science experiment gone horribly wrong.
You never find out why she was in prison, or what her full backstory is, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. What little I know of the main character makes her pretty badass, but this book could have easily been two or three times as long just by simply explaining things and filling in all those pesky gaps. But, in all, this was a fairly good read for what’s there. By the end you care enough about Dutch to want to see what happens next, but it’s a good ending even though we don’t.
October 11, 2020
So, we have a mysterious island with a "d-field" that messes with electronics and (the closer you get to the center of the island) peoples mind, armored cars racing around the island, huge creatures the size of houses that try to kill anything that moves AND two billionaires fighting over something in the center of the island - when it is impossible to make it to the center in the first place!
This book was action packed right from the start - it starts with a prison riot!! - and never lets up on it. I 100% agree with the comparison Death Race meets Pacific Rim. I felt that this could have turned into a series (in which I would PERSOANLLY run the fan club) but sadly it is not. However, lucky for me, the author has written a few other series that I look forward to reading immensely! I would recommend this to anyone who likes movies like Mad Max, Fast and Furious and (obviously) Death Race and Pacific Rim. Anyone who likes Sci-Fi would also really enjoy this.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
This book was action packed right from the start - it starts with a prison riot!! - and never lets up on it. I 100% agree with the comparison Death Race meets Pacific Rim. I felt that this could have turned into a series (in which I would PERSOANLLY run the fan club) but sadly it is not. However, lucky for me, the author has written a few other series that I look forward to reading immensely! I would recommend this to anyone who likes movies like Mad Max, Fast and Furious and (obviously) Death Race and Pacific Rim. Anyone who likes Sci-Fi would also really enjoy this.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
September 9, 2020
*** NO SPOILERS ***
This is NOT a well developed sweeping story of epic proportions like "Dune." If you are looking for that sort of a book, read "Dune." This is a fast moving, enjoyable read with lots going for it. Some key items included:
Strong female lead character
Imaginative and unique setting
Fast, non-stop action
Interesting cast of characters
Competing interests among protagonists
Backstabbing and double crosses
Uneasy alliances
Incredible monsters
Hidden agendas
Failures are fatal
Hop in the driver's seat, buckle up and join Dutch, the female lead on a wild ride starting from her escape from a high security prison to her joining a lethal race against murderous opposition around an island inhabited with giant monsters, and a reality that has warped.
"What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"
You have no idea!
This is NOT a well developed sweeping story of epic proportions like "Dune." If you are looking for that sort of a book, read "Dune." This is a fast moving, enjoyable read with lots going for it. Some key items included:
Strong female lead character
Imaginative and unique setting
Fast, non-stop action
Interesting cast of characters
Competing interests among protagonists
Backstabbing and double crosses
Uneasy alliances
Incredible monsters
Hidden agendas
Failures are fatal
Hop in the driver's seat, buckle up and join Dutch, the female lead on a wild ride starting from her escape from a high security prison to her joining a lethal race against murderous opposition around an island inhabited with giant monsters, and a reality that has warped.
"What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"
You have no idea!
February 11, 2020
Devil’s Road is an apocalyptical heart-pounding ride that may leave you with a bit of road rash from all the twists and turns. I latched onto the Gibson’s descriptions right away. The Russian prison, the power-hungry billionaire gangsters and Dutch… they all lead to the ruins of the island and the crazy characters she will be driving against.
This is a short book at only 150 pages, but Gibson certainly does enough to place the characters in a fleshed-out world. I liked the shiftiness of the bit players and the overall plot. It kept me on my toes.
For a quick and fun read, pick this one up!
4 out of 5 stars.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2020/02/11/de...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
This is a short book at only 150 pages, but Gibson certainly does enough to place the characters in a fleshed-out world. I liked the shiftiness of the bit players and the overall plot. It kept me on my toes.
For a quick and fun read, pick this one up!
4 out of 5 stars.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2020/02/11/de...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
March 23, 2020
Devil's Road feels like a throwback to the pulp fiction novels of the early to mid 1900's - the story moves along quickly and the characters act (almost) exactly as you'd expect them to. There isn't too much world-building, with Kaiju serving more as a background noise than the focus of the novel, and many of the characters that you would expect to be more impactful end up being one-offs, introduced and then discarded. Gibson does a nice job blending different types of stories; the blend of Kaiju and Death Race feels like a natural pairing, almost ready to be made into a nice summer action movie.
February 11, 2020
This was a very enjoyable book, lots of action set in a post apocalyptisch world where Dutch McGuire is broken out of prison to once again enter a dangerous race.
Not having much of a choice she agrees, but not all is as it seems. Since the book is only a 100 or so pages long you shouldn't expect a lot of character depth but if you like sci-fi and a strong female lead, you won't go wrong with this one. I would have happily read twice the amount of pages!
Not having much of a choice she agrees, but not all is as it seems. Since the book is only a 100 or so pages long you shouldn't expect a lot of character depth but if you like sci-fi and a strong female lead, you won't go wrong with this one. I would have happily read twice the amount of pages!
December 23, 2020
Great stuff, I loved it and couldn't put it down. Death Race 2000 meets Jurassic park. A excellent intelligent entertaining story with great characters, fast paced action, treachery, intrigue and monsters. I want a sequel A must read I received a complimentary copy from Storyorigin and am leaving a voluntary honest review
February 7, 2021
Devil's Road is amazing and great fun!
You definitely won't forget this one anytime soon. The characters are so real and the action is scary ... I love this book. It is almost like watching my fav action heroes play the lead roles and then add the scary monsters and pray Dutch finds the road to a new paradise. Wait for me!!
You definitely won't forget this one anytime soon. The characters are so real and the action is scary ... I love this book. It is almost like watching my fav action heroes play the lead roles and then add the scary monsters and pray Dutch finds the road to a new paradise. Wait for me!!
April 1, 2023
I quite liked this however feel it might have been better if extended to a full novel size, then again maybe it originally was? An imaginary island in the Korea/Japan/China neck of the woods where a Pacific Rim style hole has opened up, albeit from above rather than below. Not an a par with the apocalypse series but not bad.
December 30, 2024
Devil's Road is an intense and action-packed read filled with intrigue and peril and interdimensional monsters, all packed into this short novella that was a joy to read. I've always liked Gary Gibson's storytelling, and I really liked the MC, Dutch. It's definitely a worthwhile read, and I hope there's more from this world.
March 3, 2020
What a great ride. Fast cars, guns, Kaiju monsters. Aleksi does a great job narrating. Gary builds a world I want more of. Can’t wait for book 2. It was cool listening and driving at the same time. I want to race too. This book was given to me at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 7, 2020
Relentless and a total blast.
Gibson pushes the narrative pedal to the floor and keeps it there till the end. It's a tight, fast story.
I don't know that I could say anything more that wouldn't be spoiler or that you couldn't read from the blurb.
It's a good read. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gibson pushes the narrative pedal to the floor and keeps it there till the end. It's a tight, fast story.
I don't know that I could say anything more that wouldn't be spoiler or that you couldn't read from the blurb.
It's a good read. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
March 19, 2020
Lemme a fiver ?
Marvellous fun from start to finish, great story sadly over all too soon. This reads like the greatest movie John Carpenter never got to make, bravo Mr Gibson, let's have a sequel soon
Marvellous fun from start to finish, great story sadly over all too soon. This reads like the greatest movie John Carpenter never got to make, bravo Mr Gibson, let's have a sequel soon
May 10, 2020
Maybe because of my age, 75, I just could not get my head around this book. This was a mindless book in my estimation. If this what kids today have to read it is no wonder that they are mindless..! Poorly constructed story line, weak characters almost no cohesion!
October 7, 2020
Devil’s Road is a post-apocalyptic, death race through multi-dimensional monsters fill with backstabbing, hitman and a few twists. It starts with a jailbreak and keeps the action going throughout. Dutch is a fun lead to follow and easily likable. Definitely worth the listen.
February 20, 2020
I got to read this as I support the author on Patreon. The basic concept is kind of deathrace 2000 meets Godzilla. Which maybe undersells it as I found it an enjoyable read with a great ending.
August 6, 2020
A great read! I did really enjoy this! I liked the story, plot & characters! I will look for more by this writer & do recommend to those that like this genre!
March 19, 2021
A rip roaring goodtime!!! Very mad Manish but a story of its own for a cookie cutter I enjoyed it just the same would love more
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