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Rasciss
On an ordinary day an ordinary man by the name of Hollowawk accomplished something truly extraordinary; he defied death and in doing so broke the laws set forth by Ganius the king of all gods. Now the King-god summons the 9 gods of war to a council of shadow to choose someone or something strong enough and skilled enough to defeat the man now known by some as the Red Immortal. But Hollowawk has a journey of his own to fulfill. He seeks out the power of the Hujikon mirror, an ancient and forbidden item that's power grants him the ability to forge fifteen versions of himself whose strength and skill is only surpassed by their loyalty. With these warriors by his side, the Red Immortal sets out to find Obuvik, the last of the great anti-gods, for it is he and he alone who can give the answer Hollowawk desperately desires. But in order to find Obuvik, Hollowawk and his companions must travel through a hellish desert known as the Endless Barren. For the band of warriors to even take step in such a place, items of legend must be acquired by any means necessary. However, they are not the only ones on a journey, for the gods of war have chosen their champion, a being whose ancient sins were so appalling and so horrifying that even the devil himself broke down and wept in shock.
404 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2009
39 people want to read
About the author
Shane Porteous
69 books32 followersEver since I was old enough to retain memory I have wanted to be an author. I must have written at least 100 original stories as well as alot of fan fiction.
I cannot remember the very first story I wrote because I would have written it years before I could properly spell more than ten words. But the two earliest stories I can remember writing are "Blood got on Big Boss" and "Mad Lab".
Blood got on Big boss was a ridiculous story that told of a group of kids being hunted down by a ruthless crime boss that had motocycle driving ninjas as henchmen along with many other ludicrous things.
Mad Lab was equally ridiculous and told the story of how there was a science building that had been taken over by bio-engineered monsters. It was so dangerous that the police force refused to enter the building and a team of elite mercenaries were called in to destroy the monsters.
In total I wrote 8 sequels to mad lab though I must admit each were only 4 or 5 hand written pages long.
When I was ten or eleven I saw an anime that would forever change the way I wrote and thought about stories. That anime was Guyver Bio-Booster Armor. I was mesmerised by this cartoon that was filled with some of the most goriest scenes I had ever seen at that time. The fact that it was a cartoon that had swearing and intense violence shocked me as much as it thrilled me.
But beyond all the violence and the swearing Guyver Bio- Booster Armor also possessed many layers to it's story. It was a much more complex and philosophical way of telling a story that was light years beyond any movie, book or cartoon I had ever seen before.
Guyver opened my eyes to the world of Manga/Anime, a world where black and white convention was rejected, replaced by a complex world of grey. I loved it and found when I wrote stories that I was always striving to be different.
Now with my boyhood dream of being a published author completed I only hope that I successfully strive to write stories that are a little different. But that is not for me to decide it is up to the readers, so please if you ever read one of my books please let me know what you thought about it!
I cannot remember the very first story I wrote because I would have written it years before I could properly spell more than ten words. But the two earliest stories I can remember writing are "Blood got on Big Boss" and "Mad Lab".
Blood got on Big boss was a ridiculous story that told of a group of kids being hunted down by a ruthless crime boss that had motocycle driving ninjas as henchmen along with many other ludicrous things.
Mad Lab was equally ridiculous and told the story of how there was a science building that had been taken over by bio-engineered monsters. It was so dangerous that the police force refused to enter the building and a team of elite mercenaries were called in to destroy the monsters.
In total I wrote 8 sequels to mad lab though I must admit each were only 4 or 5 hand written pages long.
When I was ten or eleven I saw an anime that would forever change the way I wrote and thought about stories. That anime was Guyver Bio-Booster Armor. I was mesmerised by this cartoon that was filled with some of the most goriest scenes I had ever seen at that time. The fact that it was a cartoon that had swearing and intense violence shocked me as much as it thrilled me.
But beyond all the violence and the swearing Guyver Bio- Booster Armor also possessed many layers to it's story. It was a much more complex and philosophical way of telling a story that was light years beyond any movie, book or cartoon I had ever seen before.
Guyver opened my eyes to the world of Manga/Anime, a world where black and white convention was rejected, replaced by a complex world of grey. I loved it and found when I wrote stories that I was always striving to be different.
Now with my boyhood dream of being a published author completed I only hope that I successfully strive to write stories that are a little different. But that is not for me to decide it is up to the readers, so please if you ever read one of my books please let me know what you thought about it!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 22, 2011
Since I am not a writer it is going to be difficult for me to truly get across just how marvellous of a book this truly is. So I am going to start my review by saying it is a Masterpiece, a story that is right up there as the greatest book that I have ever read. Rasciss easily could have been a generic dark fantasy story, filled with clichés that we have all grown use to. Reading the back of the book, one could not be blamed for thinking that this was going to be a stock standard brutal epic. But it is anything but stock standard.
Hollowawk, the main character of the book made the gods themselves tremble when he defied death. But they did not tremble because of how powerful he was but rather because of what he represents, that the gods are not all powerful and their words are not infallible. Cleverly in Rasciss when someone dies for that spilt moment between life and the afterlife all the secrets of existence are explained to them. When they cross over they forget all of these secrets, but since Hollowawk never crossed over he retains memory of such secrets. This is explained at the begging of this book, concreting the stability of the story. In place of a fun, but silly premise of a being so powerful it can destroy gods, Hollowawk’s leverage against the gods is far more interesting and original. It also adds a great level of mystery to the story, keeping the reading guessing while at the same time always keeping them enthralled and entertained. There are very few fantasy stories that can both entertain and carry such a level of physiological thought through them. There is also the interesting concept of existence itself having a conscious thought and that not even the gods can completely defy its will.
The band of Hollowawk, the characters that are created when Hollowawk places his blood upon the Hujikon mirror each represent a part of his personality. From Kollowwha, the always curious and most “innocent” of them to Hoalwwlok the monster man, who is the most animalistic amongst them. Each of their names is an anagram for Hollowawk, a simple yet clever touch to the cast. What makes these characters so interesting is they are not quick and simple, nor are they the stereotypical support cast found in most fantasy stories. The character of Ollokhaww, who insists he be called “Death” is not dark and moody, but whimsical and quirky. Lhokolaww the most tribal in appearance of all the characters, is in fact highly intelligent and worldly. This shows just how much thought the author had when he was creating these characters, he made them individuals, you remember as individuals.
The Ghost of Grigger Grove, the most active antagonist in Rasciss, is a tormented character that is ultimately a pawn of the gods. But what I liked most about him is just like Hollowawk he is not a stereotype but a highly interesting and mysterious individual. He represents the pettiness the gods possess and his introduction chapter is nothing short of brilliant.
The mythology of Rasciss carries with it such a genuine feel of ancientness, as if they truly were legends told hundreds if not thousands of years ago. Such stories are flawlessly woven into the story, each one so interesting, that individually they would make great novels all of their own.
The writing style of Rasciss reads almost like poetry, strengthened by the passion of the author that bleeds through on every single word written within its pages. The greatest strength of Rasciss is that the author clearly has not simply emulated another author. It is quite obvious that he did not read lord of the rings or another such popular story and then write down what he saw. No, he created this unbelievably imaginative world entirely from his own head. That is something that very few authors can truly lay claim.
Most baffling of all however is the fact that this is the authors first book! It’s hard to believe that such a marvellous story was the debut book of an author. It just goes to show that there is still great talent out there to be discovered. So please take my word for it because if you read this book and enjoy it half as much as I did then you are truly in for a great read.
Hollowawk, the main character of the book made the gods themselves tremble when he defied death. But they did not tremble because of how powerful he was but rather because of what he represents, that the gods are not all powerful and their words are not infallible. Cleverly in Rasciss when someone dies for that spilt moment between life and the afterlife all the secrets of existence are explained to them. When they cross over they forget all of these secrets, but since Hollowawk never crossed over he retains memory of such secrets. This is explained at the begging of this book, concreting the stability of the story. In place of a fun, but silly premise of a being so powerful it can destroy gods, Hollowawk’s leverage against the gods is far more interesting and original. It also adds a great level of mystery to the story, keeping the reading guessing while at the same time always keeping them enthralled and entertained. There are very few fantasy stories that can both entertain and carry such a level of physiological thought through them. There is also the interesting concept of existence itself having a conscious thought and that not even the gods can completely defy its will.
The band of Hollowawk, the characters that are created when Hollowawk places his blood upon the Hujikon mirror each represent a part of his personality. From Kollowwha, the always curious and most “innocent” of them to Hoalwwlok the monster man, who is the most animalistic amongst them. Each of their names is an anagram for Hollowawk, a simple yet clever touch to the cast. What makes these characters so interesting is they are not quick and simple, nor are they the stereotypical support cast found in most fantasy stories. The character of Ollokhaww, who insists he be called “Death” is not dark and moody, but whimsical and quirky. Lhokolaww the most tribal in appearance of all the characters, is in fact highly intelligent and worldly. This shows just how much thought the author had when he was creating these characters, he made them individuals, you remember as individuals.
The Ghost of Grigger Grove, the most active antagonist in Rasciss, is a tormented character that is ultimately a pawn of the gods. But what I liked most about him is just like Hollowawk he is not a stereotype but a highly interesting and mysterious individual. He represents the pettiness the gods possess and his introduction chapter is nothing short of brilliant.
The mythology of Rasciss carries with it such a genuine feel of ancientness, as if they truly were legends told hundreds if not thousands of years ago. Such stories are flawlessly woven into the story, each one so interesting, that individually they would make great novels all of their own.
The writing style of Rasciss reads almost like poetry, strengthened by the passion of the author that bleeds through on every single word written within its pages. The greatest strength of Rasciss is that the author clearly has not simply emulated another author. It is quite obvious that he did not read lord of the rings or another such popular story and then write down what he saw. No, he created this unbelievably imaginative world entirely from his own head. That is something that very few authors can truly lay claim.
Most baffling of all however is the fact that this is the authors first book! It’s hard to believe that such a marvellous story was the debut book of an author. It just goes to show that there is still great talent out there to be discovered. So please take my word for it because if you read this book and enjoy it half as much as I did then you are truly in for a great read.
May 14, 2011
Normally I don't write reviews for the books I read. But for Rasciss I must make an exception because of how terrific it is. What I love about this book is nothing within its pages has been rushed through the author has not once relied on any stereotype for convience. He has built this world from the ground up and allows the reader to observe every detail of it without rushing them through it. At the same time there is always a level of mystery to the story you know that there is much more too it then what you see.
I have to mention the third chapter as the greatest introduction to a character that I have ever read. (Don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't go into great detail about it.) Each chapter in itself is like a single story yet each chapter flows together beautifully without falling apart.
The characters in the book are not predictable and at times it feels almost like they know you are reading about them and want to keep certain secrets from you.
Alot of people may also think that Rasciss would be a thinly plotted story filled with nothing more than violence for its own sake. While their is violence throughout the story there is nothing superficial about it and there are long periods between the acts of violence showing that the author only wrote the violence when it was neccessary to continue the story. At the same time the violence is needed to show just how brutal living in this world is for its inhabitants.
Finally I have to mention that while nothing felt rushed by the same token nothing ever felt long winded. I never found myself saying "oh just get on with the story". Rasciss has earned its five star rating for being a book that is as original as it is brilliant!
I have to mention the third chapter as the greatest introduction to a character that I have ever read. (Don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't go into great detail about it.) Each chapter in itself is like a single story yet each chapter flows together beautifully without falling apart.
The characters in the book are not predictable and at times it feels almost like they know you are reading about them and want to keep certain secrets from you.
Alot of people may also think that Rasciss would be a thinly plotted story filled with nothing more than violence for its own sake. While their is violence throughout the story there is nothing superficial about it and there are long periods between the acts of violence showing that the author only wrote the violence when it was neccessary to continue the story. At the same time the violence is needed to show just how brutal living in this world is for its inhabitants.
Finally I have to mention that while nothing felt rushed by the same token nothing ever felt long winded. I never found myself saying "oh just get on with the story". Rasciss has earned its five star rating for being a book that is as original as it is brilliant!
August 13, 2011
In RASCISS, Shane Porteous skillfully immerses the reader in a poignant and imaginative dark fantasy tale pitting the gods against an unusual mortal. A well-crafted action ride keeping one turning the pages.
This amazing story begins when Hollowawk, an ordinary man, defies certain death, angering the king of all gods, Ganius, who then becomes angrier when Hollowawk butchers those the gods send to kill him, earning him the name of the Red Immortal. Ganius, now apopletic, summons the gods of war to choose a being mighty enough to kill the Red Immortal in order to rectify destiny's blunder.
To escape the gods' wrath, Hollowawk, accompanied by a troop of fourteen man-creature warriors, begin a dangerous and frightening journey to seek the help of Obuvik, the last of the anti-gods imprisoned for eternity by Ganius in a hellish desert, there mourning through all the ages the loss of his fallen love, the goddess Vickeriia, daughter of Ganius. However, before traveling to this formidable desert, the Red Immortal must first acquire the crucial items insuring that he and his warrior troop will survive in its killer heat, then find the body of Vickeriia and bring it back with them to give to Obuvick for his favor.
After traveling long and far over strange terrains both treacherous and astonishing to secure these items, Hollowawk's troop wards off vicious attacks almost taking their lives before they locate the goddess' tomb and find her casket. Then through a portal provided by a mystic, the troop carries the casket to Obuvik's desert --- the 'endless barrier', a sea of dead sand and furious winds beneath a fiery sun; a lifeless sinister land forgotten, uncivilized and chaotic, without nightfall and without exit.
For exhaustive months, painstakingly keeping Vickeriia's casket from sinking forever in the weak sand, the Red Immortal's troop labors in their dreary march across the unforgiving desert in search of Obuvik. When the troop is beyond breaking point, Obuvik, pathetic and diseased, sensing Vickeriia's presence, finds Hollowawk and his warriors, breaking into unconrollable sobbing as he gazes upon the beauty of his fallen beloved, deprived of this sight for hundreds of centuries. Contrary to what Hollowawk had hoped for, Obuvik couldn't be of help to the Red Immortal in his impossible task of defeating the gods, but did direct him to a nearby temple that possibly held his only hope.
Once in that temple, Hollowawk is suddenly confronted with his would-be assassin, the Ghost of Grigger Grove, a damned non-mortal being even the gods dreaded. The two clash in a bitter battle to the death, the ghost relentless in his onslaught, easily fending away Hollowawk's best efforts, appearing too great to be bested, leaving the Red Immortal feeling he was fighting God himself and it was only a matter of time before God became bored and destroyed him!
From here, an astonishing ending.
RASCISS contains profound offerings, and yes, compassion and fleeting love, making this book a special read. Its refreshing narrative derives from excellent writing invigorating the subject matter with dynamic mood and a compelling touch.
This amazing story begins when Hollowawk, an ordinary man, defies certain death, angering the king of all gods, Ganius, who then becomes angrier when Hollowawk butchers those the gods send to kill him, earning him the name of the Red Immortal. Ganius, now apopletic, summons the gods of war to choose a being mighty enough to kill the Red Immortal in order to rectify destiny's blunder.
To escape the gods' wrath, Hollowawk, accompanied by a troop of fourteen man-creature warriors, begin a dangerous and frightening journey to seek the help of Obuvik, the last of the anti-gods imprisoned for eternity by Ganius in a hellish desert, there mourning through all the ages the loss of his fallen love, the goddess Vickeriia, daughter of Ganius. However, before traveling to this formidable desert, the Red Immortal must first acquire the crucial items insuring that he and his warrior troop will survive in its killer heat, then find the body of Vickeriia and bring it back with them to give to Obuvick for his favor.
After traveling long and far over strange terrains both treacherous and astonishing to secure these items, Hollowawk's troop wards off vicious attacks almost taking their lives before they locate the goddess' tomb and find her casket. Then through a portal provided by a mystic, the troop carries the casket to Obuvik's desert --- the 'endless barrier', a sea of dead sand and furious winds beneath a fiery sun; a lifeless sinister land forgotten, uncivilized and chaotic, without nightfall and without exit.
For exhaustive months, painstakingly keeping Vickeriia's casket from sinking forever in the weak sand, the Red Immortal's troop labors in their dreary march across the unforgiving desert in search of Obuvik. When the troop is beyond breaking point, Obuvik, pathetic and diseased, sensing Vickeriia's presence, finds Hollowawk and his warriors, breaking into unconrollable sobbing as he gazes upon the beauty of his fallen beloved, deprived of this sight for hundreds of centuries. Contrary to what Hollowawk had hoped for, Obuvik couldn't be of help to the Red Immortal in his impossible task of defeating the gods, but did direct him to a nearby temple that possibly held his only hope.
Once in that temple, Hollowawk is suddenly confronted with his would-be assassin, the Ghost of Grigger Grove, a damned non-mortal being even the gods dreaded. The two clash in a bitter battle to the death, the ghost relentless in his onslaught, easily fending away Hollowawk's best efforts, appearing too great to be bested, leaving the Red Immortal feeling he was fighting God himself and it was only a matter of time before God became bored and destroyed him!
From here, an astonishing ending.
RASCISS contains profound offerings, and yes, compassion and fleeting love, making this book a special read. Its refreshing narrative derives from excellent writing invigorating the subject matter with dynamic mood and a compelling touch.
March 14, 2011
Rasciss tells the story of Hollowawk, the red immortal the man who defied death and made the very gods themselves tremble. What I loved the most about this book had to with the chapters, each one was like a small complete story within it's self. Nothing every seemed rushed within the pages allowing the reader to explore this dark brutal world. But at the same time nothing ever seemed like filler, there are no side stories to distract the reader from the main story. The main character Hollowawk is fantastic because he isn't an archtype of fantasy. Originally he comes off as a silent cold hearted man, but as you read further into the story it is revealed that in spite of what he has done (defying the will of the gods) that he is still human and flawed. His flaws are not stereotypical either, he isn't haunted by his past or upset that his true love got away.
At the same time he is very mysterious just enough of him is revealed to make you interested in who he is and why he does what he does. The villian was very memorable and wasn't the classic pure evil destructive force. Another great thing about Rasciss is after reading it I didn't find myself saying "Oh this author was inspired by this author" Rasciss was very original compared to most fantasy books I have read.
If I write any more I will be giving the story away so I will end with this. Rasciss is like a gourmet meal cooked by a fine chef that keeps his restaurant open just so you can sit and enjoy every succelent bite of your meal.
At the same time he is very mysterious just enough of him is revealed to make you interested in who he is and why he does what he does. The villian was very memorable and wasn't the classic pure evil destructive force. Another great thing about Rasciss is after reading it I didn't find myself saying "Oh this author was inspired by this author" Rasciss was very original compared to most fantasy books I have read.
If I write any more I will be giving the story away so I will end with this. Rasciss is like a gourmet meal cooked by a fine chef that keeps his restaurant open just so you can sit and enjoy every succelent bite of your meal.
May 29, 2011
Okay this is my very first ever written review and I am over the moon it is about such an awesome book.
Rasciss is the story of a man called Hollowawk who defied death something not even the very gods are capable of doing and because of this he becomes a target for Ganius the king of all gods.
Too often with authors they try to emulate those who have inspired them to write in the first place. The problem with doing this however is most of these books fail to live up to their inspirations, they follow instead of lead the way to telling a great story.
Rasciss is definitely the exception and carries with it a sense of vast experience like this was the author's 20th book not his first. Cool and clever Rasciss tells a story that is anything but stock standard taking you into a world of darkness and brutality where even the most hardened beings struggle and suffer.
Throughout the book there is a level of mystery to everything that occurs making you only more interested in what is going to happen next. This accompanied by the interesting mythology and cast of intruiging characters makes Rasciss a book you will want to read over and over again!
Rasciss is the story of a man called Hollowawk who defied death something not even the very gods are capable of doing and because of this he becomes a target for Ganius the king of all gods.
Too often with authors they try to emulate those who have inspired them to write in the first place. The problem with doing this however is most of these books fail to live up to their inspirations, they follow instead of lead the way to telling a great story.
Rasciss is definitely the exception and carries with it a sense of vast experience like this was the author's 20th book not his first. Cool and clever Rasciss tells a story that is anything but stock standard taking you into a world of darkness and brutality where even the most hardened beings struggle and suffer.
Throughout the book there is a level of mystery to everything that occurs making you only more interested in what is going to happen next. This accompanied by the interesting mythology and cast of intruiging characters makes Rasciss a book you will want to read over and over again!
August 8, 2011
wicked book easy read loads of description rich and exiting
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews