Book Review: Devils in the Confessional by Channing Cornwall

 

Devils in the Confessional is the third installment of the Western Sins trilogy written by Channing Cornwall, who happens to be my friend. In this, the final book in the western genre series, we meet up with Joseph Abernathy from the second book in the series Breathed out by God who is in a pickle in the freshly dug mining town of Opelance, Oregon in the late 1800s. The Coffin Killers, led by one mean smooth talkin' sumbitch by the name of Coffin Kain, have taken over the town in an effort to extort money from its citizens and its founder Benjamin Fink. In an effort to rid the town of these wretched curs Joseph Abernathy and three other men ride out one night to find the men he thinks can help, the saviors of Serenity Ridge, Isaac Teller, and Kemal Hajara from Breathed out by God as well. 

Isaac is still a God-fearing man who denounced violence after his harrowing adventures in the previous tale and Kemal isn't the fastest gun in the Northwest so they then turn to the two most dangerous hombres they know; none other than Cullen Travers and Sadie Warner, who bested the entire Faceless Ghosts gang in book one of the series Hell Came with Her. Joseph Abernathy brings these two groups together, along with Isaac's brother Jacob and a couple others from Opulence in an effort to bring peace back to the mining town where men and women are being held hostage by the Coffin Killers and the unwitting gold baron Benjamin Fink.

There is a bit of setting up before we get to the altercation that ensues by the end of the story but the setup is worth it for the background needed to understand the new characters and the new stakes involved. Everyone has something to gain and something to lose from their decisions and the lives of dozens of people hang in the balance. Isaac and Kemal want to go back to their wives and children at their cozy inn and look forward to a move up north where they can be free from the racism that plagues their culture. Cullen wants to feel useful again doing the only thing he knows how to do, killing and Sadie just wants to make sure Cullen doesn't die being the stubborn bastard she can't contain that he is. The people of Opulence want their share of the golden cow. Fink wants his riches. Coffin Kain wants his retirement money and to make a name as the baddest gunslinger. Will they get what they want or just what's coming for them? 

The author, Channing Cornwall, has crafted a compelling finale to the tale of the characters we fell in love with during the previous Western Sins books where the harsh realities of the lawless west are splattered against the walls of our minds' proverbial silver screen in great relief. This world is dark and cruel. Channing makes us hate the bad guys who are fucking horrible while making us love the good guys who are as noble as they come, even with their unrelenting flaws. While Devils in the Confessional has all the makings of a classic western tale it offers fresh struggles, suspenseful intrigue, and emotional depth. 

I highly recommend finishing off your western sin with a confession of your own! Let me try again: No preacher can save you from the western sins in this confessional! Or: Even God won't pardon these western sinners, no matter how much they confess. Fuckin' nailed it!

Get Channing's books here: Amazon.com

Read my Review of Hell Came with Her Here

Read my review of Breathed out by God Here

Read more book reviews at joesnotesblog.com! 

Book Review: The Acolyte by Nick Cutter

 

The Acolyte takes place in the dystopian city of New Bethlehem, a city much like modern-day New York or Chicago except that the governing body is controlled by a religious totalitarian regime that has made any deviation from Christian ethics a criminal offense. In order to combat crimes against the faith, they have created an enforcement agency with authority above all others. Jonah Murtag is one of these agents and he is 'The Acolyte' we follow throughout this terrifying tale of tyranny, treachery, and intrigue. 

Murtag is a devout follower of the faith and even turned his mother in for her sins when he was a child. She was sent to a center where part of her brain was removed rendering her with the intellect of a child. Murtag and his fellow acolytes spend their days cracking the skulls of those who dare to break the rules set forth by the ancient text of the Bible. Gays are sent to reconditioning centers or they are otherwise eliminated. Atheists are arrested, taken to prison, or beaten to death in the process. Muslims and Jews are allowed to live in ghettos to continue having a large workforce but their children are forced to adopt Christian ways and no one is allowed to practice or hold onto any non-Christian religious traditions, symbols, or relics.  Also, science is essentially gone as it provides a source of doubt and an alternative explanation to the word of God. 

One night Murtag is tasked with being the bodyguard of the daughter of the most important man in the city, The Prophet. The Prophet runs the city and his family is the shining light of all that is holy until one night, when a terrorist self explodes, killing The Prophet's daughter and almost killing Murtag and his fellow Acolyte Doe. Murtag's sins begin with his lust for Doe, the first female acolyte, who turns out to be much more than just another follower. As the investigation into the bombing begins more bombs start to go off around the city and as Murtag gets closer to the truth he gets farther from his faith. As his faith devolves his humanity starts to blossom as he indulges in acts of compassion as well as sins of the flesh. He acts as a microcosm of the impending destruction that engulfs the city around him. As the city is torn apart so is his mind and by the end, he becomes what the powerful fear the most; a committed believer. 

Nick Cutter writes in a very straightforward fashion with little in the way of colorful metaphors or long-winded internal diatribes. The chapters are short and continuous. The story is a relentless trek through a dark and dangerous realm full of the worst of what humans are capable of. It provides a stark example of how horrendous acts can be made justifiable with a strong enough belief in one's own righteousness. When power meets conviction anything is possible. This story is a huge allegory for the problems that come from religious dogma, totalitarian governments, and the inevitability of violent reactions to subjugation and tyranny. 

This is a good book if you can stomach some very gruesome depictions and macabre situations. There were a few moments where I was genuinely disturbed and a little put off. It is very pulpy and like a certain type of horror, it paints pictures in blood to a degree that may not be for some. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a quick read that packs a big irreverent punch. 

Book Review: Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert

 

Heretics of Dune is the fifth entry into the epic Dune saga and boy this was a difficult one to get into. Heretics takes place 1500 years or so after the events of God Emporer of Dune and all the main characters are long dead. But they are not forgotten. The prophecies and prognostications of Leto II are still at the heart of everything that moves human activity. With the God Emporer's death, humanity lacked direction and took to exploring new parts of the universe. This is called The Scattering and from the splintered pieces come new and powerful factions that are returning to the old realms to take power away from those that have ruled since The Tyrant's long plunge into the watery grave he accepted. 

The Bene Gesserit, Tlielaxu, Ix, and Fish Speakers are part of the old world and continue to compete for dominance over the most powerful resources, melange, and information. Now that melange can be made synthetically by the Tlielaxu the planet known as Dune, Arrakis, and now simply known as Rakis, the sandworms that create the original spice are not the only resource that is being fought over. It is still completely vital but so is knowledge. How do the Tlielaxu make their version of melange? How do they create and manipulate their ghola clones? How does the new Duncan play into all this? Who controls the diary passed down by the God-King Leto II and what does it say about the future? And who is the young girl who can speak to and control sandworms?  

Sheeana, a peasant girl whose entire family was killed by sandworms, can summon even the largest of sandworms, speak to them, and somehow hear their psychokinetic voices. She is the key to finding out if The Tyrant is back and what that might mean for the interests pulling at the strings of human evolution. Is his Golden Path being fulfilled or is mankind doomed? 

The Bene Gesserit are up to their usual witchcraft with the goal of protecting humanity from those groups that would suck humanity dry. Unfortunately, a group known as the Honored Matres has evolved more powerful forms of manipulation and control more forces than any other in the universe. They seek to wipe out the Bene Gesserit and anyone else that doesn't bend the knee to their form of tyranny. Lucky for the Bene Gesserit that they have the most powerful descendants of the Atreides lineage among their ranks and the power that those ancient genes have the potential to wield. 

This book is crazy complicated and it was very difficult getting into it for me. It took almost half the book for my mind to start to grasp the new players, motivations, and all the connections to the previous books. Once these connections were made though and the book became integrated into the canon of Dune lore it all clicked and I was once again mesmerized by the genius of Frank Herbert. It is hard to tell at first who to root for and who really matters. The new Duncan Idaho is younger than any from the previous books and is something to grasp onto as a connection to the previous books but soon takes a backseat to the new characters who weave their way into the Dune canon as characters that are just as powerful, terrifying, and heroic as any others in the series.

If you are already into Dune to get this far in the series then this book is worth the mind-bending trouble of nearly starting over in regards to the names and places that matter to the story. Once you get into it the whole world is still there, just expanded from the previous. The influence of the actions of characters from day one of the series is still visible all the way into the future world of Heretics of Dune. 

I came this far so why not keep riding this crazy space train?

Read my previous Dune reviews here:

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

 

I had almost zero expectations going into reading this book other than that Michael Crighton is a great writer and I enjoyed Congo a lot and I enjoyed the Jurassic Park movies. I could tell that it was about some kind of virus as the term "strain" usually means something bad and biological and there are lots of strains of viruses and viruses are on the mind of late. Based on the previous titles I was expecting some kind of action-adventure story but that is not what I found with this book. Instead, I was slowly taken on a cerebral journey through a subtle world of science fiction in a way that I haven't experienced before. 

The Andromeda Strain starts off in a small town where everyone but two people has died from a mysterious cause. Some of them have committed suicide while others choked to death and some had their blood solidify in their veins. The only survivors are a baby and an old man. The connection between the two unlikely survivors will become the key to understanding the solution to the problem. In an effort to understand this potential threat a covert government agency known as Project Wildfire is put into action. Project Wildfire was created for the purpose of preparing for the inevitable event that an alien lifeform, likely bacterial-sized, would end up on Earth and potentially cause a threat to humanity. Millions of dollars were allocated to the project which allowed for a state-of-the-art laboratory to be built in order to study and contain anything the potential threat had to offer. 

It turns out that something did hitch a ride on a government satellite and fell from space into the small town. The satellite is taken to the Project Wildfire facility and studied by the elite group of scientists selected for the project. From there it is up to the team of scientists to study this potentially life-ending strain of unknown life before it is too late. With nuclear protocols in place to destroy the town if needed, the facility if needed, and anything else, if needed, the scientists go to work around the clock to come up with a cure knowing that they will be left to die if they are contaminated by the unknown strain. 

Michael Crighton takes some of the most potentially boring material and makes it somehow extremely interesting. With historical fiction about the underworld of government activities adding to the intrigue and an immense sense of impending dread, the story is compelling without any of the typical action one is expecting. Scientific technologies and methods are the keys to saving humanity and are the real heroes here. Biochemistry, virology, biology, and physiology could easily bring boredom to a story but I found the writing made these technical things accessible and interesting. The story does seem a little slow at times but has good pacing that kept me interested throughout and by the end, I was on the edge of my seat for the climactic finale. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a more scientific mystery that is both thrilling and thoughtful. Michael Crighton put a lot of research into the science here and it shows. If you like biology, viruses, alien encounters, and government conspiracies this book is for you. With Covid 19 existing and permeating culture I am sure that this book might freak people out a little so if you have a hard time separating fact from fiction then this may not be the book for you but you probably won't admit it any way that so go ahead and read it. 

Read my Review of Congo:

 https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-congo-by-michael-crichton?rq=congo

Book Review: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

 

This book sat on my shelf for quite a while and I was planning on letting it sit. My aunt gave it to me and I figured it was a book that was more suited to a 60-year-old woman. I thought it was some kind of spiritual journey biography or some kind of allegory for the ills of modern capitalism. I don't know why I thought this and I was very wrong. It is one of the most engaging fantasies I have ever read. It was a surprise to find out that it takes place in a fictional future where the earth has turned on its inhabitants by way of violent tectonic activities. Volcanoes, lava flows, earthquakes, and tsunamis are the real enemies to humanity and can take out an entire city with hundred's of thousands of inhabitants in a moment and every once in a while the earth becomes completely covered in ash forcing humans to hide and survive in the ancient ways outlined by rules called stonelore. 

The story follows three female protagonists, Damaya, Syenite, and Essun but before I explain who these characters are I need to explain what they are. They are all orogenes, or, the less polite term roggas. Orogenes are born with the ability to manipulate minerals. They are trained and employed to soothe the earth, stop earthquakes, prevent tsunamis, and help with engineering projects. They are feared and hated by normal people as the most powerful roggas can destroy cities and activate volcanoes. The only thing that can stop a rogga is a guardian, who is a person that can track down, nullify, and, if needed, kill a rogga. 

We meet a young girl named Damaya in a cold and damp barn where she has been imprisoned by her family who fears her newly discovered powers. She is then taken to Fulcrum, the orogene college, by a guardian. At Fulcrum, she learns how devious other children can be and how to harness her powers. She also meets a girl who introduces her to a secret that will be the key to fixing everything or destroying it all. 

We also follow Syenite, who is a Fulcrum Trained four-ringer orogene that is partnered with a ten-ring orogene named Alabaster for the purpose of learning, fulfilling Fulcrum contracts, and reproduction. Alabaster is the most powerful oregene in history and he is very likely insane. He and Syenite engage in unsatisfying coitus and getting on each other's nerves. On their travels, Syenite has to challenge her ideas of what an orogene is and what Fulcrum is really doing. As she learns of the harshness of the real world she also learns how powerful she can be and how Alabaster probably went crazy. 

Essun is you and you are Essun. At least the book says this. She is the main, main character and the book uses the term you to make sure that the narrator knows who they are.  She is also the mother of two rogga children, one who has been killed by her husband. He has taken the second child and disappeared. She is determined to find her child and kill her husband. Essun leaves her small village just as the world is ending due to a massive volcano that is covering the earth with ash starting the next season of death.  

I was so pleased to find what I found when I opened this book and started to read it. It is the only example of geology-based fantasy I have ever heard of. The tone is conversational and unpretentious making it very accessible. The story is both mature and playful. The chapters are long as shit. I usually try to finish a chapter if I start it but I often would stop mid-chapter just to go to bed or do something else. The Fifth Season offers a charming and suspenseful adventure in a world that is both relatable and foreign. I enjoyed the ride very much and recommend it to anyone interested in a world that is unique and dynamic. 

Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

This book is not a book. It is an allegory. A parable. A quick philosophical pondering wrapped in narrative simplicity. The moral of the story is that when you seek safety and equality you give up on what makes life worth living. The movie Equilibrium is based on this same idea. Equilibrium is a very fun movie and stars Christian Bale. It is about a world where all emotions are repressed by a drug and all cultural items are outlawed. Books, art, and music are all banned and people live only for the work that the state provides. They live lives of colorless monotony but when Christian Bale is forced to kill his partner, who stopped taking his pills and begins to enjoy reading, he starts to question his assumptions. He stops taking his pills and starts to work for the resistance to stop the state's supply of pills to release people from the trance of emotionless slavery. 

The Giver is a children's version of this cautionary tale. It is about Jonas who, in his twelfth year, is given the honorable job of Receiver. During his training, he learns that the world he has lived in has been devoid of real emotional content and also there is no color. His community is completely controlled by scientific and political means to make everyone the same in order to rid life of any risk or inequality. As Jonas begins to see colors and feel emotions such as love, and hate, he also learns about death and finds out that members of his community are murdered for not fitting in and that is the only way out of that way of life. After about a year of training he and The Giver, the old man that holds all the memories of emotions and the reality of life and gives the memories to Jonas, devise a plan to force the community to regain possession of the memories by having Jonas run away to Elsewhere, a mythical place where life is as it used to be. 

The book was easy to read and not very long. I found it compelling for the majority of the story but I thought that the ending was lackluster. It takes a long time to create the world but ends somewhat abruptly and without much fanfare. The stakes of the decisions that Jonas makes are not quite fleshed out and so it doesn't seem as dramatic as it should be. There are sequels to the book that might go over the consequences of Jonas's actions. I suppose it does offer a good cliffhanger for what is to come but I'm not sure I care much about any of the other characters. 

I enjoyed this book and I think it is perfect for younger readers. It would be a good way to bring up critical thinking discussions in a class or household. I recommend this book and I might take time to read the sequels. 

Book Review/Podcast 162: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Go to www.joesnotesblog.com for full show notes and links! 

In lieu of a standard book review, I decided to post my conversation with Channing on our podcast, The Fleeting Thoughts Podcast, about the book. Check it out on your favorite podcast app or on Youtube! 

https://fleetingthoughts.libsyn.com/episode-162-tender-is-the-flesh-and-cannibalism

Direct Download: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/fleetingthoughts/FTP_Podcast_162__final_audio_small.mp3

Youtube:

Book Review: God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

 

God Emperor of Dune is the fourth book in the Dune series by Frank Herbert and it takes a different track than the previous stories. Its predecessors were stories about a myriad of characters that were all vying for power. In this book, there is only one character with power and they have had it for over 3500 years. Leto II, son of Paul Muad Dib, has transformed into a mostly giant, mostly immortal sandworm that has only the face of the boy that became a god remaining. While there are other characters and we get to listen in on their endeavors the book has a much more singular vision than any of the books that came before. This is signified by the quotes that begin each chapter. In the previous books, the quotations were from a variety of sources and about a variety of topics but in God Emperor of Dune, all of the quotes are from Leto's lost journals that were obviously found by someone. No matter what occurs in the book it is all in relation to the God Emperor and this gives the book a more streamlined narrative that is easier to follow. 

The God Emperor has been in complete control of the known universe with his powers of foresight, his control over the supernatural spice melange, and his army of devoted female soldiers. At the beginning of the story, we find out that he has been continually resurrecting versions of his faithful military commander Duncan Idaho, who was turned into a Ghola, or clone, for the first time in the second book and by now has been recreated hundreds of times. Each one is slightly different than the last but all of them seem to develop fatal flaws that see them sabotaging their own survival but this iteration of Duncan seems different. More cunning, more patient, but equally disgruntled. 

Over the 3500 years, the God Emperor has been engaging in two major systems of control. One is a breeding program that selects for characteristics that he deems valuable and just so happens to favor his own family line of Atreides genetics. This breeding program allows him to continuously improve on the effectiveness of his minions, including his all-female army, the Fish Speakers, and his second-in-command Moneo, who was once a rebel but is now his most trusted aid. Moneo and his daughter Siona are both Atreides but Siona is the leader of the current rebellion and seeks the God Emperor's demise. Will she find out how to defeat the despotic God or will she be converted to his side like her father? 

The other form of control is through his militant religion that takes despotism to a new and terrifying level. He rules with sheer force and destroys those that offend him. His prescient vision allowed him to plan his attacks with brutally effective countermeasures and win aggressive strategic victories. Some of his subjects attempt to conceal their actions while feigning allegiance, while others simply comply to his every whim knowing he will see their treachery coming. Previously powerful families and factions are reduced to simple pawns of the Emperor and his rule is complete, or is it? Can a living god live forever or are there flaws to be exploited?

God Emperor of Dune is like previous entries in that its characters are drawn with elaborate detail and they come alive as we learn of their emotions, motives, and vulnerabilities. If you like Frank Herbert's writing then this does not stray from that form but it is different in that the intrigue comes from a central place that spreads outward instead of the peripheral power struggles in the past that all were leading toward an assumed central location. The God Emperor Leto II is that central location and has occupied that position for long enough to shape the rest of human history. The Golden Path is still his goal but his grasp on it is slipping. 

This entry might be my favorite so far and I really enjoyed the political and psychological philosophy it demonstrates. Eternal conflicts of power justified through moral reasoning and the way the powerful manipulate others to see their goals met are major themes in this book. How the powerful see themselves as above their subjects and how subjects always rebel against tyranny are lessons that this book illuminates. Human motivations can often be short-sighted but true wisdom comes from the vision to see the long game. If you are reading the Dune series then I think you will enjoy this book and I recommend the series in general. It is a sci-fi masterpiece so far and I can't wait to read the next one.  

Read my previous reviews of Dune books here:

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: News of the World by Paulette Jiles

 

If I were to describe this book in one word that word would be "Heart". Paulette Jiles weaves a tale about two unlikely comrades, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd and Johanna. At first glance, one might look at each of these characters as being weak, too old, too young; to be seen as potential victims in the wild world of the lawless turn-of-the-century frontier that we find them. Captain Kidd is an elderly man riding alone across the plains of Texas to read stories from newspapers, informing the locals of the going's on of faraway places. Johanna is a young girl who had spent the last four years as a captive/adopted child of the Kiowa Indian tribe. While she looks like the other white girls she is permanently changed by her captivity and considers herself Kiowa. Captain Kidd has taken on the job of taking Johanna back to her relatives in a town near San Antonio, which is a long journey from where they start. 

In The News of the World, we follow Captain Kidd and Johanna as they travel throughout the harsh plains of the southern Texas frontier. After the civil war and other numerous political changes, the land is not governed by any formal political party and so there are treacherous bandits, unofficial law enforcement, military enforcers, and natives to contend with. At first, Johanna is confused and angry about her new circumstances and wants to run away and go back to her Kiowa tribe but soon she begins to see the Captain as her Kontah, or Grandfather. He begins to teach her how to speak English and how to be "civilized" by using a fork and knife and wearing shoes. The Captain is reluctant at first as well but as he remembers his own daughters he commits himself to protect and take care of the young Johanna. 

As they make their way south toward San Antonio they stop at each town so that Captain Kidd can read the news to the locals. He makes sure to stay away from local politics as it can create unnecessary tension amongst the crowds. Instead, he reads stories about recent scientific discoveries, intrigue from foreign countries and makes sure to add in some light-hearted stories as well. For only a dime each the townspeople come to hear of the world and The Captain keeps their attention with his strong voice and carefully selected articles. While he is doing this Johanna is oftentimes giving hell to a sitter, trying to run away, or snatching chickens to eat. 

As the two continue on their path they find that they stronger together and as they get closer to each other they also get closer to when they will have to part. The Captain made a promise and he is a man of his word and that means that once they get to Johanna's uncle's farm that he must let her go. And so the real conflict shows itself. Will the two be reunited or is Johanna just another acquaintance passing through the Captain's long life? Read to find out. 

Because the two characters seem vulnerable set against such a harsh environment there is a constant sense of tension and suspense. Paulette Jiles writes with such elegance and fluidity that the reading experience is very enjoyable. The characters are vivid and relatable and there is never a dull moment. I laughed, I cried and I highly recommend this book. It is much more than a typical western. It is a story about the bond a parent feels for a child, how love can come from somewhere unexpected, and it is about hope. The author puts so much compassion, commitment, and love into this book that I fear they may have given away something of themself in the writing. We all benefit from this kind of story and its overflowing heart. 

Want to read another great western? Check out my review of Deadwood:

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-deadwood-by-pete-dexter

Book Review: The Terminal List by Jack Carr

The Terminal List exemplifies the adage "write what you know" and the author Jack Carr apparently knows how to kill people. This becomes apparent as the protagonist, James Reece, goes on a rampage of revenge on the people that conspired to kill his platoon, his family, and his friends. James Reece employs a wide variety of military and insurgency tactics in order to surveil, trap, interrogate, and kill his enemies. These details are well developed and offer an insight into the world of modern combat, espionage, and terrorism. Whether he is using encrypted message systems, employing night vision optics, custom sniper rifles, or using disguises, James Reece is an unstoppable and ruthless operator. Also, he has a brain tumor, which doesn't help. 

The story here is not complicated or poetic. It reads like a typical action movie with straightforward good versus evil dichotomies. James has racked up a ton of favors from the perfect set of friends to help him exact his revenge. His life in the Navy Seal Teams has allowed him to meet just the right people to help him fund, plan, and execute his plans, including an insanely wealthy Mexican benefactor and a pilot that owes him her life. Without these people, he would not have gotten very far but thanks to them he can freely roam the USA and Mexico and make his enemies pay. 

The bad guys are equally stereotypical. They are politicians, lawyers, and corrupt leaders, and they all have personal vices that make them even worse. Womanizers, powerful sociopaths, master manipulators, and spineless lackeys make up the "bad guys" team and they have no redeemable qualities. They deserve to die so why not make it interesting? James Reece makes it interesting. 

 This is the first book Jack Carr has written and it suffers from another adage, "show don't tell". The author covers a ton of ground just saying what is happening and what has happened instead of allowing the reader to fill in the gaps by providing the subtle details that would lead the reader to realize a more vivid and deep world. I found the whole thing to be so typically action-oriented that from the very beginning I could predict what would happen, roughly speaking. This doesn't mean that I could predict the specifics but that the overall outcomes were unsurprising. The lack of character development and the excess of stereotypical personalities made it difficult to empathize and connect to the characters. It is just taken for granted that we should care about the good guys and hate the bad guys, which I found to be uninteresting. There were few points in which I was excited to get back to the book and went days without reading. 

That said, I really enjoyed the military details that added to the authenticity and helped create a realism that grounded the book. Specific details related to weapons, tools, strategies, and tactics are the reason to read this book. Like any good Bond movie or Jason Bourne movie, the act of putting yourself into the shoes of a highly trained, intelligent, and nearly unstoppable soldier is a lot of fun. I enjoyed the action of this book but didn't feel like it took sufficient advantage of the medium of literature. I think it is coming out as a movie and that will probably be a more satisfying way to enjoy this story. If you like military action thrillers and straightforward writing then you will like this book. Otherwise, wait for the movie or pick up something a little more literary, like Deadwood, which I just finished and found exceedingly compelling.

 

Book Review: Deadwood by Pete Dexter

 

Deadwood doesn't rely on the usual stereotypical western tropes. You won't find main street duels, stampedes, or bounty hunters, although there are quite a few prostitutes. Deadwood does tell a down-to-earth story about a man living in pre-industrial America who happens to be friends with the most famous western hero, Wild Bill Hickock. This book is not about Wild Bill Hickock though, it's about Charley Utter. Charley is a successful business-man who accompanies Wild Bill in the twilight of his fame and as they settle into the untamed town of Deadwood they meet a host of memorable characters. 

Characters like the Bottle Fiend, who is a soft-brain who has attempted suicide more time than anyone can remember. Or Al Swearingen, who runs the brothel with relentless venom and violence. Or Charley's nephew Malcolm Nash, who, after a traumatic experience, becomes a vengeful priest. Bullock, the apathetic sheriff. The Langrishe's own the theater and have their own secrets. And of course, there is Calamity Jane, who falls in love with Wild Bill, thinks she was sent by God to save people and shrieks like an eagle. 

The detailed characters in this book are the grounding force that brings this tale into vivid relief. Pete Dexter doesn't shy away from the dark humanity that is often brushed over, exaggerated, or otherwise idealized in many western stories. He also doesn't shy away from the complexities of love, lust, and infatuation that entangle real relationships. 

Through Charley Utter, we find that Deadwood is just a microcosm of any town where its inhabitants struggle to cooperate but somehow manage to survive, mostly. Personal prejudices, vices, and hopes are tested and weighed as characters balance their desires with the harsh realities of their environment, which illuminates the quintessential balance of human existence. As we fight to survive in the world we fight not only with the world and others but we must also fight with ourselves.  

The writing in this book is superb and while it isn't the most exciting book I have read I found it never the less enthralling. Deadwood is a meandering and methodical character study more than it is a typical western and I highly recommend it. 

Book Review: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

 

I think I just keep reading these books because they offer my mind an exercise. The writing is so poetic and ethereal that it takes me to another world. Frank Herbert's unique voice and one of a kind tone are hypnotizing. The whole experience is like grasping at a dream. Every step gets you closer and yet every step takes you farther away. Toward what? The Golden Path maybe?  

In this, the third in the epic Dune series, we follow the story of Paul Atreides' twin children Ghanima and Leto Jr. These are not average children. They were conscious inside the womb and have the memories of thousands of people including their mother, father, and grandmother. The key to this is a combination of genetic manipulation from thousands of years of breeding programs and a high dose of melange, the addictive substance that in the right circumstance can unlock the secrets of consciousness and time. Ghanima and Leto are the heirs to the Empire that their father left behind, possibly dead but maybe not. 

Before Ghanima and Leto can take the throne they have to contend with everyone thinking they are the age they look, as well as their aunt Alia who is the regent in control of the empire and doesn't want to give it up, as well as a growing plot from the Corrino Family who was displaced by Paul Atreides when he took over Arrakis in the first book. To make matters worse the Preacher is running around sowing doubt about the moral authority of Alia and the path that the government is taking the people down. 

As the fight for the Empire rages on a new threat emerges from the sand. A threat that is destroying the infrastructure that has brought water to the desert planet and is creating a new mythology. Is it a god or just another passing contender? 

If you like epic sci-fi worlds with fantasy elements and can handle diving into a world with its culture and language then I recommend reading the Dune books. Obviously, you have to start with the first one but once you get into this epic story it does not disappoint. It continues to intrigue and mystify. The series is like the additive melange. While it might be confusing at times its allure is undeniable.  

Read my reviews of the previous books:

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-dune-by-frank-herbert?rq=dune

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-dune-messiah-by-frank-herbert?rq=dune

Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell

I wonder how many reviews there are of this book? Probably thousands. So what could I possibly write or express that would be worth repeating? I can't expect to come up with something new to say about it. I'm certain people talk endlessly about the historical references to communistic countries like Russia and China during the first half of the 20th century. Places where millions of people were murdered by their governments. Where the media was manipulated to show the virtue of the system and the evil of the enemy. Where their leaders were venerated as living gods. Where anyone that was inconvenient to the regime was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed or left so broken that they couldn't recognize themself in a mirror.  

I shouldn't write about how the book shows a world where the government spies on everyone, which we just take for granted in the modern world. We joke about our Xbox recording us. Google thinks you're talking to it when your not. Alexa gives away all your secrets when the right question is asked. Snowden showed us how the US is spying on anybody it wants. 

A world where the government runs the schools and convinces children to spy on their parents. That's in this book too. 

What hasn't been said about this book? What about the fact that it has a very stirring romantic plotline? A vision of secret love, torn asunder by the needs of the many. A love destined to fail as it represents the thing the system can't have. What's the point of life if love is forbidden? Can love break through the pavement like a flower or does it get the same poison as the rest? What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?

It's written in a way that seems like the ride at Disney Land where the song "It's a small world, after all" plays continuously while you slowly float down an artificial river in an artificial world. Where little men and women pretend to be happy and wave to you but you know deep down they are just pawns in a system that would toss them aside the first time a gear breaks. The book leads you into a world that is not unlike the world you live in but for the ever-looming judgment of a confusing master. A perfect master that demands eternal obedience, and adulation. A master that demands that not only do you obey but that you believe. 

What can anyone say about this book, other than that it is dark, mesmerizing, and a third adjective hitherto unknown. Other than that there is nothing. 

I guess I could add something about the way this book made me feel. That's not something anyone else can know. While reading I felt anxious for the characters as they tried to skirt around the surveillance system that seemed to be everywhere. The worst crime in the book is thoughtcrime where one's thoughts are rebellious to the state. I hold skepticism in high regard and this book reaffirmed in my mind the need for the freedom to criticize the government and any other institutes with power over people. 

By the end, I also felt hopeless. The author does not lead one down a path toward redemption. It is a true tragedy in that there is no hero and no resolution. I think that the author intended for the book to act as a cautionary story of the dangers of seeking power, especially on a global scale, and of the dangers of giving power to institutes to dictate right and wrong. 

Or... Maybe freedom is only an illusion and no matter where you are or who you are you are just a pawn to a system that emerges from elements that no one controls directly. A system that is built on the momentum of history and the corruption of intentions. Or... maybe morality has to be fought for and subjugation should be met with resistance. I think that people naturally resist oppression but they are not always up to the task. Sometimes they need help from others that share their notion of freedom. The problem with righteous groups with righteous intentions is that they can justify force no matter how barbaric. 

Such a tricky game we play when we play with power. I liked this book and its message is important. I recommend it to anyone that is interested in political philosophy or fiction set in a dystopian future.   

 

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

 

Frank Herbert is something else. While reading this book my mind is drawn and quartered a thousand times. It is pushed and pulled this way and that. I am like a child grasping for meaning, knowing it is there but just out of reach. On the edge of understanding, I sit, in awe of what might be on the other side. Comprehension, just out of reach and yet in the back of my mind, it has been there the whole time. The words are new but they make sense, like some dream that tries to incorporate elements that seem, at first, to be disconnected, only to discover later, maybe after a day or two of contemplation, that the meaning was there amidst the confusion. Then, he brings you back. Frank Herbert, the man that sent you down the rabbit hole is there holding your hand and makes everything clear. 

Dune Messiah is the second in the Dune series and it is a wonderful rollercoaster. One minute I'm trying to follow the story and figure out what is happening, what might happen, and then the next minute I'm lost in the jargon and intrigue of a world I barely know. The internal ruminations of the characters, the dialogue, and the world that Frank Herbert created is so thoroughly it's own that it is like turning on a documentary from an alien world at an alien time. As much as it is unfamiliar it is just familiar enough to cause a fury of excitement and suspense. The intrigue is palpable and enticing. It keeps you going and gives you hope. 

In this, the second story about the desert planet known as Dune, we take up the story of Paul Atreides, AKA Muad 'Dib AKA Usul, AKA the ruler of the known universe. The book starts about twelve years after the end of the first Dune book. We find that with the help of violence, religious ideology, his prescient sister Alia, his Fremen soldiers, and his monopoly over the invaluable resource known as melange, Paul has brought his form of justice and leadership to all. He is known by some as a god and by others as a devil. He is not unaware of this duality and is plagued by his own doubt about the legacy that he is creating. 

Paul tackles internal and external threats to his dynasty but with his powers of foresight, he seems to be one step ahead of his enemies. While he attempts to root out the spies in his midst he is also dealing with the matter of his succession plan. Chani, his concubine and true love, is pregnant and there are many who want to take advantage of her vulnerability and Paul's potential weakness toward her. He knows who to trust but he doesn't always know if he can trust himself and by the end, the true plot is revealed. Will Paul fall to the wiles of his enemies or will he continue his violent conquest? Read to find out! 

Read my review of the first book Dune here:

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Anathema by Channing Cornwall

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Channing Cornwall's latest novel is another example of his diverse style and ability to span genres. From westerns to fantasy and now to Anathema, Channing continues to push the boundaries of what his readers should expect. Anathema straddles the line between the genres of horror and noir mystery where the world of the spiritual and profane are explored while nestled in the unnerving arms of dysfunctional family dynamics. 

Anathema takes place in the small town of Neskowin, Oregon in the early 20th century. The Galloway siblings are all grown up and reunite at the family estate to bury their father, whose sudden death becomes increasingly suspicious. This all occurs years after the suicide of their mother, Anna, who spent the last years of her life painting depictions of the nearby island of Anathema. The island's inhabitants are a mysterious group of religious zealots that only come to shore to recruit new members and have lost most of the color in their skin, which is not the oddest thing about them. 

The Galloway siblings are accompanied by a Chinese woman named Song that is convinced that a higher power is guiding them to the island to discover and deal with the supernatural occurrences that are plaguing the nearby village of Neskowin and the Galloway parents more directly.  In their pursuit of the truth of their parents' deaths, the Galloway siblings struggle with each other, as their personalities and lifestyles clash, as well as with the forces that brought them all together. 

I enjoyed this book and I appreciate Channing's take on a genre that I don't normally take to. His writing is a breeze to read and the pacing doesn't allow for dull excesses or boring exposition. The journey builds toward a climactic standoff that is both horrific and satisfying. I would say more but I don't want to give anything away. The fun is in the discovery of the truth. I recommend this book to anyone that likes the intrigue of mysterious deaths, ghostly apparitions, and unearthly realms. 

Get the book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Anathema-Channing-H-Cornwall/dp/B08F6X4QFK

More reviews of Channing's other books:

https://jdgnotes541.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-hell-came-with-her-by.html

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-the-world-carried-on-by-channing-cornwall

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-breathed-out-by-god-by-channing-cornwall

Book Review: Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry

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Comanche Moon is the second book in the Lonesome Dove series and continues the journey of  Texas Rangers Woodrow Call and Augustus McCrae as they try to tame the west from a dwindling but wildly fierce number of hostile Comanche tribesman. Buffalo Hump continues to lead his people against the encroaching caucasian intruders and we follow his story to the end, and his tale becomes a symbol of the weakening state of the once proud and free native peoples. We also meet Blue Duck, the main antagonist in Lonesome Dove, who is Buffalo Hump's half Comanche half Mexican son. Blue Duck never got along with his father and his disrespect for the old ways leads to him being cast out by his father. 

On the other side of the fence, we get to meet the incomparable Captain Inish Scull and the eccentric Famous Shoes. Famous shoes is a Kickapoo tracker who never rides a horse and yet somehow is always ahead of the Rangers he is tracking for. He leaves for days on end but always comes back with interesting information. He knows the land and helps Inish Scull when his exceptionally large horse is stolen by the infamous horse thief Kicking Wolf. Inish finds out how harsh the frontier really is when he finally finds out what happened to his horse. 

The book mainly focuses on the perspective of the Comanche people while forwarding the character-driven work he started in the previous entry. Call, McCrae, Pea Eye, Deets, Newt, and many more characters are all there and we finally get to see the evolution of Call's relationship with Maggie, the whore whose son Call won't claim. We also find out about what happens to Long Bill Coleman, who made his way through the torment of the death march in Dead Man's Walk, and Clara Forsythe, who Gus will always pine for. 

The Lonesome Dove Series is a must-read for fans of the western genre and Comanche Moon acts as a tribute to the transition from the old ways to the new. Everyone gets older and people die. No matter how much you want to cling to the past things change and you can either change too or fade away into history. The characters are treated and developed with care and respect and we see things from their respective perspectives. Everyone has their own motivations for what they do and no one's perfect. In summary, this book is fun, easy to read, well-paced, and well written and you should read it. 

*I haven't seen the movie based on it but I'm sure it makes a good companion to the book. 

Read my other reviews from Larry McMurtry Novels:

Dead Man's Walk

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-dead-mans-walk-by-larry-mcmurtry?rq=mcmurtry%20

Lonesome Dove

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-lonesome-dove-by-larry-mcmurtry?rq=mcmurtry

Book Review: The Daybreakers by Louis L'Amour

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You know you're into a book when after reading every few chapters you find yourself thinking, "That's so good," or "I really like this book." My internal commentary is always a good guide to whether or not I would recommend a book or would read more from the author and this book delivered the goods. This is the first Louis L'Amour book I have read even though I've known about the author for most of my life.

Louis L'Amour is one of the most prolific and popular American writers and while most of his titles feature the settling of the American frontier he has written historical fiction, science fiction, nonfiction, and poetry collections as well. Many of his novels are quite short and "The Daybreakers" is only 204 pages long which makes it a breeze to get through. This is just one in a series of books centered around The Sackets. The Sackets are a family from the blue mountains from which strong men a bred. In this installment, we learn about Tyrel and Orrin Sacket. These brothers leave their home in the mountains to join a group of cow rustlers. For the next few years, the boys meet new lifelong friends and find some lifelong enemies too.

As the Sacket brothers try to settle down and find a home for their mother in the open and wildlands of New Mexico they find out what kind of men they really are. They find that the world is full of immoral actors but they stay steadfast to their values to the constant chagrin of bad cowpokes. Tyrel is the mean one with a quickdraw that everyman would learn to fear and Orrin is the well-spoken rock that instills trust and loyalty wherever he goes. Both men are quintessential good guys and with their new friends, they find that taking on evil is worth the risks. The new world wants law and order and its men like the Sackets that will stop at nothing to make that happen. 

If you enjoy the Western genre then I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy this book. I found myself wanting to get back to it time and time again until soon it was over and in a wonderfully Western way. I can see where writers such as Larry McMurtry must have gotten some inspiration and I'm glad that such good Western books are out there. I can't wait to get into more of Louis L'Amour's books. 

More Western Related Content:

https://joesnotesblog.com/search?q=western&f_collectionId=5b2b18fcf950b7ec24453185

Book Review: The Reckoning by John Grisham

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About a month ago I decided to save some money and pick up a few books from the local Good Will. I highly recommend doing this yourself as there are tons of great used books at places like that and they were only a couple dollars each. I had never read a book by John Grisham but I have seen a few movies based on them and they have all been great. The Reckoning is one of his newest offerings and reached the New York Best Seller list. I am not quite sure why.

John Grisham is known for his suspenseful character-driven tales that oftentimes include courtroom dramatics. His knowledge of the legal system, history and the interplay between personalities allows him to create realistic and immersive stories that are rich in detail. This book is no exception.

The Reckoning revolves around one event and spreads the circumstances around the event over a few hundred pages. The first section of the book describes the seemingly sudden murder of a small-town preacher by the town's most prominent wealthy landowner and farmer Pete Banning. Pete does not try to get away with the crime and is arrested straight away. He is also uninterested in telling anyone why he did it. The entire rest of the book is a circuitous journey toward the truth and it isn't told until the very last chapter. The mystery of the book is skated around and hinted at for the entirety of the novel and, while it is an interesting route, it is ultimately unsatisfying. The suspenseful interlude to the truth is built up for so long that there might have been no ending that would have lived up to it.

The middle section of the book is almost entirely filler as it explores Pete Banning's legendary career in the military during World War 2. This might have been the most exciting part of the book as it explains how Pete was captured by the Japanese, tortured and then how he escapes and becomes a guerilla fighter. This part of the book is action-packed and shows how Pete gained his heroic status in his home town but seems like a long tangent to the main story. The last section of the book explores the aftermath of Pete's trial and how it negatively impacts his family and legacy and then ends with a final diatribe of explanation as to what caused all the domestic turmoil.

The one redeeming quality of the book is John Grisham's exemplary writing. While I found the book to be long-winded at best and needlessly verbose at worst it is amazingly well written and because it promises to finally pay off at some point I kept reading and found its winding path entertaining. Grisham creates such a vivid world and writes in a way that always moves forward which made it easy to keep going even at its most mundane. It is an amazing accomplishment to be able to write in this way and I think that many people enjoy this kind of storytelling more than I do.

If you are looking for relentless suspense, action, adventure, or deep philosophical metaphors this is not a great example but if you are looking for a well crafted and character-driven tale that makes the most out of very little detail or you are a fan of John Grisham maybe you'll like this more than I did.

Book Review: Congo by Michael Crichton

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Congo is a science fiction novel written by Michael Crichton, the writer of the book Jurrasic park, that takes place primarily in the African jungle in the Congo region. It is written in an almost journalistic way taking the reader through different stages of the plot by breaking down dates, events and geographic locations into chapter sections. All along the way, historical and technological tangents are taken in an effort to create context and intrigue as to what surrounds the interactions that occur in the plot. Fictional accounts of previous expeditions to the Congo indicate the lack of successful attempts to study the region as well as the mysterious nature of its potential resources that might be used for the benefit of governmental interests. 

Crichton weaves a tale that bulges with detail allowing the reader to become immersed in two distinct worlds. The first world is the world of international competition related to technological advancement and the discovery and utilization of natural resources. Whether the histories offered by the author hover closer or farther from the truth the reader is given a manifest of contextual information regarding the state of technological advancements during the late 1970s in the worlds of computing, communications and weapons tech. We learn about the state of the art technologies that for the time would have seemed like far fetched sci-fi fiction but are now, in 2020, fairly accurate predictions of current and even surpassed realities. 

The second world that the author creatively elaborates on is the world of non-human language acquisition in the form of Amy the gorilla. Amy is a fictionalized version of other primates that scientists have tried to teach language to and more directly mirrors the actual gorilla Koko, which was a well-known gorilla that successfully learned American Sign Language from an animal psychologist named Francine Patterson. Koko and Patterson become famous in the late 1970s and Crichton takes their story and runs with it. Amy, the signing gorilla in the book, is cared for by Peter Elliot who takes the risk of joining a team put together by the Earth Resources Technology Services (ERTS) corporation in hopes of finding the place where Amy was born while the ERTS team is in the search for rare diamonds in the Congo. 

This is where the two worlds meet and Peter Elliot and Amy the gorilla find out that the company they just got involved with isn't exactly what they seem. They didn't know that the previous team sent to Congo, just a week before their expedition, was mysteriously murdered. They also didn't realize that they would be going into a war-torn African area where they had little to no support. Also, there is a volcano right next to their destination that seems like it might be ready to explode but, with the headstrong Karen Ross from the ERTS team and Munro the quick-witted travel guide/mercenary they make their way to the treacherous jungle in search of fortune and gorilla related answers. 

The book is very fun and full of action and adventure. It was also adapted to the silver screen in the 1995 movie by the same name. I remember the movie being very fun as well, if not a little cheesy, especially compared to today's movies. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a fast-paced jungle adventure with little in the way of subtext or deep philosophical complexities. It is a fun romp into a semi-realistic world that entices the imagination and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the end.

P.S. My favorite character was Amy the gorilla. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nj5G4GffWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihC6QHS_m0

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

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"There would be tricks within tricks within tricks."

My friend recommended this book to me several times and I am very glad that I decided to take the suggestion. This book was a non-stop rollercoaster of intrigue, action, and suspense. From the very first chapter, the reader is thrown into a mysterious world where pieces to a massive puzzle are introduced through context while eluding simultaneously to a known future and an unknown present. The author introduces such puzzle pieces in a myriad of forms such as excerpts from unknown tomes that refer to unknown events, words that can only be contextualized to determine, and the names of people, cultures, and religions that will only make sense once the reader has delved deeper.

It is impossible to overstate the intricacy that exists in the text of Dune and it is difficult to explain the story without giving away what makes it so entertaining. Above and below the surface layer of the story there are layers of macro and micro examination and the interplay between layers as well. Everything in the universe of Dune is connected through thousands of years of interconnected human endeavors. Just like in real life the humans of Dune are in a constant race to manipulate the environments they occupy including both the ecology of planets and social dynamics of competing sects. Frank Herbert navigates these intricacies with a rigorous methodology that at no point takes away from the fun that the reader experiences in discovering the world through its players. 

We learn about Dune from its newest royal inhabitants and overlords led by Duke Leto Atreides. He is joined by his precocious teenage son Paul and his enchanting concubine Jessica. While these names may appear mundane I assure you Paul and Jessica are not to be trifled with. Paul's quick reflexes and Jessica's intelligence and cunning prove to be powerful assets. With political turmoil all around them and betrayal lurking around the next corner, Duke Leto is charged by his Emporer to take over the planet Dune and extract all the spice he can and the spice is nice. Mmmm spice!

Dune is an exercise in keen observation. As the book continues the reader sees into the mind of the highly trained Mentat assassins, seductively selective sorceresses and more. You notice every vocal tonal change indicating to you that someone is afraid or hiding something or straight-up lying. Words become codes and a couple of hand gestures can communicate an entire conversation. These are just some of the mysteries that exist in the cut-throat world of Dune.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in an epic adventure that explores both the internal world of the characters' thoughts as well as an in-depth external sci-fi world with a healthy dose of fantasy to round out the excitement. The only negative thing I could come up with is that while the vast majority of the story is unpredictable the ending was mostly expected, which doesn't take away from the enjoyment in the least. If anything it allows for a satisfying resolution that entices the reader to continue the saga with the next book which could be Dune Messiah although there are so many Dune stories one can get wrapped up the world forever. I will certainly be reading more of these novels and I hope that any movies or shows based on the Dune world do the story justice.