Spotlight on Guest Reviewers

I loved this book! I read it in two days when I wasn’t flying, visiting, walking, etc. The year is 1880 and you meet Detective Allan Pinkerton, Oliver Winchester - maker of the Winchester Rifle, and Abraham Van Helsing – who knows more than anyone alive about vampires. Ring any bells? But of course they do! Jonas P. Hollister is in jail because he told the truth. Soldiers under his command were slaughtered and he saw exactly who did this – blood sucking demons. Well, heck, there were no witnesses and no bodies and the law just doesn’t believe Hollister. Hey – who would??  (I would! Yes – I would. I know all about those blood sucking creatures!! – you do too, right?) Well, so did Pinkerton, Winchester and Van Helsing.  Pinkerton not only gets Jonas out of jail but also promises him a presidential pardon if he finds and destroys these creatures. Because it has happened again and the government wants it handled. A fast moving tale with lots of action – characters that are tough, funny, scary, almost loveable – and believable! Yes, I said it – believable. If you want to take a fun romp through the American wild, wild West with some of the most interesting characters I’ve read in a while, you just hafta read this book. Oh, and one more thing. It does get scary – after all, you’ll find this book in the horror section.   - Guest Reviewer Diane Bader

John Scalzi is a cannibal. Not that he eats the flesh of other humans (so far as I know); but he “use[s] or draw[s] on material of (as another writer or an earlier work)” (Merriam-Webster, cannibalize). As he did with Fuzzy Nation, Red Shirts, and Zoe's Tale, Scalzi has drawn on existing work or ideas to create something wholly new and absorbing. Published online as a three-month digital serial from January to April, 2013, The Human Division is now available as a hardcover. It follows the exploits of Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union (CU) as he deals with other sentient beings in an often-violent, competitive universe (the same universe of Old Man’s War). What this series of thirteen loosely linked episodes (and two extras) brings to mind is the brilliant and funny Retief tales of Keith Laumer. Scalzi even incorporates the satirical humor that characterized most of Retief’s exploits (see especially, Episode 7: The Dog King). These stories are all told against a background that sees the CU in conflict with Earth, as well as with a confederation of alien civilizations that is trying to pull Earth into its alliance against the CU. Assigned as a representative of the Colonial Defense Forces under the authority of various ambassadors and other politicians, Lieutenant Wilson often has to outthink (and sometimes outfight) not only his alien foes but also his own, sometimes thick-headed, fellow humans. These are immensely enjoyable stories—serious yet often laugh-out-loud funny. Highly recommended.

–Guest Reviewer Terry Hertzler  

What I liked most about this book was the reality of the SEAL team – they weren’t composed of magicians, wizards or magic men – they were SEALS in the real sense. But here’s the spark – they fight against evil pure and simple including demons, possessed humans and a diabolic, fiendish cult setting out to rule the world. Read the book to find out Jack’s secret and whether it will help or harm the team. Lest I forget, there’s a fantastic, powerful member of the team I haven’t mentioned. He’s not human – oh but don’t worry, that’s because he’s a dog.  WooHoo!!

- Guest Reviewer Diane Bader