Review: Momentary stalls in pace can't erase wild, daring ride of a read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 27, 2013
For those who are intimately familiar with the subject of ufology--particularly, the late-night talkshow variety--"The Ninth Leg" may not immediately seem to be an originally-inspired idea. Those new to or vaguely familiar with the subject, however, will undoubtedly find author James Quirk's take on alien visitation, time travel, and cybernetics to be a truly unique and very lively reading experience."The Ninth Leg" starts out very strong, with Quirk's journalisitc background proving handy in chronicling what is mostly backstory...but what a backstory! A 24th century reality TV "promoter extraordinary" named Max Jacks runs afoul of interplanetary authorities who see his "Criminals in A Cage" show--a TV ratings bonanza that pits convicted global murderers against each other in Moon-based, Roman gladiator-styled death matches--as more trouble than it's worth. Jacks escapes the legal entanglements by using time travel technology to create a new show called "Villains of History." Time travellers save history's worst criminals from their fate and deliver them to the 24th century to duel-to-the-death on TV. Things breakdown again as Hitler is brought forward in time. In short, the Nordics--an alien race that bears resemblance to the Aryan ideal aspired to by Nazis--emerge and save Hitler from losing his bout, and his life. And that's where things become very problematic for the galaxy, but very intriguing for the reader."The Ninth Leg's" strongest leg is the detailed vision and intelligence of author James Quirk. He constructs an elaborate parallel reality for his durable cast of memorable characters. Quirk's learned familiarity with the subject of UFOs--and frankly, with world history--adds many fascinating layers of atmosphere and polemics to what, in the hands of a lesser writer, would be an unremarkable sci-fi saga.The story's heavy reliance on exposition and expositonary dialogue to propel the plot, however, sometimes stalls a seamless flow of action and suspense. The main protagonist, a 21st century alien abductee named Don Black, has a rough go of it breaking through the story's more interesting 24th century sideshow start. The details of Don's home life--though necessary to understanding the story--slow things down for several chapters.It is only midway through "The Ninth Leg" that author Quirk re-gains his original footing and takes the novel the full nine yards--with an epic climax that allies Don with a race of intelligent spiders (Arachnians)that must fend off the expansionist, interplanetary Reich of Hitler and his Nordic saviors-turned-worshippers.So if you are easily offended or nauseated, "The Ninth Leg" may not be for you. There are no shortage of graphic battleramas and gruesome alien customs (acts that include scenes of blood-drinking, body-probling, and flesh eating). And the subject of Hitler...well, 'nuff said. But for those longing for an extremely imaginative and daring sci-fi reading experience, then by all means buckle up--very tight!--for a ride on the really wild side with "The Ninth Leg."