Review: Even Stanley.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 8, 2013
This quickly becomes a good v. evil, Zorastarian themed, sci-fi story. It does have many religious elements to it, for instance characters ask if Dred is `the devil?' (4722), and there is some talk of the breaking of the seven seals (Dred was representative of the fourth), the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the reading of Revelations, the Archangel Michael, . But all of this isn't so overwhelming that it made me cease reading and most of it comes in at the end. We learn that Dred's personality is `like pure desire, pure craving unleashed, but never satisfied.' (5185). Nearly all of the religious connotation comes closer to the close of the novel, so while I would assume the author intended it as a major plot point, the story presents as much more a work of science fiction with religious illusions to make it a real-world end-time apocalypse story.The fight scenes were decent, the plot line kept moving, there were plenty of personalities, some interesting and worth rooting for and it was good in that you learned some Italian, a bit of history, a few new words and were entertained by what could be termed a sci-fi possibility. I enjoy the neurological aspect of sleep and the manner it was tied to the story.Pertinently presented is the degree of violence and lack of compassion we have and breed for one another - the reason Dred is able to break the seals so readily, they're primed. As reflective of the world, this is sadly true.There's also nice set up for a sequel, which I believe is in the works.Many have made note of the very abrupt end to this work and it is true - I imagine it might influence the start of the next in tragic manner.Most importantly:Even Stanley can be redeemed (7329).SPOILERS, abound:Early 1980's, a project labeled `NOCTURN' is run by Dr. Bernard Hyde, paid by the CIA and run under the heading of the Oneirology Institute of America (Oneirology is a real study, BTW).NOCTURN, or Night-Oriented Connection To Uncover and Retrieve iNformation (yeah, it's a bit forced...) is meant to be used militarily as a means of invading the enemies dreams (triangulation of a dream-print, REM sleep) and getting them to give up information. Initially meant to be used for reconnaissance, it later began to be used to insert ideas into the enemies thoughts, force them to remain there, thoughts that provoked suicide by the enemy.Hector Lopez, CIA's quick upward mover, is trained in dream spying. His first mission is against the Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades). He must safely assist in the rescue of a US General. Here he'd witness the sky tell him to `Come and see!!!' Apparently this happened to many of the men on Lopez' team, many of whom perished under bizarre conditions over a brief period of time. Dred attempts to bait Hector into some sort of deal, so that he can continue to implant the SQ into peoples minds so it will grow and expand into the 3rd dimension waking world.Through interrogation of his colleagues we learn that a being, Luzveyn Dred, who either lives or is trapped, wants to merge our world and his, which is called the `Spatium Quartus' (SQ) or Fourth Space (Dimension). Dred feeds on human nightmares as they are all displayed upon the night sky of the SQ, and vividly `drip' to the surface to where Dred's henchmen await.Present day - we can say publishing year, we encounter new characters. Kat, Hector's assistant and Dr. Hyde's daughter. We also meet Drew, Nadia and Alexis, Detective Alfonso Simone, Padre Gennaro - a legend in his own right -and literally, a slew of new characters. A bunch of good guys versus the Songo di Guerra (Dream War), a bunch bad guys.From here the story hinges upon a few plot points:1. Medallions - both the Songo di Guerra and Lopez are looking for these. Legend is they were made by Dred and given to Spartacus and his warriors. This was a protective measure as it made the Spartans near invincible and they made ruin in Dred's name.2. Protecting Alexis - the child that can merge the two realms as she pulls all of the dreams from the sky.3. Vesuvius exploding - when this happens, on the oft mentioned `Night of Nights' Dred will be set free.4. Stanley & Tappusscar - one of Dred's top agents and an assassin. Pertinent for the `resembling modern-day Steinbeck characters' (3804) of Mice and Men reference, and the fact that they're the medallion collectors for Dred's side.