Review: This Short Story Goes a Long Way!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 27, 2011
I recently read Jeremy Rodden's book, Toonopolis: Gemini and loved it, so I was very excited to learn that Jeremy had written a novella about one of the characters in that book.  What a great way to meet this interesting character, to learn his back-story and to see how he fits into Toonopolis: Gemini.Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo is the story of Yoshi, later known as Anchihiiroo and even later known as Han'Eiyuu.  The novella introduces us to five-year-old Yoshi at the moment he becomes an orphan and we follow him until he becomes a man.  Throughout his life, Yoshi suffers at the hands of evil men and is cared for by gentle ones.  There's an underlying tug-of-war in his heart between good and evil.  He wants to protect his town from evil so the townsfolk won't have to suffer as he has.  He trains for years to be the hero they need.  But, he also feels a need to avenge the death of his parents and the training he receives at the hands of his sensei will prepare him for battle.Will he ultimately be a hero or an anti-hero?  Will he use his mind, body and spirit strength for good or evil?As in Toonopolis: Gemini, the characters in this novella are extremely well structured.  They are so real that you forget that you're reading about cartoon characters... well, until one of them says something wildly sarcastic and you quickly remember that you're in a toon world!  That's the great thing about Jeremy's writing, just when you think something is very serious, he gets all goofy on you.  The comic relief is perfectly placed and always welcome.  And just as quickly, you're back in the action and loving it.The story stands steadily on its own but, trust me, you're going to want to know what happens next and what happens next is in Toonopolis: Gemini.  Read separately or together, these are two great stories that everyone will enjoy.You've done it again, Jeremy!  I can't wait to read more about your great characters.  Keep the stories coming because we want to keep reading them!