Review: Imagination unfettered by those nebulous rules of writing
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2014
One of the aspects that sets the correct mood for slipping into A SOLDIER'S HONOR is to read the author's statement. There is no resume as this is James R. Barnes' first book and as he so simply and humbly phrases it `I do not have any formal education in the realm of literature, I just enjoy it.' Not that he is without exposure to the world at large, that panorama where ideas spring forth for the sensitive eye and mind: he has worked in the post office, in construction, in commercial turf equipment, as a painter, a parts manager and served in the US Navy as an electronics technician. He has always wanted to write and so bravo to dreams, here is that desire made good. From his photo he appears quite young and though there is not a clue as to his home of residence there is just something about his look and his thoughts that make the reader want to like reading this book, the first stage of his dream. It is also reassuring to note that already he has published another book - the Bandits of Pratt's Refuge: The Scepter of Maris: a Prequel Novella.What Barnes has created is an epic fantasy adventure that deals with make believe kingdoms, Kings of varying natures, and for the uninitiated we meet Orcs (a race of mythical humanoid creatures, generally described as brutish, aggressive and repulsive with grotesque facial features. Goblins (legendary evil or mischievous creatures, grotesquely evil or evil- like phantoms), and Wargs (an evil breed of demonic wolves, suggesting that they were inhabited by evil spirits), soldiers, and of course young adults who must struggle against evil to allow good to reign, endure untoward situations of being wrongfully accused of treason, threats of torture and other dangers. If all this sounds similar to fantasy games such as Dungeons and Dragons then you have a clue as to what is in store.Barnes' writing could use polish (and an editor), but where he succeeds is gradually seducing the reader into this make-believe land to the point that it all seems uncomfortably real - and that is a compliment! Given some time and a few more books under his belt and he should be quite secure in this particular genre. Grady Harp, March 14