Review: Strap yourself in...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 21, 2014
This was not quite what I was expecting. From looking at the image on the front cover, you would expect blood soaked stories of pain and suffering (not that that is entirely my thing, but I don't mind a little extreme reading from time to time). These stories are not really like that, and in fact I would suggest that the figure on the front cover is meant to be symbolic (not a word I've ever used before) of the way we are all trapped in our own little worlds unable to see what we are, where we came from, where we are going, and what we a capable of (wow). Or maybe that's all complete nonsense and the author just chose that image in order to attract interest, who knows. The stories in this free sample range over the longest time scale imaginable - from the mysterious birth of the Universe, through the Caveman times when mankind starts to dominate, passing through the celebrity and fame driven modern day, and onto the inevitable manmade destruction of the planet and the end of the world (not necessarily in that order). The stories are -1) The Human Condition (7/10) A Neanderthals view of the destructive nature of modern man.2) The Road To Vegas (8/10) After picking up a strange passenger, a man gets a fresh look at the birth of the Universe.3) Pressed For Time (8/10) A man is far from over the Moon when he is press ganged into action.4) There's Good And Bad In Everyone (9/10) After challenging a street preachers views, a business man is taken on a journey that makes him question his own.5) Before The Aftermath (8/10) As all hell breaks loose below, the crew of a space shuttle have a tough decision to make.6) The Geneva Phone Call (7/10) A (not so) once in a lifetime job offer proves to be a risky proposition.7) Exit Stage Left (9/10) A soap star doctors jealousy of a more successful actor results in a killer operation.8) A Confederate Werewolf In Boston (9/10) A retired hunter has one last quarry to dispatch, or so he thinks.A wide range of themes and ideas, all easy to read and not too long or short. As mentioned in another review, a couple of the stories end quite abruptly leaving it to the reader to imagine what might have happened had it continued, but I don't mind that and it works in this instance. A good collection on the whole. Clever, but nothing too extreme or graphic. Would read more.