REVIEW: Suicidal Tendencies, Patrick M. Garry

"There was a story to this trial... Not the one about someone's death or someone else's guilt, but one about uncertainty: about not knowing what little steps would later have such monumental consequences."

In anticipation of the verdict, Luke Sellmer sits alone listening to the sounds filtering through the closed door and waits. And while he waits, the events leading up to this very moment come forth to weave a tale of how one man on the brink of finding ultimate happiness quickly discovers all is not as it seems. Of how simple actions can doom a person and innocent favors aren't always justified. And of how the rejection of one's past could be a most perilous thing.

A quick read, "Suicidal Tendencies" by Patrick M Garry, flows smoothly between the past and the present, walking the reader through the myriad of events leading up to what caused Luke's ultimate fall. With imagery which aptly sets the scene along with engaging dialogue to give the characters depth, the work paces along well, giving the reader plenty of moments of where they might think they have it figured out only to be surprised when they find they don't.

Good job, Patrick!

(c)2008 Reviewed by Dehanna Bailee

Book Info:
Suicidal Tendencies
Patrick M. Garry
ISBN 1424159865 $19.95

Review: Blood Sucker 2: Legend of Zipangu

"I was reborn..."

Previously: After a battle between the vampires and police ends bloodily, the vampire Kazuma has his eye not only on Hikage's sister, Hiiragi, but the Lady Kikuri as well.

Officer Yaegashi can take a beating and does so willingly with the intention of keeping his cover as he has infiltrated the Church of the Magoraka to learn more about what's going on. However there's not much time with his 'prey-du-jour' in tow, the vampire Kazuma arrives at the church, knocks out the power, and commences to slaughter all on site. In shock at what he sees, Yaegashi takes cover.

Meanwhile outside the church, the team of assassins, Yusuke and Hikage, turn up with the intention of liberating the captured Hiiragi. While waiting for her to recuperate from her ordeal, they notice it is quiet--too quiet--and Yusuke decides to investigate while leaving the siblings alone to await her recovery.

Yusuke enters the church to find the bloody slaughter, explores a bit, then finds Yaegashi and another refugee hiding out in the kitchen. It's then he learns the reason why Kazuma has come: to acquire the Lady Kikuri.

As Kazuma is being waylaid in his progress of finding Kikuri by a man intent on his demise, Yusuke finds the Lady in the temple and insists on her telling him what he'll need to do to kill Kazuma. However, he discovers she wants him to kill her instead but before he can, Kazuma enters the temple. Chaos ensues and as Kazuma and Yusuke battle, Hikage soon joins the fray--an act that leaves his sister outside unprotected.

But the confrontation proves to be only the beginning and as the swords are drawn, the questions remain: What exactly is Yusuke? Why exactly did Hiirage disappear? And more importantly, when his friendship with Hikage is tested, will Yusuke have the strength he needs to protect the girl?

The opening jumps about a bit but once through the first few pages, the plot begins to come together. It helps that there are a couple pages in the beginning designed to introduce the characters and story up to this point. Otherwise this is a fairly straightforward work, easy to follow once into it, and nicely broken up into logical acts within the chapter itself. It was plain who was speaking and the text was clear.

The characters at this point are fairly typical but some of the spelling and similarity of the names make it difficult to keep up with who's who at times (if one is not already familiar with the tale). The artwork, done by Aki Shimizu (probably better known for the Suikoden III [manga] series), provides a full spectrum of linework--from the classic line-and-frames style to the more free-flowing sketches that resemble charcoal and watercolor.

In essence, this is not a bad work and shows promise for future development. Being a more mature product with obvious adult themes and situations, getting a copy for the younger kiddies wouldn't be a prudent first choice but for older teens (17+) and adults, it can provide a fairly entertaining read.

Good job!

Reviewed for SFRevu.com

More info:

Blood Sucker 2: Legend of Zipangu
by Saki Okuse
TokyoPop Paperback
ISBN/ITEM#: 1598163337
List Price $9.99

Review: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry

Thirty years after a serial killer wreaked havoc through the small peaceful town of Pine Deep, long past the time when a thin black man and a lone German fought by the light of the moon, the truth of what really happened still lay hidden deep within a forsaken swamp, waiting ... waiting for the chance to once again come forth ... stronger.

With a solid cast of characters, Maberry draws readers in with his well-written, rhythmical words that resonate a tale that is both mythical and often, all too real, with the ease of a master bluesman effortlessly plucking out a tune.

A compelling read, Ghost Road Blues is speckled throughout with classic lyrics, evocative intention, and an ample supply of 'can't put it down' moments, and although I'm not typically a reader of this genre, the opening scene where a young man is being ripped from his seat on a hayride as the rest run for safety is what caught my interest--only to be followed by the phrase that kept it: "The Bone Man killed the devil with a guitar..."

Great job, Jonathan!

More Info:

Ghost Road Blues
by Jonathan Maberry
ISBN 0786018151
$6.99 478 pp.

Reviewed by Dehanna Bailee