Review: Control Point by Myke Cole

So, here it is my promised review. This time I want to give my comment about  debut novel by Myke Cole. As I said on my previous post, Mr. Myke Cole is a soldier from US Army, so I find its very intriguing that he write a novel, a fantasy novel to boot.

As expected, this novel (titled Control Point) is very heavy on army color. In fact, the main character IS a soldier. There are lot and lot army-related stuff, from weaponry, slang, jargon, acronym, etc etc. It's very interesting, but rather confusing at first because the author didn't gave any explanation for the words he used, so I forced to guess the meaning. But, overall, this novels has a nice story-telling on it. The quotes from peoples on this book world is a nice touch, help giving impression that this book world is real.

The main characters is rather interesting, and humane. The character development is good. Soldier point-of-view is very interesting, really a new insight to the mind of a soldier. This is just the first book, so I can somewhat forgive lack of development on other characters. I hope Mr. Cole will dig deeper on other characters, which some are very interesting. I personally found Marty (Dobby number #2, anyone?), Theressa (so sweet), and, for the love of God, Scylla, interesting. Especially Scylla. (Shush don't tell others, ok?)

One point I had to give to Mr. Cole for made the main character an African descendant. I'm just sick of this white-bread main character. It's so refreshing to read main characters who are non-white people. Sorry, not being racist, just stating the fact. Okay, that did sounded racist, but it IS the fact. Don't burn me okay?!

The pace is rather fast, but sometimes rather inconsistent, some flashback and scenes feels....forced. Like the writer lost his pace and trying to fill the void. Not as bad as Awakened Mage (a.k.a Innocence Lost by Karen Miller), but it's there. Okay, it's his first novel, so I, again, can forgive him (I'm nice guy, right? Right?). Actions are very good, you won't disappointed by them. I feels some battle are well placed, right when the story starting to get boring, wham, you got some very nice battle.

The magic system is rather conventional one, although some are very interesting (I really, really want the Healer-Render ability or even better, the Negramancy). Magic on this book is coming from another world (it is unexplained whether the world, which nick named The Source, is on the same dimension with us but on different galaxy; or on another dimension altogether).
Because the nature of the magic, overall, magic user are divided into two group (or school as it called on the book): School of Prohibited Magic and School of Legal Magic. People manifested their magic can't choose which kind of magic they got, so when you got magic belongs to Prohibited Magic (Probes), say good bye to your freedom.

For debut fantasy novel, I think Control Point is good. The final battle is definitely good. I can't wait to see how Mr. Cole develop this story, because I think this story had the potential to develop into something BIG. Definitely a keeper.
Recommended!

Review: Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz

I got lot of recommendation of good books (especially from fantasy genre) from Fantasybook review site. But I kind of bored, because lot of those fantasy novels are placed on somewhere far away, or unknown world, or or, oh you know what I mean. And most of those stories using this old kind of story-telling, which bore me to death. Okay, not to death, and I still LOVE fantasy novels. But I want something DIFFERENT, story take place on simpler setting, place easier to imagine. Good were my imaginations, it still need break now and again.

So, I browse and browse and browse, and stumbled upon this novel by Tim Marquitz. It's from his series called 'Demon Squad' and took place on alternate version of OUR world. Fantasy with demon, angel, magic took place on OUR world (albeit the alternate version one)? I'm on it.

The first novel is titled "Armageddon Bound", the second one is "Ressurection", and the third is "At the Gates". I will review only the first two book, because I haven't got my paw on the third book (just you wait, book!!!) YET. So here you go.

On the first paragraph, we already meet violence. The main character, Frank "Triggaltheron" Trigg, is assaulted for information of an angel called Scarlet, although it's not for long because he didn't know where the angel in question is. From there the story continued. Yup, no 'proper' character introduction etc, even I learned the history of the main character (which is part Devil, btw, and direct nephew to Lucifer himself. And yes, that Lucifer, you know, the one who was the brightest angel then fallen etc etc?) some where along the story line.

Like I said before, this books took place on alternate version of our world, where angel, devil and magician (or wizard) are live together on earth (not ALL of them of course, some still dwell on heaven or hell), what with the  departed God and Satan. Ops, did I say departed? Yes, in this novel world, God make truce with Satan then depart to unknown place (possibly void, as Trigg think later), leaving the world (as in heaven, hell and human realm) to take care for it selves

Lot of intrigues and double crosses and heavy dose of Trigg remarks of women bodies (he's a horn dog, if I have to say so) and lot and lot of actions. Actually, most of story line are composed of actions (in which Trigg usually got out-classed - both physically and magically - and got pounded and generally got lucky), with several recurring characters.

Character development is rather sparse. Almost all character in this novel are having those 'set' character with limited or none development. On good side, it refreshing because there are none of those psychologist-like character delve. But on bad side, it made the characters rather two dimensional and too simple, almost no dept to it.

From story side, I think this novels rather interesting. The twisted world, lot of actions, rather simple but funny main character, several surprise and twist on ending are very nice. Really, this novels are what I need, nice break from stuffed world of fantasy novels. The pace are rather fast, with nice story building. But I got this feeling like, the ending on first novel are too abrupt. The 'bridge' to finale are too short, not enough suspense building before the characters got to main actions. The second novel are better, but still not long enough. Or maybe I just too used to those nerve-racking finale fantasy novels (Wheel of Time series, anyone?)

I really like the simple, funny, rebellious but very manly Trigg. He is really different with the main character from other fantasy novels I've read. I think this is the first time I read a novel where the main character is a street prowler, a thug, to speak. I just wish other characters are as strong as him. Strong as in characterization, not on power level. In fact, Trigg placed on rather low power level, what with his rejection on Anti-Christ position. Ops! Did I just spoil it for you? :D

For you who want light fantasy novel, or just want a light reading (although with lot of actions packed on this novels it can't be called 'light'), or liked angel-demon book, or just want to try something else, I recommend you to try this book. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't. I personally can't wait to get my paw on the third book...

Review: Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series by Karen Miller

Cover Versi 1

Cover Versi 2

Seri Kingmaker, Kingbreaker tulisan Karen Miller ini terdiri dari dua buku: The Innocent Mage dan Innocence Lost (Awakened Mage di luar Australia). Membaca seri ini memberikan pengalaman lain untuk saya.

Asher pergi meninggalkan Resthaven, kota kelahirannya, demi mengejar impiannya untuk membahagiakan ayahnya. Di Dorana, ibu kota Lur sebuah negeri aman tenteram, dimana musim dan cuaca di kendalikan dengan magic, Asher bertemu dengan Gar, pangeran Lur, yang walaupun berdarah Doranen (ras dengan magic), namun terlahir tanpa magic. Di ibu kota Lur inilah petualangan Asher dimulai, petualangan yang akan membawanya menemui takdirnya...

Dua buku ini cukup menarik, walau ending di buku kedua masih meninggalkan beberapa hal yang belum terselesaikan. Saya setelah membaca buku ini, mendapatkan kesan seolah-olah satu buku yang dikarenakan terlalu panjang, akhirnya dibagi menjadi dua buku. Pada kasus buku terakhir The Wheel of Time (A Memory of Light), yang juga karena terlalu panjang akhirnya di bagi menjadi tiga novel, dua novel pertama dari tiga pecahan mampu memberikan kesan novel utuh. Sedangkan dua buku novel tulisan Karen Miller ini, saya merasa lebih mirip dengan seri novel Twilight buku ke empat (Breaking Dawn) yang terdiri menjadi dua bagian besar, namun masih dalam satu buku.

Gaya penulisan enak, sudut pandang Asher sebagai orang biasa, sangat kental terasa mewarnai penggambaran dunia Lur. Kecepatan cerita dibangun dengan bagus, sederhana, dan stabil. Namun terasa ada penarikan atau penguluran waktu di bagian saat Asher kembali ke Dorana di bagian finale dari buku, terlalu datar dan membosankan. Memang kembalinya Asher harus secara diam-diam, namun Karen Miller gagal membuat perjalanan ini menarik.

Dunia yang dibangun Karen Miller di kedua novel ini cukup apik dan menarik. Cukup hidup dan unik, termasuk sistem magisnya. Tembok Barl yang menjulang tinggi di pegunungan menjadi salah satu bagian novel yang melekat kuat dan menjadi bagian khas (iconic) dari novel ini.
Pengembangan karakter tokoh-tokoh utama (Asher dan Gar) terbangun dengan apik. Persahabatan kedua orang yang berbeda kelas dan karakter ini terjalin dengan indah. Namun sayang hal yang sama tidak bisa disebutkan untuk tokoh-tokoh lain yang seharusnya bisa menonjol (Matt dan Dathne). Bahkan tokoh Veira terbangun jauh lebih bagus, dengan presence yang jauh lebih kuat. Sayang sekali...

Ending cerita cukup, walau bagian perkelahian mungkin bisa dibuat lebih lama, seru dan lebih dramatis lagi. Saya merasa bagian finale ini kurang menggigit, kurang legit. Coba bandingkan dengan adegan-adegan perkelahian atau finale di novel-novel The Wheel of Time dan Mistborn yang penuh dengan adegan-adegan dan saat-saat yang bisa membuat saya berseru "Oh. My. GOD!!!" Bahkan novel ringan seperti Vampire Academy dan House of Night pun memiliki finale yang jauh lebih menggigit dibanding kan novel ini.

Terlepas dari berbagai hal yang kurang dari novel ini, saya menjumpai novel ini cukup menghibur. Dan menarik. Cukup sederhana dan ringan, namun dengan sentuhan khas fantasy yang bisa membawa kita ke dunia lain. Bukan dalam taraf seperti The Wheel of Time, Mistborn Trilogy, ataupun The Black Jewels Trilogy, namun masih bisa saya sarankan untuk dibaca.

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Berikutnya: upgrade firmware/ android Nexian Cosmic Journey ke versi terbaru.

Review: The Road

The boy turned in the blankets. Then he opened his eyes. Hi, Papa, he said.
I’m right here.
I know.

Biasanya novel yang saya baca adalah novel epic/high fantasy, tapi kali ini saya iseng mencoba novel post-apocalyptic. Sesuai namanya, genre ini berkutat di dunia setelah terjadinya bencana besar, yang mengubah total kehidupan manusia. Judul novelnya adalah The Road, yang bila diartikan ke bahasa Indonesia kira-kira menjadi "Jalan".

Novel ini mengikuti perjalanan seorang pria dan anaknya menuju daerah selatan amerika untuk mencari iklim yang lebih hangat, menghindari musim dingin. Dalam perjalanan, mereka harus menghadapi berbagai macam halangan: salju tebal, persediaan makanan yang menipis, dingin, dan kebrutalan sisa-sisa manusia yang rela melakukan segalanya demi bertahan hidup (termasuk kanibalisme).

You can read me a story, the boy said. Cant you, Papa? Yes, he said. I can.

Dunia tempat novel ini berlangsung adalah dunia yang gelap, dingin, hitam, sepi. Dunia ini setelah terjadinya suatu bencana yang tidak dijelaskan, dengan sisa berupa api yang masih sering membakar hutan dan berbagai benda di permukaan bumi. Langit dan udara dipenuhi asap dan abu, matahari tertutup, bahkan hujan dan salju pun tercampur abu. Rentang waktu di novel ini tidak terlalu jelas, mungkin beberapa bulan, tidak ada penanda waktu selain siang-malam.

The boy took the can. It’s bubbly, he said.
Go ahead.
He looked at his father and then tilted the can and drank. He sat there thinking about it. It’s really good, he said.
Yes. It is.
You have some, Papa.
I want you to drink it.
You have some.
He took the can and sipped it and handed it back. You drink it, he said. Let’s just sit here.
It’s because I wont ever get to drink another one, isnt it?
Ever’s a long time.
Okay, the boy said.

Jujur, awal-awal novel saya sempat malas, seperti saat membaca novel Mistborn buku pertama, sebab dunia yang bleak seperti ini membosankan, tidak ada warna-warna cemerlang yang saya kejar dari genre epic/high fantasy. Tapi setelah meneruskan membaca, saya menjumpai sesuatu yang indah di dunia yang kelam, bleak dan dingin ini: cinta sang ayah ke putranya, kepolosan (innocence) dari sang anak, dan bagaimana mereka berjuang memegang teguh prinsip kemanusiaan. Luar biasa.

Cerita diambil dengan sudut orang ketiga, dan dari semua tokoh, hanya satu yang diberi nama. Bahkan tokoh utama disebut sebagai The Man dan The Boy, tanpa ada penjelasan nama, latar belakang, kota asal, usia dll. Bahkan deskripsi fisik tokoh pun sangat minim, dan hanya di beberapa bagian saja.

We’re going to be okay, arent we Papa?
Yes. We are.
And nothing bad is going to happen to us.
That’s right.
Because we’re carrying the fire.
Yes. Because we’re carrying the fire.

Tidak ada intrik-intrik yang rumit di novel ini, cerita berjalan lurus dan sederhana. Bahkan klimaks bukan adegan penuh aksi, dan memang di novel ini aksi sangatlah minim, namun cerita yang sederhana ini justru mampu membangun emosi yang sangat kuat. Keindahan sederhana yang disuguhkan novel ini benar-benar membekas.

Dialog sangat minim, namun dialog minim ini membuat kesan yang dalam. Dan harus saya akui, salah satu keindahan dari novel ini terletak di dialognya yang sederhana, namun sangat kuat.

Just wait here, he said.
I’m going with you.
I thought you were scared.
I am scared.
Okay. Just stay close behind me.

Ending novel ini sederhana, dan bisa ditebak, namun pembangunan ending, penggambaran suasana dan dialog sederhana yang kuat, membuat ending novel ini tidak berkesan begitu saja. Perpindahan fokus dari sang ayah ke si anak di bagian ending, justru membuat ending yang indah, sedih dan bahagian. Benar-benar menggugah emosi.

I dont know what to do.
Shh. I’m right here. I wont leave you.
You promise.
Yes. I promise. I was going to run. To try and lead them away. But I cant leave you.
Papa?
Shh. Stay down.
I’m so scared.
Shh.

Jangan frustasi dulu dengan awal-awal novel yang sangat kelam dan bleak, karena jika anda mampu bersabar membaca novel The Road ini, anda akan menemui berbagai keindahan yang tidak ada di novel lain. Sederhana, namun sangat membekas.
Recommended!!!