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sheldonnylander's review against another edition
4.0
Titanus is a Veritassian, an alien that is ten feet tall, has four arms, can only speak the truth, and can grow and shrink any part of his body at will. ANY part (being that this is a bizarro book, I'll leave that bit up to your imagination). When his son is “kidnapped,” the kidnappers force him to enter a galactic gladiatorial contest featuring lots of weird aliens that could only spring from the mind of a deranged lunatic.
Tom Lucas' Pax Titanus tells this story and tells it well. Then again, this book isn't for those looking for a terribly in-depth story. The real feature of this book is the increasing amounts of alien carnage and detailed fight scenes to sate the reader's inner blood lust. The story is more there to move the action along.
The characters are quirky, from Titanus' inability to tell a lie to his wife (who's a squid) communicating by secreting emotional ooze based on what she's feeling. Right? Right. The book is the usual short length for an entry in the New Bizarro Authors Series. In this case, that works well. Lucas is forced to economize and doesn't waste any time on extraneous details. He focuses on what's important and gets to the point, which prevents the reader from screaming, “Get to the point!”
Graphic, violent, and simple, Pax Titanus still holds charm and does have a surprise ending. While this type of book isn't always my cup of tea, it was still a fun read that kept my attention and does make the inner child squeal with joy at the copious amounts of mindless violence. Or is that just me? My inner child might be a little disturbed.
If I have a main complaint, it's that this book could have used another pass the editor. Basic mechanical mistakes bug me enormously and are a pet peeve, and I have to knock the book down a little for that.
An enjoyable and short read that reminds one of a summer action flick, Pax Titanus definitely scratches a certain itch, although admittedly it may not be an itch that everyone has. If you like excessive amounts of literary violence not counting those brutal writers' conferences, then Pax Titanusis definitely worth your time.
Pax Titanus by Tom Lucas earns 4 out of 5 bludgeoned skulls.
Tom Lucas' Pax Titanus tells this story and tells it well. Then again, this book isn't for those looking for a terribly in-depth story. The real feature of this book is the increasing amounts of alien carnage and detailed fight scenes to sate the reader's inner blood lust. The story is more there to move the action along.
The characters are quirky, from Titanus' inability to tell a lie to his wife (who's a squid) communicating by secreting emotional ooze based on what she's feeling. Right? Right. The book is the usual short length for an entry in the New Bizarro Authors Series. In this case, that works well. Lucas is forced to economize and doesn't waste any time on extraneous details. He focuses on what's important and gets to the point, which prevents the reader from screaming, “Get to the point!”
Graphic, violent, and simple, Pax Titanus still holds charm and does have a surprise ending. While this type of book isn't always my cup of tea, it was still a fun read that kept my attention and does make the inner child squeal with joy at the copious amounts of mindless violence. Or is that just me? My inner child might be a little disturbed.
If I have a main complaint, it's that this book could have used another pass the editor. Basic mechanical mistakes bug me enormously and are a pet peeve, and I have to knock the book down a little for that.
An enjoyable and short read that reminds one of a summer action flick, Pax Titanus definitely scratches a certain itch, although admittedly it may not be an itch that everyone has. If you like excessive amounts of literary violence not counting those brutal writers' conferences, then Pax Titanusis definitely worth your time.
Pax Titanus by Tom Lucas earns 4 out of 5 bludgeoned skulls.
weirdtea's review
3.0
I haven't read much bizarro fiction, so I suspect my sensibilities might be a bit fussier and more delicate than many long-time fans of the genre. There was too much scatological humor for me to say I truly loved the book. However, I had a very good time reading it.
It made me laugh out loud more than once. I loved the main character, the sports commentator duo (especially the brain in a jar), and the lovely giant cephalopod. Really, there are awesome aliens, worlds, and battles throughout the book. It blasts by.
There's wicked wit and satire to be found in this story. There's also real heart too. I admire a tale that can combine ridiculously fun action with some emotional depth. It's all over the top...gigantic fun.
I'll be checking out more from this author and from the genre.
It made me laugh out loud more than once. I loved the main character, the sports commentator duo (especially the brain in a jar), and the lovely giant cephalopod. Really, there are awesome aliens, worlds, and battles throughout the book. It blasts by.
There's wicked wit and satire to be found in this story. There's also real heart too. I admire a tale that can combine ridiculously fun action with some emotional depth. It's all over the top...gigantic fun.
I'll be checking out more from this author and from the genre.
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