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docblipper's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
alandmorriss's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for supplying me with a digital copy of this book to review.
Wardog was a fun read which starts with a straightforward premise of an Earth a generation post-alien invasion and the struggles of those that are left enslaved by the alien conquers, the Mek.
The book was an enjoyable and surprisingly quick read, the story moves at a quick pace and has enough tension to keep you engaged. It has some clever ideas and while it does have plenty of world-building and a reasonable amount of character development, it also leaves enough space and scope which clearly setups a possibly grander continuation of the story.
Overall it was fun and invested me in the world and characters and I look forward to what might come next.
Wardog was a fun read which starts with a straightforward premise of an Earth a generation post-alien invasion and the struggles of those that are left enslaved by the alien conquers, the Mek.
The book was an enjoyable and surprisingly quick read, the story moves at a quick pace and has enough tension to keep you engaged. It has some clever ideas and while it does have plenty of world-building and a reasonable amount of character development, it also leaves enough space and scope which clearly setups a possibly grander continuation of the story.
Overall it was fun and invested me in the world and characters and I look forward to what might come next.
spygra's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
a_menace_2_society's review
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
_tycho_'s review against another edition
4.0
Overall, a well written and narrated story. A bit predictable at times, but the characters were interesting and well fleshed out. Disappointing that we didn’t learn what happened to Falk, but I guess that will have to wait for another story.
crankyoldnerd's review
4.0
Well played Mr. Author sir. The opening line about how the Mek came and offered us up and we thought nah, we’ll just kick your ass and take it and I thought ‘yeah, that checks with today’s world’. Well played.
An overall fun romp, could see this making an entertaining series or trilogy, and made into a great movie. I would have enjoyed more development of the main characters, like pre capture then capture then the other events vs starting in capture making for a better story, but it was a great read and a short read and would recommend it to anyone.
An overall fun romp, could see this making an entertaining series or trilogy, and made into a great movie. I would have enjoyed more development of the main characters, like pre capture then capture then the other events vs starting in capture making for a better story, but it was a great read and a short read and would recommend it to anyone.
michaelroleary's review
4.0
Gundog features a world where humanity is enslaved by an alien techno-species but with some The Last Starfighter-style fate, a massive dual-piloted mecha, and a bit of luck, a fire can be lit to fight back.
Gary Whitta begins a new, original sci-fi franchise with Gundog, and let me stress the "begins" and "franchise" in that sentence. He captures the structure of classic Cameron action films on the page and while things that come with that formatting could turn off bookish traditionalists it all works well when you read through that lens, (which shouldn't be surprising with Whitta's other works in film and comics.)
Certain aspects of descriptions can feel a little vague if you're looking for a hyper-realized picture of, say, how the antagonist species looks. Personally, this kind of writing doesn't bother me much as I like when books afford me just enough detail that I can complete an image myself. Would the finite and completed imagery be nice to have? Sure, but I think this format allows the reader to be part of the creation that way so I'm fine with it.
Conversely, the way moments are described should certainly clear the bench-mark for most folks. The world is mostly gritty and the action is exhilarating which allows for some quiet moments to shine, particularly later in the story. I do think some cynics will find these moments clichéd but the flip side of the cliché coin is otherwise described as universally relatable, again Cameron-esque that way.
Gundog is a really solid start to something bigger, the book itself nods toward the future, and I'd be happy to see more of this world. I'd recommend for a casual read, especially if you appreciate '80s and '90s action cinema.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Inkshares for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Gary Whitta begins a new, original sci-fi franchise with Gundog, and let me stress the "begins" and "franchise" in that sentence. He captures the structure of classic Cameron action films on the page and while things that come with that formatting could turn off bookish traditionalists it all works well when you read through that lens, (which shouldn't be surprising with Whitta's other works in film and comics.)
Certain aspects of descriptions can feel a little vague if you're looking for a hyper-realized picture of, say, how the antagonist species looks. Personally, this kind of writing doesn't bother me much as I like when books afford me just enough detail that I can complete an image myself. Would the finite and completed imagery be nice to have? Sure, but I think this format allows the reader to be part of the creation that way so I'm fine with it.
Conversely, the way moments are described should certainly clear the bench-mark for most folks. The world is mostly gritty and the action is exhilarating which allows for some quiet moments to shine, particularly later in the story. I do think some cynics will find these moments clichéd but the flip side of the cliché coin is otherwise described as universally relatable, again Cameron-esque that way.
Gundog is a really solid start to something bigger, the book itself nods toward the future, and I'd be happy to see more of this world. I'd recommend for a casual read, especially if you appreciate '80s and '90s action cinema.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Inkshares for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
emnii's review against another edition
1.0
The kindest thing I can say about Gundog is that it was a very fast, very easy read. But you should not read Gundog.
The novel describes what they characters do and where they go but nothing about the world they live in. I have no idea what anything in this novel looks like. I kept hoping that this speedy pace would lead somewhere interesting, and it never does. Every narrative choice has the most obvious conclusion. It still somehow leaves dangling threads, but there's no world in which I want to pick up another volume to find out what happens next.
I haven't been this mad at myself for finishing a book since Ready Player One.
The novel describes what they characters do and where they go but nothing about the world they live in. I have no idea what anything in this novel looks like. I kept hoping that this speedy pace would lead somewhere interesting, and it never does. Every narrative choice has the most obvious conclusion. It still somehow leaves dangling threads, but there's no world in which I want to pick up another volume to find out what happens next.
I haven't been this mad at myself for finishing a book since Ready Player One.