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A review by blakethebookeater
Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters by Erin Hoffman, Paul Genesse, Mike MacLean, Natania Barron, Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, Jaym Gates, Tim Marquitz, Timothy W. Long, Joshua Reynolds, C.L. Werner, James Lovegrove, Edward M. Erdelac, James Swallow, Howard Andrew Jones, David Annandale, Shane Berryhill, Kane Gilmour, Peter Stenson, J.M. Martin, Pete Rawlik, Peter Clines, James Maxey, Nickolas Sharps, Sean Sherman, Patrick M. Tracy, Gini Koch, Jonathan Wood, Larry Correia
4.0
After all the Godzilla hype, I felt the need to read about some giant ass monsters. The only books out there that really give you that Godzilla feel are the amazing Nemesis books by Jeremy Robinson, and so I wanted to see if these short stories could capture that feeling.
Verdict: As with a lot of anthologies, this was a mixed bag, but with enough good stories to average out to a 4 star rating. I detailed my thoughts for every short below (written right after finishing that story). In retrospect, the standouts were “Heartland” “The Banner of the Bent Cross” “Operation Starfish” “The Behemoth” and “The Turn of the Card”
The 23 stories in Kaiju: Age of Monsters
“Big Ben and the End of the Pier Show”
A decent story, but not enough focus on the Kaiju. Also feels way too much like a Pacific Rim ripoff.
3/5
“The Conversion”
Damn this was a great Kaiju story. It really emphasized how small we are compared to something so awe-inspiring and it felt utterly apocalyptic. Pitch perfect Kaiju take. 5/5
“The Lighthouse Keeper of Kurohaka Island”
This was an interesting take on Kaiju. Loved the protector Kaiju Kashikoi, and the fact that their battle was mistaken as the nuclear attacks on Japan. Would love to see more in this world!
4/5
“Occupied”
An interesting Kaiju story that uses angels. The Nephilim were different from the usual giant monster and I appreciated that, but it seemed too short.
3/5
“The Serpent’s Heart”
An exotic tale of sailors and serpents, but not enough focus on the serpent itself. The sorceress stuff was kinda cool but unnecessary.
3/5
“Monstruo”
A pretty good Kaiju story. I liked how it took a common trope of the genre (person turns into/controls Kaiju) and made it feel scary, and also pretty intense.
3/5
“The Behemoth”
A shameless rip-off of Pacific Rim. But, that gives the short freedom to really explore the implications of a world where people have to use their minds to power a mech. Also a great look at addiction and a sweet love story.
5/5
“The Greatest Hunger”
A muddled mess of a story. It felt like it was holding the reader at arm’s length so you couldn’t get close and really see what was going on.
2/5
“Heartland”
Probably my favorite story in the collection so far. It was intense, and personal, and wow do I love cults.
5/5
“Devil’s Cap Brawl”
A disappointingly racist story. The Kaiju stuff was cool, but goddamn why did this story have to be told from the POV of a racist. It didn’t add anything, just pissed me off. And the racist didn’t even get killed, just a subtle redemption? Fuck that. Skip this one.
2/5
“Shaktarra”
A very weird Kaiju story, but very welcome as well. It was a fun action romp that wasn’t afraid to go really bizarre! Definitely enjoyable.
4/5
“Of the Earth, of the Sky, of the Sea”
This story was very Avatar-sequel with the spirit world Kaiju, and I really enjoyed it. Had some cool steampunk moments and overall was a fun, atmospheric romp!
4/5
“The Flight of the Red Monsters”
An environmental Kaiju story with a strong message. Loved the Kaiju POV and it was very well written!
5/5
“Operation Starfish”
A Lovecraftian story of the unknown with the great POV of a grandmother finally telling her secrets through a letter. Loved it!
5/5
“With Bright Shining Faces”
Children + giant monsters = a fantastic story and probably the most gleefully FUN one so far! Loved it.
5/5
“The Banner of the Bent Cross”
Indiana Jones meets Greek mythology in one of the best stories in the anthology. Or I just have a super fondness for Greek monsters. Either way, a fantastic story!
5/5
“Fall of Babylon”
A Biblical Apocalypse that was entertaining even if the tone was a little all over the place.
3/5
“Dead Men’s Bones”
A very meh story.
2/5
“Stormrise”
A decent story that’s all set-up, but we never get to see the promised pay-off.
3/5
“Big Dog”
A boring story filled with unintelligible military jargon.
2/5
“The Great Sea Beast”
An entertaining Japanese yarn about obsession and hunting a Kaiju!
4/5
“Animikii vs. Misipeshu”
A solid Kaiju brawl with awesome creatures. This is what I want in a Kaiju story!
5/5
“The Turn of the Card”
Um, WOW. Kaiju Apocalypse went FULL GIANT MONSTER FIGHTS! This was such a great story, as the human perspective made the kaiju feel enormous and the fights were awesome. I think this is the only one where I wanted a whole ass novel to go deeper.
5/5
Verdict: As with a lot of anthologies, this was a mixed bag, but with enough good stories to average out to a 4 star rating. I detailed my thoughts for every short below (written right after finishing that story). In retrospect, the standouts were “Heartland” “The Banner of the Bent Cross” “Operation Starfish” “The Behemoth” and “The Turn of the Card”
The 23 stories in Kaiju: Age of Monsters
“Big Ben and the End of the Pier Show”
A decent story, but not enough focus on the Kaiju. Also feels way too much like a Pacific Rim ripoff.
3/5
“The Conversion”
Damn this was a great Kaiju story. It really emphasized how small we are compared to something so awe-inspiring and it felt utterly apocalyptic. Pitch perfect Kaiju take. 5/5
“The Lighthouse Keeper of Kurohaka Island”
This was an interesting take on Kaiju. Loved the protector Kaiju Kashikoi, and the fact that their battle was mistaken as the nuclear attacks on Japan. Would love to see more in this world!
4/5
“Occupied”
An interesting Kaiju story that uses angels. The Nephilim were different from the usual giant monster and I appreciated that, but it seemed too short.
3/5
“The Serpent’s Heart”
An exotic tale of sailors and serpents, but not enough focus on the serpent itself. The sorceress stuff was kinda cool but unnecessary.
3/5
“Monstruo”
A pretty good Kaiju story. I liked how it took a common trope of the genre (person turns into/controls Kaiju) and made it feel scary, and also pretty intense.
3/5
“The Behemoth”
A shameless rip-off of Pacific Rim. But, that gives the short freedom to really explore the implications of a world where people have to use their minds to power a mech. Also a great look at addiction and a sweet love story.
5/5
“The Greatest Hunger”
A muddled mess of a story. It felt like it was holding the reader at arm’s length so you couldn’t get close and really see what was going on.
2/5
“Heartland”
Probably my favorite story in the collection so far. It was intense, and personal, and wow do I love cults.
5/5
“Devil’s Cap Brawl”
A disappointingly racist story. The Kaiju stuff was cool, but goddamn why did this story have to be told from the POV of a racist. It didn’t add anything, just pissed me off. And the racist didn’t even get killed, just a subtle redemption? Fuck that. Skip this one.
2/5
“Shaktarra”
A very weird Kaiju story, but very welcome as well. It was a fun action romp that wasn’t afraid to go really bizarre! Definitely enjoyable.
4/5
“Of the Earth, of the Sky, of the Sea”
This story was very Avatar-sequel with the spirit world Kaiju, and I really enjoyed it. Had some cool steampunk moments and overall was a fun, atmospheric romp!
4/5
“The Flight of the Red Monsters”
An environmental Kaiju story with a strong message. Loved the Kaiju POV and it was very well written!
5/5
“Operation Starfish”
A Lovecraftian story of the unknown with the great POV of a grandmother finally telling her secrets through a letter. Loved it!
5/5
“With Bright Shining Faces”
Children + giant monsters = a fantastic story and probably the most gleefully FUN one so far! Loved it.
5/5
“The Banner of the Bent Cross”
Indiana Jones meets Greek mythology in one of the best stories in the anthology. Or I just have a super fondness for Greek monsters. Either way, a fantastic story!
5/5
“Fall of Babylon”
A Biblical Apocalypse that was entertaining even if the tone was a little all over the place.
3/5
“Dead Men’s Bones”
A very meh story.
2/5
“Stormrise”
A decent story that’s all set-up, but we never get to see the promised pay-off.
3/5
“Big Dog”
A boring story filled with unintelligible military jargon.
2/5
“The Great Sea Beast”
An entertaining Japanese yarn about obsession and hunting a Kaiju!
4/5
“Animikii vs. Misipeshu”
A solid Kaiju brawl with awesome creatures. This is what I want in a Kaiju story!
5/5
“The Turn of the Card”
Um, WOW. Kaiju Apocalypse went FULL GIANT MONSTER FIGHTS! This was such a great story, as the human perspective made the kaiju feel enormous and the fights were awesome. I think this is the only one where I wanted a whole ass novel to go deeper.
5/5