OK, on to another under-acknowledged greats on PB.com, JP Moore's Toothless. Here's the author's teaser:
France, 1180 AD: an ancient evil is on the march. The Black Yew leads an army of demons through Europe, laying waste with a devastating plague and destroying the relics of Christendom. After losing his wife and daughter, a failed Templar rejoins his comrades in the crusade against the Yew's army. But the dice are cast against the living, and the Black Yew's demons slay him, impressing his reanimated corpse into their ranks. He is gifted. He shows great promise as a servant to the Yew. But life is not yet done with him.
Our PB.com and iTunes review, excellent of course, is as follows:
What a wonderful book. The story is fresh, well thought out, and superbly told. JP’s narration is spot on for the story he presents us; slow and full of lament. The characters are so well constructed that it wasn’t until I read someone else’s comments that I realized they were potential stock figures, like zombies and werewolves. But JP creates them so uniquely and individually that they are anything but off the shelf fantasy icons. Well done! His command of the 12th century genre is marvelous, and there is absolutely no way to anticipate the plot turns. The only caveat I might offer to potential readers is that there are a considerable number of sword vs body interactions, so the faint of heart may take note. But I find the book intriguing and look forward to whatever JP graces us with in the future.
HOW WE WOULD DESCRIBE THE BOOK IN GENERAL: This story is technically a zombie horror genre book, with werewolves and demons. I think these generalization sell it considerably short. It is a journey of imagination and personal growth, in this case of a semi-sentient zombie. Tell us that's been done before!
NARRATION: We chose to review this immediately after The HeavenField, as the narrations share a common link. They are both breath-taking, innovative, and take a considerable risk in being so distinct. Scanning the reviews of others, listeners either love JP's voice or hate it. As with The HeavenField, we am not going to say the detractors of JP's voice are wrong (we'd like to, but we don't wish to seem as snarky as we are in fact). What we will say to the naysayers is take another listen with an open mind. Good taste is not something one is born with, one acquires it. Children like Pixie Sticks and cotton candy, washed down with a Slurpee. As complete adults we have learned to love coc au vin with a soft Rhone red. Similarly, if you presuppose a reader should be a reincarnation of Billie Mays, you must struggle to mature. When one has, the individual will appreciate the brilliance of JP's voice. If anyone else narrated Toothless, it would not be as perfect. JP's flat, hopeless, mournful intonations add palpable sorrow to the tale, to the power of the desperation, to the dissolution of the Templar's mind and his soul. We award this book a perfect 20.
EDITING/TECHNICAL: We have no problem awarding this effort a full 20 points in these categories also. There are no flaws or glitches. JP's narration is consistent across the entirety of the book; earlier choppy sound was quickly and expertly corrected. Voice variations for individual characters was excellent, distinguishing them well, and seemed to fit the personality of the character.
ORIGINALITY OF STORY: Very fresh, very innovative, and very well executed. Some authors have an interesting idea or novel take on a storyline or genre, but it becomes quickly clear that's that was all they had, an idea.
QUALITY OF WRITING: JP creates this alternate reality with craftsmanship which belies his early career stage. The historically accurate detail, the research needed to get the background right are impressive, and rare at any level a writing. There are no ill-placed scenes, no poor choice of words, or, sin of all writing sins, unacceptable leaps of faith needed to bridge so plot gap. We suspend belief with most books, and all scifi/fantasy, but as you well know, some authors drag us behind a horse through impossible or stupid gaps, and expect us to thank them for their efforts. Jar Jar Binks representing anyone, addressing the Imperial Senate? I rest my case. JP's erects this world and moves the players though it as well as any tapestry on any castle wall in a museum. A full measure, 20 points, for certain.
WOW FACTOR: Wow, that says it all. This book has spellbinding narration, fresh plot, is expertly told, with a lifetime of credible research and context, compelling art work, and it's believable. After we were done, we all but went to Wikipedia to check for our potentially faulty recollection of European history in the Dark Ages. We averted in this effort, not because our memory became clear, but because we realized Wiki was less likely than either JP or us having the facts straight. Sigh! In any case, a full 20 points.
EXTRA CREDIT: Definitely due here. JP's artwork is riveting. There is movement, tension, graphic realism, and soulful quality to it, and it compliments the pages wondrously. 10 extra points for sure.
TOTAL SCORE: A perfect 110; strong work JP, now stop reading this and give us another great book.
You can find out more about Moore at: http://www.jpmooreonline.com/
France, 1180 AD: an ancient evil is on the march. The Black Yew leads an army of demons through Europe, laying waste with a devastating plague and destroying the relics of Christendom. After losing his wife and daughter, a failed Templar rejoins his comrades in the crusade against the Yew's army. But the dice are cast against the living, and the Black Yew's demons slay him, impressing his reanimated corpse into their ranks. He is gifted. He shows great promise as a servant to the Yew. But life is not yet done with him.
Our PB.com and iTunes review, excellent of course, is as follows:
What a wonderful book. The story is fresh, well thought out, and superbly told. JP’s narration is spot on for the story he presents us; slow and full of lament. The characters are so well constructed that it wasn’t until I read someone else’s comments that I realized they were potential stock figures, like zombies and werewolves. But JP creates them so uniquely and individually that they are anything but off the shelf fantasy icons. Well done! His command of the 12th century genre is marvelous, and there is absolutely no way to anticipate the plot turns. The only caveat I might offer to potential readers is that there are a considerable number of sword vs body interactions, so the faint of heart may take note. But I find the book intriguing and look forward to whatever JP graces us with in the future.
HOW WE WOULD DESCRIBE THE BOOK IN GENERAL: This story is technically a zombie horror genre book, with werewolves and demons. I think these generalization sell it considerably short. It is a journey of imagination and personal growth, in this case of a semi-sentient zombie. Tell us that's been done before!
NARRATION: We chose to review this immediately after The HeavenField, as the narrations share a common link. They are both breath-taking, innovative, and take a considerable risk in being so distinct. Scanning the reviews of others, listeners either love JP's voice or hate it. As with The HeavenField, we am not going to say the detractors of JP's voice are wrong (we'd like to, but we don't wish to seem as snarky as we are in fact). What we will say to the naysayers is take another listen with an open mind. Good taste is not something one is born with, one acquires it. Children like Pixie Sticks and cotton candy, washed down with a Slurpee. As complete adults we have learned to love coc au vin with a soft Rhone red. Similarly, if you presuppose a reader should be a reincarnation of Billie Mays, you must struggle to mature. When one has, the individual will appreciate the brilliance of JP's voice. If anyone else narrated Toothless, it would not be as perfect. JP's flat, hopeless, mournful intonations add palpable sorrow to the tale, to the power of the desperation, to the dissolution of the Templar's mind and his soul. We award this book a perfect 20.
EDITING/TECHNICAL: We have no problem awarding this effort a full 20 points in these categories also. There are no flaws or glitches. JP's narration is consistent across the entirety of the book; earlier choppy sound was quickly and expertly corrected. Voice variations for individual characters was excellent, distinguishing them well, and seemed to fit the personality of the character.
ORIGINALITY OF STORY: Very fresh, very innovative, and very well executed. Some authors have an interesting idea or novel take on a storyline or genre, but it becomes quickly clear that's that was all they had, an idea.
QUALITY OF WRITING: JP creates this alternate reality with craftsmanship which belies his early career stage. The historically accurate detail, the research needed to get the background right are impressive, and rare at any level a writing. There are no ill-placed scenes, no poor choice of words, or, sin of all writing sins, unacceptable leaps of faith needed to bridge so plot gap. We suspend belief with most books, and all scifi/fantasy, but as you well know, some authors drag us behind a horse through impossible or stupid gaps, and expect us to thank them for their efforts. Jar Jar Binks representing anyone, addressing the Imperial Senate? I rest my case. JP's erects this world and moves the players though it as well as any tapestry on any castle wall in a museum. A full measure, 20 points, for certain.
WOW FACTOR: Wow, that says it all. This book has spellbinding narration, fresh plot, is expertly told, with a lifetime of credible research and context, compelling art work, and it's believable. After we were done, we all but went to Wikipedia to check for our potentially faulty recollection of European history in the Dark Ages. We averted in this effort, not because our memory became clear, but because we realized Wiki was less likely than either JP or us having the facts straight. Sigh! In any case, a full 20 points.
EXTRA CREDIT: Definitely due here. JP's artwork is riveting. There is movement, tension, graphic realism, and soulful quality to it, and it compliments the pages wondrously. 10 extra points for sure.
TOTAL SCORE: A perfect 110; strong work JP, now stop reading this and give us another great book.
You can find out more about Moore at: http://www.jpmooreonline.com/
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