Gunpowder & Embers

The authors are triune: John Ringo, Kacey Ezell, and Christopher L. Smith. What role each has played is nicely unclear. What is clear is that however they combined work or collaborated, they followed the “show, don’t tell” rule in exemplary and sometimes even boggling fashion.

We begin with a hive immersion reminiscent of C.J. Cherryh’s Serpent’s Reach without background, in the head of young Ariel, and initially dumbfounding. Then, on horseback, the gift is mounted combat…and we are not told that the combatants are aligned with and against the hive…In fact, that relationship is left until later to be developed. What background is afforded is offered only in conjunction with action and interpersonal tensions.

This is a post-dystopian romp across an America both degenerating and crushed, essentially following Chuck Gordon, a youthful cowboy hero of engaging character development and formidable fighting skills

The Windfists are a warrior monkhood, and their pantheon includes the revered Baddis (“always have a plan to kill them”), the sainted Norris…you get the idea.

Inter dimensional invaders are referred to, but we are left to work out or meet the references. What could be a frustration becomes an engaging aspect.

There are dragons both wild and tame, betrayals of great magnitude, heartstopping action.

Great fun. Do buy it.