First things first,
this book is sadly not a retelling of the classic stories by Laura
Ingells Wilder about her childhood in the American Midwest. This book
is something better. Unless of course you're a hardcore fan of Laura
Ingells Wilder, in which case there is no hope for you. This book is
a swashbuckling tale set in the future of America, after the great
laser wars. It starts off on a prairie that is covered in fiber
optic cables instead of wild grass, and moves swiftly through to a
legendary city on the other side of a black hole.
The main character
in the story is a retired soldier turned mercenary named Sexy Jeph.
Sexy Jeph's life with a laser gun was legendary. He was one of the
most skilled killers with a laser gun and well known for his sexual
prowess as well. All that is in the past though, Sexy Jeph is retired
and lives in a small, scrap metal shack with his husband Jack. Soon
enough a character from his past shows up with a plan for one last
heist and an offer Sexy Jeph cannot refuse. Here is where the book
gets truly down to business.
Sexy Jeph and his
former associates are off on a quest to find the red orb, a powerful
laser weapon that is sort of futuristic wearable with a wicked twist.
To find the red orb they will also have to find the location of a
rumored city that lies on the other side of a black hole in the
prairie, Obscuria. The rest of the book deals with the adventure to
find the red orb and all places it leads and characters they run
into.
If you have read any
of David Barbee's previous books then you will know that he has a
flair for vivid descriptions and fleshed out settings. There's a
current of country folk wisdom and attitude that flows through his
words that gives the personalities a sense of familiarity, at least
for me it does as I have a number of family from the backwoods of
America.
I won't spoil the
ending except to say that it is fitting for the book and in the
tradition of classic tales of one last heist. After looking at their
website I think this is the first book from Excession Press, the
publisher of Laser House on the Prairie and looks to be a great
start! I am left looking forward to the next book from Mr. Barbee and
future titles from Excession Press. So go check it out yourself, it's
Doctor recommended reading!
also
As a matter of
doctor/client privilege I am under oath to inform you that I received
a copy of this book for free in order to review it and give it a
Doctor's approval. So now you know!
also also
my video review of the book is over on my youtube channel, go give it a watch and subscribe to get my next reviews in the ever popular video format!