Fiction – Page 13 – Ryan's Book Blog

Battlefield Earth

August 16, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 1982, Battlefield Earth is a story of Earth a thousand years from now after we had been invaded by an alien civilization known as the Psychlos. They have almost no interest in us, rather they just want to mine our planet for the heavy metals.

My Thoughts

This was a pretty fun book and I remember being intimidated by it by it’s shear size when I read it as a teen. With my adult eyes, it was pretty campy and all the women had almost no character development but it was still fun.

The movie that came out a number of years ago was pretty terrible and didn’t do much to help promote the book. Oh well, Travolta tried…

Recommendation

A fun action book but pretty long.

The Doomed Planet

August 7, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in December of 1987, The Doomed Planet is the 10th and final book in the Mission Earth series. This book sees everything settled and Earth’s fate resolved.

My Thoughts

Everything was tied off neatly in place. It was as good of an ending as could have been hoped for. I read the Series a long time ago but I don’t believe I ever really finished it. Now it’s finished, I can leave it permanently.

Recommendation

I’m not a fan of series. It had it’s fun parts but it just wasn’t worth it.

Villainy Victorious

August 6, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in December of 1990. Villainy Victorious is the 9th book in the Mission Earth series. This book changes the narrators and we don’t hear much more from Sultan Gris. Hisst is in control of Voltar and only Heller can save the day. However, the real villainy is from a public relations campaign designed to immortalize Heller at any cost.

My Thoughts

I did enjoy the change of pace and the book wasn’t just about how Sultan Gris was taken advantage of and how Heller was great. However, there were more than a few issues… There is something base about Hubbard’s writing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Some parts are so much more brutal or perverse than they need to be and most of the characters can’t seem to think for themselves. It’s like they are seen as less than people.

Recommendation

I’m in it till the end but I wouldn’t start if I were you.

Disaster

August 5, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in June of 1988, Disaster is the 8th book in the Mission Earth series. This book sees Heller take Gris into custody, resolve his issues on Earth, and bring him back to Voltar.

My Thoughts

Heller can certainly clean up quick. They breezed right by how he wiped out most of Russia and Eastern Europe but he left a few issues open. We aren’t getting much better.

Recommendation

Just holding on till the end.

Voyage of Vengeance

August 4, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 1987, Voyage of Vengeance is the seventh book in the Mission Earth series. Sultan Gris sees just about everything go hill and finds himself running out of New York and from just about everyone. He finds himself back in Turkey and enlists the crew of the tug to kidnap the Countess Krak.

My Thoughts

I didn’t need the 15 year old taking advantage of Gris or the drug references. They did a good job representing the worst of humanity and pegging it on Gris.

Recommendation

I can’t recommend it.

Death Quest

August 3, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in January of 1987, Death Quest is the 6th book in the Mission Earth series by L. Ron Hubbard. This book sees Sultan Gris train his sites on the countess Krak. All the while getting himself in deeper and deeper troubles.

My Thoughts

This book had a little more movement in the story and a lot more lewd comments. I don’t think this book could be published today for the portrayal of the female characters.

Recommendation

I am trying to get to the end but I’m starting to slow down. I didn’t enjoy this book very much.

Fortune of Fear

August 2, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 1986, Fortune of Fear is the 5th book in the Mission Earth series. Sultan Gris is trying to solve his debt issues and Heller just keeps on winning. Gris makes the decision to bring in the Countess Krak and what a mistake that was…

My Thoughts

Some things in the book were fine and the rest wasn’t so much. Gris is getting rolled over and over again and it is getting a bit old. I understand that’s the point but still.

Recommendation

The book was OK.

An Alien Affair

August 1, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in August of 1986, An Alien Affair is the 4th book in the Mission Earth series. Nothing seems to work out for Sultan Gris and Heller continues to try and save the environment.

My Thoughts

I think I liked Heller a lot better before the Countess Krak came into the picture.

Recommendation

This book was OK. A little rough in places but OK on the whole.

The Enemy Within

July 31, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in May of 1996, The Enemy Within is the 3rd book in the Mission Earth series. This book sees Heller renamed “The Whiz Kid” by the press and he attempts to demonstrate his new fuel in an endurance race. Too bad everyone is out to get him.

My Thoughts

Yet again Sultan Gris keeps on getting the short end of the stick and he just can’t keep up with Heller. It’s getting a little formulaic. The story is still pretty fun and moves along ok. However, there are some surprisingly brutal parts.

Recommendation

I intend to see the end of the series but I would have likely stopped here.

The Silent Patient

July 28, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in February of 2019, The Silent Patient is a thriller about a woman who is accused of killing her husband. She doesn’t speak throughout the sentencing and is assumed insane. One man thinks he can get through to her.

My Thoughts

This book was being read by my mother-in-law’s reading group which has been a mixed bag in the past. However, this was a very interesting read if not, “my cup of tea.”

The story was fairly disturbing in some ways and had quite the turn around that I didn’t see coming. I’m glad I didn’t read anything about it before hand to taint the experience.

Recommendation

If you like thrillers, this may be the one for you.