Infernal Devices

Background

Published in 2005, Infernal Devices is the third book in the “Mortal Engines Quartet”. It follows Predator’s Gold and starts the story 16 years after the last book ended. This story picks up with their child (Wren) and her adventures become the catalyst to change all their lives.

Infernal Devices
Infernal Devices

My Thoughts

Another good book but a little slower than the last. It took me a minute to take a shine to Wren and the other new characters.

Recommendation

Can’t turn back now.

Predator’s Gold

Background

Published in September of 2003, Predator’s Gold is the sequel to Mortal Engines. It continues the story of what happens after London is destroyed.

Predator's Gold
Predator’s Gold

My Thoughts

Again, I thought they did a great job with the next book. This could have ended the series and it would have been just as good.

Recommendation

Good book!

Mortal Engines

Background

Published in November of 2001, Mortal Engines is a dystopian future where the traction cities are on the move eating each other and they are fighting against the anti-traction league to for the right to do so.

Mortal Engines
Mortal Engines

My Thoughts

As dumb as the concept is, it was a fun book. It had some really good character development and was just a good read. Of course, I watched the movie shortly after reading it. Honestly, I don’t know why I do that… They hacked the story-line to bits.

Recommendation

Skip the movie and read the book.

Battlefield Earth

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.

Battlefield Earth
Battlefield Earth

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

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.

The Doomed Planet
The Doomed Planet

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

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.

Villainy Victorious
Villainy Victorious

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

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.

Disaster
Disaster

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

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.

Voyage of Vengeance
Voyage of Vengeance

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

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.

Death Quest
Death Quest

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

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…

Fortune of Fear
Fortune of Fear

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.