Review of Gleaners

[Rajnee Varma]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gleaners" by Kip Cassino.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Gleaners is a work of fiction by Kip Cassino featuring a species from outer space, Çaïn, that landed on earth 66 million years ago. Elizabeth Wyler, a hospital psychiatrist, comes across some survivors of mysterious fires and meets Oliver Raine, an ex-army man, and the cops Ray Saldano and Leo Moore. Nobody believed Raine when he talked about the mysterious fires he survived both in Iraq and Los Angeles, but it was revealed that governments across the globe knew about gigantic dragon serpents that fed on human energy and have been trying to get rid of them since World War II, in secret and unsuccessfully. Investigating the mass disappearance of homeless people, Raine and Beth were captured by some humanoid cannibals, and they also learned about another species, D’yls, who worked as mediators between the cannibals and the dragons. Although they escaped, Beth was brutally tortured and raped, and she had lost her right eye and part of her body. Her ordeal made her resolve stronger, and they worked together in the organization, OPIN, to free the world from the dangers, although the present technology and the weapons were incapable of destroying the dragons, their offspring, and their eggs.

The story portrays three species other than humans and the humanoids. These are created masterfully and described to appear realistic and believable, resembling the characters that appear in legends and mythology. The complete life cycle of the dragon serpents, their survival techniques, and their intellect are amazingly described. The smaller bird-like species enslaved by the dragons and the denizens of the oceans form a diverse range of interesting extraterrestrials. But the cannibals—the short, square-featured people who mingle with humans—are the most barbaric people, and Hiram Vose, a senior paleontology lecturer, is the worst of them. The characters are deftly crafted, and the reader feels connected and entranced. Beth and Raine are both powerful characters—brave, intelligent, compassionate, and devoted to their cause of saving humanity. Beth’s transformation from a beautiful, delicate young doctor to a strong and tough woman is amazing and inspiring, while Raine’s friendship and understanding help her cope with her trauma.

The author's profound knowledge is reflected in the story when he writes about various species of dinosaurs and their timelines, including the famous craters formed due to the impact of asteroids, nuclear weapons, advanced communication skills, and technology. The book explores the possibility of life forms unknown to humans that may exist in the inner cores of the earth, in the depths of the oceans, under the craters and volcanoes, or deep down in caves in mountains. I found the book very interesting, and I was fascinated with the story. Although not a negative aspect of the book, the portrayal of the cannibalism and sufferings of the victims is horrific, and readers will not forget it for a long time. I noticed a few typos, but the fast pace of the gripping story makes one overlook the errors. My overall rating for the book is 5 out of 5 stars.

The book is a blend of fantasy and science fiction and is as suspenseful as a crime thriller. There is nothing to dislike about the book, and I would recommend it to people who love to read suspense thrillers with a save-the-human race theme and a twist at the end.

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Gleaners
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[NetMassimo]

This novel is a mix of science fiction and fantasy tropes that are used to create a story that seems compelling even if sometimes is really violent. The depictions of different species from diverse habitats make this novel intriguing. Thank you for your great review!