Official Review: Re-start the world by Kenneth J. Hayes
Posted: 27 Dec 2019, 15:23
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Re-start the world" by Kenneth J. Hayes.]
Re-Start the World by Kenneth J. Hayes is a sci-fi/fantasy of two cousins who take a one-way trip back in time to 1721 England to start the Industrial Revolution early to improve the future.
Jack Maddox and his cousin Jesse are from a family of wealthy scientists who was inventing the machine that could do x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, and chemotherapy all at the same time. They inadvertently used some crystals that caused the device to include a time-capsule that would transport back in time to 1721. However, it would only go one way. They devised the idea to send Jack back to 1721, England, and Jesse somehow got transported with him. They were sent with enough gold to buy an entire country. The goal was to employ as many people as possible who were jobless and underpaid, then build a large shipping company and an orphanage. They were to start as many other companies as they could and introduce better technology to the people. Gangs were controlling London, with the worst band led by the son of the "Angel of Darkness," Cyrus Kneebone. After several years of prosperity, Jack and Jesse were challenged by Cyrus to a duel of magic. If Cyrus won, they would lose their souls. If they won, Satan could never bother them again. Cyrus gave them a book of magic and a year to learn the spells. Would they be able to conquer the magic in time? Could they beat Satan at his own game, or would they lose their souls?
Hayes did a fantastic job with character development. The first people Jack and Jesse met in 1721 were Ezekiel and his wife, Christine. Ezekiel was the banker they put in charge of the gold they took to start their businesses and buy land. Christine was involved in the only two orphanages that did not use the children for child labor. Other notable characters were Fannie, who eventually became Jack's wife; Abigail, who married Jesse; Larz, and Wes. The characters were likable and fun-loving, which made the story fun to read. There is the right mix of humor that keeps the reader entertained throughout the book. The author's writing style is engaging; however, the narrative could use some polishing. For example, such phrases as "to carry out this" instead of "to carry this out." Or, "What you feel like doing?" are used throughout the book.
What I liked most was the modern conveniences the author used in the eighteenth-century setting. For example, laptop computers, a movie/television screen, and boats and carriages with motors, to mention a few. These added to the humor of the story. What I disliked most was the use of profanity, although many times spoke in jest. There are two scenes with sexual overtones, a bath scene with Jack and a chambermaid and a nude swimming scene, which are not appropriate for the younger reader. Otherwise, the storyline is delightful, and the ending is well done.
Sadly, I found multiple errors consisting of incorrect use of words, misspelled words, and some punctuation errors that were distracting to me as I read this book. The book needs professional editing to correct these errors. I am not a pure sci-fi or fantasy fan most of the time, but I did enjoy the creativeness of this book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy. Once the writing has appropriate editing, I believe fans of this genre would enjoy reading it. Due to the number of errors, I cannot give four stars. Therefore, I rate Re-Start the World by Kenneth J. Hayes 3 out of 4 stars. I hope the author will seriously consider having the errors corrected.
******
Re-start the world
View: on Bookshelves
Re-Start the World by Kenneth J. Hayes is a sci-fi/fantasy of two cousins who take a one-way trip back in time to 1721 England to start the Industrial Revolution early to improve the future.
Jack Maddox and his cousin Jesse are from a family of wealthy scientists who was inventing the machine that could do x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, and chemotherapy all at the same time. They inadvertently used some crystals that caused the device to include a time-capsule that would transport back in time to 1721. However, it would only go one way. They devised the idea to send Jack back to 1721, England, and Jesse somehow got transported with him. They were sent with enough gold to buy an entire country. The goal was to employ as many people as possible who were jobless and underpaid, then build a large shipping company and an orphanage. They were to start as many other companies as they could and introduce better technology to the people. Gangs were controlling London, with the worst band led by the son of the "Angel of Darkness," Cyrus Kneebone. After several years of prosperity, Jack and Jesse were challenged by Cyrus to a duel of magic. If Cyrus won, they would lose their souls. If they won, Satan could never bother them again. Cyrus gave them a book of magic and a year to learn the spells. Would they be able to conquer the magic in time? Could they beat Satan at his own game, or would they lose their souls?
Hayes did a fantastic job with character development. The first people Jack and Jesse met in 1721 were Ezekiel and his wife, Christine. Ezekiel was the banker they put in charge of the gold they took to start their businesses and buy land. Christine was involved in the only two orphanages that did not use the children for child labor. Other notable characters were Fannie, who eventually became Jack's wife; Abigail, who married Jesse; Larz, and Wes. The characters were likable and fun-loving, which made the story fun to read. There is the right mix of humor that keeps the reader entertained throughout the book. The author's writing style is engaging; however, the narrative could use some polishing. For example, such phrases as "to carry out this" instead of "to carry this out." Or, "What you feel like doing?" are used throughout the book.
What I liked most was the modern conveniences the author used in the eighteenth-century setting. For example, laptop computers, a movie/television screen, and boats and carriages with motors, to mention a few. These added to the humor of the story. What I disliked most was the use of profanity, although many times spoke in jest. There are two scenes with sexual overtones, a bath scene with Jack and a chambermaid and a nude swimming scene, which are not appropriate for the younger reader. Otherwise, the storyline is delightful, and the ending is well done.
Sadly, I found multiple errors consisting of incorrect use of words, misspelled words, and some punctuation errors that were distracting to me as I read this book. The book needs professional editing to correct these errors. I am not a pure sci-fi or fantasy fan most of the time, but I did enjoy the creativeness of this book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy. Once the writing has appropriate editing, I believe fans of this genre would enjoy reading it. Due to the number of errors, I cannot give four stars. Therefore, I rate Re-Start the World by Kenneth J. Hayes 3 out of 4 stars. I hope the author will seriously consider having the errors corrected.
******
Re-start the world
View: on Bookshelves
