Official Review: The Coming Storm by R.D. Ware

[jacstar23]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Coming Storm (The Road to Hell trilogy part one)" by R.D.Ware.]

The Coming Storm is the first book in the Road to Hell trilogy. It falls into the fantasy, thriller, and possibly horror genres as it’s about spell-casters (and angels/demons) intent on destroying the human race. The story is told from many different perspectives, but the main players are Giles, Gareth, and Volcannon.

The first chapter is action packed - one scene after the next alternating back and forth between bad guy and... worse guy... until BAM! I’m hooked. Worse guy starts the mother of all fires, and unleashes hell. At this point in the story I’m reminded of a cross between the end of The Fifth Element, and the end of The Ninth Gate, though obviously The Coming Storm has its own twist.

This twist makes the rest of the book quite different from what you would expect. Personally, I expected a full on witch hunt, placing spell casters either for or against the Dark One. What I got was a legion of super heroes... or anti-heroes... and non-stop action from beginning to end. The rest of the book is much like that first chapter - no time for breathing, there’s a war brewing.

One of the scenes I enjoyed was the press conference held by Giles - the final question to wrap it up, was quite brilliant. Another was the conversation around the introduction of “Volcannon” and “Lady Luck.” Adding these simple things lightened the action-adventure with a small taste of humour.

The problem with this novel is that until the ‘supers’ come into play; there are not a lot of likeable characters. They’re all arrogant, condescending, and miserable. Even the heroes turn power-hungry, and soon become unlikeable as well. This book would benefit from having one consistent loving character that the reader can root for as the destruction of the planet takes place. Sadly, Giles isn’t it. I like him, but he’s too full of himself as well, and that arrogance will be his downfall. Arrogance will be all of their downfalls, and eventually the reader starts rolling their eyes and calling them idiots for making these simple mistakes.

As for smaller nitpicks, there are some common typos such as ‘woman’ vs. ‘women’ and repetition of phrases like “wearing smiles,” as well as constant tense confusion (referring to a place in the present whilst speaking in past tense). These are the negatives and nitpicks. Overall, not many, and would be easily fixed with a proper proof-read.

I gave this novel three out of four stars as it delivers on what it promises. Anyone who likes a good, action-packed fantasy thriller will no doubt enjoy this. Fixing these nitpicks and adding a character or two (like Dawn), will slow down the book just a touch, and give the reader something/someone to root for.

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Buy "The Coming Storm (The Road to Hell trilogy part one)" on Amazon

[tanfun]

Its gone on my list of books to read... Good review

[jacstar23]

thanks, I enjoyed it