Official Review: The Last Plutarch by Tom O'Donnell
Posted: 05 Feb 2016, 19:59
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Last Plutarch" by Tom O'Donnell.]
3 out of 4 stars
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The Last Plutarch by Tom O'Donnell is a combination sci-fi, fantasy, post apocalyptic tale focusing on the events and trials that shape and mold the life of America (Meric) Adams. It is a novel that many sci-fi/fantasy lovers of all ages would enjoy.
All Meric wanted all his life was to serve the Plutarchs and have them look upon him with praise. He devoted his life to their service and always made sure he spoke highly of them and denounce others when they blasphemed against the Plutarchs and the Fog. When "The Calling" was issued, Meric jumped at the chance to serve them the best way he knew how, with his blade. Centuries were sent out into the Wildlands outside Panchaea's walls, in search of a man fabled to be a demon: Trajan. Meric's whole penta is wiped out and Meric intends to take down as many savages as he can, but is quickly overtaken and help prisoner in their city. Trajan and his city of savages try to convince Meric that the Plutarch have lied to those who live in Panchaea. Meric devises a plan to escape with Trajan as his prisoner to hand over to the Plutarch, but in doing this he learns Trajan was right. Once again Meric escapes catpure and becomes the leader Trajan had aspired to be, and tries to complete the plans Trajan started.
There is a lot of action happening throughout this book. Readers open with a young man who wants nothing more than to serve those in a higher position, and by higher I mean living in palaces above the Fog. The Fog is a gray mass above Panchaea, something the citizens come to almost worship and the Plutarchs can "speak" to the Fog. This is a character with intense devotion to beings who say they can control the Fog. He would do anything to win the favor of these people. It is easy to understand why Meric responds the way he does to different events, even if the reader thinks his response is wrong. Meric transforms in several different ways over the course of this novel. He starts out as a strong warrior in physical strength and grows into a strong warrior in intellect as well.
The author's descriptions are vivid with compelling dialogue. The settings almost became characters themselves, though I wish there was more time spent in Panchaea, so the reader could get a better understanding of the life that Meric was raised in. There is also a lot of back history in this novel, but it only gives snippets on what happened to the old world. It was a little difficult to really understand what happened to the world because of The Fog and those who could control it, and I read the parts that explained it twice. There was a bit of computer jargon that could have been left out and the story still would have been well written. As Trajan was explaining the Fog and satellites, I kept wondering how did Meric understand this if he lived below the Fog and didn't know such things existed?
The story started out slow, but really begins to pick up when Meric's century heads out into the wilds and they begin to experience life outside of Panchaea. It was an enjoyable read and very difficult to put down. There was not one part of the book that was predictable, a twist at every turn. I did want a little more from the Plutarch viewpoint and seeing what life really was like in the clouds. The brief encounters Meric has is enough to give an idea why Trajan hated them and wanted to change Meric's opinion of them.
I would recommend this book to sci-fi, fantasy fans as well as post apocalyptic fans. I would also suggest this book to a young adult looking to begin these genres. The Last Plutarch is a great way to get interested and fall in love with this genre. I would give the novel a 3 out of 4 because there were aspects of the story that were difficult to understand and questions that were left unanswered.
******
The Last Plutarch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Last Plutarch by Tom O'Donnell is a combination sci-fi, fantasy, post apocalyptic tale focusing on the events and trials that shape and mold the life of America (Meric) Adams. It is a novel that many sci-fi/fantasy lovers of all ages would enjoy.
All Meric wanted all his life was to serve the Plutarchs and have them look upon him with praise. He devoted his life to their service and always made sure he spoke highly of them and denounce others when they blasphemed against the Plutarchs and the Fog. When "The Calling" was issued, Meric jumped at the chance to serve them the best way he knew how, with his blade. Centuries were sent out into the Wildlands outside Panchaea's walls, in search of a man fabled to be a demon: Trajan. Meric's whole penta is wiped out and Meric intends to take down as many savages as he can, but is quickly overtaken and help prisoner in their city. Trajan and his city of savages try to convince Meric that the Plutarch have lied to those who live in Panchaea. Meric devises a plan to escape with Trajan as his prisoner to hand over to the Plutarch, but in doing this he learns Trajan was right. Once again Meric escapes catpure and becomes the leader Trajan had aspired to be, and tries to complete the plans Trajan started.
There is a lot of action happening throughout this book. Readers open with a young man who wants nothing more than to serve those in a higher position, and by higher I mean living in palaces above the Fog. The Fog is a gray mass above Panchaea, something the citizens come to almost worship and the Plutarchs can "speak" to the Fog. This is a character with intense devotion to beings who say they can control the Fog. He would do anything to win the favor of these people. It is easy to understand why Meric responds the way he does to different events, even if the reader thinks his response is wrong. Meric transforms in several different ways over the course of this novel. He starts out as a strong warrior in physical strength and grows into a strong warrior in intellect as well.
The author's descriptions are vivid with compelling dialogue. The settings almost became characters themselves, though I wish there was more time spent in Panchaea, so the reader could get a better understanding of the life that Meric was raised in. There is also a lot of back history in this novel, but it only gives snippets on what happened to the old world. It was a little difficult to really understand what happened to the world because of The Fog and those who could control it, and I read the parts that explained it twice. There was a bit of computer jargon that could have been left out and the story still would have been well written. As Trajan was explaining the Fog and satellites, I kept wondering how did Meric understand this if he lived below the Fog and didn't know such things existed?
The story started out slow, but really begins to pick up when Meric's century heads out into the wilds and they begin to experience life outside of Panchaea. It was an enjoyable read and very difficult to put down. There was not one part of the book that was predictable, a twist at every turn. I did want a little more from the Plutarch viewpoint and seeing what life really was like in the clouds. The brief encounters Meric has is enough to give an idea why Trajan hated them and wanted to change Meric's opinion of them.
I would recommend this book to sci-fi, fantasy fans as well as post apocalyptic fans. I would also suggest this book to a young adult looking to begin these genres. The Last Plutarch is a great way to get interested and fall in love with this genre. I would give the novel a 3 out of 4 because there were aspects of the story that were difficult to understand and questions that were left unanswered.
******
The Last Plutarch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like literarycat's review? Post a comment saying so!