Official Review: Big Shadows by M H Gerard

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Big Shadows" by M H Gerard.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Big Shadows is an action-packed science fiction novel by M.H. Gerard. Have you ever heard of a little green comic book hero named the Incredible Hulk. Well, Vronse isn't exactly the big green destruction machine, but he is a giant with many unique abilities. He is the result of a World War 2 science experiment by Nazi scientists who believed they could create the perfect soldiers for Hitler. His mother escaped Germany and gave birth to him in the United States. Having the ability to see farther than any human, this nomadic giant has succeeded in avoiding capture by the FBI and the military for many years. Unfortunately for Vronse, his days of living in harmony are numbered.

Trouble is brewing down in South America. Vronse isn't the only living success of the Nazi "superhuman project." A ruthless giant resides in Brazil. His name is Cesar and he is a god. Well, at least he likes to think so. His mother has started a substantive new religion; all those who reject Cesar as their god must pay a mighty consequence. Cesar is one big psychopath who enjoys killing people who refuse to bow down to him and do his bidding. When he learns of Vronse's existence, he decides to pay the American giant a visit. In his own words, "there can only be one."

I was blown away with this very addictive book. The beginning was a little slow, but once the antagonistic giant Cesar got thrown into the stew, things got really interesting. Cesar, even with all his ruthlessness and psychopathic ways, was very fun to read about. I found him a bit comical for such a bad giant. In total, the author introduced three more giants. How exactly do they add to this enjoyable novel? That excursion, dear reader, you must go on yourself.

There is nothing I didn't like. Everything worked well. The characters all grew at their own paces. The author's writing style and obsession with battles between the forces of good and evil shows. His descriptions of the giants are vivid. Whenever I imagine this enormous being in the future, I'll always remember what I've read in this book. The characters are very likeable: I loved them all. The plot, like the giants, is very unique. The only bad part about this novel is that it had to come to an end. The author did a brilliant job.

I wish I could recommend this to readers of all ages. If it weren't for the violence, this book would've made for a wonderful children's book. If you love reading about supernatural beings or people who are just misunderstood in general, you'll love this book. Readers familiar with all kinds of outdoor phenomenon will enjoy this as well. My rating is 4 out of 4.

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Big Shadows
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Leon Durham's review? Post a comment saying so!

[travissuvil]

I don't know if it is proper to thank someone for a review as an author, however I must. Thank you Leon, for taking the time to read my book. Your description of it was beyond fair. It really encourages me to continue writing.

Thanks again
M.H. Gerard

[bookowlie]

Excellent review! You did a great job of highlighting what you loved about the story. I loved your line, "The only bad part about this novel is it had to come to an end". The only thing I am confused about is why the review is in the Crime/Mystery/Horror section if it's a science fiction novel. Maybe it's a bit of both genres?

[Rachaelamb1]

Excellent review! You did a great job of highlighting what you loved about the story. I loved your line, "The only bad part about this novel is it had to come to an end". The only thing I am confused about is why the review is in the Crime/Mystery/Horror section if it's a science fiction novel. Maybe it's a bit of both genres?

I was curious about that too. I generally stay away from C/M/H because I don't want to get stuck reading a horror book! This sounds like a great book though, something I'd like very much.

[Valleygirl1985]

Great review! This one seems really interesting.

[PashaRu]

Thanks for the review. Your enthusiasm about it really comes through!

[travissuvil]

It is not a horror book. There are some very bad actors in my book, yet I do not write ugly details that might offend. My description of extremely cruel behavior allows the reader to imagine without making you sick. My early inspirations were Michael Crichton and Dean Koontz.

Although these writers are very different, (I'm so sad we lost Crichton) I always believed their strong point was creativity. My focus is creativity, not gore. I'm actually a bit disappointed when a writer cannot express themselves without hideous nightmares. However, I realize that the ability to create nightmares on the page is what makes some writers famous . . . yet that is not me.

I also was a teenager when I read "The Shining" and saw the "Exorcist". Those experiences helped form a (day dreamer turned author) in to a guy who is always seeking something new, without deeply troubling Stephen King stuff or spinning heads. (Not a bash on King, but sometimes I'm not tough enough for his work.)

Oh, and I forgot Anne Rice, her early stuff was so cool and then got too weird for me.

Sorry, I tend to ramble. That is why I leaned so heavy on my editor. I gave her 500 pages and she sliced it up and made a more coherent book.

Thank you for your comments. I really just want to buy you guys a beer and talk all night.

M H Gerard

[amybo82]

This sounds like a great book! I'm going to have to add it to my to-read list!

[teacher_jane1]

I'm excited to read this!! It seems like the world can't get enough of superhero/mutant media right now, but decent novels in that subject matter are hard to come by. This sounds like an excellent contribution! Since we're lucky enough to have the author on this thread: what are the two or three books you've read that were most influential on this project?

[travissuvil]

Good question

It is and is not a super-hero book. The "Shining" started my path as a teenager. Then "Watchers" got me hooked again in my twenties on fiction. I actually went through a period where I refused to read fiction . . . then I grew up and realized fiction is just a platform for interesting ideas.

Don't want to stray too far off topic, so in answering the question: The book starts with evil men wanting to create their own super human race. The main characters become essentially super heros by fighting against that. Some however become exactly what they were designed to be. One very ugly character is developed into a wicked version of a twisted super hero. Yet most of the others develop in a unexpected way.

Perhaps they are super heros and perhaps they are not. You be the judge.

My non answer . . . I was influenced by living in the mountains and day dreaming about the possibilities. I write better when not influenced by others. The mind is a powerful toy.

Thanks
M H Gerard

[zeldas_lullaby]

Great review, and congrats on four stars, to the author!

[travissuvil]

Hello Leon

I wanted to write you a PM, yet I have not been on the forum long enough according to its posting rules.

Certainly "Big Shadows" could be classified as Sci-Fi. However, it was not my intention to write in that form. I just write and my stories can lead in that direction or lead else where.

By the way, where is your book? Are you working on one?

Getting published is easy these days, however I do believe professional editing is worth the money. Yet every other part of the mix is free. I'm certain someone who can write such outstanding reviews, can also write a great book. (I only hope the review wasn't better than the book.) . . . a little bit of author's paranoia.

You even have a great name for writing. I had to shorten mine and you would understand why; being from South Africa. I have one of those long, odd, ten letter Dutch names. My parents came from Rotterdam in the 1950's.

Let's keep in touch, I know there is a great book in your future.

MH Gerard

[ananya92]

Nice review. The book sounds quite action packed.

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

I had the same thought, bookowlie.

To me, if a book has a major science fiction element, it is sf.