The Plight of Mongo

Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I would recommend this book to any author who is looking to frame a global disaster. Larry Niven keeps his focus on a select group of people, forms a more tangible conflict for his characters, and the cometary impact itself is reduced to a couple of chapters. However everything before and after those chapters pivots upon them.

View all my reviews >>

Horns by Joe Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Horns was a solid read, but I fear Joe Hill may have learned a bad trick or two from his father. Mainly, rushing to tie an ending together. Hello giant spider.

The story itself is gripping, as our hero deals with the fact that people, deep inside, are often horrible; he must also deal with the fact that he can learn to enjoy bringing out the worst in people.

Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and was acquitted for, our devilish protagonist, Ignatius(Ig) delved into a life of slow suicide, complete with booze, bimbos, and a deep sense that everyone would rather spit on him then say hello. He wakes one morning from a blackout drunk to find two horns have sprouted from his head. The horns seem to bring out the very worst in people, mainly honesty. Whether the person wants to eat a huge box of donuts with out hands, or to rob the church they are the nun at and find a
lesbian to get with, the horns bring it about. They also give Ig a nearly sexual pleasure when others speak out or live out their honest desires.

The novel works in a fine plot of discovery and revenge, however I found that Joe Hill first over powered his character, then underpowered him for the conclusion. It fell just a bit flat at the end.

Still, I recommend it as a fun read, and I cannot wait to pick up some more Joe Hill.

View all my reviews >>