Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Two worlds. One killer.
Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana, the assassin Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, the best at what he does.
At home in the real world, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions. Yet he's shackled by a rigid caste society, bound to ignore the grim fact that he kills men on a far-off world for the entertainment of his own planet.
But now Michaelson has crossed the line. His estranged wife has disappeared in the slums of Ankhana. To save her, he must confront the greatest challenge of his life: a lethal game of cat and mouse with the most treacherous rulers of two worlds.
Welcome to the world of Caine: Assassin. Hero. Superstar . . .
REVIEW:
OK this is the first book in a series that has been released in the US quite a while ago and whilst I was sold on the premise I found it a little difficult to get into to begin with due having to adapt to the set up. Don’t get me wrong it’s a story that has a lot going for it, you’ve got great action sequences, magical spells, assassinations and of course poltical double dealing that will not only make your head spin but also open the viewers eyes to a world that they wouldn’t have expected.
Its cleverly written, the prose is sharp and of course being set in the first person mode (not only from Caine but when we also view events through other “players” eyes_ it’s a book that works great on so many levels.
Yet whilst I did enjoy this and got really into it, the bug bear of the original set up (where we’re flitting from fantasy world to “real” world was what took me a while to figure out especially when you’re just jumping and wondering why a lot of what’s just occurred doesn’t seem to make sense until you’ve read quite a bit further. All in, don’t let this little hiccup put you off, it’s a cracking start to what I hope is going to be a great series but I can only wait and see.
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
The perfect assassin, the perfect revenge.
On Earth, Hari Michaelson was a superstar. But on Overworld, he was the assassin Caine. Real monarchs lived and died at his hands and entire governments were overthrown - all for the entertainment of millions back on Earth.
But now Hari, stripped of his identity as Caine, must fight his greatest battle: against the powerful corporate masters of Earth and the faceless masses who are killing everything he loves. Enemies old and new array themselves against him. And Hari is just one man - alone, half-crippled, powerless.
They say he doesn't have a chance. They are wrong.
Welcome to the world of Caine: Assassin. Hero. Superstar . . .
REVIEW:
The second title in the series and one that goes to show that Caine is in for not only a world of hurt but one that will have him ducking and diving, utilising all his hard earned skills to aid his survival. As with the first the characters are stunning, the pose sharp and all round with the story arc was something that I just couldn’t put down.
Add to this almost magical storytelling, some great twists and an author who knows how to hook the reader not only with the stunning set up but emotionally into the character all round makes this a must read for me as a fantasy fan. Great stuff.
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Redemption casts a bloody shadow
On Overworld, Caine was an assassin without peer - a legendary killer known as the Blade of Tyshalle. Back on Earth, Caine was Hari Michaelson, an actor whose bloodthirsty adventures in the Overworld made him superstar. In his last adventure, Caine almost single-handedly defeated and exterminated the fiercest of all tribes: the Black Knives. But the shocking truth of what happened during that vicious battle has never been revealed . . . until now.
Years later, Caine returns to the scene of his greatest triumph - some would say greatest crime - at the request of his adopted brother, the last of the Black Knives. But where Caine goes, danger follows, and he soon finds himself fighting for his life against impossible odds, with the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance. Just the way Caine likes it.
Welcome to the world of Caine: Assassin. Hero. Superstar . . .
REVIEW:
OK, this one takes a slightly different direction as fantasy meets old fashioned detective storytelling as the tale is told from two separate viewpoints. It’s got some cracking twists, amalgamates both types of stereotype wonderfully and as usual gives the readers characters that they will not only care about but follow to the ends of the earth.
Add to the mix solid pace, almost cinematic prose and all round, when added to what has gone before will leave the reader demanding more especially with that final twist. A great book all round.
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Some laws you break. And some break you. And then there's Caine's Law.
The assassin Caine: a civilized man who embraced savagery, an actor whose life was a lie, a force of destruction so potent that even gods thought twice about crossing him. Now the legendary killer is back for his most stunning and bloodthirsty performance yet.
Caine is washed up and hung out to dry, a crippled husk kept isolated and restrained by the studio that exploited him. Now they have dragged him back for one last deal. But Caine has other plans. Those plans take him back to Overworld, the alternate reality where gods are real and magic is the ultimate weapon. There, in a violent odyssey, Caine will face the demons of his past, find true love, and just possibly destroy the universe.
Welcome to the world of Caine: Assassin. Hero. Superstar . . .
REVIEW:
The final part in the series for me for now and to be honest it’s one that I’ve devoured with quite a pace. Yet for all the glee I’ve had at holding each title, Caine, the principle character, has been getting not only a bum deal but has been getting life with a bigger handful of crap on each outing.
Its deplorable what an author will do to a character that readers love, yet it not only works well in the book but gives the reader a semblance of control as they get to see the “hero” fight against the machine that holds not only the fate of Overworld in one hand but the minds of those within our own.
Its cleverly written, has an absolute ton of magical moments within and the reader will feel that they more than get their money’s worth by tales end which when added to the authors no holds barred style of storytelling really makes you, as the viewer, feel very specially to have been allowed to be part of it. All round a cracking book and a series that has been an absolute star from the start.
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