Squeamish Caution

The Terminals by Michael F. Stewart is the subject of this book review.  I don’t know where to begin.  You wouldn’t believe it.  You won’t believe it.  I have never read anything like this before.  Dante’s Inferno comes to mind—maybe.  But Stewart’s gnostic hell is more graphic than Dante’s.  If you have a weak stomach then this book is not for you. 

In fact, nobody should eat or munch on any goodies while reading The Terminals.  Your stomach is guaranteed to turn.  That’s not saying that the story isn’t good, because it is.  I was hooked and kept on reading, in spite of my IBS.

 

The story revolves around Col. Christine Kurzow, who feels responsible for her troops who were blown up in Afghanistan.  She’s suicidal.  Actually, all the characters in this novel are suicidal, hence the title, The Terminals.  These people who are going to die are referred to as Terminals.  (I’m trying very hard not to give out spoilers.)  The Terminals descend into death to solve crimes.

If you don’t understand, good.  Read the book.  I can’t explain it.  Like the “Lovin Spoonful” say, “It’d be like trying to explain Rock n’ Roll.”

Christine becomes a handler of Charles Hackman, a monk who specializes in the gnostic religion.  Charles’ assignment is to find Hillar the Killer in gnostic hell.  Hillar is psycho and had kidnapped a school bus full of kids, then he was killed before he could reveal where he hid the kids.  Charles communicates the clues he’s garnered from Hillar (easier said than done) and Christine tries to locate the kids before they die. 

Even dead, Hillar is psycho.  His clues are worthless.  What else can I tell you?  It’s not a happy ending; not an unhappy ending.  It’s real.  “Ha!”  “Did I just say that?” 

The Terminals isn't like Michael F. Steward’s Assured Destruction series.  I’ve read those and liked them.  I like The Terminals, too, but this is nothing like Assured Destruction.  In fact, it’s like nothing I’ve ever read before.  The descriptive action is grotesque.  It’s disgusting.  It’s nauseating. 

“Oh, wait.”  It is hell, isn’t it? 

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I received a free e-copy of The Terminals by Michael F. Stewart, from Tribute Books.  No other compensation was received and my review is my honest evaluation.

Format:   ebook
Pages:      310 pages

I’d give you direct links to order this ebook, but it won’t be released until April 15, 2014.  But here’s Michael F. Stewart’s page on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Michael-F.-Stewart/e/B003GUK4X4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

And here’s Barnes and Nobles   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/michael-f-stewart  

Here are some links to learn more about the author:

Web Site   http://michaelfstewart.com/
Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/Story.Extension
Twitter  https://twitter.com/MichaelFstewart
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2969126.Michael_F_Stewart    

Win a copy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Script Kiddie

Michael F. Stewart and Mac Doninri (Don) L. Dimanlig are the author and artist, respectively, of the Assured Destruction Series.  Michael F. Stewart is not afraid to experiment and combine the written story with stylized modern graphics, technology, and social media.  The Assured Destsruction series is published by Non Sequitur Press.

In Stewart’s first Assured Destruction the reader was introduced to the major character, Janus Rose.   Since Janus’ dad deserted the family, Janus and her mom have taken on the computer recycling business.  To complicate matters, Janus’ mom has multiple sclerosis.  The prognosis isn't good.  And this is how Janus’ life is—complicated. 

This second novel in the series, Script Kiddie, adds more drama to Janus’ life.  Assured Destruction is in danger of being foreclosed.  Janus’ friend runs into trouble with online dating.  As usual, school marks are precarious.  Janus’ boyfriend is running out of patience.  Mom’s boyfriend is suspicious.  The police have Janus doing community service.  Teen age stress is complicated even more by the online hacking community. 

An interesting concept is that Janus has a few alter egos.  She has set up old computers with names and personalities, and interacts with them.  They’re Gumps, Frannie, Heckleena, Tule, and more.  Not only do they help Janus think through her options by getting her to focus, these on-line characters help us, the reader, to explanations, and character motivation.

NB my favorite quotes:

If life’s a stage, then you should be in the audience, Heckleena tweets.

@Heckleena For some reason the director keeps shoving me out for more, JanusFlyTrap replies.

Heckleena is one of my many alter egos, which allow me to say what I want without inciting direct hatred. JanusFlyTrap is the real me.

                                                              ##

Shadows have lengthened and the sun shines into my eyes through the windows. The hair on

the back of my neck does a little dance.  It’s nearly closing time and despite the thrill of adventure a new hard drive always sends through me, I’d rather not profile a killer in the dark.

                                                                 ##

I don’t understand the half of it, but I want to, oh how I want to. And I will. It’s like

cracking the binding on a dusty old spell book and reading arcane language promising to augment your powers, create wards of protection, and destroy your enemies.

                                                                 ##

First Prize: I will bow to your feet, sing your praises,

and be otherwise suitably impressed. But you’ll never have all that, because this code is

impossible to crack.

NB these related sites:

Author Michael F. Stewart http://michaelfstewart.com/    http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2969126.Michael_F_Stewart         http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17696977-script-kiddie

How about taking a chance on a raffle to win a $ 25 gift certificate from Amazon, or a free ebook of Assured Destruction, Script Kiddie  ?

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