Fall 2009

STAR WARS: DEATH TROOPERS

Joe Schreiber

LucasBooks

Do you love Star Wars and zombie flicks? Well then, hold on to your flight helmet when you read Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber and published by Lucas Books. The author of best-selling horror and suspense novels Chasing the Dead and Eat the Dark, Schreiber applies his zombie storytelling sensibilities to the Star Wars universe, and with great success.

The novel takes place on the Imperial prison barge Purge as it breaks down in a distant, uninhabited part of space. Hope finds them in the form of a Star Destroyer found drifting seemingly abandoned. When a boarding party from the Purge is sent to scavenge for parts, only half of them come back, bringing with them a disease so lethal that within hours nearly all aboard the Purge die in ways too hideous to imagine.

While most of the characters were created exclusively for the novel, Schreiber finds a creative way to include two beloved Star Wars characters, Han Solo and Chewbacca. And although the story takes place in the Star Wars universe, it is an entertaining departure from the recent stream of politically charged Star Wars novels. Dark, engrossing, and chock full of stormtrooper zombies – seriously, how cool is that? –  Star Wars: Death Troopers will please Star Wars and undead fans alike.  

          A             -Dan McDermott

THE THREE DOG KNIGHTS

Eric R. Markgren

unpublished

[ed. note: This is an unpublished manuscript written by a friend of mine. If anyone wants more information on it, or wants to get in touch with the writer, please contact Goz via the contax page here.]

Alex Marks has had his whole family picked off. Murdered one after another over the years. The most recent being his lovely wife. In a haze of grief, after losing his wife and then his job, his only activities were continuing the Dungeons and Dragons saga he started with his nephew and three closest friends 'The Three Dog Knights.'

Now vicious murders similar to his wife's brutal end are happening all over his city and something is terrorizing those closest to him. His nephew has become withdrawn and edgy toward his best friends. While Alex remains oblivious in his depression. Especially to the history of significant violent acts surrounding his life. That is until his nephew is brutally murdered in front of Raven's house and the Three Dog Nights finally fess up to Alex about the supernatural events that have been haunting them.

Three Dog Knights is a story about one of the classic supernatural legends. A shape shifter that can read minds and turn into your fears. Just like the Stephen King's It preyed on his kids so many years ago, this monster is after a chosen target. It's after Alex Marks. And It's come to collect.

The best horror stories are usually the ones that 'could happen' or have some believability. That said, Three Dog Knights was an OK concept, but not too much fear factor. The writing was good for the majority and I liked how it had an It feel. There was this part in the story where one of the kids had to cross a bridge that the villain was under which had a Three Billy Goat's Gruff /troll under bridge ambiance.

I think the characters could've used more development in the beginning to acclimate to the story. The ending was a bit scattered, hard to follow and still unclear. I would have liked the villain and conclusion explained better with more on how Alex's life changed afterwards. And I have to say, the Dungeons and Dragon's theme was a little nerdy. Seems weird that a grown man would be hanging out with a bunch of kids playing fantasy games.

          C+             -Alesha Brunell