Asking me to pick my favorite book, or movie, is like asking me to pick my favorite child. That is not accurate my favorite child is my only child, but I trust you understand the analogy. Having said that I want to tell you about one of my favorite books, Monster Hunter International. My husband found this story when the author, Larry Corriea, was still an up and coming. He had posted chapters on his website until he found a publisher, Baen Books, and was able to sell it to them. Since then, he has gone on to create some of the best fiction I have ever read.
Now, on to the story. It is a detail rich world where monsters exist and the Federal Government is trying to keep it secret. There are a few independent contractors that hunt these creators and, after turning in proof, get paid for their work. The quintessential Men In Black work for the Feds in their own bureaucratic way complicate thing. I do not want to spoil the book for you, so I am intentionally being vague but I will tell you what I love about the series.
First, it is a good and compelling story. As some of you know that is the most important thing for me as a reader, that also applies to movies. The story is an action-packed thrill from beginning to end with every scene moving the story forward. There is not one chapter, or scene, that fells like an exposition or filler. It really keeps me turning the page.
Next, the characters. There is not one stereotypical one-dimensional character in any of his, now many books. This includes the throw away’s, like the werewolf boss in the first chapter of book 1. Not only are they well rounded, they are also diverse. There are no contradictions. By that I mean he can write complex believable female, male, and non-human points of view. I read a book (I’ll have to write another post about character failures sometime) written by a man with a female lead that was a lesbian. I could not get over that character’s lack of a female perspective. It made it hard to enjoy the unique and good story. I most definitely did not have that problem with any of Larry’s books.
The overall sense of humor in his work is an absolute joy. These could easily be dark heavy stories as they deal with dark heavy subjects. In my day job, at this point I still have one, I deal with dark and heavy situations almost daily. I understand and appreciate the humor it takes not to be dragged into the darkness and this hits the spot dead on.
Have you read any of his books? Which one did you like? I suggest you go to his website for a list of other great books he has written https://monsterhunternation.com/
I will give a quick warning: the comment section is not a place to bash other writers. I will not tolerate what I think of as hate and will delete those comments without warning or remorse. In terms of my blog only, I am God, it is my way or the highway.
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