Between Books - Aftermath: Life Debt

Among the things I was not looking forward to among all of Disney's new Star Wars offerings was another Aftermath book.  So it was with great hesitation I borrowed, not bought, Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig.  Because honestly, I could not have any lower expectations!

Wendig throws his readers early into the action. We join Norra Wexley and her band of Rebels (or New Republic commandos), comprised of surviving characters from the last book, as they serve as an extraction team.  They find, kidnap and extract Imperial war criminals so they can be tried for their atrocities by the New Republic.  However, the actions of others pull her into a different story. Princess Leia calls upon Wexley and her crew to find and return another type of scoundrel. Her husband Han Solo has gone missing. His partner Chewbacca was captured in an attempt by the pair to organize an attack to free the  Wookie's home world Kashyyyk from Imperial control.  Solo refuses to come home until he can recover his partner despite his wife's pregnancy.  But do Wexley's actions fill the needs of the New Republic or the Imperial remnant and its leader Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and her secret advisor?  And can you team survive the strain of the twists and turns of this adventure?

Let me just jump to the big reveal, and that's not the home world of the Imperial secret advisor!  I loved Aftermath: Life Debt.  It started hard for me, as I could not remember who all these new heroes from the first book was.  So watching a group I did not really know extract an unknown to me villian in a new to me setting, I was a little lost. But within the first 30 pages it turned quickly for me. I began to identify and feel for Norra's band.  I found I cared for this group, their emotions and what was going to happen to them.  The group is largely a team of dubious personalities, so just the question if how do former bounty hunters and imperials move forward within the New Republic was fascinating.  And unlike Bloodlines, it had just enough politics. I t is close enough to the Rebellion we see how Leia struggles with the new politically correct structure the New Republic is becoming. That is even more interesting and helps advance Leia closer to the Resistance intellectually more then the actions of Bloodline.  And Wendig makes me care about the politics outlined in this book as the New Republic debates what can they do for Kashyyyk, a work full of Wookies that I do care about. 

In the first book of the trilogy Wendig touched briefly on classic Star Wars heroes.   In this volume he goes all in. And so we get Han Solo...and a lot of him.  And it is the Solo we want and hope from, a lovable scoundrel. Wendig does a nice job highlighting the Solo/Chewbacca relationship, even when the Wookie is not there.  He makes it clear the Chewbacca is not a sidekick or pet. Chewbacca is an equal partner!  And the descriptions of this relationship really further cement how I feel about this dynamic pair.


But that's not to say I do not care about the new heroes.  Norra is a good examples.  She's a former Rebel, a soldiers, a mother to the future Snap Wexley, a wife to a missing husband and more.  I care about her future and her relationships with not just her team but also her family and potential love interests.  And honestly I could not say that after the first book!

I really enjoyed Aftermath: Life Debt. I do not always recommend many Star Wars books bases on plot and writing. This however is one I fully recommend!

Between Books - Black Widow: Forever Red

After reading Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket and Groot Steal the Galaxy and reading a Red Widow short comic story in Mockingbird: S.H.I.E.L.D. 50th Anniversary #1,  I thought another Marvel prose book and another Red Widow story was a combination I wanted nothing to do with.  It seemed like the anti peanut butter and chocolate combination.  And throw in the fact that the newest Marvel prose book was Young Adult fiction, really meant  Black Widow: Forever Red had not chance with me.  But I decided it was my duty to at least borrow the book from the library.  Though I doubted that it would be worth the time needed to read it.  Would my assumptions prove correct?

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl introduces us to Ava Orlova, a Russian girl, saved by Black Widow from Ivan Somodorov, the same monster who trained Natasha Romanoff at the Red Room as a child assassin.  After her rescue where she expected to be bonding with her red headed hero, Ava was dropped off in the United States by Natasha at a S.H.I.E.L.D facility never to hear from her rescuer again, she thought.  Ava runs away and strikes out on her own.  But she is haunted by dreams of a boy and his life.  Ava runs into the dream boy, Alex Manor at a fencing tourney at just the moment Black Widow reenters Ava's life.  But sadly for the teens, Ivan Somodorov is also attempting to recapture Ava and exploit her special relationship with Black Widow.  The international adventure the three charge into reveals secrets about all three heroes as they attempt to stop Somodorov from using his last Red Room experiment from gaining influence on the world's governments.

Here let me cut the suspense.  I really enjoyed Black Widow: Forever Red.  I found the new teen characters to be interesting and I wanted to know more about their backgrounds and struggles.  I understood Ava's resentment at Natasha Romanoff for abandoning her to S.H.I.E.LD., but I also understand why Black Widow kept her distance from a girl who looked like and had a background similar to her.  Alex is sprinkled in as the apparent normal teen pulled into the world of spies and secrets.  But Alex also is more than what he seems.  Finally, Stohl made me suitably tense by placing transcripts of a Line-Of-Duty Death Investigation between chapters.  As a reader I knew someone died, but if it was a hero or villain...well that took time to be revealed.

Additionally, the book is one that Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are likely to enjoy.  The books features Agent Phil Coulson as along with Tony Stark supporting the Black Widow in her investigations.   And the transcripts feel like the Natasha Romanoff from Captain America: Civil War in her tone and attitude.  So even if this book is not part of the MCU, it does lack the logo so its inclusion is not really confirmed to me, it is fully in the spirit of the cinematic offerings. And MCU fans are sure to feel at home in these pages. 

I enjoyed Black Widow: Forever Red as both a book fan and a Marvel fan.  My assumptions were truly turned on their head as I found Ava to be more interesting than her earlier appearance in a short comic story.  And unlike the earlier prose contribution, the story was engaging, full of interesting characters and a very enjoyable read.  Now I just hope that we might see more prose stories from Marvel when before I felt as if they were not needed.  And I would be more than happy if Stohl took a turn at writing the next prose title. 

Between Books - The Storm Over the Bay

Shaun Finnie brings the futuristic Rothman family back in The Storm Over the Bay.  Have things settled down for the Rothmans.  Or will their lives be at jeopardy again in an effort to defend the Disney legacy?

A few years have passed since the Epcot Revolution, which has led to a more open Epcot.  But not everyone likes it.  Jack Rothman and his family have been labeled both heroes and villains by those living within Disney’s planned community.  But the Rothman’s prefer to stay out of the center of attention, with Jack largely rejecting his celebrity.  Sadly, something sinister still exists at Epcot.  Imagineers are dying.  The Rothman family relaxes at the new Discover Bay, but the new themed land may not be as safe as Disney is advertising.  And Jack Rothman is again caught up in a deadly struggle over Imagineering and the Disney legacy.  Can Jack and his son Heath survive the storm over Discovery Bay (yeah insert sad trombone here)?

I really liked Finnie’s first book in this series, The Happiest Workplace on Earth.  And I continue to enjoy this series in its second installment.  The Rothman family is very approachable to the typical reader.  Jack is a true unlikely hero, which is what most of us want in an action star.  And his motivations are generally simple; protect those he loves and innocents caught up in the action.  But for me the biggest delight was the growth of Heath Rothman.  It would have been easy to keep him stuck as a rebellious yet loving young adult.  Heath still has some edge to him.  But he has really grown into a strong young man with a job that he loves and a committed relationship which is encouraged by his parents.  This is really a Jack Rothman story, the first volume could be seen as a family tale.  Still Heath’s contributions and growth really excited me.  I would love to see what happens in the next volume, perhaps Heath becomes a young father. 

I love the world that Finnie has produced.  I continue to enjoy the idea that Walt Disney was able to build a version of Epcot that was a working city.  And the city has changed.  Before Epcot was very regulated.  If you wanted to receive the benefits of Epcot you had to live in a very prescribed way.  Now while the Epcot Security Patrol are still very present, they now have to behave closer to humanity.  It is interesting to see how characters we have meet before react to the changes in Epcot. 

The Storm Over the Bay is a really enjoyable action book.  It is set in a fictional future world that will seem very familiar to Disney fans with the book jumping into a new land and backstage areas we can imagine from our Disney research.  And I really liked that Finnie used as his centerpiece a Disney land that was once considered but never built.  But best of all is the characters that Finnie has dropped into the story, allowing us to relate to their adventures by creating a family we would all want to be friends with.   

Between Books - Lords of the Sith

Usually we think of Darth Vader as the hunter.  But in Lords of the Sith, Vader is in fact the prey.  And readers discover what happens when the galaxy's apex predator is targeted.

In Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp, the Emperor and Darth Vader are forced to challenge the growing resistance on the planet Ryloth led by Cham Syndulla.  Syndulla is an expert strategist and his attacks while not fracturing the Empire is at least causing it a black eye.  The Emperor himself prepares to visit Ryloth and brings Darth Vader with him to make a show of force to the oppressed world.  Syndulla discovers this visit, using his expert spy network, and launches an attack against the two Sith lords that puts them in peril in the safety of a Star Destroyer and the wilds of Ryloth itself.  All the while, Vader attempts to show his loyalty to his Master and escape the memories of his past life as a Jedi.

Cham Syndulla is important to Star Wars fans.  Cham is the father of Hera Syndulla of Star Wars: Rebels.  So it helps provide background on how Hera became both a rebel and a great strategist as her father seems to be thinking several moves before his competition.  Most of all, it might be Cham that taught Hera compassion!  While he is a great military leader he is also a greater man.  And his plans actually do put the Lords of the Sith at risk, though the tension is eased by the fact that one knows neither can die.

At times the Sith do seem invincible.  And this is especially true as we see Vader through the Rebels eyes.  Vader takes a some physical steps that no one would expect if they just saw the movies.  The Rebels keep questioning who is this man that he can stand against them like he does, and completes incredible and terrifying feats.  Having seen Star Wars: The Clone Wars I knew that Aiken could do massive jumps and move large objects.  But for the Rebels these moves strike terror, often before someone dies.

Lords of the Sith is another Star Wars borrow for me.  The book became more interesting as it progressed. And the relationship dynamics of the two Sith was fairly interesting.  But in the end, while I am glad I visited this book I cannot see myself re-reading it again in the future. 

Between Books - Murder in the Magic Kingdom

Okay, when I read The Ride Delegate I was pretty sure that I was going to dislike the book.  I loved it.  When I saw Annie Salisbury had written a fictional mystery, I was sure the combination of mystery novel and what I was sure going to be a young female, like her, was going to not get me excited.  Would Salisbury get me again?

Murder in the Magic Kingdom by Annie Salisbury follows Fantasyland Coordinator Josh.  Josh moved with his girlfriend Jill to Orlando after graduating from college as she entered the Disney College Program.  Eventually Josh got cast by Disney, but Josh and Jill grew apart.  Years later, Josh finds himself still in Orlando, still working for Disney and still without a girlfriend.  One day he goes home sick and when he wakes up the next day and discovers that he has been implicated in the death of another Cast Member within the Magic Kingdom.  Believing that he was falsely accused, but not remembering his sick day, Josh is forced to investigate the murder and clear himself before it is reported to the police.  Josh unravels a complicated plot that includes Imagineering, the Disney Parks and his own past.

I generally do not read fiction unless it is Disney or comic related.  And mysteries are really not my style.  But I really enjoyed Murder in the Magic Kingdom.  I planned to read the book in the margins of my days, planning to read it over weeks.  Instead I found myself racing through it as I needed to know what happened to Josh next.  And I read it in a few days.  I was surprised how well Salisbury wrote a guy, and a male who does not seem to be as enthusiastic about Disney Parks as Salisbury is in real life.   But for being a fictional figure, Josh has problems that seem real with his concerns about relationships, bills and his professional future.  The setting truly felt familiar being in Disney but new as I read about back doors at Disney Hollywood Studios seen through Josh's eyes.

I am in a current pattern of not reading fiction in physical books.  So I would reach first for the Kindle version, priced really nicely at $4.99.  It is well worth the price for a book that would be an enjoyable summer/vacation read.  Honestly, it may be the first suggestion I have for summer 2015.  Disney fans will really enjoy the read due to the setting and the backstage views of the park.  The book though featuring a murder is appropriate for a tween and older.  And it is written in a clear way that all readers should be able to grasp. 

Annie Salisbury has done it again.  I found Murder in the Magic Kingdom to be an engaging read that I could not put down.  And this was a great surprise because I do not typically enjoy mysteries.  I think a well written character with real world problems and a Disney setting helped make this a strong recommendation for me.  Now I plan to start my review for any new Salisbury book with how much I planned to love it! 

Between Books - Lights

Lights: Imagination, Egos, Mystery, Deceit and 523,814 Lights by Ben Sherman provides a fictional accounting of how the Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade came into being.  The book follows Ray Lawrence from the Character Department, who is selected to create from scratch a new entertainment offering...a light parade.  The book starts in September 1970, when Lawrence meets with Bernie Gold to brainstorm possibilities for a night parade.  The story follows Lawrence over the next few years as he navigates unions, budgets, office politics and backstabbing as he creates and implements the parade.  The story ends as Lawrence and his crew surpasses the obstacles put into place by Disney executives to successfully launch the parade.  

My confession here is I thought Lights would be very boring.  A fictional book about office politics does not sound exciting at all to me.  Where are the unnecessary explosions?  But actually the book was really engaging and kept my attention despite the fact the action is all very low key and the only stakes are a few jobs.  But I really got caught up into the story as Lawrence tried to do the right thing with employees considering unions, his inability to understand Disney leadership, his casting of dancers, teaching a young man to become Grumpy and finally the inevitable of launching the parade.  Sherman writes clearly and kept my attention despite the subject matter.

The story is based on real events.  And there have been a few times that I have Googled trying to figure out who I think Ray Lawrence could be.  There are some figures that are easy to identify.  Jack Warner is really Jack Wagner, with the fictional figure sharing the same real sound roles with the real Disney Legend.  And I could imagine that the practices and work areas really occurred like that.  There is a supernatural moment that occurs that I would love to know if someone really believed it happened or if it was added to embellish the story.  In the end, I have given up trying to find the specifics and just enjoyed the story.

At $6.50 this book is a little high price wise for my preferences.  I really wish it was closer to the $3 range.  But it is available on Kindle Unlimited as a book one can borrow.  And I do think that is a book that any Disney parade fan will find enjoyable.

Lights is a story of deceit and lies and magic.  As a reader you know that the parade will launch in summer 1972 and run for decades.  But as one worries if Ray Lawrence will keep his job, you leave satisfied with the enjoyable read. 

Between Books - Dark Rides Volume One

Do you like Fifty Shades of Grey?  Do you like Disney Parks?  If you answered yes this might be the book for you!

Dark Rides Volume One: Erotic Disney Theme Park Adventures by Blu Carson is a collection of erotic tales which take place in Walt Disney World.  Every story is accompanied by a cocktail recipe to help set the readers mood.  The stories seem to follow Blu Carson has she has intimate adventures within the resort property.  Each tale appears to be focused within specific locations of the park with details of the actual location helping to set the scene for the reader. 

Here is my essential problem, this book is just not relevant to my interest.  From what I saw when I thumbed through it the book appears clear.  But the subject matter, much like that movie/book I mentioned earlier does not catch my fancy.  I am simply a more immature reader, I read a lot of comic books.  And so this this title is not for me.  I think for those who like erotic romance books and Disney parks this will be a winner.  But I honestly did not read enough for me to even give the book a rating.

The book is part of the Bambooniverse.  And a press release notes that Blaine McKinnon appears in the book.  But as the release also notes not everyone who enjoys the Bambooniverse will likely be fans of this edgier offering which has led Bamboo Forest to start a new imprint Dark Rides Press.  And for someone who likes the R rated books from Bamboo Forest, a separate line to help distinguish the rating of the book of R vs NC-17 seems like a helpful tool to help me determine which titles I would be interested in.  

In the end, Dark Rides appears to be a book targeted at Disney fans who enjoy erotic romance literature.  And I think based on the opening of a movie today this book will find an audience.  And for the intended audience the Kindle version priced at $2.99 will likely be a popular pick-up. 

Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Between Books - The Deadliest Cast Member: Season Two

I often judge an episode of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. by my tension level.  The more tense I am by the end of the episode the more I liked it due to the action and suspense.  So when I received my review copy of the latest installment in the Deadliest Cast Member saga I shot off an email to the author noting my worry he would kill off a character or two like he has done in the earlier offering. Before I even cracked the cover I was worried!

The Deadliest Cast Member: Season Two by Kelly Ryan Johns takes hero Jack Duncan and his partner Kendall Shepherd back to 2005.  Johns walks his readers through the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland, the day in which Duncan lost his wife and became a true national hero when former Soviet spy Nikolai Grusov held the park hostage.  Readers follow Jack throughout his day as he attempts to both protect the park and his family.  And as readers know the price is high since Duncan's life was changed forever this day.  The conspiracy against the park and the Duncan family is more complex than one might believe.  Along with following our heroes, readers also join guests and media being held hostage in the park.  While Jack and Kendall try to protect Disneyland and its guests, two pairs of time travelers also work to impact the final outcome.  One pair, Jack's father Stan and a companion close to the history of the park worry that changing the events of the fateful day could leave a larger scar on the timeline.  And the others, a pair of highly trained operatives from the future use futuristic gadgets and weapons to make a change that could have ramifications for the Duncan family in the far off 2035.

Early in this installment of the franchise the science fiction element is laid out.  While there is an action story being played out in front of us, there are time travellers in the park which are attempting to change or not change the story.  One of these characters is an adult version of one of the kids from the Voyageers' series of books by Johns.  And you do feel like this could be the grown-up character as you watch their personality and determination in action.  The other is one you start to believe has a more complex back story than time traveling criminal, and of course he does!

Really it is Jack and Kendall that I find myself most attracted to when I grab this book.  And this Jack seems more violent and less fatherly than the version that we met in the first installment set in the future.  That Jack is a father who has been raising his kids alone as a widower.  This Jack is freshly out of the military and just now starting a new job at Disneyland.  He literally has no idea who he can can trust other than a close circle that includes Kendall and his father.  He is focused and willing to do everything he can to protect his family and his beloved Disneyland.  Basically you can see this Jack as a earlier version of what we saw in the first volume.  One can see how the Jack we were introduced to grew from this man.  Of course Kendall is Kendall, he is solid, caring, and the best friend one can have.

Overall the book is easy to read and clear.  The story is written as an hourly log of events.  It did take me awhile to get myself into the book, or would that be hours as one reads it.  I was distracted by trying to keep track of who was who and trying to remember who I was introduced to before.  Though even when this was happening I was still able to enjoy the book while reading it at a fast pace.  But by the time I got into the last 40 percent, tension had risen.  I found I could no longer put the book down without being frustrated by my need to end the tension and find out what was happening next.  For a book that should have a set outcome I knew was going to happen, Johns found ways to bring me doubt to my certainty.

Will Jack Duncan return?  Johns makes it clear that is up to the fans and how they receive the story.  I for one hope to see a sequel to The Deadliest Cast Member: Season Two as Johns has some unfinished business for all his characters.  And I would really like to see if Jack Duncan or the man from 2035 is the greatest warrior of all time! 

Oh and yes, look for the post-credit scene Marvel Cinematic Universe fans!

Review Copy Provided By Author

Between Books - Voyageers: The Multiplaner

Who would not love to live in Disneyland?  And who would not want their childhood to be defined by Disneyland?  Kelly Ryan Johns in The Deadliest Cast Member provided a fictional account of an adult living within the Disneyland Resort.  In Voyageers: The Multiplaner, Johns moves his characters onto Main Street and provides the childhood fantasy of living within the Disneyland Park right there on Main Street U.S.A.. 

In Voyageers: The Multiplaner Kelly Ryan Johns introduces young readers to Christa and Thomas two sibling orphans who have had a rough go since their parents passed away.  The duo are recruited into the Voyageers program, a secret society created by Walt Disney, where the children are trained to be cast members who make magic for guests and correct the wrongs within the park throughout time. The children enter a world where they interact with Disney Legends, many who have passed away in our world, and the Protector himself Jack Duncan from The  Deadliest Cast Member.  The kids are recruited for a time hopping mission that takes them into their past in Disneyland to reclaim Walt Disney's greatest innovation the Multiplaner from a terrorist who has evil plans that go beyond the resort.  Can the kids save the day or will their actions disrupt time itself?

First of foremost this is a book for tweens and teenagers.  It is clear and easy for a teen reader to dive into.  And I think the story is one that a young Disney fan, like the Between Tween, would enjoy.  It is speculative fiction that makes a young Disney fan ask what if.  For an adult it is a nice adventure, but is not as tense or as adult as Johns' earlier work.  Johns really is reaching the audience he intended to.   

Probably one of the most interesting aspects is the fact that this text is part of a shared universe with The Deadliest Cast Member.  Events for Johns' earlier book are referenced.  And though Jack Duncan does not appear often, his presence is felt as the Protector.  And if the kids entered a dangerous situation knowing Duncan's abilities and character does help put a reader slightly at ease when considering the possible fates of the children.  Additionally, this story feels like a continuation of the Duncan story since it mentions items from the end of the earlier book.  It feels like this story includes part of the next steps of Duncan's world since he was not the Protector in his original story.  Though I will admit it did take me some time to re-orient myself into Johns' fantastical universe.

Probably one of the more interesting aspects of this book is the merging of fact and fiction.  Disney Legends interact with the kids, such as Ray Van de Warker.  The use of this character did lead me to do some quick research to confirm that he was both real and discover why he had a Main Street window.  I love how Johns' work leads me to look more deeply into Disneyland history. Van de Warker and other late legends interact with the kids in the very fictional Voyageers realm.  It is a fantastic place, right above our eyes, in the real park.  Though this place does not exist one really does feel like it is the sort of magic that should exist in a Disney park.  And the blending of fact with fiction helps the reader go with Johns in his fictional tale. 

Voyageers: The Multiplaner is a part science-fiction and part magic.  It would be a good reading option, especially in summer, for youth who enjoy Disneyland and Disney history.  In the end it is a fun romp with fantastical elements that helps one believe in the real Magic of Disney.

 Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Between Books - Habst and the Disney Saboteurs

I have established a simple rule.  If Leonard Kinsey sends me something I will read it, no matter how weird it might seem!  I resisted reading his first novel Our Kingdom of Dust, but my need to be a completionist worked against me and I picked up a copy.  And though the content really did not match my lifestyle, I was very pleased with the book.  Now when a package arrives with a protagonist who smokes large amounts of pot, is unemployed and lives with his underage girlfriend it all began to feel like a big stretch to me and I began to wonder if I would typically consider this book.  But I have this rule you see and the book came from Leonard Kinsey.  I don't break the rules, even if Habst does!

Habst and the Disney Saboteurs by Leonard Kinsey is a sci-fi style adventure which takes place at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Reginald "Habst" Habstermeister is a former Walt Disney World custodial staff member with only two things on his mind, smoking marijuana and earning virtual currency to purchase his drugs online.  Habst is paid by a mysterious benefactor for recording behind the scenes videos of attractions in the Walt Disney World Resort.  But Habst is accused of terrorism when attractions he recorded begin to be sabotaged.  Habst and Charlie Walker, the head of Walt Disney World security, have three days to uncover the real culprit or face a lengthy prison sentence.  Can Habst a perennial mess-up solve this mystery?   And who can the young man trust with his freedom on the line?    

If you are uncomfortable with books that detail drug use, including Habst's guide to buying drugs online, or sex acts with minors, Habst and the Disney Saboteurs may not be for you.  If you are comfortable with these fictional situations or willing to look past them you are likely to find an interesting and fun adventure story set in one of your favorite places.  Kinsey finds a way for the reader who does not live Habst's lifestyle to uncover a likable character.  We have all at times been a screw-up so you can feel sympathy for Habst as he feels out of control and helpless.  You just may not have created the situation to the extent he has.  So despite the fact that Habst is really not someone I would invite over to my home, I found myself cheering for him.  But again be warned, Habst's lifestyle includes constant drug use and sexual encounters.  If they are going to offend you, I suggest just walking away.  For me, I moved past the fact that Habst and I do not live compatible lifestyles and let myself enjoy the ride.

There's a Bambooniverse!  Early on as Habst slipped into the Magic Kingdom Park I saw the first clue with the name of a character from Our Kingdom of Dust.  But when I read that Charlie Walker was the head of Walt Disney World security, Kinsey had my attention and I realized that Bamboo Forest had established a shared universe!  I really enjoy the character of Charlie Walker from Hollow World by Nick Pobursky.  And I had hoped for further adventures featuring this brilliant detective.  But I did not expect him to be in a book by another author, showing up again so soon, having his family's story extended and being in a book that has some sci-fi elements.  It was a great surprise and it helped me deal with Habst!  I know Charlie Walker.  I trust Charlie Walker.  Charlie Walker is a responsible family guy like me.  But seeing how Charlie accepts Habst and wants to see the best in him, allowed me to better accept Habst.  It was a great addition for establishing a shared universe and providing a contrast to Habst. 

There are a lot of science-fiction elements to this story.  The digital world is heavily featured in Habst and the Disney Saboteurs with the most obvious being the establishment of an entire online currency and economy in virtcoins, Habst's only currency.  But there are elements that go beyond just a sci-fi currency that will please the hard core science fiction fan including references to Walt Disney's friend Ray Bradbury.  And there were elements of this tale that reminded me of a Bradbury story where the tale takes place in a world like ours, but with a slight twist of the fantastic.  Other moments reminded me greatly of Captain America: The Winter Soldier with a strong enough connection that I had to review publication and release dates in my head to make sure one was not influencing the other!  The math worked out just fine! 

I feel like being part of the Bambooniverse, we also have Hidden Leonards. Case in point, Habst likes to adventure backstage and into areas like the Ultidors under the Magic Kingdom.  Kinsey himself has documented his backstage adventures in The Dark Side of Disney.  Habst enjoys himself (too much some might say) but is not malicious.  Habst is a lover of Disney theme parks.  And his opinions are likely ones shared with Kinsey including attractions that they both miss and likely despise.  Yes, I have a feeling that Kinsey sees some of himself in Habst.  And maybe because there is some reality in the personality on the page that helps it come to life.  And maybe the author has thought a time or two about how to quicken an early refurbishment to a few attractions. 

Overall, Habst and the Disney Saboteurs, is a fun adventure with some science fiction sprinkled in.  I grew to care for Habst, with at least the sentiment that I did not want anything horrible to happen to him.  But, because I am a total nut for shared universes, my favorite moment was likely the re-introduction of Charlie Walker.  I really want to see where this shared literary landscape goes next.  There are even hints to an untold Walker tale in this book.  Therefore, for those now watching the Babooniverse this volume is a must have.  For those who like fictional tales in Walt Disney World, I would suggest grabbing a copy.  And for those who are a little more conservative, maybe grab a Kindle version because Bamboo Forest titles in this format are always priced fairly.  If you do pick up a copy prepare to have a little fun in a well written story where you never know who you might bump into.


Review Copy Provided by Bamboo Forest Publishing

Between Books - I Sing the Body Electric!

When I was in Junior High I discovered the writings of Walt Disney's friend Ray Bradbury and loved them.  It is fair to say I crushed the Bradbury contents of my school library reading every volume on the shelves in weeks.  And stories from volumes like The Martian Chronicles still capture my mind decades later.  Recently the Between Tween was introduced to this master of Sci-Fi through a school assignment and a request went out for more Bradbury.  Doing some research, I found a volume of short stories that had a Disney connection and that I had never read.

I Sing the Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury is a collection of the author's short stories.  The stories include Sci-Fi, horror and general dramatic themes.  As I read through the volume there were several tales I felt could have fit easily within The Martian Chronicles with the stories set on the Red Planet.  The title story, "I Sing the Body Electric" portrays a family that leases an robotic grandmother to fill an hole in their lives and the family's reaction to it.  The story feels like one that Walt Disney could have enjoyed with it focusing around both family and what you could claim is an Audio-Animatronic figure.  The story with the most Disney connection is "Downwind from Gettysburg".  This tale focuses around a man obsessed with Abraham Lincoln and his creation of an Audio-Animatronic Lincoln.  The figure is assassinated during one of its performances and an employee contemplates how to address the fact that Lincoln has been killed.  The story feels like Bradbury borrowed from Walt Disney himself, a man fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and who made the late president come to life.  And Disney had to face this murderous problem in real life, when the internal hydraulics would break and make the figure appear to be bleeding.  My favorite story, which surprised me, was "The Parrot Who Met Papa" which depicts the kidnapping of a bird who had memorized Ernest Hemingway's last and unpublished novel.

Overall, this volume was a Meh for me.  There were stories that I really enjoyed, but several just never really caught my interest.  I guess that is the challenge of a short story volume, not every story will connect with every reader.  The story I was the most excited about, "Downwind from Gettysburg", was probably over hyped in my mind and it simply did not hit the chord I wanted with it.  I have friends that love this tale, but since I had connected it to Disney I wanted to love not just like it.  Honestly, if someone asked me for a good volume to start with for Bradbury, I would not recommend this collection.  Instead I would tell them to start where I did with The Martian Chronicles.  And I am not passing this onto the Between Tween, who I think is a few years away from enjoying this volume.  Honestly, the Tween is caught up at the moment into action which is lacking from this thinking volume.

Should one read Ray Bradbury?  I absolutely say yes.  And for the completist, I Sing the Bod Electric! is a must read.  But for those who have glancing interest in Bradbury I would recommend exploring elsewhere, at of hopes of making fans of this master storyteller.  I do not want you to think I hated this book, I did not.  I just want not in love with it and it failed to capture my early wonder at Bradbury's words.  I think for a Disney fan there is some interest in this specific set of stories.  But I would recommend a borrow over a buy until one knows their personal thoughts on this late and great storyteller who helped imagine Epcot Center!

Between Books - The Deadliest Cast Member: Season One

Jack Duncan is your typical Disney Parks fan. He enjoys spending time with his family at Disneyland. He visits as often as possible, which for him is a lot. He knows to savor the background and setting established by the Imagineers. His mind holds a wealth of Disney history and trivia. And he is a Special Forces trained security expert that is our only hope against a terrorist plot that would wipe Disneyland off the map and kill many in the area. So yeah, typical Disney fan.

The Deadliest Cast Member: Season One by Kelly Ryan Johns collects the previously released Season One installments of this story that had been released as e-books. Johns introduces us to Jack Duncan, a father, widower and the guardian of Disney’s security. Duncan’s father was a close friend and associate to Walt Disney and had created Disneyland’s elaborate security system. Jack spends most of his year living in a suite at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa. Duncan had left his role as a Navy Seal to follow his father’s footsteps in the parks. Jack is also a celebrity, having completed an unexplained heroic act in the parks a few years ago. Additionally, his wife passed away in an undisclosed fashion due to the actions of his and his father’s nemesis, Nikolai Grusov. Grusov, despite Jack believing he had killed the villain earlier, is back and holds the Disneyland resort hostage with a dirty bomb. Duncan takes the lead in a story that incorporates mystery, action, speculative technology, Disney history, and maybe magic (or is that science by another name).

There are a lot of layers to pull back on this story when breaking it down.

First, as a Disney fan, this story is a dream come true. Jack and his kids basically live at Disneyland. He has a fantastic suite at the Grand Californian. And when he has to move out of his lodgings, for Johnny Depp who Jack is friends with, he moves temporarily into the Dream Suite! That just does not seem fair! Really who among us would not enjoy this lifestyle! The Duncan’s eat at Club 33 and can exclusively use rooms in the club. He can access back exits and hidden tunnels to get around in the park. He is tied to the history of the park through his father, who was Walt Disney’s “greatest friend”. It really is a dream life. And Johns knows the park, so as you are jealous of Duncan and his lifestyle, the park serves as a character within the book.

Second, this is an action story. This is a 24 type anti-terrorism story set in Disneyland. There are guns, bombs, martial arts and fighting. There is a goal of finding and defusing a bomb before an entire community is harmed. And at the center of it all is Jack the experienced and capable military operator. And I feel it worked on this level. In fact, I may never look at the park the same way again. Could a gunman be behind that corner?

Third, this story is a mystery or a puzzle. Much like a book with a very different tone, In the Shadow of the Matterhorn, readers are provided a mystery within the park. And the story is built around real locations and fake clues within the park. For Disney fans, this mystery goes back to Walt Disney himself and his hopes for his Park.

Finally, The Deadliest Cast Member: Season One is a work of speculative fiction. It is filled with Sci-Fi science, or magic, that we do not use in our world. But they do help to show how fictional magic exists within Disneyland. This element is probably the one I expected the least, and probably needed the least. This final element probably most reminded me of Midlife Mouse, yet another very different book. And despite the fact that there is a lot going on in this story, the book still worked for me with this element mixed in.

Cost wise this book sells for $4.99 on Kindle, which seems like a competitive price point. It collects 6 separate segments which sell for 99 cents to $2.99 a piece so you do save in buying the compiled version. At that price I do not believe that you are taking a huge risk in buying the novel. And if you have concerns you can sample for less than a dollar.

Overall, I enjoyed The Deadliest Cast Member: Season One by Kelly Ryan Johns. It is an escapist action adventure with a touch of sci-fi that caters to Disney fans. I will admit this is one of the first books I have ever read that has Johnny Depp as a fiction character. But in the end, I found myself joining Johns in his enjoyable story. And I for one would like to see a season two at a later date.

Review Copy Provided for Purpose of Review

Between Books - Disneylanders

“I wasn’t in the mood for a Dole Whip with a paper umbrella,” could this be the most offensive words in the history of Disney fiction? Okay, I jest, but they help show the tone of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott, the story of a girl who has problems big enough that even Dole Whip cannot solve them.

Disneylanders by Kate Abbott tells the story of Casey, a 13 year-old girl on vacation in Disneyland with her parents. Casey is going through a lot of changes in her life. She is getting ready to transition into high school, which in itself is scary. At the same time her best friend has become popular and has dumped her for more popular kids, and boys! And her body is changing, as evidenced by her constant thoughts about bras. Her parents seem completely oblivious to the fact that she is getting older and provide little to no sympathy to her problems. While vacationing at Disneyland, she meets Bert a 15 year-old boy who becomes her vacation companion, confident and her first boyfriend. The two spend as much time possible together in Disneyland as they attempt to better understand themselves and get to know their first real crushes.

Disneylanders is not the type of book that I would generally pick up for myself. The audience is much more teen and young adult female readers than middle-aged men who read Disney history and comic books. Still I did find myself getting enjoyment from the book and that it kept my attention. Casey’s parents are in many ways unlikeable, yet I found myself thinking about them and relating to them while I read the book. Much of this has to do with the fact that I see myself in their boat, and not just the one on it’s a small world, in a few years since I do not want the Between Tween to grow up. Someday, and someday soon my Disney trivia will no longer be as interesting. At least I do not sport socks and sandals. So despite the fact I felt like it was not intended for me to like them, I felt for them. And they are right; you need to let your parents know if you go swimming! So despite the fact that I did not relate closely to the main character, I did find much to ponder. And no, the Tween is not allowed to hang out with boys on our next Disneyland vacation.

Abbott does an excellent job of using the park as background for her story to take place in. The park is not the star, it is the scenery. But it is used really well and in such a way that it helped me enter the story more clearly than if it had been set somewhere I was not familiar with. Her description of the hard stop on it’s a small world has stuck with me because Abbott nailed it. I can feel that stop in my bones and her use of it helped me stay in the story. As Casey and Bert worked their way through queues, I could picture their locations. Abbott knows her Disneyland!

The book itself is well written and easy to follow. Abbott’s characters are ones that the reader can either easily relate to or feel for quickly. The story is romantic, yet safe and parents should have no concern with tween and teen readers choosing this title. I read the Kindle version of the book and it was excellently edited and I was never distracted by the format.

Disneylanders is a good summer reading choice. It will probably be most attractive to teens and young adults who like relationship centered stories. And for those who like those books and Disneyland, you really are likely to enjoy this. But I will warn you; the book is probably not the light fare some may hope for. Since many readers are going through, have gone through, or will be the parents of those going through the key life transitions described, you may find yourself considering how you want to succeed or how you could fail in those real life situations.



Review Copy Provided by Theme Park Press

 

Between Books - Midlife Mouse

When I first opened Midlife Mouse by Wayne Franklin I had no expectations.  I was attracted to it  because of the Disney hook and the fact that I do feel like I need to open myself up to the wider world of fiction.  But as a middle aged man, who still feels 16, I really did not believe that a story of one man's midlife crisis would actually pull me deeply in.  Three days later, I reached the point where one character's true identity was revealed,  I smiled and mentally congratulated Mr. Franklin on a job well done!  Because he has truly written a fictional story that Disney fans, especially history fans, will love!

Midlife Mouse tells the story of Bill Durmer.  As we open the book we find Bill and his daughter holed up in a Walt Disney World hotel room as they are surrounded by the WDW Swat Team (yep I said it).  We begin to flashback through Bill's life and we learn that Bill is a solid family man and citizen within his Alabama hometown.  However, Bill's life has taken a downward turn as he is forced to close his family business and his coastal community experiences a disaster which Bill blames on himself.  Bill believes the key to rediscovering his purpose lies at Walt Disney World, a place where he was truly happy.  He runs away to the resort with one of his children and begins an adventure steeped in Disney history as those who continue the traditions of Walt Disney seek to discover if Bill is the fulfillment of Walt Disney's last great prophecy.  Along they way, Bill faces danger, fantastical situations, Disney historical truths, and a journey of self discovery to rediscover his purpose.

Bill Dumer's story is one where two genres collide.  First, Franklin provides us the drama driven midlife crisis story.  This book lives in the same neighborhood as fictional books like Our Kingdom of Dust, where our main characters attempt to escape the complexities of their life by fleeing to Walt Disney World so they can be happy.  This theme can also be found in non-fiction books like Cast Member Confidential, proving people do run away to Mickey in real life.  But compared to both of these examples Midlife Mouse is a more family friendly offering.  I would let the Between Tween read this book if asked.  However, Our Kingdom of Dust is something the Between Tween is still a few years away from due to the intense imagery.  Second, Midlife Mouse is a fantastical mystery adventure.  I kept getting the feeling that the story was an adult Kingdom Keepers.  Franklin's tale is full of mystery and secrets within Walt Disney World, where one is not only taken on a ride but also learn real Disney history in a fictional book.

The mystery adventure revolves around a prophecy made on Walt Disney's deathbed.  Durmer and the reader discover that a group of nine separate Disney fans/employees are either seeking the fulfillment or delay of Disney's last prophecy.  I was delighted that each of the groups was descended from Walt Disney's Nine Old Men.  So for history fans, Franklin tickles the imagination by using names like Marc Davis and Ward Kimball in the fictional mystery.  I smiled as I read how each group descended from the original Legends to others including Mary Blair, Don Bluth, Card Walker, Frank Wells, and I believe Jefferey Katzenberg (not mentioned by name) amongst others.  And I really enjoyed how the groups dealt with the problem of Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas due to their close relationship.  I felt the fictional edits to the histories of these real life legends was true to their histories and legends.  The mystery also allows Franklin to share some of his own opinions on the current state of Disney and Disney fandom.     

The midlife crisis portion of the story is highly effective and makes you feel for Bill.  I am guessing that most people have someone like Bill's sister Nancy in their lives, loving but controlling.  And as a husband and father I could feel the complexity of his personal problems.  Though I probably could not run away to Orlando without the Between Wife!  I think anyone who is at the midpoint of their life can understand much of inner dialogue and quest for purpose.

Midlife Mouse is billed as a Southern fantasy.  I was concerned living in Betweenland I would be missing some of the color of the story.  I found that was not a concern.  I felt Franklin did a good job of giving Bill's hometown of Decent Chance the color of the south from sweet tea to religion in a small town without leaving me behind.

I think the release timing of Midlife Mouse is perfect.  This text is a great summer reading choice.  I could see carrying this to the beach, on the airplane or a comfy bench in a Disney park (okay that's a lie I can't read in a Disney park when there are rides to be checked off.  My only complaint is Franklin refers to Walt Disney World as Disney World.  But when I found out the identity of Bill's spiritual guide Red, well everything was forgiven (really that's all I could complain about).  You can't go wrong by grabbing a copy of Midlife Mouse and taking yourself through a mystery through the Magic Kingdom Park.


Review Copy Provided by Author

Between Books - Our Kingdom of Dust

Several months ago I was emailing with publisher Leonard Kinsey discussing a review copy that he was sending to me. I felt bad because I noted I did not want to review his first fiction offering, Our Kingdom of Dust. I said no for two reasons. First, I did not feel comfortable reviewing fiction at that time. Second, the subject matter just did not feel like a good fit for me. But despite the fact I wanted nothing to do with this title, I could not resist picking up a Kindle copy from Amazon due to the really affordable price and the fact that Leonard has been very kind to me, which made me want to check out what he had put together.

Despite the fact that I had purchased it, it sat on my Kindle shelf for months. In the meantime, I enjoyed another Disney fictional story and some history, but I never cracked the virtual cover. Then I found myself on a family trip reading a fiction book in another genre and I found myself a little bored with that title. After this realization, I decided one morning to finally crack open Our Kingdom of Dust, even though I knew I would hate it! But, it would help pass the time until I was ready for the other book again. Several hours later, I found that I had finished the book and had not even considered Star Wars. Well played Leonard Kinsey, well played!

Our Kingdom of Dust follows the fictional Blaine McKinnon. Blaine had been successful in the business world, making his millions young. But on the personal front, his life could only be called tragic. After one last straw, McKinnon decides to take his fortune and retreat to the Walt Disney World Resort, a location filled with many happy childhood memories with his late parents. While holding up indefinitely at the Boardwalk, he befriends Jay, a tattooed Disney superfan (I mention the tattoos only because they are all Disney themed) and drug dealer. Blaine, who has not been lucky in love, falls for Jay’s girlfriend Lisa, who is a friend of Snow White. Through Jay and Lisa, Blaine enters a world of deeply broken people who use Jay’s custom drug, Pixie Dust. Pixie Dust does what all real world drugs do in that it helps Jay’s customers hide from their real world problems. Blaine is faced with overcoming his own issues and helping Jay face his demons, all while contemplating if he should seek a future with Lisa. The story successfully wraps ups the threads of every character’s story, though not everyone receives a Walt Disney designed happy ending!

For a first fictional offering, I really have to applaud Kinsey. In the first ten pages he hooked me as a reader, in a genre I would typically never read. He had left me feeling for Blaine and feeling sorrow for his many many loses. Additionally, he built pictures in my mind that took me to a dark sad place. I felt sorrow for his characters. Honestly, as a dog fan, the last scene of Blaine and his dog, Sam, rocked me to the core. As the pages progressed, he brought me into the mood of the story. Honestly, at one point, I had to read with an adult beverage in hand in order to escape the fictional world in which I was spending so much time. I also found myself telling the Between Wife things being done to Blaine, especially in the early pages. I was reminded she planned on reading it later and I needed to avoid spoilers. I think it is safe to say that I was really drawn into Kinsey’s world and placed the book of a bestselling Sci-Fi author in an universe that I love aside for a Saturday. No idea what this last sentence means

Kinsey also does an excellent job with the Walt Disney World Resort setting. He does an excellent job of painting the scene, which is telling of his frequent visits to the Resort. My favorite detail was him discussing the small lizards one encounters while walking from place to place. And with this story set during Epcot’s 25th Anniversary, Kinsey takes us back to that version of the park complete with Mickey’s wand attached to Spaceship Earth. I admit I really enjoyed reading Blaine’s reactions to this version of Epcot after a long absence. Additionally, Blaine’s reaction to the removal of Horizons brought a smile to my own face. And of course, his reaction to the Imagination Pavilion and his guest comment card were moments I found hilarious.

Who will enjoy Our Kingdom of Dust? I will admit it is outside of my general interests, being a realistic drama. The fact that it included the Walt Disney World Resort was the hook that brought me in. This was supported by the fact that I was happily surprised by Kinsey’s guidebook The Dark Side of Disney. Without these, I probably would have never picked up the book. I did find that the setting is very adult in nature and there are some graphic images especially around one death that I cannot shake and some may find disturbing. I think those who enjoyed the non-fiction books Mousetrapped and Cast Member Confidential would likely enjoy this fictional tale of broken people in a magical world.

Our Kingdom of Dust with its adult situations and drug storyline may not be for every Disney fan. However, Kinsey’s writing is engaging and he draws you into a world of broken souls. If one is willing to give it a chance, especially with its low Kindle price, it can take you to another place for a few hours. And it might just remind you that you are not as broken as you think.

Between Books - Hidden Mickey 5 Chasing New Frontiers

When I was a kid I read a lot of fiction. In the summer I may read a fiction book a day. But college beat it out of me. I read, read, read and so much of it was history and never ever fiction. I got into the habit of reading about one fiction book a year, if that. I have gotten into reading some fiction again in the last few years, but mostly comic books. And in the case of comic books I can rush through a story in 15 minutes to an hour. So I have just not felt qualified to review much fiction. In fact I have waived off possible review opportunities solely because I did not feel prepared. Then author and publisher David W. Smith pressed the issue, he sent me a copy of Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers, and being me I could not ignore the title.

Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers by David W. Smith is a tale that encompasses the entirety of Disneyland history. In the main storyline Disneyland cast member Blaine Walters meets and falls in love with guest Missy Johansen from Switzerland. Realizing that they are likely experiencing a brief fling the two spend as much time as possible enjoying each other’s company, Disneyland and the surrounding area. As they spend time together they uncover the mystery of stolen money and a pendent owned by Walt Disney, with potential paranormal powers stolen by a former Disneyland landscaper. And if there is not enough drama in this love story, Missy is actually a rising pop star hiding her true identity from Blaine. Will Blaine and Missy find the treasure hidden within Disneyland? Will the two young adults be able to continue their relationship beyond their short week together? Well, you will get no spoilers from me!

The first impression that popped out to me was that Blaine Walters is based on Smith himself. Blaine is a teacher, skilled tennis player, a cast member who works at the Davy Crockett Explorer canoes, and busies himself with a local band. Readers of In the Shadow of the Matterhorn will notice that this profile matches Smith’s own. Additionally, some of the fictional stories found in the book, like a romantic encounter with a security guard in the Haunted Mansion, match real life experiences that Smith had. In effect, Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers is a fictional account of Smith’s life with less canoe races and more pop star. This fact helps the story to ring true, as readers of his non-fiction book understand that Smith is writing from experience making his settings real Disneyland locations and the scenes largely ones that feel real.

The question that I had asked myself was could I read Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers without reading any other book in the series. The answer is absolutely yes. These earlier books, written by a combination of Smith and Nancy Temple Rodrigue, seem to be more supernatural in nature than this volume. Additionally they do not appear to have Blaine and Missy as main characters, from my searching on Amazon. The character that seems to overlap is Mani Wolford, the Wolf, a security officer that works in both our modern day and the early years of the park. The fact that Wolf has an air of mystery around him, and a clear understanding of magical things makes we want to know more about him.

I would describe the book as a romance first, with a mystery mixed in all set around Disneyland. Romance books are not my typical fare; I tend to read history or action (comics), so it was a little outside my wheelhouse. Yet, I was still able to find entertainment in the book. Of course the hook was the Disneyland setting, and the mixing in of Disney history. But the romance in the book still came off to me as interesting. If anything, though I would not trade my romance with the Between Wife away, I found a hankering to be alone with the Between Wife in Disneyland, silly kids! The romance itself is sweet and not overly sexualized, which was a breath of fresh air.

The book itself is big, like over 500 pages long. For some reason I found my reading pace to be slower than I typically do with non-fiction books. It took me over ten days to read it, mostly on a train. But I never set it aside for other books, and was ready to pick it back up whenever the opportunity arose. I am a man in my 30s, and it kept my attention.

The tale of Blaine and Missy is a sweet romance in a setting that I love. The mystery element and the setting will attract readers that typically would not flock to a romance novel. Despite the fact I question if a first timer would not be told to order the Monte Cristo at Club 33, I will admit it does seem a little heavy for Missy’s tastes. I could easily recommend Hidden Mickey 5: Chasing New Frontiers as a vacation book for those visiting a Disney park, looking for entertainment with some light tension with hooks that could pull in a variety of readers.



Review Copy Provided by Synergy Books Publishing