Last week I mentioned my policy of reading books by friends, online or “in real life,” in relation to Jim Geraghty. Well, it was actually a conversation about Moe Lane which sparked my memory of not reviewing Jim’s book. Which brings us around to Moe’s book. Wait, what?
Let me start again. I try to read and review books written by people I know. Writing a book is hard. Getting it published is too. So I try to do my small part by reading and offering thoughts in pixels when friends/acquaintances achieve this milestone. Well, Moe-another blogging friend from way back- has a book out. Frozen Dreams.
I should confess that I am not really a Geek in the sense of plugged into and fluent in the language of fantasy, comics, and elements of pop culture (TV, video & role playing games, etc.). I am sorta Geek adjacent, if you will.
I bring this up because, Frozen Dreams is a mash-up of classic detective fiction and urban fantasy with a dash of dystopia. Someone on Goodreads explained it this way:
Dragonlance ala Dashiell Hammett during a Canticle for Leibowitz.
Sounds about right. I enjoyed it because I know Moe and found it interesting to picture him creating the world and story; and voicing the main character, to be honest. Could have used a little more world building setup and character depth, but as I have frequently noted, most first time novels do; particularly in what is the first in a series.
My sense is that the more you enjoy the fantasy adventure aspect the more you will enjoy the book as a whole. Not being conversant in, or a regular reader of, this type of fantasy mash-up it took me a while to get into the flow of the world, the cosmology, of the setting and characters (there is a helpful glossary in the back). Those who are more plugged into role paying and fantasy will speak the language a little more fluently; will understand and appreciate the aesthetic from which it comes.
So if you are a reader of fantasy or dystopian fiction, or if you are just looking something different to read this summer, check out Frozen Dreams. It is a fast, quirky, and imaginative read. And you can read if for less than three bucks on Kindle, so what’s the risk?
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