Western meets Space Invaders.
Genre: Science Fiction
No. of pages: 57
From Goodreads:
The world has fallen beneath the rule of alien invaders. The remnants of humanity are divided into two camps: those who resist, and those serve.
Darrel Fines serves. He is a traitor, a turncoat who has betrayed his people, his wife, and most of all, himself. In this new world order, in which humanity is at the very bottom, Fines is a lawman for the violent and grotesque conquerors.
When the offspring of the Marque goes missing, Fines is charged with locating and recovering the alien. Caught in the crosshairs of a subdued worker’s camp and the resistance cell that he was once allied with, Fines is forced to choose between a life of servility and a life of honor.
This review will be short and sweet – because ‘The Marque’ is only 57 pages long.
While I enjoy sci-fi and horror, this combination was akin to Stephen King. Though I’m uncertain of the message.
The writing is gritty and dark and fiercely masculine. I think that is what disappointed me a little, I was hungering for a bit more perspective! A bit more mythology.
‘The Marque’ was more like a soundbite. A premise of a great story. A snapshot of an interesting character facing a moral crossroad.
And then it was all over.
Fantastic writing and imagery, great concept… but that is all this is. I’d love to read a full length novel by this author, I have a feeling it would be incredible. Checking his back catalogue I can see he has only listed short stories and novellas on Goodreads. While I enjoy this medium of storytelling, I prefer novels. I like to get lost in the world building, character development, and feel the build of a fast-paced plot. You don’t get that in a shorter lengthed tome. Michael Patrick Hicks is definitely a talented writer and I recommend you check him out (but only if you enjoy mini-bites of fiction.)
Overall feeling: Not too shabby.
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Casey Carlisle 