Emperor Mollusk versus The Sinister Brain

That reminds me, I also want to read this book.

I love the way this book was written. I could see the emperor calmly having discussions with the bad guys as Zala is in the back ground with all sorts of chaos going on as she battles a monster of one sort or another.
I especially got a kick out of the egos.

This was a very entertaining and quick read. ( )

A pastiche and a send-up of authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard, H.G. Wells and the like, Martinez sends his protagonist (a humble-bragging, retired super-villain) on a madcap adventure where the enemy is always one step ahead of Mollusk and his disgruntled sidekick (whose mission in life is to make sure that no one kills Mollusk before the Venusian government executes her charge for war crimes). I think this is my favorite novel by Martinez since "Monster" and is well-worth your while if you're looking for some light entertainment. ( )

Emperor Mollusk is the ex-Warlord of Terra aka Earth. While trying to adapt to "normal" life, the mastermind finds himself caught up in an evil scheme to end his life. With his arch-nemesis Venusian warrior Zala and his pet ultrapede Snarg, Mollusk will uncover the evil scheme of the sinister Brain. Even though he has given up his title as ruler over all of Terra, he still is in love with the strange and fragile planet and risks his all for it.

The first thing you need to know that this is mostly fiction and not science... at least not science as we know it. True, there are some theories that are real, however, the story is set in an alternate universe. This universe features a solar system where every planet has their own inhabitants. Add to this fact that almost every mythical conspiracy being exists like the mole people.

If you are searching for a well-written book, I would recommend this one. Disregarding the several spelling mistakes and grammatical errors (hopefully these will be corrected in the second edition), the book is ingeniously written in the first person. Though the reader is privy to the thoughts of Emperor Mollusk, the Neptunon mollusk does hide his share of secrets. There are two parts to the book. The normal numbered chapters tell the story in the "present", while the italicized named chapters recall the reign of the Warlord.

I first picked up the book thinking that it was going to be extremely funny (after all it does advertise this on the front cover), but was surprised as I was submerged in a hardcore adventure story. There is much action, though if it was in movie format, critics would say that the plot seems almost too unbelievable with the strange monsters and obstacles. However, once the reader realizes that the story is a parody, the fun begins. Philosophically this book is amazing; the dialogue between the Emperor and Zala is both comical and very thought-provoking. The story is the kind that starts off with a bang and keeps on going without looking back or slowing down. In fact, you might even figure out the ending before you reach the last page.

If I was to change anything, I would just say the few grammatical/spelling mistakes. Other than that, the book will leave you wanting for more of the curious Emperor Mollusk. ( )

This book did for adults what the one-two punch of Megamind and Despicable Me did for kids not too long ago. In each of those films, we encountered a super-villain with which the audience sympathized, and who the audience came to understand was really Not All That Bad.

Emperor Mollusk is a far more complex character, although the themes this book explores are much the same. Is it wrong to act against one's nature? What is the benefit of freedom when set against happiness and prosperity? What is the point of honor in a universe that does not respect it? Is it better to act in a moral or a pragmatic way, when morality leads to greater destruction than pragmatism?

All of this is set against a backdrop of pulp sci-fi, an era in which each planet of our solar system (and there are NINE, not eight) could have its own race of creatures, an era in which science is unlimited in scope, potential, and application. The setting is an excellent invitation to suspend disbelief, and to accept the over-the-top characters without much of a question.

The reason I ranked the book at 4.5 stars instead of 5 was the ending. Although the plot was resolved, the character arcs were left dangling. I was left with the definite sense that neither party had fully internalized the lessons learned, or that those lessons were too revolutionary to assimilate quickly. Realistic? Perhaps, but not satisfying.

There is adequate room left for a sequel, and I will be certain to pick it up when it is written. There is almost certainly more to explore alongside Emperor Mollusk. ( )