Aldous Mercer

This is certainly one of the most amazing books I have read in a while. It is imaginative, has some brilliant characters, made me laugh, had lots of computer-geekiness which I adore, the tension was exquisite, the questions asked profound, and I was only disappointed when it ended –much too soon. This story will make your head spin with its implications on multiple levels. Even if you read the blurb (which I didn't do a very good job of, I admit), this book will still manage to shock and show more surprise you, I bet. What a total trip!

Mordred is a hilarious main character. A bastard prince who is also a Mage, he is banned to the Earthly plane to do penance for some slightly mysterious misdeed. He suddenly has to work for a living, and is not allowed to use magic. He has no marketable skills and ends up bluffing his way into a job at a small computer start-up company. Mordred's battles with the requirements of daily life (otherwise known as paying the bills) are quite amusing. The somewhat strange happenings at his new place of employment had me puzzled, then terrified and hoping for a somewhat happy ending.

Excursions into the paranormal, the absurd, and the unexpected kept me entertained. Mordred's attempts to have a love life were fun, and his increasing fascination with Alan had me in stitches – I suspected who he was from the beginning and saw that thread of the story develop with great amusement. There were too many other great characters and events to name, so suffice it to say that I do not think you will be bored. Well, possibly if you don’t like computers, but even then, there is enough humor in here for everyone.

If you don’t like surprises and plot twists – stay away from this book. If you like your stories neat with all the explanations given in great, easy-to-understand detail – for heaven's sake, don't even go near this. If you're looking for a traditional m/m romance – please, don’t buy this book. However, if you like books that make you think about the nature of being human, if you enjoy a puzzle and want to figure things out for yourself (what else have we got brains for, right?), and if you like a read that challenges your intellect as well as your ability to read through tears of laughter, then, by all means, get a copy right now, take a deep breath and plunge in. But be warned: this is an adventure of the highest degree and you may come out the other side with a different view of reality!




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

This is certainly one of the most amazing books I have read in a while. It is imaginative, has some brilliant characters, made me laugh, had lots of computer-geekiness which I adore, the tension was exquisite, the questions asked profound, and I was only disappointed when it ended –much too soon. This story will make your head spin with its implications on multiple levels. Even if you read the blurb (which I didn't do a very good job of, I admit), this book will still manage to shock and show more surprise you, I bet. What a total trip!

Mordred is a hilarious main character. A bastard prince who is also a Mage, he is banned to the Earthly plane to do penance for some slightly mysterious misdeed. He suddenly has to work for a living, and is not allowed to use magic. He has no marketable skills and ends up bluffing his way into a job at a small computer start-up company. Mordred's battles with the requirements of daily life (otherwise known as paying the bills) are quite amusing. The somewhat strange happenings at his new place of employment had me puzzled, then terrified and hoping for a somewhat happy ending.

Excursions into the paranormal, the absurd, and the unexpected kept me entertained. Mordred's attempts to have a love life were fun, and his increasing fascination with Alan had me in stitches – I suspected who he was from the beginning and saw that thread of the story develop with great amusement. There were too many other great characters and events to name, so suffice it to say that I do not think you will be bored. Well, possibly if you don’t like computers, but even then, there is enough humor in here for everyone.

If you don’t like surprises and plot twists – stay away from this book. If you like your stories neat with all the explanations given in great, easy-to-understand detail – for heaven's sake, don't even go near this. If you're looking for a traditional m/m romance – please, don’t buy this book. However, if you like books that make you think about the nature of being human, if you enjoy a puzzle and want to figure things out for yourself (what else have we got brains for, right?), and if you like a read that challenges your intellect as well as your ability to read through tears of laughter, then, by all means, get a copy right now, take a deep breath and plunge in. But be warned: this is an adventure of the highest degree and you may come out the other side with a different view of reality!


NOTE: This book was provided by DSP Publications for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

This book... While I appreciate the idea of intergalactic heist, the execution, I believe, fails miserably. This is not just my opinion, this is a common thread through many a review and confusion is a persistent theme.
Unfortunately I don’t have the omnibus edition. I wonder if the editing is better in it or the parts were stitched together as they were: raw, choppy, and as confusing as a pet viper in the baby’s nappies (tho I do not dislike the humour of this arrangement).


1.5 stars