Monster Hunter Nemesis

In Monster Hunter Nemesis this latest in the Monster Hunters International series, the MHL as a whole plays a very small role. It’s mainly about Franks AKA Frankenstein if you’re a classics buff although, in this case, he is something different. Although created in a lab at the Frankenstein castle, he is not what he seems. A couple of hundred years and a Revolution ago, Franks signed a contract with the newly formed United States to protect it. But now another secret government agency STFU or Unicorn for short has created more like Franks without understanding the true nature or of these creations which is a violation of this contract. Worse, they have attacked Franks and, although they didn’t succeed, he is blamed by almost show more everyone for the violence of the attack. Now, Franks has declared the contract null and is on the run with the aid of the very few who believe in his innocence, determined to wreak havoc on those who were really responsible.

I have often wondered if anyone has done a study on what a person’s reading habits say about them. Monster Hunter Nemesis by author Larry Correia is the fifth in a series and, let’s be honest, it’s gunporn with monsters and, in this case, just a smidge of gun-totin’ Christian theology so here’s the thing – I’m a middle-aged atheist Social Democratic voting Canadian who has never touched a gun so how to explain my love for these books. And if I’m still being honest I’d have to say damned if I know but I do.

It certainly doesn’t qualify as great literature. The characters are all one dimensional and that one dimension resides somewhere only psychopaths dwell. They’re all uber-violent regardless of race, creed, gender, or monster affiliation and they all love it. They’re pretty much all super freedom loving survivalists even those who work for the government or at least some super secret part of it – in most cases, it’s more about the love of the kill and less about any love of country. It’s non-stop heart pounding adrenaline pumping action from beginning to end; it’s urban fantasy at its most violent with characters we should hate but somehow are made to like; it’s guns, God, and gore and, as much as I hate to admit it, I love every blood-soaked minute of it. So, here's my question, does that make me a bad person? show less

I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley.com and that in no way has influenced my opinion in regards to this review.   This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.com by express permission of this reviewer     Synopsis: Agent Franks is center stage in a Special Task Force Unicorn vendetta. Franks is on the run while he must clear his name, destroy a whole set of bodies based upon him AND prevent an invasion of the original fallen angels.   My Thoughts: Just like in Alpha, this book follows a show more particular person in the MHI universe. Agent Franks, the mysterious, deadly bulldog of the Monster Control Bureau.   First off, the violence level is just as high as in Alpha. In fact,  the book starts off with Franks using guns, crowbars and fists to destroy a cult that is trying to raise an Elder god.   Then things really get started. Apparently, Franks has a deal with the United States, but it works both ways. One of those conditions is that no recreating of Franks is allowed. But the STFU [yeah, I love how Correia worked that] is being as evil'y as ever and the leader, Stricken, has broken that agreement and made multiple flesh golems with all the modern tech at his disposal.   So Stricken must get rid of Franks and Franks must get rid of Stricken and the copies.   However, unbeknownst to humanity, but very well known to Franks, is the fact that the bodies are taken by fallen angels, not new human souls. And here Correia gives his readers a crash course in semi-mormon theology and mixes it with Cthulthuic lore. Pretty interesting and it makes internal sense for the overall series.   Franks must stop the invasion of a literal Hell on Earth. It is great. Huge battles involving everything from 50cal guns to fisti-cuffs. It is a pulse pounding, hard core, thrill-a-minute, roller coaster adventure.   I just tore through this book and loved every second of it. It was good enough to make me seriously consider buying the whole series in hardcover. I did drop a half star because of the profanity. It wasn't completely gratuitous, but it was way more than necessary.   Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars Author: Larry Correia " show less

No bones about it: I am a slow reader. Worse, I am a serial book buyer and starter, and years can pass after I buy a book before I actually start it, to say nothing of finish it.

Except for anything by Larry Correia.

Somehow, Correia has figured out the secret combination to writing novels that are fun, satisfying, and one hundred percent engrossing. If you're going to interrupt me while I'm in the middle of one of his novels, the house better be on fire. Not because I won't come otherwise, but because I may not notice the interruption at all. Correia hasn't not win any literary awards for his prose (at least not from the over-cultured classes of literary fart sniffers), but he's going to win the award that matters most: eyes on pages and show more dollars in the bank.

Monster Hunter Nemesis is the fifth installment in the Monster Hunter International series, and like others in the series, the story can stand alone (although it does tie in to an arc that connects the entire series).

Nemesis turns to the infamous Agent Franks, a reoccurring character in the previous novels. He is the US government's last resort for all monster related disturbances. If there's a monster sighting--be it vampire, zombie, or demon--Franks is sent into the field to, literally, crack a few heads, obliterate the monster, and restore order. He's the absolute worst combination of the best and the worst you can expect from the federal government: a very effective bureaucrat with single-minded purpose and no sense of morality, but the execution of his duty.

As a personality, there's always something just a little off about him. Other characters treat him with a mixture of fear, respect, and hate, and Agent Franks does nothing to dissuade them of these. And, you can't really blame them. He's mean, he's ruthless, and he has all the personality of a low functioning sociopath. Franks' job is to fight the existential and supernatural threats to humanity, and it's not his fault that he lacks all the sympathies, qualities, and emotions that makes humanity redeemable.

In short, he hasn't got many friends. It makes him an easy target when a shadowy rival government agency set out to replicate, and replace, Agent Franks. A big target, but not an easy one, I should say, if Agent Franks has anything to do with it.

The thing is, the supernatural attacks are getting worse. As has been foreshadowed in previous Monster Hunter books, something is trying to break through, enslave the Earth, and harvest its inhabitants souls. Call it Cthulhu or shaggoth, it's a threat reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft, and it's a danger to everything under God's creation. Indeed, God might have a word or two to say about making sure his Creation can avoid enslavement by other dimensional beings.

With Nemesis, Correia takes this uncharitable and unlikable character and puts him at the center of the story as the protagonist.

And boy does he protag (as Howard Tayler would say). This is Franks' origin story, and with it, Correia spins him into a sympathetic character, showing him competent and effective and active in controlling his destiny. The pages fly by, thick with action.

If you're looking for an emotionally charged, literary soap opera, this is not the place to look. There are no weighty, emotionally charged passages about social inequality and unfairness. Rather, its escapist, pitting Frankenstein's monster, werewolves, assault weapons, and humans in the middle of the fight between heaven and hell and--

Oh, yeah. Did I mention that the bad guy in Nemesis really is one of the original the Bad Guys that figure prominently in Milton's Paradise Lost? One of the best things about Correia's Monster Hunter International world is that no mythology, legend or religion is really out-of-bounds. From H.P. Lovecraft to modern Christianity (with a hat-tip to Mormonism, too, if you're paying attention), Correia works it in to his world. The boundless limits of his story telling gives him broad latitude, creates resonance that the tough-guy exterior of the novel belies, and carries nuggets of depth at unexpected moments.

That's right. Monster Hunter Nemesis might make you think.

Content Warning: I hate to include content warnings, but since not everyone who reads this site is over 18, I feel like Nemesis merits a warning. Be aware that there is occasional swearing and cussing in Correia's novels. I don't think it's necessary--I just finished John D. Brown's Bad Penny that had characters far tougher and rougher than anyone in Monster Hunter Nemesis, and I didn't see him resort to any cussing. However, it is Correia's prerogative. Just be aware, before you crack the cover, that if you are bothered by swearing you might find the occasional offensive word in the dialogue. show less

This straightforward read brings frankenstein's monster against a werewolf; including special guest stars that includes the son of frankenstein's monster, cthulhu types, a host of fallen angels. There's even a very special accountant that drops in on the fun.
I hope you like guns! And pain! Lots and lots of pain!
More than anything, I was struck by how very patriotic the whole novel was. It was one of the most literal mind-bending "For God and Country" pastiches I've ever read, but it wasn't hokey. Or at least it was so over the top hokey that it found its equilibrium on the far side.
The tongue in cheek was sometimes on the other side, too.
Fun stuff, peeps.

I know I am not the target audience for this series, but I still love it! And I have always had a fondness for Special Agent Franks, who is the main character in this book. Monsters! Mayhem! And add fallen angels to the mix this time! Yes, this book inspires me to use an overabundance of exclamation points!

If you've read the other books in the series, this one will be a blast!

I got an eGalley of this book to review through NetGalley. This is the fifth book in the MHI series and follows a side character rather than the MHI crew. I really enjoyed it, it was action packed and incredibly engaging.

This book follows the story of the mysterious Agent Franks. Franks is sworn to protect humanity as part of a mysterious contract, the government only has to comply with stipulation...never create another being like Franks. Then project Nemesis is revealed and Franks’ contract is off. Now Franks is a wanted man trying to fight against an ages old enemy.

Most of the book is told from Franks’ perspective. We do hear some from other characters as well. The story is mainly a showdown between Franks and the head of show more Unicorn. Each chapter starts with a flashback to a time in Frank's past, which was incredibly interesting.

I really enjoyed learning about Franks, we find out a lot more about what he is and how he came to work for the government.

Our normal MHI crew is absent for most of the book. Although we do see some of Earl's girlfriend, the werewolf Heather. Still Frank's story does tie in with the overall story of the Old Ones and the prophecies surrounding Owen Pitt.

As with all of this series there is a ton of action and tons of guns and violence. A lot of the violence is very explicit...so just FYI if that bothers you. The whole story is very well written, easy to read, and incredibly engaging. I loved this book just as much as all of the other MHI books.

Overall I strongly recommend this whole series to those who love action-packed urban fantasy with a bit of a horror theme to it. These are really fun and exciting reads. They are very well written and incredibly engaging. I love that they all have a main story that is resolved and this story ties into a much larger story. Highly recommended to all urban fantasy fans. show less

Not having read any of the previous four books in the series, this came as an interesting experience. You don’t need to have read the previous books to understand what is going on as they are frequently referred to. Each chapter begins with the origin story of the principal character, Agent Franks, so it is easy to comprehend what is involved.

The novel deals with the attempted disgrace/downfall/extinction of Agent Franks, the main Monster Hunter of the series, and his struggle to resurrect his status and reputation while dealing with the menace that threatens his existence.

It reads very much like a comic book with non-stop action from the beginning to the end of each chapter: the death toll is very high with lurid descriptions of show more mutilation and killing. There is a wide breadth of supernatural characters, some of which are developed, no doubt figuring extensively in the previous novels.

Entertaining enough, this is pulp fiction in the style and tradition of Sax Rohmer, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Raymond Chandler and others. Recommended to those who like their reading light but with plenty of blood and gore. show less