By THE INFAMOUS REVIEWER GIO

 

The tragic loss of Robert E. Howard from this world also represented the creation of a vacuum of creativity in a pulp genre unique in itself. Seldom had a writer been able to inject such vivid realism into a fantasy genre to such a degree that the reader could actually almost see, hear, and smell the places where they were transported via the written word such as Howard did…

Introducing Robert Victor Mills, an up and coming author who, by way of this 126-page pulp novella, seems to have boldly picked up the torch to continue into the footsteps of the late Howard.

The first element to jump out at us when reading this piece of pulp fiction is the…

PROSE:

Mills is a true master at carefully choosing every word, every noun, every sentence to elevate his work to a place where few other indie authors can reach. If you like a modern and direct style of written English language with plenty of modern euphemisms, this book is NOT for you! But if you long for a language that fully matches the world and characters we are presented with, and you care for tradition, ancient myths, and authenticity, then this might as well be your best pick of 2024!

CHARACTERS:

Mills is not just satisfied with good prose, oh no, he also has to indulge his readers with well thought-out characters that resonate with each of us individually. You won’t find dull characters or dumb villains here. Every player has a story, a vested interest, a strength and a weakness. By the time we’re halfway in, we can’t help but feel fully invested in these fellas and their perils.

PLOT:

What on paper seems a pretty straightforward storyline (which it is) in the hands of Mills becomes an ‘unpredictable hike’: you know where it starts, but it may suddenly take abrupt turns to only the author knows where. Again, that R. E. Howard’s realism makes this all the more interesting with the island, the elements, the beach crabs (LOTS of ‘em!), the turn of the tide, all intersecting.

Boys and girls, if this is not a 5 out of 5 pulp novella I don’t know what is. Robert in my opinion is destined to become one of the GREATS of our modern fantasy literature. Only the future will tell us for sure, but as the other Robert once said (and I’ll leave you chewing on this):

“I think the real reason so many youngsters are clamoring for freedom of some vague sort, is because of unrest and dissatisfaction with present conditions; I don’t believe this machine age gives full satisfaction in a spiritual way, if the term may be allowed. ”

― Robert E. Howard

 

Come back soon for an author interview!