Rating: 
Summary: Super-charged adventure!
Review: Equinox Zero crackles with energy, from the sharp characterizations, the unexpected plot twists (like the revelation about Lakesh's youth treatment!) and the colorful setting of Ultima Thule.Just when I think I've read enough of these books along comes an action-packed adventure tale like this one. I was very pleased with the return of Zakat since I found him a very interesting antagonist for our heroes. Here he's nastier than he was in Iceblood. This novel is an excellent entry in the series and introduces a couple of plotlines that can be explored in future books.
Rating:
Summary: A nice change from the epic novels we've been reading
Review: Equinox Zero is a nice filler novel, one where there really isn't anything as drastic as we had with The Dragon Kings and previous novels. Sure the novel revolves around another world-threatening event, but it's resolved quickly and quite memorably at the end. We need the occasional -breather- novel as we have had with this one. There is plenty of action, to be sure, but at the same time, there is even more character development, which compliments the action quite beautifully. The novel begins with Kane and Domi hunting for a prehistoric monster on Thunder Isle, to make the violent and primordial island just a little bit safer for the Cerberus exiles, while they explore the ruins of the Operation Chronos facility. The author gives even more depth to the outlander girl, Domi, and adds a little tension between her and Kane, as she makes it quite clear that she is interested in him, despite the relationship that has blossomed between her and Lakesh, after Grant rejected her. Speaking of the ebony giant, he has decided to leave Cerberus, as he is tired of all the fighting and the near endless stress that he's been subjected to. He really doesn't believe that it's his fight, and he just wants to retire, to settle down with Shizuka and the Tigers of Heaven on new Edo. Another old enemy has apparently arisen from the grave, a man we haven't seen since Iceblood. He managed to find his way to Utlima Thule, a haven of Vikings that has remained essentially untouched for thousands of years. Using his influence, he is trying to take over the isolated civilization, and to bring about another great Deluge, not quite of biblical proportions, but one that would destroy the emerging civilization, plunging the already fragile planet back into another dark age, of which it might not ever recover. Zakat and a ship of the people from Ultima Thule raid a ship belonging to the Tigers of Heaven, all the while being witnessed by Grant and his new love. That prompts him to return to Cerberus to ask for Kane's help in tracking down the criminal and putting an end to him and his plans once and for all. Bringing Philboyd with them, they jump to the gateway that was first discovered in Hell Rising. They find the entrance to Ultima Thule and make their way to the underground city. It is very much a lost civilization, even though the Nazi's tried to take it over nearly 250 years previously. Tried, but failed miserably, and paid for their efforts with their lives. Here, Kane is forced to fight Zakat's lover, a Valkyrie named Sif. It is truly a memorable battle, one which Kane nearly loses his life, but as is the case, the hero triumphs, and not only defeats the woman, but spares her life. Zakat meets his end in a very appropriate manner, and the threat to the world is neatly dealt with. Keep them coming!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and lots of fun
Review: Equinox Zero is another excellent entry in the Outlanders series, this time featuring a lost race of Vikings under the polar ice cap. Lots of action and adventure in this one! Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: High energy high adventure
Review: Equinox Zero is another full-speed, balls to the wall, no-holds barred adventure novel. It has all the elements which has made this series so entertaining for so many years. First and foremost there's the return of a villian who last we saw had fallen off a cliff in Asia, way back in Iceblood. It's Grigori Zakat, the ruthless Russian mystic whose religious cult worshiped the mummified penis of Rasputin (I can't think of too many bad guys with that kind of bizarre wrinkle in their backgrounds). He's pretty angry at Kane, but his mission isn't just about revenge--he's making a bid to take over Ultima Thule, the lost land of Norse gods and become a version of Odin! Unlike Sindri who is an idealist bent on world conquest as a means to to an end, Zakat's ambition to trigger another ice age is the end to itself. The way he's portrayed makes the reader believe he could really pull off his mad dream. The lost civilization novels in Outlanders are always my favorite and Equinox Zero might be the best using this theme. The civilization of super-Vikings under the Antarctic is very vivid and colorful. I particularly liked the warrior women, the Valkyries. I also loved the opening chapters set on the Outlanders version of Jurrasic Park, Thunder Isle. There Kane and Domi are engaged in a dinosaur hunt, trying to end the threat of a tyrannosaur that Kane has nicknamed Monstrodamus. The hunt goes really bad but in the process we see a glimpse of a potential Kane/Domi relationship...particularly after she falls into what is a dinosaur latrine!! As usual for Outlanders, it's the three dimensioanal characterizations that make this book so entertaining. Every book is almost like a visit with old friends now, finding out what they've been up to and what's been happening in their lives. All of the characters are in fine form, each one contributing a full share even the new ones from the Moon base. We also learn more about how the Imperator restored Lakesh's youth and find out it may not be the miracle he tried to convince himself it was. Grant also has some distressing news for his friends in Cerberus. My only complaint with the book is that Shizuka has only a minor role. Her first appearance, way back in Doom Dynasty was a case of love at first sight. This is a tight, fast-paced adventure story with plenty of action, exciting twists and unexpected turns. The lost land of Ultima Thule is a great concept, too. Equinox Zero is a solid five stars
Rating:
Summary: High energy high adventure
Review: Equinox Zero is another full-speed, balls to the wall, no-holds barred adventure novel. It has all the elements which has made this series so entertaining for so many years. First and foremost there's the return of a villian who last we saw had fallen off a cliff in Asia, way back in Iceblood. It's Grigori Zakat, the ruthless Russian mystic whose religious cult worshiped the mummified penis of Rasputin (I can't think of too many bad guys with that kind of bizarre wrinkle in their backgrounds). He's pretty angry at Kane, but his mission isn't just about revenge--he's making a bid to take over Ultima Thule, the lost land of Norse gods and become a version of Odin! Unlike Sindri who is an idealist bent on world conquest as a means to to an end, Zakat's ambition to trigger another ice age is the end to itself. The way he's portrayed makes the reader believe he could really pull off his mad dream. The lost civilization novels in Outlanders are always my favorite and Equinox Zero might be the best using this theme. The civilization of super-Vikings under the Antarctic is very vivid and colorful. I particularly liked the warrior women, the Valkyries. I also loved the opening chapters set on the Outlanders version of Jurrasic Park, Thunder Isle. There Kane and Domi are engaged in a dinosaur hunt, trying to end the threat of a tyrannosaur that Kane has nicknamed Monstrodamus. The hunt goes really bad but in the process we see a glimpse of a potential Kane/Domi relationship...particularly after she falls into what is a dinosaur latrine!! As usual for Outlanders, it's the three dimensioanal characterizations that make this book so entertaining. Every book is almost like a visit with old friends now, finding out what they've been up to and what's been happening in their lives. All of the characters are in fine form, each one contributing a full share even the new ones from the Moon base. We also learn more about how the Imperator restored Lakesh's youth and find out it may not be the miracle he tried to convince himself it was. Grant also has some distressing news for his friends in Cerberus. My only complaint with the book is that Shizuka has only a minor role. Her first appearance, way back in Doom Dynasty was a case of love at first sight. This is a tight, fast-paced adventure story with plenty of action, exciting twists and unexpected turns. The lost land of Ultima Thule is a great concept, too. Equinox Zero is a solid five stars
Rating:
Summary: JA has created another masterpiece.
Review: Equinox Zero is the latest in the long line of the explosive Sci Fi Outlanders series, this time exploring the depths of Antarctica and the Thulians that have survived there since before the birth of Christ. The constantly evolving characters deliver to the reader personal subplots that are just as interesting as the overall plot concerning Thule and Zakat, the Russian that was thought to have perished in Agartha several books ago. While the category of the book reads Science Fiction, it is done in a believable fashion with as many true facts to back up the scenario as possible. The Outlanders have visited such places as Russia, China, the Moon, Mars as well as parallel universes and the plots are as good as they get. I recommend this book as well as the entire series for anyone who hasn't explored the world of Outlanders. As always, I await the next one for it is sure to exciting!
Rating:
Summary: A superior Outlanders adventure!
Review: I always wondered by Grigori Zakat never returned after his first appearance in Iceblood, considering the obvious effort involved in creating him.. Now the twisted Russian priest is back to bedevil the Cerberus warriors as they learn Zakat's ultimate goal is to trigger a another ice age and unite the survivors under his rule, his edicts enforced by Norse warriors from the lost land of Ultima Thule! The set-up for Equinox Zero is terrific, featuring a Kane and Domi team-up on another "Lost World", Thunder Isle which is populated by all sorts of creatures pulled from different epochs of time. I think this element of the Outlanders saga is wonderful, offering many story springboards. The scenes of Zakat's piracy with the Thulians are exciting. A standout sequence is a sea battle between Zakat's forces and a trading ship from New Edo, which tips off the Cerberus warriors that their old foe is back. Grant's anger directed toward Kane when he learns this is very realistic . The exotic scenes in the timeless world of Ultima Thule are extremely well- wrought. Mark Ellis portrays the city from the days of ancient Norse mythology with colorful splendor, There are a lot of high points in this novel: a great villain, excellent characterizations, a fast-paced plot, and incredibly exciting action sequences. Add them together and you have a superior Outlanders novel on every level. A must-read!.
Rating:
Summary: A superior Outlanders adventure!
Review: I always wondered by Grigori Zakat never returned after his first appearance in Iceblood, considering the obvious effort involved in creating him.. Now the twisted Russian priest is back to bedevil the Cerberus warriors as they learn Zakat's ultimate goal is to trigger a another ice age and unite the survivors under his rule, his edicts enforced by Norse warriors from the lost land of Ultima Thule! The set-up for Equinox Zero is terrific, featuring a Kane and Domi team-up on another "Lost World", Thunder Isle which is populated by all sorts of creatures pulled from different epochs of time. I think this element of the Outlanders saga is wonderful, offering many story springboards. The scenes of Zakat's piracy with the Thulians are exciting. A standout sequence is a sea battle between Zakat's forces and a trading ship from New Edo, which tips off the Cerberus warriors that their old foe is back. Grant's anger directed toward Kane when he learns this is very realistic . The exotic scenes in the timeless world of Ultima Thule are extremely well- wrought. Mark Ellis portrays the city from the days of ancient Norse mythology with colorful splendor, There are a lot of high points in this novel: a great villain, excellent characterizations, a fast-paced plot, and incredibly exciting action sequences. Add them together and you have a superior Outlanders novel on every level. A must-read!.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner--as usual!
Review: I know bad Outlanders novels are possible but thankfully, they're not frequent. Equinox Zero is about as good as the series gets, fast-moving, two locales which are about as different as they can be (a tropical Pacific island to Antarctica)with several surprises along the way. The return of the mad Zakat was a big surprise, since he was one villian I never expected to show up again. What was even more surprising was who he showed up with--not just Vikings, but a lost race of Norse warriors. They are very portrayed very dramatically and colorfully and I wanted to see more of their culture. The heroes are in fine form, and even Philboyd (one the immigrants from the Moon colony) gets a chance to shine both as an ally of Kane's and possibly a rival for Brigid's affections. Equinox Zero is winner on all counts.
Rating:
Summary: DINOSAURS, VIKINGS, RUSSIANS, OH MY!!
Review: In this latest installment of Outlanders, only the awesomely talented writer Mark Ellis can give you dinosaurs, vikings, and a renegade Russian in just one novel!
This was definately worth every sacred nuke penny I spent on this exciting and breathtaking book. This author always succeeds in one level or another to keep this series going strong with subtle changes that only seem to enhance future books to come.
Where DEATHLANDS is failing miserably (unfortunately) OUTLANDERS delivers in spades with each and every successful novel poring out of this highly talented writer.
Kane and Domi start this novel right off while hunting an unusual old foe - Monstrodamus! A dinosaur that Kane had briefly fought on Thunder Isle in a previous book.
The action is hot and furious and the characterizations of the leads characters keep you up to the wee hours of the morning, not wanting to put this book down.
From the hot jungles of Thunder Isle, to the freezing colds of Antarctica, where vikings out of legend emerge, the excitement never stops in EQUINOX ZERO!
I just can't wait for the next one. This is by far the very best in sci-fi/fantasy action/adventure entertainment out there today.
Hollywood needs to open their eyes to this series - it would be a mega-hit the likes of which they have never seen!
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