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Rating: 
Summary: Good book, but...
Review: First off, I did like this book in the series. The action was terse, and well handled. The plot, through most of the book, was well thought out and quite logical. Unfortunately, it left some very large loose ends near the end (with little chance of development due to the circumstances) and a rather weak ending to the three book mini-series. I'm hoping that in future books those loose ends are developed, and that the this doesn't set a precedent for endings. A whole lot depends on how the next book will go.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but...
Review: First off, I did like this book in the series. The action was terse, and well handled. The plot, through most of the book, was well thought out and quite logical. Unfortunately, it left some very large loose ends near the end (with little chance of development due to the circumstances) and a rather weak ending to the three book mini-series. I'm hoping that in future books those loose ends are developed, and that the this doesn't set a precedent for endings. A whole lot depends on how the next book will go.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and fast-moving, but--
Review: Four years ago my husband brought home the first book in the Outlanders series. I wasn't interested in it at first, thinking it was just another macho thriller, with blood and guts taking the place of plot and character.When I finally read it, I was transported to a world where hard sci-fi, conspiracy theories, mysticism and blood and guts were blended seamlessly--not to mention the introduction of engaging characters. Since then, every book in this series has been gripping. I've watched the characters grow and expand and delve into more and more complex plots. I'm now more devoted to Outlanders than I am any other book series, even the Honor Harrington novels which I love. But though Purgatory Road is as exciting and as interesting as any in the series, I have to admit I expected something a little more cataclysmic at the end of this trilogy. A number of loose ends were left dangling, which in of themselves isn't annoying since the writer has introduced a number of plot elements in one book only to address them fully in a later book. This time, the last quarter of the novel seemed a little rushed. Although Domi's "resurrection" was welcome and unexpected (I always figured she'd come back), I'd hoped she would be missing for a few books so Grant and Shizuka could develop a relationship. And then there was the whole mystery of Thunder Isle--the discovery of the Operations Chronos facility, the rampaging dinosaur, who had time "trawled" Domi in the last microinstant before her death--these issues and many more weren't addressed. I can only hope they will be dealt with the next book. However, though I'm giving Purgatory Road four stars instead of my usual five, I still have to say it's an exciting book. Every chance to visit with the Cerberus folk, Kane, Brigid, Grant and the others makes up for some of the unanswered questions. Besides, what's life without a little mystery?
Rating: 
Summary: She's back!
Review: I hope I'm not spoiling anything for the fans who haven't read this book yet, but I'm so happy that reports of Domi's death were exagerated! Not exagerated exactly, but at least she's back. That one thing made Purgatory Road a winner for me!
Rating:
Summary: Purgatory Road
Review: Purgatory Road as usual was hard to put down and from the opening pages drew me in, grasped me tight and pulled me along for the ride. This was one wild ride I did not mind taking. With so many questions left unanswered among all that has been resolved as this novel closes, I for one was left salavating for more. The last third of this latest Outlanders story was comprised of some of the most interesting and thought provoking chapters in this masterfully written series. With so many doors left open to exploration and the ranks of villians, each more dangerous than the last, growing with each new novel I'm left to wonder whats next. Knowing this authur and having come to greatly enjoy this series, I have no doubt I will not be disappointed. Another well written novel, that I highly recommend!!
Rating:
Summary: Even more questions to be answered
Review: Purgatory Road is all you would expect from Mark Ellis. Heavy action, great plots, details on the how's and why's. It picks up in the middle of the fight that was taking place between the Tigers of Heaven and the Black Dragons on the Isle of New Edo. Once the battle has been waged, a force of Magistrates led by Ramirez attempt to land on the shores. The results are, as you would expect. The book goes into a lot of rehashing of information that has been explained previously, but that in itself is not a bad thing. It gives many of the new readers (and the series is gaining more and more all the time) all the background data they would need to understand what is happening up to that point. The reader is also left wondering what is going to happen to Lakesh, now that he's regained his youth and vigor. What is going to happen to Domi, did she suffer any adverse side effects to the time trawling? And what of the Isle of Thunder? Who was behind the time trawling experiments? Where did they go after Kane and the others invaded the facility? Also, we now have the imperator, Sam. He was blatantly betrayed by Lakesh, and they know the location of Cerberus. What is to become of the redoubt and the other exiles? What about Cobalt? His ville was under siege at the end of Purgatory Road. These questions leave the reader wanting more. Great work, as usual.
Rating:
Summary: PURGATORY ROAD was a purgatory of backfill.
Review: The story rates a high 4 because it picks up the action from the previous episode, and it reaches a decision tree with this smug kid Sam, who is really too powerful and dangerous to leave alive, because he is also secretly evil... This did not rate a Holy 5 because there was too much backfill in the novel. I realize the series is trying to draw in more readers, but not on my bucks, thank you. I thought the expository preface prior to the novel was sufficient for as much backfill as needed. If one must have all this backfill to update readers of what happened in the previous book then the series is weak because the scenes and action should be self-explanatory, or else the characters could provide the backfill SPORADICALLY with cleverly crafted dialogue. This "History Book" method of using great expositionary lumps is tedious to the reader; and so I had to skip over these literary land mines more often than I felt necessary -- enough to invoke irritation -- and merely because I found doing so kept up the pace this aciton series warrants.
Rating:
Summary: Purgatory Road
Review: This book was an excellant ending of the Imparator Wars trilogy. The Tigers of Heaven, Thunder Isle, China, all were interesting places and people. While this was a good book, it was not my favorite of the series but it was by no means bad. The book was interesting and it leaves you looking forward to the next books because of how interesting the series is. Like always, the worst thing about this series is having to wait for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: THE IMPERATOR USURPER!
Review: This latest installment of the ending trilogy as usual - leaves you wanting more,and puts more questions in your mind about just what direction is this writer going to take this story? The beginning of the story opens with a bang! Starting just where we left our intrepid heroes in the last book, a war against the two rival clans of samurai vying for power. The relentless pace of the book is just a hallmark trade of Mr. James Axler, aka Mark Ellis, the man just does not write a bad book. This series is steeped in plots within counter subplots and conspiracies that even though I understand whats going on - I dont think I could explain it to someone else, ya know what I mean? I'm not sure which plot to believe in this x-files on acid trip sci-fi action adventure series! But it sure is fun to see the series and characters grow and change. I love the changes of some of the characters, and to tell you what they are in the new book would ruin it, so mums the word. All I can say is, read it and enjoy it - even if you cant tell which is the real reality and which isn't. My only complaint about this book is the re-iteration throughout this particular novel was too much for me, but I know that the writer must do this for new readers to understand, and or to refresh memories of us older folks. And also the dinosaurs that were hinted at in book 2 were only touched on a little in this new novel as well, and I really wanted more of that, but I am sure thats for a future novel right? Outlanders of the Jurrassic coming soon to a bookstore near you!
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