Rating: 
Summary: Surprises never stop!
Review: "Hell Rising" is another rousing, non-stop adventure and like most of the other books in this series, there are surprises aplenty. We learn what happened to Sister Fand and the Imperium Brittania after the events of "Savage Sun" and find out more about Kane's alleged "past life" as the Celtic Conan, Cuchulain.This book mixes military sci-fi with such esoteric material as Atlantis (or an outpost) and the evil breeding experiments that went on there in prehistory. As always, the action is fast and colorful, the characterization sharp, the dialogue witty and there's even time for some romance. The main surprise is how effortlessly Axler (in reality, Mark Ellis) pulls all of it together to make a thoroughly entertaining story. Outlanders is such a unique series I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't discovered it yet. In my opinion, it's head and shoulders over any other action/adventure series on the market today, including its sister series, Deathlands. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Surprises never stop!
Review: "Hell Rising" is another rousing, non-stop adventure and like most of the other books in this series, there are surprises aplenty. We learn what happened to Sister Fand and the Imperium Brittania after the events of "Savage Sun" and find out more about Kane's alleged "past life" as the Celtic Conan, Cuchulain. This book mixes military sci-fi with such esoteric material as Atlantis (or an outpost) and the evil breeding experiments that went on there in prehistory. As always, the action is fast and colorful, the characterization sharp, the dialogue witty and there's even time for some romance. The main surprise is how effortlessly Axler (in reality, Mark Ellis) pulls all of it together to make a thoroughly entertaining story. Outlanders is such a unique series I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't discovered it yet. In my opinion, it's head and shoulders over any other action/adventure series on the market today, including its sister series, Deathlands. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Breaks the Genre Like a Cheap Toy.
Review: After being burned by the lackluster Deathlands (they must call it that because it kills so many brain cells), I was afraid to take a look at the Outlanders series. However, on the recommendation of a couple authors I respect - you know who you are - I picked up this and the next book. And I learned immediately why you hardly ever find used Outlanders books laying all over the place. The universe of the Outlanders is only nominally that of the Deathlands, conceived in a different set of attitudes, where three heroes fighting a geriatric Nazi suddenly becomes a thrilling unfair fight - in the favor of a Benzadrine-hopping madman, and his pet Australopithicus, Jacko. And that's just the setup -
We have our main hero, Kane, a man of action who takes lumps and cuts and other bangs, who can do his own research, who is the reincarnation of a legendary Celt warrior, summoned to England to prevent an apocalypse from Atlantean times. If you're looking for Man of Steel gunfights where the hero never even gets a bruise, go look elsewhere. If you're looking for some real adventure and excitement, wit and humor and fantastic mythology plugged into a dreary and wasteful genre, made fresh and new again, YOU GOTS TA CHECK OUTLANDERS! Technically this is a "post-nuke" genre book, but only as far as you can heave the combination of Celtic Myth, Nazi cyber-genetic experiments, and teleportation technology. The "if the world ended tomorrow - every man for himself" premise has been replaced with awe, wonder and gee-whiz honest adventure and delight. All in all, highly recommended, and it will inspire you to look up the legends of Balor and his fomori, Lyonesse, and Cuchulain, if you weren't familiar with them already.
Rating:
Summary: Another instant classic!
Review: HELL RISING is an epic adventure, another classic entry in a series which has already had quite a few. It has just about anything anyone would want--a larger than life villain, fast action, interesting locales, a world threatening menace and of course--sex. But it also has poignant moments, good character development and interaction and a new take on Kane's "past life" sub-plot which has appeared occasionally. The main draw of this book and the entire series are the characters. They're intelligent, funny, desperate and courageous and the reader will follow them anywhere. HELL RISING is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: Hell Rising is one of the best in the series of Outlanders adventures. It had it all--action, violence, interesting people and a fascinating plot. I'm always entertained and impressed by Outlanders. Its the only sci-fi books I read regularly. I wish they would make a movie!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: I get funny looks from my friends when they see me reading this kind of book. From now on, when that happens, I'll just shove a copy of Hell Rising in their faces! This particular book is a standout in an outstanding series for reasons other reviewers have already mentioned. Yes, it has plenty of guns, explosions and violence but it also has a refreshing lackof macho posturing that so many series of this type features over and above anything else. Kane and Grant are tough and they can be ruthless, but it's a necessary part of the mission, not their entire characters. In this one, Grant reflects he would just as soon never see another drop of blood again. Kane and Grant are actually heroes, not simply protagonists. Another great touch is the return of Fand, and once again the writer shows his ability to write believable, strong-willed women characters. Like Brigid, Fand is worthy of respect in her own right and she proves she's as brave and competant as the men when the "blasters" start blasting. I could go on and on about this book--about the mythology of Atlantis woven throughout it, the James Bond-like assault on an oil drilling platform, the final duel between Kane and the villain, Quayle, but I think I've made my point--READ IT! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: I get funny looks from my friends when they see me reading this kind of book. From now on, when that happens, I'll just shove a copy of Hell Rising in their faces! This particular book is a standout in an outstanding series for reasons other reviewers have already mentioned. Yes, it has plenty of guns, explosions and violence but it also has a refreshing lackof macho posturing that so many series of this type features over and above anything else. Kane and Grant are tough and they can be ruthless, but it's a necessary part of the mission, not their entire characters. In this one, Grant reflects he would just as soon never see another drop of blood again. Kane and Grant are actually heroes, not simply protagonists. Another great touch is the return of Fand, and once again the writer shows his ability to write believable, strong-willed women characters. Like Brigid, Fand is worthy of respect in her own right and she proves she's as brave and competant as the men when the "blasters" start blasting. I could go on and on about this book--about the mythology of Atlantis woven throughout it, the James Bond-like assault on an oil drilling platform, the final duel between Kane and the villain, Quayle, but I think I've made my point--READ IT! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading
Review: The latest in the Outlanders saga is excellent! It held my interest all the way thru. It had a lot of excitement and adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading
Review: The latest in the Outlanders saga is excellent! It held my interest all the way thru. It had a lot of excitement and adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Another instant classic!
Review: The latest in this magnificent series is yet another great and fun read as Kane and his small group run afoul of a new but ancient enemy from the past. I always love this Celtic/past lives stuff that this remarkable storyteller mixes in so well with this post-holocaust series. This book was by far some of the grittiest-as-yet, down-and-dirty action scenes that I can remember. Man, that Kane can take some serious punishment - and give it back two-fold! I love the character Fand and how she was portrayed in this book was really exciting to read. She is sexy as well as a good fighter to boot. Such colorful characters and places mixed with tons of high action adventure scenes make this book one of the very best I have read. Mark Ellis is surely at the top of his game and full in his writers prime. Keep up the great work, you are definately giving DEATHLANDS a run for its money. You will love this new chapter for new or old reader fans - a must read!
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