Notice...

The purpose of this blog is to have a little fun. It is NOT to start arguments. I don't profess to be an expert on Sci-fi, nor do I aspire to become an expert. You are welcome to comment on any and all content you find here. If my opinion differs from yours, as far as I am concerned, it's all okay. I will never say that you are wrong because you disagree with me, and I expect the same from those that comment here. Also, my audience on the blog will include some young people. Please govern your language when posting comments.

Posts will hopefully be regular based on the movies I see, the television shows I watch, and the books I read as well as what ever strikes me as noteworthy.


***SPOILER ALERT***
Spoilers will appear here and are welcome.

Autograph Collecting

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Josh and Sen Save The Multiverse Book 1: The Path of One by D.P. Behling - First Installment of a Fun Story!

Josh and Sen Save The Multiverse Book 1: The Path of One by D.P. Behling

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

What is the nature of the multiverse? Well, you never know what is going to happen next. You never know who you are going to meet. You never know who your enemies might be; even a little old lady in an elevator can be very dangerous.

The book "Josh and Sen" tells the story of an unlikely pair of characters who have different goals but are forced to work together. There is some violence in the story, but the reader cannot help but laugh now and then. The humor in the story is a tad not unlike that of Douglas Adams’ style. One should read carefully to get it.

I will admit, at the opening of this story, I almost set the book aside. The prologue was loaded with jargon and big words I didn't understand, and I was confused with what this book was about. I didn't stop reading and as I got into the first chapter, things became clearer. Following the opening, Josh and Sen quickly became a book that I didn't want to put down, and I read it in a couple of days.

Terran, Joshua Tanner, has had a spotty past, but he is working hard to get his life together and be able to be with his daughter, Sophie, again. Working to be responsible, he studies to be an attorney. While riding an elevator, he begins hearing a voice in his head warning him he is about to be attacked by an old woman on an elevator. It turns out the voice is correct when the old woman pulls out a knife from her shopping bag and goes after josh in that small space.

Josh is no stranger to fighting and, thanks to the use of his briefcase, he defends himself, and he stops the old woman's relentless attack by beating her to death with the valise that saved his life.

Senyak Marztanak fails his grandfather's examinations to gain his family's ruling seat. Zenyak, his grandfather, strips Sen of his immortality and starts him in a re-training program, administered by himself.

Josh and Sen are joined in the multiverse by Karma and have to work together to achieve their individual goals.

All the while, the Oblivion comes closer, threatening to end everything.

While Josh and Sen, along with Zenyak, are the center of the story, I enjoyed the immortal characters the two protagonists meet along the way. None of them behaved as one expects as they, and we meet them. Zenyak challenges the protagonists to gain their powers and abilities by performing tasks. Some tasks include defeating dangerous enemies, other tasks allow the pair to meet immortal figures who are not at all as they are portrayed in mythology and literature. This brought an interesting dimension to the book that fascinated me.

My favorite point of plot is how the characters face some impossible odds as they go on their various quests, but they use their observations to adapt to the various obstacles in their way. The author's video gaming influence is apparent in that, after each success, the protagonists experience they get a report on the increase of their abilities in a very gaming sort of way. They grow stronger as they complete tasks and acquire items.

My takeaway from this book is, no matter how weird life can seem, it can always get weirder - take nothing for granted!

After my initial confusion at the very beginning of the story, once I settled in, I found Josh and Sen an enjoyable read that mixes fantasy with science fiction in a satisfying way. The characters are interesting, and the story unfolds by ramping up the tension and then giving release. The story is full of twists and turns and the solutions to problems are not always obvious. We get a look at the thought processes of the protagonists that add depth to the story. This is the first installment of a series, and I can only think that the stakes are going to continue to rise as the character's challenges become more difficult. I recommend this story for its straight to the point approach after a rather confusing introduction that almost didn't hook me. Your milage may vary.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Behling is a Chicago born sci-fi, fantasy author, and a video game admirer. When he was younger and stronger, he was able to fight off his infatuation long enough to work as a Honolulu-based plaintiff's malpractice lawyer for five years before attending med school and residency. Now he treats his patients on Oahu, where his office has been for the last fifteen years.

He has trained in several fields of martial arts over the year, including Tae Kwon Do, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Older now, he would rather be surfing, snowboarding, and skating when he is brave enough!

Most importantly, he is the proud father of four amazing children: Indigo, Tristan, Kireina, and Nina. They even text him sometimes. He is also the lucky owner of the world's cutest chihuahua, Rosie.

Well, there it is...

Qapla!

No comments:

Post a Comment