AWARDS

Simon Carr, celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, delivers another masterclass in humor with Saint Frank and the Dragon. This uproarious satire chronicles the chaotic exploits of Sir Frank, an utterly inept knight hailing from the unremarkable kingdom of Little Hampton Upon Sea. Tasked with slaying a fearsome dragon tormenting local villages, Frank's only allies are his laughably inept "army" — the hapless trio of Russell, Owen, and Tiny. Together, they embark on a quest riddled with absurd perils, peculiar allies, and an abundance of killer potatoes.

Carr leans heavily on irreverent satire, weaving sharp humor into every aspect of the story. His deftly written prose lampoons the brutalities of the medieval era while cleverly skewering the quirks of modern life. The narrative dances between fantasy and farce, with clever wordplay and relentless hilarity keeping the pages turning. Carr's fourth-wall-breaking asides add an extra layer of comedic brilliance, whether he's delivering Frank's musings on the impracticality of metal footwear or indulging in a pseudo-scientific debate about whether dragons blow or breathe fire. In one particularly memorable twist, the author humorously scolds the reader for their perceived lack of attention.

Beneath the humor lies Carr's biting commentary on societal issues. A cult venerating Eric, the divine rainbow trout, offers a sharp parody of religious fanaticism, highlighting the absurd lengths people go to defend their beliefs. Themes like social inequality and prejudice thread through the tale, with the dragon disproportionately targeting the poor and vulnerable, while the inept King Greek Tony satirizes the failings of contemporary leadership. Sir Frank, an unwilling hero grappling with challenges far beyond his abilities, becomes a relatable symbol of the average person navigating an overwhelming world.

While the book embraces its comedic identity, its characters are more than mere caricatures. Emotional depth may be rare, but the quirky cast radiates charm. Frank's companions, despite their incompetence, deliver impeccable comedic timing and a surprising dose of heart. Villains, such as a scheming goblin named Rayflex and a giant spider, are more absurdly entertaining than genuinely threatening. The humor is relentless yet remarkably consistent, whether Frank is lamenting that his steed is a cow with delusions of horsehood or undertaking a side quest to retrieve a legendary mace with disappointingly mundane powers.

Saint Frank and the Dragon is a treasure for fans of satirical fantasy. With its witty prose, imaginative world-building, outlandish plot, and incisive critiques of both medieval and modern absurdities, this novel is a laugh-out-loud adventure from start to finish. Carr's humor shines brilliantly, and one can only hope this is the first of many bizarre escapades featuring Sir Frank.

Literary Titan

Simon Carr's Control Spark plunges readers into a whirlwind adventure that begins with heartbreak and ends with an epic battle for Earth's survival. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Nigel invites his friend Sandra on a preplanned escape to Egypt. What should have been a simple getaway transforms into a pulse-pounding odyssey when Nigel, on a whim, buys a seemingly harmless trinket at the airport. That innocuous purchase draws him and Sandra to the enigmatic Whackowiki pyramids, where a hidden, ancient power known as the 'Control Spark' alters the course of their lives forever. Suddenly imbued with the astonishing ability to manipulate matter, Nigel becomes a magnet for forces far beyond his understanding. Alien civilizations, each with their own agendas, soon descend upon Earth, determined to seize the Control Spark. What follows is a frantic struggle as Nigel must defend his friends, navigate the treacherous waters of international diplomacy, and ward off a looming extraterrestrial invasion. Humanity's fate hangs in the balance, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Carr's ambitious exploration of scientific concepts and alien cultures stands out as a highlight. The narrative boldly tackles complex theories, yet the writing remains accessible and engaging. The scientific elements, which could easily have overwhelmed the story, are deftly handled and surprisingly easy to grasp. Furthermore, the diversity of extraterrestrial civilizations is nothing short of mesmerizing. Each alien race is crafted with remarkable attention to detail, boasting unique physiologies, societal structures, and motivations that bring the intergalactic conflict to vivid life. The novel's global perspective offers a breath of fresh air. Unlike many science fiction tales that default to a US-centric approach, Control Spark unfolds across international landscapes, with countries from around the world playing pivotal roles. Carr paints a realistic picture of how nations might truly band together in the face of an existential threat, adding a layer of authenticity to the unfolding crisis.
Control Spark still delivers an exhilarating ride packed with action and thought-provoking ideas. Sci-fi enthusiasts who revel in tales of alien intrigue and grand scientific concepts will find much to appreciate. This novel demands the attention of adult readers ready for a story that's thrilling, ambitious, and unafraid to imagine the unimaginable.

Literay Titan

One-Eyed Cy Gets Something To Do, placed second in Fantasy clean, in the 2023 incipere awards

One-Eyed Cy Gets Something To Do, placed 3rd in fantasy in the 2023 incipere awards

In the quaint pub of a seemingly unremarkable South Timbriture in Yorkshire, an unusual morning silence pervades. Upon switching on the TV, the regular patrons are flabbergasted to learn that our beloved Earth has succumbed to an alien conquest, oddly without a single bullet being fired. Thus, it embarks the reader on a whimsically humorous journey through Simon Carr’s sci-fi adventure, Da’Resistance.

Carr unfurls a narrative that is unabashedly and primarily a comedy, emanating an infectious hilarity that permeates every page. The story commences with an oddly amusing predicament involving Drew and his pet snail’s supposed erectile dysfunction, which, after a vet visit, spirals into a revelation about its sexual orientation. Though the humor often skates on the edge of crudeness, those who relish a laid-back, self-deprecating wit will discover an abundance of chuckles in the text.

While the plot may appear secondary, serving chiefly as a vehicle for the cascade of jokes, it successfully anchors the reader’s interest amidst the comic tempest. The book’s essence is not hinged upon intricate plot twists or a notably ingenious premise. Still, it is derived richly from the interplay among its characters and the ensuing laugh-out-loud dialogue. A substantial portion of the book luxuriates in extended, meandering conversations, a feature that, contrary to typical narrative expectations, enhances rather than impedes the storytelling, thanks to Carr’s sharp and consistently entertaining wit.

Da’Resistance provides not just a reading experience but a jovial escapade through a world where the improbable becomes the norm, and every situation is a ripe opportunity for humor to blossom. Against the backdrop of an alien invasion, the characters decide to tackle the insurmountable: negotiate with interstellar beings, all while navigating through a sea of nuclear weapon jargon, forging an adventure that is as audaciously amusing as it is uniquely compelling.

Carr’s Da’Resistance stands out as a vibrant recommendation for those on the hunt for a hearty comedy, where beneath the umbrella of science fiction, readers are invited to relinquish the seriousness and embrace a world where every page proffers a potential for a hearty laugh.

Fast-paced events, swift yet meandering dialogue, and hilarious wit combine with a convoluted yet wonderfully wacky plot in Simon Carr’s Khaos Has Come. The next book in the Apocalypse Blockers series, this science-fiction book can be read independently without feeling too lost—the nature of the plot and the dialogue ensures that.

The entertaining book is reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Terry Pratchett’s universe-building. Rick Toenail, leader of a small group of people known as the Apocalypse Blockers, and his team are desperate to stop Khaos from taking over Earth in all its versions and simulations. To do this, they must stop Khaos from crossing over from the realm of information into the material realm. The team comprises various characters (two priests, a Goth girl, a vampire, a blob, and a seventeenth-century English scientist, to name a few). It picks up several others along the way, not restricted to humans (Evil Mouse, the kangaroo being one such). The directness of the writing, along with the sometimes deliberate repetitions and humorous stating-of-the-obvious, certainly puts the reader in mind of Adams’ writing, and the side-splitting laughter on account of the Pratchett-esque wit of subtlety and ribaldry makes this book utterly gripping.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Khaos Has Come. The characters were well-drawn, the dialogue was rambling and delightful, and it juxtaposed nicely with the fast-moving plot. I also especially liked how the author breaks the fourth wall and makes known his feigned exasperation with readers who pick up the nineteenth book in a series and expect to understand all references. I’d most definitely go back to read the previous nineteen books!

Khaos Has Come is a rousing dark humor science fiction novel that will have readers laughing and also asking, “what just happened here” as the characters take them on a journey they will not forget. This addition to the Apocalypse Blocker series is sure to keep readers of the series coming back for more.

CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ THE REVEIW FROM LITERAY TITAN ON APOCOLPSYE BLOCKERS

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CLICK THE LINK TO READ THE 4 OUT OF 4 STAR OFFICAL REVEIW FROM ONLINE BOOK CLUB ON SPACE AND STUFF

I WAS A FINALIST IN THE 2020 PAGE TURNER AWARDS WITH SPACE AND STUFF.

BOB AND THE BLOB CAME THIRD IN THE ACTION AND ADVENTURE CATAGORY IN THE 2020 INCIPERE AWARDS

APOCALYPSE BLOCKERS TOOK THIRD PLACE IN ACTION AND ADVENTURE IN THE 2021 INCIPERE AWARDS

VIERTUALLY GONE GOT AN HONERABLE MENTION IN THE SCI-FI CATAGORY IN THE 2021 INCIPERE AWARDS

NOOBS CAME THIRD IN THE YOUNG ADULT CATAGORY IN THE 2021 INCIPERE AWARDS

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