Not your bog-standard SF or fantasy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Drawing on Guyana's rich well of rumours, legends, superstitions and ancestral oral traditions, this colourful story is fast moving and engaging.

The author helpfully works in a glossary of terms from the Guyanese creole vernacular spoken by the main protagonist and his companions. The fact that the book is not written in sanitised, whitewashed English but in the dialect of its characters is an essential element of its makeup. The language used is part of the story itself.

The folklore aspects and the way they are woven into an alternate world sf context is absorbing enough but it is the characters that carry the whole thing and make it so enjoyable. Fortunately for the reader, plenty of scope is left for at least one sequel.

I'm not a patient man. I hope the author is busy writing as I type this, because we're waiting. - R. Cadger

 I can't wait for the sequel!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2020

Verified Purchase

I really hope Gareth R Miles is planning a sequel to his debut novel Soul Shakedown as I can't wait to hear about the further adventures of these Guyanese super heroes! I loved everything about this book from the author's first person lyrical narration to his cinematic descriptions of these other worldly adventures. The warmth and wit imbued in Mr Miles' characters together with his obvious love , respect and knowledge of Guyanese folklore makes this a totally joyous read which I didn't want to end..... - Caroline Murphy

 A good, solid sci-fi adventure.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2020

Verified Purchase

Excellent. The story flows well, and the pace helps the pages turn nicely.

Guyanese folklore is new to me; the deft meld of folklore and sci-fi metaphysics helps create the impression of a solid universe, with tantalising hints at more happening outside the intimate setting of this story. I'm left feeling there are more stories coming, and I'm looking forward to reading them when they've happened! - Jay Greeny

 Gareth....Miles better than anything I’ve read recently

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2020

Verified Purchase

This book came straight out of leftfield. Guyanese folklore, sci fi superhero madness. Its compelling, engaging, fascinating. Seriously entertaining, you will not have read anything like this before. I can’t wait for the next book to come. - Mr Tarek Halabi

 Brilliant soul adventure!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Brilliantly written with great characters. I loved the vivid descriptions of the soul dimension but it stayed rooted in the real world too. Lots of layers and a twist in the tale. Will certainly be looking out for future works by Gareth R Miles! - Eleanor Thomas

[5 Stars] A Must Read! Difficult to put aside until you finish it!

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020

Some books can be read in stages, a few chapters today, a few more tomorrow. Not this one! I completed it in just two days, laying it aside most unwillingly and at infrequent intervals to complete only the most essential of survival tasks. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next. I found the idiom easy to understand since I am Guyanese, but, to satisfy my curiosity about whether a regular English language speaker could understand it I asked a Caribbean native to read just Chapter 1 and to grade it for comprehension. Thank goodness I had already read it! I fear I may never see the book again, it has attracted so much excitement and determination to follow the unbelievable exploits detailed in it.
I just hope that the author is already writing the sequel since I’m waiting anxiously to find out – Quo vadis?
-Elsie Croal

 [5 Stars] This is a Great Read - Hilarious and Thoughtful

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is fantastic. It's written in a patois, but it's very easy to read, and there's a glossary that I only had to consult a couple of times. The humor, vivid imagery, and something very real about the interior life of the narrator keep it alive. Even if fantasy/sci-fi isn't your thing and the metaphysical revelations in the plot occasionally seem contrived, there's something so authentic about the narrator's experience that it pushes the book along, and the author has great command of language. Highly recommended. - Bzzxxx