Warlord of the Pit [Mass Market Paperback]

Mark Ellis makes a return here in the latest installment of Outlanders.

Does that mean his old fan base will return to give him their typical 5-star review...?

As much as we'd like to, unfortunately we can't with this one. Although after the last few books, having what appears to be an Ellis on idle is better than what we've currently been getting. That's why there has been a disappearance of the old fan's reviews.

Warlord of the Pit, although a fast-paced and fun read, it just overall feels like so much filler. Another typical Outlanders adventure. Same exact formula. Book starts out with a side adventure that takes up almost half the book, but has nothing to do with rest of book. The Cerberus trio leave the albino at home, and go off to Mexico, where in typical fashion Kane saves yet another gorgeous woman whom he doesn't even kiss. No James Bond is Kane. (He must be a religious celibate. Because he still runs around with one of the hottest chicks on the planet, but refuses to make an advance on her. Heck, not even an Outlander decoder ring!)

That is followed by loads of exciting derring-dos that we've pretty much read a gazzillion times, followed by an ending that of course results in the destruction of the bad guy's base. It felt rushed, and the group doesn't get a scratch, although tons of rock fall on them.

Although sadly typical of so many of the past novels, Mark Ellis is a master at fast pacing, funny dialogue between the main characters that only seemingly he can do, and some exciting action sequences that keep you turning the pages. (Especially the action sequence in the beginning with Brigid aboard a boat.)

But after having read all of Ellis's past novels in this series, any half intelligent person can see quite clearly that he is holding back. Or is missing the Big Picture of where to take the series, in terms of going forward in taking on the biggest and greatest threat to their existence - the serpent aliens.

That's right, instead of the Cerberus team for once going the offensive, go out and seek their main enemy, instead of waiting for them to strike, would be a huge breath of fresh storytelling for once. They are out there. Numerous in number, and brandishing major tech and weapons. So why do they idly wait until they strike? The aliens are out there - somewhere - building a new army and gathering up their bad boy plans - so why not search them out and destroy them?

What old fans need is a break out Outlanders novel like Children of the Serpent.

Although I check the author listed on the title page, I haven't been able to detect much difference in the plots or the writing.

However, certain things tend to distract me from the plot, and this series is always at the bottom of my reading list when the new books arrive each month.

For instance, when the the good guys are attacked by the bad guys, do they kill them as usual as justified and expected? Nope! They keep the leader in restraints and free the survivors.

Shortly after that, Kane rescues a woman, as usual. After killing the bad guy, she lights up and enjoys a cigar. Really?

Both incidents smell of liberal artistic license. They serve no purpose except to reveal the author's personal leanings and are completely out of character in this series time or place.

I do enjoy the story's main characters, and the authors are usually faithful to their character and actions. Filling the stories with lots of filler is bad enough, though bearable. But introducing liberal tendencies that serve no purpose and detract from the story are forcing me to reconsider future reading.

Norm

› Go to Amazon U.S. to see both reviews  3.0 out of 5 stars