The great reviews continue to come in for Alpha Max!
Naturally, it’s nice for a writer to get positive comments and reviews, but really what makes me so happy about them is to know that I’ve connected with a reader.
AIC Stories
David Szweduik’s great review is one of those — not only did I connect with him, he is a new reader of my books, so it makes me extra happy to read something like this quote:
First, the writing is the perfect blend of smart sci-fi, emotional drama that tugs at the heart strings a bit, and witty humor that is at times slap-stick dick and fart joke fun and at times a subtle one liner that makes you think for a second before it sinks in.
AIC Stories
He found the blue language a bit … blue. I find that fascinating, because I really didn’t think I was being that rude. But he really enjoyed the “thinky” bits too:
Second, while there WERE some moments that I would go back and re-read or just pause to think about them before moving on so I could make sure I understood what was happening as the layers of the multiverse expanded, Rayner does a beautiful job of making sure he’s explaining enough to scratch the nerdy, multiverse loving, sci-fi itch while not getting TOO bogged down in details that ultimately don’t make a difference to the story.
AIC Stories
I’ll quote him once more, mostly because it was so gratifying to know that the story works well as a story. (When I started writing it, I had no plan, and “swooped” the whole thing.)
And lastly, the pacing of this story flows SO well. There was never a moment that felt dull or drawn out. There are strategically placed chapters that give a more introspective look at things, yet serve as a perfect place to take a breath and really connect with the character of Max before things get ramped up once again.
AIC Stories
Assorted Nonsense
Joe Mahoney is an SF author, and friend, so I’m not surprised he enjoyed my new book. (I think he’s pretty much liked everything I’ve written, to a greater or lesser degree.) He has a beautifully Canadian dry sense of humor that he uses to great effect in his review.
Seriously, he’ll win the Leacock medal someday.
And while you’re at his site, check out his novel, A Time and A Place, which displays his deadpan to great effect.
Umney’s Alley
Josh Mauthe has read a few of my other novels, and I was really happy to see that he enjoyed Alpha Max as well. I was particularly pleased that the philosophical and “deep” parts of the novel balance well with the goofy side:
… Alpha Max starts going to some really complex, heady places – ones that contemplate the nature of existence, our place and purpose in the universe, the philosophical underpinnings of consciousness, and more. Rayner manages the transition into all of this smoothly, making sure it doesn’t jar with some of the weirder, lighter sections of the book, and it ends up adding a richness to the book that I didn’t expect. Add that to some areas where Max’s arc slows down enough for him to contemplate what it all means, and to find some peace and solace in all of the adventure, and it combines to make a story that doesn’t just give you a fun, weird explosion of alternate worlds, but grapples with ideas and concepts that allow the book to think about Very Big Ideas in a satisfying way.
Josh Mauthe
Josh is a fine writer himself, and there’s tons of evidence of that in his thoughtful review. You should check it out!
Of course, you can get Alpha Max and see what all the fuss is about!
Get a free ebook!
If you’d like to check out one of my previous novels, before you buy, I’m happy to just give you one. Not only that, you can choose between Marvellous Hairy and The Fridgularity. (They’re both great in their own ways.) Just join my newsletter to get started!