One of the rules of publishing is that you’re not supposed to respond to reviews. However, I think that rule is idiotic and I do things my own way, so here goes. Besides, the rule is generally meant for when you receive a negative review, and the glowing 5 start treatment I just got from Andrew P Weston is anything but negative.

Weston is a tremendous author. If you don’t know his work, check out his author page here. His titles include ‘The IX‘ and ‘Hell Bound‘ and he’s also a regular contributor to the ‘Heroes in Hell’ shared universe. He’s very accomplished and praise from Andrew P Weston is high praise indeed.

When I wrote ‘The Reader of Acheron‘ the reviews I received were a great help in plotting out the sequel. From the reviews, I got a good idea what worked, what didn’t and what further questions needed to be addressed. From the early reviews of ‘The Literate Thief,’ I’m hopeful that I improved on the 1st volume, but more input is necessary if I’m going to finish off this series with the flourish it deserves (not that it will ever be finished…this is kind of an eternal story).

I’m extremely happy with this book and the response it is generating. It has become a very relevant work even though I wrote it about 3 years ago now. My purpose was to engage the dark side of human nature, and try to map it out. I wanted to show the vulnerabilities of being a decent human being and how evil people tend to take advantage of those vulnerabilities. This isn’t “Dark Lord” fantasy where the world is corrected by killing a single corrupt individual. In my books, evil is a cancer, and we all carry a few cells and are susceptible to being converted into an agent of evil.

Also, this isn’t a book that a major publisher ever would have touched simply because it’s above the pay grade of most readers. I’m thankful to Perseid Press for giving this book a platform. Janet Morris called me on the phone the other day and said this is the type of book that can generate a following over time. Reviews like the one Andrew P Weston provided are sure to aid in that endeavor. Thanks again, and here’s the review:

A disturbing insight into the frailty of human nature

In “The Literate Thief” we follow the trials and tribulations of the former slave, Kikkan – and his mercenary associates, Cole and Quillion – as they head to Edentown in search of answers to questions raised by the enigmatic scholar, Adam Lockheart. In doing so, they hope to further their crusade against the institution of slavery.

Of course, things don’t go easy for our intrepid trio. Not only is their alliance built on shaky foundations, but each have their own agenda as to how they might achieve their aims.

Kikkan looks for answers among the everyday folk, and makes the acquaintance of Weasel, Simyon and Valeria. Quillion and Cole take a more circuitous route, volunteering to join the city militia – the Red Cloaks – in an effort to gain intelligence, vital to their cause.

Both routes are fraught with hidden peril – and nowhere more so than the dangers represented by the truth about the society in which they live. A society whose very existence is designed to mutilate hope.

Yes! Hope is a lie – a great deception, veiling the fact that a longstanding social covenant is in place. Maintained by the privileged elite, that covenant ensures the highborn can do no wrong. Not ever. And that no matter how hard or how diligently the lower classes work, they’ll never escape the subjugation into which they were born. For those who think differently, there’s death…or Bliss. (The same thing, really, except that the road to oblivion and self destruction takes a little longer to achieve the same results.)

Needless to say, hope is shattered; faith in anyone or anything is exposed for the sham it is; lives are ruined and worlds are turned inside out.

Very well done to Walter Rhein, this is a well thought-out and provocatively presented Orwellian tale of the inevitable decline of human nature in the aftermath of upheaval. (Think a post-apocalyptic “Nineteen Eighty-Four” in a medieval setting…with a twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rhein hits just the right balance between action and suspense/injustice and revenge.

(I can’t wait to see how the story develops.)

Bravo Mr. Weston!

The paragraph I like the most is the one that starts “Yes! Hope is a lie.” It occurs to me that we live in a world of controlled narratives. People are trained to believe things that simply aren’t true and aren’t in their interest to believe. I’m not referring to what is called “fake news” because what is often called “fake” is the actual truth these days. No, I’m referring to something a little more subtle.

For example, I have 2 girls aged 7 and 5 and I already find that my job as a parent is diligently resisting the BS that society tries to pump into them. Higher education is becoming problematic because it now costs more to get a degree than you’re likely to earn in your whole lifetime…subjecting you to the slavery of debt (which is a very real slavery). At present, my plan is to convince my girls to get their Bachelor’s Degree in Peru, where it can be purchased for pennies compared to what you pay in the US. Then you get it accredited for a couple hundred bucks and, boom, you have a professional degree and no debt–Financial independence!

I’ve been considering writing a book that deals more directly with schooling and education. These things play a major role in ‘The Reader of Acheron‘ and even in ‘Reckless Traveler‘ but there’s more to be said. The fact is, a lot of what is pumped into your brain inhibits your personal development. You’re trained, not for your interests, but the interests of those around you. I can see the argument for why that’s necessary for society, but in terms of it being done to MY KIDS? No way!

That’s where I think ‘The Literate Thief‘ can be of use. Many young kids today know they’re being screwed over, but because no authority figure will admit it, they go nuts and self-destruct. It’s a complicated world we live in, you have to wade through a morass of corruption, that’s just a fact. I’m not saying give up on it, or rebel, but you do have to accept it to some extent. Let’s just be honest with each other about that.

If you’ve got a young person in your life who you’re worried about, hand them a copy of this book. It contains both a recognition of what’s out there, and hopefully a template as to how to get through it. At the very least, it provides some catharsis. And if you do pick it up and read it, please provide a review. I’ll keep tackling this issue because it’s important.

Thanks again Andrew P Weston!