VALKYRIE - A Novel of Adventure
Valkyrie is a frenetic tour-de-force amalgam of hard science fiction, alternate
history and suspense. It is exhilarating and thrilling, not just because it moves at
lightning speed, but because William Powell is a master plot-builder. In a world
that could be a combination of the movie "Mimic" and the TV miniseries "V" taken
to the [logical] Nth degree, Powell's Locusts are a believable and implacable foe.
Powell adeptly incorporates into the novel his "X-Factor," protagonist Myla
Henderson, whose miraculous "Diamond of the Blue" power will ultimately mean
the difference between victory and defeat for America's human population.
Valkyrie takes a page straight from today's headlines. Powell "solves" the United
States' immigration problem via his genetically engineered Locusts. What need
will the country have for cheap immigrant labor when the work can be done for free
via manufactured, prodigious grass-eater? But, thanks to ever-present corporate
greed, the Locusts prove to be too exceptional … and they set about to prove just
that. The United States populace soon finds itself serfs to the Locust usurpers,
the once-great nation divided. Powell splendidly flashes from scene to compelling
scene … from Locust plotters to human guerrillas; from human scientists to
Locust assassins; from politicians on both sides to everyday folk that are merely
endeavoring to get along. The narrative tempo remains breakneck throughout,
and readers may find themselves grasping for a metaphorical panic button!
Valkyrie is a striking science fiction shimmer-and-shake, and bob-and-weave.
William Powell's first full-length novel not only hits its target, it puts the absolute
kibosh on it!
Dave "Hube" Huber, Columnist at www.advancediron.com and The COLOSSUS
OF RHODEY website, 31 January 2007
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I liked the gritty feel of the story. It felt (to me) like Mad-Max crossed with The
Untouchables and The Dirty Dozen.
Powell will need Peter Jackson or better to bring it to the silver screen. Spielberg
doesn't have enough balls to do it justice. The film trailer should warn people not
to watch the film version of the book if they have had any hallucinagenic drugs in
the last week. Maybe the book should say that too, kind of like the Surgeon
General's warning on a cigarette package.
Newton Love
Author "How the Strong Survive"
Read Newt's first two chapters at:
http://www.newtlove.com/Books/HTSS_excerpt.html
