Shatter Zone

Once again James Axler has out done himself. He has given us more to think about of our future and our past. I look foward to more adventures in the Deathlands

Where is Dean and when is someone going to reunite him with the gang? Why can't Doc and Jac have girl friends or one night stands or something? Wish I could write.......I have ALL of both Deathlands and Outlanders, and have enjoyed everyone, but would love to see a bit more human emotion from the main characters. Don't want to see them become more machine than human like Mack Bolen. (The first books in that series were just great!!!) I'm sorry I don't know the authors, but really enjoyed Shatter Zone. Keep 'em coming guys.

Unlike the last DL novel, written by the worst writer of the lot, Andy Boot, this latest storyline 'shatters' the last one by far. Shatter Zone, written by one of the top two writers of this series, Nick Polatta, is a breath of fresh air in the series. Although better and more interesting than the last four novels, Shatter Zone is still frought with the most grammatical errors in one Gold Eagle book to date. (Not the writers fault, but the terrible editors at GE.) What is going on over there? Editors asleep at the wheel...? Anyway, despite the huge amount of grammatical errors, Shatter Zone gives DL readers a new glimpse into a more sci-fi theme than normal. Half of the novel is pretty typical post-holocaust adventure novel, and the other half gives readers a tidbit of a new and very interesting new threat in the form of a character named Delphi. Very cool customer. Unfortunately, there is not enough of him in this novel. Perhaps in the next novel's concluding storyline's sequel...? I certainly hope so. Nick Polatta, aka James Axler, excels in writing duo novels like his last Devil Riders and Bloodfire, two of the very best in the entire series. Although Shatter Zone is written better than the last 4 novels, and the action sequences more solid, the overall storyline doesn't thus far seem as large and alive as Nick's last duology. Hopefully, the next in the Coldfire Project, Book II: Perdition Valley, will really take off. I want to see more of this enigmatic Delphi character, along with all of his sci-fi gadgets. Is he a time travelling cyborg...? The three Rogan brothers that Delphi outfits with heavy weaponry to kill Ryan and the group, having orders just to leave Doc alive, should make the readers of DL left wondering why all of this is happening, and just who is this newly arisen nemesis. So, in short, Deathlands: Shatter Zone is not as ambitious as Victor Milan's Vengeance Trail, but is far and away leagues better than the last novel. I didn't give this novel a 5 star review due to the overwhelming editing problems, along with Ryan acting out of character in one scene, turning on a fat woman and threatening her a tad too much. It didn't fit his past characterization. And although a very good and exciting story, filled with high octane action and adventure, I still felt that Nick needed to up the ante a bit here. After waiting ten books for his return, (about 2 years in expectant anxious waiting), I'm hoping the concluding novel to the COLDFIRE PROJECT will more than make up for the slightly shortsightedness in some areas of this one. But still worth the read, nonetheless. As to the new cover artist: Like in Outlanders, the artist can't seem to capture the true looks and essence of the characters. They show much promise, however. The colors and overall art seems a tad better than Michael Herrings. But Herring captured the characters perfectly. And his backgrounds were better suited to the postholocaust scenery, along with his actio