2012: The War For Souls

There exists three versions of Earth: the one we're accustomed to, a two-moon world with no wars, and another populated by a race of sadistic, reptilian humanoids. As the sacred date of December 21, 2012 approaches, the quantum boundaries separating the three worlds grow weaker. The reptilian world of Abaddon needs souls and resources, and its inhabitants possess the knowledge to overcome the other two worlds if their plans succeed. One human in each of the other two worlds possesses a piece of knowledge to save humanity from a fate beyond death.

Whitley Strieber goes to great lengths in creating a universe where not only bodies can be destroyed, but souls as well. As the story progresses, the two-moon Earth begins to succumb to Abaddon, and the population begins to lose faith entirely. However, humanity's greatest strength is its ability to adapt to a desperate situation and overcome, and a small group of people won't just stand by and let themselves and everything they hold dear be destroyed.

I'm not sure what the hatred of this book is all about. Admittedly, it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, but it was certainly far from the worst. While there are a few deus ex machina moments in the plot, I thought Strieber had some great imaginary moments, especially as they relate to the world of Abaddon.

I doubt I'd read it again or put it on my list of recommended books, but I certainly didn't hate it.

Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million.

Title: 2012: The War For Souls
Author: Whitley Strieber
Year: 2007
Pages: 319

The Cannibals of Candyland

The gist of the story is that there exists a group of cannibalistic offshoots of humanity that live in a subterranean world where everything is made of candy. Of course, evolution happened this way because the Candy People's favorite food is young children, and children are attracted to candy. Franklin Pierce watched one of the candy cannibals eat his siblings as a child and is seeking to expose and motivate the world into ridding existence of the Candy People. When he follows one down to their world, his plan goes awry, and he finds himself becoming what he hates most!

While Carlton Mellick III has a vivid imagination and a knack for thinking his universes through completely, I wouldn't consider this the best work of his I've read. Earlier I read Sausagey Santa, and that was a much more whacked-out and entertaining read. While this has some good moments, it mostly just drives the plot towards its inevitable conclusion.

It's a fun read, but not Mellick's best.

Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million.

Title: The Cannibals of Candyland
Author: Carlton Mellick III
Year: 2009
Pages: 151