Book Review
Remnant an anthology
by Roland Allnach
About the Author
Roland Allnach has been writing since his early teens, first as a hobby, but as the years passed, more as a serious creative pursuit. He is an avid reader, with his main interests residing in history, mythology, and literary classics, along with some fantasy and science fiction in his earlier years. Although his college years were focused on a technical education, he always fostered his interest in literature, and has sought to fill every gap on his bookshelves.
By nature a do-it-yourself type of personality, his creative inclinations started with art and evolved to the written word. The process of creativity is a source of fascination for him, and the notion of bringing something to being that would not exist without personal effort and commitment serves not only as inspiration but as fulfillment as well. So whether it is writing, woodwork, or landscaping, his hands and mind are not often at rest.
Roland Allnach has been writing since his early teens, first as a hobby, but as the years passed, more as a serious creative pursuit. He is an avid reader, with his main interests residing in history, mythology, and literary classics, along with some fantasy and science fiction in his earlier years. Although his college years were focused on a technical education, he always fostered his interest in literature, and has sought to fill every gap on his bookshelves. By nature a do-it-yourself type of personality, his creative inclinations started with art and evolved to the written word. The process of creativity is a source of fascination for him, and the notion of bringing something to being that would not exist without personal effort and commitment serves not only as inspiration but as fulfillment as well. So whether it is writing, woodwork, or landscaping, his hands and mind are not often at rest.
Book Description
"When all that's left is broken, which piece do you pick up first?" So the question stands, and seeks fulfillment- a path reaching from the shores of a doomed paradise, through an illusory reality, and ending in a devastated future. "Remnant", a collection of three novellas, is both the sum of these tales and the element that binds them together.
"Remnant" consists of three stories within the speculative/science fiction genres. The stories are linked in theme by characters seeking self-truth, redemption, and their moral center. The three novellas, in order of appearance in the anthology, are: "All the Fallen Angels," in which a convicted war criminal attempts to make peace with his past; "Enemy, I Know You Not," in which a military officer that was captured and tortured tries to find his loyalty in an abyss of suspected betrayals; and "Remnant," in which the survivor of a global pandemic is confronted with the prospect of making peace with his memories when other survivors attempt to bring him back from self-imposed isolation.
"Remnant" consists of three stories within the speculative/science fiction genres. The stories are linked in theme by characters seeking self-truth, redemption, and their moral center. The three novellas, in order of appearance in the anthology, are: "All the Fallen Angels," in which a convicted war criminal attempts to make peace with his past; "Enemy, I Know You Not," in which a military officer that was captured and tortured tries to find his loyalty in an abyss of suspected betrayals; and "Remnant," in which the survivor of a global pandemic is confronted with the prospect of making peace with his memories when other survivors attempt to bring him back from self-imposed isolation.
'Finalist', Science Fiction
category of 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards
Medal Nominee, current 2012
Reader's Favorite Book Awards (award to be announced 9/1)
Our Book Review
A book that will be loved not only by science fiction / fantasy fans but, I believe, fans of mystery will also enjoy the suspense and twists of the read. The writer has a unique, creative and a highly imaginative mind which brings the stories so to life. Very easy to get into the mind set of the main characters.
For myself I found that the stories jumped around a little too much, which at times did get confusing but as I read on I'm not sure if it was because I was getting used to the authors way of writing or not but it did become easier to read.
Although the first story felt at times a little too extended the main characters of Stokho and Pallia had me engrossed. The guilt Stokho harboured due to his war crimes and the struggle and turmoil he then went through both in space and planetside in the 'Hermium europhia' was immense. What was real and what was an illusion? I would describe the story as part science fiction and part war crimes with plenty of twists.
The other two stories were again action packed both continuing with twists and turns as you read them. 'Enemy, I know not you,' again had had the war theme but the third 'Remnant' I enjoyed most out of the two of them, purely down to it being my type of story, all about a devastating plague and the survival that follows.
If you like a full on story that is a challenging read and thought provoking then this is the book for you.
For myself I found that the stories jumped around a little too much, which at times did get confusing but as I read on I'm not sure if it was because I was getting used to the authors way of writing or not but it did become easier to read.
Although the first story felt at times a little too extended the main characters of Stokho and Pallia had me engrossed. The guilt Stokho harboured due to his war crimes and the struggle and turmoil he then went through both in space and planetside in the 'Hermium europhia' was immense. What was real and what was an illusion? I would describe the story as part science fiction and part war crimes with plenty of twists.
The other two stories were again action packed both continuing with twists and turns as you read them. 'Enemy, I know not you,' again had had the war theme but the third 'Remnant' I enjoyed most out of the two of them, purely down to it being my type of story, all about a devastating plague and the survival that follows.
If you like a full on story that is a challenging read and thought provoking then this is the book for you.
Our Rating
amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Sounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteI love reading science fiction. This book looks great. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting books. I have read several books on your recommendation and I think I will look for this one.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a Science Fiction freak! Will recommend this one to her!
ReplyDeleteScience fiction has always been interesting to me. Maybe I'll have to take a read.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your interest. If any of you do indeed get the opportunity to read "Remnant", I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Happy reading, in whatever grabs your fancy!
ReplyDeleteNot my usual genre but I'm sure sci-fi readers wouldn't find it challenging at all to read, just me xx
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