The Chronicles of Dave: Dave vs the Monsters: A Protocol for Monsters / A Soul Full of Guns

Dave vs the Monsters #1.5 & 2.5

by John Birmingham

When monsters and dark magic return to the world, only one man can stop them. Dave. So, we're pretty much doomed.

The Chronicles of Dave collects two great Dave Hooper adventures in one volume. In A PROTOCOL FOR MONSTERS we get the real story of Super Dave's embiggening, not the drunken, drug addled lies he told us in EMERGENCE.

And in A SOUL FULL OF GUNS we learn the origin story of the only human being capable of kicking Dave's ass – the super-powered Colonel Karin Varatchevksy. Sent by the Russian military to spy on the US, she might he only thing that saves it from the worst superhero ever.

If you love your fantasy action ludicrously violent, and your heroes hilariously flawed, this collection is for you.

Genres: Fantasy

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 3, 2016

About the author

John Birmingham grew up in Ipswich, Queensland and was educated at St Edmunds Christian Brother's College in Ipswich and the University of Queensland in Brisbane. His only stint of full time employment was as a researcher at the Defence Department. After this he returned to Queensland to study law but he did not complete his legal studies, choosing instead to pursue a career as a writer. He currently lives in Brisbane.

While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.

Birmingham has a degree in international relations.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a freebie given to those who subscribe to Birmingham's site. It was 2 novellas or long short stories that fill in different points of view & some extra background in Emergence. Obviously there had to be some duplication, but it was kept to a minimum. Great read!

[kate mcgrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice alternative point of view

Well written and engaging, fast paced alternative point of view in both novellas. Nice to see it from other characters perspective and their thoughts about Dave. Good background on Karin. Looking forward to the next book.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan of Axis of Time. Now fan of Dave

I had avoid Dave v. Monsters -- can't say why. Birmingham rocks (and paper and scissors...lizard and Spock too. Lol)

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun. Makes me want to read the others.

[Wes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing little setups for different books in the series. If you like Dave vs... then you'll appreciate these stories.

[Ian H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Guts Politics and fantasy.

Science, no. Military and human insights, maybe. Entertainment, yay. Enjoy the journey, maybe too short. One world empathy will be needed.

[Read Ng]

Idle speculation. Our hero puts out a tremendous level of pheromones that tend to "distract" the fairer sex. Not that I want to have this veer off from the storyline, but do the same pheromones have the similar impacts to gay team members?

[Keira F. Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, not bad at all. 3.5 Stars (Why are there no half-star ratings, grrr.)

A couple short stories filling in some gaps in the "Dave vs The Monsters" series. The background of the special operations team that followed him around was a riot, particular their allusions to other cover ups. The one for the FSB agent was a little less irreverent but still entertaining nonetheless.

But, all said and done, a fun romp, but not hugely remarkable.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the preface it recommend that you read "Emergence" first.
Well I didn't/haven't.

And I still understood the story, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Dave is an anti-hero, unlikable, but completely powerful. Worse than Hancock (both the character and the movie).

A great fun read (yes it is very gory, not recommended to weak stomachs)

[Liz C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

I got this as a freebie not really sure what to expect, but these two novellas are little gems. Fun, action packed read. Will certainly check out Dave and the Monster's for more of the story. I would recommend this to anyone.

[Buboe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good companion to the other Dave books

It was an interesting read- basically a re-telling of the Dave stories from a couple of different perspective.
Nicely written and just as fun

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of this sort of kick arse fiction, but it was a freebie, so I gave it a go and was surprised to find myself enjoying it. So much so, I'm more than tempted to go track down Emergence and start the whole saga from the beginning

[Brian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure

John Birmingham has always provided great entertainment. This hasn't changed with the Dave Hooper stories. Large action and great characters fill out an intriguing world.
This series will leave you unable to stop until every book is devoured by your fang tracks.

[David Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Lots of strong action fun. A sweet ride down joy street. A communist that SOE not like Fox news go figure.

[Arran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very jolly jape

A good introduction to the hero and a fair amount of world building. Will add the first novel to my list.