Gordon A. Long (Author of Out of Mischief)

Gordon Long rated a book really liked it The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow: Vol 1: The Paradoxical Incongruities of Slingshot Time Travel (Novelette) by Hamilton Kohl (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is a very mad book in many senses. It is a light hearted spoof that maintains the macabre sense of the Horror genre by making fun of it. Be prepared for a complete lack of logic or veracity. The only connection to reality is that every event con ...more
5 hours, 54 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow by Hamilton Kohl. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow by Hamilton Kohl <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gordon Long rated a book really liked it Battle Beyond the Veil: An Urban Fantasy Where Angels and Demons Collide by Cassie Sanchez (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 05, 2026 08:22PM · like
Gordon Long rated a book liked it Discovery (D Notice, #1) by Louise McLaughlin (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and ...more
Mar 29, 2026 02:26PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Discovery by Louise McLaughlin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Discovery by Louise McLaughlin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gordon Long rated a book liked it Navvy Dreams (Tales From a Stinking, Star-Crossed Milky Way #1) by H.M.H. Murray (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is a difficult review to write, because the author has made a bold attempt at a complex writing style, and hasn’t been completely successful. To put it simply, he has tried to replicate the nuances of a socially and politically advanced culture, ...more
Mar 22, 2026 02:01PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Navvy Dreams by H.M.H. Murray. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Navvy Dreams by H.M.H. Murray <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gordon Long rated a book really liked it Cristobal Ritter (German Edition) by Mijo Rebic (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novella updates the old Noir Detective form with a modern and subtly humorous twist. The electronic cityscape blends in with reality, which I assume is the intended effect, but in places (especially flashbacks) the readers could wish for clearer ...more
Mar 01, 2026 01:14PM · 1 like · like · see review
Gordon Long rated a book liked it Hypgnosium: The Herculus Trilogy Book 1 by J.E.R. Sanderson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novel shows an example of an author who has planned a book of great scope but then doesn’t have room in a single volume to “show” readers everything, and thus is reduced to “telling” all the creative details. Characters are carefully thought out ...more
Feb 22, 2026 01:02PM · like · see review
Gordon Long rated a book it was amazing Dad V.S Evil: A Detroit Tale by William T.D. Feeley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book in a Paranormal/Sci-Fi/LitRPG series. There are a lot of books coming out in this style, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Many of them are written for gamers, and the results read like a play-by-play annou ...more
Feb 15, 2026 03:18PM · 2 likes · like · see review
Gordon Long rated a book it was amazing Caenogenesis (The Gemini Files Book 1) by Tasha He (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novel is a classic example of Rebels-in-Dystopia Sci-Fi. It has multi-layered conflict, tightly related to the themes and to the emotions of sympathetic characters. It starts out with an attractive opening: evocative setting description teasing u ...more
Feb 08, 2026 01:19PM · 1 like · like · see review
Gordon Long rated a book it was amazing The Men of the Mountain by Drew Harrison (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Reading this novel is rather like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle made from colourful pieces. Similar fragments fit together, and each section grows slowly as new pieces are revealed. The development of the main character is of course the ...more
Feb 02, 2026 01:38PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Men of the Mountain by Drew Harrison. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Men of the Mountain by Drew Harrison <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gordon Long rated a book liked it Robot Asteroid by Paul May	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novel is a hodgepodge of styles and standard plotlines, trying to do too much with too little organization. The promo material sets it up pretty well: “Robot Asteroid follows three researchers racing against both a bizarre plague and a crumbling, ...more
Jan 25, 2026 02:57PM · like · see review

Gordon Long rated a book really liked it

The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow by Hamilton Kohl

The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow: Vol 1: The Paradoxical Incongruities of Slingshot Time Travel (Novelette)
by Hamilton Kohl (Goodreads Author)

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This is a very mad book in many senses. It is a light hearted spoof that maintains the macabre sense of the Horror genre by making fun of it. Be prepared for a complete lack of logic or veracity. The only connection to reality is that every event con ...more

Gordon Long rated a book really liked it

Battle Beyond the Veil by Cassie Sanchez

Battle Beyond the Veil: An Urban Fantasy Where Angels and Demons Collide
by Cassie Sanchez (Goodreads Author)

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Discovery (D Notice, #1)
by Louise McLaughlin (Goodreads Author)

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This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and
This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and the story, making sure we get all the jokes by explaining them, rather spoils the spontaneity of the wit.

The “show, don’t tell” rule ought to have a corollary; “whatever you do, don’t do both, one after the other.” Examples:

“I do miss the orgies,” said Eros, dreamily reminiscing about his glory days.

The author is telling us what the character is doing, having just showed us through dialogue.

Likewise,

“No, thank you,” Eros declined politely and slightly disappointedly,” also adding three adverbs to the mix.

Part of the joy of reading witty dialogue is the reader’s “Hah! I got it” feeling of accomplishment, Having the author immediately explain the humour spoils this.

This sort of writing adds up to an opening section long on description and low on suspense.
The story then glides merrily along on a creative path of mild humour, mostly of the non-sequitur style, depending on elements of farce, but the constant explanations destroy the quick pacing required.

And a different problem: when you mix Sci-Fi with Fantasy, the two genres have different rules of premise creation. Fantasy is allowed more leeway: you can have magic of any sort you want, and if anyone complains about the unlikelihood of it, well, it’s just magic.

Sci-Fi can also have just about any premise you want, but there has to be an underlying scientific believability or it sounds lame. So, for example when you state that a being’s blood actually boils when it is cooled below ten degrees, Fantasy readers will accept this premise, but the average Sci-Fi reader says, “Huh? Fluids boil when you heat them. They go solid when you cool them.”

Fortunately (as we often find in books of this type), once the conflict gets moving, the author stops adding characters and explaining what each one is doing and why. At this point a decent story develops, and the final battle is a well-orchestrated conflict, complete with a tense “final countdown” to a satisfying conclusion.

Except for the Epilogue, which sets us up nicely for what I hope is a less explanatory sequel. ...more

Gordon Long rated a book liked it

Navvy Dreams (Tales From a Stinking, Star-Crossed Milky Way #1)
by H.M.H. Murray (Goodreads Author)

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This is a difficult review to write, because the author has made a bold attempt at a complex writing style, and hasn’t been completely successful. To put it simply, he has tried to replicate the nuances of a socially and politically advanced culture, This is a difficult review to write, because the author has made a bold attempt at a complex writing style, and hasn’t been completely successful. To put it simply, he has tried to replicate the nuances of a socially and politically advanced culture, where the art of diplomatic conversation is paramount. This results in long sections of conversation with a large number of people we have never met before, all talking about events we don’t know about, and everything is laden with double or triple entendre.

“Hindsight shows so many undercurrents in that conversation. But I bobbed above them all like a piece of jetsam.”

Parenthetical explanations of hindsight only serve to confuse us further. If the dialogue doesn’t communicate the information, no amount of narrator explanation will fix it. We bob along in more profound ignorance, and a joke explained is no longer so funny.

Complicating the read further is the multi-level narration style, including regular chapters, many of which start with a preface where the main character talks directly to a person called “Sam,” before the present-day action resumes. About every five chapters there is an “apologue,” a separate scene with a slightly different cast, usually occurring several years in the past. There are also dream sequences at various levels. Readers have a lot of trouble knowing where and when the story has taken us.

Another interesting factor in the writing: in this society pilots, from the nature of their lives, have a very casual attitude towards sex. This is carried to extremes, to the point where liaisons become a bargaining chip in the social conflict, and there is no sexual tension at all. In fact, the discussion becomes more like a character going on about brushing their teeth.

On the positive side, the main character is a complex, sympathetic everywoman who attracts our empathy as she tries, as all of us do, to make sense of a senseless universe. The writing is clean and well-edited, and the dialogue is natural.

There are many clever ideas in this novel and a lot of good writing, but unfortunately the average reader will have trouble following it. ...more

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Cristobal Ritter (German Edition)
by Mijo Rebic (Goodreads Author)

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This novella updates the old Noir Detective form with a modern and subtly humorous twist.

The electronic cityscape blends in with reality, which I assume is the intended effect, but in places (especially flashbacks) the readers could wish for clearer ...more

Gordon Long rated a book liked it

Hypgnosium: The Herculus Trilogy Book 1
by J.E.R. Sanderson (Goodreads Author)

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This novel shows an example of an author who has planned a book of great scope but then doesn’t have room in a single volume to “show” readers everything, and thus is reduced to “telling” all the creative details. Characters are carefully thought out ...more

Gordon Long rated a book it was amazing

Dad V.S Evil: A Detroit Tale
by William T.D. Feeley

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This is the first book in a Paranormal/Sci-Fi/LitRPG series. There are a lot of books coming out in this style, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Many of them are written for gamers, and the results read like a play-by-play annou This is the first book in a Paranormal/Sci-Fi/LitRPG series. There are a lot of books coming out in this style, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Many of them are written for gamers, and the results read like a play-by-play announcer from a hockey game.

Mr. Feeley goes in the other direction. He takes first person point of view one step further, playing a self-conscious author who breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the readers, making us aware of the games he is playing with our heads. What makes it all work is that Mr. Feeley knows his priorities. Novel first: characters, emotions, conflict, suspense. Then — a long way down the list — paranormal and sci-fi in the background where they belong.

Rick, the main character, is a normal guy: likeable, charismatic…well, sort of a loser, but too capable to be in this sort of trouble. Rather suspicious… Many of the other players are portrayed in a stereotypical way, but we gradually realize the reason for that.

There is a general rule in Sci-Fi and Fantasy that you don’t mix genres, but somehow this author makes it work, having the paranormal features function like video game characters and the people like people. The world building does not contain creative physical setting, depending rather on the social, legal, and scientific background to support the plot.

There is less violence than you would expect from this sort of book, although we are treated to a few over-the-top fight scenes. The conflict is more strategy than action, like a chess game in which Rick is definitely a pawn. The main story arc is his growth from Plain Old Dad to Hero Dad.

There are a few plot glitches in the MS I was sent. You don’t drop to one knee to hug a sixteen-year-old. There was one page that appears twice, and some confusion whether he has to do one or three jobs to fulfill his legal responsibilities.

As Rick tells us, it’s not a “happily ever after” ending. But this first book has fulfilled its purpose; it has created a hero for the rest of the series.

This story will appeal to a wide audience. It is unfortunate that the graphic language puts it into the PG-13 range of readers. Highly recommended. Five stars.

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery. ...more

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Caenogenesis (The Gemini Files Book 1)
by Tasha He (Goodreads Author)

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This novel is a classic example of Rebels-in-Dystopia Sci-Fi. It has multi-layered conflict, tightly related to the themes and to the emotions of sympathetic characters.

It starts out with an attractive opening: evocative setting description teasing u This novel is a classic example of Rebels-in-Dystopia Sci-Fi. It has multi-layered conflict, tightly related to the themes and to the emotions of sympathetic characters.

It starts out with an attractive opening: evocative setting description teasing us with an interesting character puzzle that keeps us reading through those tricky opening pages.

Then we are presented with a second character and a more puzzling enigma. This mystery becomes the conflict of the story, and while it isn’t enough to keep our attention riveted for the time the main character takes to ponder the question, we are already hooked on the premise, so on we go.

The inner conflict is between two extremes. One is the stilted social emotional and linguistic behaviour of the characters with varying degrees of cybernetic enhancement. This clashes with the inner human emotions struggling to emerge. The gradual development of the emotional abilities of the two main characters and the progress of their relationship draws us in and connects us to the rest of the story.

One major theme is the struggle between advanced research and the losing of our humanity. At the highest level of government, the arguments on both sides are logical and persuasive, but in the end only prove that if you want to, you can justify any philosophy.

It all boils down to the question whether humanity should ever reach a point where “Principles were a luxury they could no longer afford.”

This story falls under my frequent complaint that there is just too much magic. The main characters are created with so much hi-tech enhancement that they are almost indestructible. This becomes a hindrance to the writing, because their ability to heal injuries rapidly leads the author to stretch out the battles to the point where they lose their emotional effect on us. The fights are powerful and described in minute detail, but after a while it is difficult to remember who has how many cracked ribs but is soldiering on in spite of the pain.

In general, the writing style is fluid and well edited. The precise nature of the science vocabulary is excellent; what sounds like complicated technobabble is actually understandable to the average reader.

The story ends by tidying up the personal conflicts but leaves philosophic clashes to be explored in the sequel.

A model example of its genre. A long read, but worth it. ...more

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The Men of the Mountain
by Drew Harrison (Goodreads Author)

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Reading this novel is rather like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle made from colourful pieces. Similar fragments fit together, and each section grows slowly as new pieces are revealed.

The development of the main character is of course the Reading this novel is rather like putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle made from colourful pieces. Similar fragments fit together, and each section grows slowly as new pieces are revealed.

The development of the main character is of course the central block. Cade starts out as a simple rabbit hunter. The author stays true to the first-person point of view, but manages to slip in enough details to give readers the impression that there is more to this character than his own modesty at first reveals. By the end he has matured to become a believable leader of his people.

Another section involves a slow and rather sweet love affair that develops faster than Cade expects, so it slides gently and naturally into the perception of the reader, and we are as surprised as he is when he realizes that he’s in love.

Another element involves the detailed and vibrant setting descriptions that create the atmosphere of the story and at the same time build a picture of the scientific environment as Cade slowly discovers the history of his people. The scientific realities of the people’s lives are revealed in a complex story arc of their own.

And this is all decorated with a rogue’s gallery of fascinating and fantastical characters, good, evil, feral, and just plain human. The wild Kreigers are an especially imaginative creation.

As the story progresses, the focus shifts from the people and their primitive life to the Sci-Fi part of the picture. And in the end, it all fits together in a suspenseful chase through an ancient hi-tech fortress where our picture of the science is blurred by the primitive experience of the first-person main character who portrays it for us.

Any author who writes in present tense is taking a risk. Readers are pretty well hardwired to read in past tense, and they can handle some fairly complex ideas. When you base a story in present tense, we get used to it fairly quickly, but once in a while a more complex string of verb tenses makes us stop to figure out the meaning.

It’s no big deal, but anything that causes readers to pause and become aware of the author’s technique is a distraction from true emotional connection with the characters and the story.

And then there’s the odd time when the author slips up and puts in “was” instead of “is”…well, perhaps something to be polished up between the advanced review copy and the finished product.

A great story, but at 600+ pages, aimed at the reader with a long attention span. ...more

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Robot Asteroid
by Paul May

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This novel is a hodgepodge of styles and standard plotlines, trying to do too much with too little organization. The promo material sets it up pretty well:

“Robot Asteroid follows three researchers racing against both a bizarre plague and a crumbling, ...more

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	Out of Mischief (World of Change #1) 3.90 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Innkeeper's Husband (Petrellan Saga #5) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Factory 4-80 (Freighty Series Book 1) 3.89 avg rating — 9 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Zoysana's Choice (Petrellan Saga #4) 4.25 avg rating — 8 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Why Are People So Stupid? 2.75 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Sword Called…Kitten? 4.43 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2010 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ocean of Grass (Petrellan Saga #1) 4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Into Trouble (World of Change #2) 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mountains of Mischief (World of Change #3) 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Storm over Savournon really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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