Monday 2 July 2012

Happy INDIEpendence Day


Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to score a guest post at Musings of a Procrastinating Author. I decided to do a piece for independent writers, so you should totally check it out if you happen to be one. Coincidentally, today marks the beginning of the INDIEpendence Day blogfest over at The Indelibles. And as part of the celebration, we've been asked to highlight an outstanding indie book. I've been reading indie books for several months now (ever since becoming an indie author myself), and in so doing I've come across the good, the bad, and the not particularly beautiful. But of all the indie books out there today, one of the most outstanding is Hugh Howey's science-fiction novella, Wool.



I discovered Wool around the same time Mr. Howey became a regular at the Kindleboards Writers' Cafe. At the time, the series was already starting to make waves. And being the science fiction buff that I am, I was more than happy to dive into the book. Admittedly, the story started a bit slow for me, and I was indeed wondering what all the noise was about. But as the story progressed, I started to feel a real connection with the main character, Holston.

By the end of this bittersweet adventure, I was not only blown away, but eager to start the next book in the series. Put simply, Wool has one of the best endings I have seen in years. It is a book that shares story elements with recent games like Rage and Fallout 3, and movies like Inception and Solaris. But it still manages to feel fresh and ground-breaking at the same time.

I am currently reading the next book in the series, so the verdict is not yet out on that one. But from what I've been reading so far, it is already shaping up to be even better.

17 comments:

  1. Michael, those are some fine games and films you compare it too. It must be dynamite.
    - Maurice Mitchell
    The Geek Twins | Film Sketchr
    @thegeektwins | @mauricem1972

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    1. Yep. It was. I haven't been this excited about a book in ages.

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  2. Interesting to compare it to Inception and Solaris. I've been hearing a lot about Wool. Now from someone I know!

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    1. Interesting company, I know. But I speak in terms of the relationship between the main character and his (deceased) wife. All three stories have that in common. :)

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  3. It's great to see Hugh getting so much love on the blogfest! (I highlighted him too!) I haven't read Wool#2 yet, but I need to get on that...

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    1. I just finished reading book 2 and it was amazing!

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  4. Michael, thanks for the review. This is the second blog on the hop that's mentioned him. I supposed now I HAVE TO check him out. lol

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    1. You most definitely do. And thanks for bringing my attention to this blogfest. :)

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  5. Michael you seem to engage your time in a lovely way...I am here prisoner to a very torrid weather ..

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    1. Thanks. But the weather over here is pretty bad too. We get frequent showers. Couple those with the bad roads and what do you get? :(

      The sun happens to be shining today though. :D

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  6. A glowing recommendation, so I have to check it out! Thank you.

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  7. Hold on to your hat, Michael. Book 3 on up is a wild ride! Juliette is awesome!

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    1. Really? Wow. Now I can't wait to start reading it. :D

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