Lazarus Gray Volume Six by Barry Reese

Barry Reese has done it yet again! Lazarus Gray Volume Six is just another jewel in the crown of a New Pulp prince! The book starts off with a fast-paced adventure without Lazarus Gray, who died in the previous novel, Gotterdammerung. Despite Gray’s absence, Assistance Unlimited continues its founder’s vision of righting wrongs and solving crime in and around Sovereign City. The group has picked up a few new members, including Gray’s “widow” Kelly and the Black Terror, who has appeared in other Reese stories.
In the later stories, all of which are wonderfully written and action-packed, we see Assistance Unlimited face numerous enemies, both old and new. We see the return of Princess Femi and Mr. Death, and the emergence of new foes, including Nemesis and the Librarian. These foes are, of course, handled nimbly by Assistance Unlimited, some to fight another day, others probably for the last time.
Eventually, Lazarus returns from the dead. He’s not quite the same, but is still a tower of strength and justice. Without spoiling his methods, I enjoyed the way Reese raised him from the dead and the character he chose to bring Gray back.
Barry Reese has penned another New Pulp classic. If you haven’t read his work yet, I wonder why not? If you have read everything he has written but Volume Six, go read it, now! He has already written Volume Seven; I hope to see it soon!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 and 2 by J.K. Rowling et al.

This was not as good as the original seven novels, but it was nice to return to the Wizarding World again.  I liked the plot, loved seeing Draco Malfoy in a different light, and loved seeing the next generation of wizards and witches in Rowling's universe.  Harry Potter stories are like pizza and sex: even when they bad, they are pretty good.  And this story was not even bad!

The Rook - Volume 5 by Barry Reese

Another great piece by Barry Reese.  I'm going to be honest, I didn't actually read "The Rook - Volume 5."  Instead, I read the stories that made up "The Rook - Volume 5" from "The Peregrine Omnibus, Volume Two."  I just can't stand referring to the Rook as the Peregrine.  Nonetheless, these were great stories.  Reese has a way of tying in multiple characters, many of whom are far-fetched and few of whom he created himself, into a well-woven, complex story brimming with action and adventure.  I enjoyed meeting the Claws of Rook (or Peregrine, whatever) and seeing them in action next to the Max Davies.  I loved how he teamed Hitler with Dracula.  I also enjoyed the Cthulhu plot line in "A Plague of Wicked Men."  I've thought for a long time that whatever Barry Reese writes turns into New Pulp gold, and this compilation was no exception.  I'm anxiously waiting for Reese's next work!

Noble Intentions: Season One by L.T. Ryan

This started off very slow, to the point that I almost stopped reading.  I am now glad I stuck with it.  L.T. Ryan markets this book like a television series and delivered.  Each "episode" was like a television show in prose.  There was action, character development, and a cliffhanger ending every episode.  I'm looking forward to reading Season Two.

Battle Mask (The Executioner, #3) by Don Pendleton

If you like action-adventure stories, then the Mack Bolan "Executioner" series is for you. This episode has Mack Bolan infiltrating the Mafia in a very deep cover, and working his usual Mafia-defeating magic in his usual action-packed way. More non-stop action than most readers can handle. Awesome story. Go get it!

Götterdämmerung by Barry Reese

	Another great work by Barry Reese! I loved seeing all his creations (and then some) in a single volume. I loved the action. I loved seeing the Lovecraftian angle to the plot. I loved his interesting use of time travel. The one thing I disliked was the character he killed off; I hope he rectifies that in a later story. Overall, though, this was another Reese masterpiece. Go read it!

The Specialists by Joel Jenkins and Derrick Ferguson

This was an excellent book, but I have to be honest, I had a hard time getting into this book.  It wasn't that the first two stories were bad, I just couldn't get in to them.  Then, towards the end of the second story, Dead Beat in the Gobi Desert, I caught a second wind, or the stories picked up, or something, and then I couldn't put the book down.  Derrick Ferguson has got to be one of the great writers of today, New Pulp or otherwise.  He simply knows how to write a story that grabs a hold of the reader and forces him to continue reading.  If Dillon isn't the best character in New Pulp today, I'm not sure who is.  Then, add Joel Jenkins' Sly Gantlet character to the mix and the action, adventure, and adrenaline levels are maxed out.  I just hope this is isn't the last we see of Sly Gantlet.  The Specialists is another New Pulp masterpiece that you shouldn't miss.