For some reason, science fiction isn’t my first pick, but I always enjoy the ride when I go. I took such a ride with Theodore Lee a year or so back, and when I saw his name pop up again, I said yes, sir, let’s go again! And, boy, did he not let me down!
About the Book
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
A young man is abducted from his everyday life and thrust into a brave new world with an interdimensional bounty on his head.
On the fifteenth anniversary of his brother’s death, twenty-three-year-old Edwin Dorset spends his last day on Earth wondering if there’s anything more for him than the life he’s been given.
An artist who has toiled all his life for his craft, only to enter an age where human-derived works are nearly obsolete and artificial intelligence can create what he can in the span of a second.
But as the sun sets over the horizon, a tear in the sky rips open, and Edwin is quickly forced to reassess everything he knows about the universe and his place in it. Embarking on a visceral quest of discovery and self-expression, Edwin Dorset learns the true meaning of a bounty, as his space odyssey takes him to the very heart of creation itself.
My Thoughts
I really enjoy it when a book just confuses the heck out of me sometimes. But not those kinds of books that a pretentious professor or pretentious bookstore guy would recommend you pick up. Sure, I’ll read one of those every once in a while, and I might enjoy it. But no, I get a real thrill when the author takes you on a ride and you’re thinking to yourself, am I supposed to know who that is? Oh, darn, did I miss something? Shoot, is that a good guy or a bad guy? And, maybe this is singularly explaining my own experience. And maybe the kind of people that write this book are just a slightly different flavor of the professor and bookstore guy (if so, please don’t tell me even if you’re 100% certain, becuase I don’t want to be disavowed of this delusion – in the 2020s we need some fantasies and fictions to hold on to).
It wasn’t my intention, but I’ve accidentally written a paragraph in a somewhat similar stream of consciousness style reminiscent of the author. Not entirely similar, but it gives you an idea. I enjoy it at times – it really adds to the mystique and confusion of the experience. I realize the slight paradox there, but I know what I said.
The start of the story is a little grim, but it picks up pretty quickly, and our main character, Edwin, has quite a character arc. The book leaves itself open to a sequel, and I’d love to see one! I really enjoyed meeting the cast of supporting characters across the galaxy. The author’s world-building and twists were both great. I was immersed in this world he built, and in the end, was sad to leave it.
I’m so grateful to the author and LBT for including me in this tour, and can’t wait to see more from Mr. Lee! Thanks again, and happy writing!
Who’s It For?
If you love sci-fi that crosses into grand space operas and stretches the imagination, you’ll love this. If you love irreverent dark humor, you’ll also love this author’s work. It has a lot of content warnings, but if you can handle them, and you love a wild, sometimes confusing adventure, hop on!
Content Warnings: This book contains topics that may disturb some readers, including, but not limited to, Suicidal Ideation, Partner Abuse, Kidnapping, Human Trafficking/Devaluation, Religious Ideation, Violence, War, Poverty, Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Genocide, and Probably More.
About the Author
Writer, musician, and reclusive nomad: Theodore Lee enjoys his days reflecting on existence, morality, or what he will cook next (food or writing). He loves nature, science, and all the arts, and he would rather his actions speak for themselves than just with words. Unfortunately, because of his tyrannical ego, Mr. Lee has also sued me regarding having written his previous bio—not the one you have just read, what Mr. Lee has forced me to write. And because of my legal situation, I can now only recount a fictionalized recalling of his life and the character he possesses—of course, also because of my legal situation, I must state that all of this is an inexplicable fact, not at all because of my legal situation. Again, I state this because of my legal situation. Now, as for the character he possesses, I do not know because I have never met him. In fact, I have no idea who he is. Now please, stop asking me such ridiculous questions.
Links
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/3Ogy4zq
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/eX8E8mO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220058646-the-bounty
Author’s Website: https://www.theodoreleeauthor.com/
As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.