Death's Head

March 12, 2007
First-time novelist Gunn, a Brit who's served his country by undertaking mysterious military or espionage "assignments," delivers a hilarious far-future shoot-'em-up featuring a flawless antihero. As Sven Tveskoeg survives one certain death after another, he reveals himself to be a supernaturally quick healer, able to communicate telepathically with aliens, honorable and compassionate in the face of terrible consequences and equally capable of masterminding a prison planet rebellion, the invasion of a city and the assassination of cyborg generals. Fortunately for Gunn (and Sven), readers are much more likely to cackle with glee than to point and snicker. Some may accuse Gunn of autobiographical wish-fulfillment that would make a fan-fic author blush, and Sven's adventures read almost like a novelization of a movie or video game. Those looking for hard-bitten military SF will be disappointed. Those who love schlock that stops just short of parody will be delighted.

May 15, 2007
Ever wonder what kind of havoc a raging mutant mercenary with a chip on his shoulder and a sentient pistol at his side can accomplish? Gunn's protagonist, Sven Tveskoeg, is a killer without a conscience, honorable yet ruthless, decadent yet noblean ultra-aggressive hybrid of a warrior and a certain cinematic mercenary made famous by the current governor of California. In a constant struggle for survival, Tveskoeg finds himself adapting, organizing, and conquering each and every situation and environment in which he is thrust. The militaristic sf setting will appeal to readers on the surface, but many of the supporting characters are one-dimensional caricatures. The fast-paced story sometimes feels like an adrenaline rushwe feel invincible for a few moments, but afterwards we are left questioning the reasons for our behavior. This first novel, a hodgepodge of sf movie scripts rolled into a proverbial mystery-meat burrito, is an optional purchase for larger sf collections.David Wang, Queens Coll., Flushing, NY

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