Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger + Giveaway

Here’s another “holy s%#t!” book from eden Hudson. It’s a fun sci-fi adventure at one level; but, at a deeper level, it’s a fascinating look into the mind of a sociopath.  Plus, Hudson has a way of writing endings that just slap you in the face!

FTC Notice: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. This is no way impacts my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Title: Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger
Author: eden Hudson
Series: Jubal Van Zandt, Episode 01
Publish Date: October 14, 2016, Shadow Alley Press
Genre: Urban fantasy, cyberpunk, sci-fi adventure
Cover: Lou Harper
Source: Provided by the publisher

Publisher’s Description: Narcissist, sociopath, and shameless backstabber Jubal Van Zandt is the best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth…and he won’t shut up about it.

But not everybody in the swampy, soggy, feudal future approves of Jubal’s vocation. The Guild—the religious fanatics who helped rebuild civilization after the collapse—in particular are waiting for their opportunity to slip the noose around his neck.

Which is why when the renowned Guild knight Carina Xiao—a.k.a. the Bloodslinger—contacts Jubal about an off-the-books job that violates Guild Law, he’s too intrigued to say no. He is the best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth, after all.

Part bizarro ecopunk, part outworld thriller, part odd-couple roadtrip, Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger is a 150% futurepunk quest for blood and betrayal across the Revived Earth.

Possible spoilers beyond this point.

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Invested Ivana says…

Though billed as urban fantasy, I’d label this book sci-fi adventure. It’s not hard sci-fi, but it is set in the future and the protagonists have some cool techy gadgets. Aside from that, it’s an interesting road-trip, assassin/thief, buddy adventure.

Kind of. An assassin/thief buddy adventure where one “buddy” is a narcissistic, sociopathic, jerkwad. And he’s the first-person narrator, so you get a good look at what is going on inside his head (hint: he doesn’t think he’s a jerkwad). Which makes for a very interesting perspective.

Much of the book seems like a comedy, with the wise-cracking, uncouth way Jubal Van Zandt, the protagonist, thinks and speaks. But there are hints at the dark layers that have yet to be fully explored. For example, as a reader, you get glimpses of Van Zandt’s very-messed-up childhood that help explain, at least a little, why he’s a sociopath. But as Van Zandt isn’t thinking about them deeply, the first-person narrative only touches on them. It’s up to the reader to make some assumptions beyond what the narrator is sharing to decide if he’s a reliable narrator or not.

So, then, this funny, futuristic, adventure story is also an exercise in divorcing the perspective of the narrator from reality AND a somewhat eye-opening look into the mind of a narcissist and sociopath. If you’ve ever wondered if that selfish co-worker or boss really thinks that highly of him-or herself, Jubal Van Zandt might give you a clue.

If you like this book…

…you might try Hudson’s other series, Redneck Apocalypse. This series won the One Book Two Standout Award for 2015. You can get it in a boxed set, or you can get the series individually. Check out our reviews of the series.

Tour Giveaway…

The author and publisher are giving away TEN (10) copies of Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger during this tour.  Visit the Rafflecopter giveaway page ASAP to enter to win!

About the Author…

I am invincible. I am a mutant. I have 3 hearts and was born with no eyes. I had eyes implanted later. I didn’t have hands, either, just stumps. When my eyes were implanted they asked if I would like hands as well and I said, “Yes, I’ll take those,” and pointed with my stump. But sometimes I’m a hellbender peeking out from under a rock. When it rains, I live in a music box.

But I’m also a tattoo-addict, coffee-junkie, drummer, and aspiring skateboarder. Jesus actually is my homeboy.

Blog: http://whitetrashcappuccino.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8023393.eden_Hudson

FTC Notice: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. This is no way impacts my opinion of the book or the content of my review.