Endless Shadow by John Brunner

The byline reads 'space bridge to disaster' - what it should read is 'space bridge to boredom'. Harsh, very harsh, I know. My mother told me if you don't have nice things to say then don't anything at all. I didn't listen to her. Endless Shadow, unfortunately has nothing going for it aside from a great cover. The print that populates the now 61yr old foxed pages does little justice to the pulp it is etched upon.

The early chapters are a kaleidoscope of chaos, pushing and pulling the plot in different off-worldly directions; from serpentine worshiping cults, to political posturing, to human traffic control aboard an intergalactic spacebridge, it's hard to know which thread to focus on.

The Space Bridge (akin to Thor's Bifrost) is the road which spawns many forks and is the place-setting which eventually spawns the braided narrative. 

Jorgen Thorkild, sci-fi homage to Thomas' fat controller (pre-dating Thomas of course so homage isn't the right word, perhaps inspiration?) is an angst ridden government man who takes his job so seriously he ends up committed to a mental institution following a meeting with political dignitaries from seemingly dangerous worlds. It's through this lens that  Endless Shadow starts to progress the plot with the Bridge core to proceedings.

Politics are plentiful, revolving around worlds signing up as a highway destination or risk rather harsh consequences; in the case planet Azrael, the destruction of the whole planet...there is rationale to support this overly dramatic interplay but it still reads as nonsensical escalation for the sake of nonsensical escalation. 

Endless Shadow is the weaker of the two stories in this Ace Double feature, I suggest prospective readers enjoy the cover art before flipping the book upside down and turning it over to read The Arsenal of Miracles by Gardner F. Fox. 

The Arsenal of Miracles by Gardner F. Fox

"It was Bran, the Wonderer, who found death. Literally, death; the reason men must die." 

The opening line to The Arsenal of Miracles lays the foundation for what should be a dark sci-fi adventure featuring a lone wolf protagonist with knowledge unparalleled; the power to understand what creates and what ends mankind. The interpreted promise is just that, a reader's assumption based on minimal print which inevitably leads to disappointment. 

Published in 1964, packaged with Endless Shadow by John Brunner, this one-half of the Ace Double feature provides a teaser of space adventure; a story one-step down from sci-fi. The plot reads routine, only dabbling in mystery as an afterthought. 

The action-hero mantle protagonist Bran is presented from the opening pages gives credence to the plight and fight for his peoples and that of other-world dwellers - kinfolk of sorts to humanoid earthlings, as he rights the wrongs done to him and others at the hands of space-conquering connivers. Peganna, the female side kick of silver hair and customary sleek figure - arm candy in stella princess form, adds to the typecast tale. 

The 'arsenal', the miracle cache of weapons, holds true to the title. From the outset, there's no doubt said arsenal exists and will be found by the teleporting space travelling duo in due course. The only uncertainty is what evil awaits to thwart our hero and heroine's sojourn and use of weaponry once obtained. The thwarting, unfortunately, is a dull ride aboard a slow moving spacecraft. 

On a positive note, Author Gardner F. Fox smartly infuses the ageing process into the narrative which triggers a deeper thinking of evolution and enhancements modern medicine has made in real-life to prolong lifespan; a highlight of the novel, which, reading 60-plus years post publication (and later I'm sure) gives a dosage of reality appreciated by the reader. 

The Arsenal of Miracles is a take-it or leave-it story for me; quick to consume, easy to digest, and enjoyable enough to keep chewing after that first bite. 

Blood Sugar by Daniel Kraus

Obligatory read pre, during, and post Halloween. Blood Sugar, the heartfelt (yep, there's more to this chocolate than what's on the wrapper) tale of loss, found, family and cleaning products concealed in candy is pitchfork perfect for the spooky season finale. 

Jody, a teen with rock hard abs and little to no future prospects has found family in the down-on-his-luck Robbie, a former high school running back, Midge, Jody's foster sister (who, whilst small in stature leaves a lasting and large impression), and Dag, a talented teen from a good home with a bad sister. Together they've forged a bond most true bloods would want to emulate.

A day in the life of this self-made family, as perceived through the crusty pink-eyes of faithful little narrator Jody makes Blood Sugar as unique and powerful as it is. The trick-or-treat setting providing the perfect catalyst for chaos.   

Joining in on the morning of Halloween, the reader is thrust into a mouse ridden keep, complete with hoarded trash piling up in hallways, busted walls, strange spills on many a surface, and is bared witness to an exchange which is petrifying in its plausibility; the plan, to poison candy for the neighborhood children. Robbie, the type cast misanthrope. 

A this human horror plays out, the character's shine in their own right, even Robbie. Author Daniel Kraus makes each of his creations hateable and relatable, yet remarkable likable, though for Robbie, the likable part is as short lived as his running back career. 

Needless to say, Blood Sugar is a story which sticks like flypaper on skin. The omnipresent threat of something so sinister looms large over each chapter. Each scene Jody relays to the reader inches closer to a curtain close with one certainty; this will not end well. 

Goodbye Jody, see you next Halloween.