Without Bloodshed in Ask Matthew Graybosch Almost Anything

Nov 15, 2013 Dave Higgins rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

Graybosch has skilfully merged aspects of rock music, science-fiction, and ancient conspiracies, from both the West and the East, producing a novel which will be enjoyed by both lovers of classic techno-thrillers and animé fans.

After the partial collapse of society, the Phoenix Society arose to hold the new governments of the world to a code of morals. Morgan Stormrider has served the Society loyally for over a decade, dealing out a clean death to any who raise arms against the Society’s operati Graybosch has skilfully merged aspects of rock music, science-fiction, and ancient conspiracies, from both the West and the East, producing a novel which will be enjoyed by both lovers of classic techno-thrillers and animé fans.

After the partial collapse of society, the Phoenix Society arose to hold the new governments of the world to a code of morals. Morgan Stormrider has served the Society loyally for over a decade, dealing out a clean death to any who raise arms against the Society’s operatives. Tired of moving from place to place, seeing the worst of humanity, he wishes to retire. But first he must complete one last mission: bring in a newly-established dictator in alive, proving he is more than an assassin paid by a brutal cabal to suppress dissent. But when he is framed for his ex-girlfriend’s murder, he is forced to question whether the accusations are true.

Graybosch has created a distinctive world which combines the luxuries of a post-capitalist society with hints of the wreckage of social collapse beneath. The history, both recorded and secret, is carefully embedded, creating a balance between leaving the reader struggling to understand the world and wondering why characters have suddenly broken into detailed exposition of famous events.

The unfolding of conspiracies within conspiracies is similarly handled, giving the reader a sense that events that are not immediately clear are a plausible reaction to secret plots that will be revealed later.

Morgan Stormrider is a well-rounded character, possessing both a complex personality and a life outside of the Phoenix Society; he still believes that killing is a legitimate part of a just society, but now longs for a stable relationship with the woman he loves. This makes his struggle to clear his name a complex tale of personal growth, rather than a simple rehashing of a gunslinger’s Road to Damascus.

The other characters also lead rich lives outside of both Morgan’s quest and the subsidiary plots, creating a real sense events are part of a greater whole.

However, it is this rich other life which also potentially creates the greatest obstacle to some readers: while they might be unsurprising in animé, international police assassins who are also rock-stars are not a common trope in Western science-fiction. However, the dual roles exist within a framework of mature dichotomy rather than the shallow farce of children’s morning television, so a reader who gave up at that point would be doing both themselves and the book a disservice.

Although the novel is strong enough to invite rereading on the plot and characterisation alone, Graybosch has seeded occasional nods to progressive rock and other classics of music and literature. Some will leap out at readers familiar with his influences, others hide behind engaging plot, and some might be coincidence, opening the possibility of subsequent readings merging the hunting of the Easter Bunny with that of the Snark.

Overall I enjoyed this greatly. I recommend it to readers who do not despise the fusion of cultures and styles.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for a fair review. ...more

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Dec 24, 2013 Matthew Cox rated it really liked it

Without Bloodshed is an engrossing tale of intrigue, honor, loyalty, and love set in an Earth different from our own only in the existence of powerful enigmatic immortals. These beings influence events among mortals beyond the awareness of humanity, an aeons-old war against ancient ‘gods.’ The political events and satirical take on human nature could very well happen in reality in not-so-many years.

Known for being the deadly hand of the untouchable Phoenix Society, Morgan Stormrider has a reputa ...more

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Jan 16, 2014 Lynda rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

The first of a series, Graybosch's Without Bloodshed introduces a cast of super-powered enforcers licensed to kill by what emerges as a snakepit of upper ups emeshed in a latticework of intrigues. The protagonist, Morgan Stormrider, is a hunky killing machine with a homey domestic side. Cat lovers will enjoy both the actual feline pets and the cat-DNA aspect of Stormrider and fellow adversary Naomi. While it is a little hard to keep up with all the baddies blotting in the background, the friends ...more

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Jan 20, 2014 Nikki Tetreault rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cqbooks

I LOVED this novel. The only complaint I can muster is that it isn't also a TV show (perhaps an anime?), because the read and watch value would be amazing. If you like things like samuri swords, futuristic genetic development, or sassy yet tech-savvy female, this is just the beginning of a love affair with Graybosch. In a word, described by the author himself, it's totally "metal". ...more

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Aug 03, 2014 Chloe ♥︎ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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Apr 19, 2014 Gail marked it as to-read

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