2 Aug 2016

THE KRAKOW KLUB {MYLEAN UNIVERSE CHRONICLES #2}.

THE KRAKOW KLUB by PHILIP C ELROD.

BACK COVER BLURB: The story of one man's attempt to live a normal life, even though he is not normal ... 

The United States government is under siege. A secretive cabal of super rich elitists, The Krakow Klub, has initiated the final phase of its long range plan to take over the USA from within. They have achieved control of the Presidency and the military. Their puppet in the White House has declared martial law. The Congress, The Supreme Court and many other political leaders not under their control are slated for elimination.

Only one man has the power to stop The Krakow Klub. His name is John F. Scott and he appears to be an ordinary human being. But he is part alien. His power is based on alien technology. Can he be trusted to stop the takeover and return power to a lawful government afterwards? Can he control his power once he unleashes it? Can he control himself during the process? Will he take the risk? If so, at what price?

FIRST SENTENCE {Prologue: In a remote castle, north of Krakow, Poland}: It was early December 1991.

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 425}: Maxxine bit her electronic lip and chose not to respond.

SOURCE: An unsolicited copy received for review from whom I do not know.

MY THOUGHTS: What can be best described as a science-fiction conspiracy novel with chilling political overtones (like all good sci-fi The Krakow Klub doesn't fall short when it comes to social commentary on humanity). All about what could happen should limitless technological resources, wealth and an addiction for power combine ... and not necessarily for the good. 

If there is one thing I will take away from this book it isn't so much the plot nor, as good as it was, the world building BUT the  wonderfully memorable characters. And then not so much the human characters as the secondary non-human characters. Characters such as Maxxine, a computer laughably guilty of committing the occasional linguistic faux pas. 

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable read, I'd like to thank whoever sent it.


12 comments:

Literary Feline said...

I think the U.S. could use a few aliens or part aliens like John F. Scott to help right now . . . Haha

This sounds like a fun read, Tracy.

Kelly said...

When I first began reading the book blurb I was thinking it might be one I'd prefer in film form rather than a book. Or maybe not at all... until I got to that line "But he is part alien". That grabbed me! The rest of your review clinched it and I think I'll have to track this down. I bet both my husband and I would enjoy it.

Kelly said...

I see now that you did list this as the second in a series. Did you read the first? I'm assuming from your review this one easily reads as a stand-alone. I just wonder if starting with the first would give greater insight on the aliens.

brandileigh2003 said...

Good to hear that the characters were memorable even if plot and world building not its strong point

Melliane said...

At least you had some good characters! I didn't know about this one

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I love good characters. Will make or break a book for me. I also love that you said: "a science-fiction conspiracy novel with chilling political overtones" Oh I'm curious!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Thanks for sharing. I don't think this is the right book for me, but I do love stories that have great and well-done characters!

Brian Joseph said...

I had the same thought as Literary Feline, that we in The United States could use some help of this sort right now.

With that I think that a book such as this risks falling into silly and implausible territory. Based on your commentary it sounds like the author avoided that.

Barbara said...

I smiled when you said you don’t know where this came from. It does rather add to the excitement – could it have been sent by an Alien or a very clever marketing person? I actually expected to see a comment from someone claiming they sent it – but none so far, how mysterious!
It does sound good though, and I’ve added it to my list. Thanks for another excellent review Tracy.

Sherry Ellis said...

Glad to hear that the characters made this book a memorable and enjoyable read.

Gina said...

Hmm...I think is the cover of this one that interests me more than the actual story. Thanks for the share!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

As always, many thanks for all of your comments.

I haven't read the first book in the series Kelly and whist this second instalment worked perfectly well as a standalone novel I did find myself wondering about certain small things.