GGGL Book Club: Hellgate London "Exodus" Book 1

So, a few days ago I acquired the first book of the Hellgate London Trilogy, "Exodus," written by Mel Odom and published by Simon and Schuster. Battling a tad of insomnia caused by evil kittens stepping on my neck when I tried to sleep, I finally got a chance to sit down and finish the book off. (I read fast.)

**SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW**

To start, I've read a couple of Odom's books before and I'm not particularly enanamoured by his writing style--I have standards unfortunately, but that's just me. The similes used, one in particular that made me and my man laff had something to do with a thought hitting the main character, "like a palladium spike." ...Right. We get it. It hit him hard. But it so fails literally. I guess what I'm trying to say is that while Exodus' writing is passable and not as painful as say the writing in the Sweet Valley High Series, it's certainly not beautiful to read like Bradbury's (now that man writes well goddammit) or engaging like Gaiman's works. For writing alone, I couldn't recommend it.

However, as someone looking forward to playing the Hellgate London MMOFPS, the book is filled with a lot of back story regarding the Templar organization and the Cabalists as well circa 2020. A number of the weapons such as the Grenadier, the Constrictor, or the spike Bolter are introduced, and we learn of the NanoDyne and arcane magics woven into the Templar's armours that give them their special protective goodness. So in that regard, it's a worthwhile read, although if someone simply put up the info on a website sans the story, I'd be happy enough. Additionally, a lot of the demons are showcased from Gremlins to Blood Angels and some background given on their intelligence, abilities and characteristics (which means I'll know how to kill 'em better when the game comes out.)

Now, onto the main characters:

Simon Cross--the knight in shining armour. Literally. Tall, broad shouldered, blonde and carries a big stick. Raised as a Templar to fight demons, but left the organization when he didn't get to fight any. Boo hoo. Ends up in South Africa doing his own thing for two years until demons come through the Hellgates and start to destroy/terraform London. His father Thomas Cross fell on All Hallow's Eve.

Warren Schimmer--the cabalist/demon marked anti-hero. His powers manifested in youth when he managed to persuade his stepfather to kill himself (but only after his stepfather killed his mom and had turned the gun on him.) Warren is a "creepy," dude who discovers he has the ability of persuasion and more. Eventually, the demon Merihim, the Bringer of Pestilence, takes interest in him and lends him even more powers/protection in exchange for a few favours.

For me, Simon's character is a bit too angsty, boo hoo, you're strong, you're handsome, you even get the lame ass one guy clapping to making everyone clap with a rousing speech deal. (No seriously, I wouldn't make that shit up.) All the girls around Simon are hot bitches and ZOMGZ, they all seem to have some history with him. Blah blah. Bland ass. On the other hand, Warren's read is a bit more entertaining as it involves stupid cabalists who get in over their head and pay the ultimate price...SUCKAHHHHHs. Anyhoo, Warren is burned, thrown out a window, hit by a baseball bat, grows scales, gets his hand chopped off (YOU'RE NOT MY FATHERRRRRRRRRR), grows a demon's hand and rides on Blood Angels. I think we see who wins this battle. I actually enjoyed reading about him since he's fucked up.

So, all in all, I say, read it for the Hellgate background story to get you psyched up for the upcoming game. That's what I did. However, I will be buying the next two books to complete the series for informational purposes only. But for a really good original science fiction book, I'd say try elsewhere.