massimo marino
Review of ‘The Law’
Tancredi Gilmor is a Scholar, one of the lawgivers of the Tribunal of Ahthaza, the home planet of the Kritas, a race subjugated by humans. When the rules governing the Kritas are tightened and oppression increases, Tancredi finds himself conflicted, as an official he should enforce the rules, but as a human, he has compassion for the oppressed. His conflicted behavior comes to the attention of Mekte, a Krita who is part of the resistance to the humans. When his compassion lands him in trouble with his own bosses, Tancredi finds himself thrust into Mekte’s world.
While the resistance appears to be overwhelmed by the might of the marines sent against them, Tancredi’s presence in their midst changes the equation, drastically.
The Law by Massimo Marino is an epic tale that narrates events that take place in the galactic order that emerged from the author’s Daimones trilogy. Humans and Kritas, while not physically different, are culturally and psychologically as alike as water and fire. The author shows these differences, and the difficulty Tancredi and Mekte face to overcome them, exceptionally well. A cast of amazing characters involved in galaxy-changing events are shown as distinct, uniquely-motivated individuals. Marino’s world building is first rate.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I give this book four stars.
Review of ‘Till Death Do Us Part’
When Jim Preston married his wife, Kinley, it was the best day of his life, but then, Kinley became terminally ill. Till Death Do Us Part is a short book (too short even to be called a novelette) by Massimo Marino that will leave you in tears. In a few words, Marino gives us a profound look at love and devotion. It’s a short book, so I won’t write a review that’s longer than the work being reviewed, I’ll just say – READ IT!
I give it four stars.
Review of “Once Human” by Massimo Marino
Massino Marino’s Once Human: Vol. 2 of the Daimones Trilogy continues the saga of Dan Amenta and his family after the arrival of the Moirai on earth has triggered the culling of the human race and the resurrection of humanity. Dan has been ‘selected’ by the Moirai and given special powers. New communities of the ‘selected’ have cropped up, the largest being that led by Dan. Humanity seems on its way to a new beginning, until raids by the ‘spared,’ humans not selected for transformation, signal the presence of a third entity, the Kritas, a race at war with the Moirai.
Dan, with his Moirai allies must deal with the incursions, a task complicated by the possibility of traitors within the Moirai ranks, and doubts about the real intentions of the Moirai.
Marino, in this second volume, has found his stride. The suspense that began to build in the first book rises to heights that will make your blood race. At the same time, he explores what it really means to be human, even when given superhuman capabilities.
One has to wonder whether Marino will be able to maintain the same level of wonder in the final book of the trilogy – but, I predict that he will not only maintain, but surpass.
Once Human is easily four stars, and for all the right reasons.
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Review of “Daimones” by Massimo Marino
Strange and unexplained deaths of several species of animals go unnoticed on an earth beset with the misery that mankind visits upon himself. Dan, an employee of a high-tech firm in Switzerland, like others around him, fails to notice what is happening until he is fired from the firm in a power play.
Curious, and now with idle time to use in other pursuits, Dan begins to investigate the strange occurrences. His research is interrupted, however, when, while taking his daughter Annah to school, he observes multiple fatal accidents. Dan then discovers that people all around him are dead or dying. Can the world be coming to an end – or just the world as he knows it?
Daimones, is an interesting first novel by Massimo Marino, a scientist who writes about technology and science with authority, and who also has woven a tale that will captivate fans of apocalyptic literature. The only real weakness in this tale, for me, is Dan’s ability to make contact via Internet and Facebook, while unable to contact the local police. That some people survive what appears to be a culling of earth’s species makes perfect sense, but that technology and energy-dependent platforms would continue to work needs more explanation. There are also a few places where the language comes across as a less than perfect translation into English from some other language.
These are, however, only minor imperfections – that are easily fixed – in a gripping narrative that I highly recommend. Marino, whether or not it was his intention, has effectively captured the hubris and folly of humanity.
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