I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two men find themselves in a fight for survival in a post apocalyptic sci-fi adventure unlike any other in author Peter Bailey’s novel Kings of the World. Here’s the synopsis:
Matthew is just trying to hold the wreckage of his life together after his girlfriend left him for another woman. A chance to review a West End play seems like a lucky break, until it turns into an X-rated nightmare. The next day London tears itself apart, people make love in the streets and kill each other over a dirty sandwich. Overnight everything changes, the city is very quiet, people smile and nod, but what they smile and nod at is only visible to them. The only other normal person is Jeremy, sarcastic, intelligent and frequently wrong. Together they form an uneasy alliance that lasts until cone shaped aliens land and begin harvesting people like wheat. The last two survivors in London begin a desperate search for a way to stop the aliens before it’s their turn, unaware that millions of people have already killed themselves to give them the perfect weapon. Will Matthew and Jeremy realize the weapon they have been given before its too late?
The novel was fascinating. The stark difference between Matthew and Jeremy play out in both comedic and dramatic ways. The unique alien invasion scenario plays out in the streets of London as these two men must find a way to tolerate one another and work together to stop the madness before it’s too late.
An even paced novel, the story does a wonderful job of exploring the invasion scenario from beginning to end, analyzing the painstaking process these invaders go to and exploring the various motives behind an advanced civilization’s attack on our world. The characters however are what made this novel shine the brightest. While the setting of London was an inspired choice, the characters themselves gave the alien invasion scenario a more realistic and practical approach. Rather than seeing the military response or world leaders trying to lead desperate fights, we see two average men with serious emotional baggage and conflicting personalities force themselves to bond together in an effort to survive. The way they analyze the scenarios in this novel and the friction their relationship causes in their plans makes this a must read sci-fi novel.
A wonderful blend of Stephen King’s Cell meets Independence Day, Kings of the World by Peter Bailey is a phenomenal adventure into the alien invasion genre. Full of shocks, twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat, this modern day classic science fiction novel is a must read for any fan of the genre. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Kings of the World by Peter Bailey today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Peter Bailey was first inspired to write by a combination of Las Vegas and a dental abscess. Since then, he has spent his days fixing IT issues and his nights trying to express the darkness inside us all, using a strange amalgam of the writing styles of Terry Pratchett, Stephen King and Dave Barry.
https://www.facebook.com/peter.bailey.writer/
