Blurb:
Hyperion was Rohan's hero. His idol. His mentor. Even his friend.
The shadow of that man has been Rohan's ward, his confidante, then his rival, and ultimately his enemy.
That Hyperion has caused the death of innocents. Has attempted to destroy the entire human race. Cares for nothing but his own revenge.
He's stronger than Rohan, tougher. And he's enhanced his abilities with esoteric chemicals that shouldn't exist.
The one time they fought, he beat Rohan handily.
Savagely.
Rohan thinks he can stop his nemesis. He thinks he has what it takes to win. Enough strength. Enough Power.
Enough love.
Is he crazy?
Or is he smarter than anybody realizes?
Who will prevail, and at what cost?
Review:
It’s no surprise that Hybrid Helix is one of my favourite series of all time. JCM Berne writes a compelling, fast-flowing, and action-packed superhero space opera with relatable themes and plenty of humour. I’m pleased to say that after nine books, the series is going stronger than ever! Mortality Gauntlet left me eager for the next instalment.
As illustrated by the cover, this book highlights an epic showdown between rival characters, something that has been building up for several books now. One of the many strengths of the series is the tight pacing that never seems to drag. Mystery and adventure abound in Mortality Gauntlet as we take trips to new and familiar locations and Rohan puts various plans into motion. It’s always interesting encountering the nearly indestructible kaiju creatures that inhabit Toth 3, or the various other creatures and beings that wield their own unique powers. One thing that I’ve always been particularly intrigued by is the Ringgate. The way time and space work there still throws me for a loop at times, but it’s cool nonetheless, as is the Wedge (terrifying dinosaur-like creatures with tentacles).
By now, it should be obvious that this is not your typical superhero story. Berne is fantastic at subverting expectations and incorporating themes and philosophy that haven’t been force-fed a hundred times over. That said, it will take a level of trust and maybe a wee bit of patience for things to pay off, but I believe it’s well worth it. And let’s not forget about the abundant humour provided by Rohan, as well as other characters who appear to be coming into their own as the story progresses. The series has its share of dark and violent moments, but most scenes are layered with enough quips and banter to satisfy a medieval jester. Assuming, of course, there is no language barrier. Would jesters be satisfied by that sort of thing? I’m sure you get my point.
In all, it’s clear that Berne is crafting a grand tale with a certain end in mind. New developments that were introduced this turn will be at the forefront of my thoughts as we dive into the next instalment, which, hopefully, will be released soon. If you haven’t already begun, I would urge SFF fans to read Hybrid Helix! It’s a binge-worthy series with arcs spanning several books, all contributing to an overarching narrative that should lead to a meticulously crafted ending. (Fingers crossed.)
