Henchmen Omnibus: Books 1-3

De: Carl Stubblefield

Narrado por: Travis Baldree

The first three books in the Henchmen series.

A deserted island. An impregnable fortress. Step up or be stepped on.

Gus is a Henchman separated from his friends at his new job, a henchman on an orbiting space base. He's happy with the gig and has no real delusions of grandeur. Well...small delusions, but he’s seen all too often what happens to minions who get too uppity around their supervillain bosses.

His father had pulled a few strings and landed him a henchman position in hopes he could make something of himself. Before he's barely gotten used to the job, Gus narrowly escapes the base's destruction and is chucked at the planet below. The only reason he survived the fall was a damaged escape pod and the activation of his own latent powers. Marooned on a deserted island and yet somehow being hunted, Gus needs to step up and become the master of his own story.

Gus is a henchman, some would now say a villain, so there’s no chance of a hero coming to his rescue.

©2023 Carl Stubblefield (P)2023 Mountaindale Press

Not Terrible for an Omnibus

I was on a Travis Baldree kick and picked this up on sale.
I was on board for the first two books, but the third just takes a nosedive, like, I've just stopped after listening for hours of painful, muddled development. Maybe I can get a credit back, not sure, but I will try.
The first of the books is the best. MC origin story, new System set-up, fun "superhero" setting. Decent development, likable MC.
The series could have simply stopped after the first book. It becomes overwrought in the second book, as the MC starts to be developed into an indecisive, uninspiring character with a few bits of the story just being abandoned/unresolved. Not terrible, but not great, I did grow to dislike the MC. Some of the cultural references have grown dated and unfunny after a few years.
The third book is just a mess. I've listened to sections over and over again and have no idea where the story is going. Lots of new characters introduced (confusing to follow, esp. after the comparatively slower introduction of characters in the first two books), a new setting, the MC just sounds increasingly like a whiny child who hasn't grown/matured/progressed from all of the development in the previous two books. It's almost like there is a different author for the third book, who read an elementary-school level book report of the first two books and had to write the third based on that limited, simple information.
If you can pick this up for very cheap, the first book is a decent origin story/first story in a quasi-fantasy Litrpg series, it is worth that much, and Baldree is a great performer. There are, however, diminishing returns with the successive entries into this series.

MC is a hot mess

This story starts off slow but strong. Typical "MC is in a bad situation but turns it into an opportunity for growth" storyline. The characters introduced later in the other books are fun to get to know and have very human issues. The MC really needs a therapist, though. Every time he seems to have a mental breakthrough, he has two mental breakdowns and charges even further down a self-destructive path. It can be extremely frustrating to see his thought process being nice and self reflective, only to watch him jump to the worst conclusion he can for himself and others.

A superhero with a kickass playlist

Carl Stubblefield has brough a fun and engaging series to life in Henchmen. Lair was a fun introduction to this new world and his approach to the LitRPG genre. I really liked the throwbacks to 80-90’s, and the incorporation of music was a fun and creative approach that I really enjoyed and appreciated. New ideas and an approach to LitRPG that really lets this series stand on its own. A fun read that I think everyone can enjoy.

The ending ruined this story..

The story is entertaining, not great, not terrible, but worth listening to if you cant find anything else from your favorite authors. My problem with it is, its like the author ran out of steam at some point, and thought we, the listeners, would be in suspense forever, wondering what would happen in the "final" chase of the "bad guy".. Problem is, if you keep on trying to build up suspension over and over again, and whatever happens is just the same result (nothing) - The listener will end up wishing the MC would just pick up a gun and shoot his own head off, so the story could finally end.. You simply don't care after hours of waiting.. "Do they get him now?, No.. Then this time... Nope.. But surely he must be caught now.! No.. Hmm how about now then..? Nope.. Ooon and on and on and on and on and.. you get the idea..

went from funny to so sad

ya not worth it, could of been one for all as a goofy superhero. but got so drama focused it sucked the mood right out of the story could not finish it. I picked it up for the name and had my favorite voice actor

One of the most unique super hero story ARC's ever

Book 1 Lair

This is a book about supers and way, way different from what I ever expected. Instead of a team fighting bad guys to save the world. It’s about one of the normals, just a guy, Gus. Due to circumstances and a little Scifi flim-flam and nanites he gains his powers, but if he doesn't power-up fast he'll lose it all, along with his life.
So yeah grab the book to see what I mean. Oh and there's plenty of pop-cultural references which are entertaining enough by themselves.

"That'll do pig" Gus mocked. Insulating bacon.

Bk2 Sidekick

This is still one of the most unique super hero stories that I've ever read.
In Sidekick a new group of supers are ready to take over Gus' domain, the island and his Lair, oops I mean manor. Whether Gus is ready or not. But unbeknownst by the faction they have a stowaway, Aurora. And she's out for blood! Their blood! Since the "enemy of my enemy" is her friend she joins up with Gus. Gus is still "speed" powering up. And he's trying to work out all the Demons in his closet.
And yes, seriously the book is still chuck full of pop-cultural references.
Grab this action-packed book to see if two people can take on a whole faction of supers.


Bk3 Unity

I still believe that this is one of the most unique super hero story ARC's I've ever read. This time Gus' father arrives with his loyal trustworthy companions calling themselves the crew they're on a quest to not only find, but if possible save his mother. A woman that Gus believed to be long dead. It also seems that Gus has more demons then he ever knew he had to work out. And as frustrating as Gus can be at times making some purdy dumb decisions I still come back for more... So even though I wanna just walk away, I don't. I come back wanting/hungering for the ending and wanting the the next book.
And again Carl Stubblefield has added plenty of pop-cultural references.... These references are entertaining enough just on there own, see if you get this one "Paul and Storm", I about busted my gut!
And Travis Baldree was there narrating Gus' story through thick and thin.

Here's a quote I found, that amused me.

"Dark and brooding it looked like Gotham and Bladerunner version of Los Angeles had an ugly baby."