Mythic Hero

The Paladin Files

By: Jack J. Lee

Narrated by: Jack J. Lee

There are trials and tribulations that come from being a Paladin. Having aliens abduct and torture you is one of them, but every affliction comes with an opportunity. Aliens can travel through dimensions. I hijacked a saucer and escaped Earth to a dimension controlled by ancient Egyptian Gods. Finally, I am free of Jehovah. Finally, I can be my own man.

©2013 Jack J. Lee (P)2014 Jack J. Lee

Flawed, but fast and funny.

This is the second book in the Paladin Files. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to the next book in the series. The main character double-taps an ET in the first few minutes in the story and moves on from there winding up in an Egyptian Panetheon world. The book is action packed and fun.

That being said the book has a lot of weaknesses as well. The book goes over the top almost constantly on power-ups for the main character. The novel reads like a fantasy of a min-max role playing gamer. For those of you who don't play role playing games, that is a person who maximizes ever possibile flaw in the rules to make his/her character as strong as possible usually to ridiculous and story breaking extremes. For example, the main characeter splices his genes with those of various animals such as a bat, octopus, spitting cobra, coral snake and others. Heck, he even gives himself woverine claws for goodness sake and can eat his enemes to gain their power. Couldn't stop laughing as he describes drinking cerebral spinal fluid of his enemies. Couldn't make that up if I tried.

If you can't handle this type of development pass on this one. I loved it! I laughed constantly throughout the book. Although to be honest, the points where I laughed the most probably were not intended to be funny by the author. He always comes up with a loop hole to violate his own rules. It's just so over the top at points it is hillarious.

The cosmology and universe itself is very unique and fun. The overall story is interesting as well. The author still narrarates his own book (Why God, why?). He has improved a bit and doesn't talk like William Shatner as much or start every sentence with the name of the character being spoken to during conversations. He also added two female narrarators (his wife and child I guess). This makes for a major improvement as he doesn't have to do the female voices as much.

The book would stand alone ok, but you really need to read Mythic curse first to get the full effect. Also, note that this book is extermely violent and has one very graphic sex scene so this one really isn't for the kiddies.

I liked this one and will continue to follow it. It is a bit of an acquired taste though. it may not be your cup of tea. I did like this one better than the previous novel and if you like that one this one should be enjoyable for you as well.

An interesting follow-up..

What did you love best about Mythic Hero?

The full integration of Egyptian mythology into the Mythic Hero "universe". It sounds like Jack did his homework.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the whole concept of Gods and their champions protecting their realm. Vic Paladin is a real jerk, but he's a likable jerk. He comes off as very arrogant, but has the skills and abilities to support his claims of awesomeness.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narration was pretty monotonous with a few pronunciation issues here and there. I understand that this was self-narrated so Jack could reach a larger audience through Audible, but it left a lot to be desired. To be fair, the young girl voicing Dorothy (Jack's daughter I assume?) did a decent job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I'd come back to it every few days. The narration really did have a lot to do with it unfortunately.

Any additional comments?

I'm a fan of every one of Jack's books and am eagerly awaiting more of the Sustainable Earth series. While Mythic Hero may not have been quite as good as Hero's Curse, it's an entertaining entry in the series, and I look forward to the next one.