The Gunny - The Saga Begins Review

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Jericho on April 28, 2016, 10:30:12 pm


The Gunny: The Saga Begins is an excellent piece of post-apocalyptic fiction. Gunny DeShane feels very true to life, in that while he anguishes over the loss of his family and his world, he finds the inner strength and conviction to try to help bring order to a world in chaos. His sense of honor and fair play allows him to even the most unlikely allies a chance, be they the former Rabbi turned mutant solider Jorge or the ex-slaver Jerome. This makes for a character I look forward to seeing more of.

The few issues I had with the book were mostly in the form of gaps in the backstory. The reader is basically dropped into the world much as the Gunny is, and while much is explained, some troubling gaps are left for the uninformed reader. Who are the Dark Man's real masters? Who are the RNC? Why is the president of the United States family home in Durango, Mexico? Did the US annex Mexico or is this alternate reality were the Mexican war ended with more than Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California taken by the US? A simple foreword, timeline, and a glossary would have been a help.
Other than that, and the fact I personally could have gone for more fighting against the slavers, and maybe an attack by hostile mutants other than the Leapers, just to get a feel for how Jorge's fellow mutants act, I found the book quite enjoyable and look forward to the The Gunny Saga: The Forge with anticipation.

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Thorgrimm on April 29, 2016, 01:32:36 pm


Thanks for the review bud.

Most of those gaps are intended. The reader is supposed to wonder about who this person is, and why so much effort was put into trying to keep him alive, or end his life. Along with trying to keep the world he woke up into as vague to the reader as it is to Kevin. So the Saga is as much of a voyage of discovery for the reader as it is for the Gunny.

Nearly all of the gaps you mentioned are explained in other books of the Saga.

1) The Darkman's real employers, are explained in future Books in the Saga.

2) The RNC is the Republic of Northern California.

3) His home is in Durango since that is where he lives and is his home state. The rest is explained in future novels of the Saga.

4) There is a timeline already created. Been one for years now.

Also, I assume that you are reading an old version of the story, since the last rewrite added in more stuff with the Mutants.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Jericho on April 30, 2016, 01:06:41 pm

Um, I bought the paperback off Amazon. Where's this re-write?

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Thorgrimm on May 01, 2016, 11:24:31 am

On my HDD, and you have to be a Beta Reader to read it...


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Jericho on May 01, 2016, 12:56:14 pm

Well, that's not fair, Jerk

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Thorgrimm on May 01, 2016, 02:38:08 pm

Lol! Yes, yes I am!!!!

In point of fact, book 2 has been updated, and book 3 is nearly finished, to complete the fist trilogy.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Haegan 2005 on May 06, 2016, 12:15:42 pm


unless this is released as a paperback you could actually release them as a collected omnipedia. Basically 700+ pages for a fair price.

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Thorgrimm on May 07, 2016, 08:15:00 am

Not sure what you mean by Omnipedia...


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Carib on May 07, 2016, 11:17:57 am


I understand you talking about the need for backstory. Right now me and Thorgrimm and Hagen have been fleshing out that world... And as some said, it will be pretty, pretty large when it comes to history. If anything, we would probably have to release a History of the World of the Gunny companion guide or something similar.

Also think of the Dark Tower. You didn't get the whole story till you read more. So be patient. It will come.

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Haegan 2005 on May 07, 2016, 02:55:23 pm


it means a collected works. like books 1 to 4, 5 to 8 and so on.

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Thorgrimm on May 07, 2016, 06:44:21 pm


@ Haegan, thanks for the explanation. Volume One is planned, if the Leatherneck Magazine accepts, is going to be published in that magazine in serial format. I am going to donate it to that magazine to publish, for free. Also, Volume One is going to be made free from Gunny Pubs.

Yep, Carib has been with me from nearly the beginning of the Gunnyverse. In point of fact, one of the main bad guys in the future volumes was one of his characters he generously allowed me to use! Also, a lot of the ideas for the Gunnyverse were suggested by him and Haegan. I owe both of them a great debt of gratitude.


Cheers, Thor