"Monster Hunter International" - Larry Correia

[p.falk]

Alittle change of pace from what I typically read.

My son goes to a Catholic grade/middle school. I do like the school, but the reading selections are almost exclusively from some marginalized group: it can never be a book about an important war that was fought by the US - but has to focus on the efforts of some little-known Indian tribe or the efforts of young Mexican gals. Or the book is about a girl overcoming a society that, in the author's fevered imagination, constantly says "no, girl, no".

So my 12 year old son comes home with little to no desire to read through some of these. I tell him, "sometimes we read for enjoyment, sometimes because we have to."

But I sympathize with him.

I had heard of Larry Correia years back when some drama was going down with the Hugo awards. His Monster Hunter book series has a both a decent amount of reviews as well as decent reviews.

The first in the series of 8 books, Monster Hunter International, is over 700 pages and my son finished it in a week.

He wanted the next in the series and I thought that I probably should know this book a bit more before I sign off on all 8.


It's not a bad read. There are some mature-boy topics (the lead character's attraction to a female monster hunter), but it's not done in any scandalous or lusty way. His affections towards her are expressed in ways as noble as anything I have read dealing with similar topics. No ogling, no lewd comments. Not being a lapdog either. But a good role model for healthy intrigue towards the opposite sex.

When it comes to battling monsters - there is much self-sacrifice for one's brother and sister in arms. And though these monster hunters have seen things that most wouldn't want to, they are not cynical. There might be one in the batch, but most do this job for a higher purpose.

Lots of obscure gun talk. Guns and techniques with guns that require a regular internet search for reference points.... gets a bit laborious.

The protagonist at times borders on the aura of the untouchable/unhurtable Steven Segal (which I loathe) ... but many times gets brought back down to earth in very humbling ways. Thankfully this happens, because early on it felt like he was going to be some completely unconquerable fellow which would have had me tossing the book aside.

[peregrinator]

I read the first one and thought it was fun. Not sure I'd read it again

[p.falk]

I read the first one and thought it was fun. Not sure I'd read it again

You and me both.

Enjoyable. But a one and done. I'm glad you made this comment, it's prompting another thread idea.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

The Hugos are garbage anymore.