My Thoughts:
As the end of the year draws closer, I find myself reading more and more books off of my TBR, which I am very proud of. I feel like the more of my TBR I read by the end of the year, the more I will be able to experience new books in 2019. Last year, I read Michael R. Underwood's Geekomancy series and loved it. This year, I got his Genrenauts series, and recently had the chance to read the first book. I really enjoyed it.

One of the things that I loved about the first book in the series, The Shootout Solution, was that it was so unique. I know this might sound cliche, but I don't think I've ever read anything like it before. The author not only had to do some world building, but he also had to do some more world building within that world. It was almost like there were two settings because of the unique way the premise is presented. He pulled it off very well. He also created a great cast of characters. I found myself caring for them almost instantly, and being concerned for what was going to happen to them. Not only was I emotionally involved in the main character, Leah, but I really liked the side characters as well. That can be hard for a writer to do at times, but Michael R. Underwood nailed it.

I did have a couple of problems with The Shootout Solution. The western world was a bit too over the top and cliche at times. It made sense for the plot, but it still made me want to roll my eyes at times when I was reading. My other problem was that the book was boring at times. Don't get me wrong, like I said, the premise is one of the most interesting things I've heard of in a long time. However, there were certain parts, especially in the middle, where I found myself losing concentrating, and daydreaming while I was reading. I had to reread a couple paragraphs several times because I just couldn't focus on what was going on.

I found The Shootout Solution to be an enjoyable first book in what I'm sure will become a fantastic series. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately downloaded the second one. I had to know right away what other worlds the Generenauts were going to go to, and what other adventures they were going to get into. I foresee myself binge reading the rest of this series back to back if the other books are as good as The Shootout Solution.

I give The Shootout Solution: 3.5/5.

Sly Fun

This is the first Genrenaut "episode". There are now four more. The fifth and currently latest one, the High Fantasy title "Failed Fellowship", is a two parter. All of the books are great fun, but you should probably start with this one, a Western, because it sets up the characters and the premise. And what a premise it is - in the author's words: "... a team of story specialists travels to worlds based on Westerns, Science Fiction, Romance, and other genres. Their mission is to find and fix broken stories." In each book we visit a different story world, so we have both an overarching storyline that pulls everything together, and book by book storylines that relate to a particular genre. The opportunity for sly, witty fun are endless, and our author takes full advantage.

Because the series is set up as a bookish version of a "Quantum Leap" style TV show the emphasis is on the action and plot of each episode, not necessarily on deep character development. That said, though, we get more than stick figure characters, and Underwood fits in a lot more depth and character interest than you might suspect. The upshot is that you get clever writing, snappy dialogue, deadpan observations about different genres, some action and adventure, and continuing character storylines. For an episodic serial that's a wonderful and entertaining package.

For what it's worth I finally remembered that Underwood is also the author of the Ree Reyes urban fantasies. There, characters practice "Geekomancy", which is magic powered by geek culture artifacts. The series plays with Sc-fi, Fantasy and Geek Gamer genres. I mention this only to further confirm Underwood's bona fides as a seriously creative genre bender, and as a writer with deep affection for his craft.

Anyway, bottom line, you can insert a "meta" joke here, (I never meta book by Underwood that wasn't entertaining), but the truth is that these are both fun and good for you. A nice find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)