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Title: Three
Series: Legends of the Duskwalker #1
Authors: Jay Posey
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 329
Words: 121K
| Synopsis: |
From the Publisher
The world has collapsed, and there are no more heroes.
But when a lone gunman reluctantly accepts the mantle of protector to a young boy and his dying mother against the forces that pursue them, a hero may yet arise.
| My Thoughts: |
When I read this back in ’14 I wasn’t even using half stars yet, officially anyway. I gave Three a “strong” 4 and waxed fulsome about it. So I went into this re-read with a bit of hesitation, as I am realizing that my first impressions that are outstandingly positive don’t always hold up that well.
Thankfully, this still got a 4star rating. However, it wasn’t a “strong” 4 like last time. With this re-read it was more evident to me that this was Posey’s debut (I believe). Descriptions felt a little rough and simplistic, like a charcoal drawing as opposed to a number 2 pencil drawing. What really did bug me this time was just how unexplained the world was. I realize that was deliberate but I did want more and I didn’t get it. So I’m going to complain.
In that regards, I had a lot more questions. The “well, what about X” kind of questions. By not knowing how things worked, or didn’t, I couldn’t figure stuff out on my own. My biggest question is why humanity hadn’t gone after the Weir. If they are reanimated humans but something different, where do they come from, how do corpses get Weir’ized and what are their weaknesses? I could understand if the Weir were a new thing or something, but apparently they’ve been around for the whole of Three’s life? If I were to hand you a machete and told you to cut down that 14inch oak tree, or we were going to die, you’d whack away for all you are worth. If you didn’t know any better. The correct response would be to hand the machete back to me and tell me to give you the flipping full size axe I was hiding behind my back. If you know the problem, you can figure out the right answer.
I must also admit that this read has been colored by the more recent books put out by Posey. He abandoned a second series and the third one he has started did not work for me at all. I’m carrying all of that baggage this time around whereas I didn’t have to on the first go-around.
Overall, I enjoyed this but it wasn’t as awesome as last time. Whether that is because it really wasn’t or because I’ve changed, etc, I can’t tell. I’m going to hold off on recommending this or not until I’ve re-read the whole trilogy and see how the whole stands up.
Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road 
Thats a pretty neat cover there. Reminds me of S.TA.L.K.E.R the game for some reason.
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I think the cover is what drew me in initially in ’14.
I’ve not heard of Stalker. Is it a fps or something else?
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Yeah its was a fps set in chernobyl. Great gem of a game. I put a lot of hours into that.
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I got all excited there for a mo as I’ve read a book entitled Three, but it wasn’t this one so now I’m disappointed. 🙂
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When I was looking on Librarything to add this to my library, there were PAGES of books with that title. You’d think people would realize prime numbers got picked off early 😀
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😀 😀
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I saw a movie called Three. Or Thr3e. Or something like that. It was ripping off Se7en. It was terrible.
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I’m guessing Thr3e based on the book by Ted Dekker? That’s the only Thr3e I know of.
This is quite a different beast, thankfully 🙂
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Yes, that’s the one. Bad movie. Didn’t read the book.
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I haven’t seen the movie, but I doubt the book would change your mind.
(speaking of bad movies) I hope you’re acquiring a sizeable chunk of Chan during this break!
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Been taking a break from Chan. But no end of bad movies to talk about!
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Dix does a decent job, but even when he’s got a bad movie he’s still so darn optimistic about them.
Plus, he seems to have been seduced by a twilek in Boba Fett so I’m currently leery of his unbiased opinions.
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Is that you on the cover? Is it really called Legend of the Dishwasher?
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That IS me on the cover. And yes, I go around squirting dish soap into the bad guys eyes so they slip on the wet floor and break their future little necks. I’m a pretty good soap slinger by now!
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A 4-star rating still sounds good, even if you are not totally sure about recommending this one… 🙂
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I really suspect that Posey’s latest book and his abandoning his SF series has more to do with me being hesitant to recommend him anymore.
Which is why I try to stay away from authors as people. It rarely turns out good for me.
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Is this a book that can stand on its own or do you really need the rest of the series? Would you recommend it as a standalone?
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It can be read as a standalone but is meant to be part of a trilogy. If you read it and didn’t care for it, there’s no giant cliff hanger forcing you to read the rest.
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What a nice blast from the past! This was one of my first review copies I ever received (NetGalley) and I remember really enjoying it when I read it. But it’s been so long, I wonder how I would feel now if I reread it too?
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Posey started his authorial career with a bang as far as I’m concerned.
That would be interesting. I doubt it will happen though, as you seem to have an almost never ending pile of new stuff accumulating like sand on the sea shore 😀
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It’s nice to see another 4+ star review for a new series. It’s been a while, even if there are some subtle issues here. Hope the rest of the trilogy works out for you!
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It’s a re-read actually. I loved this trilogy the first time around so we’ll see what I think of it overall since Posey has done what he has since this.
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I must say I am intrigued enough to add it to my reading list, I just finished the Dune Series and some of its sequels that should never have been published and I need a new world to get lost
Three sounds like such a place hahaha and I will take your 4 rating
~B
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I would definitely recommend trying it out to see if you like it. If you do, chances are good you’ll like the rest of the trilogy too.
The world Posey created was really fun to read about….
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