Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsTolkien, Anspach, and Cole meet at last
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2021
Having read a lot of the military science fiction Anspach and Cole have put out, I wasn't sure I'd "dig" epic fantasy flung into their crazy smoothie blender... but I enjoyed this book WAY too much! As a CS Lewis and Tolkien-lover, I appreciated the obvious insight and research these authors put into "Forgotten Ruin" while maintaining their unique styles of writing. There are fantastic beasts in worlds untold, and why couldn't US Army Rangers be just as fantastic as a wizard, elf, orc, or were-tiger? This is not a lust-filled garbage dump of political intrigue, incestuous, murderous deceit like a certain popular fantasy series big pub loves to pump out to the masses. For that, I'm giving this book an extra star! This story stays true to the Ranger Creed and allows us to be part of the forces in a fast-paced, epic adventure in a world that may... or may not... be our own near future. The mystical, mythical creatures add volumes to this story when paired with modern humans in such a creative way. There's humor, darkness, joy, relief, and real emotion in this story as well as some of the best little Easter eggs like references that a lot of readers will get a kick out of. If Tolkien had sat down for tea with Anspach and Cole (with coffee and donuts as bonus items), they would have all had an enjoyable meeting of minds and tales... and the result would have been this book. Glad I took a chance on the smoothie, for sure. Be meaner than anything you fear. Great lesson learned.
