Two modern Sci-fi enthusiasts are whisked away on an adventure to other worlds. ‘Black Table’ by Anttimatti Pennanen introduces us to Jon and Gus, friends since school with a love of all things sci-fi. When a trip to Portland Comic-con to see their hero speak ends dramatically, their convention getaway becomes a road trip that transports them further than expected.
This is a great story for readers of Young Adult fiction and beyond that are fans of sci-fi and adventure. Although you learn a lot about Jon and his past in the military, I would have liked to learn more about Gus and hope to learn more about how his life on earth provided him with the skills he needs, in later books. This is a great start to a series, there’s lots of action, new characters and worlds that are sufficiently detailed to be immersive and peril that requires our wandering friends with a love of fist bumping to provide answers.
There’s plenty of modern cultural references as well as lots of unique science-fiction features to keep all sci-fi fans entertained. There’s a fast-flowing and enjoyable plot that I think would appeal to fans of the genre.
Plot: This inventive time travel adventure shows a deep understanding of the science fiction genre and ultimately delivers a charming and entertaining tale. The pacing could be improved here, and subplots more fully fleshed out.
Prose/Style: The writing style is accessible and filled with humor and pop culture references. The dialogue is clunky at times due to it containing too much exposition, rather than organic speech.
Originality: This novel offers an intriguing tongue-in-cheek concept. Part of the story is set on another planet—this is unique and exciting, but the work could benefit from another layer of descriptive detail to better enhance the worldbuilding.
Character Development/Execution: One of the best parts of this novel is the wonderful friendship between Gus and Jon, but the characters might benefit from additional characterization and personal growth.
BookLife Prize - Critics Review
Although I don’t have the numbers, considering how fast tickets sell out, I would assume Comic Con expos and events are one of the most sought-after journeys for die-hard comic/sci-fi fans to take. I personally love the costumes and the fanfare. From the grandiose events held in NYC to the Roswell Galacticon held in the UFO capital of the world, all are a whole lot of fun. Not to mention, the big stars that attend; from the days of Kirk and Spock to the more recent Hayden Christensen of Star Wars fame, these fests are truly exciting. Which is why when this incredible book began at a Comic Con and readers could “walk through” the sights and sounds with the two main characters, I was beyond thrilled.
Their names are Jon and Gus (think Bill & Ted here for a second), and their excellent adventure is to travel all the way from Finland to attend the Comic Con being held in Portland. These two ‘awesome dudes’ really get into the fanfare, arriving at the convention dressed in “Star Trek: Next Generation uniforms.” And, no…they did not forget the one-of-a-kind ears. They’re not only into the hullabaloo, but they are also looking forward to meeting one of the persons they’ve looked up to for a long time who will be appearing: Dr. Wells. Call it fate or call it tragedy, their icon suffers a heart attack at the convention, but not before shoving a book at Jon and Gus and telling them to go “find something.”
Like two good soldiers following orders from their hero, Jon and Gus end up going into the “unknown” where the unexplained awaits them. They will follow clues left behind by Dr. Wells, and the book’s information, and end up standing face-to-face with aliens, and a technology that the aliens own that works much like a time-transport machine.
They learn that there is a darkness coming across the land and it is headed straight for Earth. Using the Black Table device, Jon and Gus, and their new buddies met along the way, will travel between the alien world and the present attempting to halt the Swarm – which is the entity that’s doing its best to destroy all life in the universe. Now you’re talking about the blind leading the blinder, as Jon and Gus stumble while they try to understand this strange situation, as well as all the gifts the Black Table can give them on their path.
Jon, the guy who understands survival techniques, paired with Gus, who, much like Dr. Spock, is a techno wizard who searches for sanity and logic in everything they come up against, make for the perfect duo in this interstellar jaunt. And with the great job the author did of inserting wellknown sci-fi references from TV shows and films, you can tell that this writer was “on board” at all times with the world he created. The Bill & Ted comment refers to the dudes who love fist bumping and working together to save everything in the galaxy, even though they have no clue whatsoever what’s going on most of the time.
Add in the fact that, for once, every character is a “good” person – whether human or alien – and you have a read that is exciting, shows great unity, and causes you a little bit of heartbreak knowing, post-pandemic, that events, conferences and the job of just having fun was simple and brought joy to everyone. I give 5-stars to this one, gang, in every category. From the nerds to the pop-culture inserts to the fun storyline that involves the reader instantly, this author has done a heck of job. Best part? There is a Book 2 that’s just as great! Enjoy!
by Amy Lignor for Reader Views (11/2021)
Unity (The Black Table Series, Book 2)
ISBN: 9789526978109
Sequels, as most of us know, tend to pale in comparison to the first in a series. Perhaps you all see this more in movies. “Jaws 2?” What was that about? My mother used to say that sequels were for authors who either didn’t know what they were writing the first time, got bad reviews, and wanted to give it another shot; or they were for writers who were stumped when it came to finding a new subject. Yes... Mom was a strict one, but she was usually always right.
When it comes to this sequel, however, she would have been completely wrong. For anyone who read the first book, “Black Table” by Anttimatti Pennanen, and got the thrill and fun of meeting best awesome friends Jon and Gus as they traveled from Finland to attend the Portland Comic Con, then you should be excited to read what happens after that exciting journey. First, they met their hero and watched a heart attack take the man out, but not before he pushed an odd book in their hands and sent them on an incredible, interstellar journey to save the entire universe. They
accomplished their very large mission in the first book, yet there’s something still amiss in Jon
and Gus’ world....
Beginning at the Monastery of Malacho (very cool location), readers meet up with a Servant of Light named Aldo. He’s sitting in his quiet room at the monastery, surrounded by his wealth of scrolls, when a darkness starts to infiltrate his space. He quickly finishes up the document he’s working on, “opens a door” in a wall with a special amulet he wears around his neck, and inserts the document into a tube. Out of the monastery it goes, like a vacuum is somehow sucking it out into space. With it, a bright light is also emitted...one that diminishes the second this strange intruder breaks down Aldo’s door and basically “snuffs” the lights out for good. Aldo’s ancestors’ home was the location where humanoids lived seven thousand years ago, but their constant need to battle others and increase their technology in order to form the perfect weapon, while their natural resources dwindled, caused their eventual demise.
It has been seven days since the Unity “jumped” away from a tragic ending and the crew is now on board with a damaged Black Table – which was the transport they used to travel to different worlds – and floating in an unchartered location in space. Gus, the techno wizard on the ship, is using his knowledge to replace the broken parts of the Table and the ship; Jon has taken over crew safety and keeping up morale during these difficult times. Uzano is basically the pilot, and Nova is working as the co-pilot and science officer. (“Star Trek,” anyone?)
When they are able to land on a planet that shows life, the crew gets their fashion-sense together as part of their plan to blend in with the citizens they’re about to meet. But, as they walk down the streets running by buildings made of glass and stone, they receive the strangest stares, and when they walk into what looks like an Irish pub and order Betterales, they hear an unbelievable story. Meeting the local authority in town, Ecuro, the crew are told that people have been vanishing. While some believe they may have been taken by a strange, huge animal; some witnesses state that they saw someone disappear into a dark alley and just...never come back. One such missing person is Ecuro’s own daughter, Bik. Now, could this be the Swarm... the darkness Jon feels is following them because he’s seen it in a dream ever since the Unity jumped away from the black hole in space? Can Jon and Gus stop the darkness by using a discovered “light” in order to protect people, find a way to defeat the evil, and make sure to solidify a future for those who are working to bring back a ‘normal’ world? Well...you have to read and find out.
Twice in a row this author created a fun, exciting, interesting plot with characters you really end up wanting to be your best friends, just so you don’t have to say goodbye to them when the book is over. Jon and Gus are still filled with quips as they share hearty fist-bumps, and Jello is still a topic of conversation. For anyone who has yet to stumble across this series, do so immediately. Even Mom would want to read a third when it comes to this group!
Reviewed by Amy Lignor for Reader Views (11/2021)