Review and Giveaway - No Hero by Jonathan Wood - 4 1/2 Qwills

No Hero
Author:  Jonathan Wood
Series:  Arthur Wallace
Format:  Trade Paperback, 318 pages
Publisher:  Night Shade Books (July 1, 2011)
Price:  $14.99
Language:  English
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  978-1-59780-282-6
Review Copy:  Purchased and NetGalley

Cover and description:

Night Shade books is proud to present the debut novel from Jonathan Wood, NO HERO.

"What would Kurt Russell do?"

Oxford police detective Arthur Wallace asks himself that question a lot. Because Arthur is no hero. He's a good cop, but prefers that action and heroics remain on the screen, safely performed by professionals.

But then, secretive government agency MI37 comes calling, hoping to recruit Arthur in their struggle against the tentacled horrors from another dimension known as the Progeny. But Arthur is NO HERO.

Can an everyman stand against sanity-ripping cosmic horrors?






My thoughts:

No Hero is essentially a book about an ordinary man trying to grapple with the unfathomable. Arthur Wallace is a police detective in Oxford, England going about the business of solving crimes when he becomes involved in something extraordinary. He’s then recruited by M137, an understaffed British government agency that deals with the Progeny and their threat to Earth. The Progeny are tentacled nightmares from another dimension. They are Lovecraftian in their creepiness. While they are presently not on Earth, their agents are. These agents are working to find a way to bring the Progeny to Earth. If that happens, the Earth will be consumed.

I really like Arthur Wallace. He’s a very engaging character, and I was firmly cheering for him in the fight against the Progeny. Arthur gets through some of the most difficult situations in the story by wondering what Kurt Russell would do. It works for him; it focuses him… sometimes. He is just a regular guy who tries to do what appears to be impossible. He often wonders what he’s gotten himself into, but still soldiers on.

Arthur’s co-workers at M137 are a bit unusual. I truly enjoyed getting to know them. Jonathan Wood does an excellent job developing these characters. Each of Arthur’s co-workers is important to the story and the unfolding events as they battle against the Progeny threat. There is even a touch of romance though romance is by no means the focus of the story.

No Hero is an exhilarating story with excellent pacing. It is at times humorous, at times thrilling, at times frightening, and at all times a terrific read. I don’t know what Kurt Russell would do, but I will definitely read the next book about Arthur Wallace.

I give No Hero 4 ½ Qwills.

Read The Qwillery's 2011 Debut Author Challenge Interview with Jonathan by clicking here.


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  Two commenters will each win a trade paperback copy of No Hero generously provided by Night Shade Books.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Who is your favorite movie hero? 

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*