Khan of Mars

Spirit of the Century Presents, Book 1

By: Stephen Blackmoore

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

When erudite ape Professor Khan and rough-and-tumble cowboy Bulls-Eye Gutierrez are zapped away on a one-way trip to Mars, they are thrown into a world in chaos. Under the malevolent gaze of the Weather Witch, Princess Cyclone, our heroes face the intrigue and war raging across an alien world. Will they survive long enough for the other Centurions to build a way back home? Or will they perish upon the shifting sands of the Red Planet, never to be seen again?

©2013 Evil Hat Productions, LLC (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A great Mars adventure

Kahn is an Oxford educated gorilla and Bulls-eye is an acrobatic sharp shooter from Texas. We first meet them when they are trying to corral the mantis from another dimension. Through a mechanical error, they find themselves jettison to the planet Mars.

There are five races on Mars. The Alivons are bird people who specialize in making ray guns. K’Kir are an amphibians race that looks like frogs. With their technology they can watch earth. The Monatu centaurs more like Komodo dragons but more heavily build and scaled skin. They manufacture rocket ships. The Thavasians are the most human like. They are ruled by the tyrant Cyclone. The Inkidu people are ape like and for whom the prophecy is written.

Priestess Leandar believed in the prophecy and was assisting our heroes to find a way back home. Surprisingly, Kahan was enjoying himself. It was the thrill of discovery, adventure of being on an alien planet and possibility of death that made the first of the adventure exhilarating. That all changed when Cyclone went into high gear to kill them.

As our heroes travel to find transportation off Mars, Cyclone rages war to any race that aids them. Our heros had many trials to overcome in their journey. Bulls-eye killed a demon dragon, which breathe fire and ice. Kahan had to stage a fight with the Monatu king and fight a desert demon for the Inkidu.

Our heroes were threatened, punch, shot at, dropped down bottom pits, fed to cave dwelling dragons, drowned, and generally made to feel miserable all to find a way home. As they go from one race to another the pressure to become the prophet becomes insurmountable for Kahan.

The prophecy is, “the barbarians will find their champion in one such as they clad all in black. And the red plains shall run green with the blood of our people. The Cyclone shall be broken and justice shall be served.” Kahan is reluctant to proclaim himself the messiah for the people.

There is action from the opening sentence until the end of the story. You will be amazed with Bulls’-eye shooting, driving, and his skills to get them out of trouble. Khan does not disappoint when he becomes frenzied in his battle rage. Leandra pulls out a few surprises as well. I hope you enjoy this book. I absolutely loved it.

A Great Gem

Where does Khan of Mars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This will be on the "frequently listened to" list, up there with Ready Player One, the Agatha H's and Fuzzy Nation as something to enjoy when I need a familiar tale.

Have you listened to any of Oliver Wyman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Oliver Wyman does a great job reading this. I love that he also did the Dinocalypse series because he keeps a great continuity in the universe. I'd happily seek out other books he's read

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I practically did, between the audio and the ebook.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to dive into the other Spirit of the Century books. There will be another Khan book, a Sally Slick novel, and an Amelia Stone, at least. I can't remember if there will be more but you can bet they will all find their way into my library, esp if Oliver Wyman continues to read them

Excellent fun for kids

Loved the book, was like watching at TV show with the amazing reading. Felt that some of the language was cliche and the analogies were well worn. IE "cut through them like paper." But this was not high art and, though predicatble, great fun. Stronger and more polished in the begining than toward the end.

Hold on for a fun ride from start to finish

I enjoyed this book - put simply - it was really fun to listen to. I was not familiar with the Spirit of the Century game & other books prior to starting this one but had no problem following along. Khan & Bulls-eye are wonderful characters and they're dropped into a fast paced adventure on Mars. The planet was full of surprises and I loved the diversity of the Mars population. (How can one not like the idea of frogmen from Mars?)

Oliver Wyman does a wonderful job bringing the story to life with his performance.

Will I be reading more in the Spirit of the Century series books? Yes.
Will I be buying more books by Stephen Blackmoore? Yes

Amazing Pulp Adventure

Where does Khan of Mars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Khan of Mars, and the other tales in the Spirit of the Century universe are among the best books I've gotten from Audible.

What did you like best about this story?

The action is fast paced, the the characters are all unique and interesting, and the settings are well fleshed out.

What does Oliver Wyman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Woman brings each character to life and breathes emotion into every scene.