Attorney of the Desert

THE DESERT

Description

A Lost Platoon, a Dead Soldier, and a Horrifying Journal...

During the opening engagements of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a platoon of U.S. soldiers disappears. The Army attributes this disappearance to the "fog of war," and the subsequent investigation into the disappearance fails to locate even a single body or destroyed vehicle.

Six years later, two soldiers on a routine search for "weapons of mass destruction" locate a cave with the remains of one of the missing soldiers and his journal. Unfortunately, Captain Henderson and Specialist Densler find out all too soon that what happened to the "Lost Platoon" is also happening to them. Trapped, they must confront this unspeakable menace, or risk suffering the same fate as that of the soldier in the cave.

Bryon Morrigan's first novel, THE DESERT, is everything you hope to find in a first novel and then some. An original plot, solid characterization and a refreshing change of pace from the standard chains rattling in the attic. A fine mesh of horror and military drama that I can't recommend enough.
--James A. Moore, author of BLOOD RED & HARVEST MOON

he Desert by Bryon Morrigan is a weird and wild novel of men againt monsters. In the grand tradition of James Cameron's Aliens, Bryon Morrigan gives a whipcrack tale of U.S. soldiers pitted against the very forces of Hell. It's fun, fast-paced, and deliciously creepy.
--Jonathan Maberry, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Ghost Road Blues & Bad Moon Rising

Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-05-20
Summary: "Good But A Little Short"

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the authors next work. There are a few story items that have to be dealt with in a 'suspension of disbelief'. Still, fiction requires oddities and leeway. The only major problem I had is one of the main characters was stuck in the same spot hiding for six-years. I thought that was a tad too long. Otherwise, it is a short work and my only 'gripe' with that is that it whet my appetite for more! Very good job, Sir!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-03-26
Summary: "Great book."

Thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a keeper. I sell books unless they are great, and this one is staying here to be reread again in the future.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-02-12
Summary: "Fantastic!"

I just finished reading The Desert and at first I was skeptical about the book but when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It was the perfect blend of action, horror, comedy and drama! I can't wait of Bryon Morrigan's next novel. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking for a change of pace horror novel.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2009-10-23
Summary: "Rough Start, Decent Finish"

Based on the summary and nature of the tale I really wanted to like this book. Sadly, this book needs a good editor. There were just so many common mistakes in the presentation: overt info-dumps, rough and stilted exposition, telling-not-showing (lots of internal dialogue), a private journal written as if it were a letter to non-military personnel (and in first person present tense!), all of which came off as the writer trying to hide that he was speaking directly to the reader, etc.

I nearly stopped reading after the first three chapters, and had to grit my teeth and soldier on through the rest of the awful journal entries. I had paid for the book (and felt I was continuing to do so), so I figured I should at least finish it.

However, this isn't the worst book I've ever read, so I can not give it one star, or even two (especially for a first work): the plot was engaging, and there were some truly creepy moments in the book. I think it could be made to shine with the touch of a hard-nosed, quality editor. Even though still rough, the tale does find its voice and begins to really engage a little before the mid-point, after which I found myself better able to ignore the (lessened) presentation problems and be drawn into the story and situation.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2009-09-10
Summary: "The Desert by Bryon Morrigan"

The Desert by Bryon Morrigan was a really good read. Definitely different from the standard horror fare.