Although I enjoy Cooper's LitRPG adventures, I really enjoy his more off-the-wall, esoteric, psychedelic-infused, conglomerate flair of story-telling, and that is what you've got in Star-Spangled Apocalypse.
These are the adventures I can't plow through. In fact, reading slows down drastically and I often have to skim-read another pass to feel I got what I needed to get from the book. This isn't meant to imply discombobulated material, but rather, I mean a reader needs to feel the words and see the surroundings. Damn, now I sound like a stoner.
So, this is the author's first works but was updated and published after numerous book releases. To me that helps explain the Life series, Boy v Self (stand-alone), and the yet-to-be-finished trilogy of The Zero Patient. Yes, the latter is a not-so-subtle dig.
Okay!
So, two dudes no cup. One is a stoner with the old heart of gold and the other a tortured, shattered alcoholic. Austin, Texas, just got t-bagged from the Russians and the pair, thinking it is the beginning of Armageddon, set off on a quest to Denver and James' son.
And that is the straight forward bit. Toss some hallucinations, a pair of 5's, Angels, Demons, a heavenly LadyBoy-esq, and the blind, wise-man - watch how the trip unfolds.
The end is both bad and good like Yin was searching for his Yang and brushed past quietly in the night.
With that, enjoy.
4.6 of 5 Stars. ARC provided by author. From the Publisher:
Assuming the fiery attack by the Russians on Austin, Texas is the start of Armageddon, James, an East Texas good ol’ boy with a drinking problem, and Virgil, a drugged-out yogi, set out on an adventure across America to save James’ long lost son.
Along the way, James and Virgil form a bipartisan relationship stitched together by mutual self-destruction as they encounter a series of angels and demons who force the former co-workers to come face to face with their folly, its impending results, and the burgeoning doom that lies ahead.
Reader discretion is advised: Star-Spangled Apocalypse is a controversial tale which contains adult situations, mockery of right wing media figures, celebrity angels who dress like rappers, heavy drinking, drug and hallucinogen usage, paranormal encounters, sword and gun violence, crazy Texans, theft, suggested suicide, general blasphemy, and a talking cat named Arjuna.