Story Behind The Book
I have got purely obsessional OCD. What this means is a thought enters my mind--usually something negative--and doesn't leave. I end up having to think about it 5000 times a day, and once this starts, my life is ruined for a week, two weeks, a month, or six months. I'd tried a lot of different ways to get rid of this problem: therapy, medication, meditation... Nothing ever worked, until I read an article that said the people who had this problem had an overly active imagination, and it would help if they channeled it into something productive, like writing. I'd always wanted to be a writer. This is literally a childhood dream, one of those you give up when you grow up. I had the story of The Crimson Deathbringer in my mind for years (even started writing it and stopped a few times). When I read that article, I was going through a tough time in my marriage (fighting with your wife is no fun, even for sane people), and my mind had gone into its life-destroying over-drive, so I told myself, "Well, you've tried everything else, let's give this a shot." And then a miracle happened. My mind put the same energy it used to put into producing BS and making my life miserable into coming up with stories. Ideas would come to me fast and furious, and I had to stop whatever I was doing several times a day to write them down. I've been OCD-free since then (I know, I sound like a recovering alcoholic). When TCD (cool, eh?) was finished, it took my out-of-control brain half a day to plan my second novel, which is about a nerdy scientist and a sexy female mercenary who use a time machine to defeat an alien invasion.
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Reviews
<p>(FIVE STARS) I started reading this book because a close friend of mine who I know has a similar taste in science fiction recommended it. I was hesitant at first; the story did not sound very original. I was like, another alien invasion story? But I was hooked from the word go. It's good and different, a refreshing change, and it kept surprising me. Even the tone of the story keeps changing when you least expect it, from humorous to tragic and back. And I just loved the prankster aliens and their pranks, especially the RoboCop one, the one where they turned someone into a cow (!!) and eat-your-gun one. Great story and if you enjoy SciFi, you're going to love this book. I hope there is a book two. That's actually why I am writing a review because the author says he will write a sequel if he gets a lot of reviews! Simone Clune (Verified Purchase/Amazon.uk)</p> <p>(Five Stars) Really good science fiction! It's action-packed. The action starts from the first scene and never lets up. It's funny, and the characters are very interesting, specially the alien characters Tarq and Maada, who is the bad guy. Tarq and his people are really unique and I have never seen something like these aliens in another book. The main character Jim reminds me of Dean from Supernatural. I also like the space battles. I think all space science fiction fans will enjoy The Crimson Deathbringer. Ali Dorostkar (Verified Purchase/Amazon.ca)</p> <p> (FIVE STARS) I love checking out new, fresh sci-fi authors that are writing good books & discovering them. I can say without a doubt this was the best debut novel I've read from a writer in a LONG time. The book is filled with anything you'd want out of a sci-fi novel. fun story, checked! great characters, checked! Classic sci-fi plots but with fresh twists & turns, check! What I was largely impressed by is the insane number of references that are made & used here. The novel is clearly a work of passion & commitment & what stands high 7 above it is the ultimate respect of & for the audience. If you're looking for a good time in a fresh novel, this is definitely the book u want to pick up. Jim Smit (Verified Purchase/Amazon.de)</p> <p> (FIVE STARS) I completely enjoyed this book, but I have to ask: Why is The Crimson Deathbringer being advertised as a comedy? Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing book and I recommended it to my friends, but it is an alien invasion/military SCI FI through and through. Saying this book is a comedy is like saying Game of Thrones is a comedy because Tyrion cracks jokes. In fact, there is more bloodshed and general mayhem in here than in the entire eight seasons of GOT. You don't believe me? I refer you to the chapter where the alien fleet attacks Earth, as well as the final chapter. I think the author and the publisher should focus their promotion efforts on hardcore sci-fi fans. Ali Aboulfathzadeh (Verified Purchase/Amazon.com.au)</p> <p> (FIVE STARS) I can tell you if you are looking for a great sci fi book them you can't go wrong with The crimson Deathbringer. It's an action packed page turning adventure, and it keeps you reading all the way to the end. I really liked the characters - the heroes and the bad guys, and I especially liked their moral ambiguity. I mean, one of the main characters is an assassin, and the leader of the enemy fleet is an honorable "genocidal maniac", as Jim puts it. I really liked Jim too, with his tendency to say the funniest things under the most tragic circumstances. Plus one of the main characters is a Ukrainian badass girl turned commando, which both my wife and I really liked (we are Ukrainian too). Legostaiev (Verified Purchase/Amazon.de)</p> <p> (Four Stars) A friend of mine knows someone who knows the author, something like that, and the book's been passed around, but I got my own on Kindle. It's becoming a bit of a cult classic in this circle, my friend's kids love it, even I do, and this is not what I'd pick out normally. Everyone likes the pranksters, Tark is my favourite, although in real life I'd hit him. There could be a sequel... good thinking. Noah's Dad (Verified Purchase/Amazon.uk) </p> <p>Sean Robins tells an exciting story with engaging and sympathetic characters. The action generally moves the story right along, and the reader remains invested in what happens to the characters. A high level of interest and sense of suspense is maintained by (SPOILER!!) a particularly prominent or appealing character. TouchPointPress Acquisitions</p> <p> The Crimson Deathbringer is an exceptionally well-written, high concept sci-fi futuristic novel with political overtones. In the opening the author introduces characters who get us engaged in his story. This is a massive project, although the author seems to have the skills to pull it off. Submission Editor/WiDo Publishing</p> <p> I enjoyed The Crimson Deathbringer a lot. I like the action, the humor, the shift between characters. What works really well is the friendship between the Akakies and the humans, the horror of the Voice of God and the (SPOILER!), the friendship between Kurt and Allen and Kurt and Jim, most of the pranks, and Maada's role. I like the battle scenes. The ending(SPOILER, obviously). Moreover, You have a distinctive voice. It's upbeat, humorous and hopeful. Margaret Diehl/Editor</p> <p> (FIVE STARS) The novel is just wonderful! The writer is true and by heart geek & knows his stuff! The novel itself is a fresh take on the sci-fi genre! this is clearly a sincere & heartfelt story with all the right feelings! There is drama, there is action, the humor is on point, the characters are charming! no matter if you're a casual reader or a hardcore sci-fi fan, you'll definitely find this a good read, especially the callbacks and references which are hilarious! I honestly thought I could guess what's coming but the novel kept surprising me at every turn. It's also quite engaging to enter the mind of characters. with multiple characters, you get them to shift perspectives and therefore read completely mini-novels inside an overarching main narrative. the pacing is quite on point too & I didn't feel bored at any turn! A must-read for all the sci-fi fans alike. It's really a book like no other! Hourmazd Marduk (Goodreads Review)</p> <p>(FIVE STARS) When I started this book, I had zero expectations, no idea of what I was going to find. And man, was I surprised. The Crimson Deathbringer is a mix of funny and clever dialogues, action and adventure, with scenes that made me chuckle, bite my nails, and shed a tear or two. All while it kept me at the edge of my seat, trying to guess what would happen next. And no, most times I guessed wrong. In this book, Sean Robins takes us into a futuristic adventure where aliens have come to conquer earth. Seems familiar? Add another alien race who decides helping humans will benefit them in the long run, and there you have it: A ruthless species who wants to conquer earth and treat humans as their slave-poppets vs. another alien race who are technologically advanced.... but are dubbed the galaxy's pranksters and will need the humans to pilot and fight the enemy. The result? Well, a complete disaster! There are multiple pov's in this book, something I know isn't easy to write, but Sean pulled it off perfectly. His characters are well drawn, his descriptions clear and easy to envision. And the ending will make you wish for more! The Crimson Deathbringer is a compelling, thrilling and fun read that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Totally recommend it! Jina Bazzar, author of Heir of Ashes (Goodreads Review)</p> <p>(FIVE STARS) The Crimson Deathbringer is the first novel from Sean Robins--and a great debut it is. It's chockablock full of action. You have dramatic alien-versus-human-versus alien encounters, exciting space battles, an insane race to save the world, some warm-hearted romance, and a lot of waggish humor (reminiscent of Douglas Adams). If you can get this granite face to break a smile, you've accomplished something major and Sean has done just that--by infusing campy fun at the right times, in the right places. I was a Trekkie--and once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie, because I could still [effortlessly, happily] watch episode after episode after episode. That said, though, I'm not a fan of science fiction. I'd agreed to review the book, but not checked the genre, so when it arrived, it was a woe-is-me, "Tyler, what'd you get yourself into?" Then, I read the first chapter and the characters and storyline yanked me in! Not only do you have protagonist Major Jim Harrison, an Air Force fighter pilot, relaying action through his eyes, you view it through others. It's not simple to balance--juggle--different POVs, or stories within stories, but Sean makes it work exceptionally well. His characters are carefully crafted and his descriptions of future Earth and alternative planets and life forms are well detailed. It's easy to visualize all that is transpiring--from perilous shootouts and intense combat, to silly pranks and friendly banter. There is an emotional level, too--sadness when someone dies, dismay when all seems futile, and encouragement when something heartening happens. Tyler Colins (Goodreads Review)</p> <p>(FIVE STARS) This is what I call a smart and fun read. The book is very captivating. The story seamlessly changes from battle field to romance. It's described so detailed that reading a book feels like sneaking into someone's private life. The plot is packed with witty humor, which makes this book very pleasurable to read. Bravo author. I am eager to read a second part. Julie Ko (Goodreads Review)</p> <p>(FIVE STARS) Being not a sci-fi person, I was little skeptical about reading this book but, now I can say this one is a gripping sci-fi. In the era of 'Game of Thrones'.. I was searching for similar content as this genre has started to excite me. Kudos to the Author, Sean Robbins who has done a great job of mixing action with humor quite well. I would love to read more from him. If you are a sci-fi lover or just love to read book then, go for this one as this won't disappoint you. Sonali Agarwal (Goodreads Review)</p> <p> (FIVE STARS) I've found this book based on the Amazon ranking and decided to give it a try. Usually I would read non-fiction books because rarely you'll find a good fiction in which you don't skip boring to death pages. But (Wow, man!) this one I ate from first page till last. It blew my mind with creativity, realistic heroes who later become your friends, very dynamic plot, smart and sometimes corny jokes. I simply loved this book. Normally it's me who cracks jokes in difficult life situations and people find it weird sometimes. But here I found Jim does it too. I particularly liked prank with heaven. I myself believed in it for a moment and thought "What about saving the humanity? Do aliens know how to return a dead person from death? Or how the author will make it work?" I really felt Jim's pain when after the tragedy he locks himself up in a room. I passed through the similar feelings in my life and the only thought I had " You can do it mate", holding my fists for him. My jaw has literally dropped from the last scene with Matias and Oxana... Wow, man! You brought such a realistic feelings up with your grandiose book that well known authors should bite their nails. I definitely recommend it for reading. Waiting for the sequel. Dimitri (Goodreads Review)</p> <p> We enjoyed reading The Crimson Deathbringer. We found you had interesting and original ideas, and we particularly liked Jim as a character. CBC Submissions</p> <p>(FIVE STARS) Science-fiction is not something that I usually follow all the time, so I picked this one out of curiosity, and I wasn't sure if I had made the right call, however, a couple of pages in I was pleasantly & very joyfully hooked. Right off the bat, I could easily empathize with the characters while at the same time being surprised by how they would react. There's also the plot that's full of shock & twists that made for a great reading time. Pretty much all the jokes landed for me as well which is something that I didn't expect, especially in a science-fiction novel. Hoomam Mardox (Goodreads Review)</p> <p> I really like your story. The way you have drawn the characters makes even the extra-terrestrials totally credible. The story is exciting and quite different from other books I have read in this genre, and your voice and storytelling style are unique. Lionel Ross/Publisher</p>