About the author…
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, James has been an actor, computer tech support operator, historic infotainment tour guide, armed self defense retailer, automotive petrol attendant, youth entertainment stock replacement specialist, mass market Italian chef, low priority courier, monthly printed media retailer, automotive industry miscellaneous task facilitator, and ditch digger.
The Radiation Angels: The Chimerium Gambit is his first novel and is followed by The Radiation Angels: The Key to Damocles.
James Daniel Ross shares a Dream Realm Award with the other others in Breach the Hull, and an EPPIE award with the others appearing in Bad Ass Faeries 2.
Most people are begging him to go back to ditch digging.
I am never going to be so happy as when I can write full time.
Hi James,
I just finished reading ‘I Know Not’ about twenty minutes ago—the first of your work I’ve seen—and then read a couple of your blog posts. I definitely agree with your comments about anyone getting to a high level of proficiency through lots of hard work (vs pure talent), but from my perspective—viewing your work after you’ve already put in the time—it sure seems like you’ve got ‘It.’
I’ve been devouring tons of kindle samples looking for good stories, and over 95% really are atrocious. (I guess I’m a little bit of a snob when it comes to fantasy/sci-fi). However, ‘I Know Not’ was really quite good. I felt that the writing was clear and of a much higher quality than many works out there. I’d read a review claiming that the writing was very visceral—literally, haha—but I thought the battle scenes contained just the right amount of vivid detail and realism without spilling over into absurdity.
The characters were all three-dimensional and the development was fantastic. I loved how Crow grew and lost and won his personal battles (inside and out)—and that would’ve made a great story on its own—but I think it was the development of the side characters (Aelia, Gelia, Theo, etc) who really fleshed out the story. And I appreciated how Roehm never wavered in his hatred of Crow to the end, something that I think lesser authors would’ve buckled and caved on.
Okay, I have to go back to my day job now, but as a beginning/aspiring writer (in my free time), I just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement.
-Jeff
p.s. Ever read anything by Matthew Woodring Stover? Heroes Die, Jericho Moon, Iron Dawn—all great books. Your story reminded me a lot of his work.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I appreciate the time it took to leave the comment, and I am humbled by your praise.
I have not read anything by Stover, but I shall have to check him out.
Thank you again, and I hope to provide more entertainment for the future.
Visceral. Bloody. Seriously great. “I Know Not” takes this type of story into uncharted land and succeeds. Although I’d like to have Simon as a friend, I’d probably want him to stay many hours away from me at all times. Just hang a POV camera over him and let me know next time he takes a trip. I’ll watch with great interest.
Doing the “Kindle Free-Sample Dance” the last few months, gathering samples of things that sound good. Pulled up “I Know Not” at random, and was hooked hard. Bought the full book today, and I’m plugging along. Very good — except all the typos are killin’ me! You really need a decent proof-reader.
Anyway, I’ll review it on my blog when I’m done. It’s always awesome to discover great new writers/novels.
Good luck in your future projects.