Richard Subtitle: War Erupts Author: Michael W Hickman, Jefferson Gaskin Genre: Fiction - Science Fiction Appearance: The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations. 5 Plot: The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books -- those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it. 5 Development: Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the material. 5 Formatting: Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely. 5 Marketability: Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area. 5 Overall Opinion: The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is 5 the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book.

In Michael W. Hickman's latest space opera installment, Richard War Erupts, the teenage hero faces an unnerving array of challenges as he navigates the complex nature of galactic leadership and familial bonds. He is just out of a recent victory against the formidable extra-dimensional dragons. Richard hopes to have a respite; however, his aspirations for a peaceful hiatus are swiftly destroyed as new adversaries emerge, including the power-hungry Spartacus family and simmering tensions between humans and non-humans. At the heart of the story lies Richard's unconventional family unit, comprised of his enigmatic mentor, AAL, humanoid-fox mate Amber, and their eclectic offspring. As Richard deals with the demands of leadership, he must also face the troubles of familial relationships, from mentoring his son to managing the intra-pack politics of his fox kin on the planet Beowulf. Hickman intelligently weaves a narrative of political intrigue and interpersonal drama against the backdrop of a galaxy on the brink of war—Hickman's prose crackles with energy, propelling readers through a whirlwind of action and adventure. From daring escapes to clandestine alliances, Richard War Erupts delivers a gripping tale that keeps readers on the edge. Yet amidst the spectacle of space battles and political machinations, Hickman never loses sight of the emotional core of his story. It is a tale of love and loyalty, and Richard and his family confront adversity with unwavering devotion to one another. While the novel boasts its fair share of severed heads and interstellar skirmishes, the depth of the characters' relationships ultimately drives the narrative forward. Against a backdrop of cosmic conflict, Hickman explores themes of belonging and sacrifice, reminding readers that true strength lies not in power or prowess but in the bonds that unite us. This is a wonderfully imagined and intelligently executed creation for fans of science fiction and tales that are character-driven with finely drawn space settings. Reviewed By: Daniel Rhodes | Date: March 14, 2024

The latest installment of Hickman’s space opera finds the teenage title character facing some big life challenges—not the least of which involves saving the galaxy. Richard, an Ohio teen who was plucked off Earth by aliens and put in charge of the entire Milky Way, has a lot on his plate. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, he’s now tasked with quelling escalating tensions between humans and nonhumans all over the star system. He’s also contending with an extended family of anthropomorphic foxes and their intra-pack politics on the planet Beowulf. Amber, who’s one of those foxes and Richard’s wife, admonishes him for tossing out Earth colloquialisms. Richard’s son with Amber, Little Raider, is having a hard time trying to prove his mettle by chasing down prey in the woods with his Uncle Raider, only to realize he’s too squeamish to do what’s expected. Attempting to flee his shame, Little Raider falls in with assassin foxes whom Richard thinks would make great additions to the military forces on his adopted home world of Krel. Meanwhile, Sen. Spartacus and his five-times-great-grandmother continue their villainous quest to kill or kidnap Richard and his loved ones. Heads roll, constantly—Beowulf foxes carry sharp swords. Meanwhile, Richard and Amber possess magical blue energy and can heal loads of trauma, although their powers are supposed to be secret. Thankfully, AAL, a Merlin-like figure overseeing Richard’s escapades, is around to help. Hickman delivers another oddly way-out adventure in his ongoing series. In addition to the aforementioned severed heads, the book also has a good dose of what, depending on the reader, may or may not be an excessive preoccupation with how the space foxes approach procreation. Still, all the sex and violence belies the true beating heart of Hickman’s latest series installment. In the end, it’s not the sweeping swordplay or blaster quick-draws that power the proceedings to this volume’s surprising conclusion, but rather the deep and potent love Richard and his interspecies family continue to have for one another, no matter what comes their way. A wild galactic series entry that successfully remains grounded in heartfelt emotion.