Media

Welcome to the BATTLE-CHASERS Media page. I'll be collecting some articles, interviews and reviews that BATTLE-CHASERS is receiving in the SF&F community, and publishing them here for you to see. I'm hopeful this page will grow and grow and grow! If you've read BATTLE-CHASERS, feel free to send me a personal review of it through my FEEDBACK page. Thanks!

Battle-Chasers by T. S. Robinson
Reviewed by sffworld.com

Battle-Chasers is T. S. Robinson's debut novel, and I would say it's a debut he should be proud of.

T. S. Robinson says he got the idea for the story after seeing Mel Gibson's Braveheart movie, and there seeing a scene that focused in on the aftermath of a battle. This is something that most Fantasy novels tend to skip right past, but with T. S. Robinson things are different. His story actually begins after the real battle is over, he rather introduces us to some of the survivors. Survivors might actually be a wrong word since some of them come after the battle. They are battle-chasers with reasons of their own.

Whereas many fantasy series spans over years and centuries this novel is quite unique. The whole story from beginning to end takes place in a matter of hours. We actually get to follow each and every characters single move as they roam around the battlefield.

We have an albino priest, a vampire, two dragons, a dwarf, an elf, a wizard and his companion, an assassin, some undead people and a fire elemental... A long list? Maybe, but not in this case, since that's all the characters you will meet. It's simply fascinating to see how the author has managed to create such an intense story with so few characters.

I must say that this is a very well-written novel. The characters are described in a way that makes you feel them. Even the "bad guys" have feelings and that's something that actually makes you understand them and their actions. At the same time as the different characters follow their own goals the author also manages to bring it all together in a brilliant ending.

T. S. Robinson is definitely an author you should be looking out for in the future, I sure know I will.

BATTLE-CHASERS Book Review
By Gene Doty
Professor of English ~ University of Missouri-Rolla

I recommend _Battle-Chasers_ to anyone who likes heroic fantasy or who would like to see what computer science graduates from UMR can get is into. The book is available from the online booksellers and from Robinson's web site at www.angelfire.com/on2/tsrobinson. Local bookstores should also be able to order it.

INTERVIEW WITH T. S. ROBINSON
by Science Fiction and Fantasy World
http://www.sffworld.com

Q: With degrees in Computer Science and an MBA, how did you get this fascination for the Fantasy genre?

A: I played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager, and my interest for high fantasy stemmed from there. Gary Gygax, co-creator of D&D, who wrote a series of novels in the 1980's (Gord the Rogue series), and that's what shifted my focus from RPG modules to high fantasy novels. I never really thought about writing for a living until recently, so I pursued an education in the business arena to make ends meet in the "real world."

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Battle-Chasers?

A: I was watching the movie: BRAVEHEART, and there was a scene that pans out over a bloody countryside, where a recent hand-to- hand war had just been waged. They focused in on the aftermath of battle - all the horror and suffering. It was then I had the thought, "I've never read a fantasy book that focuses on the aftermath of war." They all just lead up to it, and afterwards, quickly move beyond it to the next setting. That's what gave me the idea to write a high fantasy book about what happens AFTER a war has been waged.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the experience, writing your first book?

A: People say the hardest part about writing a book is just that - actually writing it. But for me, that was the easiest part. I wrote BATTLE-CHASERS over the course of three months, writing 1,000-2,000 words a day. To me, writing is like driving a car at night during the fog -- you can only see as far as your headlights - but you can make the whole trip that way. :0) I had a story to tell and it just flowed onto the page everyday - I never had a block.

The hardest part was understanding the critical role that writing style plays in getting published. I hadn't really studied style before I began writing - so I found out the hard way that publishers and editors want a great writing style over a great story. I ended up buying a shelf of books on writing style and taking some college classes to educate myself on an effective style, and armed with this knowledge, edited BATTLE-CHASERS accordingly. I had a lot of help from other writers, including Piers Anthony who has mentored me over the years.

One thing you have to be if you want to publish your work is patient. It's a constant learning experience, but one that I enjoy very much.

Q: Has it been an easy way getting published?

A: Not really. I've saved all the "nice" rejection letters from publishers, agents and editors over the years. I believe it's a lot more difficult in this day and age to get published than it ever was before. Most publishing houses and agents don't want to take a chance on an unknown author when they have a clientele that's established and has a following. You just have to be patient and persistent. Don't give up!

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: Well, no matter how BATTLE-CHASERS fairs in the market place, I will continue to write high fantasy novels. I'm passionate about it, and see myself ending my corporate career if my writing career takes off. If not, I'll continue writing in my spare time.

Q: What has the Internet meant for you as an author?

A: It has provided me with a wealth of opportunity, not only to market my book but also to learn and grow as a writer. Early on I joined a couple of writers groups and corresponded with a host of other writers daily, sending and critiquing each others' work. I learned so much! Now, through online publications like this, I'm able to reach a readership that was once impossible to do on my own, and give back a lot of what I've learned and crafted. I'm hopeful you find my efforts as exciting as I do, and I welcome your feedback.

Working in a Fantasy World
An Interview with T. S. Robinson
The Rolla Daily News
by Lance Feyh

Tim Robinson lives in a fantasy world. By day he's a telecommunications director for Bank of America in Jacksonville, Fla. By night, he writes stories about knights in shining armor, damsels in distress and fire-breathing dragons.

Robinson's first novel, "Battle-Chasers," was recently released by XLIBRIS Publishing Corp. He got the idea for the story after watching the movie "Braveheart." "There was a scene (in the movie) that pans out over a bloody countryside, where a recent hand-to-hand war had just been waged," Robinson says. "That's what gave me the idea to write a high fantasy book about what happens after a battle."

The computer science graduate, who once took a science fiction and fantasy course at UMR from associate English professor Gene Doty, says he will continue to write fantasy novels no matter how "Battle-Chasers" fairs in the market place. "I'm passionate about it," says Robinson, whose interest in fantasy can be traced back to the Dungeons & Dragons games that became popular in the 1980s. "I see myself ending my corporate career if my writing career takes off. If not, I'll continue writing in my spare time." During his time at UMR, the Kansas City native landed a summer computer programming job at AT&T through the cooperative education program. By the time he completed his degree, Robinson knew exactly what kind of job he wanted -- one in telecommunications -- and he actively interviewed for such a position in his senior year. He ended up staying with AT&T, when they offered him a full-time management position in Jacksonville. He later went to work for Bank of America.

Although quitting his day job isn't an option yet, Robinson is able to write as many as 2,000 words per night after he gets home from work. "To me, writing is like driving a car at night during the fog," he says. "You can only see as far as the headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."

After reading "On a Pale Horse" by Piers Anthony in 1986, Robinson was so moved that he wrote the author a fan letter. Anthony responded promptly and the two began a correspondence that helped shape Robinson's emerging writing career. Anthony helped him develop a winning writing style and gave him advice about the science fiction and fantasy business.

Robinson's next novel, "Into the Dragon's Maw," is complete and is due out next summer. He is currently working on his third novel, "Mirror of Opposition." The novels are "high fantasy" and not science fiction, he says. "I've shied away from science fiction altogether.

I get enough of computers and technology in my real job." :o)

From the outset, Battle Chasers is a wonderful yarn to read, from it's great way of introducing each new character, to the artwork at special points in the story, to the believable way all the people within the story act. The story follows a somewhat unlikely group, each doing what they do for reasons all their own, some brought together by coincidence, some by similar interests, some by no more than bad luck it would seem, yet, none of the relationships feel in any way forced, or false, but much like a relationship you might have had, some friend you always knew for some reason nobody would believe the truth of, simply because it was something as simple as coincidence. T. S. Robinson is a wonderful author, and his experience as a Game Master shines through in his storytelling, proving him quite competent, I'd wager at both the role of Author and Game Master.  I'm looking forward to his future stories. For any of you out there that haven't guessed it yet, go, read this book, visit the author's website, it's a GREAT story.

~ C. Armstrong

Like a different take?   This book takes an innovative twist on the Fantasy genre. Instead of leading up to a large battle and confrontation, the battle is over with a new about to take place. Involved characters, new ideas on existing creatures, definitely a must read.

~ S. Chubbs

Wow.  I mean just wow!
This book is great for any AD&D players, and it sticks right to the spirit of the game.  However, you don't even need to have heard the name AD&D before for this to be an outstanding book.  This sounds really cliché, but I say this honestly.   I really couldn't put it down.

~ J. Murphy

"Battle-Chasers" is not your typical fantasy novel. This first novel by T. S. Robinson is quite a surprise. It has a very intriguing and unique plot premise, a shocking setting, an one of the shorter time frame for a novel that I have ever read. And the book itself is a little piece of art.

Beginning with the story, "Battle-Chasers" is set in a battlefield. There are no fancy castles or beautiful, enchanted forest--although you heard of them-- in this story. There are wanderers, dead people, and deadly creatures, all lurking in the aftermath of an horrible battle. The point being made is that all battlefield are horror, nothing noble can be attached to them. That is something you don't get in your traditional fantasy stories. In these battlefield, several characters: a dwarf, an elf, a blind druid, an insane assassin, a dark wizard, a dragon and a sultry vampire, walk and scheme in this battlefield. There is not a main character in the story. All seems to have a say and a part in this story. Finally, the story begins at the end of the battle and will end at the beginning of the new day.

These elements made this novel a very interesting reading. Robinson portrayed this place not as a place to find glory but an horrible place the result of people fighting for stupid reasons. The desire of glory or blind revenge just bring death and heartaches. Almost all the characters of the novel have secret reasons to be in this battlefield. Some reasons are more clear than other but nevertheless you will have a nice time to see why anyone will want to stay after any battle have been won or lost.

In term of the characterization, Robinson follows very closely the rules set by role-playing games, like Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms. For example, you find characters with specific alignments: lawful good or evil, chaotic and neutral. In the small bio of the author, he explained that he is a fan of these games, so that could explain it. So if you like those games, you will like the characters and artifacts that populated the novel.

In general, I think that some of the characters needed a little more
work and depth, to understand their motives and their stories. The novel
felt like there was a lot more to be said but it was in the past of the
characters. A past that we barely learn through the novel. Although, I
think that a possible sequel will answer all those little questions that
plague me about the characters: Who really is the Tree of Life? How Chawk
survived an attack of a vampire? Who are the voices in the head of Chosser?
Possibly the story could have been more clear if one of the character would
have been the main character, like more traditional novel, but the same
time, this is not your traditional novel and it takes time to get use to
something new.

Finally, a nice touch in this novel that really help you to feel part of
the story is the beautiful illustration by Charles J. Urbach. Through the
text several illustration of each of the characters add a window to the
world portrayed in "Battle-Chasers". Overall, this book published by
Xlibris, a new online publishing company, is superb. My hardcover copy is
beautifully crafted.

My recommendation? If you are looking for a new writer with a different
take of fantasy, I definitely recommend you T. S. Robinson. His writing
still needs time to mature but for his first try, this is a very fine novel.
I will look forward for his next novel and hope for the answer to my little
question. I also hope that he invited Charles J. Urbach to illustrate his
novel since it really add a beautiful touch to the novel. So go and enjoy
your reading!

~ Marisol Ramos

I didn't expect Battle Chasers to be THAT good!  I've read gobs of fantasy over the last decade, some good and some bad.  From Robert Jordan to Tolkien, R. A. Salvatore, Weis and Hickman, Jeff Grubb, I've read quite a bit.   Therefore you know that I am speaking with experience when I say...BATTLE CHASERS IS ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY BOOKS I'VE EVER READ!!!!  I am sincerely impressed and have become a T. S. Robinson fan for life!!!!!

~ A. Rotsinger

BATTLE-CHASERS ~ A Tale of Honor, Friendship and Courage...Battle-Chasers is traditional fantasy in the spirit of Dungeons and Dragons, but with strong themes of friendship, personal courage and honor. There is redemption, sacrifice and enlightenment within the characters, who come to life within the pages. If action is to your taste, then Battle-Chasers delivers, offering many exciting scenes of battle and adventure. Many of these scenes are beautifully illustrated, something rarely seen in novels, and powerfully rendered here.  If you want a good, fast read that delivers depth and excitement, then check out Battle-Chasers.

~ C. Scott

A Great Book...
I have read more than my share of fantasy novels. I of course have read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but mostly I have stuck to and preferred the other type of epic fantasy, more human-centered instead of filled with dwarves and elves and orcs and
trolls. However, after receiving an e-mail from the author, I decided to try this book out. I waited the 4-6 weeks for it to be shipped, and when it arrived I was a little skeptical due to the relatively small size of the book, as I am used to the more daunting size of such as Jordan's Wheel of Time and Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. However, when I started reading, my concerns were quickly assuaged.  The story, instead of taking place over months or years like most books, instead takes place over the course of one night. The setting -- the aftermath of a three day long battle between the city of Obo and the evil Circle of Death. Battle-Chasers is the story of the survivors of the battle, as well as the thieves, healers, and others who come afterwards.

All of the characters are true characters, not mono-dimensional stereotypes of their races. The protagonists are a courageous dwarf, Ringlerun, my favorite character, a giant elf who has made it his life's quest to oppose the Circle of Death, and the magic-endowed blind albino cleric Chawk with his owl, Vu, there to help any survivors, as well as to fulfill a more personal quest. On the other side is a voluptuous vampire, a Circle of Death sorcerer, an insane assassin, a huge dragon, and the various evils which they can summon. However, there is no character who is all bad. All of the 'bad guys' have real motivations and feelings and fears, and there is not a single character who remains static. The writing is aided incredibly by the illustrations throughout the book, which display various scenes.  While this story takes place on a battlefield full of dead soldiers and creatures, the gore is emphasized when necessary but never overdone, and the weapons, charms and spells are all convincing (well, most of them anyway).

Perhaps the best thing about this novel, though, is its originality.  While the author was obviously influenced by other sources, such as Tolkien, AD&D, and maybe Dante, there was no feeling of, "I've read this before, I know what's coming, and how could they permit this virtual plagiarism to be published."   Granted, there were a few little flaws, mostly small grammatical errors and passages that could use a little smoothing over, but when aren't there?

Overall, this is a great debut novel from a promising
new author.

~ Taseldor

Xlibris or call 1-888-7xlibris or 1-609-278-0075

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