Name: Lola Snyder
Job title: Head of youth services at the Jackson County Public Library
What’s the name of the book and author you are recommending?
“Amish Werewolves of Space” by Kerry Nietz.
What made you want to pick up this book in the first place?
It’s part of a trilogy that started with “Amish Vampires of Space.” That book I picked up because the title was so absurd I had to read it. What I found was a really good science fiction, light horror crossover that also handles the Amish faith appropriately and with dignity. This is the third and final book of the Peril in Plain Space trilogy. The second was “Amish Zombies of Space.”
Once you got into the book, what made you want to keep reading it?
I had to know how it ends for these characters who I have vicariously watched suffer, grow, change and question their life choices and faith. The books are a mashup of genres that shouldn’t work, but they do. The underlying story is about navigating the complexities of human relationships and community within the context of Amish beliefs. How do they respond to the non-Amish people (English) around them and the abnormal events that keep enveloping them? What can the English learn from the Amish? Of course, I also enjoy the werewolf part. I don’t want to give anything away because I hope you’ll read all three of these books, but there is sentience in the creatures that makes them more than your average monster. And remember, it’s really good science fiction.
Once you finished the book, what did you like about it?
Several other reviewers have been very satisfied with the ending of the books, and I also was OK but not thrilled. Lots of books wrap things up too neatly, and I feel there is more story here to tell. That said, the ending made perfect sense in the world Nietz created, so no real complaints if he decides not to write any more additions to this trilogy. I think my main takeaway was this: Sometimes, in trying to solve manmade problems, we create other far worse problems by not thinking through as many possible outcomes before we act. Oh, and relationships are confusing, sometimes messy, always work and they are absolutely worth the effort.
What is the book is about?
Yet another trial comes to the Amish on resolve. This one is killing their livestock and may now be killing humans. When angry eyes turn toward the vamperkinder, can the community resolve its issues in a way honoring Derr Herr (God) or will things descend into chaos, causing more death and perhaps an exodus from the planet separating them forever?
Why would you recommend this book to others?
If you love science fiction, read this book. If you love light horror, read this book. There is no explicit language and no sexual scenes in this book, either. Beyond that, the books are about human cultures and interactions. Our cultures, and we, are all flawed, all capable of evil, but also capable of great good.