Monster Hunter Bloodlines by Larry Correia
Monster Hunter International Book Eight
Baen Books
2021

The proprietor of a local bookstore initially brought this series to my attention. I think at the time there were at least four books. You see, I have this problem with recommendations: I take them into account, but it may be a while until I come around and decide it's time to read one. That was the case with this series. I put it off until I decided it was time, and boy had I been missing out! I had so much fun that I kept reading. Now, I am one in a legion of fans clambering for new books the moment we finish the latest.

This was an Audible book performed by Oliver Wyman. Being told from the perspective of Owen Pitt, for most of the story Wyman uses Pitt's 'voice'. At first, I didn't like it, but it grew on me and now I cannot imagine Pitt sounding any other way. Wyman does a fantastic job gliding from one voice to the next, one accent to the next. Superb.

Having written eight novels and a collection of short stories with a trilogy written by John Ringo, all set within the same world, there is a wealth of story and characters to weave together. Correia brings all of these threads together seamlessly in this new book. As a fan who has read everything up to this point, I cannot help but smile and nod at everything and everyone included here.

The story opens in the middle of a stakeout. Word has gotten around that a Ward Stone is being sold on the black market. Monster Hunter International isn't the only interested party though. Things soon go south as the Ward Stone is stolen; all parties give chase. The thief is a new player but shares a history with MHI. The next few days are a running battle to secure the Ward Stone. Once secured, MHI must defend it and its host at all costs. Things go more and more awry.

This novel is action packed. Full of big guns and terrifying, relentless monsters. This novel is also a bridge in the larger story. By that I mean that the larger story barely moves forward. The threads I spoke of earlier are presented and threaded together forging forward toward the impending calamity. Be prepared for several surprises and one hell of a whopper at the end.

A wonderful performance and story. I cannot wait until book nine.