A Great Book Review

Not many people have read my books, and therefore I do have  many book reviews. Thankfully, those who have read my books have enjoyed them, and I am eternally grateful for their kind words. 

"I had a great time reading this book."

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024

I finished Vanguard and went straight into Warfolkan, because I needed to know what happened to Wajue and those lovely elvish sisters. I was not disappointed by the adventure, the new characters, or the development of the story. It twists. It winds. It's just a great, adventurous read.

I personally like to upload the ebook into kindle and ask Alexa to read it to me while I'm walking my dog, cooking, or cleaning, or such. It makes great audio content. I'm completely transported, because Kafka is a master at pacing a narrative. I would especially recommend this book to people who have been reading fantasy for a while and want to rekindle that mischievous joy they experienced when they first discovered the genre.

Everything about this classic fantasy is a treat for readers, but I was charmed by the aquatic dwarves. They're my bros now and I'm looking forward to Sagacity.

I am truly humbled by this review.

j/k

A Humbling Book Review

Touching one reader makes the effort worth while.

 

Book review - September 14, 2023

I didn't want it to end

I'm so glad that I discovered this series. I plan to read all the others.

As an adult reader, I could feel the excitement of endless possibility in the coming-of-age adventure. As a woman, I could not personally identify with the very horny female elves, but I enjoyed seeing them through Wajue, the main characters' eyes, who was a very typical teenage boy. The immersive world felt so developed that I recall the mechanics of the world as much as the characters.

 

 

The Beginning of an amazing adventure

The world building might slow the first few chapters for some, but it was absolutely worth letting it unfold at a more traditional pace. World building is where this story shines. Each culture, creature, and curse has been expertly crafted and delivered with expert storytelling skills.

I read one chapter every day and I felt as enthralled with Vanguard as I was back in the 1990s when someone first handed me a David Eddiings book when I couldn't find another from the Xanth series. If you want to feel like you did somewhere between picking up Tolkien, but before George RR Martin, this is that fantasy. It feels deeply rooted in an era sorely missed by many genre fiction readers.

Although some parts might offend sensitive readers, everything that initially bothered me was later revealed to be the consequences of the cruelty and curses of an evil source.

The author obviously loved crafting this story and I'm certain if you get past the cover art and some crafty misdirection, you'll have a memorable experience with this delightful approach to fantasy.

I am truly humbled.

j/k

Fantastic Book Review

 

I do not have many book reviews on Amazon, but not because I haven't sold a lot books; it's just that Amazon doesn't allow a book to be reviewed unless it was purchased from Amazon. Nevertheless, I am eternally grateful and humbled by the wonderful reviews I have received. 

Reviewed in Australia on January 28, 2026

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Vanguard is a fantasy story namely about a naïve boy named Wajue. His world falls apart after he and his father is attacked by a monstrous bear and when tragedy strikes, leaving him injured and fighting for survival, he finds himself brought away from the safety of his hidden homeland and into the unforgiving land of Bovatha. Saved and healed by a mysterious half-elf woman who inadvertently brings down a fate upon him that was set since the day of his birth, Wajue must navigate a world filled with things he is truly unaccustomed to or understands - deceit and greed - and as he discovers more about himself, his companions and the world he is now part of, danger surrounds him.

The Good

Vanguard is surprisingly brutal. No character is safe, and the writer has the incredible ability to introduce you to many characters unique and likable before ending their lives. Some die of old age while others meet their demise suddenly in an attack. The most haunting was so unforeseen it was jarring, and at the hands of the Wajue himself - although through possession.

The narrative is compelling drawing you deeply into the worlds history and lore, and not shy to take the time to explain historic significance without falling into the pitfall of lore dumps. Kafka is skilled at writing dialogue and inner monologue and at times making me chuckle, especially when he describes men's thoughts on why some female characters act the way they do. What is highlighted is his ability to create complex characters’ ones that truly stay with you, even if they only remain for a few pages he takes the time to make you want to interact with them more, making their loss more heartbreaking.

The Bad

I don't really have much criticism. I have two more books within the series to read and I can see that Kafka has taken the time with editing and formatting. Even though the writing was fantastic and well thought out there were several part (namely Wajue's possession) that came out of nowhere and I was shocked the sudden transition of murder of his companion.

Overall

The Vanguard is a fantastic example of the quality you would find in an indie title. Why his work has not been picked up by a traditional publisher is beyond me but the setting, characters and the overall writing was a joy to read.

Wajue is the MVP of this tale and I haven't really had a main character whom I liked more than any other supporting character. His innocence is endearing with his ability as a warrior. Janus however is a close second and I love the relationship between the two. I was very surprised by her backstory.

If you have a love for a fantasy setting and enjoy a great beginning for a multi-book saga, Vanguard (Broke Fiction Book 1) is for you and I can't recommend it enough.

j/k

Cup of Coffee

 

A short story about how a cup of coffee saved my life.

Dare I say, it wasn't my time. My Guardian Angels (I need several) were on full alert one particular day in 1985

News Report - RHEIN-MAIN AB, Germany — A powerful car bomb exploded early Thursday at Rhein-Main AB, killing two Americans and injuring more than 20 people. The blast occurred at 7:15 a.m. as hundreds of employees were reporting to work.

I was there that day, doing what I do best, having a cup of coffee and being lazy.

The story: My friend was transferring back to the states and asked me to give him a ride to the Base AirPort in the morning. Of course I said yes, because it meant I could get out of work for a few hours. He told me later that we needed to leave at 5:30am. Which was fine. We had four children, so being up at Zero Dark Thirty was a way of life for me and the wife back then. 

All went as planned. Picked him up. Drove an hour from our Base (Sembach) to Ramstein AFB. His plane was scheduled to leave at 8:00am

Then Fate, or as I believe, my Guardian Angels took over.

I parked, dropped him off, and he said those magical words that saved my life or a serious injury, "You don't want to go back work, come in, have a cup of coffee with me until it's time to board. 

Of course, I said, "Yes!" 

Note: It's 1985 - no cell phones - wife is at work.

Thank You Guardian Angels

While drinking some coffee and having a goodbye conversation, suddenly a LOUD BOOM! It rattled the entire airport. Alarms Went Off! Screaming! Kids crying! 

As for me and my friend, both having seen our fair share of Alert Exercises, we didn't panic and continued drinking our coffee. Actually, he was mildly upset the Base picked the day he was leaving to conduct an exercise. 

But when the Air Force security police were running all over the Airport, we then realized, um, something bad happened.

Several hours later, after the dust settled, my friend's plane took off, and I was finally allowed to walk to my car.

I saw the destruction the bomb left in its wake - bad, really bad.

Not Good

The moment I got in my car, I started doing math in my head. When we arrived, when I would have been walking back to my car. WOW! was my reaction - yes, I thanked God the entire drive back to work.

Needless to say, as soon as I got back to work, (My wife and I worked in the same place at the time) the second she saw me, she ran and hugged me like I'd been gone for years. Then she proceeded to scream at me for not calling. I lied - I said the phones were down. 

That's my story. 

My advice, never hesitate when you're offered a cup of coffee. Say yes every time. 

I recommend, this holiday season, hug the ones you love and even the ones you might not like very much.

Life is precious.  and so is coffee.

j/k