When we needed her most, she has returned!
Nemesis, the titular “Kaiju Thriller” mascot of Jeremy Robinson’s mind, has returned in a brand-new original retelling of her saga. This time, with a fresh new beginning, with all-new characters and situations, we embark on a journey filled with creatures, creepy cults, and of course, Jeremy’s trademark thrills and humor mix. Sidenote: this new Nemesis novel is a “alternative universe” situation. Don’t take it as a full-fledged reboot, but as a side-by-side companion piece to the original novel, both taking place simultaneously throughout the multiverse.
Taking place thirteen years after Nemesis’ original rampage, we see humanity try and coexist with the monster goddess of vengeance by throwing her sacrifices. Unlike most human gifts to gods, the sacrifices presented to our kaiju are actually terrible people. Instead of serving time in prison, Nemesis freaks out and hunts down people who have put negative energy or wrongdoing out into the world, and rampages until her target is deceased. To avoid collateral damage, society has enacted to just give up these people to Nemesis as a form of capitol punishment. This concept is extremely intriguing, and somewhat of a fresh take on the whole “God kaiju takes sacrificial lamb” situation, especially one in kaiju-adjacent media and publications.
Alternatively, there are events throughout this book caused by a devious cult and their string-pulling that keeps not only the characters guessing, but also readers alike. I find this aspect of Jeremy’s books to be the most impactful– what do we believe in, and how far can we take that belief with our actions? Are we all blinded by faith? What makes the cult different from the regular people sacrificing criminals to a gigantic vengeful kaiju? The questions raised here are definitely philosophical, but not really as present as I’d like them to be, but that’s just because author Robinson’s style is more thrills and kills, and if you’re into that kind of thing, this book reads like a dope anime with bad ass biker chicks, kaiju mayhem, and one-liners galore.
The plot itself is pretty straightforward, although I find the initial opening act to be the strongest, with the mythos and worldbuilding on point. Once the action starts, it doesn’t stop, and that’s a great thing for a book to do. Personally, the third act could have been closed out a bit sooner than later, but it was rather amusing to see problem after problem for our protagonists continuously annoying them. The characters feel original and fleshed out — even if a few of them are just there to fill out a group and make banter. The protagonist himself was more of a walking one-liner machine, and as funny as that can be, sometimes it got a little old.
The humor and fun of it will entertain readers, both new to the series like me, and veteran “Nemesis” fans who have followed Jeremy over the past decade. It’s original and fresh enough to not confuse the new readers, but there are easter eggs for the hunters out there looking for some “aha” moments in terms of how the characters translate from timeline to timeline. If you like kaiju books, check this one out, as it’s pretty much like a fun adult animated movie, something like The Venture Bros meets Godzilla. I hope this new Nemesis timeline goes somewhere, as Robinson’s world building is on point, and the premise alone warrants more books. That alone is its strongest attribute, and if you’re a lore nut like me, that’s pretty rad. “Nemesis” is a strong start to Jeremy’s new timeline of monster mania, and despite the small issues I had with the book, found it to be hilarious, action-packed, and full of new ideas for kaiju fans to devour and intake.
About “Nemesis”
New York Times and #1 Audible bestselling author, Jeremy Robinson, explores an alternate reality in which the events of Project Nemesis, soon to be a TV series from Chad Stahelski (director of John Wick 1 – 4) and Sony Pictures Television, played out very differently, creating a horrific and thrilling new world where sacrifice and vengeance are part of everyday life.
From the ashes of a devastated Boston, a harrowing legend emerges. Thirteen years prior, the colossal kaiju, Nemesis, ravaged the city in her relentless pursuit of retribution. Today, mankind’s survival teeters on the sacrificial offerings atop a chilling monolith known as The Altar, where the condemned pay the ultimate price to prevent Nemesis’s wrath from consuming humanity.
Agent Graham, a grizzled operative on the brink of retirement, finds himself tethered to the fiery, untested Agent Tilly. Together, they are the unlikeliest of partners within the Nemesis Special Operations group, the government’s first line of defense against the looming shadow of the massive Goddess of Vengeance. Their mission? To hunt down the enigmatic cult, Divine Retribution, before they can harness the devastating power of Nemesis to reshape the world to their warped sense of righteousness.
As Graham and Tilly plunge into Boston’s darkest underbelly, they face more than just the echoes of their city’s past. They must outwit cunning cultists, battle impossible monsters on the windswept beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, and forge an unexpected alliance with the motley and formidable all-female biker gang inspired by the Queen of Monsters, the ‘Nemesisters.’ Every step drives them closer to the unthinkable, and asks the questions:
How many must be sacrificed to save the world from the ever-watchful gaze of Nemesis?
How much more will she demand when the world needs to be saved?
Pre-order HERE.
