Cover: The Yak Guy Project
by C. S. Boyack
The author sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review (member of Rosie’s Book Review Team).
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars)
Plot
(by Goodreads)
Imagine waking up in the desert with no idea what happened to you. You have clear memories of situations and places, but a complete loss in personal matters… like your own name. This situation is bad, and you have no idea how to get home.
When you’re rescued by a talking yak, the situation gets exponentially worse. You’ve obviously lost your mind. The immediate needs of a ride off the salt pan and searing heat, along with a drink of water, outweigh the concerns about your mental state.
This is exactly what happened to the Yak Guy. In fact he’s been placed in an alternate world and given a chance to start over in life.
Can this selfish, almost parasitic, young man learn to start over in a world where charity is hard to find? Life is brutal and short here, but he’s going to have to adapt or perish.
The Yak Guy Project is loosely based around The Fool’s Journey from the Tarot. Those with experience in Tarot will spot people and situations from the Major Arcana.
| Genre(s): | Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Dystopian > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Dystopian |
| Series: | n.a. |
| Length: | 290 pages |
| Release date: | 2018-05-11 |
Teaser
I plopped on my hat and headed down the stone slabs to the waiting yak. “Where’s the saddle?”
“Right where you left it,” the yak said.
“Well, I want it, so we need to go get it.”
The yak headed toward our last campsite. “Sounds like you may have learned the difference. Nice hat.”
My Opinion
This book introduces you to a man who gets a second chance and to a yak.
With The Yak Guy Project, C. S. Boyack presents us with an entertaining and sometimes pretty funny dystopian story. The story is skillfully elaborated and has a great flow. Ernest Hemingway once stated “When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.” C. S. Boyack shows this masterly with this story – he created living people (and an amazing yak) instead of mere characters; even if the yak is not human – it has personality. I was drawn into the story right away, very close to the man and – the yak. The protagonists’ personalities are complex, the others of sufficient depth according to their relevance. Protagonists who grow with their tasks and a yak as a moral guide will take you on an unforgettable journey. I could easily envision the characters and locations. I had a wonderful time reading The Yak Guy Project; it is a highly entertaining read.
This is for you if you like great story-telling, dystopian stories, interesting personalities to cheer on, as well as thought-provoking, and fun moments.
This is a book to read again. Highly recommended!
In brief:
| Cover | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Writing | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Plot | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Characters | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Mood | Suspenseful |
| Pace | Steady |
| POV | First person – past tense |
| Language |  – 😳 (decent enough) |
| Violence | 😳 – 😡 (occasional strong violence) |
| Sexual content | – 😳 (decent enough) |
About the author
I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Craig
Connect with the author:
Website: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Virgilante
Amazon: C. S. Boyack
Buy link: books2read.com/u/mBPowy
Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading. Now I am asking you. 🙂
My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you? What did you think about The Yak Guy Project? Or – if you did not yet read The Yak Guy Project – are you now interested in reading it yourself?
I am looking forward to reading your comments. 🙂
Review: The Experimental Notebook of C.S. Boyack
Review: The Experimental Notebook of C.S. Boyack II
Review: The Hat by C.S. Boyack
Karen – they are good combination and reflection….The Yak Guy Project is my favorite and enjoyed reading it – keep up always your wonderful surprises…
Thanks for your feedback, Mihran. I am glad you liked it as well.
Hi Karen, sounds inventive and interesting. Great review Karen. Have shared to my #ABRSC Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook and twitter. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this around, Marje.
Hi Craig. My pleasure. 🙂 x
Hi Marje, thanks for sharing. Craig is a great storyteller, deserves the attention.
My pleasure Karen. 🙂
Another fabulous review for this book. Thanks, Karen!
Thank you, Olga.
Well deserved for Craig’s writing. Thanks for commenting, Olga.
A super review of this book, I am reading it at the moment.
Thanks, Robbie. Hope you’re enjoying it.
Thanks for the praise, Robbie. Happy reading.
Great review, Karen! I’m about 25% in – Alexa is reading it to me.
Erg??? How is Alexa doing?
Not too bad – which she’d do voices.
I’d release an audio-book if I could afford to do it my way. Multiple voices, plus a foley artist for sound effects.
Thank you very much, Teri. Are you satisfied with Alexa? My brother-in-law uses it for different purposes, therefore it is difficult for me to imagine being read a book by Alexa.
Sometimes she seems to have a mind of her own. I’ve walked into a room while she’s been talking – but no one was there. She also likes to ignore my commands and do her own thing. I’m beginning to think she’s becoming self-aware.
Alexa might be hearing voices. What if ‘Sarah’ stopped by? Many programmers test their skills; self-awareness of tools is something they strive to achieve…
Brilliant story from a brilliant author!
Thanks, ladies. And thanks for the reblog too.
I couldn’t agree more.
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thanks for the reblog.
I haven’t yet read The Yak Guy Project … it’s next up on my list! … and your review makes me even more eager to get started. Thanks for sharing, Karen! 🙂
Thanks, Harmony. I’d be interested to get your perspective about his life journey since yours is so fascinating.
You’ll certainly love it, Harmony. The Yak Guy Project is a highly entertaining read. 🙂
I loved what you had to say a out The Yak Guy Project. It’s an amazing read and, like you, I highly recommend it. It’s unusual and inventive.
Thanks, Mae.
Thank you very much, Mae.
We are very lucky to have Craig’s stories. Like you, he has branded his work with his unique writer’s voice.
🙂
Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
Here’s a wonderful review of The Yak Guy Project. Stop over at Karen’s blog to check it out. While you’re there, you might want to check out her new publication which includes an appearance by Lisa Burton.
The Yak Guy Project is an awesome story, Craig.
With Lisa Burton and the Yak you created two memorable personalities. Thanks again for letting Lisa help solve the mystery.
My (and her) pleasure.
So glad you enjoyed the story, Karen. I’ll share this post everywhere I can.
It is a wonderful story, Craig. Thanks for sharing.
Means a lot to me.
Thank you Karen
My pleasure, Rosie. It is a fab read.