Big Stick by Michael A. Ventrella

Big Stick Reviews

• 
  Firstname Lastname

  Take the Underground Railroad, add golems, and then dirigible warfare. Stir briskly, accent with snappy dialogue, apply to the ocular goo-spheres, and voila.
  
  I’ve read the first 2/3rds of this story about four times. Even at a skim, by five pages in, there’s a goofy smile on my face and I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride. Ventrella has a firm hold of the reader’s humerus. Why only 2/3rds of the story? Because I never wanted it to end. I’ve read the entire thing now, and I still don’t want it to end.
  
  From the initiating incident to the final denouement, the story just keeps getting bigger and weirder and even more fun. I’d be willing to bet that 90% of the characters introduced, get outros/closure as well. Somewhere, I can hear the faint cry of an editor being slightly overpaid.
  
  Much like his previous “Bloodsuckers”, “Big Stick” makes politics sound like fun. I can definitely hear echoes of Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 in his presentation, which will be all the more impressive if he hasn’t read it. I haven’t asked him yet.
  
  This is a delightful read full of unexpected surprises, with a real sense of liking its characters, even its moustachio-rotating villains.
  
  I generally don’t read male authors. I make an exception for Michael, for what will become obvious reasons once you read this story. Have good time, and keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.
  
• 
  Sahar Abdulaziz

  In all fairness, for a person who tends to be an eclectic reader, open to a wide variety of different genres, I must embarrassingly admit, Big Stick by Michael A. Ventrella, was my first-ever steampunk novel. I’m happy to report; it did not disappoint. In fact, I unequivocally and truly enjoyed it.
  
  From the jump, Ventrella delivered a cast of characters with bigger than life personalities. He incorporated witty dialogue, snippets of actual historical facts interspersed throughout a fast-paced, and innovative plot, laden with super cool futuristic devices and gadgets used by charismatic heroes and dastardly villains alike. It all made for a highly enjoyable and entertaining read.
  
  But wait! ––there’s that cover. We readers all like to say that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s utter hogwash. A-fib. A sham. We all do it, even subconsciously. I found Big Stick’s cover eye-appealing, and the design complemented the story perfectly. The whole package––well done! Or as Teddy Roosevelt in the story would say, “Bully!”
  
  Lastly, Ventrella didn’t write a steampunk action-story exclusively, but cleverly dropped throughout his plot and prose, a multitude of political innuendos and inferences, providing the reader an additional and impressive layer of reading satisfaction.
  
• 
  Wendy Snyder

  A rollicking tale of Teddy Roosevelt in his best over the top character, and Beverly Hadadd, a black undercover agent who is assisting him. There is a host of real historical figures worked into the tale of attempts on commissionerRoosevelts life as he tries to solve the mystery of lightning strikes out of the blue. There is a steam powered clockwork army being built by evil scientists. What are they going to do? And then Teddy finds out there is going to be an attempt on the life of Mickinley at his inauguration. Non stop action!
• 
  Bobbi

  Very enjoyable
  
  I would love to visit this world again. Beverly is a very interesting character. This is the first steampunk book I ever read, and I look forward to reading more!
• 
  Janice

  A lively romp through history with fun characters and catchy dialog. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more from this author.