Futurus Rex Reviews
“The Future is Rex! Star Wars, Robin Hood, techno mages, high enchantment ... everything EXCEPT boring!” -
Susan Fox (SciFi Radio)
Jennifer Perry of popular podcast "Madame Perry's Salon"
5.0 out of 5 stars Arthurian legend, medieval battles, techno-wizards, love, sci-fi action!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
Exquisitely crafted from the brilliant minds of D.C. Fontana and and Lynn Barker (Star Trek and Twilight Zone anyone?) sparked by an idea from their pal Budd Lewis, FUTURUS REX is the satisfying gift of pure joy we've been needing.
To paraphrase Bill Hader's SNL character Stefan "This book has everything!" The Arthurian legend, futuristic yet medieval worlds, a meetup of magic and high tech, love, jealousy, and some creatures from the land of the Fae that I'm already dreaming about having as stuffed bed pals!
The action in FUTURUS REX is fast paced to match the urgency of the storylines - giving it a cinematic feel - yet has exactly the amount of detail we need. Get this book!
From the popular podcasters of "Chatting with Sherri" and "Lifeslices" come two great reviews:
From Podcaster Sherri Rabinowitz: Reviewed on July 26, 2023 - Five stars! "Screenwriter and author Lynn Barker collaborated with her dearest friend, D.C. (Dorothy) Fontana who loved the King Arthur "Once and Future King" legend and really, really wanted to write it. A mutual friend of theirs brought an idea that he wanted to bring into screenplay form. So, the three of them worked hard to bring this special story to life. Sadly, their friend passed away. Then years later Lynn and Dorothy decided to use the information of the screenplay and write a novel. The two of them worked on it between projects but then suddenly Dorothy Fontana passed away. Lynn had the notes on the work they did and the last edits that Dorothy had done. Lynn worked very hard to bring about this magical book.
It took a long time for this legend of King Arthur to come true; it was that he would come back when England needed him. A young Songsayer, Aliena, is encouraged to lead a band of diverse misfits against the oppressors but she feels far from able to fulfil their belief in her. The man in the cave, who finally awakens from his long slumber, is none other than King Arthur, and he is the one who is meant to help Aliena and her band, to battle the oppressors. But the only one of King Arthur's knights to wake up beside him is the traitorous Modred.
This magical tale is a delight, it brings all the excitement and charm of the original tale into the future. Everyone who loves the Arthurian Legend and Fantasy will enjoy this tale. I certainly did and I can't wait to read the next part. I highly recommend it!" Goodreads and Barnes and Noble Review
From Podcaster Steven J. Fisher: Reviewed on Amazon on July 13th, 2023 - "After an apocalypse reduces Great Britain to a medieval state, King Arthur returns from a long snooze to help the people battle a technowizard to try to regain their independence. Imbued with magic, adventure and heroism, Lynn Barker and D.C. Fontana's epic moves at a brisk pace and conjures a world both known and new. It's a fun and fast read."
And from Classic "Star Trek's" Chekov Walter Koenig....
"Past worlds and future worlds clash and revealed is a world of enchantment. King Arthur, the once and future king returns as does Modred, Arthur's great nemesis. Aliena, the songsayer stands beside Arthur to do battle against Grand Magician Karayahn's mad empress. Relationships are formed, people triumph and people die as the story rushes to a satisfying conclusion. I read it in a day and a half." Walter Koenig, March 18, 2023
"A saga of dystopian post-war future, an alternate universe, and King Arthur—restored to life amid a battle against the enslavement of all neo-medieval Britain at the mercy of a Sorceress wielding devastating alternate universe tech. This is the future referred to in the phrase, “The once and Future King." -
Arthur Sellers (Amazon Review)
"Imagine King Arthur returning to fight for right once more in a distant future medieval setting. But now, in addition to horses, swords, and armor, there are high-tech weapons left over from a holocaust that tossed Britain back into a violent medieval age. Think heat-seeking web grenades, laser guns, and a starcrystal-driven death-ray machine. There's also a (very powerful) lady in distress, a (sort of) dragon, a wicked Grand Magician, and plenty of hostile mutant Garrum guards looking to blow good guys to bits. The future for oppressed common folks is bleak. But never fear, King Arthur is here again! If you're looking for a late-night escape with a lot of creative sci-fi action, look no further. This is it.". -
KS (Amazon Review)
“Futurus Rex” is a captivating new novel by Lynn Barker and the late, legendary, D.C. Fontana. This absorbing tale places King Arthur, Modred, and Merlin in a distant future rising out of the ruins of our long-vanished, obliterated civilization and under the heel of a despotic and powerful sorceress. There are heroes and heroines, betrayals, narrow escapes, and all the twists and turns that make for a grand adventure tale… and a page-turning read."
- Brooks Wachtel (Amazon Review)
"A wild ride and a super fun read. I related to Aliena the main songsayer character a lot, and the epic battle scenes and interesting character development kept me 'enchanted.' I hope there are more and this becomes a series! -
E.L. (Amazon Review)
"I enjoyed the high adventure and touch of romance, with magic, palace intrigue, and the ever-scheming Modred adding spice to the mix." -
Karen Willson (Goodreads Review)