Another smashing tour of the Lost Level. This time a rescue mission and some new characters take the fields of carnivore grass, German spacecrafts, and a clan of lizard men.
The pterodactyl bait scene is memorable down to the last word, as if you were grasped under the claws yourself.

And Keene leaves us literally right on the edge. ( )

I realized as I starting reading Return to the Lost Kevel, I had grown out of this type of book. As a teen I read Philip Jose Farmer, Lin Carter, etc who often placed a stereotypical hero from our world into other worlds. Farmer’s Dungeon series comes to mind with its various authors and the mish mash of time periods as well as his World of Tiers books. When I attempt to re-read them I give up since I am looking for something different in my reading these days.

Return to the Lost Level could be considered an homage to such books. It is written in the first person narrative, wastes little time on in depth characterization (relying on stereotypes) and is heavy on quick action with little in depth explanation or motivation. I always consider this type of book the equivalent of a Chuck Norris or similar action movie. Once that was the type of reading that excited me but alas not any more.

I do recommend it to fans of Farmer, Lin Carter, even E.R.Burroughs and R.E.Howard but if you want depth in your characters this might not be the series for you. ( )

Aaron Pace stranded in the Lost Level. A strange dimension where dinosaurs, killer robots, aliens and many more strange creatures are stranded. After he got accepted into a local tribe, Aaron could have lived a happy life, if it wasn't for the Anunnaki. Those lizard people raided the village, killing most inhabitants and taking many as hostage, among them Kasheena, Aaron's girlfriend. Together with the toughest survivors they start pursuit. And they have to face many strange adventures before they finally catch up and have an opportunity to enact their revenge.

Brian Keene delivers a fast-paced pulp sci-fi/horror novel that almost reads itself. The story moves along at a brisk pace, with many surprising twists and turns. I highly enjoyed the experience and I'm looking forward to the next books in the series (both a prequel as well as a sequel are planned).

If you've read The Lost Level then I can highly recommend this sequel. If you haven't and you enjoy reading fast-paced adventures with a wild mix of genres then I recommend you read first The Lost Level and then Return to the Lost Level. ( )

So here is the second installment of Keene's Lost Level series, with a prequel forthcoming called HOLE IN THE WORLD. This book probably deserves a higher rating that I gave it, because I tend to not like these types of books as much as Keene's other stuff. I think that I did like the first installment slightly more than this one. The highlights for me here were and out-of-time Ambrose Bierce and an infant triceratops. If that sounds like something for you, I'd highly recommend this one. ( )