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    The Lost Level
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    The Lost Level
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    The Lost Level
    Ebook254 pages4 hours

    The Lost Level

    By Brian Keene

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    When modern-day occultist Aaron Pace discovers the secrets of inter-dimensional travel via a mystical pathway called The Labyrinth, he wastes no time in exploring a multitude of strange new worlds and alternate realities. But then, Aaron finds himself trapped in the most bizarre dimension of all — a place where dinosaurs coexist with giant robots, where cowboys fight reptilian lizard people, and where even the grass can kill you. This is a world populated by the missing and the disappeared, a world where myth is reality and where the extinct is reborn. Now, side-by-side with his new companions Kasheena and Bloop, Aaron must learn to navigate its dangers and survive long enough to escape... THE LOST LEVEL.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherApex Book Company
    Release dateJan 17, 2015
    ISBN9781311260116
    Unavailable
    The Lost Level
    Author

    Brian Keene

    BRIAN KEENE is the author of over forty books. His novel, THE RISING, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture's current interest in zombies. Keene has also written for media properties such as DOCTOR WHO, THE X-FILES, HELLBOY, and MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. Several of Keene's works have been developed for film. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror Grand Master award, two Bram Stoker awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. He lives in rural Pennsylvania.

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    Reviews for The Lost Level

    4/5

    9 ratings21 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I tore through this book in a weekend. It is that much fun!Taking pages from various "lost world" stories, Keene rolls out his own take on the genre. With influences ranging from The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, the Pellucidar series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and up through the television series Land of the Lost and Lost, this story romps through dinosaurs, lizard men, killer robots, deadly vegetation and other dangers.While the tropes are there (in a good way,) Keene also weaves in his own touches. There are some nice modern knuckle-down-and-do-it survivalist methodologies, which are often glossed over in such fiction. It adds veracity to the hero, Aaron Price. Keene's fiction is all connected and in this case, literally - there is a Labyrinth between worlds in time-space. Unfortunately, if travelers in the Labyrinth are not careful, they can wash up into the Lost Level - from which there is no return. Also making an appearance are the sinister Global Corporation, a shadowy conglomerate also present in some of Keene's other fiction.The Lost Level is both homage and pastiche and makes no bones about it, wearing its influences proudly on its sleeve. It is pure Saturday matinee material in the best way. If you enjoy the lost world genre, you need this book!
    • 4/5
      It took a little for me to catch on, but once I got going, this was hard to put down. It absolutely begs for a sequel, as Keene repeatedly tells us how many stories he has in store for this world. If you are at all familiar with Keene, then there is no need to comment on his excellent writing skills. If you are not, then rest assured that he is a master story teller, and if you are even a little bit interested in the story then you will not be disappointed.
    • 4/5
      To sum it up: I enjoyed it. Its a fast paced, no-nonsense pulp fiction, not intended to offer deep thoughts or compelling character developement, but a fast read, offering more or less a couple of short episodes linked by an overall story arc. Perfect to escape after a stressful day. I am looking forward to the next installment.
    • 5/5
      Light but really fun read, a good adventure/scifi/fantasy blend book.Man have been researching multidimensional travel and went to various universes. Unfortunately he somehow opened door to Lost Level, a dimension that picks up "trash" from other dimensions, and it has no exit. Literally anything can be found there, from normal-looking thing that ends up deadly, to lost technology from evil people.
    • 4/5
      As the author states in the afterward, the world he's created in the Lost Level is markedly influenced by such fantasy tales as Land Of the Lost and the TV series Lost. It's primarily plot-driven with less importance placed on character development, but in spite of that I cared about the main characters and their survival in the well-crafted "purgatory-ish"/time-shifting/alternate universe that is known as the "Lost Level", a place from which there is no return. There were unsubtledly crafted cliffhangers that I felt could have better written less conspicuously while retaining the same suspense. Nonetheless I was captivated in this fantasy world despite the fact that this is a genre I don't normally read. The fact that I enjoyed it so much is a definite reminder that sometimes it pays off to reach beyond one's more frequently visited genres.This book is the first in a planned series. Be prepared for an ending that is really anything but an "ending". I very much look forward to the next book, and I would recommend this book.I received this book in exchange for an unbiased and fair review as part of Library Thing's Early Reviewer group.
    • 4/5
      I was given this book complimentary from LibraryThing.com in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.Not really my type of fantasy but you have to admire something done well and Brian Keene does that early last century pulp fantasy real well. Obviously a fan of the genre the book starts off almost lovecraftian and then morphs into a traditional lost world type of adventure complete with a nekkid princess. But this princess raised it a star for me - no hiding behind our hero for this one, her body count exceeded Aaron's. Recommended for fans of action adventures and anyone else who wants an easy read for a few hours, hope there is a sequel.
    • 4/5
      The Lost Level fits firmly into the pulp adventure genre, with the main character, Aaron Pace being an occultist who finds himself trapped in a parallel dimension of sorts (the titular Lost Level) that's home to a range of oddities from snake men and dinosaurs to lost socks and Nazi flying saucers. There's a native warrior woman who does a lot to avoid the classic "damsel in distress" tropes that exist in other stories from the genre, she and a humanoid cat called 'Bloop' (well, that's all the character says, so it's assumed to be a name) join Aaron and act as important conduits for information about the strange land they occupy - both for Aaron and for the reader.The story is told as purely from Aaron's point of view and covers his first few adventures in the Lost Level. It's written as if an extended journal that Aaron is writing after a while spent in the Lost Level, so makes reference to topics that will probably feature heavily in future books.On the whole, this is an enjoyable romp of an adventure that while not a classic, but it certainly makes for easy and entertaining reading. If you enjoy the works of Burroughs or Wells than you will probably find something to enjoy in The Lost Level.
    • 4/5
      This book is an interesting blend of fantasy, sci-fi, adventure-in other words a great pulp novel. It's reminiscent of some of the classic "lost world" stories by Burroughs and Howard and also of the pulp adventure stories like "Adventure" or "Black Mask" used to publish. The story is fast-paced but he still develops the characters and locations well enough to give a sense of the world he's created. It left me looking forward to the sequel.I've never read the author's other works but he says they have a mythos tying them all together and I'm interested in checking these out now.
    • 4/5
      I very much enjoyed this book. It touched me on several different levels. (pun not intended) In addition to being an engaging story by itself, it also tied into the occult and conspiracy theories of the real world. Plus many times it referenced elements from Keene's other works. And most importantly, it had heart.Aaron Pace discovers a way to open doors to other dimensions and quickly starts exporing. Suddenly he finds himself trapped in a new, or I suppose I should say different, dimension. A dimension which is an amalgam of pieces from other worlds and times. A place where a modern robot could end up in a fight with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Aaron soon finds two new companions who accompany him on his discoveries through the land, or if you prefer the level.In the Afterword, Keene acknowledged multiple sources for this lost world / man-out-of-time story including among others Edgar Rice Burroughs, the TV show "Lost", the TV show "Land of the Lost" and Mike Grell's comic book "Warlord". And while I can only admit to being a fan of "Lost", I will admit to loving this type of story. Who doesn't want to experience the mysteries of the future and the wonders of the past and also thrive due to your "normal" life experiences, all with a beautiful companion at your side? It appeals to the want-to-be hero in all of us. THE LOST LEVEL gives us all of that. At the same time, Keene weaved in different elements from his Labyrinth mythos. We heard about Ob's invasion of a world. We saw some familiar clicking monsters from the sea. And we got hints of more, more missed or more to come. Or maybe both. (Cue dramatic music) Anyway, it's more than enough to make us Keene fans squeal with delight. The characters that we experience this all through might fit the lost world stereotype but they don't lack originality. They are loving blends of pop culture. For example, Bloop is a blend of Chewbacca, Groot, the blue-furred Beast and probably more that I don't see; Keene made sure we realize this by including references throughout the story. The book was written with love and respect for the genre and readers should love it.
    • 5/5
      Aaron pace has long been studying occult phenomena, when he finally found access to the Labyrinth. A doorway connecting millions of worlds, times and even parallel realities. Until one day he finds himself in the dreaded Lost Level, a place from where there is no return and in which anything can happen...Brian Keene manages to deliver a fast-paced action-packed pulp novel which kept packs in more surprises than many longer books. There are unexpected encounters and situations in every chapter. Nevertheless, the red thread throughout the story never gets lost and it feels complete in itself and not like unconnected adventures. I can't wait for the sequel and can highly recommend this book to anyone who likes (pulp) sci-fi/horror novels.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book. The characters we captivating and well described. The story is very exciting and held my attention throughout the book. I was a bit disappointed by the way the book ended, but all in all I would recommend it and am looking forward to the next installment.
    • 4/5
      Not surprised that the author Keene is a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs, his lost levels are reminiscent of lost worlds, displacements of time and culture leading to interesting problems and challenges. I found this a fun read and enjoyed it greatly; my thanks to Librarything and the author for allowing me the chance to read it. I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the fantastical aspects of science fiction or occult without too many evils getting in the way. Good read, great fun.
    • 5/5
      I have always associated Brian Keene with horror and was pleasantly surprised when I won a copy of his latest ebook in return for an honest review. The Lost Level is a mixture of science fiction and fantasy if you think of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World mixed with HG Wells The Time Machine add a modern makeover then the result is a fast paced fun read with superb imagery.In the opening chapter we meet Aaron Pace who is busy writing his memoirs by hand on a spiral-bound, college-ruled notebook inside an abandoned school bus. What a marvellously inventive way to start a story and soon Aaron takes us on a journey to a parallel dimension "The Lost Level" where we meet his future travelling companions Bloop and the lovely Kasheena as they try to fight their through a land frought with danger...in an attempt to reach Kasheena's home just beyond The Temple of the Slug. "I was in the fabled Lost Level. I'd read about - that dimension from which there is no exit, where cosmic castaways wash up and are abandoned". When Aaron first encounters his new travelling companions he has to rescue them from The Anunnaki. "Some of my people suspect the Anunnaki live deep below the ground. Some say they capture us for breeding. Others say it is for slave labor or food." As they journey through hostile land Keene introduces the reader to some horrific and yet highly entertaining and inventive enemies.The tikka-bird is very small but dangerous no bigger than a thumb most of it as teeth and best described as a flying piranha. "Their bite is poisonous, and can paralyze their prey within a few heartbeats. When they attack, others like them are drawn by the scent of blood. Such a flock can devour you within minutes, stripping the flesh from your bones"One of my favourite encounters that befalls our group of heroes is with the octophant best described as an upgraded elephant and Keene's descriptive prose is truly breathtaking...."At the bottom of the hill, lying amidst a circle of crushed grass, was a female creature the size of an elephant. Indeed, at first glance I thought it was an elephant, as she bore the same hide, colorings, ears, tail, and bulk of the elephants back home. But she differed in one shockingly distinct way from anything familiar on Earth. Instead of one singular trunk, the beast had a cluster of eight hairy trunk-like tentacles surrounding its mouth. They weren't lined with suckers, the way an octopus or squid's tentacles were. Instead, they simply seemed to be additional trunks, each one capable of performing individual tasks. My breath caught in my throat as I realized what I was looking at - the fabled octophant of occult legend, a creature conisgned ot the same catalogue as unicorns, griffins, dragons, and other mythical beasts. Yet here it was, a fairy tale made flesh."Due to the nature of the story and its setting the author has taken the oppotunity to allow his imagination some indulgence which is sheer delight for the reader as towards the end our intrepid trio happen upon a.....flying saucer! but not any old flying saucer this particular one bears the insignia of the German Reich namely the Swastika. This flying saucer holds a nasty surprise as within it contains the mummified bodies of four Nazi pilots and a tube like scientific flash containing a dangerous and deadly radioactive agent! "Holding my breath, I turned tail and ran, nearly knocking Kasheena over as I plunged outside. My heart pounded, and my vision blurred as I stumbled toward the Nazi insignia on the exterior hull. I slammed my palm against it, and the hatch whispered shut behind us, sealing the craft once again. Only then did I exhale..."This is a story that pulses and vibes from page to page with breathtaking action, descriptive prose, and unexpected and frequent frightening encounters. It is a story that took me out of my comfort zone and kept me thrilled and entertained to the very end.....and even then I hoped for more. But I close this review safe in the knowledge that Mr Keene will once again be revisiting The Lost Level to continue the memoirs of Aaron Pace and I for one will be eager to support this hero as he struggles to adopt to his new life in this strange and dangerous land.
    • 3/5
      I'm going to give this book a 3 star rating - Its writing is more of a 2.5 stars, but the story while very derivative of older stories such as "The Princess of Mars", with a male protagonist who is good at everything, a barbarian girl (who our hero first notices her body, than her mind - hey, at least there was an attempt at not being so sexist). Interesting non-humans, both good and bad. If you are looking for a straight out adventure story, where what you see is what you get - this book is for you.Also bonus points for mentioning Duluth and Bryon Minnesota.
    • 5/5
      4.5 of 5 Stars Review copyOne look at the cover art from Kirsi Salonen and you have a pretty good idea where Brian Keene's, The Lost Level, is going to take you. This homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs, Sid and Marty Kroft, Joe R. Lansdale, H. G. Wells, and others takes you to places that can only be reached through the imagination.The story is told by Aaron Pace, written by hand in a spiral-bound notebook found in a student's backpack inside of an abandoned school bus. The school bus and Aaron are on, or is it in, the lost level, a place from which there is no way home. He got there through the Labyrinth. "The Labyrinth is perhaps best described as a dimensional shortcut through space and time. It touches and connects everything. Most of humanity remains ignorant of it's presence, but it is explored and utilized by madmen, magi, occultists, and a few in the highest levels of world government."Aaron's goal in writing this all down is so he can attempt to explain how he got to The Lost Level and what happened after. Especially the story of his friends Kasheena and Bloop. I can't go into great detail about what happens in the book without getting into big-time spoiler mode. Let's just say the story borrows from other Keene novels (with entertaining results), there's a bit of the TV series Lost thrown in, and a definite Twilight Zone vibe as well. There are monsters everywhere and with a sun that never sets, time itself is irrelevant. My only complaint is that The Lost Level ended too soon. The good news is that Keene has merely scratched the surface in what could be his opus piece. I eagerly await Return to the Lost Level and the prequel to book one, Hole in the World.Published by Apex Publications, the actual release date for The Lost Level isn't until January 19th, 2015. But, if you pre-order the paperback through the publisher's website, you get the (DRM free) e-book immediately.Recommended? You betcha!
    • 4/5
      One of the things that always bugged me as a child about the TV series "Lost in Space" was the sense of being trapped in one world and never being able to explore the other worlds that you know are out there. I got the same feeling with this book. The author invents an interesting construction of many worlds, some of which we get to taste, before locking the protagonist in just one of them. Of course that is the fundamental premise of the book and it is really just my fault that I find this a bit frustrating.If that isn't a challenge for you, or even if it is and you can get past it as I mostly did, the book is a good and entertaining read. The one world that the author creates is full of curiosities and has sufficient substance to keep one guessing as to its yet-to-be-revealed secrets.On the whole I felt it was worth reading, but is not a book I feel particularly enthusiastic about.
    • 5/5
      Author Brian Keene presents a story that takes an average guy with studies in the occult to alternate dimensions and, very quickly, to one from which there is no exit. This is the Sargasso of dimensions where humans, furry aliens, hostile Snake Men, dinosaurs, killer plants, are gathered, unable to escape. With the beautiful lightly-clad Kasheena at his side, Aaron Pace and his furry buddy, Bloop try to get Kasheena back to her people and maybe get some help for themselves. That's not even remotely easy. Fast-moving story that does what Keene claims in his epilogue, combining Edgar Rice Burroughs with TV's Land of the Lost. I was thinking Sleestaks about the Snake Men long before I got to the epilogue. This is an excellent story for pulp adventure fans. I really liked it.
    • 3/5
      I won this book on Librarything.I had high hopes for this book since I like pulp fiction but it didn't quite deliver for me. The writing was solid but I found too many details annoying me. I suspect this is an individual thing and probably won't bother other readers. For example, the protagonist's attitude towards his non-human companion. All in all, this reminded me more of Lin Carter than Edgar Rice Burroughs but the writing is much better than average for pulp so it's well worth a try.
    • 3/5
      The Lost Level by Brian Keene

      Aaron Pace discovers a dimensional travel through a passage called the Labyrinth. He is happy to explore this new place. Soon he meets Kasheena and Bloop, natives to this new place. In the new dimension he finds dinosaurs, giants robots, cowboys, reptilian people, and bizarre things like the grass, it literally can kill you. He realizes he is trapped in this "Lost Level" and it becomes a race against time and for his life, as he needs to find his way out, and soon.

      At first I felt the story started out a bit too slow. It (starts off) told in narrative form, from Aaron's point of view. But then it picks up and there is more dialog and action. Aaron is very likable, the story is unique and very original. I liked that a lot. The different creatures and people he meets along the way were fascinating, and at times fun. There was danger as well, which added action/adventure. Overall it was a good read. I feel those who like adventure/action and some horror will enjoy The Lost Level.
    • 4/5
      When I put my hands up to do an early review of The Lost Level by Brian Keene, I clearly didn’t know what I was getting myself into. The book tells the story of Aaron Pace, a man who got trapped in an alternative reality called The Lost Level, and his struggle to survive a strange world full of dangers of all kinds. He befriends a woman named Kasheena and a strange creature named Bloop, which seems like a cross between a man and a cat. The narrative is straight forward, not much running around in circles, which is great. Seems like every myth or conspiracy theory are cited in this story, and at every corner Aaron Pace and his companions will either come across dinosaurs , robots, zombies or even snakemen. I particularly liked this passage when Aaron and Kasheena are discussing the idea of a god: “ And you worship this Creator god?”….. “Worship the Creator? No. No one has ever seen the creator. How can you pay tribute to something you cannot see? The creator simply is.”Keene’s influences are obvious in the various passages of the book from the TV series Lost to sub-genre writers such as Robert E Howards. The author does a good job dividing this story into a series, I am not sure if I could take all the gore in one hit. All in all this book is entertaining, but with a very descriptive voice, the reader will need to have the imagination lights switched on, to follow all the details Brian Keene throws your way. There are many unanswered questions in this story, which I hope he addresses in the next few books. For those who appreciate the genre The Lost Level won’t disappoint.
    • 4/5
      This story is a wonderful blend of fantasy and sci-fi with many of the elements I love of that genre of writing, though in other ways it perhaps feels a bit cliche, but still it’s in a good way. Elements such as traveling through dimensions and irrelevant time never get boring and many of the stories that it reminds me of are ones that I enjoyed. Overall I really enjoyed reading it and it was also a fairly easy read as I didn't get bogged down anywhere. The ending or rather lack thereof is a bit frustrating, but then it does also make me look forward to there being a sequel.