Anthony G. Williams is among a growing band of authors doing his own thing outside of big league publishing, and doing it with style. Scales is his second novel, and marks a departure from his previous publishing forays. This book is a work of pure science fiction, as opposed to something with an historical context. Narrated in the first person, the very readable story suggests inspiration from Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land, the TV series Sliders, David Icke and a smattering of Harry Turtledove's Worldwar novels. I found it entertaining throughout, and finished keen to read more. Having said that, the story quite often felt rushed, perhaps due to the financial constraints of POD; the greater the page count the more it costs to print, thus making it more expensive to buy. Happily, this has no impact upon product quality or cover image, both of which are excellent. Written more like an extended essay than a full length novel, the book has a greater number of ideas than available space. Understanding is never a problem, it's just that a natural expansion of the more interesting themes, relationships, and complexities of science would've been welcome. If backed by a major publishing house, and encouraged by an experienced editor, Scales could easily have doubled in length. Suffering most from truncation are Cade's personal relationships, which are like instant coffee; fine for a quick fix, but not as good as using a percolator. A percolator, in literary terms, being development time and page count.

As the novel progresses its scope broadens dramatically, and sometimes falls prey to credibility issues. Cade seems to develop abilities and skills to get himself out of tight spots, rather than using existing powers to best advantage. Similarly, the technologically advanced saurian inhabitants of a parallel dimension we meet in the second half of the novel become irritatingly naïve, and in dire need of a kick up the backside. In some ways that is what they get, when Cade warns these benevolent lizards about the danger posed by Nazi-like Saurians from the Germany of another alternate Earth. The nasty critters provide the author with his best source material for a sequel, if he wants to develop a series that could attract a following. Scales begins with a bang, and ends like the big bang, ever expanding. A virtually invincible, scaly, trans-dimensional, super-hero adventurer, complete with the ability to induce orgasms for his women friends using thought alone, is a whole lot of fun. But, there's room for improvement. I would hope that future works marshal, refine, and closely focus upon the better ideas, giving them plenty of breathing room.

The first four chapters of Scales can be read for free at www.quarry.nildram.co.uk.