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Rip the Sky
After a shocking courtroom crime, a disturbed Vietnam veteran and the vindictive judge who sent him to prison become time travelers in a chaotic multiverse in search of their greatest life. But before they can find the happiest of all worlds, they must first return to the scene of a ghastly crime.
Billy Worster is a naïve teenager ill-prepared for the gruesome realities of war, when he is the sole survivor of a deadly massacre in a Vietnamese jungle, avoiding his certain death only because he runs away when the shooting starts. Riddled with guilt, he returns home to a dusty Texas farm with post-traumatic stress disorder and the crazy notion that he can fly in and out of parallel worlds.
As Billy struggles with addiction and questions his sanity, he is arrested on a drug charge and ends up in the courtroom of Judge Madeline Johnston, a bitter old judge tormented by a dark secret surrounding her father’s death. She callously tosses Billy into prison, but when a greedy executor files a lawsuit to steal his inherited land, Billy is hauled back to her courtroom in chains, where a stunning twist of fate launches them into the sky on an odyssey of discovery and healing.
Billy Worster is a naïve teenager ill-prepared for the gruesome realities of war, when he is the sole survivor of a deadly massacre in a Vietnamese jungle, avoiding his certain death only because he runs away when the shooting starts. Riddled with guilt, he returns home to a dusty Texas farm with post-traumatic stress disorder and the crazy notion that he can fly in and out of parallel worlds.
As Billy struggles with addiction and questions his sanity, he is arrested on a drug charge and ends up in the courtroom of Judge Madeline Johnston, a bitter old judge tormented by a dark secret surrounding her father’s death. She callously tosses Billy into prison, but when a greedy executor files a lawsuit to steal his inherited land, Billy is hauled back to her courtroom in chains, where a stunning twist of fate launches them into the sky on an odyssey of discovery and healing.
- GenresSpeculative Fiction
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2023
About the author
Mark Packard
1 book73 followersMark Packard spent the last 38 years as a trial attorney and is now retired from the courtroom and working as a mediator. In a life before lawyering he was a journalist and regrets waiting far too long before jumping off the merry-go-round to write his first novel, Rip the Sky. While he enjoys mediating, he much prefers catching ideas out of thin air and prays he can hang around long enough to craft a few more tales.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 6, 2023
This book touched me in many different ways, and some were surprising. We’ve all known a Billy at some point in our life—A person who is a little slow, has no confidence, is pimply-faced, poor, and slightly touched in the head. That is the main character in this story, Billy Worster, and I found myself immediately rooting for him.
Billy couldn’t seem to catch a break no matter what.
Drafted into the military fresh out of high school, he’s forced to grow up fast and furious in the VietNam jungle with a rifle in his hand. He quickly learns what it’s like to live in constant fear. In a blazing battle, Billy loses his best friend, is severely wounded, and is sent home with a purple heart, a crippled leg, and an honorable discharge. But Billy now has a secret, one he won’t tell no matter what.
The trauma of watching his buddies die gruesome deaths sends him spiraling into depression and addiction, with horrific bouts of PTSD. The author depicts those episodes in living color and shows Billy’s desperation to escape them with drugs and alcohol. Then, as things spiral more out of control and Billy loses his tenuous grip on reality, the story takes off in an intriguing and mind-boggling way.
I found myself highlighting sections of the narrative because they stood out so profoundly.
Billy can fly. Not physically, but through his mind, those journeys take him to fascinating places where he learns things and meets others he cannot possibly know in his human form. He discovers a place called Eden, where profound self-discovery begins.
There were several characters intertwined in Billy’s life that drew me. Rachel, the kind benefactor who gives Billy a job and a place to live, is someone I immediately related to. She wants Billy to succeed. “No drinking on the job,” she tells him sternly. And he tries, finally opting to join AA. She offers Billy a lifeline that unfolds in a big way.
His AA sponsor is another character who tries hard to help Billy. There is an attorney who is Billy’s drinking buddy, but he plays an integral part in the story. Then, some vile characters torture Billy, make fun of him, and do everything in their power to destroy him.
With his lifestyle of drug and alcohol use, inevitably, Billy gets sideways with the law. But nothing can prepare him for the stern Judge Madeline Elaine Johnston. In her courtroom, his life takes another downward spiral.
The judge is an interesting and complex character. The author does a great job of taking the reader into her mind, showing her struggles and grief that she keeps buried underneath her black robe.
And yet, Billy and Judge Johnston connect in unlikely ways that challenge the logical mind.
No one believes Billy when he says he can fly, and no one imagines that we might possibly live different lives in parallel universes. But can we? When you read this book, that question will be raised, and your beliefs will be challenged.
I loved this book from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and believable. The scenes are well-written and compelling, and the storyline is intriguing.
I’ll end this review with a quote from the author, “The truth is we can only find our best life by forgiving ourselves for the harm we cause and doing right by others. There is plenty of hate, violence, and anger in the world, and forgiving it all seems impossible. But I truly believe there is a light inside of us that we share, a patch of Eden, so to speak. We all need to gather there and learn to love one another.” Amen, Mr. Packard!
Billy couldn’t seem to catch a break no matter what.
Drafted into the military fresh out of high school, he’s forced to grow up fast and furious in the VietNam jungle with a rifle in his hand. He quickly learns what it’s like to live in constant fear. In a blazing battle, Billy loses his best friend, is severely wounded, and is sent home with a purple heart, a crippled leg, and an honorable discharge. But Billy now has a secret, one he won’t tell no matter what.
The trauma of watching his buddies die gruesome deaths sends him spiraling into depression and addiction, with horrific bouts of PTSD. The author depicts those episodes in living color and shows Billy’s desperation to escape them with drugs and alcohol. Then, as things spiral more out of control and Billy loses his tenuous grip on reality, the story takes off in an intriguing and mind-boggling way.
I found myself highlighting sections of the narrative because they stood out so profoundly.
Billy can fly. Not physically, but through his mind, those journeys take him to fascinating places where he learns things and meets others he cannot possibly know in his human form. He discovers a place called Eden, where profound self-discovery begins.
There were several characters intertwined in Billy’s life that drew me. Rachel, the kind benefactor who gives Billy a job and a place to live, is someone I immediately related to. She wants Billy to succeed. “No drinking on the job,” she tells him sternly. And he tries, finally opting to join AA. She offers Billy a lifeline that unfolds in a big way.
His AA sponsor is another character who tries hard to help Billy. There is an attorney who is Billy’s drinking buddy, but he plays an integral part in the story. Then, some vile characters torture Billy, make fun of him, and do everything in their power to destroy him.
With his lifestyle of drug and alcohol use, inevitably, Billy gets sideways with the law. But nothing can prepare him for the stern Judge Madeline Elaine Johnston. In her courtroom, his life takes another downward spiral.
The judge is an interesting and complex character. The author does a great job of taking the reader into her mind, showing her struggles and grief that she keeps buried underneath her black robe.
And yet, Billy and Judge Johnston connect in unlikely ways that challenge the logical mind.
No one believes Billy when he says he can fly, and no one imagines that we might possibly live different lives in parallel universes. But can we? When you read this book, that question will be raised, and your beliefs will be challenged.
I loved this book from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and believable. The scenes are well-written and compelling, and the storyline is intriguing.
I’ll end this review with a quote from the author, “The truth is we can only find our best life by forgiving ourselves for the harm we cause and doing right by others. There is plenty of hate, violence, and anger in the world, and forgiving it all seems impossible. But I truly believe there is a light inside of us that we share, a patch of Eden, so to speak. We all need to gather there and learn to love one another.” Amen, Mr. Packard!
August 6, 2023
A book that is quite traumatic to read and yet gives you hope.
Billy, a Vietnam veteran, who has very low intelligence is living with ptsd and the reaction to the most horrifying experience of his life.
He comes home and despite the help of others is an alcoholic, loss and despair follows him.
And yet, he finds a way through time into a better place, and feels the love of others.
His final journey, riddled with cancer and at the end of his traumatic and painful life, he gives hope and belief to the judge that wrongly imprisoned him.
Billy, a Vietnam veteran, who has very low intelligence is living with ptsd and the reaction to the most horrifying experience of his life.
He comes home and despite the help of others is an alcoholic, loss and despair follows him.
And yet, he finds a way through time into a better place, and feels the love of others.
His final journey, riddled with cancer and at the end of his traumatic and painful life, he gives hope and belief to the judge that wrongly imprisoned him.
October 10, 2023
"It's all out there in the sky, all that there ever was, all that might have been, and all that will ever be."
Rip the Sky by Mark Packard is an amazing psychological study on one man’s response to trauma, stress, and years of guilt. This unique story takes post-traumatic stress disorder to a level so high that it reaches the sky and rips it wide open.
Young Billy Worster from Langtry, Texas, is drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam in 1966, despite being underweight and not too bright. Billy’s reaction during a bloody ambush may have saved his life, but that life is forever chained to two secrets and the inability to cope mentally and physically with the shame and horror. Billy spends the rest of his life desperately trying to crush the past with drugs and alcohol and chasing a utopia in alternate lives accessed through doors in the sky. Welcome to a science fiction/fantasy story that is grounded in philosophical truths about the actions, reactions, and consequences of every single decision ever made.
Rip the Sky is ultimately about choices and forgiveness. We can blame the world when things go awry and slip beyond our control, but how we react is a choice. Forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness, after decades of poor choices can be as elusive as Billy’s dream of reaching a much better alternate life. Outwardly, Billy is plagued with seizures and hallucinations, but inwardly, Billy flies up to the sky and through doors that open into an interlude and different worlds reflecting the choices made and one’s true self.
Can Billy really fly as he truly believes? As the story progresses, the answer slowly sharpens into focus, allowing the reader to view the multiple layers and the bittersweet development of the main character. Rachel Wheeler is a wealthy widow with a lot of land to manage, and she gives Billy a chance by bringing him into the fold as a hired hand, despite knowing about his addictions and odd psychotic episodes. As Billy struggles and sometimes fails to stay sober, he forms a special bond with Rachel over the years. Rip the Sky is not a romance, but the relationship between Billy and Rachel is both sweet and redeeming.
As a Vietnam vet, Billy remains physically and psychologically fragile and broken for the rest of his life, but his perpetual sojourns represent humankind’s constant tug of war with the universe, free will, and the inevitable crossroads. Mark Packard fills Rip the Sky with many genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, dystopia/utopia, mystery, magical realism, and probably many more. This literary fiction is about a man suffering from PTSD, but just below the surface is a gritty, heartbreaking story about forgiveness and redemption and the curious possibility that with every choice we make here in this world, we make a different choice in another.
Armed with top-notch writing ability and a fantastic imagination, Mark Packard presents a dynamic story with an unforgettable main character and plenty of symbolism, imagery, and other literary elements. At the same time, this story is engaging and fast paced, taking you on an extraordinary journey that will linger in your thoughts about your own possible alternate reality.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Rip the Sky by Mark Packard is an amazing psychological study on one man’s response to trauma, stress, and years of guilt. This unique story takes post-traumatic stress disorder to a level so high that it reaches the sky and rips it wide open.
Young Billy Worster from Langtry, Texas, is drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam in 1966, despite being underweight and not too bright. Billy’s reaction during a bloody ambush may have saved his life, but that life is forever chained to two secrets and the inability to cope mentally and physically with the shame and horror. Billy spends the rest of his life desperately trying to crush the past with drugs and alcohol and chasing a utopia in alternate lives accessed through doors in the sky. Welcome to a science fiction/fantasy story that is grounded in philosophical truths about the actions, reactions, and consequences of every single decision ever made.
Rip the Sky is ultimately about choices and forgiveness. We can blame the world when things go awry and slip beyond our control, but how we react is a choice. Forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness, after decades of poor choices can be as elusive as Billy’s dream of reaching a much better alternate life. Outwardly, Billy is plagued with seizures and hallucinations, but inwardly, Billy flies up to the sky and through doors that open into an interlude and different worlds reflecting the choices made and one’s true self.
Can Billy really fly as he truly believes? As the story progresses, the answer slowly sharpens into focus, allowing the reader to view the multiple layers and the bittersweet development of the main character. Rachel Wheeler is a wealthy widow with a lot of land to manage, and she gives Billy a chance by bringing him into the fold as a hired hand, despite knowing about his addictions and odd psychotic episodes. As Billy struggles and sometimes fails to stay sober, he forms a special bond with Rachel over the years. Rip the Sky is not a romance, but the relationship between Billy and Rachel is both sweet and redeeming.
As a Vietnam vet, Billy remains physically and psychologically fragile and broken for the rest of his life, but his perpetual sojourns represent humankind’s constant tug of war with the universe, free will, and the inevitable crossroads. Mark Packard fills Rip the Sky with many genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, dystopia/utopia, mystery, magical realism, and probably many more. This literary fiction is about a man suffering from PTSD, but just below the surface is a gritty, heartbreaking story about forgiveness and redemption and the curious possibility that with every choice we make here in this world, we make a different choice in another.
Armed with top-notch writing ability and a fantastic imagination, Mark Packard presents a dynamic story with an unforgettable main character and plenty of symbolism, imagery, and other literary elements. At the same time, this story is engaging and fast paced, taking you on an extraordinary journey that will linger in your thoughts about your own possible alternate reality.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2024
My rating is less about the quality of the book and more alone the lines of “I just don’t think this book fits my tastes”
October 6, 2023
Billy Worster, as the phrase goes, is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He’s a little slow of thought and speech, and academics aren’t his strong suit. When he’s sent to war in Vietnam, he’s caught in the middle of a bloody battle. He sees his best friend and all of his compatriots brutally slain. He alone survives. But he is grievously wounded, and comes home from the battlefield damaged physically, mentally, and emotionally. He turns to drugs and alcohol to keep his demons at bay, and his addiction ultimately has him crossing paths with hard-nosed Judge Madeleine Elaine Johnston. She is more surprised than anyone when a shocking courtroom crime brings the two of them together in a most unexpected way.
In the midst of all his difficulties, Billy learns that he can fly. Not literally, but his spirit can leave his body and find its way to other universes – “patches of Eden,” if you will, where he can see flashes of other lives he could live. In one of these patches, he encounters a man who tells him what he must do to find his best life in his true home, Braithwaite. Will Billy be able to do as he’s asked and find the true life he craves?
Mark Packard has given us a parallel universes story that isn’t quite like any other I’ve read. It reminds me a bit of The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter in that some universes are good, some are decidedly not. But unlike the protagonist in The Long Earth, Billy seems quite unaware of what causes him to fly. He can tell when a flight is coming on, but he doesn’t seem to be able to control it or trigger it.
The story touches on some pretty heavy topics: PTSD, the horrors of war, addiction, family dysfunction and betrayal, learning how to forgive others and oneself. Madeleine, in particular, has to learn to let go of past hurts and forgive those who caused them. Faith also plays an important role in the story. The theology expressed here doesn’t line up exactly with the Christian faith to my reading, as it isn’t being saved by grace through faith that moves them toward their best lives (presumably eternity and some form of heaven), but rather their progressing through certain actions. But they must have faith that they can achieve that best life in order to get there.
The ending was genius in my book. Were Billy’s experiences all real? Were they the products of a mind so stressed by daily life that it had to escape somehow? Packard crafted a closing that left me wondering and brought a tear to my eye. This doesn’t read like a debut novel, and I hope to read more from Mark Packard in the future.
In the midst of all his difficulties, Billy learns that he can fly. Not literally, but his spirit can leave his body and find its way to other universes – “patches of Eden,” if you will, where he can see flashes of other lives he could live. In one of these patches, he encounters a man who tells him what he must do to find his best life in his true home, Braithwaite. Will Billy be able to do as he’s asked and find the true life he craves?
Mark Packard has given us a parallel universes story that isn’t quite like any other I’ve read. It reminds me a bit of The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter in that some universes are good, some are decidedly not. But unlike the protagonist in The Long Earth, Billy seems quite unaware of what causes him to fly. He can tell when a flight is coming on, but he doesn’t seem to be able to control it or trigger it.
The story touches on some pretty heavy topics: PTSD, the horrors of war, addiction, family dysfunction and betrayal, learning how to forgive others and oneself. Madeleine, in particular, has to learn to let go of past hurts and forgive those who caused them. Faith also plays an important role in the story. The theology expressed here doesn’t line up exactly with the Christian faith to my reading, as it isn’t being saved by grace through faith that moves them toward their best lives (presumably eternity and some form of heaven), but rather their progressing through certain actions. But they must have faith that they can achieve that best life in order to get there.
The ending was genius in my book. Were Billy’s experiences all real? Were they the products of a mind so stressed by daily life that it had to escape somehow? Packard crafted a closing that left me wondering and brought a tear to my eye. This doesn’t read like a debut novel, and I hope to read more from Mark Packard in the future.
October 8, 2023
A deeply evocative story of choices made and unforgiven acts.
Rip the Sky by Mark Packard, a recently released work of speculative fiction, tells the life story of Billy Don Worster, a simple boy from a hardscrabble farm in the Texas Panhandle. Addressing tough subjects such as battlefield experiences, PTSD, alcoholism, and drug addiction, Billy's story is, at once, emotional, fantastical, and riveting.
The story is complex, as are the emotions drawn as Billy's struggles unfold. His generation of veterans had a very different service experience than those of previous wars or that came after for several reasons: the absence of a deeply patriotic cause to enlist and serve, divided leadership, lack of support for the war by the general public, at least as depicted by the media, are a few. They were often reviled upon their return, not receiving the welcome home recognition and appreciation. Nor was the recognition and treatment for PTSD very advanced. Billy self-medicates with booze and weed rather than prescription drugs under his doctor's care. His fight with addiction will be life-long and is a vivid and visceral storyline. His 30-day coin presentation just about gutted me.Billy's war experiences and subsequent hallucinations and nightmares were frighteningly real; the action and descriptions of the settings were easy to visualize to the point of feeling like I was there. His life is tragically altered forever by what he went through and how he reacted, never forgiving himself for what he perceived as his failures. Billy's experiences also lead to his ability to leave his body and fly to doors in the sky, opening to other worlds or versions of his life had he made different choices. The truth of this ability to fly is left ambiguous. Is it a manifestation of his psychological problems or a tumor? Or is it a special gift or curse? However, since he shares the ability with Judge Madeline Johnston, I am leaning toward it being an actual gift. Common threads link him and the judge: how they reacted to the adversity in their lives, choices made, paths taken or avoided, and the capacity to forgive.
The story covers a lifetime and a full spectrum of human interactions: the horror of war; the goodness of people such as Butch Crowley and Rachel Wheeler; their capacity for meanness as shown by Judge Johnston's courtroom management, demeanor, and judgments; and greed as depicted by Delbert Reynold's and Stewart Thompson's despicable actions. It is a story readers won't soon forget.I recommend RIP THE SKY to readers of speculative fiction who enjoy stories with science fiction and fantasy elements.
September 18, 2023
There's the chemical war Billy fights against the drugs and alcohol that make his pain recede. And there's the metaphysical one, fought not just by Billy, but also by the Judge whose fate is tied to his: Madeline Johnston, the battle for forgiveness of self and others, the fight for a clear conscious and an easy mind.
Author Mark Packard tells all of these war stories elegantly. His descriptions of both the physical - the jungle, the farm where a woman named Rachel gives Billy a literal lifeline, the unforgiving courtroom where Madeline presides - and the metaphysical - the "patch of Eden" that both characters long for - are visceral, cinematic and incredibly specific. His use of language - Billy is not a particularly bright person on the surface - or at least, not academically - while Madeleine is analytical, hiding behind the law as much as interpreting it- is deft. Each word feels carefully crafted, but the overall story never seems contrived. The events that are depicted are often grim, but everything is grounded so well in emotional truth that the story is compelling. I read this book straight through in one evening (then skimmed it a bit later so it would be fresh for this review. I was rooting for Billy all the way through, even when he made poor choices. By the end, I was willing Madeleine to make the right choices, too.
While this novel isn't obvious science fiction, there are elements of fantasy flowing through it, and those elements are organic, coming mainly from the capacity of the human mind to give us sanctuary from our own realities when we are at our lowest points. Of course, there's also a fallen angel, so not all the fantasy is imagined. (Or is it? Aren't the places we create in our minds as real as the spaces we inhabit?) The term "speculative fiction" fades in and out of common use, but it's the most applicable one for this unique novel.
Coming in at a meaty 317 pages, Rip the Sky immerses the reader in Packard's prose and his gripping, well-paced storytelling. This novel is gritty in places. There is drug use, alcohol abuse, and violence in these pages. But the story is brilliant both as a piece of literature, and as an object lesson in two things: the resilience of the human spirit, and the need to better care for our military veterans.
Goes well with: Prime rib and pinot noir.
Author Mark Packard tells all of these war stories elegantly. His descriptions of both the physical - the jungle, the farm where a woman named Rachel gives Billy a literal lifeline, the unforgiving courtroom where Madeline presides - and the metaphysical - the "patch of Eden" that both characters long for - are visceral, cinematic and incredibly specific. His use of language - Billy is not a particularly bright person on the surface - or at least, not academically - while Madeleine is analytical, hiding behind the law as much as interpreting it- is deft. Each word feels carefully crafted, but the overall story never seems contrived. The events that are depicted are often grim, but everything is grounded so well in emotional truth that the story is compelling. I read this book straight through in one evening (then skimmed it a bit later so it would be fresh for this review. I was rooting for Billy all the way through, even when he made poor choices. By the end, I was willing Madeleine to make the right choices, too.
While this novel isn't obvious science fiction, there are elements of fantasy flowing through it, and those elements are organic, coming mainly from the capacity of the human mind to give us sanctuary from our own realities when we are at our lowest points. Of course, there's also a fallen angel, so not all the fantasy is imagined. (Or is it? Aren't the places we create in our minds as real as the spaces we inhabit?) The term "speculative fiction" fades in and out of common use, but it's the most applicable one for this unique novel.
Coming in at a meaty 317 pages, Rip the Sky immerses the reader in Packard's prose and his gripping, well-paced storytelling. This novel is gritty in places. There is drug use, alcohol abuse, and violence in these pages. But the story is brilliant both as a piece of literature, and as an object lesson in two things: the resilience of the human spirit, and the need to better care for our military veterans.
Goes well with: Prime rib and pinot noir.
October 10, 2023
Honestly, I did not know what to expect from this story, Rip the Sky. From the initial descriptions, it seemed like this book would be about war and its aftereffects. The cover is appealing. Little did I know I would be taken on a remarkable journey. Author Mark Packard does not disappoint. Rip the Sky is a haunting fiction book of place and time set in the Texas Panhandle.
I was crying by the end of this book. This story is heartwrenching surrounding forgiveness, not only of others but of yourself. It is a story about how barriers are built to protect your heart. It is a story about how any war has gripping lasting effects on the soldiers who fight for our country. Lastly, this is a story about how small the world actually is.
With all these connected elements are threads in Rip the Sky and they are told with a fresh perspective by Mark Packard. His unique twist in this story is how the two main characters deal with their lives in the most unique way.
This story revolves around Billy who is an unassuming guy living, yet not fully living under the radar. He is a Vietnam vet who takes to drinking and smoking marijuana to escape his demons. Yet, he finds another way to escape his demons by traveling to the Interlude. Intermixed in this story is how Billy’s life collides with a Judge and why both have turned out the way they have over the years. One bitter. One holding secrets. Hands down this book is immersive and it’s deeply soul-stirring.
Packard’s creative use of the Interlude is what makes this story perfect.
It is a haunting story that envelopes your heart and may make you cry at the end.
I highly recommend this book. It is a poignant, unforgettable story that jumps off the pages and embeds into your psyche to learn to forgive and not hold secrets deep within you. It is truly a galvanizing story.
I was crying by the end of this book. This story is heartwrenching surrounding forgiveness, not only of others but of yourself. It is a story about how barriers are built to protect your heart. It is a story about how any war has gripping lasting effects on the soldiers who fight for our country. Lastly, this is a story about how small the world actually is.
With all these connected elements are threads in Rip the Sky and they are told with a fresh perspective by Mark Packard. His unique twist in this story is how the two main characters deal with their lives in the most unique way.
This story revolves around Billy who is an unassuming guy living, yet not fully living under the radar. He is a Vietnam vet who takes to drinking and smoking marijuana to escape his demons. Yet, he finds another way to escape his demons by traveling to the Interlude. Intermixed in this story is how Billy’s life collides with a Judge and why both have turned out the way they have over the years. One bitter. One holding secrets. Hands down this book is immersive and it’s deeply soul-stirring.
Packard’s creative use of the Interlude is what makes this story perfect.
It is a haunting story that envelopes your heart and may make you cry at the end.
I highly recommend this book. It is a poignant, unforgettable story that jumps off the pages and embeds into your psyche to learn to forgive and not hold secrets deep within you. It is truly a galvanizing story.
September 23, 2023
This book is a literary odyssey that transports readers into the mesmerizing realm of parallel universes. This novel deftly combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy to deliver an immersive and thought-provoking narrative.
The book starts out with some gruesome scenes of the main character Billy and his experiences in Vietnam. But that only reinforces the heart of the story as Billy stumbles upon the extraordinary ability to, in his words, fly. The reader follows along as Billy takes us through a kaleidoscope of realities, each offering its own unique challenges, triumphs, and heartaches.
I think the truth of "Rip The Sky" lies in its exploration of the human condition. I spent time thinking about the complexities of each character, how they identify themselves, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The multiverse concept is masterfully crafted, offering an array of what-if parallel worlds.
As the narrative unfolds, it challenges conventional perceptions of reality and invites readers to contemplate the boundless possibilities of existence. It's a profound exploration of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and growth, using the multiverse as a metaphor for the diverse paths we navigate in our own lives.
Be sure to activate your imagination while reading this book. Pack along your sense of wonder and settle in for the ride.
The book starts out with some gruesome scenes of the main character Billy and his experiences in Vietnam. But that only reinforces the heart of the story as Billy stumbles upon the extraordinary ability to, in his words, fly. The reader follows along as Billy takes us through a kaleidoscope of realities, each offering its own unique challenges, triumphs, and heartaches.
I think the truth of "Rip The Sky" lies in its exploration of the human condition. I spent time thinking about the complexities of each character, how they identify themselves, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The multiverse concept is masterfully crafted, offering an array of what-if parallel worlds.
As the narrative unfolds, it challenges conventional perceptions of reality and invites readers to contemplate the boundless possibilities of existence. It's a profound exploration of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and growth, using the multiverse as a metaphor for the diverse paths we navigate in our own lives.
Be sure to activate your imagination while reading this book. Pack along your sense of wonder and settle in for the ride.
September 28, 2023
Mark Packard creates a stunning framework for the worlds Billy Worster navigates. After surviving his Vietnam trauma, Billy returns home to live with his perceived guilt. He lives and works within the haze of drugs and alcohol abuse, battling his PTSD. One doctor tries to find ways to understand what Billy is haunted by and why he insists he can fly. His flight episodes take him to various worlds, searching for his nirvana, Braithwaite.
Rip the Sky highlights the brave young men who served in Vietnam and struggled to acclimate to life when they returned home. Broken homes, inadequate medical care, and lost hope haunt many who served. In a way, this story does allow escape for Billy from his good and bad choices. As he seeks his special place, the picturesque places and interesting people are both painful and a respite to his normal.
The character development of the multi-faceted people is superb. Henry Barrett is a fascinating-sounding board for Billy’s hopes and dreams and plays a bigger role in Billy’s destiny. Readers will relate to some of the individuals and strongly dislike others. From page one, this epic journey will draw readers into Billy’s world until the final end. Mark Packard delivers a compelling time travel escape fiction that feels like the doorway to reality. Fans of this genre will not be disappointed by reading the debut novel by Mark Packard.
Rip the Sky highlights the brave young men who served in Vietnam and struggled to acclimate to life when they returned home. Broken homes, inadequate medical care, and lost hope haunt many who served. In a way, this story does allow escape for Billy from his good and bad choices. As he seeks his special place, the picturesque places and interesting people are both painful and a respite to his normal.
The character development of the multi-faceted people is superb. Henry Barrett is a fascinating-sounding board for Billy’s hopes and dreams and plays a bigger role in Billy’s destiny. Readers will relate to some of the individuals and strongly dislike others. From page one, this epic journey will draw readers into Billy’s world until the final end. Mark Packard delivers a compelling time travel escape fiction that feels like the doorway to reality. Fans of this genre will not be disappointed by reading the debut novel by Mark Packard.
September 23, 2023
Billy Worster is young, inexperienced, and unprepared when he’s sent to fight in Vietnam. A vicious fire fight leaves him badly wounded, his spirit broken and bearing a deep secret. Back at home, he hits the bottle, hard, spiraling out of control. With the support of his father and a local rancher he’s given a fresh start but is unable to maintain sobriety. Some poor choices lead to drug charges and a confrontation with a hard-nosed judge lands him in jail and swindled out of his inheritance. Unbeknownst to him, his fate is tied to the judge.
On a deeper spiritual level, Billy believes he can fly and has a strange encounter with a man in clouds who tells Billy that in an alternate world, he, Billy, leads a blessed life, happy, married, children. Billy longs to reach this world but constantly fails to achieve it.
Rip the Sky is not an easy read and Billy is something of an anti-hero, constantly sabotaging his life. His struggles with PTSD are heartbreaking and the lack of care more so. Author Packard shines a light on the trials of soldiers suffering from this disorder and blends it with a message of hope, justice, forgiveness and redemption.
I recommend this book to open-minded readers who like to see beyond the obvious and imagine what could be.
On a deeper spiritual level, Billy believes he can fly and has a strange encounter with a man in clouds who tells Billy that in an alternate world, he, Billy, leads a blessed life, happy, married, children. Billy longs to reach this world but constantly fails to achieve it.
Rip the Sky is not an easy read and Billy is something of an anti-hero, constantly sabotaging his life. His struggles with PTSD are heartbreaking and the lack of care more so. Author Packard shines a light on the trials of soldiers suffering from this disorder and blends it with a message of hope, justice, forgiveness and redemption.
I recommend this book to open-minded readers who like to see beyond the obvious and imagine what could be.
September 26, 2023
The story had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell short of delivering the mystery and excitement promised in the synopsis. The initial chapters held my interest, but as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but notice some contradictions.
My main issue with this book revolves around the storyline, which felt like a mix of different concepts and ideas that didn't always fit together, so some things didn't make sense. The writing, for the most part, came across as dry and monotonous, with repetitive scenes and dialogues.
One thing I really liked in this story was how it portrayed the idea that external challenges often reflect more complex internal issues. I also liked how even at the end, the story left you wondering whether these parallel worlds were real or just a clever manifestation of the human mind's coping mechanism when reality becomes overwhelming. These two aspects of the story stood out for me and were executed really well.
Even though there were things that I liked, my overall enjoyment of the story didn't quite meet my initial expectations.
Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher Bluestreak Publishing, and author Mark Packard for the gifted copy! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My main issue with this book revolves around the storyline, which felt like a mix of different concepts and ideas that didn't always fit together, so some things didn't make sense. The writing, for the most part, came across as dry and monotonous, with repetitive scenes and dialogues.
One thing I really liked in this story was how it portrayed the idea that external challenges often reflect more complex internal issues. I also liked how even at the end, the story left you wondering whether these parallel worlds were real or just a clever manifestation of the human mind's coping mechanism when reality becomes overwhelming. These two aspects of the story stood out for me and were executed really well.
Even though there were things that I liked, my overall enjoyment of the story didn't quite meet my initial expectations.
Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher Bluestreak Publishing, and author Mark Packard for the gifted copy! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2023
I'm pretty sure when I picked up this book to read & review it said it was science fiction. It isn't. Then I started reading. Oh, it's about a poor, not very intelligent young man sent off to fight a worthless war in a faraway place. Wrong again. Although he does come back injured in body & spirit the book is not about the war. So what is this book about? Redemption? Check. Forgiveness? Check. A mean old woman who is still sticking it to anybody she can because she was discriminated against when she got out of law school? Check.
As I read I wondered if the writer knew what this book was supposed to be about. Then at the very end, it hit me, ***SPOILER ALERT***, it's about Christianity. I have nothing against Christians writing about Christianity for other Christians. I do kind of resent Christians trying to sneak it past me by saying a book is about anything else but. It can't be science fiction if there is no science involved.
I would only recommend this book to Christian readers who like their martyrs beat up one side and down the other by their benevolent overlord. Just kidding, nothing benevolent about their god.
As I read I wondered if the writer knew what this book was supposed to be about. Then at the very end, it hit me, ***SPOILER ALERT***, it's about Christianity. I have nothing against Christians writing about Christianity for other Christians. I do kind of resent Christians trying to sneak it past me by saying a book is about anything else but. It can't be science fiction if there is no science involved.
I would only recommend this book to Christian readers who like their martyrs beat up one side and down the other by their benevolent overlord. Just kidding, nothing benevolent about their god.
November 9, 2023
This thought provoking novel follows the life of Billy Worster from the jungles of Vietnam through his life of substance abuse and shame as he struggles with PTSD. Billy sees himself as a loser and his life appears to confirm his opinion. He is unable to handle his addictions and ends up in prison. However, the story looks beneath the outer appearance and reveals a noble soul.
Billy has one relationship that he maintains. Rachel is the elderly widow of a WWII veteran who also suffered from PTSD. She takes Billy under her wing and he responds with gratitude and love. At her death, the story turns to legal proceedings. The author is a long time trial lawyer and accurately portrays the pitfalls of the legal system.
Billy is also gifted with the ability to leave his body and fly to other worlds. The story has interesting metaphysical twists which will leave you thinking about reality and the afterlife.
Ultimately, the story is about forgiveness and redemption. It is well written and engaging. I am looking forward to the next work from this author.
Billy has one relationship that he maintains. Rachel is the elderly widow of a WWII veteran who also suffered from PTSD. She takes Billy under her wing and he responds with gratitude and love. At her death, the story turns to legal proceedings. The author is a long time trial lawyer and accurately portrays the pitfalls of the legal system.
Billy is also gifted with the ability to leave his body and fly to other worlds. The story has interesting metaphysical twists which will leave you thinking about reality and the afterlife.
Ultimately, the story is about forgiveness and redemption. It is well written and engaging. I am looking forward to the next work from this author.
August 17, 2023
** spoiler alert ** O. M. G. What a beautiful and emotional story that I truly loved from a NEW author to me!! Billie was born into a hard life, he was a breach baby and his mom died early and he never learned anything before he started school as his father was a farmer, so he had no time or to teach him. I was angry that the kids picked on him, and was a young man with no life experience, he went to Viet Nam where he was a scared pimply faced boy. He made friends with Dudley who was going home soon, but the enemy killed everyone except him because he ran and hid the tall grass. He was shot in the leg, barley got patched up, and shipped back home with a nasty limp. The horrors of war had Billy heavily drinking, and getting high as he kept seeing visions, and I could not imagine what he endured. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS IT HUMBLED ME AND MADE ME FEEL BLESSED!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
Thank netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book.
After a shocking courtroom crime, a disturbed Vietnam veteran and the vindictive judge who sent him to prison become time travellers in a chaotic multiverse in search of their greatest life. Sadly, I DNF’d this book at around 12%. I found that when reading from the main characters perspective, I found no interest to see where this story goes and where he ends up. Every time I read this book, I lost more and more interest to the point where I didn’t want to continue reading.
After a shocking courtroom crime, a disturbed Vietnam veteran and the vindictive judge who sent him to prison become time travellers in a chaotic multiverse in search of their greatest life. Sadly, I DNF’d this book at around 12%. I found that when reading from the main characters perspective, I found no interest to see where this story goes and where he ends up. Every time I read this book, I lost more and more interest to the point where I didn’t want to continue reading.
September 14, 2023
Rip the Sky is an incredibly innovative story with a wonderful message of focusing on living your best life. I'm fascinated by the alternate universe or daughter universe theory and was excited to see Mark add this into his story in such a creative way. I keep remembering little gems from the story and chewing on the deeper message that lies within. Hard to believe Mark hasn't been writing for decades. Thani you for putting this story out into the world.
October 2, 2023
Rip the Sky is a speculative story of flight and discovery that follows after the main character, Billy, goes to Vietnam. Wounded and having PTSD, his life after the war is no cake walk. Tragic events and his personal struggles lead him to deep corners, but also to the aid of a woman who needs his assistance to find truth. This is a good read that is very thought-provoking and far from lighthearted.
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November 20, 2023Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this story. I regret to report that upon starting the story, at this time, I found it very depressing and was unable to finish reading it. Perhaps at a later date I can complete it. Sincere apologies.
February 25, 2024
Mark is a dynamic writer and storyteller. I really enjoyed reading this book. It grabs you early and is easy to fly through due to the storytelling.
Congratulations on a wonderful story. I hope you come out with another book!
Congratulations on a wonderful story. I hope you come out with another book!
October 16, 2023
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