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lorialdenholuta's review against another edition
5.0
I'd recently read "Johannes Cabal the Necromancer" with my book club, and loved it. During the club's discussion, I was told about the novelette, "A Long Spoon" and how it's often the 'gateway' story that hooks readers into reading the rest of the Johannes Cabal books.
I can certainly understand that now. I read the whole story in one gulp, non-stop. How could I stop? There was no break in the clever, silly, horrific, absurd yet completely logical story.
The making of deals is my most favorite aspect of these books. The author crafts the complex terms of an agreement exquisitely. My second favorite thing would be dialog. It's delightful. Even the most horrific beasts imaginable know how to turn a clever phrase, and that is dear to my heart.
If you're not familiar with Johannes Cabal books, here's your appetizer. Go ahead and taste it. You do have a long spoon, don't you?
I can certainly understand that now. I read the whole story in one gulp, non-stop. How could I stop? There was no break in the clever, silly, horrific, absurd yet completely logical story.
The making of deals is my most favorite aspect of these books. The author crafts the complex terms of an agreement exquisitely. My second favorite thing would be dialog. It's delightful. Even the most horrific beasts imaginable know how to turn a clever phrase, and that is dear to my heart.
If you're not familiar with Johannes Cabal books, here's your appetizer. Go ahead and taste it. You do have a long spoon, don't you?
ronsos's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, and really twisted story about a necromancer who summons a hilarious spider-devil. Did I mention this is twisted?
Free at tor.com.
Free at tor.com.
pkrawr's review against another edition
5.0
Highly amusing addition to the Johannes Cabal series. Not required reading to enjoy the major plot events of the novels, but a worthy addition if you enjoy the adventures of our acerbic antihero. Very, very amusing.
sawyerbell's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. More fun in Hell with my favourite necromancer and his companion arachno-succubus.
kathrynamonett's review against another edition
4.0
Fun short from Howard. Who doesn't need a dash of absurdity and chaos in their day?
zossy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
1_and_owenly's review
5.0
My favorite (so far) of the Cabal short stories
I had read The Fall of the House of Cabal before reading this. Thus I had been slightly confused by mentions of him meeting the succubine devil, Zarenyia and hints of a prior relationship. It certainly did not happen in any of the books!
And then I found this short story. Ah hah!
Zarenyia is a treasure. An absolute treasure! She is so smart, funny, and filled with zest! I adore her. Even sourpuss Cabal… no, that would be telling.
This is the first short story that relies of the reader being somewhat familiar with prior events. Not a lot. Having read the first Johannes Cabal book would be sufficient.
For all of that, it is wonderful. Witty. Weird.
It makes me want to start the whole series over and reread from the top so that I can experience the fun once more.
I had read The Fall of the House of Cabal before reading this. Thus I had been slightly confused by mentions of him meeting the succubine devil, Zarenyia and hints of a prior relationship. It certainly did not happen in any of the books!
And then I found this short story. Ah hah!
Zarenyia is a treasure. An absolute treasure! She is so smart, funny, and filled with zest! I adore her. Even sourpuss Cabal… no, that would be telling.
This is the first short story that relies of the reader being somewhat familiar with prior events. Not a lot. Having read the first Johannes Cabal book would be sufficient.
For all of that, it is wonderful. Witty. Weird.
It makes me want to start the whole series over and reread from the top so that I can experience the fun once more.
generallycobalt's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I just love Zarenyia so much. It would have been easy to have written her as manic pixie nightmare spider, and instead she is so profoundly anchored in what she considers normal that she carries a zone of it around with her no matter what else is going on. I enjoy watching Johannes remain solidly in the realm of his bizarre lifestyle while also being expected to meet extremely mundane standards of decency and mutual respect. And it turns out, wonder of wonders, he can manage that just fine.
meganlynae's review
5.0
Madam Zarenyia might be my favorite devil ever. And since I read urban fantasy, she does have competition. She calls people 'darling' and 'sweetie'! She loves a double entendre! She.....screws people to death? Pobody's nerfect.
This story is a great look at Johannes Cabal. He can work with Zarenyia and enjoy it, which I hadn't seen him do with anyone except Leonie. He is also silly in this story! The fishcakes and halibut thing was spectacular.
While Luen Da was super weird, I did like that he disintegrated Cabal's loofah at the beginning. Such a weirdly aggressive choice that added to the whimsy of the story.
This story is a great look at Johannes Cabal. He can work with Zarenyia and enjoy it, which I hadn't seen him do with anyone except Leonie. He is also silly in this story! The fishcakes and halibut thing was spectacular.
While Luen Da was super weird, I did like that he disintegrated Cabal's loofah at the beginning. Such a weirdly aggressive choice that added to the whimsy of the story.
nichola's review
5.0
I adored this. I LOVE THEIR BANTER. We need more sexy devils that aren't interested in their surprisingly sweet necromancer.