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bent's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this short story. It was a fun, quick read. I forgot how much I enjoyed Johannes Cabal.
geilie's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
tracy2_0's review
5.0
A female devil with the body of a spider, who's a succubus? Marvelous! Loved it.
keu482's review
4.0
Another Tor.com short story.
I am told there are other books featuring this duo, so I'm going to find them and read them.
I am told there are other books featuring this duo, so I'm going to find them and read them.
booksandbosox's review
4.0
I have had the Johannes Cabal series on my to-read list for some time; I knew this story was part of that series, but I didn't realize it was listed as 4.5. Maybe I should have waited to read it until I'd read the first four books in the series, but, as far as I can tell, it doesn't matter. Very enjoyable mix of humor and fantastical horror. Definitely can't wait to read the series now.
jesssepp's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carol26388's review
5.0
When the giant spider devil appeared in [b:The Fall of the House of Cabal|28220832|The Fall of the House of Cabal (Johannes Cabal, #5)|Jonathan L. Howard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455274602l/28220832._SY75_.jpg|48249484], it wasn't long before I was giggling. How can you not at a devil who uses the 'Girl Guide' oath to 'dub' clauses on her swearing the traditional binding oaths? When one of Howard's less sarcastic footnotes pointed me toward the novelette where she first made the acquaintance of Johannes, I had to stop and find the original, particularly after it referenced Cabal turning into a haddock.
A Long Spoon employs the classic set-up with Johannes Cabal as reserved straight-man and Zarenyia the playful and quite bored devil, leading to engaging dialogue and hijinks as they set on an adventure. Howard's word-play consistently amuses: "She was undoubtedly female, and probably very attractive in a shallow “really rather beautiful” sort of way." I chuckled out loud when Cabal tried to explain the metaphor "a long spoon when one sups with the devil" to her-- it was the sort of dialogue that puts one in mind of Abbott and Costello. I'm not sure how well this would play for people unfamiliar with the series, as part of the joy is knowing Cabal is not only the extreme stereotype of the logical scientist, but a bit of a misanthrope in his views on humanity.
'Against all common sense, I'm beginning to like you,' he said.
'Even though I'm a devil and I have a lot of legs and I devour the souls of my prey through the expedient of lethal orgasms?'
'I'm still waiting for you to raise a bad point.'
She slapped him lightly on the back. 'You charmer.'
It reads a bit like Howard was channeling Douglas Adams, as there's a bit that involves chaos and the Abyss (which sounds remarkably like the Infinity Drive). Delightful, and I'm glad it's on my kindle and available for re-read.
“Then again, against the backdrop of the Abyss, a hundredweight of cooked spaghetti thrown on a ballroom floor would look surprisingly ordered.”
The wand channeling chaos was genius, particularly when fountain pens turned to swords.
You can purchase it--which I recommend, as encouragement and support for the author--but it is also available for free on Tor.com's site: http://www.tor.com/2014/12/18/a-long-spoon-peter-joseph/
Re-read September 2019, because sometimes you just need a comforting bedtime story.
A Long Spoon employs the classic set-up with Johannes Cabal as reserved straight-man and Zarenyia the playful and quite bored devil, leading to engaging dialogue and hijinks as they set on an adventure. Howard's word-play consistently amuses: "She was undoubtedly female, and probably very attractive in a shallow “really rather beautiful” sort of way." I chuckled out loud when Cabal tried to explain the metaphor "a long spoon when one sups with the devil" to her-- it was the sort of dialogue that puts one in mind of Abbott and Costello. I'm not sure how well this would play for people unfamiliar with the series, as part of the joy is knowing Cabal is not only the extreme stereotype of the logical scientist, but a bit of a misanthrope in his views on humanity.
'Against all common sense, I'm beginning to like you,' he said.
'Even though I'm a devil and I have a lot of legs and I devour the souls of my prey through the expedient of lethal orgasms?'
'I'm still waiting for you to raise a bad point.'
She slapped him lightly on the back. 'You charmer.'
It reads a bit like Howard was channeling Douglas Adams, as there's a bit that involves chaos and the Abyss (which sounds remarkably like the Infinity Drive). Delightful, and I'm glad it's on my kindle and available for re-read.
“Then again, against the backdrop of the Abyss, a hundredweight of cooked spaghetti thrown on a ballroom floor would look surprisingly ordered.”
You can purchase it--which I recommend, as encouragement and support for the author--but it is also available for free on Tor.com's site: http://www.tor.com/2014/12/18/a-long-spoon-peter-joseph/
Re-read September 2019, because sometimes you just need a comforting bedtime story.
sarah42783's review
5.0
My Wonderfully Heartless and Delightfully Stuck Up Boyfriend (WHaDSUBB™) Jojo Cabal and a Super Extra Ass Kicking Hilarious Spider-Woman Devil (SEAKHSWD™) walk into Pandæmonium...most gleeful chaos and hellish merriment ensue. And so I dance. (In quite the graceful way, if I may say so myself.)
➽ Semi-full review to come. If I ever find the time in between slaughtering puny tourists and stuff.
· Book 0.5: Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day ★★★★★
· Book 0.75: Exeunt Demon King ★★★★
· Book 1: The Necromancer ★★★★★
· Book 2: The Detective ★★★★★
· Book 2.5: The Ereshkigal Working ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Fear Institute ★★★★★
· Book 3.1: The House of Gears ★★★★
· Book 3.2: The Death of Me ★★★
· Book 3.3: Ouroboros Ouzo ★★★★
· Book 4: The Brothers Cabal ★★★★
• Book 5: The Fall of the House of Cabal ★★★★★
➽ Semi-full review to come. If I ever find the time in between slaughtering puny tourists and stuff.
· Book 0.5: Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day ★★★★★
· Book 0.75: Exeunt Demon King ★★★★
· Book 1: The Necromancer ★★★★★
· Book 2: The Detective ★★★★★
· Book 2.5: The Ereshkigal Working ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Fear Institute ★★★★★
· Book 3.1: The House of Gears ★★★★
· Book 3.2: The Death of Me ★★★
· Book 3.3: Ouroboros Ouzo ★★★★
· Book 4: The Brothers Cabal ★★★★
• Book 5: The Fall of the House of Cabal ★★★★★