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corbad's review against another edition
3.0
Unnecessarily opaque to the point of little narrative reward (even in the reveal), though Hughart’s fictional China remains an immersive and creative setting. A messy letdown from the previous two, but still unique and colourful enough to engage—just barely.
valjeanval's review against another edition
4.0
The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox are what would happen if Terry Pratchett decided to write a Sherlock Holmes style mystery series right after he finished reading a messload of Chinese folklore. I'm sure if I were a bit more of an expert on Chinese folklore, I'd find ways to pick the series apart, but I'm not, so I'm just going to enjoy them at face value. The tales are wonderfully twisty, full of funny non-sequiters, and rich in imagery.
Eight Skilled Gentlemen follows the same format as the previous two books, and admittedly that's sort of a problem. If you've read the first two, you can pick out the Big Bad basically from the moment of said Big Bad's appearance. That said, it's still fun figuring out exactly how Big Bad is pulling off his scheme and what exactly that scheme is. It's also fun to just hang out with Number Ten Ox, watching all the craziness that comes with unraveling ancient mysteries with Master Li.
Not my favorite of the series, but well worth it to spend a little more time with these characters.
Eight Skilled Gentlemen follows the same format as the previous two books, and admittedly that's sort of a problem. If you've read the first two, you can pick out the Big Bad basically from the moment of said Big Bad's appearance. That said, it's still fun figuring out exactly how Big Bad is pulling off his scheme and what exactly that scheme is. It's also fun to just hang out with Number Ten Ox, watching all the craziness that comes with unraveling ancient mysteries with Master Li.
Not my favorite of the series, but well worth it to spend a little more time with these characters.
caireann's review
2.0
Sadly, the weakest one from the trilogy about Master Li and Number Ten Ox. I found it less magical than the first one, mostly because it focused on politics, scheming and violence – things that, of course, were present in the previous books, but in different proportions. This book ravished in brutality and graphical descriptions of violence that simply made reading less pleasant. Still, it was a great plot, and both the characters were as interesting as before, it’s just that this part definitely wasn’t what I expected it to be.
aramsamsam's review against another edition
3.0
I wish Hughart hadn't broken his contract and written those other sequels for the Master Li series. While I had some trouble getting into this one, it had nothing to do with the book itself and everything with the other stuff going on in my life at the moment. I still enjoyed the book and the crazy ideas.
miramanga's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so very, very sad that this is the last book in the series. Barry Hughart is one of my favourite and most cherished authors and I haven't found another to compare to him in many, many years of reading..
This story is more action packed than the others and full of mythology and quirky characters. I have adored going on journeys with Master Li despite his slight flaw and I have fallen in love with Number Ten Ox three times over now.
Highly recommend all the books in this series.
This story is more action packed than the others and full of mythology and quirky characters. I have adored going on journeys with Master Li despite his slight flaw and I have fallen in love with Number Ten Ox three times over now.
Highly recommend all the books in this series.
heregrim's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it. Much like the other two in style and plot. I am sorry that there are no more, I miss Master Li and will be returning to these books often.
eclipse777's review
3.0
An enjoyable read 3.5 but I thought the story tailed off towards the end but Ox and Mater Li make up for it as there a great duo
jokoloyo's review against another edition
4.0
The third novel of the series, and it is better than the second one. alas, the first novel is still the best. Don't get me wrong, all the novels are hilarious with exotic fictitious Ancient China setting. I just think, the ending of the first novel is still the best, it could made me highly emotional when read the last pages.
OK, back to the third novel, Eight Skilled Gentleman.
The beginning of the novel is actually the most ambitious of the series. The novel started on Capital City with vivid and hilarious narration of the city life. Then the story begins. I won't spoil anything more for the plot. The old recipe from previous novels is still on this novel.
The ending.... it has surprises, but with the old recipe from previous novels, I believe some loyal readers could guess the whodunnit plot. Same good old taste: 4 Star from me.
OK, back to the third novel, Eight Skilled Gentleman.
The beginning of the novel is actually the most ambitious of the series. The novel started on Capital City with vivid and hilarious narration of the city life. Then the story begins. I won't spoil anything more for the plot. The old recipe from previous novels is still on this novel.
Spoiler
I have one fav chapter, chapter with Number Ten Ox said "Gligghh!" a lot.The ending.... it has surprises, but with the old recipe from previous novels, I believe some loyal readers could guess the whodunnit plot. Same good old taste: 4 Star from me.
mburnamfink's review against another edition
4.0
Better than the middle, not as good as the first, but a fine and worthy conclusion to the Number Ten Ox trilogy.