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davidscrimshaw's review
5.0
I think I enjoyed this the most of the three so far.
It would seem that when Tom Holt reads a lot of fantasy out there, he ponders how people actually put food on their table.
It would seem that when Tom Holt reads a lot of fantasy out there, he ponders how people actually put food on their table.
laterry75's review
3.0
Tim Holt is here to save us because Christopher Moore has gotten boring.
This book is a solid effort, although I get the sense I missed a lot of inside jokes. I feel like if I'd read a lot more and a lot more recent Holt books, I might have picked up a few things -- cross references and the like. Still, what's not to love about a massive multi-national corporation finding a way to outsource manual labor to a fairy tale kingdom to severely undercut the competition?
This book is a solid effort, although I get the sense I missed a lot of inside jokes. I feel like if I'd read a lot more and a lot more recent Holt books, I might have picked up a few things -- cross references and the like. Still, what's not to love about a massive multi-national corporation finding a way to outsource manual labor to a fairy tale kingdom to severely undercut the competition?
assaphmehr's review
5.0
Every time I read on of Holt's books (often under his KJ Parker pen-name), I end up loving it. Since I was in the mood for light fantasy and he's known for that, I picked this one up from my TBR.
What to Expect
With a deft pen, Holt packs a lot into a fantasy novel - unique world-building, loveable characters, social commentary, humour. The novel starts as a twisty fairytale world, and progresses into the differential economics in fantasy and the real world.
What I liked
Absolutely loved the tone, with pop references and understated humour. Holt shows how fantasy can be, an excellent example of speculative fiction. This is simply a book you can enjoy at whichever way you like, but enjoy it you will.
What to be aware of
This isn't a grand epic, neither does it contain abysmal villains. This is a rather more intimate fantasy story, light on the surface but to deep enough to make you think about the fantasy worlds you read and your relationship to them.
Felix's Review
Felix did find the whole concept of fantasy economies bizarre, though he agrees about the importance of a happy workforce (that from a man coming from a society where slavery is the norm). He missed a bit of the 'big bad wolf' references, but that didn't prevent him from relating to the various characters.
Summary
A very enjoyable read, entertaining and not taxing. I found out Holt has other books in that world, which I intend to read soon (they don't seem too interrelated for the reading order to matter).
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596954987p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
With a deft pen, Holt packs a lot into a fantasy novel - unique world-building, loveable characters, social commentary, humour. The novel starts as a twisty fairytale world, and progresses into the differential economics in fantasy and the real world.
What I liked
Absolutely loved the tone, with pop references and understated humour. Holt shows how fantasy can be, an excellent example of speculative fiction. This is simply a book you can enjoy at whichever way you like, but enjoy it you will.
What to be aware of
This isn't a grand epic, neither does it contain abysmal villains. This is a rather more intimate fantasy story, light on the surface but to deep enough to make you think about the fantasy worlds you read and your relationship to them.
Felix's Review
Felix did find the whole concept of fantasy economies bizarre, though he agrees about the importance of a happy workforce (that from a man coming from a society where slavery is the norm). He missed a bit of the 'big bad wolf' references, but that didn't prevent him from relating to the various characters.
Summary
A very enjoyable read, entertaining and not taxing. I found out Holt has other books in that world, which I intend to read soon (they don't seem too interrelated for the reading order to matter).
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596954987p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
mygeekblasphemy's review
3.0
Enjoyable enough. I was looking for something light and fluffy to read after finishing the not entirely peppy Last Policeman trilogy, and this more or less fit the bill, although it took me a while to get into it. I felt like the first 50-60 pages were all telling the same joke, only with each chapter starring a different character. I was impatient for people to meet up so the story could actually BEGIN. I also wasn't aware when I started this book that it was the third in a series, although I think it reads fine as a stand-alone. Still, some loose ends might not have bothered me so much if they were addressed in earlier books. (And this book does have some loose ends that I'm pretty sure weren't address in any prior books. Like the whole chapter with Yglaine the Elf. Why even have her if she's not going to come back? Surely we could have just started with John the Lawyer? Also, the soldiers were hard to picture and ultimately seemed pretty unnecessary, which was kind of a letdown.)
I did like how most of the story wrapped up, although I wasn't crazy about the epilogue (of sorts). I also liked that the chief romance in this book is based on a mutual love for how to make money and run a good business.
I could potentially try other books in this series -- there were parts of it that were pretty funny -- but I also don't feel any particular need to read them, either.
I did like how most of the story wrapped up, although I wasn't crazy about the epilogue (of sorts). I also liked that the chief romance in this book is based on a mutual love for how to make money and run a good business.
I could potentially try other books in this series -- there were parts of it that were pretty funny -- but I also don't feel any particular need to read them, either.
scarletine6's review
1.0
I wanted this to be good. I wanted to find a comedy fantasy author who could fill a little of the huge hole left by the loss of Terry Pratchett, but no. This was complete and utter twaddle.
All though it is clearly stated here, The Outsorcerer's Apprentice audio blurb does not say that this is part of a series. The synopsis makes it sound like a completely standalone story, a good story, a funny story, but it was none of these.
Nope
All though it is clearly stated here, The Outsorcerer's Apprentice audio blurb does not say that this is part of a series. The synopsis makes it sound like a completely standalone story, a good story, a funny story, but it was none of these.
Nope
lamusadelils's review
2.0
Si está gracioso, pero no es para mí.
Es la versión literaria del humor tipo Shrek.
Es la versión literaria del humor tipo Shrek.
clarinick's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gwendle_vs_literature's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was enjoyable and fun, but is not among Tom Holt’s best. It’s been several years since I read “Doughnut” and “When it’s a Jar”, and although remembering the details of them was not necessary to follow this book, I could tell that there were some references I wasn’t quite picking up on, but I also don’t feel compelled to re-read them. I’m not against re-reading, but there are other books by this author that I’d look to first.
If you’re looking for Tom Holt’s best series I’d read the J W wells & co. books which start with “The Portable Door”, and if you prefer stand-alone works my personal favourites were “Nothing But Blue Skies” and “The Management Style of the Supreme Beings”
If you’re looking for Tom Holt’s best series I’d read the J W wells & co. books which start with “The Portable Door”, and if you prefer stand-alone works my personal favourites were “Nothing But Blue Skies” and “The Management Style of the Supreme Beings”
heyt's review
3.0
This was a fun read but I didn't realize until after I started that it was part of an already established world. I enjoyed seeing fantasy tropes taken to extremes and then sort of subverted into modern day economics. The wizard was set up to be the villain but you also kind of didn't mind when he succeeded because it all seemed so rational. It's a great satire on outsourcing and capitalism with a bit of sci-fan icing.
bookwyrm37's review
1.0
was thoroughly enjoying this romp when I was rudely interrupted by a character comparing being weak and annoying to my gender. and no, mr. holt isn't the only author guilty of this, but I just hit my breaking point. It's hard to be reading a perfectly good story written with wit and humor....and be insulted. I couldn't pick it back up after that. It's too bad because I was planning on recommending this...