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jmkemp's review
3.0
A little mixed on this one. on the plus side I enjoyed the inventive nature of the story and it made me laugh in places. So it could have been a four or five star read. The story is engaging and has clearly been crafted. I could go with the necessary suspension of disbelief for the core plot elements of the eponymous Death, the Devil and the Goldfish. These were good as well as the robot elves and the other characters. In fact that whole bit was fab.
The bit I had some issues with was an easy fix. Ostensibly the book is mostly set in London, and I live and work in the area covered. However the book uses rather a lot of North American terms that just aren't appropriate for the setting. Some examples are the main character is a police detective. He consistently introduces himself as Detective Reinhardt and talks about his Captain. A real met police detective would call himself DC (or Detective Constable) X and would talk about the DCI (Detective Chief Inspector)
The bit I had some issues with was an easy fix. Ostensibly the book is mostly set in London, and I live and work in the area covered. However the book uses rather a lot of North American terms that just aren't appropriate for the setting. Some examples are the main character is a police detective. He consistently introduces himself as Detective Reinhardt and talks about his Captain. A real met police detective would call himself DC (or Detective Constable) X and would talk about the DCI (Detective Chief Inspector)
ninjabunneh's review against another edition
4.0
Death, the Devil, and a Goldfish walk into a bar......
I jest.
Goldfish can't walk.
The Devil has been wallowing in hell, torturing souls and having a bang up time but realizes he needs a bit of a vacation. God agrees and gives Devil a week to walk the human world possessing any body of Devil's choosing. However, God has a wicked sense of humor, and the Devil apparently doesn't thoroughly read the contracts he signs.
Mr. Devil ends up in the body of a cat named Fuzzbucket, much to his dismay. This doesn't deter his diabolical plans to wreak havoc on humanity. The Devil convinces a rather drunk-ass Death to take a hiatus and without the Grim Reaper acting as soul escort, people simply stop dying.
Never fear! There is a band of heroes that work on saving the day and the world entire. This is done with the help of a prophetic goldfish, a penguin who dreamt he was a man then actually became one, and a few humans in the mix. Oh, and an elf named Eggnog.
I may not have enjoyed this one as much as [bc:Stiltskin|18693066|Stiltskin|Andrew Buckley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354557s/18693066.jpg|26541425], but it was well worth the price of admission.
3.5 Ninja-Bunnehs-With-Horns
I jest.
Goldfish can't walk.
The Devil has been wallowing in hell, torturing souls and having a bang up time but realizes he needs a bit of a vacation. God agrees and gives Devil a week to walk the human world possessing any body of Devil's choosing. However, God has a wicked sense of humor, and the Devil apparently doesn't thoroughly read the contracts he signs.
Mr. Devil ends up in the body of a cat named Fuzzbucket, much to his dismay. This doesn't deter his diabolical plans to wreak havoc on humanity. The Devil convinces a rather drunk-ass Death to take a hiatus and without the Grim Reaper acting as soul escort, people simply stop dying.
Never fear! There is a band of heroes that work on saving the day and the world entire. This is done with the help of a prophetic goldfish, a penguin who dreamt he was a man then actually became one, and a few humans in the mix. Oh, and an elf named Eggnog.
I may not have enjoyed this one as much as [bc:Stiltskin|18693066|Stiltskin|Andrew Buckley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354557s/18693066.jpg|26541425], but it was well worth the price of admission.
3.5 Ninja-Bunnehs-With-Horns
sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
This story starts off with the Devil making a contract with God to get to come to earth for a week. What he does't read in the contract is that if the body he wants is not available then God gets to send him to an available body. Thus we have the Devil possessing a cat.
Death gets drunk and lets the Devil cat talk him into quitting his job. Thus people quit dying. People should die and they try to but then their souls just turn around and go back to where they are. Confusion ensues.
The cast of characters are stellar. You have Rupert the cab driver who I find hilarious-he talks non stop about stealing hotel soaps and Gabriel who was a penguin before being granted a body during the craziness. Those are just a couple of my favorites.
The two characters that shine though are the Devil and Death. Flipping hilarious.
Andrew Buckley has a talent for taking stories where I've never seen them go before and I likes it. This was his first book and for a first book it's pretty dang strong.
I did like [b:Stiltskin|18693066|Stiltskin|Andrew Buckley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354557s/18693066.jpg|26541425] much better but this one wasn't chump change.
I will be changing my answering recording to this thanks to this book: Hi, you've reached the Devil in the very pits of Hell; unless you wish to be ravaged relentlessly I suggest you don't leave a message. Oh, and wait for the beep.
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and yes he is my friend. That has nothing to do with nothing and these are my true thoughts. As far as I know Andrew Buckley does not have mind control. Maybe.
Death gets drunk and lets the Devil cat talk him into quitting his job. Thus people quit dying. People should die and they try to but then their souls just turn around and go back to where they are. Confusion ensues.
The cast of characters are stellar. You have Rupert the cab driver who I find hilarious-he talks non stop about stealing hotel soaps and Gabriel who was a penguin before being granted a body during the craziness. Those are just a couple of my favorites.
The two characters that shine though are the Devil and Death. Flipping hilarious.
Andrew Buckley has a talent for taking stories where I've never seen them go before and I likes it. This was his first book and for a first book it's pretty dang strong.
I did like [b:Stiltskin|18693066|Stiltskin|Andrew Buckley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1382354557s/18693066.jpg|26541425] much better but this one wasn't chump change.
I will be changing my answering recording to this thanks to this book: Hi, you've reached the Devil in the very pits of Hell; unless you wish to be ravaged relentlessly I suggest you don't leave a message. Oh, and wait for the beep.
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and yes he is my friend. That has nothing to do with nothing and these are my true thoughts. As far as I know Andrew Buckley does not have mind control. Maybe.
lachese's review against another edition
4.0
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
Have you ever had one of those nights where you start out drinking at a nearby friend's house and wake up the next day three states over in the middle of a ditch at the side of a major highway wearing bright neon pants and plastered in glitter with multiple leis and Mardi Gras beads around your neck? No? That is exactly what this book is like. It is a wacky adventure full of twists and turns and ridiculousness unbound. The book is exactly what it wants to be and excels at it.
This book has been compared to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with good reason. However, Death, the Devil, and the Goldfish takes the randomness to a completely new level. At times keeping up with the intertwining randomness can be a challenge, but at the end, when everything converges on a singular point, it is very much an "aha!" moment that forms order from the seemingly endless chaos.
Admittedly, this book may not be for everyone. Any serious, logical thinker may scratch their head at the talking penguin switching bodies with a wealthy human millionnaire or at a prophetic goldfish with a serious case of short term memory loss (and that's just the start). For any fans of the genre, however, applaud at such a strong new addition. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a tongue in cheek rocking good time.
Have you ever had one of those nights where you start out drinking at a nearby friend's house and wake up the next day three states over in the middle of a ditch at the side of a major highway wearing bright neon pants and plastered in glitter with multiple leis and Mardi Gras beads around your neck? No? That is exactly what this book is like. It is a wacky adventure full of twists and turns and ridiculousness unbound. The book is exactly what it wants to be and excels at it.
This book has been compared to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with good reason. However, Death, the Devil, and the Goldfish takes the randomness to a completely new level. At times keeping up with the intertwining randomness can be a challenge, but at the end, when everything converges on a singular point, it is very much an "aha!" moment that forms order from the seemingly endless chaos.
Admittedly, this book may not be for everyone. Any serious, logical thinker may scratch their head at the talking penguin switching bodies with a wealthy human millionnaire or at a prophetic goldfish with a serious case of short term memory loss (and that's just the start). For any fans of the genre, however, applaud at such a strong new addition. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a tongue in cheek rocking good time.
dodie_sullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
emmafromoz's review against another edition
3.0
If you are a fan of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, then you will almost certainly love this book. It does what it is setting out to do well - bits of it were genuinely funny - but it's not really my cup of tea.... For an idea of the humour involved, one of the incidental characters lives in (& therefore comes from) Upper Ramsbottom. This joke is made more than once. For my money, I much prefer Jasper Fforde. Embarrassingly, I also have to admit that this novel totally failed to meet my emotional needs (the ones so amply served by urban fantasy). I suspect this says more about me than this book. Just saying.....
ciska's review against another edition
4.0
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Author
Andrew Buckly was born in Manchester. As a child he wrote a story about a big blue dinosaur which got awarded by his elementary teacher with a gold star.
In 1997 he moved to Canada where he attended the Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television program where he graduated with excellence.
After pitching and developing several screenplay projects for film and television he worked in marketing and public relations for several years before venturing into a number of content writing contracts. During this time he abandoned screenwriting altogether and began writing his first novel.
Andrew lives in the Okanagan Valley, BC with his wife, children and pets.
Review
My first thought when I saw this book on Netgalley was "how did someone manage to put a goldfish in with Death and the Devil."
The several characters each have their own start in the story. It is clear from the beginning they are going to end up together but you are not sure in which capacity. I loved Gerald and the Death the most. They are the most hilarious combination. One thing that did bother me was that the author named some of the main characters alike.
I must confess that I admired the many different ways the author found to describe the relationship between the goldfish and the castle.
The story is a chain of the most stupid situations a human being (or not so human being) can find himself stuck in combined with the thoughts of every other sane person hearing the story. As the author mentions in his book that dark lonely half collapsing house no person with a normal working brain would enter....Still the characters have to live trough the situation wondering why them and solve the problems they get into. As some do not have previous experience in solving problems in a normal way this makes for some very hilarious situations.
This book is hilarious, funny and balancing just on the right site of morality and I have not laughed like this about a book in a long time
Author
Andrew Buckly was born in Manchester. As a child he wrote a story about a big blue dinosaur which got awarded by his elementary teacher with a gold star.
In 1997 he moved to Canada where he attended the Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television program where he graduated with excellence.
After pitching and developing several screenplay projects for film and television he worked in marketing and public relations for several years before venturing into a number of content writing contracts. During this time he abandoned screenwriting altogether and began writing his first novel.
Andrew lives in the Okanagan Valley, BC with his wife, children and pets.
Review
My first thought when I saw this book on Netgalley was "how did someone manage to put a goldfish in with Death and the Devil."
The several characters each have their own start in the story. It is clear from the beginning they are going to end up together but you are not sure in which capacity. I loved Gerald and the Death the most. They are the most hilarious combination. One thing that did bother me was that the author named some of the main characters alike.
I must confess that I admired the many different ways the author found to describe the relationship between the goldfish and the castle.
The story is a chain of the most stupid situations a human being (or not so human being) can find himself stuck in combined with the thoughts of every other sane person hearing the story. As the author mentions in his book that dark lonely half collapsing house no person with a normal working brain would enter....Still the characters have to live trough the situation wondering why them and solve the problems they get into. As some do not have previous experience in solving problems in a normal way this makes for some very hilarious situations.
This book is hilarious, funny and balancing just on the right site of morality and I have not laughed like this about a book in a long time
sepia_witch's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
This was a breath of fresh air in my literary landscape. Very clever and incredibly funny. Mr. Buckley creates a wonderful whimsical storyline that will leave you chuckling with every page turn. The story flows nicely and has amusing twists. An original and creative plot line. I look forward to reading more!
This was a breath of fresh air in my literary landscape. Very clever and incredibly funny. Mr. Buckley creates a wonderful whimsical storyline that will leave you chuckling with every page turn. The story flows nicely and has amusing twists. An original and creative plot line. I look forward to reading more!
tellemonstar's review against another edition
2.0
Well, I've finally finished it. Full review here:
http://blog.butterflytempest.net/book-review-death-the-devil-and-the-goldfish/
http://blog.butterflytempest.net/book-review-death-the-devil-and-the-goldfish/
bukola's review
3.0
[a:Andrew Buckley|1331527|Andrew Buckley|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png]Death, the Devil and the Goldfish is a story of how the devil leaves hell, death quits his job and a gold fish tells the future. Lucifer, or Luci as he is fondly called by the angel of death (much to his annoyance), signs a contract which allows him to leave hell and inhabit a human body for seven days, only he forgets to read the small print, and as you know, the devil is in the details – pun not intended.
The Devil does not get the body he thinks he would, and so has to improvise. He plans to take over the world and wreck havoc, and actually does an impressive job of it, until Nigel, a newly fired Detective with an unusually calm demeanour and a slight gambling problem; Celina, an artificial intelligence genius who makes her Scottish ancestors proud with her legendary fits of rage; Gerald, a penguin in a human body; Eggnogg, the dancing elf; Death who previously quit his job citing under appreciation; and a prophetic, information spinning gold fish are brought together to form a kick ass team by Heinrich the waiter, who isn’t really a waiter at all.
I have to say, there are quite a number of characters in this book, and a number of things going on at the same time, but most of them tie together in the end. There are still a few dangling parts, but I suppose those are left for the sequel.
All the characters are as real and mad as can be expected in a devil-hijacks-earth kind of story, but the angel of Death is my favourite. He felt the most real to me and he is cool in a “you-won’t-remember-me-in-the-next-minute” way. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.
The Devil does not get the body he thinks he would, and so has to improvise. He plans to take over the world and wreck havoc, and actually does an impressive job of it, until Nigel, a newly fired Detective with an unusually calm demeanour and a slight gambling problem; Celina, an artificial intelligence genius who makes her Scottish ancestors proud with her legendary fits of rage; Gerald, a penguin in a human body; Eggnogg, the dancing elf; Death who previously quit his job citing under appreciation; and a prophetic, information spinning gold fish are brought together to form a kick ass team by Heinrich the waiter, who isn’t really a waiter at all.
I have to say, there are quite a number of characters in this book, and a number of things going on at the same time, but most of them tie together in the end. There are still a few dangling parts, but I suppose those are left for the sequel.
All the characters are as real and mad as can be expected in a devil-hijacks-earth kind of story, but the angel of Death is my favourite. He felt the most real to me and he is cool in a “you-won’t-remember-me-in-the-next-minute” way. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.