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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. It was smart to have Horst tell most of the story as it was nice to see his emotional involvement in the story, in contrast to the necessarily cool detachment of Johannes. Horst is an interesting character, and we got to see more of him than in the first book in the series. I've found this whole series to be good so far, with only one misstep, that of turning Johannes into a detective in the second book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an excellent entry as always, I thoroughly enjoy the moral pragmatism of Johannes and the affable charm of Horst, and with a bevy of new memorable characters we see the Brother's Cabal in new lights and settings that expand the world of Cabal. However, and this is where spoilers really get going!
The only thing that put me off was the structure of the story, we pick up where the last book ended and then Horst spends the majority of the story recounting where he's been almost at the same time as Johannes was in the realm of dreams. There is nothing wrong with this, Horst is a great storyteller, we see the magics of this series put on display, the depravity of the world's evils, and of course Johannes' sarcasm. These are all good things, but the end had so much that I wanted more. Rival factions hints to Johannes' past, and of course what all it could mean for the future. The last few chapters have so much that the rest pales by comparison.
So I guess this is my rambling way of saying LONGER PLEASE! Otherwise can't wait for book 5!
Spoiler
The only thing that put me off was the structure of the story, we pick up where the last book ended and then Horst spends the majority of the story recounting where he's been almost at the same time as Johannes was in the realm of dreams. There is nothing wrong with this, Horst is a great storyteller, we see the magics of this series put on display, the depravity of the world's evils, and of course Johannes' sarcasm. These are all good things, but the end had so much that I wanted more. Rival factions hints to Johannes' past, and of course what all it could mean for the future. The last few chapters have so much that the rest pales by comparison.
So I guess this is my rambling way of saying LONGER PLEASE! Otherwise can't wait for book 5!
The good: Brothers united yet again, warring with the forces of eeeviiiiil. Glorious! I love everything about this: the characters, the plot, the twists, the writing... It definitely managed to make up for the disappointing third book, [b:The Fear Institute|11689404|The Fear Institute (Johannes Cabal, #3)|Jonathan L. Howard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327931495s/11689404.jpg|16636003].
The bad: So okay, most of the twists are pretty obvious and I'd like to have had some more brotherly interaction, but oh well...
The ugly: Nada.
Can't wait for the next book!
The bad: So okay, most of the twists are pretty obvious and I'd like to have had some more brotherly interaction, but oh well...
The ugly: Nada.
Can't wait for the next book!
I'm just now loving the sequels as much as the first book. It's Locke Lamora syndrome all over again for me. What a shame...
This book...this book right here made me laugh-like bust out laughing-while also shocking me and making my mouth drop. I loved this book out of all of the Cabal novels I've read over the months that I've read them, so what is this book about?
Well...Horst is back. Back back. Back from the Dead back. And the ones that brought him back-the Ministerium Tenebrae-wants him to create vampires for their army of the undead, so they can create a country for the undead. Then that's when the voice of Horst's ripper-that's what I call it (I used to watch/read wayyy to much Vampire Diaries and the Originals)-started whispering in his mind like Phury's did in his book, wanted to do it, to drink the blood from the table, in the wine glass and in the bowl. But he didn't and escaped with the help of the Dee Society, and then he met Miss Montgomery's Flying circus.
While they were getting aquiented, they were attacked by zombies, a werebadger, obelisk, and a stone spider *in which I screamed because I hate spiders so much* and then as Horst tells this story to his brother Johannes, he asks him to help him destroy the Ministerium. Though Johannes reluctantly said yes, the two packed up Cabal's things to meet up with Miss Montgomery's trio of fliers and went to the rondevous point and met with serveral....how shall I put this....members of each religious group, some were witches (the Sisters of Hecate or the Hades one, I believe) and others were fighters, and before they attacked the Ministerium, they had a meeting, where Cabal explained that the Red Queen was none other than Lady Orfilia Nimuka, daughter of Count Merchal, and on top of that, Rufus Maleficarus is alive and walking...or so he thought.
The Mirkavian battle started, and everyone brought their best warriors out, but the Ministerium lost, even when Horst and Cabal, along with Alisha, went inside the castle to kill Rufus and Lady Misericorde. Cabal tricked Rufus, who turned out to be the Eriskghal Working and trapped him in Rufus's body, while Alisha died-killed by dopplegangers, and Horst killed them all by listening to his inner ripper and killed them all.
But the ENDING though....Johannes found the book he was looking for, and then asked Horst about the Fountian of Youth and the Philsopher Stone.....but when Ninuka was alone and randomly talking to the urn....THAT was freaky enough.
So I really do recommend this book and the whole series if you haven't read it yet!
Well...Horst is back. Back back. Back from the Dead back. And the ones that brought him back-the Ministerium Tenebrae-wants him to create vampires for their army of the undead, so they can create a country for the undead. Then that's when the voice of Horst's ripper-that's what I call it (I used to watch/read wayyy to much Vampire Diaries and the Originals)-started whispering in his mind like Phury's did in his book, wanted to do it, to drink the blood from the table, in the wine glass and in the bowl. But he didn't and escaped with the help of the Dee Society, and then he met Miss Montgomery's Flying circus.
While they were getting aquiented, they were attacked by zombies, a werebadger, obelisk, and a stone spider *in which I screamed because I hate spiders so much* and then as Horst tells this story to his brother Johannes, he asks him to help him destroy the Ministerium. Though Johannes reluctantly said yes, the two packed up Cabal's things to meet up with Miss Montgomery's trio of fliers and went to the rondevous point and met with serveral....how shall I put this....members of each religious group, some were witches (the Sisters of Hecate or the Hades one, I believe) and others were fighters, and before they attacked the Ministerium, they had a meeting, where Cabal explained that the Red Queen was none other than Lady Orfilia Nimuka, daughter of Count Merchal, and on top of that, Rufus Maleficarus is alive and walking...or so he thought.
The Mirkavian battle started, and everyone brought their best warriors out, but the Ministerium lost, even when Horst and Cabal, along with Alisha, went inside the castle to kill Rufus and Lady Misericorde. Cabal tricked Rufus, who turned out to be the Eriskghal Working and trapped him in Rufus's body, while Alisha died-killed by dopplegangers, and Horst killed them all by listening to his inner ripper and killed them all.
But the ENDING though....Johannes found the book he was looking for, and then asked Horst about the Fountian of Youth and the Philsopher Stone.....but when Ninuka was alone and randomly talking to the urn....THAT was freaky enough.
So I really do recommend this book and the whole series if you haven't read it yet!
The fourth Johannes Cabal novel sees the return of his brother Horst, a vampire who would rather not be. Horst takes a major role too, especially in the first half of the book and he's a fun character to tag along with. Mr. Howard has a definite way with words and often made me snicker at his droll wordplay. And The Brothers Cabal is in top form. (I may have to re-read the first two someday. The third not so much.) Anyway, I won't spoil the story for you. Suffice it to say that this outing includes steampunkish airships, zombies, and werewolves and tons of witty remarks.
Always wishing there were half stars because this would be 4.5. The dry wit is back in full force in this book and its fantastic. I absolutely adore Horst, he was my favourite character in the first book and he just makes things so much better. He is a great counter balance to Johannes sarcasm. The story in this one really pulls together lose ends from the other novels. The addition of the Dee Society was good, I really liked Alisha. There were some unanswered questions at the end. Jonathan Howard did warn me not to read the epilogue, but I just couldn't help myself. I am hoping that this is not the last time we will see Johannes and Horst Cabal.
An attempt at a semblance of a worthy review of The Brothers Cabal will come once I've gathered enough energy to try and give it justice.
Very briefly summed up: the fourth book of Cabal was, as, frankly, expected, an absolutely wonderful, humorous and adventurous escape from the mundane world and I'm so grateful that I have at least one more adventure to look forward to!
Very briefly summed up: the fourth book of Cabal was, as, frankly, expected, an absolutely wonderful, humorous and adventurous escape from the mundane world and I'm so grateful that I have at least one more adventure to look forward to!