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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Another reluctant no. This book does some really interesting things - the world is a bleak mid-apocalypse, barely one step from hell; the style has a literary bent and a deft hand with language - that meant I was keen to be hooked, and I kept giving this just-one-more-chapter long after I'd have set aside a lesser beast. But all it did with those just-one-more-chapters was repeat its formula: (...maybe spoilers?)
The Vagrant's story is the only one we follow (except for interludes with the bad guys, with whom we're presumably not supposed to sympathise on account of them being literally demons), but there's a strong omniscient distance to the narrative, and the Vagrant himself does not talk. So we have no idea what's going on with him. The back cover text tells me he has a purpose, but I don't know what it means, whether it's really worth the collateral damage he's accruing, whether he shouldn't just stop. Maybe that's the point - maybe I'm supposed to be entranced by this mysterious, silent, ass-kicking man, forging relentlessly across the landscape when given so many opportunities to stop or fail. But caring about him has passed me by, since I don't know who he is, or why he's more worthy of my care than any of the other people we've (briefly) met.
In any case, when his progress is the only plot, it seems obvious that nothing is going to significantly impede that progress, which really takes the tension out of the obstacles, betrayals, et al. Leaving me with no reason to keep reading save the style - which really is quite nifty.
But not quite that nifty. Giving up at page 112.
Spoiler
the Vagrant reaches a new place, hits trouble, makes an ally, has a moment to regroup, is betrayed by said ally, makes an escape with the help of a genuine ally who is sadly left behind in the mayhem. Continues walking.The Vagrant's story is the only one we follow (except for interludes with the bad guys, with whom we're presumably not supposed to sympathise on account of them being literally demons), but there's a strong omniscient distance to the narrative, and the Vagrant himself does not talk. So we have no idea what's going on with him. The back cover text tells me he has a purpose, but I don't know what it means, whether it's really worth the collateral damage he's accruing, whether he shouldn't just stop. Maybe that's the point - maybe I'm supposed to be entranced by this mysterious, silent, ass-kicking man, forging relentlessly across the landscape when given so many opportunities to stop or fail. But caring about him has passed me by, since I don't know who he is, or why he's more worthy of my care than any of the other people we've (briefly) met.
In any case, when his progress is the only plot, it seems obvious that nothing is going to significantly impede that progress, which really takes the tension out of the obstacles, betrayals, et al. Leaving me with no reason to keep reading save the style - which really is quite nifty.
But not quite that nifty. Giving up at page 112.
A man a goat and a baby walk into a bar...
...
Ok...so I don't have a punchline. The joke, however, is on you if you decide to let this one pass you by.
End review.
Oh wait, wait, wait!! I forgot to mention the demon hordes that are spreading across a desolate post-apocalyptic world. I forgot to mention that the very ground surrounding these demon hordes, whether alone or in numbers, simply withers and dies. That the merest touch from these monstrosities spewed upon the world from the deep depths below can corrupt everything that you are. I forgot to tell you that there were factions of demons fighting amongst themselves, not to mention the humans struggling for survival.
And through all of this...a man who can't speak, a baby who can't even walk, and a goat that doesn't put up with any bullshit are trying to make their way. they make some friends, they change some lives, and they save some people.
It's all quite brilliant fun, actually. Oh, and there's a singing sword as well.
But ya know what? That's not even the best of the bestest! You know what I really dug?
The words.
I mean...well...yeah...there are words in every book. It's kinda what makes a book a book. But these are Peter Newman's words, and I'll tell ya what, the man can string a descriptive sentence better than most. His turns of phrase are pretty out there and it took me a moment to adjust to his level. At times, I wasn't sure if I was reading a prose novel or a very well thought out sonnet. It really was something extraordinary to experience. Couple that with the dark and dirty world he has created, some well thought out characters and a heavy dose of human morality and you end up with something that is ridiculously engaging.
Still here? WTF, man. Go read this shit!
I started this book waaay back in 2017, and I blame myself for not finishing this one sooner. But as it goes I was busy with university work and had little time to read so this went in my long hiatus shelf. It’s always tricky going back to something you’ve started reading a while back.
I finally picked this up again a few weeks back and it was like I had never left. Such a unique world which you get literally dropped with little information, and its sucks you right in. The characters you get to know makes such a good contrast to the rest of the gritty world and you love to see it.
I finally picked this up again a few weeks back and it was like I had never left. Such a unique world which you get literally dropped with little information, and its sucks you right in. The characters you get to know makes such a good contrast to the rest of the gritty world and you love to see it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wasn't my normal read, and I had to get use to a lot of things, like that it's in second person and the main character the vagrant's inner thoughts or words are never heard throughout the story. Some other character voices the vagrant's thought's sometimes. Some parts were good with mentioning how being nice was a rare commodity.
A stunning journey through a devastated world with a mute man, a baby, and a goat.
Depravity is pitted against virtue as the Vagrant struggles against demon-invaders and humans alike that seek to scrape raw the human sense of love, generosity, and kindness. Each interaction is a risk, a gamble, a battle.
Newman's writing is beautifully wrought and wrenchingly grotesque. The characters are layered, complex, and hilarious. The plot takes you step-by-step through towns, cities, and memories that linger long in your mind afterwards, like twining smoke.
Pick this book up for incredibly rich writing, a twisted take on an apocalypse, and the degradation of human nature. Highly recommended.
Depravity is pitted against virtue as the Vagrant struggles against demon-invaders and humans alike that seek to scrape raw the human sense of love, generosity, and kindness. Each interaction is a risk, a gamble, a battle.
Newman's writing is beautifully wrought and wrenchingly grotesque. The characters are layered, complex, and hilarious. The plot takes you step-by-step through towns, cities, and memories that linger long in your mind afterwards, like twining smoke.
Pick this book up for incredibly rich writing, a twisted take on an apocalypse, and the degradation of human nature. Highly recommended.
I just knew that I was going to enjoy reading this book, ever since I read a blurb about it. The art in the front cover also drew me in. Glad I decided to read it! Gave it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tried-but-not-for-me (borrowed the term from Liviu).
After finished this novel, I see it as a first novel of a series, it reminds me of Jim Butcher's Storm Front. But I like Storm Front better than this novel.
I don't mind unfinished plots or slightly growing main characters. But the perfect character (is it called Gary Stu?) of the main protagonist is not for me. If the main protagonist is not a mute, he is a perfect super hero knight defender of love and justice. The Baby and The Goat characters can easily steal a reader's sympathy from The Vagrant.
For my personal taste, this novel needs more humor. On another side, minor characters on this novel are too flat for my taste. I hope the flatness is due to introductory purpose for whole series.
I don't have issue for the setting, and I believe there could be a lot of more fantastic setting in next novels.
After finished this novel, I see it as a first novel of a series, it reminds me of Jim Butcher's Storm Front. But I like Storm Front better than this novel.
I don't mind unfinished plots or slightly growing main characters. But the perfect character (is it called Gary Stu?) of the main protagonist is not for me. If the main protagonist is not a mute, he is a perfect super hero knight defender of love and justice. The Baby and The Goat characters can easily steal a reader's sympathy from The Vagrant.
For my personal taste, this novel needs more humor. On another side, minor characters on this novel are too flat for my taste. I hope the flatness is due to introductory purpose for whole series.
I don't have issue for the setting, and I believe there could be a lot of more fantastic setting in next novels.