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rosemarieshort's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the fantasy genre, then I would definitely recommend you give Funeral Games a go. I’m sure that elements of this concept has been done before, but Heintze’s writing makes it feel very fresh. This is in part due to the fascinating world he builds, and partly down to the character of Syphax.
First, the world. Ingerval is both a common and uncommon fantasy realm. There have been worlds in which Kings have multiple wives, political intrigue, warring factions etc before – however the introduction of some of the players being dead really adds a new layer to the old tropes. There is a great deal of very serious, gruesome, sad stuff but there is also a touch of gallows humour running throughout, adding brevity where it is sorely needed with a light and talented touch.
Syphax is perfect for this slightly ironic land – he isn’t a fighter or particularly suave with the ladies, he isn’t ridiculously handsome or impossibly strong. He likes books, is a bit socially awkward and happens to be just the hero that Ingerval needs. His interactions with those around him elevate the plot (which is standard conspiracy / mystery fare) and be warned – the maudlin humour of Heintze means that you might not get all the neatly tied loose ends you’re hoping for.
Overall a great, fast, fun read that definitely achieves finding something new in the fantasy genre – a feat within itself.
First, the world. Ingerval is both a common and uncommon fantasy realm. There have been worlds in which Kings have multiple wives, political intrigue, warring factions etc before – however the introduction of some of the players being dead really adds a new layer to the old tropes. There is a great deal of very serious, gruesome, sad stuff but there is also a touch of gallows humour running throughout, adding brevity where it is sorely needed with a light and talented touch.
Syphax is perfect for this slightly ironic land – he isn’t a fighter or particularly suave with the ladies, he isn’t ridiculously handsome or impossibly strong. He likes books, is a bit socially awkward and happens to be just the hero that Ingerval needs. His interactions with those around him elevate the plot (which is standard conspiracy / mystery fare) and be warned – the maudlin humour of Heintze means that you might not get all the neatly tied loose ends you’re hoping for.
Overall a great, fast, fun read that definitely achieves finding something new in the fantasy genre – a feat within itself.
wolfshine's review
4.0
Death is a central theme of this story, of course, but I loved the author’s take on it. The ability to talk to our ancestors, to understand the world as they did is a fantastic thought. Prince Syphax was a very relatable character coming into himself slowly as the story moves along. He’s the only one who sees something is wrong and does what he can to right the wrong, navigating through the Living and the Dead to do so.
Though it had a slow start, this mesh of genres picks up in intensity toward the end of the book. While the ending was a bit of a letdown, I could understand the author’s reason for it. I’m not a fan of typical happy endings anyway.
Narration is good and so is the background music and sound effects.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
Though it had a slow start, this mesh of genres picks up in intensity toward the end of the book. While the ending was a bit of a letdown, I could understand the author’s reason for it. I’m not a fan of typical happy endings anyway.
Narration is good and so is the background music and sound effects.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
4.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I had completely forgotten about Funeral Games until I received a friendly reminder, but I was so glad that I read it then because I can honestly say I haven't read anything like it before or since. I read it during the flights to and from a conference, but my mind might have been in attendance for more time.
The world is quite unique. The noble elite consists of people who stay after they're dead to haunt the world. This has evolved in entire parts of the castles being build to accommodate the ever expanding family. Since the world is basically ruled by the dead and dying has little consequences kings and their wives often commit suicide to big applause from the living and dead relatives. Things go awry when the king, during one of these ceremonies doesn't awake as a ghost.
Really interesting read. I liked the world a lot, and wouldn't mind to read more about it.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I had completely forgotten about Funeral Games until I received a friendly reminder, but I was so glad that I read it then because I can honestly say I haven't read anything like it before or since. I read it during the flights to and from a conference, but my mind might have been in attendance for more time.
The world is quite unique. The noble elite consists of people who stay after they're dead to haunt the world. This has evolved in entire parts of the castles being build to accommodate the ever expanding family. Since the world is basically ruled by the dead and dying has little consequences kings and their wives often commit suicide to big applause from the living and dead relatives. Things go awry when the king, during one of these ceremonies doesn't awake as a ghost.
Really interesting read. I liked the world a lot, and wouldn't mind to read more about it.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
bookwormbunny's review against another edition
4.0
*** I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review of it. The opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***
Funeral Games by Colin Heintze is an interesting paranormal/supernatural story set in a medieval time period surrounding the nobility of the people who when they die they return as ghosts and haunt the places of where they died. The nobility live their lives and then when they are ready (unless they die an untimely and unplanned death) they die and then return. The living seem to be the ones in control but it is their deceased ancestors who dictate the goings on between those of the living. Most of the ghosts are restricted to the specific places of where they died but there is one ghost…Chamberlain Vyter. He roams throughout the Old Palace and the current palace handling the affairs of both the living and the dead. Things of the nobility seem to be in order until the day that the King decides that he is ready to die and two of his wives go with him. They all three die but only the wives return as ghosts…the King…does not…so does that mean that he was not truly one of the nobility? Let the Games…begin…
When I first started reading this book I was very much engaged and interested in the descriptions of the land and the people and how the nobility differ from the peasants…how the nobility are called the Undying and the peasants die true death when they die. Some people fear the nobility because of the fact that they come back as ghosts after they die but others want the chance at having some part of them live on as one of the Undying. The story focuses mostly on Prince Syphax, whose mother is one of the King’s three wives. Prince Syphax really doesn’t fit in with the rest of the nobility. He’s not one for palace politics and the games and manipulations that the rest seem to thrive and love doing. But when things don’t go as they should have at the King’s funeral…Syphax is the one who not only questions but immediately goes into action to discover the truth.
Now for me as I was reading this book I always like for the reason behind the title of the book to present itself so that it all comes together for me. For a while I was worried that this wouldn’t be the case but about halfway through the story I will gladly say I was not disappointed. There is some mystery in this book: who is the little ghost girl who died in the courtyard, who is Milda and the baby that she takes care? There is suspense as you wonder…what will happen to the various characters…will Syphax find out the truth and expose it or will he die before he gets the chance? There are lots of supernatural elements of course with the ancestral ghosts who hold sway over all and the ghosts who interact with our hero. There is even a hint of romance but mind you only a hint, and there is even some humor too that will make you giggle and laugh though you may try not to.
This book has a nice mix of various elements and I really did enjoy reading it. It ebbs and flows a bit in the beginning but once the games really start then it gets hold of you and becomes a real page turner. So if you’re like me a enjoy a good supernatural story that’s set in medieval times with a hint of necromancy, suspense and thriller then this is a good book that I think you’ll really enjoy. I give this book 4.5 out 5 stars. This is an author I hope to read more of in the future.
Funeral Games by Colin Heintze is an interesting paranormal/supernatural story set in a medieval time period surrounding the nobility of the people who when they die they return as ghosts and haunt the places of where they died. The nobility live their lives and then when they are ready (unless they die an untimely and unplanned death) they die and then return. The living seem to be the ones in control but it is their deceased ancestors who dictate the goings on between those of the living. Most of the ghosts are restricted to the specific places of where they died but there is one ghost…Chamberlain Vyter. He roams throughout the Old Palace and the current palace handling the affairs of both the living and the dead. Things of the nobility seem to be in order until the day that the King decides that he is ready to die and two of his wives go with him. They all three die but only the wives return as ghosts…the King…does not…so does that mean that he was not truly one of the nobility? Let the Games…begin…
When I first started reading this book I was very much engaged and interested in the descriptions of the land and the people and how the nobility differ from the peasants…how the nobility are called the Undying and the peasants die true death when they die. Some people fear the nobility because of the fact that they come back as ghosts after they die but others want the chance at having some part of them live on as one of the Undying. The story focuses mostly on Prince Syphax, whose mother is one of the King’s three wives. Prince Syphax really doesn’t fit in with the rest of the nobility. He’s not one for palace politics and the games and manipulations that the rest seem to thrive and love doing. But when things don’t go as they should have at the King’s funeral…Syphax is the one who not only questions but immediately goes into action to discover the truth.
Now for me as I was reading this book I always like for the reason behind the title of the book to present itself so that it all comes together for me. For a while I was worried that this wouldn’t be the case but about halfway through the story I will gladly say I was not disappointed. There is some mystery in this book: who is the little ghost girl who died in the courtyard, who is Milda and the baby that she takes care? There is suspense as you wonder…what will happen to the various characters…will Syphax find out the truth and expose it or will he die before he gets the chance? There are lots of supernatural elements of course with the ancestral ghosts who hold sway over all and the ghosts who interact with our hero. There is even a hint of romance but mind you only a hint, and there is even some humor too that will make you giggle and laugh though you may try not to.
This book has a nice mix of various elements and I really did enjoy reading it. It ebbs and flows a bit in the beginning but once the games really start then it gets hold of you and becomes a real page turner. So if you’re like me a enjoy a good supernatural story that’s set in medieval times with a hint of necromancy, suspense and thriller then this is a good book that I think you’ll really enjoy. I give this book 4.5 out 5 stars. This is an author I hope to read more of in the future.
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