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shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite a fun read. Mick Oberon's quite likeable (if somewhat a cut-out), and the other characters range from dull to extremely interesting, like Eudeagh. Hope to see more of her, and also to see more of Elphaim, too.
I know nothing of 1930s Chicago (neither old nor American, heh), but I guess the writer did a good job of making the pulpy writing accessible.
I am leaving my guess here as to Mick's real identity, so I can say I called it later on (or not).
I know nothing of 1930s Chicago (neither old nor American, heh), but I guess the writer did a good job of making the pulpy writing accessible.
I am leaving my guess here as to Mick's real identity, so I can say I called it later on (or not).
Spoiler
He's Puck, isn't he? Way obvious...weskstarzec's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
telerit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
Just to follow up on my noir binge, this time with fairies. Again, the wonderful secrets, betrayed background, wild history, and all set in Chicago with gangsters, witches, magic, and those tough but beautiful women. Half exasperating, half action, and all with tongue-in-cheek grace. Plus some of the best whinging about modern language and slang.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
An outstanding premise and book! I wish I could remember where I read about this book, but I am very glad I did. Fantasy, hard-boiled noir, set in the days of Prohibition and Capone. I admit to having Humphrey Bogart's voice narrating in my cranium as I read.
Mick Oberon is a PI of the best gritty kind. I love that Ari Marmell took the time to explain sayings and euphemisms in the beginning and fae pronunciations and mobster facts in the back.
If one needs a comparison, I'd compare Mick Oberon to Harry Dresden. PI's with supernatural powers and can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' by always, mostly doing the right thing.
I cannot wait to read the next in this series, HALLOW POINT. It's already in the shopping cart.
Definitely recommend
Mick Oberon is a PI of the best gritty kind. I love that Ari Marmell took the time to explain sayings and euphemisms in the beginning and fae pronunciations and mobster facts in the back.
If one needs a comparison, I'd compare Mick Oberon to Harry Dresden. PI's with supernatural powers and can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' by always, mostly doing the right thing.
I cannot wait to read the next in this series, HALLOW POINT. It's already in the shopping cart.
Definitely recommend
marklpotter's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not one for the old style, Capone era gangster trope. It just doesn't resonate with me. Even as much as I enjoy Ari's books I put this one off because of that. The fact is that I shouldn't have. I really enjoy the modern takes on fairy mythology and his handling of that alone makes this a really good read. What puts it over the top is the use of language from the era and the way he sprinkles it throughout but gives enough context that you aren't trotting off to Wikipedia to find out what he's talking about. It's well written enough that the time shift doesn't feel forced and you really get lost in the narrative.
Our hero, Mick Oberon, is different enough that you never doubt his otherness but common enough that he's easy to connect with and care about. He's not a damaged goods hero but rather someone who's just slightly different than the rest of us. His interactions with the audience, as narrator, are well done and amusing at times.
The overall story is well written and actually surprised me at a couple of turns, which isn't all that easy with as much as I read the fantasy genre. It could easily be that Inwas so immersed in the story that I wasn't looking ahead, which is a sign of a very well crafted story, at least as far as I am concerned.
While I don't have any immediate family to draw on to visualize the Italian family dynamic, I wasn't put off by it and found it believable. I really appreciate the mixing of the Irish mythology and the Italian culture even though both are handled with a light touch.
Overall I was very impressed that Ari was able to create a world, in a genre that I usually avoid, and keep me sucked in to the point of losing sleep reading about it. Fair play to you Mr. Marmell, fair play!
Our hero, Mick Oberon, is different enough that you never doubt his otherness but common enough that he's easy to connect with and care about. He's not a damaged goods hero but rather someone who's just slightly different than the rest of us. His interactions with the audience, as narrator, are well done and amusing at times.
The overall story is well written and actually surprised me at a couple of turns, which isn't all that easy with as much as I read the fantasy genre. It could easily be that Inwas so immersed in the story that I wasn't looking ahead, which is a sign of a very well crafted story, at least as far as I am concerned.
While I don't have any immediate family to draw on to visualize the Italian family dynamic, I wasn't put off by it and found it believable. I really appreciate the mixing of the Irish mythology and the Italian culture even though both are handled with a light touch.
Overall I was very impressed that Ari was able to create a world, in a genre that I usually avoid, and keep me sucked in to the point of losing sleep reading about it. Fair play to you Mr. Marmell, fair play!
availle's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the story. I also like the way the fae are presented.
What's really annoying about this book is the fake 20s Chicago slang. If I could grab a word editor and just find-replace 'kisser' by 'mouth' etc, this book would get a full five stars from me. Like this? Really annoying to read, despite the amazing story.
What's really annoying about this book is the fake 20s Chicago slang. If I could grab a word editor and just find-replace 'kisser' by 'mouth' etc, this book would get a full five stars from me. Like this? Really annoying to read, despite the amazing story.
katleap's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay. I hated all the slang but the world building was interesting. The end was a little abrupt for me though.