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mdestefano's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jgintrovertedreader's review
4.0
This is more of a fairy tale/quest tale. If you don't love fantasy, you probably won't like it. But I do love fantasy, so here it is. All of the required elements are present and accounted for. Heroic prince (or, at least, half of one)? Check. Loyal companions? Check. Do the loyal companions have mysterious backgrounds? Check. A little bit of romance? Check. Seemingly impossible tasks that require great sacrifice? Check. It's all here, but don't get the idea that it's a retelling of every other fairy tale known to man. It's well-written and different enough to make it well worth the read.
duriangray's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pnw_michelle's review
4.0
I love the storybook feel of the narrative, I love the self-conscious use of fairy tale conceits,and I love the humorous tone. The story goes to some dark places, but ultimately the story is full of light. Delightful.
rgreatreader's review
5.0
For some reason when I started this I was skeptical, but it was damn good.
It's a story that the characters almost know they're in, which changes perhaps how they think about things, but not what they can do. It's self-referential - it reads a bit like a historical account, since characters write their accounts of it afterwards, and the novel refers back to those accounts but also gives you the thought processes of those characters at the time.
Possibly my favorite jokes: firing omnibuses and eating dried gazebo.
It's a story that the characters almost know they're in, which changes perhaps how they think about things, but not what they can do. It's self-referential - it reads a bit like a historical account, since characters write their accounts of it afterwards, and the novel refers back to those accounts but also gives you the thought processes of those characters at the time.
Possibly my favorite jokes: firing omnibuses and eating dried gazebo.
nairam1173's review
3.0
An enjoyable read. For some reason, I found it hard to get into and stay into after about halfway through. I liked it while I was reading it, but when there were other books around I was more interested in picking them up. I'm not sure why. It was clever and funny in a a self-conscious way, and the last part especially was well put together.
So I liked it, and I like knowing the story after having heard the beginning half a dozen times, and I probably won't read it again.
So I liked it, and I like knowing the story after having heard the beginning half a dozen times, and I probably won't read it again.
mrswhiteinthelibrary's review
4.0
This book is hilarious and fully immersing. Filled with so many colorful characters, so much wit, so many exciting adventures, there is no way I could say enough to praise this work.
I could not stop thinking about the ending, long after I had read it.
It is simply a travesty that this is out of print.
I could not stop thinking about the ending, long after I had read it.
It is simply a travesty that this is out of print.
markcdickson's review
2.0
Too much thought was put into how to make this book self-aware fantasy and none was put into making the plot or the characters interesting.
I skipped the last two chapters (including the climax) but I’m still counting this one.
I skipped the last two chapters (including the climax) but I’m still counting this one.
kiraly's review
5.0
The best way I can think of to describe this story is "a tongue-in-cheek homage to fantasy adventure tales". The characters accept that they are part of a story, and occasionally they correct each other when someone assumes something will happen in way that wouldn't fit the tale. There are sneaky references to other bits and bobs from the fantasy/adventure universe, like the "gazebo" (which are often mentioned as creatures which people hunt and eat) and the Riddling Beast's question ("What goes on four legs in the morning, shaves the barber at noon, and crosses the road in the evening, and what does it have in its pockets?") All in all, it reminds me of what would happen if The Princess Bride met Terry Pratchett's Discworld books and someone threw in a dash of [b:The Mouse That Roared|149153|The Mouse That Roared|Leonard Wibberley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347739012s/149153.jpg|1305]. I definitely recommend it for anyone who feels like reading a fantasy novel that doesn't take itself too seriously.