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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
1. The characters in this book are bland, which the possible exception of Vern, who is the only one with much of a character arc. I guess Squib's plan thing also counts? Idek.
2. Highfire sortof reminds me of the first Artemis Fowl book. Events happen is quick succession, characters attack other characters, and the story focuses far more on the plot than on inner emotional turmoil. When it comes to Colfer's books I have to say my preference is for the more touchy-feely ones, like Airman or The Arctic Incident.
3. Regence Hooke, son. A psychopath-ass villain if there ever was one. He's entertaining and competent, but at the end of the day he doesn't really do much for me. I'm going to forget about him in like two weeks? Maybe less.
4. There's a ton of cursing in this book. And while I'm not actually averse to swearing (the idea of it lol) I do think that a well-placed cussword has far more impact than a torrent of them for no reason. These are words, not punctuation.
5. The book is mostly a bunch of action scenes strung together by cartilage, especially in the last half. From what I remember, the action scene barrage is one of Colfer's MOs? This version of it didn't have enough heart and character engagement to make things seem high-stakes enough though.
6. Verne's was mildly interesting to read but I think that's mostly because I was in the mental space to appreciate it. It certainly isn't an in-depth exploration of suicidality. I do think Vern is the most interesting character in this book- all the pages are brimming with his ennui and despair and fuck it all attitude. I have never identified more with a dragon, let me tell you.
6. There are a lot of really funny lines in this book but I still think this kind of prose would work better with a shorter story. After a while, even if you giggle at lines, the constant Pronuncements thing becomes a bit tiresome. This could just be me being subjective about things because I'm not invested in the characters, though.
Verdict: Light read, funny lines, minimal emotional investment.
2. Highfire sortof reminds me of the first Artemis Fowl book. Events happen is quick succession, characters attack other characters, and the story focuses far more on the plot than on inner emotional turmoil. When it comes to Colfer's books I have to say my preference is for the more touchy-feely ones, like Airman or The Arctic Incident.
3. Regence Hooke, son. A psychopath-ass villain if there ever was one. He's entertaining and competent, but at the end of the day he doesn't really do much for me. I'm going to forget about him in like two weeks? Maybe less.
4. There's a ton of cursing in this book. And while I'm not actually averse to swearing (the idea of it lol) I do think that a well-placed cussword has far more impact than a torrent of them for no reason. These are words, not punctuation.
5. The book is mostly a bunch of action scenes strung together by cartilage, especially in the last half. From what I remember, the action scene barrage is one of Colfer's MOs? This version of it didn't have enough heart and character engagement to make things seem high-stakes enough though.
6. Verne's
Spoiler
suicide attempt6. There are a lot of really funny lines in this book but I still think this kind of prose would work better with a shorter story. After a while, even if you giggle at lines, the constant Pronuncements thing becomes a bit tiresome. This could just be me being subjective about things because I'm not invested in the characters, though.
Verdict: Light read, funny lines, minimal emotional investment.
Ahoy there me mateys! This book was so not for me. The humor was juvenile and too filled with poop, vomit, and stupid. The characters felt like caricatures of Bayou life and none of them were redeemable. The plot was dumb and uninteresting but I kept reading because I wanted the dragon to be cool. Sadly, at 46% the dragon pissed on the arm of the main character and that was enough.
HOWEVER, the book included a bizarre spelling of the French word for mosquito which led me down an awesome rabbit hole about language. I have a love of words and much like the foray into mispronounced words I recently took, this journey involved hours of reading about etymology of the French language. Turns out the spelling of mosquito in the book came from Missouri French also known as Paw Paw French. This language is not to be confused with Louisiana French, Canadian French, or Traditional French. It is also NOT French Creole. I didn't even know that Missouri or Louisiana French was an official thing.
Now my French language usage has declined a ton since me schooling days. Today I can order food and ask directions. But I still have enough basics to love the differences between French variants.
After reading about the loveliness that is Paw Paw French, the First Mate and I looked into the Oïl languages of which one is Walloon. Walloon is spoken in Wallonia in Belgium and its formation began in 980. It is not quite a dead language yet but is cool. Example: French - Salut! = Walloon - A. Then there was an adventure into the differences between creole and pidgin. But I will stop here. Though dorks like me can click all the links above to fall down that same rabbit hole if it suits ye.
So while I am trying to get the actual book out of me noggin, I am grateful to it just the same. Arrr!
Side note: If ye really want to be a dork with me then get me started on the OED.
HOWEVER, the book included a bizarre spelling of the French word for mosquito which led me down an awesome rabbit hole about language. I have a love of words and much like the foray into mispronounced words I recently took, this journey involved hours of reading about etymology of the French language. Turns out the spelling of mosquito in the book came from Missouri French also known as Paw Paw French. This language is not to be confused with Louisiana French, Canadian French, or Traditional French. It is also NOT French Creole. I didn't even know that Missouri or Louisiana French was an official thing.
Now my French language usage has declined a ton since me schooling days. Today I can order food and ask directions. But I still have enough basics to love the differences between French variants.
After reading about the loveliness that is Paw Paw French, the First Mate and I looked into the Oïl languages of which one is Walloon. Walloon is spoken in Wallonia in Belgium and its formation began in 980. It is not quite a dead language yet but is cool. Example: French - Salut! = Walloon - A. Then there was an adventure into the differences between creole and pidgin. But I will stop here. Though dorks like me can click all the links above to fall down that same rabbit hole if it suits ye.
So while I am trying to get the actual book out of me noggin, I am grateful to it just the same. Arrr!
Side note: If ye really want to be a dork with me then get me started on the OED.
I absolutely adored the Artemis Fowl books as a kid, so was really excited to hear about this new offering from Eoin Colfer. It has many of his classic elements to it - the fantasy world clashing spectacularly with the everyday world, wisecracking protagonists, and a dash of toilet humour - so if that's what you like about his other works, you'll enjoy this. I did, however, expect a little bit more to an 'adult' novel than just cursing and violence - take the gore and the 'motherfuckers' out, and it was very YA. Also it took a while for the plot to start picking up pace. But the world of the Louisiana bayou was wonderfully rendered, the characters were imaginatively played out, and - overall - it was fun.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just devoured this book in one sitting. I loved it! Funny and exciting and endearing and a bit fantastical. Such an enjoyable book!
I have always been of the opinion that you could basically find anything, ANYTHING, in a swamp......even a dragon...!
I may have read a book or two of the Artemis Fowl Series and I really enjoyed them - as children stories - but I have not read the entire series (and I wouldn't call myself a fan) but I was highly intrigued when Eion Colfer introduced his first book meant for adults.
What I loved:
- A vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving Dragon,
- They called him Vern,
- A villain you just LOVE to hate!
- "Squib" Moreau
- Every day I'm Hustlin',
- Explosions,
- High-Speed boat rides,
- The infamous "Southern Drawl"
- Swampy goodness,
-All the humour.
I did find the beginning to be a little slow and I was having a hard getting into the story but I absolutely loved this!
I may have read a book or two of the Artemis Fowl Series and I really enjoyed them - as children stories - but I have not read the entire series (and I wouldn't call myself a fan) but I was highly intrigued when Eion Colfer introduced his first book meant for adults.
What I loved:
- A vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving Dragon,
- They called him Vern,
- A villain you just LOVE to hate!
- "Squib" Moreau
- Every day I'm Hustlin',
- Explosions,
- High-Speed boat rides,
- The infamous "Southern Drawl"
- Swampy goodness,
-All the humour.
I did find the beginning to be a little slow and I was having a hard getting into the story but I absolutely loved this!
I loved this.
Fantasy subjects grounded in reality, well rounded characters and a villain to dislike.
Really enjoyed it
Fantasy subjects grounded in reality, well rounded characters and a villain to dislike.
Really enjoyed it
Disappointing
I simply loved Artemis Fowl (at least the first 6 books) and I’m willing to forget everything about his misguided attempt at continuing Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, so I thought it was time for another of his books, how wrong I was.
At the onset it’s a clever even somewhat funny story of the last dragon living in the swamps of Louisiana, but then it quickly goes downhill.
The language, trying to match a teenager living down south, is annoying and overly simplistic, the bad guys are so caricatured and stupid that it defies all credibility.
I managed to complete it but I have to admit, that I skimmed though some of the worst parts.
I simply loved Artemis Fowl (at least the first 6 books) and I’m willing to forget everything about his misguided attempt at continuing Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, so I thought it was time for another of his books, how wrong I was.
At the onset it’s a clever even somewhat funny story of the last dragon living in the swamps of Louisiana, but then it quickly goes downhill.
The language, trying to match a teenager living down south, is annoying and overly simplistic, the bad guys are so caricatured and stupid that it defies all credibility.
I managed to complete it but I have to admit, that I skimmed though some of the worst parts.