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zossy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1_and_owenly's review
5.0
The beginnings of greatness
Johannes Cabal is a necromancer of some little infamy. This was his first appearance.
We can see him here, practically fully formed, almost identical to the person we eventually see in his first novel, Johannes Cabal The Necromancer. Intelligent, amoral, and up to his eyeballs in danger in snark. Yes, this is the way that I love him.
It is not necessary to read this before any of the other stories that feature him. No events from this short story carry over to his novels. It is an admitting character piece and Jonathan L Howard's wit is a lively and quick as ever. If you have never read Cabal before, this is a fine place to start. If you have read other stories about him, this will bring more of the same.
Johannes Cabal is a necromancer of some little infamy. This was his first appearance.
We can see him here, practically fully formed, almost identical to the person we eventually see in his first novel, Johannes Cabal The Necromancer. Intelligent, amoral, and up to his eyeballs in danger in snark. Yes, this is the way that I love him.
It is not necessary to read this before any of the other stories that feature him. No events from this short story carry over to his novels. It is an admitting character piece and Jonathan L Howard's wit is a lively and quick as ever. If you have never read Cabal before, this is a fine place to start. If you have read other stories about him, this will bring more of the same.
victoria92's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
traditionson's review
4.0
Death winds!
A very interesting start, I like the idea of Johannes however feel that I do not know enough about him to really enjoy. Everything happens so fast it is hard to keep up occasionally with such a new concept of the world. On the other hand there is so much to learn and that in itself draws me back. I will be interested to see where this goes.
A very interesting start, I like the idea of Johannes however feel that I do not know enough about him to really enjoy. Everything happens so fast it is hard to keep up occasionally with such a new concept of the world. On the other hand there is so much to learn and that in itself draws me back. I will be interested to see where this goes.
geilie's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
rowannan's review
5.0
A Great Introduction to Cabal
This is definitely what I want out a Cabal story, or really any story for that matter. It's a little rough around the edges, but a good read all the same.
This is definitely what I want out a Cabal story, or really any story for that matter. It's a little rough around the edges, but a good read all the same.
jesssepp's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carol26388's review
5.0
I couldn’t resist this imagery of this title, particularly after Melora reviewed it. When I began writing this review, I realized why.
Oh, that troublesome wind!
Unlike Pooh, Mr. Cabal is warned that the Bonewind is coming for him. While it sounds obviously ominous, he doesn’t recognize the name.
“Marvelous. If he’d really wanted little voices whispering gibberish in his ear, he would have invested in a radio license.”
Poor Mr. Cabal–he’s coming off a three day bender in the laboratory and really just wants to sleep. And clearly, he’s never met the AI in [b:Aurora|23197269|Aurora|Kim Stanley Robinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436300570s/23197269.jpg|42742263] or aliens in [b:Embassytown|9265453|Embassytown|China Miéville|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320470326s/9265453.jpg|14146240]:
“Even then he had no guarantee that it was a wind in any real sense at all–it might only be figurative. Metaphors irritated Cabal beyond reason; why couldn’t people just say what they meant?”
Cabal’s voice is full of dry wit, a type of humor that I happened to find amusing:
“First came a lengthy introduction… riddled with the grammar of those who are prepared to do anything.”
You know–because Evil doesn’t do punctuation.
Howard explains in the Afterword that this was the first Cabal published. It’s also the first I’ve read, so I’m not sure if it is consistent with the rest in the world-building. I did enjoy it a great deal, with my only complaint being a quick mention of television that seemed inconsistent with the 1900s feel of lightbulbs, a coal chute and steam heating.
This was a fast little read that deftly distracted me during my return to the exercise bike at the gym. I even laughed out loud, hopefully not frightening my co-exercisers away. If you are amused by the (mis) adventures of an over-confident but witty scientist, I suggest you check this out.
Four and a half windy stars, rounding up to five.