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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
It seems that my views are at odds with many others here, which just goes to show that different thing appeal to different people. The cover blurb seemed interesting...a cross between detective noir and fantasy. There are essentially two directions an author can go when combing two genres like this. Hopefully both will be done well, and blended to great effect. Alternatively, neither will be done well, and (usually) as a result any effort to blend the two genres will fail. Unfortunately, IMHO this novel falls mostly into the latter category. It was OK, but it could have been so much better. A little more action (with appropriate detail to fighting technique), a little more attention to transitions in the plot, and so forth would have done a world of good.
Just could not get interested, did not care about story or characters
I was really impressed by this. Once you get past the initial genre-shock, and the title (which still doesn't make sense to me), and the not-exactly-anachronistic-but-somehow-jarring character names, what you have is a book that completely lived up to its potential and managed to deliver a satisfying story within a difficult to satisfy premise. I had a couple of problems , but they were minor flaws in an otherwise great book.
I received this free through Goodreads First Reads (thanks!).
Spoiler
These really are spoilers, people, think about it before you click again. This will be your last warning.Spoiler
I thought the Queen was welcomed back too easily and too well for someone the people were spitting on a few hours before. I think it would have been more plausible if the crowd drove the King and Queen away with torches and pitchforks. The chimp suit reveal was another problem -- in fact, I'd say every chimp-related plot point could use some additional explanations. How does a chimp get an invite to a royal dinner in the first place?I received this free through Goodreads First Reads (thanks!).
(Dug review out of the depths of LiveJournal.)
King Hugh? King Phil? A "fantasy" setting where it wouldn't seem odd to have Eddie LaCrosse (what a stupid name anyway) stopping for food at McBurger? (And there's commentary on a pub that's almost exactly an Applebee's/TGI Friday's/&c. clone?)
Not good at all. Central plot point revolving around a number of kids looked like a mistake instead of something intentional. Attempts to invert standard fantasy tropes failed and resulted in more the same. Also, a woman with hanging flaps of skin? Not sexy, goddess or not.
King Hugh? King Phil? A "fantasy" setting where it wouldn't seem odd to have Eddie LaCrosse (what a stupid name anyway) stopping for food at McBurger? (And there's commentary on a pub that's almost exactly an Applebee's/TGI Friday's/&c. clone?)
Not good at all. Central plot point revolving around a number of kids looked like a mistake instead of something intentional. Attempts to invert standard fantasy tropes failed and resulted in more the same. Also, a woman with hanging flaps of skin? Not sexy, goddess or not.
This one wasn't terrible, but it wasn't for me.
This book is very Sam Spade, film-noirish, but set a few centuries ago in a fictional land. It had its moments, but it just didn't hold my interest enough to stick with it.
The characters, while interesting, just didn't draw me in the way I hope they will.
Again, not a bad book at all. It was well-written and interestingly conceived, but it didn't grab me. I think this just is the wrong book for me. It could be absolutely super for someone else.
This book is very Sam Spade, film-noirish, but set a few centuries ago in a fictional land. It had its moments, but it just didn't hold my interest enough to stick with it.
The characters, while interesting, just didn't draw me in the way I hope they will.
Again, not a bad book at all. It was well-written and interestingly conceived, but it didn't grab me. I think this just is the wrong book for me. It could be absolutely super for someone else.
It was a fun read.
This is a fantasy noir detective novel. The author doesn’t cheat – the answers fit the story and the mysteries are answered from the clues given.
The main character is an older man with a dark past, as is pretty much required in these stories. He’s hired to investigate missing princess and gets pulled into a deeper mystery that has ties to what he’s left behind. At the end of the story the mysteries are resolved, but I can definitely see a potential for sequels. Based on this book, I would definitely read more of this author’s work.
This is a fantasy noir detective novel. The author doesn’t cheat – the answers fit the story and the mysteries are answered from the clues given.
The main character is an older man with a dark past, as is pretty much required in these stories. He’s hired to investigate missing princess and gets pulled into a deeper mystery that has ties to what he’s left behind. At the end of the story the mysteries are resolved, but I can definitely see a potential for sequels. Based on this book, I would definitely read more of this author’s work.
An entertaining blend of hard-boiled noir mystery and classic fantasy setting.