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bethc46f8d's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
erine's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warning: an insinuated assault takes place amidst the general warfare tourism, with lasting psychological effects.
With typical twisting and dry humor, the story of Derk and his son Blade takes place amidst a greedy outsider's scheme to plunder their world. Mr. Chesney comes from outside this universe equipped with a demon to do his bidding, gold to pave his way, and the confidence of one who is not often told no. Chesney sells spectacle and adventure to those dim enough to want it at the cost of destroying other people's homes and livelihoods.
But Derk's world finds it has had enough of this exploitation, and seeks to end the rapacious expeditions by any means necessary, including manipulation, magic, weaponized incompetence, and the legal system. Derk himself has some questionable habits, including manipulating animal and human genes, so no one is portrayed as perfect. The commentary on violent and vicious tourism, and on the destructive callousness of exploitation is very pointed.
With typical twisting and dry humor, the story of Derk and his son Blade takes place amidst a greedy outsider's scheme to plunder their world. Mr. Chesney comes from outside this universe equipped with a demon to do his bidding, gold to pave his way, and the confidence of one who is not often told no. Chesney sells spectacle and adventure to those dim enough to want it at the cost of destroying other people's homes and livelihoods.
But Derk's world finds it has had enough of this exploitation, and seeks to end the rapacious expeditions by any means necessary, including manipulation, magic, weaponized incompetence, and the legal system. Derk himself has some questionable habits, including manipulating animal and human genes, so no one is portrayed as perfect. The commentary on violent and vicious tourism, and on the destructive callousness of exploitation is very pointed.
hangwenread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
theinkdrinker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
littlitteratur's review
2.75
This book does not deliver on its premise unfortunately. The style did not suit me, it felt very tell don't show. People were constantly telling other people what was going on off screen. Surely if this is satirising some aspect of the fantasy genre by running it into a Disney theme park reality, it would be useful so spend time with the public visiting said place and find the humour and social commentary in how they interact with the real people of that world. The book has basically none of this, so the land of Derk might have been visited by capitalist aliens as for all we understand their expectations of their pilgrimage.
lizard13's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
queenjuly's review against another edition
Will come back to this, I need to fall in love with reading again first
caebrown's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
5.0
bhnmt61's review against another edition
The beginning of this is terrific, especially on audio. It turns into barely controlled chaos, which might have been ok but there is some startlingly callous treatment of certain characters that is described in a sort of “all in good fun” tone, and some fairly serious violence that is treated as if it is just part of the romp. It’s disconcerting, and didn’t exactly work for me.