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bettielovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Hilarious!
I will never understand how TJ come up with these stories, but I am grateful, because I never have as much fun reading than with a TJ's book.
I will never understand how TJ come up with these stories, but I am grateful, because I never have as much fun reading than with a TJ's book.
pilgrimgossip's review against another edition
3.0
It's cute, very jokey
Ok, i like tj klune. I really liked"bear, otter and the kid", because i was really invested in bear and otters relationship. But klune has a tendency to, how do i explain this, run a joke into the ground. He's funny, don't get me wrong. But instead of working the joke for 3 beats he always aims for 7. He keeps it up until it's no longer funny and it's become annoying and unrealistic . I've only read 4 of his books but he really pushes the limit on how long something can be fresh and funny in this book the most
Also, there is really only one sex scene in the book, at the very end. Yes it is written pretty hot, but at that point i really didn't think of Sam as a sexual man, it was more like reading about a care bear or a cabbage patch kid fucking. It felt akward.
Ok, i like tj klune. I really liked"bear, otter and the kid", because i was really invested in bear and otters relationship. But klune has a tendency to, how do i explain this, run a joke into the ground. He's funny, don't get me wrong. But instead of working the joke for 3 beats he always aims for 7. He keeps it up until it's no longer funny and it's become annoying and unrealistic . I've only read 4 of his books but he really pushes the limit on how long something can be fresh and funny in this book the most
Also, there is really only one sex scene in the book, at the very end. Yes it is written pretty hot, but at that point i really didn't think of Sam as a sexual man, it was more like reading about a care bear or a cabbage patch kid fucking. It felt akward.
mmmlysaght's review against another edition
5.0
Dungeons and Dragons meets RuPaul, with a host of surprisingly charming characters. I was constantly embarrassed to read it on the bus but I couldn't put it down.
It's technically book #1 of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
It's technically book #1 of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
I might've said this before, but I have a rocky relationship with Klune's books. I haven't read many of them, but of the ones I've read, I've liked all but one. But just because I liked them doesn't mean they weren't frustrating to read. And this was kind of a similar experience.
I'd say that, given the way the book is written, humour was the most important aspect of it for the author. And that became a problem after a while, but I'll get to that later.
For now, let's just say that the humour isn't everyone's cup of tea. Some people might find it to be, to quote another review, "crude and crass and gross and cringe-inducing." I didn't know if it would be for me either, but it was (mostly). So unless you know for sure that you have no issue with graphic and detailed jokes about sex, maybe read a sample beforehand?
I found the book to be hilarious. And for the first 60%, I was sure this would be a five-star read. Then it started to feel like it had been going on for too long. And the characters just. Wouldn't. Stop. Talking!
I love Sam, okay. He's absolutely precious, and so is Tiggy. I quite like Gary too. But the three of them seem to go off on a lot of pointless tangents during conversations, even when in mortal danger. It was funny at first, but as we got closer to the climax, I wanted the long-winded and, again, pointless tangents to stop. And they just wouldn't. The number of important discussions that took forever to happen because Sam or Gary refused to shut the fuck up every once in a while...
That's why I said that humour was the most important part for the author. Because at several points, it overtook the plot. Even Ryan and Morgan (Sam's wizard mentor/master) couldn't do anything to stop it. And they were the only sane people in the book.
That was what made the book frustrating for me. That, and a character by the name of Kevin. He was introduced much later in the book. And up until that point, I'd had no issue with the crude jokes—except for one scene which was supposed to be horrifyingly horrible. But yeah, every time Kevin opened his mouth, I just... it was so bad. Kevin should never be allowed to speak. Ever.
Between about the 60% to 80% point, I really struggled with the book. It seemed to be stuck, and nothing was happening. I needed it to end. Things picked back up again, thankfully, and there's a good chance I'll read the sequel, but that portion put a damper on my overall enjoyment.
The last thing I wanna mention is the audio. I think the narrator did a fantastic job. There were a few times when I wished he wouldn't do the lazy/hoarse purr thing he often did for Sam. But overall, the narrator was part of why I loved the book. That said, if I do continue the series, it won't be in audio form because, it turns out, listening to sex scenes makes me uncomfortable. Also, it seems Kevin might be sticking around and... some things should never be said out loud, and everything Kevin says is such a thing.
And that's it for the review. I really enjoyed the book for the most part. And there's a 50-50 chance I'll read the sequel. But not anytime soon.
I'd say that, given the way the book is written, humour was the most important aspect of it for the author. And that became a problem after a while, but I'll get to that later.
For now, let's just say that the humour isn't everyone's cup of tea. Some people might find it to be, to quote another review, "crude and crass and gross and cringe-inducing." I didn't know if it would be for me either, but it was (mostly). So unless you know for sure that you have no issue with graphic and detailed jokes about sex, maybe read a sample beforehand?
I found the book to be hilarious. And for the first 60%, I was sure this would be a five-star read. Then it started to feel like it had been going on for too long. And the characters just. Wouldn't. Stop. Talking!
I love Sam, okay. He's absolutely precious, and so is Tiggy. I quite like Gary too. But the three of them seem to go off on a lot of pointless tangents during conversations, even when in mortal danger. It was funny at first, but as we got closer to the climax, I wanted the long-winded and, again, pointless tangents to stop. And they just wouldn't. The number of important discussions that took forever to happen because Sam or Gary refused to shut the fuck up every once in a while...
That's why I said that humour was the most important part for the author. Because at several points, it overtook the plot. Even Ryan and Morgan (Sam's wizard mentor/master) couldn't do anything to stop it. And they were the only sane people in the book.
That was what made the book frustrating for me. That, and a character by the name of Kevin. He was introduced much later in the book. And up until that point, I'd had no issue with the crude jokes—except for one scene which was supposed to be horrifyingly horrible. But yeah, every time Kevin opened his mouth, I just... it was so bad. Kevin should never be allowed to speak. Ever.
Between about the 60% to 80% point, I really struggled with the book. It seemed to be stuck, and nothing was happening. I needed it to end. Things picked back up again, thankfully, and there's a good chance I'll read the sequel, but that portion put a damper on my overall enjoyment.
The last thing I wanna mention is the audio. I think the narrator did a fantastic job. There were a few times when I wished he wouldn't do the lazy/hoarse purr thing he often did for Sam. But overall, the narrator was part of why I loved the book. That said, if I do continue the series, it won't be in audio form because, it turns out, listening to sex scenes makes me uncomfortable. Also, it seems Kevin might be sticking around and... some things should never be said out loud, and everything Kevin says is such a thing.
And that's it for the review. I really enjoyed the book for the most part. And there's a 50-50 chance I'll read the sequel. But not anytime soon.
ladyofthelake68's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
It was crazy and ridiculous but I loved ever minure of it!
andreeali02's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kneeholegibby's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
This was a fun adventure from start to finish! I’ll absolutely be reading more from T.J. Klune!
This was a fun adventure from start to finish! I’ll absolutely be reading more from T.J. Klune!
sam_vimes_75's review against another edition
2.0
Readers like me are going to be coming from The House in the Cerulean Sea and looking for Klune’s earlier books. This is *not* THitCS. The characters are likable and the world building is clever, but there is CONSTANT sex talk (but only one explicit scene). The characters are more horny than they ever are in danger. While fun at first, it quickly drags the 400+ pages to a halt as you wish the characters would find a quick release so they could get it out of their system and stop getting in the way of the plot. Klune’s more recent books have a Pixar-level thoughtfulness and sweetness to them. This was more like Jersey Shore (but with likable people) set in a fantasy world.
tadhgerman's review against another edition
4.0
It's probably the best queer fantasy I have read. The writing is fast paced and the characters are endearing. The plot revolves mainly around the relationships of the characters as friends, family and lovers. Worth a read if you want more queerness in your life (and who doesn't)
gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my gods, this audiobook was to die for! I loved the story and the narration so, so much. Michael Lesley really brought to life all of T.J. Klune's wonderfully crazy characters and made this a listening experience unlike any other I've had yet. It was funny and completely OTT and I loved every minute of it. 4.5 stars.