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cathybruce208's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid entry in the Nightside chronicles. This book answers some questions, but brings up a lot of new ones. On to the next book...
onetrueceyton's review against another edition
5.0
If you ever want to know what monsters like Harper-Collins are going to destroy with their intended use of A. I., it is authors like Simon R Green, who churn out delightful endlessly creative genre pulp. And we will all be poorer for it.
tani's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, rounded down. This is a series that I started ages ago, and haven't made much progress on. While the books have been amusing, the series has failed to truly capture my attention. Something about the sarcastic humor and the dark mythology falls just a bit flat for me, and I haven't quite latched on to John Taylor as a character.
Anyway, I tried this one on audiobook, and it ended up being a pretty good choice. Although it did take me a little bit to adjust, I enjoyed the narration by Marc Vietor a lot by the end. He is definitely the voice of John Taylor for me now. He brings the perfect touch to it, deadpan, wry, and sarcastic by turns. The books are also a really good length for me, I was able to listen to this without really struggling through the middle, which is a problem I often have with listening to books rather than reading them.
Happily, this book also furthers our understanding of John as a character and his place within the Nightside, which was nice. I felt like the earlier books were a little too light on the overarching story for my tastes, but this one finally dives right in, addressing the question of where the Nightside came from and John's mysterious mother in one fell swoop.
Not to mention that I think the side characters were my favorites so far. I really enjoyed the story of Sinner and Pretty Poison, and thought that they were a great addition to the cast for this story. They gave us a window into the past, and spurred John to take greater risks than he might have on his own. Madman was also a real hoot for me.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next installment in the series, and learning more about both Nightside and John's quest to save it all.
Anyway, I tried this one on audiobook, and it ended up being a pretty good choice. Although it did take me a little bit to adjust, I enjoyed the narration by Marc Vietor a lot by the end. He is definitely the voice of John Taylor for me now. He brings the perfect touch to it, deadpan, wry, and sarcastic by turns. The books are also a really good length for me, I was able to listen to this without really struggling through the middle, which is a problem I often have with listening to books rather than reading them.
Happily, this book also furthers our understanding of John as a character and his place within the Nightside, which was nice. I felt like the earlier books were a little too light on the overarching story for my tastes, but this one finally dives right in, addressing the question of where the Nightside came from and John's mysterious mother in one fell swoop.
Not to mention that I think the side characters were my favorites so far. I really enjoyed the story of Sinner and Pretty Poison, and thought that they were a great addition to the cast for this story. They gave us a window into the past, and spurred John to take greater risks than he might have on his own. Madman was also a real hoot for me.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next installment in the series, and learning more about both Nightside and John's quest to save it all.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
John Taylor gets hired by Lady Luck to find the origins of the Nightside. Along with the insane Madman, undead Sinner, and his lover, the succubus Pretty Poison, Taylor goes looking for answers, bringing him face to face with the most powerful denizens of the Nightside. But what does the origin of the Nightside have to do with his missing mother?
Hex and the City was a good way to wrap up the first part of the Nightside saga. We learn who's been hounding John all of his life, the origin of the Nightside, and the identity of John's mother, as well as the connection between Walker, the Collector, and John's father. As always, there's a good amount of gore and dark humor.
All is not perfect in the Nightside, however. After reading four of them in relatively rapid succession, I reallize how formulaic they can be. Also, the dialog is a little repetitive between volumes. Much like the Dresden Files, the Nightside saga probably shouldn't be devoured one right after another.
All in all, Hex and the City is a good light read. I'll be picking up the next one sooner or later.
Hex and the City was a good way to wrap up the first part of the Nightside saga. We learn who's been hounding John all of his life, the origin of the Nightside, and the identity of John's mother, as well as the connection between Walker, the Collector, and John's father. As always, there's a good amount of gore and dark humor.
All is not perfect in the Nightside, however. After reading four of them in relatively rapid succession, I reallize how formulaic they can be. Also, the dialog is a little repetitive between volumes. Much like the Dresden Files, the Nightside saga probably shouldn't be devoured one right after another.
All in all, Hex and the City is a good light read. I'll be picking up the next one sooner or later.
eefsteefs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gsatori's review against another edition
3.0
It isnt as crisply written as the earlier books. The humor stumbles at times, and some of the action is lazy. However, at the same time, when the book is on target it shines. And we finally solve the mystery regarding John Taylor and Nightside. An overall fun read
hidekisohma's review against another edition
3.0
At times I really feel like John Taylor's name should be changed to Gary Stu. Because honestly, this guy. man. This guy.
So this time around he's hired to look into the origin of the nightside. and it turns into just about as wacky as an adventure as that sounds. Along the way we learn the truth about John's mother's identity.
I'm noticing at this point that this series has a very particular format. John has to do a case. Teams up with supposedly very powerful people who are never mentioned before but are apparently very important. then they do stuff and the powerful people either shuffle off to buffalo or die. Lather, rinse, repeat.
However, despite John's seemingly godlike importance and imperviousness, and he is COMPLETELY overpowered and has the major signs of a Gary Stu, the series doesn't take itself seriously enough to be annoying. Every book someone of equal power is brought in and it's neat to read the reasons they're so powerful and the backstory behind how they got their powers. The featured ones this story are Madman and Sinner/succubus. and honestly, i really enjoyed these characters. the side characters this series brings like Shotgun suzie, razor eddie, and the dead guy are all really fun and hearing their interactions with john make it worth it.
This specific story was better than the previous one, but mainly because there was far more at stake. These book are very quick reads and although they're short, there are some unnecessary scenes which almost seem to equate to filler, which is strange considering how short these pocketbooks are. the book is worth a 3.5, but i can't bring myself to give a 4. it wasn't THAT good. overall, a good enough read that i'm going to jump into the next one. i'm intrigued enough to keep going. (which is more than i can say about the dresden files)
So this time around he's hired to look into the origin of the nightside. and it turns into just about as wacky as an adventure as that sounds. Along the way we learn the truth about John's mother's identity.
I'm noticing at this point that this series has a very particular format. John has to do a case. Teams up with supposedly very powerful people who are never mentioned before but are apparently very important. then they do stuff and the powerful people either shuffle off to buffalo or die. Lather, rinse, repeat.
However, despite John's seemingly godlike importance and imperviousness, and he is COMPLETELY overpowered and has the major signs of a Gary Stu, the series doesn't take itself seriously enough to be annoying. Every book someone of equal power is brought in and it's neat to read the reasons they're so powerful and the backstory behind how they got their powers. The featured ones this story are Madman and Sinner/succubus. and honestly, i really enjoyed these characters. the side characters this series brings like Shotgun suzie, razor eddie, and the dead guy are all really fun and hearing their interactions with john make it worth it.
This specific story was better than the previous one, but mainly because there was far more at stake. These book are very quick reads and although they're short, there are some unnecessary scenes which almost seem to equate to filler, which is strange considering how short these pocketbooks are. the book is worth a 3.5, but i can't bring myself to give a 4. it wasn't THAT good. overall, a good enough read that i'm going to jump into the next one. i'm intrigued enough to keep going. (which is more than i can say about the dresden files)