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A review by branch_c
Last Call by Tim Powers
5.0
I was inspired by my first ever visit to Las Vegas to re-read this for the first time in thirteen years. I don't think I fully appreciated the brilliance of this book when I first read it in '92. I was already a die hard Powers fanatic at that point, but his masterpieces so far had been primarily historical fantasies: The Drawing of the Dark, The Anubis Gates, On Stranger Tides, and The Stress of Her Regard. So I was wary of the shift to an entirely contemporary setting.
But there was no reason for my concern; this book was easily a five star read for me even then, if not quite up to my previous high standard for Powers books. Now, on probably my fourth re-read or so, I can unreservedly say that it does equal his earlier efforts.
It's easy to be rather bemused initially as we learn about the strange significance of poker as far as the interpretation of events in the world. Then the suspensefulness sneaks up on the reader. The sinister truth about the characters who have manipulated that occult knowledge to their own advantage creeps in slowly and powerfully.
Crane fits the mold of the archetypical Powers protagonist, though he may have slightly more knowledge about the bizarre situation he finds himself in since he was unwittingly steeped in it from childhood.
Soon enough things take a dark turn, with Crane literally chasing alcoholism and death, even as the cast of eccentrics multiplies, bizarre characters easing out of the shadows to take an interest in the world that can only be glimpsed by manipulating cards and other tools of randomness.
From halfway through all the way to the end it feels like a headlong rush, and although I'd remembered almost everything, the feeling of unpredictability remained.
Top notch contemporary fantasy with a thick layer of darkness but dashes of clever humor throughout. Not to be missed, and I'd say for anyone who hasn't read Powers yet, this is excellent place to start.
But there was no reason for my concern; this book was easily a five star read for me even then, if not quite up to my previous high standard for Powers books. Now, on probably my fourth re-read or so, I can unreservedly say that it does equal his earlier efforts.
It's easy to be rather bemused initially as we learn about the strange significance of poker as far as the interpretation of events in the world. Then the suspensefulness sneaks up on the reader. The sinister truth about the characters who have manipulated that occult knowledge to their own advantage creeps in slowly and powerfully.
Crane fits the mold of the archetypical Powers protagonist, though he may have slightly more knowledge about the bizarre situation he finds himself in since he was unwittingly steeped in it from childhood.
Soon enough things take a dark turn, with Crane literally chasing alcoholism and death, even as the cast of eccentrics multiplies, bizarre characters easing out of the shadows to take an interest in the world that can only be glimpsed by manipulating cards and other tools of randomness.
From halfway through all the way to the end it feels like a headlong rush, and although I'd remembered almost everything, the feeling of unpredictability remained.
Top notch contemporary fantasy with a thick layer of darkness but dashes of clever humor throughout. Not to be missed, and I'd say for anyone who hasn't read Powers yet, this is excellent place to start.