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A review by philibin
Isaac Steele and the Forever Man by Daniel Rigby
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This was "fun?". It is narrated by the author, which is almost always a benefit, and definitely is in this case.
It is one of those space-based crime noir mysteries with an unconventional love story and conspiracy theory and snarky detective. It had some true great moments, but I also think it tried too hard to do too much. Yes it was funny, but it also had some moments where the humor just fell flat.
I did like it, I just didn't love it. The main character is somewhat very loosely modeled after a Sherlock Holmes archetype, but only for the drug use and some other minor references. And a little bit of Spillane's Mike Hammer, and the "useful idiot" trope all rolled into one. It doesn't always make sense... but here is the thing. I don't think it was really meant to. In fact, that might *be* the point.
There are a lot of bad punny type quips/groaners and several thematic plotlines from this genre, but for me, it just never felt fully formed. It is however, short enough where I don't feel like I wasted my time, and even though parts of it went off on wild tangents or down rabbit holes... I don't think I "spaced out (pun intended)" at all, but did have to play a few parts over to make sure I didn't miss anything (I didn't), but was still left slightly confused. And I have to be completely transparent... The "slang" terms used kinda got stale after a while.
Also, there are a lot of very quiet sound effects played in the background... and they just so happen to sound like my household appliances.
This was "fun?". It is narrated by the author, which is almost always a benefit, and definitely is in this case.
It is one of those space-based crime noir mysteries with an unconventional love story and conspiracy theory and snarky detective. It had some true great moments, but I also think it tried too hard to do too much. Yes it was funny, but it also had some moments where the humor just fell flat.
I did like it, I just didn't love it. The main character is somewhat very loosely modeled after a Sherlock Holmes archetype, but only for the drug use and some other minor references. And a little bit of Spillane's Mike Hammer, and the "useful idiot" trope all rolled into one. It doesn't always make sense... but here is the thing. I don't think it was really meant to. In fact, that might *be* the point.
There are a lot of bad punny type quips/groaners and several thematic plotlines from this genre, but for me, it just never felt fully formed. It is however, short enough where I don't feel like I wasted my time, and even though parts of it went off on wild tangents or down rabbit holes... I don't think I "spaced out (pun intended)" at all, but did have to play a few parts over to make sure I didn't miss anything (I didn't), but was still left slightly confused. And I have to be completely transparent... The "slang" terms used kinda got stale after a while.
Also, there are a lot of very quiet sound effects played in the background... and they just so happen to sound like my household appliances.