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A review by hlburke
The Beast of Talesend by Kyle Robert Shultz
5.0
I'm torn on how to rate this one because I'm normally fairly hard on short stories that don't feel like a complete story but instead or just obvious "previews" to a larger work. However, a few things make me rate this one a little higher even though it is does, at least to me, feel more like a sneak peek than a complete work in itself.
1. It's not asking me to pay for it. This book was a free newsletter bonus from an author I wanted to follow anyway.
2. It's a really intriguing premise.
The best thing to compare this to is an end credit scene in a Marvel movie. It's a hint, a taste, a tease, maybe even an Easter Egg, and it's a good one, but it's hard to give a star rating when comparing it to other stories that are a little more complete in their concept. But you get the feeling it is totally MEANT to be a tease, not a story.
So I think as long as you're aware going into it that that's what it is, you'll like it. Especially if you are long term following this world and just want a little window into where things might be headed.
Merged review:
This book is so much fun!
I've read a lot of fairy tale detective attempts that got things wrong, so it is refreshing to read one that gets it right, mainly with the world and characters. Yes, they are exaggerated and larger than life, but they remain relatable with believable flaws and strengths. While nothing comes too easily, they also avoid the "characters bumble around like idiots for easy laughs and to make the plot go longer" mistake.
One thing it does so very, very right is committing to the world and characters. They are written "real" with more than one layer rather than a veneer of "this is a type of character you've seen before so you will recognize them and I don't need to try any harder" that you often run into in this tongue and cheek type of fiction. The world is believable and grounded while still retaining a bit of self-referential snark.
There is a fun, old Hollywood feel to the story. Like I can see Nick cast as Jack Lemmon or Bob Hope in a Ghost Breakers style movie.
Nick is a pleasant mix of over-confidence and vulnerability. Cordelia is unpredictable but competent, more flexible than Nick, resilient but believably damaged by a backstory that is subtly hinted at.
This reads as a complete tale (though a few important story points are left unresolved for sequels as well as hints of future adventures) which I would highly recommend.
1. It's not asking me to pay for it. This book was a free newsletter bonus from an author I wanted to follow anyway.
2. It's a really intriguing premise.
The best thing to compare this to is an end credit scene in a Marvel movie. It's a hint, a taste, a tease, maybe even an Easter Egg, and it's a good one, but it's hard to give a star rating when comparing it to other stories that are a little more complete in their concept. But you get the feeling it is totally MEANT to be a tease, not a story.
So I think as long as you're aware going into it that that's what it is, you'll like it. Especially if you are long term following this world and just want a little window into where things might be headed.
Merged review:
This book is so much fun!
I've read a lot of fairy tale detective attempts that got things wrong, so it is refreshing to read one that gets it right, mainly with the world and characters. Yes, they are exaggerated and larger than life, but they remain relatable with believable flaws and strengths. While nothing comes too easily, they also avoid the "characters bumble around like idiots for easy laughs and to make the plot go longer" mistake.
One thing it does so very, very right is committing to the world and characters. They are written "real" with more than one layer rather than a veneer of "this is a type of character you've seen before so you will recognize them and I don't need to try any harder" that you often run into in this tongue and cheek type of fiction. The world is believable and grounded while still retaining a bit of self-referential snark.
There is a fun, old Hollywood feel to the story. Like I can see Nick cast as Jack Lemmon or Bob Hope in a Ghost Breakers style movie.
Nick is a pleasant mix of over-confidence and vulnerability. Cordelia is unpredictable but competent, more flexible than Nick, resilient but believably damaged by a backstory that is subtly hinted at.
This reads as a complete tale (though a few important story points are left unresolved for sequels as well as hints of future adventures) which I would highly recommend.