Scan barcode
A review by winterscape
Talus and the Frozen King by Graham Edwards
4.0
I’d call this one a 3.5.
The premise? Amazing. Sherlock Holmes and Watson (as an axe-wielding fisherman) solving a murder in a fantasy Neolithic tundra village is everything I didn’t know I wanted. The lower stakes were also so satisfying; I’m much more in the mood for a few criminal interrogations than I am for another cataclysmic world-ending disaster.
The execution? Eh. Unlike with Holmes, I was never quite convinced of Talus’ genius eye for detail. The mystery came together somewhat awkwardly, and I’m not sure that readers could piece together the clues along with the bard (I may just be dumb, however). As well, I felt that every female character was only there to fuel the male characters’ stories, which was disappointing (aka, a big Bechdel fail).
However, it was a fun-as-heck concept, short and never dragged, and was, all in all, a good read. If the author did continue with Talus and Bran’s story, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.
The premise? Amazing. Sherlock Holmes and Watson (as an axe-wielding fisherman) solving a murder in a fantasy Neolithic tundra village is everything I didn’t know I wanted. The lower stakes were also so satisfying; I’m much more in the mood for a few criminal interrogations than I am for another cataclysmic world-ending disaster.
The execution? Eh. Unlike with Holmes, I was never quite convinced of Talus’ genius eye for detail. The mystery came together somewhat awkwardly, and I’m not sure that readers could piece together the clues along with the bard (I may just be dumb, however). As well, I felt that every female character was only there to fuel the male characters’ stories, which was disappointing (aka, a big Bechdel fail).
However, it was a fun-as-heck concept, short and never dragged, and was, all in all, a good read. If the author did continue with Talus and Bran’s story, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.