I started this book because I needed something fluffy and light after the last book I read. I wasn't expecting much, but I quite enjoyed it. The chara...moreI started this book because I needed something fluffy and light after the last book I read. I wasn't expecting much, but I quite enjoyed it. The characters had good chemistry, the plot was interesting, the writing was good. The pacing progressed well, twists came at appropriate times - it's all around solid book. Perhaps nothing new, or mindblowing, or revolutionary, but I didn't getting bored or angry at it once, which I find myself doing too often these days.(less)
Contrived I think is the word I'm looking for to sum up this book. It's contrived, gimmicky. The prose itself is readable, and the characters have pot...moreContrived I think is the word I'm looking for to sum up this book. It's contrived, gimmicky. The prose itself is readable, and the characters have potential, but it all sort of falls flat. It also indulges in one of my most hated tropes - the heroine having a Dark and Terrible Secret That Not Even The Audience Is Allowed To Know For No Damned Good Reason, which in the end is (predictably) shrug-worthy and not all that surprising, or that great of a threat. I probably would be more sympathetic towards this book if I hadn't been so frustrated with that trope. That, and the sex scenes had the decided tone of 'it's required sex scene time!' rather then arising naturally from the characters and plot.
Still, there's potential and room for the author to grow.(less)
This book is brilliant - it really is - and I hate to be this person, but this is anywhere never my favorite Neil Gaiman book. I can't can't make a si...moreThis book is brilliant - it really is - and I hate to be this person, but this is anywhere never my favorite Neil Gaiman book. I can't can't make a similar comparison for Terry Pratchett because I've yet to read any of his books. The main problem is the that frequently all forward momentum grinds to a halt while the authors are being Clever and British. There are whole sections that are funny taken on their own merit, but bore me to tears. There are whole characters that I couldn't care about, and I frequently felt the need to skip pages, though I was otherwise greatly enjoying the book.
My current reading tastes also felt a little unsatisfied by the anticlimactic Reset Button Ending.
I did enjoy the book though - it's one of the most quotable books I've ever read, and I really liked Crowley and wished we'd seen more of Aziraphale.(less)
A strange and wonderful collection of stories that ran the gambit of genres. Wendig's writing has the odd quality of leaving feeling raw and hungry fo...moreA strange and wonderful collection of stories that ran the gambit of genres. Wendig's writing has the odd quality of leaving feeling raw and hungry for more. There was one story 'Lethe and Mnemosyne' I think? That was short enough that I missed when it ended and was very confused for a moment. On the flip side I thought 'Mister Mhu's Pussy Show' went on a bit long. My favorite story was a tie between 'Dog-Man and Cat-Bird' and 'The Auction', and my least favorite is 'A Radioactive Monkey'. But it's all a matter of degrees because all of the stories are excellent.(less)
A fantasy set in a lush and intricate world that seems to be based on the cultures of the East, Tibet and Buddhism in particular, though we are given ...moreA fantasy set in a lush and intricate world that seems to be based on the cultures of the East, Tibet and Buddhism in particular, though we are given many glimpses of the world beyond. It's a rich and well-realized world that is both unique and firmly under the traditional Fantasy banner.
I really liked the prominent use of sand mandalas as the titular 'Wheel of the Infinite', and how they fit into the world and magic system. I mention it because because things like that are selling points for me, so surely they are selling points for others.
The foreshadowing got a little iffy towards the end, the tone of second half of the book is not quite in balance with the first half, but the plot remained strong and flowed well. The characters are relate-able and real, though few stand out in the small cast and nobody is breaking any molds.
So fantastic worldbuilding, great setting, and a Buddhism-based world and magic system all wrapped up in a solid fantasy adventure.(less)
It didn't bode well that when I came to the site to write this review that I couldn't even recall if I'd finished this book? I had to go back and chec...moreIt didn't bode well that when I came to the site to write this review that I couldn't even recall if I'd finished this book? I had to go back and check.
Anyway, I love this book's premise - a heroine risks all for what she believes in. Unfortunately I feel like the book fell short on the critical element - while I could easily believe the hero and heroine could have had fabulous chemistry I didn't see any of it. Not even at the end. There was great opportunity to show the characters getting to know each other and falling in love again, and it was just sort of... ignored. Like the story relied on us to just accept the relationship we didn't really get to see.
Without the chemistry the book was just bland and forgettable. (less)
A strong world with a fascinating mythos, great action, well balanced POVs, and over all a well paced story. I enjoyed all the characters, but as indi...moreA strong world with a fascinating mythos, great action, well balanced POVs, and over all a well paced story. I enjoyed all the characters, but as individuals - I didn't quite buy the chemistry between them. It felt weak, and that was disappointing with all the promise the rest of the book has.(less)
I feel that this is one of those wonderful sequels that improves in every way. It's an excellent 'book two', with a self-contained plot that also work...moreI feel that this is one of those wonderful sequels that improves in every way. It's an excellent 'book two', with a self-contained plot that also works off the first book and sets things up for the third, though that setting-up was a bit obvious. Though not as 'big' in scope as the first book, it has a solid, straight forward plot that builds nicely to a satisfying end. The humor is mixed - pretty much equal laugh-out-loud and groan-ers.
I'm enjoying the series, and I definitely recommending it, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on that keeps it out of the 'rave about it' category. Perhaps it's the treatment of sex and women? It feels a bit more Male Fantasy than Reality.(less)
The ebook I bought actually contained two short stories - Unfallen and The Last Job. Both were excellent - The Last Job is classic Lilith Saintcrow, a...moreThe ebook I bought actually contained two short stories - Unfallen and The Last Job. Both were excellent - The Last Job is classic Lilith Saintcrow, and Unfallen is a teasing glimpse into a fascinating world and characters. One that ends a bit abruptly. I would like to read a longer story like Unfallen.
For the price I would have liked a longer read, but I am satisfied with the stories I got. Can't really go wrong with Saintcrow. :)(less)
Magic and murder, assassins and royal bastards and Suspiciously Familiar Gods, all set in Not-Europe. Steeped in rich language, The Hedgewitch Queen i...moreMagic and murder, assassins and royal bastards and Suspiciously Familiar Gods, all set in Not-Europe. Steeped in rich language, The Hedgewitch Queen is a traditional fantasy treat. I connected with the characters immediately, and the story quickly built up the momentum that hauled me along when I felt like strangling the characters - they were being reasonable and smart and aaaaaarg! It's the good sort of the need-to-strangle feeling, that comes from the characters being perfectly in character and not privy to the information I the reader have.
The plot is fairly standard, but it takes some surprising twists - especially towards the end. The ending is... aaaaaarg! Good aarg! It closes on a cliffhanger, and the included excerpt from the sequel does not help - it makes it worse! June cannot come soon enough.(less)
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