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Unsoul'd
UNSOUL’ A DIRTY LITTLE FABLE
Randall Banner is thirty-five years old, a middling mid-list author who yearns for more of More attention. More fame. More money. More fans.
Then, one quiet morning, he meets the devil while pounding away at his laptop at his usual coffee shop. Soon, a deal is made, a contract is signed, and Randall is on his way to fame and fortune unlike any he ever imagined.
What follows is a bawdy, hilarious, yet harrowing tale of one man, one devil, and a deal that could change the world.
Randall Banner is thirty-five years old, a middling mid-list author who yearns for more of More attention. More fame. More money. More fans.
Then, one quiet morning, he meets the devil while pounding away at his laptop at his usual coffee shop. Soon, a deal is made, a contract is signed, and Randall is on his way to fame and fortune unlike any he ever imagined.
What follows is a bawdy, hilarious, yet harrowing tale of one man, one devil, and a deal that could change the world.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2013
5 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lyga
71 books2,199 followersBarry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek. According to Kirkus, he's also a "YA rebel-author." Somehow, the two just don't seem to go together to him.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
When he was a kid, everyone told him that comic books were garbage and would rot his brain, but he had the last laugh. Raised on a steady diet of comics, he worked in the comic book industry for ten years, but now writes full-time because, well, wouldn't you?
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl is his first novel. Unsoul'd is his latest. There are a whole bunch in between, featuring everything from the aftermath of child abuse to pre-teens with superpowers to serial killers. He clearly does not know how to stick to one subject.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 11, 2013
This is Barry's first ADULT book - he's known for his YA books, but he decided to write a book for adults. It's about a writer who sells his soul to the devil for a mega hit book. It's funny but it also has many sex scenes! And lots of sexual references and bad language - so I would NOT recommend it to anyone under 18 (unless you're an avid romance reader and that doesn't bother you). Let's just say if you think my books are a bit racy - stay away! :)
I'm enjoying this book - the humor is dead on and Barry's such a great writer. I'm about two thirds of the way and will give a full report when I finish.
I finished the book and the ending was a bit of a surprise - which says a lot since I'm usually pretty good at predicting endings and find most of them to be rushed. The main character is one of those anti-hero types - he's not the nicest person and there's the whole soul selling thing - but I kept hoping he'd change and he did, but not in the way I expected. All in all an interesting and complex character.
Overall this book was a fun read. I would have liked less sex scenes - at times I wondered if a 35 year old man would obsess so much over sex like a teenager, but one thing I learned about Barry and his writing - he's honest and doesn't shy away from the raw/uncomfortable truth. He expertly captured the life of a writer who is selling and publishing books, but isn't one of those popular, mega best-selling authors.
And he asks an interesting question - Would you sell your soul to the devil for a mega best selling book? Would I?
I'm enjoying this book - the humor is dead on and Barry's such a great writer. I'm about two thirds of the way and will give a full report when I finish.
I finished the book and the ending was a bit of a surprise - which says a lot since I'm usually pretty good at predicting endings and find most of them to be rushed. The main character is one of those anti-hero types - he's not the nicest person and there's the whole soul selling thing - but I kept hoping he'd change and he did, but not in the way I expected. All in all an interesting and complex character.
Overall this book was a fun read. I would have liked less sex scenes - at times I wondered if a 35 year old man would obsess so much over sex like a teenager, but one thing I learned about Barry and his writing - he's honest and doesn't shy away from the raw/uncomfortable truth. He expertly captured the life of a writer who is selling and publishing books, but isn't one of those popular, mega best-selling authors.
And he asks an interesting question - Would you sell your soul to the devil for a mega best selling book? Would I?
June 23, 2017
"Hey, did you ever notice that if you subtract the He, for hell, from writhing, it becomes writing?"
This was a very odd tale. Full of sex and and crude language, don't for one moment believe the "dirty" part is of the description is in jest. The book made me cringe - especially the dad parts (yikes!). It was funny in a few spots and kept me wondering how it would all end up. I enjoyed the adventure but I don't think I'd want to read another if it became a series.
This was a very odd tale. Full of sex and and crude language, don't for one moment believe the "dirty" part is of the description is in jest. The book made me cringe - especially the dad parts (yikes!). It was funny in a few spots and kept me wondering how it would all end up. I enjoyed the adventure but I don't think I'd want to read another if it became a series.
July 25, 2017
This book took me way longer than I should have, it is easy to read and sort of short, and the chapter structure is engaging and fluid.
But just like Randall, the main character, when I began reading this book I was different man at the beggining from the man I had become once I finished it. I hope for my own soul, it was an inverse process.
A story about an avarage writer while struggling with making ends while writing his next book.
A man regular man who wants to bang all the women he meets, you know, a common man.
Then comes the devil and the man sells his soul.
Most of the book is fun, questioning our views on the devil, morality, and sexuality. It deals with relationships, either platonic, filial, or romantic. The author goes and talks about the experience and struggles of being a professional writer, in the flesh of the main character, Randall; as well as the burden of dreams in the psych, how far are we willing to go for them, for our desires, what do we sacrifice in our path to "success".
And most of the book also happens to be about how the main characters just wants to bang every piece of ass he sees and mostly succeeds.
I will not spoil the book, but the end did give me a whole lot of glee, I did not see it coming , should have, did not. Part of the reason for that though, was that one of the characters was so forgettable to the point I did not remember his name by the big reveal. Kind of the point, in retrospective.
You want an entertaining philosophical quasi erotic read? This is your book.
You are a writer and want to read about writers? This is your book.
You are a human being with relationships and a soul? This is your book.
Don't have a soul? Well, I am so not sorry for you.
But just like Randall, the main character, when I began reading this book I was different man at the beggining from the man I had become once I finished it. I hope for my own soul, it was an inverse process.
A story about an avarage writer while struggling with making ends while writing his next book.
A man regular man who wants to bang all the women he meets, you know, a common man.
Then comes the devil and the man sells his soul.
Most of the book is fun, questioning our views on the devil, morality, and sexuality. It deals with relationships, either platonic, filial, or romantic. The author goes and talks about the experience and struggles of being a professional writer, in the flesh of the main character, Randall; as well as the burden of dreams in the psych, how far are we willing to go for them, for our desires, what do we sacrifice in our path to "success".
And most of the book also happens to be about how the main characters just wants to bang every piece of ass he sees and mostly succeeds.
I will not spoil the book, but the end did give me a whole lot of glee, I did not see it coming , should have, did not. Part of the reason for that though, was that one of the characters was so forgettable to the point I did not remember his name by the big reveal. Kind of the point, in retrospective.
You want an entertaining philosophical quasi erotic read? This is your book.
You are a writer and want to read about writers? This is your book.
You are a human being with relationships and a soul? This is your book.
Don't have a soul? Well, I am so not sorry for you.
August 14, 2018
This novel, obviously enough from the title, is about a writer that sells his soul for a hit book; taking the reader on the journey of what exactly that entails.
I really enjoyed this novel, it starts out light & casual, even jovial, being one of those rare books which actually had me laughing out loud. As the narrative progresses (and the protagonist loses their soul) the story and writing become darker, more brooding until the twist in the tale ending which proves that sometimes you just have to accept your fate, making the most of it & at other times miracles happen.
I really enjoyed this novel, it starts out light & casual, even jovial, being one of those rare books which actually had me laughing out loud. As the narrative progresses (and the protagonist loses their soul) the story and writing become darker, more brooding until the twist in the tale ending which proves that sometimes you just have to accept your fate, making the most of it & at other times miracles happen.
May 4, 2017
Clever with something to say
Quite a bit of meta fiction in here, But not in the corny 90s style. More like adding depth to what on the surface is a beach read. There is more to it than that for sure but still funny and entertaining.
Quite a bit of meta fiction in here, But not in the corny 90s style. More like adding depth to what on the surface is a beach read. There is more to it than that for sure but still funny and entertaining.
June 17, 2017
Just a really fun ride. The prose flows and you can navigate the forest with the characters. I found myself shaking my head and willing the characters to make certain choices (while also acknowledging that they had to do certain things or this would be a short boring story!)
June 18, 2020
Had to stick with it 'til the end, and it was worth it, but good heavens, abysmal personalities abound in this tale. It was a struggle, truly, to hang with it, but I love Lyga's other work so much that I had to persevere.
July 25, 2023
Started out strong with an interesting topic but quickly lost the plot and turned into what felt like the author’s private fantasy diary. Considered not finishing starting halfway in, decided to finish and wish I didn’t.
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June 8, 2017must read ive only read only one page n I'm addicted
August 7, 2014
First of all I have to say that it was really hard to rate this book as it is to write a review for it because honestly I was expecting a 4 to 5 star book because of following reasons:
-) It was written by Barry Lyga and I like his style (a lot!)
-) The premise of the story that an author would sell his soul for a hit book was just amazingly hilarious!
-) I really like the devil and the dialogue between him and Randall.
-) It’s funny, dirty and sarcastic.
But there are just things that I can’t get over. When I first read reviews of this book I saw a lot of negative comments about the sex scenes in this book which I found ridiculous (what is wrong with a little sex??). Now - after reading it - I actually agree with them. Yes, there is a lot of sex in this book and I’m not a prude but when I have the feeling that the scene could be used to show a little depth and give insight into a certain character I would take that over every sex scene. I don’t mean that every sex scene should have been cut from this book but two or three could have been used for some awesome writing and not just to set up yet another sex scene.
It was perfectly written - no doubt about it - because the main character is an asshole and (I think) it was intended by Barry Lyga that the reader thinks that Randall is a selfish asshole and it is important that there are books out there where you don’t like the main character! Barry Lyga did a great job describing this guy who apparently only thinks with his penis (when he is not thinking about his fame) because he tries to jump every woman (and I mean every woman that he considers hot - which is almost every woman). Therein lies the second problem I have with this book: If I don’t like the main character - which happens - I need to understand the main character or I have to bond with his/her sidekick. I liked the devil - a lot - and he is somehow Randalls sidekick/wingman but it didn’t help. I loved the scenes with both of them together though!
The ending was very good and I do not want to say too much about it but it was perfect and exactly what the book needed! Also Kikis reaction to the devil - funny. Hollywood and the devil wonderful!
-) It was written by Barry Lyga and I like his style (a lot!)
-) The premise of the story that an author would sell his soul for a hit book was just amazingly hilarious!
-) I really like the devil and the dialogue between him and Randall.
-) It’s funny, dirty and sarcastic.
But there are just things that I can’t get over. When I first read reviews of this book I saw a lot of negative comments about the sex scenes in this book which I found ridiculous (what is wrong with a little sex??). Now - after reading it - I actually agree with them. Yes, there is a lot of sex in this book and I’m not a prude but when I have the feeling that the scene could be used to show a little depth and give insight into a certain character I would take that over every sex scene. I don’t mean that every sex scene should have been cut from this book but two or three could have been used for some awesome writing and not just to set up yet another sex scene.
It was perfectly written - no doubt about it - because the main character is an asshole and (I think) it was intended by Barry Lyga that the reader thinks that Randall is a selfish asshole and it is important that there are books out there where you don’t like the main character! Barry Lyga did a great job describing this guy who apparently only thinks with his penis (when he is not thinking about his fame) because he tries to jump every woman (and I mean every woman that he considers hot - which is almost every woman). Therein lies the second problem I have with this book: If I don’t like the main character - which happens - I need to understand the main character or I have to bond with his/her sidekick. I liked the devil - a lot - and he is somehow Randalls sidekick/wingman but it didn’t help. I loved the scenes with both of them together though!
The ending was very good and I do not want to say too much about it but it was perfect and exactly what the book needed! Also Kikis reaction to the devil - funny. Hollywood and the devil wonderful!
September 25, 2013
Not what I was expecting….
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Overall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Overall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
October 26, 2013
Barry Lyga...love the boy. His mind goes sick, sick places. He puts his characters into untenable situations. He toys with them. He does that here.
Randall is a published author who wants more. He hasn't had any real success...and is willing to sell his soul to the....whoops. There is the devil, surfer-dude, snarky to the max. Ready to give Randall everything he wants.
Randall is not likable...he is fixated on sex, a symptom of his disconnect which the real world. Randall is a little man, with talent, but a disaster in many ways. That's exactly WHY the devil wants him. The world is too hopeful, too willing to read uplifting, inspiring stories (one author is descriped in sufficient detail to be identified)! Of course, Randall and the reader are not privy to the devil's motivation until much later...The deal is sealed, and the story takes off.
I liked the conversations between Randall and the devil -- always lower case. They're equally matched intellectually...they spar and argue. The devil has to explain the metaphor in the story of the Garden of Eden. Funny!
How low will Randall fall on his rise to the top? Is there any hope? Most of the people in his life are as screwed up as he is...except his best friend Trayvon...the women are interchange-able and one dimensional, because that's the only way he sees them. He is trying to substitute this revolving door of beautiful women, all of whom probably deserve much more than he can ever give thme, for real relationships, true caring...all that good stuff that happens when people really care for each other.
Fascinating book about fame and creativity and good and evil....and waaay too much sex - but Randall is developmentally about 17 when it comes to women.
Randall is a published author who wants more. He hasn't had any real success...and is willing to sell his soul to the....whoops. There is the devil, surfer-dude, snarky to the max. Ready to give Randall everything he wants.
Randall is not likable...he is fixated on sex, a symptom of his disconnect which the real world. Randall is a little man, with talent, but a disaster in many ways. That's exactly WHY the devil wants him. The world is too hopeful, too willing to read uplifting, inspiring stories (one author is descriped in sufficient detail to be identified)! Of course, Randall and the reader are not privy to the devil's motivation until much later...The deal is sealed, and the story takes off.
I liked the conversations between Randall and the devil -- always lower case. They're equally matched intellectually...they spar and argue. The devil has to explain the metaphor in the story of the Garden of Eden. Funny!
How low will Randall fall on his rise to the top? Is there any hope? Most of the people in his life are as screwed up as he is...except his best friend Trayvon...the women are interchange-able and one dimensional, because that's the only way he sees them. He is trying to substitute this revolving door of beautiful women, all of whom probably deserve much more than he can ever give thme, for real relationships, true caring...all that good stuff that happens when people really care for each other.
Fascinating book about fame and creativity and good and evil....and waaay too much sex - but Randall is developmentally about 17 when it comes to women.
February 14, 2014
Any book that begins with this line is going to be interesting: "That day, I had a bagel for breakfast and sold my soul to the devil. In retrospect, the bagel was probably a mistake." You see Randall Banner is thirty-five years old, a struggling author with a devoted fan base who is desperate for more, yes he wants more money, more fans more of everything. I recently had the opportunity to interview Randall and now for more about the book about him!
Randall Banner sells his soul to the devil in order to get a mega hit book. He wants to be Stphen King big, J.K. Rowlings big. No he wants to be bigger he wants to be more. But sometimes success comes at unexpected costs and with unexpected complications. Randall is about to find out that all his dreams and most of his fantasies can come true but what has he given up to get them.
Read this awesome book and follow Randall as he pursues everything on his bucket list and then some. Find out if there is an out? Or figure out how it feels to lose your soul.
This book is Barry Lyga's first adventure into adult fiction. As someone who love his Young Adult writing. I did approach this with a little trepidation but it was unwarranted. No be warned there is a lot of graphic sex in this book, there is lust, gluttony, greed, avarice just about all the 7 deadly sins. But it is a great read and will keep you glued to the pages. So join Randall as he goes on a romp from struggling author to mega star!
Read the review and reviews of other books by Barry Lyga on my blogBook Reviews and More. Also an interview with Barry and a special interview with our protagonist Randall Banner.
Randall Banner sells his soul to the devil in order to get a mega hit book. He wants to be Stphen King big, J.K. Rowlings big. No he wants to be bigger he wants to be more. But sometimes success comes at unexpected costs and with unexpected complications. Randall is about to find out that all his dreams and most of his fantasies can come true but what has he given up to get them.
Read this awesome book and follow Randall as he pursues everything on his bucket list and then some. Find out if there is an out? Or figure out how it feels to lose your soul.
This book is Barry Lyga's first adventure into adult fiction. As someone who love his Young Adult writing. I did approach this with a little trepidation but it was unwarranted. No be warned there is a lot of graphic sex in this book, there is lust, gluttony, greed, avarice just about all the 7 deadly sins. But it is a great read and will keep you glued to the pages. So join Randall as he goes on a romp from struggling author to mega star!
Read the review and reviews of other books by Barry Lyga on my blogBook Reviews and More. Also an interview with Barry and a special interview with our protagonist Randall Banner.
October 23, 2013
3.5 stars = somewhere between "I liked it okay" and "I liked it a lot"
Unsoul'd is exactly as it's described, "A dirty little fable," with extra emphasis on the dirty. It's also extremely clever, funny, and unexpected. The devil was probably my favorite character, if only for the way he's described and his perfect one-liners, but I also happened to like Randall Banner, the self-absorbed, insecure protagonist. All the things that made him a terrible person also made him a realistic and likeable character.
The first one-third of the book is kinda slow (lots of whining and banging on Randall's part), but things get really crazy really fast for our narrator and I honestly couldn't predict how the classic sell-your-soul-to-the-devil story was going to play out. A few quibbles I had: minor inconsistencies (), I kept wanting more to happen with the secondary characters but most of them were just props in Randall's life, and the ending, which was well-done but .
All in all, enjoyable and reminiscent of but not as good as the highly underrated Gabe's Plan by Andrew Stock.
Unsoul'd is exactly as it's described, "A dirty little fable," with extra emphasis on the dirty. It's also extremely clever, funny, and unexpected. The devil was probably my favorite character, if only for the way he's described and his perfect one-liners, but I also happened to like Randall Banner, the self-absorbed, insecure protagonist. All the things that made him a terrible person also made him a realistic and likeable character.
The first one-third of the book is kinda slow (lots of whining and banging on Randall's part), but things get really crazy really fast for our narrator and I honestly couldn't predict how the classic sell-your-soul-to-the-devil story was going to play out. A few quibbles I had: minor inconsistencies (), I kept wanting more to happen with the secondary characters but most of them were just props in Randall's life, and the ending, which was well-done but .
All in all, enjoyable and reminiscent of but not as good as the highly underrated Gabe's Plan by Andrew Stock.
November 20, 2016
I've read several of Barry Lyga's YA books and enjoyed them. 'Unsoul'd' had a good premise although one that's been done quite often. Author Randall Banner offers to sell his soul to the devil for a hit book and the devil accepts. From there the story follows Randall's slow and steady downward spiral.
I liked the book. I did however find it to be a slow read. I would read a few pages and then just wander off and pick it up again hours or even days later. There was a bit too much raunch in the story. I don't know if it was a deliberate attempt by Mr. Lyga to distance himself from the YA genre or if he really felt it was necessary to the story. I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination I just found the graphic details didn't add anything to the story.
Even though the story dragged for me I have to say the ending, which I won't even hint at, was completely worth reading the rest of the book.
I liked the book. I did however find it to be a slow read. I would read a few pages and then just wander off and pick it up again hours or even days later. There was a bit too much raunch in the story. I don't know if it was a deliberate attempt by Mr. Lyga to distance himself from the YA genre or if he really felt it was necessary to the story. I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination I just found the graphic details didn't add anything to the story.
Even though the story dragged for me I have to say the ending, which I won't even hint at, was completely worth reading the rest of the book.
September 21, 2017
The main character is SUPER unlikable. He's a douchebag that fucks multiple women, is vulgar, lazy, does stupid adult things. There's a lot of sex, to the point of being porn-like. And the things he does don't justify the ending.There's an underlying technique of "is this actually all in his mind?" that distracts from the text.
The central idea is "what if a down-on-his-luck author actually did make a deal with the devil for a bestselling book". The problem is that this is a character book. And the kind of character who would make this deal is a douchebag. Like if Stephen King drank a Jekyll-and-Hyde potion and all we saw was Hyde. Sad to say, Barry Lyga is no longer one of my favorite authors. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been so short.
The central idea is "what if a down-on-his-luck author actually did make a deal with the devil for a bestselling book". The problem is that this is a character book. And the kind of character who would make this deal is a douchebag. Like if Stephen King drank a Jekyll-and-Hyde potion and all we saw was Hyde. Sad to say, Barry Lyga is no longer one of my favorite authors. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been so short.
October 10, 2013
While I am a huge fan of Lyga's YA novels, I was not as impressed with Unsouled. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy it. From the start I was fascinated with Unsouled's composition of characters, but ultimately became disinterested in Randall's promiscuity and half-hearted self-loathing. It was during these parts that I craved the return of the devil and his witty banter. While this novel did not meet the expectations of one of my favorite YA authors, it was definitely more enjoyable than not.
September 15, 2013
“We're all bad.” “Is that true?” I asked the woman cuckolding her boyfriend with another woman's boyfriend in her roommate's bed.
Vulgarity aside, and that's quite an aside because of the way this story works, I enjoyed this. There's a lot of humour beneath the obvious, which is relieving, and indeed some masculine truths attacked head on. It's also a Human success story, which is pretty neat, and amused me in several places in a quick sort of a way. Not a bestseller, but with enough to warrant me having read it.
Vulgarity aside, and that's quite an aside because of the way this story works, I enjoyed this. There's a lot of humour beneath the obvious, which is relieving, and indeed some masculine truths attacked head on. It's also a Human success story, which is pretty neat, and amused me in several places in a quick sort of a way. Not a bestseller, but with enough to warrant me having read it.
September 6, 2015
I'm a little on the fence with this one. I loved I hunt killers, and loved the premise of this so quickly bought it. I just hated the character. *sigh* I guess that was the point, but honestly halfway through I was rooting for the devil and was a little annoyed at the ending.
I. Really. Hated. This. Guy.
I guess it all worked out, and I can reconcile the whys I loathed him and some of the other characters. I guess everyone gets what they "deserve" in the end...but it just depressed me.
*another deep sigh*
I. Really. Hated. This. Guy.
I guess it all worked out, and I can reconcile the whys I loathed him and some of the other characters. I guess everyone gets what they "deserve" in the end...but it just depressed me.
*another deep sigh*
October 29, 2015
Honestly, I was a little disappointed by this book. I really enjoyed some of this author's other books and I was hoping to get my niece into reading more of his work. This book has lots of foul language in it and is a little too sharing in some places for me. This book is not for her to read. I don't want to teach her things like this. I liked the book and I will check a few more books by this author because I loved his "I Hunt Killers" series soo much! This book for me was not as good by far!
December 28, 2015
Not what I expected, but pleasantly surprised. Mr Lyga takes a stab at an adult novel rather than another YA (love them). Definitely much grittier than his YA. You have to wonder thru this novel if the devil is really at play, taking Randall's soul bit by bit or just his psyche at play. I wasn't sure I even liked the novel til the end, when everything pulled together. I had to reflect back after reading to fully appreciate this one.
October 17, 2013
Really fun read, great dialogue, an interesting main character, original premise, and lots of raunch-right up my alley. What happens when a so-so succesful writer sells his soul to the devil for a hit book? A helluva lot. A great tale of good vs evil that was hard to put down. Very satisfying ending, too. Check it out, if you're not a fuddy duddy.
January 30, 2017
Talented writer
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
March 6, 2015
It's not that I don't recommend it, and I thought the ending was a really good twist, I just didn't enjoy reading it and didn't like the characters. I want to feel attached to my characters, not want to boot them out of my house.
December 11, 2013
I really liked this book. It is an adult novel and there is a lot of sex in it but, I really think that was generally important to the character building. I absolutely loved the devil's character. There is just so much about the book that I really liked, I couldn't put it down.
February 23, 2016
I liked this book and it made me laugh out loud at times, but it's not for everyone. The subtitle "a dirty little fable" is important - it's very crude. Of course, what else can be expected of a story about selling one's soul to the devil? I'm still mulling what the moral of the story is.
December 10, 2013
Pretty good. Probably would have given it 3.5 or 3.75 if that was an option.
August 27, 2016
That ending was just...I have no words. It was a great read and totally unexpected ending, in one word amazing.
October 16, 2014
Loved this book. Twisted in the right way.
December 20, 2015
Great read.
Really great story. Loved the characters.
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
Really great story. Loved the characters.
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
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