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Nightside #11
A Hard Day's Knight
John Taylor is a private detective – of sorts. He's good at finding things, though he wouldn't know a clue if he fell over it. But now something has found him, and he wishes it hadn't.
Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur. It just turned up in the mail one day, and Taylor has no idea why – though he's certain it is a portent of perilous times to come. To find out why he was chosen to wield the sword, Taylor must meet with the Last Defenders of Camelot. But to do so, he must first travel to a place he fears more than even the Nightside...
London Proper.
Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur. It just turned up in the mail one day, and Taylor has no idea why – though he's certain it is a portent of perilous times to come. To find out why he was chosen to wield the sword, Taylor must meet with the Last Defenders of Camelot. But to do so, he must first travel to a place he fears more than even the Nightside...
London Proper.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
93 people are currently reading
2356 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,207 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
January 13, 2018
This is the penultimate book in the Nightside series and to be honest I am not sure what to feel about it.
Okay a little bit of back ground - the server revolves around a number of characters which in habit the Nightside - a sort of melting pot of all the hopes and dreams (and nightmares) made in to a twisted version of London at 3am. In many cases the Nightside itself could be considered to be one of these characters - just with fewer lines.
Each book in the series starts off with a minor storyline which eventually opens up in to the main event (often with references to the first seemingly minor story coming back and being exposed as something considerably bigger)
So far so good - a combination of sharp and witting banter mixed in with the weird and wonderful make for creative storylines and entertaining encounters.
So why the question over this book - well some of the characteristic (and even characters) seem to be missing from this story making it somehow feel familiar and yet something less than the other books. its almost as if this is some sort of prelude- now considering how epic the events are in this book (well at least for the Nightside) this is some prelude and you cannot but help that the next book being the last, has somehow drawn some of the soul out of this book.
Now this is all rather dramatic in explanation but there is something here missing that was there in previous books. Now in its own right this book is fun and there are some cracking moments but when you think back to some of the previous stories it does feel a little jaded.
Yes both John and Susie have evolved from the first books in the series (there is a clever nod to this when towards the end they agree to meet in a place) and both characters admit as much to each other as well. However I think in the process of evolving the "grew up" to and in so doing lost some of that raw passion and fun.
Now I cannot wait to read the last book in the series just to see what happens - but I do wonder if the story has moved on beyond these characters - like an actor refusing to give up playing their famous child's role even when it is perfectly clear they are too old to carry it off. I guess we shall see but one thing I do know is that Simon Green has written and continues to do so some amazing books.
Also the fact that Simon Green likes to name drop characters from one story in to another - this time around it feels more like some for of product placement. Well I guess the only way I can dispel this feeling is start the next I guess, so here goes.
Okay a little bit of back ground - the server revolves around a number of characters which in habit the Nightside - a sort of melting pot of all the hopes and dreams (and nightmares) made in to a twisted version of London at 3am. In many cases the Nightside itself could be considered to be one of these characters - just with fewer lines.
Each book in the series starts off with a minor storyline which eventually opens up in to the main event (often with references to the first seemingly minor story coming back and being exposed as something considerably bigger)
So far so good - a combination of sharp and witting banter mixed in with the weird and wonderful make for creative storylines and entertaining encounters.
So why the question over this book - well some of the characteristic (and even characters) seem to be missing from this story making it somehow feel familiar and yet something less than the other books. its almost as if this is some sort of prelude- now considering how epic the events are in this book (well at least for the Nightside) this is some prelude and you cannot but help that the next book being the last, has somehow drawn some of the soul out of this book.
Now this is all rather dramatic in explanation but there is something here missing that was there in previous books. Now in its own right this book is fun and there are some cracking moments but when you think back to some of the previous stories it does feel a little jaded.
Yes both John and Susie have evolved from the first books in the series (there is a clever nod to this when towards the end they agree to meet in a place) and both characters admit as much to each other as well. However I think in the process of evolving the "grew up" to and in so doing lost some of that raw passion and fun.
Now I cannot wait to read the last book in the series just to see what happens - but I do wonder if the story has moved on beyond these characters - like an actor refusing to give up playing their famous child's role even when it is perfectly clear they are too old to carry it off. I guess we shall see but one thing I do know is that Simon Green has written and continues to do so some amazing books.
Also the fact that Simon Green likes to name drop characters from one story in to another - this time around it feels more like some for of product placement. Well I guess the only way I can dispel this feeling is start the next I guess, so here goes.
June 17, 2021
This one really should be read as part of book 10, and that being the case, should be rated together, and slightly better, than either alone.
That being said...
Really? Arthur? Excalibur? The Knights?
Okay, okay, it wasn't totally derivative and it was actually rather fun, all told, with the elves and evil Avalon and all the rest. In fact, that was all some of the best parts of this novel, with a close second coming to Taylor FINALLY returning to London after having abandoned it since the first novel.
Is it just me or did we just lose a ton of great possible storylines here?
Regardless. I was amused, so it's not a complete loss.
That being said...
Really? Arthur? Excalibur? The Knights?
Okay, okay, it wasn't totally derivative and it was actually rather fun, all told, with the elves and evil Avalon and all the rest. In fact, that was all some of the best parts of this novel, with a close second coming to Taylor FINALLY returning to London after having abandoned it since the first novel.
Is it just me or did we just lose a ton of great possible storylines here?
Regardless. I was amused, so it's not a complete loss.
January 20, 2015
Dear John,
You are no longer the super-witty, over-comer of great odds, resource-laced little cad you used to be.
Susie is my girl and all, but I have to wonder if you're holding her back with you.
The Droods have their own series. Let them stay there.
The elves have many kings and queens. Why are they the nightside's problem and how are you so powerful enough to solve it. King Arthur, well, he's just boring to hear about.
I loved you, John, And your twisted world, but you just aren't giving me what I need to enjoy your stories any more.
I'll give you one more chance because I've invested a lot in you and I hope you can change...grow, whatever.
Till then,
Unsatisfied
You are no longer the super-witty, over-comer of great odds, resource-laced little cad you used to be.
Susie is my girl and all, but I have to wonder if you're holding her back with you.
The Droods have their own series. Let them stay there.
The elves have many kings and queens. Why are they the nightside's problem and how are you so powerful enough to solve it. King Arthur, well, he's just boring to hear about.
I loved you, John, And your twisted world, but you just aren't giving me what I need to enjoy your stories any more.
I'll give you one more chance because I've invested a lot in you and I hope you can change...grow, whatever.
Till then,
Unsatisfied
May 22, 2018
من واقعا متاسفم !
من برای عمرم، برای کیف پولم، برای درختایی ک قطع شدن، برای اون بنده خدایی ک کتابا رو حمل کرده گذاشته تو غرفه نمایشگاه، برای تمام کسایی ک پای این کتاب وقت گذاشتن متاسفم. افتضاح بود، افتضاح! و اینو شما دارید از کسی می شنوید ک عاشق نایت سایده، تقریبا شیش جلد اول نایت ساید رو هر کدوم رو چهار بار خوندم. اما شیش جلد دوم، به طرز عجیبی داستان افتضاح می شه. سیمون ار گرین به طور بازارگونه طور اصرار به ادامه کتاب کرد انگار. و عملا هم حتا در واقع داستان تو جلد شیشم تموم می شه.
از دیگر نکاتی ک به چشمم اومد. چرا این کتاب اینقدر بد چاپ شده؟ چرا اینقدر اشتباه تایپی، اشتباه لغوی، یا حتا مثلا تو ضمایر اشتباه کردن. خیلی اشتباه داشت کلا، شاید اگه می شمردم به سی چهل تا می رسید. انگار اصلا وقت نذاشتن، سرسری رد کردن. نشر ویدا با این کار اعتبار خودشو خراب می کنه. در کل، اگه خواستید یه روزی نایت ساید رو بخونید دوستان اینو بدونید ک نایت ساید، شیش جلده.
من برای عمرم، برای کیف پولم، برای درختایی ک قطع شدن، برای اون بنده خدایی ک کتابا رو حمل کرده گذاشته تو غرفه نمایشگاه، برای تمام کسایی ک پای این کتاب وقت گذاشتن متاسفم. افتضاح بود، افتضاح! و اینو شما دارید از کسی می شنوید ک عاشق نایت سایده، تقریبا شیش جلد اول نایت ساید رو هر کدوم رو چهار بار خوندم. اما شیش جلد دوم، به طرز عجیبی داستان افتضاح می شه. سیمون ار گرین به طور بازارگونه طور اصرار به ادامه کتاب کرد انگار. و عملا هم حتا در واقع داستان تو جلد شیشم تموم می شه.
از دیگر نکاتی ک به چشمم اومد. چرا این کتاب اینقدر بد چاپ شده؟ چرا اینقدر اشتباه تایپی، اشتباه لغوی، یا حتا مثلا تو ضمایر اشتباه کردن. خیلی اشتباه داشت کلا، شاید اگه می شمردم به سی چهل تا می رسید. انگار اصلا وقت نذاشتن، سرسری رد کردن. نشر ویدا با این کار اعتبار خودشو خراب می کنه. در کل، اگه خواستید یه روزی نایت ساید رو بخونید دوستان اینو بدونید ک نایت ساید، شیش جلده.
July 8, 2018
PI John Taylor receives the sword Excalibur in the parcel post. After he and his Valkyrie girlfriend complain about duty for a while, Taylor leaves the Nightside and goes to London to find the last defenders of Camelot.
Pretty much like everything else Green writes.
Pretty much like everything else Green writes.
January 19, 2012
I'm going with 3 stars on this one as a sort of average rating.
My biggest issue with this installment is that it's lacking some of the wit and humor and general cleverness* of some of the better installments and, also - and this is the biggest issue - that John has just gotten too powerful. Between his Sight and his gift and his heritage, and the fact that he always has some uber-powerful weapon that he needs for the current crises, there's just not that much in the way of suspense or tension all that often.
For parts of the book I would say it's 2.5 territory, really, between the above and just general repetition factor.
But I really liked the ending, after came back on scene. I'm not quite sure what it was, but it picked up at that point, and I'd even think it hit 3.5 territory at some point.
So, overall, a fairly solid 3 (even if the ending was, again, a bit convenient).
***
* About the cleverness, there were some parts I really liked (though the constant references to the Droods were not one of them). But there were references to little real world stories and authors like
But they seemed to be few and far between in comparison to other books.
Also, I really, really miss Razor Eddie. We need more of him! And I'd like to see John do more Walker type things and less his normal sort of schtick. Not that I don't like the schtick, but I'd like to see more of how he handles that whole arena.
My biggest issue with this installment is that it's lacking some of the wit and humor and general cleverness* of some of the better installments and, also - and this is the biggest issue - that John has just gotten too powerful. Between his Sight and his gift and his heritage, and the fact that he always has some uber-powerful weapon that he needs for the current crises, there's just not that much in the way of suspense or tension all that often.
For parts of the book I would say it's 2.5 territory, really, between the above and just general repetition factor.
But I really liked the ending, after came back on scene. I'm not quite sure what it was, but it picked up at that point, and I'd even think it hit 3.5 territory at some point.
So, overall, a fairly solid 3 (even if the ending was, again, a bit convenient).
***
* About the cleverness, there were some parts I really liked (though the constant references to the Droods were not one of them). But there were references to little real world stories and authors like
But they seemed to be few and far between in comparison to other books.
Also, I really, really miss Razor Eddie. We need more of him! And I'd like to see John do more Walker type things and less his normal sort of schtick. Not that I don't like the schtick, but I'd like to see more of how he handles that whole arena.
April 19, 2019
3.5 Stars
John Taylor has Excalibur. You know only mayhem, mass hysteria and murder will occur with this new development. With John coming to this world and other worlds, to return Excalibur to its' rightful owner is just a mess; but a fun mess. Typical nightside bloodshed and humor. Yeah... that's twisted, but that's this series; so what are you gonna do? :)
John Taylor has Excalibur. You know only mayhem, mass hysteria and murder will occur with this new development. With John coming to this world and other worlds, to return Excalibur to its' rightful owner is just a mess; but a fun mess. Typical nightside bloodshed and humor. Yeah... that's twisted, but that's this series; so what are you gonna do? :)
June 23, 2021
The Nightside books are always entertaining, but I can’t help but feel that the returns are diminishing as the series goes on, though by the eleventh book of a series maybe that isn’t surprising. I’m not sure if the quality of the books has dropped a touch or if the same formula just isn’t quite as effective.
That said, the writing is still sharp and clever, the dialogue excellent and darkly humorous, and the atmosphere is still fantastic. I’m very interested to read the final volume and see how this series concludes.
That said, the writing is still sharp and clever, the dialogue excellent and darkly humorous, and the atmosphere is still fantastic. I’m very interested to read the final volume and see how this series concludes.
March 18, 2011
I've read all eleven books in the Nightside series and enjoyed the first few books. But as I read the next book in the series, I couldn't help but feel I was reading the same book over again, but I put that notion out of my mind as I was committed to reading this series. But my dissatisfaction with the repetitive writing grew. Book #11 was such a rehash of the previous books I could barely finish it. For those who have read the series from the start get the same message hammered into them: John Taylor is an arrogant bad-ass. People either fear him or are stupid and challenge him and die. We get it. That doesn't have to be drilled into the reader over and over again in every book. It's fine to mention it, but the writer says it multiple times in this and the previous books of the Nightside series. Even the nickname for Taylor's girlfriend Shotgun Suzie gets old, which the writer appears to elicit a humorous tone, gets tired after reading it in book after book.
The plotline is a regurgitation of the previous books: some calamity is about to befall the Nightside and John Taylor must intervene; otherwise, the Nightside, and the entire world, will fall into oblivion. It's like the story is stuck on a repeating loop. Sure, some of the secondary characters and settings are different, but the story is essentially the same.
The writer did well creating such a unique world where anything is possible. It's a shame, after 11 books, he hasn't done more with the main characters besides the same 'save the world' scenario. My recommendations for those who want to get into this series, stick with the first three books.
The plotline is a regurgitation of the previous books: some calamity is about to befall the Nightside and John Taylor must intervene; otherwise, the Nightside, and the entire world, will fall into oblivion. It's like the story is stuck on a repeating loop. Sure, some of the secondary characters and settings are different, but the story is essentially the same.
The writer did well creating such a unique world where anything is possible. It's a shame, after 11 books, he hasn't done more with the main characters besides the same 'save the world' scenario. My recommendations for those who want to get into this series, stick with the first three books.
July 4, 2018
3 Stars
A Hard Day's Knight by Simon R. Green is book number 11 in the Nightside series. This to me was one of the weakest books of the whole series as well as a let down with only 2 books to go. The Nightside series is one of my favorite today and a perfect example of how good the Urban Fantasy genre can be. I would read about John Taylor everyday if I could.
These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. I love the humor, the action, and the writing...
This story is dark and centers on the man...Walker. 10 books of thread lines come together in this one. I could read these books all day every day. Thank you Simon R. Green for the amazing series and kick-ass, bad-ass, and simply cool hero in John Taylor.
Highest recommendations for the series.
The amazing world building combined with the fantastic writing of Simon Green make the Nightside series a favorite of mine.
A Hard Day's Knight by Simon R. Green is book number 11 in the Nightside series. This to me was one of the weakest books of the whole series as well as a let down with only 2 books to go. The Nightside series is one of my favorite today and a perfect example of how good the Urban Fantasy genre can be. I would read about John Taylor everyday if I could.
These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. I love the humor, the action, and the writing...
This story is dark and centers on the man...Walker. 10 books of thread lines come together in this one. I could read these books all day every day. Thank you Simon R. Green for the amazing series and kick-ass, bad-ass, and simply cool hero in John Taylor.
Highest recommendations for the series.
The amazing world building combined with the fantastic writing of Simon Green make the Nightside series a favorite of mine.
March 10, 2025
I'm in the drive down the back stretch on this series, and it remains a fun read. Some the reasons I am entrained by this is the lack of dragging out action scenes, and the exposition dumps tend to be useful, and not an author padding the book to make a specific page count.
As usual there are two story points to clear up. Why did someone arrange for Excalibur to be delivered to John Taylor, and why the hell is he charged with fulfilling the prophecy? You know the one about King Arthur returning in the hour of England's greatest need.
Then there is the elves civil war and the threat that poses to humanity.
There's a little bit of lore added to Taylor's universe such as what led to the elves split, and the London Knights. Then, to a crossover/shared universe junkie like me there's the whole role the Droods from Green's Secret History series play.
As usual there are two story points to clear up. Why did someone arrange for Excalibur to be delivered to John Taylor, and why the hell is he charged with fulfilling the prophecy? You know the one about King Arthur returning in the hour of England's greatest need.
Then there is the elves civil war and the threat that poses to humanity.
There's a little bit of lore added to Taylor's universe such as what led to the elves split, and the London Knights. Then, to a crossover/shared universe junkie like me there's the whole role the Droods from Green's Secret History series play.
August 16, 2020
Excalibur has "chosen" John to wield it and save the world yet again.
What I enjoyed:
* Learning more about Excalibur
* Seeing certain "people" get what is coming to them
* Puck is always entertaining
What could have been better:
* The whole bit with John going to his old office in London and being attacked by his former informant was unneeded and led nowhere.
* The ending
* The London Knights - I don't understand what battles they've been having if the last two wars in Nightside were too small for their attention.
* Need to see more of the old gang besides Suzi
What I enjoyed:
* Learning more about Excalibur
* Seeing certain "people" get what is coming to them
* Puck is always entertaining
What could have been better:
* The whole bit with John going to his old office in London and being attacked by his former informant was unneeded and led nowhere.
* The ending
* The London Knights - I don't understand what battles they've been having if the last two wars in Nightside were too small for their attention.
* Need to see more of the old gang besides Suzi
Want to read
April 21, 2023Purchased.
August 31, 2024
A distinctly run-of-the-mill Nightside adventure, not great but readable. This story had another world-ending crisis but it all felt so insignificant.
May 4, 2020
Almost done
So, next to the last book of this amazing series, and the author still comes up with settings and new characters to keep things wild and wonderful.
So, next to the last book of this amazing series, and the author still comes up with settings and new characters to keep things wild and wonderful.
November 25, 2024
Simon R Green has brought the Nightside to life over eleven novels and with Hard Days Knight he has managed to right a listing ship somewhat.
Having read and loved the entirety of the Nightside series thus far the last couple books has made some glaringly bad plot advances and essential made me question the direction of the series. Not a great spot to be at considering the series concludes in the next book. I was happily surprised to find this one a straightforward romp with our usual cast of characters and of course some new ones.
John Taylor is back in form as the new Walker in the Nightside, taking care of business whether he wants the job or not. And when the fabled sword Excalibur turns up in his mail, he really doesn’t want it either. But King Arthur and his Knights call…..
This was a pretty fun one, following the formula of Greens previous novels. Basically all kinds of psycho powered characters show up, mostly intending to kill John for whatever reason and then John and his girl Suzie Shooter beat their asses in spectacularly vivid ways. A Hard Days Knights is very successful there, offering us all kind of new bad guys to hate while also giving us essentially a sword and sorcery story. King Arthur shows up, the Elves are gonna have a civil war that kills all humanity and John and Suzie are getting relationship serious…. Good times all around.
This one was a successful return to form in this always entertaining series.
Having read and loved the entirety of the Nightside series thus far the last couple books has made some glaringly bad plot advances and essential made me question the direction of the series. Not a great spot to be at considering the series concludes in the next book. I was happily surprised to find this one a straightforward romp with our usual cast of characters and of course some new ones.
John Taylor is back in form as the new Walker in the Nightside, taking care of business whether he wants the job or not. And when the fabled sword Excalibur turns up in his mail, he really doesn’t want it either. But King Arthur and his Knights call…..
This was a pretty fun one, following the formula of Greens previous novels. Basically all kinds of psycho powered characters show up, mostly intending to kill John for whatever reason and then John and his girl Suzie Shooter beat their asses in spectacularly vivid ways. A Hard Days Knights is very successful there, offering us all kind of new bad guys to hate while also giving us essentially a sword and sorcery story. King Arthur shows up, the Elves are gonna have a civil war that kills all humanity and John and Suzie are getting relationship serious…. Good times all around.
This one was a successful return to form in this always entertaining series.
July 4, 2018
A Hard Day's Knight is the eleventh and penultimate book in the Nightside Series written by Simon R. Green and centered on John Taylor, the main protagonist, who is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things.
In this case – it was John Taylor that found the lost item, but it was the item that found John Taylor. Apparently, Excalibur – the sword form Arthurian Legend came to him through the post no less. Not wanting to keep the sword, John Taylor and Suzie Shooter goes to what some would consider more dangerous than Nightside – London Proper.
Before he could leave Nightside, Julian Advent quickly detours John Taylor in order to help him with some business that the Walker would have taken care off before his death. During the emergency, John Taylor is beginning to feel the effects of Excalibur on him and he doesn't like it. So, he dashes to London Proper to find the Last Defenders of Camelot at Castle Inconnu.
Castle Inconnu is the place where Sir Kae famed for being one of the Knights of the Round Table has gathered all the Knights' family to this place and trained them to be Knights down the generation to protect Earth and wait for their once and future King to return as prophesied. However, when John Taylor gets there – his enemy is waiting for him there too.
A Hard Day's Knight was written rather well. Green has mixed fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, horror, and humor (slight as it was) rather well and it flowed just as well also. I do like John Taylor's sentimental journey as he returned to his old office in London Proper, where he hid at the beginning of the series in Something from the Nightside. Although Shotgun Suzie was in this book, she was sadly underused and rather silent throughout most of it.
All in all, A Hard Day's Knight is a wonderfully written book and a very good continuation of the series. I can't wait how the series concludes in the next and final installment.
In this case – it was John Taylor that found the lost item, but it was the item that found John Taylor. Apparently, Excalibur – the sword form Arthurian Legend came to him through the post no less. Not wanting to keep the sword, John Taylor and Suzie Shooter goes to what some would consider more dangerous than Nightside – London Proper.
Before he could leave Nightside, Julian Advent quickly detours John Taylor in order to help him with some business that the Walker would have taken care off before his death. During the emergency, John Taylor is beginning to feel the effects of Excalibur on him and he doesn't like it. So, he dashes to London Proper to find the Last Defenders of Camelot at Castle Inconnu.
Castle Inconnu is the place where Sir Kae famed for being one of the Knights of the Round Table has gathered all the Knights' family to this place and trained them to be Knights down the generation to protect Earth and wait for their once and future King to return as prophesied. However, when John Taylor gets there – his enemy is waiting for him there too.
A Hard Day's Knight was written rather well. Green has mixed fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, horror, and humor (slight as it was) rather well and it flowed just as well also. I do like John Taylor's sentimental journey as he returned to his old office in London Proper, where he hid at the beginning of the series in Something from the Nightside. Although Shotgun Suzie was in this book, she was sadly underused and rather silent throughout most of it.
All in all, A Hard Day's Knight is a wonderfully written book and a very good continuation of the series. I can't wait how the series concludes in the next and final installment.
June 7, 2011
I really must stop reading whole series in one complete gulp of readiness. Given I am just finishing up the Meredith Gentry series, this may be hard for me to do - there's something about not having to wait for the next book that makes series reading very enjoyable.
However, there is a downside.
And Simon Green ably demonstrated just what that downside is in his Nightside series.
Repetition, folks. So, so noticeable when you read one book straight after the other.
Really - if we haven't read all the other books in the series you are doing your regular readers no favours by (yet again) telling us why Shotgun Suzie has a scarred face, or how Walker dresses. Not in the same words you did in the last however-many books.
That small (actually, by book eleven, big) peeve aside, I heartily recommend these. They are a wicked blend of Jim Butcher, Clive Barker and Tom Holt, while remaining all Simon Green. I have also (not recently) read his Hawke & Fisher books, and although these are very different, they are undoubtedly penned by the same hand.
John Taylor is a private detective in seedy offices in London when Joanna Burton comes to him for help. Taking her case means a return to The Nightside, a place he fled with bullets in his back, five long years before. Finding Cathy Burton leads John to question why he left the Nightside in the first place, and whether he will ever be happy living anywhere else.
Books two to six focus on his search to not find his mother, an Angel v Demon war, a war with a major Godlike being, and why does everyone always blame him anyway?
Books seven onwards develops his relationship with Suzie Shotgun further, and are actually much better than the first in terms of characterization.
Highly Recommended.
However, there is a downside.
And Simon Green ably demonstrated just what that downside is in his Nightside series.
Repetition, folks. So, so noticeable when you read one book straight after the other.
Really - if we haven't read all the other books in the series you are doing your regular readers no favours by (yet again) telling us why Shotgun Suzie has a scarred face, or how Walker dresses. Not in the same words you did in the last however-many books.
That small (actually, by book eleven, big) peeve aside, I heartily recommend these. They are a wicked blend of Jim Butcher, Clive Barker and Tom Holt, while remaining all Simon Green. I have also (not recently) read his Hawke & Fisher books, and although these are very different, they are undoubtedly penned by the same hand.
John Taylor is a private detective in seedy offices in London when Joanna Burton comes to him for help. Taking her case means a return to The Nightside, a place he fled with bullets in his back, five long years before. Finding Cathy Burton leads John to question why he left the Nightside in the first place, and whether he will ever be happy living anywhere else.
Books two to six focus on his search to not find his mother, an Angel v Demon war, a war with a major Godlike being, and why does everyone always blame him anyway?
Books seven onwards develops his relationship with Suzie Shotgun further, and are actually much better than the first in terms of characterization.
Highly Recommended.
May 3, 2011
The night side is the night side inside the night side....Boo
Thank you once again, Simon R. Green for making me dislike your book.
Here's the reason's why.
First, I will never understand, how books like this get published and pass the his editor's table with error's that are clearly visible.like seeing name of the main character being writing down a billion times in a span of a few paragraphs(Like the reader's was dumb enough to forget his name ready? nope)and there are part's in the previous books and this one i don't understand at all.Bet that's besides the point, Mr Simon likes to perform weird act's of paragraph long descriptions and many other things that kick out of the story and when that happens to me.I know for a fact that there something not wrong with me but, something is wrong about that strange talking pattern...oh and he likes to recycle a lot and not in a good way.
Nevertheless, Green is a great writer and sometimes a great storyteller but he's just not consistent with keeping his story alive and like to detect himself plus the some readers more time then none.
So without further ado, goodbye The Night side (Also very unhappy with the some of his other books that share the same problem)
Thank you once again, Simon R. Green for making me dislike your book.
Here's the reason's why.
First, I will never understand, how books like this get published and pass the his editor's table with error's that are clearly visible.like seeing name of the main character being writing down a billion times in a span of a few paragraphs(Like the reader's was dumb enough to forget his name ready? nope)and there are part's in the previous books and this one i don't understand at all.Bet that's besides the point, Mr Simon likes to perform weird act's of paragraph long descriptions and many other things that kick out of the story and when that happens to me.I know for a fact that there something not wrong with me but, something is wrong about that strange talking pattern...oh and he likes to recycle a lot and not in a good way.
Nevertheless, Green is a great writer and sometimes a great storyteller but he's just not consistent with keeping his story alive and like to detect himself plus the some readers more time then none.
So without further ado, goodbye The Night side (Also very unhappy with the some of his other books that share the same problem)
August 17, 2012
Simon R Green’s Nightside books range from good to very good. A Hard Day’s Knight is without a doubt the best Nightside book written. Full of action, fun and a happy enjoyable ending. Absolutely outstanding! King Arthur is finally back…at least for a little while. And action and adventure ensues. Highly recommended!
March 22, 2013
Part 11 in the Nightside stories... It's got an interesting idea about the Lady of the Lake, but not a lot else to go on for this book. This one really exemplifies my complaints about how short and partial fantasy series novels are getting...
January 3, 2013
This series has run its course.
July 9, 2021
Lots of things I loved about this book. The ending for me was kind of bittersweet. I was hoping that there would be a different resolution to the problem of the Elf Civil war. Spoiler: John Taylor's proposal to Susie Shooter just felt so them, and was part of the ending that was sweet.
This was a book series that I didn't expect to enjoy nearly as much as I do. Part of that is definitely the narrator, Marc Vietor. He does a fabulous job and is one of my favorite narrators. I don't know if anyone else could pull of John Taylor nearly so well as Marc Vietor does. Just hearing his voice makes me happy now. Mr. Vietor just nails the mix of noir private investigator and preternatural that is John Taylor is the best possibly ways. I love it!
I getting to explore Authorian legend with a Nightside slant to it was fun and interesting too. I didn't expect that we'd ever get to see Sinister Albion, which was more horrible than the name sinister would suggest.
More spoilers: I won't lie having John Taylor be the temporary bearer of Excalibur gave me giggles. It reminded me of when Harry Dresden of the Dresden Files had to do something similar, but I think John Taylor definitely got more use out of the blade while in his possession than Harry ever did. I love that one of the reasons that he was allowed to be the temporary bearer of Excalibur was because he had proven that he could resist powerful magical weapons in the past, like the Speaking Gun. While wielding it he didn't become subservient to the weapon or enslaved by it. That is quite a feat by itself.
I know there is another Nightside novel after this, but I can't help wishing right that there was more than that. I haven't started the Secret Histories yet and I am unsure that they'll be able to fill the void that no more John Taylor will leave.
I feel like John Taylor has grown more as a person through all these novels. I feel like he is the right man to be the new Walker to the New Authorities of the Nightside. I love that he does it in his own way and not the way others, like the previous Walker, would have had him do it.
This was a book series that I didn't expect to enjoy nearly as much as I do. Part of that is definitely the narrator, Marc Vietor. He does a fabulous job and is one of my favorite narrators. I don't know if anyone else could pull of John Taylor nearly so well as Marc Vietor does. Just hearing his voice makes me happy now. Mr. Vietor just nails the mix of noir private investigator and preternatural that is John Taylor is the best possibly ways. I love it!
I getting to explore Authorian legend with a Nightside slant to it was fun and interesting too. I didn't expect that we'd ever get to see Sinister Albion, which was more horrible than the name sinister would suggest.
More spoilers: I won't lie having John Taylor be the temporary bearer of Excalibur gave me giggles. It reminded me of when Harry Dresden of the Dresden Files had to do something similar, but I think John Taylor definitely got more use out of the blade while in his possession than Harry ever did. I love that one of the reasons that he was allowed to be the temporary bearer of Excalibur was because he had proven that he could resist powerful magical weapons in the past, like the Speaking Gun. While wielding it he didn't become subservient to the weapon or enslaved by it. That is quite a feat by itself.
I know there is another Nightside novel after this, but I can't help wishing right that there was more than that. I haven't started the Secret Histories yet and I am unsure that they'll be able to fill the void that no more John Taylor will leave.
I feel like John Taylor has grown more as a person through all these novels. I feel like he is the right man to be the new Walker to the New Authorities of the Nightside. I love that he does it in his own way and not the way others, like the previous Walker, would have had him do it.
March 20, 2025
Longer than most Nightside books. Started minutes after the last one ended. Covered just one eventful day. Good.
Taylor bounces between the Nightside, regular London and other places. Apparently there are descendants of the Arthurian knights still in London, who are aware of the Nightside, but ignore it. Well, they do not get to remain passive for too long. The elves are also coming back.
I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this book is that most of it took place outside the Nightside. That does not mean Taylor interacting only with regular humans, but "differently strange" people. And it seemed somewhat more natural. Maybe the Nightside is just too strange for my tastes.
Another thing that started bothering me in the previous book, but was in full force in this one - what is the elves' relation to their depictions in literature? The names and allegiances cannot be a coincidence, but on the other hand it seems strange to just accept the (well-established) personas. Of course, Arthur and Merlin have been part of the Nightside stories since the beginning, so perhaps I'm overthinking it.
Unlike some of the previous books, this one kept me waiting for what happens next. Excellent.
Taylor bounces between the Nightside, regular London and other places. Apparently there are descendants of the Arthurian knights still in London, who are aware of the Nightside, but ignore it. Well, they do not get to remain passive for too long. The elves are also coming back.
I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this book is that most of it took place outside the Nightside. That does not mean Taylor interacting only with regular humans, but "differently strange" people. And it seemed somewhat more natural. Maybe the Nightside is just too strange for my tastes.
Another thing that started bothering me in the previous book, but was in full force in this one - what is the elves' relation to their depictions in literature? The names and allegiances cannot be a coincidence, but on the other hand it seems strange to just accept the (well-established) personas. Of course, Arthur and Merlin have been part of the Nightside stories since the beginning, so perhaps I'm overthinking it.
Unlike some of the previous books, this one kept me waiting for what happens next. Excellent.
June 28, 2019
4 Stars
I have had The Nightside Series on my TBR for YEARS! I finally got around to dusting them off and taking a walk on The Nightside. They are a somewhat gritty and darkish urban fantasy with paranormal and sci-fi elements- there is suspense, drama, and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
The series follow John Taylor, a Private Detective who has a reputation for ‘finding things that don’t want to be found”. So, what is The Nightside? It is a place (parallel/alternate reality) in London- but hidden to ‘normal’ Londoners; it is where you can find every imaginable paranormal/supernatural creature can be found, and much more. It’s "that square mile of Hell in the middle of the city where it's always three a.m. Where you can walk beside myths and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible."
I have enjoyed my trip to The Nightside- I found it to have a bit of a noir, steampunk, supernatural feel to it- which I enjoyed. The books are all very quick and easy reads- they didn’t ‘blow me away’, but they definitely entertained!
Thank you, Mr. Green!
I have had The Nightside Series on my TBR for YEARS! I finally got around to dusting them off and taking a walk on The Nightside. They are a somewhat gritty and darkish urban fantasy with paranormal and sci-fi elements- there is suspense, drama, and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
The series follow John Taylor, a Private Detective who has a reputation for ‘finding things that don’t want to be found”. So, what is The Nightside? It is a place (parallel/alternate reality) in London- but hidden to ‘normal’ Londoners; it is where you can find every imaginable paranormal/supernatural creature can be found, and much more. It’s "that square mile of Hell in the middle of the city where it's always three a.m. Where you can walk beside myths and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible."
I have enjoyed my trip to The Nightside- I found it to have a bit of a noir, steampunk, supernatural feel to it- which I enjoyed. The books are all very quick and easy reads- they didn’t ‘blow me away’, but they definitely entertained!
Thank you, Mr. Green!
March 6, 2019
I had to drag myself through this book to finish it. I'm so over the Nightside. This is a series that just isn't fun to binge read and at this point I'm finding it tedious. I've come THIS far though, so I am going to finish this series. One more book left. I can do this!
The Plot: John now has the sword Excalibur and he's tasked with carrying it and he doesn't know why. He seeks out answers from the knights who live in the real London. It was kinda interesting to see him leave the Nightside. The sword is quickly stolen from him and he must travel with Shotgun Suzie into a time slip to an alternate world.
I don't like this King Arthur crap. Then the stupid elves get involved with a war they want to bring to the Nightside, or the whole world, or whatever, and of course, King Arthur is the only one who can save it and John must help.
Boring. All the fun has been sucked out of this series. The repetitive phrases and silly plots are killing me!
Onto book 12. God help me. At least it's the last in the series and I can move on with my life.
The Plot: John now has the sword Excalibur and he's tasked with carrying it and he doesn't know why. He seeks out answers from the knights who live in the real London. It was kinda interesting to see him leave the Nightside. The sword is quickly stolen from him and he must travel with Shotgun Suzie into a time slip to an alternate world.
I don't like this King Arthur crap. Then the stupid elves get involved with a war they want to bring to the Nightside, or the whole world, or whatever, and of course, King Arthur is the only one who can save it and John must help.
Boring. All the fun has been sucked out of this series. The repetitive phrases and silly plots are killing me!
Onto book 12. God help me. At least it's the last in the series and I can move on with my life.
August 27, 2024
My son does remind me that I am not a standard reader of fantasy books; I hate violence, and apparently that's usually a big part of fantasy books. This book is not unusual in that. But the story itself was intriguing.
It brought back some old myths and mythical figures from ancient British history. And It continued to to fill in and round out personalities of main characters.
It does continue to emphasize and point out inconsistencies between stated desires and actions of John Taylor, but that just points out some of the poor writing style.
The world is still over the top (wow, how much have I used that particular phrase!?), this book personally moves out of the Nightside proper and continues to build the rest of the world. I haven't decided how much I actually like it, but it definitely expands on the world and the characters. It's the second to last book in the Nightside series, and I'm kind of looking forward to being done with it (the series, that is). It's still a fun series, and I still recommend it.
It brought back some old myths and mythical figures from ancient British history. And It continued to to fill in and round out personalities of main characters.
It does continue to emphasize and point out inconsistencies between stated desires and actions of John Taylor, but that just points out some of the poor writing style.
The world is still over the top (wow, how much have I used that particular phrase!?), this book personally moves out of the Nightside proper and continues to build the rest of the world. I haven't decided how much I actually like it, but it definitely expands on the world and the characters. It's the second to last book in the Nightside series, and I'm kind of looking forward to being done with it (the series, that is). It's still a fun series, and I still recommend it.
April 4, 2024
This was almost a DNF due to violence and graphic descriptions of death and war.
When I kind of "fast forwarded" through those parts, it was a good story.
I picked up this book solely to fulfill a reading prompt of "Title Inspired By A Beatles Song." Found myself dropped into the middle of an ongoing story. Which, as book *ELEVEN* in a series it is. However, Mr. Green deftly explained only the necessary back story to move the narration along.
Blood. Gore. Violence beyond measure. War. Demons. With a healthy dose of ancient and modern mythology and a sprinkling of religious undertones.
I liked what I read, but would not read anything else of this series. A toe dip into this world was enough for me.
When I kind of "fast forwarded" through those parts, it was a good story.
I picked up this book solely to fulfill a reading prompt of "Title Inspired By A Beatles Song." Found myself dropped into the middle of an ongoing story. Which, as book *ELEVEN* in a series it is. However, Mr. Green deftly explained only the necessary back story to move the narration along.
Blood. Gore. Violence beyond measure. War. Demons. With a healthy dose of ancient and modern mythology and a sprinkling of religious undertones.
I liked what I read, but would not read anything else of this series. A toe dip into this world was enough for me.
August 7, 2017
The book "A Hard Day's Knight ,by Simon R. Green , was a decent book I have read though several reasons. The story revolves around John Taylor who had obtain an sword "Excalibur" in which John had started his journey to figure why or how he obtain the sword. Having just pick up the book, it made some aspect of the story confusing to me or readers whom just picked up the book. The book was decently fast paced with its adventure and though its action. The book gives the reader an interesting and with plenty of action which is why i had liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2022
Only John Taylor could gain the use of Excalibur and then lose it twice in the course of an adventure. John Taylor has been granted the use of the famous sword by the Lady of the Lake in a quest to find the legendary King Arthur.
What follows is an epic adventure involving finding and losing the mystic sword, visiting an alterative dark and twisted version of Camelot, defeating an evil version of Merlin and finding and reviving King Arthur to complete a quest to prevent an army of elves from destroying the Nightside and all of humanity.
A tall order for anyone but John Taylor.
What follows is an epic adventure involving finding and losing the mystic sword, visiting an alterative dark and twisted version of Camelot, defeating an evil version of Merlin and finding and reviving King Arthur to complete a quest to prevent an army of elves from destroying the Nightside and all of humanity.
A tall order for anyone but John Taylor.
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