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Marla Mason #8
Lady of Misrule
Marla awakens for her month on Earth and finds her allies missing, and an old enemy causing trouble in her home city of Felport, where Marla once ruled as chief sorcerer.
Meanwhile, a rather charming gentlemen who happens to be a monstrous exile from beyond our multiverse has decided that murdering gods might be a fun pastime, and he figures he'll start with Marla.
With the help of her former apprentice Bradley Bowman, Marla has to rescue her friends, crush her enemies, and eliminate the aforementioned existential threat–before her month runs out and she returns to the underworld.
Meanwhile, a rather charming gentlemen who happens to be a monstrous exile from beyond our multiverse has decided that murdering gods might be a fun pastime, and he figures he'll start with Marla.
With the help of her former apprentice Bradley Bowman, Marla has to rescue her friends, crush her enemies, and eliminate the aforementioned existential threat–before her month runs out and she returns to the underworld.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2015
7 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
T.A. Pratt
24 books126 followersT.A. Pratt is the pseudonym of Tim Pratt, under which he penned the Marla Mason books.
I've crowdfunded seven projects (four through Kickstarter) successfully in the past few years, and I don't foresee any problems with this one, either. I write novels for a living, and this is a book I'm excited to do. It's always possible there will be bumps and delays on the production process, or an unforeseen illness or other disaster, but if so, I'll keep everyone posted, and we'll get there in the end.
I've crowdfunded seven projects (four through Kickstarter) successfully in the past few years, and I don't foresee any problems with this one, either. I write novels for a living, and this is a book I'm excited to do. It's always possible there will be bumps and delays on the production process, or an unforeseen illness or other disaster, but if so, I'll keep everyone posted, and we'll get there in the end.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 15, 2018
I’m my mind, there are two distinct eras of Pratt’s Marla Mason series: Books 1-4, the trad published stories that I’m assuming involved editors over his shoulder telling him to “tone it down a little,” and everything beyond Book 5, the self-published, kickstarted novels where he went hogwild and wrote whatever the hell he pleased. Both have merit, but I find myself missing his earlier works at this point in the series. They always had a brilliant balance of traditional urban fantasy elements and the truly bizarre ideas that make his works so memorable and unique. They’re still among the best I’ve read of the genre. In these later books, however, that balance has all but disappeared in favor of every ridiculous plot point imaginable. I miss the slightly dark, more serious aspects of the first books. At this point, every character is snarky and over the top. Every situation is as far-fetched as possible. And therefore nothing stands out as remarkable because it’s all at level 10. I also don’t like his multiple dimensions twist to the story (introduced in book 5), which the plot keeps coming back to.
Even though they’re not as satisfying, I will concede that these later books have been fun. I didn’t get a lot out of Lady of Misrule, in particular, because at this point in the series, I was hoping for something deeper and more compelling to develop (rather than just one more recycled “let’s fight the big, bad monster” plotline). Unfortunately, I absolutely hated a twist to the story he revealed at the end. It eliminated the single plot point I’d been continuing to discover more about. Woe is me! It’s the pits when an author makes a decision that kills your enthusiasm. It is what it is.
On the whole, I still recommend the first 4 books with unbridled enthusiasm. They’re great. Even through I didn’t care for book 5 (Broken Mirrors), I see its value for plot advancement. I really liked book 6, but have felt a general decline since. I’m not sure at this point if I even want to finish the series. The author kind of crapped on all of the plot elements from earlier books I’d felt any sort of investment in. That said, I still kind of want to know where the story ends. Decisions.
Recommendations: as mentioned (and beat to death) in my review, I’d highly recommend the first four books in this series (plus the first prequel), which are still among my all-time favorites. Books after that, however, I don’t feel I can endorse with confidence. It’s such an interesting and different urban fantasy, I’d recommend it to those familiar with the genre but sick of the same old tropes.
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
Even though they’re not as satisfying, I will concede that these later books have been fun. I didn’t get a lot out of Lady of Misrule, in particular, because at this point in the series, I was hoping for something deeper and more compelling to develop (rather than just one more recycled “let’s fight the big, bad monster” plotline). Unfortunately, I absolutely hated a twist to the story he revealed at the end. It eliminated the single plot point I’d been continuing to discover more about. Woe is me! It’s the pits when an author makes a decision that kills your enthusiasm. It is what it is.
On the whole, I still recommend the first 4 books with unbridled enthusiasm. They’re great. Even through I didn’t care for book 5 (Broken Mirrors), I see its value for plot advancement. I really liked book 6, but have felt a general decline since. I’m not sure at this point if I even want to finish the series. The author kind of crapped on all of the plot elements from earlier books I’d felt any sort of investment in. That said, I still kind of want to know where the story ends. Decisions.
Recommendations: as mentioned (and beat to death) in my review, I’d highly recommend the first four books in this series (plus the first prequel), which are still among my all-time favorites. Books after that, however, I don’t feel I can endorse with confidence. It’s such an interesting and different urban fantasy, I’d recommend it to those familiar with the genre but sick of the same old tropes.
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
December 10, 2024
Marla isn't quite as likeable when you don't have the benefit of being in her head a bit to understand why she's making harsh decisions... especially hypocritical ones...
That ending tho...
I hear book 9 redeems this book... I'll see soon enough...
Re-read EDIT: it does...
That ending tho...
I hear book 9 redeems this book... I'll see soon enough...
Re-read EDIT: it does...
November 29, 2015
Disclaimer: I'm not putting spoiler tags on this, but it gets close to a possible line. Those who are particularly sensitive should avoid the second half of the review.
First let me get a few things out-of-the-way. This is a very readable story. I got it this afternoon and killed it the same night. The characters are funny, flawed, and developed; the pacing of narrative is generally flowing and smooth, with few seams or disconnects to ruin enjoyment.
Also designated nice guy Bradley returns, and gets in on the snark. Overall, Marla Mason has transitioned into an ensemble series (common when there are many vibrant characters), and that's not a bad thing. Everyone has fun, there's genuine emotion positive and negative.
I think T.A. Pratt has some very real things to say, and his frequent dips into pop culture make a bit more palatable his investigations into comparative ethics, the monomyth, and perception.
I think you should read this.
It does have several of the common self-publishing weaknesses: the occasional typo, some self-indulgent authorial segments. Marzi reads like a authorial self insertion character, and there feels like a sort of blurriness regarding some of the secondary characters — non-expository people drop infodumps, and everyone is snarky and genre savvy to one degree or another, even those who weren't before. Character growth? T.A. Pratt growing more comfortable as an author? Or just one too many episodes of Buffy while writing? I don't know.
Now comes the reason why I seriously disliked this story. Not the book — the story. This is my own personal bias, and anyone else can and likely will have a different reaction. There are certain authorial techniques that feel like bullshit when not grounded firmly enough, and there are others that just push my buttons. Identity death is one of those. And… well… here's another one.
While most book series have arcs, the pulpiness of this series makes it feel like a TV series, and this is the end of the season. It certainly feels that way. Pratt has been exploring characters, looking for plot, and he's found it.
Marla has never been a good character, firmly planted far on the pragmatic side of the pragmatic-idealistic spectrum. However, in most cases, there was a greater cause, or a redeeming virtue. In every review so far, I've regretted Marla's lack of kindness. She knows she is flawed, and her weakness is her strength: she doesn't care. For me, in this book, Marla has crossed the Moral Event Horizon and gone firmly into villain protagonist. This is especially interesting due to the rationalization — if there is one virtue Marla holds dear, it's faithfulness, especially to a charge. It's what has allowed her to commit horrible things in the past and forgive others their sins against her. In this, that one last true bulwark is compromised, in a self-serving justification. This is shattering of Fidelacchius for the Dresden fans (see Skin Game).
I'm no longer interested in her, or her story. She did it to herself, she's not going to change, and with her power and attitude, the descent into a complete monster (in the TVTropes sense) is inevitable. This is further complicated by the ending. She's going to go crazy, she's already evil, someone needs to put her out of her misery. I don't know if that was Pratt's plan, how far he has plotted this series. The world is rich and vibrant, and there are plenty of others out there — I'm sure the Marla Mason series will continue. Book №9 is in production now, and we'll have to see what happens.
First let me get a few things out-of-the-way. This is a very readable story. I got it this afternoon and killed it the same night. The characters are funny, flawed, and developed; the pacing of narrative is generally flowing and smooth, with few seams or disconnects to ruin enjoyment.
Also designated nice guy Bradley returns, and gets in on the snark. Overall, Marla Mason has transitioned into an ensemble series (common when there are many vibrant characters), and that's not a bad thing. Everyone has fun, there's genuine emotion positive and negative.
I think T.A. Pratt has some very real things to say, and his frequent dips into pop culture make a bit more palatable his investigations into comparative ethics, the monomyth, and perception.
I think you should read this.
It does have several of the common self-publishing weaknesses: the occasional typo, some self-indulgent authorial segments. Marzi reads like a authorial self insertion character, and there feels like a sort of blurriness regarding some of the secondary characters — non-expository people drop infodumps, and everyone is snarky and genre savvy to one degree or another, even those who weren't before. Character growth? T.A. Pratt growing more comfortable as an author? Or just one too many episodes of Buffy while writing? I don't know.
Now comes the reason why I seriously disliked this story. Not the book — the story. This is my own personal bias, and anyone else can and likely will have a different reaction. There are certain authorial techniques that feel like bullshit when not grounded firmly enough, and there are others that just push my buttons. Identity death is one of those. And… well… here's another one.
While most book series have arcs, the pulpiness of this series makes it feel like a TV series, and this is the end of the season. It certainly feels that way. Pratt has been exploring characters, looking for plot, and he's found it.
Marla has never been a good character, firmly planted far on the pragmatic side of the pragmatic-idealistic spectrum. However, in most cases, there was a greater cause, or a redeeming virtue. In every review so far, I've regretted Marla's lack of kindness. She knows she is flawed, and her weakness is her strength: she doesn't care. For me, in this book, Marla has crossed the Moral Event Horizon and gone firmly into villain protagonist. This is especially interesting due to the rationalization — if there is one virtue Marla holds dear, it's faithfulness, especially to a charge. It's what has allowed her to commit horrible things in the past and forgive others their sins against her. In this, that one last true bulwark is compromised, in a self-serving justification. This is shattering of Fidelacchius for the Dresden fans (see Skin Game).
I'm no longer interested in her, or her story. She did it to herself, she's not going to change, and with her power and attitude, the descent into a complete monster (in the TVTropes sense) is inevitable. This is further complicated by the ending. She's going to go crazy, she's already evil, someone needs to put her out of her misery. I don't know if that was Pratt's plan, how far he has plotted this series. The world is rich and vibrant, and there are plenty of others out there — I'm sure the Marla Mason series will continue. Book №9 is in production now, and we'll have to see what happens.
January 25, 2015
Loved it, from start to finish. Except now I've finished it, and... well, you know, THE ENDING... Oh god, my poor heart, like even though Death wasn't in the books a whole lot I got a very strong sense that he meant a lot to Marla, and what I saw of him I quite liked, and having the cliffhanger be that HE'S DEAD...
Yeah, I'm not okay. Let me know when the next Kickstarter is 'cause woo-boy, I need closure.
The book itself, though, I quite enjoyed. I liked seeing all my favorite characters, with the subtle addition of a some new ones (like Sierra, A TALKING CAR), and I enjoyed seeing Nicholette changing into a different person by accident, and I really liked that there's still the continuing theme that Marla's role as the protagonist does not make her (remotely) infallible. In fact, I liked that so little of the book was actually from her perspective, and that it was mostly how other people saw her, from Marzi who'd just met her to B and Rondeau who've known her for a while.
All in all, a fantastic read, with the usual excellent world-building and layering I've come to enjoy in Pratt's Marla Mason books. I cannot wait for the next book, should there be one. I'm hoping the cliffhanger ending is an indicator that a sequel is intended.
Yeah, I'm not okay. Let me know when the next Kickstarter is 'cause woo-boy, I need closure.
The book itself, though, I quite enjoyed. I liked seeing all my favorite characters, with the subtle addition of a some new ones (like Sierra, A TALKING CAR), and I enjoyed seeing Nicholette changing into a different person by accident, and I really liked that there's still the continuing theme that Marla's role as the protagonist does not make her (remotely) infallible. In fact, I liked that so little of the book was actually from her perspective, and that it was mostly how other people saw her, from Marzi who'd just met her to B and Rondeau who've known her for a while.
All in all, a fantastic read, with the usual excellent world-building and layering I've come to enjoy in Pratt's Marla Mason books. I cannot wait for the next book, should there be one. I'm hoping the cliffhanger ending is an indicator that a sequel is intended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2015
Very good writing from Pratt, as usual. However, this novel feels over-packed.
Marzie - the new character - seemed strong enough to launch a new series, running alongside the Marla Mason series and Pratt alludes to a past adventure (he might have covered it in a novella or short story). Saying that is, of course, easier said than done. I know that a spin-off only works if it spins off of something but why not introduce Marzie in Bride of Death when Marla was riding across the country on a motorcycle.
Marzie - the new character - seemed strong enough to launch a new series, running alongside the Marla Mason series and Pratt alludes to a past adventure (he might have covered it in a novella or short story). Saying that is, of course, easier said than done. I know that a spin-off only works if it spins off of something but why not introduce Marzie in Bride of Death when Marla was riding across the country on a motorcycle.
May 1, 2024
I enjoyed the entry, but I do feel like I enjoyed the early books more. I was waffling between a 3 & 4 here, but decided to round up.
A few cool things about this entry--a lot of disparate older elements came back in this book! So nice to see old favs and old antagonists all in a big crazy Marla salad. I even enjoyed Nicolette in this book--and I was getting somewhat tired of her. That end twist though! Very Marla, but also sad...
After how Marla wiped the floor with the big bads in the previous entry, I was wondering how Pratt would manage to escalate and keep the pressure on. Question answered, and with a pretty decent battle sequence at the end. Still, the book had a hard time holding my interest for some reason--like a little kid on a road trip, part of my brain kept saying "are we there yet?"
A few cool things about this entry--a lot of disparate older elements came back in this book! So nice to see old favs and old antagonists all in a big crazy Marla salad. I even enjoyed Nicolette in this book--and I was getting somewhat tired of her. That end twist though! Very Marla, but also sad...
After how Marla wiped the floor with the big bads in the previous entry, I was wondering how Pratt would manage to escalate and keep the pressure on. Question answered, and with a pretty decent battle sequence at the end. Still, the book had a hard time holding my interest for some reason--like a little kid on a road trip, part of my brain kept saying "are we there yet?"
January 25, 2018
I keep jumping between a 3 and a 4 for this one. I found it to be quite fun, but at the same time, it felt like a bit of a retread. I liked the idea that Nicolette has become a rather good protector of the city, and I found it odd how Marla responded at the very end. perhaps that will get cleared up in the next book. another thing that bugged me is that Marla made a specific point about not liking the "ess" diminutive on the word goddess, saying "Nobody ever got away with calling me a sorceress or an enchantress..." and then everyone, including Marla herself, use the word goddess every time from that point on. I do like the continued development of Marla and her situation, and I look forward to the final 2 books.
February 5, 2020
A mostly mediocre end to a series. Unfortunately, after the main line books, this series kinda lost it's footing, and the prose never really recovered. There's a tendency to continuously remind readers what happened in past books, in ways that don't sound like how people actually talk. The stakes of this book are almost laughably high, especially because it's largely a reprieve of the 4th book (including a casual reference of 'oh, those things that gave you so much trouble? we keep them as pets') Dunno, maybe I'm just older now, but I felt like the first couple books in this series were genuinely solid, and this is mediocre at best.
April 6, 2023
A fun romp. I do feel like Pratt should stop saying that Marla doesn't ever ask for help. She didn't so much in the early books, but she is a pragmatic woman who uses the resources she has when she needs to. That means she asks for help plenty in the later books.
In a way, the biggest weakness and strength of the books is that Pratt continues to repeat the same things in different configurations for the latter half. The multiverse is threatened. Marla's friends and allies circle up. The enemy is defeated but not through brute strength. And it's different every time. And I love it. But reading all the books back to back it's a pretty clear pattern.
In a way, the biggest weakness and strength of the books is that Pratt continues to repeat the same things in different configurations for the latter half. The multiverse is threatened. Marla's friends and allies circle up. The enemy is defeated but not through brute strength. And it's different every time. And I love it. But reading all the books back to back it's a pretty clear pattern.
March 17, 2018
Really fun and a great continuation of the Marla Mason stories. I read this then realized I have missed some of the earlier novels - so had a few things to catch up on but largely enjoyed the book. However that said it is certainly not a jumping on point - I would definitely suggest starting with the books in order (as well as tracking down the related short stories)
November 28, 2018
Uses the split foci of the narrative to positive effect, and continues to complicate Marla's character by pointing out her flaws and moral failures.
Read
July 18, 2022Very surprising ending. Excellant!
December 17, 2017
So. That was a solid Marla Mason story, with several engaging twists. (Fans, you'll never see Nicollette coming. Really. It's--you'll just have to read it.)
With each new book, I do wonder how Pratt's going to manage to up the stakes. I mean, at this point, Marla's overcome so many Big Bads, with a capital "B" (no offense, Bowman,) andeven made inroads on her own bloody-mindedness...yeah. So how do you find something worse? Pratt keeps managing it, somehow--though the plots are starting to feel a little mechanical at points, they're still entertaining and fresh. Plus, all the juicy, juicy character development.
I think that these books are my feminist answer to The Dresden Files, which I just couldn't tolerate. Marla's not a nice person, but Pratt manages to write an often unlikeable character without resorting to sexist stereotypes. That's a hell of an achievement.
With each new book, I do wonder how Pratt's going to manage to up the stakes. I mean, at this point, Marla's overcome so many Big Bads, with a capital "B" (no offense, Bowman,) and
I think that these books are my feminist answer to The Dresden Files, which I just couldn't tolerate. Marla's not a nice person, but Pratt manages to write an often unlikeable character without resorting to sexist stereotypes. That's a hell of an achievement.
June 20, 2015
Surprising
I was interested and surprised by many of the turns this story took and even more intrigued by the ending. I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that it was upsetting that so many of the characters are being elevated to Goodwood and losing their interest/loyalty to our reality, but in the context of the world Pratt has created, this makes complete sense. I look forward to a follow-up novel to resolve the questions left open by this one. Good book but definitely not a great jumping on point for new readers.
I was interested and surprised by many of the turns this story took and even more intrigued by the ending. I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that it was upsetting that so many of the characters are being elevated to Goodwood and losing their interest/loyalty to our reality, but in the context of the world Pratt has created, this makes complete sense. I look forward to a follow-up novel to resolve the questions left open by this one. Good book but definitely not a great jumping on point for new readers.
February 1, 2016
This one jumps around between multiple viewpoints, and that was part of what made this one feel so disjointed. [Really? We needed a chapter from Crapsey's point of view?]
I have to agree that Marla did something near the end that was uncharacteristic and a bad idea. [EDIT: In book 9, the why gets explained and makes sense.]
I ended the book upset for Marla and I'm looking forward to the next one - but hopefully it's back to mostly one viewpoint.
I have to agree that Marla did something near the end that was uncharacteristic and a bad idea. [EDIT: In book 9, the why gets explained and makes sense.]
I ended the book upset for Marla and I'm looking forward to the next one - but hopefully it's back to mostly one viewpoint.
May 8, 2015
As always, the newest Marla Mason novel is a fun read. Plenty of action and snappy dialogue, and the plot twists keep things interesting. The end of the novel has a cliffhanger that left me a little pouty about having to wait until the next novel, but at least I know it'll be out by the beginning of next year.
March 10, 2015
T.A. Pratt once again does not disappoint with his latest installment of the Marla Mason series. this book was highly enjoyable, the ending was a bit of a shock, and I can't wait to see how Marla and company deal with such and major shift in the status quo!
April 3, 2015
The story goes on
I'd say this series was past it's sell by date, but come on, it's cheesy fun. The plot is ridiculous, the writing is pedestrian, the characters cliche, but it's still fun. As long as Pratt pumps them out I'll keep reading them.
I'd say this series was past it's sell by date, but come on, it's cheesy fun. The plot is ridiculous, the writing is pedestrian, the characters cliche, but it's still fun. As long as Pratt pumps them out I'll keep reading them.
April 18, 2015
Another Marla Mason book is always fun, but I wonder if maybe the author isn't sure what direction to take the series. The whole Witch Queen of Felport Arc was lot of fun, I hope we get another major arc as well before the series comes to a close.
June 2, 2016
4.5 stars for the use of Marzi and Bradley's viewpoints to interpret Marla's actions in a fresh light and an ending that left me blinking and made me immediately hit the "Buy" button for the next book.
May 28, 2016
Whoo, crossover! And the ending, woof.
May 22, 2015
So glad these books keep coming. But this one. Ugh. Magical dagger right through the heart.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews