"The Hollow Kingdom" - First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

A new month with hopefully lighter fare!

What are your initial thoughts?

Please hang onto any details for when the full discussion thread opens in the next few days!

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ death of animals, lots of gore/body horror including eyes. (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

I only wanted to have a quick 'look' (well on audio), but then it was such a quick listen that I already finished. But I noted my first impression at 5% to be authentic for this thread ;D:

First impression: complete weirdos! I'm already laughing. It needs a bit more concentration on my part for the audio but this looks like a cheerful read.

(the 'more concentration' part was because it mentions a lot of typical US stuff most readers are familiar with, but I am not, so I had to figure out what he was talking about - at least now I know what cheetohs are.)

[Christopher]

My initial thought when reading this was that the narrator was relatively crass (which I imagine is done for both humor and to reflect that the human who's ST's [the initials even stand for something unseemly] owner spoke like that).

For me, that manner of speaking wasn't funny and was a major turn-off. I'd expect for others this might not have been a big deal and they may have found it funnier than I did.

[Gabi]

Christopher wrote: "For me, that manner of speaking wasn't funny and was a major turn-off. I'd expect for others this might not have been a big deal and they may have found it funnier than I did. "

Yes, here, me! While this kind of cheeky talk didn't work for me in "Gideon the Ninth" at all and hence killed the book, I really liked it out of the mouth (sorry, beak) of a crow.

[Kari]

Initial thoughts: hilarious. I love S.T. Need to make my partner read this. Seems to even have a little bit of emotional depth, which is always appreciated with my humor. I love all the different types of animals and how they're portrayed (the cat!!!). Looking forward to a light read in heavy times!

[Ruth]

the cat needs his own story.

[Kari]

Ruth wrote: "the cat needs his own story."

I'd be so into that. That cat is my hero.

[Francisca]

Just wanted to drop in to say that I managed to a) get a copy and b) have time to read in a timely fashion for the first time in months - so I'm excited to join in what sounds like a rather absurd read from all the comments above. :-)

[Stella]

Loved the main character, but the plot goes on a bit too long.

[Anna]

Taylor, if you did not know it had a certain element, then you probably should not mention it in the non-spoiler thread :)

[Gabi]

While I appreciate that you deleted your slightly spoilery comment, Taylor, I completely agree with you. I had exactly the same feelings (as soon as the spoiler thread opens up we can discuss it there).

[Anna]

You didn't need to delete the entire comment, Taylor! But Gabi is right, the spoiler thread will open very soon :)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

It has a definite voice, doesn't it? I like many of the POVs.

[BookTurtle360]

I need this book right now.

[Ellen]

Started this book with no idea what it was about. Never read a description just knew it was one of this month's reads from the email.
Listening to the audio and had an initial WTF? reaction. Liking it so far though.

[Gabi]

I, too, listened to it on audio. I find the narrator is very good. He breathed so much life into the characters.

[Sarah]

I just started this and I'm enjoying it so far. The cat is hilarious but I'm hoping it won't be all of the characters that are so profane. What's funny in one character can become tedious if it's the entire book.

[Sarah]

"death potatoes!" what a fabulous name for grizzly bear cubs!

[Kari]

Sarah wrote: ""death potatoes!" what a fabulous name for grizzly bear cubs!"

I live in East TN close to the Smokies so I tend to see lots of black bears. Death potatoes is such an accurate description for all bear cubs. Irresistible but also you're probably going to die (because of the mom).

[Patricia]

I’m almost to the end of the book. This book is such an homage to the Seattle area. I’m really appreciating everything about it. I needed the laugh. Even the “lurid” language made me chuckle at times. Have lots of thoughts but will wait for spoiler time.

[Anat]

Reading on kindle and I am having mixed feelings about this it starts to feel like chore, so I think I'll DNF... looks like I'm the odd one out as usual 🙃

[Christopher]

Anat, I also DNF'ed at 50%

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I don't think this is quite my kind of humor.

[Francisca]

Allison wrote: "I don't think this is quite my kind of humor."

Ditto, I keep reading because I'm far enough that now I want to know what happens but I find myself skimming most of the chapters...

[Oleksandr]

Started it today. So far, fine but not awesome. Attempts at being funny sometimes sound forced to me, but that may be just my non-native English

[Cheryl]

Yeah, no. I dnf'd too. Not my type of funny, nor as insightful/ wise/ metaphorical as I wished. (I dnf'd early because so many readers I trust read further and then dnf'd. I appreciate that they saved me from wasting time better spent on my hundreds of other to-read books.)

[Rachel]

A couple chapters in so far. I like the general concept but... I want to like the different POVs but they seem a bit too similar (I thought i was ok with vulgarity but maybe there’s a limit)

[Sarah]

Rachel wrote: "A couple chapters in so far. I like the general concept but... I want to like the different POVs but they seem a bit too similar (I thought i was ok with vulgarity but maybe there’s a limit)"

That was one of the things that bothered me, the way they're all kind of the same. Like, if it's one character it's a personality quirk, but if it's the whole book it's a shtick.

[Ken]

I'm a few chapters in and it seems like it's going to be a pretty funny book. A zombie apocalypse-type theme, coupled with a quest for solutions, in a city that I am very familiar with. I think I'm going to like this one.

[Lana]

I'm not usually into this kind of vulgar humor, but it seems like it is exactly what I need right now. I'm loving the extra chapters with different animals that aren't part of the main storyline (as far as I know), the poodle in chapter two already had me laughing out loud and the cat in chapter four was fantastic. I agree with the others, the cat absolutely needs his own book.

I would love to see this turned into an animated Netflix series.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Hi Lana! Just be careful, we try not to do specifics in this thread because some folks are intensely spoiler averse. I don't think you need to remove anything, but it's right on the edge.

I'm so glad it's working for you! Sometimes stumbling into something that is just right for the moment is such a joy.

[Lana]

Allison wrote: "Hi Lana! Just be careful, we try not to do specifics in this thread because some folks are intensely spoiler averse. I don't think you need to remove anything, but it's right on the edge.

I'm so g..."

Got it! Will be more careful in future! I'm new to the group and still learning (><)
Looking forward to talking to everyone on the spoiler thread once I've finished the book.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Not a problem! It's a very sticky area, no harm done. Can't wait to hear your thoughts ^^

[Tom]

Just started listening to it tonight and agree with Ellen. I'm wondering wtf I have gotten myself into but still enjoying it.

[Bobby]

I'm late to the party, but I finally got the e-book from my library. I will try to jump in this discussion and the full spoiler one as soon as I can get to it.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I am really late, but I started reading this hilarious novel a few days ago. I love it! So funny, and it is also a wonderful tour of my home city, Seattle! And I agree, the cat should have had a larger part, more that of a supporting actor character, instead of as an occasional walk-on guest. Of course, Ghenghis would probably be unsatisfied in any role less than that of the star!