bradhelms's review
4.0
Another fun romp for Shaman Bond and Molly Metcalf. If you like this series it is a nice addition and fun as always. My only complaint is that it seemed to wrap up too quickly and neatly. There are a few plot points that just seem to either vanish or are dispensed with in a page or two. While this happens in this series, this time out it seems to be a little more. That said if you have read the first 7 books and are back for #8, you will enjoy it
sgilbert3114's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series so much. I really enjoyed this book, and I am continuously astounded by all the great characters that Green creates. The tension is definitely building between Eddie, Molly, and his family as more and more secrets are slowly being revealed. Can't wait to read what happens next. To read my full review, please visit my blog: https://allyouneedarebooksandcats.wordpress.com/2022/02/21/property-of-a-lady-faire/
cwebb's review against another edition
2.0
I quit reading the series a while back. Then I saw new books, and I figured "why not continue?" Now I know why: it's just not that good, not anymore.
A third of the book is spent on details to get every ready up to speed on what's happened in the many books before and how everything works. Another third seemingly is filled by repetitions of no-too-funny jokes and lines. "Why do you keep asking me questions you know I cannot answer?" Why indeed, Eddie Drood? Why indeed, Simon R.?
My heart aches when I give it only two stars, but it just didn't make me want to read more.
A third of the book is spent on details to get every ready up to speed on what's happened in the many books before and how everything works. Another third seemingly is filled by repetitions of no-too-funny jokes and lines. "Why do you keep asking me questions you know I cannot answer?" Why indeed, Eddie Drood? Why indeed, Simon R.?
My heart aches when I give it only two stars, but it just didn't make me want to read more.
jeremybost's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of the same old. It was a fun quick read that occupied a couple hours, but honestly these books follow the same basic plot with the same old writing style. Everyone is rich and powerful, but Drood armor is just a bit more powerful.
jennilathrop's review
2.0
Meh. I really don't like Eddie Drood and really miss the Nightside. I found this book to be a chore to get through. Eddie is the smartest person in every room and is never in any real peril because he's the Hero. Think I'm done with the Droods.
skredlitheogre's review
4.0
I love Simon R. Green. Around here, we call his work (Nightside, Secret Histories, the series about the Carnacki Institute) "enjoyable fluff." Although the books are relatively long, they're an easy read because there's not much braining to be done.
So, once again, Eddie and Molly are accused of doing something wrong and only they can save the world! Essentially. There's a new, but old, villain, a new MacGuffin to catch, and a new location to be reached. All-in-all, good fun.
Here's my main issue with this book: it was too long. There were parts described, in detail, that could have been left out, because they didn't apply to the main plot arc. Also, there was nothing really here that we haven't seen before. The beginning plot, the Incident, the Unstoppable Foe, the Deus Ex Machina.
I would have preferred to see Eddie (or Shaman) do more work without his torc, like he did in Casino Infernale. Eddie talks all the time about the traits needed to be a spy, but we rarely see those. When in doubt, bust out the armour instead of thinking your way through things.
Don't get me wrong: it was enjoyable. There was the usual cast of characters (Armourer, Sarjeant-at-Arms), a new character, Capability Maggie, and some good chuckles along the way. But there could be so much more to Eddie than there is. We need to see some character growth out of him. "I hate the family!" one minute, "Anything for the family!" the next. As it has been for eight books.
I would love to see the next book focus on Eddie dealing with an actual problem that punching in the face can't solve. Have Eddie be threatened somehow, force him to change and grow. At least, that's what I'm hoping for.
So, once again, Eddie and Molly are accused of doing something wrong and only they can save the world! Essentially. There's a new, but old, villain, a new MacGuffin to catch, and a new location to be reached. All-in-all, good fun.
Here's my main issue with this book: it was too long. There were parts described, in detail, that could have been left out, because they didn't apply to the main plot arc. Also, there was nothing really here that we haven't seen before. The beginning plot, the Incident, the Unstoppable Foe, the Deus Ex Machina.
I would have preferred to see Eddie (or Shaman) do more work without his torc, like he did in Casino Infernale. Eddie talks all the time about the traits needed to be a spy, but we rarely see those. When in doubt, bust out the armour instead of thinking your way through things.
Don't get me wrong: it was enjoyable. There was the usual cast of characters (Armourer, Sarjeant-at-Arms), a new character, Capability Maggie, and some good chuckles along the way. But there could be so much more to Eddie than there is. We need to see some character growth out of him. "I hate the family!" one minute, "Anything for the family!" the next. As it has been for eight books.
I would love to see the next book focus on Eddie dealing with an actual problem that punching in the face can't solve. Have Eddie be threatened somehow, force him to change and grow. At least, that's what I'm hoping for.
vkemp's review
3.0
Eddie Drood, AKA Shaman Bond, and the wild witch, Molly Metcalf, must find the Lazarus Stone in order to swap it for the lives of Eddie's parents. Or, so he thinks, Eddie and Molly travel to Ultima Thule to confront the Lady Faire and demand she return the stone, given to her by Eddie's uncle, James. The usual banter and blood-filled fights. Green has promised three more books in the series to finish off the Drood secret histories and then plans to concentrate on writing stand-alones.
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