Reviews

Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green

analmeth's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

dmcke013's review

5.0

Once upon a time ...

this was my favourite book.

That was back in the early 90s, back when I was in my tweens and back before I had discovered the likes of [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] or [a:Bernard Cornwell|12542|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504578807p2/12542.jpg].

I then lost track of the author for a good two decades or so, only recently re-discovering him when I happened to chance across the 'GraphicAudio' version of the novel on Audible.

I did wonder what a GraphicAudio meant: simply that it was fully dramatized with a full cast, background music, sound effects etc etc - basically, everything but the actual visual aspect! - instead of only one, maybe two, no more than a handful of people reading the story.

As for that story? Firmly in the fantasy genre - Princes, dragons, unicorns, Princesses, magic, royal politics et al - however I do remember when I first read it all those years ago thinking that I had never come across anything quite like it before. That still holds true to this day: yes, it does have all those familiar elements of a classic Good vs Evil story, but the real delight is in the subverting of expectations, and in the story of Rupert and Julia and the DarkWood / Blue Moon.

mimmheyboer's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The novel unfolds as a clever quest narrative, featuring a sharp-tongued unicorn and a world-weary prince at its heart. The humor sparkles from the beginning, drawing the reader into a tale that escalates with intrigue. As the journey progresses, the characters evolve with remarkable depth, transforming the story into a moving experience filled with genuine surprises and heartfelt moments. While the conclusion delivers on expected beats, it also delights with ingenious twists.

What emerges from a lighthearted beginning is a literary treasure, a story that maintains its wit while weaving in layers of growth. The anticipation for the sequel is palpable, promising more of this richly crafted world and its unforgettable inhabitants.

ahab_jr's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

corprew's review

4.0

Prelude to the 'Hawk and Fisher' series. Great story, remarkably well written aside from frequent incongruous use of 'lass.'

levi_nolan's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

dawn_marie's review

4.0

“In those days there were heroes and villains, and darkness walked the earth. There were dragons to be slain, captured Princesses to be saved, and might deeds were accomplished by knights is shining armor. Many tales are told of that time, tales of steadfast bravery and derring-do. This isn’t one of them.” ~ And so begins the tale of Prince Rupert, the second son of King John of the Forest Lands. Simon Green’s Blue Moon Rising tells the tale of Rupert sent on a quest to find a dragon, a quest from which we was never supposed to return from. During his quest, Rupert manages to befriend a band of goblins, rescue a princess, save a dragon, retrieve a magical sword, and deal with the darkness threatening his homeland. The book is filled with interesting characters, quick-packed, and quite funny.

afarre01's review

4.0

Pros: exciting book, scary villains, lots of intrigue, good character development

Cons: characters are sometimes stupid for no reason, it bothered me that Rupert always says 'lass' when talking to Julia (she's a girl...we get it already!)

I gave it 4 of 5 stars because I thought that the author should have expanded on certain parts and missed an opportunity. I'm reading the second one now, so maybe later books will clear this up and I'll change my rating.

avalin1's review

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

salguod117's review

4.0

I very much enjoyed Green's first installment- He had likeable if flawed characters, and his humor kept the book from being cliche.