disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
4.0
Just as good as the first with the same faults. An easy and enjoyable read in an interesting world, I look forward to reading more of these books.
joshuafr's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aknas22's review against another edition
3.0
Not as enjoyable as the first. Maybe because the mystery Garrett found himself embroiled in was much more grim.
antonism's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 / 5
Bitter Gold Hearts is the 2nd novel in the Garrett PI series by Glen Cook. In many respects, it follows the path taken by the first novel in the series and thus it is quite similar. We still have our protagonist, Garrett the detective who is a typical witty hard-boiled crime-noir type character. He is as cliched as you can imagine but this is exactly what one expects and wants from such a story. The cast in this novel is big and varied and the plot threads keep tangling almost until the very end.
I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot but still I have some minor gripes that I should mentioned to justify the grade. The writing style was similar to the first but something was off. I can't quite put my finger exactly on what that is but the best way I can describe it is that it was a bit uneven in style and mood. Sometimes if felt uninspired, other times it felt forced. Still, there was quite a load of quote-worthy passages!
Another minor gripe is that the plot felt unnecessary complicated at times.
And finally, something that made me cut another half-point and I'm worried that it might be something of a trend in this series, is the way women are presented and contextualized throughout the book. It's like they are either bad, mean, capable of every evil thing or incapable of anything and always with some sexual tension surrounding them. And mark my words, if in his next book he keeps describing, mentioning or presenting teenage girls as the peak of sexual desire, I'm gonna drop that book that instant.
But, apart from these little complains this book is a lot of fun, especially for someone wanting an interesting detective crime-noir novel with a fantasy sprinkling. Recommended!
3.5 / 5
Bitter Gold Hearts is the 2nd novel in the Garrett PI series by Glen Cook. In many respects, it follows the path taken by the first novel in the series and thus it is quite similar. We still have our protagonist, Garrett the detective who is a typical witty hard-boiled crime-noir type character. He is as cliched as you can imagine but this is exactly what one expects and wants from such a story. The cast in this novel is big and varied and the plot threads keep tangling almost until the very end.
I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot but still I have some minor gripes that I should mentioned to justify the grade. The writing style was similar to the first but something was off. I can't quite put my finger exactly on what that is but the best way I can describe it is that it was a bit uneven in style and mood. Sometimes if felt uninspired, other times it felt forced. Still, there was quite a load of quote-worthy passages!
Another minor gripe is that the plot felt unnecessary complicated at times.
And finally, something that made me cut another half-point and I'm worried that it might be something of a trend in this series, is the way women are presented and contextualized throughout the book. It's like they are either bad, mean, capable of every evil thing or incapable of anything and always with some sexual tension surrounding them. And mark my words, if in his next book he keeps describing, mentioning or presenting teenage girls as the peak of sexual desire, I'm gonna drop that book that instant.
But, apart from these little complains this book is a lot of fun, especially for someone wanting an interesting detective crime-noir novel with a fantasy sprinkling. Recommended!
3.5 / 5
toeffy's review against another edition
2.0
Not at all like the first book
After liking Sweet Silver Blues so much, I'd decided to use the series as a palate cleanser between heavier books and as light entertainment for the tougher times in life. Alas, if the series continues in the vein of the second book, I'll have to pass on it.
There was just too much going on. Names were dropped at every corner, hints here and there, Garrett's thought process mainly took place behind the scenes and his jumps to conclusions were not always comprehensible.
Also, as already mentioned, there were too many people, too many plot threads for such a short book and I had stopped caring about any of the characters about a third in. Inclusion of such heavy duty themes like torture, grooming, and incest didn't make it any better.
I am most certainly biased, because I went in expecting something light and linear like the first book in the series had been. Nevertheless, since my reviews are just as subjective and biased as I am, I feel justified in giving a low rating at least as a warning to people who go in with similar expectations.
2/5
After liking Sweet Silver Blues so much, I'd decided to use the series as a palate cleanser between heavier books and as light entertainment for the tougher times in life. Alas, if the series continues in the vein of the second book, I'll have to pass on it.
There was just too much going on. Names were dropped at every corner, hints here and there, Garrett's thought process mainly took place behind the scenes and his jumps to conclusions were not always comprehensible.
Also, as already mentioned, there were too many people, too many plot threads for such a short book and I had stopped caring about any of the characters about a third in. Inclusion of such heavy duty themes like torture, grooming, and incest didn't make it any better.
I am most certainly biased, because I went in expecting something light and linear like the first book in the series had been. Nevertheless, since my reviews are just as subjective and biased as I am, I feel justified in giving a low rating at least as a warning to people who go in with similar expectations.
2/5
readgreed's review against another edition
5.0
I like Glen Cook's preposterous upending of a fair damsel leading a hackneyed detective astray, set in the TunFaire city where no one wants to know your name, where the elite rule by magic.
Adding to Garrett's woes is the jealous maybe redhead fiancee while his elderly housekeeper is also trying to matchmake him with various nieces. Add in a mix of ogres, the city's underbelly bosses and some murder, this explosive mixture ends up forcing the PI to also deal with the local police force.
There's just too much going on her to include every plot element - the zany fun somehow makes sense and just sit back and enjoy the reading pleasure!
Adding to Garrett's woes is the jealous maybe redhead fiancee while his elderly housekeeper is also trying to matchmake him with various nieces. Add in a mix of ogres, the city's underbelly bosses and some murder, this explosive mixture ends up forcing the PI to also deal with the local police force.
There's just too much going on her to include every plot element - the zany fun somehow makes sense and just sit back and enjoy the reading pleasure!
nghia's review against another edition
3.0
I have a (almost entirely unsatisfied) sweet tooth for alt-noir detective stuff like this. That is, I like it in theory but the reality never lives up to what I crave. The Garrett Files aren't as good as Raymond Chandler. I realize that's about as cutting a criticism as saying a play isn't as good as Shakespeare.
There is nothing terribly bad about Bitter Gold Hearts. The weaknesses are the same weaknesses that all detective series have: the same sidekicks get recycled every book, for instance. The author cheats with the first person point of view in order to have a "surprise" for the reader. (i.e. "And then the witch gave me three spells and told me how to activate them" without telling the reader what the spells are)
These aren't great literature. They aren't pretending to be, though. They are acceptable entertainment for a few hours. I'll probably read the other books in the series over time but I don't exactly have a craving to read them RIGHT NOW.
There is nothing terribly bad about Bitter Gold Hearts. The weaknesses are the same weaknesses that all detective series have: the same sidekicks get recycled every book, for instance. The author cheats with the first person point of view in order to have a "surprise" for the reader. (i.e. "And then the witch gave me three spells and told me how to activate them" without telling the reader what the spells are)
These aren't great literature. They aren't pretending to be, though. They are acceptable entertainment for a few hours. I'll probably read the other books in the series over time but I don't exactly have a craving to read them RIGHT NOW.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
I'm starting to buy that the sexism is intentional.
lottpoet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0