seak's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those "if you liked the first book, you'll like this one" types of sequels. I have a great time with Henderson's humor and his story is a unique, geekier urban fantasy than normal. It has many of the same urban fantasy tropes, but his twist adds something ... less sexy, but filled with humor that mostly works.
And I say "mostly" because, and this could just be me, he's also one of those author's obsessed with the '80s for some reason. I know, write what you know, but it's almost like some authors (maybe just Henderson and Ernest Cline for all I know) think that you only have street cred if you're an '80s geek. Knowing other types of geekery is not at the same level and beneath '80s geekery.
Now, admittedly, the Finn Fancy series has to do with a guy who gets outcast when he's a kid during the '80s and comes back in the present so that's pretty much all he knows. So I get it, I get why, but at the same time I'm tired of it now. And now that we're on book two, did we still really need to name all the chapters with '80s lyrics or songs? I mean, the protagonist is now learning about what happened since his exile.
But those complaints aside, I really did enjoy Bigfootloose and Finn Fancy Free. Henderson's humor shines with or without '80s references and it's a lot of fun. I like his whole mythos with the fae, fae-bloods, arcana, and any other magical you can think of. It's a great world and well presented.
For the audio, Todd Haberkorn, the narrator, presents Finn well - relatable, silly, and serious all when he needs to be.
The Finn Fancy series is recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy, but you've done the same vampires/wizards/werewolves stories and you need something new...with those same creatures... I promise it's different too.
3.5 out of 5 Stars (recommended)
And I say "mostly" because, and this could just be me, he's also one of those author's obsessed with the '80s for some reason. I know, write what you know, but it's almost like some authors (maybe just Henderson and Ernest Cline for all I know) think that you only have street cred if you're an '80s geek. Knowing other types of geekery is not at the same level and beneath '80s geekery.
Now, admittedly, the Finn Fancy series has to do with a guy who gets outcast when he's a kid during the '80s and comes back in the present so that's pretty much all he knows. So I get it, I get why, but at the same time I'm tired of it now. And now that we're on book two, did we still really need to name all the chapters with '80s lyrics or songs? I mean, the protagonist is now learning about what happened since his exile.
But those complaints aside, I really did enjoy Bigfootloose and Finn Fancy Free. Henderson's humor shines with or without '80s references and it's a lot of fun. I like his whole mythos with the fae, fae-bloods, arcana, and any other magical you can think of. It's a great world and well presented.
For the audio, Todd Haberkorn, the narrator, presents Finn well - relatable, silly, and serious all when he needs to be.
The Finn Fancy series is recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy, but you've done the same vampires/wizards/werewolves stories and you need something new...with those same creatures... I promise it's different too.
3.5 out of 5 Stars (recommended)
mrsjenniferwheeler's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't terribly impressed with the first Arcana book, but really enjoyed this one, so I'm glad I decided to continue with the series. Again, really like the unique spin on necromantic magic, and really love the abundance of magical creatures/beings - some envisioned in an way I would never have imagined on my own (I especially love Sal!). The author seems to have hit just the right combination of action/humour this time around as well. And alllllll the bonus points for making references to some of my favourite cult-classic movies: Krull, Clash of the Titans, and Spaceballs.
leons1701's review
3.0
I'm not sure why exactly, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. Not bad, but not something that really stood out either. Which is kind of sad when you're reading an urban fantasy about a heroic necromancer that has a knitting bigfoot looking for love, a scarred dryad, a were-squirrel and more among it's characters. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for 80's pop culture references (although I really liked the Flashdance one) or maybe because I keep comparing to Butcher (Dresden) or Hines (Libriomancer) and Henderson comes up short (hey, most writers in the urban fantasy genre do, it's not a big deal). I'm just not sure, but I really couldn't give this more than a perfectly serviceable three star rating (hey, 3 stars does mean I liked it, it's the one and two star category that's actually bad)
blodeuedd's review
3.0
What would I compare this book too, oh I forgot that I hate comparing books. Ok let's not compare it to another book. Instead let me tell you that it is urban fantasy mixed with humour and a mystery.
Finn is not a kick-ass hero. No, he is nerd lost in time since he spent 25 years getting his memories sucked out of him and not experiencing anything new (read book 1 to understand.) He is clumsy at time, but trying his best. And for that I like him, he is really normal, well for the exception that he is a necromancer.
In this book he decides to use an invention to find true love for people, well people and people. His first client is Bigfoot, and soon Finn is in trouble. The Fey are up to something. The Arcana Council are asses as always. War seems to be brewing again. And can poor Finn ever find the time to get time for a date with his girlfriend?
Like I said, humour! I always like that. A mystery as someone is dead, but what really happened? That got really complicated.
I did find the book even better than book 2. Something I do like when that happens. And at the and I found myself looking forward to book 3. Everything ended well enough, but yes there is something going on....
Finn is not a kick-ass hero. No, he is nerd lost in time since he spent 25 years getting his memories sucked out of him and not experiencing anything new (read book 1 to understand.) He is clumsy at time, but trying his best. And for that I like him, he is really normal, well for the exception that he is a necromancer.
In this book he decides to use an invention to find true love for people, well people and people. His first client is Bigfoot, and soon Finn is in trouble. The Fey are up to something. The Arcana Council are asses as always. War seems to be brewing again. And can poor Finn ever find the time to get time for a date with his girlfriend?
Like I said, humour! I always like that. A mystery as someone is dead, but what really happened? That got really complicated.
I did find the book even better than book 2. Something I do like when that happens. And at the and I found myself looking forward to book 3. Everything ended well enough, but yes there is something going on....
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