mad_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
Although I promised the author a review when I read this book some three years ago, for some reason the review never happened. I am really sorry about that because CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is truly a breakthrough novel of the highest order. Almost worse than never writing and posting the review, I don't seem to remember (or have any record of) how the promise came to be made. Brent Michael Kelley, if and when you read this, any clue would be most appreciated. Here is my attempt to rectify the error of my ways.
I found Norchug Mot Losiat, most often called Chuggie, a unique protagonist and the entire work completely and refreshingly original. Since "Lord of the Rings," I have found that few writers can create the elaborate world of fantasy that suspends belief with the alacrity of J. R. R. Tolkien. In order for fantasy to work, the reader must believe wholeheartedly that the words portray fact even when intelligence screams 'how can this be?' Brent Michael Kelley has done this with alacrity.
I am generally turned off by the obviously made-up names so favored by fantasy writers. If I were scrolling through a description of a book and came across a name like Norchug Mot Losiat, I would probably take a pass, simply because the effort of saying the name in my mind is just too much. However, who would not be enamored of a character called Chuggie; a name that is easy on the mind and quite descriptive of the creature.
To say that I enjoyed reading CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is understatement in the first degree. I quite literally could not put the book down. I do not do spoilers. A book is meant to be discovered by each and every reader. Savor this one as you would a fine wine with a totally quirky name.
I found Norchug Mot Losiat, most often called Chuggie, a unique protagonist and the entire work completely and refreshingly original. Since "Lord of the Rings," I have found that few writers can create the elaborate world of fantasy that suspends belief with the alacrity of J. R. R. Tolkien. In order for fantasy to work, the reader must believe wholeheartedly that the words portray fact even when intelligence screams 'how can this be?' Brent Michael Kelley has done this with alacrity.
I am generally turned off by the obviously made-up names so favored by fantasy writers. If I were scrolling through a description of a book and came across a name like Norchug Mot Losiat, I would probably take a pass, simply because the effort of saying the name in my mind is just too much. However, who would not be enamored of a character called Chuggie; a name that is easy on the mind and quite descriptive of the creature.
To say that I enjoyed reading CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is understatement in the first degree. I quite literally could not put the book down. I do not do spoilers. A book is meant to be discovered by each and every reader. Savor this one as you would a fine wine with a totally quirky name.
egswriter's review against another edition
4.0
I would say that this book is very well written, well thought out, and well done. The characters were interesting (if a touch grotesque in parts, which is to be expected), the plot was entertaining and the whole goat situation… Anyways, I would say that this book was VERY GOOD.
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