telerit's review
4.0
Amusing dialog and characters , but not up to the standard of Stross's Laundry Files novels.
leighbrarian's review
5.0
Oh what fun this book was! Imminent Armageddon at the "hands" of gods who are not so much wrathful as they couldn't care less about the human race, bloody visceral gore courtesy of Lovecraftian gods and demigods, fish folk the likes of which a New Englander would recognize in and around Innsmouth, cheeky government agents rife with pithy British humor and witticisms, and a well thought out plot delivered with pacing that doesn't detract from the entertaining details.
Multiple plot lines develop simultaneously driven by different agents' points of view; this can be a mess when done poorly but "Oddjobs" stands as a fine example of this technique being done well.
Fans of Jonathan L. Howard's "Johannes Cabal" series, Daniel O'Malley's "Checquy Files" series, and readers who like their unspeakable horrors with a side of dry British humor and witty banter, take note!
Multiple plot lines develop simultaneously driven by different agents' points of view; this can be a mess when done poorly but "Oddjobs" stands as a fine example of this technique being done well.
Fans of Jonathan L. Howard's "Johannes Cabal" series, Daniel O'Malley's "Checquy Files" series, and readers who like their unspeakable horrors with a side of dry British humor and witty banter, take note!
mazza57's review against another edition
1.0
just total rubbish. I am sorry nothing connected properly too difficult to follow a waste of a day
dragoneyes451's review against another edition
3.0
Funny and an easy read. Would have liked a little more background information though.
baronessekat's review against another edition
5.0
The Old Gods are returning. The world is ending. But that doesn't mean that there has to be chaos, panic and disorder. And the British are the perfect ones to keep calm when the world is dying.
Morag has been transferred from Scotland to the Library of Birmingham's special department that deals with such things. On her first day on the job, she has to placate a man eating minor god, a murder that makes no sense and accidentally breaks into her neighbor's apartment instead of her own.
Her second day is not much better. But she and the others at the Library need to do what they can to make the end of the world something that the rest of humanity will welcome it with open arms... and maybe delay it just a couple more days.
***
I found this absolutely hysterical and oh so British. I would very much recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh about Armageddon.
Morag has been transferred from Scotland to the Library of Birmingham's special department that deals with such things. On her first day on the job, she has to placate a man eating minor god, a murder that makes no sense and accidentally breaks into her neighbor's apartment instead of her own.
Her second day is not much better. But she and the others at the Library need to do what they can to make the end of the world something that the rest of humanity will welcome it with open arms... and maybe delay it just a couple more days.
***
I found this absolutely hysterical and oh so British. I would very much recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh about Armageddon.
beckylouise2904's review
2.0
This sat on my tablet for a while before I decided to read it, I have to say I was drawn to this as it sounded a bit Torchwood-esque and I have to say it is a bit like this, so I think if you are a fan of the sci-fi show then you will most likely enjoy this.
bebopthebunny's review
4.0
For anyone who loves cosmic horror but doesn't feel like reading the raging racist Lovecraft, this is a good one to pick up. It isn't horrifying, more humorous, but the monsters are very Lovecraftian indeed. You get a lot of graphic gore, but the humor takes out the horror of most of it. I thought this book was exceptionally funny and I enjoy the plot quite a bit. How do you handle your own impending doom and own insignificance? I liked the age ranges of the characters which made each character react and stand out in a very defining way. The book is pretty much the perfect length for what it is, allows for enough development but keeps moving fast for most of the book. Saw the twist at the end coming for a really long time but didn't impact my enjoyment of it. Just felt snug in being right.
Here is a criticism I have never had for a book before, the physical book itself is terrible. As in to hold the book, and read the book, is not a great experience. It is so cheap and awkward...I was kind of flabbergasted by it because I had never had this problem before. I had never thought to myself, "Wow, this book is terribly made, I kind of hope I hate the story so I can donate this and never buy the rest in the series." I did love the book and I am going to continue with the series. I am being dramatic, but it was just incredibly strange for me having never run into this before. I get along with Mass Market so I thought I would get along with anything. So that is when it occurred to me that this was probably an indie published book so I tried to be forgiving but I have read other indie books and they were fine... All I am saying is if you are debating between the paperback or a e-edition, go with the Kindle all the way.
Here is a criticism I have never had for a book before, the physical book itself is terrible. As in to hold the book, and read the book, is not a great experience. It is so cheap and awkward...I was kind of flabbergasted by it because I had never had this problem before. I had never thought to myself, "Wow, this book is terribly made, I kind of hope I hate the story so I can donate this and never buy the rest in the series." I did love the book and I am going to continue with the series. I am being dramatic, but it was just incredibly strange for me having never run into this before. I get along with Mass Market so I thought I would get along with anything. So that is when it occurred to me that this was probably an indie published book so I tried to be forgiving but I have read other indie books and they were fine... All I am saying is if you are debating between the paperback or a e-edition, go with the Kindle all the way.
baronessekat's review
5.0
The Old Gods are returning. The world is ending. But that doesn't mean that there has to be chaos, panic and disorder. And the British are the perfect ones to keep calm when the world is dying.
Morag has been transferred from Scotland to the Library of Birmingham's special department that deals with such things. On her first day on the job, she has to placate a man eating minor god, a murder that makes no sense and accidentally breaks into her neighbor's apartment instead of her own.
Her second day is not much better. But she and the others at the Library need to do what they can to make the end of the world something that the rest of humanity will welcome it with open arms... and maybe delay it just a couple more days.
***
I found this absolutely hysterical and oh so British. I would very much recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh about Armageddon.
Morag has been transferred from Scotland to the Library of Birmingham's special department that deals with such things. On her first day on the job, she has to placate a man eating minor god, a murder that makes no sense and accidentally breaks into her neighbor's apartment instead of her own.
Her second day is not much better. But she and the others at the Library need to do what they can to make the end of the world something that the rest of humanity will welcome it with open arms... and maybe delay it just a couple more days.
***
I found this absolutely hysterical and oh so British. I would very much recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh about Armageddon.
krahler's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
apatter7's review
3.0
3.5 stars This is a funny, witty, interesting book. It was a really good read with hilariously great descriptions of the creatures/ aliens/ gods in this book. Can't wait to dive into book 2!