abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoy read
This was a fun ride. A little bit heavy on the swearing, but some people like that. I like the sense of Of West meets Fantasy.
This was a fun ride. A little bit heavy on the swearing, but some people like that. I like the sense of Of West meets Fantasy.
fastasashark's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars. This was the first self-published book I've read and I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was a lot of fun; for me it had that RPG side quest feel that's hard to find even in fantasy books plus mixed in with a bit of supernatural mystery. Though they're different in many ways, the vibe reminded me also of The Last Wish which isn't something I've really been able to find in any other books that I can recall. Loved the sense of humour too. Definitely recommend, especially for folks who are into the abovementioned factors.
lady_mel's review against another edition
5.0
Grimluk is an Orc. He's also a gunslinging demon-hunter with a heart of gold. He's nice to animals and small children.
If you just happen to like all of the above, this book is for you. Even if you don't like them, you should read this book, just because it's good.
If you just happen to like all of the above, this book is for you. Even if you don't like them, you should read this book, just because it's good.
lacee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcohol and Xenophobia
suchmeow's review
2.0
I thought the idea was fun, but it just failed to ever really grab my interest. I'm writing this review a little late, but I feel bad giving a book an "ok" review and not mentioning why.
From what I remember, I thought it was a very slow start. It wasn't until I was around 50% that I felt at least mildly interested. I also thought the dialog was a little awkward and clunky and while I liked the idea of the "kindly giant" orc, I never really connected with his character and it fell flat for me. Maybe if I were more a fan of westerns the play on the tropes in this book would have made this more enjoyable.
From what I remember, I thought it was a very slow start. It wasn't until I was around 50% that I felt at least mildly interested. I also thought the dialog was a little awkward and clunky and while I liked the idea of the "kindly giant" orc, I never really connected with his character and it fell flat for me. Maybe if I were more a fan of westerns the play on the tropes in this book would have made this more enjoyable.
barb4ry1's review against another edition
2.0
Actual rating 2.5 stars but I won'r round it up.
Ashe Armstrong’s Demon in the Desert is one of books I read as part of my r/fantasy 2017 Bingo Challenge. The story follows adventures of an orc gun – slinging demon hunter who, in first chapter of the book, presents himself to some misguided bandits in following way:
Name’s Grimluk and if you’d like to continue having use of your limbs, I’d advise you to back off.
Evidently Grimluk ia a badass. But he also has good manners – he tips his hat at the ladies, always pays his bill, and has a way with little ones. When it’s needed he’s tough, but normally he’s a real gentleman. That’s pretty cool. Clint Eastwood was one of my childhood heroes and Grimluk has a lot in common with Clint as portrayed in Dollars Trilogy.
The story happens in a static desert setting – rocky dust and dead earth stretch like yawning sun-soaked abyss. Grimluk gets new job – he’s hired to kill a demon in a small mining city.
The book slows down and as Grimluk looks for answers he goes from one person to another and asks questions. The stories of the interviewed should frighten me and build atmosphere but due to unedited and rough prose they felt boring and anticlimactic. Sometimes the story felt directionless, with things happening without really advancing the plot. Most of the characters were pretty despicable, I didn't spend much of my reading time liking anyone.
The world is very simplistic and the villain (or rather one of villain avatars) is mindlessly evil without any depth or development. I need some deeper world building. The way the lore is presented, it feels like a cardboard western backdrop with many races dropped in.
The ending of the book that I won’t spoil for you was poorly executed and the prose was weak. I don’t want to sound like a hater but the last 5 % of the book were, supposedly, intended to contain some strong emotional drama but it read like some bad novella written by a fifteen year old. Of course it may be part of the popcorn read convention and if that’s the case, fine, but it changes nothing. I simply didn’t like it.
This book doesn’t aspire to be second Ulysses, it’s supposed to be nice pulp read. Still I feel rather disappointed. The main hero is really cool but the plot and execution need some serious refinement. I might reach for sequel in the future because Grimluk has lots of potential but it won’t happen any time soon.
Ashe Armstrong’s Demon in the Desert is one of books I read as part of my r/fantasy 2017 Bingo Challenge. The story follows adventures of an orc gun – slinging demon hunter who, in first chapter of the book, presents himself to some misguided bandits in following way:
Name’s Grimluk and if you’d like to continue having use of your limbs, I’d advise you to back off.
Evidently Grimluk ia a badass. But he also has good manners – he tips his hat at the ladies, always pays his bill, and has a way with little ones. When it’s needed he’s tough, but normally he’s a real gentleman. That’s pretty cool. Clint Eastwood was one of my childhood heroes and Grimluk has a lot in common with Clint as portrayed in Dollars Trilogy.
The story happens in a static desert setting – rocky dust and dead earth stretch like yawning sun-soaked abyss. Grimluk gets new job – he’s hired to kill a demon in a small mining city.
The book slows down and as Grimluk looks for answers he goes from one person to another and asks questions. The stories of the interviewed should frighten me and build atmosphere but due to unedited and rough prose they felt boring and anticlimactic. Sometimes the story felt directionless, with things happening without really advancing the plot. Most of the characters were pretty despicable, I didn't spend much of my reading time liking anyone.
The world is very simplistic and the villain (or rather one of villain avatars) is mindlessly evil without any depth or development. I need some deeper world building. The way the lore is presented, it feels like a cardboard western backdrop with many races dropped in.
The ending of the book that I won’t spoil for you was poorly executed and the prose was weak. I don’t want to sound like a hater but the last 5 % of the book were, supposedly, intended to contain some strong emotional drama but it read like some bad novella written by a fifteen year old. Of course it may be part of the popcorn read convention and if that’s the case, fine, but it changes nothing. I simply didn’t like it.
This book doesn’t aspire to be second Ulysses, it’s supposed to be nice pulp read. Still I feel rather disappointed. The main hero is really cool but the plot and execution need some serious refinement. I might reach for sequel in the future because Grimluk has lots of potential but it won’t happen any time soon.
jax00's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 but rounded....
The beginning was a little rough, but the second half was a lot better. I do think I self sabotaged because I read a horror immediately before, but it was a good book. It also was a lot of establishing characters. The climax was very intriguing. I gasped out loud during the sacrifice. I also liked how it set up the rest of the series of her growing and them going after the demon. I will probably be reading the rest of the series.
The beginning was a little rough, but the second half was a lot better. I do think I self sabotaged because I read a horror immediately before, but it was a good book. It also was a lot of establishing characters. The climax was very intriguing. I gasped out loud during the sacrifice. I also liked how it set up the rest of the series of her growing and them going after the demon. I will probably be reading the rest of the series.
jbragg6625's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
8bitlapras's review against another edition
4.0
(I rated this 3.5/5 stars!)
The weird western subgenre has recently become a massive special interest of mine and this definitely scratched that itch in a satisfying way. There's not much I can say here that hasn't already been said by other reviewers: bit of a slow middle, would appreciate a lot more world-building, extremely likeable protagonist, etc.
All in all, an enjoyable start to a series! I'll definitely be reading more of Grimluk's adventures and anticipating more from this author in the future.
The weird western subgenre has recently become a massive special interest of mine and this definitely scratched that itch in a satisfying way. There's not much I can say here that hasn't already been said by other reviewers: bit of a slow middle, would appreciate a lot more world-building, extremely likeable protagonist, etc.
All in all, an enjoyable start to a series! I'll definitely be reading more of Grimluk's adventures and anticipating more from this author in the future.
fastasashark's review
3.5
This was the first self-published book I've read and I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was a lot of fun; for me it had that RPG side quest feel that's hard to find even in fantasy books plus mixed in with a bit of supernatural mystery. Though they're different in many ways, the vibe reminded me also of The Last Wish which isn't something I've really been able to find in any other books that I can recall. Loved the sense of humour too. Definitely recommend, especially for folks who are into the abovementioned factors.