hexe_19's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
srkk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jen_chivs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
justviv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lostboyc's review against another edition
5.0
Another banger from C.K. McDonnell. The sort of easy reading which will make you chuckle and also feel a bit heart warmed by, and then annoyed at. Doesn't take itself too seriously, but when it does it keeps you interested.
gin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
eggcatsreads's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series and will absolutely be checking out the podcast ASAP.
I think my honestly favorite part of this series is just how even the terrible editor character (I love Banecroft don't worry) is only so messed up BECAUSE he loves his wife and is torn up about that. That's so refreshing? It's like, the opposite of the "I hate my wife" trope, AND IT HAPPENS TWICE WITH STANLEY.
Obviously I have real thoughts, but that's the one that gets me the most - Banecroft lost himself (both before the first book and SUPER in this one) because he loves his wife so much and can't accept her death, and Stanley is like "I'm an irredeemable asshole but I'd never cheat on my wife and I need to literally risk my life and work with someone I hate to prove myself to her so she'll take me back". I just love that so much I don't even know how to put it into words.
I mean, everything else is fun and I love all the characters, and how all the plots intertwined and were resolved (and also continuing the world building).
I just had the misfortune to recently read another hyped urban fantasy written by a man that was so sexist it would have been more progressive without any women in it at all. And this series has singlehandedly given me back my hope for this genre and male authors, lol.
--
Unrelated to everything else, but the short story at the end, The Rain, had SUCH a similar feel to the podcast I Am In Eskew that I just loved so much? I honestly mean this in the best way possible, it made me want to relisten to the entire thing, it was so well written and atmospheric.
I think my honestly favorite part of this series is just how even the terrible editor character (I love Banecroft don't worry) is only so messed up BECAUSE he loves his wife and is torn up about that. That's so refreshing? It's like, the opposite of the "I hate my wife" trope, AND IT HAPPENS TWICE WITH STANLEY.
Obviously I have real thoughts, but that's the one that gets me the most - Banecroft lost himself (both before the first book and SUPER in this one) because he loves his wife so much and can't accept her death, and Stanley is like "I'm an irredeemable asshole but I'd never cheat on my wife and I need to literally risk my life and work with someone I hate to prove myself to her so she'll take me back". I just love that so much I don't even know how to put it into words.
I mean, everything else is fun and I love all the characters, and how all the plots intertwined and were resolved (and also continuing the world building).
I just had the misfortune to recently read another hyped urban fantasy written by a man that was so sexist it would have been more progressive without any women in it at all. And this series has singlehandedly given me back my hope for this genre and male authors, lol.
--
Unrelated to everything else, but the short story at the end, The Rain, had SUCH a similar feel to the podcast I Am In Eskew that I just loved so much? I honestly mean this in the best way possible, it made me want to relisten to the entire thing, it was so well written and atmospheric.
calcitestar's review against another edition
4.0
I pre ordered this book as I loved the previous two but it didn’t quite have the edge. It felt the author was twisting things to finish off the series and not to make a brilliant read. That said it was good but not outstanding like the other two.