burningbridges's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
greatnate008's review
5.0
Another short and funny story about Cabal. He is a really interesting character.
1_and_owenly's review
4.0
Jonathan L Howard's Johannes Cabal stories are some of my favorites. The character is intelligent, largely amoral, and resourceful. The world that Howard has created is fascinating. And I love every little glimpse we get of this creation where where necromancy exists, as do demons, devils, werebeasts, vampires, elder gods, and technology similar to yet vastly different to our own.
But what really keeps me coming back is Howard's lovely way with words. I am happy to spend hours poring over his turns of phrase. His vocabulary and his witticisms are toothsome morsels to be devoured with delight.
The only reason this story gets four stars instead of five is that Cabal seemed uncharacteristically friendly to the officer. I know. This is an earlier Cabal. Also, it is possible that he simply was having a good day. But it felt off to me at the time.
But what really keeps me coming back is Howard's lovely way with words. I am happy to spend hours poring over his turns of phrase. His vocabulary and his witticisms are toothsome morsels to be devoured with delight.
The only reason this story gets four stars instead of five is that Cabal seemed uncharacteristically friendly to the officer. I know. This is an earlier Cabal. Also, it is possible that he simply was having a good day. But it felt off to me at the time.
victoria92's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
directorpurry's review
5.0
Here's a pro-tip for everyone: Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to begin reading this story off your Kindle while you're in a Zoom class. You will be forced to cover your laughter in some potentially embarrassing or painful way and you will need to immediately close the Kindle app and wait until class is over to try again.
Am I speaking from experience? Possibly. Why do you ask? Do you happen to know any professors in San Francisco?
I would die for Johannes Cabal. But I suppose, being a necromancer, he probably wouldn't like that very much, seeing as how he's mostly interested in curing death.
I absolutely adored this story. It's definitely my second favorite of the Cabal universe. ([b:A Long Spoon|23127703|A Long Spoon (Johannes Cabal, #4.5)|Jonathan L. Howard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410230317l/23127703._SX50_.jpg|42675887] is number 1, and it's free on Tor.com! Go read it!!!) However, now that I've finished it, I believe I have completed the entirety of the Johannes Cabal content... And I would desperately love to have some more of it.
And maybe, someday if we are all very good and very patient, Howard will be able to publish the collected Cabal short stories into a single volume. I will purchase it immediately, no matter what it takes. (And don't test me - I literally sent off to buy [b:Tales from the Half-Continent|20985391|Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo, #3.5)|D.M. Cornish|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394182297l/20985391._SY75_.jpg|40362596] and [b:No Man's Land|53952420|No Man's Land|A.J. Fitzwater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591865722l/53952420._SY75_.jpg|82733837] from Australia and New Zealand respectively.)
Am I speaking from experience? Possibly. Why do you ask? Do you happen to know any professors in San Francisco?
I would die for Johannes Cabal. But I suppose, being a necromancer, he probably wouldn't like that very much, seeing as how he's mostly interested in curing death.
I absolutely adored this story. It's definitely my second favorite of the Cabal universe. ([b:A Long Spoon|23127703|A Long Spoon (Johannes Cabal, #4.5)|Jonathan L. Howard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410230317l/23127703._SX50_.jpg|42675887] is number 1, and it's free on Tor.com! Go read it!!!) However, now that I've finished it, I believe I have completed the entirety of the Johannes Cabal content... And I would desperately love to have some more of it.
And maybe, someday if we are all very good and very patient, Howard will be able to publish the collected Cabal short stories into a single volume. I will purchase it immediately, no matter what it takes. (And don't test me - I literally sent off to buy [b:Tales from the Half-Continent|20985391|Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo, #3.5)|D.M. Cornish|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394182297l/20985391._SY75_.jpg|40362596] and [b:No Man's Land|53952420|No Man's Land|A.J. Fitzwater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591865722l/53952420._SY75_.jpg|82733837] from Australia and New Zealand respectively.)
nichola's review
3.0
Except for the outer narrative this was not my favourite. Except I really love the idea of Cabal in red tights.
geilie's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
jesssepp's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carol26388's review
3.0
It is Christmas and Police Sergeant Parkin has stopped by Johannes Cabal's house to collect his annual donation to the police benevolent fun. Johannes finds himself unexpectedly moved by Parkin's neutral views on his necromantic work:
"'Could...' Cabal floundered in the unfamiliar waters of social interaction for a moment. 'Could I interest you in a drink before you go?'"
They end up sitting by the fire, drinking and exchanging stories, when Johannes decides to share one of his early encounters with a ghost who was responsible for the deaths of four theater actors.
The description mentions pant-o-mime, and it's more than a bit misleading. The British version of the term refers to a low-brow production, often for children, with slapstick, music and jokes, usually performed around Christmas time. Most empathetically not soundless people in an invisible box. It's nicely done, although it lacks some of the word-play and humor of later Cabal stories. An ominous atmosphere develops, making it feel like a traditional ghost story crossed with Phantom of the Opera. It has very little of Cabal's trademark acerbic wit, being more focused on the dynamic between the ghost and Cabal. Still, a fun quick read.
"'Could...' Cabal floundered in the unfamiliar waters of social interaction for a moment. 'Could I interest you in a drink before you go?'"
They end up sitting by the fire, drinking and exchanging stories, when Johannes decides to share one of his early encounters with a ghost who was responsible for the deaths of four theater actors.
The description mentions pant-o-mime, and it's more than a bit misleading. The British version of the term refers to a low-brow production, often for children, with slapstick, music and jokes, usually performed around Christmas time. Most empathetically not soundless people in an invisible box. It's nicely done, although it lacks some of the word-play and humor of later Cabal stories. An ominous atmosphere develops, making it feel like a traditional ghost story crossed with Phantom of the Opera. It has very little of Cabal's trademark acerbic wit, being more focused on the dynamic between the ghost and Cabal. Still, a fun quick read.