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gilnean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual violence, Excrement, Medical content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
surdiablo's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my first K. J. Parker book and I really enjoyed reading it till the very end. It sets this wry dark tone right from the beginning while also being humorous in a cynical, sarcastic way. Got a chuckle out of me several times and it was engaging for the most part. The ending didn't do much for me considering the build-up to it, but it still fits well enough as I think the book was more about making you consider various philosophical and ethical quandaries over what happens to the characters in it. I wouldn't recommend this book if you are overly religious however, as it questions the morality of religion and often makes fun of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
catapocalypse's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A basic three star read: not bad, but not great. The writing is decent enough that it kept me moving through it, at least. I generally enjoy this sort of theological playfulness, but I really don't think this novella brought anything particularly new or interesting to the table. I'd recommend Terry Pratchett's <i>Small Gods</i> instead for a take on such things which covers more ground (as it's a full novel) and is more amusing. Or his and Neil Gaiman's <i>Good Omens</i> for something also amusing and somewhat adjacent.
This was my first time reading from K.J. Parker/Tom Holt, and while I do see some who've read from him before saying it's not his best work, I'm not particularly eager to seek out more for now. Probably best not to start with this one.
This was my first time reading from K.J. Parker/Tom Holt, and while I do see some who've read from him before saying it's not his best work, I'm not particularly eager to seek out more for now. Probably best not to start with this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Suicide attempt
nikspandya's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ummm this was so good!!
Never Pulling the Wings Off Angels is a novella (131 pages) that includes: a cheeky angel, deadly gangster, and a sinner by “proxy.” A clerical student who’s racked up gambling debts to a local gangster is given an ultimatum - deliver the angel or forfeit various body parts in payment.
Dark comedy is one of my favorite genres. Finding that perfect middle between witty and macabre and funny is tricky enough and I think KJ Parker really hits it out of the park. He provides the reader with a perfect viewing of chaos from all angles (note: this is the only appropriate use of “angles” in this review) (see: common misspelling of angels).
This story really isn’t like anything I’ve read. It’s KJ’s opportunity to have a human, Narrator, question an omnipotent god character, The Immortal Sun. It’s POV is in second person so the snarkiness is giving Deadpool. Safe to say, themes of justice and theology work together to call out the Immortal Sun on unfair decision making and treatment of humans.
Growing up in Texas, you become pretty affluent in western religions whether you want to be or not. It was interesting to read and get behind Narrator as he questioned the Immortal Sun - this god greatly resembles the religious fallacy presented by conservatives here down south, and gives big “my will, my way” vibes without any of the compassion spirituality can teach.
I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day (very unlike me). I recommend this book to everyone after checking the trigger/content warnings!!
Thank you to KJ Parker and TORDOTCOM for this very freaking cool ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
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