asterope's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Horst rises again! Yay. The stakes are raised even further, with lots of fun side characters, allies and enemies alike.
The first half of the book is mainly narrated by Horst, recounting the adventure so far (with some occasional critical comments from Johannes). While the author excelled at worldbuilding here, it's too detailed at times. I didn't need a blow by blow of the various entomopter airshows. This section could have been told more efficiently. Horst is great, but Johannes is a better POV character.
After the events catch up with the present, we're back to Johannes and Horst working together. I was glad because the best and most hilarious dialogue is definitely these two playing off each other. Plus there’s lots of nice character development for both of them. "'The professor tells me that you, well…that you saved the world.'
Cabal shrugged. 'Probably. I do a lot of things.'"
Alisha and the ladies of the entomopter circus were very cool. In every instalment of this series, the author further address one of my nitpicks from the previous one (more interesting female characters). It really helps to open the world up.
Regarding continuity, this was partly awesome. What I’m referring to here is spoilery so I’ll leave it at that. The other part I found a little unrealistic: although there's clear character development with him, I find it odd that Johannes is so blasé about what happened in the last book. That would mess up anyone, even him. And it’s not like any time has passed, this book continues right from where the last one ended.
Although I love the humour style, I think the dedication to being hilarious vs truly deep emotional connections to the characters is what keeps me from rating this series 5 stars. I understand that is just how this series is, but for me to truly love it, I need more character work. I’m cool with that though. Happy with this as another solid 4.25 stars.
The first half of the book is mainly narrated by Horst, recounting the adventure so far (with some occasional critical comments from Johannes). While the author excelled at worldbuilding here, it's too detailed at times. I didn't need a blow by blow of the various entomopter airshows. This section could have been told more efficiently. Horst is great, but Johannes is a better POV character.
After the events catch up with the present, we're back to Johannes and Horst working together. I was glad because the best and most hilarious dialogue is definitely these two playing off each other. Plus there’s lots of nice character development for both of them. "'The professor tells me that you, well…that you saved the world.'
Cabal shrugged. 'Probably. I do a lot of things.'"
Alisha and the ladies of the entomopter circus were very cool. In every instalment of this series, the author further address one of my nitpicks from the previous one (more interesting female characters). It really helps to open the world up.
Regarding continuity, this was partly awesome. What I’m referring to here is spoilery so I’ll leave it at that. The other part I found a little unrealistic: although there's clear character development with him, I find it odd that Johannes is so blasé about what happened in the last book. That would mess up anyone, even him. And it’s not like any time has passed, this book continues right from where the last one ended.
Although I love the humour style, I think the dedication to being hilarious vs truly deep emotional connections to the characters is what keeps me from rating this series 5 stars. I understand that is just how this series is, but for me to truly love it, I need more character work. I’m cool with that though. Happy with this as another solid 4.25 stars.
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook - I really loved this one. I think having the two brothers together really makes this a winner. The way they play off each other was great. I like how it ties in the prior three books, too.
The narrator is the same as book 3 (Nicholas Guy Smith) and he does a great job with the different character voices. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The narrator is the same as book 3 (Nicholas Guy Smith) and he does a great job with the different character voices. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
catbooking's review against another edition
4.0
I think this one is my favorite one so far in the series. The humor is turned up to 11. Cabal isn't as smart as he thinks, while also being too smart for his own good. The little quips about grass stains and trousers are just a delight and the zombie bits had me in stitches!
PS: one star removed for the 'fridging' trope.
PS: one star removed for the 'fridging' trope.
thunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
This is one impromptu read for me. Totally picked it up while chasing kid down the isles of the local library, just because the cover looks cool. I completely didn't know that it was a series, and had no idea that Johannes Cabal alone, not both brothers, is the center of the series. Hence, I'm completely fine with Horst being the main focus in the first half of the book. I find it's amusing how unconventional the vampire character was. Without any aided sarcasm from the author, the nonchalant, vain, good-natured vampire provided lots of humour from his thinking process.
With this being book 4 in the Johannes Cabal series, of course there are many events and knowledge I don't know about, but considering that neither did Horst, it's okay to just accept that things will be explained somewhere, in another book.
Although the book is full of actions, it's not exactly fast-paced. I find the writing a bit challenging to understand. There's simply too much of rambling out louds non-relevant thoughts.
With this being book 4 in the Johannes Cabal series, of course there are many events and knowledge I don't know about, but considering that neither did Horst, it's okay to just accept that things will be explained somewhere, in another book.
Although the book is full of actions, it's not exactly fast-paced. I find the writing a bit challenging to understand. There's simply too much of rambling out louds non-relevant thoughts.
julialoupratt's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I love my boy Horst, and wanted to love this story, it was so hard to get into. I loved all the bits with Horst and Johannes, but Horst’s solo story line felt undeveloped. All the characters felt flat and I couldn’t find the energy to care about ~at all~ any of the high action fight scenes that Horst kept getting swept up into. I’m glad he’s back in the story though and I hope his character gets fleshed out more, because as of this book we don’t actually know very much about him other than he’s a hashtag good guy.
tanilian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thereyrey's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely addition to the Cabal series.
I enjoyed it immensely to read about Horst and his story but what I enjoyed even more was the relationship between Horst and Johannes. The interludes were immaculate, wholesome and funny.
Yet the story still kept me on my toes and leaves me wanting more.
Can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
I enjoyed it immensely to read about Horst and his story but what I enjoyed even more was the relationship between Horst and Johannes. The interludes were immaculate, wholesome and funny.
Yet the story still kept me on my toes and leaves me wanting more.
Can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
Howard uses a slightly distancing tone which prevents one from fully empathizing with viewpoint characters--ordinarily this would knock a book down an extra star, as I'm chock-full of pent-up emotions and anxious for a good book to drag them out of me--but he's such a clever writer, and the turns of phrases are so frequently so wonderful, that the substitution of wit for warmth works.
So often when reading the run-of-the-mill book, it appears the author has been perfectly satisfied with their first draft, so long as it correctly describes the event. Those authors would be content to describe a scene where Horst and Alicia are walking, with Johannes in the middle, as: "Johannes Cabal walked in the middle." Howard's rendition, however, is "Johannes Cabal walked in the middle with a poorly concealed air of impatience about him, like a father given charge of a pair of overactive children who had cleared out a sweet jar an hour before." If you prefer the shorter version, this book is not for you, and you should read something from the fine people at Baen Books, I expect. If you prefer the longer version, you will enjoy this (and likely the work of Matthew Hughes, or Jack Vance). But start with the first one!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
So often when reading the run-of-the-mill book, it appears the author has been perfectly satisfied with their first draft, so long as it correctly describes the event. Those authors would be content to describe a scene where Horst and Alicia are walking, with Johannes in the middle, as: "Johannes Cabal walked in the middle." Howard's rendition, however, is "Johannes Cabal walked in the middle with a poorly concealed air of impatience about him, like a father given charge of a pair of overactive children who had cleared out a sweet jar an hour before." If you prefer the shorter version, this book is not for you, and you should read something from the fine people at Baen Books, I expect. If you prefer the longer version, you will enjoy this (and likely the work of Matthew Hughes, or Jack Vance). But start with the first one!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
veramarsova's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
spookyjane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25