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tregina's review against another edition
3.0
I decided to err on the generous side with my rating because I suspect that, had I read the book at another time, I would have found it more engaging. As it was, I was more than halfway through before it really got me (I really could not even tell you what the first hundred pages were about), and even at the end it felt like much more style over substance. (It is a self-admitted bit of fluff, and probably best enjoyed when approached that way.) Though even with my oft-admitted bias against first person, at least I enjoyed that style.
twomoonia's review against another edition
2.0
Fun sometimes but not really original, it feels too simple, not complete... Not bad but a bit disappointing, I was expecting more from Mark Gatiss !
stefaniejane's review against another edition
4.0
Mark Gatiss is brilliant. My reviews are brilliant.
myrto229's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was entertaining and had funny moments, but it wasn't my favorite.
emirpprime's review against another edition
5.0
Cracking book. Somewhere between Austin Powers and Oscar Wilde.
Having head Devil In Amber on the radio first I couldn't help but imagine Mark Gatiss as Lucifer Box. He's a perfect match! I hope he plays his own character again if it is ever made into a TV show.
It's a quick read, and basically a James Bond style story, with a lot of off-the-cuff humour and very enjoyable.
Having head Devil In Amber on the radio first I couldn't help but imagine Mark Gatiss as Lucifer Box. He's a perfect match! I hope he plays his own character again if it is ever made into a TV show.
It's a quick read, and basically a James Bond style story, with a lot of off-the-cuff humour and very enjoyable.
eyreguide's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a big fan of Mark Gatiss from his work for Doctor Who and Sherlock. I love his style and that indefinable something about his personality. He's just so adorable. So delving into this audiobook, read by the author, was inevitable. And this book delivers in everything I was expecting from a novel by Mr. Gatiss. It's sharply witty, a touch macabre and grotesque, and a thorough romp. The absurd names he gives his characters is already a hint that this story is just a fun ride that should not be taken too seriously. It starts off a little rambly, as the reader gets to experience a few days in the life of Lucifer Box as he does a little research into his assignment and has to deal with the consequences of his very active social life. But when circumstances snowball and the need to solve the mystery of the missing agent becomes urgent, the story picks up it's pace.
With the twists and turns of the plot, the story also becomes more bizarre and less believable. Lucifer gets into some ridiculous scrapes, and the eventual resolution plays on all the tropes of the maniacal uber-villain. The resolution does come at you fast, with about a dozen things happening at once which made for a very compelling listen. It's a light and fun story with broad, comical characterizations, a charmingly egotistical dandy as narrator and multiple plot threads that are resolved neatly in the end.
With the twists and turns of the plot, the story also becomes more bizarre and less believable. Lucifer gets into some ridiculous scrapes, and the eventual resolution plays on all the tropes of the maniacal uber-villain. The resolution does come at you fast, with about a dozen things happening at once which made for a very compelling listen. It's a light and fun story with broad, comical characterizations, a charmingly egotistical dandy as narrator and multiple plot threads that are resolved neatly in the end.
rita_reads_cda's review against another edition
Though I’m a big fan of his writing for television programs, this book is just not very good. My mind wandered too much while reading. Moving on
michidoc's review against another edition
4.0
Good, funny but very intricate story. Mark is always a genius, and Lucifer... you cannot love and hate him at the same time! But I think I expected more, or better: I expected something else!
sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
4.0
This was wicked fun to read. It’s actually utterly silly and the story is ridiculous in so many ways, and yet I couldn’t put it down. Why? Because Mark Gatiss is a storyteller extraordinaire. I reveled in his beautifully carved, nay, woven sentences. His descriptions. His language. The twinkle in his eyes as he unfolds the amazing adventures of Lucifer Box, resident of 9 Downing Street, spy, appreciating both the male and the female sex.
'Well, what was I to do? For the well-bred gentleman there was surely only one recourse. I fucked him.'
Highly recommended if you love beautiful language. Must be willing to embrace the ridiculous, too.
I will re-read this one and believe me, I'm going to mark my favourite lines because there are loads and loads to love and to cherish. For now, the next installment, “The Devil in Amber”, sitting right next to me, waiting to be read.
'Well, what was I to do? For the well-bred gentleman there was surely only one recourse. I fucked him.'
Highly recommended if you love beautiful language. Must be willing to embrace the ridiculous, too.
I will re-read this one and believe me, I'm going to mark my favourite lines because there are loads and loads to love and to cherish. For now, the next installment, “The Devil in Amber”, sitting right next to me, waiting to be read.
kerry2046's review against another edition
4.75
Funny, intelligent, classy!!! Gatiss made Lucifer one of my favourite book characters in 21st century literature