quiraang's review against another edition
2.0
** I was given a review copy by NetGalley **
This book is set in and around the city of Koln in an alternate Medieval age where demons and magic abound. The premise of the story being that an evil wizard enchants a young man forcing him to embark on a campaign of rape to impregnate women (and men) with demon seed forcing them to give birth to demons. His antagonists are a magical dwarf and a young illegitimate boy raised in a whorehouse (the Bastard of the book's title).
There isn't much to recommend this book.
I suppose I can say it was well written with some gritty depictions of Medieval life. However, between the scenes of gratuitous violence, and the weird and perverted sex acts, there is not much of a story.
I consider myself to be pretty broadminded, and not at all prudish. A book, in which the central action is graphic description of rape, I find to be distasteful. I had to struggle to finish it. Possible the author has set out to shock and offend people. He hasn't succeeded; it's just puerile. .
Don't put it on your Christmas list.
This book is set in and around the city of Koln in an alternate Medieval age where demons and magic abound. The premise of the story being that an evil wizard enchants a young man forcing him to embark on a campaign of rape to impregnate women (and men) with demon seed forcing them to give birth to demons. His antagonists are a magical dwarf and a young illegitimate boy raised in a whorehouse (the Bastard of the book's title).
There isn't much to recommend this book.
I suppose I can say it was well written with some gritty depictions of Medieval life. However, between the scenes of gratuitous violence, and the weird and perverted sex acts, there is not much of a story.
I consider myself to be pretty broadminded, and not at all prudish. A book, in which the central action is graphic description of rape, I find to be distasteful. I had to struggle to finish it. Possible the author has set out to shock and offend people. He hasn't succeeded; it's just puerile. .
Don't put it on your Christmas list.
andyn5's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally published on NetGalley.
Fantasy is also an interesting genre to pick specially when the reader takes a chance with an author and his work for the first time. For me, this book was really beyond what I expecting in a positive way.
This is definitely a book for mature public. From the fantasy, the sex scenes, the death scenes and the gore it shows the darkest and the most violent reality of the world. Joseph Hirsch didn't hold anything back on this book.
The medieval environment and atmosphere with the old English language was definitely one of the things that got some so much into the story in the beginning. Not only that but Hirsch doesn't make the reader wait too long before the action starts which for me is perfect since I'm an impatient reader.
I have to admit that in some parts I had to take a break since some of the scenes got to me, but I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
But again, definitely needs to be pointed out that it's for mature public.
Fantasy is also an interesting genre to pick specially when the reader takes a chance with an author and his work for the first time. For me, this book was really beyond what I expecting in a positive way.
This is definitely a book for mature public. From the fantasy, the sex scenes, the death scenes and the gore it shows the darkest and the most violent reality of the world. Joseph Hirsch didn't hold anything back on this book.
The medieval environment and atmosphere with the old English language was definitely one of the things that got some so much into the story in the beginning. Not only that but Hirsch doesn't make the reader wait too long before the action starts which for me is perfect since I'm an impatient reader.
I have to admit that in some parts I had to take a break since some of the scenes got to me, but I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
But again, definitely needs to be pointed out that it's for mature public.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
4.0
From the first chapter I knew this book would exceed my expectations. This book is rich in fantasy, gore, and sex. It is told from multiple perspectives with an adult style that was shocking, at first. I personally do not enjoy reading countless fantasy tales that surround a young adult’s angst ridden quest of self-discovery. That being said, this was exactly one of the story lines in the book! However, the main difference is that the book is written for adults and the young adult’s quest is merely one storyline in an intricate web of others. This style change was refreshing and realistic. The world is full of fear, hatred, violence, and injustice. This story does not shy away from describing, sometimes in depth, the gore and inequality.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/?p=366
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/?p=366
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley
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