zgale98's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kitvaria_sarene's review
5.0
I might not be able to split mountains with my magic, despite my recent attempts to improve it, but if you wanted an old piece of paper vaguely ignored, I was the mage for you.
I enjoyed Nectar For The God even more than the first book!
The same level of sarcasm and banter, but also quite some old trauma resurfacing, which balanced out the overall feel of the book. I also thought it was really well handled.
The characters felt more three dimensional, and I was happy to both find old acquaintances and new people to love and hate.
Another murder mystery, and yet again so many things go wrong, and it's not always Nik's fault. Only mostly...
A wild ride full of action, politics, kidnappings, loyalties, doubt and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, even if just to spite them all.
This is quickly becoming a favourite series for me!
wynwicket's review
5.0
Patrick Samphire is quickly becoming one of those indie fantasy writers I recommend to everyone -- his Mennik Thorn series is fantasy-noir, reminiscent of Glen Gook's Garrett, PI, series and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files (with a much less contemporary feel). Nik is a good detective, a mage who's probably more powerful than he thinks, and above all a Good Guy. It's (mostly) not his fault that he keeps coming up against elder gods and dark magic (and, this time around, some nasty tentacled creatures). It's (mostly) not his fault that he keeps getting more and more involved in cutthroat city politics. I'm rooting for the guy, wholeheartedly. (Also for the Ash Guard, who rock my socks).
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review
5.0
It took exactly four sentences for me to become so engrossed in Nectar for the God that I was annoyed by any interruptions to my reading. Once again, author Patrick Samphire crafted a book that is impossible to put down.
“With a smile and a nod to the other customers, Etta Mirian left the bakery, crossed Long Step Avenue, and stabbed Peyt Jyston three times in the neck. She then turned the knife on herself and, still smiling all the time, opened her throat from side to side.”
The reader finds Mennik Thorn slightly the worst for wear after the events in Shadow of a Dead God. He’s been avoiding both his mother (who has far more power, and far fewer scruples than is ever good), and her rival Wren, with varying levels of nonsuccess. While Mennik is realizing that he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, a case drops into his lap that is far above his skill level, and much more complicated than it looks. From there, it’s a non-stop adrenaline rush which somehow manages to also have a complex and incredibly clever mystery involved.
In between traipsing through sewers and attracting the attention of something rather terrifying, Mennik’s character also continues to grow. Through his interactions with his mother, his sister, his thieving friend, Benny, and Benny’s murderous daughter, we are given a more complicated picture of who Mennik is and why he acts the way he does. He never seems to end up on top. The most he can hope for is to break even, and that’s an ambitious goal. Mennik is the sort of character who gets kicked around by life, although in many instances he walks right into trouble. This juxtaposition between the desire to survive and a complete lack of caution leads to all kinds of problems. Mennik’s slightly skewed moral compass shifts continues to intrigue and delight, and his inner dialogue is absolutely brilliant. Author Patrick Samphire takes the smallest of details and makes them fascinating with his incredibly descriptive writing.
The world is gritty and messy, teeming with the equivalent of magical gangsters, meddling gods, and–even worse–politicians. It constantly grows, tantalizing the reader with details and mysteries that have yet to be solved. The dreaded info dump is nowhere to be found, with history and mythology being given naturally throughout the book. While Mennik is juggling multiple disasters, I could see they were puzzle pieces waiting to be fit together. Watching the seemingly disparate parts of Nectar for the God meld into a complete whole is a joy, and the final product is an entertaining romp that will draw you in and captivate you.
This review was originally published in Grimdark Magazine.
“With a smile and a nod to the other customers, Etta Mirian left the bakery, crossed Long Step Avenue, and stabbed Peyt Jyston three times in the neck. She then turned the knife on herself and, still smiling all the time, opened her throat from side to side.”
The reader finds Mennik Thorn slightly the worst for wear after the events in Shadow of a Dead God. He’s been avoiding both his mother (who has far more power, and far fewer scruples than is ever good), and her rival Wren, with varying levels of nonsuccess. While Mennik is realizing that he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, a case drops into his lap that is far above his skill level, and much more complicated than it looks. From there, it’s a non-stop adrenaline rush which somehow manages to also have a complex and incredibly clever mystery involved.
In between traipsing through sewers and attracting the attention of something rather terrifying, Mennik’s character also continues to grow. Through his interactions with his mother, his sister, his thieving friend, Benny, and Benny’s murderous daughter, we are given a more complicated picture of who Mennik is and why he acts the way he does. He never seems to end up on top. The most he can hope for is to break even, and that’s an ambitious goal. Mennik is the sort of character who gets kicked around by life, although in many instances he walks right into trouble. This juxtaposition between the desire to survive and a complete lack of caution leads to all kinds of problems. Mennik’s slightly skewed moral compass shifts continues to intrigue and delight, and his inner dialogue is absolutely brilliant. Author Patrick Samphire takes the smallest of details and makes them fascinating with his incredibly descriptive writing.
The world is gritty and messy, teeming with the equivalent of magical gangsters, meddling gods, and–even worse–politicians. It constantly grows, tantalizing the reader with details and mysteries that have yet to be solved. The dreaded info dump is nowhere to be found, with history and mythology being given naturally throughout the book. While Mennik is juggling multiple disasters, I could see they were puzzle pieces waiting to be fit together. Watching the seemingly disparate parts of Nectar for the God meld into a complete whole is a joy, and the final product is an entertaining romp that will draw you in and captivate you.
This review was originally published in Grimdark Magazine.
thediaryofabooknerd's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this overall, but a lot of the relationships and characters that I loved in the first book were pushed aside in this one when I expected them to be further developed. Still a fun read and I'll be waiting for the release of the third book!
taskuhecate's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The second in the series, we once again join Mennik "Nik" Thorn only a few short weeks after where the last book left off. While I absolutely adored the book, I will admit that it did feel a little repetitive at times, with Nik repeating information he'd already covered earlier - but the snarky sarcastic attitude more than made up for that, I think. Because of that, I do feel it was a bit weaker than the first book - but still well worth the time, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book! (And I do very very much hope there is a next book!) I still love the world-building around Agatos, and the teased unrevealed mysteries and I can't wait to find out more about the world and see Nik grow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse
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