acardattack's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is exactly what I want from this series, a fun little adventure that is quick, weird and funny. It seems like in each story Steve is upping the weirdness of the names and I love it. This is the best one so far.
mhedgescsus's review
5.0
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing fantasy books.
4.5/5 stars. Somehow Steven Erikson hits yet another home-run with his dynamic trio of Bachelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor Reese.
I'm legitimately shocked at how good these little books continue to be, and I continually get reminded that Steven Erikson really is in a class of his own as a fantasy writer. In my opinion, Erikson is the greatest epic fantasy, and the greatest grimdark fantasy writer of all time. And somehow in his spare time he decided to become the funniest fantasy writer of all time as well.
I almost feel like it's blasphemy to say that as I am a huge Terry Pratchett fan, but in terms of both laughs per minute, and the devilishly ingenious jokes, Erikson takes the cake.
It's still strange to me that the combination of horror, comedy, and fantasy could be molded together to make something not just good, but great - but I need to stop questioning it and just keep on enjoying these books.
Whether you are a Malazan fan or not, these books are simply wonderful.
4.5/5 stars. Somehow Steven Erikson hits yet another home-run with his dynamic trio of Bachelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor Reese.
I'm legitimately shocked at how good these little books continue to be, and I continually get reminded that Steven Erikson really is in a class of his own as a fantasy writer. In my opinion, Erikson is the greatest epic fantasy, and the greatest grimdark fantasy writer of all time. And somehow in his spare time he decided to become the funniest fantasy writer of all time as well.
I almost feel like it's blasphemy to say that as I am a huge Terry Pratchett fan, but in terms of both laughs per minute, and the devilishly ingenious jokes, Erikson takes the cake.
It's still strange to me that the combination of horror, comedy, and fantasy could be molded together to make something not just good, but great - but I need to stop questioning it and just keep on enjoying these books.
Whether you are a Malazan fan or not, these books are simply wonderful.
sadiemeg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
bdesmond's review
5.0
The second novella in Steven Erikson's 'Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach' series earns the full five stars with ease. It seemed like he really found his footing in this one, and all the things he was going for in the first book, especially tonally, were achieved and exceeded here. Above all, one gets the sense that he's just having so much fun with these novellas. And when the writer is having a lot of fun, it often translates to the reader having just as much.
The Healthy Dead takes place four years after our first story, Blood Follows. Note that the collection in which I'm reading these actually places The Lees of Laughter's End as the second story, and The Healthy Dead as the third. That is the chronological order. However, I decided to stick with the published order, as I typically do, and read this one first. I do not bemoan my decision at all. So then, four years after Blood Follows our favorite necromancers and Emancipor Reese find themselves at the city of Quaint, in which the recent death of their king has given way to an overzealous cult-following of the Lady of Beneficence, and all things associated with living well. Vices of any and all kinds, big or small, are now not only frowned upon, but punishable offenses (a problem for Emancipor Reese, who happens to be sporting a drug collection so extensive Hunter Thompson would drool), and certain citizens have taken it upon themselves to seek aid, in the form of ones Bauchelain and Korbal Broach.
As I mentioned before, I think Erikson really hit his stride here, and if the other novellas are like this one I think I'm in for a real treat with this series. The Healthy Dead is chock full of that trademark Erikson humor that wavers between subtle quips and utter ridiculousness. Anyone who has read his Malazan work will know what I mean, and will be pleased to find him firing on all cylinders here. In fact, he sets the tone immediately with this message, 'WARNING TO LIFESTYLE FACISTS EVERYWHERE. DON'T READ THIS OR YOU'LL GO BLIND.' Not hard to tell I was in for some fun. When it comes down to it, Erikson is taking these novellas as an opportunity to take things a little less seriously, while still cozy inside his Malazan world. And with characters like Bauchelain and Emancipor Reese at the helm, he has near limitless potential to work with. At one point Bauchelain has Korbal Broach revive the former king (whose corpse happens to be spiked to the wall of Quaint) just so they can chat him up and invite him to partake in a revolution by the city's dead. Oh, and they are both in their Soletaken crow forms. This is the type of weirdness that works so well in novellas like these. Erikson has a knack for that, turning the weird into a delight. I look forward to more.
Quickly, I also wanted to give a shout out to Mike Dringenberg (of renown for his work on Gaiman's Sandman comics) for his cover art contributions for both this story and the first one. His work fits perfectly with the tone.
Do you not realise, Mister Reese, how perfectly diabolical is this king’s genius? Every tyranny imaginable is possible when prefaced by the notion that it is for the well-being of the populace.
The Healthy Dead takes place four years after our first story, Blood Follows. Note that the collection in which I'm reading these actually places The Lees of Laughter's End as the second story, and The Healthy Dead as the third. That is the chronological order. However, I decided to stick with the published order, as I typically do, and read this one first. I do not bemoan my decision at all. So then, four years after Blood Follows our favorite necromancers and Emancipor Reese find themselves at the city of Quaint, in which the recent death of their king has given way to an overzealous cult-following of the Lady of Beneficence, and all things associated with living well. Vices of any and all kinds, big or small, are now not only frowned upon, but punishable offenses (a problem for Emancipor Reese, who happens to be sporting a drug collection so extensive Hunter Thompson would drool), and certain citizens have taken it upon themselves to seek aid, in the form of ones Bauchelain and Korbal Broach.
As I mentioned before, I think Erikson really hit his stride here, and if the other novellas are like this one I think I'm in for a real treat with this series. The Healthy Dead is chock full of that trademark Erikson humor that wavers between subtle quips and utter ridiculousness. Anyone who has read his Malazan work will know what I mean, and will be pleased to find him firing on all cylinders here. In fact, he sets the tone immediately with this message, 'WARNING TO LIFESTYLE FACISTS EVERYWHERE. DON'T READ THIS OR YOU'LL GO BLIND.' Not hard to tell I was in for some fun. When it comes down to it, Erikson is taking these novellas as an opportunity to take things a little less seriously, while still cozy inside his Malazan world. And with characters like Bauchelain and Emancipor Reese at the helm, he has near limitless potential to work with. At one point Bauchelain has Korbal Broach revive the former king (whose corpse happens to be spiked to the wall of Quaint) just so they can chat him up and invite him to partake in a revolution by the city's dead. Oh, and they are both in their Soletaken crow forms. This is the type of weirdness that works so well in novellas like these. Erikson has a knack for that, turning the weird into a delight. I look forward to more.
Quickly, I also wanted to give a shout out to Mike Dringenberg (of renown for his work on Gaiman's Sandman comics) for his cover art contributions for both this story and the first one. His work fits perfectly with the tone.
Do you not realise, Mister Reese, how perfectly diabolical is this king’s genius? Every tyranny imaginable is possible when prefaced by the notion that it is for the well-being of the populace.
michaelsj10's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sade's review
4.0
I'm still curious about what role Korbal Broach & Bauchelain play in the bigger picture or if they even play a bigger role. Are these stories on thes delectable duo just Erickson's way of showing his readers his wicked humour? i'm beginning to think so.
Lol look i'm convinced someone kept bugging Erikson to exercise more or add more vegetables to his food and he got annoyed and decided to write a tongue in cheek Korbal B & Bauchelain novel just to convey his feelings. I totally enjoyed the novella though, highly entertaining as all the novels in this itty bitty weird volume has been.
The book basically opens up in a place called Quaint where after the death of their previous King, the new king in power becomes obsessed with health. What follows is Erikson's trademark macabre humour which is top notch. Really enjoyed this novella.
#FitFam #VegetablesAreGoodForYou #DieHealthy
Enjoy!!
..."Desire for goodness Mister Reese, leads to earnestness. Earnestness in turn leads to sanctimonios self righteousness, which breeds intolerance, upon which harsh judgement quickly follows , yielding dire punishment, inflicting general terror and paranoia, eventually culminating in revolt, leading to chaos, then dissolution and thus the end of civilisation"
Lol look i'm convinced someone kept bugging Erikson to exercise more or add more vegetables to his food and he got annoyed and decided to write a tongue in cheek Korbal B & Bauchelain novel just to convey his feelings. I totally enjoyed the novella though, highly entertaining as all the novels in this itty bitty weird volume has been.
The book basically opens up in a place called Quaint where after the death of their previous King, the new king in power becomes obsessed with health. What follows is Erikson's trademark macabre humour which is top notch. Really enjoyed this novella.
#FitFam #VegetablesAreGoodForYou #DieHealthy
Enjoy!!
amirnxv's review
5.0
It was the best short story so far, it was funny, page-turning, compelling, and more!
.
The plot is about a city where people who die unhealthy, their bodies are crucified outside the city, and people who are seriously injured during working are declared " Holy Saints of Labour ", everything which is deemed harmful be it alcohol or meat or fume materials are declared illegal and you can probably judge how terrible the city is becoming day after day!
Our main cast is approached by two Saints of Labour to change this status quo, thus the story begins.
.
The plot is about a city where people who die unhealthy, their bodies are crucified outside the city, and people who are seriously injured during working are declared " Holy Saints of Labour ", everything which is deemed harmful be it alcohol or meat or fume materials are declared illegal and you can probably judge how terrible the city is becoming day after day!
Our main cast is approached by two Saints of Labour to change this status quo, thus the story begins.
jamjimham's review
5.0
Probably the best of the Bauchelian and Korbal stories. This story read more like a Terry Pratchett novel then something set in the Malazan universe. I don’t know how Erikson is able to write so many different tales, while keeping everything fresh and interesting. But so far I have enjoyed everything I’ve read. Onto Midnight Tides.