Disclaimer: Jason Koivu is a friend that I met on Goodreads several years back, so there might be some slight positive bias here.
That said, I really eDisclaimer: Jason Koivu is a friend that I met on Goodreads several years back, so there might be some slight positive bias here.
That said, I really enjoyed this short overview of the Portland area. I was fortunate enough to go to Portland last week for a work conference, and I happened to find out I was going right about the time Jason released this. So heck yeah, $1.00 or two later (I can't remember), I snatched this baby right up. I did set it aside so I could read it closer to the time of my trip.
Well, it sure came in handy. I didn't get to it until I was actually on the trip, so there is a mix of suggestions that I used from the book with some things I'd already seen by the time I saw them mentioned. But all told, this made for a fun read while I was there. Jason's sense of humor made me laugh out loud a few times too.
It's not the most thorough or complete guide to Portland, but it's a funny, quick way to get some ideas when you don't have a lot of reading time (because you're out enjoying a great city).
Merged review:
Disclaimer: Jason Koivu is a friend that I met on Goodreads several years back, so there might be some slight positive bias here.
That said, I really enjoyed this short overview of the Portland area. I was fortunate enough to go to Portland last week for a work conference, and I happened to find out I was going right about the time Jason released this. So heck yeah, $1.00 or two later (I can't remember), I snatched this baby right up. I did set it aside so I could read it closer to the time of my trip.
Well, it sure came in handy. I didn't get to it until I was actually on the trip, so there is a mix of suggestions that I used from the book with some things I'd already seen by the time I saw them mentioned. But all told, this made for a fun read while I was there. Jason's sense of humor made me laugh out loud a few times too.
It's not the most thorough or complete guide to Portland, but it's a funny, quick way to get some ideas when you don't have a lot of reading time (because you're out enjoying a great city)....more
Here is a nicely structured novel of the Weird West. It made for a quick, enjoyableI received an eArc copy of this from NetGalley.
3 stars, almost 3.5.
Here is a nicely structured novel of the Weird West. It made for a quick, enjoyable read if you like a bit of magic added to your Westerns. Lawman (Peacemaker) Caleb Marcus and his trusty familiar Ernst travel out west on their new assignment and realize that something isn’t right in the small town of Hope, somewhere in Kansas.
That said, I couldn’t rate it higher than that. While there was a huge amount of potential here, most of that wasn’t quite realized. I’ll start on the positives though:
The magic system is very impressive. Stewart explains the basics of Arcane powers as used by Caleb and the characters that aren’t either Barren (born without ability) or Scoured (the power burnt out of them). There is mystery with it, but we get to see how Caleb uses it and how an old war wounding has left him partially hampered. The magic employed by the Cheyenne is similar, but different. Caleb himself is even mystified by how it works, and I felt that was a great twist to the Arcane system and the lack of understanding between the cultures.
Caleb’s backstory and the alt-history that includes the Arcane are very interesting. Not only does this form the backbone of the story background, but it sets up nicely for a longer series set in this Weird West. I’m looking forward to what Stewart can do with this material in future installments.
Now for the negatives:
The idea of “Agent” Caleb Marcus was intriguing. He seemed like Harry Dresden with a badge (and an actual hat!) at first glance. The problem is, he didn’t have much personality. He was polite. That’s the one characteristic we can gather as he shows very little else. He had no wit, and despite having such a grim backstory, he wasn’t really very dark. He was a “good man” but didn’t seem driven to do anything for any reason except that it was the right thing to do. Flat out, he was boring.
His side-kick familiar was a little more interesting. Ernst seemed at first like Bugs Bunny with antlers, as he’s described as taking the shape of a jackalope. While Ernst does have some wit and the dynamic between him and Caleb is something to build a story around, I feel like potential was lost. There was a little banter between them, but not a lot. This is an area that could have really lifted the overall feeling of enjoyment with this book, and it just didn’t.
Also, while well-constructed and written, the story didn’t overly impress. Most of it was fairly standard Western flair: lawman stranger, corrupt rancher, down-trodden and victimized Indians, scared townspeople, strong willed schoolteacher, orphan boy with the heart of gold but rough manners, etc.( I did really like the Scottish bartender though.) The storyline was predictable for the most part, though executed without any problem. But except for the Arcane elements, there just weren’t a lot of surprises.
So overall, I’d say it was an enjoyable novel. But I just felt it could have been excellent. There is awesome potential for the series still, and I’m hoping that as she finds her groove with it, Stewart will realize this potential in future installments. Definitely one to watch.
Merged review:
I received an eArc copy of this from NetGalley.
3 stars, almost 3.5.
Here is a nicely structured novel of the Weird West. It made for a quick, enjoyable read if you like a bit of magic added to your Westerns. Lawman (Peacemaker) Caleb Marcus and his trusty familiar Ernst travel out west on their new assignment and realize that something isn’t right in the small town of Hope, somewhere in Kansas.
That said, I couldn’t rate it higher than that. While there was a huge amount of potential here, most of that wasn’t quite realized. I’ll start on the positives though:
The magic system is very impressive. Stewart explains the basics of Arcane powers as used by Caleb and the characters that aren’t either Barren (born without ability) or Scoured (the power burnt out of them). There is mystery with it, but we get to see how Caleb uses it and how an old war wounding has left him partially hampered. The magic employed by the Cheyenne is similar, but different. Caleb himself is even mystified by how it works, and I felt that was a great twist to the Arcane system and the lack of understanding between the cultures.
Caleb’s backstory and the alt-history that includes the Arcane are very interesting. Not only does this form the backbone of the story background, but it sets up nicely for a longer series set in this Weird West. I’m looking forward to what Stewart can do with this material in future installments.
Now for the negatives:
The idea of “Agent” Caleb Marcus was intriguing. He seemed like Harry Dresden with a badge (and an actual hat!) at first glance. The problem is, he didn’t have much personality. He was polite. That’s the one characteristic we can gather as he shows very little else. He had no wit, and despite having such a grim backstory, he wasn’t really very dark. He was a “good man” but didn’t seem driven to do anything for any reason except that it was the right thing to do. Flat out, he was boring.
His side-kick familiar was a little more interesting. Ernst seemed at first like Bugs Bunny with antlers, as he’s described as taking the shape of a jackalope. While Ernst does have some wit and the dynamic between him and Caleb is something to build a story around, I feel like potential was lost. There was a little banter between them, but not a lot. This is an area that could have really lifted the overall feeling of enjoyment with this book, and it just didn’t.
Also, while well-constructed and written, the story didn’t overly impress. Most of it was fairly standard Western flair: lawman stranger, corrupt rancher, down-trodden and victimized Indians, scared townspeople, strong willed schoolteacher, orphan boy with the heart of gold but rough manners, etc.( I did really like the Scottish bartender though.) The storyline was predictable for the most part, though executed without any problem. But except for the Arcane elements, there just weren’t a lot of surprises.
So overall, I’d say it was an enjoyable novel. But I just felt it could have been excellent. There is awesome potential for the series still, and I’m hoping that as she finds her groove with it, Stewart will realize this potential in future installments. Definitely one to watch....more
Great little piece of flash fiction that serves to introduce the author's style. I'm definitely interested in checking out some of his longer works. TGreat little piece of flash fiction that serves to introduce the author's style. I'm definitely interested in checking out some of his longer works. This little teaser was a great first chapter in what could be a pretty good novel....more
I received an audiobook ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was a great escape. I always enjoy memoirs a little bit more when I received an audiobook ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was a great escape. I always enjoy memoirs a little bit more when they're read by the author, as this was. It's especially important here, where Richards sometimes goes into character, and that wouldn't work as well with another reader....
Since I was a fan of Seinfeld, I got an extra benefit from this book, but Richards's life story was interesting before and after Seinfeld as well.
I received an eARC of this title from the author...
In today's fantasy market, doesn't it seem that every single book is part of a series? Some of thesI received an eARC of this title from the author...
In today's fantasy market, doesn't it seem that every single book is part of a series? Some of these things sprawl out over many years and volumes, and readers crave that of their favorite authors and books.
But it's awfully refreshing to grab hold of a standalone every once in awhile. There's no prior knowledge required going in, and you don't have to comb over websites to get book summaries to refresh your mind to what's happened so far in the time since you put down the last volume.
Grab and go. And that's what we have here. If you like grimdark settings and shady characters, this is for you. A noir inspired mystery with a sharp investigator, check. Entertaining side characters and monstrous surprises, check. And of course, what action story would be complete without fighting nuns?...more
I received an audiobook ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
Excellent narrator that also did Marshall's What Lies in the Woods lastI received an audiobook ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
Excellent narrator that also did Marshall's What Lies in the Woods last year, and once again the combination of author and narrator keeps the story moving, and the twists keep the reader guessing and reguessing......more
I received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
This really brings everything full circle and packs a punch, wrapping up the triI received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
This really brings everything full circle and packs a punch, wrapping up the trilogy. The way things were unraveling through the last book and a half or so, I didn't expect the ending to satisfy, but was surprised that it wrapped up the story pretty well....more
I received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley...
This was a brilliant and fast paced follow up to The Justice of Kings, both woI received an eARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley...
This was a brilliant and fast paced follow up to The Justice of Kings, both working well as a sequel and a bridge to the final in the trilogy, which is releasing soon......more
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