Not your usual run of the mill Elf story!

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Really enjoyed this book. A beautifully written grimdark style novel, with strange mix of wild west, and fantasy. Set in an almost alternative history,one that the author managed to so skillfully blend together that it seemed so right.

It's not hard to see where he got his inspiration from for the races. The Vaettir "elfs" were akin to native americans, and the Rumans with their roman like culture. Only they run around with demonic carbines! Although there are many familiar themes, and races, they have been presented in a whole new style from how we usually see them. Just brilliant. A great story, that took wee while to really kick in, while the author did bit of character building/scene setting, but when it does it goes with a bang.

My only complaint about this novel was that it was over too quick,so really hope the author intends to do a sequel, would love to hear more from Fisk and Shoe, think the world that John Hornor Jacobs has created has a lot of promise.

Narration hey its Steven Pacey its in safe hands :).

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6 people found this helpful

Surprisingly good

Selected off the strength of the narrator, Steven Pacey, who is always fabulous, I took a punt with this one. Not quite as good as my favourite fantasy authors, but definitely a good find and worth the credit.

As far as world building goes, it's a mix of wild west, roman empire, with a dose of demon and elf lore.....but not elves as you'll have experienced previously.

I'm not sure I was satisfied with the plot and the solution for the Stretcher and the demon hand (no more detail for fear of spoilers) -but perhaps it was too subtle for me. Despite this annoyance, it's a good gripping tale, and I will be looking out for the sequel.

Fisk and Shoe are interesting characters, and some good groundwork has been set for future adventures.

Steven Pacey does an excellent job, as always.

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11 people found this helpful

Surprisingly good

Interesting concept. The mix of ancient Rome and the Wild West. Characters could be better developed, but the story is entertaining and of course, Steven Pacey is a brilliant narrator as usual.

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From about chapter 3, I couldn't stop listening

Well, I can only agree with the previous reviewers; an absolute gem of a book.

I honestly found it, and bought it, by virtue of the fact that Stephen Pacey was the narrator (can't go wrong there) but once it got going, I was as hooked by the story and the characters as much as by the narrator's performance.

One of my favourite elements of the book is that it is set over a relatively short period of time, maybe 4 to 6 weeks which means the author really focuses in, and doesn't try to cram far too much in there. The story doesn't meander too wide, it's just a riot of twists and turns right in the present.

Fantastic characters, a variety of likeable, admirable, despicable, mysterious, weak, suspicious, doubtable and strong in there, with a few strong females which I always like to see, and crucially, I think John Hornor Jacobs makes you really care about the main two or three.

I think other reviewers captured the gist of the story well, a sort of alternate time in history similar to when North America was being colonised, with some magic and devils thrown in.

Absolutely fantastic, looking forward to the sequel!

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1 person found this helpful

Didn’t think I would like it.. but loved it

I am obsessed with Steven Pacey’s narration so I decided to see what else he had done
This is not normally what I would enjoy but I really really liked it,
Not as immersive as the first law with Joe Abercrombie but a close second.
Putting the sequel to this in my cart as we speak!!

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A great find!

Story - 4.5/5

I stumbled across this in a sale and only gave it a shot for (1) because it is narrated by Steven Pacey and (2) because the only review from Karen made it sound more interesting than the "back cover blurb". I can tell you now, it is a fantastic story, and one that all grim-dark fantasy fans should give a go.

It has a weird mixture of influences; combining the wild west with roman military/politics and a steampunk fantasy where demons are trapped to enhance the power of machinery and weaponry. You may think that this can't work, but it does - mainly through the brilliance of John Hornor Jacob's prose.

He is actually a very clever writer, and builds the world, characters and pace gradually throughout until the huge climax near the end which is also excellent. The gradual building of these elements means that it takes a little while to get into, but you will realise it was worth it when things start to happen later on.


Performance - 5/5

Steven Pacey is one of the reasons for buying this audiobook, so of course I am going to give him 5/5. He is the very best narrator I have come across, and doesn't disappoint in this book. If you liked him in Joe Abercrombie's books, he is just as good in this - consistently flawless in voice acting, setting the scene and describing action. What more could you ask for?


Overall - 4.5/5

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8 people found this helpful

absorbing plot and sublime narration

not too keen on fantasy but tempted in by my favourite narrator Steven Pacey, book and performance both utterly wonderful

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1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

Really enjoyable story, very clever backdrop…. And Steven Pacey could make a shopping list sound good.

Overall really enjoyable and worth a listen

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Oustanding

Fantastic Wild West reimagining with demons instead of gunpowder. I really enjoyed the way it was presented, like I was being told a story around a campfire.

If you've listened to The First Law by Joe Abercrombie, you'll know how fantastic Stephen Pacey is as a voice actor. Took a minute to get used to the American accent he uses for Shoe, but it does click eventually.

Overall, a fantastic book.

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