Hark
Fight Club for chicks
Fight Club for chicks
Cenobite glory hole
This book is about holes. In these 200~ish pages nothing is explained merely passively witnessed. Each character has no control over the greater trajectory of their lives, pointlessly seeking fulfillment from the Funhole. A void staring into a void.
The story is dressed in the alternative art scene, naturally raising questions about art and how we interact with it without purposefully giving an answer on the subject. This is most clearly shown in the Funhole itself. Each observer having some different interpretation of its meaning, origin or purpose.
Although the book is mostly centered around our relationship with art i found myself thinking more about the relationship between the sometimes lovers, Nakota and Nicholas. They both play second fiddle to the Funhole yet their connection struck me as the kind two people form, regardless if they even love each other, who have spent so much time together that they simply won't move on. It feeds back into this feeling of the story taking place in some secluded purgatory where each character is and will be in the same moment of their lives regardless of how much time passes. This is simply the best kind of Horror, the kind that leaves you pondering on its musings long after you've set it down.
Cenobite glory hole
This book is about holes. In these 200~ish pages nothing is explained merely passively witnessed. Each character has no control over the greater trajectory of their lives, pointlessly seeking fulfillment from the Funhole. A void staring into a void.
The story is dressed in the alternative art scene, naturally raising questions about art and how we interact with it without purposefully giving an answer on the subject. This is most clearly shown in the Funhole itself. Each observer having some different interpretation of its meaning, origin or purpose.
Although the book is mostly centered around our relationship with art i found myself thinking more about the relationship between the sometimes lovers, Nakota and Nicholas. They both play second fiddle to the Funhole yet their connection struck me as the kind two people form, regardless if they even love each other, who have spent so much time together that they simply won't move on. It feeds back into this feeling of the story taking place in some secluded purgatory where each character is and will be in the same moment of their lives regardless of how much time passes. This is simply the best kind of Horror, the kind that leaves you pondering on its musings long after you've set it down.
Fight Club for chicks
Fight Club for chicks
A deep fried crime novel played to the tune of Nine Inch Nails
Frank Bill, who has the power of two first names, has managed to pen the greatest 80's genre film that never existed. The plot itself is straightforward however the large cast with intersecting storylines, In conjunction with Bill's almost nihilistic prose, elevates the novel into becoming truly noteworthy among modern southern gothic literature.
He's managed to work in enough world building that you could extrapolate a whole season of premium tv, all without bogging down the narrative or feel like he's smashing you over the head with a beer bottle. Kung fu assassins, prophets, inbred bastards and mind blowing sex, all with a bare knuckle free for all at the center of the universe. Truly what more could a sick fuck ask for?
Naturally with the Donnybrook at the center we gotta have a few exceptional fighters in the mix. Its very apparent that Bill did his homework on Muay Thai and Boxing before including them in his backwoods myth. At times though, he gets a bit wordy, getting bogged down in the technical details and halting a good rhythm.
I was wildly impressed with Donnybrook and will definitely be checking out his follow up to it, The Savage. If piss and vinegar could be beaten into a pulp and made into paper this surely would be the result.
A deep fried crime novel played to the tune of Nine Inch Nails
Frank Bill, who has the power of two first names, has managed to pen the greatest 80's genre film that never existed. The plot itself is straightforward however the large cast with intersecting storylines, In conjunction with Bill's almost nihilistic prose, elevates the novel into becoming truly noteworthy among modern southern gothic literature.
He's managed to work in enough world building that you could extrapolate a whole season of premium tv, all without bogging down the narrative or feel like he's smashing you over the head with a beer bottle. Kung fu assassins, prophets, inbred bastards and mind blowing sex, all with a bare knuckle free for all at the center of the universe. Truly what more could a sick fuck ask for?
Naturally with the Donnybrook at the center we gotta have a few exceptional fighters in the mix. Its very apparent that Bill did his homework on Muay Thai and Boxing before including them in his backwoods myth. At times though, he gets a bit wordy, getting bogged down in the technical details and halting a good rhythm.
I was wildly impressed with Donnybrook and will definitely be checking out his follow up to it, The Savage. If piss and vinegar could be beaten into a pulp and made into paper this surely would be the result.
Short, meandering, and barely delivers on its premise as Earp and Doc are hardly in the book. That withstanding, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a smile on my face picturing an aged Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer bickering like the old married couple they are. Id say that alone was worth the price of admission.
Rest In Peace, Huckleberry
Short, meandering, and barely delivers on its premise as Earp and Doc are hardly in the book. That withstanding, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a smile on my face picturing an aged Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer bickering like the old married couple they are. Id say that alone was worth the price of admission.
Rest In Peace, Huckleberry
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.
I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.
Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.
A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.
I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.
Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.
